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Rosanne Potter’s new painting, Blended Textures, is prominent at the opening of the new home of the Debra Butler Design Studio, 612 Fleming St. Other artists featured were Cynthia Wynn, Lucy Paige, Scott Gruppe, Jane Gilbert and Jay Winston. All complement Butler’s sleek furnishings. The show will continue all year.

 

Culture Vulture

 

Theater, dance, fine art: The Arts heat up for Season

 

By C.S. GILBERT

 

Hooray! Arts season is upon us . . . or at least things are heating up considerably. It’s not that any gallery I know of actually closed for the whole summer and, of course, there was the wonderful Summer Stage. But during the past couple of weeks there’s been an explosion of all arts.

First, there was the opening to raves of Theatre XP’s “Poetry of Fear” at the Red Barn; it runs through Nov. 22; don’t miss it.

Then there was Dance Key West’s emotive and narrative modern dance concert, After These Messages, starring two superlative dancers, company founder Kyla Piscopink (they most recently were known as Key West Contemporary Dance Company) and frequent guest artist Jordan Fife Hunt. It’s hard to believe that only two dancers could carry the entire weight of a full, two-act show, but this duo had the stamina, the acting ability and, of course, the dance skill to carry it off.

With a black box stage with a TV screen its only adornment, they expertly manipulated two boxes, laptops and folding chairs and created a glimpse into a rich relationship, with all its emotional nuances. Fife and Mary Kay Lee of the company were scheduled to dance at the CoffeeMill during the upcoming Walk on White tonight (Nov. 20). CV feels confident to recommend them in advance; performances usually begin at 8. There’s no admission fee but libations are available and donations are very welcome.

And then there was the opening of the arts council’s membership show, The Road Less Taken at the Gato; this time most of the artists actually paid attention to the stated theme. It’s a fine show, accented by a reshowing of Sheelman’s Hidden in Plain View, the large, photographic portrait series of a selection of local homeless; the exhibit opened to absolute cheers and even some tears at the Studios some months ago and has since toured on the mainland. It’s a don’t-miss and just as powerful the second or third viewing, although the stairwell space is a bit limiting.

As this is membership outreach season, Director Liz Young said that the show is still open for new entries; new members are especially invited to submit work on the theme. Old members who may not have seen the invite before now are welcome to join the show as well. It will run through the end of the year.

Two other notable openings, large and small, during the Friday Duval Art Stroll: Photographic artist Jodell Roberts enjoyed her first show at SoDu; her work is small and exquisite. Also seasoned local artist and watercolor instructor Sean Callahan proudly hosted the grand opening of his Dog Tired Studio and Gallery at 1011 Whitehead. A huge crowd enjoyed wine, water and nibbles along with a variety of fine paintings, amazing photography and woodcuts by Callahan and three artist friends. He will also be holding periodic classes in the studio. Phone 802-989-5910 for details.

Finally, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 12 opened a season that will include 50 concerts and other musical events, President Jacqueline Lorber announced. The opener, “Expressive Virtuosity,” was all that and more. Local fave Zuell Bailey soloed on cello in the Prokofiev; guest conductor Piotr Gajewski stepped in for Maestra Alfonso, sidelined by a wrist injury; Bailey and he and the orchestra practically tore the roof off the Tennessee Williams Theater and earned the most sustained applause I’ve heard in years, anywhere. Surely our music maven Harry Schroeder will tell you all about it.

That’s all for now. Gotta fly!

 

 

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