Salon Wrapup for February 21, 2010

Mark Janas and Tanya Moberly

For the evening of February 21st, 2010, The Salon was kicked off by guest host Joe Bachana (he is performing three dates in March at the Metropolitan Room, is a singer, pianist, and trumpet player!). Then followed Christian Sineath, Joan Jaffe (who is in the midst of recording a new CD), composer duo Kathryn Allyn and Sheldon Forest, Jennie Litt with David Alpher, and Joanne Sheeron (playing guitar for herself with Mark Janas accompanying her on piano for an 80's rock ballad sing-along). Mark took a break while Barry Levitt played for J. Michael Reeds, Sunny Leigh, and Helena Grenot (look out for her Don't Tell Mama dates on May 18th and 21st). The adorable and delightful Steven Cole had his Salon Debut with a spritely "Bidin' My Time" by Gershwin. Then came Edie Stokes, composer Richard Eisenberg (who went against his normal ebullient humor by singing an original torch song entitled "The Road to the Blues") and Jillian Laurain (at the Metropolitan Room in May, 2010). Joey Infante then sang a heartfelt "Who Can I Turn To." The Salon then had an impromptu mini-tribute to "Show Boat," the history-making musical of 1927. Stephanie Zagoren brought in "Can't Help Lovin' That Man of Mine", and then Sierra Rein (full disclosure - that's me!) & Mark Watson brought in a tribute to the late Kathryn Grayson with a duet on "Make Believe." Maureen Taylor rocked our funny bones with a fabulous comedic song entitled "It Would Never Have Worked" and Marnie Klar closed the first half with the emotional "Maybe I Like it This Way."

After intermission, host Joe Bachana (who always kept the banter lively in between artists) sang, then introduced Special Guest Barbara Porteus. Barbara did a three-song set of classic Cole Porter, Fran Landesman and Tommy Wolf, and then a hot little number "I'm the Woman You Call." Next, Mark brought in his favorite feature of the Salon - the "Classical Corner" - by introducing concert pianist Baris Buyukyildirim from the Manhattan School of Music. Baris wowed the crowd with a complete piano rendition of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue." The entire room was hushed while he played, and a standing ovation ensued as soon as the last note echoed from the piano. Tanya Moberly then kept the energy of the room up with a powerful rendition of "The Man That Got Away" (just the intro of the music had one lady in the audience exclaim "Oh honey!" in anticipation, and she wasn't disappointed.) Since the spoken word is always appreciated (and because he's so good at the written word) Peter Napolitano brought in an essay called "Where Do I Begin?," a scathing dissection of the 40-year-old Oscar winner Love Story. Love indeed means saying sorry over and over and over! Speaking of love, Jenna Esposito sang the biting but beautiful "I Wanna Be Around." Andrew Monahan sang an original duet he is developing into a movie musical short with his brother, David Ballard crooned "What Do I Need with Love," and then the incomparable Sarah Rice gave us a lovely goofy song "That's My Weakness Now" (Sarah returns to the Laurie Beechman with her successful "Screen Gems" show March 5th and 7th!) Joe Bachana brought it all together for one final number - "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," although he had already given the Salon a wonderfully hosted evening!

-Sierra Rein
The Blogette for The Salon

Spelling mistakes? URL's I missed? Did I mess up? Please email me.

Message from Mr. Mark Janas! Info on future Salons!

SALON, that uniquely classy open mic created and hosted by Mark Janas, returns to Etcetera, Etcetera - 352 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Ave) - on Sunday, February 28th from 7PM to 10:30PM.

The optional theme for the evening is "THE RED CARPET – A PRE-OSCAR NIGHT CELEBRATION" If you were invited to perform at The Academy Awards, what would you sing, and more importantly, what would you wear?

Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon!

Our Co-Host for the evening will be the Legendary Richard Skipper as Carol Channing!

For Richard's busy schedule, visit www.richardskipper.com

Our Special Guest will be the Glamorous Dana Lorge!

Dana & Richard can be found every Wednesday Co-Hosting their fabulous variety show WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE IGUANA

IGUANA VIP LOUNGE, 240 West 54th Street, NYC

$12.00 Music Charge/No food or drink minimum! Reservations 212-765-5454
There will be a $10 cash cover at the door, collected by 'Etceterette', Sue Matsuki, and a $10 food/drink minimum (cash or credit) per person. The menu is affordable and delicious. (For further info visit www.etcrestaurant.com or call 212-399-4141).There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/ first served basis, with one intermission. Doors open at 6:15 and sign up begins at 6:30 with 'Etceterette', Dani Rhodes .

It is worth mentioning that two of our Salon Members will be appearing at Feinstein's at Loew's Regency (540 Park Avenue (at 61st St) NYC):

Barbara Porteus is making her debut on March 1st at 8:30pm and Marilyn Maye will be performing her new show, “In Love Again” from March 2nd-13th.
For More Information: www.feinsteinsattheregency.com

There will be no Salon on March 7th, but beginning March 14th, Salon will continue every Sunday through June!

March 14th: “Shakin' It Up”
Guest Host/Pianist: Bill Zeffiro
Guest Producer: Sue Matsuki
Co-Host: Maureen Taylor
Special Guest: TBA

March 21st: “Heavenly Bodies/Spring Equinox”
Co-Host: Steve 'The Whistler' Herbst
Special Guest: Jenna Esposito

March 28th: “Never Before Heard”:
Co-Host Frank Evans
Special Guest: Bill Zeffiro

From Tanya Moberly : Info on Upcoming Salon February 21st!

SALON, that uniquely classy open mic created and hosted by Mark Janas, returns to Etcetera, Etcetera - 352 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Ave.) on Sunday, February 21st from 7PM to 10:30PM.

The optional theme for the evening is "POST VALENTINE'S DAY MASSACRE – THE NITTY & THE GRITTY OF LOVE & ROMANCE"

Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon!

Our Co-Host for the evening will be the Multi-Talented Joe Bachana!

Joe will be appearing in “Midnight Masquerade: The Music of Bernie Bierman & Jack Manus” on March 3rd, 17th & 24th at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St. NYC. Reservations: 212-206-0440. For more information: www.metropolitanroom.com.

Our Special Guest will be the Scintillating Barbara Porteus!

Barbara will be performing and signing CD's at Cool Mondays @ Barnes & Noble , 1972 Broadway NYC 212-595-6859 on February 22nd at 6pm. She will also be making her debut on March 1st at 8:30pm at Feinstein's at Loew's Regency, 540 Park Avenue (at 61st St) NYC. Reservations: 212-339-4095. For more information: www.feinsteinsattheregency.com.

There will be a $10 cash cover at the door, collected by 'Etceterette', Maureen Taylor, and a $10 food/drink minimum (cash or credit) per person. The menu is affordable and delicious. (For further info visit www.etcrestaurant.com or call 212-399-4141).There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/ first served basis, with one intermission. Doors open at 6:15 and sign up begins at 6:30 with 'Etceterette', Marnie Klar .

On February 28th our Co-Host will be Richard Skipper, our Special Guest Dana Lorge and our theme “THE RED CARPET” – A Pre-Oscar Night Celebration! If you were invited to perform at The Academy Awards, what would you sing, and more importantly, what would you wear?

There will be no Salon on March 7th (Oscar Night), but beginning March 14th Salon will continue at Etcetera, Etcetera every Sunday through June!

Here's some important information about the Salon you should know. The Salon is an ongoing open entertainment event in which singers, writers and musicians share their talent with each other and audience members. We are currently enjoying our new venue, Etcetera, Etcetera where there is a $10 COVER (cash) AND a $10 FOOD/BEVERAGE MINIMUM (cash or credit). You may sign up to perform starting at 6:30 by seeing one the evening's 'Etceterettes' to fill out a card with your name, the name of your song, whether it's a ballad or an up tempo,(up tempos and comic songs are greatly encouraged!) and any upcoming events you'd like the co-host to announce. Please remember that we do not present performers in order of sign-up and, due to our time restraints and other variables, filling out a card does not guarantee you will perform, but we do our very best to get you up! It is usually a good idea to bring a few different song choices to avoid duplication. All types of material including spoken word are welcome at the Salon but please limit your selections to three or four minutes in length and please bring clear, complete charts for Mark to read. If you would like to add a (or remove your) name from our list, e-mail me at tanyamoberly@juno.com.

Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, February 21st!

Thanks,

Tanya

Themes and Guests Announced for February 21st and 28th Salons!

Themes for the February 21st and February 28th Salons at Etcetera Etc have been announced! Remember, you can sing on-theme or off theme - all material (within sensible limits) are welcome!

February 21st:
Theme: "Post Valentine's Day Massacre – The Nitty & The Gritty of Love & Romance"
Co-Host: Joe Bachana
Special Guest: Barbara Porteus
Door Etceterette: Maureen Taylor
Floor Etceterette: Marnie Klar

February 28th:
Theme: "Pre-Oscar Party – What Would You Wear? What Would You Sing ?"
Co-Host: Richard Skipper
Special Guest: Dana Lorge
Door Etceterette: Sue Matsuki
Floor Etceterette: Danielle Erin Rhodes

Nothing to post about yet!!!

Blogette Sierra Rein here! Nothing quite ready to post...

However the first Salon will be Sunday, February 21st! Future Salon Dates at Etcetera, Etcetera are: February 28th, March 14th, March 21st & March 28th. Themes and Co-Hosts TBA.

Plans for a new website for the Salon are in plans, which will be linked to and from by this blog.

I will be blogging about each event, or my backup Blogette Erin Cronican (http://erincronican.blogspot.com) will be helping. The plan is to make a nice writeup of who sings each evening, who the special guests and hosts are, any special announcements or general information about future Salons. This blog is not meant to review anyone's performance or to cast any light on any one performer over another.

Thanks to Sue Matsuki for christening me "The Blogette" while we were in the audience "Road to Ruin." :D