Mary Damiano Photo by David Vance

Mary Damiano’s Arts Scene

Me and the hubby, Sam, at the first anniversary party for the World Erotic Art Museum Photo: Enrique Perez

A New Take on Sex on the Beach
The World Erotic Art Museum celebrated its one-year anniversary with a terrific party on Wednesday, October 18. The liquor was flowing and the hormones were raging all through the museum which celebrates erotica and sex through the ages. Costumed performers roamed the museum to everyone’s delight. There was the titillating Lamp Lady, in her flesh-colored body suit and star pasties; Adam and Eve, with a snake that looked real but wasn’t; and a couple painted blue in the Kama Sutra room, who were pretty friendly with each other. The crowd was a nice mélange of the usual SoBe hipsters, many of whom were familiar faces from the grand opening party last year, as well as some curious first-timers. Bunny Yaeger, the photographer who made Bettie Page famous, was there, fascinating as ever. Naomi Wilzig, the collector who founded the museum, was there, meeting and greeting and glowing with pride. If you’ve never been to WEAM, as the museum is affectionately called, you simply must go and stroll through room after room, perusing the many pieces of art and artifacts through which past generations have interpreted sex. There’s no excuse no to go; WEAM is often open ’til midnight.  The World Erotic Art Museum is located at 1205 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. For more info, visit www.weam.com.  And check out more photos of the WEAM first anniversary party in our photo gallery in this issue.

Save the Date to Celebrate MiamiARTzine.com
MiamiARTzine’s one year anniversary party and Miami Beach Arts Trust fundraiser is shaping up to be quite the affair. In addition to catering by Lovables, a performance by Miami Contemporary Dance Company, Maryel Epps, and the Hanabi Classical Quartet, the raffle prizes are pouring in.  Theatre tickets, artwork, all kinds of things will be up for grabs at the party. All the fun takes place Thursday, November 16, from 6-9 p.m., at a private home in South Beach. You can get your tickets by clicking the Save the Date box on the front page. Tickets are only a $50 tax-deductible donation and proceeds help MiamiARTzine.com to continue bringing you all the great arts happenings.

Go Go Gamonet
Ballet Gamonet will present the Program I of their second season Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 at Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami. Both performances are at 8 p.m.  Ballet Gamonet moves up to Broward’s Bailey Hall on the Broward Community College central campus in Davie on Saturday, November 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 12 at 3 p.m.  The program includes Nous Sommes, the company premiere of Prokofiev Piano Concerto and a world premiere, all by Jimmy Gamonet De Los Heros, as well as the Florida premiere of  Precision Ballpassing by Charles Moulton.   For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.balletgamonet.org.

A Harvest of Talent
The Arts at St. John’s kicks off their new season with Harvest of the Arts, a showcase the range of performances the organization presents and a taste of their upcoming season. Performers include singers David Kingery, William Feuer, Raymond Yanez, David Vance, and Elliot Pilshaw; classical pianist Maria Letona; organist A.J. Shaw; and the Dance Now Ensemble. Fantasy Theatre Factory will perform a magic show.  Jean Villamizar, who was featured in the Artist Spotlight of the October 13 issue of MiamiARTzine.com, will present an opening montage and exhibit her multimedia work during the after party. Harvest of the Arts takes place Saturday, October 28, at St. Johns on the Lake, 4760 Pinetree Dr., Miami Beach. The show starts at 7 p.m. and will be followed by an after party by the lake. Tickets are only $20 general admission, $15 for students and seniors. I attended this showcase last year, and was wowed by the talent and range of the performers. Don’t miss it. For more info and to buy tickets online, visit artsatstjohns.com.

Pissed Off at GableStage
The GableStage Theatre in Coral Gables will present a play reading of Pissed Off by Dianne Rosenberg on Monday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.  Pissed Off is about a young woman struggling with her anger towards society. When she reaches her breaking point and decides to fight back, she must face her own emotional turmoil as well as the consequences of her actions. The reading is directed by Brandon Morris, and the cast includes Robin Barson, Oscar Cheda, Cecilia Fernandez, Brandon Morris and Bechir Sylvain. The GableStage Theatre is located at the Biltmore hotel, 1200 Anastasia Avenue.  For more info, visit gablestage.org.

Hal, If I Were You, I Wouldn’t Miss the Kubrick Festival
Throughout the month of November, the Miami Beach Cinematheque pays homage to influential filmmaker Stanley Kubrick with “The Kubrick Look”, which will include a retrospective of films. Included is an exhibition called  “A Film Poster Odyssey”, with memorabilia from the MBC Archive and the collection of MBC member Kendall S. Natvig. Moviegoers will also get a chance to get a peek at the original Hermann Makkink “Rocking Machine” sculpture from A Clockwork Orange on November 11 at the World Erotic Art Museum. The retrospective includes The Killing on November 3, the uncut version of Eyes Wide Shut on December 2, an outdoor screening, of 2001: A Space Odyssey, on the great lawn of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden on Thursday, November 9; a candlelit screening of Barry Lyndon, which was almost entirely shot with natural lighting, on November 16; and a night hosted by South Beach's illustrious film buff in drag, Shelley Novak, who was originally inspired by Lolita to do drag, on November 27. Actor Gary Landon Mills from Full Metal Jacket will be special guest on Friday, December 1, with a discussion and slideshow on his one year working with Stanley Kubrick for the film.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mbcinema.com.

So Much Art, So Little Time
While Art Basel has put Miami Beach on the map as an international player, it has also produced some very weary art lovers. Now, just in time to plan for the big event, there’s “How to Art Basel: A Survival Guide to the Fairs,” a SeminArt expert panel on Saturday, November 4, 4-6 p.m., with a reception afterward. The event, which is free to the public, will take place at the Marcy Building, 3850 N. Miami Avenue in the Miami Design District. Moderated by Carol Damian, author and professor of art and art history at Florida International University, will moderate a panel which will include Helen Allen, director of the Pulse art fair, Stefanie Block Reed, VIP relations director of Art Basel; Nikki Bee, director of marketing and exhibitor relations of Design Miami 2006; Tim Fleming, managing director of Photo Miami; Brian and Jennifer Heller, collectors and upper level Miami Art Museum members, Heather Hubbs, director of NADA Art Fair and Alexis Hubshman, director of Scope Art Fair. While the event is free, attendees must RSVP to cgarcia@artcentersf.org or call 305-674-8278, ext. 14 for additional information.

Lights, Camera, Reel Magic
The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival presents it’s centerpiece gala, Reel Magic, Friday November 3, with the southeast premiere of Pittsburgh, starring Jeff Goldblum, at 8 p.m., followed by a gala just down the drive at War Memorial Auditorium. Reel Magic is urging attendees to put on the glitz and glam it up Hollywood-style, while they get the party star treatment with cocktails, dinner and dancing. Several VIPs are also scheduled to attend, including Robin Cowie, producer of the Blair Witch Project, Hoot director Wil Shriner, actors Dennis Cole, Cindy Morgan, Angela Aquino, Geri Jewel, Richard Wilson and Jeff Branson. The centerpiece film, Pittsburgh stars Goldblum, Ileana Douglas, Ed Begley Jr., and Moby in a comedy in which Goldblum falls Tom-Cruise-crazy in love with a dancer less than half his age and finagles a way to keep her—a Canadian—in this country by auditioning for the part of professor Harold Hill in a regional production of The Music Man.  For more information about Reel Magic and the other films and events at the festival, visit fliff.com.

Turn a Kid onto Theatre
The Playground Theatre for Young Audiences newest production, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, premieres Saturday, November 11, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday, November 12, at 3 p.m. at the Shores Performing Arts Theatre, 9806 NE 2 Ave., Miami Shores. Designed for ages 3 and up, The Steadfast Tin Soldier is Hans Christian Andersen’s tale about what happens in a playroom after the children go to sleep, including a brave toy soldier who risks everything for the love of a beautiful ballerina.  For tickets and information, call 305-751-9550, ext. 231.

Be Real, SoBe Style
Be Real, a documentary that takes a close look at the real lives of members of the gay and lesbian community, will premiere on the LOGO network Sunday, October 29. Partially shot in Miami Beach, Be Real’s cast includes Trae Williamsom, scion of the Williamson family that owns Williamson Cadillac, and David Sexton, Miami Beach playwright and artist. The film got rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was screened this year at the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.  Other notable Miami Beachers who appear in the film include Edison Farrow and David Leddick.  Be Real is a terrific documentary that enables the audience to really get to know the men and women it profiles. David Sexton has been on a whirlwind lately, traveling to promote the film, and has even landed a job writing for Marvel Comics.  For more info on Be Real, visit logoonline.com.

Theatre Previews and Reviews
The Caldwell Theatre kicks off its season with Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Love, a show featuring the music of —who else—Elvis Presley. The show Sunday, November 5 and runs through December 17. This is only the second production of Hunka Hunka Burnin’ Love, and is not an Elvis impersonation, but a celebration of the volume of work that made Elvis a star.  The Caldwell is doing something extra special with this show—kids aged 13 and under can get in free with a paying adult for seven Sunday evening performances and matinees throughout the run. For more information, visit caldwelltheatre.com.

Mad Cat Theatre has a new show, Mr. Marmalade, a comedy in which adult behavior is interpreted through two very smart children. The play was written by Noah Haidle and was recently produced at New York’s Roundabout Theater Company. Mr. Marmalade stars several Mad Cat regulars, including Todd Allen Durkin and Ivonne Azurdia. Mr. Marmalade runs through November 18 at The Light Box Theatre, 3000 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Show times are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and general admission tickets are $20.  For more information and to make reservations, call 305-576-6377.

The Promethean Theatre has a very powerful show running through November 5 at their Davie space on the Nova University campus. Two Rooms concerns a teacher in Beirut who is kidnapped, and his wife’s efforts to not only bring him home but to deal with her own pain. Written by Lee Blessing in the late 1980s, the sad thing about Two Rooms is how little has changed since then, and indeed, how situations have intensified. Jeffrey Bower spends almost the entire play blindfolded and handcuffed in filthy clothes, meaning he has only his voice with which to reveal his character’s pain and anxiety. Nicole Mitchell is stoic as his wife, while Ken Clement plays a reporter and Jennifer Toohey a state department official. Two Rooms is a good production, and well worth seeing.  For more information, visit theprometheantheatre.org.

Seeing—and Hearing—Stars
Seraphic Fire, Miami’s professional chamber choir, will perform “Stars: The Genius of Domenico Scarlatti”, November 10, 11, and 12 at three different venues.  The concert will be devoted to the music of baroque master Domenico Scarlatti.  Although best known for his sonatas for the keyboard, Scarlatti wrote many scared choral works while in the employ of his royal patrons. Stars will include Te Deum, Missa "La Stella", and Stabat Mater.  Seraphic Fire will perform “Stars: The Genius of Domenico Scarlatti” Friday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 536 Coral Way, Coral Gables; Saturday, November 11, 8 p.m., at All Saints Episcopal Church 333 Tarpon Dr., Fort Lauderdale; and Sunday, November 12, 4 p.m. at the Miami Beach Community Church,  1620 Drexel Avenue, Miami Beach. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 305- 476-0260, or visit SeraphicFire.org.

Theatre League Makes Changes
The Theatre League of South Florida is making some changes, including new officers and board members.  The Theatre League is also making changes to their website that will really add value to the membership.  Now, instead of just being listed on the website, members will have a page that includes their headshot and resume.  Hey all you theatre folks who aren’t members---think of how easy it will be to not only hook casting directors up to your photo and credits, but how easy it will be for them to find you.  All members will also get their photos in the new Talent Pool, the members guide that directors and casting agents all over Florida and beyond get. And don’t forget the other great benefits of membership: discounted theater tickets, weekly audition updates and theatre news, and a chance to participate in the unified auditions the Theatre League holds each year.  All that for just $40.  Such a deal!