Mary Damiano Photo by David Vance

 Mary Damiano’s Arts Scene

The MiamiARTzine gang celebrate at our one-year anniversary party and fundraiser

MiamiARTzine Celebrates
Two words best fit the MiamiARTzine one year anniversary party on Thursday, November 16: magical and gratifying.  Although the forecasters predicted rain, it was a clear and beautiful evening to enjoy the garden paradise of Miami Beach Arts Trust board member Sam Carson and his partner Garrett Yebernetsky.  Their home is an oasis in the heart of bustling South Beach, an art deco gem with a garden straight out of a magazine.  It was the perfect setting for the party.

I must give special thanks to everyone who helped make the evening such a success, in particular, the members of the Miami Beach Arts Trust board, Ray Sullivan and the Miami Contemporary Dance Company, who heated up the party with some incredible dancing, Lovables, who provided a delicious array of food, Finlandia, who kept the libations flowing, and Maggie Marrerro of Cakes by Maggie, who not only recreated the MiamiARTzine logo on a yummy rum sheet cake, but also surprised me with the most beautiful birthday cake I’ve ever seen, all white fondant with cascading purple flowers.  Thanks as well to everyone who provided us with raffle items, including New Theatre, the Mosaic Theatre, the Caldwell Theatre, The Market Company, Prezzo restaurant, artists Noel, Jacklyn Laflamme and Anastasia the Great, and the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.  Thanks also to all the people who took the time to tell us how much they enjoy MiamiARTzine.com.  That makes it all worthwhile. To see more of the fun, check out our photo gallery for the event.

A Sweet Kiss
If the audience reaction was any indication, and it usually is, a good time was had by all at New Theatre’s opening of Just a Kiss, Saturday, November 18.  Laughter rang throughout the theatre, as well as spontaneous applause.  Just a Kiss is about two actresses cast in a play who must kiss, and how that kiss affects their lives.  The New Thetare’s production is the play’s world premiere, and playwright Catherine Bush beamed with pride watching her words come to life on stage.  It was also the New Theatre debut of several cast members, including leads Caroline Edelen and Elise Girardin, and South Florida favorite Doug Williford, who steals just about every scene he’s in.  Just a Kiss runs through December 10.  For more information, visit new-theatre.org.

Women’s Theatre Project Holds Fundraiser at Gallery
The Women’s Theatre Project is making it easier to shop for the holidays and help contribute to a great organization.  The Broward theatre company is holding a fundraising event Friday, December 1, from 6-9 p.m. at the St. Lawrence Gallery in Fort Lauderdale.  The evening will feature wine and complimentary hors d’oeuvres as well as  the opportunity to mingle with The Women’s Theatre Project board of directors, actors and supporters.  Guests can take part in exciting raffles and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the gallery, filled with a distinctive selection of museum quality artwork featuring the paintings of Richard Sklar, nautical-themed pieces and an eclectic assortment of art glass and gift items for all occasions.  A percentage of all sales from the evening will go to The Women’s Theatre Project to support the 2007 season.  A $10 cover charge includes two drink tickets (season subscription holders will receive $2 off entry to the gala and subscriptions can be purchased on the night of the event).  Payment for the event is cash or check only and made payable to The Women’s Theatre Project.  RSVPs are required by November 27 to twtp@bellsouth.net or 954-462-2334.  The St. Lawrence Gallery is located at: 3556 North Ocean Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. For more information call 954-462-2334.

Ribbons for the Children
The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center will host the “Ribbons for the Children” art exhibit opening reception and auction on November 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. “Ribbons for the Children” is a collaboration between ArtsUnited, Inc. and the 9Muses Art Center. Ten local artists created original art pieces using the AIDS Ribbon as their subject. They then donated their time, talent and the art to the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center. The10 unique art works will be on display for the first time in this exhibit. Each will be auctioned during the reception. With the help of Dennis Dean Images, each art piece has been digitally photographed, and the images have been reproduced on note cards. Sets of the 10 distinct cards will also be available for purchase during the reception. One of the artists participating in the event, Angela Farinelli, was featured in MiamiARTzine’s Artist Spotlight. All the proceeds from the event will go to support the many valuable programs of the Children’s Diagnostic Center.  “Ribbons for the Children” will take place at the Children’s Diagnostic Center, 1401 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. The exhibit and reception is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, please call 954-728-1088.

Cuban Pete and Barbara Craddock Get a Big Bravo
A big shout out to popular Miami entertainers Cuban Pete and Barbara Craddock, who were honored at the Film, Recording & Entertainment Council Star Gala, on Saturday, November 18, at the newly renovated Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach.  At the event, prominent and influential figures in the South Florida film, recording and entertainment industry, were commemorated and celebrated for their accomplishments, leadership and vision. Pedro “Cuban Pete” Aguilar and Barbara Craddock, two names synonymous with “clave,” the rhythmic structure of Latin dance and music, were the recipients of the 2006 Cultural Arts & Entertainment Award.  Known as experts in the history, culture, and artistry of Latin dance and music, they’ve been educating and wowing crowds wherever they perform, teach and lecture.  The evnt in Hallandale Beach also featured entertainment by the New World School of the Arts, under the direction of Ron Hendrix.

Miami Short Film Festival
South Florida film lovers will get the opportunity to see new films by up-and-coming filmmakers when the Miami Short Film Festival, which will be held November 27 to December 2 at several Miami theatres.  Short films are often the way filmmakers get to financing to make features. The Miami Short Film Festival provides movie fans with a chance to see innovative work from around the world by filmmakers who just might pop up in a few years at the local megaplex.  Now in its fifth year, the year’s festival will screen 92 movies from many different countries and from all over the United States.  Categories of films include animation, documentary, narrative and experimental. Films will be presented at the Tower Theatre, 1508 SW and 8 Street, and at the AMC, Cocowalk, 3015 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove.  For more information, visit miamishortfilmfestival.com.

Tania Leon at FIU
Composer, pianist and conductor Tania Leon will appear at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center Concert Hall on the Florida International University campus November 29 at 7 p.m. Leon, who is known for her intense dance rhythms, will give a short lecture prior to selections of her compositions performed by faculty pianist Jose Lopez, the FIU New Music Ensemble conducted by Orlando Jacinto Garcia and the FIU Choir directed by John Augenblick.  The performance is free of charge and open to the public.  For more information, call 305-348-2890

Theatre Up Rising
The new theatre company Ground Up and Rising will present their production of September 10, written and directed by company member Arturo Fenandez, this weekend at the GableStage Theatre at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. September 10 takes place on the day before the world changed, and follows friends, lovers and strangers whose paths cross in New York City. While Joseph Adler, the producing artistic director of GableStage, usually presents his own company’s work, he apparently believes in Ground Up and Rising enough to help them find an audience with this play.  September 10 will run for three performances only, Saturday, November 25 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  September 10 had a brief run recently in a different venue, and received kudos from critics.  All proceeds go to Ground Up and Rising.  For ticket reservations, call 305-445-1119. 

A scene from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which runs December 5-10 at Carnival Center

Theatre Openings
Three theatres open new productions this weekend. The Mosaic Theatre in Plantation opens its new production, Rabbit Hole, which runs November 30 through December 23. A recent Broadway hit, Rabbit Hole was written by David Lindsay Abaire and is about a couple whose world is turned upside down by a life-shattering accident, and their struggle to find their way back.  For more information, visit mosaictheatre.com.  The Broward Stage Door opens their latest musical, Hot Mikado, which runs December 1 through January 21.  Hot Mikado is a parody of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, The Mikado.  For more information, visit stagedoortheatre.com.