Log In | Become a Member

  Printer Friendly Version 

Tell A Friend


The Arts Connection - November 29, 2007

audio_icon_pos Click here to listen to Part 1

As part of WMFE InDepth: Central Florida Crime Crisis, The Arts Connection has the second installment of a series on how arts are used to help in prevention and rehabilitation.  For this story, we explore the Youthful Offender programs at the Orange County Jail.  These programs are for teenage boys who are in the jail because they are, or will be, tried as adults.  John Richter is the direction of the program, which includes a poetry class run by volunteer Denise Manning.  She assigns the inmates a theme each week and after they read their poems, she leads a discussion on the issues raised in their work.
>>This is part one of a 2-part look at this program - be sure to tune in next Thursday, Dec. 6, for more on the Youthful Offender Program.

Listen to all the poems written and read by inmates at the Orange County Jail --
1 - Dankiere Butler; 2 - Marquis McKenzie; 3 - James Jenkins; 4 - Terrell Bell; 5 - Josias Martinez; 6 - Damon Miller; 7 - Diamond Hill; 8 - Jared Braun & Spencer Woodruff; 9 - Spencer Woodruff

 

For years, Florida's state song, Stephen Foster's Swanee River, has caused controversery because of lyrics that many consider racist. Some state leaders are leading an effort for a new song and they partnered with the Florida Music Educator's Association to organize a contest for a new song. Over 240 people wrote or suggested songs - we talk to two of them:  Christopher Marshall of New Zealand, now living in Orlando; and Lloyd Marcus of Deltona. 

Listen to the full performances of the state song entries - Christopher Marshall's My Florida Home is performed by The Orlando Chorlale and the Lake Brantley High School Patriot Singers.  Lloyd Marcus' We Call Florida Home  It is performed by Marcus, along with saxophonist Dave Weaver and produced by Frank Starchak.



audio_icon_pos Click here to listen to Part 2

The Arts Connection's Katie Ball takes a look at the DeLand musical duo, Dish.  The Songwriters Showcase of America recognized the band at the recent DeLand Original Music Festival with the Most Unique Musical Style of the Year award.  Upcoming appearances include Friday, Nov. 30 at The Social, and Sunday, Dec. 2 as the opening act at Club Firestone in Orlando. 

audio_icon_pos Click here to listen to Part 3

 CASTING CALL - follow this link to read online

The Arts Connection's Irene Zabytko talks with local author Raff Ellis about his memoir, Kisses From a Distance, which looks at his Lebanese family.

Here are Raff's upcoming appearances for lectures and book signings:

Urban Think Bookstore this Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1:00-4:00 pm
625 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801  (407) 650-8004

Orlando Public Library, Dec. 8, 2:00-3:30 pm, Lecture/Signing
101 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32803   (407) 835-7323

Central Florida Genealogical Society, Dec. 13. 7:30-9:00 pm, Lecture/Signing
Marks Street Senior Center, 99 East Marks St., Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 245-0821

 

 

All active news articles