orlando NEWS
Hope and Help gets new leadership, location Jamie Hyman JAMIE@WATERMARKONLINE.COM
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RLANDO | There are some new faces around the of�ices of Hope and Help of Central Florida, Inc. June Ings is the agency’s new development director, taking over the reins from Maggie King, who held that position for more than a decade. The organization has also hired a new events manager, Chris Hessler. “Chris has been a strong supporter of the agency for many years,” said Duane Hoyle, the organization’s volunteer manager. “June has a lot of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, so she brings a wealth of experience and information to the organization.” Hessler will run Hope and Help’s signature events such as the AIDS Walk and the Headdress Ball, while Ing will manage fundraising that is not events-related. The organization has also announced the date of the 2013 AIDS Walk—it will take place May 18 Hessler said his goal is to double the number of walkers and bring in 4,000 this year. He calls his new position “a lifelong dream,” and said the cause of the agency is something he really cares about. “When you’ve seen people you care about suffer through HIV and AIDS and die, it motivates you to do something really good,” he said. “I found it incredibly exciting and a huge privilege to dedicate 100% of my time to bringing in money and making sure patients are provided with care.” Additionally, Hope and Help is in the process of opening up a second location on Colonial Drive, next to Publix. Hoyle said that’s where their client services will be located. The grand opening party will be Feb. 11, Hessler said. “We’re in Winter Park, and it can be challenging for clients to reach us if they rely on public transportation. Now, we have a bus stop right down the street,” he said. “Our prevention department has already moved over there, and rest of client services will move over in January.” | |
MyFlexRadio.com ceases Staff report
ORLANDO | Gay-owned and operated MyFlexRadio.com is no more. The internet radio station had been around since 2005. In a posting on their website, the staff announced the company’s shut down, blaming it on “unfair taxation and fees” targeted at the station. MyFlexRadio.com of�icially went off the air at midnight Dec. 30. | |
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ON TRACK: Construction of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts continues across the street from Orlando City Hall and should be completed in 2014.
Facing criticism DPAC decision to self-produce surprises, upsets supporters Tom Dyer
TOM@WATERMARKONLINE.COM
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RLANDO | Anticipation is building as the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts takes shape across from City Hall. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2014, the striking new $386 million facility will replace the antiquated Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and bring shows and concerts within walking distance of the downtown residential core. But supporters were taken aback by a Dec. 13 decision of the DPAC’s executive board to kick the Florida Theatrical Association to the curb and self-produce Broadway touring shows. For many, it raised concerns about the management and future viability of the ambitious but expensive facility. FTA has presented touring Broadway shows in Orlando for 24 years. It is af�iliated with Broadway Across America, a “powerhouse company that controls 70% of Broadway tours,” according to the Orlando Sentinel. That includes exclusive deals with major
JAN. 3 - JAN. 16, 2013 // ISSUE 20.01
Broadway producers. Rod Legler has been FTA’s president for 13 years. Legler and partner Andrew Springer are also active members of Orlando’s LGBT community. “[DPAC’s] board needs to reconsider this decision,” wrote Ted Maines, who along with partner
series’ have grown from 5,500 to 8,500. Many believe DPAC would not have been built without that base of support. “I don’t think [DPAC] should be in the business of hurting local arts groups,” Legler said. “It shouldn’t be the goal to take out a major local arts organization.” The executive board justi�ied the decision by saying they would save $700,000 annually by selfproducing. “Every dollar we save is a dollar we don’t have to raise,” said DPAC board chairman Jim Pugh. Ironically, unless an additional $75 million can be raised to build an all-important acoustic hall for the Orlando Philharmonic and Orlando Ballet, DPAC will be dependent on Broadway productions. There are indications that fundraising has grown dif�icult, and this controversy could alienate potential donors. Legler will meet with DPAC in January to see if a working relationship can be salvaged. If not, Legler says FTA will continue to produce Broadway touring shows at a different venue. | |
I don’t think the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts should be in the business of hurting local arts groups.” —RON LEGLER, FTA PRESIDENT Jeff Miller was named the city’s top ‘Power Couple” by Orlando Magazine. “FTA has proven expertise in growing membership, creating community loyalty and handling the intricacies associated with presenting touring Broadway productions. Self-producing could prove disastrous.” Under Legler, season subscriptions for the Broadway
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