Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for May 22, 2016 - "Blood and Guts"

We had an interestingly intro'd Salon this past Sunday - the last in the Spring 2016 session while we take a Summer break for six weeks. Rick Jensen was first to the piano and "Phantom'd" on Mark Janas, then "Hey, Old Friend'd" Tanya Moberly up to the stage to introduce the theme of "Blood and Guts." Mark introduced our Co-Hosts for the evening - Lina Koutrakos (she explained that her Greek heritage allows everything she does to be done in blood and guts-esque yearning and drama) At the piano - to aid her musicality - was the aforementioned Rick Jensen. They began with a song straight from the lower depths of Lina's voice and soulful raw innards, an original blues song "I Made a Mess Outta Love." For Act II, Lina described how she used to be a Navy brat in Europe and the Southern United States (for the most part), finding herself singing at a music volunteer for Vietnam vets in a psych ward in Germany. She sang the pop song she performed then, "Ode to Billie Joe," which covered the concept of "Grief." To express the theme of "Pain of Love," Lina then sang the mournful "What is this Thing Called Love?" and then to bring about the taste of "Bittersweetness" she sang "My Favorite Year." To complete the evening, and heading back to the theme of having a song "stick to her ribs," Lina sang the Southern song "Walkin' In Memphis." As Anne Dawson later said of Lina, "You know how to kill an audience."


Quick Wrap: Classical Corner:
In the spirit of education, Mark first reminded us about listening to a little bit of every type of music to expand our horizons and allow multiple musical areas to enhance our personal musical expression.

Mark Watson, one of our Salon regulars of yesteryear, returned to us to perform in this week's Classical Corner. He reminded us why we missed his voice all these years, as he and pianist Mark explored one particular Italian-to-English composer - Francesco Paolo Tosti. Born in a small town, his early songs were unpublished and he lived on "stale bread and oranges." But he was eventually acclaimed by composers like Giuseppe Verdi, and soon every venue would feature a Tosti piece in their repertoire. Often his work was done in concert halls and actual home-based Salons (hey!). They were considered Neopolitan songs - folk tunes that were codified and made with classical structure, modal, like "O Sole Mio." Tosti's work in particular was tasteful, very pretty, often arranged for multiple kinds of orchestrations depending on the needs of the orchestra or musical family arrangement. He was "The Andrew Lloyd Webber of his day," as Watson explained.

Mark Watson first sang "Serenata (Serenade)," which depicts a man under a girl's window, imagining out loud to himself what the lady may be doing on her own in her room. "Go my song, my beloved is by herself" is how he started, and who knows how the lady herself ended! Mark's gorgeous rich baritone (without mic) soared and certainly serenaded all of us at once. "Malia" was next sung by Watson, expressing the Italian words "what was in the flower that you gave me? Maybe it was a potion...the smell of it made me crazy...an enchantment comes from you...when you walk down the street, flowers bloom at your feet." Enchanting indeed is the song, and forever charming is Mark Watson! The third song was in the Neopolitan mode, a romantic yet devilish meditation on the rose-like shape of girl's lips entitled "A'vvucella." It featured some raised eyebrows and some absolutely gorgeous held notes. Finally, the Italian version of "Pretty Woman" was sung, a song about a sailor sending amorous intentions to a passing lady entitled "Il pescatore canta," which featured some wonderful low notes and fabulously expressive passages. If Mark Watson sang that song to me on the street, I might be very slow in passing him by...

A cheeky caricature of Paolo Tosti
Roster of performers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click to visit performers' website or other links when available.  All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Lina Koutrakos (with Rick Jensen on piano)
Emily Ireland (with Rick Jensen on piano)
Doris Dear (with Rick Jensen on piano)
Tom Cote (self on guitar)
Jerome Weinstein
Courtney Williams
Harriet Bellner
Derek Williams
Lynda Rodolitz
Sally Darling
Marie Sassi
Bobbie Horowitz
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Maureen Taylor
Mark Watson
Lina Koutrakos (with Rick Jensen on piano)
Tanya Moberly
Rian Keating
Ann Dawson
Ira Lee Collings
Richard Eisenberg
Rob Davis
Karen Gross (with self on piano)
Dorian Woodruff (with Rick Jensen on piano)
Lisa Yaeger (with Rick Jensen on piano)
Steve Bustamante (self on guitar)
Barb Malley
Adam Shapiro
Kathleen France
Lina Koutrakos (with Rick Jensen on piano)

Big thanks to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, and more for our amazing waitstaff who have talent and skill and smiles galore for us each Sunday! Thanks also to Steve Bustamante who provided video footage service!

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Rick Jensen, Tom Cote, Karen Gross and Steve Bustamante!

Ongoing Shows
Monday nights starting May 23rd (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Upcoming Shows:

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (rain date May 26th) (6:30pm): Carole Demas, Tanya Moberly, Mark Janas and others in Music and Art For City Greens at Tudor City Park, South Park of Tudor City (East 41st Street and Tudor City Place).

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (8pm): Adam Shapiro and others sings in "Richard Skipper Celebrates" at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz celebrates Jim Speake in "It's Just a Number!" series, Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) will be featured in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's/54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 29, 2016: Bobbie Horowitz in the Lower East Side Festival.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 (7pm): Rob Davis in "This Is Your Song" with guest artists Stephen Hanks and Lisa Viggiano, The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 6, 2016 (7pm): Lynda Rodolitz is "Off Her Rocker" with Director Lennie Watts and Musical Director Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (6:30pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 10, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 12, 2016 (3pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 13, 2016 (8pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, June 16, 2016 (7pm): Lynda Rodolitz is "Off Her Rocker" with Director Lennie Watts and Musical Director Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard in the NYC GMC Concert "It's Complicated," NYU Skirball Center, NYC. www.nycgmc.org.

Saturday, June 18, 2016 (4pm): Adam Shapiro sings and hosts "Gone Too Soon - Howard Ashman" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Monday, June 20, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 27, 2016 (8pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Monday, July 4, 2016: Adam Shapiro opens in the all-Yiddish "The Golden Bride" from The National Yiddish Theatre, at The Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, NYC.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, July 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016 (7pm): Maureen Taylor in "Taylor Made Bob Merrill" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar in "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, August 12, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, September 8, 2016 (7pm): Ann Dawson in "Traveling Solo" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy, Ani, Ricki, Joni with Ritt" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 16, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy, Ani, Ricki, Joni with Ritt" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 30, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy, Ani, Ricki, Joni with Ritt" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy, Ani, Ricki, Joni with Ritt" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, October, 2016 (7pm): Ann Dawson in "Traveling Solo" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016: Maureen Taylor and others at the Cabaret Convention (Sondheim Night).

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, 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 11, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" 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 SALON, Sunday July 10th, 2016:
Take a six week break, then come back to us bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for "The Eyes Have It" with Co-Hosts Richard Skipper and Salon Spotlight Peggy Eason! Sing a song with "I" in the title, or about someone creeping around as an observer (Sting's "Every Breath You Take," anyone?), or maybe sing a song from an artist whose eyes you've always fallen into. See you after the break!

Sierra Rein
Blogette for the Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me!)

Monday, May 16, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for May 15, 2016 - "Songs of the South"

The theme of "Songs of the South" brought lots of drawls out and remembrances of Southern hospitality and back porch sunsets. Mark was born in Alabama, and his Mom remembers picking cotton in the fields (thankfully Mark was able to do something else with his fingers). He remembered how his Southern accent came and went every 6 months as he traveled to visit with family. Our Co-Host was last year's Metrostar Challenge WINNER, Minda Larsen! She used to be a lyric mezzo, but after being one of Mark Janas' students at the Manhattan School of Music, she was "turned" into a cabaret/musical theater singer...our gain, opera's loss! She began with the swinging honky-tonk "Mississippi Mud" with Barry Levitt on piano, which artfully reminded us how to spell the state's name in snappy rhythm. Starting the second half, and once again with Barry Levvit on the piano, Minda sang the plaintive "The Boy Next Door" by Hugh Martin (from Alabama) in a bluesy alto. She then changed things up to plead a uniquely arranged and deeply soulful version of Dolly Parton's hit "Jolene." The rock and roll blues comedy-with-bite piece "Understand Your Man" (or "Now I understand you, Man" as she put it) was her second-to-last song.  Keeping in the same low-voiced alto smoothness vibe, she completed her co-hosting job with a sultry combination of "Georgia On My Mind/Sitting on the Dock of the Bay."

Minda will star in her new show "My Southern Song" on May 21, June 1 and June 28th, and August 17th, 2016 (all shows at 7:00pm) at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.



Salon Spotlight

 Carole Demas and Sarah Rice

Two powerhouse, Original Broadway Cast and Cabaret stars filled the Salon Spotlight on Sunday! Carole Demas (Grease, The Fantasticks) and Sarah Rice (The Fantasticks, Sweeney Todd) are working on a new Harvey Schmit and Tom Jones show, and are trying some new arrangements for it...and we gladly played guinea pig audience. They first regaled us with the story of how Carole stepped in for Sarah as in The Fantasticks for a bit, then Sarah went into the gorgeously lyrical "Soon It's Gonna Rain" with Joe Goodrich at the piano and on vocals. Sarah admitted that she hadn't sung some of this music in years, but as soon as she began singing, emotions were instantly brought back to light. Carole then sang the soaring and passionate "Joy" from Collette Collage, a French-themed musical by Texans Schmit and Jones. Sarah told us about the last night of The Fantasticks, at the closing night party with Harvey, and he talked about how he wanted The Fantasticks to run for at least 2 days so his friends could see it and...50 years later...it's still running! Carole then told us about a conversation with Tom about El Gallo's casting getting older as Tom and Harvey themselves got older and older. Sarah then joined Carole to sing a duet usually done by two men, The Boy and El Gallo, on "I Can See It" from The Fantasticks. Later, Mark told us how he was looking for work years ago and knew a Music Director for The Fantasticks, so he auditioned for Tom or Harvey, and got accepted as a substitute MD. And then...the show closed, but it was the first piece he music directed...at age 16!

Carole Demas will soon be seen on May 20th (9:30pm) at "Broadway Originals" at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC and also  on May 25th twice: at Tudor City Park for the the Music and Art For City Greens (6:30pm) and then 8:30pm at Richard Skipper Celebrates at The Triad/Stage 72, 158 W 72nd St, NYC. At Richard Skippers Celebrates, Carole will be happy to celebrate her 76th year, still able to sing the songs of three special and favorite lyricists of hers.

Sarah Rice will be co-hosting with David Vernon an open mic herself every other Monday night at 7pm (sign up starts 6:30pm) at The Harp Raw Bar & Grill, 729 3rd Avenue, NYC, no cover/no minimum.

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner:
Mark concentrated this Classical Corner on the concept of fach, the German word for the specialization of voice into "Compartments" or "Subjects" of study within vocal ranges, genders, divisions of voices, and roles. Feminine voiced fachs include lyric coloratura (as in Adele from Die Fleidermouse), dramatic coloratura, dramatic lyric soprano and full dramatic soprano (Brigitt Nielson), to the lyric soprano (a la Micaela from Carmen and Mimi from La Boheme). To sing these roles, Mark brought up Maria Fernanda Brea. Maria first sang from the third Act of La Boheme, "Donde Lieta," which comes at the point when the lovers are splitting up due to her secret illness. She sings of goodbyes with no bitterness and the gathering of items to fetch and to find as keepsakes:
"From whence she joyously left / at the beckoning of your love, / all alone must Mimi now return / to that empty nest... / Returning once again / to embroider make-believe flowers. / So farewell, but without bitterness." 
After thunderous applause and shouts of "brava's!", Mark then noted how maturation and age can change a singer's fach. A spinto voice ("push" in German, meaning a larger and more projected/resonant lyric soprano) can often work in a bigger opera house, but a lyric soprano can be great in the role when the theater is more intimate. Maria then explained the dangerous situation her next lady - Micaela from Carmen - finds herself in, and calls for the strength of God in "Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante" :
"I will see that woman, be close to her... / Vile tricks that she is mistress of / Have turned into an evildoer / The one with whom I was in love! / She's dangerous and she's a beauty! But I don't want to be afraid! / No, no, I don't want to be afraid! / To speak before her in my duty...Ah! / O Lord, I know you'll give me aid! / O Lord, I know you'll give me aid! Ah!"
Roster of performers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click to visit performers' website or other links when available.  All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Minda Larsen (with Barry Levitt on piano)
Jerome Weinstein
Ira Lee Collings (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Rian Keating
Amy Engelhardt (self at piano)
Jaye Maynard (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (with self on piano)
David Ballard (with Sierra Rein on hyena vocals)
Steve Bustamante (self on guitar)
Sierra Rein (additional guitar by Steve Bustamante)
Dawn Derow (with Barry Levitt on piano)
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas (with Joe Goodrich on piano)
Minda Larsen (with Barry Levitt on piano)
Tanya Moberly
Joana Gray
Courtney Wilkins
Sally Jo Hadley
Dennis McNiel (with Ed Martel on piano)
Kit Kount
Barb Malley
Richard Eisenberg
Lauren Stanford
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
Minda Larsen (with Barry Levitt on piano)

Big thanks to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, and more for our amazing waitstaff who have talent and skill and smiles galore for us each Sunday! Thanks also to Steve Bustamante who provided video footage service!

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Ed Martel, Matthew Martin Ward, Joe Goodrich, Barry Levitt, Bill Zeffiro, Amy Engelhardt, and Steve Bustamante!

Ongoing Shows
Monday nights starting May 23rd (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com

Every other Monday - 7pm-10pm (signup starts at 6:30pm): Sarah Rice and David Vernon's Open Mic at The Harp Raw Bar and Grill, 729 3rd Avenue, NYC. www.harpbargrill.com

Monday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro and Marissa Mulder at La Rivista, 313 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro and Jenna Esposito at La Rivista, 313 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday nights (8:30pm): Candice Oden and Bill Zeffiro perform at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Friday, May 20, 2016 (9:30pm): Dennis McNeil in "A Century of Sinatra" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Friday, May 20, 2016 (9:30pm): Carole Demas in at "Broadway Originals" at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC

Saturday, May 21, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (7pm): Sallie Jo Hadley stars in (and Adam Shapiro directs) "Bustin' Loose, The Liberation of Sallie Jo Hadley" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (7pm): Lauren Stanford in the Helen Morgan-based "More Than You Know" at The Triad/Stage 72, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (rain date May 26th) (6:30pm): Carole Demas, Tanya Moberly, Mark Janas and others in Music and Art For City Greens at Tudor City Park, South Park of Tudor City (East 41st Street and Tudor City Place).

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) will be featured in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's/54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7pm): Lauren Stanford in the Helen Morgan-based "More Than You Know" at The Triad/Stage 72, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 (XXXX): Dawn Derow will have her Carnegie Hall debut with Marcus Goldleber in "It's Delovely" as part of K.T. Sullivan's Mabel Mercer Foundation.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (6:30pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 10, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 12, 2016 (3pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 13, 2016 (8pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard in the NYC GMC Concert "It's Complicated," NYU Skirball Center, NYC.

Saturday, June 18, 2016 (4pm): Janice Hall and others in "Gone Too Soon - Howard Ashman" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 19, 2016: Amy Engelhardt's solo show as singer and composer at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 20, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 20, 2016 (7:30pm): Amy Engelhardt's presents her creation an artistic producer-ship in the composer-lyricist musical theater game show "Tune in Time" at the York Theatre, 619 Lexington Avenue, NYC.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016: Dawn Derow and Marcus Goldliber at Friar's Club, 57 East 55th Street, NYC.

Monday, June 27, 2016 (8pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, July 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, August 12, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016 (7pm): Minda Larsen will star in her new show "My Southern Song" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 (7pm): Janice Hall repeats her hit Madeline Deitrich show at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Friday, September 16, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 30, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

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

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

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

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

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

NEXT SALON, Sunday May 22nd, 2016:
THIS WILL BE OUR LAST SALON before our 6-week break! And it's a disaster-filled, heart-wrenching theme: Blood and Guts with Co-Host Lina Koutrakos and Salon Spotlight Rosemary Loar! I want to hear all your songs about blood, gore, guts, songs from Sweeney Todd or Little Shop of Horrors, or perhaps revenge songs against your lover, or just some old-fashioned "belt your guts out" singing.

See you there...or else...

Sierra Rein
Blogette for the Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me!)

Sunday, May 8, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for May 8, 2016 - "The Family You Choose"

The theme "The Family You Choose" was appropriately chosen for Sunday's Salon, it being Mother's Day (so, Happy Mother's Day to all those moms in our Salon family, including those who attended that night in the audience)!  Zach Wobensmith and Anna Marie Sell were our Co-Hosts for the evening, finally fulfilling their duty as Co-Hosts after both of them got paid gigs two weeks before they were supposed to Co-Host last year. But here they finally were, and they started by singing "I Won't Mind" by Jeff Blumenkrantz, featuring lead vocals by Anna Marie with backup vocals by Zach. At the top of the second act, Anna Marie returned to sing the bluesy and Zoologically-informative "The Bear, the Tiger, the Hamster and the Mole." Zach Wobensmith then took over to sing "All The Things You Are/I'm Glad There is You" in a rich and tender baritenor. Blair Alexis Brown then joined the two of them on "The I Love You Song" from William Finn's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which featured one of the most brilliant trio sections ever. For the closing song, Adam Shapiro and Blair Alexis Brown joining Zach and Anna Marie on "Unlikely Lovers" from Falsettos, which once again featured a beautiful harmony section (this time a quartet) as its ending.

Coming up, Anna Marie Sell will perform in the play "Chapter Two," at the Montgomery Theater, June 16-July 10, in Souderton, PA, and Zach Wobensmith and Blair Alexis Brown will perform together at an upcoming Bucks County Cabaret in New Hope, PA, on August 13th, 2016 (8pm).


Anna Marie Sell
Zachary Wobensmith
Side Notes:

David Ballard is doing an AIDS Walk on May 15, 2016, and has dedicated himself to raising $1,000 for it. He has raised $1,156.00! But come on, guys, that amount can be bigger, so add monetary support to an incredible cause by going to his profile at aidswalk.net.

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner:

As previously explained in last week's Classical Corner, it's Brahm's 183rd birthday month. Last week, Mark went through a bit of the first movement of Brahms' "Third Sonata in D minor" (Allegro). This week, we were pleased to hear from Russian violinist and International musical star Igor Pikayzen, who played with Mark on the full piece, revealing so many of the nuances Mark had spoken of the week before. The "two against three" and "three against four" with gypsy harmonies, as well as his form as one of the best structuralists in musical history, was evident. At first, Igor played a bit of the theme on his violin, showing off Brahm's utilization of solo themes against ever-changing and more-exciting piano richness and intensity (and Igor's ability to perform from memory!). The second group of themes, played on piano, revealed the characters Mark mentioned last week. For Brahms, the pianist is an equal partner, sharing themes with the violin (who often picks up an accompaniment role). Igor then showed off his use of "double-stops" on his violin, meaning the ringing of two different notes/strings on one bow, and the beauty of their tight harmonies made this witness tear up herself.

Mark and Igor then played Brahm's "Third Violin Sonata in D Major" from first note to last - all four Movements - and it transported me back in time to a living room of long ago, listening to a pianist (maybe Brahms himself) and a violinist making gorgeous music together.

Happy Birthday, Johannes Brahms!!!

Igor Pikayzen
Roster of performers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click to visit performers' website or other links when available.All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Anna Marie Sell (with Zach Wobensmith on vocals)
Barb Malley
Ira Lee Collings
Sally Darling
Marnie Klar
Rian Keating
Mark Levy
Elena Vidanova
Jerome Weinstein
Richard Eisenberg
Adam Shapiro
Charles Baran
Rob Davis
Blair Brown (with self at piano)
Donna Kendall Stearns (with self at piano)
Natasha Castillo (with self on guitar)
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Candice Oden
Anna Marie Sell
Zach Wobensmith
Annie Marie Sell, Zach Wobensmith and Blair Alexis Brown
Tanya Moberly
Mark Janas and Igor Pikayzen
Annie Marie Sell, Zach Wobensmith, Adam Shapiro and Blair Alexis Brown

Big thanks to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, and more for our amazing waitstaff who have talent and skill and smiles galore for us each Sunday! Thanks also to Steve Bustamante who provided video footage service!

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Donna Kendall Stearns, Blair Alexis Brown, Natasha Castillo, and special guest Igor Pikayzen!

Ongoing Shows:

Every Tues (8:30pm): Candice Oden and Bill Zeffiro perform at Millesime, 92 Madison Ave, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Monday, May 9, 2016 (7pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016 (7pm): Charles Baran, Eve Eaton, Karen Mack and Lisa Viggiano join Robin Kradles in "The Diva Collections: Loves Me Loves Me Not" with Director Lennie Watts and Music Director Rick Jensen, Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016 (7pm): Sally Darling in "Totally Noel...with A Bit of Sally," an all-Noel Coward show at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 (7pm): Charles Baran as Herman Hesse/Mozart in "Steppenwolf Opera: A Musical Retelling" at The New School, 66 West 12th Street, NYC.

Thursday, May 12, 2016 (7pm): Charles Baran as Herman Hesse/Mozart in "Steppenwolf Opera: A Musical Retelling" at The New School, 66 West 12th Street, NYC.

Friday, May 14, 2016 (7pm): Natasha Castillo in "Feels Like Home," Directed by Lennie Watts, Music Direction by Steven Ray Watkins, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (7pm): Sallie Jo Hadley stars in (and Adam Shapiro directs) "Bustin' Loose, The Liberation of Sallie Jo Hadley" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (8pm): Adam Shapiro and others sings in "Richard Skipper Celebrates" at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) will be featured in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's/54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 (7pm): Rob Davis in "This Is Your Song" with guest artists Stephen Hanks and Lisa Viggiano, The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (6:30pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 10, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 12, 2016 (3pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Nilsson with Jon Weber" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard in the NYC GMC Concert, NYU Skirball Center, NYC.

Saturday, June 18, 2016 (4pm): Adam Shapiro sings and hosts "Gone Too Soon - Howard Ashman" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Monday, June 20, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings in "Simply, Ira Lee: Through the looking glass - warts and all! - an 80th 'Gay Geezer' Celebration" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, July 4, 2016: Adam Shapiro opens in the all-Yiddish "The Golden Bride" from The National Yiddish Theatre, at The Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, NYC.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, July 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar in "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, July 22-August 7 2016 (times vary): Candice Oden in the 7th season of mainstage shows at The Seeing Place Theater, 45 Bleecker Street, NYC.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, August 12, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings the Blues with Ian Herman" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 16, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 30, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Amy Winehouse, Ani DiFranco, Ricki Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell with Ritt Henn" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

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

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

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

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

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

NEXT SALON, Sunday May 15th, 2016:
Next Sunday, we'll travel away from New York and head into the theme of "Songs of the South." This can include Country and Rock from the Southern United States, or perhaps by a songwriter born in those states. Or perhaps something Australian or something "south of the border," perhaps? Our Co-Host will be the winner of the 2015 Metrostar Challenge, Minda Larsen. We will also have a stellar Salon Spotlight duo of Carole Demas and Sarah Rice!

See you then!

Sierra Rein
Blogette for the Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me!)



Monday, May 2, 2016

The Salon Wrap-Up for May 1, 2016 - "Coast to Coast"

"Welcome to The Salon, or as I call it, 'A Doctorate course in sight-reading'" is how Mark Janas introduced the evening (and snazzily wearing a shirt that Dana Lorge gave him to spice up his wardrobe). And he certainly was brought from one side of the musical spectrum to another, as song after song was placed before him to sight-read throughout the night. Tanya Moberly introduced our theme for the evening, "Coast to Coast," and Mark brushed up his Italian to bring up the Co-Host of the evening, two time MAC Award Nominee Lisa Viggiano!  Lisa and others will perform in "54 Celebrates David Bowie" at Feinstein's/54 Below on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016, at 7:00 pm (254 West 54th Street, New York).

Lisa started the night "Who Says" a traveling song which named a number of coast to coast cities. A slow bass blues run introduced her into the mid-show set, starting with the sultry love poem to New York, "Living for the City." She then brought in the brutally honest "I Think I'm Just Fine," a piece by Tim Di Pasqua about a reluctant woman asked to return to the musical stage after years and years (from the musical Synchronicity), which highlighted Lisa's impeccable rock belt and storytelling. She finished her set with the sweet ballad "You're My Home." At the end of the evening, Lisa completed her journey from one musical coast to the next by bringing her friend Reagan Stone back to the stage to do the friends-forever-duet "For Good" from Wicked, with their voiced blending superbly and not just a few lumps left in the throat.

Lisa Viggiano

Side Notes:


David Ballard is doing an AIDS Walk on May 15, 2016, and has dedicated himself to raising $1,000 for it. He has raised $1,056.00!!!! But that amount can be bigger with more Salon help! If you would like to add monetary support to his corner for an incredible cause, go to his profile at aidswalk.net!

Quick Wrap: Classical Corner:

Mark began the Classical Corner by playing a bit of the first recording ever made (1899) of a famous classical composer - Johannes Brahms - speaking and then performing a Hungarian dance piece of his. He was born on May 7, 1833, so for the next four weeks, Mark would be celebrating one particular Brahms piece, including an upcoming collaboration performance with a violinist!

As Mark explained, the 19th century was a push between Classical (Beethoven) towards Romanticism, which celebrated color, flavor and text/emotion rather than structure. Brahms rides that fence - Classic structure, but moves forward into the Romantic era. Brahms did not like Wagner's campy quality, and there were some public fights and even requests to create coalitions against each others' style. Brahms was born to a musician father (who was his first teacher), with seamstress mother who was 15 years his father's senior. Some say Brahms' adult relationships with women was "tainted" from playing in a public house/brothel to make money at an early age. Following his father's cue, he fell in love with Clara Schumann, who was 17 years his elder. Brahms was apparently a perfectionist - he destroyed a third of his outputted word, and we thank those colleagues who kept copies of his unpublished work. Known to play practical jokes, a "crusty old fellow," Johannes Brahms was known to saw the back of the rockers so if ladies sat in them, petticoats would fly when they sat down. He also did not like "airs" - at one dinner, he was poured a very old, expensive wine that was proclaimed the "Brahms of my wine celler." Brahms replied "Mmmmmm...Better bring the Beethoven."

Mark went into Brahms' distinct composing style and lauded his grasp of form, cross rhythms (left hand doing different rhythm on same notes as the right hand), and his incredible facility to write counterpoint. He played a few bars just in the piano, and the intricacies that were present didn't even include the violin part. Brahms is a master of Sonatas, and wrote three with violin and piano. A Sonata is a musical play with melodious themes as characters. Brahms had a lot of gypsy in his soul and a love of moving thirds and sixths with gypsy cadences. Mark exemplified this by playing a bit of "Sonata 3 in D minor." The "play" of this piece sounded exciting and thrilling - two themes, the A character and B character, almost represent a couple, with more characters/themes chiming in throughout. In the middle, a development section thick with counterpoint reveals all the characters wound together. Then, a truncated version of the A and B theme ends the piece. But the interesting thing is that one character (A) is in Tonic key the other one (B) is Dominant key. At the end, the second theme is resolved to the tonic (reflecting the idea that the character - like a young lady giving into the amorous actions of a man - becomes accepting of the first tonic key). Brahms also played with rhythm and harmony; he creates a harmonic suggestion at first, not utilizing full chords, and then divides the same thing only with 1/8th notes apart. Also, a middle section had a "dominant prolongation," which included double-themes and a pulsing pedal-run bass line until it breaks out into the beginning themes again (side note: my head about exploded at this point). One interesting historical note: during this time, pianos were being built better, richer, and with more dedicated bass tones than the harpsichords of Mozart's time. So, like a scientist with a new piece of technology, Brahms was experimenting with the sounds of the new longer-toned bass notes in his compositions.

Mark played through a bit of the First movement of Brahms' "Third Sonata in D minor" and gave us a taste of the dramatic Fourth movement! Apparently, the texture with the violin part floating above it is lovely (we'll hopefully hear in the next few weeks!).

Roster of performers for the evening (in order of appearance):
Click to visit performers' website or other links when available.All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Lisa Viggiano
Jerome Weinstein
Elena Vidanova
Kount Kit
Cathy Finlay
Marnie Klar
Rian Keating
Stew Fimer
Sally Darling(with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward & Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Ruth Carlin
Danielle Erin Rhodes
David Ballard
Sierra Rein
Kathleen France
Lisa Viggiano
Tanya Moberly
Sallie Jo Hadley
Carol Sue Gershman
Reagan Stone
Adam Shapiro
Richard Eisenberg
Deborah Zecher
Wendy Kaufman Harper
Rob Davis
Lisa Viggiano and Reagan Stone

Big thanks to Jared Gilmore on lights and sound, and more for our amazing waitstaff who have talent and skill and smiles galore for us each Sunday!

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward!

Upcoming Shows:

Monday, May 2, 2016 (7pm): Adam Shapiro judges at "The Met Room's Next Top Drag Queen" contest at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, May 3, 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.

Friday, May 6, 2016 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward and Wendy Scherl in "What You Do All Day?" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, May 9, 2016 (7pm): "A Life Behind Bars" written and performed by Dan Ruth, Directed by Tanya Moberly, at The Gutter Williamsburg Brooklyn, 200 North 14th Street, Brooklyn, NYC.

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016 (7pm): Sally Darling in "Totally Noel...with A Bit of Sally," an all-Noel Coward show at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, May 13th, 2016 (8pm): Matthew Martin Ward in the "Salon Performance" of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation (including works by Schubert, Chopin, Brahms), 141 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor, NYC.

Saturday, May 14th, 2016 (8pm): Matthew Martin Ward in the "Salon Performance" of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation (including works by Schubert, Chopin, Brahms), 141 West 26th Street, 3rd Floor, NYC.

Sunday, May 22, 2016 (7pm): Sallie Jo Hadley stars in (and Adam Shapiro directs) "Bustin' Loose, The Liberation of Sallie Jo Hadley" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, May 22, 2016: Danielle Erin Rhodes and others in a concert at St. Clements Episcopal Church and Theater, 423 W 46th St, NYC.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 (7pm): Adam Shapiro sings in "Richard Skipper Celebrates" at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Sunday, May 29, 2016 (7pm): Sierra Rein (as part of Marquee Five) will be featured in "Sondheim Unplugged" at Feinstein's/54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016 (7pm): Rob Davis in "This Is Your Song" with guest artists Stephen Hanks & Lisa Viggiano, The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 5, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 (6:30pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 10, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, June 12, 2016 (3pm): Rian Keating in "This is All I Give: Songs of Love and Life" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly new 4-show series, starting with "Moberly Sings Nilsson with Weber" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, June 17, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard in the NYC GMC Concert, NYU Skirball Center, NYC.

Saturday, June 18, 2016 (4pm): Adam Shapiro sings and hosts "Gone Too Soon - Howard Ashman" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Monday, July 4, 2016: Adam Shapiro opens in the all-Yiddish "The Golden Bride" from The National Yiddish Theatre, at The Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, NYC.

Thursday, July 14, 2016 (7pm): Ruth Carlin in "A Light in the Window - Songs of Judy Collins" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Saturday, July 16, 2016: Wendy Kaufman Harper and others in "Lennie Watt's Arrangement Boot Camp Concert."

NEXT SALON, Sunday May 8st, 2016:
The Theme will be the Mother's Day-esque "The Family You Choose" with Double Co-Hosts Anna Marie Sell & Zach Wobensmith! Come bring your music about those family members you choose or those you may not get to choose for yourself, pets, or children. Come sing about Moms, Mother Nature, Dads, cousins, or anyone else reflective of Family!

See you then!

Sierra Rein
Blogette for the Salon
(Updates? Changes? Email me!)