AWoW Administrator

JOIN NIAMH HYLAND and CHARLES R. HALE at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE

Join Artists Without Walls on Tuesday, February 23rd, at The Cell Theatre for an evening of great entertainment as it begins its fourth year.

“We’ve always been inspired by the flowering of artistic achievement, which often arises when cultures come together. Jazz is one of the great examples. As a result, we were inspired to create a dynamic environment that allows for and promotes cultural collaboration and artistic achievement. We are excited that we have created a laboratory where people can experiment with their ideas in a safe space and collaborate with their peers in new untapped ways.” Charles R. Hale and Niamh J. Hyland, Artists Without Walls cofounders and artistic directors.

The Cell Theatre is located at 338 W23rd St, NYC. The Cell’s doors and bar open at 6:45.

SPOKEN WORD ARTIST LIV MAMMONE at AWoW'S ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE at THE CELL in NYC

Come meet and listen to spoken word artist Liv Mammone at Artists Without Walls’ Anniversary Showcase at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., NYC, Tuesday, February 23rd.

Liv is an editor and poet from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her parents, brother, family of feral cats, and geriatric dachshund. She has previously taught creative writing at Hofstra University and Queens College. Liv’s poetry has appeared in wordgathering, Wicked Banshee, The Medical Journal of Australia, QDA: a Queer, Disabled Anthology and is forthcoming in the anthology, Grabbing the Apple. As a spoken word poet, she has featured at Sip This, Artists Without Walls, Tache Chocolates, and is the winner of Union Square Slam’s 2015 Nerd Slam. She is the third visibly disabled poet ever to place as a finalist for a national slam.

The Cell’s doors and bar open at 6:45.

JIM HAWKINS on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS and "GENUINE COMMUNITY SUPPORT"

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what storyteller/seanchai Jim Hawkins wrote:

Tom Myles brought me to an Artists Without Walls’ event about eighteen months ago. I have tried not to miss their monthly events ever since. I was made to feel so welcome; It is always that way when one goes to an AWoW event. Charles Hale and Niamh Hyland do a great job making people feel welcome and at ease. The excitement and level of talented people one enjoys at an AWoW event is outstanding. Each month I know I am going to see and hear a great musician, a fine poet, an exciting dancer, a terrific piece of theater or a good storyteller.

For those of us who perform at an AWoW event there is a feeling of genuine community support. The first time I performed I was quite nervous, but I could feel this great group of people supporting and encouraging me. People want you to do well! I think all of the performers feel that way. It’s very special.

Charles and Niamh cannot be praised and thanked enough for founding this great organization. I look forward to many more great times with them. Those of you who have not experienced an Artists Without Walls’ event, check the website and come to one. You will not be disappointed.

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Jim Hawkins has spent decades telling stories, with a sly, folksy understated humor, just like the seanchaís of old, whom Hawkins emulates. With a gentle, easy-going manner and warmth, Jim tells the stories of nearly vanished Irish folkways to audiences far and wide, in public libraries, pubs, churches, universities, in Ireland and here in the United States. “I wish to be a vehicle that carries the history, culture and traditions of the Irish people, and to share the stories, songs and poetry of this great culture with the world. It will be my contribution to keeping this wonderful art-form alive and well.”

"LUCE FOUNDATION POET LAUREATE" MANAV SACHDEVA MAASOOM at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE

Join Manav Sachdeva Maasoom and a great collection of performers at Artists Without Walls’ Anniversary Showcase, Tuesday, February 23 at The Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St., NYC.

Manav Sachdeva Massoom — **Manav Sachdeva Maasoom**

Manav is an international poet and diplomat, and has worked or traveled through forty-five countries. Manav was born in India and currently divides his time between Kyrgyzstan and New York. He studied Poetry and Policy Studies at Columbia University for his Masters of International Affairs and is the Luce Foundation Poet Laureate for the US for 2015. Manav has worked on an Afghan film, “Camp Victory,” as a subtitle interpreter and editor, and written a book, “The Sufi’s Garland”, dedicated to his time in Afghanistan. He speaks Dari, some Pashto, Urdu, Panjabi, Hindi, English, and some Russian, Spanish, and French. Manav worked with the United Nations and other international NGOs and development bodies over the last two decades.

The Cell’s doors and bar open at 6:45.

ALESSIA SUSHKO and SEDLY BLOOMFIELD at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE

Alessia Sushko and Sedly Bloomfeld will be performing a scene from Shakespeare’s Othello at Artists Without Walls’ Anniversary Showcase on Tuesday, September 23, at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St, NY. Alessia’s film and television credits include House of Cards, Mysteries of Laura, Sex & Drugs & Rock&Roll, Billions. In New York theatre she has appeared in Death, Please! (Theatre Row Theatre) and MacBeth (The Players Club). Alessia was raised in Belarus where she began her acting and ballet training.

Alessia Sushkov and Sedly Bloomfield — **Alessia Sushko and Sedly Bloomfield**

Sedly Bloomfield grew up in Brooklyn, where his development was stimulated by a Brooklyn’s unique melting pot of culture. After graduating from Erasmus Hall High School, Sedly attended Lee Strasberg and ran his own dance and acting club in Brooklyn NY. He has appeared in stage roles as Oscar Charleston in Cobb, Captain Davenport in a Soldiers Play and Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy, and on television he has appeared in All My Children, Torchwood and The Guiding Light.

The Cell’s doors and the bar open at 6:45

DARRAH CARR DANCE at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE

Join Darrah Carr and a great collection of performers at Artists Without Walls’ Anniversary Showcase, Tuesday, February 23 at The Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St., NYC.

Darrah is the director of Darrah Carr Dance, a Bessie-Award nominated Irish dance company that specializes in ModERIN: a unique combination of traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. NYC performance highlights include: a return appearance on NBC’s “The Today Show,” a guest performance with The NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, a benefit engagement at Jazz at Lincoln Center, “Victory Dance” at The New Victory Theater and “The Yeats Project” at the Irish Repertory Theatre.

The company has performed at venues throughout the US including MASS MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard, the San Jose Fleadh and the company’s annual New York season at the Irish Arts Center. Darrah is also a respected scholar of Irish dance and has presented her research findings at the Congress on Research in Dance, the World Dance Alliance, and Dance Research Forum Ireland.

The doors and bar open at 6:45

ANNETTE HOMANN: THOUGHTS ON ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what violinist Annette Homann wrote:

“The Artists Without Walls’ community has been one of the most supportive communities I have ever had the pleasure to be part of. AWoW has given me the inspiration and motivation to follow through with many creative endeavors that have now become a big part of my career. I have learned so much about other art forms from watching and collaborating with other artists. I can’t thank Charles and Niamh enough!”

German born Annette, a classically trained violinist, has been performing since the age of six. She has toured throughout Europe, China, Central America, Canada and the U.S. and at various New York City venues, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fischer Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Symphony Space and New World Stages. Her extended techniques combine elements of bluegrass, blues, pop and classical with a theatrical vibe—the violin used in non-traditional ways, often replacing the guitar and percussion.

CHARLES R. HALE presents “BREATHING OF AN ANCESTORS SPACE AND TIME” at LEHMAN COLLEGE

Tomorrow, Thursday February 11 from 12:30-2:00 at Lehman College in the Bronx, NY, Charles R. Hale will be presenting his short films series “Breathing of an Ancestor’s Space and Time,” in Carman Hall.

Charles’s films demonstrate the challenges of the immigrant experience, suggest methods to uncover and preserve ancestral stories and illustrate how the “stories” of our ancestors’ lives impact whom we become.

HONOR MOLLOY COMMENTING on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what playwright and author Honor Molloy wrote:

“At least once a month, Artists Without Walls offers thrilling cultural gatherings that feature musicians, poets, singers, sculptors, world class violinists and pianists, dramatists, dreamers, even an expert at gyrotonics. There’s so much more – there’s camaraderie, revelry, and reverie. For fulfilling your aspirations and for inspiration: AWoW is the place to be.”

Honor Molloy spent ten years working with Simon & Schuster Audiobooks, immersing herself in storytelling, meeting actors, producers, writers, and publishing professionals. She started writing a memoir which eventually became the autobiographical novel Smarty Girl – Dublin Savage. Once published, she discovered New York’s Irish American community and has come to terms with that kid who left Dublin all those years ago—washing up in, as she calls it, “the cultural wasteland that is Allentown, PA.”

JACK O'CONNELL COMMENTING on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS

As Artists Without Walls celebrates its fourth anniversary this month, we’ve asked some members to share a few thoughts about their experience with the group. Here’s what actor Jack O’Connell wrote:

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“An Artists Without Walls Showcase: What a great place to keep one’s instrument tuned. Singers, musicians, storytellers, dancers and actors find a safe and warm haven here. As an actor, I have tried new, and for me, unusual presentations at AWoW’s Showcases, a number of which I’ve always wanted to try but would only try in my room, some out in the garage. The reason? No Q and A; No “feedback.” I’m at the point in life where I can live without “feedback.” That would also cut into the evening’s schedule of events.

An eclectic evening is always in order in the beautiful, well kept, Cell Theatre. There have been so many great presentations that I’m loathe to mention just one, but I will: David Sharp’s piece on Tennessee Williams. Original, well prepared, respectful of the allotted time limit, and funny as hell.

In these days of sophisticated communication it’s refreshing to witness this sort of communion among flesh and blood folks. Bottom line, I’m very happy to be part of Artists Without Walls.”

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Veteran stage, film and television actor Jack O’Connell, an AWoW charter member and frequent performer, has appeared in many popular TV programs including The Sopranos, Law and Order, Blue Bloods, and Boardwalk Empire, and films such as “Doubt” with Meryl Streep, “Men In Black” and most recently in the Coen brothers, “Inside Llewyn Davis.”