Volume 2 No. 21 |May 12, 2020
ARTS NEWS
& PROFILES
FROM
FLORIDA'S
TREASURE COAST & BEYOND
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In This Issue
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Riverside Theatre Goes Live
LRJ Home is For the Birds
Backus to Reopen - With Conditions

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Get Updates on Willi Miller's Arts Blast Facebook Page
plus
Nifty Shared Links on Willi Miller's Arts Blast Just for Fun

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If you're in need of a feel-good story, read this , from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“You have to remember, if you’re not doing things in your life that give you goose bumps, you’re doing it wrong.” - Timi Bauscher
Bravo, Riverside Theatre! (Read the opening announcement below.)

And kudos to businesses who've had the strength to enforce commonsense conditions on their openings. I work hard at keeping Arts Blast nonpolitical but I don't consider championing safety first as political in any traditional sense.

I'm grateful not to be in the position of having to decide whether to welcome back employees, customers, or audiences. I am sure, however, that if I were, I'd be manning the gate, turning away anyone who refused to wear a mask or accept the social distancing rules.

I apologize sincerely for not knowing about the one-way aisles on my first visit to Publix since lockdown began. And hooray! for every customer who gave me a dirty look and the masked employee who set me straight.
Food for Thought:
Help someone in the arts while supporting Arts Blast.

Last week I threw out an idea to readers and got almost instant feedback. I wrote that Arts Blast is an arts-related publication that also has been hit hard in the budget by COVID. An Arts Blast reader asked how to contribute, then wrote a check.

And, in the Arts Blast spirit, a plan was hatched. Every $50 donor may suggest an artist, musician, or writer for a 200-word story in Arts Blast! This donor, a retired teacher, has requested a feature on a graduating student in PRISM at Sebastian River High School for her first one. Stay tuned to see who it is!

Riverside Theatre Goes Into Phase One
Direct from Riverside Theatre this morning:
Riverside Theatre’s Live in the Loop Outdoor Grill and Bar will reopen the weekend of May 29 th and May 30 th offering two dining experiences: outdoor dining with live music and indoor dining with comedy. 

Since 2012, the loop drive in front of the Theatre has served as a gathering place for people to eat and drink on select Fridays and Saturdays while listening to local bands play a variety of musical styles. Due to its popularity, an outdoor grill and bar structure was built in 2017 in an underutilized area near the front entrance to the Theatre. 

CDC and State guidelines on reopening casual dining will be followed for outdoor dining in The Loop and indoor dining in the Waxlax: 
  • Reduced public capacity to 25%, managed physical distancing and limited guest density at tables and seating across the Theatre campus. 
  • Face Masks or Coverings are required. They may be removed when guests are seated at a table.
  • One-time-use disposable menus, drinkware and utensils will be utilized. 
  • No-contact ordering and payment options will be available.
  • Staff has been given enhanced safety training and reinforcing cleanliness and hygiene. Food and beverage staff is required to wear face coverings and gloves.
  • Intensified cleaning with disinfectant spraying will be done including the wiping of all surfaces - door handles, tables, armrests, seating and electronic displays. Hand sanitizers on counters and no-touch dispensers on walls are available all around the campus.

The Riverside website has a Q&A section with more information about the reopening procedures.
Seating at Live in the Loop complies with social distancing rules by limiting seating at tables 6 feet apart. While Live in the Loop performances have always been free and open to the public, every Live in the Loop attendee must have a ticket to enter the area. Tickets to Live in the Loop are still FREE, but must be obtained on our website - RiversideTheatre.com. There is a limit of 4 tickets per household. There is a charge for food and drink, but purchases from the Outdoor Grill and Bar are not required. 
Scheduled bands for reopening weekend:


Friday, May 29 – Radio Days
Saturday, May 30 – Second Wind

Seating in the Waxlax will be in compliance with Phase One dining regulations with seating limited to 25% capacity and spaced out at a minimum of 6 feet apart. Tickets for seating in the Waxlax are $16 & $18 for the comedy performance. There is a charge for food and drink, but purchases from the Outdoor Grill and Bar are not required. 
Scheduled comedians for reopening weekend are Al Ernst and Casey Peruski. 

Dining in The Loop with music and dining in the Waxlax with comedy will continue all summer. Capacity percentages will change when restrictions are eased. 
 
For more information on Riverside Theatre, call the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com

Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. 
And on a Light and Fluffy Note
Coming soon from the Laura Riding Jackson Foundation - Cheep Cheep!
This is a miniature, 2'x2', pole house in front of the Laura Riding Jackson historic home on the Vero Beach campus of Indian River State College at 6155 College Lane, next to Brackett library. Whose eggs are they?
An LRJ update:
1. The My Quarantine Journey writing project for students K-12 has over 60 entries with many more expected from the high school. Project ends June 1.

2. Covid-19 Poetry Contest has over 60 submissions. Deadline to submit June 1. Details  lrjf.org  

3. The Write in the Middle Creative Writing Camp is going virtual, and we are registering students for their July sessions.
Back to the Beach with Mary Alice Monroe
Mary Alice Monroe had hoped to spend some time on the Treasure Coast this spring. The Isle of Palms author has gathered a faithful flock of fans here, and always plans on meeting a few for chopped chicken liver at Toojay's on book signing day at Vero Beach Book Center.

I don't have to explain why we won't be connecting in person to talk about her latest in the Beach House series, On Ocean Boulevard. The focus this time is back on sea turtles.You can read about Mary Alice's credentials on her website. She's the real deal, who always checks with experts despite her deep background on the subject.
As an old friend, Mary Alice jumped at the chance this week to be part of the new Conversations section of Arts Blast. That's the good news. But, and there's always a but ...

We were having such a good time talking that I ended up with 25 minutes worth of audio, apparently a serious mp3 overload on willimiller.com. I'll work on editing it to a reasonable length over the weekend and then post on Facebook that it's ready for listening.

In the meantime, go to the website for links to live virtual appearances and weekly Friends and Fiction Happy Hours.
Backus is Back! Saturday, May 16
News from Marshall Adams at A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery:
"We are looking forward to welcoming the community back to the Backus Museum. We're being careful, we couldn't throw open the doors with the new guidelines. Staff needs to feel comfortable returning, and we have to make it so the public feels safe, so we spent the necessary time to discuss as a team and set the date when we felt we were ready. Art is really important at times like this, it connects people to something, it allows for a transcendence that's more necessary and appreciated than ever. This is truly a novel situation, and the Museum will continue to be responsive as the situation evolves." - J. Marshall Adams, executive director

The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery plans to re-open to the public beginning Saturday, May 16, 2020 and resume regular hours until further notice.  The Museum has been temporarily closed since March 16 as the community has responded to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. 

In compliance with Governor DeSantis’s Executive Order #20-112, Section 4.B. the Museum will open at 25% of its building occupancy, and continue to follow the safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
Visitor safety, wellbeing, and the ability to share works of art with the public are the Backus Museum’s enduring priorities. The following steps will be instituted upon re-opening in order to maintain a safe environment for the public and staff:

  • Visitors will be asked to follow current CDC recommendations to wear cloth face coverings; disposable single-use masks will be available for visitors if needed. Additionally, all staff will wear masks.

  • Visitors will be asked to observe social distancing practices while in the Museum, maintaining a 6-foot spacing between non-household groups

  • Hand sanitizing will be available upon entry and inside the Museum for visitors’ use; we are also increasing our facility cleaning routines, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, with soap and paper towels fully stocked 

At this time, the Museum is suspending all group tours, and in recognizing its mandated 25% capacity is temporarily suspending monthly free admission days. Please check the Museum’s website and social media for updates.

Upon re-opening, the Museum is resuming its exhibition programming with necessary changes. The special exhibition  James F. Hutchinson: Visionary Truths  has been extended indefinitely, courtesy of the artist. The Museum is grateful to Mr. Hutchinson in allowing this extension, so that returning visitors will be able to delight in the magnificent work of this Florida Artists Hall of Fame master.

The A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery is a community-based, 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts institution that relies on your support. Contributions during this challenging period will lessen the financial impact on the Museum, and can be made securely online at  www.backusmuseum.org . Gifts can also be made as an ongoing monthly donation, as a way to extend contributions and provide steady support in this uncertain time.
Currently On View
 
As a teenager, James Hutchinson (b. 1932) developed his artistic skills in the studio of “Bean” Backus, and quickly grew to become a renowned painter in his own right by following his own path. The special exhibition  James F. Hutchinson: Visionary Truths , presents the artist’s story though his journeys describing the idyllic beauty of the land (Florida, Jamaica, Hawaii), and his captivating insight for the Seminole peoples. Among a lifetime of honors, in 2011 Hutchinson was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Originally scheduled to close April 26, the exhibition will be on view indefinitely as the community recovers from the COVID-19 public health crisis. The exhibition is generously sponsored by Fee, Yates and Fee Attorneys at Law.
About the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery
With a recently added, multi-million dollar expansion, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery houses the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and is home to the state’s only permanent multimedia exhibition on the Florida Highwaymen. 

With a career spanning more than 70 years, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990) was the first Florida-born artist to build his professional renown by painting the landscape and scenes from daily life of his native state. He was fortunate to have known great success during his lifetime, with paintings hanging in the businesses and the private collections of many of Florida’s most prominent citizens. A renowned humanitarian who abhorred the racist attitudes and segregation that engulfed the region, Backus taught and mentored the group of entrepreneurial African American artists who became known as the Florida Highwaymen. Their inspiring story is part of the A.E. Backus legacy.
In addition to preserving and perpetuating the artistic and humanitarian legacy of Backus, the Museum organizes and hosts changing exhibitions from artists of national and international acclaim. 
Beginning May 16, Regular Hours are: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday, 12 Noon to 4 PM (closed Monday-Tuesday). Admission is $5 per person; AARP, AAA, and Veterans with appropriate ID receive a $2 discount. Students with school ID, children under 18, active duty military, and current members are always free. 

Check the website for updates.

It's time to claim your ad spot in the Cultural Council of Indian River County's 2020-2021 Cultural Guide. Get details from Lisa Lindner or call  772-770-4857.

See the work of artists online and join in for Art For Art's Sake.



Miguel Bonachea is an experienced guitarist and instructor. He served as a professor at prestigious Universities in Cuba and Colombia for 20 years. Several of his students are recognized figures in the international classical guitar arena today. Philosopher and music critic Dr. Marc-Jean Bernard has written about him: "His musical technique and culture of the instrument is based on a deep understanding of aesthetical dimensions of Music. He is simultaneously a great guitarist and a great educator."

Photo: Niurka Barroso



Dr. Marcos Daniel Flores is a piano performance graduate from The Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico B.M., The Eastman School of Music M. M., and Arizona State University where he received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Flores is an active performer as well as an experienced and inspirational piano teacher.

Anke’s Art Minute every Monday

VBMA Tuesdays Flick Pick
To educate and entertain, Film Studies coordinator Diane Thelen recommends a new film each Tuesday on an artist or time period related to the VBMA’s permanent collections.

Museum Stories
To keep active young minds engaged, we present a creative lesson plan with suggestions of books, music, and art-making for babies and toddlers.

Art Tutorials
A short weekly art-making tutorial with Museum Art School faculty.

Museum Fun
A fun collection of Museum-related photos, moments, social media, etc.
A reminder from cellist Mike Block:
TONIGHT at 8:30-9:30p  ET I'll be performing live on FB and Youtube to raise much-needed funds for the preservation and maintenance of Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, which was named to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2019.

YOUTUBE:
 
FACEBOOK:
LINKS OF INTEREST

https://allarts.org

https://www.artinlee.org/about/
Classical Guitar Instruction

Online from Vero Beach, Florida. Live via Skype or archived as Unlisted on a YouTube channel.

Student requirements: Classical guitar (nylon strings), music stand, foot stool or substitute gear, basic knowledge of music reading and theory, access to high speed internet, good lighting in his/her studio room, access to a printer.  

Forms of payment: Apple pay, Skype pay, Zelle app, account transfer, and others.

For more information and to register: veroclassicalguitar@gmail.com
Trumpet Lessons

Live from the Treasure Coast

Student requirements : All levels and ages of playing.   Computer with webcam and microphone or Smartphone with Skype or Zoom installed.

Form of payment: Paypal

For scheduling and fee information : Call or text: (772) 532-2083 or email annora.daige@gmail.com
There are many small arts-related businesses and individuals without the tech savvy to create web content but still want or need to reach their audience. If you have the skills to help them get online with video classes and performances, get your own skills out there through Arts Blast advertising. Email for rates. They're small-business friendly, from this small business to yours.

Arts Blast now includes paid listings for arts-related classes, workshops, lessons, and gallery updates. A basic listing is $5 per issue, paid through PayPal. A half banner-size ad with a photo or graphic will be $25 per issue. Email for details: willi@willimiller.com.
Piano Instruction

Lessons Via Skype during virus crisis.

Student requirements: Not beginners. Must have some background in piano lessons. Classical Music preferred, but other genres could be considered.

Forms of payment : Check

For more information and to register: E mail  drmdflores@comcast.net
Piano Instruction

Location: Live from Yardley, PA

Student requirements: Acoustic or digital piano - full size with weighted keys.

Form of payment: PayPal

For more information and to register:

https://www.facebook.com/soliviapiano/
LIBRARIES - IF YOU GO (ONLINE)
Scroll down for guidelines for submitting calendar items and feature suggestions to ARTS BLAST.

Send comments to  willi@willimiller.com .
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Please share this to help Arts Blast reach more readers and spread the word.

As always, For Helen Miller 
Information is to be received in an email at least one week before publication.

Use this format:
Who (organization)
What (Event)
When (dates, time)
Where (Name of venue, address)
Why (a brief description of the purpose)
Web address
Contact for public (for tickets, questions, etc.)
Then add a short, descriptive release if available.
Send only one photo, with caption, until more are requested.
Media contact with email for my followup (not for publication)
Here's a suggestion for uploading information to calendars that allow you to input your own events.
In the body of the listing, sometimes called Description , make sure to include all dates in each upload. For example: Performances are on March 12-31; or the exhibit is open March 12, 14, 15, and 17. That information should be in all dates you post individually.

If you are a member of the  Cultural Council of Indian River County , you need this information:

IMPORTANT: In order to promote your events as a member of the Cultural Council, you must enter your event on the CCIRC calendar via this link:  https://www.calendarwiz.com/culturalcouncil and click on "Submit your event"
The deadline is MONDAY - 10 days prior to the Wednesday publication.
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