Happenings – Page 6 – Artists Without Walls

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.”

WHAT THE …"L" by RON VAZZANO

I was so looking forward to the “L” in the logo, and in every promotion and ad. But in announcing Super Bowl “50” this year, “they” have decided to deep six this whole Roman number thing from here on in, and go Arabic.

Though given the troubles in the Middle East, don’t be surprised to hear someone declare: “When I’m President we won’t be using Arabic numbers, I can tell ya’ that right now.”

I was so ready to point out that this would be the last time that a single Roman numbered letter would be used to designate a Super Bowl, until “C”! In other words, until 2066. When those of us of a certain age, will certainly be dead. (Don’t you hate when that happens?). And that it has now been 40 years since the last single letter marked still another over-hyped and much anticipated Sunday—“X” (a game played in MCMLXXVI).

With “X” being an unknown factor, it is unsurprising that I have no recollection of that game. But really, by that point I had stopped caring, what with so many more important life events just up ahead. Like Divorce “I” and then just prior to Super Bowl XLV, Divorce “II”.

Of course I remember the first Super Bowl very well. It was trumpeted in all the on-air TV promos, as if the Second Coming. Though hype is not exactly something that hasn’t existed throughout the ages. (“Mary Stuart gets the ax tomorrow. News at XI!”).

I also remember Super Bowl II, and most especially “III”, when Joe Willie Namath guaranteed that his New York Jets from the upstart American Football League would—and did— defeat the powerhouse Baltimore Colts of the supposed superior National Football League. The Jets were 17 points underdogs that day. That’s a lot of points. Even in Latin. Though I had forgotten how dorky its logo.

The other single letter one, “V,” was the first following the AFL-NFL merger, and it would forever serve as the official league championship game. For the record and for those keeping score, those aforementioned Colts, on a field goal by Jim O’Brien, beat the Miami Dolphins in the final five seconds, 16-13.

While I often lean towards nostalgia and love traditions and rites of passage—I even look forward to my annual flu shot—the loss of those Super Bowl designations, are really no skin off my un-Roman nose. (All my Italian roots aside). The use of Roman numbers in titles, events, sequels, dates and the like, has always struck me as a bit pompous. As if to announce that, “This is really important.” Whereas, in its rather convoluted alternative to Arabic numbers, it suggests just the opposite to me.

MCMLXXXVIII as a date for example— which is about the length of a freight train and looks like something foreboding out of ancient history—is simply 1988; the year that Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was released. That’s why I wryly suggested once, that given the humility of Pope Francis I, he might consider referring to himself as Francis¹. Or even better, using lower case…francis¹.

You don’t even want to know about a Roman calendar and how it is organized, and its days counted. But if you do, you can reference it in a short piece I once offered on the subject called, Kalends and Nones and Ides Oh My! (March, 2013, Muse-Letter)

To cut to the tackle, the monthly date for this year’s Super Bowl would be expressed via a Roman calendar as “VII Ides.” In English and Arabic…February 7. And as I’ve also said before, (with a license I got down at the DRM; the Department of Repeating Myself), this method of date keeping also suggests still one more reason for the fall of the Roman Empire. (Though not of the Roman Polanski).

As for the game itself? Like so many who will watch—and are not in any betting pool— I’ll have no rooting interest in the participants or the score. Or even the ads really (“been there; done that”). Just pass the chicken wings and let’s raise a Bud (remember the “Bud Bowl?”), to the days of Roman numbers past. Who the “L” needs ‘em!

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Ron Vazzano, a writer, poet and actor, has been a frequent contributor to this website as well as performer at Artist Without Walls monthly showcases.

KATHLEEN BENNETT BASTIS 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 Kathleen Bennett Bastis wrote:

‘The first time I went to an Artists Without Walls’ event I was immediately struck with the sense of community – a palpable vibe that seemed to take “ego” out of the equation – casual yet professional. The talent pool performing at an AWoW event is deep, many with impressive pedigree, bringing a broad range of musical and theatrical artists, dance, spoken word and comedy to their stage. I’m not sure there is anywhere in the city that a spoken word artist shares the stage with a belly dancer. The enthusiasm, variety and the high level of talent rarely wanes and keeps me coming back month after month.”

Mixed media artist Kathleen Bennett Bastis’s work is inspired by the distinctive character, energy and form found in the fragments of discarded, washed up, broken or otherwise overlooked materials which she salvages from the street, river bank and scrap yards. Their unique shape, texture and hue guide her creative process as she reinterprets the history of this detritus and constructs a contemporary visual narrative. Click here to visit her website.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS AROUND TOWN THIS WEEK

Today at 2:00 PM EST the curtain will rise on the seventh sold out Writers Read live event, “The First Time” at The Cell theater on West 23rd Street in New York City. In keeping with the theme, for the first time we’ll be beta testing a live stream via our Writers Read YouTube channel. If you’d like to see the show, please log in at 1:55 PM EST by clicking the link here.

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On Thursday, February 4th, Marty Plevel and Artists Without Walls will be bringing AWoW’s Showcase to Sid Gold’s Request Room, 165 W26th St., one of the hottest new piano bars in town. Marty, a generous supporter and promoter of AWoW, will be presenting a night of musical and spoken word performers, including Martina Fišerová, Noah Hoffeld, Annette Homann, Liv Mammone, Connie Roberts, & Niamh Hyland.

Doors open at 6:30pm and performances will start at 7:00pm sharp, so come early with your friends to grab a seat, catch-up with other AWoWers and sip on a delicious cocktail. Entry is free, but donations supporting Artists Without Walls are greatly appreciated.

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Annette Homann will be performing “Dancing and Singing with Violin,” Friday, February 5 at 7 PM. Bloomingdale School of Music, 323 W 108th St, New York, New York 10025. This is a free event.

Also on February 7th, 3pm, at the Bloomingdale School of Music, 323 W 108th street, NYC, Annette will be performing in a program called “Pop Arrangements for String Quartet.” This is a free event.

GREAT PERFORMANCES at AWOW'S SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE, 1/26/16

Superb night of entertainment at Artists Without Walls’ Showcase this past Tuesday night at The Cell Theatre. Some familiar faces as well as some new and all extremely talented. Singer/songwriters Izzy Levine and Ella McDonald, high school students from Montclair New Jersey, made their New York City debut, displaying beautiful vocal harmonies and poise. The talented team performed three songs in front of an enthusiastic, full-house audience. Remarkable musicians! I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about them in the future.

Ron Vazzano opened the night with a series of seven poems, collectively entitled Notes on Slumming Through the Continuum, which was accompanied by a dramatic visual presentation. The poems were said to be inspired by a quote of his own making, “Time waits for no man in its mad rush to infinity” (to which he noted, “Yes, in a ‘Trumpian’ fit of self-adoration I’m actually quoting myself”), it was highly applauded by an audience that seemed to hang on every word.

The Mountain Maidens, including Lorraine Berger, Candice Baranello and Marie Mularczyk O’Connell, captured the Awow audience with tight modal Appalachian harmonies wonderful energy and spirit. The room soon became a magical “sing along,” with old familiar mountain tunes and high energy remincent of a Pete Seeger concert. The audience loved the ancient sounds, particularly the “magical two sisters’ sibling rivalry” and its funky lyrics.

Laughter filled the room as David Loughlin and Mary Tierney took the stage in David’s play, THE SENIOR CASE MANAGER. Mary’s touching, yet comedic portrayal of a woman’s desperate need for love, and David’s beleaguered civil servant, who clings to his sanity in a world where the sane don’t always survive. Their quest for love touched our hearts, and made us laugh—what more could one ask for on a cold winter night?

Multifaceted performer Richard Stillman and guitarist Flip Peters gave us a wonderful taste of Jazz Age Vaudeville. Richard started off with a story about Moishe Fiedlespieler and the All Star Klezmer Hot Shots and then went into a tap dancing hat trick dance. Then he wove the narrative into an Irish theme and broke into an Irish step dance while simultaneously playing jigs and reels on the mandolin. The final song was about an old time song and dance man in need of a bit of rejuvenation. Richard’s mix of storytelling, singing, instrumental music and tap dancing always leaves AWOW audiences with a warm glow in their hearts. Richard and Flip will be performing their Spirit of Vaudeville show in Brooklyn, NY on Feb 16, in Montclair, NJ on Feb 21 and in Watchung, NJ on Apr. 16. For details click here.

Craig MacArthur, actor and Fitzmaurice voice work instructor, made his AWoW debut on Tuesday with a riveting performance from “Misterman” by Enda Walsh. Using multiple voices and dialects Craig held the audience rapt with a stunning performance. The full show, which runs 85 minutes, had its Western Regional premiere in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, last year. Upcoming roles for Craig include Kaffee in A “Few Good Men” by Aaron Sorkin.

The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase–its Anniversary Showcase, which will be a great evening of entertainment–is on Tuesday, February 23rd at The Cell Theatre. Also, next Thursday, February 4th, keep in mind “Marty Plevel and Artists Without Walls presents “A Night at Sid Gold’s.”

Photos by Mitch Traphagen.

MITCH TRAPHAGEN'S PHOTO from ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE, 01/26/16

Mitch Traphagen’s photos from Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell, 1/26/16.

"Mountain Maidens" Lorraine Berger, Candice Maranello, and Marie Mularczyk O'Connell — **“Mountain Maidens” Lorraine Berger, Candice Baranello, and Marie Mularczyk O’Connell**

Artists Without Walls January 2016 Showcase held at the Cell Theatre in Manhattan, New York City on January 26, 2016. Featuring artists Ron Vazzano, Richard Stillman and Flip Peters, Craig MacArthur, Izzy Levine and Ella McDonald, The Mountain Maidens (Marie Mularczyk O'Connel, Candice Baranello and Lorraine Berger), Mary Tierney and David Loughlin. Presented by Charles Hale and Niamh Hyland — **Craig MacArthur**