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, March 29, 2016.
Chris BergsonAlison ArmstrongCharles R. HaleDavid S. GoldmanNoel LawlorMarty Plevel and Chris BergsonLara HerscovitchLara Herscovitch, Charles R. Hale, Alison Armstrong, Chris Bergson, David S. Goldman and Noel Lawlor
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 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.
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:
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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.
Jim Hawkins
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.”
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.
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
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.
Mountain Maidens
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.
Mary Tierney and David Loughlin
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?
Richard Stillman
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
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.
“Lovely and talented! Brilliant across the board. Thrilled to attend; super sounds, sights and words – magical evening it was!” Bassist Michael Muller, who will be part of Tuesday’s Showcase at The Cell, commenting on a recent AWoW gathering.
Niamh Hyland and Allison Sylvia
Allison Sylvia is a poet/artist/dancer who has performed at a number of Artists Without Walls’ Showcases. The Holiday Showcase will find Allison trying something new – reading through little chapbooks and collaborating with musicians.Here’s what was said about Allison Sylvia 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.”
Mary Susan Sinclair
Mary Susan Sinclair, holds a B.A. in both Modern Dance and Theater from Sweet Briar College, and is classically trained in Opera as well as being a equestrian, competing in show jumping and equitation. Mary Susan has danced with the Jose Limon Dance Institute, trained extensively with Samara Adell for Middle Eastern dance, and danced for Mosaic Dance Theater Company for 4 years. She also began her training in Cyr wheel two years ago and has since represented Team USA at the CSIT world sport games in Lignano, Italy and performed in venues throughout the city of New York. Mary Susan will be performing a Middle Eastern fusion dance piece to a modern work of Oriental dance music.
Honor Molloy
If you haven’t heard Honor Molloy read–she’s one of the best in NYC–you can hear her read/perform from Betty Smith’s internationally famous, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” Published in 1943 by Harper & Brothers, the passage Honor will read takes place on Christmas Eve, 1912 when Francie Nolan sets out with her little brother Neeley to bring home the biggest tree in Williamsburg. Honor’s reading of Smith’s classic is always a great Christmas treat!
James Phelan
Jim Phelan is a professional writer from Allentown, PA, by way of NYC and Washington, D.C. The foundation of his fiction writing was speech writing for Presidential appointees during the Clinton and Bush administrations. He still guest lectures at local colleges and circulates his work in the Allentown area. In addition to fiction, he is a free lance writer for businesses, brochures and funeral eulogies. “Self-requested eulogies must be paid for in advance,” Jim said. We’re looking forward to Jim’s first appearance at an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase.
Peter Chance, Niamh Hyland, Michael Muller, Niamh Hyland and Deni Bonet
Tuesday’s Showcase will be the first show for the newly formed Two Many Lauras which is now a full five piece band, including Peter Chance, Cecil Hooker, Susan Hwang, Mike Muller and Pagoda Will. The band will be premiering a brand-new song along with some old faves. Peter, Cecil an Mike have performed at a number of AWoW Showcases and they were sensational. We’re thrilled to have them and their new band members back with us.
Charles R. Hale
And closing out the evening will be a Niamh Hyland inspired Christmas spectacular with an incredible cast of musicians including Deni Bonet, Annette Homann, Erik Lawrence, Noah Hoffeld, Ed Romanoff, Niamh, the band members of Two Many Lauras and others. Charles R. Hale will be hosting what promises to be a very festive evening at The Cell Theatre, 338 W 23rd Street, NYC. The doors and bar open at 6:45. Hope to see you there.
“AWoW dips into the magic of New York City each month and unfurls it on the stage for the lucky audience. Huge gratitude to Charles R. Hale and Niamh Hyland who come up with one compelling Showcase after another.” Brendan Connellan
“The artistic directors of Artists Without Walls have helped so many incredibly talented people do remarkable things — they give them a stage in the center of the universe, something only a select few would otherwise see.” Mitch Traphagen
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Justin Colon-Rabinowitz
The evening was off to a great start when native New York poet Justin Colón-Rabinowitz recited his poetry with grace and authority. Justin shared a number of powerful and intimate poems in front of the standing room only audience, many of which spoke about his family members’ emigration from Puerto Rico to New York City, their ephemeral joys and pains, and the resiliency they showed while adapting to life in the borough of the Bronx. Justin will be graduating from Hofstra University’s MFA program in December, 2015, and he will be reading his poetry at the KGB club in Manhattan on Friday night, December 11th.
Justin Poindexter and Tara O’Grady
The very popular–with good reason–Celtic-jazz songstress Tara O’Grady jammed with the extraordinary guitarist Justin Poindexter from the band Silver City Bound (formerly The Amigos) who accompanied Tara on her original blues and folk songs. The pair have collaborated on three of Tara’s cds including “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” (2011), “A Celt in the Cotton Club” (2013), and most recently, “Irish Bayou” (2015).
Stella Pulo
When Stella Pulo started, the audience started laughing. And they didn’t stop! Stella is quirky, hilarious, entertaining and, at times, poignant. With “Shrimp Shells in Her Cleavage,” she transported the audience to a place where she once was, vacuuming cockroaches and rabbit pellets from the bed of a “Dolly Parton” knock-off. Stella is an wonderful writer and performer, Sophie Kinsella and Tracey Ullman rolled into one.
Faye Franzini and Tue Hoe
When the silence gets thick enough to eat with a spoon, you know something good is happening on stage. Faye Franzini and Tue Hoe bared their own hearts and ripped each other’s in a scene from Brendan Connellan’s “Kill the Bid.” Two people can love each other very much but, sadly, it doesn’t mean they always agree. Wonderful courage from both actors to risk putting it all out there.
Richard Deane
Richard Deane returned to the Artists Without Walls’ stage with an emotionally provocative reading of the opening scene from his novel in progress, “When Yesterday Comes.” His use of poignant atmospherics and straight to the heart exposition pulled the audience into the midst of the dramatic conflict between his vividly constructed characters. Richard’s unabashed exploration into an uncomfortable subject was both captivating and moving.
Martina Fiserova
How does someone who has spoken a different language all their life, write such evocative tunes in their second language? Martina Fiserova, Prague born singer songwriter does just that, delivering heart felt songs in spell binding performances as she did on Friday night. Martina performed a number of songs from her new CD “Shift”, which she is currently promoting. With the support of highly experienced soundman Paul Bevan, Martina captivated the audience; Her music was the evening’s icing on the cake. “Thank you for having the angelic Martina Fišerová on the bill last night – as always, her performance brought me to tears,” said Suzanne Bernier.
The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre will be on December 22. Hope to see you there for AWoW’s “Holiday Showcase.”
