The Arts Connection for January 24, 2008

 Click here to listen to Part 1

L.I.F.E. exhibit

L.I.F.E. - Love is for Everyone - is a grassroots movement started by Bill Hyers, Mark Goldthwaite and Julia West.  The idea is to love and accept others and have a more positive impact in life.  There's even a song written by Danny Morgan and recording artist Livingston Taylor.
L.I.F.E. has inspired 25 local artists to design doors that will be on display until March 2nd, 2008, at the The Terrace Gallery and the Mayor's Gallery at Orlando City Hall.  

 

 Click here to listen to Part 2

Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities: January 26-February 3

The Zora Neal Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities  begins its 19th year this Saturday, January 26. This multi-day, multi-disciplinary event celebrates the life and the work of 20th century writer, anthropologist, and folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston, and pays homage to her hometown of Eatonville, Florida, known as the nation's oldest incorporated African American municipality. In addition, the festival celebrates  the cultural achievements of people of African ancestry that have contributed to the humanities in the United States and to world culture.

 In this section, distinguished and award-winning artists Betye Saar and Mildred Howard will discuss their art installation and exhibition, which is having its opening reception this Saturday, January 26, at the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts.

In addition, UCF professor Kevin Meehan  will join the show, discussing his role as one of the many presenters on the Humanities Panel, focusing on the Festival Theme: "Ritual and Spirituality in the African Diaspora: An Exploration on the Zora Neale Hurston Legacy." 

This Week's Highlights -

Pianist Sylvia Eckes will give a Masterclass this Sunday, Jan. 27 at 3pm at Rollins College - the public is invited to the free event.

Masterclasses are also part of the Winter with the Writers Series at Rollins, which begins next Thursday, January 31st.  The masterclasses will be at 4pm and a reading by the author is at 8.

And, the annual Horns and Pipes concert is this Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke.

 Click here to listen to Part 3

The Orange County Regional History Center brings out the kid in us with their current exhibit, Kid Stuff: Great Toys from Our Childhood.  The interactive exhibit lets you play with Mr. Potato Head, Twister and many other favorites from the past 50 years.  There's also a companion exhibit that explores the history of electronic games.

Several events will take place in conjunction with the exhibit - this Saturday at 2:45, the History Center is hoping 1,000 people will take part in breaking the Guiness World Record for simultaneous yo-yo'ing!  Learn more and register online.  Also check out the other events planned for this exhibit, which runs through April 13.    

Our next story looks at Daytona's Museum of Arts and Sciences' celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Cuban Foundation Museum. The museum presents over ninety important Cuban artworks selected from the Ramos Collection in an exhibit that will run until April 27, 2008.  The Museum is also sponsoring a series of special events this week, celebrating Cuban culture.

The next event is Friday, January 25 at 1pm where you learn how Renaissance artists manipulated and created illusion in their work, and how they have influenced the art and artists of Cuba. In addition, Chief Curator Cynthia Duval will present a discussion on the most well-known Cuban artists. 

And on January 29 at 2, Cuban Museum Historian Juan Junco will explore the impact of former Cuban leader Batista in the Daytona Beach area during the Museum's History Hour on Board. 386.255.0285

Finally, The King Center in Melbourne is celebrating its 20th anniversary with its usual array of music, theatre and dance.  Executive Director Steve Janicki has been at the center since the beginning and enjoys programming for the mainstage and for the intimate 250-seat Studio Theatre.  New acts are being added all the time - just announced was B.B. King and Jackson Browne. 

 CASTING CALL -
Auditions and other artist opportunities can be found at the Arts & Cultural Alliance website.   Auditions are also listed on Elizabeth Maupin's blog, Attention Must Be Paid.  Elizabeth is the theatre critic for the Orlando Sentinel.