Here’s our weekly round up of videos uploaded in the past week…apparently we’ve got a musical theme going this time around!
Lee DeWyze at the Blue Martini
The Goo Goo Dolls at the House of Blues
Orlando Sentinel presents “Celebration of Voices”
Opera at the Portofino Bay Hotel
Ice Skating at Sea World
Today Governor Charlie Crist led a successful effort to clear legendary frontman Jim Morrison (of The Doors) of indecent exposure here in Florida, posthumously, of course. Morrison was born in Melbourne, FL and briefly attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Crist’s alma mater. Gov. Crist – who took the unusual step of speaking on Morrison’s behalf during the hearing – said there remained doubts as to whether the singer exposed himself or not at a Miami concert back in 1969.
While the board’s vote to clear Morrison was unanimous, Attorney General Bill McCollum said he was “disturbed” by all the attention paid to a dead celebrity… we tend to agree. It seems like there are better ways to be spending the government’s time! I mean, this guy died nearly 40 years ago!
While we love The Doors music, we’re NOT listing this as a Top 5 event.
On a side note, there was an avid Doors fan named Michael Zidanic in attendance for the hearing. “It’s a real relief for Doors fan all over the world,’’ said Zidanic. He later called the granting of the pardon a “historic moment” and a “moving experience.” (Well, it’s still not going down as a Top 5 event!)
Filed under Celebrity, Just Plain Weird, Music, Politics, Uniquely Florida
Special Olympics of Florida teamed up with Ron Jon Surf Shop to create the first surf competition for Special Olympics athletes. The state championships were at Cocoa Beach on October 24 and 25. Here’s the video from Ron Jon’s:
To become a supporter of the Special Olympics, you might check out their upcoming fundraiser Jack in the Park being held at the Winter Park Civic Center this Friday, November 19.
There will be live music by the Hindu Cowboys, open bar, and food from Winter Park restaurants. There will also be silent and live auctions and a one-of-a-kind Blackjack Tournament with fantastic prizes. Pretty cool, eh?
Filed under Charity, Music, Non-profit, Uniquely Florida
Have you listened to your iPod lately? If so, you can thank craftsmen from centuries ago for first coming up with the idea of mechanical, portable music. Yes, I’m talking about a music box, the earliest of which date back to the 16th century. And, for those who love the charm of a music box, the Orlando Science Center has a special exhibition just for you.
The World of Mechanical Music is presented by the Southeast Chapter of the Musical Box Society International (who knew there was such a society!?) and guests will discover the fine art of mechanical music through displays of antique and ornate music boxes.
The exhibit opens this Saturday, November 13, and lasts through January 9.
However, on opening day only, MBSI member Bill Hall will be showcasing his massive European street organ, entitled “De Drie Kransen.” This mechanical musical instrument is so large, it can only be displayed outside the Science Center! We’ve got to see this!
Filed under History, Just Plain Weird, Museum, Music
November 28 at Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
A traditional show, we can’t wait to allow our ears to be blessed with this music!
November 25 at Bok Tower Gardens
If you have never been to the Bok Tower Gardens, treat yourself and family this Thanksgiving. Sumptuous as pumpkin pie!
November 27 at The Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
We love to ring in the coming holidays with some of our favorite holiday melodies!
The Orlando Philharmonic performing with the legendary John Williams at the recent opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
November 7-14 at UCF Opera Rehearsal Hall Auditorium
We love the thought of listening to gorgeous voices fill the air during this season. And until Orlando Opera makes a come back, we’re heading to UCF!
November 8 and 12 at Winter Park Playhouse
Featuring T. Robby Piggot and then Tim Evanicki, the area’s only theater dedicated to musical theater may have a hit on its hands!
T. Robert Piggott
Filed under concert, Music, November 2010, Seasonal, Top 5 Other Music Events
November 7 at Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
One of our favorite shows is coming featuring the 10 ten performers from this latest season, including Jackie Evancho and Prince Poppycock! If you are not familiar with Jackie Evancho, just listen to her unbelievably beautiful voice… and no, she is NOT lipsynching!
And, for flair and fashion (as well as incredible talent) here’s Prince Poppycock:
November 11 at House of Blues
We’re so excited about Sevendust and 10 Years coming… sure winners for our ears!
Sevendust
With their hit song “Driven” we’re excited to hear them sing in the more intimate setting of the House of Blues. We think dinner at Downtown Disney and then rocking out with Sevendust and 10 Years sounds like an awesome night!
November 6 at Festival Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl
Featuring a variety of local bands, we love rocking out for a cause! Especially during the upcoming season where so many are hungry!
November 19 at King Performing Arts Center in Melbourne
Want a chance to see a legend? You don’t get much more legendary that Diana Ross! Appearing in her “More Than Yesterday” tour, we can’t wait!
The fabulous Diana Ross
6. Loretta Lynn
November 21 at King Performing Arts Center in Melbourne
Country fans unite! For over 50 years now she has been a cultural icon in the country music industry… whoah!
Legendary Loretta Lynn
Filed under Bob Carr, Celebrity, Music, November 2010, Top 5 Popular Music Events
Okay, Elvis fans, how would you like to see the #1 tribute act in the country? Well, Peter Alden will be “in the house” at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 30.
Performing music from all Elvis’s eras in a dynamic, fast-paced, Vegas-style show, Alden is accompanied by a 7 piece band called “Suspicious Minds.” Appearing around the world and with the “Legends in Concert” for over 12 years, this act has Elvis walking and singing among us once again. So, if you love “The King,” then this is the place to be Saturday night!
Okay, Central Florida singers, we want one of you to win!
LongHorn Steakhouse and its “Live at LongHorn” music program are giving one talented artist the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform live on-stage with country music star Jake Owen. (He’s the cute guy below for you non-country fans out there, and he happens to be a Florida native!)
Country star Jake Owen
The “Sing It Like Jake” contest kicks off October 11, and the grand-prize winner will receive a trip to Nashville, a behind-the-scenes opportunity to travel with Jake on his tour bus from Nashville to Vero Beach, Florida, and the ultimate prize of performing live on-stage with Jake at his hometown concert at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach on Friday, Dec. 10.
To enter, contestants must upload a video of themselves singing one of Jake’s songs on LongHorn’s Facebook page between October 11 and October 31. From October 11 through November 7, visitors to LongHorn’s Facebook page can vote for their favorite video performances.
On November 9, the top 10 videos receiving the most votes will be named as “Sing It Like Jake” contest semi-finalists, receiving dinner for two at their local LongHorn Steakhouse and eligible for the grand prize. The grand-prize winner will be chosen by Jake Owen and a panel of judges and announced on LongHorn’s Facebook page on November 15.
So, come on and get your voices tuned and start picking songs to sing! We want to see a Central Floridian on stage with Jake!
Don't you want to sing with him?
Filed under Celebrity, concert, Fun, General Info, Music
Brian Feldman as a Red Chair
I truly believe Brian Feldman is what Orlando Weekly called “Orlando’s greatest living performance artist” because not only has he turned himself into an inanimate object (a red chair), but he’s also auctioned himself off to be that inanimate object at an event of the winner’s choice! So, why would somebody want to pose as a red chair? To benefit the arts of Central Florida… why else?!
Quick question to the Orlando Weekly: If Brian is the greatest living performance artist, who is Orlando’s greatest dead performance artist?
It was all done for the 6th Annual Red Chair Affair, Central Florida’s Kick Off to the 2010-2011 Cultural Season, presented by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Central Florida.
When my hubby and I arrived at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center, we were greeted outside by belly dancers from A Magi Dance Entertainment. Inside, the lobby was already packed as theatre-goers were watching smaller performances and artisans. There you could see artwork and artists from the Creadle School of Art, talk with Kent Arblaster of the Maitland Art and History Association, watch entertainment from Flamenco del Sol, and the VIP’s got to listen to musical performances from the Winter Park Playhouse Cabaret.
A tango from Flamenco del Sol
While waiting for the show, I got a chance to see United Arts‘ Emma Kruch and Cory Warren, who were busy discussing why The Arts Matter with everyone. If you haven’t checked out why The Arts Matter, be sure to click the link here!
Top 5 editor Bess Auer in between United Art's Emma Kruch and Cory Warren
One we got seated inside the auditorium–yeah, we were way back because it was general seating and we were late!–we got to view a slideshow of all the chairs that had been created by different groups, attractions, and foundations from around Central Florida. These were auctioned off to raise funds for the arts.
Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs' chair
Orlando Improv Fest's chair
IFLY Orlando's chair
Art Hub's chair
Global Peace Film Festival and Gatorland's chair
On stage right were two ASL interpreters from Valencia Community College (who did a fabulous job throughout the evening, including a little choreography during the musical parts) as well as Thomas Thorspecken from the Analog Artist Digital World. He was correctly billed as a “Live Visual Artist” who was sketching and painting while the show was happening, and I can’t wait to see how he captured the evening!
And then the featured performances got started with the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by the Bach Festival Society Choir (gorgeous!) only to be followed by several more performances, each one introduced by Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando Magic’s Bo Outlaw and Nick Andersen, and many other local “movers and shakers” on a huge screen hung high above the stage. Here are the acts we saw:
La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil– A new juggling act was debuted, which looks very promising. We only got a taste, as most performance were only 5 to 7 minutes long, but the juggler and La Nouba’s quirky “Green Bird” character were impressive! (But why isn’t the “Green Bird” green?)
Orlando Shakespeare Theater– I know Orlando Shakes does much, much more than Shakespeare, but the scene chosen to be showcased (a duet from “Chaps! A Jingle, Jangle Christmas”) was a fun one which had me singing along.
Emotions Dance with Tod Caviness– This was a very powerful piece, where a trio of female dancers stomped out an enticing routine reflecting the story of “Spoken Word Artist” Tod Caviness, which seemed like a strange dream from all I could tell. I remember something like “she was the daughter of the sun” to start it off and “we weren’t quite sure what happened the next morning” and then “we went back to our caves” for the end. Between the dramatic music and lighting, the emotional dancers, and the strength of Caviness’ voice, it was a memorable act.
Orlando Gay Chorus, Menage– This smaller group’s high energy had the crowd clapping along! And while choreography was campy and fun, we have to remember they are a choral group of Orlando residents, not professional dancers, and their singing delightfully brought this home. A fun time to be had, for sure!
Bay Street Players– This is a group I have heard about, but have never been inspired to make the trip to Eustis until now… even my hubby loved their baseball music scene! High-spirited and humorous, their singing and acting hit the perfect balance. We will definitely be making the drive to see a show or two in their historic theater.
Orlando Ballet– Taken from their Battle of the Sexes, which was a Top 5 event earlier this year, this duet definitely “brought sexy back” and then some! The music was edgy, the outfits black rubber, and the guy bare-chested and tattooed; this had me wishing I had been able to attend the Battle of the Sexes when it was showing! (Next year!)
SAK Comedy Lab– A twenty-year experiment in downtown Orlando, the SAK Comedy Lab is a sure bet for ingenious comedy! Where else can you see a guy confess to “cleaning cat litter at Mount Rushmore with paris Hilton”? (And do it while singing in rhyme!) And while SAK Comedy Lab also claimed to “bring sexy back,” they definitely brought laughter back!
Winter Park Playhouse– The Playhouse featured four dynamite singers who raised the roof with their powerful voices, all set to Aretha Franklin type soul. Very moving!
VarieTease– Punk rocker prima donnas… loved it! Dressed in hilariously edgy tutus, lace, leather, and steel, these three ladies were incredible athletes who attacked the crowd and the camera with a vengeance, before primly tip-toeing off-stage. (And I can’t wait to see what else they have to offer this season!)
Orlando Repertory Theatre’s Power Chords– A group of young singers featured some of the best voices of the evening… imagine Glee! but drop it down to include middle schoolers, and you have the idea. Bright colors, incredible voices, fun choreography, all professionally done!
Yow Dance– The Top 5 has promoted their events in the past, but this is the first time I have been able to see Yow, and wow! I was impressed! A modern dance feel with powerful movements and emotion, I will definitely be seeking out their performances this season.
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Sovereign Brass– When these five brass players and drummer started their act with the theme from *The Muppets, I knew there was frivolity to be had! True performers, this fun group gave me an appreciation for their talent and skill. One of my favorite acts of the night and a great way to end the show!
*Correction: The Daily City’s Mark Baratelli kindly pointed out I have absolutely no ear for music, and what I took to be the intro to The Muppets was actually from the Broadway musical Chicago. Oops! Oh well, it was still enjoyable! 
Filed under Celebrity, Charity, Fun, General Info, Music, The Arts, Uniquely Florida
