Official uVu Blog

Nilo Cruz - Creating Worlds

 Playwright and educator Nilo Cruz spoke to New World School of the Arts students in October as part of the Make Art Work (MAW) lecture series.   Cruz delivered an inspirational talk, urging students to take advantage of their educational opportunities and providing a framework for success.  While he cautioned against the expectation of fame or wealth when pursuing a career in playwriting, Cruz spoke of compensation that he described as of greater and longer lasting value – the power to connect with the audience and “help them see the world in a different light.”  Cruz then performed a scene from his Pulitzer award-winning play Anna and the Tropics, allowing the students the experience of entering that world.  Cruz finished the event with a question and answer session that continued through the afternoon as he spoke individually with students, providing guidance and encouragement. 

Watch the video here

Stars and Wishes

 For the 17th consecutive year, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida offered local sports fans a magical night to get up close with their heroes at Sports * Stars * Wishes . . . The Make-A-Wish Ultimate Sports Extravaganza & Auction.  Players, coaches, executives, and alumni from the Miami HEAT, Florida Marlins, Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, and the University of Miami Hurricanes attended the unique event along with featured guest - the legendary Miami Dolphins head coach and Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. Look for the video on uVu soon.

But by far the stars of the evening were "Wish-kids" Marina Diez, who worked the Red Carpet at the evenings event and Jonathan Rios, an aspiring musician who entertained on piano during the cocktail reception.

 The star-studded fundraiser was held on Thursday, February 25 at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood. This year's theme is "Every Child Deserves to Wish."  

Athletes and South Florida sports figures mingled with fans throughout the evening, taking turns auctioning high-end items, one-of-a-kind experiences (such as two tickets to the 2011 Super Bowl to be played at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, Texas), trips, entertainment and jewelry.

Host Tony Segreto joined Shula on the sports auction celebrity roster along with  Miami HEAT Head Coach Erik Spoelstra, Miami Dolphins Quarterback Chad Henne, former Miami HEAT Guard Tim Hardaway and NESN broadcaster Heidi Watney, just to name a few of attendees.  

Proceeds from the sports auction go toward granting the wishes of local children who have life-threatening medical conditions.  To date, this event has raised more than $3.5 million, enough to make dreams come true for 820 children in South Florida.

"We are a life-affirming organization that seeks to bring the power of a wish to every eligible child in our region," said Make-A-Wish Foundation President/CEO Norm Wedderburn.  "The ultimate sports extravaganza and auction is one of our largest annual fundraisers and provides the resources to reintroduce happiness to sick children and their families." 

 Each year, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida (www.sfla.wish.org), the 4th largest wish-granting chapter in the world, fulfills the wishes of more than 500 children in 13 South Florida counties.  With $5,000 the average cost of a wish, the nonprofit organization relies on fundraisers, corporate support, and donations from the public to bring hope, strength, and joy to families who need it most.

Steichen a Pose

This is where you can find the uVu team tomorrow. 

The internationally renowned exhibition Edward Steichen: In High Fashion the Condé Nast Years, 1923-1937 will make its debut in Florida at the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University on February 26 through April 11, 2010. The exhibition features over two hundred of Steichen’s celebrity and fashion portraiture made while he served as chief photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair magazines between 1923 and 1937.  His influence is felt in the field to this day.

 

Steichen’s portraits of icons include Joan Crawford, Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Amelia Earhart, Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire, Loretta Young, Martha Graham, Gloria Swanson, Dorothy Parker.

 

“Edward Steichen produced a body of work of unequalled brilliance.  He revolutionized fashion photography, and pioneered a new visual language of glamour, profoundly shaping the look of celebrity and fashion to this day” said Irvin Lippman, Executive Director of the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale. 

 

The exhibition is organized by the Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne, and the Foundation for the Exhibition of Photography, Minneapolis, in conjunction with the International Center of Photography (ICP). It opened in New York City at ICP in early 2009, and has since been shown throughout Europe.

 

Fashion designer Ivonne de la Vega has created a gown inspired by Steichen's photographs of high fashion.  It will be on view during the exhibition and sold as a benefit for the Museum of Art.

Watch the Dalai Lama's Day at NSU

 It was an exhausting day at NOVA Southeastern University yesterday as uVu prepared to record  His Holiness the Dalai Lama's two presentations with a short press conference sandwiched in between.
At nearly 75, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, managed to keep up the pace, with unfailing wit and humor, despite the heavy schedule.
His morning presentation on "Universal Responsibility" was delivered to students, staff and faculty from NSU and Broward College and began with His Holiness receiving an honorary Baccalaureate Degree from BC.
In the afternoon, he spoke about "The Effect of Compassion on the Global Community" and throughout the day seemed more eager to answer questions than to deliver his own addresses.
The questions ranged from the bizarre ("What does he do for fun on a visit to Florida?") to the benign ("What did he think of the competitive spirit of the Winter Olympics?") to the obvious (he was asked about the greatest influence in his live at all three session).

But there is no need to recap, you can watch all the proceedings on our website, uVu and hear from the Dalai Lama in his own words.

A footnote, Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be speaking later this week at NSU as they conclude an amazing month of events (Look for that video early next week).

Backstage at the Caldwell - The Old Man and The Sea

The Caldwell Theatre Company's latest production is based on the Hemingway short novel, The Old Man and The Sea.
This is the South Florida premiere for the play and only the second time it is being presented anywhere.  Adapting the introspective work of Hemingway for the stage is a difficult task especially when one of the main "characters" in the production is the sea itself.  Lighting and sound design play an integral role as Artistic Director Clive Cholerton and Lighting designer Tom Salzman explain.

As promised, here are some thoughts from the creative team as well as a few moments for the actual production which runs through the end of March.

The Sea Was Angry That Day, My Friend

Spent a little time with the cast and crew of "The Old Man and The Sea" opening this week at the Caldwell Theatre in Boca Raton.  Really impressive job with the lighting as they interpret the Hemingway classic for the stage.  Here are some pictures, look for the video on uVu later this week.

 
  

Another Opening

It is time again for an annual Spring tradition in Miami, an energy-packed, one-of-a-kind performance, that highlights the extraordinary talent of students from New World School of the Arts, the 2010 Rising Stars Showcase.

For the first the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, in downtown Miami, will host this exhilarating show, an array of captivating excerpts, of works performed during the school year by the dance, music, and theater divisions.

Hear the exuberant sounds of the symphony orchestra and sway to the stirring tunes of the Jazz ensemble. Be awed by the thrill of theater and timeless musicals we have all come to love. And experience the magic of ballet productions coupled with cutting-edge modern dance interpretations.

You can watch some highlights from previous years on uVu and for more information on the 2010 program, visit here.

Vote for uVu in the BOB Awards!

The uVu blog is nominated in two categories for the Sun Sentinel Best of Blogs Awards: News and Politics. So be sure to vote for us by clicking the image below!

Carbonell Nominees Announced

The 34th Annual Carbonell Award nominees have been announced and now we eagerly await the announcement of the this year's winners on April 12 at a ceremony to be held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (find a complete list of nominees here).

In the meantime, we whet your appetite by presenting some video from Vices: A Love Story, the second most nominated show this season.  the uVu team had a chance to meet some of the cast and creative team behind this production at the Caldwell Theatre earlier this year, and we wish good luck to all the nominees.

You can see more video from Vices here

Carbonell Award Nominees: Holly Shunkey and Marcus Bellamy

Miami Today Profile - Carol Damian

 A little more than a year after its opening, the new Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum’s Director Carol Damian said there’s lots to be proud of but also lots to do.
Ms. Damian, who served as chair of Florida International University’s Art and Art History Department and as curator of the museum’s permanent collection before taking over the top spot, said the first year has taught her what she can use the museum’s nine galleries for also what the 46,000-square-foot building needs.
Among them are endowments supporting educational and curatorial initiatives and more staff. Lots more staff
But as the year’s move on, Ms. Damian said one of her best resources is the university and the fact that she has students to educate and colleagues that can bring her up to speed on nearly any topic.
Ms. Damian discussed her plans for one of FIU’s cultural gems with Miami Today Staff Writer Zachary S. Fagenson.