Impromp2, The Community Blog

uVu's Highlighted Video

Conversation: Caroll Spinney, the Man Inside Big Bird

Caroll Spinney, who has played Big Bird since Sesame Street's inception, is captured in a rare photograph in the New Yorker, wearing just the legs of his famous yellow costume. Back in 1970, after Look magazine carried a photo of Spinney sticking his face out between the body and head, Muppets creator Jim Henson told him, “Don’t let that ever happen again. You’re either bird or you, but no in between.” As for his future as Big Bird: "I’ve done 40 years and, unless I have a bad surprise, my ultimate goal would be to play this 6-year-old bird for 50 years. Whether that’s possible, only Lord knows."

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KING FAMILY December on WPBT2

Join 39 members of the musical King family — Grammy©-nominated big band greats the Fabulous King Sisters, legendary guitar virtuoso Alvino Rey, ‘60s sweetheart Tina Cole (My Three Sons) & the King Cousins plus film favorite Robert Clarke and all the King kiddies — as these legendary entertainers serve up a big dose of seasonal cheer in CHRISTMAS WITH THE KING FAMILY, an ultimate compilation of classic musical moments from their dazzling Christmas specials.

Veteran's Day - American Hero

Brigadier General Albin Irzyk is an american hero and veteran of two wars.  Irzyk served under General Patton during the Battle of the Bulge and was responsible for helping liberate Belgium civilians during WW II.

In September of 2009, 65 years after he helped liberate Chaumont, a park was named in his honor.

You can read about that ceremony by visiting this site:
http://users.skynet.be/wielewaal/General_Albin_Irzyk.htm

In these clips, uVu had a chance to sit with General Irzyk and hear about his travels to Europe for the ceremony.

In the town of Voellerdingen, General Irzyk met the daughter of a man who had saved his life 65 year's earlier.

The Armory Art Center’s Annual Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Call for entries

Open to all craft media focusing on the theme of fun, wild ‘n wacky teapots, sugar & creamers, tea cups,

sandwich plates, spoons, forks, knives and cake platters. The crazier the better!

 

The Armory Art Center will hold The Annual Mad Hatter’s Luncheon.  The fifth annual event will be at Club Colette March 2, 2010 at 11:59 a.m., sharp!  The Alice-in-Wonderland-themed tea party, was rated by the Palm Beach Post’s Thom Smith as “Palm Beach’s Best Luncheon Event.” Guests will bid on a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind handmade teapots crafted by local and national artists.

 

The money raised benefits Artist-in-Residence programs in ceramics, painting and drawing, sculpture, printmaking and jewelry. As a result of funding raised by this event, the Armory Art Center is able to offer artists from all over the country and beyond an opportunity to be a part of the Armory’s programming. The artists-in-residence work at the Armory Art Center for one year to evolve their portfolios. At the same time, the artists teach Armory students and learn from Armory faculty. Proceeds also benefit the faculty artist programming.

 

The Armory Art Center is a not-for-profit community-based visual arts center providing opportunities for individual growth, self-expression, increased awareness and appreciation of the arts through participation in studio, exhibition, lecture and other educational programs. For more information on the Armory Art Center or for tickets to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, please call 561.832.1776 ext. 15 or visit the Armory’s website at www.armoryart.org. 

Do You Haiku?

Contest Solicits Short Verse on Public Funding for the Arts

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the University of Wynwood are launching a haiku contest to bring out both the inner poet and critic in Miami-Dade residents.

Traditionally, the Japanese verse form invokes the natural world. The contest, though, seeks to address a more localized topic: the Miami-Dade County Commission’s review of public arts funding.

Entries can be political and provocative or whimsical and kindhearted - there’s no limitation to approach. The goal of the contest is to provide a canvas of opinion on the arts in Miami, in addition to promoting creativity and a fun, interactive medium for public expression. The only thing the judges will be taking seriously is the effectiveness of the haiku.

Entries will be accepted through Nov. 21 at www.KnightArts.org. Click the “Do You Haiku?” tab.

Remember:

At KnightArts.org,
it's raining cash for poets
who can pen haiku.

What: Haiku contest

Theme: Miami-Dade County Commission’s recent arts funding discussion.

Submission Period: Through Nov. 21, 2009 (Late entries will not be considered).

Eligible Applicants: Miami-Dade residents. No previous haiku experience necessary.

Prizes: First prize is $500, Second price is $250 and five others will receive honorable mention and $100.

Rules: All haiku should be in the traditional format of 5-7-5: five syllables for the first line, seven for the second and five for the third. Rhyme is not a requirement. Submit as many as you like, as many times as you like during the submission period. All entries will be reviewed anonymously by a panel of judges.

The Haiku Contest is a part of Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge, a $40 million initiative to bring the South Florida community together through the arts. More at Knight Arts.org.

Liza With a Zing

In this highlight from her new special, LIZA'S AT THE PALACE.... this clip captures the powerhouse entertainer Liza Minnelli at the peak of her form, performing her legendary hits at the Hollywood Theatre in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand hotel. Coming to Las Vegas after a triumphant New York run (which played for five sold-out weeks and won a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event), the show features material performed on Broadway, including "New York, New York," "Maybe This Time," "Teach Me Tonight" and the "Palace Medley." Minnelli also performs a show-stopping, affectionate tribute to her godmother, the late Kay Thompson -- a groundbreaking singer-dancer, songwriter, vocal arranger and musical director / vocal coach at MGM Studios. Minnelli is joined on the program by her Broadway co-star and musical director, the talented pianist, singer and composer Billy Stritch.

Look for the program on WPBT2 in late November

FREE Sound Financial Advice from NSU

Experts on “Surviving the Holidays with Healthy Finances” Mini-Workshops

 

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center is hosting two “Sound Financial Advice to Survive the Holidays” mini-workshops, with economic experts from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship.

 

Reduce monetary stress during this year’s holiday season by joining finance professor Albert Williams, Ph.D., and taxation professor Michael Hoffman, D.B.A., who will present two mini-workshops on:

• Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

Topics at each presentation include:

• Money Matters: How to keep track of your money and budgeting
• Pay Yourself First: Savings goals
• Charge It Right: Make credit cards work for you

 

No prior knowledge is necessary to get the most out of these informative afternoons. Williams and Hoffman will share their money expertise in a down-to-earth style to help you manage your cash wisely for the upcoming holidays and for life beyond the festive season.

 

All programs will be held at the Alvin Sherman Library on NSU’s main campus, at 3301 College Ave. in Davie.

 

The mini-workshops are FREE and open to the public, but space is limited so sign up early by visiting www.nova.edu/library/main or calling 954-262-5477.

 

Creative Writing Contest for Students

Jewish Museum of Florida Announces

"A Military Portrait" Creative Writing Contest for Students

Submission deadline: January 8, 2010


This contest supplements the Jewish Museum of Florida's upcoming exhibit, Florida Jews in the Military, on display from February 23 - September 12, 2010. Throughout history, many people in the military have distinguished themselves by responding to challenges with bravery, selflessness and vision. Some of these outstanding individuals are well known, while others may be relatively unknown. This exhibit explores the sacrifices and accomplishments of Florida's Jews in every conflict from the Seminole Wars to the World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and the battles of the 21st century. It will present real-life examples of ordinary men and women and honor their life experiences, including displays of courage, dedication, responsibility, patriotism, pride and good decision-making skills -- all true foundations for both exemplary military service and citizenship. While serving, many maintained the traditions of their heritage even when it was difficult to do so. This exhibit will present role models for students of all ages and cultures.

Contest & Criteria: We invite students to submit an essay that focuses on the accomplishments of someone they know or have researched who has served in the military.

THE BOTANY OF DESIRE

Wednesday, October 28 at 8 p.m.

Every schoolchild learns about the mutually beneficial dance of honeybees and flowers. What if people and domesticated plants have a similar relationship. Featuring Michael Pollan and based on his best-selling book, this special takes viewers on an eye-opening exploration of the human relationship with the plant world--seen from the plants' point of view. Narrated by Frances McDormand, the program shows how four familiar species--the apple, the tulip, marijuana and the potato--evolved to satisfy our yearnings for sweetness, beauty, intoxication and control.

REPAIRING AMERICAN HEALTHCARE

Tuesday, October 27 at 8 p.m.

Congress has been debating how to reform healthcare for months but as it happens with politics, sometimes special interests or general politicking get in the way of exploring the real root of the issues. Repairing American Healthcare will utilize a seminar format, in which guests will be using based upon different scenarios. Guests include Jogn Rock, M.D., Joseph Rogers, Linda Quick, Penny Shaffer, Ph.D., Robin Fiore, Ph.D., Steven Ullmann, Ph.D.