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
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| Nancy Witter |
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.
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
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.
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| 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
Ira Lee Collings
John Trujillo
Debbie Zecher
Stevie Stern
Annie Lebeaux (on piano)
Paul Charette (on ukulele) and Hayley Charette
Gary Plotkin (on piano)
Anna Rose
David Ballard
Kathleen France
Savannah Brown
Chase O'Donnell (on guitar)
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
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