And that's how the weekend concludes ...

The Shape of Things finished its run today at Gulf Coast Community College, and we finally got a chance to see the show. In the photo are the cast and director: Nathan Simmons as Phillip, Jewells Blackwell as Jenny, Brandon Duncan (director), Ashley Turner as Evelyn, and Chuck Clay as Adam. It was theatre in the round: The audience was seated in the center with sets arranged in a circle around them inside the "black box" theatre lab. In the final scenes, the audience became part of the play as the characters took seats among the audience to view an artist's showing. Quite the mindbending experience, overall, and what a way to cap what a weekend.
Peace.

Busy Day Concludes: Mask Parade Gala, Literary Gala

So the sun went down, and the moon came up, and all sorts of things went on all around the town. Nathan went to GCCC to appear in The Shape of Things, Jessi went with Debra's sister and brother-in-law and neice to Mardi Gras, and Debra and I went to Edgewater conference center for the Covenant Hospice Mask Parade. In one of these, you see artist Patrick Reynolds (you're probably familiar with his beautiful angel paintings) checking out Barbara Mulligan's twin "stain glass" pieces. I was just relieved to see that the mask I did got a bid. It was a great dinner and the people we shared our table with were wonderful. We left early (visitors at the house, you know) and stopped by the Books Alive gala on the way home. It was at the Talkington home off Beach Drive, a showcase house that's a mix of art deco, east Indian and modern. That's where the other shots were taken. That's all for tonight. Peace.

Busy Day Begins with Books Alive

I'm not about to try to identify all these pics in order. But the parade of people through GCCC was fun and frantic. Lynn, Michael and I had a good time, sold a few books, made some new acquaintances and caught up with old friends. Betty Powell gave me a kiss on the cheek. Ethel Lewis, who is a longtime News Herald contact (lifestyle department contributor) did not, but I got a picture made with her.

Pam Anderson, born and raised in Panama City and now a famous cookbook author and USA Weekend columnist, bought my book. Pam will forever be recalled by my wife as the person who drew her into a conversation with "the shrimp man," as Pam called him, then left Debra alone to listen to the rest of the John Cheshire's life story during last night's party. Pretty sneaky, but who can blame her, really? Meanwhile, Lynn noticed that all of my groupies were markedly older than his and Michael's. (Or maybe I pointed that out.) He's worried that my readership will begin fading soon. Hmmm. Next up: Gala ga-ga.

Let's get acquainted

Just recently returned from the "get acquainted" party for authors and moderators participating in tomorrow's "Books Alive" festival at Gulf Coast Community College. Among the folks enjoying the fellowship were (first pic) Janis Owens and River Jordan, and (second pic) Doug Marlette telling a tale to Wendell Owens.

I shot lots of other photos, but either they were out of focus or I was. Anyway. I'll get more shots tomorrow and post them. Come see me. Maybe I'll get your picture and put it here. You never know. Good night.

Come see me Saturday

I'll be at joining fellow writers Michael Lister and Lynn Wallace at Books Alive 2006 at Gulf Coast Community College Saturday to sign and sell copies of our work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a break for lunch from noon to 2 p.m. I'll also moderate a session by featured Florida Megatrends author David Colburn, provost at University of Florida at 2:15 p.m. Some of my other writer friends will be there too: River Jordan will debut her new novel, The Messenger of Magnolia Street; Pam Anderson (the USA Weekend columnist and cooking guru) will be there; Janis Owens will talk about Southern style.
Hope to see you there.
Peace.