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, April 29th from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.)
The optional theme for the evening is “Love's What We'll Remember.” Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon.
Mark Janas returns as Host!!!
Our Co-Hosts will be Mark Janas' Manhattan School of Music Students: Zach Appel, Oliver Donaldson, Chris Harrelson, Rachael Hirsch, Bradley Lassiter, Anna Penchuk, Janani Sridhar & Maren Weinberger! They will be reprising songs from their Discover Opera Valentine's Concert directed by Andy Gale.
Classical Corner will feature International Prize Winning Accordionist & Composer Veli Kujala! For more information: www.velikujala.com.
May 6th:
Theme: Being Alive – A Celebration of Life!
Co-Host: Johnny Rodgers
THERE WILL BE NO SALON MAY 13TH – JULY 1ST.
There will be a 60th Birthday Party for Mark Janas on Saturday, June 9th! (Details TBA)
Salon returns July 8th and will continue every Sunday.
Salon is an ongoing open entertainment event in which singers, writers and musicians share their talent with each other and audience members.
There is a $10 cash cover collected at the door and a $15 food/drink minimum (cash or credit) per person. (For more information about Etcetera, Etcetera's delicious menu: www.etcrestaurant.com.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis. Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening runs 7-10:30, with one intermission. If you would like to sign up to perform, see the evening's 'Etceterettes' to fill out a card with your name, the name of your song, whether or not Mark will be playing for you and any upcoming events you'd like to promote. We do not present performers in order of sign-up, however, indicating requests as clearly and as early as possible as far as time restraints are concerned always makes everything much more possible. ALWAYS BRING SEVERAL SONG SELECTIONS to avoid duplication. All types of material, on or off theme are always welcome at Salon. We enthusiastically welcome instrumentalists, poets, playwrights, essayists, comics, illusionists and performance artists. Please limit your selections to three or four minutes in length (including introductions). Please also bring clear, complete charts for Mark to read. Sitting on the piano is not allowed, nor is flash photography. Please turn off all noise making devices and give performers your undivided attention.
Visit our website at www.markjanasthesalon.com and look for us on Facebook!
Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, April 29th!
Thanks,
Tanya Moberly
Salon Producer
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Salon Wrap Up for April 22, 2012 "Tough Guys and Dangerous Dolls"
Etcetera Etcetera became a safe house of gangsters, crime bosses and femme fatales on Sunday. It was a hot night where the dames sang sweetly and the guys showed us the caliber of their guns! Billie Roe co-hosted with deceptively nice-looking Steven Ray Watkins hosting at the piano (remember, looks can be deceiving!). The theme of the evening was "Tough Guys and Dangerous Dolls," a theme that brought out the film noir and precarious morals of all of use. Billie accepted a Bistro award for her Theme Show "Dangerous Women – Life in Film Noir" at the 2012 Bistro Awards last week. She opened up the evening with the theme from the musical "City of Angels" (yup it has lyrics!) with an introduction reminding us that we all are noir voyeurs - we like the dark part of humanity, and we like to watch. She then went into a sultry and bluesy number called "Harlem Nocturne (Nocturne for the Blues)" by Earle Hagen and Dick Rogers.
Barb Malley, complete with a martini prop, slurred her words marvelously through "As We Stumble Along." In addition to print work in commercials, you can soon see Barb in Gretchen Reinhagen's vocal student showcase "Name Dropping" May 7th at Don't Tell Mama, with Tracy Stark at the piano. Richie Eisenberg was next, singing his original bad-girl-meets-her-match song "Ulterior Motive." You will be able to see more of his original works at his showcase "Smile on My Face" at the Laurie Beechman, featuring Erin Cronican, Rob Langeder, Stacie Perlman and Adam Shapiro. We then heard Jim Speake sing "It Had to Be You" in a sweet tenor. Mark Janas then took over for Steven to play for his friend Carroll Mailhot, a soprano who gorgeously sang "Summertime." Sue Hodgdon next grabbed the mic and sang the demandingly dangrous "Peel Me a Grape." Her show, "On The Bumpy Road To Love" (directed by Peter Napolitano with Barry Levitt at the piano) will show at Don't Tell Mama May 12th at 3pm.
Joann Sicoli sang "Gee Whiz," a fun 50's love song that portended a fun show at Don't Tell Mama on May 3rd, 7pm. Then came the Birthday Boy David Ballard, whose birthday was actually on Sunday. He celebrated by singing his hilarious original "A Song About Your Baby," and we all celebrated by singing him "Happy Birthday." Sierra Rein (that's your humble Bloggette for the week) then sang "Diva's Lament (Whatever Happened To My Part?)", illustrating the danger involved in not giving the Diva in your show the proper stage time. My group Marquee Five will perform at the Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival on May 18th, with Mark Janas, featuring songs from their past two shows and including a few numbers from our upcoming "swing"-themed show. We then heard the dangerous beauty of Maureen Taylor, who sang "Same Mistakes" from Breakfast at Tiffany's. After Maureen left the stage, Salon creator and uber-MAC-Award-Winning host Mark Janas took to the piano to play the second George Gershwin "Prelude," and doing so beautifully...almost criminally.
Singer, Director, multiple MAC, Bistro and Nightlife Award-winner and President of MAC Lennie Watts was the week's Salon Spotlight. This tenor with began his set singing "I Got Nothing But the Blues," a funky blues rock number that got sadder each time the key got higher. He followed that with the song-that-got-away-casting-wise, a different and unique interpretation of "Tomorrow" from Annie. He closed his set with a fun sing-along "Takin' It To The Streets." We then were excited to hear that Lennie is returning to the stage with his new show "Bloody Bloody Lennie Watts," who (with Steven Ray Watkins at the piano, a full band and backup singers) will be at the Metropolitan Room June 6th, 13th, 17th and 27th. Next, host Steven Ray Watkins got his own Corner of the evening, "Stevie's Corner." He chose to focus on some of his favorite "tough guy" pianists, starting tongue-in-cheek with Elton John's "Talking Old Soldiers." He then sang Ray Charles' "Them That Got," a song that reflected his favorite tough guy...himself!
After the break, our scintillating bad-girl Billie Roe stole the stage all for herself and - with Steven at the piano on hand as her partner in crime - to sing some tough tunes. She began with patter from "Franke's Wild Years," a hilarious monologue in the style of film noir. She then tore through "Gotta Move" (with a bit of "Route 66" mixed in for good measure), powerfully belting her noir heart out. She finished with "You Don't Know What Love Is," a song originally meant for the movie soundtrack to the 1941 Keep 'Em Flying, starring Abbott & Costello.
Our Godmother/Producer, Tanya Moberly, then stood to sing "I've Got What You Want," a swinging rock gospel song. Her new show (as yet to be titled) will be in Fall and will feature Steven as Music Director. We then had a trio of hopefuls in a row - singers who were going to sing at the Noel Coward Competition on April 24th at the Laurie Beechman Theater (read about the results here). All had Noel Coward aficionado Bill Zeffiro at the piano to play for them. First up was Karen Oberlin, who sang the uptempo fun "Louisa." We then heard Shana Farr tackle the tongue-twisting lyrics to the funny-pessimistic song "There are Bad Times Just Around the Corner." Finally we heard Julie Reyburn, singing the bluesy Coward ballad "World Weary," about the yearning for a simpler life after hitting the city pavement for too long. Julie now epitomizes "no rest for the Mama," performing with Marquee Five on May 18th and singing for the Trevor Project in a benefit this next week!
Next on our lineup of smooth criminals was Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano) singing the bitterly funny salsa number "Why Him?" She will be performing with Matthew at Don't Tell Mama in her show "I'm a Stranger Here Myself," performing May 6th (5pm) and 11th (7pm). Matthew stayed to play for Janice Hall, who sang the dangerous inner thoughts of one revengeful doll, "Pirate Jenny." Janice will be missed, as she just left this week to sing "Three Decembers" at the Fort Worth Opera this Summer! We then had a Salon debut, Erin Cronican's friends Rachel Hirsch and Natalie Lovejoy (composer at the piano), singing the charming and clever-lyric'd "I've Got The Radio On." Rachel wanted to also promote the Actors' Embassy (www.actorsembassyny.com), a resource and online community for actors, featuring blogs, council meetings, and an "Audition Central."
Nicole Kafka next sang "Those Were the Days," a gypsy song about past days in the tavern. Her show "Yesterday Once More" will take place on May 4th, 6th, 11th, and 13th at 8:30pm at Don't Tell Mama. Joe Regan, Jr sang "Selective Memory" by Michael Stoller (of Smokey Joe's Cafe fame) and Elaine St. George sang the beautiful Joni Mitchell song "Cactus Tree." Elaine, always a wonderful interpreter of lyrics, will bring her Joni Mitchell show to the Metropolitan Room May 6th and 13th. We then heard and saw some wonderful acting by Bob Diamond (with David Jarvis at the piano), performing "Mary's Bar" - his show "This Funny World" will be on April 29th, Sunday at 7pm at Don't Tell Mama. Cameron Fadjo (along with David Jarvis) then sang "Love Don't Need a Reason" - he will be a part of Gretchen Reinhagan's student showcase on May 7th. David continued to stay at the piano to play for baritone Paul Kolecki, who sang the classic American Songbook number, "Where or When."
The last set of songs for the evening started out with composer Nick Levin, who sang and played his hilarious parody of "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," only this time singing uncensored "tough talk" of David Mamet. Mark Janas continued to play for AMDA student Dominic Zicari (singing "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard), and then for Bart Lovins, who sang "Once Upon a Time." Bart is performing in a one-man show about John Wilkes Booth in Kentucky. Kevin McMullan sang about bad girl "Minnie the Moocher." He has a lot of plans coming up: a recording of his show "Twist of Fate," a sequel in the Fall, and a trip back to India next January! Bill Zeffiro sang a brand new ballad, lovingly written for the Big Apple herself, "I've Still Got New York." Bill has finished his first play, and can be seen every Tuesday night at La Mediterrane, plus Friday nights at Aza with songstress Melissa Mulder. Billie Roe closed the evening by belting out an amazing jazz-hot rendition of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," a song featured in her "Dangerous Woman" show.
NEXT WEEK! The theme is "Love's What We'll Remember," and the co-HOSTS of the night will be the Manhattan School of Music students working with Mark Janas! They will be joined in a Salon Spotlight with the world-reknowned concert accordionist and composer Veli Kujala, whose performance will be an amazing "first" for The Salon!
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Please email me.
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| Steven Ray Watkins |
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| Billie Roe |
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| Jim Speake |
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| Carol Mailhot |
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| David Ballard |
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| Lennie Watts |
Our Godmother/Producer, Tanya Moberly, then stood to sing "I've Got What You Want," a swinging rock gospel song. Her new show (as yet to be titled) will be in Fall and will feature Steven as Music Director. We then had a trio of hopefuls in a row - singers who were going to sing at the Noel Coward Competition on April 24th at the Laurie Beechman Theater (read about the results here). All had Noel Coward aficionado Bill Zeffiro at the piano to play for them. First up was Karen Oberlin, who sang the uptempo fun "Louisa." We then heard Shana Farr tackle the tongue-twisting lyrics to the funny-pessimistic song "There are Bad Times Just Around the Corner." Finally we heard Julie Reyburn, singing the bluesy Coward ballad "World Weary," about the yearning for a simpler life after hitting the city pavement for too long. Julie now epitomizes "no rest for the Mama," performing with Marquee Five on May 18th and singing for the Trevor Project in a benefit this next week!
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| Tanya Moberly |
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| Karen Oberlin |
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| Shana Farr |
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| Julie Reyburn |
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| Rachel Hirsch |
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| Paul Kolecki |
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| Nick Levin |
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Please email me.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Salon Wrap Up for April 15, 2012 "Kooky, Zany, Silly – The Great Comedians of Stage & Screen”
I’m so, so thrilled to be here at The Salon after a 1 month hiatus - thank you for having me back! And what an amazing show to come back to - the wacky theme, "Kooky, Zany, Silly – The Great Comedians of Stage & Screen.” But even more importantly, tonight also marked the return of Salon creator, Mark Janas, after a kicking a little brain surgery butt in March. For maybe the first time, Mark was able to sit back and enjoy The Salon from the audience perspective, with Guest Host/Pianist Ricky Ritzel at the keys. Ricky is Multiple MAC & Bistro Award Winner and Former President of MAC - we are incredibly lucky to have his presence at the piano tonight.
Our Co-Host for the evening was Alison Nusbaum, the 2012 MAC Award Winner for Piano Bar Singing Entertainer! Alison will be at Don’t Tell Mama (343 West 46th St, NYC 10036, 212-757-0788) April 24th &April 27th at 9:30pm and April 30th at 7pm with her new show “LADIES – A Raucous Homage to Mel Brooks’ Broads.” (For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com.)
Alison kicked off the evening with “High Anxiety” which she connected to how she felt about taking on hosting duties -- but I can tell you right now, she has absolutely nothing to fear!
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| Co-host Alison Nusbaum. |
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| Guest Host Ricky Ritzel |
Pilar Walsh was next with “Some Other Time” from Bernstein’s On The Town. Pilar is brand new to New York City as well as to The Salon, having moved here almost 3 months ago. We gave her a true Salon welcome by singing Happy Birthday - Pilar, thank you so much for spending your special day with us!
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| Pilar Walsh |
“Dr Sue” Horowitz brought us her original kooky, zany, silly song, “You’d Be Perfect.” Sue has a CD available for sale, “Keys of Love” which includes warm and inspirational tunes. You can buy the CD by talking to Sue, or by going to CDBaby.com. Next, Edie Stokes became a “Wicked Woman” right before our eyes, which was enticing and (at turns) hilarious. A veteran of cabaret, Edie is contemplating putting together something a little different for her next show - most likely a collection of jazz tunes. Whatever you do, Edie, audiences will eat it up!
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| Edie Stokes |
Ritt Henn was next, complete with a wee ukelele, singing a touching, original lullaby “Don’t Forget I Love You” (with a working title of “The Alzheimer’s Waltz.”) The song is usually sung by partner in crime, Mary Liz Mcnamara, so it was a rare treat to hear Ritt’s interpretation. Next up, you can see Ritt and Mary Liz at The Duplex on April 25 at 7pm. Lou Iacovino, longtime Salon-er, brought in the off-theme but on-charm, “The Best Is Yet To Come.”
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| Lou Iacovino |
Bill Zeffiro sang “Bronxville Darby & Joan” from Sail Away by Noel Coward. Bill is in the midst of writing a musical about Harry Houdini, which will probably be ready for its first reading sometime in the summer or fall. He is also performing the role of Billy Flynn in the upcoming ACTOR-OWN reading of “Chicago,” a collective created by (yours truly), Erin Cronican.
Speaking of yours truly, Erin Cronican brought up the comedic, “Summer In Ohio," from Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years. Erin is performing the role of Roxie opposite Bill on April 23 (along with Salon regulars Candice Oden, Marnie Klar, Elaine St George, Lea McKenna Garcia, and Mary Lahti.) For more information about this program (we're especially in need of men) please email Erin.
Marnie Klar, tonight's Etceterette, wowed us with the classically wordy, “Getting Married Today” (with able soprano assistance by Alison Nusbaum.)
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| Marnie Klar |
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| Mark Janas - though he is angelic, that's not God's light behind him. It's just a lamp! |
For Classical Corner, Ricky put on a tie (he's classy-like!) and told the fable of absinthe addicted Camille Saint Sens and how his most famous piece of classical piece music, “The Carnival of the Animals” was written - inspired by slow animals, like roosters, elephants, tortoises… and critics. This story was told with Victor Borge flair - and the audience was dying with laughter.
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| Ricky Ritzel. In a tie! (Thrown over his shoulder, but still...) |
Second Act
For the Co-Host set, Alison graced the stage once more, martini in hand, opening the second act with, “As We Stumble Along.” For her next song, she delighted in taking a decidedly unfunny and touching song, and, quote “dragging it through the mud.” Seemed like a tall order, but it was done sublimely - a wacky, hysterical version of song, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” (I don’t want to give too much away, but there were some arm tricks involved.)
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| Alison Nusbaum |
Alison talked about how many of her comedic songs came spur of the moment. For the final song of this set, Alison demonstrates what happens when someone requests/yells out for her to sing a song a little, well, inappropriate for her type: “Tomorrow.” (Yep.)
Salon Producer, Tanya Moberly, accompanied by the amazing Mark Janas, came to the stage with the hilarious piano/singer duet, “Schroeder” from You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. I promise, you have not seen this song really performed if you haven’t seen this version. Brilliant. Tanya is excited to announce that she’s producing her most amazing event, Mark Janas’s 60th birthday! It is scheduled for Saturday, June 9 at midnight (get there before June 8 at 11:59pm.) Everyone is invited - be sure to check future blogs for details.
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| Mark Janas and Tanya Moberly |
Mark Janas, staying at the piano, was joined by Andy Gale and Julie Reyburn with a gorgeous duet mashup of “Moon River” and “It Goes Like It Goes.” Matthew Martin Ward followed that up with the lovely ballad “Blame It On My Youth” by Oscar Levant. Matthew announced that the last chance to see the MAC Award winning Janice Hall’s show, “I’d Rather Be…” is this coming Wednesday at 9:30pm at the Metropolitan Room.
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| Andy Gale & Julie Reyburn |
Sally Darling, with accompaniment by Matthew Martin Ward, sang the adorable comedy song, “We Can Let It Go/If Love Were All” by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. Sally’s next show is at 5pm on May 6 at Don’t Tell Mama - she suggests that you see Richie’s show at 1pm, her show at 5pm, and then The Salon at 7pm! (Sounds like a great plan. I’m not biased at all.)
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| Sally Darling |
Susan Hodgson was next with a perfect song for the theme: a comedy song from a musical that was also a movie - “When You Got It, Flaunt It” from The Producers. Richard Eisenberg was next, with a follow up to a song he sang two weeks ago - “How Much I Weigh” (his parody lyrics to the tune of “My Way”) As mentioned previously, Richie is proud to announce that there will be a cabaret of his compositions performed by Adam Shapiro, Erin Cronican, Rob Langeder, and Stacey Perlman - May 6 at brunch time (1pm) at the Laurie Beechman.
To start of a round of encore performances, Ritt Henn came to the stage with his tune, “Trip Momma” - another Mary Liz Mcnamara original.
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| Ritt Henn |
Pilar Walsh, our birthday girl, was back with the South American influenced, “Samba De Uma Nota So” (with Portuguese lyrics, no less!) We sure hope Pilar joins us at future Salons. Bill Zeffiro brought back with his tune, “Dream Weaver” which he wrote when he was 27. We’re lucky to have such prolific writers at The Salon (and double MAC Award winners, no less!) Erin Cronican asked Bill to stay at the piano, where he accompanied her with the Peter Mills song, “It’s Amazing The Things That Float” from the Off Broadway musical, The Flood.
Marnie Klar was back to sing the sultry and adorable, “Naughty Baby." Lou Iacovino came to the stage with the sweeping, inspirational ballad, “Here’s To Life.” For her encore, “Dr Sue” Horowitz sang another original parody, “Sue Horowitz” to the tune of “I”ll Be Seeing You.”
The final song of the evening was by our lovely co-host, Alison Nusbaum, in “You Musn’t Feel Discouraged” a song created for one of her childhood icons, Carol Burnett from the Styne/Comden/Green musical, Fade Out Fade In - with able assistance on keys and mic by Ricky Ritzel.
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| Ricky Ritzel and Alison Nusbaum |
Next week: The theme is Tough Guys & Dangerous Gals - bring any song about crime, fighting, crime-fighting, or anything else you find tough and dangerous. Our Co-Host will be Billie Roe, with Guest Host/Pianist Steven Ray Watkins on the keys. The Salon Spotlight will be Mr. Mark Janas.
-Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon
URL’s I missed? Names misspelled? Please email me.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Update from Producer, Tanya Moberly - April 10, 2012
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, April 15th from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.)
The optional theme for the evening is “Kooky, Zany, Silly – The Great Comedians of Stage & Screen”.
Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon.
Our Co-Host will be the 2012 MAC Award Winner for Piano Bar Singing Entertainer - Alison Nusbaum! Alison will be at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036, 212-757-0788, April 24th & April 27th at 9:30pm and April 30th at 7pm with her new show “LADIES – A Raucous Homage to Mel Brooks' Broads.” For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com.
Our Guest Host/Pianist will be Multiple MAC & Bistro Award Winner and Former President of MAC - Ricky Ritzel! Ricky was nominated for a 2012 MAC Award for Major Male Artist for his show “Ingenue” and is currently Alison's Musical Director on “LADIES”. For more information: www.rickyritzel.com.
Salon continues every Sunday...
April 22nd:
Theme: Tough Guys & Dangerous Dolls
Guest Host/Pianist: Steven Ray Watkins
Co-Host: Billie Roe
April 29th:
Theme: Love's What We'll Remember
Co-Hosts: Manhattan School of Music Students
May 6th:
Theme: TBA
Co-Host: Johnny Rodgers
Salon is an ongoing open entertainment event in which singers, writers and musicians share their talent with each other and audience members.
There is a $10 cash cover collected at the door and a $15 food/drink minimum (cash or credit) per person. (For more information about Etcetera, Etcetera's delicious menu: www.etcrestaurant.com.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis, Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening runs 7-10:30, with one intermission. If you would like to sign up to perform, see one the evening's 'Etceterettes' to fill out a card with your name, the name of your song, whether or not Mark will be playing for you and any upcoming events you'd like to promote. We do not present performers in order of sign-up, however, indicating requests as clearly and as early as possible as far as time restraints are concerned always makes everything much more possible. ALWAYS BRING SEVERAL SONG SELECTIONS to avoid duplication. All types of material, on or off theme are always welcome at Salon. We enthusiastically welcome instrumentalists, poets, playwrights, essayists, comics, illusionists and performance artists. Please limit your selections to three or four minutes in length (including introductions). Please also bring clear, complete charts for Mark to read. Sitting on the piano is not allowed, nor is flash photography. Please turn off all noise making devices and give performers your undivided attention.
Visit our website at www.markjanasthesalon.com and look for us on Face Book!
Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, April 15th!
Thanks,
Tanya Moberly
Producer
The optional theme for the evening is “Kooky, Zany, Silly – The Great Comedians of Stage & Screen”.
Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon.
Our Co-Host will be the 2012 MAC Award Winner for Piano Bar Singing Entertainer - Alison Nusbaum! Alison will be at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036, 212-757-0788, April 24th & April 27th at 9:30pm and April 30th at 7pm with her new show “LADIES – A Raucous Homage to Mel Brooks' Broads.” For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com.
Our Guest Host/Pianist will be Multiple MAC & Bistro Award Winner and Former President of MAC - Ricky Ritzel! Ricky was nominated for a 2012 MAC Award for Major Male Artist for his show “Ingenue” and is currently Alison's Musical Director on “LADIES”. For more information: www.rickyritzel.com.
Salon continues every Sunday...
April 22nd:
Theme: Tough Guys & Dangerous Dolls
Guest Host/Pianist: Steven Ray Watkins
Co-Host: Billie Roe
April 29th:
Theme: Love's What We'll Remember
Co-Hosts: Manhattan School of Music Students
May 6th:
Theme: TBA
Co-Host: Johnny Rodgers
Salon is an ongoing open entertainment event in which singers, writers and musicians share their talent with each other and audience members.
There is a $10 cash cover collected at the door and a $15 food/drink minimum (cash or credit) per person. (For more information about Etcetera, Etcetera's delicious menu: www.etcrestaurant.com.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis, Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening runs 7-10:30, with one intermission. If you would like to sign up to perform, see one the evening's 'Etceterettes' to fill out a card with your name, the name of your song, whether or not Mark will be playing for you and any upcoming events you'd like to promote. We do not present performers in order of sign-up, however, indicating requests as clearly and as early as possible as far as time restraints are concerned always makes everything much more possible. ALWAYS BRING SEVERAL SONG SELECTIONS to avoid duplication. All types of material, on or off theme are always welcome at Salon. We enthusiastically welcome instrumentalists, poets, playwrights, essayists, comics, illusionists and performance artists. Please limit your selections to three or four minutes in length (including introductions). Please also bring clear, complete charts for Mark to read. Sitting on the piano is not allowed, nor is flash photography. Please turn off all noise making devices and give performers your undivided attention.
Visit our website at www.markjanasthesalon.com and look for us on Face Book!
Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!
Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, April 15th!
Thanks,
Tanya Moberly
Producer
Monday, April 2, 2012
The Salon Wrap Up for April 1, 2012 - "These Foolish Things"
What's talented and award-winning and silly all over? Answer: The Salon this past Sunday night, when DC Anderson co-hosted the evening! The theme was "These Foolish Things," and Tanya would have been a fool for not mentioning The Salon's THIRD CONSECUTIVE MAC AWARD WIN this past Thursday! But she did mention it, along with an update that Mark Janas was now in "rehab"-ilitation for the next 7-10 days and sends a big "HI" to the Salon family. On hand to put his hands on the piano for the evening was David Caldwell, musical director and composer. DC Anderson became the first fool of the evening with Ritt Henn's "My A** Looks Fantastic," an ego-filled trip through one man's appreciation of his own derrier. Then, fool in love Adam Shapiro sang a Weird Al Yankovic pop-ballad original, "You Don't Love Me Anymore," in such a beautifully straightforward manner that it was side-splittingly funny. Adam will be singing at Richard Eisenberg's showcase on May 6th at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Barb Malley, who was sad she missed last week's theme, then sang two songs sung by Frank Sinatra, "All My Tomorrows" and "I Concentrate on You." We then heard from funny man Charles Baran, who sang "When I Grow Up" (otherwise known as "The G-Man Song) from the 1937 show Pins and Needles. A friend of DC, Charles is a student of Donna McKechnie and highly recommends her musical theater audition class. Next, Stephanie Zagoren sweetly sang "It Might As Well Be Spring," a song reminding us all how foolish we can be during this (or even away from) this season! We then heard the statuesque Maureen Taylor gratefully and with an open heart sing "My Place in the World," a beautiful and powerful ballad.
Next, we were introduced to New Zealander Hayden Tee, who has performed in Les Miserables in the West End, and had a gorgeously powerful baritone voice to prove his chops. He sang "Til I Hear You Sing" from Love Never Dies (the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera), and let me tell you, I would see Hayden as The Phantom in any production! TONIGHT he is performing his own cabaret show at Don't Tell Mama at 7pm, so if you love full baritone voices, this would be one to go to tonight. The next foolish singer was Joann Sicoli, who quite seriously sang "I Believe I Can Fly" and was excited to announce her Don't Tell Mama show for May 3rd. Cookie Stark then sang "Seems Like Old Times" - Cookie just finished her show, "Cookie Stark Ready and Hot," the Sunday before, but will sing again at Eric Michael Gillett's show (read on for more info). Eric Michael Gillett (2012 MAC Award Winner for Major Male Artist, voice teacher, director) then came up and passionately sang the 50's do-wop song "Hold Me Thrill Me," and it was WE who were thrilled in the end! His show, "I Won't Sing a Sondheim Song...Or Will I?" will include special guests Cookie Stark and Melanie Vaughan, and will have Jeff Cubeta as musical director - all Fridays in April (6th, 13th, 20th, 27th) and Wednesdays in May (9th and 23rd) at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 7pm.
David took a break to have Matthew Martin Ward sit a the piano to accompany returning whistler Luc Vitry, who breath-fully whistled the melody of "Sempre Libera" from Verdi's Traviata in preparation for an upcoming whistling competition (and indeed, Luc was appreciative of the Salon for the safe working environment it offered singers and whistlers alike). Also returning to the Salon was singer-songwriter and guitarist Becca Yure, who performed her original "Jacqueline," a song dedicated to a special friend she knew in France. We then heard from our most jester-ish waiter ever, David Ballard, who tap-danced his way through the clever "Way Ahead of My Time." Sierra Rein (that's myself, a fool for any stage) then sang an audition song, "I Just Want to Be A Star" from Nunsense, in which I called my "Barb Malley impersonation," having been coached by Barb last week on how to sing and speak with a Brooklyn accent. Then, Etceterette Candice Oden, who is nobody's fool, belted out the 50's song "Fools Fall in Love."
Our Salon Spotlight of the evening was singer, MAC Award winner, Cabaret and Broadway star Raissa Katona Bennett, who is currently recording a new CD with David Caldwell at the piano and Robin Batteau on violin. On hand were both gentlemen, who were recording with Raissa that very afternoon, right before the show started. After teaching the audience the difference between the Christine Daee bow and the Evita bow (with arms raised), Raissa then proved to us that dreams can come true with out with an absolutely life-affirming song, "It's Possible," allowing Robin's very interesting and echoing violin to balance with David's piano. She next sang an absolutely brilliant arrangement (done by David Caldwell) of the Beatle's "I Will," elongating words and playing around with expected and unexpected rhythms throughout.
David stayed at the piano for Caldwell's Corner, during which he spoke of his friend Robert Fulghum, who famously wrote "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." Robert is the author of many poems and essays, many of which David has put to music. David told us a story of how Robert once attended a seminar held by a famous Greek philosopher and wise man - he jokingly asked the Greek man what the meaning of life was. This man, Alex Papaderos, replied with a story about how he once found a shard of glass from a broken motorcycle mirror near to where the Nazis once massacred hundreds of Greeks during World War Two. He would take this shard and shine the sunlight into areas of darkness that he couldn't see into. David then played the song "Story," about having the meaning of life becoming the urge to shine light into the dark hearts of his fellow human beings. He then asked Raissa Katona Bennett to come up and sing "A Tomb With a View," a Robert Fulghum piece set to music, which will be on Raissa's upcoming CD. Raissa introduced this song in her own unique way:
For the start of the Second Act/Set, our graciously funny co-host DC Anderson sang three hilarious special pieces of material: the point-of-view-from-a-baby song "Maury," the tongue-twisting maybe-I'm-a-dick-to-people-because-I'm-meant-to song "Karma Comedian," and "Human Fondue," a quite witty number DC wrote for a friend of his regarding the perils of using food during lovemaking (his friend's show was about chocolate and sex). Throughout all these numbers, DC was earnestly hilarious, being both real and honest and yet bitingly funny. Producer Tanya Moberly then sang the beautiful Cole Porter song "So in Love" from Kiss Me Kate, and let us know that her newest song set and show will be opening in the Fall! Susan Hodgdon next rock-belted out "Silly Love Songs" - her show "On The Bumpy Road to Love" will take place on Saturday, May 12th at 3pm at Don't Tell Mama, with Barry Levitt as musical director and Peter Napolitano as director. We then had our sides split by Richard Eisenberg who, wearing a white yarmulke, sang parody lyrics to "Cheek to Cheek," this time entitled "Leavened." Featuring inferences to eating "matzos for a week," these new lyrics were real crowd pleasers! After the laughter died down, Matthew Martin Ward grabbed a seat at the piano and sang his parody lyrics to "I Love a Piano," this time switching "Love" with "Hate," and harkened us to his youthful piano-learning days, when once his piano teacher admonished him that she hoped he would never grow up to play in bars...uh oh. Matthew's lyrics were amazing, and they included reference to trying to "jam on this Cunningham" (the actual make of piano he was playing on), and he even utilized some of his classical piano training! Matthew then went on to plug two things he is a part of: Janice Hall's third performance of "I'd Rather Be Doing This" Wednesday, April 18th, 9:30 at the Metropolitan Room, and as part of the Isadora Duncan Dance Company's 135th Birthday Bash, May 22nd and the 24th thru the 26th at Judson Memorial Church - isadoraduncan.org for more information.
Twice-MAC-Awarded Bill Zeffiro was next to the piano, first singing Irving Berlin's parody lyrics to "You're the Top" (which were the dirtiest you could imagine for Irving Berlin!), and then ripped into his own song (cut from his Off-Broadway show The Road to Ruin) entitled "La Mosca Espanola." As Bill put it, "you have to be dirty to rhumba!" and his song certainly reflected it - you can hear more dirty dittys (and some classics) from Bill every Tuesday night at La Mediterrane Bistro! 2012 MAC Award-winning Joan Jaffe (for her comedy show stylings!) then sang the equally devilish "Red Riding Hood" and charmed us with her hilarious delivery. Frank Loman returned to the stage and once again entertained us with the sweet ballad "If I Ever Say I'm Over You." Frank's show "Dangerous Cabaret - Frank Loman sings Bucchino, Kahr, and Sondheim" will open this Wednesday at Don't Tell Mama: April 4th and 12th, 7:30pm.
We then finished up the Salon Spotlight, as pianist and producer Ron Abel arrived to accompany Raissa Katona Bennett and Robin Batteau on a haunting "Waiting for a Westbound Train," performing it live for the first time! It was a moody, sultry song written by Ron Abel and Chuck Stefan, and allowed Robin's echoing violin stings to float beautifully between voice and piano. Raissa, who had loved to listen to Buskin and Batteau for years, is thrilled to be working with Batteau on her CD, which will debut in August - look for her Feinstein's CD release shows between August 20th and 25th with Ron at the piano! To close the evening, DC Anderson brought us ALL down with parody lyrics of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile"...this time, pulling the corners of our cheeks Earth-bound into a "Frown." Actually, we couldn't help but laugh and smile at DC and his wonderful new lyrics, and gave big applause after to our Jester-of-the-Evening!
NEXT SUNDAY - NO SALON! Instead, eat lots of chocolate and pet lots of bunnies (but don't confuse the two), it's EASTER!
The NEXT SUNDAY AFTER THAT (why am I yelling??!), April 15th, will be co-hosted by funny lady Alison Nusbaum, and the theme will be "Kooky, Zany, Silly – The Great Comedians of Stage and Screen." So, come with your funny bones intact, and your appreciative songs from and about ladies like Fanny Brice, Barbara Streisand, Mae West, or maybe songs sung by modern Broadway Babes like Sutton Foster, Kaye Ballard, Stephanie Block, or Lisa Lambert! Have a great time!
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Please email me.
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| DC Anderson |
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| Barb Malley |
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| Charles Baran |
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| Stephanie Zagoren |
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| Maureen Taylor |
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| Hayden Tee |
David took a break to have Matthew Martin Ward sit a the piano to accompany returning whistler Luc Vitry, who breath-fully whistled the melody of "Sempre Libera" from Verdi's Traviata in preparation for an upcoming whistling competition (and indeed, Luc was appreciative of the Salon for the safe working environment it offered singers and whistlers alike). Also returning to the Salon was singer-songwriter and guitarist Becca Yure, who performed her original "Jacqueline," a song dedicated to a special friend she knew in France. We then heard from our most jester-ish waiter ever, David Ballard, who tap-danced his way through the clever "Way Ahead of My Time." Sierra Rein (that's myself, a fool for any stage) then sang an audition song, "I Just Want to Be A Star" from Nunsense, in which I called my "Barb Malley impersonation," having been coached by Barb last week on how to sing and speak with a Brooklyn accent. Then, Etceterette Candice Oden, who is nobody's fool, belted out the 50's song "Fools Fall in Love."
Our Salon Spotlight of the evening was singer, MAC Award winner, Cabaret and Broadway star Raissa Katona Bennett, who is currently recording a new CD with David Caldwell at the piano and Robin Batteau on violin. On hand were both gentlemen, who were recording with Raissa that very afternoon, right before the show started. After teaching the audience the difference between the Christine Daee bow and the Evita bow (with arms raised), Raissa then proved to us that dreams can come true with out with an absolutely life-affirming song, "It's Possible," allowing Robin's very interesting and echoing violin to balance with David's piano. She next sang an absolutely brilliant arrangement (done by David Caldwell) of the Beatle's "I Will," elongating words and playing around with expected and unexpected rhythms throughout.
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| Raissa and Robin |
I just asked Siri what the meaning of life is? Siri answered: "Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try to live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations." I said, "Are you sure?" and Siri said, "We were talking about you, not me." so I said, "Well then, what do YOU think is the meaning of life?" and Siri said, "I can't answer that now, but give me some time to write a very long play in which nothing happens."Tee hee!
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| David Caldwell |
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| Tanya Moberly |
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| Richard Eisenberg |
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| Matthew Martin Ward |
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| Bill Zeffiro |
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| Joan Jaffe |
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| Ron, Raissa & Robin |
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| Ron Abel |
The NEXT SUNDAY AFTER THAT (why am I yelling??!), April 15th, will be co-hosted by funny lady Alison Nusbaum, and the theme will be "Kooky, Zany, Silly – The Great Comedians of Stage and Screen." So, come with your funny bones intact, and your appreciative songs from and about ladies like Fanny Brice, Barbara Streisand, Mae West, or maybe songs sung by modern Broadway Babes like Sutton Foster, Kaye Ballard, Stephanie Block, or Lisa Lambert! Have a great time!
-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Please email me.
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