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“Florida Hustle” By Paul Wilborn

Paul Wilborn
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“Florida Hustle” By Paul Wilborn
A man in a suit sitting on the ground.

Paul Wilborn’s new novel, Florida Hustle, is set in the world of cheap 1980s slasher films.  In the opening chapter, aspiring horror filmmaker Michael Donnelly, 17, gets a limo ride to his favorite video store “Horror Time Video.“

Excerpt:

Closing his eyes, Michael conjured his establishing shot:

EXT. – Palm Beach – Day

Tight on a long black Cadillac cruising streets as smooth as alabaster. The camera pulls back, the B/G music soft but with a steady beat. The limo’s graphite-gray windows give away no secrets as it glides past rigid hedges, putting-green lawns and coquina-colored privacy walls. 

A title card superimposes over the action for five seconds:

Palm Beach January 1982

The shot pulls back as the limo makes a left onto a four-lane avenue, lined with coconut palms, the east and west traffic divided by a lushly landscaped median. Small knots of extras – costumed in pastels and carrying shopping bags – sashay along wide sidewalks, lined with shops and restaurants that wouldn’t be out of place on the Italian Riviera.

Roll main titles as the limo crosses an ornate, old-world drawbridge. On the west side of the bridge, the tone shifts from The Great Gatsby to Serpico. The buildings along the waterfront are shiny and solid, but the downtown beyond is all for-rent signs and empty storefronts. A bleary-eyed drunk, rousing himself from an inset doorway, raises a bony finger as the limo turns north onto an urban thoroughfare thick with cars headed somewhere else. 

Hold on a final card: “A film by Michael Donnelly.“

“Stop!” Michael shouted from the back.  

The driver dutifully stomped the brake, tossing the aspiring 17-year-old auteur off the leather backseat and onto the floor, as other drivers shouting curses and pounding horns – dodged around the suddenly stationary limo.

Michael had snapped out of his film reverie just as the Cadillac passed a strip center housing Larry’s Discount Liquors, Soap and Suds 24-hour Laundry Palace and Horror Time Video, its picture window painted black and plastered with posters for Friday The 13th, Halloween, The Omen II and a dozen more blood-soaked titles.

“Sorry about that.” the driver said, calmly looking over his shoulder at the empty back seat. “You okay?”

“Fine,” Michael whispered, from the black-carpeted floor. “But you passed it.”

“Don’t worry kid,” he said. “I got this.”

The man at the wheel, Randy Stewart, was currently a resident of the Donnelly’s pool house. He was Alex Donnelly’s best friend, tennis instructor and the bass player   in Alex’s Tuesday night jam sessions. He also drove the limo when the regular driver was off.  At 39, Randy’s tight curls had gone salt-and-pepper, but he still looked like an athlete – tanned and muscled, and always dressed in tennis whites and sneakers. A ranked player in the early 70s, Randy was most famous for a U.S. open quarterfinal when Ilie “Nasty” Nastase frisbee’d a racket at his head. POTENTIAL CUT

While he was still an excellent tennis player, Randy was a terrible driver. To get back to Horror Time Video, he attempted a U-turn that immediately blocked all four lanes. As more horns blared, the limo bumped over a curb into a motel parking lot. Randy’s driving mantra was “speed trumps safety.” so he didn’t bother to check for oncoming cars when he bounced back over the curb onto the highway, setting off another round of horns, screeching tires and angry shouts. Michael pulled himself up off the black-carpeted floor and back onto the leather seat. 

Punching the gas pedal, Randy made a hard right into the strip center parking lot. Too fast now, he again slammed on the brake, sending Michael tumbling off the seat a second time.  When the limo finally stopped, the chrome grill was extended across the front sidewalk, two feet from Horror Time’s poster-filled picture window.

 “Jeez, sorry, kid.” Randy said, seconds later, as he held open the back door and stared inside at the boy on the floor. “Let me help you up.”

Michael waved him away. 

Stepping back, Randy watched a gawky mantis of a kid, with a spiky mass of brown hair, unfold from the car, his bony six-foot frame swathed in black jeans and a gray Psycho Killer T-shirt.

“You okay?” Randy asked, pulling out a pack of Salems.

“I’ll live.” Michael said, already striding toward the store and not looking back. 

Randy lit a cigarette, leaning back against the driver’s door as he exhaled.

“Take your time, Mike,” he said. “I got all day.” POTENTIAL CUT

The wooden front door of Horror Time Video was hidden behind a life-size black and white cutout of Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein.  Pushing the door open set off Horror Time’s version of a door chime, a woman’s terrified SCREAM!

Pausing inside the door, Michael sniffed the store’s acrid bouquet of mold and burnt wicks. Ray, the owner, favored ambiance over commerce, so his horror video store was lit by thirty-six candles flickering atop a half-dozen Liberace-style candelabras set on tables around the low-ceilinged room, the tarnished bases gloved in pleated jackets of wax. Stepping from a sun-washed Florida day into this shadowy den, Michael felt like he was nervously descending a basement staircase in The House On Haunted Hill.

God, he loved this place!

He picked up one of the silver, baton-style flashlights Ray provided for customers on a table by the door, the pale beam revealing racks of VHS boxes garish with Godzillas, teen-agers from outer space, and masked slashers waving hatchets or machetes. Poster board knives, dangling from strings, pointed out Horror Time’s various specialty sections, each blade marked with a jagged, hand-lettered inscription: CORMAN, HITCHCOCK, WHALE, 5Os SCI-FI, SLASHERS, VAMPIRES, WITCHES AND WARLOCKS, JAPAN’S FINEST and more.

Michael bypassed the video racks, heading directly to the checkout desk in the back. Ray had called the day before saying he’d located “something I know you’re going to really like. I got it all wrapped up for you.”

Ray Villadonga, a horror film savant, who appeared to be gestating triplets under his grimy T-shirts, was the closest thing Michael had to a friend. Crystal Donnelly had home-schooled her son, and until her untimely exit, she had been his main companion and confidant. Now, except for occasional trips to a mall movie complex or Horror Time Video, where he and Ray jousted for hours over arcane bits of horror movie history, Michael was at the drafting desk in his bedroom, sketching out storyboards for the fright films he was certain would catapult him from Palm Beach to Hollywood.

A toad-like teenage clerk, his cheeks dotted with fresh constellations of acne, hunkered on a stool behind a blood-red counter reading the latest Conan the Barbarian by flashlight.  The clerk hadn’t looked up when the door SCREAMED. He didn’t notice the restless customer idling in front of him. 

“How much for that one?” Michael finally asked, his flashlight focused on the promo poster for the upcoming Slasher High, featuring the screaming face of Dawn Karston, the film’s blonde teenage star.

The clerk’s head made a lazy swivel, following Michael’s flashlight beam to the wall behind the counter. He quickly returned to his comic.

“Not for sale.”

“But I want to buy it.”

Setting his own flashlight on the counter, the clerk closed his comic book with feigned care, taking a long breath before looking up.

“You can want to buy it, but you can’t.  It’s not for sale.  The movie isn’t out until next week. We got old posters in the corner.”  The kid nodded in that direction before going back to Conan the Barbarian. He didn’t see Michael pull a fat roll of cash from his pocket, but his head jerked up when Michael slapped a fifty hard on the counter. 

“I want to buy that one.”

It’s not….”

Another fifty slammed down.

The clerk aimed his flashlight at the bills, just to be sure. Then, setting the glowing baton back on the counter, his hand crept crab-like toward the bills, thick digits fluttering briefly above the face of Ulysses S. Grant. The decision didn’t take long. His hand came down on the crisp fifties, sliding them back across the counter and into the pocket of his jeans.

 “You want me to roll it up in a tube?  Or what?”

“Yes. In a tube.  Did my order come in?”

“Who are you?”

“Look under the name Bava.  Mario Bava.  Where’s Ray? Or Tony? They know me here.”

The clerk searched under the counter and came back with a VHS tape, wrapped in a sheet of lined notebook paper with “BAVA” scrawled on it. Snapping the rubber band that held it and crumpling the paper wrapper, the clerk shined his flashlight on a video box for Bay of Blood, Collector’s Edition.  On the cover, a screaming woman, the tops of her breasts breaking the surface of a bloody pool, was about to be stabbed in the throat by a curved blade wielded by an unseen attacker. There, just below the title, was the director’s credit:  Una pelicula de Mario Bava.

The clerk lowered the video box and shined his light in Michael’s face. 

“You don’t look like a Mario to me.  You made these movies?”

Looking away from the light, Michael pushed a hand through his unruly hair. He couldn’t believe this. 

“Let’s just say I’m a fan.” he said, reaching out. “Can I have it now?”

The clerk aimed the light back at the blood red cover.  

“So who is this Mario guy?”

“He’s the goddamn Fellini of gore!” Michael almost shouted, as he reached out again for the tape.  “Can I have it now, please?”

“Hmmm.” The clerk hummed, turning the box over and reading the back. “Never heard of him.”

“How’d you get this job?” Michael barked, his patience gone.  “This is Horror Time Video, right? Bava’s the father of modern horror. There’s a knife with his name on it right over there. Friday the 13th was a direct rip-off of Bay of Blood.”

“Yeah, Friday the 13th was cool.” the clerk said, still eyeing the back of the box.

“No. It wasn’t,” Michael shouted. “It was shit.  Does Ray know you work here?”

“You mean, Uncle Ray?” the clerk asked, holding the box out to Michael.  “Yeah, he knows.”

Florida Hustle, released by St. Petersburg Press, is available locally at Tombolo Books and Book + Bottle.

Louis Markoya Show at Imagine Museum Extended

The Artisan Magazine
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Louis Markoya Show at Imagine Museum Extended

Imagine Deeper: Into and Beyond Your Dreams is a special exhibition featuring the works of multidisciplinary artist, Louis Markoya. As a protege of Salvador Dali, Markoya’s works embody the surreal, melding elements of classical art with innovative optical technology and mathematics. In this exhibition, Markoya seamlessly intertwines his utilization of fractals in form creation with his profound exploration of the concept of infinity, weaving together intricate patterns that reflect the boundless depths of the human psyche. All artworks are available for purchase.

Louis Markoya Show extended – Due to overwhelming popularity, my show at the IMAGINE Museum has been extended to the end of the year. To celebrate the extension and to try to get previous visitors to return I have executed a new masterwork.

Louis Markoya art

The new work represents a leap in technology and is the largest lenticular to be designed and executed by myself. It is not only larger and deeper, but more intricate and utilizes transparent layers in the design, something almost impossible to execute in a lenticular.

The image, titled IMAGINE: Peace aims to inspire not only the artist in all but the freedom and exhilaration in the emotions felt in it.

Please stop by Imagine Museum to see the most advanced 3D anywhere.

Luis Markoya nude

Louis Markoya Show extended!

Louis Markoya is a mixed media multidisciplinary artist and former protege of the Master Surrealist Painter Salvador Dali. Initially trained as an engineer, Markoya did not find his calling in art until the 1970s when he encountered Dali’s works.

In his current studio practice, Markoya adeptly utilizes his comprehension of optical technology, mathematical principles, and artistic classicism to delve into the depths of the human mind.

Thank you

Louis Markoya – Webpage

The Jazz Legends Who Play On

John Curtis and Mary Knosh
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The Jazz Legends Who Play On

A lifelong Love of Music

You can hear them nearly every Monday evening at the Hanger with the Al Downing Jazz Band. Three senior jazz musicians, for whom, as John Lamb succinctly says “There is only music. It’s all air.” And that’s how they sound, as easy as breathing, time standing still as the Hanger fills with the magic of the greats they often played with in the past. For the Jazz legends St Pete.

If you want to get a seat, best arrive early, maybe at 6pm October to April when the Snowbirds are back, the price of admission being your purchase of some of the best food on the beach, airplanes in the distance taking off and landing thrown in for free. 

They play with the band from 7-9. Anyone can sign up and get a spot with the band, the composition of which changes as the night goes on.  

A man with glasses and hat on playing the bass.
A man playing the keyboard on stage.
A man playing an electric guitar on stage.
Two men playing instruments in front of a colorful wall.
A man holding a long handled instrument in his hands.
A man playing trombone in the street.
A man playing trombone in the street.
A man playing trombone with other musicians in the background.

Make sure you are early, if you are like us and want a front row table where you can physically almost be part of the music, absorbing it into your pores. And you get a closer look, seeing their instruments, hinting at the stories of where they have been, worn and etched like themselves: catching the subtilis as they communicate through nods, glances and memories.

John Lamb (90) plays the standing bass, and like his instrument is the heartbeat of the group, his fingers dancing across the strings, coaxing out the deep resonant notes that anchor the band. He provides the walking basslines that outline the harmony and provide the foundation for the tunes, while giving it the rhythmic drive we all sense as the swing and the groove. 

Born in Vero Beach John started playing the tuba as a child. Like the other musicians we are highlighting, his career started in the forces in a military band. When the band’s usual bass player did not show up he filled in, the tuba giving him the “feel” to pick up the string bass quickly, a perfect match. He went on to tour with Duke Ellington in 1964 for three years, appearing on sixteen discs, one of them with Ella Fitzgerald.

Andy Foertach (80) leans into his trombone, the slide going effortlessly as it has for seventy years, providing harmonic depth to the band, often playing chords and counter melodies that compliment the main theme. Like the others, it’s much more than solos. He travels to his native Chicago yearly and is active in the music scene there. “Music makes me come alive – that feeling – you know.” he says “Lots of new young players have a lot of chops, but no soul. You must play with feeling – deep into your soul.”  He still practices hours every day, working continually to improve.

Charlie Robinson (82) joins the group with his vintage guitar, fingers gliding over the fretboard picking out the melody. He too provides the chordal accompaniment, known as “comping”  His musical life has been what most of us imagine a musician to be, on the road constantly, going gig to gig. “Jazz, once you get into it it’s addictive. Follows you through life.” And what a life it’s been crossing America with jazz and R&B groups, playing the Apollo in New York City, Regal in Chicago and Howard Theatre in Washington, DC, and with a major influence, Winton Marsallis in Atlanta.

The Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association sponsors the Monday Night Jazz Jam, hosted by Dwayne White. It is involved in bringing jazz to young people through playing in schools and bursaries. There is a place on their website where you can sign up to play, and another which tells you about “Jazz in Our Area.” If you go to a Monday night Jam be sure to talk to Downing’s daughter, Alvinette Downing McCleave, who attends every week, especially if you would like to help out. 

Al Downing (1916-2000) was very influential in our community. He was a Tuskegee airman, the first African-American Commissioner of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, taught music at Gibbs High School and the St. Petersburg College Clearwater campus, and was the first African-American to play in the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra

“Jazz is freedom. You think about that.” – Thelonious Monk

Seeds of Inspiration Take Root at Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport

James Briggs
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Seeds of Inspiration Take Root at Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport

Ceramic artist and gallery owner of Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport, Brenda’s transformative five-week residency in Vallauris, France this summer offered her the opportunity to dive into work she says has been simmering inside for more than a decade. On Friday, October 4th, McMahon will unveil the first fruits of her residency at Inspirations from France: The Seeds of Vallauris Take Form, a breathtaking exhibition that marks her first solo show in her acclaimed namesake gallery. The event lasts from 6-9 pm at Brenda McMahon Gallery and will serve as the centerpiece of a monthlong fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Vallauris is where the seeds of my sculptural work were given time and attention, the creative equivalent of sun and water,” says McMahon. “What began to take form in my French atelier is being cultivated and refined, here in my Gulfport studio. It’s an honor to share my creative vision to help benefit a wonderful cause like breast cancer awareness.”

This will be the third consecutive year that Brenda McMahon Gallery applies its creative resources to assist those working to raise awareness and support of breast cancer awareness, prevention, and survivors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As it has done since 2021, the gallery and its participating artists will donate 10% of the proceeds from all gallery sales for the month to the breast cancer awareness and prevention movement. This year’s partner recipient is the Sonia Plotnick Health Fund.

“We must be vigilant, as these are our sisters, mothers, friends and community, adds McMahon. “We know when women work together, the world changes and we want to be a part of that change.” 

McMahon’s saggar-fired vessels and sculptural wall art is featured in public and private fine art collections across the country. Her new work is explorative, and followers of her work eagerly await her new show.

Says McMahon of Brenda McMahon Gallery in Gulfport: “My new work is exploring 3 directions, sculptural vessels as well as figurative expressions. I understand this is the beginning, an opening which I have given myself permission to nurture.  A year from now, the work will be yet another lineage of the seeds of Vallauris.”

A painting of people walking down the street

About the organization:

The Sonia Plotnick Health Fund provides financing to pay for women’s mammograms and breast cancer treatments as well as many other overall healthcare needs. The SPHF, named after Gulfport resident and lesbian activist Phyllis Plotnick’s mother who died of breast cancer in 1964, was established in 1997 and has served over 1,000 women and provided more than $220,000 in healthcare grants to women.

DRV Gallery in Gulfport Florida to Open its Third Season of Creative Excellence

The Artisan Magazine
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DRV Gallery in Gulfport Florida to Open its Third Season of Creative Excellence

In just two years, DRV Gallery in Gulfport Florida has become a destination for art lovers throughout the state. Through monthly artist showcases and live musical performances, emerging and professional artists have been introduced to the local arts scene, and the gallery’s monthly artist-led workshops have opened the possibilities of art to all comers.

“My vision for the gallery in our third season is to enrich the experiences of our current customers and to gain the affection of art lovers who have not visited us yet.” says gallery owner and award-winning painter Deserie Valloreo.

On Friday, October 4th, from 5:30 – 8:30 PM, DRV Gallery will launch its third season with Journey into Art, a solo exhibition of works by painter David Hosler, alongside live music by multi-instrumentalist Jim Gilmour and drummer Joey Interrante. The event is free and open to the public.

Hosler is known throughout the region as the owner of Seven C Music, a St. Petersburg-based guitar specialty shop that hosts live concerts by renowned performers throughout the year. He spent much of the 1980s and 1990s playing lead guitar for numerous touring bands, and in 2005, began drawing, an initial foray into visual arts that has manifested as a body of drawings and paintings that can now be found in collections throughout the state.

The show comes as Hosler is again expanding his creative oeuvre, this time producing a booklet of his creative journey with a foreword by Taylor Guitars founder Bob Taylor. 

“Visual art has the amazing quality of touching our soul without the use of words.” says Hosler. “As has been said and experienced, art allows us to both lose ourselves and find ourselves at the same time.”

On Saturday, October 19th, the gallery will host its first workshop of the season with Abstract Painting with a Palette Knife, taught by award-winning abstract artist Amy Howell. Participants will learn ways to add textured to their paints with different mediums and paint. They will also learn about different palette knife approaches that they can utilize to whatever their current artistic style is. The event runs from 1 – 4 PM and registration is required on the gallery’s website.

DRV Gallery in Gulfport Florida: For more information about gallery events and artists, visit DRVGallery.com and follow the gallery on social media at @drvgallery on Facebook and @drvgallery22 on Instagram. 

A poster for an evening at the gallery.

THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, ST. PETERSBURG (MFA) ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

The Artisan Magazine
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THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, ST. PETERSBURG (MFA) ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

Klaudio Rodriguez Named Next Executive Director and CEO of the MFA

A man in a suit and tie standing with his arms crossed.

The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg (MFA) Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the appointment of Klaudio Rodriguez as the new Executive Director and CEO following a comprehensive national search. Mr. Rodriguez joins the MFA from The Bronx Museum of the Arts in The Bronx, New York, where he has successfully led the institution in embracing its core mission of inspiring people and connecting communities through the power of art and education. He will officially assume his role at the Museum of Fine Arts in
October.


“We are thrilled to welcome Klaudio Rodriguez as the next Executive Director and CEO of the MFA,” stated Piers Davies, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Klaudio brings an unparalleled blend of leadership, curatorial expertise, and innovative vision that aligns perfectly with our mission to engage, educate, and excite diverse communities by collecting, exhibiting, and preserving works of art for the enrichment and enjoyment of all. His proven track record in fostering community engagement and leading transformative projects will propel the MFA to new heights. We look forward to the exciting future that Klaudio will help shape for the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.”


During his seven-year tenure at The Bronx Museum, including his recent role as Executive Director, Mr. Rodriguez has been instrumental in advancing the museum’s commitment to community service, supporting POC artists, and fostering the integration of art and education. His notable achievements include navigating the contemporary art museum through the challenges of the pandemic, leading it through a significant transition period, and overseeing a transformative $33 million capital project. “I am honored to have been selected as the MFAâ’s Executive Director and CEO.” said Klaudio Rodriguez. “I am inspired by the museum’s expansive encyclopedic collection, supportive board, talented and dedicated staff, and the vibrant community in St. Petersburg. It is especially
meaningful to return to the region where I was raised and began my career in arts and culture. I truly believe that the MFA is well-positioned to enrich lives through art, foster impactful dialogue, and create inclusive spaces for all. I look forward to building on its storied history, expanding its reach, and developing the relationships critical to the future success of this institution. Together, we will continue to inspire, educate, and connect our community through the power of art.”


Before his tenure at The Bronx Museum, Mr. Rodriguez served as Chief Curator at The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University in Miami, FL, a Smithsonian Affiliate and one of the largest academic art museums in South Florida. He attended the School of Architecture at the University of Miami and completed coursework in Graphic Design and Painting from the New World School of the Arts in Miami. Rodriguez holds a BA in Art History with a Minor in Photography, a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, and an MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, specializing in modern and contemporary Latin American art, from Florida International University.


“It’s been a privilege to chair the search committee for the MFA’s next leader,” said Mark Anderson, Trustee of the Board of Directors. “Our extensive and rigorous search process, conducted in partnership with Russell Reynolds Associates, was designed to identify a candidate who embodies the museum’s values, mission, and vision. We are confident that Klaudio Rodriguez’s outstanding leadership skills, deep commitment to community engagement, and passion for the arts make him the ideal person to guide the MFA into its next
exciting chapter”


The MFA Board of Trustees extends its gratitude to Dr. Stanton Thomas, Chief Curator, and Darcy Schuller, Chief Strategy Officer, for their exemplary joint leadership during the interim period, which was crucial for the museum’s continued success.

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ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, ST. PETERSBURG
The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg (MFA) has an encyclopedic collection of art from around the globe and across the centuries, with almost 5,000 years of civilization represented in thousands of objects extending from antiquity to the present. The collection includes works by Georgia O’Keefe, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Auguste Rodin, Kehinde Wiley, Jacob Lawrence, and many others, as well as ancient Greek and Roman, Asian, African, Art of the Americas and Native American art. The Museum’s photographic collection is one of the largest and most well-respected in the Southeast. The museum’s rotating exhibition galleries feature a
diverse selection of temporary exhibitions from all over the world, as well as exhibitions curated from the museum’s extensive collection. In addition to its robust exhibition program, the MFA engages the community through exciting public programs and events and serves students through youth programs and a partnership with the Pinellas County School System.

The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
255 Beach Drive NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Doug DeVita’s Fable at freeFall Theater

Keith Matter
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Doug DeVita’s Fable at freeFall Theater

Liz Power and Heather Baird lead the cast of Doug DeVita’s Fable. This play about the making of the classic Broadway musical, Gypsy makes its way to freeFall opening August 9 and running through September 8, 2024. 

“Ready or not, shh, here comes June!” You’ve heard of The feuds between Capote and his Swans and Bette vs. Joan, but nothing will prepare you for the story of June Havoc, Gypsy Rose Lee and the making of one of Broadway’s most beloved properties. Fable explores the nature of memory through the eyes of two very different show business siblings. When one sister wants her version of events made legendary on the Broadway stage, the other is pulled into a tug-of-war over the truth of things long past. A fable about the making of a Broadway fable, the hit musical Gypsy. Sisters June and Rose’s loyalty to each other is tested in a mounting battle between fiction and truth. 

A woman in pink dress and white gloves.

The cast features Liz Power (freeFall debut, Jekyll & Hyde national tour) as June Havoc and Heather Baird (freeFall’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater) as Gypsy Rose Lee. Other cast members include freeFall favorites Bonnie Agan (freeFall’s Harvey), James Putnam (freeFall’s smash hit Baskerville), and Mya Simpkins (Susan from freeFall’s Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play) as Baby June. The Fable cast also includes Broadway veterans Larry Alexander as Jerome Robbins and Melissa Minyard as Ethel Merman. The production is directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis with Music Direction and arrangements by Michael Raabe. In addition to the cast, Fable features a live band with Raabe on piano ably supported by Burt Rushing (drums), Melanie Downs (drums sub), and Joe Offner (trombone)

Two women standing in front of a light up sign at freeFall Theater

Pictured: Liz Power as June Havoc (pink suit-dress) and Heather Baird as Gypsy Rose Lee (blue dress with black hat) – Photos courtesy of Thee Photo Ninja

The design team for Fable includes costume design by David Covach (Asolo Repertory Theatre), lighting design by Dalton Hamilton (Marvel’s Hawkeye on Disney plus), set design by Tom Hansen Scenic (freeFall’s Grey Gardens), wig design by Jonathan Hall (The Boulet Brothers’ ™ Dragula) with sound and video design by Eric Davis. The Production Stage Manager is Daniel LeMien. 

Fable at freeFall Theater – About the Playwright

Doug DeVita (Playwright) is a native New Yorker who spent the second half of his childhood in Hollywood, Florida before he and his family returned to NYC when he was twelve. He now lives in the Jersey burbs with his husband Joe and their dog Calvin. A two-time Eugene O’Neil Semi-Finalist (Fable & Just A Rumor), his other honors include Semi-Finalist for Barrington Stage’s Burman New Play Award, and the first (and so far only) Scrap Mettle Emerging Artists Award (Phillie’s Trilogy); B Street Theatre’s New Comedy Festival (Goddess Of The Hunt); and three Fresh Fruit Awards of Distinction (Outstanding Play and Production for The Fierce Urgency Of Now, and Outstanding Production for Phillie’s Trilogy). Most recently, two of the short plays in his 25-play Phillie McDougal canon (Shitty Shitty Bang Bang, and Mrs. Platte) were Finalists in the Queens Short Play Festival at The Secret Theatre in Woodside, Queens. A member of The Dramatists Guild, productions and/or high-profile readings of his work have been seen in New York (The Fresh Fruit Festival, Hudson Guild Theatre, Abingdon Theatre Company, Vital Children’s Theatre, among others), Los Angeles (The Strasberg Institute), Seattle (Arouet), Cleveland (Cleveland Public Theatre’s Dark Room Series) and London (Menier Chocolate Factory). Fable, The Fierce Urgency Of Now, Nell Dash, and Phillie’s Trilogy are published by Next Stage Press (www.nextstagepress.com), and Mrs. Platte has been published by Smith & Kraus in their 2022 Best Short Plays Anthology. Deepest gratitude to Joe, to Eric Davis and everyone at freeFall, and most especially to Emilee DuprÃ, without whom this production would not have happened

A woman in a fur coat and hat posing for the camera.

Fable at freeFall Theater – Book tickets now at freefalltheatre.com or by calling 727-498-5205. Fable runs August 9 through September 8, 2024. Tickets range from $45 – $55. freeFall matinees are always at 2pm and evening performances are always at 7pm. 

Located in West St Petersburg, freeFall Theatre Company is one of Tampa Bay’s most exciting professional theater companies. freeFall was founded in 2008 and moved into its current space at 6099 Central Avenue in 2011. freeFall presents a varied range of classical and new works that are bold, daring, and diverse and presented in ways that invite, entertain, and challenge audiences. All freeFall productions are produced and presented locally using acclaimed theater professionals from across the country including many that make Tampa Bay their artistic home. In addition to a full season of shows, freeFall also presents an award-winning series of cabarets, concerts, and special programming as part of their Tandem Series.

Funding the Arts in Florida: Going Beyond the Check

Terri Hall
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Funding the Arts in Florida: Going Beyond the Check

With the recent budget cuts for arts funding in the state of Florida, it’s crucial to ask: how can we keep the arts thriving in our community? This question came to mind when one of the organizations we work with recently was awarded a generous donation earmarked for youth education in the performing arts. This prompted me to reflect on the true impact of such contributions. Do people stop and think about the profound effects that these funds have on others? We attend these events, and witness the checks being handed over, but do we truly grasp who benefits and how?

In June, the St. Pete Women’s Chamber of Commerce presented their donation to the Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. This act of generosity is commendable, but I often wonder if those who made this donation fully understand the positive ripple effect it creates. It’s easy to see it as a noble gesture, and indeed, every dollar counts. However, it’s crucial for those involved to recognize the tangible gains for the recipients: the students, the teachers, parents, families and those behind the scenes making it all happen, from scheduling to organizing and paying for school buses and performances.

Since Bill Edwards took over Class Acts program in 2011, more than 250,000 school children have experienced a wide variety of arts at the Mahaffey Theater, all free of charge. The primary goal of the Class Acts Program is to provide access to student groups facing economic challenges by offering complimentary admission to live performances and arts festivals along with transportation scholarships.

“One of the things that struck me immediately about Bill Edwards is his unwavering commitment to making arts and entertainment a vital part of our community,” said Amy Miller, President of Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts. “Bill doesn’t just talk. He founded this organization with a profound conviction to provide arts access and make a positive impact through these programs. This is why I believe it’s so important to support his legacy and the foundation’s efforts.”

Bill Edwards Foundation -Funding the arts in Florida.

Are the real impacts of these donations getting lost in the process? Consider this: the funds provided don’t just contribute to an abstract idea of ‘arts education.’ They enable students to access transformative experiences, foster creativity, and build confidence. Teachers receive resources, guides, and support, which enhance their ability to inspire and educate. The logistical team ensures that each performance is a seamless and enriching cultural experience for both the audience and the young performers.

But a recent research project done in 42 elementary and middle schools in Houston, which was co-directed by Dr. Kisida and Daniel H. Bowen, a professor who teaches education policy at Texas A&M, is the first of its kind to do just that. Their research found that students who had increased arts education experiences saw improvements in writing achievement, emotional and cognitive empathy, school engagement, and higher education aspirations, while they had a lower incidence of disciplinary infractions.

What are the challenges in assessing inspiration? The positive outcomes extend far beyond the immediate beneficiaries. Communities are enriched as a whole when their youth are engaged in the arts. These programs cultivate future leaders, innovators, and artists who will continue to contribute to society in meaningful ways.

For kids in low-income neighborhoods, where residents may have less access to art and cultural resources that can improve their quality of life, school arts programs are especially important. An analysis from the National Endowment for the Arts, drawing on data from four longitudinal studies, found that students with high levels of arts involvement had more positive outcomes in a variety of areas, from high school graduation rates to civic participation.

Funding the arts in Florida

“With arts funding being on the front lines of budget cuts, it’s more important than ever for our community donors, sponsors, and leaders to understand the full impact these budget cuts have on our school children,” said Bill Edwards, Founder & CEO of the foundation that bears his name. “They want us to be inclusive, diverse, and accessible – but how are we supposed to accomplish that since these programs, performances as well as staff have a cost associated with accomplishing this?”

In short, it’s not just about the check. It’s about understanding and appreciating the cascade of benefits that follow. It’s about seeing the faces of the students who light up with new opportunities, the teachers who feel supported, and the behind-the-scenes staff who work tirelessly to make each event a success.

Bill Edwards laid a generous cornerstone by seeding the foundation with an initial $1 million donation. “In today’s evolving cultural landscape, relying on community support has become more crucial than ever to sustain and grow these vital artistic initiatives,” said Edwards.

So next time you witness a donation being made, take a moment to think about its journey. Imagine the classrooms filled with eager learners, the stages graced by young talent, and the community blossoming. The impact is profound and far-reaching, deserving of more than just a passing glance.

Funding the arts in Florida. Thank you.

Special thanks to the St. Pete Women’s Chamber of Commerce and all the generous donors and volunteers. Your contributions have an immeasurable impact on our future generations!

Palma de Mallorca is one of the best places to rent a yacht

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The Mallorca coastline is beautiful and Palma is the ideal place to have the Mallorca coast as the starting point. When you select  a yacht in Mallorca, you gain access to the crystal-clear waters,  hidden beaches, serene coves that cannot be accessed by car.

Cala Blava, Cala Pi and Portals Vells are some of the most beautiful spots. These destinations are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or just having fun viewing the scenery on your yacht. When you rent a yacht in Palma de Mallorca, you can make stops wherever possible and spend as much time as you wish at each point.

This freedom is not available to ordinary tourists. A yacht will help you avoid overcrowded beaches and explore nature at your own pace.

Contemporary Marinas and Superior Facilities

Most travelers rent a yacht for luxury and comfort. Palma de Mallorca offers high-quality services and experiences. Luxury yachts are spacious and well-furnished, with sunbeds and modern entertainment systems.

When you rent a yacht in Palma de Mallorca you will be able to have a delicious meal on board, your personalized routes, and stunning sunsets. Other yachts can make water sports gear available (e.g. paddleboard and snorkeling gear). Such comfort makes the yacht charters in Mallorca perfect for special occasions like honeymoons, birthdays or anniversaries.

By selecting the yacht charter in Mallorca, you will enjoy the well-maintained boats, experienced crews, and safety standards. There are a lot of restaurants, cafes, shops, and showers in many marinas and your experience will be comfortable and stress-free.

Due to this good infrastructure, first-time visitors feel assured when they hire a boat in Palma de Mallorca. Everything is properly structured, and assistance is always at hand whenever required.

Large Selection of Yachts for all Budgets

The diversity of the yachts among the available models is another factor that makes Palma de Mallorca special. You can be sure that you will be spoiled for choice whether you want a small motorboat, a sailing yacht, or a luxury superyacht.

Budget travelers can rent simple boats, while others may choose fully equipped yachts with cabins, kitchens, and professionally trained crews. This diversity makes yachts in Mallorca perfect for couples, families, and friends.

In the case of yacht rental in Palma de Mallorca, you will have an opportunity to rent a yacht that suits your budget and requirements. You can hire on an hourly basis, for a day or even a week, according to your travel schedule.

Ease of Access and International Connectivity

Palma de Mallorca is easily accessible. The city has an international airport with flights to most European countries. This makes it very convenient for travelers who do not wish to spend much time travelling to begin their adventure at sea.

Upon arrival, the marinas are near the city center. You won’t spend much time getting  to your yacht. This is a major advantage  of yacht charters in Mallorca since tourists find it very convenient.

This convenience allows you to spend more time in the sea and less time thinking about the transportation as all is close by.

Professional Crews and High Safety Standards

The issue of safety is extremely crucial with regard to boating, and Palma de Mallorca takes safety seriously. Most yacht companies in Mallorca adhere to strict safety regulations and offer qualified personnel.

In case you lack the experience of sailing, you may get the services of a professional skipper and crew. They know the local waters well and will make sure that the journey is smooth and safe. That is why renting a boat in Palma de Mallorca is a stress-free experience even for beginners.

They normally have life jackets and navigation devices, as well as emergency equipment, and hence you can enjoy your time on the water without any worries.

Perfect for day trips and island hopping

Mallorca is perfectly located for making short trips and island hopping. Most destinations are within a few hours of Palma. This is what makes day trips popular with tourists.

You should rent a boat in Palma de Mallorca. Renting a boat allows you to schedule a day of relaxed sightseeing of the surrounding areas without being in a hurry. You will be able to swim, sunbathe, have your lunch on board, and return to the marina in the evening.

 This flexibility is why many visitors prefer yachts over other vacation options.

Great Value for Money

Most individuals believe that renting a yacht is quite expensive, but in Palma de Mallorca, you can have a good deal. Renting a yacht may be surprisingly cheap when the costs are distributed to a group.

You can enjoy the privacy, freedom, and unique experience that is difficult to repeat through yacht rental in Palma de Mallorca. A yacht provides a better and closer holiday than crowded tours or luxury hotels.

It is this quality-price ratio that makes yacht charter in Mallorca appealing to a very broad customer base.

Perfect Blend of City and Nature

Palma de Mallorca is the best of both worlds. One can explore the bustling city with its restaurants, shopping, and nightlife and then escape to the serene sea, all in a few minutes.

One day of a yachting trip in Mallorca can be followed by a day in the city, where you can try local cuisine, culture, and entertainment. This combination makes Palma unique, offering diverse experiences during the holiday.

The possibility of enjoying the urban comfort and the sea adventure at the same time is another great reason to hire a boat in Palma de Mallorca.

Conclusion

Palma de Mallorca is indeed among the greatest locations to rent a yacht. It has a beautiful coastline, good weather, modern marinas, and a broad selection of boats; it provides everything to everyone. On a relaxation trip, an adventure trip, or a luxury trip, the yachts in Mallorca offer an experience that is unforgettable.

The rental of a yacht in Palma de Mallorca is appropriate for both the novice and experienced sailors due to its great services, safety standards, and easy access. Yacht charter in Mallorca is one of the best things that a tourist can choose due to the liberty to venture into secluded bays, clear waters, and travel slowly.

For an unforgettable vacation, consider renting a yacht in Palma de Mallorca and exploring the island by sea if you want a holiday that is as comfortable, beautiful, and adventurous as possible.

Jim Kammerud – Contemporary Figure Painter and Portrait Artist

The Artisan Magazine
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Jim Kammerud – Contemporary Figure Painter and Portrait Artist

Jim Kammerud has always been an artist and storyteller. He wrote and directed several Disney movies, and animated and storyboarded on many others, like The Peanuts Movie and Space Jam (the original and the sequel). He’s raised five kids and married the best girl in the world. Now he’s living in Saint Pete and returning to his first love, drawing and painting, but still always telling a story. Jim finds beauty in the human form, in our unique faces, in the connection between people and our environment, and in the joy of being with each other.  

In the late 80’s Jim started an animation studio in Columbus, Ohio with his friends. They were making local TV commercials when The Little Mermaid came out, starting a renaissance in 2D animation. Soon Jim and his studio were working on Hollywood animated features, and it seemed like a dream come true. 

Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art
Jim Kammerud's art

“When you’re a kid, you draw for fun,” Jim Kammerud says. “And if you can draw really well, you might get into animation” and next thing you know you’re directing Disney movies, and it’s all awesome and everything, until one day you realize you don’t draw any more, you talk for a living.”

Jim started oil painting as a way to reconnect with his love of drawing, painting portraits of anyone willing to sit for him. “They were decent likenesses, because I could draw, but I was just figuring out this oil paint thing.”

Today Jim paints portraits, both from life and from photos. “A portrait in oils brings people joy. It becomes an heirloom passed down for generations,” Jim says. “And sometimes I make more contemporary pop art portraits, just pushing the color and brushwork to see what happens. And sure, dogs, cats, grandkids. It’s all super fun. When I’m painting I’m totally in the moment. Hours can go by and even though I’m concentrating fiercely I won’t have a thought in my head.”

Jim Kammerud's art

Jim’s more personal work captures intimate moments of couples in their ordinary lives. “The most important thing that ever happened to me is my relationship with my wife, Janie [St. Pete oil painter Janie Haskins]. All the couples who model for us are really stand-ins for the two of us. I’m trying to express the joy of that connection, the sheer fun it is to be a couple and have someone to share your day with. My paintings are tender, or cuddly, or sexy, but they can be silly too. So much of what we see in popular culture leaves out the fun.”

Jim Kammerud typically photographs a couple at their home. “I have sketchbooks filled with ideas for paintings, and I guess because of my filmmaking background I think in scenes, developing a narrative image that tells a story. I use the drawings in those sketchbooks to pose the couples for photos that I’ll take back to the studio to paint.”

Jim Kammerud

Jim still works in animation, storyboarding for feature films and TV. “Animation is amazing because you can gather four or five hundred people together and make this enormous art you could never make by yourself,” Jim says. “But what I love about painting is that I can tell the story I want to tell without raising 100 million dollars or getting the green light from a movie executive.”

Jim and Janie share a live-work space at the ArtsXchange in the Warehouse Arts District. “We live in a tiny apartment that feels like a dorm room, but we have a huge studio. And it’s great to share the space because we help each other out a lot.” Jim Kammerud’s studio is inside the big garage door next to the Tully-Levine Gallery. It’s open for Second Saturday Art Walk, the St. Pete Sunday Market on the 3rd Sunday of the month, and by appointment.

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