April 23, 2012
Bad Blood

GIVEAWAY of a signed copy of BAD BLOOD.
The gods play…and mortals pay. Latter-Day Olympians , Book 1 Tori Karacis’s family line may trace back to a drunken liaison between the god Pan and one of the immortal gorgons. Or…maybe it’s just coincidence that her glance can, li…;)

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucienne-Diver/162714330443458,
 

March 19, 2012
Featured 2012 YA author: J. Gabriel Gates

1. Was there one particular moment when you knew ‘I want to be an author’ or was it just something you stumbled into?
“I knew from a pretty early age. My Mom was always reading to me when I was a kid, and I spent most of my time running around with a stick in my hand that was really a sword, battling invisible enemies and saving imaginary princesses. I’m still doing the same thing, really, I just type it out and get paid for it. "

2. Growing up what was your favorite book?
“I loved The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. To me, Tolkien’s world of Middle Earth was much more interesting than the real world.”

3.If you had to give your most recent novel a theme song what would it be?
“If we’re talking about The Sleepwalkers, I’d have to go with “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult. If we’re talking about Ghost Crown, which comes out in June, it would probably be something by Daft Punk. You can’t beat the combo of techno and kung fu.”

4.Is there a certain place or spot where you go to get your inspiration?
“Being anywhere outdoors is always great for me. I’m a runner, and I like to go for runs along the river by my girlfriend’s place. Water and running are both soothing, so they can definitely help a writer recharge and get into that zen place where ideas come to you.”

5.If your book The Sleepwalkers was made into a film who would you cast as your lead actors?
“Oh boy. I get asked questions like that sometimes and they’re always tough for me. The problem is that the characters in my books are really individuals to me, so it’s hard to imagine anyone playing them. Sorry! "

6. In Dark Territory were the characters inspired by anyone in real life?
“Not really… like I said, my characters are really individuals in their own right, even though they’re imaginary. But I did get the name Ignacio from a guy I knew in L.A. He was a bassist in my ex-girlfriend’s rock band, and he’s a pretty rad guy. “

7. How was it working along with Charlene Keel on the Dark Territory books?
“Charlene is great. The way we worked it, I would write the first draft of a chapter then send it to her; she’d revise it, then send it back to me and I’d add on the next chapter and send the whole thing back to her again. It was a little stressful to collaborate at first, especially since the publishing deal was such an exciting opportunity for both of us. But it ended up working really well, especially once we got used to working together. Char is a wonderful writer with a wealth of great ideas, so she added a lot to the process.”

8. Acting or writing do you have one you prefer over the other?
“I definitely prefer writing. Acting was a blast and I may do more of it one of these days, but writing is my passion. I really feel like if I’m going to contribute something important to the world, it’s going to be through writing. Besides, I get to wake up whenever I want in the morning, walk my dog, pour some coffee, sit down on my couch and start working. What could be better than that?”

9. In a 100 years how would you like to be remembered, what legacy would you like to leave?
“Wow, good question! I would like to think that people might still be reading my work in 100 years. As the people who end up reading all my books will discover, there really is a thread of spiritual and metaphysical truth that runs through all of it. If people are still reading my stuff a century from now, that will be why they’re doing it: because it brings to mind universal truths that strike a chord in people. The purpose of art, to me, is to make people think and ask questions. So my hope is that one day, someone will look at a stack of my books and say, “this was the guy who first made me ask the questions that led me to search for truth in my life.”

10. Favorite junk food?
“I usually try to eat healthy, but I’m not going to lie; there’s lots of junk food I like. I guess I’d say my favorite is cookies, though. My great grandma started me on them early, so I really never had a chance!”

Thank you so much for the interview, you can see Gates on March 29th @ the Cooper Memorial Library in Clermont as part of the 2012 Festival of the Reading.


 

March 13, 2012
Bay Street Players present Next to Normal

The Bay Street Players is proud to host the Greater Orlando Actor’s Next to Normal, music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. It is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. Winner of 3 Tony awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. Purchase tickets online http://baystreetplayers.tix.com/Schedule.asp?OrganizationNumber=595, or by calling 352.357.7777.

February 22, 2012
The Marvelous Wonderettes

At the 1958 Springfield prom, Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy harmonize to hits including “Mr. Sandman,” “It’s My Party,” “Secret Love,” then skip to their 1968 reunion — for even more hit tunes such as “R-e-s-p-e-c-t,” “Wedding Bell Blues” and endless laughter!

The Marvelous Wonderettes takes you to 1958 and four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, we are treated to the girls performing such classic ‘50s and ‘60s songs

January 25, 2012
Comedy for a Cause

The VaudeVillains comedy improv troupe will be performing at the Moonlight Theater in downtown Clermont for a show benefiting Relay for Life of South Lake.  The show will take place on February 17th, 2012 @ 8p.m.

Donations will be accepted and all proceeds will benefit South Lake Relay for Life.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/vaudevillainsimprov

January 4, 2012
Nine at the Moonlight Theatre

Nine, the 5x Tony award winning gorgeous musical with book by Arthur Kopit and Music by Maury Yeston, will open in Clermont this month! The production is based on the film by Fedrico Fellini. 8 ½, focuses on film director ‘Guido Contini' who dreading his 40th birthday starts to face writer’s block and begins to reflect on all the woman who have affected his life throughout the years.

Join this Venice based musical for romance and beauty, showing at the Moonlight Warehouse Theatre in downtown Clermont starting on Jan 13th. The play will be directed by Jan Sheldon with artwork by esteemed comic book artist George Perez.

For more info on Nine visit: www.moonlightplayers.com
 

November 28, 2011
Ice Cream and Comedy

On December 11th come out to the Jenkins Auditorium for a night of Ice Cream from Clermont’s Abracadabra Ice Cream shop known for their creative way of preparing ice cream to order with liquid nitrogen freezing to make instantly delicious treats. And then mix the sugar high with the Clermont Improv Comedy Troupe The VaudeVillians, not a bad night.

Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

November 21, 2011
Light Up Clermont 2011

Welcome to the Holidays!

To celebrate the season come join the city of Clermont for their two day celebration ‘Light-Up Clermont’. Beginning on Friday, December 2nd @ 6:30 pm, watch as the town ignites the Downtown Streets with the colors of Christmas at Center Lake, 8th and Desoto St. followed by performances from the talented Bethany Burnette, as well as the Freedom Quuartet, Barber Shop Quatet, Caponi’s Cannolis School of Arts, and ERHSS Rhythm of the Knight. While getting into the spirit take on a ride on a horse-drawn carriage at 8th and Minneola Ave. And of course, photos with Mrs. and Mr. Clause at the Jenkins Auditorium.

Then on Saturday, Decemer 3rd enjoy a day of family fun starting at 9 a.m., With a craft show, food vendors, entertainment on stage a Monstrose St and the Holiday Parade at 1 p.m.

For More info you can visit www.cityofclermont.com.

November 20, 2011
Improv Show

Hmmm...what could you possibly do this Sunday afternoon? Well, you could A) fall asleep using your text book as a pillow once again, B) Watch TV until your eyes start to water C) text weird accronyms non stop OR get some fresh air and hit an Improv Show!

This Sunday (Nov. 20th) The comedic styling of The VaudeVillians will be taking over the Moonlight Theatre in DownTown Clermont. We got a sample of the Comedy Troupe when they stopped in for the 2nd annual Trash To Fashion @ Cooper Memorial on the Lake Sumpter Campus. Tickets are only $5 which is also a flawless way to spend a Sunday with family without starting an agruement on how much money it cost!

Check the Troupe out at their Facebook page The VaudeVillians. And For theatre information visit: www.MoonlightPlayers.com

You can take a look at photo’s from The VaudeVillians Trash to Fashion 2011 appearance at www.MyLakeLibrary.org > TeenLib > Photo Gallery

Until Next Time ;)