Adam Rapp's "The Edge of Our Bodies" is the final play of the season for the Mosaic Theatre in Plantation. The play was a tremendous hit at this year's Humana Festival andpresents the story of Bernadette, sixteen, on the train from her New England private school to New York City to give her boyfriend some big news. Achingly articulate about all she can't know or control, this play captures a young woman at the threshold of vulnerability and experience.
Bernadette is played by Lexi Langs, herself not much older than the character, which makes th shocking moments all the more shocking. The play is clearly as challenging for the young performer as it is for the audience, but it is a rie we all convincingly take together. And as with most of the Mosaic productions, it shouldn't be missed.
We had a chance to sit with Lexi and talk about her role and the why this one woman show was a part she knew she wanted to play.
Event to raise awareness and research funding for invisible illnesses and those living in chronic pain.
When 28-year-old Nova Southeastern University (NSU) student Renee Glick exits her car after parking in a handicapped spot, she is often met with cries of “you should be ashamed!”
Young and fashion-savvy, Glick may look like the picture of health. However, looks can be deceiving. Glick, and more than 116 million other Americans, live each day in potentially debilitating pain.
That’s why the doctoral student and her graduate student organization NSPIRE in NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies is mobilizing students across the campus to organize the first-ever “Power Over Pain Walk” in conjunction with the university’s annual free “CommunityFest” carnival on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at 10 a.m.
Glick has suffered from spinal nerve damage and the invisible illness of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) since 2006 as a consequence of sustaining multiple accident related injuries and corrective surgeries, which were due to a careless driver. After being rushed to the hospital, Glick survived, but her life was never the same, as CRPS pain can surpass digit amputation. Now Glick is on a mission to shed light on the invisible world of those suffering from chronic pain in silence.
“Pain is a topic avoided by most people; as if recognizing the existence of pain makes it contagious,” Glick said. “I’m a pain warrior and encourage other people in the pain community to speak up.”
Paul Gileno, Founder of U.S. Pain Foundation, said the goal of “Power Over Pain Walk & CommunityFest,” sponsored by NSU, the U.S. Pain Foundation, and the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association, is to raise awareness about individuals living in chronic pain, provide funding for pain research and education, and start a much-needed dialogue between pain warriors and the community.
The Power Over Pain Walk on Saturday, Feb. 11 starts at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Viewing stations and tents will be set up along the path for supporters to watch and sponsors to distribute water and care packages. Walkers also receive entry to NSU’s 9th Annual CommunityFest, an official walk T- Shirt and the opportunity to support a great cause.
Walkers will also be making strides toward healing, and be treated to gourmet cuisine from local restaurants, enjoy rides, entertainment, and all the festivities of CommunityFest.
“I have learned to respect my limitations, not apologize for requiring help, to approach challenges with ingenuity, and most importantly to take back my voice,” Glick said. “Although I would give anything to have been unscathed by the accident, I am grateful for finding life purpose amidst the ruins.”
WHO: Pain Warrior Renee Glick, Nova Southeastern University, U.S. Pain Foundation, and the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association WHAT: “Power Over Pain Walk & CommunityFest,” a pain-awareness event and carnival WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, registration at 8 a.m. walk begins at 10 a.m. WHERE: Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue in Davie, Fla.
For more information, please visit www.poweroverpainwalk.com.
About Nova Southeastern University: Located in Davie, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited Florida University dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs of distinction from preschool through the professional and doctoral levels. NSU has more than 28,000 students and is the eighth largest not-for-profit independent institution nationally. The University awards associate’s, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including business, counseling, computer and information sciences, education, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, dentistry, various health professions, law, marine sciences, early childhood, psychology and other social sciences. Classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, NSU was also awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification in 2010 for the University’s significant commitment to and demonstration of community engagement. For more information about NSU visit www.nova.edu.
From the Museum of Art: Fort Lauderdale Primordial: Paintings and Sculpture by Isabel De Obaldía, 1985 - 2011
Demons, gods and beasts are the subjects of this mid-career retrospective of the work of Panama-based artist Isabel De Obaldía, who places herself in the long line of modern ‘primitive’ artists – from Paul Gauguin to Diego Rivera – who explore the art of ancient cultures. In De Obaldía’s case, her work is inspired by the simplicity and power of pre-Columbian art, examples of which are included in this installation. Incorporating symbols from ancient Panamanian and Colombian art, De Obaldía’s glass sculptures are individually kiln cast, infused with color and their surfaces hand-ground and engraved to confer a semblance of antiquity. Grace Glueck of The New York Times has written of her sculptures that they “glow with a gentle translucence that gives them a presence more spectral than physical.”
Born in 1957 in Washington, D.C., De Obaldía was raised in Panama, where her father, Guillermo Trujillo, is a celebrated painter. She studied architecture at the University of Panama and drawing at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. She received her B.F.A. in graphic design and cinematography from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1979 before continuing her studies at the Art Students League in New York City. Since 1987, she has worked with glass at the world-renowned Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, where she is a member of the International Council. De Obaldía currently lives and works in Panama City.
Primordial: Paintings and Sculpture by Isabel De Obaldía, 1985 – 2011 is organized by the Museum of Art I Fort Lauderdale in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Studio Glass Movement, which came to life on the grounds of the Toledo Museum of Art in 1961. Begun by ceramicist Harvey Littleton and chemist Dominick Labino, the Movement led to the formation of glass schools and studios located across the country, with significant concentrations of art glass production in and near Seattle, Washington. The nearby Pilchuck Glass School, where De Obaldía learned glass casting and engraving, has become a mecca for glass artists from all over the world. With an emphasis on the artist as the creator of one-of-a-kind objects in glass, the Studio Glass Movement has expanded the language of art to include glass making and provided new outlets for contemporary artists and glass to come together.
On July 4th, the City of Fort Lauderdale marked the anniversary of the 1961 "Wade-In" by cutting the ribbon on the former home of Eula Johnson, an organizer of the the 1961 event and a civil rights pioneer in Broward County. Johnson’s newly renovated former home, at 1100 NW Sixth St. will now serve as the offices of the local NAACP chapter.
On July 4th, 2011, as part of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Centennial Celebration, a ceremony was held to unveil the historic marker dedicated to the “Wade-In” held 50 years early to the day on the formerly segregated beach at Fort Lauderdale.
The Commemoration, moderated by Ft. Lauderdale Vice Mayor Bobby B. Dubose, began with an Invocation by Rev. Willie J. Cook of Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church. Following remarks by Ft. Lauderdale Mayor, John “Jack” Seiler, the Keynote Address was given by W. George Allen, Esq. and soloist Gayle Keaton performed “Wade In The Water.”
A presentation was made by the City of Fort Lauderdale and the local chapter of the NAACP to the families of Eula Johnson and Dr. Von D. Mizell, soloist Gayle Keaton lead the assembly in “Lift Every Voice And Sing” followed by remarks by Marsha Ellison, President of the NAACP, Ft. Lauderdale Branch.
The Benediction was delivered by Pastor Scott, then everyone crossed A1A to unveil the marker and re-enact the “Wade-In” on Ft. Lauderdale Beach.
Just a teenager in 1961, Lorraine Mizell participated in a peaceful protest on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. The "Wade Ins" as they became known, were organized by her Uncle, Dr. Von D. Mizell and Eula Johnson and they set in motion a series of protests and court orders which eventually led to the integration of Broward County beaches.
July 4th 2011 will mark the 50th anniversary of the event and as part of the Centennial celebration of the City of Fort Lauderdale, an Historical Marker will be placed at Las Olas Boulevard and the beach to commemorate this event.
We accompanied the Sun-Sentinel's Senior Editorial Writer, Doug Lyons, when he spoke with Ms. Mizell at Ivory's Restaurant on Sistrunk Boulevard as she reflected on her memories of that day.
Jennifer Grant, the daughter of Hollywood Icon Cary Grant and actress Dyan Cannon, paid a visit to Cinema Paradiso in Ft. Lauderdale to talk about her new book, "Good Stuff," a biography of her life with her famous father.
This past week, we've had some shining examples of High School Arts programs in Broward County making a difference in the lives of the students and the community as well.
Here are some excerpts from the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, which saw the Dillard Center for the Arts take home First Prize.
And from the world of Theatre, some stand out performances from the 2011 Cappies.
Three high school jazz bands took top honors tonight in Jazz at Lincoln Center's 16th Annual Essentially EllingtonHigh School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. Each band was chosen by a panel of judges composed of distinguished jazz musicians and historians - Jazz at Lincoln Center's Artistic Director WYNTON MARSALIS; composer, conductor, and Ellington authority DAVID BERGER; composer and arranger RICH DEROSA; trombonist, educator, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra memberVINCENT GARDNER, and drummer and big band leaderJEFF HAMILTON- from among the 15 finalist bands that came to the Competition & Festival in New York City. Competition performances of all the bands were streamed live and can be seen at jalc.org/essentiallyellington from Monday, May 16th through Saturday, May 21st.
The Children’s Services Council of Broward held its 2nd Earth day celebration on Saturday, April 30. The goal of the celebration is to help the community to understand the values of recycling and sustainability.
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