Monday, April 28, 2014

The Salon Wrap-Up for April 27, 2014- "Home-It's Never That Easy"


April 27, 2014

Theme: "Home-It's Never That Easy"

It's that time of year again: Mark Janas presents his students from the Manhattan School of Music! Ten energetic and talented young singers were our co-hosts tonight: Lyndon England, Alaysha Fox, Amber Johnson, Christopher Melecio, Nick Miller, Devin Morin, Katherine Saik, Jeanette Simpson, Chad Sonka, and Kathleen Spencer. The numbers they performed were from the Discover Opera Spring Cabaret, "Home; It's Never That Easy," which was performed at the Manhattan School of Music on April 16th.


Our Salon Spotlight tonight was the lovely Ruth Carlin, giving us a three-song preview of her new show, "A Light in the Window: Songs of Judy Collins." Ruth performs at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, on May 17th and June 12th. More info at www.ruthcarlin.com


Sneak Peek: Classical Corner 

Tonight's Classical Corner was a continuation of the Discover Opera Cabaret, and our co-hosts took center stage. First, Lyndon England, Nick Miller, and Devin Morin delivered a lovely medley of two Beatles songs (A Little Help From My Friends, Norwegian Wood). Katie Spencer, Alaysha Fox, and Amber Johnson followed with some excellent close harmonies (and high spirits) on a song by opera composer John Adams (Song About the Bad Boys and the News). Katherine Saik delivered a soulful interpretation of Will You Love Me Tomorrow, accompanied by piano (Mark Janas), bass (Nick Miller), and cahon (Devin Morin). The ensemble ended this delightful segment with a version of Antonio-Carlos Jobim's One Note Samba.


Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
(click link to visit the singer’s website, when available.)

Co-Host Ensemble
Jeanette Simpson
Joey Infante
Katie Spencer
David Ballard
Janice Hall
Candice Oden
Tanya Moberly
Ira Lee Collings
Kurt Perry
Ann Dawson
Carly Ozard
Richard Eisenberg
Barb Malley
Susan Hodgdon
Charles Baran
Alaysha Fox /Katie Spencer
Christine Pedi
Matthew Martin Ward
Jaye Maynard
Joan Jaffe
Joe Regan, Jr
Michael Krikorian
Co-Host Ensemble

 Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Mike McDonald, Paul Greenwood, Nick Miller, Devin Morin

And thank you to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound!

Upcoming Shows:

Monday, April 28th (9:15 pm)- Jaye Maynard's Blossom Dearie show is at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St.

 Wednesday, April 30th (7:30 pm)-Elaine St George continues the run of her Bistro Award-winning show, "Elaine St. George Sings Steve Goodman," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St.

Thursday, May 1st--Charles Baran is featured in a Cinco de Mayo revue at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St.

Starting May 1, 2014 (9-11pm, sign up 8:30pm) - New Open Mic every Thursday, run by Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward, at The West End Lounge on 107th St on the Upper West Side.

Saturday, May 3rd (3pm)-Christine Pedi is one of the stars at the all-day event, "Wall to Wall Cabaret;" Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 (8pm) - Tanya Moberly brings her Bistro Award-winning show “I Love NY Songwriters” to he Unity Center, Main Street, 2nd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851
 
 Tuesday, May 6 (9:30pm) - Corinna Sowers-Adler makes her debut at 54 Below with "By Request: New York Moments."  254 W 54th St.

Saturday, May 17th (2:00 pm)- Bobbie Horowitz's Unity Cabaret Series returns with an amazing lineup of performers, in "Happy Birthday, New York!" at The Unity Center, 213 W 58th St.

Saturday, May 17th (5pm)-Elaine St George continues the run of her Bistro Award-winning show, "Elaine St. George Sings Steve Goodman," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St.

Saturday, May 17th (7:30 pm)-Ruth Carlin premieres her new show, "A Light in the Window: Songs of Judy Collins," at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd.

Sunday, May 25th (4:30 pm) -Carly Ozard opens her highly anticipated show, "Midler on the Roof," at the Duplex, 61 Christopher St (also June 1st)

Thursday, June 5th (7:30 pm) Natasha Castillo continues in "They'd Only Just Begun: A Carpenter's Tale," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St

Sunday, June 8th, (4:30 pm) Carly Ozard, "Midler on the Roof," The Duplex, 61 Christopher St
 
 Thursday, June 12th (7:00 pm)-Ruth Carlin in "A Light in the Window: Songs of Judy Collins," at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd.

Saturday, June 21st (4:00 pm)-Susan Hodgdon's new show, "I Could Go On Singing," a tribute to Judy Garland, opens at Don't Tell Mama; 343 W 46th St.

Saturday, June 28th (8pm)- Natasha Castillo continues in "They'd Only Just Begun: A Carpenter's Tale," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St

August 12 and 26--Joey Infante opens his show "Amor," at The Metropolitan Room



Next Week’s Salon

No Salon for two weeks!  Please join us again on May 18th.

Janice Hall
Blogette for The Salon


Monday, April 14, 2014

The Salon Wrap-Up for April 13, 2014- "Birds of a Feather - Songbirds and Spring"

April 13, 2014
Theme: “Birds of a Feather - Songbirds and Spring”

New York did not let us down tonight, making sure that we had warm weather as we geared up for tonight's theme: Songbirds and Spring. And the atmosphere was just as lovely indoors, due in part to our illustrious co-host - the charming and silky voiced Celia Berk! Celia’s brand new CD, YOU CAN’T RUSH SPRING is arranged and conducted by Alex Rybeck and co-produced by Tony Award-winning sound designer Scott Lehrer.  It will be released in May, and a pre-release excerpt has been played by Jonathan Schwartz on WNYC/93.9 FM.  A free download of the title track is available now at www.GramercyNightingale.com. For more information: www.Facebook.com/CeliaBerkMusic
Co-Host Celia Berk!
Our Salon Spotlight was the talented (and stylish!) Jaye Maynard. Jaye will be celebrating Blossom Dearie’s 90th birthday with BIRD AMONGST THE BLOSSOM on April 27th at 1pm at The Hour Glass Tavern – 373 West 46th St, NYC 10036 - and on April 28th at 9:15pm at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036. For more information: www.jayemaynard.com

Sneak Peek: Classical Corner

Mark started this week’s Classical Corner with Beethoven’s 6th. Why? Because at the end of the 2nd movement Beethoven represents birds, including the cuckoo and the nightingale. (He also told us that the word cello means “bird” - who knew?) Mark invited one of his students, Nick Miller, up to sing the first aria by Papageno, the bird catcher character in The Magic Flute.

Next, Mark brought up the immensely prolific Sarah Rice to since a rare Cole Porter tune, “When I Was a Cuckoo.” She stayed on the stage to sing the song that created her indelible mark in the musical theater world - “Green Finch and Linnet Bird” from Sweeney Todd. To finish out the set, Sarah was joined on the stage by Celia Berk to sing the famous duet from the opera, Lakme.

Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
(click link to visit the singer’s website, when available.)

Anthony Shields
Bill Zeffiro
David Ballard
Jennifer Roberts
Amber Johnston
Katie Spencer
Chad Sonka
Jeannette Simpson

Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and musicians: Mark Janas, Alex Rybeck, Bill Zeffiro, and Jon Delfin.

And thank you to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound!

Upcoming shows:

Thursday, April 17, 2014 (7:30pm) - Shana Farr is appearing in a new show - “In The Still Of The Night” at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd Street, NYC.

Monday, April 21, 2014 (9:15pm) - Jennifer Roberts in “An Evening with Jennifer Roberts” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, April 23, 2014 (9:15pm) - Jennifer Roberts in “An Evening with Jennifer Roberts” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, April 25, 2014 (9:30pm) - Bret Shuford can be seen in “Charming” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, April 28, 2014 - Anna Marie Sell and Bill Zeffiro will be appearing in “The Greene Touch: A Tribute to Herbert Greene” to benefit the brand new school, New York Conservatory.

Monday, April 28, 2014 (7pm) - Bret Shuford can be seen in “Charming” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, April 28, 2014 (9:15pm) - Jaye Maynard in “Bird Amongst The Blossom: A Tribute to the Blossom Dearie Songbook” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 (7:30pm) - Elaine St George in “Elaine St George sings Steve Goodman” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Starting May 1, 2014 (9-11pm, sign up 8:30pm) - New Open Mic every Thursday, run by Sarah Rice and Matthew Martin Ward, at The West End Lounge on 107th St on the Upper West Side.

Monday, May 2, 2014 (7pm) - Bret Shuford can be seen in “Charming” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 (8pm) - Tanya Moberly brings back her show “I Love NY Songwriters” to he Unity Center, Main Street, 2nd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851

Sunday, May 4, 2014 (9:30pm) - Erin Cronican will be performing in a cabaret to befit The Seeing Place Theater and the Matthew Shepard Foundation - “Love is Love” at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd Street, NYC.

Monday, May 5, 2014 (7pm) - Bret Shuford can be seen in “Charming” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, May 17, 2014 (5pm) - Elaine St George in “Elaine St George sings Steve Goodman” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, May 17, 2014 (7:30pm) - Ruth Carlin will be performing in “A Light in the Window- The Songs of Judy Collins” at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd Street, NYC.

Thursday, May 31, 2014 (7:30pm) - Shana Farr is appearing in a new show - “In The Still Of The Night” at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd Street, NYC.

June 2014 - Charles Baran will be premiering a new show, “Rockaway Beach Revue.”

Thursday, June 12, 2014 (7:30pm) - Ruth Carlin will be performing in “A Light in the Window- The Songs of Judy Collins” at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd Street, NYC.

June 13-29, 2014 (Wed-Sat 8pm, Sat-Sun 2pm) - Erin Cronican is co-directing and performing in THE LARAMIE PROJECT with The Seeing Place Theater, 314 W 54th St, 4th Floor.

Saturday, June 21, 2014 (4pm) - Susan Hodgdon has a Judy Garland show, “I Could Go On Singing” music directed by Bill Zeffiro, at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.


Next Week’s Salon

Next week, April 20, THERE IS NO SALON. Happy Easter!

The following week, April 27, our optional theme is ”Home: It's Never That Easy.” Our co-host will be Mark Janas' Manhattan School of Music Students. Our Salon Spotlight will be Ruth Carlin. We’ll see you then!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me.)

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Salon Wrap-Up for April 6, 2014 - "The Chase - In Pursuit Of..."

April 6, 2014
Theme: "The Chase - In Pursuit Of..."

Spring has sprung, and the city is full of energy! Part of that energy comes from the warmer weather, but part of it comes from The Salon winning its 5th MAC Award in a row! (Yippee!) We were honored with the award for Best Recurring Series. Mark and Tanya thanked all of the Salon patrons and volunteers for their dedication and support, which has made The Salon what it is. Thank you all!

What better way to entertain the energy brewing from spring fever than by our theme - “The Chase - In The Pursuit Of...”? Our Co-Host was Bistro & Margaret Whiting Award Winner Eric Yves Garcia! Eric will be at The Laurie Beechman Theater – 407 West 42nd St, NYC 10036 – with ONE NIGHT STANDARDS April 5th at 8pm, He is also at Chez Josephine – 414 West 42nd St, NYC 10036 – every Tuesday & Wednesday night 5:30-11:30pm. For more information; www.ericyvesgarcia.com

Co-Host Eric Yves Garcia!
Our Salon Spotlight was the effervescent Carly Ozard! Carly will be at The Duplex – 61 Christopher St, NYC 10014 – with MIDLER ON THE ROOF May 25th at 4:30pm. For more information: www.carlyozard.com


Sneak Peek: Classical Corner

Mark started by thanking Matthew Martin Ward who pitched the idea for this week’s Classical Corner: Hunting Songs! (Get it? The Chase? In The Pursuit Of?) :)

For Mark, the theme brought up 3 distinct pieces - two by Mendelssohn and one by Chopin. One of Mendelssohn’s pieces, evoking thoughts of a fox hunt, is aptly nicknamed “The Hunting Song”. Mark quipped the words of Dorothy Parker: “A fox hunt is the unspeakable in pursuit of the inedible.”

Mark explained the physical makeup of english horns (and how they create the “hunting 5ths”) which make them sound so much like hunting horns. With that, he played “The Hunting Song”, which is from “Songs Without Words.”

Next, he talked about a Mendelssohn piece that was used (in part) toward the end of “The Wizard of Oz” when Toto is running from the castle. The musical style is known as a “scherzo”, which actually means “joke.” What makes a joke, Mark queried? Laugher is what you do when you are taken by surprise. He demonstrated the surprises that can come in music, with Mendelssohn “Schertzo in E Minor.”

Finally, Mark told us about a Chopin piece nicknamed “The Butterfly Etude,” where the right hand plays a broken octave, and then 2 solid octaves, making the right hand looks like a butterfly. He then told a story about a well-known musician that had once mimicked chasing a butterfly while Mark played the song. And to OUR Scherzo (surprise!), while Mark demonstrated the song for us, Adam Shapiro came trouncing in dressed up as a butterfly! I wish I had gotten photos - it was really hilarious. :)


Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
(click link to visit the singer’s website, when available.)

Frank Torren
Elliot Zwiebach
Janice Hall
Celia Berk
David Ballard
Charles Baran
Courtney Wilkins
Michael Salat
Nick Miller
Matthew Martin Ward

Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and musicians: Mark Janas, Eric Yves Garcia, Matthew Martin Ward.

And thank you to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound!


Upcoming shows:

Monday, April 7, 2014 (7pm) - Adam Shapiro will be appearing in Joseph Macchia’s “Diva-Palooza” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St, NYC.

Sunday, April 13, 2014 (4pm) - Bobbie Horowitz’s show “Shows To Go Ya” can be seen (with multiple guest stars) at The Triad/Stage 72, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Sunday, April 27, 2014 - Sally Darling is bringing her show (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward!) back to Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, April 28, 2014 (9:15pm) - Jaye Maynard in “Bird Amongst The Blossom: A Tribute to the Blossom Dearie Songbook” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, May 2, 2014 (7pm) - Sally Darling is bringing her show (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward!) back to Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 (7pm) - Mary Reilly in “Playing For Keeps” at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St, NYC.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 (8pm) - Tanya Moberly brings back her show “I Love NY Songwriters” to he Unity Center, Main Street, 2nd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851

Sunday, May 4, 2014 (4pm) - Frank Torren in “Moment to Moment” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 (7pm) - Frank Torren in “Moment to Moment” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, May 10, 2014 (9pm) - Sally Darling is bringing her show (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward!) back to Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, May 10 2014 (4:30pm) - Jim Speake is doing “I’m a Brass Band - Jim Speake sings Cy Coleman” with musical director Steven Ray Watkins, at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 (7pm) - Jim Speake is doing “I’m a Brass Band - Jim Speake sings Cy Coleman” with musical director Steven Ray Watkins, at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014 (7pm) - Frank Torren in “Moment to Moment” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, May 17, 2014 (2pm) - Bobbie Horowitz is back with her concert “Happy Birthday, NY” at the Unity Church.

Sunday, May 18, 2014 (4:30pm) - Jim Speake is doing “I’m a Brass Band - Jim Speake sings Cy Coleman” with musical director Steven Ray Watkins, at The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 25, 2014 - Carly Ozard can be seen in “Midler on the Roof”, music directed by Steven Ray Watkins at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.

June 2014 - Charles Baran will be premiering a new show, “Rockaway Beach Revue.”

Sunday, June 1, 2014 - Carly Ozard can be seen in “Midler on the Roof”, music directed by Steven Ray Watkins at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.

Thursday, June 5, 2014 (7:30pm) - Natasha Castillo in “They’d Only Just Begun- A Carpenters Tale” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, June 8, 2014 - Carly Ozard can be seen in “Midler on the Roof”, music directed by Steven Ray Watkins at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.

June 13-29, 2014 (Wed-Sat 8pm, Sat-Sun 2pm) - Erin Cronican is co-directing and performing in THE LARAMIE PROJECT with The Seeing Place Theater, 314 W 54th St, 4th Floor.

Saturday, June 21, 2014 - Susan Hodgdon is bringing a bran new Judy Garland show to Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, June 28, 2014 (8pm) - Natasha Castillo in “They’d Only Just Begun- A Carpenters Tale” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.


Next Week’s Salon

Next week our optional theme is ”Birds of a Feather - Songbirds and Spring.” Our co-host will be Celia Berk. Our Salon Spotlight will be Carly Ozard. We’ll see you then!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me.)