Art Beat - Wucf

Is architecture art? Architect Maurizio Maso, the designer of UCF's College of Medicine explores the possibilities while touring the unfinished building with producer Katie Ball.

Art Adkins is a policeman turned author of detective novels. The first in his series was The Oasis Project.  Adkins will be at a booksigning Saturday, June 27 from 1-4pm at Waldenbooks at the Florida Mall. Also this weekend, you can see the musical revue, Cole, at UCF Conservatory Theatre. Performances are Friday & Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 through July 5. For tickets, call 407-823-1500.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot is Stephen Guirgis' "urban parable" where Judas is given a trial in purgatory, and a host of historical and biblical figures appear to testify. The production, produced by Empty Spaces Theatre and the Riverton Playground Theatre, has been called profound, hilarious and deeply moving. It runs Thursday through Sunday at 8pm at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Note the play does contain adult language.

John Hitt became UCF's 4th president in 1992 and from the beginning, partnership was one of his major goals. On today's ArtBeat, Hitt talks about the importance of partnership and some of the cultural partnerships UCF has with the Central Florida community.

More on the artist Andy Warhol, and the exhibit of his polaroids at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. Also, a short preview of the Stephen Guirgis play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot that opens tonight at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 E. Rollins St., Orlando), presented by Empty Spaces Theatre Company. Look for the full interview next week on ArtBeat; the play runs through June 28.

Andy Warhol Personalities is now at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, featuring polaroids taken by the pop art icon. The museum is holding a social event called Warhol Wednesdays from 7-10pm through July 8th. Also, through June 30, the museum is open free of charge weekdays only - Tuesday-Friday.

Discover sculptures all over Orange County in the Public Art Treasure Hunt. At each piece of art, there is a hidden cache with a journal for you to sign. Visit one or all thirteen!

UCF-TV will broadcast a special Night at the Jazz Festival Saturday, 6/13 from 7pm-midnight, with highlights from last March's 2nd Annual UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival. ArtBeat features a rebroadcast of stories about the festival. UCF-TV also produced a half-hour documentary on the first-ever All Star High School Jazztet, which you can watch online.

Award-winning artist and illustrator Jerry Pinkney talks more about his career and his passion for drawing nature and animals. The exhibit, Aesop's Fables and Other Tales, is at the Orlando Museum of Art through Nov. 1st. There are several special events - see OMA's website for details.

The Orlando Museum of Art's annual picture book exhibit features the work of Jerry Pinkney, an award-winning illustrator of over 100 children's books. In the first of a 2-part interview, he talks about his career and efforts to create more books featuring people of color.

The Florida Review is a national literary journal, published by the UCF English Department, and edited by Jocelyn Bartkevicius. She talks about the most recent issue.  It's available from their website or at Amazon.com

Previews of two summer comedies that open on Thursday, 6/4: Snack at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre - it's a production of PB&J Theatre Factory; and Greater Tuna at UCF, with faculty member Mark Brotherton and guest artist David Moore. Both shows run through June 14.

Budgets cuts forced the suspension of the UCF Opera Program, led by voice professor Thomas Potter. Students in the program, however, decided to organize their own fundraising events and that effort prompted Frank Barber and the University Club of Winter Park, to donate $5,000 to restore the program.

Last March, students in the UCF Flute Ensemble, directed by Dr. Nora Lee Garcia-Velazquez, traveled to Guatemala to perform several concerts. Coming up June 22, Dr. Garcia-Velazquez and some of her students will lead the International Summer Flute Institute, open to middle and high school students. To avoid a late fee, register by May 30.

Guest host Mike Vonderbrink reports on Digital U, a program sponsored by UCF where young people are trained in creative writing, digital technology, visual and performing arts, and other means of expressing unique and personal perspectives about themselves and their community.

Page 15 is a literary arts program that helps Orlando school children with reading and creative writing. The non-profit is always in need of volunteers and donations, especiallyof school supplies.

The city of Sanford has been welcoming artists over the past few years. Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, Gallery on First and Riverhouse Pottery and Art Center are just a few of the many galleries that moved to the historic downtown. The Historic Sanford Welcome Center hosts two monthly social events - Alive After 5 on the 2nd Thursday (the next is June 11) and 4th Fridays Celebrating the Arts, which is tonight, May 22 from 6-9pm. UCF students can get in for half-price. The events feature food and entertainment; this segment features May's musical group, the Possum Pickers.

Last fall, Orlando Repertory Theatre won a major award from Bank of America. Directors Gene Columbus and Jeff Revels talk about it. The Rep is a professional theatre for young audiences, in partnership with UCF.

UCF theatre alum Michelle Knight has been touring with broadway's The Jersey Boys for two years. She talks about her professional career and how UCF prepared her for it. Broadway Across America presents The Jersey Boys through Sunday, May 24. For ticket information, call 800-982-2787.

A preview of a busy arts weekend - the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center is having an Open House, Saturday, 5/16 from 10am-4pm. The Broadway Boys headline the final weekend of the Orlando Cabaret Festival - tickets are limited, so call 407-297-8788. The Orlando Chorale presents John Rutter's Requiem, Sunday, 5/18 at 3pm; and the Orlando Concert Band also performs Sunday at 3 at First Baptist Church of Orlando. Details on these and other evenets is online at RedChairProject.com