Our Co-Host was Bistro, MAC & Nightlife Award Winner Lisa Asher! This lovely singer/actor started off the evening with the fantastic comedy song, "Nobody Does It Like Me" from SeeSaw. She followed that by saying that in choosing that song she wanted us to get to know her right away so that we didn't get the wrong idea about her! Lisa is instinctively drawn to songs that tell a story, as evidenced by the NY Times naming her a "raconteur" (to which she, in sassy-fashion, retorted, "Ehem... don't you mean raconteuse?") She then sang a song so powerfully written that it inspired it's own movie in the 70s, the bluesy, pop-country tune, "Ode to Billy Joe." Next, she sang a heart-wrenching rendition of Craig Carnelia's "Just A Housewife" from Working. For the last song of the mid-show set was a song from a TV movie in the 70s, the gutsy, "Harper Valley PTA." She capped the evening singing a role I would love to see her play, Mama Morton in "When You're Good To Mama" from Chicago.
Lisa is currently directing/developing a show with Kurt Peterson to be presented in February 2017, as well as working on a new show of her own. In the meantime, you can catch her emceeing at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. For more information: www.ellensstardustdiner.com
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| Our Co-Host Lisa Asher |
Barb started tonight's set from the middle of the audience, with strong vocals and lots of spirit on the medley, "Some People/Diva." She then talked a little bit about what it takes to be a Diva - how does one qualify? - which might include sticking to the way you think about the world. She shared an example through the lovely ballad, "Crazy World." She finished her set by answering the question, "How can Barb possibly be a Diva at HER age?" with a delicate and charming, "Colored Lights."
For more information or to get tickets to her show, visit : www.westbankcafe.com/laurie-beechman-theatre
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| Our Salon Spotlight Barb Malley! |
Quick Wrap - Ian's Corner
Ian sat down at the keys, lowered his head (much like the photo below), took a deep breathe, and then started playing some of the most amazing music (with no help from sheet music, mind you!) And it makes sense that there was no music, for the music was original and written by him. His first song was a swinging, and playful "Bop" His second song was a distinct change of pace, the contemplative and intimate, "Heart" (which was unnamed when he sat down ti play, but he told me tonight that as he played it the name just came to him!) For his final song of the set, he gave us a powerful and inspiring, "6/8."
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| Our Guest Host Ian Herman |
Click link to visit the performer’s website or other links, when available.
All piano accompaniment by Ian Herman unless otherwise noted.
Lisa Asher
Jerome Weinstein
Ira Lee Collings
Madelaine Warren
Nicci Nicholas
Kathleen France
Sally Darling
Matthew Martin Ward
Steve Bustamante
Erin Cronican
Adam B Shapiro
Jeff Cubeta
Hanna Burke (with Jeff Cubeta on piano)
Rachael Joyce and Hanna Burke (with Jeff Cubeta on piano)
Ian's Corner
Barbara Malley
Tanya Moberly
Melissa Mandel (with Blaine Mandel on piano)
Bob Diamond
Jeffrey M Wright
Lisa Asher
Special thanks to tonight’s musicians: Ian Herman, Matthew Martin Ward, Blaine Mandel, Jeff Cubeta and Steve Bustamante.
And thank you to Gil Alexandre on lights and sound, our amazing waitstaff who always handle the demands of a full house with grace and style, and Steve Bustamante who is providing video footage for people interested in that service!
Ongoing Shows:
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com
Monday & Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro performs weekly at La Rivista, 313 West 46th St, NYC.
Upcoming Shows:
Monday nights (7pm): Opera Open Mic at Shangai Mong with Mark Janas and Matthew Martin Ward, 30 West 32nd Street, NYC. www.shanghaimongnyc.com
Monday & Wednesday nights (8pm): Bill Zeffiro performs weekly at La Rivista, 313 West 46th St, NYC.
Upcoming Shows:
Monday, October 10, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings is bringing his new show, "Simply Ira Lee" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, October 14, 2016 (7pm): Sally Darling is appearing in "Totally Noel [with a bit of Sally]", with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, October 16, 2016 (5pm): Sally Darling is appearing in "Totally Noel [with a bit of Sally]", with music director Matthew Martin Ward, at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, October 16, 2016 (7pm): Hanna Burke (with Racheal Joyce on vocals and Jeff Cubeta as music director) is appearing in, "Why Is Everyone Laughing? A Tribute to Madeline Kahn" at The Duplex, 61 Christopher St, NYC.
Monday, October 17, 2016 (7pm): Ira Lee Collings is bringing his new show, "Simply Ira Lee" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
October 18-21, 2016: The Cabaret Convention is happening at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall, Broadway at West 60th Street, NYC.
Thursday, October 20, 2016 (9pm): Dan Ruth is bring back his show, "A Life Behind Bars" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd St, NYC.
Friday, October 21, 2016: Maria Corsaro and Linda Kahn are debuting their duo show at The Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.
Saturday, October 22, 2016 (4pm): Barbara Malley is appearing in her new show, "OMG!! Am I A Diva?" (music directed by Matthew Martin Ward) at the The Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.
Sunday, October 23, 2016 (5pm): Bob Diamond is performing his new show, "The Gift Of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, October 24, 2016 (7pm): Sallie Jo Hadley is performing her new show (directed by Adam B Shapiro) at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 (9:30pm): Sarah Rice is bringing back her show "All Souls Night," with music director Matthew Martin Ward, to Pangea, 178 2nd Ave, NYC
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bring her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, October 23, 2016 (7pm): Bob Diamond is performing his new show, "The Gift Of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, October 29, 2016 (1pm): Kelley Karel is performing her show, "Hillary Confidential 2.0" at The Laurie Beechman, 407 West 42nd St, NYC.
Sunday, October 30, 2016 (7pm): Erin Cronican is performing at Michael Colby's birthday celebration at the Triad, 158 W 72nd St, NYC.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Bob Diamond is performing his new show, "The Gift Of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 4, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 5, 2016 (4:30pm): Madeleine Warren is bringing her new show to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Saturday, November 5, 2016 (7pm): Bob Diamond is performing his new show, "The Gift Of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (7pm): Bob Diamond is performing his new show, "The Gift Of Love" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 6, 2016 (5pm): Natasha Castillo is performing "Feels Like Home" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Monday, November 7, 2016 (8pm): David Ballard is performing with the NY Gay Men's Chorus, in an evening headlined by guest performer Chita Rivera, at Carnegie Hall, NYC.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (7pm): Angela Leone is doing the 3rd installment of her show at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 11, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 13, 2016 (7:30pm): Nicci Nicholas is bringing her new show (with Ian Herman on piano) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 (7pm): Nicci Nicholas is bringing her new show (with Ian Herman on piano) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Thursday, November 17, 2016 (7pm): Nicci Nicholas is bringing her new show to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, November 18, 2016 (7pm): Amy Beth Williams is bringing her show "Carried Away" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Sunday, November 20, 2016 (7pm): Natasha Castillo is performing "Feels Like Home" at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016 (7pm): Dawn Derow is performing her birthday party show at Carroll Place, 157 Bleecker St, NYC.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016 (7pm): Marnie Klar is bringing back her show "Tuned In" (directed by Tanya Moberly) to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Friday, December 9, 2016 (7pm): Tanya Moberly brings "Tanya Moberly Sings Loggins with Watkins" to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC.
Next week we return with our theme - "Carried Away." Mark Janas will be back with your Co-Host: Amy Beth Williams and your Salon Spotlight: Dan Ruth.
See you then!
Erin Cronican
Blogette for The Salon
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