The Salon Wrap-up for December 20, 2015 - "Holiday Special"

The final Salon of 2015 is upon us!

To celebrate, Mark and Tanya hosted a warm evening full of holiday cheer, beautiful music, and the camaraderie of our Salon family. Co-hosting the evening was the lovely, 2015 MAC Award-winning vocal powerhouse, Kathleen France, representing the artists of Miranda Music.

Co-Host Kathleen France

She opened the festivities with the bluesy song "Merry Christmas, Baby." Throughout the evening, the music flowed freely: traditional holiday songs, Celtic lullaby, Cole Porter classics, and we were also treated to the hilarious stand-up comedy of Genevieve Joy, who happens to be the daughter of Rob Davis.

Kathleen opened the second half of the evening with a three song set: "Real," a moving song from the Contemporary Christian music world; the Christmas classic of all classics, "Silent Night" (sung together with yours truly); and a rousing sing-along of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

She closed out the evening with another taste of the blues, Leiber & Stoller's "Santa Claus is Back in Town."

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner

In honor of Beethoven's 245th birthday this month, Mark opened Classical Corner with the well-known piece, "Fuer Elise," and proceeded to discuss Beethoven's bold, distinctive, themes.  Whether in a symphony or a sonata, Beethoven's melodies and harmonies are unforgettable. Leonard Bernstein referred to what he called the "inevitablity" of Beethoven's music; the feeling that with each note written, there is only one possible note that could follow it, and Beethoven then chose that very note.
To close the segment, Mark treated us to a full rendition of "Fuer Elise," (which, as he said, is a very beautiful piece when not played by a seven-year-old), and then played the first movement of the piano sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, aka The Moonlight Sonata.

Roster of performers 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.

Elaine St. George
Amy Beth Williams 
Bobbie Horowitz 
Willie-Mae Perry 
Ira Lee Collings
Barb Malley
Richard Eisenberg
Rob Davis 
Genevieve Joy
Joey Infante
David Ballard
Janice Hall
Sarah Rice
Kathleen France
Tanya Moberly
Doug Shapiro  (with Nick Levin)
 Steve Bustamante 
Lisa Viggiano
Wendy Kaufman

Special thanks to tonight’s pianists and guitarists: Mark Janas, Nick Levin, 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:   

 Sunday, December 27, 7:00 and 9:30 pm: Sarah Rice will be featured in Sondheim Unplugged, at 54 Below, 254 W. 54th Street.

 Tuesday December 29th and Wednesday December 30th (7:00pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in Tuned In, with Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama,  343 West 46th Street. 
  
Thursday, January 21, 2016, 7:00 pm: Bobbie Horowitz's series, "It's Just a Number!" returns, with Rob Davis as this month's honoree.  Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street. 

Thursday, January 28, 2016, 7:00 pm: Birthday Boy Joey Infante presents his show, "Sabor de Amor,"  at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street.

Thursday, February 4, 2016:  Rob Davis encores his show, "Frank and Billie, and Me," with guest Lisa Viggiano, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street.

 
REMINDER: There is no Salon next week (December 27) or January 3rd!
 Next Salon, January 10, 2016
Theme: Coast To Coast
Co-Host: Lisa Viggiano
Salon Spotlight: Tim DiPasqua

Hope to see you there!  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO THE ENTIRE SALON FAMILY!


Janice Hall
Guest Blogette for the Salon
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