Volume 3 No. 21 |June 4, 2021 |
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With Donna Roberts Mitchell |
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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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Notes from the editor:
Was it the pandemic or was it just time for thoughts of retirement to hit people this spring? I've interviewed Ray Adams and Gary Miller many times over the years, even before their long stints at Indian River Charter High School began, and know they will be missed by many. They both have assured me they aren't retiring from music, so I'll be watching to see where they pop up after some well-earned downtime.
And sometime before the end of the year, I'll be handing the keys to Arts Blast over to a new publisher. That retiring thing sounded so good I decided to try tippy-toeing up on it to see if it would work for me. Sweetie Puss (photo above) will not be part of the deal.
Remember that Arts Blast and On the Arts Blast Calendar are on summer schedule, alternating weeks, but check our Facebook pages often for updates and bookmark On the Arts Blast Calendar for frequent additions. If you have an arts-related event coming up, scroll down for information on submitting it for a free basic listing. Limited advertising is available.
Arts Blast is accepting information about arts-related scholarship offerings for the new Scholarships page on our website. Send me what you have, making sure to include a deadline for applying and a link to detailed information.
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In This Issue
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Two Retiring Gents - Ray Adams and Gary Miller
Remembering Bill Northup
Living Room Concerts from the Lyric
A History of Hurricanes at Edison and Ford
Cast Chats, Summer Camps, and Joseph at Riverside
Celebrate National Garden Week
Are You Ready? A New Season is on the Horizon
Jim van Voorheis Gets Jazzy
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Bookmark On the Calendar at WilliMiller.com for frequent updates. Calls for Artists, Auditions, & Volunteers are now online.
Catch up with events at Willi Miller's Arts Blast on Facebook and pick up some laughs and interesting info on the Willi Miller's Arts Blast Extras page.
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Please encourage friends and even friendly strangers to Like our Facebook pages and become Arts Blast subscribers!
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Sunday on Cultural Connection on the Air this week: Jacob Craig and Adam Schnell |
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Listen to Cultural Connection on the Air Sundays at 8 a.m. on WAXE 1370 AM and 107.9 FM and on iHeartRadio.com. Replays are now online on the Cultural Council's website.
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We're still looking for the cat-less person out there who can offer our late artist friend Arlia Almond's Kino a loving, one-cat home. All he needs is an empty lap and an indoor spot to curl up for a day of napping and nature gazing. He has several years of experience living with an artist, reader, and fellow napper, and will bring his own toys and dishes. Email Julie Lounibos if you have any leads. JulieLounibos@gmail.com
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**** Scroll Down for a Taste of
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Two Retiring Arts Mentors |
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Ray Adams, Artistic Director/Assistant Director
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Ray Adams, Artistic Director/Assistant Director at Indian River Charter High School, Schumann School for the Visual and Performing Arts, has retired. While I call it retirement, Adams begs to differ. "As a musician, I don't really look at it as retirement. I look at it as moving on to a different adventure. I don't know what that will look like, so I say that I am taking a leap of faith - that something else in the creative world is out there for me."
One adventure already on the calendar is another visit to Carnegie Hall ."I've been asked to conduct once again at Carnegie Hall on May 22 of 2022. Gary and I are hoping that many alumni from our connections with choirs over the years will want to form the nucleus of the choir." Gary is Gary Miller, director of vocal arts at VAPA, joining Ray in retirement. Readers can follow along with the Carnegie Hall plans on Ray's Facebook page.
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In a Q&A for Arts Blast, Ray said that for the most part, the goals he set when he began his stint at IRCHS had been realized:
"To instill the importance of the Arts in education. That the arts should stand equal with the core academics. To infuse the arts into the core academic classes. To give students that were seriously interested in the arts, a place where they could study their craft in-depth."
He explained, "Students that come for the VAPA program specifically are enthusiastic about their ability to dive deep into their interest in the arts. Along the way, some learn the required discipline to pursue the arts seriously and find that they are more content with having the arts in their lives as a passion, but not a career choice."
Getting VAPA going involved some trial and error, Adams said. "We were constantly searching for the equipment needed to support the program and venues to perform in since we had no performance space here at the school when we first began." As the Schumann campus was completed and the outside Charter Dome became available, things looked brighter. He's still looking ahead, however. "I would still love to see the old downtown theatre converted into a modern operational theatre. That way, the community could use it for various events, including us for drama, dance, and music performances."
He talked about one memory he's taking with him into retirement. "Two students stand out; both were emancipated from their parents. Neither made a career in the arts, but both have a huge passion for the arts in their adult lives. If it wasn't for this school and the support they both received from the staff of this school and myself, I don't know how they would have moved forward with their lives to be prosperous adults. Using the arts as a way to change lives, teaching them that service to others is the greatest accomplishment. Developing community through working together.:
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One former student and retirement party organizer, Danya Etter Laverack, wrote in a Facebook post, "These two people have helped shape and mold me into the person that I am today. Thank you for pouring your heart and soul into so many students. IRCHS will never be the same without you two."
Adams has lead the way in the growth of local musical interest for decades, with his work at Community Church of Vero Beach, with the Indian River Symphonic Association, and the Vero Beach Choral Society. He also appears with his own group, Soulfege, at events around the county.
Adams said, "The arts have shown over and over how you can bring people of diversity together and create something wonderful for everyone."
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Gary Miller, Director of Vocal Arts |
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I was stunned when Gary Miller, an old friend, emailed to tell me he was retiring from his position as director of vocal arts at Indian River Charter High School. "After 38 years of working with teens and music, its time to hang it up." Then, in a response to my email setting up an Arts Blast and radio interview, he dropped this bomb: "You should also mention that Ray Adams is also retiring." According to Adams, the two expect to meet up musically in the future.
Miller talked about the goals he had when he signed on at IRCHS. "Our major goal was to build a new department dedicated to the visual and performing arts in a school that was rapidly growing. We wanted the arts to be more incorporated into the lives of students by integrating them into the academic subjects as well. Thus we have the VAPA show. A humanities-based presentation that brought together an entire learning environment." Most have been accomplished, he said, except for one. "The one goal to still be achieved is the full acceptance of the Charter Movement as a viable option to the educational environment."
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The first few years were exciting, Miller said. "We were building something new. Not just for Indian River County but a model across the country. ... The feedback was extraordinarily positive." A little of the luster has worn off over the years, he said, but the ambition continues. "The initial excitement of building something new has waned, but those students choosing to come to Charter, for the most part still express great enthusiasm for our school."
The new Charter Hall opens up new horizons for the students, a positive move for the school. "Moving into the new buildings was confirmation that we were on the right track. Building the dome further confirmed our efforts. All the performances have been wonderful but the best stage of all has been the classroom."
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Retirement party photo courtesy of Danya Laverack |
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I love feeling that boost to my spirit every time a new season schedule arrives in my inbox. Some are for organizations that survived Covid by scaling back, but others were forced to cancel the entire season early on. Indian River Symphonic Association was one of those, but come winter, we'll hear their internationally acclaimed symphony orchestras thrilling audiences at Community Church of Vero Beach again. The Brevard Symphony Orchestra is bringing back Symphony Under the Stars July 4. Garden Club of Indian River County has staked its claim to Riverside Park for Gardenfest! in February. And those are only a tiny taste of what's coming. |
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To those that were somehow able to pull off a continuing stream of entertainment in this long drought, we all say a heartfelt THANK YOU! Among them were Ballet Vero Beach, Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach Theatre Guild, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Sunrise Theatre, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, and others.
Nutcracker on the Indian River - literally? Why not? Symphony orchestra concerts in a church parking lot like a drive-in movie? Piece o' cake! Removing seats for social distancing? Where did you put them, Vero Beach Theatre Guild?
Watch this space for scheduling news in every issue of Arts Blast. We are SO ready for this!
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A Colorful Riverside Weekend
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Riverside Theatre Kids! has barely skipped a beat through Covid, finding a way to keep youngsters involved. This weekend is a big one, with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on the Stark Main Stage for three more performances, including a Saturday matinee. Tickets are available online.
Later this month look for Disney's Frozen KIDS and then Puffs, both the culmination of Riverside's summer camp programs.
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Living Room Concerts from The Lyric |
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Jazz in Stuart and at Community Church of Vero Beach |
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The Lyric Living Room Series is back this month, beginning June 10 with Lindsay Garritson, 7 p.m. in a program called Shall We Dance?
"From the elegance of Viennese Waltz to the vibrant music of Spain, this program will feature music that has you "dancing." Opening with a stunning transcription of Johann Strauss' Die Fledermaus opera, the program will also include a delightful Hungarian dance of Johannes Brahms, two transcriptions of Fritz Kreisler's Liebesleid and Liebesfreud by the great Russian virtuoso Sergei Rachmaninov, and ending the program with a joyful selection from Enrique Granados' great masterwork Goyescas."
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Jim van Voorheis and friends are jammin' with jazz at Notes Wine Bar in Stuart tonight and every Friday night. Professional musicians are invited to sit in and Jim says, "I’ll be on keys, John is on bass, Stuart on drums and Tommy on guitar." Jazz Jam followers know who he means. Take a look at Jim's new CD while you're there.
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From Rachel Carter at CCOVB:
Jazz Vespers: A Contemporary Riff on an Ancient Prayer Service.
Jazz Vespers began in New York City in the 1960s as a concept worship service and outreach ministry. It was designed as a service of prayer and jazz for folks who couldn't make it to Sunday morning services after playing late night gigs on Saturday night.
In this tradition, our jazz vespers service is an eclectic mix of prayer, spoken verse, ambient art, and live jazz. Through these elements, we walk through an ancient service of evening prayer (vespers) in a creative, informal, and multisensory way. Please join us for our first Jazz Vespers worship "Praise for all things created" on Sunday, June 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Church courtyard.
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Memorial Day week seems like an appropriate time to remember a Palm City artist and former Navy fighter pilot who passed away in October, Bill Northup. |
His daughter Lizzie sent along her dad's obituary and a 1997 article from The Palm Beach Post to share excerpts here with Arts Blast readers.
"William Edward Northup, aged 89, died peacefully on October 1st, 2020 in Palm City, FL. ... In 1953 Bill joined the US Navy where he served his country by piloting jets, including practicing and developing the vital but challenging maneuvers of flying off aircraft carriers and training in dogfighting." He married Jane Elizabeth Mance in 1955.
"Bill’s legacy to American aviation is far-reaching. His tactical knowledge led him to publish a Navy training manual on Basic Fighter Tactics for All Weather Pilots, and throughout his life he wrote for various aviation magazines." While serving in the Naval Reserves, he flew long-haul flights for United Airlines.
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Later, "His passion for speed and adventure led to a life filled with planes, boats, cars, and travel. Writing messages in smoke and sky was a part-time job. While up in the air flying for SkyTypers, he would pass by his home in Lake Mohawk, NJ and dip a wing to his wife Jane. On the water he raced hydroplane boats and later turned toward their restoration. He and his wife, Jane, preserved the nearly lost “River Runner,” a historic custom built 25’ sedan built in 1926 for Illinois Governor Frank Lowden and his wife Florence Pullman.
"Bill’s hands-on creativity led him to paint scenes of naval vessels and aircraft. He became renowned in military historical societies for his depictions of air combat as well as landscapes and marine life. His work appeared locally and at museums throughout the country in important exhibitions, including the centennial celebration of the birth of naval aviation at North Island, 100 Years of Naval Aviation Display (2011) at the San Diego Airport."
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Hurricane History at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
From the Edison and Ford website:
On the morning of September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma, a Category 4 hurricane with 130 mph winds struck the state of Florida. The hurricanes eyewall passed directly over Cudjoe Key before making landfall in Marco Island that afternoon as a Category 3 with 115 mph winds. Irma reached Fort Myers with 115 mph winds leaving a path of destruction in its wake, including heavily impacting the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
Like many other businesses and families, the Edison Ford Winter Estates quickly began the arduous process of cleaning and restoring the site. We were extremely fortunate there was little structural damage to the buildings on site. However, our botanical collection was heavily damaged, losing over 100 large trees, bushes, and palms, including trees planted during Edison and Ford’s lifetimes. Wood from these trees were sold to public and turned into delightful and functional pieces of art and craftsmanship– from disaster has come beauty. Three examples are shown below.
Included in the exhibit are graphics for Florida hurricanes that damaged Edison/Ford. The photos below are examples, but you won't find them online. If you can't make it to the exhibit in Fort Myers, try requesting the issue of the newsletter sent out May 28.
Note: I'm personally recommending reading Les Standiford's Last Train to Paradise.
The exhibit closes June 6.
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Celebrate National Garden Week with the Garden Club of Fort Pierce during the week of June 6 - June 12 with various activities and festivities. Look for our donated flower arrangements throughout the city and join us on June 12 at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market for plant giveaways, information, and to ask us your gardening questions. We will be there from 8 am until noon.
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Vero Beach Museum of Art
National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
Elliott Museum
House of Refuge
Flagler Museum
Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
Boca Raton Museum of Art
Museum of Florida Art - Deland
VT&M - Museum of Military History - Kissimmee
Polk Museum of Art
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Cultural Arts Events Guide 2021 - 2022 will be published as usual in booklet form and 20,000 books will be disseminated throughout our county and beyond. It will also be available in digital form on our website in the same booklet format with pages you can turn online. We will publicize this online Guide option on our website and through social media encouraging web users to access it for long term planning. This allows for potential visitors, potential new residents, and current residents and visitors to view the guide online from anywhere in the world which greatly expands the potential clients your ad reaches.
Deadline for ad agreement is June 15.
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Calling All Regional Artists for the 31st Annual All Florida Juried Art Show |
Contact Email: Jhearn@martinarts.org
Call Type: Exhibitions
Eligibility: Regional
State: Florida
Entry Deadline: 7/31/21
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The Vero Beach Art Club is looking for corporate sponsors for the 2022 Under the Oaks Fine Arts and Crafts Show, March 11-13, 2022. Contact Sue Dinenno 772 321-8701
Advertisement
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Helping People Succeed’s Art for Living Calendar
Area artists are invited to submit examples of their original art work through June 28 for inclusion not just in this year’s perennial favorite, the Art for Living Calendar, but also to hang in the Art for Living Virtual Gallery.
The current gallery as well as all guidelines, criteria, and responsibilities, plus an application, can be found at www.hpsfl.org.
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Get the Whole Picture on the Calendar
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Indian River County
ONGOING - Video submissions accepted for Indian River’s Got Talent at the Environmental Learning Center. Indian River County residents only.
Through June - Spring Back show at The Galleries at First Pres - Joyce Simonton-Clamp, Michele Loftus-Trzcinski, and Donna Ware.
Through June 10 - CCIRC member exhibit at Indian River County Courthouse
Through June 29 - The Promise of Spring - CCIRC Art in Public Places at Intergenerational Recreation Center
Ongoing - Riverside Theatre’s two virtual series, Putting it Together and Cast Chats. See the website for the link
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June 3-Sept. 10 - 12 x 12 Summer Squared at Gallery 14
June 4, 2021, 5-8 p.m. - First Friday Gallery Stroll on and around 14th Avenue in the historic Downtown Arts District in Vero Beach.
June 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Young Entrepreneurs Market at Environmental Learning Center
June 7-July 23, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Weekly Creative Art Camps for Children and Teens at the Vero Beach Art Club Annex & Gallery
June 8 - Vero Beach Museum Art School summer classes begin
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Brevard County
Through June 26 - RUST - An Invitational Exhibit at 5th Avenue Art Gallery, MLB
Through June 30 - Abstraction: Retrospective Memories. The final show at the Foosaner Art Museum
Through June - Spotlight on Space at the Downtown Art Gallery in Titusville
June 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m. - First Friday Artwalk in Melbourne
June 19, 7 p.m. - The Wonderful World of Broadway - Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at The Scott Center, Melbourne
June 19, 7 p.m. - Brevard Symphony Orchestra 2021 Summer Evenings concert: Dvorak, Debussy & Disney at Suntree United Methodist Church, Melbourne
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No. Palm Beach County
Through June 13, 8-10 p.m. - Thurs.-Sun. - Clematis by Light: Honor Our CommUNITY. Nancy M. Graham Centennial Square
150 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach
Through June 13 - Celebrating the Norton: Eighty Years at Norton Museum of Art.
Through July 31 - The New Normal: COVID Times at Palm Beach Photographic Centre
Through Aug. 7 - Summer Home at Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery
Through Sept. 5 - Boca Raton Museum of Art - An Irresistible Urge toCreate: The Monroe Family Collection of Outsider Art
June 3, 10, 17, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Sumi-e Ink Painting (Floral, Beginner) class at Morikami
June 3, 17 - Sado: Tea Ceremony: Beginner at Morikami
June 4 - Sumi-e Ink Painting (Class); Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm; Landscpe – 1:30pm – 3:30pm at Morikami
June 4-25 - Celebrating Black Florida at The Norton - live performances, virtual programs, art workshops, tours of works by artists of African descent, and more
June 5-6 - Founder's Day Weekend at Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Palm Beach. Capacity is limited; reservations required by phone only. (561) 655-2833 ext. 10 for tickets
June 6, 13 - Sado: Tea Ceremony: Beginner at Morikami
June 12, 11 a.m and 2 p.m. - Morikami Film Series: Blade of the Immortal at Morikami
June 13, 2 p.m. - The Symphonia presets More!Music at the Marriott at the Boca Raton Marriott
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Use this format for Calendar entries:
Who (organization)
What (Event)
When (dates, time)
Where (Name of venue, address)
Why (a brief description of the purpose)
Web/Facebook address
Contact for public use (for tickets, questions, etc.)
Then add a short, descriptive release if available.
Send only one photo, with caption, unless more are requested.
Media contact with email for Arts Blast followup (not for publication)
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Martin County
Limited classes are ongoing at the Artists Nook at Stuart Art Supply
June 3-Oct. 31 - Portfolios - Jane Lawton Baldridge, A Sea Story Girl at the Elliott Museum
June 8-July 24 - Martin Artisans Guild Summer Salon at the Court House Cultural Center.
June 11, 5:30-7 p.m. - Opening reception for Martin Artisans Guild Summer Salon at the Court House Cultural Center.
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St. Lucie County
Through June 18- Through the Eye of the Camera Juried Exhibition at Backus Museum & Gallery
June 4, 5-8 p.m. weather permitting Main Street Fort Pierce Friday Fest at FP City Marina Square - FREE Admission - FREE Parking - Parking Garage - NO PETS OR COOLERS
Jun 10-12 - A Midsummer Night's Dream at MCAlpin Fine Arts Theatre - IRSC
June 12, 8 a.m.-noon - Garden Club of Fort Pierce at Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market, celebrating National Garden Week all week. Visit the website for other events.
June 12, 7 p.m. - James Von at Sunrise Theatre, Comedy Corner
June 13, 11 a.m. - Second Sundays on Moore's Creek, FP
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Beyond the Treasure Coast
Through June 6 - Beauty from Disaster exhibit at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Through July 18, 2021 - Explore the Vaults: Abstraction and the American Scene at Museum of Fine Art St. Pete
Through Aug. 22 - Antioch Reclaimed: Ancient Mosaics at the MFA - Museum of Fine Art St. Pete
Sundays at 2 - Upstairs Downstairs Live Theater at the Plant Museum
Through Aug. 29 - 2021 Rollins Faculty Biennal at Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College
Through Aug. 29 - Multiple Voices/Multiple Stories at Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College
Through Aug.29 - Path to Paradise: The Artistic Legacy of Dante's Divine Comedy at Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College
Through Aug. 29 - Uptown/Downtown: Richard Lindner's Fun City at Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College
Through Aug. 29 - Creatures in the Margins at Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College
Through Dec. 23 at the Plant Museum - "When the Train Comes Along": Booker T. Washington at the Tampa Bay Casino
June 11-July 31 - Beats & Brushes: Artists of Color exhibit at Lake Wales Arts Council
June 4-26 - Voices and Visions - An Arts4All Exhibition at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
June 4 - Virtual opening reception on Zoom for Voices and Visions - An Arts4All Exhibition at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
June 8, 10:30 a.m. - Digital Discussion: Florida in the Civil War - Edison and Ford Winter Estates
June 8, 6 p.m. - Facebook Live - From Gilbert Stuart to Jean-Michel Basquiat: American Art at Cornell Fine Arts Museum
June 10 - Online event - Uncover Pompeii with archaeologist Robert Musio at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
June 12, 10 a.m. - GardenTalk: Pruing Shrubs and Trees - Edison and Ford Winter Estates
June 12 and 19 - Two-part workshop - Paster Paper for Hand Stitched Books and Origami Star Lanterns at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers
Free streaming videos of operas from the Metropolitan Opera are available at 7:30 p.m. each night and for the following 23 hours. The site also offers many and short performance videos.
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Event schedules can change, often at almost the last minute. Verify, double check, and then do it again before you head out the door. And when you do go out, take a mask. Without one, you risk being turned away. |
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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 Extras 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 for Calendar entries:
Who (organization)
What (Event)
When (dates, time)
Where (Name of venue, address)
Why (a brief description of the purpose)
Web/Facebook address
Contact for public use (for tickets, questions, etc.)
Then add a short, descriptive release if available.
Send only one photo, with caption, unless more are requested.
Media contact with email for Arts Blast 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 ©2019-2021 Willi Miller's ARTS BLAST!, all rights reserved.
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