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Platform.5 Youth & Art Saturday, Feb 18, 5-8pm

Bev Hendricks — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:53:22 +0000

It’s a Small World – Youth as the Catalyst for Change

I stopped by to see how set up was going today and to see what I could do to help. The walls are covered with visual art. Rehearsals are happening. The film screening room is prepared. Tables are set up for creating art. Looks like another fantastic Platform.5 Youth & Art event is ready to go. How can you help? Come on out and support kids creating art. This family-friendly event is for all ages!

when || saturday, february 18, 2012 – 5pm to 8pm
where || Oasis Community Church, 3330 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803
what || a family friendly art party created by Lakeland-based arts organization Platform Art. Experience art, film fashion, sound and performance, plus art activities provided by Explorations V Children’s Museum (necklaces), GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Lakeland (sand art) and Tom Monaco of The Fourth Wall Specialty Design & Fabrication Inc (crowns).
tickets || students: FREE (thru grade 12) || adults: $5 suggested donation

Performances:
Lincoln Academy Choir - La Jesusita
Prodigy Theatre / Dance Class - French Folk Dance
Suzuki Strings / Children’s Violin & Guitar - Playful Rondo & It’s a Small World
Wendell Watson Elem. Show Choir - What Can One Little Person Do
Emily Gillian - Desi Girl
Florida Dance Theatre Youth Ensemble - Quiet Now
Emily Jones - Max, I see the Street, Dead Alligator on the Side of the Road
Dance Arts - Paper Speak
Florida Dance Academy Youth Ensemble and Geneva Classical Academy - Small World Project
The Summer Insects Ensemble - Windowsill, Shortest Day of Our Lives

Platform Art is grateful for:

volunteers || GFWC Junior Women’s Club of Lakeland, serving the community since 1928.
sponsors || George W. Jenkins Fund within the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland, Florida Refuse/Republic Services, City of Lakeland, CSX, Lunz Prebor Fowler.
platform.5 coordinator || Karen Grisham

Patti LuPone Performs at Lakeland’s Historic Polk Theatre

Bev Hendricks — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:51:50 +0000

OH WHAT A NIGHT in Lakeland’s beautiful historic Polk Theatre. I just witnessed an amazing performance by star of stage and screen Patti LuPone. She sang major songs from her memorable roles in Oliver!, Les Misérables, Evita, Anything Goes, Sunset Boulevard, Pal Joey, Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, and more. A couple of times during the show she said “This theatre is a treasure.” Near the end she told the audience to “Cherish this beautiful theatre.” The crowd loved Ms. LuPone’s show and got her to come out for three encores. I’m not sure how she sang as long as she did. She is an amazing performing artist.

I was fortunate to sit next to a really nice young woman named Lori, who drove an hour-and-a-half from Orlando to see Ms. LuPone. She said “it’s so easy to just hop on I-4 and come over.” I also found out that Lori is in the cast of Theatre Winter Haven’s production of “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story” which is in rehearsals right now for the show’s run from February 23 through March 18 (Thursdays-Sundays). Learn more about the production on the Theatre Winter Haven website.

I recognized many in the audience, including several students from the Harrison School from the Arts theatre program. Definitely make the effort to take in one of their performances. The talent is amazing.

Upcoming performances at The Lois Cowles Harrison School for the Visual and Performing Arts include–

Winter Dance Concert Friday, February 17 – Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 PM.

Little Women Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 PM, and on Sunday, March 4 at 2:00 PM.

Check out Harrison’s new website for more information.

Don’t miss out on these performances and many more. Learn more at PolkArts.org and VisitCentralflorida.org.

Oct 21-23: This Weekend in Florida’s Heart of the Arts

Bev Hendricks — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:11:30 +0000

October is National Arts & Humanities Month and Polk County is celebrating in a big way with more than 100 arts and cultural activities happening in the Heart of the Arts during the month.

Friday, October 21st

Oct 21 Ghosts of Bartow Walking Tours, 9 to 11 pm at Polk County Historical Museum, Bartow. $25.00 includes a light reception, Polk Proud T-shirt and commemorative photograph. Not recommended for ages 10 & under.Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Museum prior to the day of the event.

Oct 21: Ask a Gardener from 10 to noon. Get advice from gardening experts. Included with admission to Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. Subject to change pending weather. (General: $12/Ages 5-12: $3)

Oct 21: ISO Fall Pops Concert FREE Orchestra concert at 7:30 p.m. in Munn Park. This concert kicks off the Hispanic Festival with an all Latin program. Pre-concert activities begin at 6:00pm.

Oct 21: Red, White & the Blues 2011 | 6:30pm – 11pm. The Museum’s 10th annual wine tasting and blues concert featuring veteran bluesman Joe Louis Walker, Tampa Bay blues artist Selwyn Birchwood, great food, wine and craft beers. Tickets: $75 and $30

Oct 21: Florida Dance Dinner Fundraiser. Food served: 5-7pm at Lake Mirror Promenade. Dinner is Hamburger or Hotdog, Baked Beans & Chips, sponsored by Woodmen of the World. Presale tickets at FDT are $4. Tickets are $6 at event. Pics on the Promenade: “Beauty & the Beast” begins at dusk.

Friday & Saturday, October 21 & 22

Oct 21-22: The Sanatorium Haunted House Experience… The Carnival is Back in Town. Open from 7-11pm. Lakeland Community Theatre at the Lake Mirror Center. Not recommended for children under 12. Entry: $5

Saturday, October 22

Oct 22: History Highlights Polk Proud 150 at 2pm. Special guided tour on the history of the region at 2pm. Included with general admission to Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. (General: $12/Ages 5-12: $3)

Oct 22: The Winner’s Invitational Opening Reception, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Ridge Art Associations Winner’s Invitation Exhibit is open to the public from October 24 to November 14 in the Ridge Art Gallery. FREE!

Oct 22: Arts on the Alley at Arts on the Park. 6:30 until 10:30pm. Live music by Billy Needs a Beard, food and beverages, live and silent auction, attendee art activity. $35 per person.

Oct 22: Jazz in the Park. The Harrison Jazz Band performs in Winter Haven’s Central Park at 7:30pm. Concert presented for the Symphony Guild of Winter Haven. FREE!

Saturday & Sunday, October 22 & 23

Oct 22-23: The Over 55 Show Band performs in the Winter Haven Fine Arts Theatre at Polk State College on Saturday and Sunday, from 2-4pm. Tickets: $8/person.

Oct 7-9: This Weekend in the Heart of the Arts

Bev Hendricks — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:04:19 +0000

It’s National Arts & Humanities Month and we are celebrating in the Heart of the Arts in a big way. There are more than 100 arts and cultural activities taking place during October.

Attend arts activities this month and register for a chance to win awesome “ARTS” prizes! The rules are easy. Look for the Heart of the Arts Logo at participating arts and cultural events in Polk County. Provide your contact information one time at each activity, so we can contact you if you are a winner. The more activities you experience, the more opportunities you have to win. Drawings take place in early November.

This weekend in the Heart of the Arts (Oct 7-9):

Oct 6-9: The Full Monty at Theatre Winter Haven

Oct 7: View & Review – Critiquing Emerging Artists (Photography) at Polk Museum of Art.

Oct 7: Ask a Gardener at Bok Tower Gardens

Oct 7: People’s Choice at Arts on the Park

Oct 7: Half Price Admission to Explorations V from 6-8pm

Oct 7: Cracker Storytelling Festival Ghost Stories at Polk County Historical Museum

Oct 7-8: THE EDGE Stage Read Series – “Hot L Baltimore” LCT at Lake Mirror Theatre

Oct 8: Opening Reception for Student Exhibition at Polk Museum of Art

Oct 8: History Highlights Polk Proud 150 at 2pm at Bok Tower Gardens

Oct 8: Underground at the Polk at the Historic Polk Theatre

Oct 9: Edward W. Bok Birthday Carillon Concerts at Bok Tower Gardens

View the complete EVENT CALENDAR.

Visit our listing with links to Polk’s arts & cultural organizations.

Sept 11: Events Give Time for Reflection

Bev Hendricks — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:21:32 +0000

There are several cultural arts events this Sunday, September 11th to give the public time to reflect on the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The events are listed below in time order.

Bok Tower Gardens Remembers at 2 p.m.
Commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 during a time of quiet reflection as we honor the memory of our fallen heroes. Help plant two live oak tree dedicated to world peace during a special ceremony featuring Rob Quam, Lake Wales Care Center director. Included with admission; 863-676-1408; www.boktowergardens.org

10th Anniversary Commemorative Concert at 4 p.m.
The Bach Festival of Central Florida and Florida Southern College present a Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Concert of September 11, 2001 at FSC’s Branscomb Auditorium. The program features choruses, orchestras, bands and other music ensembles of all ages from Central Florida to remember and honor those who lost their lives that tragic morning. The featured soloist is Kimberly Milton. The music will be traditionally American. All are invited. Admission is free.

The program includes quotations from memorial words and searching questions, which were posted on churches, walls and fences surrounding Ground Zero. These were posted in the days and weeks following the smoldering holocaust and remain on the barricades of the entire area to this day.

ROTC Honor Guard Flag ceremonials will open and close the event along with the singing of the National Anthem and patriotic favorites. The intention of the concert is to be a tribute to the fallen heroes of that dreadful day when the whole world stood still. “Lest We Forget.”

9/11 Memorial Concert at 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church presents a “9/11 Memorial Concert” on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in the FPC Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, at 7:00 p.m. This concert is FREE and open to the public. All are welcomed to attend and join in this remembrance!

The concert will include the haunting Fauré “Requiem” and Copland’s “Quiet City” as musical tributes to the tragic events that occurred ten years ago on 9/11. Interspersed with the music and congregational hymns, this Memorial Concert includes poignant stories, poetry, and scripture to evoke recollections of that heartbreaking day in our history.

Lakeland’s Chandler King returns from the American Boychoir in Princeton, NJ to sing Fauré’s beloved “Pie Jesu.”

Platform Art Party #17: We’re not just in Canvas Anymore

Bev Hendricks — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:31:19 +0000

when || saturday april 9 2011, 7:30-11:00pm
where || SunTrust Building, 210 S Florida Ave, Lakeland FL 33801
tickets || Get your $15 tickets right now by clicking here. Day of event tickets are $20.

Platform Art Parties showcase regional and emerging talent in the fields of visual arts, film, fashion, sound and performance in a nontraditional setting.

Platform Art Party #17: We’re not in Canvas Anymore culminates in the unveiling of a mural created in collaboration with professional artist/educator Paula Allen, Lakeland Sister Cities, City of Lakeland, St Joseph’s Academy, Parker St Ministries and Prodigy Lakeland.

The bicycle safety themed mural created on four panels of four foot by four foot handmade paper will be unveiled at this Platform Art Party, then presented to Lakeland Sister Cities to display publically until it travels to Imabari Japan as part of a formal cultural exchange.

This project serves as a model for expanded relationships with other Sister Cities; and/or a permanent mural to benefit the City of Lakeland community. See a few of the images that the kids developed for the mural in a little animoto video by clicking here.

Get single tickets. Learn about the benefits of getting an annual pass or becoming a member at various giving levels by clicking here.

Arts & Cultural Events: January 2011

Bev Hendricks — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:03:50 +0000

There is always something arts and cultural going on in Central Florida’s Polk County.

January 4, 1:30pm and 7:00pm: Opera Overtures: A theatre broadcast preview of Puccini’s La Fancuilla del West (The Girl of the Golden West). Live in theatres on January 8th at 1:00pm at Cobb Theatres Lakeside Village 18 Cinemas in Lakeland and Cobb Grand 10 Cinemas in Winter Haven. Learn more!

On exhibit through January 7 at the Lake Wales Municipal Building: Municipal Fine Art Show sponsored by Lake Wales Arts Council and City of Lake Wales. Learn more!

On exhibit through January 8 at Polk Museum of Art – Eye See America: Through the Lens of Joshua Mann Pailet and Visual Unity 2. Learn more!

January 9, 1:00pm and 3:30pm: Edward Bok Memorial Carillon Concerts. Commemorate the life of Gardens’ founder Edward W. Bok who died January 9, 1930, less than a year after his beloved Singing Tower was dedicated. Free with admission. Learn more!

January 13, 7:30pm: Afiara String Quartet, Updike Hall at Lake Wales Arts Center. Learn more!

January 17, 1:00pm and 3:30pm: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Carillon Concerts featuring music of hope, inspiration and peace honoring Dr. King. Learn more!

January 18, 7:30-8:30pm: Moonlight Carillon Concert at Bok Tower Gardens. Learn more!

January 19, 7:30pm: Singer and comedian Mark Lowry performs benefit concert for Southeastern University at The Historic Polk Theatre. Learn more!

January 21, 8:20pm (2020 hours): Pecha Kucha Night Lakeland at 241 S. Kentucky Ave in Lakeland. The doors open at 7:20pm for this fun and creative event where eight creatives give thought-provoking and entertaining presentations of 20 slides for 20 seconds. Learn more!

January 21 – April 1: Municipal Fine Art Show at the Lake Wales Municipal Building. The opening reception and awards ceremony are on January 21 from 5:00-7:00pm. Learn more!

January 22, 7:00pm: The Imperial Symphony Orchestra’s Night at the Opera takes place in Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College. This 10th anniversary season celebration includes selections from Madama Butterfly, Carmen, Barber of Seville, La Traviata, Tosca, La Boheme, Lakme, Cavalleria Rusticana, Samson & Delilah, Le Nozze Di Figaro and Lucia Di Lammermoor with a nationally renowned cast, including Stella Zambalis, Mark Thomsen, Thomas Potter, John Thomasson and Christina Sale, led by Artistic Director James Caraher, Indianapolis Opera. Learn more!

January 23, 4:30pm: Music at Pinewood Concert Series: Duo Turgeon, Piano. Learn more!

On exhibit through January 27 at Lake Wales Arts Center – Ringling College of Art and Design Trustee Scholar Artists. Learn more!

January 27 – April 21: 12-Week Watercolor Art Classes at Bok Tower Gardens. Thursdays, except April 14. Beginning/Intermediate: 9:30am-12:30pm, Intermediate/Advanced: 1:30-4:30pm. Learn more!

January 29, 7:30pm: Leap of Faith – A hand-clapping, toe-tapping evening of gospel music featuring some of the finest voices of church choir members from around the community. Celebrate faith, family and heritage. This jubilant salute will lift your spirits and restore your soul. Presented on the Bartow Performing Arts Series at Bartow Elementary Auditorium. Learn more!

January 30: Sundays @ the Center – Singing Tree, 2:00pm. Updike Hall at the Lake Wales Arts Center. A special name for a unique duo. Celtic, folk and traditional music. Learn more!

January 30, 2pm. One day only – “Thank you for the music – the music of ABBA,” a joint production of Theatre Winter Haven and Lakeland Community Theatre presented at The Historic Polk Theatre. Tickets available through the Polk Theatre are $25, $20, $15. Phone: 863.682.7553. Learn more! Purchase tickets online here!

Learn more about arts events and news by visiting the Polk Arts website.

Great Music Planned for Bok Tower Gardens

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:40:36 +0000

I ran into a colleague from Bok Tower Gardens at a meeting yesterday, and she was bubbling over about their Summer Music Series. The first one is next Saturday, June 27 at 7:30pm and will feature folk singer Rod MacDonald. I understand that seating is cabaret style, and you can show up early for an optional prepaid dinner.

Future concerts will include dixieland music by the Good Times Jazz Band on July 25; 50s and 60s music with Elivis impersonator Dwight Icenhower and The Repeatles on August 22; and traditional Appalachian music by Mustang Sally and the Hamjos on September 11.

All of the performances start at 7:30pm and tickets are $15 ahead of time, or $20 the day of the event. The optional dinner starts at 5:45pm in the Blue Palmetto Cafe and cost $15.50 for Bok Tower members or $17 for non-members.

For tickets and more info, visit the Live at the Gardens page on their website.

SummerJamz at Polk Theatre

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:07:45 +0000

So, I just found out about a really cool, innovative series of events happening this summer. I’d heard rumors of it, but this is the first I’d seen that showed it was a done deal. Polk Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre are teaming up with some serious local talent to present SummerJamz at Polk Theatre. Three events are planned (June 19, July 17, and August 14) that will feature live music by great local bands, sexy cool burlesque revues by BackseatCat Productions, fashion shows by Rae’s Vintage Wear, and too much fun!

The SummerJamz are for ages 18 and up, tickets are $10, and all proceeds will benefit Polk Theatre and Florida Dance Theatre. Doors open at 9, ladies are free before 10pm. Here’s the flyer:

A Weekend of Art

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:48:39 +0000

Last weekend was a crazy weekend for art lovers in Polk County — what with Race for the Arts, Platform Art Party, and the Central Park Art Festival all happening at the same time. But this weekend looks like it might be just as interesting.

Once again, I was checking out Art-i-Facts magazine, and I see that the Lake Wales Art Show is this weekend. This little known gem has been around for 38 years now (the same age as Mayfaire by-the-Lake, Polk Museum of Art’s big outdoor festival), and features more than 125 artists. I have to admit that I’ve never made it over to the show, although I’ve heard good things about it for years.

For the music lover, though, yo’ve got a hard choice to make: the Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Band Concert at Harrison School for the Arts or the Florida Southern Choral Concert. Both are on Saturday night (3/28) at 7:30pm.

Backing up a day, and I know it’s not art related, but the event I’ll be at and that I’m looking forward to is the Alliance for Independence’s Wine Festival of Central Florida. Over 100 wines and great food! Whoo hoo! I’m so there. It’s going to be held at the Lake Mirror Promenade in Downtown Lakeland, 6:30 – 9:30pm, and tickets are $55 at the gate.

So pick an event and enjoy. It’s going to be a fun weekend in Polk County!