CULTURE VULTURE

 

Good enough to eat (and other opportunities)

 

By C.S. GILBERT

KONK LIFE COLUMNIST

 

It’s rare by reviewing forays have led to artwork that looks good enough to eat, with the possible exception of some wooden 3-D rendering of foods or an occasional Andy Warhol canvas. But Vera Vasek has reinvented herself yet again. In hindsight, we might have seen it coming, but the former sand-caster (Tidal Reliefs) has moved on to not quite two-dimensional paintings, mixed media on Plexiglas, she calls Movement Drawings. I call them delicious. She has achieved smooth, often shimmery abstracts in various colors, many of which belong behind the counter at Flamingo Crossing.

The show opened a couple of weeks ago at UVA Gourmet Shoppe, where Vasek seems to be artist in residence, dishing up delectables to complement the wine and savories offered at the shop. My particular favorite is a shimmering blueberry with accents of lavender (Study #7). UVA is at 519 Fleming St. Check it out. (I understand the wine is good as well. Certainly the glassware is elegant.)

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Holiday meals and treats are notorious for destroying any attempt at weight control . . . so how about a bit of exercise via dance? There are Lower and Middle Keys opportunities.

Fridays at 10:30 a.m. at CoffeMill Dance Studio, 916 Pohalski Lane, are jazz dance classes with Denis Hyland. “All dance levels welcome,” they note. 305-296-9982, www.coffeemilldance.com.

Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Fridays at 7 p.m. are salsa and salsa rueda classes at Paradise Health and Fitness Dance Studio, 1706 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Drop ins are welcome and no partner is needed. 305-296-6348. www.facebook.com/LearnToDance with Lucy Leon.

Argentine Tango Practica if offered Mondays at 8:15 p.m. at Dance Factory, Key West off Kennedy Dr. 305-304-8184, www.dancefactorykeywest.com. Singles and couples are welcome.

The Key West Country Western Dancers offer free dancing lessons with Marvin Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Cowboy Bill’s, 612 -1/2 Duval St. Line dancing plus “Texas 2-step, swing, waltz cha cha, etc.” (724) 333-4137.

Finally, for the Middle Keys, ballroom and Latin dance instruction are available at Theo and Ganine’s Dance Center, 5800 Overseas Hwy., Suite 40, Marathon. “Class levels range from social to advanced instruction for competitive professionals dancing International & American style dance.” 305-766-3428. www.keysdancecenter.com.

Cool listing, yes? All are from the weekly bulletin of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts. You can bypass Culture Vulture entirely by subscribing and receive a weekly listing of absolutely everything that’s going on in the arts. Contact [email protected].

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There are fine art lessons available as well.

We’ve just received notice of FKCC’s latest three-hour classes. From December into April, the Department of Continuing Education is offering “still life and life drawing combo” classes Thursdays 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. in Tennessee Williams Fine Art Center room 2410. Instructor is Annmarie Giordano and tuition is $25. To register phone Continuing Education at 305-809-3185; however, walk-ins are welcome. Classes at the San Carlos in town start Jan. 6 and continue through April 7, “Tuesdays 11-2 on the stage. Come early to set up, we start drawing at 11a.m.,” Giordano reports. Questions? Call her at 609-884-3474.      Also, Key West Art Center at 300 Front St., is offering a series of Tuesday classes in watercolor with Karen Beauprie, Jan. 6- March 31 from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. Tuition is $80 for four classes; single lessons are available for $25. Call 305-517-68056 or e-mail [email protected] to register. “All levels of students will learn how to create powerful watercolor paintings by improving their understanding of composition, value, shapes, edges, textures, and color through the use of individual instruction, class discussions, demonstrations, and critiques. Come and enjoy the small studio atmosphere and camaraderie of this very personal watercolor class. Students must have a working knowledge of watercolor and the class size will be limited to 10 students. Bring own supplies; supply list available at www.beausartstudio.com.

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Hope your Hanukkah was happy and candle-lit and your Christmas was merry and bright. And best wishes for Kwanzaa and a very happy new year to all.

 

That’s it for now. Gotta fly!

 

 

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