WHY ATTEND the ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE at HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY: READ THIS

What can you expect when you attend an Artists Without Walls’ Showcase? Artists from Nigeria, India and Pakistan, a few from Ireland, two African-Americans and a number whose families came to our shores over a hundred years ago. Individually, they’re wonderful artists, but combine them and their cultural backgrounds and you have something special. Join Artists Without Walls at Hofstra University on Tuesday, February 18, 2:15pm in the The Helene Fortunoff Theater, located in the Monroe Lecture Center, for an event sponsored by Hofstra’s Irish Studies’ program–with a generous grant from the Hofstra Cultural Center–to see and hear for yourself. 

 

Who’ll be performing?

 

Niamh Hyland
Niamh Hyland

Niamh Hyland, cofounder of Artists Without Walls, was born in County Leitrim, Ireland. Finding her passion for the arts at an early age, Niamh received a vocal scholarship to the University College Dublin where she performed during a Papal performance at St.Peter’s Basilica for Pope John Paul II. Niamh has toured Europe & the US as the lead singer of the original rock band Lily Sparks. Notable band and solo performances include The Ourland Festival at Lincoln Center, Webster Hall and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

 

 

Sharp Radway
Sharp Radway

Sharp Radway is composer/arranger/author and self-taught pianist whose roots can be found in the church. As a jazz pianist he has played throughout the country and abroad.  Among the recording artists whom he has worked and/or recorded with are  Bucky Pizzarelli, Yusef Lateef, Benny Golson, Peewee Ellis, Diane Schuur, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, to name a few.  In addition to playing the piano he is also a prolific composer, arranger and the author of the book “Musicianship 101 (What They Don’t Tell You In School).”

 

 

 

Deni Bonet
Deni Bonet

Not every classically-trained musician plays the violin like an air guitar or opens for the Eagles.  Deni Bonet does both.  A college radio favorite who’s performed with the likes of the Cyndi Lauper, R.E.M., Sarah McLachlan and Robyn Hitchcock, Deni fits her string and vocal skills into ironic, catchy alternative pop. Be prepared for this incredibly talented, “anything goes” performer.

 

 

Koro Koroye
Koro Koroye

Nigerian born spoken-word artist Koro Koroye, a Hofstra graduate who is currently enrolled in Hofstra’s MFA of Creative Writing program,  imbues the art of storytelling and spoken-word with energy, passion, and strength. Koro has appeared at The Cell Theater, the Living Room and Lehman College in New York City during the past year. Recently, Koro appeared in Charles R. Hale’s production, “Rise Up Singing: Women and the Labor Movement.” Koro both performed and wrote for the show. 

 

 

Darrah Carr Dance
Darrah Carr Dance

Darrah Carr Dance sources from two genres, traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. Darrah pulls in two directions, one toward tradition and another toward innovation, and seeks to create dance in the space between. Dance in Ireland traditionally happened at a crossroads, which is exactly what Darrah has planned for this event…Dingle meets Diwali. 

 

Brigid Gillis
Brigid Gillis

Dancing with Darrah Carr Dance will be Brigid Gillis, Mary Beth Sheehan and Priya Gupta.

 

Brigid Gillis is a native Long Islander, who started her formal dance training in competitive Irish dance and later explored her passion for modern dance at The College of Brockport SUNY, where she acquired her BFA. Brigid has performed in various professional venues in New York City with Zehnder Dance and Darrah Carr Dance.  

 

 

 

 

Mary Kate Sheehan
Mary Kate Sheehan

Mary Kate Sheehan began her dancing career training in Irish step dancing, ballet, and jazz. She competed in Irish step dancing for over 15 years on the international level, placing in the top 10 in the World. She moved to New York City in 2010 to shift her focus to modern, contemporary, and ballet as a pre-professional trainee at the Joffrey School. 

 

 

Priya Gupta
Priya Gupta

Priya Gupta is dancer and a Dance Education major at Hofstra. She is a student of Professor Carr and studied Indian classical dance with Mrugakshi Patel, an accomplished exponent of dance and well known choreographer of Indian folk dances. Priya will be performing a style of Indian classical dance called Bharatnatyam.

 

 

 

 

 

Brian Farrell
Brian Farrell

Brian Farrell a pianist/guitarist/singer and songwriter from County Leitrim Ireland, made his first appearance with Artists Without Walls at NYC’s Swift, with a  brilliant performance accompanied by fiddler Deni Bonet. Brian will be showing off his musical chops on both the guitar, piano and and with his unique vocal style. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nadia Manzoor
Nadia Manzoor

Nadia Parvez Manzoor’s one-woman show Burq Off! played to sold out performances in December and will reopen in New York City in March. How does Nadia describe herself? “I’m a Brit-Pakistani. I grew up in London, went to an all white, all girls English school where I was constantly perplexed by the cultural dichotomy of the English and the Paksitani. I’m an improviser, a writer, a free creator and mediator. I love being on the sidewalk in the sun, creating a revolution with my sisters, redefining feminism, taking a break from the status quo–with no intention to return.

 

th-3Jazz singer Antoinette Montague has a love of humanity and music that brings joy to people. Born and raised in Newark, Antoinette Montague was drawn to the music by her mother–“She was always singing and sounded like Ella Fitzgerald”–and listening to Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Antoinette has played most of the major jazz clubs in New York, including Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, the Lenox Lounge and the Blue Note. 

 

 

 

 

 

ANTOINETTE MONTAGUE and TARA O'GRADY "ON THE TOWN"

th-3Interested in hearing some great music today?  Join Antoinette Montague  and the  PJS Jazz Society at the First Presbyterian Church East Lincoln & North Columbus Avenue, Mt. Vernon, NY 10553-1196.  With Antoinette will a be an all star line-up including, Bobby Sanabria, Danny Mixon, Solomon Hicks and more! 

 

 The “Young Musicians” opening act begins at 5:15-6:00pm. The doors open at 5:15 and the show will run into 9:00pm.

 

TICKET COST: PJS Members $14 Non-members $22 Concerts are held in a cabaret setting – Free Wine, Coffee & Tea available – Bring your own food & snacks or buy our famous hot dogs, snacks and sodas.

 

Additional Parking is available at the Holmes School (next to the First Presbyterian Church on Columbus Avenue) For more information call JOHN @ 914-667-0823 or check out their  website www.pjsjazz.org

 

Antoinette asks “Can you please support the next generation of jazz artists! They’re absolutely incredible.”

 

1390497_10201072710432777_467059290_nAnd on Tuesday night, January 14th from 6-9pm, Tara O’Grady will be performing with her jazz trio at the Refinery Hotel in Winnie’s Lounge located at 63 W. 38th Street.

AWoW MEMBERS' UPCOMING EVENTS

1414891_10151837802288795_1255818386_nSunday, Dec 29 Dizzy Gillespie’s guitarist Ed Cherry joins Tara O’Grady’s jazz trio on the roof…Refinery Rooftop – NYC’s #1 hotspot in the Refinery Hotel located at 63 W 38th from 6-9pm. Fireplace, incredible views, and killer martinis. (photo: Richard Velasco)

 

 

unnamedCynthia Neale’s New Year’s DAY House Ceili 2014

 We foot it all the night; weaving olden dances; mingling hands and mingling glances; till the moon has taken flight; to and fro we leap and chase the frothy bubbles… ~ Yeats

Bring appetizer (no desserts); beverage; dance shoes, instruments; a song, a story, a sean nos dance, and hope for 2014. Delectable ceili cakes and cookies served at tea-time. 

 

Tim and Cynthia Neale, 574 Main Street, Hampstead, NH 03841, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. $10.00 (musicians free)

 

th-3Antoinette Montague Sunday, January 12, 2014. PJS Jazz Society at the First Presbyterian Church East Lincoln & North Columbus Avenue Mt. Vernon, NY 10553-1196 with Bobby Sanabria, Danny Mixon, Solomon Hicks and more!  Young Musicians opening act from 5:15-6:00pm

Doors Open at 5:00pm. Performance from 5:15-9:00pm

 

TICKET COST: PJS Members $14 Non-members $22 Concerts are held in a cabaret setting – Free Wine, Coffee & Tea available – Bring your own food & snacks or buy our famous hot dogs, snacks and sodas

Additional Parking is available at the Holmes School (next to the First Presbyterian Church on Columbus Avenue) For more information call JOHN @ 914-667-0823 or check out their  website www.pjsjazz.org

 

 

REVIEW of "RISE UP SINGING: WOMEN IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT"

“Eloquent writing, beautiful voices, charismatic performers who connected with each other — it was an inspired evening.” Justine Blau, author of “Scattered: A Mostly True Memoir,” after attending “Rise Up Singing: Women in the Labor Movement” at Lehman College.

 

On Tuesday night, The City & Humanities Program, in conjunction with the CUNY Institute of Irish American Studies and the Department of African American Studies at Lehman College, presented writer/creator Charles R. Hale and a brilliant cast of Artists Without Walls’ members in “Rise Up Singing: Women in the Labor Movement” a multi-media event incorporating storytelling, film, photographs and music.

 

Jack O'Connell
Jack O’Connell

The evening began with Honor Finnegan’s rousing performance of Jack Hardy’s “Aint I A Woman,” a song borne of Sojourner Truth’s speech on gender inequalities. Actor Jack O’Connell followed with an introduction in which he quoted author John Steinbeck: “We learn a great deal about people by listening to their music. Listen to their songs, for into the songs go the anger, fears and frustrations, the hopes and aspirations.”  

 

Throughout American history, activists have adapted the lyrics from spiritual songs and applied them to various causes. Singer Antoinette Montague and pianist Sharp Radway followed a short story, accompanied by photos, of the deadly 1911, New York City, Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire, with an inspired rendition of “We Shall Not be Moved,” a American folk song whose lyrics date back to slave era.  One-hundred-forty six women, mostly young immigrants, lost their lives at the Triangle factory fire.

 

Vincent Cross
Vincent Cross

A year after the Triangle fire, striking women mill workers in Lawrence, MA were surrounded by the threat of physical harm. They continually sang “Bread and Roses,” a poem written by James Oppenheim, put to music. Honor Finnegan and guitarist Vincent Cross gave rise to the spirit of that event with an intense performance of “Bread and Roses.”

 

Following the Civil War, racial prejudice kept African American women working in jobs such as cooks, maids and laundresses. Spoken word artist Koro Koroye presented a poem that she wrote, called “The Sickness of Freedom,” which poignantly describes the difficulties faced by African American women, many of whom were slaves and daughters of slaves, in the post Civil War era. 

 

Antoinette Montague and Sharp Radway
Antoinette Montague and Sharp Radway

Woody Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter whose musical legacy includes hundreds of songs about the experiences of the poor and oppressed. Woody’s song “1913 Massacre” is one of the most powerful interpretations of the Calumet, Michigan tragedy in which seventy-three people, mostly striking miners’ children, were trampled to death on a staircase during a Christmas Eve party. Vincent Cross evoked the spirit of Calumet and Woody with a stirring rendition of Woody’s tune. 

 

Women have written a number of “workers” songs. One of them, Diana Jones, performed two songs she’s written, the heartbreakingly tender “Henry Russell’s Last Words,” in which she was beautifully accompanied by violinist Annette Homann, and “I Told the Man.” Each song tells the story of miners trapped hundreds of feet below ground, writing farewell notes to their families.

 

Annette Homann and Diana Jones
Annette Homann and Diana Jones

In the summer of 1968 six miners were trapped for 10 days in a cold, flooded mine in the Appalachian hills of West Virginia.  Jeanne Richie wrote a song from a wife’s viewpoint called “West Virginia Mine Disaster.” Honor Finnegan sang and performed from the perspective of a trapped miner’s wife and Jack O’Connell played the trapped miner who describes the horror of the experience. The back and forth between Finnegan and O’Connell was exceptional and one of the evening’s many spectacular performances. 

 

Koro Koroye
Koro Koroye

Addie Wyatt, who became the first African American woman to retain a high position in an international union, couldn’t do enough for people.  She was born into poverty in Mississippi in 1924 and grew up in Chicago during the depression. When Addie was a child she played piano for her church choir…she even sang with the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.  Addie’s life was marked by “getting over” indignities such as discrimination and prejudice. Koro’s poem “Praise,” speaks to the pain of Addie’s setbacks but ends triumphantly with the words “I prayed until I got over.” This was a perfect lead-in to final tune of the evening, “How I Got Over,” which was popularized by Mahalia Jackson. Singer Montague, pianist Radway, violinist Homann and Koro combined to create a unique and rousing ending to the show.

 

Photos by Cat Dwyer. 

 

 

CAT DWYER'S PHOTOS OF "RISE UP SINGING: WOMEN IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT" at LEHMAN COLLEGE

Cat Dwyer’s photos from Charles R. Hale’s “Rise Up Singing: Women in the Labor Movement,” presented this past Tuesday at Lehman College. 

 

Jack O’Connell

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Antoinette Montague

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Honor Finnegan and Vincent Cross

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Koro Koroye

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Annette Homann

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Diana Jones

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Sharp Radway

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Sharp Radway, Jack O’Connell, Annette Homann, Antoinette Montague, Honor Finnegan, Vincent Cross, Koro Koroye and Diana Jones

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ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN": WEEK of 11/24/13

 

Darrah Carr Dance
Darrah Carr Dance

Darrah Carr Dance and ModErin: The 15th Anniversary Season. The Irish Arts Center, 553, W. 51st St. Today, Sunday Family Show 11am and  a regular performance today, 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

 

 

Tara O'Grady
Tara O’Grady

Tara O’Grady will be live in Belfast on the Stuart Baile program at BBC Radio Ulster, Monday. Tune in at 10pm Irish time, or 5pm New York time. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

 

 

 

 

Antoinette Montague
Antoinette Montague

Antoinette Montague and the Band of Bones will be appearing at The Zinc Bar,  82 W. 3rd St., NYC, Monday, November 25, 2013, 8pm and 9:30 shows

 

 

 

 

Paul Bevan, Deni Bonet and Andrew Holmes-Higgin
Paul Bevan, Deni Bonet and Andrew Holmes-Higgin

Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theater, 338 West 23rd St., NYC. Tuesday, Nov 26, 7pm.

AWoW MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON THE TOWN: WEEK of 9/22

imageMary Tierney is performing in the the Theater of the New City’s production of Tom Jones at 155 First Avenue Sunday at 3pm. All Seats $18/TDF Vouchers For Tickets click here.

 

 

 

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hfdjhbbcAntoinette Montague will be performing on Sunday Sept 22, 4pm – 6pm, at the H. Boo Wilson Park at the corner of Runyon Avenue and Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers, NY. On Monday, September 23rd, 6pm, Antoinette will be performing with the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts at a book warming for the Honorable David Dinkins’ 86th Birthday. The Friars Club, 57 East 55th St., NYC. 

 

 

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Kill the Bid! email 88kbBrendan Connellan’s play KILL THE BID! will be running from Tuesday, September 24th to Sunday, September 29. Evening shows on Tuesday at 7pm and Wed-Sat 8pm. Afternoon matinees Wed and Sat at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street. Tickets are $21.25 (including Theatre Restoration fee) but AWoW members and friends can go to  www.broadwayoffers.com and punch in the code TRAWOW and pay  $18.25in the box. Phone 212-239 6200 or 800-432 7250

 

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Tara O'Grady @ Toshi'sWednesday you can celebrate Half-Way to St. Patrick’s Day with Tara O’Grady and her trio at Mary O’s located at 32 Avenue A. Shepards Pie, Guinness and live music. Wednesday, September 25 from 7-10pm. No cover, just craic.

 

 

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Violinist Annette Homann will be performing as concertmaster with the Saint Vartan Chamber Orchestra on September 25th at 7:30, Saint Vartan Armenian Cathedral, 630 Second Ave, NYC.  The program, which features pianist Karine Poghosyan includes works of Schubert, J.S. Bach and Liszt.  Tickets $10, $5 senior/students.

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fWEUWnqvdpStZ_CCgy1matDVeUZZflwNdpJbHIZzj-8Spoken word artist Koro Koroye will be performing at FEMI Magazine’s “The 2013 Purple Ribbon Affair” on September 28th, 8pm to midnight, the American Legion Hall, 51 Roosevelt Avenue, Valley Stream, NY.  The tickets are $45 but for AWoW/Koro guests there is a $10 discount.  The price includes dinner and Koro will be opening the show.  Send payment through paypal to femimedia@gmail.com

 

 

AWoW MEMBERS and FRIENDS ON THE TOWN: WEEK of 9/15

Antoinette Montague
Antoinette Montague

 

 

 

Antoinette Montague will be performing this afternoon Sunday, September 15 with Band of Bones and King Solomon Hicks at the Ridgewoood NJ, Jazz and Blues Festival, Van Nes Park, Ridgewood, NJ

 

 

 

image

 

 

 

Mary Tierney is performing in the the Theater of the New City’s production of Tom Jones at 155 First Avenue Thursday – Sunday, September 15 – 22, Thursday – Saturday at 8pm. Sunday at 3pm. All Seats $18/TDF Vouchers For Tickets click here.

 

 

 

CD Cover FINAL

 

 

 

Tara O’ Grady  will be performing at Winnie’s Lounge at the Refinery Hotel, 63 West 38th St. Tuesday,  September 17th, from 6-9pm.

AWoW MEMBERS and FRIENDS on the TOWN: WEEK of 9/8/2013

tomjones_septMary Tierney is performing in the the Theater of the New City’s production of Tom Jones at 155 First Avenue Thursday – Sunday, September 8 – 22, Thursday – Saturday at 8pm. Sunday at 3pm. All Seats $18/TDF Vouchers For Tickets click here.

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Tara O'Grady
Tara O’Grady

 

Tara O’ Grady  will be singing at Winnie’s Lounge at the Refinery Hotel, 63 West 38th St. Tuesday,  September 10th, from 6-9pm.

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Colin Broderick
Colin Broderick

Colin Broderick has two events this week; one with the Irish Society  Garden City, New York on Wednesday Sept 11, the other at The American Irish Historical Society on Thursday, Sept 12 with Michael Patrick MacDonald at 991 Fifth Avenue. New York, NY 10028. T: 212.288.2263.

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Samara
Samara

 

 

Samara Adell’s New Friday Evening Dance Class begins on September 13th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Nola Studios 250 West 54th Street
Between Broadway and 8th Ave on the 11th floor. 
This is a Technique Class that will focus on Break down of Body Movements, Arms, Hip Work, Traveling Steps, Veils and Finger Cymbals. Samara also works on combinations and choreography. You can email Samara at samaradance@ecoisp.com

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Antoinette Montague
Antoinette Montague

Antoinette Montague will be performing with Dave Chamberlain’s Band of Bones at the Ridgewood, NJ Jazz Festival, Van Ness Park, Ridgefield, NJ. Sunday September 15, 2013, 1:30-3:00

 

 

 

 

AWoW MEMBERS and FRIENDS’ UPCOMING EVENTS: THE WEEK of 5/12

 

Annette Homann
Annette Homann

 

 

 

 

Annette Homann, solo violinist, Bikram Yoga Herald Square for Mother’s Day.

Today, May 12th, 4PM

Herald Square, NYC     253465_301730116626840_650925694_n

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colin Broderick
Colin Broderick

 

 

Colin Broderick, That’s That book launch.

Tuesday, May 14, 7pm

Barnes and Noble, 97 Warren Street, NYC.

Party following at Scratchers,

209, E 5th St., NYC

 

 

 

 

 

Antoinette Montague
Antoinette Montague

 

Antoinette Montague,
 NYC Jazz and Blues Entertainer, sings and swings this Tuesday, with Danny Mixon, who performed at AWoW’s Lehman event.

Tuesday, May 14. Two shows, 8pm and 9pm. Jazz at the Bahai , John Burks Gillespie Theatre, 53 east 11th street, NYC 

Reservations recommended. 
For $2 discount use special code AM20.
Call: (Number on website)     

 

 

 

 

Honor Finnegan
Honor Finnegan

 

Honor Finnegan at the Bronxville Women’s Club.

Friday, May 17, 8-9pm.  

135 Midland Avenue,

Bronxville, NY

914 337-3252

Sweet little room in a lovely historic building, nice people, and tasty desert and coffee. Also featuring Kelly Flint and David Ray. Sal Casabianca hosts. 

 

 

 

Seamus Scanlon
Seamus Scanlon

 

 

 

Seamus Scanlon

Saturday, May 18, 2:30-3:00pm

Spring Lake Irish Festival,

Spring Lake NJ