Volume 2 No. 20 |May 5, 2020
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ARTS NEWS
& PROFILES
FROM
FLORIDA'S
TREASURE COAST & BEYOND
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Sharing our wealth of arts and culture.
We're having an ARTS BLAST!
Promoting The Arts & Arts Councils Everywhere
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In This Issue
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NEW! - Arts Blast Conversations
Brad Meltzer's Lincoln Conspiracy
How to Choreograph a Dewdrop
Lighthouse ArtCenter Goes Virtual
Blue By You with Martin Artisans Guild
Vero Beach Opera's La Boheme
Summon the Heroes Tribute by The Boston Pops
Professional Musicians with Online Lessons
Watch Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook for Updates
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For new readers and those who have been here since the beginning:
Arts Blast was created almost a year and a half ago (!) to spread the word about the bounty of arts available for all on Florida’s east coast and far afield and to introduce readers to the people who make it happen. Promoting the arts has been almost totally a labor of love, supported by the sponsors you see in each issue.
Arts Blast is one of the arts-related small businesses hit hard by this tidal wave that has swallowed up the arts scene as we’ve known it. If you’re able, please consider advertising in or sponsoring Arts Blast going forward. Or sponsoring an artist or organization’s ad! And any contributions from Arts Blast friends will be gratefully received.
Let's remember that this isn't over yet. Don't let your guard down.
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It's been an interesting week. The Cultural Council of Indian River County has had to put my Cultural Connection radio show on hiatus, prompting me to get moving on an Arts Blast feature I've been planning to add for months.
Necessity, you old mother, you. Look for A Conversation With ... at
willimiller.com, where you also will find every issue of Arts Blast. Brad Meltzer talks about his latest book, The Lincoln Conspiracy, in the inaugural Arts Blast Conversation.
And in case you just can't get enough of the birds we love to paint and sculpt, check out Ray Brown's
TalkinBirds.com.
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Martin Artisans Guild's
Blue By You
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Oh, for the good old days of Art Walks, Gallery Strolls, and so many opening receptions it was next to impossible to hit them all in one evening. Can the lost time really be measured only in weeks? It seems like forever, doesn’t it?
The creative artists of Martin Artisans Guild have figured out a way to work within the lockdown while giving respect to the virus. Their new show at the Palm Room at Harbour Bay Plaza on Ocean Boulevard in Sewall’s Point will go on, but in “a unique format,” guild artist Barbara Bucci said.
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Photo: Lynn Harris Morgan
“From May 5 until the end of June, members of the public can view the outstanding exhibit through the Palm Room windows or by appointment with any of the exhibiting artists. All physical distancing and health precautions will be observed, including the wearing of face masks.” Contact information for the artists is posted on the studio doors, Bucci said. If you happened to save the gallery guide from the 2020 Martin County Open Studio Tour, you have what you need right there.
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Photo James J. DeMartis
The exhibit’s name, Blue By You, is “not an indication of the artists’ moods,” Bucci said. “Actually, by focusing on creating beautiful and dramatic new art for this show, they’ve kept their spirits high and are motivated at the thought of interacting with area art lovers.”
Participating artists: Jane Lawton Baldridge, Mallo Bisset, Cheryl Cote, Laura Kay Darvill, Diana Rell Dean, Barbara Bucci representing the James J DeMartis Collection, Dot Galfond, Sue Klahne, Alice Laputka, Maria Miele, Lynn Morgan, Alex Murray and Chad Periman.
Watch the MAG Facebook page and website for an announcement of when Blue By You will be online.
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Photos:
above - Alex Murray, Dot Galfond
below -
Jane Lawton Baldridge
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Lighthouse Art Center Goes Virtual
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Old friend Janeen Mason, Lighthouse ArtCenter curator, emailed a couple of weeks ago to let me know how they were adapting to the changes needed to meet the needs of members, staff, and volunteers. Knowing Janeen as I do, I was not the least bit surprised to hear this:
“We were running livestream interactive art classes within 5 days of closing our doors. Out of the 32 classes planned for late spring, 26 of them are running. We currently have more students enrolled than we did at this time last year. Our winter residents who went back home are taking classes long distance now and we've picked up new students from far away, Barcelona, Columbia, S.Carolina, Colorado... This has opened an unexpected avenue for faculty. I've created 'Virtual Editions' of the shows that I had scheduled for this time slot. I've got a blockbuster show ready to open on June 1, or whenever the Governor allows.”
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In the May 4 update: Registration for the virtual Late Spring class session is closed but Summer sessions registration opens in one week, May 12. Note that those classes don’t require membership but members will receive a discount.
That information is for Virtual Classes, but there’s something new: Live-streamed and interactive virtual workshops, and registration is now open.
Learn more online about the
Super Summer art exhibition
that opens June 1. It will feature artwork by “world-class puppeteers, FX animation engineers, concept originators and character designers specializing in prototypes and peculiarities.” Not everyone bothers to learn who the artist responsible for standout characters might be but it would be difficult not to recognize Garter Goodrich’s work. Think Despicable Me, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, Shrek, and Hotel Transylvania. He’s also an award-winning children’s book illustrator.
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Mason won’t stop at installing the exhibition, she said. “I'll also turn the space into a Makers' Space with 3D printers, How To lessons, art supplies everywhere.”
When it’s time to go back physically, you’ll find LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER GALLERY at 373 Tequesta Drive, and LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER SCHOOL OF ART at 395 Seabrook Road, Tequesta.
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Brad Meltzer's Missing Book Tour
for The Lincoln Conspiracy
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Brad Meltzer expected to be touring his newest book, The Lincoln Conspiracy, this spring, when life took an unexpected turn for famous authors as well as the rest of the world. For Meltzer and his team, it was a bump in the road but not the end of it. Personal appearances have been replaced by virtual appearances for the author. The updated schedule is on his website,
BradMeltzer.com
.
As luck would have it, his Vero Beach Book Center cancellation happened to coincide with the launch of a new Arts Blast page on
willimiller.com
, A Conversation With … . I think you’ll enjoy hearing what Meltzer had to say.
If you’re wondering why you hadn’t learned about the plot to kill Abraham Lincoln long before John Wilkes Booth appeared on the scene, feel better knowing that Meltzer didn’t hear about it until he began researching the assassination plot that actually did work. When he realized how amazing the story was, it was destined to become The Lincoln Conspiracy.
The story will strike some familiar notes in our current politically divided country while allowing readers an opportunity to compare the history being made right now with the history made 150 years ago. The Lincoln Conspiracy introduces the country’s first female private eye, Kate Warne, and follows the growth of Allen Pinkerton’s detective agency.
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Meltzer said that Lincoln told his Gettysburg audience that no one would remember what he said that day. “As he proved there and throughout his life, sometimes the hardest fights don’t reveal a winner—but they do reveal character. In those hardest moments, when darkness descends, we must reach for the light.”
In
The Lincoln Conspiracy
, Meltzer said, “you’ll see that great leaders don’t divide us – they unite us. As Lincoln understood: Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
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The author came away from this project with an impr
ession that will stay with him forever. “In my humble opinion, he’s our best President. In fact, the reason I wanted to write this book is because it’s about
more
than just a failed plot to kill Abraham Lincoln. This story is about Lincoln’s bravery, his resilience, and, most importantly, his character. You’ll see when you read it: Lincoln is fearless—even when they tell him his life is at risk. And the best part is, it all really happened.”
Meltzer wasn’t alone in this project. He shares credit with Josh Mensch, executive producer on his Lost History television series. “Josh is one of the best researchers I’ve ever met, so when it comes to digging for the good stuff -- be it the handball game Lincoln was playing before he heard that he’d been elected…or his last-ever visit with his stepmother, who thought at the time that she’d never see Lincoln again (she was right) -- Josh and I always look for those moments when you see just how human Lincoln was.”
With traditional avenues for book promotion out the window with COID-19, what do you do with a new book? Meltzer said, “I think we’re all trying to figure it out right now. It’s a brave, wild and amazing new world. These first books coming out are run by true explorers.” He offers advice to authors who have not as yet developed the following he has: “Keep reaching to find new readers. They may no be in bookstores right now, but they’re out there. And everyone always needs a good story.”
Authors and publishers need booksellers and share readers’ concerns for brick and mortar stores. “We are doing all we can, from donating to organizations that support independent stores – to donating to auctions to help the same. And many are still selling books! Go to their websites and place an order.”
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Choreograph a Dewdrop with Ballet Vero Beach
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If you didn't get to see the Ballet Vero Beach season finale video online a week ago, I'll feel sorry for you but only for a minute. Artistic director and CEO Adam Schnell has promised more videos throughout the summer, beginning with the April 27 offering of Samuel Kurkjian's iconic "Chopin Variations” that was filmed live two years ago. The performance is still online and holds a permanent spot in the Ballet Vero Beach repertoire.
Forging right ahead into next season, Schnell has released the lineup for the 2020-2021 season. Yes, Nutcracker on the Indian River will be back on the main stage and Tea Up for the Nutcracker has a December date. A gentler version “geared for the needs of differently abled individuals of our community and their families” in the Accessible Series. An April performance, Composer’s Notebook, has been added to the series.
What’s new? The brand new Family Friendly Series, with two hour-long performances aimed at bringing a professional level of dance to a young audience in a “meaningful and engaging way,” Schnell said. They’ll be more informal than a main stage production, with some interaction between the dancers and the audience.
Ballet Vero Beach Main Stage subscriptions are available
online
and by phone, 772-905-2651.
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Watching the Ballet Vero Beach finale video, I had to wonder how dancers learned their parts. That’s a lot of coordinated moving around to remember, with the potential for bodily harm! Anyone who’s ever been in a choir or played an instrument is handed sheet music to learn what notes go where, but what about ballet dancers? So, I asked Adam Schnell, almost thinking it would be a trick question.
Turns out explaining it was easy — for Schnell, but he noted that all choreographers have different ways of working. He used to use a particular brand of notebook and a pen before discovering computer documents are easier to edit. “Ariel (the choreographer of Rust in the finale) writes nothing down. It is created in the studio, the dancers have to remember it, and is (on) video when necessary.” Schnell, on the other hand, prepares everything in advance and adjusts with the dancers if anything needs editing.
All right, are you ready to become a choreographer? My eyes glazed over around the middle of the first line.
Flowers:
Hold Intro, then 6 flowers from DSL (1
st
girl leads) and 6 from USR (1
st
girl ends) running in (r arm medium 3
rd
) 1-6, circle for 1-6 and 1-3 (end 1
st
girls ds), then degage ½ sutanu to face CCW in circle (L arm in to center R in droopy 5
th
) bourree sur place and bloom top arm 1-6 then reverse circle (l arm medium 3
rd
) 2-6 then open up to V and settle to B+ by end of next 3 (arms demi second look aud). SL line ends SL; SR ends SR. Both circles are only once around.
At that point, the dewdrop detournes, all arms out up through 5th kneel and …. Well, you get the idea, right? I’m going to go ahead and say don’t try this at home.
Thanks, Adam! Piece of cake!
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From Vero Beach Opera:
BRAVO!!
What an outstanding 2020 Opera Season! Our Barber of Seville and Best of Broadway and Opera Concert broke all attendance records –
SOLD OUT!!
Thank you for supporting Vero Beach Opera! We could not do it without you!
WHAT A TREAT!!
To kick off our 2021 Opera Season,
VBO will present Puccini favorite
–
La Boheme
- on
Sunday, January 10, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
at the VBHS Performing Arts Center. Met Opera Artist David Pershall returns as Marcello and Met Opera Maestra Caren Levine will conduct.
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The Laura Riding Jackson Foundation and Sean Sexton found a way to make things happen in spite of the virus.
That party pooper COVID-19 kept poetry from being served with barbecue this April, but the spirit of the poets presents its own online feast. Listen to offerings from Sean Sexton, Indian River County's Poet Laureate, and readings from other years of the
LRJ Poetry & BBQ events.
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In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the ELC is following the recommendations of Florida's Phase 1 outline, the CDC and our local Health Department. Our outdoor campus reopened on Monday, May 4. All visitors are recommended to wear a mask and practice social distancing while on campus.
Admission to the ELC will be free! Please enjoy our beautiful campus and the many benefits of nature. Donations are greatly appreciated!
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The Boston Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, performs a musical video tribute, Summon the Heroes—featuring the work originally composed by John Williams for the 1996 Olympic Games—as a tribute to today’s first responders who are providing critical and needed services during the Covid-19 epidemic. John Williams joins the virtual tribute with a musical and spoken introduction taped from his home studio in Los Angeles.
The Boston Pops musicians themselves conceived of the idea of a “virtual orchestra” rendition of Summon the Heroes as the perfect piece of music to honor Covid-19 front line and essential workers. Nearly 80 musicians recorded their individual parts in their basement, kitchen, living room, or bedroom!
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John Williams wrote Summon the Heroes for the 1996 Olympic Games, marking the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games. Dedicated to the Boston Pops principal trumpet at the time, Tim Morrison, the work was also recorded by the Boston Pops as part of a CD of the same name.
BSO Recording Engineer Nick Squire and Video Engineer Brandon Cardley, working from their homes, edited the audio and video from 86 individually submitted video files to create the musicians’ gift to all who are giving so much of themselves during this time.
This performance is sponsored by the
New Balance Foundation.
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Dr. Marcos Daniel Flores is a piano performance graduate from The Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico B.M., The Eastman School of Music M. M., and Arizona State University where he received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Flores is an active performer as well as an experienced and inspirational piano teacher.
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Miguel Bonachea is an experienced guitarist and instructor. He served as a professor at prestigious Universities in Cuba and Colombia for 20 years. Several of his students are recognized figures in the international classical guitar arena today. Philosopher and music critic Dr. Marc-Jean Bernard has written about him: "His musical technique and culture of the instrument is based on a deep understanding of aesthetical dimensions of Music. He is simultaneously a great guitarist and a great educator."
Photo: Niurka Barroso
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It's time to claim your ad spot in the Cultural Council of Indian River County's 2020-2021 Cultural Guide. Get details from
Lisa Lindner or call
772-770-4857.
See the work of artists online and join in for
Art For Art's Sake, like Steve Erickson and Janet Grossarth.
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Each Wednesday at 12:00 PM a variety of musicians perform a short concert. Grab your tuna fish sandwich and enjoy some live music from home. Through May 27.
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Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) is committed to supporting all arts and cultural groups and artists in our community as we experience the coronavirus pandemic. Visit our
COVID-19 resource page
and get updates on resource and relief funds for cultural groups and artists
here
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Photo by Edward Perry IV: Tersa Sphinx Moth caterpillar
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From the Laura Riding Jackson Foundation:
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A special,
national survey
about you, creativity, and culture during Covid-19
The Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation is proud to be part of a national research study to understand your needs and how nonprofit organizations like ours can help during the crisis...and in the future. We realize you may be dealing with many challenges right now, and we don’t want to add a burden. But if you do have a few minutes to share your thoughts and views in this online survey, we’ll be grateful. And you’ll be representing our community in the national picture.
We’ll be asking about how you’re spending your time during the pandemic, how things have changed, and how creativity, entertainment, culture, and other things fit into your life. The research is being done on behalf of nonprofit organizations around the country...including the Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation.
The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. In order to be included, you’ll need to complete the survey by Sunday, May 17th. As a small token of appreciation, you’ll be entered to win one of 25 $100 VISA gift cards. All your responses will be kept strictly anonymous.
Please note: You may receive this survey invitation from more than one organization. If so, please only take the survey once.
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Classical Guitar Instruction
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Online from Vero Beach, Florida. Live via Skype or archived as Unlisted on a YouTube channel.
Student requirements:
Classical guitar (nylon strings), music stand, foot stool or substitute gear, basic knowledge of music reading and theory, access to high speed internet, good lighting in his/her studio room, access to a printer.
Forms of payment:
Apple pay, Skype pay, Zelle app, account transfer, and others.
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Live from the Treasure Coast
Student requirements
:
All levels and ages of playing.
Computer with webcam and microphone or Smartphone with Skype or Zoom installed.
Form of payment:
Paypal
For scheduling and fee information
:
Call or text: (772) 532-2083 or email annora.daige@gmail.com
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There are many small arts-related businesses and individuals without the tech savvy to create web content but still want or need to reach their audience. If you have the skills to help them get online with video classes and performances, get your own skills out there through Arts Blast advertising.
Email for rates.
They're small-business friendly, from this small business to yours.
Arts Blast now includes paid listings for arts-related classes, workshops, lessons, and gallery updates. A basic listing is $5 per issue, paid through PayPal. A half banner-size ad with a photo or graphic will be $25 per issue. Email for details: willi@willimiller.com.
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Lessons Via Skype during virus crisis.
Student requirements:
Not beginners. Must have some background in piano lessons. Classical Music preferred, but other genres could be considered.
Forms of payment
: Check
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Location: Live from Yardley, PA
Student requirements: Acoustic or digital piano - full size with weighted keys.
Form of payment: PayPal
For more information and to register:
https://www.facebook.com/soliviapiano/
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Museum Extras online
Anke’s Art Minute every Monday
VBMA Tuesdays Flick Pick
To educate and entertain, Film Studies coordinator Diane Thelen recommends a new film each Tuesday on an artist or time period related to the VBMA’s permanent collections.
Museum Stories
To keep active young minds engaged, we present a creative lesson plan with suggestions of books, music, and art-making for babies and toddlers.
Art Tutorials
A short weekly art-making tutorial with Museum Art School faculty.
Museum Fun
A fun collection of Museum-related photos, moments, social media, etc.
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Summer camps
begin in June at
Riverside Children's Theatre
. Registration is open now.
Daily, Jun 1 - Jun 5
Daily, Jun 8 - Jun 12
Daily, Jun 15 - Jun 19
5 Dates · Jul 20 - Jul 24
Daily, Jul 27 - Jul 31
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Symphonia at Home
The SYMPHONIA Launches Facebook Live Series
Featuring Orchestra Musicians
Every Thursday at 5 p.m., The Symphonia will air The Symphonia at Home. Different members of The Symphonia will perform and be interviewed. The performances can be seen on
The Symphonia's Facebook video page.
Here's a link to past videos of The Symphonia at Home.
Jeffrey Kaye, M.M., Artistic Director and Principal Trumpet, kicked off the informal series, performing his trumpet straight from his back porch, alongside his rescue dog, Gidget.
“Just because we're all hunkered down at home doesn't mean we can't enjoy a little live music from the professional musicians of The SYMPHONIA,” said Annabel Russell, Executive Director. “This series will hopefully bring a little joy to those who view it, and frankly, we don’t know what to expect – we’re leaving the artistic creativity up to each musician, so this should be fun!”
Since The Symphonia's performance season was cut short due to mandatory closures, the group is hoping this initiative will help bring the music into classical music lovers' homes and showcase the people and personalities behind the instruments in this informal series.
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A great banding memory at Possum Long — Gray catbird photographed by Molly Bartels for Treasure Coast Newspapers. Posted on Facebook by Audubon of Martin County.
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Some photos inspire me to take them to the next level, yesterday's cattle egret photo is one such photo. Topaz Impression is a great artistic plugin for Photoshop. It allows a photographer to create a very painterly look.
Cattle Egret in Mating Plumage - Brandon - Florida - April 30th 2020
Ronald Kotinsky
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LIBRARIES
-
IF YOU GO (ONLINE)
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Scroll down for guidelines for submitting calendar items and feature suggestions to ARTS BLAST.
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To opt out of receiving Arts Blast, "unsubscribe" at the end of the page.
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Like Willi Miller's Arts Blast Facebook page for updates and Willi Miller's Arts Blast Just For Fun for interesting, inspiring, and fun shared posts, then go to willimiller.com to catch up on every issue of
Arts Blast, and see the latest ON THE CALENDAR listings.
Please share this to help Arts Blast reach more readers and spread the word.
As always,
For Helen Miller
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Information is to
be received in an email at least one week before publication.
Use this format:
Who (organization)
What (Event)
When (dates, time)
Where (Name of venue, address)
Why (a brief description of the purpose)
Web address
Contact for public (for tickets, questions, etc.)
Then add a short, descriptive release if available.
Send only one photo, with caption, until more are requested.
Media contact with email for my followup (not for publication)
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Here's a suggestion for uploading information to calendars that allow you to input your own events.
In the
body
of the listing, sometimes called
Description
, make sure to include all dates in each upload. For example: Performances are on March 12-31; or the exhibit is open March 12, 14, 15, and 17. That information should be in all dates you post individually.
If you are a member of the
Cultural Council of Indian River County
, you need this information:
The deadline is MONDAY - 10 days prior to the Wednesday publication.
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Copyright
©2019-2020 Willi Miller's ARTS BLAST!, all rights reserved.
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