Bon Voyage!

I will arrive at the subject of this week’s blog after explaining that I am often asked, “how did you get in the live event production business?” Without the benefit of limitless time, the short answer is, I love to travel...or at least I used to. One little known fact about my background is that I am the former owner of what at the time was the sixteenth oldest travel agency in the United States. This was a time when well-seasoned and highly experienced travel agents were in demand and the total facelessness of the current virtual travel agency was years in the future. Thank goodness I sold out before the fall.

All that said, my love for travelling led to like minded people which led to live event production in some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. After graduating from college, I continued my academic pursuits in earning the highest degree available at the time for professional travel agents and I became a Certified Travel Counselor. Where this is headed is, my love for travel and specifically cruising, is leading to an upcoming adventure on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic. Although you might think this is all about fun, and you’d be 80% correct, the reason we chose this cruise line and ship is because of their industry-wide commitment to live on-board entertainment. It looks like the sailing we chose is no exception.

The two groups onboard that I’m specifically looking forward to are The Blue Man Group and Cirque Dreams by Neil Goldberg. I’ve enjoyed The Blue Man Group for what seems like ages and have attended their UniversalStudios Florida show on several occasions. We’re looking forward to catching their act on the ship on night two of the seven nighter. To add to the excitement is the at-sea adaptation of the “part circus and part Moulin Rouge” circus style (sans animals of course) performances of Cirque Dreams. These are the two featured acts along with dozens more featuring everything from live calypso music by the numerous outdoor pools to the romantic ambience of a live piano set in the background of evening cocktails and the full moon at sea with the one you love.  We are really looking forward to witnessing some great entertainment while relaxing aboard one the newest of the NCL fleet.

I will follow-up with a post with our thoughts on the entertainment and the cruise experience...until then, go out and enjoy some live entertainment.

Bon Voyage!

The Florida Film Festival

As springtime rapidly approaches I thought it would be a great time to move away from the academic subjects of past and focus back on the live event scene here in the new and improved entertainment capital of the world. Because of its popularity and stature in the film entertainment industry I wanted to mention the Florida Film Festival as the topic of this update. This is the 22^nd anniversary of the festival and according to a recent article published by scriptmag.com, a division of the Writer’s Store, author Jeanne Bowerman ranks the Florida Film Festival in the Top 50 Film Festivalsworld-wide. Not bad for being based at the very trendy Enzian Theater in Maitland, Florida.

Sponsored by Full Sail University and others, the promotions are extensive throughout the region and the US. Roughly 170 films have been selected for this year’s festival and will be presented beginning April 5^th and continuing through April 14^th. As in years past, The Enzian has partnered with The Regal Cinema’s located in Winter Park Village to help present all the submissions. As with many film festivals the celebrations abound surrounding this event beginning with a huge Opening Night Party on Friday, April 5^th from 8p until 2a at the Enzian’s Eden Bar. The public is invited and tickets are still available for $100 per person.

The opportunity to be a part of the festival is available in the form of volunteering for the myriad of events that surround the event. From aspiring film students to entertainment entrepreneurs, the 400+ volunteer list for the main and ancillary events is big and there’s a need for those willing to put in some hard work for a great event.  Although at this posting we are a couple weeks past the application deadline for this year, you may want to follow-up to see if any positions are still available.