There’s another reason why you’ll want to attend Artists Without Walls’ January 28 show “Crossing Boroughs,” where you’ll not only experience an afternoon of wonderful entertainment, but for the price of the show, which is only $15, you’ll have access to all the exhibits in the museum.
If you haven’t been to the Museum of the City of New York you’re in for a treat. It’s in a wonderful building, located on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park and the New York exhibits are always excellent. There are a number of exhibitions that will be on display in late January. One that might catch your attention is “Mod New York: Fashion Takes a Trip.”
“The world of fashion was turned on its head in the 1960s, as its traditions were challenged, rejected, and reimagined for the restless next generation. Beginning with the introduction of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as a new American style icon and evolving over the course of the decade, fashions of the 1960s were legendary for their energy, their ingenuity, and their enduring appeal.”
Featuring more than 70 garments drawn primarily from the Museum’s Costume Collection, the exhibition traces the dramatic transformation in clothing between 1960 and 1973.”
Join us for a great day in January! The weather is going to be better–it can’t get worse–there are no football games on that Sunday and the show is sure to lift your spirits.
Artists Without Walls is pleased to announce that it will once again have a show in Origin Theatre’s First Irish Theatre Festival titled “Crossing Boroughs.”
The show will be performed at the Museum of the City of New York, January 28, 3pm.
“Crossing Boroughs” was written by Charles R. Hale and stars Niamh Hyland along with Maya Kronfeld, Jonathan Matthews, Mary Ann McSweeney, Shu Nakamura, Laura Neese, Jack O’Connell, David J Raleigh, and Shirazette Tinnin.
Charles R. Hale/Narrator. Niamh Hyland/Music Director. Charmaine Broad/Director. Mitch Traphagen/Graphics and Images. Christopher Hale/Multi Media and Sound Effect.
Mitch Traphagen’s photos from Artist Without Walls’ “Love Force” benefit Showcase for Stars of Hope at Sid Golds Request Room.
Marty PlevelNiamh HylandCharles R. HaleDeni BonetJ. r. GarciaAllison SylviaSerena JostWalter ParksDia LunaMarty Plevel and Niamh HylandAllison Sylvia and Niamh HylandAWoW February 2017 Showcase featuring Walter Parks, Serena Jost, Allison Sylvia, Deni Bonet, Niamh Hyland, J.r. Garcia. Marty Plevel, Charles R. Hale, Dia Luna and Joe McGinty.
Billy Joel performed his 37th consecutive sold-out monthly show at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 11, 2017. When he began, he said he would keep playing until people stopped showing up. There is no sign of that happening. His 41st concert was just announced.
Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden
It would be hard to argue that he needs the money. He is among the best selling recording artists in history. But he is a New Yorker through and through. Born in the Bronx 67-years-ago, Madison Square Garden is in his hometown; it’s his backyard. And for many artists, Madison Square Garden represents the high bar of a goal of which dreams are made. It is a venue known around the world. Performing there places one in a very rarified club.
Now entering my third year as a member of Artists Without Walls, I’ve seen a number of artists that could be playing at Madison Square Garden. For those artists, having seen them perform at an AWoW monthly showcase, the stretch to MSG is not a long one from my outside perspective. But for the artists, it may well appear differently. For them, it is a matter of choosing the path of the heart, and making the sacrifices, often far more than most people could bear, in reaching that stage.
The Piano Man, Billy Joel
Billy Joel made sacrifices. He was busy performing and didn’t actually graduate from high school until…1992. Was it worth it? In terms of wealth and fame, no doubt it was for him. But he has also long suffered from clinical depression, including after September 11, 2001. And yet he continued. He wants to perform. He wants to play until people stop showing up.
What determines what is “worth it” is the soul of the artist in many cases. Some are lucky financially. Sometimes the sacrifice is simply too much, when living indoors and having regular meals must be chosen over someday dreams of 21,000 people at MSG cheering you on.
Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden.
Many years ago when I played in a rock band at the tail end of the disco era, we used to joke that dinner for musicians meant going into a diner, ordering a bowl of hot water and grabbing the ketchup bottle on the table. For too many artists today, that probably isn’t far from the truth.
During the concert Billy at times would stop and ask, “Do you want hear this song?…hitting a few keys…or this song?…hitting different keys — but both songs iconic for millions of people encompassing generations.
Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden
He spoke of his songs and albums. At one point, he mentioned an album from the mid-70s and asked the crowd if anyone had it — and quickly followed up with, “Don’t worry. It wasn’t one of my best. I don’t even have that album.”
In the end he played for two and a half hours. There were songs that he likely felt he had no choice but to play — the audience was surely expecting them. But he also mixed it up with some Stones and Led Zeppelin. He has long been a Led Zep fan.
There are any number of artists with AWoW who either have or will someday play on that stage or one equal in stature. There are any number of artists who will perform at the Richard Rogers Theatre on Broadway or in front of movie or television cameras, who may one day change lives while playing at the Rockwood Music Hall or Cafe Vivaldi.
Billy Joel. Mitch Traphagen Photo
There is a reason Billy Joel is performing monthly shows at MSG and it probably doesn’t have much to do with money. There is something else; there is pure, driving passion and there is an “it” factor. Artists Without Walls’ cofounder Charles R. Hale understands it; he is himself an artist, after all. And thus there is a reason such talent takes the stage at the Cell every month for the AWoW showcases. There is a reason such talent exists at all.
From Billy Joel to the many artists with AWoW, from MSG to the Cell, walls don’t matter. The words, the music, the talent…it is in the souls of the artists.
In conjunction with Artists Without Walls, Kathleen will be doing another event on Saturday, May 6, 6:00pm to 10:00pm, called “One Night Stand.” The evening will feature Kathleen’s work and three great jazz musicians, Thana Alexa, Josh Cohen and Nicole Zuraitis
Mark your calendar for what is sure to be a special evening. First Street Gallery is located at 526 W 26th St #209, in Manhattan.
. John Faris and I, Justin Adkins, created this production outfit in January 2015 in an effort to make films that we are excited to see. After film school, we both realized that we work well together and have strengths that would benefit the company and our films. As such, we created Rusty Faris Wheel Productions to produce all types of films with a focus on horror and action/superhero fare.
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2) What are you working on at the moment?
. Currently, we are producing a superhero short film called “The Friend.” Principal photography begins on November 2, 2015. We are also finalizing our three additional projects for the upcoming screening.
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3) Do you have any upcoming events you would like people to attend? We are having the Rusty Faris Wheel Screening Event, presented by Artists Without Walls, on November 6, 2015, at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd Street, NY, 7:00 to 8:30, which will screen all three current projects. (Promo piece below.)
4) What are 3 of your favorite films/shorts and why?
. Between the two of us, three of our favorite films are The Evil Dead (Justin), The Dark Knight (both), and 48 HRS (John). The Evil Dead is Justin’s favorite movie of all time. Sam Raimi is a true inspiration as a low budget, young filmmaker who established a strong career. The Dark Knight is, for both of us, one of the strongest cinematic depictions of any superhero derived from an existing comic book. 48 HRS. is widely recognized as the pioneer American buddy cop movie and is a perfect example of a simple film on a minimal budget that stands the test of time.
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5) Who are the filmmakers past & present that you admire and why?
. Sam Raimi, Christopher Nolan, Alfred Hitchcock, Walter Hill, and Mario Bava. All of these filmmakers are fantastic storytellers who can create a visual, tense, gritty, violent, and beautiful picture for the audience as the stories unfold.
Justin Atkins and John Faris
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6) Who is your greatest inspiration and why?
. For me, Justin, it is Sam Raimi. As stated above, he started out as a young, ambitious filmmaker who raised money, gathered his friends, and made a little cult movie. This led to greater things in the form of the Spiderman movies. For John, it is Christopher Nolan. In the same vein as Sam Raimi, Christopher Nolan started small by writing, directing and producing his first feature film, Following, in 1999, while working a full-time job and using his friends as actors. Nolan proceeded to wow critics with Memento and is credited with the resurrection of the now billion dollar DC Comic Film Franchise.
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7) Name 5 things that you would like to accomplish in the next 5 years?
. -Make at least two feature films -Work full time on our films -Help other filmmakers produce their visions -Continue to develop relationships with other artists for collaboration -See the distribution of our films
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8) If you could dream of trying something in the arts you haven’t tried, but would like to, what would it be?
. We would like to venture into the musical arts in the form of creating music and scores as well as singing. We also envision making films that are far beyond our comfort zones of the horror/action-comedy/superhero genres.
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9) What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
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We enjoy watching movies as well as creating new characters and stories for our films. We also enjoy the fine art of beer drinking.
We’ve been fortunate to have a number of great violinists and fiddlers at Artists Without Walls’ Showcases, including Deni Bonet, Annette Homann and Bernadette Fee. On Tuesday we will feature another great violinist, Gregory Harrington. Gregory, who has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Boston’s Symphony Hall and venues around the world, will be performing a few pieces, including Bach and Nirvana. You won’t want to miss this brilliant performer.
Jim Hawkins
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.” Come hear him perform an excerpt from his story, “Driving Across America with Billy Zuckerman.”
Robin Pahlman
Finland native and guitarist Robin Pahlman, who has been performing around town with Deni Bonet and who’s wonderful performance at AWoW’s recent Showcase at Rockwood recently, was a big hit with the audience, will be making debut appearance at an AWoW Showcase at The Cell.
David Sharp
We’ve had some incredible performances at AWoW’s Showcases during the past year and right up there with the best was David Sharp’s performance from his one-man show Tennesse Williams. His tour-de-force performance was spellbinding and brought down the house. David will be performing another scene from his work at Tuesday’s Showcase.
Terry McCarthy
Terry McCarthy was born in New York City and grew up in Breezy Point, writing songs as he wandered the winter beach. After surviving both a Catholic and public school education, Terry attended SUNY, College at Purchase where he received a BFA in Theater Arts, all the while knowing his first love and passion was music. Terry who ended a recent Showcase with three terrific tunes from his most recent album, The Charm, will once again be joined by the great guitarist Devon McCarthy.
Mickey Coleman
Joining AWoW for his first appearance is folk singer/songwriter Mickey Coleman. Mickey’s talent for penning songs has been well documented in songs such as Culdaff, Duffy’s Cut, Undocumented Man, The Brantry Boy, My Coalisland Girl, The Holylands Belfast and Kilkeel Fishermen. Mickey has released three albums Carefully Crafted,A Mother’s Lullaby and the critically acclaimed Last Glance and he’s shared the stage with some of the world and Ireland’s top folk artists such as The Chieftains, Cara Dillon, Francis Black, Liam Reilly and Bagatelle, Steve Cooney and many more.
Don Creedon
Don Creedon is an award-winning playwright, director, and actor originally from Dublin, Ireland. In October 2010, Don received the 1st Irish 2010 Theatre Festival Audience Award for Best Play for Guy Walks into a Bar. Also in 2010, Don was nominated for Best Director 1st Irish 2010 Theatre Festival for the US premier of Dermot Bolger’s one-woman drama The Holy Ground, featuring Katherine O’Sullivan. Don will present a scene from his one act comedy Divine The Cast with Maeve Price and himself in the role of Father Divine.
Maeve Price
Get there early to get a good seat. The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., NYC. The show begins at 7pm.
“Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre,” Tuesday, April 22 7pm at The Cell Theatre. 338 W 23rd St, NYC.
Join Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, along with a group of contemporary poets, for a poetry reading and book launch of a new anthology of poems, St. Peter’s B-List : Contemporary Poems Inspired by the Saints, published by Ave Maria Press. This event, sponsored by The Curran Center for American Catholic Studies, will begin on Thursday, April 24th at 6PM in the Atrium at Fordham’s Lincoln Center Campus (2nd floor Plaza Level of Lowenstein) located at 60th St. and Columbus Avenue in NYC.
Deni Bonet
Fiddler Deni Bonet will be performing with Michael Brunnoc @ Woodhaven House, 63-98 Woodhaven Boulevard, Rego Park, NY 11374 (United States) – Map718-8945400 10:30 PM for 2 sets with a 4 piece band.
“Artists Without Walls’ Multicultural Showcase at the New York Irish Center,” Saturday night, April 26 at 7:30pm. Come hear Jack O’Connell, Koro Koroye, Niamh Hyland, Annette Homann, Antoinette Montague, Michael Brunnock and John Duddy. 1040 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, Queens. Tickets $22. Artists Without Walls’members $15.
Honor Finnegan will be performing Sunday, November 17th, at Music at Lily Pads @ UUCSC. Joni Mitchell’s Blue: A 40th Anniversary Celebration, 3:00pm, 27 North Road, Peace Dale, Rhode Island. $15. Honor will also be performing at The Underground, Sunset Rodeo Wednesday, Nov. 20th, 7:00 – 9:00, 955 West End Ave New York NY. In the round with Sharon Goldman, Fred Arcoleo, and Mangus Ferguson. 2-drink minimum per person
Tara O’Grady will be performing at the Mercy Centre Bangkok Concert at the Irish Repertory Theatre, Monday, November 18 at 8:00pm with a cocktail reception at 6:45pm. $50 donation to Mercy Centre USA includes reception and a concert with some of the top Irish musicians including Joanie Madden, Martin O’Connell and Tony Demarco. All proceeds go directly to orphanage. Tara will also be appearing with her jazz trio on Wednesday, November 20, 6-9pm at Winnie’s Lounge in the Refinery Hotel, 63 W. 38th St.
Peter Quinn returns to theIrish Arts Center Tuesday, November 19, 7:30pm, to read from his recently released novel Dry Bones. This is the final installment of the detective Fintan Dunne series, which centers around an ill-fated OSS mission on the Eastern front during WWII and its consequences more than a decade later. Joining Peter will be Tara O’Grady, Mary Tierney, Honor Molloy and Dan Barry. Peter will follow with a Q&A during which you are sure to learn about his exhaustive research on World War II and the liberties a writer sometimes has to take with history. Call 212-757-3318 and ask for the Artists Without Walls discounted tickets $8.
Darrah Carr Dance and ModErin: The 15th Anniversary Season. The Irish Arts Center, 553, W. 51st St., Nov. 22-Nov 24., Fri and Sat 8pm, Sat and Sun Family Shows 11am. Sunday 3pm . ADMISSION: $25 non-member / $20 member / $15 family show / Use code DCD20 and pay the IAC member rate – while supplies last! TICKETS: www.irishartscenter.org or 866-811-4111
Normally we post photos from an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase, followed by a wrap up of the evening’s events. But following Tuesday night’s Showcase we received so many comments we thought we’d publish a few of them first. Cat Dwyer’s photos and a written review will follow shortly.
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Connie Roberts
“It was a thrilling, life affirming night—life-affirming in the sense that an Artist Without Walls’ showcase highlights beautifully, often spectacularly, our shared humanity. In our fast-paced, rat-race lives, it is easy to feel disconnected from the world, from our fellow man/woman. But then you have a space like AWoW has created, where people bring their stories and share them—their hurts, betrayals and joys—in various mediums, with a bunch of other folks, who have their own stories, it’s as if by magic, the whole room experiences a sense of connectedness, real-time affirmation that we’re all part of a rich and complex tapestry.
Just look at a sample of the marvelous stories told through word and song last night alone: a middle-aged man who finds out that he’s not of Russian descent, but of Irish heritage; how witnessing the effects of genital mutilation in Africa shaped an American artist’s work; Native American assimilation; a family’s tradition of belting out an Irish ballad in a convoy of cars en route to their Granny’s house; the fraught mother-daughter relationship in a woman’s poems; and even though the other performances weren’t explicitly drawn from the artists’ own lives, there’s more than a sprinkling of themselves in their respective pieces. And there’s more than a sprinkling of ourselves in all of the performances last night. That’s what draws us from our suburban houses, our uptown apartments and our downtown offices on a Tuesday night.
As you said, Charles, all you need do is get up there and give it all you’ve got. When you’re passionate about what you do, it shines through.
Honor Finnegan (foreground) Vincent Nauheimer and Tom Myles (background)
Artists Without Walls has created such a unique space for artists of all stripes. I’m so happy and proud to be a part of this organization. Each showcase I attend costs me $100 in babysitting fees–I can’t think of a better way to spend my money.” Connie Roberts
“If you were to put Ed Sullivan, Oscar Wilde and TEDTalks into a blender you’d get Artist Without Walls. The Showcase is a friendly environment for artists to share their work and start unique collaborations in a remarkably intimate setting. One of the most receptive and fun shows I’ve been a part of…” Ed Romanoff
“Incredibly moving performances from beginning to end! Transforming life’s experiences into art is a “Saintly” calling and we had a taste of heaven last evening, thanks to all the performers.” Vincent Nauheimer
“Oh my God, Charles and Niamh, you must be bursting with what you’ve created. It’s growing because it’s calling people, really. I feel such a community there, a home. David’s been working on his Tennessee William’s play for so long. What was needed, so desperately was what AWOW gave it, a loving ear to witness. That room, that audience of art friends, people that really understand and want to see you express it. Wonderful!” Mary Tierney
“Brilliant! Somehow egos are left at the door and you sit there absorbing these wonderful performances. And by the end of the evening you find yourself connected to your soul.” Ray Lindie
“What an extraordinary night. I feel blessed to have been a witness and a participant to the magic.” Jenai Huff
“I watched, listened, smiled, laughed, applauded, cheered, hummed, moved, cried, connected, and thought. Vinnie and I kept elbowing each other with the remark, “This is amazing”. Niamh and Charles deserve praise and encouragement to do more.” Tom Myles
“AWOW is a wonderful thing you’ve got going. So much talent in a packed room – you have to think about taking it on tour!” Alan McMonagle
Sana Musasama
“Superb. People are proud to be part of AWoW and that includes me!” Billy Barrett
“The diversity of presenters was brilliant.” Jack Lamplough
“It was a delight and a privilege to be part of last night’s amazing lineup! Thank you, Niamh and Charles, for making The Magic happen!” Angela Alaimo O’Donnell
“Wow, what a night! This is really turning into something. I am on my way home on the LIRR and just ‘over the moon.’ Great job Niamh and Charles.” Jack O’Connell
