Mary Damiano Photo by David Vance

Mary Damiano’s Arts Scene

Last issue I opened my column with news of a letter I received from a disgruntled actor. I invited readers to read his letter and my theatre review, which spurred the letter, and weigh in with their own comments. Boy, did readers weigh in. I received about 50 e-mails regarding the letter, and many more phone calls. The comments and e-mails have all been positive, and we’ve published a few, along with the actor’s apology e-mail, on the Letters to the Editor page in this issue. I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to e-mail me and call me for their warm and generous support. Your comments have meant more to me than I could possibly express.

Our Valentine’s Day cat painting by local artist Herbert Hofer

Festival of the Arts
The Coldwell Banker Miami Beach Festival of the Arts celebrates its 35th year Saturday and Sunday, February 7-8, along Ocean Terrace, east of Collins Ave. between 73 St. and 75 St. It’s a gorgeous beach setting for this fabulous festival, which features the juried artwork of more than 150 artists from across the nation, exhibiting paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, and photography. The festival also features music and entertainment by South Florida performers, an international food court and free activities for the kids, including a children’s gallery with hands-on arts and crafts. This year Spam Allstars, Locos Por Juana, Conjunto Progreso and Suenalo will perform during the festival. Ocean Terrace offers an open-air band shell, activity center and beach bowl with on-going music, dance, theatre, arts and crafts, storytelling and international cuisine throughout the event. I think of the Miami Beach Festival nearly every day. A few years ago, I was strolling through the festival, enjoying the artwork by the many artists, when I was struck by Herbert Hofer’s booth. Hofer, like me, is a cat lover and I’d fallen in love with Hofer’s vibrant, whimsical cat paintings some time before. His booth was filled with paintings and prints of romantic cats and sunbathing cats, cats in Miami Beach and cats venturing around the world. I hadn’t gotten a Valentine’s Day gift for my hubby yet, so I bought a charming painting of two cats in a love boat, as well as a print that featured the same two cats in a more detailed setting. Sam loved both the print and the painting, and I think of the Miami Beach Festival of the Arts nearly every day. For more information, visit www.miamibeachfestivalofthearts.com.

Artist Timothy Leistner, with Sea Symphony, the violin he painted for the Florida Youth Orchestra fundraiser

Painted Violin Project
Timothy Leistner, painter and photographer in this issue’s Artist Spotlight, is hosting a new art exhibition in his Dania Beach gallery, Artist’s Eye Fine Art Gallery. “Conscious Conscience” features new works by artists/photographers Leistner, Tony Rosca, and Mark Alan Anderson. Each artist’s works deal with societal issues and the human condition as well as the individual atmosphere. Although the exhibition opened January 17, a gala opening will be held Saturday January 31, 7-10 p.m. On that night, the exhibition will feature a one-night-only showing of the Florida Youth Orchestra’s 2nd annual Painted Violin Project will display this year’s painted violins at the gallery. The 12 participating artists in the painted violin project include: Julia Black Andrews; Debbie Sampson; Gerard Delaney; Heather Hennick; Humberto Benitez; Mauricio Ferrer; Isabael Perez Salazar; Francisco Sheuat; Tony Rosca; Al Baruch; Romero Britto and Timothy Leistner. The Florida Youth Orchestra is a non-profit organization and is nationally acclaimed and is the premier youth orchestra in the state. The group has performed sold-out concerts at New York’s Carnegie Hall as well as at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The Painted Violin Project is designed to promote the visual and performing arts while helping young musicians achieve their goals. Raffle ticket will be available for the violins “Conscious Conscience” runs through February 28 at Artist’s Eye Fine Art Gallery, 38 South Federal Highway, #2, Dania Beach. For more information, call 954-554-3153 or e-mail artistseyeinc@yahoo.com.

Christine Andreas

Christine Andreas to Perform at Miniaci
Broadway star Christine Andreas will perform February 6 and 7, 7 p.m., at the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center located on the Nova Southeastern University main campus in Davie. Andreas has been nominated for two Tony Awards, for her work in Oklahoma in 1953 and On Your Toes in 1980. Andreas has performed in South Florida as part of the national tour of The Light in the Piazza; she also hosted and performed at the Carbonell Awards ceremony in April of last year. She possesses the kind of voice capable of transporting and audience to another place, if only for a little while. I’ve also met Christine Andreas, and she is a gracious person, full of warmth and wit. Her concert, I’m sure, will be a real treat. Tickets are $50, with special VIP tickets available for Saturday, February 7, which include a preferred seating section and a post show cocktail hour. Andreas will meet with guests at this private reception. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Henderson Mental Health Center. To purchase tickets and for more information, call 954- 462-0222, visit the Broward Center box office or go to www.miniacipac.org.

Jimmy De Los Heroes Gamonet.

Ballet Gamonet at the Colony
Ballet Gamonet will present Program II of their 2008-2009 season this weekend at the Colony Theatre. There are four dance pieces on the bill, including Concerto For La Donna, by choreographer Jimmy Gamonet De Los Heros with music by composer Max Bruck; Purple Bend I, with choreography Gamonet De Los Heros and music by Gustav Mahler; Sonetos de Amor y Muerte by William Soleau, and Jubilo, with choreography by Gamonet De Los Heros and music by Wynton Marsalis. Performances are Friday, January 30, 8 p.m. and Saturday, January 31, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Colony Theatre on Lincoln Road in South Beach. For tickets and more information, visit www.balletgamonet.org.

Have a comment about what you’ve read? E-mail letters@miamiArtzine.com