845-887-3156 debra@debracortese.com

Arts At St Johns Season Showcase Oct 24th 7pm

by | Oct 23, 2009 | ART, art business, General optimism, Miami Beach, nature's energy

An eclectic array of talent, refreshments, live performances, all genres of music and entertainment come together in celebration of 10 years of artistic excellence that Arts At St Johns has presented to the Miami communities!

photo: Nimby Cirque

Join us tomorrow night (Oct. 24th, 2009) at 7 pm at St. John’s on the Lake, 4760 Pinetree Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140.
(Save $5.00 when you purchase your ticket online at http://www.artsatstjohns.com ) Tickets $20 at the door.

photo: Nydia Noriega

David Kingery, Artistic Director of ASJ, once again presents a fabulous lineup of Miami’s most talented performers, musicians, comedians, artists and a few surprises! There will be performances by: Raymond Yanez, Nydia Noriega, Kristen Long, Rachel Faro, Rachel Currea, Charmille Wlters, Geoffrey Philp, Mo Morgen, Madafo, Kiki Sanchez, Stuart King, Nimby Cirque, Deborah Weed, Paula Turk, Debra Cortese and more!

David Kingery, Artistic Director, Arts at St Johns

Join us tomorrow night (Oct. 24th, 2009) at 7 pm at St. John’s on the Lake, 4760 Pinetree Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140.
(Save $5.00 when you purchase your ticket online at http://www.artsatstjohns.com ) Tickets $20 at the door.

In case you’re new to South Florida or have just missed some of the greatest art and entertainment in Miami, here’s a list the many talented artists, performers and events sponsored by Arts At St Johns over the past 10 years:

1999-PRESENT

ARTISTIC INSTRUCTORS/TEACHERS
Charmille Walters
David Kingery
Dena Stewart
Margaret Ledford
Mindy Diamond
Michael Donnell
Susan Hamilton
Tiffany Madera

CLASSICAL and PRE-MODERN MUSIC
A.K. Khaw
Bach Society – Univ. of Miami Baroque Ensemble
Carl Landerman
Chung Park
David Hertzberg
Florida Grand Opera – Young artists
Generica
Greater Miami Youth Symphony
L’Opera Nostra
Maria Letona
Melissa Lesniak
New World Symphony – young artists
Paul Schwab, organist
Project Copernicus
Rachel Currea, Pianist
Ramos de Flores
South Beach Chamber Ensemble
Stephen Danyew
Vicki Richards
Walt Strony, organist

DANCE, CHOREOGRAPHERS, MOVEMENT
Aireen’s Oriental Dance Ensemble
Ana Miranda
Anais Alvarez
Ashley Herrera
Charmille Walters
Corina Fitch, Takada Womens Ensemble
Cristina Vidal
Dalia Carella Dance Collective
Dance Now!
Decipher Ancirema – Latin rock dancer
Dena Glazer
Elisa Silverstein & Brendon Russert
Habibi Project
Hanan Arts Cooperative
Harmonic Motion
Jorge Mendez
Kamaria Dailey
Lucky Bruno
Madhavi Menon & Meenakshi Menon
Nancy Andrade
Obini Odara – dance & drumming troupe
Paul Tei
Roxy’s Performing Arts Center Artists
Shirley Julien
Teo Castellanos -D Projects
Tiffany Madera
Unidos de Florida Samba School
Urban Disturbance

FASHION DESIGNERS & SHOWS
Griselle Gaudnik – “art to wear” fashion show
Krelwear
MarketPlace India

FILMMAKERS
Giovanni Savino, Bachata La Musica del Pueblo
Joshua Bee Alafia – Beeloved Creations

HIP HOP, RAP
Brimstone 127 and Supah Maaario
Coppa Kidd
Chillski
DJ Madame Turk
DJ Majica
DJ Moses
DJ Mr. Cisum
Drejon from the Klown Fellas
Extravagant – beatbox artist
Kimani Kenyatta
Mecca aka Grimo
Mireya Alfonso – DJ
Speedy Legs – hiphop artist & breakdancer
Urban Art

HISTORY. SCIENCE & CULTURE
Paul George – historical bike tour
Seth Bramson – book talk
Steve Woodmansee

HOSTS & MASTERS OF CEREMONY
David Kingery
Tom Calucci

JAZZ & BLUES, LATIN MUSIC
Afro Polyphonic World Orchestra
Alan Renaglia’s Midnight Blue
Arthur Barron
Black Punjabi Music Ensemble
Bob Grabowski
Bob Rosati
Chassidic Jazz Project with Reuben Hoch
Clube De Choro
Duffy Jackson
Dennis Noday – 19-pc band
Ira Sullivan Quartet w/ Duffy Jackson
Jack Wilkins/Richie Perri Quartet
Jazz Survivors
JazzJones
Jean-Michel Daudier
Jesse Jones Jr. and Judi D
Joe Donato
Jonathan Gross
Jose Elias
Juan Turros
Julie Silvera
Ken Kay
Kiki Sanchez
Los Hermanos Vargas
MAC Steppers
Mantra
MoJazz with Mo + Madafo
Oriente
Oscar Salas, Latin Jazz Quintet
Philbert Armenteros & Aina
Rob “Wild Boar” Moore Blues Band
Sammy Figueroa
Sandy Bermudez
Sandy Poltarack Trio
Saul Gross
Saulo Ferreira Brazilian Jazz
Sonido Batido – Caribbean jazz
The Baboons
Way of the Groove

JUDGES & JURORS
Debra Cortese
Dena Stewart
Elaine Lancaster
Mary Damiano
Paula Turk
Roger Abramson
Winsome Bolt

MUSIC & DANCE FROM SACRED TRADITIONS
Angela Fischetti
Chogyal Namkhai Norbu
Deva Primal and Miten
Dr. Andrea Mantell-Seidel
Drepung Loseling Monks
Harvey Aronson
Laura Simms, Steve Gorn & Rachel Faro
Moti Deren – musician-composer
Mystical Arts of Tibet
Naqshbandi Sufi – talk
Rumi Night & Sufi Dancing
Shambhala teachngs
Eckhart Tolle’s teachings with Kim Eng
Susana Reyes- modern dancer-choreographer
Tibetan Drumming with Lama Khyimsar Riposee

PLAYREADINGS, COMEDY & THEATRE
Aqua Girls – comedy show
Conundrum Stages
Fantasy Theatre Factory
Ghost Light Series – Play Reading
Gold Coast Theatre, Jude Parry
Mystery on the Menu, Barbara Fox
Ralphy Love
Ruben Romeu

POETS, WRITERS, STORYTELLERS, PLAYWRIGHTS
Amy Baez
Andrea Askowitz,
Dan Wakefield – “The Hijacking of Jesus”
Fantasy Theatre Factor
Fiorella Podesta
Geoffrey Philp – novelist, poet
Georgia Brown
Gina Montet
Jabez
Katrina Mena “Beijinhos”
Lela Lombardo
Linda Spitzer – Storyteller
Malachi Smith
Norvell Holyfield
Rick Schweikert
Seth Bramson
Shamele Jenkins

SINGER/SONGWRITERS, FOLK MUSIC
Allan Taylor – folk Music
Amy Carol Webb
Carla Ulbrich
Grant Livingston
Hope Littwin
Jez Lowe – folk singer
Samantha Garcia

VISUAL ARTISTS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Aimee Ortiz
Aleks Rosenberg
Annette Mauricio
Asandra
Barbara Frank, sculpture
Crome
Daniel Fila (Krave)
Danny Ramirez
Dava Lipsky Carson
Deborah M. Mitchell
Deborah O’Dwyer
Deborah Weed
Debra Cortese
Debra Holt, ABBA Gallery, sculpture
Dee Clark
Dena Stewart
Diego Romero
Dina Knapp
Dina Stewart, painter
Dinorah de Jesús Rodríguez
Ed King, painting
Elizabet Chacon
Eric Walton
Eurydice Kamvisseli
Eva Ruiz
Evelyn Mitchell
Giuliano Cavallo
Flex Maslan
Hannah Lasky
Ignacio Font
Irene Sperber
Jamie Crooke
Jean Villamizar – visual & graphic artist
John DeFaro
Juan Carlos Bravo
Keith Kimmel
Krave
Laura Cerwinske
Linda Apriletti
Louis “Junior” Vitale
Louis Ulman, drawing
Luis Valle
Margo Segal
Marian Wertalka
Marielle Gomez-Kaiser, sculpture
Marilyn Valiente
Mark Diamond
Mary Catello
Matt Stock
Miguel Paredes
Monica Eichmann
Natasha Duwin
Nelson Viera
Neysa Jin Felker
Olga Suarez
Pamela Palma, visual artist, weaver
Patricia Roldan
Patti Black
Paul Turk, photography, metal sculpture
Perri Cox
Rianne
Robert Zurita
Rosa Gallardo
Rosie Brown
Ruben Martinez Chamizo
Sabrina P. Azadi – Photographer
Scott Hickey
Steve Forero-Paz
Stewart Stewart
Tammy Clammer
Terry Arroyo Mulrooney
Thomas Banks
Uta
Vanessa Garcia
Winsome Bolt
Xavier Cortada

VOCALISTS
Abdiel Vivancos
Angela Fischetti
Bill Feuer
Brazilian Voices choir
Cafidia Stuart
Cecilia Torres
Chris Kent
Cristina Martin
Georgia Brown
David Kingery
David Leddick
David Vance
Eileen Faxas
Elliot Pilshaw
Eric Miji
Florenza Campos
Geo Macia
Jade Whelans
Janelle Sanchez
Jesse Carlo
Jessica Slatkoff
Julie Silvera
Kelly Roberts
Kristen Long
Kyrah Arango
Mark Akens
Melissa Youngblood
Miami Gay Men’s Chorus
Michelle Gonzalez
Nicole Kidd
Nydia Noriega
Parker Cristan
Rachel Faro
Ray Melton
Ray Raymond
Ray Yanez
Reggie Whitehead
Renee Fallios
Roger Houdaille
R-yan White
Sam Hosking
Samantha Natalie
Sean Patrick Doyle
Steve Jenkins
Tennille Maisner
Teresa Bridges

YOUTH ROCK BANDS
Adore Miridia
BJ Experience
Branded
Caution Automatic
Jacob’s Ladder
Lasso the Moon
Lights Out
Never in Red
No Such Thing
Point of Origin
Pygmy
SaveArcana
Tyranny of Shaw

ASJ BOARD MEMBERS – 1999-present
Bernie Mickley
Carol Haefner
Christine Pena
Clay Hamilton
Deborah Weed
Dennis Wilhelm
Dr. A.J. Khaw
Dr. Julie Weaver
Felice Lifshitz
Geoffrey Philp
Jean Villamizar
Ken Whiting
Lisa Koslow
Manuel Pila
Marc Thayer
Pamela Palma
Paul Schwab
Paula Turk
Rev. Dr. Annette Jones
Rev. Esther Robinson
Rev. Melissa Pisco
Robert Holcomb
Susan Hamilton
Sylvia Ospina
Valentine Dawlec

ASJ STAFF – 1999-present
Carol Hoffman-Guzman, Founding Director
David Kingery, Artistic Director
Tiffany Madera, Program Director
Mark Akens, Program Director
Jose Elias, Program Director
Charmille Walters, Program Director
Ken Whiting, Lighting

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Founder, Carol Hoffman-Guzman and everyone who has participated in making Arts At St Johns one of Miami’s most respected and outstanding community arts and cultural organizations.
Can’t wait to see what ASJ has in store for the next 10 years and I’m so looking forward to participating !!!

Join us tomorrow night (Oct. 24th, 2009) at 7 pm at St. John’s on the Lake, 4760 Pinetree Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33140.
(Save $5.00 when you purchase your ticket online at http://www.artsatstjohns.com ) Tickets $20 at the door.

.

Share/Bookmark

Woodstock Festival: 40 Years Ago…

by | Aug 5, 2009 | ART, art business, Art Licensing, Coconut Grove, General optimism, nature's energy, peace, Woodstock

     

 

    

    

Woodstock 40th Anniversary Purple Peace Sign, Dalmatian, and Dove

Woodstock 40th Anniversary Purple Peace Sign, Dalmatian, and Dove

 

Were you there at the original Woodstock Festival in August of 1969? Can you believe it’s been FORTY years? Seems like just a few years ago and, a few lifetimes ago as well.

I lived in Narrowsburg, a small town only about 20 minutes from Bethel, New York which is where the Woodstock Festival actually happened. I think the organizers realized that the topography and size of the village of Woodstock, NY couldn’t handle even 50 thousand people and consequently,Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel (now the home of the Museum at Bethel Woods)was chosen but the name stayed ‘Woodstock’. I clearly remember my father standing in the living room and saying in his usual stern, don’t-even-think-about-questioning-me, tone, “I’d better not catch you even thinking of going anywhere near that place!” and as soon as he was out of sight, I was on my way there with several friends. It was after the rains, and even though most of the traffic jams were subdued, we had to walk for what seemed like hours just to get to the main site. And what a sight it was! A sea of mud-covered people, dancing, sleeping, playing, mostly stoned, mostly happy, sharing food, drinks and of course there was a haze of pot smoke to mellow everyone out, smoking or not.

It was not the most pleasant place to be… toilet facilities were almost non-existent, so basic human functions and the ‘organic’ nature of the entire event led to a not-so-charming guy releaving himself right on the back of my boyfriend’s pants! Grossed me out, but I was only 16 and this was just the beginning of a crazy new world. This was Sunday afternoon, think I heard Joe Cocker, several others, but it’s pretty much a blur between what I actually heard and saw and what I remember from seeing the movie. (Time to see it again too!) I think it was more real for me because with a few months in between, I could comprehend more of what had actually taken place. It was an entire city where before there was only farmland. It happened within the course of one week… a small upstate New York town was overtaken, all stores for miles around sold out of food supplies, basic necessities and ice. I vaguely remember people selling water and ice for outrageous prices. No one was prepared to feed the almost half a million people that swarmed over the beautiful rolling farm lands. It was and is still amazing that for several days MUSIC, people and their basic needs were the focus of this muddy, magical city. Peacefulness and sharing prevailed and it worked on many levels. I also remember going there a week or two after the event, and acres and acres of those beautiful hills were a mess. People were still there, many helping with the cleanup, many just staying because it had been such an incredible experience and they didn’t want it to end.

 

Wavy Gravy of the Hog Farm, Woodstock preservation org photo
Wavy Gravy of the Hog Farm,
Woodstock preservation org photo

“What we have in mind is
breakfast in bed for 400,000”

NOTE: photo removed? link to image may still work.

 

A few weeks after the festival, I heard that people from the hog farm had started a commune just across the river from Narrowsburg (named because of the location on the narrows of the Delaware River). And a few days after that, my sister and I were invited to visit the farm. Another new experience, an old farmhouse full of very colorful hippies, with many VW’s, paisley painted buses, and cars around the yard, dogs and kids everywhere, open doors, all sorts of people coming and going, all friendly and many hanging around looking very high. Someone offered us a glass of koolaid and I remember how quickly my protective, big sister genes kicked in. I’d heard about that stuff, electric koolaid spiked with hallucinogenic LSD or some other mysterious stuff. No thank you. We were young and we knew better, then got older and didn’t know much at all! The commune was the talk of the town for many months. Small towns, I was to learn, often have restrictive, concentric attitudes. People are comfortable within their own spaces and are quickly threatened, and fearful of change. Things did change and quickly. I left my small town the next year, and soon after headed south to Coconut Grove where we would hang out in a place called Peacock Park. Hari Krishnas chanted while handing out organic foods, bought a beautiful little white shepard puppy from some kids there, stayed about 6 months and it took me over 30 years to find my way back. Grove is different now, but still has something magical, like the village of Woodstock (lived there for a few years), and the original festival. For me, the magic is the arts connection, if you pay attention to how you feel, the creativity energy is flowing everywhere, in the streets, along the shore, in shops and restaurants, in the music, art, poetry, theatre. It’s a small town, but certainly not limited or restrictive, always active, creative. The times are always changing and that makes me happy and hopeful.

Woodstock 40 Years Commemorative Design with Purple Peace Sign, Dalmatian, Dove and Peace (marijuana) Branch

Woodstock 40 Years Commemorative Design with Purple Peace Sign, Dalmatian, Dove and Peace (marijuana) Branch

Visit the Woodstock Anniversary page at my CafePress Shop for Woodstock 40th Anniversary 1969 – 2009 Commemorative Designs – the Purple Peace Sign with Dalmatian, Dove and Peace Branch and the Peace Sign with a Red/Green Caladium nature’s energy reflection design, both available on over 2 dozen products. Prices start at less than $5.

Share/Bookmark

Art, Music, Poetry and Fashion SUMMER SALON success story!

by | Jun 7, 2009 | nature's energy

The pictures say it all! Read more on

Fashion show (and the Krishnas) took over the gallery on Coconut Grove Grapevine


Fabulous to see all of these photos first thing this am… slept in today after all the excitement of this Summer Salon event. Want to Thank EVERYONE that helped make this such an exciting and successful evening: Annamaria and Fred Hunt of Windisch-Hunt Fine Arts, Neat Stuff Helps Kids, all of the artists and friends who worked behind the scenes sending invitations and blogging, and cleaning, tagging, contributing in so many ways; Deb Starbuck for preparing refreshments, serving wine, and food with Jenna, Paula and others; and most of all moral support throughout.

Kudos to MODE lifestyle magazine president, Alexander Michaels, the models, hair and makeup artists, stylists (Kathleen and Heather), designers: Nathaniel Grant, Miriam Carnase-Olivia Lucas line, Deborah Majen Designs, Jennifer Trujillo, Sandy Edie and MODE vp, Frank Capella; the photographers, videographer, Nick (Friend of MODE) for petal sweeping ;-), James Heredia, freelance photographer (and ipod music for fashion show), Jenna Samuel, Valentina Ramos, Pauline Goldsmith, Lynda Wellens, Elizabet Chacon, Rosie Brown, Deborah Weed, Adriana Dominguez-Tio, Paula Lancaster, Nedra Goldhoff, Deborah Starbuck, Lynda LaRocca, Sandy Edie, Jonathan Rose, Donald Calhoun, Celia Reigle, Angelika Rothkegel, Jennifer Trujillo, Cucui Beguiristain, MANO, Trina Collins, Roberta Rand, Gerard F. Wade, Irina Patterson, Monique Lassooij…and very special thanks to Zip Robertson for his delightful music, easy-going cooperation and flexibility, as well as Rob Moore and Juan for adding to the music mix; and of course, Hare Krishna for their unique musical contribution and showing up at exactly the right time to make our event so Grove-y!

I’m sure there are many others whose names I have not included, but thank you all, and ‘Grape’ as well for your excellent coverage of Summer Salon and all things Coconut Grove.

SEE PHOTOS ONLINE AT COCONUT GROVE GRAPEVINE


Share/Bookmark

New Cortese Design bags to debut at Summer Salon in Coconut Grove, FL

by | May 23, 2009 | Art Marketing Salon, cortese design handbags, Miami Art Marketing Salon, nature's energy

White Orchid Lincoln Road, South Beach
“White Orchid” Lincoln Road, South Beach

Model, Diane Mooney, with my White Orchid Casual Tote Bag,
strikes a pose for photographer, Paul Andre
during our shoot on Lincoln Road, South Beach, Florida.

Three NEW Nature’s Energy Cortese Design Bags will debut on Saturday, June 6th during the opening reception at Windisch-Hunt Fine Arts’ “Summer Salon”, a multi media art exhibition.

My new ‘Luscious Reds’, ‘Sea Blues’ and ‘Fuschia Macro’ casual tote bags will accessorize the trend-setting models of Mode Lifestyle Magazine’s Fashion Show.

New Natures Energy Cortese Design Sea Blues on Casual Totebags, June 6th in Coconut Grove, FL
New Nature’s Energy Cortese Design “Sea Blues” on Casual Totes, June 6th in Coconut Grove, FL

The NEW Luscious Reds design bags will premiere on June 6th during the opening reception of Summer Salon at Windisch-Hunt Fine Arts in Coconut Grove, Florida.
The NEW ‘Lusciious Reds’ design will premiere on June 6th during the opening reception
of “Summer Salon” at Windisch-Hunt Fine Arts in Coconut Grove, Florida.


Fuschia Macro is an adaptation from an earlier design, Fuschia Flowers. This NEW artwork will debut on the large, casual tote by Cortese Designs. by
Fuschia Macro is an adaptation from an earlier design, Fuschia Flowers.
This NEW artwork will debut on the large, casual tote by Cortese Designs.

Share/Bookmark

Fabulous, creative energy in Miami’s Wynwood Art District

by | Nov 1, 2008 | ART, art business, nature's energy

screen shot from Perry Milou's Pucker Up Project

screen shot from Perry Milou's "Pucker Up Project"


Attended the “Pucker Up Project” at MILOU GALLERY, Wynwood Art District, 17NW 36th Street, Miami, FL on Thursday night and was most impressed with all the positive, creative and compatible energies of everyone involved in this worthy project. Pop-Artist, Milou Perry is not only a very talented and prolific artist, he and his partners are embracing the power of creative networking. The Pucker Up Project is a fun and interactive art experience that combines original paintings by Perry and original kisses (lipstick kiss-painted on paper) from contributors that Perry adds to his canvas – with all proceeds from
the project benefiting the UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Thursday’s event also included a runway fashion show by Rocco Donna, ‘Pucker Up Martinis” and everywhere you looked, cameras, models and designers. Best gallery night out in months …and, tonight, I’m looking forward to attending ‘Le’ Cirque Reinvented’, the 1st Anniversay celebration of Norelkys (Noor) Blazekovic’s dynamic, “IRREVERSIBLE MAGAZINE”– Both events…hosted by URBAN ICONS Marketing

Share/Bookmark
Share/Bookmark