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!)