Monday, December 19, 2016


The Salon Wrap- Up for December 18, 2016 - "Merry, Happy, Oy!"

Our final Salon of 2016 was--what else?--a holiday celebration!  Our spirited co-hosts were Those Girls--Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack, and Wendy Russell, accompanied by the always wonderful Steven Ray Watkins.
The Girls opened with an Andrews Sisters-style treatment of Kim Wilde's  Hey, Mister Snowman, and explained that they were happy to help us celebrate whatever we wanted to celebrate--even if we were holiday haters! (And they let us in on one of their own pet peeves, as they took a "fruitcake poll."  Amazingly enough, I think the Fans outweighed the Haters on this one.)
For their three-song set, they opened in a mellow mood, singing 'Bout This Time Each Year, a song written by their music director, Steven Ray Watkins. The second song was a Hanukkah song, Maoz Tzur, sung in Hebrew, and featuring Rachel Hanser.  They closed the set with a hilarious nod to carols sung in "original foreign language," by clucking (yes, really) their way through Carol of the Bells.
For their final number, they presented an inspired mash-up of Foreigner's hit Cold as Ice, with You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, featuring Eve Eaton front and center.

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner
In tonight's Classical Corner, Mark talked about holiday music, traditional carols, and Christmas music composed by classical composers. He pointed out certain musical ideas and patterns that these songs have in common: for example, repetitive phrases, bell-like sounds (as in Carol of the Bells), droning patterns, (Little Drummer Boy), and phrases based on chant      (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel). 
Another approach is to base a new work on an ancient carol melody. Case in point tonight: Geistliches Wiegenlied (Holy Lullaby), by Johannes Brahms, performed  with Mark at the piano, Arthur Cook on cello, and yours truly (Janice Hall) as vocalist. The song weaves together the traditional melody of the German carol Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine, (cello) with a new melody for the singer, who, as the Virgin Mother, pleads with the angels to silence the wind in the trees so that her baby can sleep.
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.
Ira Lee Collings  
David Gillam (spoken word)
Kit
Sam Novick
Richard Eisenberg

Dawn Derow 

David Ballard
Classical Corner (Mark Janas with Janice Hall, soprano, and Arthur Cook, cello) 
Those Girls (with Steven Ray Watkins)
Tanya Moberly  (with Steven Ray Watkins)
Angela Leone
Ben Rauch
Michael Colby and friends (with Steven Silverstein)




Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Steven Ray Watkins, Arthur Cook, and Steven Silverstein.
Thank you to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, videographer James Eden, and our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style.
Ongoing Shows: 
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Upcoming Shows

Monday, January 16th, 7:00 pm: Bobbie Horowitz continues her series, "It's Just a Number," at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W. 22nd St., NYC

No Salon on December 25th or January 1st! 

The Salon will return on January 8th, 2017, with the theme "Second Chances," featuring co-host Deborah Stone.
We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!  
Happy Holidays! 

 Image result for holly wreath images
Janice Hall 
Guest Blogette for The Salon
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Monday, December 12, 2016

The Salon Wrap- Up for December 11, 2016 - "Losing Control"

Here we are on the downside of the year, these are our darkest days before the winter solstice and a long awaited New Year. Our guest  co-host Mary Liz McNamara brought her music, humor, and style to us as the city experienced it's first snow fall of the season. Co-Host, visit: Mary Liz McNamara.
From Mary Liz' show THE GOOD GIRL singer Faith Sandberg sang Pay Attention Veronica.  Am I in Love was her opener for the 2nd half of the evening, also from TGG, followed by singer Michelle Foor singing  What Can Luda Do? from her show BODY AND SOUL. What's the Point also from the TGG and she closed the evening with her popular on the cabaret circuit song: Bacon. My personal favorite meat and song hands down. (I say this in the middle of a cleanse which had me enjoying ETC Etcetera's delicious gluten free tagliatelle bolognese pasta. No bacon or booze for ten days! )
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner
Our resident musical genius, Mark Janas, played some holiday tunes and spoke about his Christmas Eve performance at the beautiful St. Clements Church at 8pm, complete with wassailing prior. He then invited our visiting and regular composers, md's and musicians to chime in on an 'Out of Control, Christmas Carol, Tag Team. Featuring Mark, Matthew Martin Ward, Rich Eisenberg, and Ritt Henn, they moved from Carol of the Bells, Good King Wenceslas, into What Child is This, Silver Bells to Jingle Bells, then a minor version of the aforementioned, beautifully buttoned by Beth Falcone doing her solo instrumental version of Silent Night. 
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.
Kit


Matthew Martin Ward
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Reneé Catrine
David Ballard
Classical Corner
Dr. Lauren Martinez
Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Ritt Henn, Beth Falcone and Renee Catrine.

And thank you to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, and our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style.
Ongoing Shows: 
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Upcoming Shows

December 8 - 22, 2016 (various times): Candice Oden is appearing in "Macbeth" with The Seeing Place Theater at the Paradise Factory, 64 East 4th St, NYC.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016: Sally Darling is appearing in "Totally Noel [with a bit of Sally]", with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016: Matthew Martin Ward is playing with Christine Pedi at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.
Friday, December 16 2016: NYC Gay Men's Chorus at Town Hall and Sunday December 18, 2016, 3pm. http://www.nycgmc.org/
Friday, December 23, 2016: Loren A. Martinez is performing at Perlas, 69-09 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside, NY.
March 2017: Susan Neuffer is bring her show, Apocalypse Wow, back!
Kit is doing a show at Don't Tell Mama! 
The Salon will be back next week, December 18th, with the theme: Merry, Happy, Oy and your co-hosts"THOSE GIRLS (Eve Eaton, Rachel Hanser, Karen Mack & Wendy Russell) Salon Spotlight: David Meulemans" 
We look forward to seeing you then! :)
Jaye Maynard
Guest Blogette for The Salon
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Monday, December 5, 2016

The Salon Wrap- Up for December 4, 2016 - "Mother Nature"

Nature, the gentlest mother,
Impatient of no child,
The feeblest or the waywardest, —
Her admonition mild
In forest and the hill
By traveller is heard,
Restraining rampant squirrel
Or too impetuous bird.
How fair her conversation,
A summer afternoon, —
Her household, her assembly;
And when the sun goes down
Her voice among the aisles
Incites the timid prayer
Of the minutest cricket,
The most unworthy flower.
When all the children sleep
She turns as long away
As will suffice to light her lamps;
Then, bending from the sky
With infinite affection
And infiniter care,
Her golden finger on her lip,
Wills silence everywhere.
- Emily Dickinson
It may have been cold and crisp outdoors, but it was nothing but warmth and love indoors.  What a wonderful evening.  Our co-host for this week was the incredible Barb Jungr!  This dame comes all the way from Britain, and she's left nothing behind -- she brings everything she has on stage with her, and charms everyone from her first step on.  Barb began the night with a darker "Wichita Lineman" by Bob Dylan (who happens to be a Nobel Prize-winner for literature).
She sang her opening of the second set, "Beautiful Life," as if it were her personal anthem -- with such conviction and sentimentality.  Bob Dylan's "Man in The Long Black Coat" followed, and she then showed off her story-telling skills with her next song (also by Dylan -- a song to his then wife),"Sarah."  She told a very funny story about Jimmy Webb and her next song -- all Webb hears in the second verse is "an imperfect rhyme." The meaning of the song to others is basically lost on him, because all he hears is the imperfect rhyme.  And that's a song-writer. ;)  But Barb sang the imperfect rhyme with complete perfection and brought down the house.  Finally, she brought it home with "Feeling Good" by Newley and Bricusse.
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner
Our resident brilliant genius, Mark Janas, played the first movement of Bach's Italian concerto, first having broken down the tonic and dominant chord structure and also speaking about the cycle of fifths.  Mark explained that harmony is in the very nature of sound -- we hear overtones with any sound we here, even if it's a clanking hammer.  He also told us that Bach was really who balanced the system between the chromatic and the diatonic scale.
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.
Ira Lee Collings
Richard Eisenberg
Jerome Weinstein
Joe Regan, Jr.
Susan Neuffer
Dr. Lauren Martinez
Janice Hall
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (on piano)
Steve Bustamante (also on guitar)
Joseph Mulholland
Candice Oden
Marnie Klar
Classical Corner
Tanya Moberly
Miguel Braganza
Dawn Derow and Marcus Goldhaber
Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, and Steve Bustamante.

And thank you to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, and our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style.
Ongoing Shows: 
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Upcoming Shows:

December 1-11, 2016: Many Salon singers (including Janice Hall and Matthew Martin Ward) are appearing in the Winter Rhythms Concert Series - the full schedule can be found on their website www.urbanstages.org at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar is bringing back her show "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Janice Hall is performing in "According To Kurt Weill."
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Dawn Drew performs "Songs for a Winter's Night" at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

December 8 - 22, 2016 (various times): Candice Oden is appearing in "Macbeth" with The Seeing Place Theater at the Paradise Factory, 64 East 4th St, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward is presenting a revival of his musical, "The Lady in Penthouse B", starring Erin Cronican and Adam B Shapiro, at Urban Stages' Winter Rhythms Festival, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (9:30pm): Janice Hall performs in The Music of Bill Zeffiro.
Sunday, December 11, 2016 (7pm): Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert ~ From All Of Us To All Of You: Seasonal Songs & Disney Too! Come hear Salon friends at this great concert series lasting from December 1-11th. Winter Rhythms Concert Series information can be found on their website www.urbanstages.org at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016: Sally Darling is appearing in "Totally Noel [with a bit of Sally]", with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016: Matthew Martin Ward is playing with Christine Pedi at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.
Friday, December 23, 2016: Loren A. Martinez is performing at Perlas, 69-09 Roosevelt Ave, Woodside, NY. 
March 2017: Susan Neuffer is bring her show, Apocalypse Wow, back!
The Salon will be back next week, December 11, with the theme "Losing Control" with your Co-Host, Mary Liz McNamara.
We look forward to seeing you then! :)
Candice Oden
Guest Blogette for The Salon
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Monday, November 14, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for November 13, 2016 - "Twisted Broadway"

I know that for many of us, the events of the past week (Election 2016) have resonated in painful and numbing ways, so it was wonderful having a bunch of friends in the same room making music.

Our Co-Hosts were the amazing BLUE JUPITER - Diana Preisler, Marty Gasper, Jonathan Minkoff & Jeff Washburn! I cannot even begin to tell you how exciting it was having this group with us. Let's start with some of their press: This world-touring a cappella quartet has been described as “The real deal,” by rock legend, Gene Simmons; "Simply terrific" by Scott Conant of Food Network, “Incredible!” by Jane Pauly from NBC; “Nothing short of magic,” by the Sands Casino Entertainment Department, and “Simply the best music act we’ve ever had at our schools,” by the Connecticut Public Schools Board.

They kicked off the show with a medley of pop songs "Dynamite" and "Sweet Dreams" with incredible vocals, backups and beat-boxing. For their mid-show set they killed it with two classic Broadway tunes presented in a whole new way: "All That Jazz" from Chicago and "Whatever Lola Wants" from Damn Yankees. They closed the evening with an incredibly inspiring and powerful, "Defying Gravity" form Wicked. These guys were worth the price of admission alone and put on a great show.

Blue Jupiter will be taking up residency at Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport during the holiday season. Don't let your travels wear you down! Stop by Terminal B and take in one of Blue Jupiter's holiday sets 11am - 3pm December 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd. For more information: www.bluejupiter.com

Our Co-Hosts BLUE JUPITER

Our Salon Spotlight featured MAC & Bistro Award Winner Ritt Henn! Ritt is known for playing bass & ukulele as well as writing songs and performing. He has played for numerous cabaret performers in NYC, including Corinna Sowers Adler, Pamela Lewis, Tanya Moberly & Amy Beth Williams, as well as Tom Jones, Chuck Berry, Martha Reeves & Buddy Rich.

He started his set with his bass guitar strapped to his back, giving us the fun and inspiring, "Happy." He then picked up his ukelele and sang a charming, "Fish Fry and Guava Pie," asking for the audience to join in for the final choruses. This was proof positive that his song was catchy, because the words and music were written by him and most of us had not had the benefit of hearing it before! Incidentally, the song - with its audience participation, and pure & simple performance - reminded me of how healing art can be in a trying time. He finished his set by grabbing his bass guitar one more time to give us a groovy and rather sexy version of his, "House in the Country."

His solo show ORIGINAL SONGS FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN RITT BOOK will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – November 19th at 7pm. For more information: www.ritthenn.com / www.donttellmamanyc.com

Our Salon Spotlight, Ritt Henn!

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

The theme is twisted so Mark Janas, our illustrious founder, said he wanted to focus on ways to twist classical music. He told us a few stories about things that he and his friends would do in college to mash-up familiar themes. He also talked about the socio-political importance of parodies and introduced us to the work of Peter Shickele and his fictitious alter-ego PDQ Bach (the 21st son of Bach.) Mark grabbed 3 sheets of paper and began to prepare us for a hilarious presentation of a classical parody. In this preparation, he defined a bunch of classical terms to give us a backdrop for appreciating the parody. He them positioned the microphone near a set of iPhone speakers, and shared an amazing parody detailing how hard it is to appreciate classical music without help from outside support. Without spoiling the joke, here is the parody in its entirety:





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.

Blue Jupiter
Rian Keating
Rob Davis
Jerome Weinstein
Lea McKenna-Garcia
Barbara Malley (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Dawn Derow
Tanya Moberly (with Ritt Henn on bass guitar)
Ritt Henn (also on bass guitar and ukelele)
Classical Corner
Blue Jupiter
Ira Lee Collings
Zach Wobensmith
Jared Gilmore (also on piano)
Blair Alexis Brown
Sarah Rydell (with Richie Eisenberg on piano)
Richard Eisenberg

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Ritt Henn, Matthew Martin Ward, Jared Gilmore, Blair Alexis Brown, and Richie Eisenberg.

And thank you to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, and our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style.


Ongoing Shows: 
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Monday & Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro performs weekly at La Rivista, 313 West 46th St, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 18, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 (7-11pm): Dawn Derow is celebrating her birthday with "The Dawn Derow Birthday Show" at 157 Carroll Place, 157 Bleecker St, NYC.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 (7:30pm): Rob Davis is performing in "Grateful For..." at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016 (6:30pm): Rian Keating is bringing his show, "As All the Seasons Fall: Songs of Sentimental Melancholia" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

December 1-11, 2016: Many Salon singers are appearing in the Winter Rhythms Concert Series - the full schedule can be found on their website www.urbanstages.org at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar is bringing back her show "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016: Dawn Derow is appearing in "Songs for a Winter's Night" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7:30pm): Rob Davis is performing in "Grateful For..." at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

December 8 - 22, 2016 (various times): Erin Cronican is appearing as Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth" with The Seeing Place Theater at the Paradise Factory, 64 East 4th St, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward is presenting a revival of his musical, "The Lady in Penthouse B", starring Erin Cronican and Adam B Shapiro, at Urban Stages' Winter Rhythms Festival, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Sunday, December 11, 2016 (6:30pm): Rian Keating is bringing his show, "As All the Seasons Fall: Songs of Sentimental Melancholia" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 11, 2016 (7pm): Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert ~ From All Of Us To All Of You: Seasonal Songs & Disney Too! Come hear Salon friends at this great concert series lasting from December 1-11th. Winter Rhythms Concert Series information can be found on their website www.urbanstages.org at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016: Sally Darling is appearing in "Totally Noel [with a bit of Sally]", with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016: Matthew Martin Ward is playing with Christine Pedi at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.


The Salon is taking the next two Sundays off - we will NOT be here November 20 or 27. We will be back December 4 with the theme- "Mother Nature" with your Co-Host, Barb Jungr. 

See you then!

Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon

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Monday, October 31, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 30, 2016 - "Dreams, Nightmares & Fantasies" 

It was a spooky, fun-filled evening of fright at this year's Halloween Salon!  Even the torrential down pouring of rain could not keep the scary guests from gathering on All Hallow's Eve ~ Donald Trump & his Dominatrix, Dracula, Annie, Batman, a kooky Skeleton, a Black Cat, a Hunchback, Cruella de Vil and Cinderella were just some of the characters in attendance.  Co-Hosted for the third year in a row by Janice Hall & Adam Shapiro, Salon-goers have come to expect great, creative holiday songs and dramatic costume changes!  Mark Janas was tinkling away on the ivories, teaching us about tritones and playing Camille Saint-Saens DANSE MACABRE to set the mood for our ghostly guests.

Our horrifying political climate this year seemed to be enough to scare people, and the show opened with Donald Trump (looking a bit orange after hitting the tanning booth), who made several appearances throughout the evening.


Highlights of the night included Kit's version of the Rogers & Hart classic from Pal Joey, "Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered" complete with the updated lyrics, "She's a Ghoul and don't I know it...", Keni Fine's "Ballad of Donnie Trump", a take-off of the Ballad of Sweeney Todd, with beautifully sung backups by Sarah Rice, where Donnie is the "Demon Grabber of Easy Street", and Richard Eisenberg's "Pagan Rites" which got everyone in a tizzy, wanting to go back to the good 'ol days of terror.  Bill Zeffiro (or shall I call him Batman?), recently had his mother pass away, and paid a lovely tribute to her by singing her most requested song from his repertoire, "Nina."  Our producer Tanya Moberly, featured in the November/December issue of Cabaret Scenes Magazine, did an amazing version of "The Miller's Son."  A great night was had by all!

Adam Shapiro makes all of his own costumes every year, which could rival professional costume designer's pieces on Broadway.  This year he played Cinderella, transforming from the run-down, tattered cleaning girl, into the beautiful bearded princess.  Like Wonder Woman, with one spin - he is TRANSFORMED!





Eerie Classical Corner

Mark Janas, our Salon host, set the stage for spooky by bringing in Matthew Martin Ward on piano & Sarah Rice on the theremin to this weeks Classical Corner.  This eerie instrument creates sounds similar to the human voice and works with hand movements between two antennas that use electromagnetic frequency to create sound.  Featured on many science fiction movie scores, this wacky instrument can bend the pitch to make a ghostly sound.  


Their set list included:

"Dreamcatcher" - by Niki Matheson & Rolf Lovland
"Vocalise" - by W. Kilar, from the movie The 9th Gate, starring Johnny Depp
"She Moved Through The Fair" - a Traditional song (Anonymous)

Ironically, Matthew Martin Ward came dressed this year as the highly well-known song composer...ANONYMOUS!  :)

The Co-Hosts ended the night by accidentally wearing the SAME DRESS!  Oh well, not everything can be perfect...and as I'm sure the audience was taking votes on who wore it better, the two belted out their final number, and totally KILLED IT!  Bwahhhh Hahhhhh Hahhhh Hahhhhhhhhh.............................!




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.

Adam Shapiro
Kit
Todd Monroe
Keni Fine
Richard Eisenberg
Mark Watson
David Ballard
Edie Stokes
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
Classical Corner - Sarah Rice (with Matthew Martin Ward on Piano)
Angela Leone
Mary Lahti

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas,  Matthew Martin Ward, Sarah Rice and J.Q. Whitcomb.

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!


Ongoing Shows: 

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Monday & Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro performs weekly at La Rivista, 313 West 46th St, NYC.


Upcoming Shows:

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 4, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 6, 2016 (12:30-2:30pm):  David Kenney's Radio Show, "Everything Old is New Again" featuring Tanya Moberly, David Hajdu, Karen Oberlin, and Jacob Storms.  http://www.oldisnew.org

Monday, November 7, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard is performing with the NY Gay Men's Chorus, in an evening headlined by guest performer Chita Rivera, at Carnegie Hall, NYC.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (7pm): Angela Leone is bringing back her show, "All My Tomorrows"  to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, November 10, 2016 (7pm): Paul Kaplan is debuting his show "Teacher Traveler Artist Singer" (directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 11, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 14, 2016 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz's hosts the newest version of "It's Only A Number" the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 18, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 18, 2016 (7pm): Marcus Simeone's CD Release Party: Together - A Celebration of Music, Friends, & the Miranda Family.  Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

Saturday, November 19, 2016 (4pm): Lynda Rodolitz is bringing her show "Lynda Rodolitz Is Off Her Rocker" (music directed by Steven Ray Watkins) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 (7pm): Lynda Rodolitz is bringing her show "Lynda Rodolitz Is Off Her Rocker" (music directed by Steven Ray Watkins) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 4th, 2016 (7pm):  A Miranda Holiday ~ Kitty Skrobela releases her long awaited Christmas CD: A New York Holiday, featuring her family of artists & friends.  At the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar is bringing back her show "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward is presenting a revival of his musical, "The Lady in Penthouse B", starring Erin Cronican and Adam B Shapiro, at Urban Stages' Winter Rhythms Festival, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Sunday, December 11, 2016 (7pm):  Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert ~ From All Of Us To All Of  You: Seasonal Songs & Disney Too!  Come hear Salon friends at this great concert series lasting from December 1-11th.  Winter Rhythms Concert Series information can be found on their website www.urbanstages.org at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016: Sally Darling is appearing in "Totally Noel [with a bit of Sally]", with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016: Matthew Martin Ward is playing with Christine Pedi at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.


November 6th there is NO SALON, however, we will return Sunday, November 13th with the theme ~ Twisted Broadway, with Co-Hosts BLUE JUPITER (Diana Preisler, Marty Gasper, Jonathan Minkoff & Jeff Washburn), and with Salon Spotlight:  Ritt Henn.

See you then!

Kathleen France
~ your sometimes Blogette!  :)
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Monday, October 24, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 23, 2016 - "Out Of This World"

What a wonderful fall evening to be spent making music! Mark Janas, our loving Founder and Host, bounded to the stage to introduce the evening. He started out with a gift for everyone in the audience - a free copy of the cast recording of the new musical, "Abie's Island Rose" with music by Doug Kastsaros, Lyrics by Richard Engquist & Frank Evans, and Book by Ron Sproat. I can't wait to make mine home to take a listen!

Our Co-Host was Dottie Burman Award Winning Singer/Songwriter Amy Engelhardt! She started the evening by sitting down at the piano and admitting that she is from New Jersey (she said it seemed important that we knew that going in!) She then appropriately sang her bluesy, uncomfortably true comedy ode, "Bridge and Tunnel Baby." For her mid show set, she started with an adorably dorky and charming, "This Better Be Good." She followed that with a gentle and optimistic, "Satellite." The cap the set, she sang "The Man That Got Away" - but not the version you know. It was a fantastic, original tune filled with clever quotes that lament the aggrevation of losing a man. To close the evening, she gave us a completely wonderful (and completely wrong) honky tonk, "How Did This Thing Get In Me?" (You get to decide what the title refers to...)

TUNE IN TIME, New York’s Hit Musical Game Show (produced by Amy) returns to The York Theatre - 619 Lexington Ave. @54th St, NYC  – October 31st at 7pm. Also, Amy returns to Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – in her new show THINGS ARE LOOKING UP  October 29th at 7pm. For more information: www.amyengelhardt.com

Co-Host Amy Engelhardt!
Our Salon Spotlight featured Lynda Rodolitz, with Steven Ray Watkins on piano! She started with the hilarious, patter song, "The Last Great Waltz." She moved on to a cheeky yet moving, "A Sorta Love Song." She finished her three song set with an incredible mash-up she created of...wait for it... "Santa Baby" and "Rose's Turn", called "Santa's Turn."

Lynda will be back at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – with LYNDA RODOLITZ IS OFF HER ROCKER” November 19th at 4pm & November 22nd at 7pm. For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com

Our Salon Spotlight Lynda Rodolitz!

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

Mark Janas, host of Salon, didn't waste any time in introducing us to his special guest for the evening. Heather Bobeck, a stunning operatic soprano, came to the stage to share a couple of other-worldly numbers. Before she started, he revealed that Heather just won the Metropolitan Opera's District competition, and she now moves on to Regional Finals - if she wins this one, she goes to Nationals.

Heather sang three flawless songs for us this evening. I was so rapt that I didn't take many notes. Suffice it to say, the audience leapt to its feet the second she finished. Here is her set list:

Vincenzo Bellini - aria from "I Capuleti e i Montichi"
Giuseppe Verde - aria from "Rigoletto"
Franz Schubert - aria from "Nacht und Träume"

Classical Corner Guest: Heather Bobeck

 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.

Amy Engelhardt (also on piano)
Bobbie Horowitz
Jerome Weinstein
Deborah Zecher
Paul Kaplan
Barbara Malley
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Jaye Maynard
Tanya Moberly (with Steven Ray Watkins on piano)
Lynda Rodolitz (with Steven Ray Watkins on piano)
Classical Corner - Heather Bobeck
Amy Engelhardt - mid show set (also on piano)
Bryan Blaskie (also on piano)
Richard Eisenberg
Angela Leone
Adam B Shapiro

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Amy Engelhardt, Steven Ray Watkins, Matthew Martin Ward, and Bryan Blaskie.

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!


Ongoing Shows: 

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Monday & Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro performs weekly at La Rivista, 313 West 46th St, NYC.


Upcoming Shows:

Monday, October 24, 2016 (7pm): Sallie Jo Hadley is performing her new show (directed by Adam B Shapiro) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

 Tuesday, October 25, 2016 (9:30pm): Janice Hall is performing alongside Sarah Rice in "All Souls Night," with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bring her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 29, 2016 (7pm): Amy Engelhardt is bringing her newest show, "Things Are Looking Up," to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 30, 2016 (7pm): Erin Cronican is performing at Michael Colby's birthday celebration at the Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Monday, October 31, 2016 (7:30pm): Amy Engelhardt is producing TUNE IN TIME, New York’s Hit Musical Game Show at The York Theatre, 619 Lexington Ave, NYC.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 4, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 7, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard is performing with the NY Gay Men's Chorus, in an evening headlined by guest performer Chita Rivera, at Carnegie Hall, NYC.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (7pm): Angela Leone is bringing back her show, "All My Tomorrows"  to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, November 10, 2016 (7pm): Paul Kaplan is debuting his show "Teacher Traveler Artist Singer" (directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 11, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 14, 2016 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz's hosts the newest version of "It's Only A Number" the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 18, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 19, 2016 (4pm): Lynda Rodolitz is bringing her show "Lynda Rodolitz Is Off Her Rocker" (music directed by Steven Ray Watkins) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 (7pm): Lynda Rodolitz is bringing her show "Lynda Rodolitz Is Off Her Rocker" (music directed by Steven Ray Watkins) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar is bringing back her show "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward is presenting a revival of his musical, "The Lady in Penthouse B", starring Erin Cronican and Adam B Shapiro, at Urban Stages' Winter Rhythms Festival, 259 West 30th St, NYC.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016: Sally Darling is appearing in "Totally Noel [with a bit of Sally]", with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016: Matthew Martin Ward is playing with Christine Pedi at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.


Next week we return with our special Halloween-themed Salon - "Dreams, Nightmares & Fantasies" (costumes encouraged!) with your Co-Hosts, Adam Shapiro and Janice Hall.

See you then!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon

Do you see a change/addition you need me to make? Email me!

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Sunday, October 16, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 16, 2016 - "Carried Away"

Through wind...sleet...hail...rain...and electrical difficulties, The Salon will come through! We kicked off tonight's Salon with a stunning display of teamwork and ingenuity as our team worked with a lighting deficiency. But as founder and host Mark Janas reminded us -- "We could do this in the DARK if we had to!" And THAT's the collaborative spirit that is always present at our weekly Salon.

Our Co-Host was Bistro & Hanson Award Winner Amy Beth Williams! She introduce the theme, Carried Away, she started the evening with a cheeky, chatty, song of the same name - "Carried Away" (with backing vocals by Mr. Janas himself.) For her mid-show set, Amy enchanted us with her glorious soprano on a medley of, "Whistling Away the Dark" and "Crazy World." She then told a dark and fantastical story with the song, "Windmills of Your Mind." She completed the three-song set with a saucy, bossanova-esque "Invisible." For the final song of the night, Amy sang a delicate and moving, "It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow" by Irving Berlin.

Amy Beth will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – with her new show CARRIED AWAY October 26th, November 4th, November 15th & November 18th. All shows at 7pm. For more information: www.amybwilliams.com /  www.donttellmamanyc.com

Our Co-Host Amy Beth Williams

Tonight's Salon Spotlight featured Dan Ruth! With Dan we were treated to a unusual and exciting segment - a spoken word performance excerpted from his solo show, A LIFE BEHIND BARS. He took us on a personal journey through bars, dating, disappointment and optimism. The audience could not stop laughing at the seriousness of it all. (You have to see the show to know what I'm talking about - it was really great!)

Dan will be bringing this critically acclaimed one-man show The United Solo Festival at Theatre Row – 410 West 42nd St, NYC 10036 - on October 20th at 9pm. For more information: unitedsolo.org/us/alifebehindbars-2016/

Our Salon Spotlight Dan Ruth!

 Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

Mark was out of the country last week and while there he made sure to take in the music of London. Mark talked about the genesis of classical music being the music of the church (pun intended.) He visited Westminster Cathedral and heard an "evensong" and was incredibly inspired by the precision and beauty of the singers. By coincidence, he was able to meet up with a friend in England as well as upon his return to NYC. Together, last night, they went to a staged concert of Brahms' Requiem - Mark as an audience member and his friend as one of the two musicians at the piano. Mark shared with us the delighted confusion he had when sitting down for the show - "How does one stage a requiem?" Well, the 60 member German choir delivered that answer - it turns out that the choir was interspersed throughout the audience and began to sing from within the crowd. As the piece went on, the singers invited some audience members to seat themselves on fluffy pillows; then swings descended from the ceiling for the some audience to swing from. Mark says he'd never seen anything like it before.

Though he suffered from a bit of jet lag, that didn't stop Mark from being at church this morning. And lucky for us that he did, because there he heard a glorious tenor singing a very moving rendition of "You Raise Me Up." Mark was so taken with the performance that he invited the singer, Napat Mingkwanyuen, to sing it for us at Salon tonight. It was stunning.

As if that weren't enough, Mark then reminded us that music theater could be considered a version of "classic music" to many of us. So he invited to the stage three of the most talented music theater performers in NYC - Raissa Katona Bennett, Julie Reyburn, and Maureen Taylor. Together they sang an original mash-up of two Sondheim gems: "Pretty Women" (from Sweeney Todd) and "Pretty Lady" (from Pacific Overtures.) These lovely ladies will be singing this song at this week's Cabaret Convention - how lucky for us to hear the premiere of it tonight!


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.

Amy Beth Williams
Marnie Klar
Ira Lee Collings
Jerome Weinstein
Carol Sue
Wendy Scherl
Carolyn Montgomery-Forant
Sue Matsuki
Marilyn Hausfeld (with Alex Rybeck on piano)
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Janice Hall
Dan Ruth
Classical Corner - Napat Mingkwanyuen, and Raissa Katona Bennett, Maureen Taylor and Julie Reyburn
Amy Beth Williams
Tanya Moberly
Dominic Ferris and Martin Milnes (with Dominic Ferris on piano)
Barbara Malley
John Carlucci
Susan Mack
Angela Leone
Steve Bustamante (also on guitar)
Ryan Engstrom


Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Alex Rybeck, Dominic Ferris, and Steve Bustamante.

And thank you to Paul Stewart Parker 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!


Ongoing Shows: 

Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Monday & Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro performs weekly at La Rivista, 313 West 46th St, NYC.


Upcoming Shows:

Monday, October 17, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings is bringing his new show, "Simply Ira Lee" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

October 18-21, 2016: The Cabaret Convention is happening at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall, Broadway at West 60th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 20, 2016 (9pm): Dan Ruth is bringing back his show, "A Life Behind Bars" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd St, NYC.

Saturday, October 22, 2016 (1pm): Ferris & Milnes (Dominic Ferris and Martin Milnes) are appearing in "What A Swell Party This Is" at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 22, 2016 (4pm): Barbara Malley is appearing in her new show, "OMG!! Am I A Diva?" (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) at the The Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.

Sunday, October 23, 2016 (5pm): Bob Diamond is performing his new show, "The Gift Of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016 (9:30pm): Janice Hall is performing alongside Sarah Rice in "All Souls Night," with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bring her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 27, 2016 (7pm): Bob Diamond is performing his new show, "The Gift Of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 30, 2016 (7pm): Erin Cronican is performing at Michael Colby's birthday celebration at the Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 4, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 7, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard is performing with the NY Gay Men's Chorus, in an evening headlined by guest performer Chita Rivera, at Carnegie Hall, NYC.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (7pm): Angela Leone is bringing back her show, "All My Tomorrows"  to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 11, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 14, 2016 (7pm): Wendy Scherl and Sue Matsuki are performing in Bobbie Horowitz's "It's Only A Number" the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 18, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar is bringing back her show "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.


Next week we return with our theme - "Out of This World" with your Co-Host, Amy Engelhardt and your Salon Spotlight, Lynda Rodolitz.

See you then!


Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon

Do you see a change/addition you need me to make? Email me!

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