The Salon Wrap-Up for December 12, 2021: "Stoned For The Holidays" with Stone & Stone

 

 Stone & Stone

Adam and Todd Stone twins have performed in many of the largest comedy clubs in the U.S., including Caroline's on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, The Laugh Factory, New York Friars' Club, Stand-Up NY and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Each month, the Stones host the long-running live show, Stone and Stone, at the People's Improv Theater. The Stones are both members of the New York Friars' Club. In February 2008, judges Steve Schirripa and Richard Belzer selected Stone and Stone to advance to the Last Comic Standing, Season 6 semi-finals in Las Vegas.

To start tonight's event...

Our Co-Hosts, Adam Stone & Todd Stone, kicked us off with a hilarious overlapping opening set where neither got a word in edgewise for a while! We learned who is married and who is not, and the hilarious name of the spouse. And then, these first time Co-hosts made it all look easy.

In the second set, Adam graciously—well, after a few acting tips for his brother Todd on what to do with his hands--turned the mic over to Todd to sing a classical song…O Sole Mio. But first Todd, who has only recently come out, confessed he had fallen in love with Marnie Klar after she sang in the first set. (Who wouldn’t?) So he had his lyrics in hand, but had to keep stopping his song to confess his love for Marnie and then tell us about the lyrics of the song.

Stone and Stone Live - Voices on the Hudson

You can see Stone & Stone when they perform at City Vineyard at Pier 26, on Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 7:30 PM

Mark Janas/Classical Corner

Mark spoke of his upcoming engagement as Musical Director/Arranger/Pianist for: “Kathleen Turner: Finding My Voice.”

Finding My Voice takes audiences on a remarkable behind-the-scenes journey of Kathleen Turner’s extensive and well-documented career. Peppered with songs from the great American songbook, Kathleen Turner croons hits including “It’s Only a Paper Moon," “I’d Rather Be Sailing," “On the Street Where You Live," and “Every Time We Say Goodbye," showcasing her trademark husky voice.

Directed by Andy Gale, Finding My Voice features musical direction, arrangements and accompaniment from Mark Janas.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 • 8:00pm 

The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, NYC

Information at thetownhall.org

ALSO! Mark will be bringing back "Mark Janas Classical Corner" - a full show of teaching and celebration of classical music - to Don't Tell Mama in the new year.  

Special Guests Beth Falcone and Ritt Henn

Tonight, Special Guest Beth Falcone performed selections from her Upcoming Concert with her hubby, Ritt Henn. You can see "Beth & Ritt's 6th Annual Holiday Survival Kit Live!" at the Triad Theater, 158 West 72nd Street, New York, NY, on Sunday 12/19, at 2:30 pm.

Roster of Performers for the Evening (in order of appearance): 

All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Co-Hosts Stone & Stone
Ira Lee Collings
Bobbie Horowitz
Bob Simonello
Michael Colby
Graeme Lister
Liora Michelle, Bill Zeffiro piano
Frances O’Flynn (Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Jeff Flaster (Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward
Ann Talman
Marnie Klar

Classical Corner

Co-Hosts Stone & Stone

Special Guest Beth Falcone (Ritt Henn on bass)
Tanya Moberly
Debbie Kane Raymar
Goldie Dver (Bill Zeffiro on piano)
Bill Zeffiro
Barbara Malley
Richard Eisenberg
Dr. Susan Horowitz
Bennett Silverstein
Co-Hosts Stone & Stone 

Special thanks to Salon Host and pianist Mark Janas, producer Tanya Moberly, bassist Ritt Henn, and additional fantastic pianists Bill Zeffiro and Matthew Martin Ward.

Thanks also to Ernie Bird on lights and sound, and to the wonderful waitstaff (KJ!) and thoughtful management at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, a big thank you to our videographer for the evening, the amazing Steve Bustamante. And thank you to the amazing David Gilliam for the wonderful Holiday Swag Bags!

Upcoming Shows

Mark will be bringing back "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" - a full show of teaching and celebration of classical music - to Don't Tell Mama in the New Year, 2022.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in "Marnie Klar: A Woman's Prerogative" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 (7pm)-Matthew Martin Ward music directs Christine Pedi's in "Snowbiz" at The Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 Mark Janas with Kathleen Turner, " Finding My Voice. at Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, NYC.

Friday, December 17, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 18, 2021 (2pm) – Lina Koutrakos “HOLIDAY CHEER” from The Advanced Saturday Performance Workshop at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC

Saturday, December 18, 2021 (5pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 19, 2021 (2:30 pm): "Beth & Ritt's 6th Annual Holiday Survival Kit Live!" at the Triad Theater, 158 West 72nd Street, New York, NY.

January 25, 2022:  Lynda Rodolitz sings in Susie Mosher's Lineup at Birdland 2, 315 West 44th Street, NYC

January 27, 2022: Lynda Rodolitz, performs in Singnasium's CabLab at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, February 17th, 2022 (7:30pm): see Stone & Stone Live--Voices on the Hudson, at City Vineyard at Pier 26. Merrill Stone show February! She is Mom to Stone and Stone too.

February, 2022: Mary Lahti will be performing her show: "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda" at Don't Tell Mama.

February, March and April, 2022: Jeff Flaster will be performing his show: "Take The Moment" with Matthew Martin Ward, music director.

Thursday, March 31, 2022 (9:45pm): Ann Talman will debut her show "The Shadow of Her Smile" at Feinstein’ 54 Below. Tickets

Mark your calendars - Upcoming Salons in 2022:

January 16, 2022 Theme: Oh, What A Beautiful Morning – The Songs Of Rogers & Hammerstein / Co-Host: Meg Flather

January 30, 2022 Theme: TBA / Co-Host: Sean Patrick Murtagh

February 6, 2022 Theme: TBA / Co-Host: Warren Schein

February 20, 2022 Theme: Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda-Songs of Regret / Co-Host: Mary Lahti


Posted by Ann Talman 

The Salon Wrap-Up for November 21, 2021:

 

Sunday, October 31, 2021

The Salon Wrap-Up for November 21, 2021: 

 

Deborah Zecher

"Favorite Carols": with Deborah Zecher

Deborah Zecher brings her new cabaret show—Jewish Caroling:  The Music of Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager and Carolyn Leigh to Don’t Tell Mama on December 1 at 7 pm, December 5 at 4 pm and December 8 at 7 pm.

Jewish Caroling celebrates the work of these three extraordinary songwriters who are all Jewish women with (more or less) the same first name.  Carole King’s Tapestry celebrates the 50^th anniversary of its release in 2021 and the songs are as beloved today as they were 50 years ago.  Carole Bayer Sager is renowned for having collaborated with just about everyone in show business and Carolyn Leigh has given us some great American standards like Witchcraft and The Best is Yet to come.  Despite the name, Jewish Caroling is not about all the Jewish songwriters who have written Christmas carols.

Don’t Tell Mama is located at 343 West 46^th Street.  Reservations online at donttellmamanyc.come or 212-757-0788 after 4 PM.  Proof of vaccination required.  There is a $20 cover charge and a 2 drink minimum.  Cash only.  $15 for MAC members.  Lennie Watts directs and music direction is by Tracy Stark.  Joining Deborah and Tracy on stage is Matt Scharfglass on bass and David Silliman on drums.

For 35 years, Deborah Zecher served as a rabbi and often cantor in Reform congregations in NY, Washington, DC and the Berkshires. She was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in NY in 1982, becoming one of the first 50 women rabbis.  She has recorded two CDs of liturgical music with her synagogue choir in Great Barrington, MA.  Years ago, she enrolled in an adult cabaret class at the Berkshire Music School and her love for the world of cabaret was born.  Her first NYC cabaret show, ON PURPOSE, was nominated for a MAC Award and broadwayworld.com award for best debut.  

She has created and performed a number of Jewish-themed cabaret shows for her synagogue and other Jewish communities around the Northeast and was the producer and one of the performers in Warm Up the Winter, an annual concert that has raised almost $100,000 for fuel assistance for the Southern Berkshire community since its inception in 2009.  She participated in the National Cabaret Conference at Yale University in 2006 where she was mentored by such cabaret luminaries as Julie Wilson, Amanda McBroom and Sharon McNight; in 2017, she was chosen as a Senior Fellow at the O’Neill Conference Center.  She is an enthusiastic student at Singnasium, a cabaret and performance program directed by Lennie Watts.

Lennie Watts is a 14 time MAC, 5 time Backstage Bistro, 3 time Nightlife and a 2014 Broadway World Award winner.  He is the only person ever to receive awards as an outstanding vocalist, director, producer and booking manager.  He has been active in the New York cabaret scene for over 25 years.  In addition to directing many cabaret shows, he is the artistic director of Singnasium.

Tracy Stark is an award-winning music director and composer, having worked with an extensive list of NY singers.  She has released three CD’s of her original compositions.  

Deborah Zecher performs her solo cabaret show Jewish Caroling:   The Music of Carole King, Carole Bayer Sager and Carolyn Leigh at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 West 46^th Street on Wednesday, December 1 at 7 PM,2 Sunday, December 5 at 4 PM and Wednesday, December 8 at 7 PM.  Donttellmamanyc.com or 212-757-0788 for reservations.

To start tonight's event...

Our Co-Host: Deborah Zecher

Roster of Performers for the Evening (in order of appearance): 
Click the link to visit the performer’s website or other links, as available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.
Followed by: 

Michael Colby

Bobbie Horowitz

Scott Raneri 

Graeme Lister

Mary Lahti

Eve Fleishman

Jaye Maynard-blogette

Marnie Klar-mamette

Mark Janas Classical Corner*

Second Set:

Deborah Zecher

Tanya Moberly

Jeff  Flaster with Matthew Martin Ward

Matthew Martin Ward

Goldie Dver

Marge Helenchild

Lynda Rodolitz

David Ballard

Debby Zecher

*Mark Janas/Classical Corner 

Cherubundi/Cherry Juice-super powers chased his arthritis away! 

Mark  spoke of his  self-coaching and working on his musical chops to keep limber during the pandemic. In particular:

Three Etudes

Fantasie Impromptu

Black Keys Etude

Revolutionary Etude

Studying Chopin's etudes, and these three in particular Mark has curated them into a perfect set.  Playing without interruption. 

The strife was present  and palpable in the last piece in particular.  This bass and lower end notes connected to him with feelings of social and political unrest then and realized in present day as he was practicing in his Greenwich Village home studio, he heard the strains of the Black Lives Matter marches wending their way up and down the avenues.  Prescient, indeed. 

Mark will be  bringing back "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" - a full show of teaching and celebration of classical music - to Don't Tell Mama in the new year. 

Special thanks to Salon Host and lead pianist Mark Janas, Producer Tanya Moberly, and additional fantastic pianists 

Thanks also to David Ballard on lights and sound, and to the wonderful waitstaff (KJ!) and thoughtful management at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, a big thank you to our videographer for the evening, the amazing Ruben Olvera.

Upcoming Shows

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in "Marnie Klar: A Woman's Prerogative" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 (7pm)-Deborah Zecher's "Jewish Caroling: The Music of Carole King,Carole Bayer Sager and Carolyn Leigh," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday,  December 3, 2021 (7pm) Graeme Lister's "Femme Fatale's and Other Distractions" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 5, 2021 ( 3pm ) Scott Raneri's "Extra, Extra!" at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street, NYC. 

Sunday, December 5, 2021 (4pm)-Deborah Zecher's "Jewish Caroling: The Music of Carole King,Carole Bayer Sager and Carolyn Leigh," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 (8:30-10:00 pm) Birdland 2, 315 West 44th Street, NYC, Jaye Maynard sings in Susie Mosher's Lineup hosted by Klea Blackhurst. 

Thursday, December 8, 2021 (7pm)-Deborah Zecher's "Jewish Caroling: The Music of Carole King,Carole Bayer Sager and Carolyn Leigh," at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 (7pm)-Michael Colby and Gerald Jay Markoe's "Ludlow Ladd" In Concert, Urban Stages, Ovation Tickets.

Friday, December 10, 2021 ( 7pm)-Matthew Martin Ward music directs Christine Ped's in "Snowbiz" at The Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street.

Sunday, December 11, 2021 (2pm)-Michael Colby and Gerald Jay Markoe's "Ludlow Ladd" In Concert, Urban Stages, Ovation Tickets.

Sunday, December 11, 2021 (4pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is appearing in "Life Hack with Cathy Taylor" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in "Marnie Klar: A Woman's Prerogative" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 (8:30-10:00 pm) Birdland 2, 315 West 44th Street, NYC  Marge Helenchild sings in Susie Mosher's Lineup hosted by Klea Blackhurst. 

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in "Marnie Klar: A Woman's Prerogative" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 ( 7pm)-Matthew Martin Ward music directs Christine Ped's in "Snowbiz" at The Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd Street.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 Mark Janas with Kathleen Turner, " Finding My Voice. at Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, NYC.

Friday, December 17, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 18, 2021 (5pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

January 25, 2022  Lynda Rodolitz sings in Susie Mosher's Lineup at Birdland 2, 315 West 44th Street, NYC 

January 27, 2022, Lynda Rodolitz, performs in Singnasium's CabLab at Don't Tell Mama,  343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Upcoming! Bobby Horowitz's Age is Just a Number at Don't Tell Mama

Mark will be  bringing back "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" - a full show of teaching and celebration of classical music - to Don't Tell Mama in the new year. 

Mary Lahti will be performing her show: "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda" at Don't Tell Mama in February.

Jeff Flaster will be performing his show: "Take The Moment" with Matthew Martin Ward, music director in February.

March & April 2022 - Jeff Flaster is doing a show at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Next Up at The Salon

We will return on Sunday,  December 12th  as we truly usher in the holidays with Co-Host Stone & Stone on the theme, Stoned For The Holidays

We'll see you then!

The Salon Wrap-Up for October 31, 2021: "It's a Jungle Out There: Halloween with the Animals"

 

Janice Hall and Adam B Shapiro, Co-Hosts

"It's a Jungle Out There: Halloween with the Animals" with Co-Hosts Janice Hall and Adam B. Shapiro 

One of my very favorite events of the whole year is The Salon's Halloween celebration, because NYC audiences get to see the amazing creativity and talent that comes from the brains and bodies of co-hosts Janice Hall and Adam B. Shapiro. Adam informed us that this is the 6th time they have co-hosted the Halloween Salon, and in doing the mental math I'm estimating that we've seen 20+ costumes from the duo in those years. (Some of those were tear-away costumes, morphing from one costume to another in a quick-change flash!) The only interruption in their 6 year legacy was the pandemic, but even then they found a way to create a special online show (which included some Salon favorites as special guests!) You can see that incredible, fully costumed, variety show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPOxpEXZXrY

To start tonight's event...

Dressed like a farmer, Adam started with "Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals" (made famous by Gilda Radnor) which, with such language, would NOT have been able to have been sung at the Salon's original home - the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel. (We had to be mindful of passing guests!) Adam's performance was complete with visual aids, including a butt. (Don't ask...) He then quickly changed into a bear costume (a Bear in a bear costume!) to begin co-hosting the evening. 

For our mid-show co-host entertainment, Janice - dressed as a cheetah (her newly discovered patronus from the Harry Potter universe), invited Matthew Martin Ward to join her on the piano to sing a wonderful Chita (Cheetah?) Rivera medley. The medley included snippets from "A Boy Like That" (West Side Story), "Spanish Rose" (Bye Bye Birdie), "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (Kiss of the Spider Woman), "Love and Love Alone" (The Visit), and All That Jazz (Chicago). She then changed into a gorgeous peacock costume to continue co-hosting duties. 

To finish out the night, Adam and Janice came back to the stage - Janice (as the aforementioned peacock, the "NBC" peacock, presumably, as the familiar tones were played by Mark on piano!) and Adam (as a not-so-balding eagle) - with a tribute to their fine-feathered friends. But which song? There are so many songs about birds! Not to worry, they said. Lucky for us, they have created a (faux) album of songs all about birds ("Now That's What I Call Birds!"), and sang a medley of it including "Skylark" (Janice), then "Meadowlark," (Adam), then "White Bird in a Golden Cage" (Janice), then "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Adam), then "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" (Janice), then "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park" - interrupted by "Feed the Birds" (Adam), with a big finish of "If We Could Talk to the Animals" - with both Adam and Janice in glorious harmony!

You can download Adam B. Shapiro's debut album, "Let Love In" via all digital music platforms.

Mark Janas/Classical Corner 

When Salon Host, Mark Janas, heard about tonight's theme, immediately what came to mind was "Carnival of the Animals", a humorous musical suite of fourteen movements by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. But then he thought, "Perhaps something a little less obvious." Mark then reminded us of the adage - that if you hear "clopping coming over the hill, think horse not zebra." So, what is a zebra's most prominent feature? Stripes (black and white of course!) This led Mark to think of black and white keys, the stripes on a piano. 

A "C" Scale, and also a song in C Major, has all of its whole steps using the white keys with no black keys played. And example of this is Mozart's Piano Sonata #16, which Mark demonstrated beautifully. He then talked about Mozart's Piano Sonata #5, in G Major, which "starts with C sharp so you already know we're onto something different." He demonstrated a bit of that next.

During the pandemic, Mark felt the need to practice as much as possible to keep his hands agile. There is a piece by Chopin, an Etude - which is not only a study (piano scales) but a "harmonically fascinating piece of art." He introduced us to what is known as the "Black Keys Etude" which is a fast, 3-minute song that is only played with black keys except for one in the right hand (in the middle of a chord, which Mark calls the "middle voice.") Mark finished Classical Corner by playing this amazingly beautiful song, fully from memory. Mark never ceases to amaze me.

Mark is bringing back "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" - a full show of teaching and celebration of classical music - to Don't Tell Mama November 8 and December 6, 2021. It's a must see!

Roster of Performers for the Evening (in order of appearance): 
Click the link to visit the performer’s website or other links, as available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Co-Host Adam B. Shapiro

Gerrilyn Sohn

Nicole Maridan

John Lackey

Julia Landon

Barb Malley (a cappella)

Maria Corsaro (with Gregory Toroian on piano)

Kati Neiheisel (with Gregory Toroian on piano)

Ann Talman (with Gregory Toroian on piano)

Gregory Toroian (also on piano)

Erin Cronican

Classical Corner

Tanya Moberly

Co-Host Janice Hall (with Matthew Martin Ward in piano)

Jeff Flaster (with Matthew Martin Ward in piano)

Goldie Dver (with Matthew Martin Ward in piano)

Bobbie Horowitz (with Matthew Martin Ward in piano)

Stew Frimer (with Matthew Martin Ward in piano)

Frances O'Flynn (with Matthew Martin Ward in piano)

Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)

Michele Herman (unaccompanied poetry)

Jonathan Kuhn

Richard Eisenberg

Kimberly Dawn Neumann

Mark Corpron 

Scott Raneri

Bennett Silverstein

David Ballard

Co-Hosts Janice Hall and Adam B. Shapiro

Special thanks to Salon Host and lead pianist Mark Janas, Producer Tanya Moberly, and additional fantastic pianists Gregory Toroian and Matthew Martin Ward. Thanks also to David Ballard on lights and sound, and to the wonderful waitstaff and thoughtful management at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, a big thank you to our videographer for the evening, the amazing Steve Bustamante. 

Upcoming Shows

ONGOING! Adam B. Shapiro's debut album, "Let Love In," is now available on all digital music platforms.

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams in "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Thursday, November 4, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 6, 2021 (4pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is appearing in "Life Hack with Cathy Taylor" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 7, 2021 (2pm) - Maria Corsaro is performing her show, "You Taught My Heart To Sing," with the Gregory Toroian Trio, at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Sunday, November 7, 2021 (3pm) - Scott Raneri is appearing in "Extra! Extra!" at the Triad Theatre, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.

Sunday, November 7, 2021 (4pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Bruce Sabbath in "Searching for Tevye" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Monday, November 8, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 14, 2021 (4pm) - Mark Corpron is doing his show "Moving On - Songs of Journey" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2022 (7pm) - Kati Neiheisel is appearing in "Yesterday Once More" with the Gregory Toroian Trio, at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Bruce Sabbath in "Searching for Tevye" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Thursday, November 18, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Bruce Sabbath in "Searching for Tevye" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Thursday, November 18, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Amy Beth Williams in "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Friday, November 19, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 20, 2021 (8pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Sunday, November 28, 2021 - Sierra Rein and Julie Reyburn are appearing in "Sondheim Unplugged", 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC. 

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in "Marnie Klar: A Woman's Prerogative" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, December 5, 2022 (1pm) - Kati Neiheisel is appearing in "Yesterday Once More" with the Gregory Toroian Trio, at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Monday, December 6, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - Bob Brady performs "Wonderful, If You Insist" in Naples, FL. 

Thursday, December 9, 2021 (2pm) - Maria Corsaro is performing her show, "You Taught My Heart To Sing," with the Gregory Toroian Trio, at Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC.

Saturday, December 11, 2021 (4pm) - Matthew Martin Ward is appearing in "Life Hack with Cathy Taylor" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in "Marnie Klar: A Woman's Prerogative" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Marnie Klar in "Marnie Klar: A Woman's Prerogative" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 17, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 18, 2021 (5pm) - Tanya Moberly directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

December 30, 2021 - January 16, 2022 (16 performances) - Erin Cronican is producing and starring in WIT, with The Seeing Place Theater, 64 East 4th Street, NYC.

Sunday, February 20, 2022 - Gerrilyn Sohn is bringing her new show to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, March 10, 2022 - Gerrilyn Sohn is bringing her new show to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, March 19, 2022 - Gerrilyn Sohn is bringing her new show to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, March 21, 2022 - Ann Talman is debuting a new show, with the Gregory Toroian Trio (about Elizabeth Taylor) at 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC.

March & April 2022 - Jeff Flaster is doing a show at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Next Up at The Salon

We will return on Sunday, November21, 2021, as we usher in the holidays with Co-Host Deborah Zecher, on the theme, "Favorite Carols."

We'll see you then!

- Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon
Email me with oopsies, additions, or comments!

The Salon Wrap-Up for September 26, 2021: "Morning, Evening, Noon & Night"

Danny Bacher. Photo: John Abbott

"Morning, Evening, Noon & Night" with Co-Host Danny Bacher

Singer/Songwriter/Saxophonist, international Jazz singer/writer/player Danny Bacher was our illustrious Co-Host for the evening. A Margaret Whiting Award winner,  he was named in the top 3 best vocalists in the United States in a 2019 National Jazz Times reader’s poll. As Co-Host, he worked the crowd with witty New Jersey-esque humor and jokes, and made sure to get some good banter from all the performers in between numbers. He whipped the theme into action at the top of the evening with a spicy rendition of "Early in the Morning" (by Dallas Bartley, Leo Hickman, and Louis Jordan), switching between smooth and dexterous bari-tenor vocals and sax instrumental breaks. 

Stepping into the "noontime hour"-themed mid-set section, Danny played "Cloudy" and "Nuages" (= Clouds) by Django Reinhardt. He whipped out and gloriously played his soprano saxophone in this wonderful instrumental piece, first playing one melody, and then the other. The sax sang in an expertly smooth tone, like a cloud bouncing and bobbing above Mark's grounded piano. The songs came together in the second half of the piece so wonderfully, a musical rainbow made of water and sun. 

For the last number, Danny sang from the album he created as a tribute to three Louis - a combination of "Just a Gigolo" (composed by Leonello Casucci with lyrics by Julius Brammer adapted by Irving Caesar into English) and "I Ain't Got Nobody" (Roger A. Graham on lyrics, composed by Spencer Williams). He expertly swung vocals and sax equally and got us singing out choruses and in a glorious call and response at the end!

Catch Danny in many of his events throughout the Fall of 2021 and into 2022, and head next door to neighbor Swing 46 on Thursday, September 30th to watch him play from 5:30pm-8:30pm with The Early Set Jazz Quartet. 

Mark Janas/Classical Corner 

Before starting the Classical Corner, Mark made sure to honor one of the greats of Broadway and the American Songbook by having us all sing "Happy Birthday" to George Gershwin, who would have been a s'wonderful 123 years old. HBDGG!

During the Pandemic, Mark knew that he had to keep his hands moving, so he made sure to pull and practice classical pieces that were basically workouts for the hands. Two that he felt were required works to use were by Chopin; The Black Etude - a workout for the right hand, which plays only black keys, and  the "Fantasy Impromptu," which is sort of an etude with left hand playing in 3 and the right hand playing in 4. He also wanted to work on Chopin's famous piece, the 1831 "Revolutionary Etude," which works the left hand almost completely through in 16th notes. Mark also spoke of the need for Classical instrumentalists to find a way through the interpretation of a classical piece without the use of lyrics. Musicians, rather than singers, have to create own their subtext as anchors for their performances, especially when the subtext isn't spelled out by the composer. Chopin wrote this while his homeplace of Poland was full of uprisings, during a time full of uncertainty. Those left-handed 16th notes reflected this uncertainty and unrest. During the last year, Mark would hear the strife and powerful agitation from the Black Lives Movement as they literally marched outside his window, and while he practiced the sounds and rhythm of these marches melded with his private rehearsal. The piece has a gorgeous melody (played simply it has a regal and proud presence, passion and yearning) and to Mark it evoked feelings of struggle and reaching for a new reality. Hairpins of crescendos and decrescendos and swells are emotional feelings, plus the three-beat pulse of the words "Black Lives Matter" helped Mark set his interpretation of Chopin's music into a modern march of protest. He then played the number so we could hear those consistent and agitating 16th notes mixed with that beautiful melody and pulsing notes.

Mark is bringing "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" back to Don't Tell Mama as a full show October 4th, November 8th, and December 6th, and is excited to introduce Robert Schwartz (concert pianist from San Francisco) who will join to perform some of the hardest work of Ravel's (amongst other pieces) to the October 4th performance.

Roster of Performers for the Evening (in order of appearance): 
Click the link to visit the performer’s website or other links, as available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Co-Host Danny Bacher

Graeme Lister

Jeff Flaster

Bob Brady

Charlotte Libov

Johnathan Kuhn

Alicia Terry

Bob Simonello

Richie Eisenberg (self on piano)

Annie Lebeaux (self on piano)

Sierra Rein

Maureen Taylor

Classical Corner

Co-Host Danny Bacher

Tanya Moberly

Bobbie Horowitz

Goldie Dver

Michael Colby

Scott Mayfield (self on piano)

Sara Laursen

David Ballard

Co-Host Danny Bacher

Special thanks to Mark Janas, and pianists Annie Lebeaux, Scott Mayfield, and Richard Eisenberg. Thanks also to David Ballard on lights and sound, and to the wonderful waitstaff and thoughtful management at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, a big thank you to our videographer for the evening, the amazing Steve Bustamante. 

Upcoming Shows

Wednesday, September 29, 2021 (7pm) - Sara Laursen Produces and Directs "The Comeback Cabaret" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Saturday, October 2, 2021 (4pm) - Sara Laursen Produces and Directs "The Comeback Cabaret" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Monday, October 4, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 8, 2021 (7pm) - Sara Laursen Produces and Directs "The Comeback Cabaret" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Saturday, October 9, 2021 (8pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Amy Beth Williams in "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Sunday, October 10, 2021 (8pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Monday, October 11, 2021 (7pm) - Sara Laursen Produces and Directs "The Comeback Cabaret" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Stephanie Trudeau in "Becoming Chavela: Songs & Stories of Chavela Vargas" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 15, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" (including a song by Annie LeBeaux) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 17, 2021 (3pm) - Sara Laursen Produces and Directs "The Comeback Cabaret" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Friday, October 22, 2021 (9:30pm) - Scott Mayfield is Music Director for "Feelin Myself: A Musical Journey with Cheyenne Walent" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 24, 2021 (4pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Amy Beth Williams in "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Sunday, October 24, 2021 (7pm) - Sara Laursen Produces and Directs "The Comeback Cabaret" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Monday, October 25, 2021 - Graeme Lister with Music Director David Pearl performs "Femmes Fatales and Other Distractions" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 29, 2021 (7pm) - Goldie Dver will be a part of "Ricky Ritzel's Broadway" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 31, 2021 (2pm & 7pm) - See Michael Colby's show "Mrs McThing", a benefit for TADA Theater, 15 W 28th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 31, 2021 - Sierra Rein and Julie Reyburn are appearing in "Sondheim Unplugged," 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC. 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Amy Beth Williams in "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Thursday, November 4, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Monday, November 8, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Thursday, November 18, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Amy Beth Williams in "A Thousand Beautiful Things" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Friday, November 19, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" (including a song by Annie LeBeaux) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, November 20, 2021 (8pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Sunday, November 28, 2021 - Sierra Rein and Julie Reyburn are appearing in "Sondheim Unplugged", 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC. 

Monday, December 6, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, December 6, 2021 - Michael Colby will present as part of "Winter Rhythms."

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - Bob Brady performs "Wonderful, If You Insist" in Naples, FL. 

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Michael Colby's musical, "Ludlow Ladd," will be performed at Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 17, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" (including a song by Annie LeBeaux) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, December 18, 2021 (5pm) - Tanya Moberly Directs Rian Keating (musical direction by Woody Regan) in "time stamps: life fragments in story and song" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC. 

Next Up at The Salon

We will return on Sunday, October 31st, 2021, with our favorite Halloween costume-a-thon Co-Hosting duo, Adam Shapiro and Janice Hall on the theme, "It’s A Jungle Out There – Halloween With The Animals."

We'll see you then!

-Sierra Rein
Blogette for The Salon
Email me with oopsies, additions or comments!

The Salon Wrap-Up for August 22, 2021: Welcome Back! Salon’s Sweet Sixteen & Bernstein at 103

 

Co Host: Julie Reyburn

To kick off our special return to live performance, Mark Janas introduced the 3 major reasons for tonight's very special event. Not only are we back after a 16 month pandemic hiatus, and not only are we celebrating Leonard Bernstein's 103rd birthday, but The Salon turned 16 this year! (We can finally drive!) 

The show began with our illustrious co-host, Julie Reyburn, singing Sondheim's "Putting It Together" from "Sunday in the Park with George", with Mark Janas on piano and David Ballard on flute (and both on very capable backing vocals!) It was so refreshing to hear Julie's glorious mezzo, with some fun lyric changes to reflect the place that cabaret holds in our artistic community. 

For her mid show set, Julie started with "Move On" from Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George." Julie got very emotional as she introduced the song. She dedicated it to her daughter, Laila, who was born the same year that Salon was - 16 years ago (on the same day as Mark's birthday!) Again, Julie was supported by Mark Janas on piano and David Ballard on backing vocals and flute. 

She then invited Tanya Moberly to join her to sing "A Boy Like That" from Bernstein/Sondheim's, "West Side Story." Their voices blended seamlessly and thrilled the audience with their drama and power.

To close out the evening, Julie brought us two more lovely songs. First, she sang "Anywhere We Are" the title song from her upcoming show - a touching reminder of the beauty of life. The song then segued to Bernstein's "Some Other Time" from "On the Town" with added vocals by Sierra Rein, Adam Shapiro and Mark Janas. 

You can hear Julie (and Mark Janas and David Ballard) again on September 25, 2021 (8pm) in her show "Anywhere We Are" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Mark Janas/Classical Corner 

I cannot say how excited I was to find out that Mark would be treating us to his fantastic interpretation of Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" - but before he did, he told us a story about his mentor, Leonard Bernstein. 

One day Mark was listening to Mr Bernstein play "Rhapsody In Blue", and Mark heard something unfamiliar. He knew his mentor appreciated precision, as he had witnessed Mr Bernstein tell his own mentor when something sounded off. So Mark said, "Did you know that you've added a note that isn't in the score?" Mr Bernstein sternly, in his famously deep voice, asked, "Where??" Mark went on to demonstrate  the passage with us - what was on the page, and what Mr Bernstein had played. In telling this story, Mark brought up the concept of allowing for artistic interpretation. But, he said, it needs to make sense. 

Mark says that for years he's played his own interpretation of the song, but during the pandemic he went back to the original piano score to see what was there that he might be missing, much like his mentor, Mr. Bernstein. And tonight, he performed a brand new interpretation than in previous performances, "with more of the notes on the page." And, he said, he hopes that this is just the beginning and that you'll hear an all new interpretation next time and he continues to think about his contribution to the song. 

Roster of Performers for the Evening (in order of appearance): 
Click the link to visit the performer’s website or other links, as available.
All piano accompaniment by Mark Janas unless otherwise noted.

Co-Host Julie Reyburn (with David Ballard on flute)

Sierra Rein
Michael Colby (with Matthew Martin Ward on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)

Annie Lebeaux (also on piano)

Scott Raneri

Liora Michelle

Erin Cronican
Adam Shapiro

Classical Corner

Co-Host Julie Reyburn (with David Ballard on backing vocals)
Tanya Moberly and Julie Reyburn
David Ballard
Steve Bustamante
Annie Lebeaux (also on piano)
Matthew Martin Ward (also on piano)

Scott Raneri

Sierra Rein
Erin Cronican

Adam Shapiro

Co-Host Julie Reyburn (with Sierra Rein and Adam Shapiro on additional vocals, with Mark Janas on piano and backing vocals)

Special thanks to Mark Janas, and our guest pianists Annie Lebeaux and Matthew Martin Ward. Thanks also to David Ballard on lights and sound, and to the wonderful waitstaff and thoughtful management at Don't Tell Mama. Finally, a big thank you to our videographer for the evening, the amazing Steve Bustamante. 

Upcoming Shows

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 (7pm) - Amy Beth Williams will be performing "Beautiful Mystery: The Songs of Leonard Cohen" (directed by Tanya Moberly) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Saturday, September 4, 2021 (8:30pm) - Adam Shapiro's brand new album, "Let Love In"" is being released with an accompanying release concert, streaming from Easton Mountain. Visit www.eastonmountain.org for tickets.

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 - Sierra Rein is appearing in Susie Mosher's "The Lineup" at Birdland, 315 West 44th St, NYC.

Saturday, September 11, 2021 - Matthew Martin Ward will be performing with Christine Pedi in Provincetown, MA.

Saturday, September 25, 2021 (7pm) - Scott Raneri is appearing in "Extra Extra" at the Triad, 158 West 72nd St, NYC.

Saturday, September 25, 2021 (8pm) - Julie Reyburn is bringing back her show (shut down due to the pandemic), "Anywhere We Are" (with Mark Janas and David Ballard) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Monday, October 4, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, October 15, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" (including a song by Annie LeBeaux) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, October 31, 2021 - Sierra Rein and Julie Reyburn are appearing in "Sondheim Unplugged," 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC. 

Late October - See Michael Colby's show "Mrs McThing", a benefit for TADA Theater, 15 W 28th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 7, 2021 (3pm) - Scott Raneri is appearing in "Extra Extra" at the Triad, 158 West 72nd St, NYC.

Monday, November 8, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Friday, November 19, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" (including a song by Annie LeBeaux) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Sunday, November 28, 2021 - Sierra Rein and Julie Reyburn are appearing in "Sondheim Unplugged", 54 Below, 254 W 54th St, NYC. 

Monday, December 6, 2021 (7pm) - Mark Janas brings his event, "Mark Janas' Classical Corner" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 - Michael Colby's musical, Ludlow Ladd, will be performed at Winter Rhythms at Urban Stages, 259 West 30th Street, NYC.

Friday, December 17, 2021 (7pm) - Tanya Moberly is appearing in "I Love NY Songwriters: Part II" (including a song by Annie LeBeaux) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.

Next Up at The Salon

We will return on Sunday, September 26, 2021, with the theme, "MORNING, EVENING, NOON, AND NIGHT" with our Co-Host Danny Bacher.

We'll see you then!


Submitted by Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon
Email me with any additions or corrections.

The Salon Open Mic is Back! Return to Don't Tell Mama on August 22nd

SALON – New York’s Most Award-Winning Open Mic, Hosted by Mark Janas & Produced by Tanya Moberly returns to DON’T TELL MAMA – 343 WEST 46^TH ST, NYC 10036 - on Sunday, August 22nd from 7-9:30PM. (Sign-Up Begins at 6:30pm.)
 

RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: 

www.donttellmamanyc.com 

August 22, 2021
Theme: Welcome Back!
Salon’s Sweet Sixteen & Bernstein at 103
Co-Host: Julie Reyburn

September 26, 2021
Theme: Morning, Evening, Noon & Night
Co-Host: Danny Bacher

October 31, 2021
Theme: It’s A Jungle Out There – Halloween With The Animals
Co-Hosts: Janice Hall & Adam Shapiro

November 21, 2021
Theme: Favorite Carols
Co-Host: Deborah Zecher

December 12, 2021
Theme: Stoned For The Holidays
Co-Hosts: Stone & Stone

Remember, any material, on or off theme, is always welcome at Salon.

SALON’S VIDEO SERVICE
We have an in-house videographer offering professional, website & YouTube ready video clips for anyone who is interested. The cost is $20 in cash per song – payable in advance at sign-up. If you wish to participate, just let one of The Mamettes know. This service is completely optional.

Salon is an ongoing open entertainment event in which singers, writers and musicians share their talent with each other and audience members. There is a $10 cash cover ($5 for students with I.D.) collected at the door and a 2-drink minimum (cash or credit) per person.

Doors open and sign up begins at 6:30pm. The evening runs 7-9:30pm without a break. If you would like to sign up to perform, see one the evening's 'Mamettes' to fill out a card with your name, the name of your song, whether or not Mark will be playing for you and any upcoming events you'd like to promote. We do not present performers in order of sign-up, however, indicating requests as clearly and as early as possible as far as time restraints are concerned always makes everything much more possible. 

ALWAYS BRING SEVERAL SONG SELECTIONS to avoid duplication. All types of material, on or off theme are always welcome at Salon. We enthusiastically welcome instrumentalists, poets, playwrights, essayists, comics, illusionists and performance artists. Please limit your selections to three or four minutes in length (including introductions). Please also bring clear, complete charts for Mark to read. Flash photography is not allowed. Please turn off all noise making devices and give performers your undivided attention.

Visit our website at www.markjanasthesalon.com and look for us on Facebook! 

Thank you to our sponsors Dr. Garrett Bennett & Father Jeffrey Hamblin, MD!

Looking forward to seeing you at Don’t Tell Mama Sunday, August 22nd!

Thanks,

Tanya Moberly
Salon Producer