Friday, September 27, 2013

Update from Producer, Tanya Moberly - September 27, 2013

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, September 29th from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.)

The optional theme for the evening is “A Change Is In The Air.”

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

Our Guest Host/Pianist will be Two-Time MAC & Bistro Award Winner Mark Hartman! Mark’s Broadway credits range from PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES to AVENUE Q and his cabaret clients include Scott Barbarino and the Bev-Naps, Baby Jane Dexter, Lina Koutrakos, Rick Skye and for the last seven years Natalie Douglas! He is also one-third of B Major Productions, responsible for the multiple award-winning Silence! The Musical.

Guest Host: Mark Hartman
www.markhartman.net
Our Co-Host will be Seven-Time MAC & Bistro Award Winner, Natalie Douglas! Natalie will be appearing at The Café Carlyle – 35 East 76th St (at Madison Avenue), NYC 10021 – September 26th& 27th at 10:45pm, She will also be Guest Hosting Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Birdland – 15 West 44th St, NYC 10036 – October 7th AND will return to the Crazy Coqs in London in 2014.

Co-Host Natalie Douglas
www.nataliedouglas.com
Our Salon Spotlight will feature Sue Matsuki! Sue will be bringing THE BLUES AND COUNTRY SHOW, the second in her GENRES series to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 – October 19th at 4pm. For more information: www.metropolitanroom.com

Salon Spotlight: Sue Matsuki
www.suematsuki.com
Salon continues every Sunday (except October 13th) …

October 6th:
Theme: More Mizerable
Co-Host: Willy Falk
Salon Spotlight: Rev. Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes

October 13th: NO SALON

October 20th:
Theme: Two Heads Are Better Than One – The Art of Collaboration
Co-Hosts: Jim Brochu & Steve Schachlin

October 27th:
Theme: Out of the Closet and Beyond – Costumes Encouraged!
Co-Host: Adam Shapiro

November 3rd:
Theme: Better To Have Loved and Lost…
Co-Host: Amy Beth Williams
Salon Spotlight: Jamie Salzano

November 10th:
Theme: The Blame Game
Co-Hosts: Jackie Kristel & Alison Nusbaum

November 17th:
Theme: Crooners & Swooners
Co-Host: Frank Dain

November 24th:
Theme: You Made Me Love You
Co-Host: Sarah Rice

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.etcetcnyc.com. A 20% gratuity is added to all checks.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis, Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening begins at 7:00, has a 15-minute break at 8:30 and ends promptly at 10:30. 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 Facebook!

Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!

Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, September 29th!

Thanks,

Tanya Moberly
Salon Producer

The Salon Wrap-Up for September 22, 2013 "It's My Party and I'll Sing If I Want To"

It certainly felt like a party when we walked into Etc Etc on Sunday. There were colorful feather boas on the piano and people dressed in sparkly outfits. And no wonder - our fun theme for the evening was, “It’s My Party and I’ll Sing If I Want To.” (And we were as obstinate about that as the theme would suggest!)

Our Guest Host/Pianist was the always amazing Jeff Cubeta! Jeff just finished a run of SING THIS – THE SONGS OF JEFF CUBETA at Don’t Tell Mama and is currently campaigning for kickstarted cash to record his premiere CD. Click here for more information.

Guest Host, Jeff Cubeta
www.jeffcubeta.com
Our Co-Host was Cabaret Newcomer Robin Westle! Robin will be bringing NO REGRETS back to The Laurie Beechman Theatre – 407 West 42nd St, NYC 10036 - October 22nd at 7pm & October 27th at 7pm. For more information: http://www.westbankcafe.com/beechman_theatre.html
Co-Host, Robin Westle
To kick off the evening, Robin started with a fun and jazzy “Throwing A Ball.” Robin then brought up Elaine St George who sang a sweet and warm “Would You Like to Learn To Dance” by Steve Goodman. Speaking of, we were thrilled to find at that this MAC Award winner has a new show coming up: “Elaine George Sings Steve Goodman.” It’ll be at Don’t Tell Mama on Oct 30, Nov 1, 7, & 14 - all at 7:15pm. There is a discount for Salon members - thanks Elaine! Jane Glick as next with the charming story song, “I Never Do Anything Twice.” Jane has a show coming up soon, and as soon as she has dates she’ll make them available to us.

Bennett Silverstein gave us a swinging version of “Ring A Ding Ding” by Jimmy Van Heusen & Sammy Kahn. You can hear that song’s in Bennett’s show honoring the songs of Jimmie Van Heusen, coming up at Don’t Tell Mama Sunday, October 13 at 3pm. Ivan Torzs, in his second outing at The Salon, came to the piano and started with a rudimentary (and comedic) lesson in the Korean language before playing/singing the ballad, “I’ll Count To Ten” - with (get this) call and response…in Korean! Well, he called and we laughed, but you get the picture. (There’s only so much Korean that we can learn in 90 seconds.) Next up was Robin Kradles with a beautifully acted “Lies of Handsome Men.” Robin’s debut cabaret is coming up October 3, 12, & 20 at The Duplex, called, “Icons: A Tribute the the Women Who Inspire Me.” Get out there and support this performer’s fine work!

Kit Benton, in a duet with Guest Host Jeff Cubeta, performed “It’s The Little Things You Do Together” from Company. She’s reviving a show, “Family Matters” on Long Island. If you’re in the area, be sure to get out to see it! In a 2nd visit to The Salon, Lynn Kearney sang the lovely pop country ballad, “Angel From Montgomery.” You can see Lynn in the Metropolitan Room’s Showcase on Wednesday night - good luck, Lynn! Self-proclaimed Salon virgin, Alexis Fishman (who I had the joy of working with for several years in Craig Carnelia’s professional musical theater class) sang a heartbreaking, “What Did I Have” by Lerner & Lane. She was the 2012 NYMF “Next Broadway Sensation” Winner and did 2 sold out nights at 54 Below. Please come back, Alexis!

Long time Salon crooner, Marnie Klar, sang the showstopping medley from her recent cabaret “Ain’t Got No / I Got Life” from the musical, Hair (with a NIna Simone arrangement.) Carolyn Montgomery Forant, a salon “newbie” who claimed she couldn’t use the words “me” and “virgin” in the same sentence, sang a powerful rendition of “But I Want To.” Carolyn just came out of seven years as a restaurant owner and is returning to cabaret, with two shows coming up with dates TBA. Please come back soon, Carolyn! Your Blogette for the evening (aka ME! or, Erin Cronican, if you’d prefer) sang Jason Robert Brown’s “I’m Not Afraid Of Anything.” I would like to point out that throughout the evening Jeff Cubeta underscored people’s entrances and exits tot he stage - I wish he could follow me around and do that ALL the time!


Salon Spotlight

Our Salon Spotlight featured David Ballard!, who spent a rare night seated rather than running around he room fulfilling everyone’s culinary desires! David will be making his cabaret debut with HAVING IT ALL at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – September 24th at 7pm, September 25th at 9:30pm, October 11th at 7pm & October 12th at 5pm. For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com

David’s first song was a haunting ballad by Boy George called “Stranger To This World.” For his second song, he turned things up a little with a funny yet touching rendition of The Beatles’ “Your Mother Should Know” (I won’t give away any news from his show, but it was very colorful.) His final tune was Jillette Johnson’s “Cameron”, an emotional story song which I had never had the luxury to hear, and it was done beautifully. You really should get out and support his fine, fine work.


Cubeta’s Corner

Filling in for Mark Janas’ Classical Corner is no easy feat, so Jeff decided to put his one spin on the segment by sharing 3 of his favorite songs. The first was Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire.” Jeff encouraged those of us who knew the song to sing along with harmonies. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t know it before he started but I certainly became a fan by the end!

His second number of the set was “Stop Draggin’ Around My heart” by Tom Petty, which he performed in a duet with Salon Producer, Tanya Moberly. Their voices blended seamlessly and reminded me of how much I love hearing harmonic singing. The final number was original Jeff Cubeta song - “Is There Anybody Really Out There” which I fell in love with!


Second Half

Robin brought us back into the second half with the clever patter song, “Eat The Ice Cream.” She followed that with the charming character song, “Bar at the Piccolo Marina.” She continued to bring the funny in song given right to her husband, Tom, “Minor Changes.”

Coming back to the mic, Salon Producer (and in-demand director) Tanya Moberly sang “Everything” by Rupert Holmes and Paul Williams. Tanya has announced dates for her next solo cabaret show - “I Love NY Songwriters.” It’ll be happening at Don’t Tell Mama Nov 1 (7pm) & 2, and Dec 3 & 4. She met a lot of the songwriters here at The Salon including Richard Eisenberg, Dan Furman, Ritt Henn, Bobbie Horowitz, Nicholas Levin, Liz McNamara and Bill Zeffiro (plus many others!) She has a discount for Salon members - you have no excuse not to go!

MAC & Bistro award winner, Janice Hall, sang an amazing, haunting version of “Autumn Leaves” which she blended with her own translation of the lyrics into English (oh yeah - did I mention it was in French?) Bill Zeffiro played flawlessly on piano. 2013 MAC Award Winner Adam Shapiro brought in Christine Ebersole’s “Gently Down The Street” - a song he heard at the end credits of the movie, “The Big Wedding.” It’s a jazz version of “Row Row Row Your Boat” with lyrics she added to enhance the song. I loved it! :) Adam is bringing back his holiday show in December -- but he promises there will be no Christmas carols! He’ll give us more details as they become available.

In honor of George Gershwin’s birthday, Marissa Mulder sang the “little known” tune, “Someone To Watch Over Me.” Marissa is a Julie Wilson Award Winner & Noel Coward Competition Winner. She’s reviving her Tom Waits’ show this Saturday, September 28 at Joe’s Pub at 9:30pm. Get out to see it! After playing for 3 people in a row, Bill Zeffiro got to play & sing his own tune “As Long As We’re Loaded” (highly appropriate for the theme, I’ll say!) After singing, he asked if he could pimp something - You can see Bill every Tuesday at La Mediterranee on 2nd Avenue between 5th & 51st. Be sure to bring your tunes and stay to sing!

A Salon newbie, Bob O’Hare, took a seat on the stage, to sing, “Singin’ In The Bathtub.” Bob has a show coming up, “Recovery” at Don’t Tell Mama with Tom Nelson as MD and directed by Eric Michael Gillett. I didn’t catch the dates and he didn’t write them on his card, so contact Don’t Tell Mama for details. Cookie Stark, who our co-host called “the funniest person I know” sang the darling tune, “Hard Hearted Hannah.” Kathleen Stewart brought a great musical theater sensibility to Andrew Lippa’s “Out Of The Blue.” On her card she wrote, “About to start playing ukelele at a new Astoria Restaurant.” I have to see that!

Kathleen’s friend (and Broadway veteran) Stephen Mitchell Brown, sang a powerful and precise “Finishing The Hat” from Sunday in the Park With George. It’s his first time at The Salon and he promised that it will not be his last! Carolyn Ferenczi sang a tender, “Rainbow Connection.” Newbie to The Salon, Stephanie Summerville, brought her delicate soprano to “Grateful” by one f my favorite composers, John Bucchino. MAC Award winner Eric Michael Gillett was next at the mic to sing a Jeff Cubeta original, “There’s An Angel Watching Over Me.” Eric invited everyone to come to the Rodgers & Hart night at the Cabaret Convention. He also said they’re bringing back the Amanda McBroom Project, but this time scaled down to just 10 singers over 4 nights. Sounds amazing, Eric - congrats!

Richard Eisenberg, Salon regular, started by acknowledging those who made this evening possible - Tanya Moberly as Producer, Jeff Cubeta as flawless Guest Host, and The Salon’s Board of Directors (including Roy Sander, who was enjoying the show from the front row.) He followed that with his ode to love, “Never Too Late.” Louisa Poster was next with a sassy “Bei Mir Bist du Shein” (I have no idea what that means but it was great!) Louisa announced that she’s a featured singer with the Rick Bogart Trio every Tues & Fri night at Lybane on 8th Avenue.

For the last number of the evening, our fearless Co-Host Robin Westle sang the glorious Edith Piaf tune, “Je Ne Regrette Rein.” She included an amusing rant of all of the things she DIDN’T regret in her life… except for eating full meals on a day of fasting for her Jewish husband. And with that, the last Salon of the summer was closed. Onwards to autumn!

Next week, The Salon theme is “There Is A Change in the Air” - this should be a great and fun theme to tackle! Bring any song that talks about shifts in time or circumstances. You can even go pun-ny and sing a song about money! (I did not mean to rhyme that, I swear.)

Our Guest Host/Pianist will be Two-Time MAC & Bistro Award Winner Mark Hartman! Mark’s Broadway credits range from PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES to AVENUE Q and his cabaret clients include Scott Barbarino and the Bev-Naps, Baby Jane Dexter, Lina Koutrakos, Rick Skye and for the last seven years Natalie Douglas! He is also one-third of B Major Productions, responsible for the multiple award-winning Silence! The Musical.

Guest Host: Mark Hartman
www.markhartman.net
Our Co-Host will be Seven-Time MAC & Bistro Award Winner, Natalie Douglas! Natalie will be appearing at The Café Carlyle – 35 East 76th St (at Madison Avenue), NYC 10021 – September 26th& 27th at 10:45pm, She will also be Guest Hosting Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Birdland – 15 West 44th St, NYC 10036 – October 7th AND will return to the Crazy Coqs in London in 2014.
Co-Host Natalie Douglas
www.nataliedouglas.com
Our Salon Spotlight will feature Sue Matsuki! Sue will be bringing THE BLUES AND COUNTRY SHOW, the second in her GENRES series to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 – October 19th at 4pm. For more information: www.metropolitanroom.com

Salon Spotlight: Sue Matsuki
www.suematsuki.com

Friday, September 20, 2013

Update from Producer, Tanya Moberly - September 20, 2013

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, September 22nd from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.)

The optional theme for the evening is “It’s My Party And I’ll Sing If I Want To!”

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

Our Guest Host/Pianist will be Jeff Cubeta! Jeff just finished a run of SING THIS – THE SONGS OF JEFF CUBETA at Don’t Tell Mama and is currently campaigning for kickstarter cash to record his premiere CD. For more information: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/305969999/sing-this?ref=live

Guest Host: Jeff Cubeta
www.jeffcubeta.com
Our Co-Host will be Cabaret Newcomer Robin Westle! Robin will be bringing NO REGRETS back to The Laurie Beechman Theatre – 407 West 42nd St, NYC 10036 - October 22nd at 7pm & October 27th at 7pm. For more information: http://www.westbankcafe.com/beechman_theatre.html

Co-Host: Robin Westle
Our Salon Spotlight will feature David Ballard! David will be making his cabaret debut with HAVING IT ALL at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – September 24th at 7pm, September 25th at 9:30pm, October 11th at 7pm & October 12th at 5pm. For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com

Salon Spotlight: David Ballard
Salon continues every Sunday (except October 13th) …

September 29th:
Theme: A Change Is In The Air
Guest Host: Mark Hartman
Co-Host: Natalie Douglas
Salon Spotlight: Sue Matsuki

October 6th:
Theme: More Mizerable
Co-Host: Willy Falk
Salon Spotlight: Rev. Roger Anthony Yolanda Mapes

October 13th: NO SALON

October 20th:
Theme: Two Heads Are Better Than One – The Art of Collaboration
Co-Hosts: Jim Brochu & Steve Schachlin

October 27th:
Theme: Out of the Closet and Beyond – Costume Optional
Co-Host: Adam Shapiro

November 3rd:
Theme: Better To Have Loved and Lost…
Co-Host: Amy Beth Williams

November 10th:
Theme: The Blame Game
Co-Hosts: Jackie Kristel & Alison Nusbaum

November 17th:
Theme: Crooners & Swooners
Co-Host: Frank Dain

November 24th:
Theme: You Made Me Love You
Co-Host: Sarah Rice

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.etcetcnyc.com. A 20% gratuity is added to all checks.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis, Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening begins at 7:00, has a 15-minute break at 8:30 and ends promptly at 10:30. 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 Facebook!

Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!


Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, September 22nd!

Thanks,

Tanya Moberly
Salon Producer

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Salon Wrap-Up for September 15, 2013 "Seize The Day"

Mark Janas started off this week’s Salon by delivering some amazing news: The next time you see him at The Salon he will have a different face! That’s right - this Tuesday he is having surgery to reconnect some of the nerves in his face to help address the droopiness after the tumor was removed.

I’d say that’s just about the most perfect way to usher in the night’s theme: Seize The Day. Our Co-Host for the evening was the powerful and talented Cynthia Farrell! Daughter of Bob Farrell - band master and player for The Temptations - Cynthia is an international singer of many genres and has appeared with such artists as Stevie Nicks and Don Was. She is also known as the voice of Catalina in the GRAND THEFT AUTO video game series. Cynthia recently made her cabaret debut FARRELL FOR REAL at Don’t Tell Mama. For more information: www.cynthiafarrellnyc.com.
Co-Host Cynthia Farrell
Cynthia started out with the inspirational opener to her own show - the quintessential Seize The Day song, “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story. She credited Jim Horvath, co-writer & director and her music director Frank Minarik with the arrangement, which Mark said was one of the more enjoyable non-traditional renditions he’d heard.

To kick off the open mic portion of the evening, Adam Shapiro revealed his big Seize the Day moment. It was Sept 1 2004 when he arrived in NYC and ended up staying for the last 9 years. Adam shared his thoughts on the day of his move through the song, “Astonishing” from the musical, Little Women. The always charming Edie Stokes was next with “I Want To Be A Wicked Woman” by Francesca Blumenthal. Edie joked, “Life is short, eat dessert first” which might give you a glimpse into the show which she has coming up on Sunday, September 22 - right down the street at Don’t Tell Mama at 7pm (see her show, then finish up you night at The Salon!) Singer/songwriter, Sue Horowitz (“Dr. Sue”) brought us an original song - not from a musical but from her telephone answering machine (no joke- call her!) - “Celebrate Your Life.” Sue can be seen next at the Unity Cabaret on September 21 at 2pm.

Next up was a new visitor to The Salon, Stew Frimer. Before he sang, he talked about all of the daring things that he’s done (zip-lining, white water rafting etc) but he said singing at a brand new open mic was more nerve-wracking! We all know what that feels like, since we’ve all been new to The Salon at one point or another- and we sure hope you come back, Stew! Stew says he has a show coming up in March with Lennie Watts and Dan Furman, called “Let The Good Times Roll.” Coming to the stage after Stew was Lauren Noll, who told us it was also her first time at The Salon. In fact, it was the first time she’d been in front of an audience since moving to NYC. (She found out about The Salon from some friends who said we were a warm and welcoming audience!) We may have shown a little of that after falling in love with her song, “Falling” by The Civil Wars - which she sang while accompanying herself on the piano. We hope you’ll join us again!

Robin Kradles called her song “Seize The Rhythm” in order to put her song on theme - “Hot Voodoo.” Robin has a show coming up “Icons- Women Who Inspire Me” at The Duplex October 3, 12, & 20, 2013. Annie Lebeaux played & sang a lovely and wistful “The Carter Family” by Carly Simon (a rare occasion where she didn’t perform one of the wonderful original tunes!) She said that the song was more about not having seized the day when she should have. Janice Hall said that if not the right theme, at least her song was in the right season - “Autumn Laves” - complete with French & English lyrics! Janice has a few projects in the works, but mums the word about them now.

Candice Oden, longtime Salon-er, sang “Fly, Fly Away” - an amazing pop infused ballad from the Marc Shaiman musical, Catch Me If You Can. Her bestie, and yours truly, Erin Cronican (your Blogette!) sang Jason Robert Brown’s “I Can Do Better Than That” from The Last Five Years. I can be seen along with Janice Hall in a concert of arias/art songs composed to lyrics of Shakespeare text. It’s happening at the Jefferson Library in the West Village on September 25 at 6:30pm (and it’s free!) Marnie Klar, tonight’s Etceterette sang “A Quiet Thing” from Flora The Red Menace.


Classical Corner

Mark Janas kicked off this week’s Classical Corner by talking about what seizing the day might mean when speaking of composers. With that, he introduced Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony VI. Beethoven created this symphony after spending a glorious day in the country. Maybe for the first time in classical music, Beethoven attempted to tell the story of his adventure in multiple detailed movements, so that the audience could follow the narrative. Mark invited Matthew Martin Ward to join him at the piano - here are five 4-handed movements that were demonstrated this evening:

- “The Awakening of cheerful feelings on arriving in the country”
- “Scene at the brook” - Part 1
- “Scene at the brook” - Part 2
- “Merry making of the country folk”
- “Song of the shepherds. Glad and thankful feelings after the storm”


Second Half

To kick off the second half of the night, David Ballard came out with a delicious chocolate cake to celebrate the birthday of Salon board member and general merry man, Bill Zeffiro. Happy birthday, Bill! Thank you for spending every Sunday evening with your Salon family.

Back to our event… Our lovely and personable co-host, Cynthia Farrell kicked off the 2nd half with a jazzy “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” from the movie, “The Wizard of Oz” (complete with scatting!) It might be the first time I’ve enjoyed listening to the song. With amazing control, range and vocal ease, Cynthia transitioned into the powerful ballad, “Chanson,” which segued into the pop song “100 Years.” She finished her set with an amazing version of “Being Alive” from Company (arranged by her music director, Fran Minarik.)

Leading off the open mic of the second half, Tanya Moberly sang “What About Today” from Starting Here, Starting Now by Maltby & Shire. Tanya finally announced dates for her next solo cabaret show - “I Love NY Songwriters.” It’ll be happening at Don’t Tell Mama Nov 1 & 2, and Dec 3 & 4. I cannot wait to see it! Tom Lucca, another Salon first timer, brought his big bass voice to “Digging Stone” from the Off Broadway musical, The Spitfire Grill. Next up, you can see Tom doing Smile with Musicals Tonight here in NYC October 18-November 3, 2013. David Ballard, our amazingly dedicated and talented server, gave us, “A World Without You” by Stephen Schwartz. Not only is David in the advanced class for BMI, he’s also the Salon Spotlight for next week to promote his upcoming show! David is premiering his brand new solo cabaret, “Having It All” at Don’t Tell Mama (directed by Salon Producer, Tanya Moberly): Tue, 9/24 (7pm), Wed 9/25 (9:30pm), Fri 10/11 (7pm) and Sat 10/12 (5pm). Can’t wait to see it!

Rachel Winell, who I had never before gotten the pleasure of meeting, sang Cole Porter’s “The Physician” (with birthday boy Bill Zeffiro on piano.) Rachel has a solo show coming up in the new year with Bill and Lennie Watts. She is also involved in a vocal trio which performed at Don’t tell Mama in the summer. Next up was Erin Maya, who when researching “Witness Uganda” found a “Ted Talk” about guy who started a grassroots organization to raise money for kids in Uganda to go to school. Erin was inspired by the way he went above and beyond for this group of people so far away and wondered - “Why don’t we all do that? As children the first thing we learn s sharing but then as adults it’s the first things we forget.” It inspired her to sing this song about helping people: “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper.

Salon “virgin” Gina Smaller brought her strong vocals and perfect comic timing to “No Times At All.” She said that today is a Seize The Day moment for her, because it’s been 10 years before she’s sung in front of people, and we were so thrilled to have her with us! Zach Wobensmith sang an amazing rendition of 'hen Joanne Loved Me” by overt Wells & Jack Segal. Zach gave a shout out to his pianist Matthew Martin Ward, who played the song from a lead sheet with incorrect keys! Zach has an encore performance of his show, “Stiff Upper Lip: Songs of the Brits” (which I had the honor of seeing on opening night!) -- the new show is happening November 5 at 7pm at The Duplex.

Matthew Martin Ward stayed at the piano to sing one of his original tunes, “This Gray Day.” He talked about one particular project coming up - accompanying the amazing Sarah Rice in a theremin concert. Marissa Mulder gave a shout out to Bill Zeffiro as being one of the greatest coaches and supporters a performer would ask for. She then sang a lilting version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Bill stayed at the piano and played & sang a touching, Noel Coward’s “Come the Wild, Wild, Weather.” You can see Bill every Tuesday at La Mediterranee on 2nd Avenue between 5th & 51st. Be sure to bring your tunes and stay to sing!

For the final song of the evening, co-host Cynthia Farrell sang a beautiful, almost lullaby arrangement of “Blackbird,” which swelled into a more gospel feel.

Next week we’re in for a treat - we’ll have Guest Host Jeff Cubeta with Co-Host Robin Westle! The Salon Spotlight will be David Ballard.

Guest Host - Jeff Cubeta
Co-host Robin Westle.
The optional theme is “It’s My Party and I’ll Sing If I Want To.” Sing anything that makes you want to celebrate, dance, sing - or be a party pooper and sing the opposite! As usual, songs that are “off theme” are also welcome.

We’ll see you next Sunday!


- Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon
Please email me with any corrections.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Update from Producer Tanya Moberly - September 11, 2013

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, September 15th from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.)

The optional theme for the evening is “Seize The Day!”

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

Our Co-Host will be Cynthia Farrell! Cynthia Farrell, daughter of Bob Farrell - band master and player for The Temptations - is an international singer of many genres and has appeared with such artists as Stevie Nicks and Don Was. She is also known as the voice of Catalina in the GRAND THEFT AUTO video game series. Cynthia recently made her cabaret debut FARRELL FOR REAL at Don’t Tell Mama. For more information: www.cynthiafarrellnyc.com.
Cynthia Farrell
www.cynthiafarrellnyc.com

Salon continues every Sunday (except October 13th) …

September 22nd:
Theme: It’s My Party And I’ll Sing If I Want To
Guest Host: Jeff Cubeta
Co-Host: Robin Westle
Salon Spotlight: David Ballard

September 29th:
Theme: TBA
Guest Host: Mark Hartman
Co-Host: Natalie Douglas
Salon Spotlight: Sue Matsuki

October 6th:
Theme: More Mizerable
Co-Host: Willy Falk

October 13th: NO SALON

October 20th:
Theme: Two Heads Are Better Than One – The Art of Collaboration
Co-Hosts: Jim Brochu and Steve Schachlin

October 27th:
Theme: Out of the Closet and Beyond – Costume Optional
Co-Host: Adam Shapiro

November 3rd:
Theme: TBA
Co-Host: Amy Beth Williams

November 10th:
Theme: TBA
Co-Hosts: Jackie Kristel and Alison Nusbaum

November 17th:
Theme: Crooners and Swooners
Co-Host: Frank Dain

November 24th:
Theme: TBA
Co-Host: Sarah Rice

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.etcetcnyc.com. A 20% gratuity is added to all checks.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis, Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening begins at 7:00, has a 15-minute break at 8:30 and ends promptly at 10:30. 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 Facebook!

Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett and Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!

Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, September 15th!

Thanks,

Tanya Moberly
Salon Producer

P.S. If you would like to remove your name from or add a name to our mailing list please email Tanya.

Monday, September 9, 2013

The Salon Wrap-Up for September 8, 2013: "Life Is a Bitch"

Mary Foster Conklin in "Life Is a Bitch" at The Metropolitan Room
"Life Is a Bitch" held our attention as the theme of this past week's Salon, bringing out the sarcastic, bitter, wry, hilarious, and opinionated part in all of us.  Our Host, Mark Janas, even wore a NY Times Crossword tie, which to him is "a bitch" to do!  The Co-Host of the evening was the scintillating Mary Foster Conklin, who (along with Dan Furman at the piano) dazzled us with the first song, a jazzy Eddie Arkin-Lorraine Feather patter song, "I Know The Way to Brooklyn."  The theme of the evening was taken from the title of Mary's upcoming show, a showcase of beat poet Fran Landesman's work.  Mary certainly set the evening in a Jazz mode - there was a lot of swinging and biting lyrics to fit the hostess and theme, and more than once she described a pianist as someone who "swings like a dead dog on a rope."  She introduced returnee Donna Hayes, who powerfully sang "Fifty Percent" by Bergman/Goldenberg.  An encore performance of her fourth solo Cabaret show, "The People We Meet Along The Way" will take place at the Metropolitan Room on September 19th at 7pm.  After Donna came the usually ebullient Jim Speake, this time revealing a different side of himself by singing Eddy Arnold's "You Don't Know Me," a bittersweet ballad that showed off the heart on his sleeve in a lovely way.  After a bit of ribbing on Adam Shapiro for winning the MAC Award he was nominated for, Jim bonded with Mary over being a part of the community of bitchy "loser nominees" out there.  Bistro Award-winner Parker Scott next delved into himself to reveal the Flamboyant Diva Las Vegas Bitch inside with a Peter Allen song, "Not The Boy Next Door," complete with a few chacha moves.  He will be showing all angles of wanting "to be" in his new Metropolitan Room show, "Someone," (which will include a tribute to Matthew Shepherd) September 16th at 9:30pm, plus dates in October and into November at the Metropolitan Room.  Elaine St. George then sang Steve Goodman's reality check on life, the country song "Somebody Else's Troubles."  Her new show will take place in October at Don't Tell Mama.

 Richard Eisenberg sat at the piano, with Adam Shapiro at the mic to sing a new morosely uplifting (if it can be described in that way) Eisenberg song called "At My Funeral" (I will copy this song's lyrics directly into my own Last Will and Testament!).  Mary introduced "a Cabaret philosopher" to the piano, Barry Levitt, who played for Sunny Leigh on the jazzy and bitter Duke Ellington song, "Everything But You" (with a dangerous throw to Barb Malley)!  Sunny is bringing her CD release show at the Metropolitan Room next Sunday the 15th at 4pm.  Lou Iacovino then fought against the negative to sing the optimistic "Let Me Try Again."  Lou will continue practicing Law (until he gets it right) and is always available for advice.  Gary Crawford stepped up next to sing the toe-tapping, sultry blues number "No One Ever Tells You" by Atwood and Coates, singing with lovely deep tones and turns of phrase (along with some awesome fingering of the keys by Barry Levitt).  Catch Gary in his debut show at the Metropolitan Room October 15th and November 12th at 7pm.

Mark Janas returned to the piano as Mary introduced Bennett Silverstein, who will have his MAC Cabaret debut of his Jimmy Van Heusen show at Don't Tell Mama on October 13th; he sang one of Sammy Cahn/Van Heusen's loveliest movie songs, "The Second Time Around."  Gretchen Reinhagen (a woman of many creative hats) then sang a pitch-and-twitch perfect rendition of the epically funny and manic "Twisted" by Annie Ross and Wardel Gray. Her Cabaret Performance Workshop class (with MD Tracy Stark) is starting up on Tuesday the 17th (it goes until November 3rd), is Directing Bennett and Donna's shows, and will have a new show in March of 2014.  Mary then introduced "one of the hardest working women in Show Business," Broadway singer-Producer (and Harem Girl with Mary in "Joseph And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat") Raissa Katona Bennett, singing the regretful "Something I Thought I'd Never Do" by Baron and Harris.  This Wednesday, September 11th, her Concert for City Greens will take place (the final concert of the season!) as a hopeful tribute to 9/11, "I Hear America Sing" - it will feature many Salon regulars.  Raissa can also be seen at the Cabaret Convention on October 10th.

Click for larger, detailed version.

Our waiter and advanced BMI workshop lyricist, David Ballard, sang "You Gotta Die Sometime" from William Finn's Falsettos - his debut show "Having It All" will open September 24th at 7pm at Don't Tell Mama with music direction by Garrit Guadan and direction by Tanya Moberly. Mademoiselle Moi-self, Sierra Rein, sang "This Place is Mine" from Maury Yeston's Phantom (and would love a career of playing bitchy musical theater divas!  My vocal group Marquee Five will perform at "Sondheim Unplugged" at 54 Below on September 15th at 7pm.  Etceterette Candice Oden beautifully sang the Fain/Kahal song "I'll Be Seeing You"; she's looking forward to performing in a Bobby Cronin musical reading today and is proud that she holds a "Most Improved in 4th Grade Math" award...hilarious!

Classical Corner

Franz Listz is a bitch - well, his music is difficult to play and demanding - as Mark began to introduce his Classical Corner.  He brought up wunderkind (he's 16 and still in High School) concert pianist, Michael Davidman, who started out with Listz's "La Companella," an 1851 piece with many strange and quick leaps - his slender fingers dancing over the keys!  It almost sounded like a sped-up solo piano recording, so fast did his fingers fly.  He then went on to play Enrico Granados' "Complaint, or the Maiden and the Nightingale," which features many flowing parts, voices, and is deceptively difficult ("a bitch," again Mark described it).  He lastly performed the outrageous Horowitz transcription (when a full orchestra is boiled down to a piano solo) of "The Gypsy Dance" from the Carmen Suite...and boy WAS it a bitchy piece, full of swings and lights and lows and big Diva changes.  What's still amazing is that he performed all these pieces by memory...not one slip of paper in front of him!  Keep his name on your radar and try to catch him in concert halls across the world.

Second Set

Our fabulous Co-Host Mary Foster Conklin, with her sleek and supple voice, started the second act out with three songs, all played with Dan Furman at the piano.  She began with the upbeat and jazzy "Nothing Like You."  She then went on to describe her show, "Life Is a Bitch," which is titled after a poem by beat poet and lyricist Fran Landesman (famous for penning the lyrics to the music of Tommy Wolf on such favorites as "Ballad of the Sad Young Man" and "Spring Can Really Hang You up The Most").  However, Mary loves to delve deeper and use a combination of "years and geekery" to find some Landesmen gems.  This included her next song, with lyrics by Fran and music by Bob Dorough (famous for the music of Schoolhouse Rocks), "Small Day Tomorrow."  Mary then offered the story of how Fran was left alone at a bar as one by one her employed friends left to make way for "a big day tomorrow," inspiring her to pen her "anthem of the unemployed" on a bar napkin.  She then ended her set by reading from the poem "Life Is a Bitch" (apparently one of Bette Davis' favorites), before launching into "It Couldn't Be So Bad It Couldn't Be Worse."

Producer Tanya Moberly, still with Dan Furman at the piano, brought one of my favorite songs of Furman's, "Pluto Song" - this will be one of the songwriter-featured songs in her new show "I Love NY Songwriters" in November (the 1st and 2nd) and December (3rd and 4th) at Don't Tell Mama's.  She's also directing David Ballard's show, and will sing at the Concert for City Greens on Wednesday.  After Tanya, Matthew Martin Ward sat to play for Bistro and MAC Award-winner Janice Hall on a subtle and non-Frank Sinatra version of the Mayer/Mercer hit, "The Summer Wind"; Janice, wearing a summer dress covered in sunflowers, was unhappily saying goodbye to the warm season.  Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics, but few know the original German lyrics, which Janice lovingly sang along with the English translation.  Matthew stayed at the piano to sing the tongue in cheek look on life, "Everything's Great" from Golden Boy - he perform at the 54 Below show "Comedy Cocktail" with Christine Pedi this Tues late at night!  Jane Glick and Dan Furman then sashayed though the completely truthful and hilariously sarcastic list song, "Blizzard of Lies" by Dave Frishberg, from her show of the same name.

Adam Shapiro returned to the stage, and Mark Janas returned to the piano, to sing a no-holds barred "On My Own" from Les Miserables (let's face it, unrequited love is one of the biggest bitches in life).  Adam will be doing Bobbie Horowitz's Unity Church show, will be performing at Raissa's Concert for City Greens on Wednesday, and will be co-hosting Salon's Halloween night on October 27th!  Next to sing was Barb Malley; she sang the knuckle-slapping Comden & Green song "Repent," which is from her show "Out of Order" - a matinee will be at Don't Tell Mama September 22nd at 4pm.  Zach Wobensmith then sang an existential and reflective Kurt Weill song "Lost in The Stars" - he can be seen at the Concert for City Greens this Wednesday and you can catch him at his debut show, "Stiff Upper Lip," at the Duplex this Thursday at 7pm with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano.
Zach Wobensmith in "Stiff Upper Lip"

To wrap up the end of the night, we had Joann Sicoli, who sang "Losing My Mind" from Sondheim's FolliesBill Zeffiro then grabbed the theme by the cajones and sang "The Final Days," a song born from The Salon years ago.  He'll be seen at Don't Tell Mama on September 26th, at the Cabaret Convention, and at the Carlyle on November 15th.  This coming Sunday is also Bill's birthday, so either join him in a drink somewhere in Manhattan during the day, or join him at Salon that night and help drink some more!  Bill then threw the energy back to Mary Foster Conklin, who ended the evening with some thoughtful words.  In Mary's mind, there are two choices in life when coming across the concept of life being a bitch to you: be bitter, or be a philosopher.  And when it comes to existential estrangement, as in "I just woke up...Should I drink a cup of coffee or kill myself?", a lot of philosophers drink coffee.  She ended the evening (with Dan Furman at the piano) with a depart from the theme, singing "Twilight World" by Johnny Mercer and the late Marian McPartland.

Mary Foster Conklin in "Life Is A Bitch"

NEXT WEEK!
The Theme of the evening is "Seize The Day!" with Co-Host Cynthia Farrell!  Wear your "Carpe Diem" tshirt or your Newsies hat, and bring in songs about progress, taking control, or just enjoying life to the fullest!

Cynthia Farrell
www.cynthiafarrellnyc.com

-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Please email me if I got anything wrong-o

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Update from Producer Tanya Moberly - September 4, 2013

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, September 8th from 7-10:30PM! (Sign-Up Begins at 6:15.)

The optional theme for the evening is “Life Is a Bitch.”

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

Our Co-Host will be MAC and Bistro Award Winner Mary Foster Conklin! Mary returns to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 – September 26th, 27th & 28th at 7pm and October 9th at 9:30pm with LIFE IS A BITCH – CELEBRATING THE LYRICS OF FRAN LANDESMAN. For more information: www.maryfosterconklin.com / www.metropolitanroom.com.

Photo: cabarethotlineonline.com

Salon continues every Sunday (except October 13th) …

September 15th:
Theme: Seize The Day!
Co-Host: Cynthia Farrell

September 22nd: Theme: It’s My Party And I’ll Sing If I Want To
Guest Host: Jeff Cubeta
Co-Host: Robin Westle
Salon Spotlight: David Ballard

September 29th:
Theme: TBA
Guest Host: Mark Hartman
Co-Host: Natalie Douglas
Salon Spotlight: Sue Matsuki

October 6th:
Theme: More Mizerable
Co-Host: Willy Falk

October 13th: NO SALON

October 20th:
Theme: TBA
Co-Hosts: Jim Brochu & Steve Schachlin

October 27th:
Theme: Out of the Closet and Beyond – Costume Optional
Co-Host: Adam Shapiro

November 3rd:
Theme: TBA
Co-Host: Amy Beth Williams

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.etcetcnyc.com. A 20% gratuity is added to all checks.) There are no reservations; seating is on a first come/first served basis, Doors open and sign up begins at 6:15pm. The evening begins at 7:00, has a 15-minute break at 8:30 and ends promptly at 10:30. 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 Facebook!

Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!

Looking forward to seeing you all Sunday, September 8th!

Thanks,

Tanya Moberly
Salon Producer

P.S. If you would like to remove your name from or add a name to our mailing list please email Tanya.

 -Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Please email me if I got anything wrong-o