Capital Culture Magazine: Winter 2008

8/14/2019 Capital Culture Magazine: Winter 2008

1/24PLUS... Book/CD Reviews, Arts & Cultural Directory, Calendar Listings...

November/December 20

Free

...and MUCH mo

UniquelyTallahasseeAn Insiders Guide

to Creative Holiday Gift-Giving

Talk BackA Tallahassee poets story

Del SuggsandMike SheridanGet Down to Business


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4

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Capital Culture Interview:Past COCA Chairman Mike SheridanTallahassee music legend Del Suggs talks with his

longtime pal about writing, Irish music, and the

economics of the arts.

Gift Giving with a Creative TwistDont miss this exclusive guide to the best places to find

distinctive and artful holiday gifts available only in Tallahassee.

Adventures in the Arts:

Black on Black RhymeW.C. Blackmon discovers that standing up in front of an

audience and performing his poetry is both harder and

more satisfying than it looks.

ReviewsGerald R. Hoovers Brotherhood of the Fin

Whole Child Leons Catching Smiles

CONTENTS

On the Cover:andmade used glass ornaments by localrtists rom the Color Wheel Gallery.

PLUS...Book/CD Reviews, Arts & CulturalDirectory, CalendarListings...

November/December 2007

Free!

...andMUCHmore!

UniquelyTallahasseeAn Insiders Guideto Creative Holiday Gift-Giving

Talk BackA Tallahassee poets story

Del Suggs andMike SheridanGet Down to Business

Vol. 2 November/December 2007 Issue 4

Offi cial Publication of the

Publisher Peggy BradyEditor Randi Goldstein

Creative Director ony ArcherEditorial Assistants Aalyah Duncan

Daniel Lyons

Capital Culture Magazine is published bi-monthly by theCouncil on Culture & Arts with support from the LeonCounty Tourist Development Counciland in cooperation

ith Tallahassees Family Forum Magazine. Capital CultureMagazineis distributed free of charge to visitors to and

sidents of Floridas Big Bend Area.

Reproduction ofCapital Culture Magazinein whole or in partpermitted only with written permission from the Counciln Culture & Arts. Reproduction without permission isrictly prohibited.

ditorial, art, and photography submissions toCapital CultureMagazine are considered. Writers guidelines are availablet www.cocanet.org. However, the publisher assumes nosponsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts or art.

Capital Culture Magazinereserves the right to publish anytters to the editor. Although COCA makes every effort toublish accurate information, we make no guarantee as to theccuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information in this

magazine. All rights reserved.

Capital Culture Magazine is available in large print uponquest. his publication is available in electronic format at

COCAs website at www.cocanet.org. he opinions expressed

nthis magazine are those of the individual contributors and doot necessarily reflect those of the Council on Culture & Arts,rCapital Culture Magazines sponsors or advertisers.

ubscriptions toCapital Culture Magazineare available byining the Council on Culture & Arts. Please visit www.

ocanet.org/about/join.html to download an applicationr call (850) 224-2500.

Copyright 2007 Council on Culture & Arts

21Proles in the Arts:Barbara Aleene EdwardsBlack & white photographs with a hand-colored

touch make this teacher/artist unique.

A COCA publication sponsored in part by the City o Tallahassee, Leon County, the State o FloridaDivision o Cultural Aairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment or the Arts.

16


3/24Capital Culture Magazine www.morethanyouthought.com November/December 2007 | 1

Regular Features1 From the Publisher

2 Contributors

2 News of Note:An anniversary in Quincy, a new Director at 621,a reality TV winner from FSU, and much more.

10 More Than You Thought: Dont miss the special holiday events section!

13 COCA Connection:All thats new with COCA.

18 Directory of Arts and Cultural Organizations and Businesses

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Peggy Brady

Thanks or GivingEvery year at this time, COCA likes to take a moment to thank some people who are vital to our

success: our volunteers. They are many. Citizen panelists spend hours reading grants and making

unding recommendations. Art jurors evaluate endless slides to help choose our exhibits. Other

volunteers generously lend a hand when we hold workshops, First Fridays, and special events. And o

course, our tireless Board and Committee Members oer their time and expertise all year long.

I youve ever thought about getting involved with a cultural organization, why not now? You

dont even need artistic talent arts organizations need all sorts o skills. Whatever you can do, you

will be welcomed. Can you help re-design a website? Swing a hammer? Balance a checkbook? Mow

a lawn or make owers grow? Negotiate a new lease with a landlord? Do you have some time tovolunteer by giving tours, taking tickets, making calls, or stuffi ng envelopes? Arts groups need all

these things and more.

Give yoursel and your cultural community a git this holiday season by volunteering your time

and making a dierence to an organization you support. Check out the many local arts groups by

visiting the Arts in the Community section o www.cocanet.org. I you need suggestions about

where your particular skills might be most useul, drop us a line here at COCA. I think youll fnd your

eorts returning much more than you give.

Have a wonderul holiday season!

Illustration by Nathan Archer


4/242 | November/December 2007 www.morethanyouthought.com Capital Culture Magazine

CONTRIBUTORSW. C. Blackmon, who was renamed Vision by hispoetry troupe, was born in Tampa, but has called

Tallahassee home since the age o seven. He attainedhis AA Degree at TCC and attended FSU beoreleaving school to work as a caeteria manager/owner,speechwriter, and coordinator/undraiser or a non-

proft organization. He currently works or the Florida Department oEducation, and is working towards getting his frst ull-length novelpublished. His career goal is to be a successul author in both the antasy

and realistic fction genres. Vision is a bachelor, and thus spends most ohis ree time writing, singing, working out, and perecting his poetry.

Del Suggs is a singer/songwriter and guitarist. He is based in Tallahassee, but appears in concert at colleges, universities and estivalsacross the United States and the Caribbean. Del is a voting member o the National Academy o Recording Arts and Sciences (theGrammy Awards people). His music receives airplay on community and public radio stations rom Massachusetts to Caliornia to theVirgin Islands, and public television has eatured him in two ninety-minute concert specials. Del is widely known or his public serviceand beneft concerts. He perorms over twenty shows each year to support various human service, environmental, educational, andcivil rights organizations. In 1989, 1991 and again in 1993, he was recognized or his service by a nomination or the Harry Chapin Award

or Contributions to Humanity. His other awards and accolades are too numerous to list.

NEWS OF NOTEQuincy Music Theatre

celebrated its 25thAnniversary in October

with the lighting o the LeaTheatres ully renovated

neon sign, which shonebrightly on Washington

Street or the frst timesince 1972.

Daniel Lyons was born in Ft. Lauderdaleand grew up in the Broward County area. Hemoved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State,and plans to fnish his degree in English thisyear. Dan has contributed writing to SatelliteMagazine and spent two years as a DJ at

V-89 and is currently Capital Culture Magazines Editorial Intern.On the weekends you can fnd him either digging aroundthe used record bins or paddling through one o the areas

beautiul waterways. And whichever sports season it is, youllfnd him in the stands rooting on the Noles.



NEWS OF NOTEWelcome621 Gallery welcomes Denise Druryas its new Executive Director. Denise

had been the gallerys Assistant Directorsince August 2006, and was a member

o the Board o Directors prior to that.

She holds a Master o Arts degree inArts Administration rom FSU, and has

previously worked with Gadsden ArtsCenter, the Tallahassee Senior Center,

and Tallahassee Museum.

Two new galleries made their debutsin Railroad Square Art Parkin

September. Humidity Gallery eatures

work rom artisans and fne craters

rom Tallahassee, the Big Bend, theGul Coast, and the Southeast region.Humidity Gallery is located at the

back the square, and will be openWednesday through Sunday, 11:30

am -5 pm, and First Fridays. Simply

Artistic highlights the work o talented

local photographers including resident

artist Mike Nowak. Simply Artistic islocated at the very ront o the square,

and is open Monday to Saturday, 11am 6 pm, and Sunday 1-5 pm.

The independent Word Traffi c Booksopened its doors in September onEast Laayette Street next to LindysChicken. Owners Van and Chelsea Foxare carrying new and used books anddisplaying the work o local artists ontheir walls. The store is open Mondaythrough Saturday, 10 am 8 pm, and

Sundays 11 am 5 pm.

Around TownCOCA Board Member and Associate

Proessor at the FSU Film SchoolValliere Richard Auzennes newestflm, Breaking the Silence: Torture

Survivors Speak Out, premiered onOctober 2 at FSUs Askew Student

Lie Center, with a panel discussion

immediately ollowing the showing.

Breaking the Silence is based on

interviews with more than 40members o the Torture Abolition and

Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC).

CongratulationsOn October 5th,Julia Woodwardwas presented with the American

Association o Community TheatresSpotlight Award in honor o

signifcant contribution to community

theatre through her support o

Quincy Music Theatre and the

Gadsden County arts community.Ms. Woodward is one o only fty

individuals nationally to have receivedthis award since its inception in 2000.

Recent FSU Film School graduate

Will Bigham triumphed over

12,000 other entrants to win a $1

million development deal withDreamWorks Studio on the highlycompetitive reality TV show, On the

Lot. Three o the fnalists oOn theLot, which was produced by Mark

Burnett and Steve Spielberg, weregraduates o Florida State University

Film School.

Several arts-related

organizations and businesseswere honored in the Best

o Tallahassee 2007 readers

poll in Tallahassee Magazine.Thomas Eads Fine Art was voted2007 Best Art Gallery, Seven Dayso Opening Nights was named

2007 Best Community Event, the

IMAX Theatre at ChallengerLearning Center was voted 2007Best Local Attraction, and SallyRude Antiques and Fine Art

Gallery took the title o 2007 Best

Antique Shop.

Out of Town

In September, Tallahassees own

The Laughing Stockprovidedentertainment or the internationalannual convention or Cruise

Holidays, Inc. The frst show tookplace at the top o the Space Needle

in Seattle, ollowed by multiple

perormances during a our-daycruise to British Columbia or the

cruise and travel industry executives.

Two short flms produced by

Mickee Faust Films and DianeWilkins Productions premiered at

flm estivals this all. In Septemberand October, Boot Scootin Beauty

was shown at Washington D.C.s

International Gay and Lesbian Film

Festival, the 12th Annual SeattleLesbian and Gay Film Festival, the

Austin Gay and Lesbian International

Film Festival, and the Fire IslandFilm and Video Festival. In October,

Cremmate Muffywas shown at the

22nd Annual Pittsburgh International

Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.


6/244 | November/December2007 www.morethanyouthought.com CapitalCultureMagazine

On the surace, Mike Sheridan and Del Suggs couldntbe more dierent. Mike is a businessman, the

ounder and Chair o Fringe Beneits ManagementCompany, a nationally recognized employee

beneits business, and one o the largest employers in the Big Bend

area. Del, on the other hand, is a singer/songwriter and guitaristwho regularly appears in concert across the United States, and has

ive solo albums.What do they have in common? Community activism and

involvement, and music.Mike has a long history o supporting the arts, serving

on Boards o Council on Culture & Arts, the University Musical

Associates, Tallahassee Irish Society, and others. Del has served onthe Boards o the Tallahassee Museum, the National Association

or Campus Activities, and the Florida Flambeau Foundation, and iswidely known or his public service concerts.

These longtime pals served together on the EconomicDevelopment, Tourism, and Quality o Lie Task Force o the

Tallahassee Cultural Plan. They sat down to talk about writing,Irish music, and their mutual interest in and commitment to the

economic beneits o the arts.

Interview by Del Suggs

MIKESHERIDAN

A Vision of Leadership

DS: Well, I had hoped that we could meet over a nice Irish

brew somewhere.

MS: We wouldnt have accomplished much.

DS: But it would have been un! How did you rst getinvolved in the arts?

MS: I started out playing the guitar in high school in Miami. Iplayed at parties and things like that. Then a buddy o mine who

was not a musician said, You guys are really good. People wouldactually pay to hear you. So we put together a group called the

Wild Rovers, because that was our avorite song. We startedplaying down there, and when I moved here, another guy

moved at the same time, and so we kept on playing.

DS: Did you ever think about being a proessional musician?

MS: Well, Ive been paid. I guess that qualifes me as aproessional. But I didnt choose it or two reasons. One, I

couldnt make any money, and two, I didnt have enoughtalent. Youve made a living out o it, but I havent been so

successul.



DS: Ive been ortunate. There arent

too many people who get a chanceto do that.

MS: Talent helps, and youve got it.

DS: Well, yeah, but theres an awul

lot o luck involved, too.

MS: But I do think its very important to

realize that artists are proessionals, andnot view them as people who ought to

give their services away or ree. Theyneed to make a living, and when they

make money, they re-invest it back in

the economy.

DS: True. I think to some extent artistshave marginalized themselves,

because we tend to have this concept

o the romantic artist, the strugglingartist, and that seems sort o gloriied.

But I say, it might seem glamorous tobe a starving artist, but its not a very

comortable way to live.

MS: No!

DS: Youve been awully successulin other ways, you know. Youve

been a mover and shaker in the Irishmusic scene in this town, which has

just blossomed over the last severalyears.

MS: It has. Well, we were the frst peopleto ever play Irish music here. I had

just moved up here rom Miami and Iwanted to see what was happening on

St. Patricks Day. There was nothing.

DS: Nothing Irish.

MS: Nothing Irish, right. So I walked intothe Jax Liquor Bar on Thomasville Road,

which doesnt exist anymore, and asked,

How would you like to have authentictraditional Irish music or St. Patricks

Day? And they said yes! So I called upmy buddies, and they came up rom

Miami and we made a weekend o it.That was 25 years ago. We just decided

to retire this year.

DS: I was there or your last gig, in act.

MS: Thats right, you were part o theevent at Chez Pierre.

DS: Well, what else have you done in

the local arts scene?

MS: I have written throughout my lie.

Ive been published, even going back to

high school.

DS: Really?

MS: In amateur things. I had a superb

English teacher in high school, whoactually went on to become Floridas

frst national teacher o the year. Ive

written short stories. Ive written a play

that was published and producedat Tallahassee Little Theatre. AndIve perormed at Tallahassee Little

Theatre going back over 20 years. Imalso working very, very slowly on an

anthology o poetry that Ive written.

DS: Isnt it amazing how important

writing is to every aspect o success? Ithink that the ability to write to put

words on paper is undamentally

important to success in just abouteverything.

MS: I ear certain things are disappearing.

The kids now are text-messaging, and

they dont have to use grammar. But onthe other hand, people are still buying and

reading books.

DS: I was in the same situationyou were in. I had a wonderul

high school English teacher. Every

Monday we came in, sat down,

and wrote an essay. So I learned towrite. I write a monthly magazinecolumn now, and Ive actually had

about 60 diferent articles in theeld o student activities published

in magazines. Thats somethingthat most people dont realize

about me. I say its the ourth hal o

my lie. Along with the many otherthings I do.

MS: In my real career, the employeebenefts feld, Im an investment

manager or a huge 401K und, andI write a column ten times a year or

a newsletter that goes out to about30,000 people.

DS: I think it goes back to thatbasic need to communicate. Thats

really what the arts are all about,communication.

MS: Yes, thats a good observation.

INTERVIEW

Te Wild Rovers performing at ChezPierre on St. Patricks Day

(continued on next page)


8/24

DS: You and I rst worked together

on developing the City andCountys Cultural Plan. We served

on the Economic Development and

Tourism Committee, and helped

write that part o the plan. That wasa great joy a real treat to work withyou and Kay Stephenson, and to

help pull that together. It was a veryexciting time.

MS: Right. When I frst became theChairman o COCA, we had just been

charged with implementing theCultural Plan.

DS: Well, I wanted to talk to youabout your term on the COCA board,

and the act that youre now leavingater serving as chair. How do you

eel about stepping aside, passing

the baton?

MS: Im delighted I think volunteer

organizations should have turnover. Ioriginally said that Id stay on as Chair or

three years. Time enough to implementthe parts o the plan that we could, and

to assist other authorities with theirparts o the plan. Time enough to put

the inrastructure in place or ongoing

things, like First Fridays, the web site,and all the rest. And so I said Id be Chair

or three years, and then try to recruitmy replacement. But I plan to stay on

the board as Immediate Past Chair.

DS: Its amazing to see how the arts

have just continued to grow in thistown and youve been a big part

o that. You dont just talk aboutthis stuf. You actually have made

a nancial commitment to supportthe arts.

MS: Oh yes, I believe that Im abeneactor or patron o most arts or

cultural organizations in town. I tryto write checks and buy tickets and

encourage other people to do the

same thing. I noticed something in the

Tallahassee Democratnot long ago. It

reerred to Jacksonville as a river town,and then the next day, in an unrelated

article, it reerred to Tallahassee as aculture town.

DS: I like that!

MS: Its good. Maybe were getting

someplace.

DS: We certainly are. Ive got a

recording session this aternoonto do vocal tracks on a new CD by

Tammerlin, a band rom Jacksonville.

Theyre working on their thirdCD recorded in Tallahassee. They

come all the way rom Jacksonvilleto record with Pete Winter at

Winterstone Productions, because othe acility, because o the ears on the

engineer and the producer that they

work with there.

MS: Wow. Thats great.

DS: So I think youre absolutely

correct. We really are getting there.

MS: I think anybody who looks at the

Limelightor morethanyouthought.comcan see that theres always something

going on. We have a concentration o

culture that I dont believe exists in anyother city or many other cities in the

United States that only have a quarter

o a million people. And its accessible.Its easy most o the time to fnd someparking. Its aordable, and its good.

DS: My theory is that were basicallyspoiled in Tallahassee. Theres just

so much great talent here that wedont truly appreciate it. Ive heard

people complain about having topay a $10 or $15 cover charge to go

see somebody like Pierce Pettis play

at the Warehouse.And I say, well,people are paying $25 to see him in

Charlotte the weekend beore.

MS: Tonight Im going to a jazz concert

with Wynton Marsalis and MarcusRoberts at Ruby Diamond. You cant

get better jazz than that anyplace in theUnited States.

DS: Exactly. I remember seeingMarcus Roberts and his trio play in

ront o the R.A. Gray Building, and

6 | November/December 2007 www.morethanyouthought.com Capital Culture Magazine

INTERVIEW

(continued on pg. 17)

Mike Sheridan as Alfie Doolittle in allahassee Little Teatres production ofMy Fair Lady.


9/24

Advertisement



Are you dreadingthethought of once againtrying to find unusual andmeaningful gifts this holiday

season? If you shudder atthe thought of the crowds, chaosand long lines, youre not alone.This year, try somethingdifferent.Forget the familiar,predictable sameness and optfor something interesting andartful a uniquely madein Tallahassee gift thatyou cant find anywhere elsein the world.

Tese holiday shopping events,sponsored by your local cultural

community, bring endless gift ideas:paintings, photography, prints,handmade clothing, jewelry, pottery,glass, and more. Youre sure to find somethingto please even the quirkiest people you know.

And remember, these are just some of the special holidayevents. Check out the listings on pages 18-20 for many morecreative places to hunt for treasure this season or any time.

Ornamental Shopping: Opening November 10Color Wheel Gallery, 616 N. Bronough St., 222-6873, www.thecolorwheelgallery.com.

The Color Wheel Gallery is celebrating its frst holiday season

by eaturing original handmade Christmas ornaments anddecorations. A variety o local artists are creating unique

ornaments especially or this Christmas sale. Has your treeever eatured a mosaic ornament? Or one made rom used

glass? Dont let ear o high prices prevent you rom taking alook many o these one-o-a-kind ornaments have price-

tags o $10 or less. Color Wheel will also be eaturing water-color holiday cards, decorations, and reasonably priced small

artworks suitable or git-giving. This holiday show begins

November 10, with a special one-day Christmas Sidewalk Saleone December 1.

GiftGivingwithaCreativeTwis

From:

RandiGoldstein

Editor,Capital

CultureMagazine

GlasshopperGalleryshineswithb



A Winters Tale:

November 23 December 29LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts,125 N. Gadsden Street, 222-8800, www.lemoyne.org.

I youve never been to LeMoyne Centeror the Visual ArtsAnnual Holiday Show,

youre missing a treat. Every year thegallery decorates 67 trees in dierent

themes with ornaments, lights, andother holiday decorations, all o them

or sale. LeMoynes selection is mostlyhandmade by artisans, many o them

local artists. We try to cater to more than

just Christmas, says Executive DirectorAllison McCarthy, Theres something or

every religion. So i youre looking or ahandmade menorah, now you know

where to ind it. This years holiday show,the gallerys 43rd, is subtitledJourney

Through Five Decades at LeMoyne. Each othe ive galleries will represent a decade,

rom the 60s through the current day,

with themed decorations, and panelsdescribing the events o each era.

Art and Antiques:

November 29 December 1FSU Museum of Fine Arts, 644-1254,www.mofa.fsu.edu.

Every year or three days o the holiday

season, the FSU Museum o Fine Artsis transormed into a cheerul bazaara most amazing and colorul market-

place o unique handmade fne crats,antiques o every description, fne art

prints, exotic apparel (such as imported

kimono), and unusual inventions by

contemporary artists. The Art & AntiquesFairbegan in the 80s as an aternoon

tea and trunk show o fne crats made

by area artists. The current event em-braces antique dealers and booksellers

as well as regional artists with nationalreputations or the unique nature and

excellence o their creations.

Go to Market: December 1 2allahassee Museums Market Days, North FloridaFairgrounds, 575-8684, www.marketdays.org.

The granddaddy o all holiday sales in

the Big Bend area, the 42nd Annual Mar-ket Days is a perect place to fnd unique

and well-made gits or the holidayseason. Nearly 300 artists display and

sell original and handmade creations,

making it one o the largest arts andcrats shows in the Southeast. Held atthe North Florida Fairgrounds,Market

Days is also an annual and vital undrais-

ing event or theTallahassee Museum.Shoppers can browse six large build-

ings, as well as the outdoor plazas andmedians, flled with original art, jewelry,

specialty oods, urniture, woodworking,photography, and much more.

All Thats Small:

Opening December 3Signature Art Gallery, 2779 Capital Circle NE,297-2422, www.signatureartgallery.com.

Signature Art Gallery represents morethan 30 regional, national and interna-

tional artists. This season, Signatures

local artists have worked to create aselection o small paintings or the

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Youre never at a loss for unique gifts when holiday shopping at the FSU Art and Antiques Fair.

Holiday Small Works Show. For example,Joe Claborn, known or his small

paintings o local birds, owers, ruits,and vegetables, is creating Christmas

miniatures as tiny as three-and-a-halinches square. Signature also has John

Penrods unusual turned wood pots.Penrod uses local woods like graperuit,

palm, and Norolk Pine to create his tiny

masterpieces some as small as fveinches high. The small paintings gener-

ally start at about $150, and i you shopcareully, you may even fnd a bargain

as low as $65. The Holiday Small WorksShowopens or Decembers First Friday

Gallery Hop, with a reception wherecustomers can meet the artists.

(continued on pg. 17)

Handmade fused glass from Color Wheel Gallery



Special HolidayThemed EventsYoung Hilary's ourth grade lie is dictated by her riends' choicesuntil she meets her unusual neighbor, Sara Kate, in the School oTheatre at Florida States production oAfternoon of the Elves.At the Fallon Theatre in the Fine Arts Building, November 29 to

December 2. Call 644-6500 or tickets, or go to www.tickets.su.edu to order online.

Stop by the Knott House Museums Holiday Open House on

December 1 and enjoy the vintage ornaments that decorate thehistoric site along with special tours, rereshments, and music. For

more inormation call 922-2459.On December 2, spend time with riends, amily, and Santa on

the relaxed and enchanting grounds oGoodwood Museum

and Gardens. Spend the aternoon with games, arts andcrats, and exhibits at the Making Spirits Bright Family Fun Day,

and experience the charm and innocence o Christmas longago. Also at Goodwood, take an elegant candlelight tour o

the main house on December 7. The lights o hundreds ocandles, decorations, and music will surely put you in the

holiday spirit. Call 877-4202 or more inormation.

Camellia Christmas is an annual old ashioned holiday kick-o

atAlred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. On December 7, thecommunity is invited to come out or a candlelight stroll through

the gardens, and enjoy the music o local perormers alongwith hot apple cider and cookies served by the park sta and

volunteers, plus a silent auction. Maclay House will also be openand decorated or the holidays. Call 487-4115 or inormation.

Dont miss the Tallahassee Ballets holiday tradition,The Nutcracker.

This production will delight audiences o all ages rom the moment

the curtain rises on Clara and her magical journey to the Kingdomo Sweets. This years Nutcracker at Ruby Diamond Auditorium onDecember 15 promises to indulge spectators with special surprises

tucked within this classic avorite. For the little ones, there is a specialabbreviated Childrens Perormance at 10:30 am. Call 644-6500 or

tickets, or go to www.tickets.su.edu to order online.

Celebrate the holidays with the sounding joy o the Tallahassee

Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra

Chorus, and Childrens Chorus as they present Holiday Magic:Angels in the Snow, under the baton o Music Director Miriam

COCAs MoreThanYouThought.comis a ree, on-line interactive

community events calendar.Everyone is invited to post

their events (art-related andotherwise) to the calendar

or no charge.

Here is a small sampling o the

events posted in December

2007 & January 2008...

(Note: All events are subject to

change without notice. Check

www.MoreThanYouThought.

com, or contact the individual

organizations listed for

updated information.)


13/24



Holiday Music

at the HistoricCapitol

Has shopping exhausted you? Takea break and experience the beautiulsound o music echoing through thehalls o Tallahassees most notable

historic building. December 3 17,the Old Capitol site is decorated orthe holidays and aglow with groupscelebrating the season. For moreinormation, call 487-1902.

Monday, December 3Fairview Middle School6th Grade Chorus - 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, December 5Fairview Middle School7th & 8th Grade Chorus 12:00 p.m.

Friday, December 7Griin Middle School Chorus 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, December 9Tallahassee Girls Choir o C.H.O.I.C.E.

Tuesday, December 11Deerlake Middle School Chorus - 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, December 12Holy Comorter Middle School Chorus 12 p.m.

Friday, December 14

Cobb Middle School Chorus 10:30 a.m.Raa Middle School Chorus - 11:30 a.m.

Monday, December 17Nims Middle School Chorus 12:00 p.m.(Note: these are the groups scheduled at the

time of publication. Others may be added

throughout the season.)

CALENDAR

TheatreIts east meets west in this touching story about inding love in the most

unexpected places. Quincy Music Theatre presents the classic musical The Kingand I, November 30 to December 2 and December 7 to 9, 2007. Order ticketsonline at www.qmtonline.com or call 875-9444.

Come see the magic, the mystery, the memory oCats. This winner o seven TonyAwards, including Best Musical, is coming to theTallahassee-Leon County CivicCenteras part o theBroadway Serieson December 6 and 7. Call 222-0400 or tickets.

Directed by thirty-year Hollywood veteran (and now FSU Film School Proessor)Chip Chalmers, Tallahassee Little Theatres Starbucks Coeehouse series presents

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, December 7 through 16. This hilarious showis the story o ive bridesmaids hiding in an upstairs room at a Knoxville society

wedding. For inormation call 224-4597.

Its New York, 1952. Welcome to Broadway, the glamour and power capital o the

universe, where J.J. Hunsecker rules all with his daily gossip column. Theatre A LaCartes production oSweet Smell of Success captures the gritty and jazzy eel o theclassic ilm. See it January 11-13 or 18-20 at Tallahassee Little Theatre. Sweet Smell of

Successwill be presented as a concert production, eaturing an on-stage orchestra.Call 224-8474 or tickets.

Leapin' Lizards!Annie is coming to Tallahassee. The timeless tale o Little Orphan

Annie is at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center as part o the BroadwaySerieson January 28 and 29. Call 222-0400 or tickets.

Lichgate on High Road s Enchanted Cottage decorated for the holidays.

Sound like too much to do in one day? Spend the weekend. Shop a little...visit a few sites...live it up at night.Check out theHot Deal Discountfor allahassee hotels and attractions at www.visittallahassee.com



Special Thanks

COCA would like to thank Shred It(www.shredit.com) or providing

in-kind shredding and recycling

services to COCA or the last severalyears. (According to them, weve

saved three trees this year alone!)

Special thanks to all the local

businesses participating in the

Tallahassee Collects show at City HallGallery. The exhibit recognizes these

18 local businesses that use artworkto cultivate a creative atmosphere in

their workplace, while at the sametime investing in our local artists:

The Bank o Tallahassee

Bob Rackle Consulting

Carroll and Company, CPAs

DataMaxx Group

Diane Wilkins Productions

Earl Bacon Agency

Herrle Communications

Group

Hill Spooner & Company, Inc.

Law Offi ce o Paula L.

Walborsky, Esq.

Mad Dog Design &

Construction Company

Marpan Management, Inc.

National Federation oIndependent Businesses

Offi ce o Dr. Cynthia Tie

Offi ce o Dr. Sally Karioth

Oppenheim Research

Peoples First Community

Bank, Kerry Forest Branch

Ron Sachs Communications

Tucker/Hall Inc. Public Aairs

and Public Relations

CONNECTION

Out and AboutPeggy Bradydirected the recent theatrical production oAn Evening with Dickenvisioned

by local che and co-owner o Chez Pierre, Eric Favier. This undraiser or prostate cancerresearch raised $15,000 or the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation.

COCAs Arts in Public Places Director, Leslie Puckett, participated in the juried art show

100% Pure Florida at the Fith Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne. Her piece was one o 67accepted out o 800 pieces submitted by Florida artists.

COCAs Marketing Director, Tony Archer, was guest lecturer or two sections o SuccessStrategies in Art & Design in the Department o Art, and one section o Culminations

in the School o Theatre, both part o FSUs College o Visual Arts, Theatre, and Dance.

On October 9, 2007, Peggy Brady, along with Buddy Streit, co-hosted the Rising StarsShowcase at The Moon. Sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs o the Big Bend, the event

spotlighted the excellence o Tallahassee youth in the perorming arts. The eveningeatured perormances by Young Actors Theatre, Tallahassee Girls Choir o C.H.O.I.C.E.,

Musikgarten, Tallahassee Youth Symphony Orchestra, F.A.C.E., and others.

Continuing Education

On September 21, 2007, COCAs Access Advisory Committee presented DoesEveryone Feel Welcome, a workshop or perorming arts presenters about betteraccommodating all patrons, with an emphasis on patrons with disabilities.

COCA hosted a grantwriting workshop presented by Floridas Division o CulturalAairs on September 26, 2007. Representatives o more than 40 arts organizations romPensacola to Jacksonville attended to learn about how the Divisions new strategic plan,Culture Builds Floridas Future, relates to the grant programs.

The Show Must Go On

Bravo to FAMUs Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery or stepping up to host the annual Leon

County middle school arts show when the shows regular venue ell through. Leslie

Puckett andAmanda Thompson coordinated the exhibit with Gallery Director Harris

Wiltsher and area art teachers.

Leslie Puckett consulted with Tallahassee/Leon Countys Community Animal ServicesCenter to develop a permanent exhibition program or the lobby o the animal shelter.

The exhibition space offi cially opened June 29, and eatures changing exhibits. Apercentage o sales rom this gallery will beneft the Animal Shelter Foundation.

On the RadioCOCAs Executive Director, Peggy Brady,joined City Commissioner Andrew Gillum

and Wendy Holmes rom Artspace Projects,Inc. on WFSUs radio show Perspectives

to discuss the Arts on Gaines project.The program is archived at www.wsu.

org/radio/archives/perspectives-archives_2007.html. Click the LISTEN NOW link or

the September 13, 2007 show.

COCA Notes

Coming in January...

The Music Issue!



Ididnt know that my frst time at a Black on Black

Rhyme show would mean the unveiling o somethingdeep and soulul within me. I was ortunate to get a

seat up close to the stage my frst time attending, androm the start, the energy level was unbelievable. The

poet who opened the show, Keith Rodgers, possessed a sing-song skip rhythm that mentally took hold o me, lited me up,

and took me on an upward-spiraling spiritual ride that I wontsoon orget.

From the aroma o the burning incense, to the lights

turned just so, the ambiance was set. The venue was packed.The audience members each had small oval shakers that

they held alot and shook instead o clapping their hands. Thepoems owed into the microphone as words, but seemed

to come out as a kind o kinetic energy blaze that simply put,rocked. For the rest o the show I was on the edge o my seat.

Later, I learned some o the background on Black on BlackRhyme, which began right here in Tallahassee over nine years

ago. The name was derived rom the reality that is black-on-

black crime. The desire was to create something not only posi-tive, but enduring.

Back beore we had an actual venue, we would meet

at someones house and do poetry, explains Keith Rodgers,ounder o Black on Black Rhyme. We called these lyrical drive-

bys or poetic drive-bys. That was in 1998. Today, other chapterso Black on Black Rhyme are in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa,

Atlanta, and Rochester, New York.This branching out is due to more than chance. The orga-

nization has some o the most talented poets around, and frstmade a splash at the National Poetry Slam in Chicago in 2002.

Since then, Black on Black Rhyme members have been steadily

making their presence known on the national scene. Paul D.,an area poet who is also one hal o the hip hop group THER.I.P.Y.,

spoke his way into frst place in the 2005 Southern Fried PoetrySlam. This year, local poet Ali took frst place at the 2007 South-

ern Fried Poetry Slam in Columbia, South Carolina. And Black onBlack Rhyme poets and ans are anxiously awaiting 2008, when

the Southern regional poetry championship will be held righthere in Tallahassee.

Two weeks ater attending that frst show I was on stage

doing spoken word or the frst time. Though I had never beoreperormed spoken word, I had been writing or years. I was

by W.C. Blackmon

Thursday night, September seventh,at Amen-Ra Bookstore.I thought I was just going to see a poetry show,

but found a whole lot more.

These sisters and brothers were doing their thing on stage.They rocked spoken word so hard that I was shook for dayMy mind was in a daze.

The next thing I knewI was writing poetry page after page,

and two weeks later, I was on stage.

Black on Black Rhym


17/24CapitalCultureMagazine www.morethanyouthought.com November/December 2007 | 15

ADVENTURES IN THE ARTSworking on a novel where the main

character happened to be a poet, soI had even written some poetry. But

perorming beore a live audience issomething altogether dierent.

My knees were shaking,

my hands were trembling,and with every moment,

it seemed as if my thoughts were

disassembling.

One might wonder why was I socompelled to do something that was

obviously so stressul. The truth is itwould have been more stressul to

me not to perorm. The words and thewisdom in the orm o rhyme called to

me, and I could not help but answerthe call. In obedience to that old wisesaying, to thine own sel be true, I do

my best to listen to the poetry withinand then speak it.

The best part about being a poetand speaking poetry happens when

the show is over when someone youdont know comes up to you, gives you

a hug or shakes your hand, and says,

Thanks or doing that poem. It reallytouched me. I fnd this so gratiying

because touching an individual (or an

entire crowd) in a positive way is whatspoken word is all about. Through mywords, energy, emotion, and truth, I

have the opportunity to open up a

mind to an idea that is new or untried.

Through the sharing o an experience,I can let people know that they are not

alone. So despite the inner turmoil Ielt, not just the frst time, but the frst

ten times I perormed, I can honestlysay it was worth it.

Back in March o this year, I wasinvited by Black on Black Rhyme to join

the regular poetry troupe. I couldnt

help but eel honored by their welcom-ing me into the old. It has now been

just under a year since Ive steppedon to the stage and been opened up

to the world o spoken word. I havemade, and hope to continue to make,

great leaps in this art, but it hasnt beenan individual eort. By observing the

expertise o my sisters and brotherso the Black on Black Rhyme amily,and thanks to their positive encour-

agement, I have no doubt that I willbecome the spoken word artist I am

supposed to be.

So between now and when, if you see mearound,

Understand that youre seeing a poet

in the guise of a man.Thats no matter where I am at.

And you better believe

Im back talking to the world in hopesthat it will

talk back.

Interested?Check out one o these programs in theTallahassee area. Places to read your ownwork, have it critiqued, or just go hearsome o the talented authors rom your

home town and beyond.

Anhinga Press/Apalachee ReviewReading Series, www.anhinga.org

or www.apalacheereview.org. Hearpoetry read by both local and national

poets. Readings are held periodically,so check the websites or Limelightor

times and places.

Black on Black Rhyme,Amen-Ra

Bookstore, 812 S. Macomb St., www.blackonblackrhyme.com Poetry

readings open to public every Thursdaybeginning at 9 pm. Go and listen or

perorm your own work at the open mic.

Cuppa Critique, annmorrow@comcast.

net or [email protected] localgathering o the Society o Childrens

Book Writers and Illustrators meets onthe third Thursday o every month rom

7 -8:30 pm, and welcomes serious writersand illustrators o stories, poems, and

non-iction or children.

Tallahassee Writers Association, www.

twaonline.com. Take the opportunityto workshop your writing o all types at

regular meetings every third Thursdayevening at the American Legion Hall.

Open to all published and unpublished

writers rom the Big Bend area.

The Warehouse Reading Series, 706W. Gaines St., 222-6188 Get inspiration

or your own writing every Tuesdaywith FSUs reading series. Come listen

to FSU aculty, grad students, and

visiting writers.

(Note: this may not be a complete listing of all

opportunities to read or hear original literary

works, and COCA does not endorse any

particular event or opportunity. For listings of

many other types of local literary events, visit

www.morethanyouthought.com.)

Iwasworkingonanovelwherethemaincharacter

happenedtobeapoet,soIhadevenwrittensome

poetry.Butperformingbeforealiveaudienceissomething

altogetherdifferent.-W.C.Blackmon



REVIEWS

Catching SmilesProduced by Whole Child LeonRelease Date: November, 2007Genre: Childrens

Through the generosity and talent o

local musicians, Winterstone Produc-tions, The Clothesline, and a committeeo local volunteers, Catching Smiles, a CD

flled with music that makes kids eelgood is being produced or Whole

Child Leon, a partnership with theLawton Chiles Foundation.

Whole Child Leon, under the lead-

ership o State Representative LoranneAusley, is an incredible cross-section o

Leon County residents who volunteer

Brotherhoodo the Fin:A Coast Guard RescueSwimmers Story

by Gerald R. Hoover188 pagesWheatmark Publishing, Inc., June 2007Available at:

Amazon.com and other major onlinebooksellersOr order a signed copy rom

thebrotherhoodothein.com

Watching television in the wake oHurricane Katrina, you may have seen

how Gerald Hoover spent his career:jumping out o helicopters and saving

lives. When Hoover retired in May o2006 ater 20 years in the service, he had

more deployments rom Coast Guardhelicopters than any other rescue swim-mer in the history o the program. And

he lives here in Tallahassee. Hoovers ex-tended amily is rom the Big Bend and

ollowing his retirement, he decided tomake this area his permanent home.

His story draws you in rom thestart, as he is own into the middle o a

vicious storm to save a group o people

caught on a small boat. Later he takes a

step back and writes about events in hislie that made him pursue his calling. He

describes the brutal training one must

go through in order to become a rescueswimmer, training that nearly hal the

candidates ail to make it through.Hoover oten mentions his ear

o ailure, and credits it as what drovehim through the training and rescue

missions. In contrast, at times in thebook he comes o as overconfdent.

But he doesnt apologize or it. In act,

he argues that this confdence is whatis needed to be a rescue swimmer; on

each mission, there can be nothing butsuccess in mind.

The book closes with his and othersstories rom Hurricane Katrina. It is star-

tling to read what this great disaster waslike rom someone who was right in the

middle o it. The rescue swimmers saved

the lives o 33,500 people ater Katrina an impressive eat, considering that the

program began in 1983 and only met themilestone o 4,000 people saved in 2001.

Brotherhood of the Fin is ull otheexciting stories o Hoovers missions, as

well as accounts told by ellow rescueswimmers, paramedics, and pilots in

the Coast Guard. I you enjoy tales o

adventure and bravery, go out and get

this inspiring book rom a local hero.

Daniel Lyons

to achieve the ongoing goal o beinga community where everyone works

together to make sure children thrive.

Catching Smiles is one o the most dis-tinctive results o the statewide project.

It was created here in Leon County romthe work o the Spiritual Action Commit-

tee, led by committee chair Laurie Doziero Mad Dog Design & Construction, with

committee members Kathy Weiss andDebra Lachter coordinating the eort.

Catching Smiles is intended or

parents to listen to with their children ages0-5, but its appeal reaches ar beyond those

ages. The CD begins with the smooth voiceo Velma Frye welcoming a new day with

The Sun Comes Up.The memorable andmagical Pam Laws adds This Little Light o

Minewhile Bill YazidJohnson o Tocamos,Tallahassees Aro-Cuban drumming group,

invites a sing-along with Funga.Relax and

end the day with John Paul WaltersGoodNight, Good Earthor Sammy Tedders Eve-

ning Flute with Crickets.The rest will haveto be a surprise, but with local musicians

donating eighteen tracks o music, you willind a little something or everyone.

I you want to be one o the irstto receive this very special CD, join the

volunteers and learn more about Whole

Child Leon at the release party scheduled

to coincide with the Downtown GetDown on November 16. The generousmusicians will be on hand to play more

o their music, too .At the time o this printing, inorma-

tion on uture distribution o the CD wasnot yet inalized, so i you miss the release

party, call COCA at 224-2500 and we will

send you in the right direction.

Peggy Brady


19/24

he was essentially warming up to go

do a show at Carnegie Hall in NewYork City.

MS: And last week I watched War, the

World War II documentary by Ken Burns,

and who was the musical director?Wynton Marsalis.

DS: Were just so ortunate to have

such abundance here. What would

you change about the local culturalscene or arts scene, i you could?

MS: Well, I certainly would like to see us

get a perorming arts center. FSU withits burgeoning School o Music is illingup Ruby Diamond all the time, so Id like

to see the community get behind theperorming arts center. I think that that

eort is going to have to rely a lot more onprivate sector unding. The public sector

unding can come, but theyre going

to have to have huge commitmentsrom the private sector irst. Id like to

see it happen so I can attend all o theseperormances in my lietime!

DS: I remember when the CivicCenter was rst built, what a major

struggle it was, and having to cutback the original perorming arts

center that was supposed to be a parto that structure. But I remember

perorming at the Civic Center orthe rst time, and thinking how

amazing that was. A lot o people

look at the numbers or the proposedperorming arts center and say, Its

going to cost us how much? Butthats not the point. The point is the

potential return on the investment.

MS: It is an economic driver. And i the

money we spend comes back to thecity or the county in taxes and bed

taxes, why not?

DS: Right. I think thats one o

the things that people are otenshortsighted on. They see the

government making a inancial

commitment or something like

that, and they think the money justdisappears. But the money that builds

the perorming arts center goesinto the pockets o the construction

workers who are working on the site,and they spend it in the local stores.

So the money doesnt disappear, itjust gets recycled.

MS: I 2,000 people go to a show at aperorming arts center, how many o

them are going to go out to dinner?How many are going to come in rom

out o town? And stay at a hotel?

DS: Its such an incubator, and some

people dont realize the value oit. Well, were getting there. Whats

thrilling to me is to see a lot o the

things we brought to the table duringthe Cultural Plan the Gaines Street

art district, the ilm estival, housingor artists its all coming to ruition,

even as we speak.

MS: Isnt it un to come up with an idea,

and the next thing you know, a ew

years later, its real. It happens!

DS: A lot o that is due in no smallpart to your leadership.

MS: Well, Im only part o it. But I keepdriving at it. Because i the push is

coming rom a businessperson whohas built businesses bought, sold,

developed, employed a lot o people,and understands those things then it

has some more credibility. And I think

thats been my role.

DS: Well, youve done a great job with it.

MS: Thank you. Ive enjoyed it. I hope

somebody remembers me ten orfteen years rom now, when Im

just an old guy, tottering around the

community.

DS: Still playing Irish songs.

MS: Exactly.

CONTINUED

CapitalCultureMagazine www.morethanyouthought.com November/December 2007 | 17

Just One More: December 8

Downtown Marketplace, 224-3252,www.tallahasseedowntown.com.

Did you miss the opportunity all summerto buy your presents at the DowntownMarketplace? Well have no ear. OnDecember 8, just in time or your git

buying renzy comesJust One More:

A Holiday Invitational Arts Festival. Thisencore art estival celebrates the talent o

more than 70 hand-selected artists andcratspeople. Named one o the South-

east Tourism Societys top 20 events inthe Southeast USA in 2003,Just One More

gets bigger and better every year. Whileyoure shopping, you can also enjoy live

entertainment, book signings, kids art

projects, and delicious oods.

12 Days of Shopping:

December 10 21Railroad Square Art Park, 224-1308,www.railroadsquare.com.

Starting December 10, the shops, studiosand galleries oRailroad Square ArtParkwill abandon their normal Wednes-

day to Saturday schedule and stayopen or twelve straight days o holiday

shopping. This is the 3rd annual 12 Daysof Shoppingevent at the Art Park, which

eatures art, ine crat, home urnishings,knitting supplies, vintage goods, and

more. Tana McLane, co-owner o thenew Humidity Gallerythinks that there

is something or everyone at Railroad

Square. This is where youre going toind really original stu, created locally or

regionally, says McLane. Dierent shopsand studios have dierent points o view.

Some carry very accessible and aord-able objects and wearables, and some

carry high end ine crats and art.A daily list o whos open will be pub-

lished and available at the ront entrance

to the park. Or just circle the Square and

discover hidden treasures within.

Sheridan Interview(continued from page 6)

Holiday Guide(continued from page 9)


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PROFILES IN THE ARTS

BARBARA ALEENE EDWARDSCapital Cultures profiled artists are selected from the many visual, performing, literary, and media artists featured on COCAs online Artist Directory. Listings in

the Artist Directory are free, with enhanced listings available for COCA members. Visit the Directory online at www.cocanet.org.

ArtIsDIrecto

BARBARA ALEENE EDWARDS

Barbara Edwards work will make you look at least twice. Her hand-colored inrared photographs combine the realism o landscapes and

architectural details with the unreality o exaggerated color. When she hand-colors her black and white photos with oils, shes not restricte

to the colors in the actual scene: she has the reedom to make anything any color she wants, and oten does.

Though Edwards requently photographs her native Florida and has had exhibitions in Tallahassee, Gainesville, and St. Augustine, her

inuence is much greater. She has shown her work in Colorado, Las Vegas, New York, Los Angeles, and more.

Edwards has also been teaching photography at Tallahassee Community College since 1984. I love teaching, she says. Its exciting to

witness the ow o creative juices in my students and see what abulous images they make.

Someday she plans to retire rom teaching and devote long periods o time to her darkroom and her frst love, traditional black and wh

photography. In the meantime, she is available locally or weddings and hand-colored childrens portraiture.

Self-portrait of BarAleene Edwards.

at the artists stuOctober 2

To see more of Barbara Edwwork, visit her web si

www.barbaraedwardsphoto.or see her newest digital imag

www.neoimages


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Capital Culture Magazine: Winter 2008

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Transcript of Capital Culture Magazine: Winter 2008