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!
Side notes:
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!
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| 12 years ago...we've come a long way! |
- 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.
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
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)
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:
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, October 27, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Ian Herman 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.
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!
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.
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
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
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