Monday, August 31, 2015

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 30, 2015 - “The Many Sides of Lennie (meaning Bernstein, but any Lennie will do)”

August 30, 2015
Theme: “The Many Sides of Lennie (meaning Bernstein, but any Lennie will do)”

Mark Janas, the protege of Leonard Bernstein himself (or Himself), is proud of the yearly Salon tradition of making the last Sunday Salon of the Summer a tribute to "Lennie," as he would call him. Last night was yet another fantastic run of amazing Bernstein pieces, sung lovingly by his fans. And since the evening was to celebrate the many sides of Lennie, any Leonard or Lennie (Bruce, anyone?) was on Theme. Tanya reminded us that there was "no sitting on the piano (looks at piano) unless you're a book about Leonard Bernstein," and we did had to wait until the middle of the evening to hear a few of Mark's "Lennie stories."

What we didn't have to wait for was our glorious Co-Host (ok, I'm biased, she worked with me for years, but countless awards and adulation agree with me...)...Julie Reyburn! Julie is a 4 time MAC, 2 time Bistro award winner and is the first ever Nightlife Award recipient for Outstanding Female Vocalist (2003), and again in 2005 and 2009 as a finalist.  She has Co-Hosted this night three years in a row! She sang to the rafters with "Tonight" from West Side Story first, welcoming us enthusiastically to a night of Lennies, jazzy chords, and good spirits. She also introduced her assistant - her 10 year old daughter, Layla, who expertly pirouetted and jete'd up to the stage between singers to deliver the singer-cards to Julie. Layla was also on hand to introduce a few singers on the mic, and I'll tell you, she has better diction than many Co-Hosts I've seen!

"Ugly Ducking" by Frank Loesser was Julie's opening second-act set number, a hilarious quack-filled comedy song with wonderful hints of classical music sprinkled throughout.  Mark interjected a story at this point, about going to a party with Lennie and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute and taking a picture with Sylvia Kaye and Leonard Bernstein, as Danny was drunk and nowhere to be found.  Julie then hit more high notes singing "A Boy Like That" from West Side Story, duetting with Tanya Moberly in the role of Anita. The emotions and strident argument between these fiery women was palpable!!! Julie next sang the beautiful reverie "There is a Garden" from Trouble in Tahiti, a role I would love to see come to stage one day. Mixed in with the discordant music was a lullaby melody, and Julie's wonderful interpretation was magical.  To round out the show, at the end of the night she sang the hauntingly bittersweet "Some Other Time" from On The Town, with harmonious help from Adam Shapiro, Janice Hall, and Paul Kolecki.

Julie has a show on September 14th at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC, 7:00 pm (I already have reservations).  Stephen Hanks' Cabaret Life Productions is revamping some of "New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits" from the past, and he is producing (along with Fr. Jeffrey Hamblin) Julie's show "Fate is Kind," which debuted in 2000 and can also be found in CD form. Mark Janas, Julie's "musical husband," who has worked with her for 17 years, will be on hand as Musical Director, and Layla will herself have a featured moment in it.



Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

Mark Janas brought in a song composed by Leonard Bernstein on a Walt Whitman poem entitled "To what you said," from a 1976 bicentennial song cycle entitled Songfest. Mark remembers being at one of the premieres of this song cycle, which was performed around the country. Originally written for six singers and full orchestra, it was re-orchestrated for piano and cello, with a few more bass cello notes added.  On hand for this Classical Corner was his cellist friend and young Musical/Artistic Director, Ben Larsen.  Ben and Mark had added some bass cello notes to the transcription of this orchestrated piece for an enhanced sound. Zach Wobesmith provided the solo voice of the song, and the "Short-Notice Singers" Sierra Rein, Janice Hall, Julie Reyburn, and Paul Kolecki jumped in that night to sing backup vocals. You can read more about the rest of the piece here.

This Walt Whitman poem was written around 1871 and remained unpublished for years. It was a very personal statement from Whitman, in that it hints to being a "coming out" poem, and was edited many times to soften some of the more angry or hurt (ie, much more personal) vocabulary to something more gentle. Mark muses that in using this poem, it was Leonard Bernstein's private statement regarding his own balance as a closeted celebrity in the 1970s. After all, his peers and friends cautioned him to get married quickly to dispel rumors, and even though Lennie loved his wife and children, the true nature of his sexuality was never made fully public.

This piece is gorgeous because it has a running middle C that pulses its way throughout the number, often clashing in discord with other notes and phrases. From the introductory fanfare, the minor chord floats through a major dissipation. The effect is that of a sadness, an underpinning of something that cannot be said. The cello has a haunting melody, mirrored up the octave by humming voices towards the second half, but the solo lyrics dance around this theme with its own melody, sometimes picking up the cello's melody but often rejecting it and going about on its own path. It has the same beautiful melody repeated twice, then adds the solo voice to express the poetic counterpoint thoughts of the singer.  Zach spoke the lyrics first, and then we heard the cellist/backup vocalists on their own, and then we heard the whole thing - all of Leonard and Walt's elements - put together in a beautiful piece.

By the way, Ben Larsen runs a wonderful FREE chamber music concert series in Brooklyn at Saint John's Church once a month entitled "Concerts On the Slope." Please check out the website! The next performance is Sunday, September 13th, 2015 at 3 PM, featuring Sara Heaton, Soprano and Akiko Sasaki, Piano and consisting of a variety of works by Japanese composers, as well as Strauss, Britten and Villa-Lobos.

Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.


Julie Reyburn
Paul Kolecki
Anna Marie Sell
Barb Malley
Edie Stokes
Jim Speake
Janice Hall
Mick Bleyer
Richard Eisenberg
Josephine Sanger (with John Cook on piano)
Ira Lee Collings (with John Cook on piano)
Annie Lebeaux
Steve Bustamante (self on guitar)
Sierra Rein (with Steve Bustamante on guitar)
Zach Wobensmith
Ben Larsen and Zach Wobensmith, with the Short-Notice Singers
Tanya Moberly
Mark Watson
Adam Shapiro
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
Stefan Szkafarowsky

Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists: Mark Janas, Annie Lebeaux, John Cook, Ben Larsen and Steve Bustamante.

And thank you to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style, and Steve Bustamante who is providing video footage for people interested in that service!

Upcoming shows:

Ongoing: Matthew Martin Ward plays on Mondays at the West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC.

Ongoing: Bill Zeffiro can be seen every Wednesday (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015 (6:30pm) - Sarah Rice and Tanya Moberly are appearing in Concerts for City Greens at Tudor City.

Sunday, September 6, 2015 (6:00pm) - Marquee Five (with Sierra Rein and Mick Bleyer) will be featured at Birdland Jazz Party with Carole Bufford at The Birdland Jazz Club, 315 West, 44th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 12, 2015 (4:00pm) - Sarah Rice, Adam Shapiro and Janice Hall are appearing in a tribute to Madeline Kahn as part of the "Gone Too Soon" series at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Monday, September 14, 2015 (7:00pm) - Julie Reyburn in "Fate is Kind" at The Metropolitan Room,  34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Sunday, September 20, 2015 (6:30pm) - Edie Stokes in "Love is in the Air" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Thursday, September 24, 2015 (7:00pm) - "Somewhere in this Song", The music and lyrics of Nicholas Levin at The Metropolitan Room 34 West 22nd St., NYC. Starring Mick Bleyer, Kristin Maloney, Marissa Mulder, and Adam B. Shapiro. Musical Director: Matthew Martin Ward Director: Peter Napolitano.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4:30pm) - Barb Malley is appearing in "Eat! Drink! Be Merry!" (with Bob Diamond as guest vocalist) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. Ask for Salon discount, o comp for second-timers.

October 2015 - Annie Lebeaux is music directing “Heather Smiley for President” for Theater for the New City, NYC.

Thursday, October 15, 2015 (9:30pm) - Bill Zeffiro and Marissa Mulder perform a duet show at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 - Stefan Szkafarowsky will sing the role of Monterone in "Rigoletto" at the Metropolitan Opera, running 10 performances thru December.

Friday, October 23, 2015 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Mark Janas) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 6, 2015 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Sean Harkness) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Ritt Henn) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, November 18 - January 3, 2015 - Zach Wobensmith is appearing as The Father in “Billy Elliot” at the Media Theatre in PA. 

Friday, November 20, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Next Week’s Salon - NO SALON- Come back September 20th!

Reminder that there will be NO SALON on September 6th and September 13! The next Salon will be on September 20th with the theme "Celebrating The York Theatre’s 100 Musicals In Mufti," with our Co-Hosts Jim Morgan and The York Theatre Singers.

Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Did I goof? Email me.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 23, 2015 - "10th Anniversary Celebration"

August 23, 2015
Theme: “The Salon Celebrates 10 Years”

Happy Anniversary, Salon family! What a pleasure it has been for me to see you all grow and flourish and share over so many years. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of your family since 2008, and I know I speak for all of us when I wholeheartedly thank Mark and Tanya for the pleasure of being with you each week. 

The Salon opened with founder, Mark Janas, welcoming a sold-out crowd. He started by talking about the legacy of The Salon. 10 years ago, Mark was music directing “The Talk of the Town” - an Off Broadway musical running at the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel. One day after a show the cast gathered in the lobby around the piano and sang threw a few ditties. Mark figured that at a certain point the hotel would kick them out and that would be that. But they started to notice that hotel guests were ordering drinks and gathering to listen to the music. The Algonquin saw this as an opportunity, and they pounced on it. And thus, The Salon came to perform every Sunday night in the hotel lobby. After 3 years they also added a summer series on Wednesdays inside the famed Oak Room itself. Shortly thereafter we moved to our brand new private venue, Etc Etc where we have been for the last 6 years!

Mark then invited up his partner in crime, Tanya Moberly, to go over how things work at The Salon. Tanya shared her legacy with The Salon and how much it has meant to her to serve the community (and in such an impactful way, I might add!) She then announced that our Co-Hosts were 12 of our Etceterettes, the volunteers who help Tanya and Mark keep things moving week to week: Erin Cronican, Kathleen France, Marnie Klar, Janice Hall, Jaye Maynard, Marissa Mulder, Candice Oden, Sarah Rice, Sierra Rein, Adam B. Shapiro, Maureen Taylor, and Zach Wobensmith.

Your Founder, Producer and Co-Hosts, the Etceterettes!

Here’s a run-down of the amazing songs performed but our Co-Hosts over the evening:

Adam B. Shapiro gave us a world premiere song, which he wrote especially for our Salon anniversary! 
Marnie Klar sang a sassy and charming, “Naughty Baby.”
Sarah Rice sang a stunning Offenbach song from a trunk song show, Christopher Columbus. (In German AND English, no less!)
Sierra Rein gave us an inspiring and poignant, “The Impossible Dream.”
Janice Hall sang an exquisite “I’d Rather Be Doing That” which was written for her by Matthew Martin Ward and Peter Napolitano. 
Erin Cronican (me!) sang “It’s Amazing the Things That Float” from The Flood
Candice Oden sang a personal request of Mark Janas’, an unusual and delicately sung arrangement of “One The Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady
Zach Wobensmith charmed us with his strong baritone and wit on “War and Peace.”
Marissa Mulder enchanted us with her gentle rendition of “River” by Joni Mitchell.
Kathleen France brought in the firs ever song she sang at Salon, a powerful and earnest, “Cry Me A River.”
Jaye Maynard (one of the original Salon-ers from “The Talk of the Town”) sang us an fun and lilting “Paula’s Flying Academy.”
Maureen Taylor gave us a haunting and beautiful, “I Know You’re There.”


Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

Mark Janas, illustrious founder of The Salon, gave us a brief intro about this week’s classical corner, starting with a few jokes about his times as a student, and then said (and I’m paraphrasing because I don’t type perfectly!) “As a musician it’s important that you can ‘fill time’, and I had been asked to make sure I have a 15 minute piece ready to go at any time. When I started to think of the pieces I knew, this piece I’m playing tonight was about 15 minutes, and so I’ve been playing it for the last 30 years.” 

He then played his “pièce de résistance” - and what I think of as quintessential Classical Corner - Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” 

The audience leapt to its feet in a rousing ovation, the the room was bursting with joy and love - a perfect way to head into our 15 minute intermission, where guests greeted one another warmly and readied themselves for an even more amazing second half!


Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Adam B. Shapiro
Matthew Martin Ward (on voice & piano, with Adam Shapiro on vocals)
Annie Lebeaux (on voice and piano)
Marnie Klar
Bob Diamond
Gretchen Reinhagen
Sarah Rice (with Sierra Rein on backing vocals)
Richie Eisenberg 
Joe Regan Jr
Sierra Rein 
Carol Sue
Bill Dyszel
Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Bobbie Horowitz
Elaine St George
Gabrielle Stravelli
Erin Cronican 
Candice Oden
Tanya Moberly
Zach Wobensmith
Ira Lee Collings
Barb Malley
Marissa Mulder
Danika Dorais
Brian Dorais
Kathleen France
Steve Bustamante (on guitar)
Charlotte Patton
Jaye Maynard
John Trujillo
Maureen Taylor
Mary Lahti
Michael Colby


Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Annie Lebeaux, and Steve Bustamante.

And thank you to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style, and Steve Bustamante who is providing video footage for people interested in that service!


Upcoming shows:

Ongoing: Matthew Martin Ward plays on Mondays at the West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC.

Ongoing: Candice Oden sings every Tuesday night (8:30-11pm) with Bill Zeffiro on keys at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC

Ongoing: Bill Zeffiro can be seen every Wednesday (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

Ongoing: Mama's Next Big Act every Tuesday night until August 25th at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, August 24, 2015 - Bobbie Horowitz's is hosting the “It's Only A Number" series at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Saturday, August 29, 2015 (10am) - Sierra Rein is appearing in a free 20 minute presentation of “What Friends Are For” at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, NYC.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015 (6:30pm) - Sarah Rice and Tanya Moberly are appearing in Concerts for City Greens at Tudor City. 

Saturday, September 12, 2015 (4pm) - Sarah Rice and Janice Hall are appearing in a tribute to Madeline Kahn at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 (7pm) - Bill Dyszel is appearing in “The Internet Ate My Brain” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, September 18, 2015 - Bob Diamond is appearing in a Cabaret Cares benefit. 

Saturday, September 19, 2015 - Gretchen Reinhagen hosts a 50s, 60s & 70s concert (also starring Bob Diamond) at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Thursday, September 24, 2015 (7:00pm) - "Somewhere in this Song", The music and lyrics of Nicholas Levin at The Metropolitan Room 34 West 22nd St., NYC. Starring Mick Bleyer, Kristin Maloney, Marissa Mulder, and Adam B. Shapiro. Musical Director: Matthew Martin Ward Director: Peter Napolitano.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4pm) - Sarah Rice is appearing in “Sondheim Unplugged” at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4:30pm)Barb Malley is appearing in "Eat! Drink! Be Merry!" (with Bob Diamond as guest vocalist) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015 (7pm) - Gabrielle Stravelli is appearing in her debut show at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

October 2015 - Annie Lebeaux is music directing “Heather Smiley for President” for Theater for the New City, NYC.

October 2015 - Zach Wobensmith is appearing as The Father in “Billy Elliot” at the Media Theatre in PA. 

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 (9:30pm) - Gabrielle Stravelli is appearing in her debut show at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 (9:30pm) - Gabrielle Stravelli is appearing in her debut show at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 (9:30pm) - Gabrielle Stravelli is appearing in her debut show at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 (7pm) - John Trujillo is appearing in “The Ties ThatBind” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, October 23, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Mark Janas) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 6, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Sean Harkness) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, November 11, 2105 - Marnie Klar's new show at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Ritt Henn) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Marnie Klar's new show at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. 

Friday, November 20, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, November 22, 2015 (7pm) - John Trujillo is appearing in “The Ties ThatBind” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 - Marnie Klar's new show at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.



Next Week’s Salon

Next week we’re honoring Leonard Bernstein’s birthday with the theme: “The Many Sides of Lennie (meaning Bernstein, but any Lennie will do)” with your co-host, Julie Reyburn.  We’ll see you then!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for the Salon

(Updates? Changes? Email me)

Monday, August 17, 2015

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 16 - “Broadway - Tin Pan Alley, and Beyond”

August 16, 2015
Theme: “Broadway - Tin Pan Alley, and Beyond”

Mark Janas was thrilled to step up to the microphone to start the evening, having returned from three weeks of teaching high school singers in the Poconos how to interpret songs and - even more important - how to learn proper mic stand choreography.  Spending so much time in the gorgeous cottage they provided him with, breathing the open air, and generally relaxing, made the return to New York even more of a culture shock, but keeping in theme with the evening, he admitted he missed Broadway and all it's history.

A plaque that can be found on a building on 28th street, commemorating the landmark that is Tin Pan Alley.
The theme was "Broadway - Tin Pan Alley, and Beyond," and there wasn't a better Co-Host to fill this than the petite powerhouse Ann Dawson, who belted and strutted her stuff on "Broadway Baby" with such style and panache, you'd think it was written for her and her alone.  Ann, with her curly hair and tiny stature, seems like she could be Annie herself all grown up; like Annie, Ann can raise the roof with her voice and explosively positive energy.  In her spotlight set, Ann painted the picture of Tin Pan Alley, with it's hot summer days and the hustle and bustle of young songwriters vying for a chance to write for Broadway (not much has changed, has it?). Revealing that George Gershwin once auditioned at age 15 to be Irving Berlin's rehearsal pianist, Berlin told him "Kid, stick to your own songs" in admiration of George's skills. In honor of the city she admires, Ann sang through the eyes of tourists with "I Love This Place."  She then sang a beautiful ballad about the missed connections happening all over the city, with "The People You Never Get to Love."  And then, accompanied by a hilarious pair of plastic (and sparkling) red "noisemaking" hands, she performed her ode to the love and passion we have to perform, "Applause." At the end of the evening, Ann read a bit of a letter that Sophie Tucker, one of the great performers of the Tin Pan Alley era, sent to her parents from Paris, 1906.  She wrote "I decided I can do big things...Some of these days." Ann then knocked the song "Some of These Days" out of the park!

Ann Dawson will perform her solo show “Traveling Solo: Tales and Tunes” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St. on both October 3rd (at 4pm) and October 28th (at 7pm). It is Directed by Barry Kleinbort and with music direction by Don Rebic.

Ann Dawson
Quick Wrap: Mark Janas' Classical Corner

Before it was killed by Video, the Radio Star killed the Tin Pan Alley Star! Ok, let me backtrack: back to 1885, when the era of Tin Pan Alley began. If you didn't read sheet music or couldn't play piano, producers of Vaudeville and Broadway, as well as sheet music publishers, would head over to West 28th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenue in New York City to hear songwriters and/or their rehearsal pianists perform new works.  This street would be alive with the cacophony of dozens of pianos and other instruments banging away for the attention of a few pairs of ears.  However, in 1930, the radio started to become a staple in almost every home and office in the country, and Producers could listen for new songwriters and potential Broadway works from the comfort of their own home. Mark Janas gave us a brief history of this, and included a demonstration of the practice of putting tin or paper on the strings of the piano to make the songs sound more percussive (thus, one of the many reasons how Tin Pan Alley got its name).

Mark then did something fun: with Matthew Martin Ward's page-turning help and eye, he took an old fake book (which actually belonged to his father and had weathered, worn, yellowed pages), and did a "best hits of" Tin Pan Alley medley, jumping from one song to the next, playing only a small phrase before going to the next. In doing so, he invited the Salon audience to sing along as soon as they recognized the piece.  From the 1899 hit "Hearts and Flowers," to the rousing "Yes, We Have No Bananas Today," it was so much fun! Titles included "I Cried for You," " Ragtime Gal," "Swanee," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "And the Band Played On," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and "After the Ball." I was happy I watched the old MGM movies like "In The Good Old Summertime" and "There's No Business Like Showbusiness"; otherwise, I may have not recognized some of them!

Also, thanks to Richie Eisenberg for bringing a printout list of some of the most famous titles from the Tin Pan Alley era, and sharing it with the group.

And I have to write one more side note: Joe Regan, Jr took a moment to pay respects to songwriter Ray Jessel, who passed away earlier this Summer, by singing Jessel's ballad "Finding Words For Spring." It was a very nice tribute, and I was touched. Thanks, Joe.

Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Ann Dawson
Bobbie Horowitz
Natasha Castillo
Michael Colby
Joe Reagan
Barb Malley
Ira Lee Collings
Wendy Russell
Lisa Viggiano
Charles Baran (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (self on piano)
Ann Dawson
Virginia Hill
Richard Becker
Richie Eisenberg
Joan Jaffe
Michelle Zalkin
Ann Dawson

Special thanks to tonight’s pianists: Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward!

And thank you to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style, and Steve Bustamante who is providing video footage for people interested in that service!

Upcoming shows:

Ongoing: Matthew Martin Ward plays on Mondays at the West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC.

Ongoing: Bill Zeffiro plays every Tuesday (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC and every Wednesday (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

Ongoing: Metrostar Competition every Monday night until August 17, 2015. At The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Ongoing: Mama's Next Big Act every Tuesday night until August 25th at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, August 19, 2015 (7:00pm) - Robin Kradles, featuring Wendy Russell and Lisa Viggiano, in "Funny You Should Ask," at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, August 22, 2015 (9pm and 10pm) - Joan Jaffe will be a spotlight performer at "Parnell's Spotlight Night" with Bobby Peaco on piano, and other special guests. Parnelle's 350 East 53rd St., NYC.

Monday, August 24, 2015 (7:00pm) - Bobbie Horowitz hosts "It's Just a Number" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Thursday, September 24, 2015 (7:00pm) - "Somewhere in this Song", The music and lyrics of Nicholas Levin at The Metropolitan Room 34 West 22nd St., NYC. Starring Mick Bleyer, Kristin Maloney, Marissa Mulder, and Adam B. Shapiro. Musical Director: Matthew Martin Ward Director: Peter Napolitano.

Saturday, September 26, 2015 (6:00pm) - Robin Kradles hosts "Saturdays at Six," featuring Lisa Viggiano, Room 53, 314 West 53rd St, NYC.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4:30pm) - Barb Malley in "Eat! Drink! Be Merry!" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (3:00pm) - Lisa Viggiano will be a featured performer at "Open Mic @ The Met," The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Saturday, October 3, 2015 (4pm) - Ann Dawson in “Traveling Solo: Tales and Tunes” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Saturday, October 10th (6:00pm) - Charles Baran presents "Saturdays at Six," featuring Natasha Castillo, Room 53, 314 West 53rd St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 (7:00pm) - Wendy Russell in "Where Have I Been All My Life?" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, October 23, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Mark Janas) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, October 24, 2015 (7:00pm) - Wendy Russell in "Where Have I Been All My Life?" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 (7pm) - Ann Dawson in “Traveling Solo: Tales and Tunes” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Friday, November 6, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Sean Harkness) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, November 11, 2105 - Marnie Klar's new show at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Ritt Henn) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Marnie Klar's new show at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC. 

Friday, November 20, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 - Marnie Klar's new show at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Next Week’s Salon

Next Sunday is going to be SO EXCITING!!! It's the celebration of "The Salon's 10th Anniversary"! The Co-Hosts will be a majority of the Etceterettes throughout the years, which means a lot of singing and drinking and reminiscing. Come early and grab a seat and a chance to celebrate with us! Sing the first song you ever sang with Salon, or sing about anniversaries, or songs with the number 10 in them, or maybe songs about durability, flexibility, or tin, aluminum, and diamond (which are all representative of the 10th Anniversary Wedding gifts).  See you then!

Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Catch a mistake or update needed? Email me

Sunday, August 9, 2015

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 9, 2015 - "Chemistry"

August 9, 2015
Theme: “Chemistry”

It’s so wonderful being back at The Salon! I just finished two shows that took me away from hanging out with my cabaret family, and I missed you all!

Salon host and founder Mark Janas is still in the Poconos, but we counted ourselves lucky that our guest host this week was the immensely talented, Ian Herman. This Bistro Award winner began his musical career studying classical piano and at the age of thirteen he was a guest soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Broadway credits include “Jelly’s Last Jam”, “The Who’s Tommy”, “Song And Dance”, “Grease” & “Swing”, for which he wrote vocal and dance arrangements. His latest CD is DUET with Sean Harkness and is available on iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ianhermanseanharkness

Our Co-Host was the always classy and compelling, Sean Harkness. This Bistro & Multiple MAC Award Winner is both a musical artist and guitarist-for-hire. He composes music for solo guitar and small ensembles; supports an exhaustive list of singers, musicians, and theatrical productions and endorses Walden acoustic guitars and DR Strings. He has six commercial releases as an artist, including DUET with Ian Herman. For more information:  www.seanharkness.com.

Tonight’s theme was “Chemistry” which inspired all kinds of interpretations of the word! To kick off the evening, Sean played a beautiful song (with Ian on piano) called “Duet” - which also happens to be the name of their album. What’s so fantastic about watching Sean and Ian together is that you see pure joy oozing out of them when they create music together. And you can also hear that joy when they’re playing - many Salon-ers could be found closing their eyes to let their ears take over. 

For the first song of his mid-show set, Sean played a gorgeous acoustic tune that had the audience absolutely silent with wonder. The second he played he titled “Sunset” (but, of course, he said that since there are no words you can call the song anything you’d like!) In the intro to his final song, Sean said that it was inspired his cat, Saba, running around his apartment like a crazy animal! After the first verse, Ian jumped onto the keys and the audience started clapping along. It was fantastic!

Sean closed by saying how grateful he was for events like The Salon, “where people celebrate music and make songs.” For the final song of the evening, he invited Ian to join him in a delicate duet which had  me wistful and inspired. Their CD is a must-have - be sure to pick up a copy online or at their next show. 

From Left: Guest Host Ian Herman and Co-Host Sean Harkness

Quick Wrap: Ian’s Classical Corner

Ian started by talking about his rigorous training and (consequent) disaffection with classical music growing up. He exclaimed, “There were so many notes! And you had to play them all perfectly or else people would get mad at you. So that’s when I started getting into writing.”

Ian announced that he would be playing three classical pieces that he wrote himself. For his first song, he started by saying that he always had a hard time playing Brahms, namely because the chords were too big for his hands. So the first piece he shared was written with “a Brahms flair.” For the second song he invited Sean up to play with him, and the audience was so excited that I didn’t catch who the classical influence was! The last song of Classical Corner was an original piece inspired by Beethoven, and with that Ian’s fingers positively FLEW across the keys. It was breathtaking. 


Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Ian Herman unless otherwise noted.

Richie Eisenberg (with Sean Harkness on guitar and Ian Herman on piano)
Sandra Bargman (with Sean Harkness on guitar and Ian Herman on piano)
Nicci 
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (on voice and piano)
Ann Dawson
David Auxier
Dawn Derow (with Sean Harkness on guitar)
Steve Bustamante (on guitar, with Sean Harkness on guitar as well)
Jenn B Hudson (with Sean Harkness on guitar and Ian Herman on piano)


Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists: Ian Herman, Sean Harkness, Matthew Martin Ward, and Steve Bustamante.

And thank you to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style, and Steve Bustamante who is providing video footage for people interested in that service!


Upcoming shows:

Ongoing: Matthew Martin Ward plays on Mondays at the West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC.

Ongoing: Bill Zeffiro plays every Tuesday (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC and every Wednesday (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

Ongoing: Metrostar Competition every Monday night until August 17, 2015. At The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Ongoing: Mama's Next Big Act every Tuesday night until August 25th at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 (evening) - Carole Demas will be appearing in “Pal ‘o Mine” at the Iridium. 1650 Broadway, NYC.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015 (7pm) - David Ballard hosts "Starting Here!" a new composers/new songs showcase at Room 53, 314 W 53rd St, NYC.

Friday, August 14, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, August 14, 2015 - David Auxier in “The Engagement” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Saturday, August 15, 2015 (7pm) - Karen Carpenter tribute (with Natasha Castillo and Adam Shapiro) at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - David Auxier in “The Engagement” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Sunday, August 23, 2015 (7pm & 8:30pm) - Dawn Derow in “Mostly Marcus” at Bar Thalia, 2537 Broadway (at 95th St), NYC.

Wednesday, August 24, 2015 - Dawn Derow will be appearing in Bobbie Horowitz's "It's Only A Number" series at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Wednesday, September 2, 2015 (6:30pm) - Carole Demas in “Music at Tudor City Greens” at Tudor City Park, NYC.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - David Auxier in “The Engagement” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4pm) - Sandra Bargman (with music director Ian Herman) in “The Edge of Every Day” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4pm) - Carole Demas in “Sondheim Unplugged” at 54 Below, 244 W 54th St, NYC.

Saturday, October 3, 2015 (4pm) - Ann Dawson in “Traveling Solo: Tales and Tunes” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Friday, October 23, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Mark Janas) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 (7pm) - Ann Dawson in “Traveling Solo: Tales and Tunes” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Friday, November 6, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Sean Harkness) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Ritt Henn) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 20, 2015 (9:30pm) - Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015 - Dawn Derow will be celebrating her 40th birthday with a show (with Sean Harkness) - stay tuned for details!


Next Week’s Salon

Next week we’re honoring the good ol’ American Songbook with the theme, “Broadway - Tin Pan Alley, and Beyond,” with your co-host, Ann Dawson.  We’ll see you then!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for the Salon

(Updates? Changes? Email me)

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 2, 2015 - "Bits and Pieces"

August 2, 2015
Theme: “Bits and Pieces”


Our Co-Hosts for the evening on Sunday, Dana Lorge and Warren Schein, certainly had us in "Bits and Pieces" or "fits and starts" or just happy smiles as they hosted the PACKED audience! The waiters had to get more tables and chairs in the back, and we were encouraged to keep the downtime quick between numbers. Thankfully, this meant Dana and Warren introduced a huge number of singers up to the stage, many from the Cabaret elite, plus a few first-timers, including Joshua Polley -a stunning 13 year old boy from Broadway! Dana and Warren were silly and sweet, with whip-smart wit. They started off with a great duet, "Just in Time," with swinging Guest Host Barry Levitt at the piano and a special treat of Jon Burr - who joined in on a lot of songs throughout the evening - on upright bass.  For the mid-show set, they alternated solos and duets. Warren performed a hotly arranged "Sing for Your Supper/Sing/Sing a Song," followed by Dana performing the hilarious "Dingy," which only proved just exactly how filthy the mind of the audience was.  Then, Warren returned with a beautiful rendition of "That's All."  At the end of the night, the two of them shared microphones, laughs, and a roving moustache to sing "Quando Quando."

You can catch more of Dana's hosting abilities at "Dana Lorge's Variety Show" at The Metropolitan Room comes by once a month! 7pm on August 14, September 18, October 16, November 13 and December 18th in 2015.  34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Dana Lorge and Warren Schein
Photo by Stephen Sorokoff, BroadwayWorld.com
Quick Wrap: Barry's Corner


Barry Levitt's fingers were flying through the keys in his little Corner of the room.  He started out by performing a fast-fingered original composition, "When it Rains," which also featured Jon Burr on bass. It had some beautiful chord changes, which passed by effortlessly. He then dextrously did a jazzy rendition of "Pennies from Heaven," including a wonderful instrumental/vocal break with Jon's bass.  To complete his set, Barry played a beautiful samba number...I'll add the name once I find it from Barry. :)

On September 2, 2015, Barry Levitt's original work will be the featured subject for the show "Gary Crawford Sings the Barry Levitt Songbook." 7:00 pm at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Barry Levitt and Jon Burr unless otherwise noted.

Dana Lorge and Warren Schein
Sunny Leigh
Lou Iacovino
Edith Stokes
Patti Bottino Braro
Bob Simonello
Marnie Klar
Carly Ozard
Charles Baran and Joan Jaffe
Annie Lebeaux (self on piano)
Natalie Arneson
Joshua Dixon (with Scott Evan Davis on piano)
Joshua Colley (with Scott Evan Davis on piano)
Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Zach Wobensmith (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Barry Levitt and Jon Burr
Dana Lorge and Warren Schein
Tanya Moberly
Bobbie Horowitz (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
Barb Malley
Adam Shapiro
Ira Lee Collings
Jim Speake
DJ O'Neill
Sallie Jo Hadley
Richard Becker
Richie Eisenberg
Susan Jeffries
Stuart
Jackie Hashimoto
Rob Davis
Dana Lorge and Warren Schein


And thank you to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style. And to our pianists and musicians Bill Zeffiro, Barry Levitt, Annie Lebeaux, Scott Evan Davis, Matthew Martin Ward, and Jon Burr!


Next Week - Chemistry!

Chemistry? YEAH, CHEMISTRY! Whether it's the science from a glass tube or the cause and effect found between lovers, the term "Chemistry" can mean a thousand things!  Guest Host and Pianist will be Ian Herman, and our Co-Hosts will be the marvelous man and guitarist Sean Harkness!


Upcoming shows:


Ongoing: Matthew Martin Ward plays on Mondays at the West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC.


Ongoing: Bill Zeffiro plays every Tuesday (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC and every Wednesday (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

Ongoing: Metrostar Competition every Monday night until August 17, 2015. At The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Ongoing: Mama's Next Big Act every Tuesday night until August 25th at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015 (9:30pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Thursday, August 6, 2015 (8pm) - David Ballard hosts "Starting Here!" a new composers/new songs showcase at Room 53, 314 W 53rd St, New York, NYC.

Saturday, August 8, 2015 (6pm) - Charles Baran hosts "Saturdays at Six" with Warren Schein, Lisa Yaeger, Ronni Faust, David Auxier and Jessica Levi at Room 53, 314 W 53rd St, New York, NYC.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015 (7pm) - David Ballard hosts "Starting Here!" a new composers/new songs showcase at Room 53, 314 W 53rd St, New York, NYC.

Friday, August 14, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, August 14, 2015 (7pm) -  "Dana Lorge's Variety Show" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Saturday, August 15, 2015 (7pm) - Karen Carpenter tribute (with Natasha Castillo and Adam Shapiro) at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015 (7pm) - Robin Kradles and her Hot Box Girls, Lynne Hildebrand, Gretchen Reinhagen, Lennie Watts and Amy Wolk, with Rick Jensen in "Funny You Should Ask", at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, August 24, 2015 - Bobbie Horowitz's "It's Only A Number" series aThe Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - Bill Zeffiro and Jon Burr at the 92nd St Y.

Friday, September 18, 2015 (7pm) -  "Dana Lorge's Variety Show" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Sunday, September 20, 2015 - Edith Stokes in her CD Release Show "Love is in The Air" with Barry Levitt and Jon Burr.

Sunday, September 27, 2015 (4:30pm) - Barb Malley in "Eat! Drink! Be Merry!" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Thursday, October 8, 2015 (5:30pm) - Bob Simonello in "Flight" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, October 12, 2015 (7pm and 9:30pm) - Sierra Rein and other Los Angeles/NYC original casts in "bare" Reunion Concert at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 16, 2015 (7pm) -  "Dana Lorge's Variety Show" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Friday, October 23, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Mark Janas) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 6, 2015 (7pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Sean Harkness) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, November 11, 2015 - Rob Davis in "Rob's Big Birthday Celebration: Frank, Billie and Me!" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (9:30pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Ritt Henn) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (7pm) -  "Dana Lorge's Variety Show" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 (3pm) - Bob Simonello in "Flight" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 20, 2015 (9:30pm) Tanya Moberly in “Songs I Feel Like Singing” (with a rotation of musicians - this date has Steven Ray Watkins) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, December 18, 2015 (7pm) -  "Dana Lorge's Variety Show" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St., NYC.

Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Catch a mistake or update needed? Email me