John Sbordone and Diane Ellertsen had been associated with the transformation of the erratic Little Theater of Palm Coast into the successful Flagler Playhouse, including unparalleled sell-out shows this season. They resigned over differences with the Playhouse board of directors.
Culture
Despite Successes, Flagler Auditorium Loses Out on at Least $15,000 in Tourism Funding
The first $10,000 were lost when the tourism council’s logo did not appear in a TV ad. Another $10,000 are in jeopardy because of a missed deadline, though the auditorium is having a successful year, with three sold-out shows so far.
N-Word Reckonings: Wrestling With An Incendiary Word In and Out of Context
This essay on the history of the n-word as weapon is a postscript to the Mockingbird controversy and an introduction to next weekend’s performances. It is presented in the spirit of education, discussion—and, hopefully, debate.
Gallery Whales: Rick Cannizzaro’s Giants Opening at Ocean Publishing
The third in a series of gallery shows that tie art to books (and a cause), Rick Cannizzaro’s “Ocean Giants” features 11 new paintings of whales, along with a few works from previous shows.
A Morning Memorial on A1A for Jigme Norbu Before His Walk Resumes By Other Steps
The Dalai Lama’s nephew’s body was flying back to his home in Indiana as a group of friends and supporters gathered at the accident site in the Hammock before resuming his Walk for Tibet-Florida, ending in West Palm Beach later this month.
Dalai Lama’s Nephew’s Last Day: Jigme Norbu Remembered, and His Mission Honored
Jigme Norbu’s Florida walk for Tibet will continue, starting with a prayer ceremony on A1A in the Hammock Thursday morning in honor of Norbu, the Dalai Lama’s nephew killed there Monday evening.
Leon Redbone, Anne Frank and Orlando’s Art & Living Expo: Culture Worth the Miles
Winter Park’s Morse Museum is expanding, Orlando’s Downton Art Living Expo, Leon Redbone at the Plaza Theatre, and the “Diary of Anne Frank” at the Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park.
Behind the Story: Jigme Norbu’s Death–and Flagler’s Responsibility to His Last Steps
Flagler County is a small world, often too impressed by its own smallness. It would be compounding loss upon loss if Jigme Norbu’s death had a greater effect elsewhere than in what will always be the grounds of his very last steps.
Memories of River City: “The Music Man” Then and Now
Caren Umbarger, artistic director of the Flagler Youth Orchestra, grew up in Mason City, the real setting for “The Music Man”‘s River City, and both her grandfather knew Meredith Willson, the musical’s author, personally. She recalls her youth–and previews the show.
Gumbo Humanitarian: Sauce Boss
Crusade for the Poor Blues Up Flagler
Sauce Boss Bill Wharton: a blues-singing, gumbo-cooking humanitarian for the needy feeds the homeless Friday and performs at the Florida Agricultural Museum Saturday in a fundraiser for the museum and the needy. A profile.
In Your Face: Palms and Heads Color Hollingsworth Gallery Opening
Opening Feb. 11, the portraits of New Smyrna Beach artist Patricia Zalisko and the landscapes of Ormond Beach artist Karlene McConnell, and both their adventures with color and space, are the subject of their show at Hollingsworth gallery through March 1.
You Can’t Stop the Beat: Flagler Playhouse’s “Hairspray” Sells Out Extended Run
Director John Sbordone calls “Hairspray” the Flagler Playhouse’s most popular show in the theater’s history, but he won’t extend the run yet again: actors are preparing for the next show. Actors talk about their time on stage.
Pride, Prejudice, State Fairs and Curious George: Culture Worth the Miles
It’s state fair time in Tampa, harbor nights at Portofino Bay, Richard Rogers’ music at the Orlando Philharmonic, Curious George at the Orlando Science Center, Jane Austen at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, and more.
Feed Flagler III: Sauce Boss, Linda Cole, Gumbo and Blues at Ag Museum Saturday
Sauce Boss Bill Wharton has been playing and cooking for fellowship and the poor since 1990. He’ll be playing and feeding masses for Feed Flagler Saturday Feb. 12 at the Florida Agriculture Museum’s Hot N’ Spicy Food and Music Festival.
God’s Plagues, Man’s Fates, Roth’s Nemeses
With Nemesis, Philip Roth puts an end to to a quartet of novels about death, dying and disease. Roth’s books are as much elegy as honest preparation. There’s no faulting him for not deluding us.
ArtsFest 2011: Free Art in 81 Central Florida Venues, Feb 4-13 (and a Boat Show)
ArtsFest 2011 means all events from Feb 4-13 are free in 81 arts and performing in Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. A wonder sampling of what the Central Florida arts community has to offer. Plus a boat show.
More Power to Principals, Less Transparency as Board Kills Policy Inspired by Mockingbird
The rejected policy had called for supporting plays “that challenge, nurture and extend student skills” while respecting community sensibilities. Instead, the board retreated to more general “tweaks” of two existing policies.
Leak at the Flagler Auditorium Pushes
Ten Tenors’ Gigs to Wednesday and Thursday
A leak in the middle of the Flagler Auditorium caused by the heaviest rains of the winter caused the Ten Tenors’ performance Tuesday, Jan. 25, to be rescheduled to Thursday, Jan. 27. Wednesday’s performance will go on as planned.
Who’s Afraid of Musical Menopause–Or Virginia Woolf? Culture Worth The Miles
“Menopause, the Musical,” at Orlando’s Plaza Theatre, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” “West Side Story” at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, a benefit for the Ronald McDonald House, and more.
Zora Neale Hurston Festival in Eatonville, Jan. 22-30
The Zora Neale Hurston Festival in nearby Eatonville (just north of Orlando), Jan. 22-30, celebrates the life of one of Florida’s and black and American literature’s greatest 20th century voices.
Ten Tenors, Two Nights, One Flagler Auditorium
The Ten Tenors made the Flagler Auditorium part of their inaugural US itinerary in 2002. They’ve performed here every year since, and will be there Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 25-26.
Sock Hops, Narcotic Nostalgia and Interracial Kisses: “Hairspray” Rocks the Flagler Playhouse
In “Hairspray,” gaudiness and 1962 have never been so much fun. The Flagler Playhouse is reviving the 2002 Broadway musical with a cast of 45 and a parade of showstopping kitsch.
Oh Hell! To Choose Love By Another’s Eyes: Culture Worth the Miles
Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, “Five Course Love,” a manatee festival in Orange City, the Best of Broadway, and more.
These Dorks’ Fun Begins After They Get Hit By a Bus: “Forever Plaid” At Flagler Auditorium
“Forever Plaid” is a musical tribute to the 1950s, to innocence, to lovable dorkiness and to four-part harmonies. The show has been pleasing audiences for more than 20 years across most continents.
Belle Terre’s Agatha Lee and Maggie Carcagente Are the Year’s Top Teacher and Employee
It’s Belle Terre Elementary’s year: Agatha Lee is a second grade teacher there, and Maggie Carcagente is a special education paraprofessional. Their district victory gave Belle Terre a sweep this year.
Animal Kingdom Hippos, the Parthenon, and a Candlelight Vigil: Culture Worth the Miles
Wild Africa Trek, a unique 3-hour new African-wildlife inspired experience at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Josh Garrick’s photographic Parthenon retrospective, honoring MLK and swimming in watercolors at Maitland’s Watercolor Society.
Craving Art? Garren, Graham, Cerreta and More Dish It Out: 3 Local Galleries, 3 New Shows
No lack of art: Beth Garren, JJ Graham, Peter Cerreta and some 40 other artists show new work at Hollingsworth Gallery and the Flagler County Art League in Palm Coast, and at the Gallery of Local Art (GOLA) in Flagler Beach.
Edouard Manet: “Olympia” (1863)
Edouart Manet’s “Olympia” (1863)
A Cabaret in Winter Park, Bryce Hammond Returns to New Smyrna: Culture Worth the Miles
Artist Bryce Hammond returns to his native New Smyrna’s Arts on Douglas Gallery, Heather Alexander is Born to Entertain at the Winter Park Playhouse, brash talent at the he Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park and the Toronto Symphony.
Culture for the Visiting In-Laws
Arts columnist Josh Garrick saves the day with a list of suggestions, should you find yourself stuck with in-laws (or any extended family) and the perennial question: “What else is there to see?”
A.J. Neste and Hollingsworth Gallery Frame Young Photographers’ Voices in 1-Night Show
The 15 photographers in the Florida Endowment Foundation’s “Voice” program learned to frame, shoot and market their work all the way to Palm Coast’s premier gallery, where they had a brush with the feel of an art show opening.
The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and Beguiling Genders: Culture Worth the Miles
Three actors portray all of the characters in Dickens’ Christmas Carol at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center, Michael Andrew at the Plaza Theater, The Nutcracker (of course) by the Orlando Ballet, and more.
Encore: Flagler County Artist of the Year Edson Beckett at Hollingsworth Gallery
Edson Beckett, a ceramics, photography and graphic design teacher at Flagler Palm Coast High School for 22 years, is the Gargiulo Art Foundation’s 11th Artist of the Year since the award’s inaugural in 2000.
Youth Orchestra’s “Gift of Music” Concert Kicks Off Auditorium’s Holiday Extravaganza Tonight
Close to 300 students in the Flagler Youth Orchestra take to the stage at the Flagler Auditorium for their 16th major concert in six years, their second under the direction of Caren Umbarger.
From Handel’s Messiah to a Boat Parade: Culture Worth the Miles
A Messiah performance by the Orlando Philharmonic, the 7th Annual Winter Park Holiday Boat Parade, Paperworks exhibit at the Eustis Museum of Art, Florida sculptor Barbara Sorensen at the Museum of Florida Art, a free holiday concert by the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, and more.
It’s On: FPC Will Stage To Kill a Mockingbird At the Flagler Auditorium Feb. 24-26
FPC Principal Jacob Oliva and Drama Director Ed Koczergo finalized plans for staging Mockingbird over four performances as part of Black History Month, with many innovative stage elements to be incorporated into the production.
Music, Dance, Art: Auditorium’s 5-Day Holiday Extravaganza Will Boost Art in Education
With arts funding in free fall in Florida, the Flagler Auditorium’s series of concerts, performances, art showings and auctions Dec. 8-12, half of them free, will raise money to help art programs in Flagler schools.
Bucking Long-Range Goals, Palm Coast Again Scales Back Cultural Arts Grants Funding
Palm Coast is planning to award just $20,000 in cultural grants to 11 organizations this year, half the budget of three years ago, though the city is increasing the dollars and city resources it’s spending on its own special events.
A Little Frankenstein to Brighten the Holiday Season: Culture Worth the Miles
You want culture? Free culture? You’ve got it: Winter Park’s Central Park offers the annual Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concerts Nov. 28; on Dec. 2, it’s the Bach Festival Choir singing to the illumination of the Morse Museum’s Tiffany windows. Plus Frankenstein and much more.
Why I Left The Flagler County Art League: It’s like IBM vs. Apple
“Staunch conservative Businessmen vs. Creative Young Men working out of their garage” is how Weldon Ryan, the art league’s ex-president, describes the tension that led to his resignation.
On a Mission From God: Blues Brothers Tribute Friday at the Flagler Auditorium
It’s Jake and Elwood all over again Friday evening as Bluzmen recreate the great Blues Brothers band that featured Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in a romp through blues, R&B, jazz and those dance moves with no likeness.
Music Boxes, Puppets, and Highwaymen Artists: Culture Worth the Miles
An exhibit of music boxes at the Orlando Science Center, the 6th Annual Orlando Puppet Festival, Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Conquer” at the Mad Cow Theatre, the Highwaymen’s African-American art, and more.
Starry Saturday: Theater, Art, Grit and Glitz from Bunnell to Palm Coast
Staring with FPC’s courageous thespians, the visual and performing arts had a fabulous Saturday in Flagler, with two gallery openings and two local theater productions. That’s what the county’s unbound cultural scene should be about.
Improved Art League Goes On With the Show, Without Its President: Weldon Ryan Resigns
As president, Weldon Ryan convinced the art league to move to City Market Place, winning the league more visibility and members. He resigns after just four months at the helm.
The National Coalition Against Censorship’s Letter to Janet Valentine
“We urge you to encourage student creativity and civic engagement, and to teach students the skills to discuss opposing views respectfully,” the NCAC writes. “We urge you to allow the students to perform the play.”
National Coalition Against Censorship Urges Valentine To Reverse Mockingbird Decision
The strongly-worded letter from a coalition representing 50 organizations of actors, writers, educators and clerics calls on Superintendent Valentine to enrich the conversation on race and culture, not restrict it.
Mockingbird Appeals Committee’s Challenge: Loyalty to “Protocol” vs. Free Expression
Interviews with appeals committee members reveal a divide between instinctive revulsion of censorship and hesitancy over second-guessing a principal’s decision even as the facts of the case continue to be muddled by unspecified generalities.
Stetson Scores Freedom‘s Jonathan Franzen For Its James Turner Butler Lecture Nov. 22
The author of Freedom and The Corrections, an almost sure winner of this year’s Pulitzer for fiction, will be at Stetson on Nov. 22 for just one hour. The event is free, but tickets are extremely limited.
Art at Bargain Prices in DeLand and Free Shakespeare: Culture Worth the Miles
Some 87 Florida artists have donated work to be auctioned off in support of the Museum of Florida Art in Deland on Nov. 11; plus the The Red-Nosed Reindeer Romp, a free “Twelfth Night,” “Grease” and plenty more.
Pubescent Spellers on a Musical Stage, Art’s Aquatic Depths and Sunset Symphonies: Culture Worth the Miles
A staged, musical and interactive spelling bee as you’ve never seen it before, Doug Rhodehamel’s aquatic explorations at the Lake Eustis Museum of Art, Bok Tower Gardens’ 9th Annual Sunset Symphony Concert, and more.