Theme: “Thankful”
I've got a roof over my head
I've got a warm place to sleep
Some nights I lie awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep
I've got a heart that can hold love
I've got a mind that can think
There may be times when I lose the light
And let my spirits sink
But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed
Grateful, grateful
Truly grateful I am
Grateful, grateful
Truly blessed
And duly grateful
- John Buccino
Greetings, Salon family! We had such a wonder and full-of-thanks evening. And I think it's safe to say the we are all so thankful that our Salon this evening was co-hosted by the very beautiful and very talented Eve Eaton. One of the first things she shared with me tonight was that she didn't sing for 9 years (What???), and, holy you-know-what canoli, it did not show.
This self-proclaimed NON-cat-lady (despite her many cats ; ) ) shared her beautiful voice that is so clear and pitch perfect -- a true gift. She has so much expression in her performance. Basically, she robbed the world blind by keeping her voice hidden for so long. She has a surprising warmth in her voice that keeps her singing smooth and silky. It's an actually flawless voice. You heard me -- deal with it. ;)
Her set included:
"I Feel Lucky" (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
"Vienna" (Billy Joel)
"Shop Around" (Smokey Robinson & Berry Gordy)
"This Is The Time" (Billy Joel)
"A Place In The World" (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Eve is appearing singing the music of one of her very favorite artists, Billy Joel, on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm)!
Our Salon Spotlights!
The Salon Spotlights for the evening were Sue Matsuki and Edd Clark! I was so glad to have Sue and Edd back with us. They were one of the first Salon Spotlights I saw upon first joining the Salon family! They do Christmas the only way its' supposed to be. They have spent the last 9 years working together (now THAT'S a partnership) -- and Ed's husband is their musical director, creating amazing and gorgeous and hilarious arrangements. Always appropriately glitzy, they executed such beautiful harmonies wowing everyone, moving so effortlessly through jaunty tunes right into the most beautifully blended pianissimo, and letting the audience join in to create such beautiful warmth filling the room. Suzy Snowflake - combined with Seeny Todd. Red ukelaili -- Holly Jolly Christmas -- full trombone provided by Sue. They performed:
"Holiday Feeling"
"Silent Night"
"Holly Jolly Christmas"
I challenge you to guess where we had some Sweeny Todd, Edd's red ukulele, and Sue's full trombone solo (vocally) in there. :) What a set!
Sue and Ed are appearing on Sunday, November 29, 2015 (no Salon!) at 7pm at the Miranda Music Christmas CD release show at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC; Saturday, December 5, 2015 in "An Afternoon of Famous Duets plus a cast of 30!" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC; and Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at 7pm and Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 4pm in "Sue and Edd's Fabulous 9th Annual Christmas Show!"
Quick Wrap: Classical Corner
We had a duo for Classical Corner this week to perform 3 Puccini pieces that reach and grab your heart. Dawn Derow, who completed at the top of her class at Boston Conservatory, performed three pieces with our wonderful Mark Janas. Dawn's voice has grown SO much since her first days at the salon. She is so beautiful and has really developed in sharing her gift. I definitely recommend seeing her in any of her upcoming shows.
Dawn and Mark created art right in front of us with three of Puccini's most famous pieces:
"O Mio Bambino Caro (Oh My Beloved Father)" from the opera Gianni Schicci -- the role is Lauretta, and she sings to her father of her undying love for her man who is being kept away from her. Naturally, her father has been busy pretending he's dying in order to determine who deserves his money. As Italians do.
"Chil il bel song di Doretto (Doretta's Beautiful Dreams)" from the opera La Rondine -- the role is Magda, and she sings, "Who could guess the beautiful dream Loretta? Why her mystery came to an end ... On day her student kissed her on the mouth and that kiss was the revelation ..."
And, finally, "Mi chiamano Mimi (My name is Mimi)" from the very famous La Boheme. The opera was the basis for the musical Rent, but, personally, I don't agree with messing with the original. :) We meet the character Mimi, whose true name is Lucia. She is a quiet and lonely romantic who wants only for the sunrise and spring flowers.
Roster of singers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click link to visit the performer’s website or other links, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.
Gretchen Reinhagen
Wendy A. Russel (accompanying herself!)
Kathy Biehl
Richie Eisenberg
David Opheim and Rex Gillit (a duo!)
Tanya Moberly (accompanied by guitarist Greg Taylor -- his own song!)
Gregory Taylor (naturally, accompanying himself -- his own [another] song!)
Martin Martin Ward
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on the piano)
Adam Shapiro (with Martin
Candice Oden *moi*
Barb Malley
Ira Lee Collins
Bennett Silverstein
Joe Regan, Jr.
Steve Bustamante
Marcus Goldhaber
Jeanette Simpson
Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Greg Taylor, 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: Candice Oden is singing every Tuesday night (8:30pm) -- accompanied by Bill Zeffiro -- at Millesime, 92 Madison Avenue (connected to the Cartlon Hotel), NYC.
December 1, 2015 (7pm) - Ira Lee Collins is appearing in "We Can Be Kind ~ World AIDS Day" at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.
December 2, 2015 (7pm) - Gretchen Reinhagen is appearing in and reviving her show "A Redux Recap at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015-Sunday, Jan 3, 2016 - Adam Shapiro is appearing in "Di Goldene Kale" (The Golden Bride) at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, 90 John St, Ste 410, NYC.
December 2-13, 2015 - "Winter Rhythms" is running featuring TONS of Salon favorites, including the beautiful Barb Malley and the handsome Matthew Martin Ward!
December 4-20, 2015 - Erin Cronican is appearing in “Gidion’s Knot” (assistant directed by *moi*, Candice Oden) with The Seeing Place Theater, 309 East 26th St, NYC.
Saturday, December 5, 2015 (4pm) - Bennett Silverstein is appearing in "Bennett Sings Bennet"at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.
Sunday, December 6, 2015 (7pm) - Marcus Goldhaber is appearing in "Mostly Marcus" at Bar Thalia at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, NYC.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 (7pm) - Barb Malley is appearing in "The Best of Ricky Ritzel's Broadway" at Urban Stages, NYC. www.urbanstages.org
Saturday, December 11, 2015 (7p) - Adam Shapiro is appearing in and hosting "The Lovers, The Dreamers & Jim" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.
Saturday, December 11, 2015 (9pm) - Adam Shapiro is ALSO appearing in "Somewhere In This Song: The Music And Lyrics of Nicholas Levine" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.
Sunday, December 13, 2015 (7pm) - Adam Shapiro is hosting "From All of Us to You: Seasonal Songs & Disney, Too" at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.
Sunday, December 13, 2015 (5pm) and Saturday, December 19, 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 19th, 2015 (7:30pm) - If you haaaaaaappen to be in Houston, TX, David Opheim and Rex Gillit are performing with International Voices Houston.
Spring, 2016 - Kathy Biehl is appearing as Groucho's love interest the first revival of the Marx Brothers' lost musical, "I'll Bet She Is," at the Connelly Theatre, NYC.
REMINDER: There is no Salon next week (November 29) or on December 6th!
IN THREE WEEKS! The theme for the evening of Decenber 13th will be ... "Songs From The Movies!"
Themes are always, of course, optional -- any material is welcome at our home for creativity and growth, the Salon! See you on December 13, 2015! :)
Candice Oden
Guest Blogette for the Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me!)