Orlando Shakes changes; food at St. Luke’s continues
Here’s the latest on a few ongoing stories from the arts world.
‘Shakes Beer’ postponed
Orlando Shakes has postponed its online production of “Virtual ShakesBeer: Hamlet Edition” a week. Originally scheduled for June 5, the event — part spoof, part improv comedy, part drinking game — will be presented at 6 p.m. June 12 at Facebook.com/orlandoshakes.
The postponement was made “in light of current events,” the theater said in a statement without elaboration. Orlando Shakes is one of several local arts groups that has issued a statement in light of the nationwide protests against police brutality and in support of racial equality.
“At Orlando Shakes, we stand against injustice. We condemn systemic racism and brutal acts of violence against Black people,” the theater posted June 1 on its social media accounts. “We stand by our Black colleagues, patrons, friends, neighbors, and the entire Black community.”
Food distribution continues
The weekly distribution of food for the arts and entertainment community will continue throughout the summer if demand continues.
RK Kelley, an organizer of the distribution at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, said more than $25,000 has been donated to the cause and a “couple of thousand” meals had been handed out since the program began last month.
Open to anyone who works in the entertainment industry, the distribution is a collaboration among the southwest Orlando church, 4Rivers Smokehouse, its 4Roots foundation and their Feed the Need Florida program.
“It’s critical we retain our talent here,” Kelley said. “We need to take care of them.”
A lunch and bags of produce are distributed between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays at the church through a drive-through system. Entertainment is provided, and the volunteer distributors provide a dose of applause and encouragement to the under- and unemployed.
On his first visit, actor Justin Lore found the experience “wonderful and surprising.”
“It truly is magical seeing everyone come together in the community,” he said. “Their positivity is extremely contagious … We’re so grateful.”
For more information or to donate, go to feedtheneedfl.org. To direct donations to the program at St. Luke’s, select “Arts Community Meals” when prompted to answer “I would like my donation applied to…”
Fringe Today
Orlando Fringe announced some encouraging numbers from its recent two-week online festival, Fringe Today. The virtual offering of more than 100 shows and events took place during the time theatergoers usually descend upon Loch Haven Park for the annual Orlando Fringe Festival.
The Fringe Today programming attracted 40,765 views, officials said. By comparison, the 2019 inperson festival drew just shy of 75,000 people. Fringe officials had said before the festival started they had no attendance expectations for such an untried undertaking.