Monday, August 28, 2017

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 27, 2017: "You & Me & Lenny B - Bernstein at Ninety-Nine"

This past week would have been Leonard Bernstein's 99th birthday, and as the most documented musician of all time, there is a plethora of information out there regarding his work, his life, and his influences. One of my favorite things is to hear at this time of year is Mark Janas noodle on the piano in the minutes before the evening starts; before the show began, Mark played a preview of sorts, effortlessly going from Bernstein song to Bernstein from memory, and got the audience to start snapping like gang members during the West Side Story prologue section. As soon as the lights went down, Mark and Matthew Martin Ward did a four-hand rendition of the "Overture" to Candide, which opened in 1956.

Julie Reyburn
As is tradition, the gorgeous singer (and Mark Janas' "musical wife") Julie Reyburn was Co-Host for the evening! She started this yearly celebration to Lennie Bernstein with a gloriously ebullient "Tonight" from West Side Story, and welcomed the full house to this annual event with great aplomb. Julie's silvery mezzo-soprano voice, tinged with steel, aided her innate storytelling prowess as she moved from one moment to the other in Bernstein's often vocally challenging work. She also proved to be a gracious and supportive hostess as well.

For the middle set, Ritt Henn and his bass guitar took a spot on stage to accompany Julie Reyburn and Mark Janas on "What a Movie" from Trouble in Tahiti, along with backup singers Adam Shapiro, Matthew Martin Ward, and (me) Sierra Rein. Julie then sang the lyrical "There is a Garden" from Trouble in Tahiti, which is the aria the wife sings to her psychiatrist about the disturbing dream she had in the midst of her troubled marriage, in which she is trapped in a dead garden and hears a hopeful voice telling her of "a quiet place" of another, more loving garden. We then got another Bernstein Celebration tradition: "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" from West Side Story as a duet between Julie and Tanya Moberly, which was quite emotionally effective.

To close the evening out, Julie adjusted a few opening lyrics and sang the part of Claire in "Some Other Time" from On The Town. On hand to add harmony was (me) Sierra Rein as Hildy, Matthew Martin Ward as Ollie, and Adam Shapiro as Chip. At the end of the Thank You's, Mark hit the piano again to lead us in to a rousing "Happy Birthday" to Lennie, complete with atonal tritoned West Side Story orchestrations sprinkled into the accompaniment.

Happy Birthday, Leonard Bernstein!

Lennie Bernstein
b. August 25, 1918
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner
After I (Sierra) sang Bernstein's "My Twelve-Tone Melody," Mark segued into the concept of what "12 Tone" is. In the 12 tone mode of composition, the melody organizes the 12 tones of the scale but in a different order than the do-re-mi we are used to. After the composer goes through all 12 tones, they can then be repeated, sent into "retrograde" and inverted, written backwards and upside-down, and utilized to form chords. It's a somewhat mind-boggling method of composition, but when used effectively, it can keep the audiences' ears on their toes (so to speak). Leonard Bernstein pushed tonality, and used the atonality of 12 tones within many of his works, including West Side Story. However, to maintain the audience's good graces, Bernstein made sure that his music was also intensely tonic; instead, he wrote with snippets of 12-tone within his work. People often forget that West Side Story is classical musical, but it is undeniably atonal from the first chords, with tritone chords (aka an augmented fourth) all over the place, and funny intervals like the jump from the tonic to the tritone within the melody. These tritones add spice to the mambo and cha-cha within the "Dance at the Gym" scene, to the accented and reaching theme of "Maria," and the jump from the E to the Bb in "America."

At times throughout Classical Corner, Mark played a few Bernstein melodies from West Side Story with the tonal instead of the tritones, and it sounded completely off, since we have all memorized the atonal melodies of these classic pieces. Bernstein hid these atonal moments in the orchestration to even the most tonal of his works, as in the harmonic orchestration behind "Somewhere." Mark then played through "Officer Kruptke" and pointed out all the sneaky tritones, and the progression from the starting key to the next arrives at the tritone with only two progressions before eventually returning to the original tonic key, something no one had attempted in modern musicals at the time. Mark then went on to discuss Trouble in Tahiti, which was written while Bernstein was on his honeymoon. It was supposedly about his parents ("Sam," the husband in the piece, was modeled and named after his father). In Trouble in Tahiti, Leonard dealt with the concept of interpersonal things getting lost in materialism, and how the family unit at the time was breaking up even amidst great Wall Street successes.  Mark left us with these thoughts as we took a break into the second act, and got to hear two songs from this lesser-known show in Julie's mid-show set. 

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.


Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward (both at piano)
CO-HOST: Julie Reyburn
Scott Grey
Sue Susman
Michael Colby
Jerome Weinstein
Ira Lee Collings (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano)
Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Joey Infante and Michael Macdonald (with Michael Macdonald on piano)
Richie Eisenberg (self at piano)
CLASSICAL CORNER
BREAK
CO-HOST Julie Reyburn (with Adam Shapiro, Matthew Martin Ward, Sierra Rein on backups)
Julie Reyburn and Tanya Moberly
Tanya Moberly (with Ritt Henn on bass) 
Ritt Henn (self on guitar)
Amy Beth Williams (Ritt Henn on bass)
Frank Frascati
Angela Leone
David Ballard
Jen Bradley
CO-HOST: Julie Reyburn, Adam Shapiro, Matthew Martin Ward, and Sierra Rein

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Michael Macdonald, Ritt Henn, and Richie Eisenberg!

Thank you to this evening's videographer, James Eden, to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, and to our amazing waitstaff, Matea and Phillip!

Ongoing Shows:


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

Tuesday (7:30pm) FINALE *THIS* TUES:
Tanya Moberly is judging Mama's Next Big Act at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC, and a few of our regular Salon members have been/are taking part!

Upcoming Shows:

Tuesday, August 29, 2017 (6pm): Matthew Martin Ward will play the keys at the MAC Open Mic at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017 (7pm): Sarah Rice performs "Music of the Night: Memories, Dreams & Reflections" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Friday, September 15, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Monday, September 18, 2017 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz hosts "It's Just A Number" (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano) to honor Meg Flathers, Frank Dain, and John Kropowski at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs the return of "A Life Behind Bars," written and performed by Dan Ruth, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 23, 2017 (4pm): Becca Kidwell brings back her show "A Song & It's Girl" to Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Saturday, September 23, 2017 (7pm): Adam Shapiro directs our own Steve Bustamante in his solo show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (7:15pm): Ira Lee Collings in "The Gay Geezer: Life Is A Song – So Why Not Sing it?” at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 (7pm): Frank Frascati in "By Myself" at The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, NYC.

Monday, October 2, 2017 (7:15pm): Ira Lee Collings in "The Gay Geezer: Life Is A Song – So Why Not Sing it?” at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs the return of "A Life Behind Bars," written and performed by Dan Ruth, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Friday, October 6, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ritt Henn at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 (7pm): Ritt Henn performs "Songs From The Great American Ritt Book," Directed by Barry Kleinbort, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 16, 2017 (6pm): Opening night of the Cabaret Convention features Tanya Moberly, Adam Shapiro, and others, at the Rose Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories"  (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 27, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ian Herman at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 11, 2017 (7pm): Ritt Henn performs "Songs From The Great American Ritt Book," Directed by Barry Kleinbort, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 28, 2017 (2pm): Tanya Moberly directs the return of "A Life Behind Bars," written and performed by Dan Ruth, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Saturday, October 28, 2017 (7pm): Ritt Henn performs "Songs From The Great American Ritt Book," Directed by Barry Kleinbort, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 29, 2017 (7:15pm): Ira Lee Collings in "The Gay Geezer: Life Is A Song – So Why Not Sing it?” at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 6, 2017 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs the return of "A Life Behind Bars," written and performed by Dan Ruth, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories"  (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 10, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories"  (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 13, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Ritt Henn on bass and Tanya Moberly Directing, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama,  345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 17, 2017 (7pm):
Tanya Moberly and Mark Janas at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 3, 2017 (4:30pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 10, 2017 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Ritt Henn on bass and Tanya Moberly Directing, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama,  345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

NEXT SALON!
Reminder there will be NO SALON on September 3rd - the next one will be on Sunday, September 10, 2017, and the theme will be "Better Than Nothing." But, you know what's better than anything?!?! Answer: our Co-Host for that evening, the amazing Bill Zeffiro! Hope to see you there, with whatever you bring!

--Sierra Rein
"Blogette" for The Salon
Questions or Oopsies? Email me: sirein@sierrarein.com

Monday, August 21, 2017

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 20, 2017: "Happy Anniversary, Salon! (12 Years!)"

12 Years! WOW! It's been 12 years since Mark Janas' The Salon broke onto the New York scene via the Algonquin Hotel's lobby, providing a safe place for hours of singing and playing and whistling and spoken word and puppetry and Broadway and Opera and Jazz and joy (with a few forgotten lyrics here and there). We've been at Etcetera Etcetera since 2009, which in and of itself is a feat! Last night was a celebration of all those years, and was celebrated by well-known faces, relatively brand new faces...and quite a number of "first ever at Salon" faces as well!

The well-known voices were partly made up of a group of past Etceterettes, those plucky individuals who help run The Salon machine each week. They took turns throughout the evening singing and Co-Hosting! Mark Janas started out with a parody written by Nick Levin about the days back when we used to be at the Algonquin - to the tune of  "The Story Goes On." Marnie Klar stepped up to sing "The Portrait" by Amanda Broom, a song that was one of the first sung at Algonquin. Marnie, with her soulful voice and soaring heart, will perform "Bedtime Stories" (Directed by Tanya Moberly, with Matt Scharfglass on bass and Steven Ray Watkins on the keys) at Don't Tell Mama: October 25th/November 8th and November 10th at 7pm, December 9th at 4pm.

Our second Etceterette was Zach Wobensmith, singing the passionate "Run Away With Me" from the Kerrigan-Lowermilk musical The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown. Next Co-Host was Maureen Taylor; knowing that "anything goes" at The Salon, she pulled out something classical for Mark Janas to play for her - "Una voce poco fa" from The Barber of Seville by composer Gioachino Rossini and librettist Cesare Sterbini. Maureen, with a twinkle in her eye, flitted and trilled her way as only her silvery soprano voice could - brilliantly! 

After the break, Mark introduced the next Co-Hosting Etceterette of the evening, Janice Hall, who sang Amanda Broom's song about her father "Errol Flynn" with Matthew Martin Ward on piano. This wistful waltz was gloriously sung with a message of love and daughter/father warmth. This December, Janice will return to Winter Rhythms with "The Opera Show With No Opera" at Urban Stages.

The last Etceterette to Co-Host for the evening was...me!...Sierra Rein, who sang "Right Hand Man" from Something Rotten, along with Bill Zeffiro at the piano. I will be presenting my own debut NYC show sometime in Spring 2018, and will be filming a song for an upcoming comedy musical short in September of this year. The last song was by Bill Zeffiro, aided by Sierra, Maureen, Janice, and Marnie, as we all sang the parody lyrics to "Let's Fall in Love" that Bill wrote on behalf of Mark Janas and most of the Salon family members. It was a fun end to a great evening!

12 years ago...we've come a long way!
Side notes: 
  • Thanks to David Gillam for the beautiful purple-to-match-the-drapes 12th Anniversary Ornaments, which were provided to all the singers and attendees last night!
  • Many arrived to The Salon tonight direct from The Metropolitan Room, where they attended the marriage (and concert) of Salon alums Joey Infante and Mike McDonald. All of The Salon family congratulates the happy couple!!!
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

As is tradition, George Gershwin's signature composition, "Rhapsody in Blue," was played for Classical Corner. This tradition started 12 years ago, when the beautiful black grand piano in the lobby was too tempting for Mark's fingers, and it instantly drew singers and audiences alike to the area to continue the appreciation of music and performances. "Rhapsody in Blue" itself was premiered not too far from the Algonquin Hotel at the Aeolian Hall, which stood on 42nd between 5th and 6th. It was an experiment of sorts; a local New York clarinet player and band leader, Paul Whiteman, wanted to see if a modern composer could compose quasi-classical performance for a jazz-concert event in 1924. Gershwin was asked to provide a piece for it, and he accepted but didn't think it would actually take place. A few weeks before the event, Gershwin was asked by Whiteman "So...how's the composition coming?" Well, George went about to quickly write it, with orchestration by Grofe (of Grand Canyon Suite fame). This one piece opened the door as a "gateway composition" of sorts for George Gershwin, who then went on to compose his other great classical pieces, including "An American in Paris," and the opera Porgy and Bess.

Mark explained a tiny bit that - perhaps to the rushed nature of the writing schedule - the energy of "Rhapsody in Blue" rambles a bit, but in that way it certainly picks up the spirit of the ever bustling and bristling New York City itself. He then went on to open the lid of Etcetera Etcetera's grand piano, push aside the mic, and play George Gershwin's spectacular piece (with it's jazzy intervals, soaring chords, that fast-as-hell schizophrenic passage, and boy that multi-layered ending) once again from memory.

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.


Mark Janas (self at piano)
Marnie Klar
Sue Susman 
Sabrina Chap (self at piano)
Richie Eisenberg
Barbara Malley
Maureen Taylor
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano and harmony)
Matthew Martin Ward (self at the piano)
Annie Lebeaux (self at the piano)
CLASSICAL CORNER
BREAK
Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Shantal Maurice
Bob
Mimi Lines
David Ballard
Sierra Rein (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
The Etceterettes (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark Janas, Matthew Martin Ward, Annie Lebeaux, Bill Zeffiro, and Sabrina Chap!

Thank you to this evening's videographer, Michael Stever, to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, and to David Ballard (who was a Manager last night!) and our amazing waitstaff!

Ongoing Shows:


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

Tuesday (7:30pm) FINALE THIS TUES: Tanya Moberly is judging Mama's Next Big Act at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC, and a few of our regular Salon members have been/are taking part!

Upcoming Shows:

Tuesday, August 29, 2017 (6pm): Matthew Martin Ward will play the keys at the MAC Open Mic at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017 (8pm): Sabrina Chap will be a part of "The Secret Variety Society Presents... Matt Roper, Sabrina Chap and the Great Dubini" at The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard Street, NYC.

Friday, September 15, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Monday, September 18, 2017 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz hosts "It's Just A Number" (with Matthew Martin Ward at piano) to honor Meg Flathers, Frank Dain, and John Kropowski at The Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Friday, October 6, 2017 (7pm):
Tanya Moberly and Ritt Henn at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 16, 2017 (6pm): Opening night of the Cabaret Convention features Jacob Storms and Tanya Moberly - Rose Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories"  (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 27, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ian Herman at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, November 2, 2017: Barbara Malley will perform "Am I a Diva?" as a benefit for Housing Works at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories"  (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 10, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories"  (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 17, 2017 (7pm):
Tanya Moberly and Mark Janas at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling will be a part of "Together" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 3, 2017 (4:30pm): Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward) presents "Totally Noël" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 10, 2017 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (Directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 15, 2017 (7pm): Sally Darling will be a part of "Together"at Urban Stages, 259 W 30th St, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

NEXT SALON! On Sunday, August 27, 2017 the theme will be celebrating one of our most treasured composers: "You and Me and Lenny B - Bernstein at Ninety-Nine," and we will have the gorgeously voiced and even more beautifully-hearted Julie Reyburn to Co-Host the evening. Sing some Bernstein with us, or songs reflecting the inner you...or a song that does both!

--Sierra Rein
"Blogette" for The Salon
Questions or Oopsies? Email me

Sunday, August 13, 2017

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 13, 2017: "Seek And Ye Shall Find"

Greetings, Saloners!  This is your guest Blogette, Candice Oden, here!  I was thrilled to be present this week.  We had a very light evening, but we had the WONDERFUL Jacob Storms co-hosting!  He opened with a light and swingy "It Happened In Monterey."  He later serenaded us with a medley of "They Say It's Wonderful" and "I Fall In Love Too Easily," followed by the Mills brothers' "Don't Blame Me." He wrapped up his three-song set with "Never Neverland," and ended the night with a beautiful "Shenanadoah."


Jacob will be appearing as a young Tennessee Williams in TENNESSEE RISING at The United Solo Festival at Theatre Row on Saturday, October 14th at 2pm.  He will also be returning to The Cabaret Convention for Opening Night at Rose Hall on Monday, October 16th, at 6pm.  For more information, you can visit http://unitedsolo.org/us/ufest/ and http://www.mabelmercer.org.

Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

This week we had guest singer, Heather Bobeck, with us!  Heather won last year's Met Opera National Council NY Regional auditions, and tonight she sang from the opera The Magic Flute, which she actually just finished doing with the Opera Theatre of Montclair.  The Magic Flute is a story in which every character is seeking to find.  Heather first sang the wonderful "O Zittre Nicht," which is when her character, The Queen of The Night, is wooing Tamina to save her daughter, Pamina, followed by the Vengeance Aria -- and that one was even more powerful than the first.

You can find more on The Magic Flute here.


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.


Co-host: Jacob Storms
Lisa Dennett
Ira Lee Collings
Louisa Lee
Jerome
Matthew Martin Ward (also at the piano)
Steve Bustamante (also on guitar)
David Ballard
Candice Oden (moi!)
Maureen Taylor
Co-host: Jacob Storms

BREAK

Tanya Moberly
Ty'Ren Tillett
David Lamarr
CLASSICAL CORNER!
Encore: Lisa Dennett
Encore: Ira Lee Collings (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Encore: Louisa Lee
Encore: David Ballard
Encore: Maureen Taylor
Encore: Candice Oden
Encore: Steve Bustamante (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Encore: Matthew Martin Ward (also at the piano)
Co-host: Jacob Storms

Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark JanasMatthew Martin, and Steve Bustamante!

Thank you to this evening's videographer, Steve Bustamante, to Gill Alexandre on lights and sound, and to David Ballard and our amazing waitstaff!

Ongoing Shows:

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

Tuesdays (7:30pm) this summer: Tanya Moberly is judging Mama's Next Big Act at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC, and a few of our regular Salon members are taking part!

Tuesday nights (7pm) and Saturday nights (6pm):  Louisa Lee sings with the Rick Bogart Quintet at the Flatiron Hotel, 9 West 26th Street, NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Thursday, August 24, 2017 (7pm): Lisa Dennett is doing "Women Of Influence" at the Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 9, 2017 (8pm): Joan Jaffe is performing in Parnell's Spotlight Night, 350 E 53rd Street, NYC

Friday, September 15, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Saturday, September 23, 2017 (7pm): Steve Bustamante is doing a show celebrating his 50th birthday at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC!

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 (7:15pm): Ira Lee Collings is performing "Life Ia A Song So Why Not Sing It" plus weed songs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 2, 2017 (7:15pm): Ira Lee Collings is performing "Life Ia A Song So Why Not Sing It" plus weed songs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 6, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ritt Henn at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 16, 2017 (6pm): Opening night of the Cabaret Convention features Jacob Storms and Tanya Moberly - Rose Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street.

Friday, October 27, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ian Herman at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 29, 2017 (7:15pm): Ira Lee Collings is performing "Life Ia A Song So Why Not Sing It" plus weed songs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 3 - Sunday, November 19, 2017Candice Oden is appearing in the play "Jack Goes Boating" at The Seeing Place Theater, 64 E 4th St (Basement Theater), NYC.

Friday, November 17, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Mark Janas at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.


NEXT SALON! Sunday, August 20, 2017, IT'S OUR 12TH ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!  Our co-hosts will be THE ETCETERETTES!!!

We'll see you then!


Candice Oden
Guest "Blogette" for The Salon
Questions or Additions? Email me.

Monday, August 7, 2017

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 6, 2017: "Multiple Personalities"

We were thrilled to welcome founder and host, Mark Janas, back to The Salon for a rousing evening with the theme, "Multiple Personalities." I had a lot of fun brainstorming about which song to sing - I kept finding that many songs were about thinking one thing and doing another, and I was excited to hear what our singers would come up with!

Before I talk about the evening, I wanted to take this time to give special thanks to Salon Sponsor, Father Jeff Hamblin, who was with The Salon for the last time before he heads out for retirement! Father Jeff is moving to Florida, and though we're very sad to be losing him from New York City we are so very happy for him. And as he sang his song for us tonight - "The White Cliffs of Dover" - he pledged his support for The Salon in the coming year despite his absence. We count ourselves incredibly lucky to have the support of such wonderful people.

This week's Co-Host was 2-Time MAC Award Nominee Dorothy Bishop! This dynamic singer/comedian brought all kinds of personalities to the stage, beginning with a costume change into "Big Spender" from Sweet Charity.  She then changes costumes "The World Goes Round" with able assistance by her adorable chihuahua, Luther (who howled his own high notes, though not when he was put on the spot!) For her mid- show set she donned a blonde wig and sang an original parody of "Defying Gravity" as Kristin Chenoweth. At the end of the night, Dorothy - complete with a personality-filled accent and a very sedate dog in her arms - closed with a novelty song that Josephine Baker made famous, "Don't Touch My Tomatoes."

Dorothy returns to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC 10010 – on August 25th at 9:30pm with THE DOZEN DIVAS. (Also October 30th & December 15th at 9:30pm). For more information: www.dorothybishop.com

Co-Host: Dorothy Bishop (here as Shirley Bassey!)
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

All week as host Mark Janas was thinking about Classical Corner, he started free associating with composers and their moods and persuasions, starting with Chopin who is one of his favorites. He looked in the NY Times and lo and behold there was an article that perfectly encapsulated Mark's passion for Chopin as well as his own life as a pianist. Mark proceeded to read from the article and stopped occasionally to tell stories from his past and give examples on the piano.

I wish I could have been able to record this evening for you, because Mark was quite spectacular and we learned a great deal. But I'm grateful that you can have a least a little experience of the evening by reading the article here, which comes with its own piano examples sprinkled throughout: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/04/arts/music/jeremy-denk-chopin.html

Thank you Mark for always coming up with innovative ways for our audiences to learn about the foundations of music. And thank you to producer, Tanya Moberly, for always keeping a tightly run event so that we have time to luxuriate in such a fantastic segment each week.


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.



Co-Host: Dorothy Bishop
Louisa Lee
Richard Becker
Ruth Carlin
Rob Tipton (also on piano)
Edie Stokes (also on piano)
Sally Darling (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
Annie LeBeaux (also on piano)
David Ballard
Zach Wobensmith
Erin Cronican
Marnie Klar
Classical Corner: Mark Janas (on piano)

BREAK

Co-Host: Dorothy Bishop
Tanya Moberly
Father Jeff Hamblin
Joan Jaffe (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Michael Bean (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Jesse Luttrell
Encore: Louisa Lee
Encore: Richard Becker (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Encore: Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)
Encore: Zach Wobensmith
Encore: Erin Cronican
Co-Host: Dorothy Bishop


Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Mark JanasMatthew Martin Ward, Rob Tipton, Annie LeBeaux, and Edie Stokes!

Thank you to this evening's videographer, Michael Stever, to Zach Wobensmith on lights and sound, and to David Ballard and our amazing waitstaff!


Ongoing Shows:

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

Tuesdays (7:30pm) this summer: Tanya Moberly is judging Mama's Next Big Act at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC, and a few of our regular Salon members are taking part!


Upcoming Shows:

Tuesdays and Saturdays 2017: Louisa Lee performs with the Rick Bogart Quinetet at the Flatiron Hotel, Broadway and 26th St, NYC.

Saturdays 2017: Edie Stokes performs at brunch time at Chez Josephine, NYC.

Monday, August 7, 2017: Zach Wobensmith is appearing in, "Drunk Musicals Presents: Thoroughly Drunken Millie" at the West End Lounge, 955 West End Ave, NYC.

Thursday, August 10, 2017: Robin Kradles is appearing in, "Gambling On Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, August 25, 2017 (9:30pm): Dorothy Bishop is bringing her show "The Dozen Divas" to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Saturday, September 9, 2017 (8pm): Joan Jaffe is performing in Parnell's Spotlight Night, 350 E 53rd Street, NYC

Friday, September 15, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, September 18, 2017 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz hosts the latest installment in her series "It's Just a Number," (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St, NYC.

Saturday, September 23, 2017Adam B. Shapiro is directing Steve Bustamante's solo show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 6, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ritt Henn at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 16, 2017 (6pm): Opening night of the Cabaret Convention features Adam B. Shapiro and Tanya Moberly - Rose Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar is performing her brand new show, "Bedtime Stories", directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 27, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ian Herman at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 30, 2017 (9:30pm): Dorothy Bishop is bringing her show "The Dozen Divas" to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Friday, November 3 - Sunday, November 19, 2017Erin Cronican is appearing in the play "Jack Goes Boating" at The Seeing Place Theater, 64 E 4th St (Basement Theater), NYC.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 (7pm): Marnie Klar is performing her brand new show, "Bedtime Stories", directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 10, 2017  (7pm): Marnie Klar is performing her brand new show, "Bedtime Stories", directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 17, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Mark Janas at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 8, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Steven Ray Watkins at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 9, 2017  (4pm): Marnie Klar is performing her brand new show, "Bedtime Stories", directed by Tanya Moberly, at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 15, 2017 (9:30pm): Dorothy Bishop is bringing her show "The Dozen Divas" to The Metropolitan Room – 34 West 22nd St, NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.


NEXT SALON! Sunday, August 13, 2017, the theme of the evening will be "Seek And Ye Shall Find" with your co-host, Jacob Storms.

We'll see you then!


Erin Cronican
"Blogette" for The Salon
Questions or Additions? Email me.