Historical Winter Park

Winter Park Historical Association is a quaint museum in the heart of Winter Park’s historic Park Avenue near Rollins College. To celebrate ArtsFest, the museum hosted a series of classes for children called “That ‘70s Show” for children from 2 to 6 years old. Delta Dawn and Sunny invited you into their living room and back to a simpler time. Through interactive song, games and stories, they recreated the spirit of the seventies and gave kids a glimpse of Winter Park’s past. For more information call 407.647.2330 or visit www.wphistory.org. The museum is a small, brick building that showcased art, photography, and fashion from that era. When I walked inside I was greeted with a huge smile and a tour. Some of the photos on the wall included images of what the stores on Park Avenue used to look like. It truly felt like I was walking back in time for a moment. We visited all around the area to find the current buildings to match them up with the photos from the museum for our video.

written by Jessica Northey  |  jessicanorthey.com 

 Historical Winter Park Museum

Clouds in My Coffee – Music & Spoken Word

Clouds in My Coffee Theater at Dex Imaging Skyline Club at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium Clouds of Love included Orlando’s best spoken word and live music featuring Mozaic. Spoken word is a form of art with origins in both the Harlem renaissance and blues music (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoken_word). Spoken word can take on the form of a spoken poem or song and is typically comprised of a story with dramatic tones to keep the audience’s attention. It can be mixed with music. To listen to more music from the video, please visit Mozaic’s website (http://www.reverbnation.com/mozaicsoul and hear her song called “Rolling in the Deep” http://soundcloud.com/mozaicsoul). Watch the video for interviews and a sneak peek at part of the spoken word performance.


written by Jessica Northey  |  jessicanorthey.com 

Clouds in My Coffee – Music & Spoken Word

Orlando Youth Circus

The Orlando Youth Circus performed at the Downtown Library to help celebrate ArtsFest. The group learned their clown skills during summer Circus Camp. Created five years ago, the Orlando Youth Circus gives children in Central Florida the opportunity to experience the physical, emotional, and social benefits of circus arts through classes and camps.  The performance was captured on video here and shows children juggling, stilt walking, building human pyramids, and more. For more information about circus classes, click here to visit their website. Watch our video to see an interview with the Director and the performance.


written by Jessica Northey  |  jessicanorthey.com 

  Orlando Youth Circus 

Orlando Science Center and Human Library at The Urban ReThink

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            Orlando Science Center has a theater called “Dr. Philips CineDome” with a choice of a few educational movies. We arrived an hour before the movie started so we could visit all of the floors to capture video for our ArtsFest fans. It turned out to be a great idea because the movie lasted 45 minutes, which felt like a break from playing with all of the kids and neat toys. There was so much to see; even the gift shop was very cool.

            Corey decided to continue capturing video of the Science Center while I watched the movie. I chose to watch Animalopolis. They have stadium seating that is covered with a dome screen, with 28,000 watts of audio power, and 30 speakers. This is a family-oriented event where kids were laughing at all of the funny things animals do when they think we’re not watching. The visuals were incredible with a very cute story line with a musical twist, and rhyming narration. I can honestly say that I learned a few things about animals that I had never heard of before. Did you know that a cheetah could run up to speeds of 72 mph?

            Our next stop was at Urban ReThink, located downtown off of E. Central Blvd. Urban ReThink is a creative, collaborative, and transformative atmosphere. Their event for ArtsFest was unique for the United States. The concept originated in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2000 and has now reached its way here through Urban ReThink’s event planner. It was called ‘The Human Library’ and you could check out a human book to hear a story based on the book title you choose. More details about the event can be found on their website at http://www.urbanrethink.com/node/587. Our video includes a brief interview with the event planner and a sneak peek at one of the human books in action. For a listing of future events happening at Urban ReThink visit: http://urbanrethink.com/calendar. If you’re interested in becoming a human book, they’re interested in hearing from you. For more information on how to sign up, visit: www.tinyurl.com/beahumanbook.

REMINDER: on the last page of the ArtsFest schedule of events is a passport that’s been provided for you to collect one or more stamps throughout ArtsFest. The more stamps you get the better your chance is to win valuable prizes and discounts to local arts and cultural organizations and businesses. Get your passport stamped at participating ArtsFest venues.

written by Jessica Northey | jessicanorthey.com 

 Orlando Science Center

The Human Library at Urban ReThink

BLU-TET performance at Enzian

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The BLU-TET

Digital Journey: Where Jazz Meets Hip-Hop
Live music at its rawest state. Stunning improvisation and trance-like beasts done by a live band; this event connects the participant with the art in the best way possible, through their ears.

Enzian is a great place for a date night in a cozy atmosphere where it feels like all of the guests outside at the bar are friends. They are known for their indie movies so being new to Orlando, I was delightfully surprised to see a jazz band playing outside while a movie was playing inside. Enzian is now playing two movies called ‘Shame’ and ‘Bach & Friends’ and if you want to learn more about the theater, visit Enzian’s website at http://www.enzian.org. The band playing was called The BLU-TET.

According to BLU-TET’s website, at www.ReverbNation.com/blutet “Jarritt Sheel's BLU-TRIO, and the BLU-TET, is a full fledge jazz quartet based on the Horace Silver groups and the Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers concept, which we feel is the paradigm of performing original and standard jazz literature, while also combining improvisation with Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, and Blues music. To stand shoulder to shoulder with the titans of jazz music while also carving out our own individual niche.” I highly recommend Enzian and the BLU-TET; they’ll be playing there again on Wednesday the 29^th from 6 – 8pm.

Corey and I met with the band members inside for video interviews during the band’s break. Other ArtsFest staff was also there for the ArtsFest event with paper tags guest can fill out that will be hung at Urban ReThink in Thornton Park for display. The crew asked people to write on a tag about why The Arts Matter. You can share why The Arts Matter to you online at www.TheArtsMatter.com as well. I am reminded why art matters at every interview we do with artists, of every kind, who say they knew they wanted to have a career in the one special creative gift they discovered they had as a child. ArtsFest is about bringing families in Central Florida more awareness of the art that is all around them. We are very lucky to live in a city that has a strong cultural support system such at United Arts of Central Florida.

written by Jessica Northey  |  jessicanorthey.com

BLU-TET Band at Enzian

Orisirisi African Folklore and Mead Gardens

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Our second day at ArtsFest has been fun-filled. We wanted to attend a few events that were going on at the same time so we decided to split up. Corey chose to visit the Orisirisi African Folklore event; while I decided to spend the day with mother nature and catch the children having a blast racing their painted rubber ducks for prizes. Mead Gardens put on an event called ‘The Great Duck Derby.’ From the website (www.meadgarden.org): “Get in the race! Come to Mead Garden for another fun filled day at the races. See hundreds of little rubber ducks as they race through the pond while the crowd cheers the lucky ducks across the finish line to win cool prizes!” I would love to hear from the families who attended if you have pictures of your rubber duckies to share with us. We welcome comments about your day as well. I can’t wait until the next race, I’ll be sure to bring all of my nieces and nephews with me.

The first story is about the African drummers and then about the garden. I was able to transform their words to my ears from my eyes to my fingers to write about one of the best stories I’ve ever heard about music, just by listening to Corey retell his experience at Orisirisi and watching the video footage he captured.

Orisirisi African Folklore performed at Orlando Public Library on Saturday, February 18 for ArtsFest. According to their website (www.orisirisi.com), Orisirisi is one of the world’s most preeminent performing arts company, was created in 1986 with the expressed purpose of sharing both the beauty and poignancy of African life and culture.

Co-produced, directed, and performed by a husband and wife team comprised of Nigerian born folk-artist Adetutu Harrell and Don Harrell, a music scholar and performing artist, who is a life-long veteran of stage and screen. Orisirisi (a Yoruba word pronounced o-re-she-re-she) utilizes varied artistic forms to impart folk-knowledge and experiences to and for their audiences.

The duo shared their folktales, legends, and myths from the far corners of Africa with the audience. Their performance is a celebration of music, culture and the recreation of the African storytelling tradition; including drum and percussion instruments, audience participation, and fun learning for the entire family.

           

They presented the rich history by sharing with us that the stories are traditionally told during the evening by elders. The stories always had a way of explaining why things were the way that they were as well as teaching lessons about the difference between right and wrong, how to be a good friend, how to respect yourself and others, and especially to respect their elders. The stories included the playing of drums and singing and funny voices, which was very entertaining to watch. They wrapped up each story with a moral or cultural value.

            Orisirisi shared a few more stories with the audience on Saturday’s celebration of ArtsFest. I will leave it up to you to reach out to Orisirisi to hear more of their fantastic folklore. They enjoy teaching about their culture and were an educational and entertaining way to learn about the world around us and it’s rich history.

            Over at Mead Gardens, I was not able to film the race itself. I decided to stay and capture the beauty of the nature surrounding me while a few of the festivities were still happening. There were families all around who were having fun and enjoying the atmosphere of the Gardens. Not far from where the race took place, I found the amphitheater where symphonies play music and couples get married. 

written by Jessica Northey | jessicanorthey.com 

Orisirisi African Folklore

Mead Gardens

 

CityArts Factory & SAK Comedy Lab events

    CityArts Factory --> is our first stop on our adventure of celebrating United Arts of Central Florida’s ArtsFest throughout the month of February. This year the ArtsFest blog is presenting 10 videos from a variety of events by Corey Link and Jessica Northey. We are both Full Sail students who are volunteering our time to dig into what ArtsFest is all about. Corey is the editor and I am the Producer and blog Writer. We’re excited to find out more about the artists, staff, and businesses who make ArtsFest possible.

    Our first video has interviews with local artists and other activities not caught on film. I was able to hunt down the staff and gave my business card to register to win a gift pack including tickets for two to both SAK Comedy Lab and Jazz Brunch at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. You can also leave your information if you do not have a business card, anytime throughout ArtsFest of February 2012.

    In addition to the amazing artwork and smooth, drumming tunes of the evening, we signed up for the free headshots offered that night only.  We scored on free professional headshots and are expecting the photos by Wednesday of next week. We’re willing to choose one of each of them both to that we’ll share with you here on the blog, so be sure to subscribe to ArtsFestFl.blogspot.com to get your updates.

    Each artist was asked about where their creative inspiration originated from. We enjoyed hearing many stories about how the spark was discovered in their childhoods. It brings my attention to how important it is to encourage children to be around creative outlets where they can discover their own talents. Today the world is changing from creative being a choice to being in demand. Our country is still leading today because we allow people the freedom of expression. As long as we allow ourselves to connect with our creativity, we can continue to discover ourselves and continue innovation.

    Several artists were interviewed at the CityArts Factory. We spoke with a photographer, Kamran Malik, and Dlynn Roll, owner of Candlelite Gallery. Other works shown at the art gallery were by Urban Contemporary, David O’Keefe, and Curt Littlecott.

Duel of Fools Show

     Moving forward to the next event of the evening, conveniently located next door to CityArts Factory is the SAK Comedy Lab. A favorite routine of the actors is the SAK Duel of Fools show. Enjoy the video posted here showing clips of this high-energy improv comedy competition, featuring audience judges, the Pink Shoe of Salvation and the Scum Box with plenty of free Tootsie Rolls. After their free ArtsFest performance, we were able to interview Mike, one of the seasoned professional actors of the SAK Comedy Lab. 

   

    Be on the lookout for our next video adventure blog. In the meantime, enjoy the videos from the CityArts Factory gallery of immensely talented artists, including interviews with some of the local artists. The gallery has a variety of types of artistic styles. I had a great evening and highly recommend visiting during a future ArtsFest celebration. Be sure to hop over next door to SAK Comedy Lab to cap the evening with laughter and entertainment. The comedy performance involves the audience in a creative way to use puns and funny wordplay with the suggestions from a variety of ways.

    Now in its 10th year, ArtsFest is a free annual event showcasing local arts and culture available in Central Florida, continues this week and throughout the month of February. Presented by Bank of America, ArtsFest has something for every artistic taste and pocketbook. This year ArtsFest is offering more than 300 FREE events in over 80 venues across four counties. Flor more information and to view the full schedule of events, please visit ArtsFestFL.com. Stay connected by following on Twitter @ArtsFestUA and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArtsFestFL.
   

    Support your local arts and enjoy the family events with the children in your life. You could be making all the difference in a child’s life by exposing them to the wonders of artistic delights and endeavors.

written by Jessica Northey  |  jessicanorthey.com

CityArts Factory

SAK Comedy Lab

Event List for ArtsFest Feb 2012

Please subscribe to the blog for upcoming videos being produced for ArtsFest this year by Jessica Northey along with Corey Link. We're both Full Sail U students and are excited about covering the events this year. The following events are a list of the specific events we will be attending for a video blog entry.

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CityArts Factory
29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, 32801, 407.648.7060

Wed. 2/1 - Sat. 2/4: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/7 - Sat. 2/11: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/14 - Sat. 2/18: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/21 - Sat. 2/25: 11 am – 6 pm
Tues. 2/28 - Wed. 2/29:  11 am – 6 pm

Explore CityArts Factory
Stop by CityArts Factory to enjoy works from local artists and get registered to win a gift pack including tickets for two to both SAK Comedy Lab and Jazz Brunch at the Grand Bohemian Hotel.

Thurs. 2/16: 6 - 9 pm
Free Headshots 
Free professional headshots with CD of your pictures on the way out!
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SAK Comedy Lab
29 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32801, 407.648.0001
Thurs 2/16: 7:30 - 9pm

SAK Duel of Fools
Our seasoned professionals duke it out in this high-energy improv comedy competition, featuring audience judges, the Pink Shoe of Salvation and the Scum Box with plenty of free Tootsie Rolls.
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Mead Botanical Garden
1500 S. Denning Dr., Winter Park, 32789, 407.599.2800
Sat. 2/18: 10 am - 2 pm

The Great Duck Derby
Kids and adults alike can enjoy this free event or purchase a duck to paint and race through Winter Park’s hidden treasure, Mead Botanical Garden.
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Orisirisi African Folklore
at Orlando Public Library
101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801, 407.835.7323
Sat. 2/18: 11 am - noon

Orisirisi Drum Sermons: Folktales,
Legends, Myths from the Far Corners of Africa
A celebration of music, culture, and the recreation of the African storytelling tradition; including drum and percussion instruments, audience participation, and fun learning for the entire family.
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Orlando Science Center
777 E. Princeton St. 407.514.2000
2/19 10am-5pm
Explore & Discover Together - Museum
Where else can you pet a gator, make lightning, visit new worlds and come face to face with a T-Rex?
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Urban ReThink
625 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801, 407.704.6895
Sun. 2/5 & Sun. 2/19: 11 am - 7 pm

Human Library
Peruse fascinating stories from over 30 “human books” to discover the living truth of experiences like publishing a book, conducting an orchestra, or climbing Mount Everest – directly from the people who lived it!
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The BLU-TET
Enzian's Eden Bar - 1300 S. Orlando Ave. Maitland
2/22 6-8pm
Digital Journey: Where Jazz Meets Hip-Hop
Live music at its rawest state. Stunning improvisation and trance-like beasts done by a live band; this event connects the participant with the art in the best way possible, through their ears.
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Clouds in My Coffee Theater
at Dex Imaging Skyline Club at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium
1610 W. Church St., Orlando, 32805, 407.970.1550
Sat. 2/25: 8 pm

Clouds of Love
Clouds of Love includes Orlando’s best spoken word and live music featuring Mozaic.
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Orlando Youth Circus
101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801, 407.855.5457
2/26 1:30 - 2:30pm

Orlando Youth Circus
Participate in the fun of circus arts at this interactive demonstration of skills by Orlando Youth Circus.
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Winter Park Historical Association
200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park 32789, 407.647.2330
2/29 10am - 4pm

The Way We Were: Park Avenue in the '60s and '70s
Take a step back in time and learn about the people and shops of Park Avenue during the 1960s and 1970s.
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The Center for Contemporary Dance

It is important to remember that February is not only All Arts, All Month, All Free with ArtsFest...it is also Black History Month, which gives us a unique opportunity to appreciate our history and reflect on how far we have come as Americans. The Center for Contemporary Dance presents Moore Dance Project in Sacred Slave Stories, a history-inspired contemporary ballet that unfolds as a series of living memories from African-Americans who once lived as slaves. Don't miss this incredible performance, taking place in two locations:

Friday, February 3 @ 7pm

at Tavares High School, 603 N. New Hampshire Ave, Taveres, 32778

(open to the public, no tickets required)

Thursday, February 2 & Friday, February 3, 11 am - 12:30 pm

Sunday, February 5; 3-4:30 pm

at The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center

203 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford, 32771

(tickets required, visit ArtsFestFL.com to enter the ticket lottery)

Art and Music and Anything You May Have Missed.

With the help of the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of Modern Art and the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Park Avenue celebrated their Christmas in the Park event this past Thursday. Did you miss the hypnotizing sounds of the Bach Festival Society? Maybe you didn't have enough time to step into Origins to see local artist, Robin Maria Pedrero's awe-inspiring display? This was not your last opportunity to embrace the creativity of all of these amazing artists. During ArtsFest 2012, in February, you will be able to enjoy a relaxing outdoor concert with the Bach Festival Society and see the "Emotive Art" of Robin Maria Pedrero, of course all for free! Keep checking the ArtsFest website for the anticipated release of the full schedule of events.

ArtsFest At the Library.

The Orlando Public Library has been a huge supporter of ArtsFest for years. They are continuously spreading the word about ArtsFest and hosting numerous events for children and families. This year United Arts is proudly teaming up with the Orlando Public Library for ArtsFest again to offer a wide range of performances, workshops and activities for children, parents and the whole family. You can expect to see organizations like The Wondermakers, International Folk Dance Ensemble and the UCF Opera all at the library, every weekend of ArtsFest. Look for the ArtsFest 2012 Schedule of Events, coming soon on our website to see these events. Bring the family to the Library every weekend in February and immerse in to art, dance, music and culture, all at your neighborhood Downtown Public Library.

Tree Of Light--Exercise Your Creativity

Cole NeSmith has discovered the power of collaboration in the arts and is sharing it with ArtsFest 2012. On Kickstarter, a website dedicated to supporting new, creative projects, Cole talks about his inspirations for his Tree of Light project and his desire to encourage people to band together and become participants of the art versus just viewers. Standing over 20ft, this original, interactive sculpture, will bring visual and audible art to life by the pull of a string from your own hands. Illuminate Orlando together this February by experience Cole NeSmith's Tree of Light for ArtsFest 2012.

Post on our wall and let us know where you would like to see the Tree of Light sculpture during ArtsFest.

DRIP : Watch Art Come Alive

DRIP! Is going to create big buzz come February. This arts entertainment company formulates a unique blend of performing and visual arts that will heighten all your senses. If you're a fan of performances like Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil, you will undoubtedly enjoy DRIP's combination of dance, music and messy mediums. Leave the kids at home, these late night performances will be a perfect date night come February.

Jazz Meets Hip Hop at the Eden Bar!

Who doesn't love the feeling of discovering new music and talented artists? Although The BLU-TET is no stranger to the local music scene in Orlando, this energetic, full fledged, jazz quartet is "the new guy" at ArtsFest 2012. Enjoy the "Digital Journey" of unique improvisations along with trance-like beats from The BLU-TET, two separate nights, at the always welcoming, Enzian's Eden Bar. Continue following our blog for more hightlights and insights of the endless, FREE events we have planned for this year's ArtsFest.

Uptown Art Expo joins ArtsFest!

The Uptown Art Expo has joined forces with ArtsFest! Over 125 Art & Fine Crafts, Chalk Street Art, Children's Activities, Music & Street Performers in beautiful uptown Altamonte. Join ArtsFest and the Uptown Art Expo on February 18 and 19! For more info, click on the logo above!

Schedule released in December

The full ArtsFest 2012 schedule will be released in December 2011. Stay tuned to the "schedule" tab of United Arts for the release of the new and improved ArtsFest Schedule of Events, which will reveal the 302 events in 87 venues across four counties in Central Florida!

Shine Performing Arts joins ArtsFest

The Pine Hills Performing Arts Center and Shine Performing Arts will be collaborating with ArtsFest 2012 to host a special dance performance sometime during the month of February. Final plans are in the works and should be posted along with the full ArtsFest schedule in December. Stay tuned to ArtsFestFL.com for details!

Enter-to-Win System for 2012

ArtsFest has over 300 events each year that are offered to the community for free. A small percentage of these events (roughly 20%) require that you make advanced reservations by getting tickets. Often times these events have a limited capacity and can only hold a certain number of people. During ArtsFest 2012, a new ticketing system will be in place for events that require tickets. Patrons will be able to log on to a new ticketing system to enter-to-win tickets to their favorite top 5 ArtsFest events. The enter-to-win system will be live during a two week period prior to the first day of ArtsFest. Winners will be announced one week prior to ArtsFest and will be notified if they won tickets or (if they did not win tickets) their place in line on the waiting list. It is our hope that this new system will enable patrons to have an easier time reserving tickets for ArtsFest 2012.

All Arts, All Month, All FREE! in 2012

ArtsFest has over 302 FREE events this year that are offered to the community during the month of February. A small percentage of these events (roughly 20%) require that you make advanced reservations by getting tickets. Often times these events have a limited capacity and can only hold a certain number of people. During ArtsFest 2012, a new ticketing system will be in place for Tickets are Limited events. From ArtsFestFL.com, patrons will be able to access the Ticket Lottery and select up to five (5) Tickets are Limited events that they’d like to attend at ArtsFest 2012. Patrons may enter the lottery during a two week period prior to ArtsFest (January 10-21) at their convenience. Lottery winners will be notified via email on January 25. If patrons that entered the lottery do not win tickets to the event(s) they chose, they will be given their place in line on the waiting list.

New ticket system being researched

Plans are underway to launch a new ticketing system for ArtsFest 2012. This system, currently being used by theatres across the country, will enable patrons to sign up for the ArtsFest lottery during a two week period, ranking their favorite ticketed events in order of preference. After the lottery closes, names will be selected at random and contacted via email to let them they have won. If you are not awarded tickets to an event that you wanted to attend, you will be given a number for where you are on the waiting list for the show so you can decide whether it is worth your time to drive to the venue and wait for the 30-minute no show policy to take effect. It is United Arts' hope that this new system will increase customer satisfaction with the ticketing process to events with limited tickets, improving the overall ArtsFest experience. ArtsFest 2012 will take place the entire month of February 2012 (1-29th) in celebration of the 10th anniversary for the event.