The Salon Wrap-Up for October 25, 2015 - "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves"

October 25, 2015
Theme: “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves” (Halloween Edition)

They’re creepy and they’re kooky,
Mysterious and spooky,
They’re all together ooky,
The Sa-lon Family.

And with two snaps this year's Halloween Salon was underway! And what a festive evening is was. Our Co-Hosts were MAC & Bistro Award Winner Janice Hall and MAC & Broadway World Award Winner Adam B. Shapiro! Longtime family of The Salon (and roommates to boot!), these two have cemented themselves as the only appropriate souls to host the Halloween Salon. Because what creativity, fun and heart they bring to the evening - they give all other hosts a run for their money. (I should know - I have to follow them as co-host next week!)

Adam and Janice had a fantastic 5 song-set filled with costume changes (sometimes within the same tune!) Here's a breakdown of what they gave us, with a few photos:

Adam B Shapiro as Gypsy Rose Lee, stripping into the Bride of Frankenstein, a Deviless, and Corseted Skeleton - "Let Me Entertain You" from Gypsy
Janice Hall as A Gypsy Fortuneteller - "The Psychic/Card Aria" from Carmen.
Adam Shapiro as Frankenstein - "I'm Alive" from Next To Normal
Janice Hall as Lily Munster and Adam B Shapiro as Herman Munster - "A Little Priest" from Sweeney Todd
Janice Hall as Cruella DeVille (with some assistance from Adam as Ariel, complete in Mermaid attire!)- "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from The Little Mermaid

Adam B Shapiro, fabulous in a corset!

Janice and Adam, singing "A Little Priest"

Janice Hall as the Gyspy Fortune Teller

Adam is currently appearing in DEATH OF A SALESMAN (in Yiddish!) at The New Yiddish Rep, Castillo Theatre, 543 W 42nd St, NYC and Janice is directing and teaching while awaiting confirmation of her next gig.

Special thanks to David Gillam for his amazingly designed Gypsy show curtain (and Kevin McMullan for loaning it to us!)


Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

Mark started this week's Classical Corner by playing two small portions of "Funerailles" by Franz Liszt, who would have been 204 years old last Friday. Mark said that Liszt is perfect for this week's theme as well. First of all, he was a Gypsy (being from Hungary, of course, the land of the Gypsies.) As far as tramps, Mark says that Liszt added so many fast and fiery elements to the pieces that he almost swamped them much like tramps overtake the community with their lust and games. And as far as Thieves - Mark shrugged and said Liszt stole from others quite a lot (as all musicians do.) Liszt became a great teacher in Europe, and he was such a virtuoso that he could listen to a students' composition just once, and be able to play back parts of it perfectly by ear to give his notes and suggestions.

Mark then started talking about a well known piece called, "Danse Macabre", written by Camile Saint-Saens, which takes place on All Souls Eve. The song starts with the stroke of midnight, and you can practically hear the ghouls and goblins coming out of their graves to dance through the evening, and then quietly get back into the ground. Mark plugged his iPhone into the speaker system and played us an orchestration of the beginning of the song, so we could hear how all of the instruments come together to make the eerie music. He then talked about how the piece was transcribed for the piano by Liszt (see what we mean about thieving?) which incorporates some fascinating differences - "such high drama!" as Mark said. He then shared a clip of a pianist playing the beginning Liszt's version on piano so we could hear what Liszt's imagination added to the work.

He then put away the technology and got back behind the keys. He told us that he has only ever really played "Danse Macabre" by ear (!), which means he's always had his own flair for the song as he's played it. But these days, he said, you can go to a classical site and pick up and print other versions of the score. So he brought in a transcription by H Cramer and played it for us while adding but his own color and drama. It was bone-chilling!

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
Robin Kradles
Anna Marie Sell
Kevin McMullan
Derek Williams
Carly Ozard
Richie Eisenberg
Annette Hollander (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Annie LeBeaux
Dawn Derow
Sierra Rein
Rob Davis
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Kathleen France
Tanya Moberly (with Adam B Shapiro on supporting vocals)
Doreen Barnard
Ira Lee Collings
Eve Eaton
Wendy Anne Russell
Steve Bustamante (on vocals and guitar)
Matthew Martin Ward on voice and piano


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

And thank you to Gil 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 Tuesday night (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison, NYC with Candice Oden and every Wednesday night (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, October 31, 2015 (9:30pm) - Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) guest performs in "Into Sweeney Todd's Woods" at Feinstein's/54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

Thursday, November 5, 2015 - Eve Eaton is appearing in "The Arrangement Experience" 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 10, 2015 - Rob Davis in “Rob’s Big Birthday Celebration” at The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (3pm & 8pm) - David Ballard is singing with the NY Gay Men’s Chrous at their Holiday concert at Town Hall, 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.

Monday, November 16, 2015 (7pm & 9:30pm) - Rob Davis in “Rob’s Big Birthday Celebration” at Salon Presents, Etc Etc Restaurant, 352 W 44th St, 2nd Floor.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Sally Darling is appearing in “Perspectives” (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) 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 is having a birthday show (featuring Kathleen France  at Carroll Place, 157 Bleecker St, NYC.

Sunday, November 29, 2015 - Miranda Music will have a Christmas CD Release party (featuring Kathleen France) at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - Adam Shapiro opens in "Di Golden Kale" for the National Yiddish Theater.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - Eve Eaton is bringing back "Back To Billy" (with Wendy Russell on vocals) to Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Thursday, December 3, 2015 - Eve Eaton and Wendy Russell are appearing in "It Was A Very Good Year" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

December 3-January 3, 2015 - Anna Marie Sell is appearing in Peccadillo Theatre Company's Christmas Show (Thornton Wilder One-Acts), at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 W. 46th Street, NYC.

December 4-20 2015 - Erin Cronican is appearing in “Gidion’s Knot” with The Seeing Place Theater, 309 East 26th St, NYC.

Sunday, December 6, 2015 (1pm) - Dawn Derow is bringing back her show, "Legit" (music directed by Mark Janas) to the Laurie Beechman, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.

Monday, December 7, 2015 - Wendy Russell is appearing in "Rock Arrange" at Urban Stages,  259 W 30th St, NYC

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - Robin Kradles has a Diva Selections new show, “Holidays Cheers With A Twist” (co-starring Wendy Russell) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - Dawn Derow is appearing in Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages,  259 W 30th St, NYC

Sunday, December 13, 2015 (3pm & 8pm) - David Ballard is singing with the NY Gay Men’s Chrous at their Holiday concert at Town Hall, NYC.

Sunday, December 13, 2015 - Kathleen France is appearing in the Disney/Christmas show at Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages,  259 W 30th St, NYC

Sunday, December 13, 2015 (5pm) - Sally Darling is appearing in “Perspectives” (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, December 19, 2015 - Sally Darling is appearing in “Perspectives” (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.



Next Week’s Salon

Next week we're honoring friendships - however big or small - with your Bestie Co-hosts, Erin Cronican (me!) and Candice Oden. We’ll see you then!


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

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 18, 2015 - "Trunk Songs"

October 18, 2015
Theme: “Trunk Songs"

Tonight at Salon, pianist-accompanist-composer extraordinaire Matthew Martin Ward left his post at the keyboard to stand front and center, as co-host of the evening, with Mark Janas. The theme for this evening was "Trunk Songs"--basically, numbers that were cut from shows at some point, but that remained in the composer's "trunk," sometimes to be recycled into another show, and sometimes acquiring renown on their own. However, tonight, our theme was subject to multiple interpretations, including: songs that have been forgotten, songs that you found or kept in a literal trunk, and songs sung by elephants. Yes.
Matthew opened the evening with the old chestnut, "Down Among the Sheltering Palms," paying tribute to several known versions of the song, performed by such varied personalities as Alice Faye, Sweet Sue and the Society Syncopaters (in Some Like it Hot ), and honkytonk piano player Joanne Castle. After the break, Matthew's three-song set opened with one of his own trunk songs, "Like a Child,"cut from his show (written with Peter Napolitano) The Lady in Penthouse B. His next number was found in the trunk of the songwriter (and George Gershwin friend) Kay Swift. The song, from Swift's one-woman revue (for Cornelia Otis Skinner), Paris 90, was the lovely "The House Where I Was Born." The final song in this set was the wacky Marc Blitzstein song, "The New Suit," aka "Zipperfly." The song was written for a comedian friend of Blitzstein, who never performed it.  Matthew closed the show with another trunk song from The Lady in Penthouse B, fittingly titled "Only in New York."

Salon Spotlight

Tonight's Salon spotlight featured the husband-wife songwriting duo David Alpher and Jennie Litt (http://www.litt-and-alpher.com). They recently searched through their own "trunk" of shows to revive The Elegant and The Immigrant, a show combining and contrasting the music (and lives) of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. Alpher (piano) and Litt (vocals) opened their set with Berlin's humorous early number "Cohen Owes Me Ninety-Seven Dollars." Contrasting with this was their second selection, Cole Porter's beautifully nostalgic "You Don't Know Paree." Accrding to Jennie, Porter and Berlin were good friends, and vied with each other to see who could write the best list song. Although Porter is known for many list songs, Berlin was a worthy contender, as illustrated tonight by Alpher and Litt's final song, "There's No Business Like Show Business," sung in a ballad style, which really pointed up the text of the well-known song. (See dates for The Elegant and the Immigrant below.)

 Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

Mark took tonight's theme and applied it to the music of Beethoven: Exhibit A was the final movement of his Ninth Symphony. According to Mark, Beethoven abandoned his original sketch/idea for this movement when he decided to make it a choral number, inserting the now-famous "Ode to Joy." But Beethoven then repurposed that original sketch as the final movement of the A minor String Quartet, Opus 132, and a few similarities in structure between the two works still remain. Matthew and Mark illustrated this by playing the opening of the Ninth Symphony final movement, then playing the final movement of the String Quartet. After telling us it was deceptively difficult to learn, they proceeded to give us a terrific performance!

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 Shapiro

Joe Regan, Jr. 

Simone Streeter

Joey Infante (w. Mike McDonald)

Ira Lee Collings (w Matthew Martin Ward)

Sally Darling (w Matthew Martin Ward)

Janice Hall (w Matthew Martin Ward)

Angela Leone (w Bill Zeffiro)

Bill Zeffiro

David Ballard

Marnie Klar 

Matthew Martin Ward

Tanya Moberly

Robert Green 

Ann Dawson

Steve Arons (w Matthew Martin Ward) 

Frances O'Flynn (w Matthew Martin Ward)

Special thanks to tonight’s pianists: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, and Bill Zeffiro.

And thank you to Gil 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.

Bill Zeffiro can be seen every Tuesday night (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison, NYC with Candice Oden and every Wednesday night (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

October 8-22, 2015 - Adam B. Shapiro in “Death of a Salesman” (in Yiddish!)--New Yiddish Rep, Castillo Theatre, 543 W 42nd St, NYC

Thursday, October 22, 2015 (8pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is music directing Wendy Schell’s “What Do You Do All Day?” 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 (8pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is music directing Wendy Schell’s “What Do You Do All Day?" at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, October 25th, 2015 (4pm) - David Alpher and Jennie Litt perform "The Elegant & The Immigrant," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th , NYC.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 (7pm) - Ann Dawson is "Traveling Solo" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

November 1, 2015 (7pm) - Joey Infante serves up the "Sabor de Amor," with Barry Levitt at the piano. Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 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, 2015 (7 pm) - Marnie Klar's new show, "Tuned In," has its premiere 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.

Saturday, November 14th, 2015 (5pm) - David Alpher and Jennie Litt perform "The Elegant & The Immigrant," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th , NYC.

Saturday, November 17, 2015 (7 pm) - Marni Klar's new show, "Tuned In," has its premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 (8 pm) - Angela Leone debuts at Tomi Jazz, 239 E 53rd Street, NYC, with Bill Zeffiro as accompanist.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 (7 pm) - Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward offer us "Perspectives," 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 2, 2015 - Adam Shapiro opens in "Di Golden Kale" for the National Yiddish Theater.

Sunday, December 13, 2015 (3pm & 8pm) - David Ballard is singing with the NY Gay Men’s Chrous at their Holiday concert at Town Hall, NYC.

Sunday, December 13th, 2015 (5pm) - Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward offer us "Perspectives," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC

Saturday, December 19th, 2015 (5 pm) - Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward offer us "Perspectives," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC

Sunday, December 20th, 2015 (4pm) - David Alpher and Jennie Litt perform "The Elegant & The Immigrant," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th , NYC.

Tuesday, December 29th, 2015 (7 pm) - Marnie Klar's new show, "Tuned In," has its premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC

 Wednesday, December 30th, 2015 (7 pm) - Marnie Klar's new show, "Tuned In," has its premiere at Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC

Next Week’s Salon

Attention, all ghosts, witches and goblins: prepare ye for the return of  

Adam B, Shapiro and Janice Hall as your co-hosts for the Halloween Salon! This year, the theme is "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves." Costumes encouraged!

Janice Hall

Blogette for The Salon

Corrections? Comments?  Email me.

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 11, 2015 - “Singing Is Easy - Comedy is Hard: An Evening Of Jokes & Parodies”

October 11, 2015
Theme: “Singing Is Easy - Comedy is Hard: An Evening Of Jokes & Parodies.”

It was side-splitting time (with vocals) as we brought our smiling muscles in for an evening of laughs, jests and parodies. Mark Janas brought out some memories of having worked for Ringling Brothers, sight-reading circus music in 13/8 time, and being warned against male Bengal tiger dominance spray (warning: be prepared to burn your clothes)! He also brought a photo book of his days in the circus, not something anyone can say.

On hand to provide some great comedy was our Co-Host, Nancy Witter, a firecracker of a gal who provided some zingers and hilarious standup (if you've never heard of a term like "hummingbird on cocaine," go see her perform one day). And no wonder: Nancy was one of five finalists on Nick at Nite’s “Search for the Funniest Mom in America” (2005) has entertained audiences across the country with the show “Mama’s Night Out”.  To start the evening off with a guffaw, Nancy talked about how there are 1.6 billion people on Facebook, doing nothing all together, and then did a great parody of a parody: she sang  "I Hate Facebook" to the tune of "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" (itself a parody of Amilcare Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours").  Later, she did some standup regarding the gym and all the lovely people she's met at the gym, and her experience with weight-watchers, which allowed her to jump straight into a parody of the disco favorite "I Will Survive" entitled "I Have Survived." To close the evening and send us home with our sides hurting, she did a wonderfully groan-inducing set of "stupid jokes" which included plane travel, Mae West, Tiger Woods, and the constant sound of Tanya Moberly's infectious laugh from the corner of the room.  Nancy is also a motivational speaker and life coach, so if you're interested in laughing and having more fun in life, head on over to www.nancywitter.com

Nancy Witter

Salon Spotlight
Our Salon Spotlight featured Savannah Brown & Chase O’Donnell, the Too Blondes! They had a bit of confusion with their first song, a 20s-themed song with Chase on guitar. Savannah dressed the 20s theme and had some great Yahoo Answers research up her feathered boa, while Chase just wanted to talk about her last decade as a young woman. They figured it out by the end. Their second song utilized the presence of audience volunteer (and definitely good date material) Oliver, while they sang about the trials and tribulations of the dating scene. To complete their spotlight, the two did something we haven't seen much of on the Salon stage - DANCE! And they indeed did dance to a number of music styles in a dizzying array of dance moves.

Savannah & Chase will return to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 – with TOO BLONDES – A ONE-WOMAN SHOW on November 12th at 9:30pm. For more information: www.metropolitanroom.com.

Savannah Brown and Chase O'Donnell - Too Blondes

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

Humor and music often go hand to hand, using the element of surprise to create laughter.  In the classical world this is often called the Scherzo, or a "joke" found in the middle of a classical composer's symphony.  Mark Janas challenged us to tune our ears back into the 19th century, where unexpected key changes, chord and phrasing changes, and abrupt endings often tickled the audience with their refusal to adhere to traditional composition.  Mark made an example of Beethoven's 7th Symphony, with it's theme on F. He grouped phrases into 4s, then 2s, then 1s, and then reversed the melody, changed harmonies on beat 4 rather than 1, throwing the audiences to not sure where the even beats actually occurred.  Matthew Martin Ward was on hand to conduct in 4/4 time, showing how the unexpected turns would happen.  Mark also showed how the piece had uneven surprises in dynamics, and would go from pianissimo to fortissimo and "stabs of forte" within a few bars.  He also showed how the piece had an ABABA format, where the B bridge came from an Austrian folk tune. However, it then would return to the disjointed A section, and then abruptly end with very little closure. I would have liked to have been a fly on the theater wall when Beethoven performed this one to the public for the first time!  Mark then closed the Classical Corner with another Scherzo, this time Chopin's Scherzo in Bb minor, which exemplified the same surprising dynamics and key changes as Beethoven's 7th.

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.

Nancy Witter

Bobbie Horowitz

Ira Lee Collings

John Trujillo

Debbie Zecher

Stevie Stern

Adam Shapiro

Annie Lebeaux (on piano)

Paul Charette (on ukulele) and Hayley Charette 

Gary Plotkin (on piano)

Anna Rose

David Ballard

Sierra Rein

Kathleen France

Savannah Brown

Chase O'Donnell (on guitar)

Tanya Moberly

Matthew Martin Ward (on piano)

Ann Dawson

Charles Baran

Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists/ukuleleists: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Gary Plotkin, Paul Charette, Annie Lebeaux and Chase O'Donnell.

And thank you to Gil 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: Bill Zeffiro can be seen every Tuesday night (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison, NYC with Candice Oden and every Wednesday night (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

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

October 8-22, 2015 - Adam B. Shapiro in “Death of a Salesman” (in Yiddish!)--New Yiddish Rep, Castillo Theatre, 543 W 42nd St, NYC

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 (8pm) – Joan Jaffe in “Something Cool” with Matt Baker & Guest Charles Baran at the Concert Space at Beethoven Pianos, NYC.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 (8pm) - John Trujillo is appearing in “The Ties That Bind” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Thursday, October 22, 2015 (8pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is music directing Wendy Schell’s “What You Do All Day” 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 (8pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is music directing Wendy Schell’s “What You Do All Day” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - Ann Dawson in "Traveling Solo" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Sunday, October 31, 2015 (9:30pm) - Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) guest performers in "Into Sweeney Todd's Woods" at Feinstein's/54 Below,

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 10, 2015 - Rob Davis in “Rob’s Big Birthday Celebration” at The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Thursday, November 12, 2015 - Bobbie Horowitz in an evening of her songs, “It’s Just A Number,” honoring Randy Jones of The Village People 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.

Sunday, November 15, 2015 - Bobbie Horowitz will have a book signing at the Javitz Center, NYC.

Monday, November 16, 2015 (7pm & 9:30pm) - Rob Davis in “Rob’s Big Birthday Celebration” at Salon Presents, Etc Etc Restaurant, 352 W 44th St, 2nd Floor.

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 (4pm) - Charles Baran reheats "Recipes For Disaster" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Sunday, November 22, 2015 (8pm) - John Trujillo is appearing in “The Ties That Bind” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, November 29, 2015 - Miranda Music will have a Christmas CD Release party at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - Adam Shapiro opens in "Golden Kale" for the National Yiddish Theater.

Sunday, December 13, 2015 (3pm & 8pm) - David Ballard is singing with the NY Gay Men’s Chrous at their Holiday concert at Town Hall, NYC.

Next Week’s Salon

On October 18th, we'll be packing it in with the theme of "Trunk Songs" with your Co-Host: Matthew Martin Ward! On hand to be in the Salon Spotlight will be the composing superduo David Alpher and Jennie Litt.

Sierra Rein

Blogette for The Salon

Did I make a misnake? Gimme the bad news via email.

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 4, 2015 - "Seasons of Love"

October 4, 2015
Theme: “Seasons of Love”

There was a chill in the air outside, but a warm glow inside Etc Etc Restaurant as we gathered for another fantastic evening of song and art. The theme was Seasons of Love, and it was fun to see all of the different interpretations of the theme by our singers: songs of reconciliation, yearning, hope and comfort.

Our Co-Host was the always effervescent and entertaining David Vernon! David started the evening with a tender and dramatic performance of “Who Will Buy.” For his mid-evening set, David started with a stunning and delicate, “All The Things That You Are,” followed by a melancholy “Spring Again” and a captivating, “Once Upon a Springtime.” To close out the evening, he sang a powerful, “I Never Has Seen Snow.”

David will be appearing at The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 – in LOVE…THE CONCERT December 13th at 9:30pm. For more information: www.metropolitanroom.com / www.reverbnation.com/davidvernon

Our sultry Co-Host, David Vernon!

Our Salon Spotlight featured Bistro & BMI Award Winner Linda Kosut! In a smooth and capable set, she gave us a charming, “Am I In Another World”, a very moving “I Cover The Waterfront,” and finished with the upbeat and funny, “Turntable Song.”

Linda will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th, NYC 10036 - with the release of her new CD, EASY COME, EASY GO – THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY GREEN October 10th at 7pm & October 11th at 4pm. For more information: www.lindakosut.com / www.dontellmamanyc.com

Our talented Salon Spotlight, Linda Kosut!

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

Mark featured Sarah Rice in this week’s Classical Corner. Mark started with a little minuet by Bach and asked if we recognized the tune from popular music. (Some in the audience did - it was “Lovers' Concerto”) Mark reminded us that love and human nature don’t really change from generation to generation - jealously, love, and all other emotions today are the same as centuries ago. Music is the universal denominator of love, emotion moving through one person to another. Sarah Rice said, “If astronomy is the mapping of the outer universe, music is the mapping of our inner universe."

With that, Mark played a piano version of “Plaisir D”Amour” by PG Martini and asked if we could recognize a familiar phrase - and we did - “I can’t help falling in love with you,” made popular of course by Elvis Presley. Sarah told us that she is often asked to sing “Plaisir D”Amour” at weddings, which elicited gasps from the audience members who obviously know the lyrics. Sarah went on to share some of the lyrics with us:

The pleasure of love lasts only a moment
The grief of love lasts a lifetime.
I gave up everything for ungrateful Sylvia
She is leaving me for another lover.
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment,
The grief of love lasts a lifetime.

Sarah then said that through the ages music has been about sex, wanting it, getting it losing it - that doesn’t change. Then she sang Sondheim’s cheeky “modern version” of “Plaisir D’Amour,” a song entitled "Sand."

Mark then asked David Ballard to come to the stage to sing “On The Street Where You Live.” Sarah said there was a classical equivalent, then read the English translation of lyrics from “Le Chemins de L'Amour” by Francis Poulenc, and then sang it for us in the original French. It was stunning! We always learn so much during Classical Corner and get to hear the more glorious performances. I am always so excited week to week to see what will come next.

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.

David Vernon
Bobbie Horowitz
Ira Lee Collings
Marnie Klar
Richard Becker
Steve “The Whistler” Herbst
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano & vocals)
Adam B. Shapiro (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Joanna Morton Gary (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (on piano and vocals)
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Janice Hall
Linda Kosut
Tanya Moberly
Jacob Storms
Joan Jaffe
Richard Skipper
Steve Bustamante (on vocals and guitar)
Dawn Royston


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

And thank you to Gil 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 Tuesday night (8:30-11pm) at Millesime, 92 Madison, NYC with Candice Oden and every Wednesday night (8-12) at La Rivista, 313 W 46th St, NYC.

Monday, October 5, 2015 (9:30pm) - Joanna Morton Gary in “First Annual 49th Birthday” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - Bobbie Horowitz in an evening of her songs, “It’s Just A Number,” at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

October 8-22, 2015 - Adam B. Shapiro in “Death of a Salesman” (in Yiddish!)--New Yiddish Rep, Castillo Theatre, 543 W 42nd St, NYC

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 (7pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is music directing Wendy Schell’s “What You Do All Day” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015 (8pm) – Joan Jaffe in “Something Cool” with Matt Baker & Guest Charles Baran at the Concert Space at Beethoven Pianos, NYC.

Thursday, October 22, 2015 (8pm) - 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.

Saturday, October 24, 2015 (8pm) - John Trujillo is appearing in “The Ties ThatBind” 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 10, 2015 - Rob Davis in “Rob’s Big Birthday Celebration” at The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - Marnie Klar’s new show “Tuned In” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Friday, November 13, 2015 (3pm & 8pm) - David Ballard is singing with the NY Gay Men’s Chrous at their Holiday concert at Town Hall, 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.

Monday, November 16, 2015 (7pm & 9:30pm) - Rob Davis in “Rob’s Big Birthday Celebration” at Salon Presents, Etc Etc Restaurant, 352 W 44th St, 2nd Floor.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 - Marnie Klar’s new show “Tuned In” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Marnie Klar’s new show “Tuned In” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Sally Darling is appearing in “Perspectives” (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) 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.

December 4-20 2015 - Erin Cronican is appearing in “Gidion’s Knot” with The Seeing Place Theater, 309 East 26th St. NYC.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015 - Robin Kradles has a new show, “Holidays With A Twist” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Sunday, December 13, 2015 - Sally Darling is appearing in “Perspectives” (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Saturday, December 19, 2015 - Sally Darling is appearing in “Perspectives” (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 29, 2015 - Marnie Klar’s new show “Tuned In” at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St, NYC.

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


Next Week’s Salon

Next week we’re honoring jokes and parodies with “Singing Is Easy - Comedy is Hard.” We’ll see you then!


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