Honor Finnegan and Christine Lavin will present a live Pre-Downton Abbey webshow on Concert Window, which starts at 7:00pm EST, tonight, January 26. Wherever you are in the world, you can tune in! They’ll be taking requests and answering your questions. You can purchase online tickets on a pay what you want basis by clicking here.The webshow will not be recorded – it’s offered in real time only.
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Artists Without Walls will be having its First Anniversary Showcase at The Cell Theater, 338 W. 23rd St. on Tuesday, January 28th, 7pm.
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Angela Alaimo O’Donnell
On Sunday, Feb 2 from 3-5 PM, Angela Alaimo O’Donnell we’ll be one of two featured readers at Carmine Street Metrics. The event will take place at Otto’s Shrunken Head, 558 E. 14th St. Angela has published three collections of poems, Saint Sinatra (2011), Moving House (2009), and, most recently, Waking My Mother (2013), and two chapbooks MINE (2007) and Waiting for Ecstasy (2009). Her work has been published in many journals and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, the Best of the Web Award, and the Arlin G. Meyer Prize in Imaginative Writing.
Cat Dwyer’s photos of The Mosaic Dance and Theater Company, including dancers Samara Adell, Mary Susan Sinclair-Kuenning and Naima. From Tuesday night’s Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre in NYC.
“I can’t stop rewinding last night in my mind! What an incredible cast of talent, surrounded by an audience in awe. A truly magical evening. Thanking you over and over.” Barbara O’Connell
With a brilliant sense of comedic timing and heart, Nadia Manzoor kicked off the evening with a hilarious segment from her one woman show, Dirty Little Paki. Nadia’s segment featured both the aspirations of a five year old and the cultural limitations faced as a woman. Her story of a Pakistani girl facing the dichotomy of a strict Muslim upbringing in free-spirited London is both universal and intensely personal. I first saw Nadia performing in Brendan Connellan’s Pompa Pompa earlier in the year and just as her humor, intelligence and charm shone through then, it did so again on Wednesday night.
Eimear O’Connor
Dr. Eimear O’Connor followed Nadia and held the audience rapt with a slide presentation that featured the art of Irish born Sean Keating. The art teacher you always wanted, Eimear presented a picture of Keating, his projects, his expansive career and his overtly political paintings with an ease and wit that brought Keating’s work to life. Sean Keating: Art, Politics and Building the Irish Nation is a book that is richly illustrated with over 200 color paintings, sketches, and photographs, and the definitive work on this hugely respected, yet controversial Irish artist.
Maggie O’Farrell
Best selling author and award winning novelist Maggie O’Farrell, whose most recent award was the Costa Novel Award in 2010 for The Hand That First Held Mine, gracefully read from her latest novel Instructions for a Heat Wave, the story of a family that is falling apart and coming together and the truths about who they really are. Earlier, Maggie said, “I’ve always been interested in how extreme weather affects behavior.” Maggie combined that interest with an interest in dyslexia and her own life long stammer to develop her novel’s main character, Aoife.
Deni Bonet and Charles R. Hale
Incorporating humor and edginess, violinist Deni Bonet dazzled the audience with her breathtaking virtuosity. Beginning with “Last Girl on Earth” from the CD with the same title, Deni moved into a sizzling violin solo called the “Goddamn Violin Solo,” so called, as Deni laughingly said, “For lack of a better name.” Deni concluded with a foot stomping, rocking “Alone.” Deni will be playing every Tuesday in August at the Garcia’s Club at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY. The show is called “A Tribute to Old and in the Way”.
Pamela Herron
Pamela Herron began the second half of the evening with a dance, a very moving, untitled, Butoh solo that she performed with a grace and intensity that echoed throughout the space. She dedicated the piece to the healing of an artist she has been collaborating with since 2009, Jogyo (aka/ Dru Barnes) who recently suffered a brutal attack that took his left eye. Enthralling, heart wrenching, and spectacular.
Liv Mammone
Poet Liv Mammone is a vivacious young voice that will be heard on the New York performance poetry circuit for years to come. Using her background as a novelist, she uses various characters, including Venus de Milo, a fictional gangster, and a certain part of her own anatomy, to provide insight into what she calls “all the million ways one must be moved; the changes we make on our migrations through the world.” Her poems were titled “Venus de Milo answers a Tumblr Feminist,” “Elegy for James Darmody,” and one of the funniest poems imaginable, the laugh out loud “Vagina Resigning.”
Brendan Connellan
Playwright Brendan Connellan ended the evening dipping into crazed, frenetic prose, racing through some fresh and fun thoughts on his visit to Japan. Brendan touched on scraping away calf muscles, Perry blasting his cannons at Japan’s gates, foreigners being welcome but only if they leave quickly and Joseph Stalin turning out to be a friend with benefits.
The next Artists Without Walls Showcase at The Cell will be on August 27, 7pm. For more info on becoming a member of Artists Without Walls write to info@artistswithoutwalls.com
“I thought this kind of free flowing music, spoken word, anything goes evening, went out years ago. Terrific night at the ‘Artists Without Wall Showcase’ at The Cell Theater in Chelsea.” Marion Stein, attendee at Tuesday night’s “Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell.”
Navid Kandelousi and Mehdi Darvishi
Iranians Navid Kandeousi and Mehdi Darvishi began the evening with a rhythmic improvisation. Navid wrote the work for an ensemble but for this performance it was arranged for the “kamancheh,” played by Navid, and the “daf,” a percussion instrument and the most common instrument in Iran, played by Mehdi. The work, calling on traditional Persian folk tunes, included complex passages and difficult bowing techniques, which were perfomred by Navid with dazzling results. Mehdi’s accompaniment was perfect, calling upon subtle forces to transmit great energy. A dynamic opening to the evening.
Carl Capotorto, “Little Paulie” Germani in the Sopranos, expressed his gratitude to the group for allowing him a few moments to honor and remember his friend and colleague, James Gandolfini. “Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity. And I was delighted to read a few pages from my book for the wonderfully diverse and highly sophisticated audience. It’s great work that AWoW is doing!” And thank you to Carl for sharing this thoughts on the Soparanos and James Gandolfini, and for his witty reading from his memoir Twisted Head.
Leni Stern Trio
The Leni Stern Trio, which includes bass player Mamadou Ba, percussionist Alioune Faye and jazz guitarist Leni Stern, has recently written a set of ten songs that are based on old traditional Senegalese rhythms, blended with sounds of blues and jazz from America. The songs they played on Tuesday were from that project, one of them performed for the very first time in public. The trio will soon be traveling to Senegal to record their next album with a group of local percussionists, but they can be heard next Tuesday night, July 2,10pm, at 55 Bar on Christopher Street in New York. Commenting on the diverse mix of talent that was presented throughout the evening Leni said “I was especially moved by the two young poets, Koro and Ciara. What spirit!”
Ciara Thompson
Back from a trip to Ireland where she was awarded the Poetry Award at the prestigious Listowel Writer’s Week, Connie Roberts introduced the two young poets, Koro Koroye and Ciara Thompson. Connie, while a professor at Hofstra University, was instrumental in shaping the paths of each of these rising stars. Spoken word artist Koro Koroye, who has dazzled the Showcase audiences in the past, performed her poem “My Name,” with power and verve, while Ciara Thompson read five soulful poems, which reflected on her life and her experiences. Two great young talents.
Michele Cetera and Jack O’Connell
Michele Cetera and Jack O’Connell acted the closing scene of “Frankie and Johnny In The Clair DeLune. “ “What made this exercise very special was that it was the first time Michele had ever tried this off book,” Jack said. “We practiced this scene many times outdoors in parks from Greenpoint to Central Park. Michele translated her personal life right into the shoes of her character “Frankie” with brilliant results.” And, as always, Jack who played Johnny, was perfect in his role. Ray Lindie handled the music in this wonderful scene from Terrence McNally’s play.
Catahoula Cajun Band played rocking two steps and a sweet waltz, which enticed audience members to jump up and dance. Catahoula is a New York-based group that plays Cajun dance music of Southern Louisiana. While all the band members hail from north of the Mason-Dixon line, their love of the rocking two-steps, sweet waltzes, and soulful blues of Acadiana inspired them to bring their Northern take on this Southern sound to the parks, streets, and subway platforms of New York. They delighted the audience with toe-tapping, infectious rhythms, perhaps inspiring a pop-up Louisiana dancehall on a street corner or two. Great music.
Matt Keating
Matt Keating ended the evening with a few of what TimeOut London calls his “beautiful and honest songs of substance and melancholy”. His first song, “Maker of Carousels,” from his most recent album, Wrong Way Home (Sojourn Records) was a moving tribute written after Matt read an obituary about the man who designed the Bryant Park carousel. Matt followed “Carousels” with some amusing banter about nitrous oxide abuse as he finished the evening with his Willie Nelson-esque ode to summer jobs and un-requited love, “Between Customers.” Time ran out on the evening–it felt like we were just getting warmed up–and Matt left the crowd wanting more. You can hear this outstanding musician and his band playing these tunes and others on July 10th, 8pm, at The Living Room in New York City.
The next “Showcase at The Cell” will be held on July 31, 7pm. For more information on becoming a member click on “Membership” above or write to info@artistswithoutwalls.com
“It was a privilege to read for a packed house at the Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre. It feels like home to be in the midst of such talent and support. Artists Without Walls is a family that I’m extremely grateful to be a part of.” Author Colin Broderick spoke those words before he read from the opening of his memoir That’s That, which, beginning May 7th, will be on sale everywhere books are sold. Colin’s reading opened a small window into the life of a Northern Irish family in the1970’s, a time of great strife. A great work by an extraordinary talent.
The crowd was called to order on Tuesday night in a slightly different way. Niamh Hyland walked to center staged and began the evening with a stirring rendition of the opening to Brendan Connellan’s play Pompa Pompa. “It was a fun experiment to open our ‘Showcase’ in a different way,” Niamh said. “Having another opportunity to relive moments from Pompa Pompa and being accompanied by Moley ‘O Suilleabhain and Anthony Minto on beatbox was a treat.”
Jim Rodgers
Brothers from Ireland, Owen and Moley Ó Súilleabháin teamed up once again with the dynamic spoken word poet from Nigeria, Koro Koroye. They performed a new work that brings together sacred song from ancient Ireland, Latin Gregorian chant and rap, with poems in Koro’s ancient tribal language and her contemporary themes of identity and individual expression. Ideas of family, home, migration, self-discovery and transformation were seamlessly presented in a dynamic performance that honors tradition and rejoices in innovation.
Jim Rodgers read his short story, “The Green Hills of Jamaica,” a sailor’s tale of Sam Brown, who, in the embraces of a loving Jamaican woman and the warmth of the “ska” music, finds a home–one he never had growing up–in the rugged highlands of Scotland. Later, as his ship founders in a storm and the rushing sea envelops him, his thoughts return to the green hills, the loving woman, and the ska music of Jamaica. A compelling work and beautifully read.
Hannah Dahm
Kate McLeod’s monologue, “End of Times” was given a brilliant reading by Hannah Dahm, a vocal major at New York’s LaGuardia High School for the Visual Arts. The world has just ended and fifteen-year old Kate hates the dress she bought yesterday and is looking for the mall so she can return it. But she can’t find the mall where she’s to meet her friends. Where are her friends? Her iPod is running down. Where is her mom? She would keep the dress if only she could find her Mom. Sheri Bauer Mayorga composed and sang music for Kate’s spellbinding monologue.
Violinist Annette Homann began the second half of the program with a choreographed version of Adele’s “Skyfall.” Annette mesmerized the audience with her dance movements while mixing improvisational sections into the popular tune. Annette employed her athletic skills as well, impressing the audience with a far back bend at the end of the performance. One of the members of the audience commented,
Annette Homan
“You know you have a great performer when you get the feeling that he or she is looking only at you and then you realize that everybody in the room feels that way.” Annette has that rare quality.
Cherie Ann Turpin’s essay “The Naked Self” captured the audience with her real-life story of her inner battle to dismantle internalized perceptions of the gendered and racialized body while struggling with body weight issues. Her story encourages women of all colors and body types to embrace their sensuality and to refute sexist and racist practices of body size shaming, all too common in popular media.
Honor Finnegan sang three new songs: Movie Star, Roses and Victory, and Sweet Something, while accompanying herself on ukulele. Her newer material is poetic and more serious thematically, while retaining the word play and strong melodic sensibility of her songs from her CD, The Tiny Life. Plus, the girl can sing. Might there be a possible collaboration between Koro Koroye and Honor in the future? Stay tuned…
Vince Nauheimer
Writer and poet, Vinnie Nauheimer, made his debut reading two poems from opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. The first, “Morning Glory”, a tribute to a glorious sunrise, of which an audience member commented, “I’ve seen a thousand sunrises, but never one as beautiful as that!” The second reading was the debut of his poem “Marathon Day”, which was an emotionally charged encapsulation of the tragedy at the Boston Marathon.
Closing out the evening and in celebration of International Jazz Day, singer/songwriter Tara O’Grady spoke of spending the day at Louis Armstrong’s house in Queens, and shared stories of the jazz legend. Tara ended with “What a Wonderful World,” a song Armstrong said reminded him of the kids in Corona who used to sit on his
Tzila Levy, Mary Ann Pierce and Tara O’Grady
front steps while he played his trumpet. Tara’s CD launch party for her new release, A Celt in the Cotton Club, is Thursday, May 23 at 7:00pm at Mary O’s, 32 Avenue A. If you haven’t heard her with a live band, this is the night.
And this from Jim Rodgers, “I’m always amazed at the talent AWoW gathers, and I’m honored to share the same stage with such talented artists. Once again AWoW proved they are the United Nations of the NYC cultural scene. The performers and audience included folks from Germany, Israel, Egypt, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Ireland and the United States. Great night!“
All photos except Colin Broderick’s are by Cat Dwyer
What’s In a Name starring Maria Deasy. The Chain Theatre, 21-28th Road, 45th Road, Long Island City. Tickets$18. Tickets for What’s In a Name. Matinee today, 2PM. April 17-21 and April 24-27.
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Guenevere Donohue
Passing Through starring Guenevere Donohue. Theatre For The New City, 155 First Ave., NYC. Tickets $15. Tickets for Passing Through Matinee today 3PM. April 17-21 and April 24-28.
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Tara O’Grady
Swinging Sakura Birthday Bash with Tara O’Grady. Mary O’s 32 Avenue A, NYC. Wednesday, April 17, 7pm www.taraogradymusic.com
Noni Stapleton
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A reading of Two for a Girl starring Noni Stapleton (co-writer) and Aedin Moloney. The Cell Theatre, 338 W. 23rd St., NYC. Monday, April 22, 7PM Free event
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Artists Without Walls
Artists Without Walls’ Showcase directed by Charles R. Hale. Thursday, April 25, 7PM Lehman College, The Studio Theater, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NYC. Free event
Jack O’Connell began his acting career on Long Island, auditioning for local theater productions. As Jack says, “I lucked” into an Off Broadway play, The Chekhov Sketchbook, in 1980, and has been an Equity member since. After raising a family, Jack now devotes more time to his professional career. 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. Jack is currently enjoying the ‘Artists Without Walls’ Showcases.’ “I enjoy them very much because of the newness, fire, and the feeling I have after listening to the unique people who appear to present their work and their talents. I’m honestly amazed at these risk-free-falling evenings.”
What are you working on at the moment?
I just competed a short film Brazzaville Teenager in which I co-starred with Michael Cera and Charles Grodin. The film is adapted from a short story by Bruce Jay Friedman
Do you have upcoming events you would like people to attend?
Yes. I am part of the cast that will be reading Patrick Fenton’s Stoopdreamer at The Cell Theatre, March 24th, 6PM. The show will be directed by Kira Simring.
Name something on your bucket list that you want to do, sooner rather than later?
Live in Havana for a spell.
What is your favorite place in the world to visit and why?
A place I like to visit is New Orleans by Amtrak’s ‘Crescent Train,’ which leaves Penn Station every afternoon at 2:30pm.
What is your greatest inspiration?
My greatest inspiration is ‘The Mystery Of Faith’ in my religion.
What picture do you love to stare at and why?
A picture I like to stare at is an Edward Hopper’s “Room in New York”. There’s a girl tinkling on a piano, while a man sits nearby reading a newspaper. I just like it.
If you could dream about trying out something you haven’t tried out in the arts yet, what would?
Tap dancing. I wish I knew how to tap dance.
What was the best gift that someone gave you that inspired or facilitated an interest in your art?
The best gift pertaining to my craft, acting, was a two course class at Circle In The Square in “scene study” from the late Mrs, June Ewing many years ago. Thanks June. I so enjoy working at this unique craft.
March 22, 8PM, The Cell Theatre, 338 W. 23rd St., NYC. Jazz at The Cell hosted by Tara O’Grady. FREE for first come first serve, but to reserve $10 tickets to this event, which will no doubt sell out, follow link: Jazz at The Cell
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Brendan Connellan
March 23, 7PM and March 24, 1Pm, Beal Bocht Cafe , 238th St., Bronx NY. “Puttin On Your Shorts” including plays by Seamus Scanlon and Brendan Conellan.
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Jack O’Connell
March 24, 6PM at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., NYC. Pat Fenton’s Stoopdreamer starring Jack O’Connell. Free event
