The Salon Wrap-Up for Sept 18th, 2011: Does Anyone Need a Drink?

“I wish I could drink like a lady / I can take one or two at the most / Three and I'm under the table / Four and I'm under the host” - Dorothy Parker

After surviving the hurricane, the Salon came back to Etc Etc with a charming host - who we are more used to to seeing on the floor taking out orders.  David Ballard was just as affable as a host as he is while serving us drinks and promoting the Casoncelli  on the menu. (If you haven't had it yet, you're really missing out!)

Our charming host.

The evening began with a discussion of shows people had seen recently - Follies was a big discussion.  The opinions of it were varied, but the general consensus was that it was a very well done production - get your tickets!

David Ballard opened the evening with the classic "You Go to My Head."

After all the Follies talk, Susan Hodgdon said she "had to sing" "Losing My Mind."  She was beautifully connected to the piece emotionally.  Susan will be appearing at Don't Tell Mama on October 23 at 3:30pm. Oh, did you know you can now make reservations online for Don't Tell Mama?  Well, you can!  Here's where you can make reservations for Susan's show!

Barb Malley gave us a bluesy, smokey voiced rendition of Black Coffee.  Barb has been very busy this past month with nine commercial auditions, three call backs, and one booking!  On November 13th at 1pm, you can see Barb at the Laurie Beechman Theatre performing in a benefit for the Jackie Robinson Foundation directed by Barry Kleinbort.

Janice Hall brilliantly combined Noel Coward's "I've Been to a Marvelous Party" with "The Nightmare Song" from Gilbert and Sullivan's Iolanthe.  The pieces were incredibly well matched and it was a highly amusing performance.  Janice will be hosting the pre-Halloween Salon on October 30th with the appropriate theme of "Monster Bash."

Carolann Sanita said her song had nothing to do with the theme other than "(needing) a drink after I have a day like this."  She then sang the beautiful lament "Just as House Wife."  Carolann will be making her New York Cabaret debut on November 12th at the Triad.

"If it has anything to do with Italy, we do it!" This is how O Sole Trio introduced themselves to the Salon audience.  The members of O Sole Trio are soprano Erin Shields, baritone Giuseppe Spoletini, and pianist/violinist David Shenton.  They performed what is usually the finale of their concerts - a mash up of Rossini's Largo al Factotum and That's Amore.  O Sole Trio has several upcoming performances - including co-hosting the Salon on October 23rd.  Brush up on you Italian for the "That's Italian!" theme for the evening!

Caroline Ferenczi sang "The Best is Yet to Come."  She will be appearing at Don't Tell Mama on September 22 at 7pm and October 16th at 3:30pm with her show entitled "Love Crazy."

Salon new comer, Sam Perwin sang the ballad "Anytime."  Hope we see more of this talented (and handsome!) young man.

Annie Lebeaux sang the very funny "There" for us.

Next up, Bloggette (me!) Arianna with the George Gershwin tune "Vodka."  Anyone who knows me knows this was a fairly accurate description of how I handle my liquor!  Many thanks to Mark Janas for being able to change the key on sight.

Etcetterete Marni Klar gave us a sneak peek into her upcoming show "Marni Klar Sings" with the  sweet ballad "If I Were Brave.  Marni's show will be at Don't Tell Mama on October 3rd, November 1st, and December 5th - all at 7pm and directed by our own Tanya Moberly.

Classical Corner gave us the added treat of violinist David Shenton on a piece from Gluck's Orpheus in the Underworld and the first movement of the Violin Sonata in G Major Opus 78 by Brahms (which he was SIGHT READING) - also often called "The Rain."

Classical Corner

At the beginning of Classical Corner, Mark mentioned that "Somewhere, at any given time on any given day, someone, somewhere is playing Beethoven."  David mentioned he had just put new strings on his violin - which resulted in needing a quick mid-piece re-tune.  David quipped that "That was me telling Beethoven he was deaf."

David Ballard opened the second half of Salon with his original song "A Song About Your Baby." It was hysterical - all about the things you would LIKE to say to your friend who posts many photos of their less than adorable new baby.  For those who haven't heard, David has been accepted into the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop!  Having heard several of his original songs at Salon in the past year or so, this is a VERY deserved acceptance, and we can't wait to find out what comes of it!  He closed out his set with "Make it and Old Fashioned" which moved into David channeling his inner Elaine Stritch forSondheim's "Ladies Who Lunch" since they were both in the same key.  Brilliantly done!

Our lovely producer, Tanya Moberly gave us "Scotch and Soda." As well as directing Marni Klar's Don't Tell Mama shows, Tanya will be appearing in her own Don't Tell Mama shows on October 17th and November 7th at 9:15pm singing Jonatha Brooke and on October 24th and November 14th at 9:15pm singing Ani di Franco.

It was Lea McKenna Garcia's birthday this Sunday!  She said while preparing for tonight's Salon she thought about all the songs she sings to herself while drinking...which were all sad, depressing, and not the best way to bring in the next year of her life!  She opted for the much happier Comden, Greene, and Styne tune "Comes Once in a Lifetime" from "Subways Are for Sleeping."

Next week's Salon co-host, Darren Williams gave us a medley of "All I Ask of You" and "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera - singing Raoul, the Phantom, AND Christine.  I must say,I found his Raoul to be a bit Cliff Richards-esque.

Richard Eisenberg presented us with a brand new work in progress that "might drive you to drink."

We had double birthdays this Salon as Bill Zeffiro celebrated his birthday on Thursday.  After our second round of "Happy Birthday" for the evening, Bill sang us Noel Coward's "Home Sweet Heaven" from "High Spirits" - with ALL the lyrics.  Bill is appearing every Tuesday night into the foreseeable future at La Mediterranee from 8 to 11.  Bill will also be appearing at the Oak Room on October 23rd for an Evening of Noel Coward.

Kevin McMullen came to the stage with his usual commitment to his piece - tonight's selection being "The St James Infirmary Blues."  Kevin has just released three new blog chapters at Travelpad.com.

Dawn Derow accompanied herself on guitar for her original song "Ode to Cape Cod," which is the kind of song that makes you want a gin and tonic.  Dawn will be appearing at Don't Tell Mama on October 19th with Sean Harkness and at the Metropolitan Room on September 24th in a benefit concert for AHRC.

Steve Schalchlin debuted a new song for us.  So new, in fact, that it had been updated since that afternoon!  The song was a very moving account of a concert he gave in a Hospice atrium.  Steve will performing in Rochester, NY with Amy Coleman the second weekend in October.

We had another Salon new comer - Robert Levulis - who sang a very smooth and powerful "On the Street Where You Live."  He said he didn't have anything coming up because he is too busy with his church work, but, "If someone's getting married or dying, call me."

David Ballard closed out the evening with the Frank Sinatra song "Drinking Again."

And to close, a quote about drinking from Dorothy Parker - "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal labotamy!"  How true!


 THIS SUNDAY! SALON – that unique, MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING, Weekly Open Mic Event, created and hosted by Mark Janas returns to Etcetera, Etcetera - 352 West 44th Street, NYC 10036 – on Sunday, August 28th from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.) The optional theme for the evening is “Variety”. Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon. Our Co-Host will be Darren Williams!  Hope to see you all there!


-Arianna
Guest Blogette for The Salon
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