Artists Without Walls Showcase at The Cell Theatre

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS’ JANUARY SHOWCASE AT THE CELL

Join Artists Without Walls for its January Showcase at The Cell, 338 West 23rd Street, Manhattan, Tuesday, January 24th. Presenters include jazz fiddler Michi Fuji, author and lecturer Suzanne Bernier, singer/songwriter Martina Fiserova, artist and singer Maia Nero, writers Billy Barrett and Mike DeLucia, playwright Brendan Connellan and actor Faye Franzini. Charles R. Hale and Niamh J. Hyland are the evenings hosts and emcees.

The doors and the bar open at 6:45. Performances begin at 7:30. This is a free event.

ALLISON SYLIVA, JOHN MORAN, REBECCA LOWRY and COURTNEY TORRES at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE

You can watch the artists perform, and meet them as well, at Artists Without Walls’ May Showcase at The Cell Theatre, this Tuesday, 5/24. The doors and bar open at 6:45. Presentations begin at 7:30.

Here are a few of the artists who will be performing:

Allison Sylvia is a poet/artist/dancer who has performed at a number of Artists Without Walls’ Showcases. Here’s what was said about Allison after her performance at “Permutations,” an AWoW/ Kathleen Bennett Bastis collaboration at Chelsea’s First Street Gallery last Spring: “Attention grabbing, fast paced, stay focused so you don’t miss a thought….Allison is not a rapper, but if Socrates were a rap artist you might think of Allison. Brilliant.”

AWoW charter member Brendan Connellan, who has written and produced a number of shows that were premiered on 42nd Street, NYC in the past few years, will be presenting a scene from his play, “Savage.” Appearing in the scene will be:

Courtney Torres, who frequently works with independent theater companies such as Locked in the Attic Productions and Fengari Ensemble. She has participated in various showcases and festivals in the New York City and currently trains at Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab.

Rebecca Lowry, who last appeared on the New York stage in the mid-1990s, when she spent a decade traveling the country as a professional actress performing in everything from Shakespeare to Burlesque. She is currently an attorney and legal writing Professor at Saint John’s University as well as an economic analyst.

And..John Moran, long time fan and charter member of Artists Without Walls, fresh from filming Danni for “Take it to the Stage Productions” and “Age of Consent” in association with Rusty Ferris Wheel Productions and Artists Without Walls.

AN EXCITING and DIVERSE EVENING of ENTERTAINMENT: ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS’ APRIL SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE

“Artists Without Walls has has gotten off to a fantastic start this year. I’m so very thankful for the artistic, cultural and social benefits I have reaped from this organization. Thanks, Charles and Niamh. Thanks everyone for your support.” Mark Donnelly

—–

We’ve got a great evening of diverse entertainment planned for Artists Without Walls’ April Showcase at The Cell Theatre, Tuesday, April 26. One of the group’s newest members, songwriter Rick Cashman, will be making his first AWoW appearance. Joining Rick will be jazz pianist John Ambrosini and saxophonist Premik Russell Tubbs, who has performed with Lady Gaga, Sting, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. Rick is also the creator, writer and producer of a weekly comedy podcast called “The Hickory Bench Playhouse”

Actress Gina Costigan will be performing a scene from Honor Molloy’s short play, “And in My Heart. ” The play is a young woman’s account of love and revolution during the 1916 Easter Rising, which is drawn from Honor’s Great Aunt Florence Kane’s eye witness account of the week when Ireland changed, changed utterly.

Mala Waldron, a New York City native, balances local performances with regular tours in Europe and Asia. Currently, the songstress is excited about her upcoming solo release, “Deep Resonance.” The project is an intimate, unplugged, personal glimpse into the heart of the artist, featuring her lush vocals and piano accompaniment. Mala’s recordings include her CD debut, “Lullaby,” a tribute to her godmother, Billie Holiday and a duo project with her father, pianist/composer Mal Waldron, “He’s My Father” and “Always There,” which, in addition to being her first U.S. release, was also licensed by Columbia Records (Japan) and voted one of the Top 20 Jazz CDs of 2006 by JazzUSA.

Jenai Huff, NYC based singer/songwriter composes songs that address life with its nuances, contradictions, and challenges. Working with acclaimed cinematographer and cameraman, Arthur Jafa (Selma, Crooklyn, Seven Songs for Malcolm, Beyonce, Lauren Hill), has put two of her songs to film, which she will be showing at Tuesday’s Showcase. One of the songs, “Just Like Me,” subtly addresses racism and how we really are all mostly a like.

Michelle Macau will be presenting a reading of selected poems from “The Surrender Tree” by Margarita Engle about Cuba’s struggle for freedom, experimenting with percussive sounds to enhance the story. Joining Michelle will be Al Foote III, Celeste Muniz, Paul Roberson and Kabuki Kozuru.

Storyteller Jim Hawkins will pay tribute to the men and women of 1916 Ireland, with passages from Sean O’Casey’s writings and the song, “The Foggy Dew.” Jim has spent decades telling stories, with a sly, folksy understated humor, like the seanchaís of old, whom Hawkins emulates. 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.”

Artists Without Walls’ Artistic Directors Niamh Hyland and Charles R. Hale will be hosting and emceeing the event. The Cell Theatre is located at 338 W23rd. St., NYC. The doors and bar open at 6:45. The Showcase begins at 7:30. For more information about the event click here.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' AUGUST SHOWCASE at THE CELL, TUESDAY, AUGUST 25TH.

“They (Artists Without Walls) create the space—literally and figuratively—for artists of all stripes to be their best selves, to push boundaries, to experiment, to collaborate in a safe, nurturing environment. They are also the glorious pied pipers who keeps bringing us back again and again to these marvelous events.” Connie Roberts author of Little Witness.

—–

Over the past three decades, Walter Parks has forged a distinctive international career as the lead guitarist for Woodstock legend Richie Havens, half of the folk-duo The Nudes, and guitarist and leader of the swamp/blues-outfit Swamp Cabbage. His original music is inspired by the swampy gospel blues that wails from storefront churches and roadhouses in and around the southeast Georgia low country. We’re looking forward to Walter’s first appearance at an AWoW Showcase.

Actor/dancer/singer/writer Melissa Ritz will perform an excerpt from her award-winning one-woman show Journey of a Bombshell: The Ina Ray Hutton Story, which is now appearing at the Soho Theatre in New York City. Based on true events, 1930’s famed Big-Band leader Ina Ray Hutton found success and heartache on the stages of Broadway and beyond, with a secret she couldn’t afford to reveal at that time.

Mary Deady, a member of the National Folk Theatre of Ireland for many years, will also be appearing at her first Showcase this Tuesday. Mary has performed extensively throughout Ireland, Europe, the United States and Canada. A resident of New York City, Mary has appeared in a wide variety of venues and, most recently, with Jeff Cubeta on piano, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre/West Bank Café, where she musically traced her journey from Ireland to America through the richness of the American songbook.

Veteran stage, film and television actor Jack O’Connell, an AWoW charter member and frequent performer, will soon be starring in “Stoopdreamers,” which will be directed by Kira Simring and will be running through the month of September at The Cell Theatre. Jack will be performing a short scene from “Stoopdreamers” during Tuesday’s Showcase. Jack 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 and Men In Black 3.

Mary Tierney, Ron Ryan and Larry Fleischman will be performing in a short play, The Perfect Cup of Coffee, written by award winning playwright David Loughlin at Tuesday’s Showcase at The Cell Theatre. Gus and Shorty, two cowboys from Wyoming, set-off across America in search of the perfect cup of coffee. After more than a hundred disappointments, they end-up in Sally’s Place, a diner in Vermont, wondering if they’re searching for something that doesn’t exist—the perfect cup of coffee. Playwright: David Loughlin is a member of the HB Studio Playwright’s Unit, The Dramatist Guild, and The Pulse Ensemble Theater’s Playwright’s Lab. His award-winning plays have been produced from New York to Brooklyn, Florida, California, and beyond.

Charles R. Hale’s show “The Musical History of the Lower East Side” was performed by AWoW members at Rockwood Music Hall in the Spring. Charles has created a companion piece film, which he will debuting at AWoW’s Showcase. Charles is a co-founder and artistic director of Artists Without Walls.

Join us on Tuesday, August 25th for an evening of great fun and conviviality at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., NYC. The doors and bar open at 6:45. We hope to see you there.

TALENT GALORE at AWoW's SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE, TUESDAY 4/28

“This is a note of thanks to Artists Without Walls for supporting my efforts through pictures and words these past months. I’ve been working as an actor for at least twenty five years now and I’ve never before been involved in anything quite like this. AWoW is a unique blessing. So happy to be a member.” Jack O’Connell, actor, New York

Here’s the lineup for AWoW’s April Showcase:

Vincent Cross, who first performed with AWoW in its show “Rise Up Singing: Women in the Labor Movment,” will be performing at his first Showcase. Vincent will be drawing from the purist of mountains springs to present original urban Americana stories. Said, Vincent, “These will be performed in the high lonesome sound on guitar/banjo.”

Connie Roberts, a County Offaly native, emigrated from Ireland to the U.S. in 1983. She has won many awards for her poetry including the Patrick Kavanagh and the Listowel Writers’ Week awards. She will be reading from her just released debut volume, Little Witness, a collection of poetry inspired by her experiences growing up in an industrial school (orphanage) in Ireland.

Here’s what Jack Silbert, DJWriter at satin wound.com said about singer/songwriter Terry McCarthy. “Terry really turns on the charm on his album, The Charm, with a warm strum and even warmer vocals throughout. With tremendous backing musicians, the record presents a wide variety of sounds, never falling into a folky funk….but the secret weapon is McCarthy’s sharp, melodic songwriting, on Beatlesque tracks such as “Loneliest Boy” and the should-be-a-hit “Just Today.” Terry will be joined by Andy Sandel , Gerry Griffen and Tom Monaghan.

Richard Stillman and guitarist Flip Peters will be performing numbers from Richard’s show,”The Spirit of Vaudeville,” including a tap dancing Charleston played on tenor banjo, a short story that finishes with Richard tap dancing while playing the harmonica & bones while juggling and a novelty ukulele routine. “The Spirit of Vaudeville” won a Best Concert Award at the 2014 United Solo Theater Festival.

Toby Tobias was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. Toby has immersed himself in all genres of American Music of the last fifty years. His interest in African Rhythms & World Music, coupled with his keen ear for highly intuitive arrangements, has been the hallmark of his writing and performance styles, and he has garnered a strong following of listeners on Long Island and beyond. He will be performing a song called ‘Madiba’, dedicated to the life of Nelson Mandela.

Shu Nakamura, a Japan born – Brooklyn based musician, guitar player, multi-instrument player, composer, singer-song-writer, music producer. Shu moved to NY in 1999, has been a NY music scene layer. He just returned from his 2015 Japan tour with his rock band called “the Ninja Orchestra”. Shu will be performing his original material, as well as teaming up with Niamh Hyland for a tune or two.

The bar opens at 6:45, the show begins around 7:15. Hope to see you at The Cell Theatre, located at 338 W23rd St.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "AROUND TOWN" the WEEK of APRIL 26th

Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St. NY, Tuesday, April 28th, 6:45pm.

—–

Martina Fiserova (singer, guitarist, songwriter) will perform at the Way Station, Brooklyn, on Tuesday April 28th at 10pm, featuring Yuka Kameda (tap dance).

.
Great bar, no cover. The address is: 683 Washington Avenue, Prospect Heights.

—–

On Wednesday, April 29th at 6:30pm. Kevin Holohan will join Mayra Santos Febres, Kevin, Salar Abdoh with fellow author David Unger to celebrate his winning of Guatemala’s “Miguel Ángel Asturias” National Prize for Literature They will reading a little and chatting about the craft of writing at CUNY’s Center for worker Education (CWE) 25 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10004. Admission is Free

—–

Susan Seliger’s “Out by Ten: Jilted Lovers, Bad Kids, Dreams, Drums & Desires.” Thursday, April 30, 2015, Spectrum NYC, 121 Ludlow Street, NYC. 7:30-9:30 PM. Open Mic for storytellers & musicians after the featured performers.

$20 admission fee ($18 in advance) includes FREE wine and cheese and cookies. Click here for tickets at Brown Paper Tickets.

—–

Ed McCann’s “Writers Read” a celebration of the spoken word presents “What We Ate,” at The Cell Theatre in New York City at 2:00PM, Sunday, May 3rd. This live staged reading will feature twelve writers presenting short, original pieces on the theme, and writers and guests will mingle and share light refreshments during intermission.

Their last three events sold out, and seats are going fast; if you’d like to join them, click here for tickets.

—–

Stella Pulo’s “Shrimp Shells in My Cleavage” will be performed on May 3rd, 5pm at the School of Visual Arts, 133 West 21st Street, Room 101C, NY and on May 16th, 7pm at 111 Bowery, 4th floor, NY.

—–

Sasha Papernik will be performing at Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen St, NYC, on Sunday, May 3rd, at 6pm with two original bandmates: Kyle Saulnier on bass and Justin Poindexter on guitar. Come join her for an evening of Russian dances and original songs and hear where this whole thing all began….

FREE EVENT!

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS: THIS WEEK in NYC

Martina Fiserova, a singer songwriter originally from Prague, will perform her original songs on Monday January 26th at 10pm at The Way Station, 683 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, no cover charge.

—–

CANCELED DUE TO THE BLIZZARD

Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., Tuesday, January 27th, 6:45pm. NEXT SHOWCASE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH.

—–

Moonlight Sonata, written by Brona Crehan and starring Grainne Duddy, made it to the finals at Manhattan Rep’s winter one act competition. Thirty plays participated and six move on to the finals on January 29 and 30 at 6.30pm and 9.00pm each night.

RESERVATIONS for THE FINAL SHOWDOWN performances will open up on MONDAY MORNING January 26 at 9 am. Any reservation received before January 26 at 9 am will not be honored. Manhattan Rep will only accept 4 ticket reservations per email address per show for THE FINAL SHOWDOWN performances to prevent one play from reserving the entire show. (6:30 pm and 9 pm.) Tickets for the performance are $20

The Manhattan Repertory Theatre is located at 303 W42nd St, NYC. Reservations can be made at: mrtreserve@gmail.com

—–

Deborah Monlux producer of: Bayou ‘n Brooklyn Music Festival, (next years fest is May 8, 9, 10, 2015) invites you to a free event at Jalopy Theatre 315 Columbia Street Brooklyn NY 11231; Saturday, January 31st, 2015, from 2-5PM.

Join them for the next session of their traditional Brooklyn Cajun Jam Session at the fabulous Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn. This jam will be led by Jesse Lége.

The Brooklyn Cajun Jam focuses on the traditional Cajun & Creole music of southwest Louisiana. Vocals are sung in Cajun French and are backed up by button accordion, fiddle, guitar, and occasionally, ‘tit fer (triangle) bass and mandolin. Since most tunes are played in the keys of C and G, fiddles are usually tuned down a whole step to FCGD. Bring your instruments, join the music session, dance, or just come by and listen to some great traditional Cajun music.

"SPOTLIGHT ON" ACTRESS MELISSA RITZ

Who is Melissa Ritz?

I’m an Army brat. My father was in the military and although I was born in Fort Sill, OK, I’ve lived all over the United States and Europe.

I’ve always had an interest in the arts. When I was attending an American high school in Germany I learned of a local English-speaking theater called The Frankfurt Playhouse. I immediately signed up to audition for their first show of the season, Funny Girl, and I got cast in the chorus. My relationship with the community of artists was magical. It opened my eyes to theater, music, acting and rehearsing. Working with military spouses, German locals, and defense contractors I also performed in Oklahoma! and Hello, Dolly!

My family moved from Germany to Alabama during my senior year of high school, but after graduating from high school I longed to return to Europe. The easiest way was to join the military. This stunned my parents; I was the ‘artsy’ type and never had expressed any desire to go into the Air Force. I mean, I had purple hair!

I learned about a military entertainment program called Tops in Blue while working as a medical laboratory technician in the Air Force. The program is comprised of musicians, technicians, vocalists, and dancers who perform a 90-minute show at military installations around the world. I auditioned and was accepted for the program. My confidence burgeoned; I began to see the “big picture” and years later drew from my experiences to create a one-woman show, “Journey of a Bombshell: The Ina Ray Hutton Story.”

Just after 9-11, I was working in a hospital in Germany. I was on a 24-hour standby deployment for a MASH unit in Baghdad City, and although I never deployed to Baghdad, many who suffered casualties from the Iraqi invasion were brought to the hospital. I reevaluated my life after seeing so many soldiers die at such a young age. Was I following my passion? Where was my heart guiding me? All answers led back to the theater.

I wanted to go somewhere new, somewhere that wasn’t as stressful and completely different from the military. I moved to Las Vegas, where I worked as a cocktail waitress in a major “Strip” casino. How’s that for different!

I used my GI Bill to get my BA in Dance, and MFA in Theater Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. My training and experiences were empowering; I was ready for a move to New York City, which I did in October 2013.

—–

What are you working on at the moment?

My one-woman show, Journey of a Bombshell: The Ina Ray Hutton Story. Ina Ray Hutton was a ‘female bandleader’ of an all-girl band, The Melodears, in the 1930’s. What started out as a novelty act became one of the most sought out and lucrative musical acts of the Big Band era. Ina was the first woman to conduct male bands; she pioneered women in jazz and often arranged women performers’ initial gigs.

Born on the South Side of Chicago, Ina had to deal with racial issues, which created a number of challenges in music and in the theatre during the early part of the 20th century. Ina’s life off stage was equally challenging: She was married six times but never had children. She was, however, in many respects, business savvy, including negotiating her own contracts and creating her own image.

After I arrived in NYC I volunteered at the United Solo Theater Festival. I saw a gorgeous show called Magdalen, by Artists Without Walls’ member Erin Layton and Erin put me in touch with her director Julie Kline. After meeting Julie, I asked her to direct my show.

During the show I highlight Ina’s career accomplishments through songs, tap dancing, and video projection. We debuted “Ina” at United Solo this past October and sold out all four performances. I’m very proud that I was honored as “Best Emerging Actress.” I hope to take the show to Las Vegas this summer. More info can be found at Journey of a Bombshell.

—–

 Do you have upcoming events you’d like people to attend?

I’ll be performing a scene from “Ina” at Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre on Tuesday, January 27^th. I will also be performing the full length show on Sunday, February 15^th, 9pm, at the Triad Theater/Stage 72. It’s located just above Seven’s Turkish Grill on 72^nd and Broadway. Tickets can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets

—–

Who are the actors/writers / playwrights, past and present, you admire?

Playwrights: Tennessee Williams, Lynn Nottage, Shakespeare, John Patrick Shanley

Actors: Tilda Swinton, Cherry Jones, Anna Deavere Smith, Joaquin Phoenix, John Lithgow

—–

Who is your greatest inspiration and why?

WWII Veterans, WAC/WAAC’s, and war Vets. During my time in the military, I met many amazing people who changed the course of history including The Tuskegee Airmen, Medal of Honor recipients and the first women admitted to military. Their sacrifices and accomplishments inspire me to make the most of opportunities that become available.

—–

Name five things you’d like to do or accomplish in the next five years.

1. Visit Borobudur

2. Write a screenplay version of my show & have it optioned

3. Financially support myself as an actor

4. Speak a foreign language fluently.

5. Open my hips enough so I can finally do lotus pose in yoga!

—–

If you could dream of trying something in the arts you haven’t tried, but would like to, what would it be?

I’d love to play a musical instrument. Any instrument! Having the ability to play an instrument really well seems like a super power.

—–

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Bikram yoga. I teach at Bikram Yoga NYC and Bikram Yoga East Harlem. Try it out!

—–

Melissa’s Facebook page

Melissa’s “Journey of a Bombshell” Facebook page. Click here to like her page.

Journey of a Bombshell website

VERA HOAR and MITCH TRAPHAGEN'S PHOTOS from AWoW'S HOLIDAY SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE

Vera Hoar and Mitch Traphagen took some wonderful photos of the Tuesday night Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre. The first grouping were taken by Vera and the second by Mitch. The names appear below each photo.

—–

—-

—–

Joanne Cunningham, Tom Myles, Connie Roberts, Ron Vazzano, Joanna Migdal — **Joanne Cunningham, Tom Myles, Connie Roberts, Ron Vazzano, and Joanna Migdal**

—–

—–

**Dan Yurkofsky, Terry McCarthy and Noah Hoffeld**

—–

Nicole Wilson, Yevgeniy Skroznikov, Grainne Duddy, Maureen Farrell, Maire Clements — **Nicole Wilson, Holt McCallany, Grainne Duddy, Maureen Farrell, Maire Clements**

—–

The following photos were taken by Mitch Traphagen

—–

—–

—–

**Cara De Silva, Kevin Murphy, Vera Hoar, Michele Traphagen and Joanne Cunningham**

—–

—–

—–

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN"

Violinist Annette Homann has a Pre-CD-Release show (A casual try-out show for her release performance) on December 22nd, 9pm at Cafe Silvana, 300 W116th St. It’s a free event.

On Christmas Eve Annette will be performing with the Canadian Chamber Orchestra at the Episcopal Church of St James the Less in Scarsdale 4:30 pm, 9:30 pm

On December 23rd at 7:30pm, pianist and songwriter Sasha Papernik will perform holiday classics as part of Swingin’ in The Holiday presented by Jazz at Lincoln Center at the Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center. Show starts at 7:30pm sharp, free admission.

Artists Without Walls’ Holiday Showcase is Tuesday, December 23rd at 6:45pm at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St. Performers include Joseph Goodrich, Honor Molly and Niamh Hyland, Brona Crehan and Grainne Duddy, Michael Sheehan, Ed Romanoff, Marion Stein, Nick Garr and Ron Vazzano.

Join Tim and Cynthia Neale for their New Year’s Day Ceili, January 1, 2015 at 574 Main St., Hampstead, NH. 603 329-4249. BYOB $10 per person. Musicians free.

—–

And if you’re planning ahead here’s an event for the end of January: Deborah Monlux producer of: Bayou ‘n Brooklyn Music Festival, (next years fest is May 8, 9, 10, 2015) invites you to a free event at Jalopy Theatre 315 Columbia Street Brooklyn NY 11231; Saturday, January 31st, 2015, from 2-5PM.

Join them for the next session of their traditional Brooklyn Cajun Jam Session at the fabulous Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn. This jam will be led by Jesse Lége.

Fore more info click here.