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.
Culture
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.
Before School Censors: When Mockingbird‘s Harper Lee Spoke Proudly of Flagler County
In 2002, Harper Lee addressed Flagler County proudly when her book was the centerpiece of county-wide events. The school district’s censoring of the play this month contrasts sharply with that progressive history.
Cultural Development Richer Than Economic: How to Grow Palm Coast Into a City With Soul
There’s more to a city than commerce, argues Hollingsworth Gallery’s JJ Graham in a column. Without cultural development and the youthful force that makes it possible, Palm Coast would be a city without soul.
Dracula Brings Fangs, Foes and a Costume Contest to the Flagler Auditorium
If Stephenie Meyer could turn teen sighs and stares into a 2,000-page epic, why not make a ballet of Bram Stoker’s Dracula? Gainsville’s Dance Alive National Ballet brings that production to the Flagler Auditorium for a Halloween special.
A Halloween Concert of Myth and Poetry and a Neanderthal Friend-Raiser: Culture Worth the Miles
The Orlando Philharmonic’s Halloween concert, Edward Gorey at the Orlando Museum of Art, ‘Girls Night: The Musical,’ and the Neanderthal Ball friend-raiser at the Orlando Science Center, plus plenty more.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” Launches Flagler Playhouse’s 32nd Season
The play and the movie of the “rock opera” were charged up with controversy in 1971 and 1973. These days, “Jesus Christ Superstar” is a nostalgic bath of 70s music and only quaint hints of subversion.
Gorey Stories, Deadly Artists and International Arts Day: Culture Worth the Miles
Slightly frightful stories to go with Halloween and Edward Gorey at the Orlando Museum of Art, Mozart’s time machinery, oral histories come to the celery stage, International Arts Day on Oct. 25, and more.
Cubism Squared at “Picasso’s Legacy,” Flagler County Art League’s Latest Show
The second show at the Art League’s new home at City Walk/City Market Place features several attempts at translating Picasso’s cubist (and not so cubist) legacy, with varying degrees of success.
Beethoven, a “Bachelorette” Named Giselle, and Old Blue Eyes: Culture Worth the Miles
Beethoven’s 5th, Beethoven’s 9th, “Noises Off,” the recreation of the Orlando Ballet Company, a little Batman thrown in and more Museum of Florida Art auctions.
At Indian Trails, a Visa to Middleworld By Way of 2012’s Maya Calendar Rubbish
The Jaguar Stones trilogy authors Jon and Pamela Voelkel brought their live spectacle, humor and accurate history to some 90 Indian Trails Middle School students, setting a calendar’s record straight along the way.
Color and Provocation Surf Through Hollingsworth Gallery’s Latest Show
The new show features eight local artists whose sensibilities range from explorations of the darkest human impulses to the brightest harmonies, with creative chaos in between.
Hope, Art, and Winnie the Pooh: Culture Worth the Miles
“The Art of Hope” at Crealde’s Jenkins Gallery, the Winter Park Autumn Festival, Winnie the Pooh at the Orlando Repertory Theater, Phantasmagoria’s haunting puppetry, and more. Josh Garrick’s latest picks.
Palm Coast Hispanic Festival Ramps It Up From Puerto Rican Power to Colombian Folklore
The fourth annual Hispanic festival, held at Town Center over three days, aimed to exceed last year’s attendance of 10,000 despite an eventful weekend in Flagler County.
All Maya All the Time: How the Government Building in Bunnell Became Archeology Central
The four-day Maya at the Playa Conference at the county and school building gathered the leading experts in Maya archeology and history from nine countries and 29 states, drawing some 160 participants.
French Maids Worth the Miles, Not To Mention Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival
French maids like you’ve never seen them before, Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival returns, Kevin McKenzie at the Orlando Ballet, words to works at the Orlando Museum of Art, and more.
The Live Wire, Sept. 27: Liquoring Up on Genesis, Mark Rothko and Jimmy Carter
It’s Banned Books Week; before ABC liquor, there was green; the Jimmy Carter diaries; let’s not forget Mark Rothko’s birthday, nor a limerick from Dallas the day.
From “Wall Street” to Sequel, a Sentimental Oliver Stone Manages a Ménage à Trois
Oliver Stone’s new “Wall Street” is worth the ride, but it’s less caffeinated than the original, and Stone gives in to sentimentalism and nostalgia where polemic serves him better.
How A Panther Broadened City Beauty Board’s Mission to Include Riches & Perils of Public Art
Paul Baliker’s “Panther” sculpture, looking for a home at Linear Park, forged a discussion that’s leading Palm Coast into a world of public art possibilities led by local artists’ visions.
The Live Wire Weekend: Kent Sharples’ Latest Folly, Scott Sinking and Panthers Rising
Kent Sharples raids Daytona College fund to pay rock stars, Alex Sink is beating Scott, Obama is not as anti-business as he appears, Dali on “What’s My Line,” and much more.
Vote Early, Vote Often: Make Your Voice Heard for Art Programs and FPC’s Junia Louis-Pierre
Junia Louis-Pierre’s graffiti drawing of foreclosure and eviction is in the running for a $5,000 award for FPC’s art department and a $1,000 scholarship for Junia. But you must vote.
Joining Palm Coast, County Administration Disputes Arts Foundation’s Conference Center
The tourism council recommends spending up to $50,000 on a marketing study for the center. The county administration disagrees. It’ll be up to county commissioners to decide Monday evening.
Mahler’s Greatest Hit and Museum Madness in DeLand: Culture Worth the Miles
Plenty of art, sculptures and museum days in DeLand, Mahler’s great “Resurrection” Symphony performed by the largest orchestra the Orlando Philharmonic has ever assembled, and lots more.
Culture Worth the Miles: Nature Walks and Art Along the Highway
Have a hand in a community masterpiece at an “Eat, Paint and Party” arts district benefit at Orlando’s Sonesta Hotel Downtown, the art of the Florida Highwaymen (26 black artists of the 1950s and 60s), and more.
Art League Inaugurates Move to City Walk With “A Hero’s Call”
Now led by Weldon Ryan, a retired New York City police artist, the Flagler County Art League is devoting its first show at its new City Walk gallery to artistic renditions of first responders around 9/11 and since.
Sheriff Don Fleming, Art Critic: Tapped to Jury 9/11 Show, He Pays Tribute to Colleagues
Judging an art show was a first for Sheriff Fleming, though the first responders of 9/11 have particular significance for him: as a police chief in New Jersey, he’d worked with nine of the Port Authority cops who died that day.
Shakespeare, Hitchcock, and Mexico: This Week in Orlando
Alfred Hitchcock, comedian? Absolutely, with “The 39 Steps” at the Shakespeare Theater; “Pride and Protest” at the GLBT History Museum; pianist Santiago Rodriguez at the Shakespeare theater on Sept. 19, and more.
Launching 6th Season, Flagler Youth Orchestra Calls on All Students 3rd Grade and Up
The Flagler Youth Orchestra begins its sixth season, with an open house at the Indian Trails Middle School cafeteria at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Students 3rd grade and up are welcome.
A Wedding Made in Deli: How Aquarius Conquered Cancer
He’s 60. She’s 65. They’ve each been married twice before. She was just diagnosed with terminal cancer. They’re getting married at Strathmore’s Deli, with Mayor Netts officiating.
Culture Worth the (Orlando) Magic: The Week’s Calendar Collage
Eat royally, save money and support the arts: Orlando’s September magical dining experience; the art of collage gains new respectability, and soars to the Magic’s heights; Stephen Sondheim’s Mad Cow, and more.
Pregnant Mothers, Start Your Readers: Dolly’s Imagination Library Crosses Flagler Threshold
Dolly’s Imagination Library will ensure that every child born after Aug. 31 and living in Flagler will get a free book every month until kindergarten. The kick-off event is Sept. 1 at the Flagler County Library.
Uzi Is As Art Does: The Week’s Cultural Ammunition in Orlando and DeLand
Three new exhibits at Stetson University; Charles Turzak’s WPA prints and murals on exhibit at Winter Park’s Polasek Museum; a little Uzi art at the Neon Forest Art Gallery, and more.
Bach, Ballet and Cirque: Cultural Season Begins This Week in Orlando
Printmakers Nathaniel Currier and James Ives and harness racing, the Orlando Philharmonic’s Sounds of Summer, innumerable performers at Bob Carr, and more for your calendar.
Harmonic Shock Meets Art at Hollingsworth Gallery’s “Music Is the Muse”
The latest show at City Walk’s Hollingsworth Gallery features works by 18 artists inspired by particular songs or pieces of music, which will also be playing–through Sept. 28.
This Week in Orlando: Dancing With Princess Leia and Fred Astaire
Edward Gorey, the artist behind “Dracula” and “The War of the Worlds,” at the Orlando Museum of Art; SunRail as art muse; Roy Alan as Fred Astaire, and more.
This Week in Orlando: Celery, Macbeth and Culture Worth the Miles
A family musical featuring Adam, Eve, Noah, Cain and Abel, watercolor wonders in Daytona Beach, “Celery Soup” in Sanford, and more.
Mia Bella’s Dancers: From Non-Existent to National Champions in Seven Months
Brie Valenti opened her Mia Bella dance studio last January at City Walk, and returned from a competition in Tennessee with two national trophies this week for her students and her choreography.
This Week in Orlando: Godot and Culture Worth the Miles
Mark Twain and Henry James works are still happily haunting Orlando stages, while “Waiting for Godot” is coming to the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Plus something about a boat show? Really? Plus Haydn, Dvorak and more.
Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s Methods Assailed Again–Unjustly, Its President Says
“They didn’t come up with any substantial numbers, or at least verifiable numbers,” a tourist council member said of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s plans for a banquet center.
This Week in Orlando: Culture Worth The Miles
The British Invasion’s Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone, Henry James’ “Washington Square” on stage, Ntozake Shange, play, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide,” violinists Olga Feroni, and Julia Gessinger in “Strings of Passion,” and much more.
Chalking Up Crime-Fighting to Sidewalk Art
Sidewalk chalk artists are summoned to the campus of Flagler Palm Coast High School the evening of Aug. 3 for a contest and much more.
Botox for Historic Holden House, Age 92
The $23,400 renovation will restore one of the county’s oldest buildings’ original color and windows and lend the Flagler historical society’s headquarters even more of a museum feel.
Sunshine Fusion: Florida Art, Music & History Merge in Landmark Symphonic Performance
Mark your calendars for this one: A uniquely Florida, uniquely artistic performance of “A Historic Portrait in Sound” combing painting, music and words Sept. 18-19 in DeLand.
Dan Warren, Conqueror of St. Augustine at Its Bleakest, Still Heroic After All These Years
Dan Warren, who took on and broke the KKK’s grip on St. Augustine in the pivotal summer of 1964, was in Flagler Beach for an evening of conscience-rousing Thursday.
