This week's Salon was warm and cozy and full of merriment. We were thrilled to find that Mark Janas's partner, longtime Salon supporter David Gillam, had made commemorative ornaments for all of the Salon visitors to take home with this. This has become a wonderful tradition, one that makes The Salon a special and unique experience for all who attend.
Our Co-Host was Bronwyn Rucker! Bronwyn started by getting the audience to sing along with an upbeat, "We Need a Little Christmas." For her mid-show set, she did a Stars trio, starting with "Stardust", then moving on to, "Lost In The Stars" and one of my favorite Christmas songs (probably due to the movie "Love Actually," "Catch a Falling Star." To close out the evening, she enticed the audience to sing with her again with, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
Bronwyn will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – on December 22nd at 7pm in Bronwyn Rucker’s Annual Christmas Show. For more information: www.donttellmamamnyc.com
Our Co-Host was Bronwyn Rucker! Bronwyn started by getting the audience to sing along with an upbeat, "We Need a Little Christmas." For her mid-show set, she did a Stars trio, starting with "Stardust", then moving on to, "Lost In The Stars" and one of my favorite Christmas songs (probably due to the movie "Love Actually," "Catch a Falling Star." To close out the evening, she enticed the audience to sing with her again with, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
Bronwyn will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – on December 22nd at 7pm in Bronwyn Rucker’s Annual Christmas Show. For more information: www.donttellmamamnyc.com
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| Co-Host Bronwyn Rucker! |
Salon Spotlight
Our Salon Spotlight featured MAC, Bistro & Nightlife Award Winner Gretchen Reinhagen! She was accompanied by the always lovely and very talented, Tracy Stark.
Gretchen started her set with an earnest and hilarious "Sara Lee." She talked a little bit about her show, "I Blame Paleo" which started as a social media hashtag. She explained that there have been a lot of ridiculous things that have happened to her, and she's not unconvinced that it's due to her Paleo diet. For her second song, she shared another song recorded by Kaye Ballard - "Fly Me To The Moon." It was a lovely arrangement which had me hearing the song in a whole new way.
For her final song, she took on the entire passenger experience with "The Airplane Medley", a group of flight themed songs like, "Come Fly With Me", "Should The Need Arise" and "What Do We Do, We Fly." The medley was at times touching and often times hilarious. Is this is any indication, you're in for a great time if you see her show.
Gretchen will be at Don’t Tell Mama – 343 West 46th St, NYC 10036 – on December 19th at 7pm in #IBLAMEPALEO. For more information: www.donttellmamanyc.com
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| Salon Spotlight: Gretchen Reinhagen |
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner
To start Classical Corner, Mark asked, "What is it about Christmas music?" He told a story about a time in high school when he and a group of friends went to carol for a friend's mother who was in the hospital. After seeing the faces of all of the residents he realized that performing live is far different than the radio, especially for the listener. A few years later he asked some high school alumni to join him for caroling during the holidays, and 40-50 people responded. And he continued year after year, even as he went through college. By the time 6 years had passed, he had a 80 piece choir and 8 piece brass ensemble and were traveling to 4 hospitals.
Mark said that one major event that transpired December 16 was the anniversary of Beethoven's birth. So he decided that for this week's Classical Corner he would do a mashup of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Christmas songs like "Joy To The World" and "Carol of the Bells." It put the audiences in a perfectly festive mood!
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: Bronwyn Rucker
Barb Malley
Rob Davis
Richard Eisenberg (also on piano)
Bob Diamond
David Ballard
Angela Leone
Erin Cronican
Carole Demas
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas
Salon Spotlight: Gretchen Reinhagen (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Classical Corner: Mark Janas
BREAK
Rafael Martinez (with Gretchen Reinhagen on piano)
Shannon Daley (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Tracy Stark (also on piano)
Bob Diamond (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas
Barb Malley
Rob Davis
Richard Eisenberg
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Gretchen Reinhagen (with Tracy Stark on piano) performs "I Blame Paleo" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in"Famous Duets II" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.
Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.
Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Rob Davis is performing, "A Sinatra Kind of Holiday Show" at Pangea, 178 2nd Avenue, NYC
Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Bronwyn Rucker is doing her annual "Bronwyn's Christmas Show" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24, 2017 (4:30pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Heather in the Off-Broadway musical, SISTAS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)
Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 29, 2017 (8pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Samantha in the Off-Broadway musical, THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)
Sunday, December 31, 2017: David Ballard is performing in "Bazazz! A Sequined Review" on New Year's Eve at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, January 13, 2018 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, January 19, 2017 (8pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Eden in the Off-Broadway musical, THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)
Monday, January 22, 2018 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, January 27, 2018 (1pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
Sunday, February 4, 2018 (1pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
Thursday February 8, 2018 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, February 8, 2018 (7pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
Saturday February 10, 2018 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, February 17, 2018 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Spring 2018: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back their show "Love, Lust, and Longing" - stay tuned for more!
WE'RE OFF THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS:
We wish you the very happiest of holidays, and we'll see you January 7, 2018 with our co-host Niki Sorentino and the theme, "Let's Hear It For The Girls."
Written by Erin Cronican
To start Classical Corner, Mark asked, "What is it about Christmas music?" He told a story about a time in high school when he and a group of friends went to carol for a friend's mother who was in the hospital. After seeing the faces of all of the residents he realized that performing live is far different than the radio, especially for the listener. A few years later he asked some high school alumni to join him for caroling during the holidays, and 40-50 people responded. And he continued year after year, even as he went through college. By the time 6 years had passed, he had a 80 piece choir and 8 piece brass ensemble and were traveling to 4 hospitals.
Mark said that one major event that transpired December 16 was the anniversary of Beethoven's birth. So he decided that for this week's Classical Corner he would do a mashup of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Christmas songs like "Joy To The World" and "Carol of the Bells." It put the audiences in a perfectly festive mood!
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: Bronwyn Rucker
Barb Malley
Rob Davis
Richard Eisenberg (also on piano)
Bob Diamond
David Ballard
Angela Leone
Erin Cronican
Carole Demas
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas
Salon Spotlight: Gretchen Reinhagen (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Classical Corner: Mark Janas
BREAK
Co-Host: Bronwyn Rucker
Tanya MoberlyRafael Martinez (with Gretchen Reinhagen on piano)
Shannon Daley (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Tracy Stark (also on piano)
Bob Diamond (with Tracy Stark on piano)
Sarah Rice and Carole Demas
Barb Malley
Rob Davis
Richard Eisenberg
David Ballard
Erin Cronican
Co-Host: Bronwyn Rucker
Special thanks to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, the amazing David Ballard & our waitstaff, and the management at Etcetera Etcetera,.
Ongoing:
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.
Upcoming Shows:
December 18-23, 2017 (Times Vary): WINTER RHYTHMS CONCERT SERIES at Urban Stages. 20+ Shows, 100+ Artists. Cabaret, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and more to Benefit arts & Education. Come celebrate the holidays by giving to a good cause and seeing some of your Salon friends perform! Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director. Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.
Ongoing:
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shanghai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC.
Upcoming Shows:
December 18-23, 2017 (Times Vary): WINTER RHYTHMS CONCERT SERIES at Urban Stages. 20+ Shows, 100+ Artists. Cabaret, Musical Theatre, Jazz, and more to Benefit arts & Education. Come celebrate the holidays by giving to a good cause and seeing some of your Salon friends perform! Peter Napolitano, Producer/Director. Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.
Monday, December 18, 2017: Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Gretchen Reinhagen (with Tracy Stark on piano) performs "I Blame Paleo" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly is appearing in"Famous Duets II" Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Concert Series, Urban Stages, 259 West 30th St, NYC.
Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Matthew Martin Ward will present his show "After the Fair" at the Winter Rhythms Festival - at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.
Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Rob Davis is performing, "A Sinatra Kind of Holiday Show" at Pangea, 178 2nd Avenue, NYC
Thursday, December 21, 2017 (7pm): Bronwyn Rucker is doing her annual "Bronwyn's Christmas Show" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday & Sunday, December 23 & 24, 2017 (4:30pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Heather in the Off-Broadway musical, SISTAS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)
Friday, December 29, 2017 (7pm): Tanya Moberly and Sean Harkness are appearing at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 29, 2017 (8pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Samantha in the Off-Broadway musical, THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)
Sunday, December 31, 2017: David Ballard is performing in "Bazazz! A Sequined Review" on New Year's Eve at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, January 13, 2018 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, January 19, 2017 (8pm): Erin Cronican is going on for the role of Eden in the Off-Broadway musical, THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS, at St Luke's Theater on West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue.)
Monday, January 22, 2018 (7pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, January 27, 2018 (1pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
Sunday, February 4, 2018 (1pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
Thursday February 8, 2018 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, February 8, 2018 (7pm): Sarah Rice and Carole Demas are bringing back their Tribute to Jones & Schmidt to the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street, NYC.
Saturday February 10, 2018 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams, with Tanya Moberly directing and Ian Herman at the piano, performs "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, February 17, 2018 (4pm): Marnie Klar performs "Bedtime Stories" (directed by Tanya Moberly with Stephen Ray Watkins at the piano) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.
Spring 2018: Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward bring back their show "Love, Lust, and Longing" - stay tuned for more!
WE'RE OFF THE NEXT TWO SUNDAYS:
We wish you the very happiest of holidays, and we'll see you January 7, 2018 with our co-host Niki Sorentino and the theme, "Let's Hear It For The Girls."
Written by Erin Cronican
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