Tuesday, August 14, 2018

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 12, 2018: "Location, Location, Location."


It was a true treat at Etcetera, Etcetera, which became the epicenter of fun, joy, laughs and lots of musical travels on Sunday night. The theme was "Location, Location, Location," and last night the place to be was THERE. Our Co-Host was two time Grammy nominated composer, arranger producer, Larry Kerchner. He brought with him a wonderful group of co-inhabitants on the stage to share in the festivities, and his "Love is Love" single was given with each purchase of his new CD  "Swingin' It," which features newly composed tunes performed in a retro swing style.  A three piece band was on hand to jump in and accompany many of the performers; Tex Arnold (piano), Tom Hubbard (bass) and Ray Marchica (drums), so we had an incredible swinging sound!

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Up first was Uptown," sung by Dennis Chiccino from Larry's new CD. With Tex, Tom and Ray backing Dennis' hot swing vocals, it was toe-tapping and amazing. Then, sweet and saucy Marissa Mulder performed the hilariously sultry "You're Gettin' to Me." For the second half, Mark Nadler took to the microphone! With Tex, Tom and Ray backing him up, Mark burst into "Iowa," a cleverly funny and bouncy song (written by Larry) admitting how his Jewish upbringing never quite fit in with his fellow country club neighbor members. Grateful for the next song, Mark sang the wistful and waltzing "It Was Paris," written by Larry after his wife and he waited two years after their wedding to have an official honeymoon in the famous city of lights. Our own Tanya Moberly then got up to sing a live version of a previously recorded song, "Mama Was a Working Girl," which reminded Larry of his time hanging out at 8th avenue and 42nd street. Nina Hennessy finished the evening up, first smoothly performing a dreamy song with samba rhythms "Stay With Me." Then she brought us to the location "where the music takes you" and took us home with the hot-tempo'd song "Hot Tambu."

Salon Spotlight

Tony nominee, MAC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and freshly back from performing in California, our Salon Spotlight was none-other than Sharon McNight! With Mark Janas at the piano, she started out with "Meantime" which she performs a lot at memorial services (she says). With ooodles of sass, a sultry voice coupled by powerful mezzo belt, she sashayed from verse to verse with lots of character spice and growly attitude. Next up, she brought up a conversation she once had with Margaret Whiting (on how Sophie Tucker was her godmother) while she herself was performing a Sophie Tucker show. She then performed a song by Mary Liz McNamara, "Haiku" (a hilarious bluesy song often used to check the intelligence level of the audience, so watch out). Sharon is working on a new show (with 3 musicians and 5 other cast members with her!), so keep an eye out for more information. Sharon obviously enjoys performing as or music inspired by strong women, and she next performed a song about Mary Jane - otherwise known as "Mae West" - which then segued cleverly into "Everybody's Girl" from Steel Pier, complete with a fabulous Mae impersonation including patter and jokes.

"Gone But Not Forgotten" about a bunch of sassy ladies in McNight's world, will perform at The Rrazz Room in New Hope on Saturday, August 18th at 8pm.

Sharon McNight
Quick Wrap - Classical Corner

Well, this isn't quite a quick wrap, but a long voyage from one place to the next through Mark's Classical Corner. Mark started by quickly playing the opening to "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin, introducing his first interpretation of "Location" - New York City! Music inspires a location by evoking a place and time, bringing about almost a sensual deja vu to the listener.  He then played a snippet of "Moonlight Sonata First Movement" by Beethoven from Op. 27, no. 2, although it never evokes moonlight to Mark. Instead, to him moonlight evokes a lighter feeling - "Claire de Lune" from Suite Bergemasque by Debussy (1890) does create the idea of moonlight for Mark. It's more of a location in the imagination rather than literal. Mark then played the full "Fugue V, D major" by Johan Sebastian Bach from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier (The Well-Tempered Clavier), in which Mark recognizes the Baroque style of letting the separation of notes (less legato) and how ornamentation (falling notes) would often get a trill, and double-dots were often thrown in. Listening to this work, one can imagine the location of the grand ballrooms and the space in which the dancers of Mozart's time would be snootily prancing about.

The second kind of location is where the composer specifically tells us where it's taking place within the piece. Beethoven's Pastorale Symphony VI, Mvt ii is named "By The Brook," and brings about the feeling of flowing water and natural beauty of a babbling brook well. Mark played "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from Peer Gynt, suite No1 by Edvard Grieg - the familiar darkly sinister and bouncingly sly music. Maurice Ravel wrote "Ondine, Mvt i" written from a poem by Aloysius Bertrand (1842); this poem is about a mermaid paints a beautiful but dangerous lake setting, with a gorgeous twinkle of waves and glistening water. Mark also brought up "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" by Strauss (brings up the location of the river, but also the imagery of Vienna). The "New World Symphony, Mvt ii" by Anton Dvorak wrote for America - the New World - reflects his adventures during his first visit to the 'states.

And then there's the third connection one might make between music and location: the personal one. Music flows in and out of our lives and can spark memories of places, people, and experiences.
Mark played in full the piece "Kresleriana, Mvt I" by Robert Schuman, Op 16 (1838), which brings to him a specific memory of when he was a kid in College in his doorm room at Indiana University in the 70s (you can make your assumption here). This piece showed off two themes - fiery and demure that are different elements under the same tempi. Mark then played a bit of "Prelude No. 15 in Db"/"Raindrop" by Chopin, Op 28, which is a beautiful piece but brings to Mark a memory of George Sand, who experienced consumption in Majorca, Spain. Continuing with Spain, Mark then finished his Classical Corner with a "Malaguena; Suite Andalucia, Mvt vi" by Ernesto Lecuona (1933); this harkens him back a wonderful experience seeing a local guitarist in Malaga, on the coast of Spain.

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: Larry Kerchner introduction
Dennis Chiccino (with Tex Arnold on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums)
Marissa Mulder (with Tex Arnold on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums)
Sierra Rein (with Bill Zeffiro on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums)
Maureen Taylor (with Stephen Silverstein on piano)
Sandra Bene (with Tex Arnold on piano)
Bobbie Horowitz
Ira Lee Collings
Lou Iacovino
Emily Ellet (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Marnie Klar
Annie Lebeaux (self on piano)
Maureen Taylor
Salon Spotlight: Sharon McNight
Classical Corner
BREAK
Co-Host: Larry Kerchner
Mark Nadler (with Tex Arnold on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums)
Tanya Moberly (with Tex Arnold on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums)
Richard Eisenberg (with Tex Arnold on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums)
Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Sally Darling and Matthew Martin Ward (with Matthew Martin Ward at the piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (self on piano)
Ann Dawson
David Ballard
Laura Hart (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Angela Leona (with Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Bill Zeffiro (self on piano)
Co-Host: Larry Kerchner
Nina Hennessy (with Tex Arnold on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass and Ray Marchica on drums)

Special thanks to tonight's musicians: Mark Janas, Bill Zeffiro, Stephen Silverstein, Tex Arnold, Tom Hubbard, Ray Marchica and Matthew Martin Ward. Also thanks to David Ballard on lights and sound, and the amazing waitstaff and management at Etcetera Etcetera.

Performances coming up by guests of this evening's Salon:

Ongoing Performances:

Tuesdays (6pm-9:30pm): Annie Lebeaux performs at The Townhouse Bar of New York, 236 E 58th St NYC.

Upcoming Shows:

Wednesday August 15, 2018: Laura Hart and Bill Zeffiro perform at La Rivista, 313 W 46th, NYC.

Thursday, August 16, 2018 (7pm): Janice Hall, Sierra Rein, Sarah Rice, Julie Reyburn, and others with Musical Director Matthew Martin Ward will be part of the third installment of Stephen Hanks's "Cabaret Campaigns: Ride The Blue Wave 2018!" (Donate/Info) at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday August 17, 2018: Laura Hart and Bill Zeffiro perform at La Rivista, 313 W 46th, NYC.

Friday, August 18, 2018 (8pm): Sharon McNight in "Gone But Not Forgotten" at the Rrazz Room in New Hope, PA - 6426 Lower York Road.

Saturday, August 19, 2018: Laura Hart and Bill Zeffiro perform at La Rivista, 313 W 46th, NYC.

Friday, August 31, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly will be a part of Ricky Ritzel's Broadway at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, September 7, 2018 (7pm): 2017 Metrostar Challenge winner Emily Ellet (with Jeff Cubeta as Musical Director and Stearns Matthews, Director) brings her debut show "Uncharted" back to the Triad, 158 West 72nd Street, NYC. 

Wednesday, September 12, 2018 (7pm): "The Cabaret Theater Workshop" taught by Peter Napolitano and Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, September 13, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 15, 2018 (4pm): Angela Leone returns with her CD Release Presentation at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 22, 2018 (2pm): Sierra Rein returns to The Laurie Beechman Theater with "Running in Place" with Bill Zeffiro, Matt Scharfglass, and Rex Benincasa - Directed by James Beaman. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.

Sunday, September 23, 2018 (5:30pm): Ira Lee Collings opens his new show, "Naked from the Waist Up," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 (9:30pm): Sierra Rein returns to The Laurie Beechman Theater with "Running in Place" with Bill Zeffiro, Matt Scharfglass, and Rex Benincasa - Directed by James Beaman. The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 407 W 42nd St, NYC.

Saturday, September 29, 2018 (3:30pm): "The Cabaret Theater Workshop" taught by Peter Napolitano and Matthew Martin Ward at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, September 30, 2018 (7:30pm)Ira Lee Collings  performs "Naked from the Waist Up," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC

Tuesday, October 2, 2018 (7pm)Ira Lee Collings  does it "Naked from the Waist Up," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 (6pm): Meg Flather, Karen Oberlin, Marissa Mulder, and Nancy McGraw will appear on the opening night of the Cabaret Convention, at Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 15, 2018 (7pm)Ira Lee Collings closes "Naked from the Waist Up," at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, October 16 (7pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform a Jimmy Kennedy show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 18, 2018 (7pm): Bobbie Horowitz presents "It's Just a Number" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 19, 2018 (9:30pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, October 25, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 26, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, November 5, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 10, 2018 (1pm):
"Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 12, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 16, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 17, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, November 29, 2018 (7pm):
Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 1, 2018 (5pm): Tanya Moberly directs "She Bangs She Bangs," written and performed by Jennifer Bangs at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 7, 2018 (7pm): "Marnie Klar Sings Bobbie Gentry" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 9, 2018 (3:30pm): Frances O'Flynn and Matthew Martin Ward perform a Jimmy Kennedy show at Don't Tell Mama, 345 W 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, December 10, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 13, 2018 (7pm):
Tanya Moberly directs Kendra Cunningham in "This Could Be You" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 29, 2018 (7pm): "Sally Darling Sings Beatrice Lillie" with Matthew Martin Ward, Music Director at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 30, 2018 (7pm): Tanya Moberly directs "Lisa Viggiano Sings Bruce on Restaurant Row" at Don't Tell Mama, 345 West 46th Street, NYC.

NEXT SALON! - Sunday, August 19th, 2018:
Mazel Tov! Salon turns 13 this year, and on hand for "Salon’s Bar Mitzvah – 13 Years Of Music and Magic!" To Co-Host for the evening will be as many Etceterettes as the Salon stage can handle (I'll be sending my 'L'Chaims' from afar as I visit California). Special gifts and fun will take place throughout the evening!

- Sierra Rein
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