FEB. 13: Love & Poison at Green Room in Fort Lauderdale

Love & Poison is an event to raise funds for Humaya Films next film project, Rappaccini's Daughter.

Humaya, a self-described "South Florida-based film crew made up of a rag-tag-group of wannabe superheroes," formed last May when Humaya Films director Vivian Orozco  recruited her longtime friends, visual artist Vladimir Vasquez, writer Chesnaye Long and acting coach and co-writer Alexa Baray for a filmmaking venture. Their mission is simple. "We create stories," notes Long. "We want to bring magic to the real world, and transcend each of our individual talents to create something beautiful. Because the world always needs just a little bit more beauty."

Humaya team: Alexa Baray, Vivian Orozco, Chesnaye Long, Vladimir Vasquez

The group just completed their first venture, a short film titled Memento Mori (which means Remember Your Mortality in Latin).

Their next film will be based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story about a doctor/researcher whose daughter tends to his garden of poisonous plants and in the process of doing so becomes resistant to the toxic plants, but becomes toxic herself to other humans. Despite her dangerous  nature, Beatrice attracts an aspiring botanist who falls in love with her. ...

"Rappaccini's Daughter seeks to build upon the bones of the existing story and explore the hearts and motivations of the characters that have so long inspired us," notes Vivian Orozco. "We are hoping to get the film sent to the Cannes Film Festival in France."

Meanwhile, they're trying to raise money for the project through an art exhibition at Green Room. In keeping with the love-and-poison theme, local artists will exhibit works about the sometimes toxic emotions of love and all that flows from it, from the mushiness to the breakups.

Allison Kotzig's work, Roses are red like that blood stain. Damn.

Allison Kotzig will exhibit Ransom Valentines that are made from wood and cut paper and contain messages such as The Police will never understand our love and Roses are red, like that bloodstain. Damn.

Renda Hitz Hearts will bring its Love is Everywhere campaign to the venue. The project, created by Renda Writer and Billy Hitz, is all about rugs, design, promotion and, at the core of it all, a reminder that love is everywhere. 

Other exhibiting artists will include Wicked Apple Art,  Ian M. Santos, Dibbie Jane, Cary Polkovitz, Robert Ojeda, Krytios Soto, Mr Babes, Jonathan Vinazza, Manny Mendez, Dominick Daniel, Renda Hitz Hearts and Melissa McCabe.

The four-hour party, which will include performances by Witch's Mark and Cupcake Burlesque, goodies from Sweet Spot Catering, a raffle, Love and Poison drinks and a sneak peak at Rappaccini's Daughter, starts at 10 p.m. Feb. 13 and the art will remain on exhibit through Feb. 28 at Green Room, 109 S.W. Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-449-1030, e-mail Gina at Electriccanvas@yahoo.com or visit Greenroomlive.com.