Official uVu Blog

Red Carpet Highlights

A last look at some of the hoopla from last week's Carbonell Awards as we met some nominees on the Red Carpet.

 

 

Share a Cup of Kotb

She has traveled the globe as an international correspondent, warmed the hearts of viewers with her breast cancer battle and told her life story in a New York Times bestseller.

Hoda Kotb (part 1) Forum Club of the Palm Beaches

Hoda Kotb (part 2) Forum Club of the Palm Beaches

Meet NBC's Hoda Kotb.  You can catch her daily "dishing the dish" with Kathie Lee Gifford as part of the extended "Today" show.  After all, girls DO just want to have fun, cocktails in hand, while they take a look at the lighter side of life.  But don't be fooled. There's a lot more behind the woman who has covered everything from war-torn Burma to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.


Kotb, who has been with NBC since 1998, is the author of Hoda:  How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee.

She has covered a wide variety of domestic and international stories for NBC as well as numerous human-interest stories and features.  She co-anchored an MSNBC special on race, “Shades of Hope … Shadows of Hate” which was reported from Birmingham, Alabama at the former site of a Klan bombing. In Burma, Kotb was led by rebel soldiers to report the story on 12-year-old twin warriors who were said to have mystical powers.

Cover To Cover

The Record: Contemporary Art and Vinyl is on view at MAM from March 18 – June 10, 2012.

 For many people, record covers have the capacity to trigger memories and convey emotion in the most personal way, making them significant not only as tangible connections to music, but for some, as a first encounter with visual art. Cover to Cover is an installation in The Record: Contemporary Art and Vinyl in which artists were commissioned to create an artwork by selecting twenty LP records based on cover visuals.

Miami Art Museum asked Miami-based collectors to choose four records from their own collections that are both personally meaningful and visually compelling. Hear their selections at MAM, during The Record: Contemporary Art and Vinyl, on view March 18 – June 10, 2012.


For more information, visit miamiartmuseum.org.
 

DJ Le Spam

 

Emile Milgrim

 

 

The Record: Contemporary Art and Vinyl was organized by the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University and is curated by Trevor Schoonmaker, Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Curator of Contemporary Art.
 

The Record: Contemporary Art and Vinyl is made possible by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Major support is provided by Marilyn M. Arthur, the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, Duke University's Council for the Arts, the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, Charles Weinraub and Emily Kass, E. Blake Byrne, Barbra and Andrew Rothschild, Christen and Derek Wilson, and the Graduate Liberal Studies program at Duke University. This program is supported in part, by public funds from the Netherlands Cultural Services. Additional support is provided by Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Allen, Catherine Karmel, Peggy and John Murray, Francine and Benson Pilloff, Caroline and Arthur Rogers, Olympia Stone and Sims Preston, Angela O. Terry, Richard Tigner, Nancy Palmer Wardropper, Peter Lange and Lori Leachman, Lauren and Neill Goslin, and Merge Records.


The Miami presentation is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of its Knight Arts Challenge. Additional support is provided by DJ Le Spam, JW Marriott Marquis, Ocean Drive Magazine, Scratch Academy, Smirnoff, Société Perrier, Stanton, Winter Music Conference, The Workshop, WPBT Channel 2 and WVUM-FM. The official cultural partners for The Record are: Grand Central, Lester’s, Rhythm Foundation and Sweat Records.

Student Accident Survivor Organizes “Power Over Pain” Walk

Part of NSU’s CommunityFest on Feb. 11

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.

Frank Brogan at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches

State UniversityChancellor Frank T. Brogan tackled the issue of revamping Florida’s university system when he addressed the Forum Club Dec. 12.  Gov. Rick Scott has called for state colleges and universities to be on the front line of his fight to create more jobs.

Brogan is a former Florida lieutenant governor and a past president of Florida Atlantic University.

Frank Brogan began his career as a classroom teacher before serving as a dean of students, assistant principal, principal, superintendent and finally Florida’s Commissioner of Education.  He was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1998 and re-elected in 2002.A year later, he was selected to be president of Florida Atlantic University, a position he held until 2009 when the Board of Governors of the State University System unanimously chose him to serve as Chancellor of Florida’s public universities.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

Paintings & Sculptures: Isabel De Obaldia

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.

3 Minutes with Juliet Eilperin

uVu begins a new feature, 3 Minutes With, and we kick it off with one of our favorite pundits.

Long time viewers of Washington Week will remember Juliet Eilperin as a frequent guest on that program, but her work for the Washington Post on the environmental beat opened the door on a chance to write a book on sharks.  "Demon Fish" is the result and we had a chance to sit down with Ms. Eilperin before she spoke at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art.

 

Watching Florida's Finances

What takes place in Washington doesn’t stay in Washington.  Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater talked about the federal debt crisis’ impact on Florida as well as Florida’s own financial condition when he addresses the Forum Club Sept. 12.

The event was a homecoming of sort for the fifth-generation Floridian and former North Palm Beach resident and Florida Senate President.  

Atwater, a Republican, began his legislative career as a member of the Florida House of Representatives in 2000.  Two years later, he ran for and was elected to the Florida Senate, representing a constituency that included parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties.  After chairing high profile Senate committees, Atwater served as Senate President from 2008-2010.

As a community banker for more than 25 years, his background provides him with unique insights in banking, insurance, finance and fiscal responsibility.  He has served on boards for the United Way of Palm Beach County, Boy Scouts of America, Children’s Home Society of Broward, 5-Star Magnet Program of Palm Beach Gardens High School, Roger Dean Stadium Northern Palm Beaches Chamber of Commerce.

PART 1

PART 2

Tarell Alvin McCraney

Tarell Alvin McCraney is a playwright making a homecoming of sorts and as homecomings go, this one is triumphant.
Splitting his early years between Homestead and Liberty City has given him a Miami-centric perspective and the fact that he has never learned to drive has forced him to view his hometown at a speed and pace most natives never have.
He may not drive but he has learned to soar.  His travels have taken him from the New World School of the Arts, to DePaul and Yale.  He has recently finished a stint as the RSC/Warwick International Playwright in Residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company and in April of 2010 he became a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble.
His series of "Brother/Sister" plays have been staged at the Public Theatre among other places and one of those plays, "The Brothers Size" has brought him back to Miami as he directs the Miami debut at the GableStage starting September 3, 2011. The play was awarded the first annual New York Times Playwright Award in 2009.
We had a few minutes to speak with Mr. McCraney before a rehearsal and had a chance to get this thoughts on aspirations for Theatre in Miami, his early influences and his thoughts on the Miami Transit Authority.

 

See other clips with Tarell Alvin McCraney here.

 

camera obscura

Edgar Mitchell traveled to the Moon aboard Apollo 14. After that 1971 journey, Mitchell took home a movie camera from the mission. He recently tried to auction it, but the space agency sued. Mitchell's lawyer says the camera was a gift, and in any event, NASA waited too long to ask for it back.

Here you can read a transcript of his interview on NPR regarding this.  We had a chance to meet Edgar Mitchell last year and discuss among other things, his path to Apollo and his development of the study he calle Noetic Sciences.