A Central Florida Fall Festival

Last Sunday afternoon, I attended the Maitland Rotary Art Festival.

Maitland exists next to North Orlando.  On the way to my Peacock Room Happy Hour gig, I drive though here and pass by Lake Lily, the spot where the festival takes place every year.

There’s a fall festival and and a spring festival in Maitand.  Surprisingly, someone recognized me as DJ Stone Crazy during a spring festival.

As for the art, I didn’t get many photos. Besides, some artists give non-friendly looks towards people photographing their work.

Because I rarely carry much money on me, I avoided buying food.

Usually, I head for the booze.

After viewing the festival, I walked to Maitland Library’s book sale.

For a dollar, I bought these two literary gems.

That’s right, two great books for a dollar.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, the freaky Swedish mystery.

Smack by Melvin Burgess, known as Junk in other countries.

As I read these books, I know just the music to listen to, especially since Smack takes place in Bristol, England.

Tricky, the king of trip-hop from Bristol.

Like I mentioned earlier, Maitland hosts  a fall festival and a spring festival.  A book sale happens during the spring festival also.  I’m looking forward to the spring.

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Lucky Buddha Night

The following pics are from a DJ gig at Little Fish – Huge Pond, located in Sanford, Florida.

This was my first time seeing Lucky Buddha beer.

I jumped into the fun too.

Outside, an argument happened across the street.

A cop showed.

Nobody got arrested. Soon, things went back to normal.

Orlando At Night (No Flash)

When it comes to night photography, I sometimes avoid using flash.  These photos contains pics of Downtown Orlando.

Back in ancient times, I first used 3200 film.

A Downtown Orlando parking garage.

Another parking garage.

In a car, me and a sexy redhead  engaged in sensual seduction.  This spot no longer exists.  A hotel and bank rests here now.

An advertisement for my favorite musical.  I saw Cabaret back in 2001.

For the next two photos, I used 800 film.  This was a performance in the Downtown Orlando band shell.  I never knew the production’s name.

The last six are digital.  On my Canon Rebel, I set the ISO at 1600.  Some photos I converted to black and white.

Others I left alone.

I rarely do these kinds of shots. Yet, now that I have a blog to post them on, I might do more.

Happy Hour: Luce and Drew

Just like last Friday, it rained on the way to my Happy Hour DJ gig, located at The Peacock Room.

Yet, further down the road, it didn’t rain at all.

I was told this was uniquely Central Florida weather, one side of the city rains as the other side remains dry.  Hell, I wouldn’t know.  Except for some months in Upstate New York, I lived in Central Florida most of my life.

This night, Happy Hour hosted two performers.

First, Luce Sky.

Then, Drew Yardis. That’s him on the right.

Enjoy the rest of the pics.

Yab Yum, Inc.

Yab Yum Inc., owned by William Waldren and Bairrie Freeman, catered to Orlando’s bohemian crowd.

I’ll be honest.  When I first read poetry here back in 1992, I hated the place.  I was not a fan of people talking as I read poetry.

Two years later, a woman I was dating talked me into meeting her here.  She knew I hated the place.   Still, I showed up and began reading poetry again.

One night in 1995, the open-mic readings had no host.

Jen asked me did I want to host.

I agreed.

After three weeks of sub-hosting, I asked to become the permanent host.  I was granted that wish.

Gregory Patrick: A performance artist who used to go by the name Steele.

 

Eugene Snowden: He used to read other people’s poetry as he played the African drum.  Currently, Eugene is now lead singer for the Legendary JCs.

Jefferson: I don’t know what the hell ever became of this guy.

Yab Yum owned a billiards joint named Kit Kat Club, located right next to it.

Mark Chastain and Clay Cooperider usually worked the door.

Doug.

In 1996, Yab Yum closed and reopened as Harold and Maude’s in 1997.

The open-mics and other entertainment moved next door to Go Lounge, another spot Yab Yum owned.

Jose Fuentes.

Years later, Go Lounge turned into The Globe, a restaurant that stayed open late into the night.

Joey.

Yab Yum Inc. closed around 2001 or 2002.  I forgot.the exact year.

Nowadays, some folks tell me they remember me.

“I used to go that place when I was fifteen years old. I remember you.”

“When you were host, I used to sell acid in front of that place.”

Some even quote  poetry I read back then.

Even though Yab Yum Inc. is gone, many locals never forgot it.

 

A recent photo of Baerrie Freeman and me.

Fourth Annual Pirates of the Saint Juans Festival

Every September, Sanford hosts the Annual Pirates of the Saint Juans Festival.  This was the 4th year.

Since the beginning, I’ve been the official photographer and videographer.

On the right is founder Moire Wisdom. On the left is her daughter Bevin.

Moire owns Little Fish-Huge Pond, the main headquarters of the event.

Truth be known, as the actual starting time was 8 PM Friday, I didn’t show up until 12.   My Happy Hour DJ gig in Orlando extended longer than expected.

At The West End Trading Company, the Regal performed.

It was Hurry Regal’s (Harry Reagan) birthday.

The next day at The West End, Ron Dillon smoked turkey legs.

The different colors of liquid attracted me to this stand. The pirate is Doug Hanna of Sun Global Beverages.

A costume contest was held for the kids.

This little guy won the contest.

S.L. Rodriguez: a Captain Jack impersonator.

Because of this guy, I later  bought  a delicious,  smoked, turkey leg.

Sam Beck and the Tricky Dickies.

Chuck Culbertson.

A costume contest was held for the adults also.

I didn’t stick around long enough to know who won.

My attention was elsewhere.

Near The West End, I notice the glowing balloon shaped like a whiskey bottle, a balloon advertising Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.

“She” already has this for “her” Facebook profile pic.

Worn out, I soon headed for the automobile and drove home.

Can’t wait for next year. (That’s me with the striped hat.)

Photo by Rachael P Barnett

 

A Rainy Happy Hour

Last Friday, I was already late for my Happy Hour DJ gig at the Peacock Room.

On this rainy Central Florida evening, traffic slowly moved on my normal route.

Soon, I found the reason.  An accident.

Then, after making a right turn, I come across another long line of cars.

Why?  Because the car in front of the line stalled.

Soon, I reached my destination, The Peacock Room located in Orlando.

Luce Sky performed between sets.  It was a decent night, I guess.