Happenings – Page 5 – Artists Without Walls

ASHLEY BELL in CHARLES R. HALE'S "MUSICAL HISTORY of the LOWER EAST SIDE" at LEHMAN COLLEGE

Artists Without Walls’ member, soprano Ashley Bell, will be performing a number of Italian songs as part of Charles R. Hale’s “Musical History of the Lower East Side,” at Lehman College, Thursday, April 7, 12:30pm.

Many of our nation’s ethnic communities trace their roots to the Lower East Side, historically, a working class neighborhood, ethnically diverse and poor. A steady stream of Italian immigrants began arriving in America in the late 19th and early 20th century, including, Italians from Naples and Southern Italy who brought with them a traditional form of singing known as Neapolitan music. In New York City, Italian tenors such as Enrico Caruso and Beniamino Gigli popularized such songs as O Sole Mio, Funiculi Funicula, and Non ti Scordar di me. The steady stream of Italian immigrants also helped popularize the Metropolitan Opera, which debuted a number of Italian operas, including Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi in 1918. The most popular aria from that opera remains “O Mil Bambino Caro.”

Ashley Bell has been performing from an early age, starting at age 9 as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus and making her Off-Broadway debut at sixteen in the world premiere of the musical The Golden Touch. Ashley has since performed as a soloist in the United States, Italy, Spain, France and Russia. Recent performances have included Fiordiligi in Cosi Fan Tutte and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni in the Narni Festival in Italy with the Orchestra Filarmonica di Roma, Norina in Don Pasquale in Logroño, Spain, Violetta in La Traviata at the Bay Street Theatre, Isabella Colbran in the premiere of Discovering Mrs. Rossini at the new Sheen Center in NYC, and Musetta at the National Opera Center.

The performance will be in the Studio Theatre, Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY, Thursday, April 7, 12:30pm. This is a free event which is being sponsored by Lehman College: The City and Humanities Program and the CUNY Institute of Irish Studies. Click here for directions.

LEHMAN COLLEGE PRESENTS: CHARLES R. HALE’S “THE MUSICAL HISTORY of THE LOWER EAST SIDE”

This Thursday, April 7, 12:30pm, Lehman College: The City and Humanities Program, The CUNY Institute of Irish Studies and Artists Without Walls presents Charles R. Hale’s “The Musical History of the Lower East Side. The event will take place in the Studio Theatre, 250 Bedford Park Blvd W., Bronx, NY. Click here for directions.

Here’s what actress/director Aedin Moloney said about the show: “Blown away tonight by the most talented collection of musicians! Artists Without Walls hosted a terrific musical evening at Rockwood Music Hall. What a line up of super talented vocalists. One after another boom, boom, boom! All equally stunning performances….A slice of New York History. Take it on the road guys! Hopefully this will be done again…. not to be missed.”

Performers include (clockwise from top left) Niamh Hyland, Noah Hoffeld, Mala Waldron, Yuri Juarez, Ashley Bell, Basya Schechter, Deni Bonet and (center) Charles R. Hale, who wrote and narrates the show.

MITCH TRAPHAGEN'S PHOTOS from AWoW's SHOWCASE AT SID GOLD'S

Mitch Traphagen’s photos from AWoW’s Showcase at Sid Gold’s, March 29, 2016.

**Lara Herscovitch, Charles R. Hale, Alison Armstrong, Chris Bergson, David S. Goldman and Noel Lawlor**

DENI BONET at BOWERY ELECTRIC in NYC

Wednesday, March 23rd, 7:30pm in NYC, Artist Without Walls’ member Deni Bonet’s Album Completion Concert at Bowery Electric, 327, Bowery, NYC. Come out and celebrate Deni’s new album – “BRIGHT SHINY OBJECTS.”

ST PAT’S with DARRAH CARR DANCE, LIZ HANLEY and CHARLES R. HALE at LEHMAN COLLEGE

The Institute for Irish American Studies, Lehman College: City and Humanities and Artists Without Walls presents a celebration of Irish music and dance with Darrah Carr Dance, singer/guitarist Liz Hanley and emcee Charles R. Hale, Thursday, March 17, 12:30pm. Studio Theatre, Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY. Click here for directions.

Performing with Darrah Carr Dance will be Jonathan Matthews, Mary Kate Sheehan, Brigitte Gillis, Laura Neese, Trent Kowalik, Alexandra Williamson and Darrah Carr.

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.

—–

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