AWoW Showcase

ARTIST WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE WRAP UP, MARCH 5, 2014

“What an honor to perform for Artists Without Walls – truly. The audience – everyone was so warm and welcoming.” Actress and playwright, Erin Layton

–

Connie Roberts began the evening with a reading of two poems from her Patrick Kavanagh Award winning poetry collection, Not the Delft School. The first poem, The “Potato Picker,” which draws its inspiration from Jean Francois Millet’s iconic painting “The Gleaners,” depicts the stoicism of a poor farmer (her father) in 1970s Ireland, who continues to pick potatoes as the TV rental man repossesses the unpaid black and white television. Her second poem, “Wounds,” is a darker portrait of her father, a violent alcoholic, who perpetrates a heinous act against her mother.

Honor Finnegan followed, Connie, belting out a soulful, “Down So Long” by Bobby Darin. She also sang a piece of her own called “Swimming,” which, as Honor said, “Is Irishy and therefore tragic and beautiful.” The perfect “Honorism.”

–

Playwright/performer Erin Layton performed a riveting and emotional scene from her award-winning one person, multi-character drama, MAGDALEN based upon the true stories of the women and children who labored in Irish Catholic workhouses operated by nuns in the mid-twentieth century. Erin seamlessly embodied and transitioned between four of the eight characters in her solo play, introducing us to a pair of nuns and two of the child laborers one of whom is severely crippled and cannot manage the labors demanded of her.

Karl Scully, former member of the Irish Tenors, who has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and hundred of venues internationally, wowed the audience with two songs. The first song “McBreens Heifer” was written by Percy French, the second “Knocknashee” a modern day Sean Nos creation written by Brendan Graham and Neil Martin.

The Catahoula Cajun Band, with Julie Winterbottom on accordion, fiddler Deborah Monlux, Frank Luschinsky on bass and vocalist and guitarist Michel Henry provided the entertainment during intermission. The group performed Allons a Lafayette, Lacassine Special and more. The root and spirit of their music stems from Cajuns whom played at home gatherings, clearing out all the furniture and bringing in musicians who would play until early in the morning in celebration of life, or “la joie de vivre.” The music was uplifting and spirited and a had a few of the audience “clearing out the furniture” and dancing across the floor.

Jack O'Connell and Joseph Goodrich — **Jack O’Connell and Joseph Goodrich**

The second half of the evening began with the opening pages of Joseph Goodrich’s short story “The Ghost of Brooklyn Past,” which was expertly read by Jack O’Connell. Jack found all the warmth and pathos of Goodrich’s story and proved once again what a superlative actor he is.

–

Bernard Smith closed out the evening with an original song called “Sandy” named for devastating 2012 storm. In one short day (the day after the storm) Bernard woke up displaced as well as losing his car to the salty sea. All over the Rockaway

Peninsula and Long Beach he saw devastation and thus he was inspired to write a song about it, bearing witness to what he’d lived through. The second song he sang was “The May Morning Dew,” a story about the Irish diaspora. The song is a lament from a man in the winter of his life, remembering vividly the old homestead, a place and a people he will never see again.

The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase will be at The Cell Theatre, 338 W 23rd St., March 26, 7pm. For more info about Artists Without Walls and becoming a member contact info@artistswithoutwalls.com

CAT DWYER'S PHOTOS of AWoW's FIRST ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATER

Cat Dywer’s photos of Artists Without Walls’ “First Anniversary Showcase at The Cell Theater.” The names of those pictured appear above the photos.

Yuri Juarez and Jhair Sala

Nick Garr

DJ Sharp

Mary Tierney

Seanchai Jim Hawkins

Caroline Winterson

John Duddy and Michael Brunnock

Aedin Moloney and Jack O’Connell

Mary Lannon

Andy Baldeschwiler

Jenai Huff, Jim Hawkins, Michael Brunnock and Niamh Hyland

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' FIRST ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE at THE CELL, TUESDAY, 1/28/14

“What’s been needed so desperately is what AWOW gives us, 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, actress

———-

And we expect more of that tomorrow night, Tuesday, January 28th, 7pm, at The Cell Theater in NYC.

———-

Nicholas Garr has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and around the U.S. in productions of A Streetcar Named Desire, A Doll’s House, Godspell, Brigadoon, Orpheus Descending, West Side Story, and Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. His television credits include Law and Order, Dream On, Another World, and Loving; and independent films Joey and Mike and Doctor’s Intentions. Nick is also the founder of City Theatre Project, a not for profit group, which teaches young teens theatre arts in the South Bronx. Nick will performing a piece titled “Action Hero” from his solo show Paper Tigers.

———-

Seanchai JimHawkins will be making his first appearance at an AWoW Showcase. Jim will be telling “The White Cat,” a story of one of Ireland’s great storytellers, Eamon Kelly, and singing a song “The Liar” that was written and sung by the great Tommy Makem of the “Clancy Brothers and Makem” fame. Jim will accompany the song on the Irish drum, more accurately known as a bodhran. (bow-ron)

———-

Actors Mary Tierney and DJ Sharp will be performing a scene from Joe Davidson’s play “Looking for Cans.” In the scene, the butler Phillip (DJ), is attempting to extort money from Ms. Wellsworth (Mary) through the revelation of a strange encounter thirty years earlier with a now homeless veteran. Joe’s play will be performed at both the Manhattan Veterans Hospital and Northport Veterans hospital and the ultimate goal is a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project.

———-

One of the evening’s highlights is sure to be Afro-Peruvian guitarist Yuri Juarez, who will be joined by the great Peruvian percusionist Jhair Sala, one of the most sought after percusion players in the city. Yuri, who was named the 2009 Latin Jazz Guitar Player of the Year, has crafted a distinct approach to jazz harmony and improvisation, placing it carefully among Afro-Peruvian rhythms.

———-

Singer/songwriter Michael Brunnock and actor John Duddy, who is seamlessly making his way from being a champion boxer to a top notch actor, will be performing an excerpt from Michael’s highly anticipated new work, a musical drama highlighting the life and legacy of Irish Nationalist hero Roger Casement. Of his award winning album, Orchard, one reviewer said, “…encapsulated by the slow build-up of rich, warm harmonies, uplifting melodies, and beautiful folk instrumentation.”

———-

AWoW member Mary Lannon will be making her first reading in front of an AWoW audience. Mary will be reading from her finished, young adult novel An Explanation of the Fundamentals of the Derivation of Dilapidated Brown Station Wagon Theory aka How I Became A Scientist and Discovered the Truth About Getting Stuck in the Wrong Universe by Miranda J. McCleod (Yes, that is the title…I confirmed it…twice) and sharing a little about publication strategies.

———-

Actress Aedin Moloney, who has had great success in the last few years in her roles in Dancing at Lughnasa and Air Swimming, and most recently in her brilliantly reviewed A Most Dangerous Woman about the life of George Eliot, asked if her presentation could be a “bit of a surprise.” Why not? Whatever Aedin comes up with is bound to be incredibly special. We’re honored to have her.

———-

Aedin Moloney in "A Dangerous Woman." — **Aedin Moloney in “A Dangerous Woman.”**

And closing out what is sure to be a great evening will be actor and voiceover artist Andy Baldeschwiler. Andy’s recent stage credits include work with The Pearl Theatre Company, Shakespeare on the Sound, The Glass Eye, and the Accidental Shakespeare Company; he has also appeared in a few short films and web series. A lover of words and storytelling, Andy said “I’m excited to be sharing with the AWoW audience some humor and wit from one of my favorite writers.” Can you guess whom that might be?

———-

The fun begins at 7pm–please arrive on time–at The Cell Theater, 338 W23rd St., NYC. Hope to see you there.

AWoW MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN" WEEK of 1/26/13 – 2/2/13

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.

———-

Artists Without Walls will be having its First Anniversary Showcase at The Cell Theater, 338 W. 23rd St. on Tuesday, January 28th, 7pm.

———-

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.

YURI JUAREZ PERFORMING at AWOW'S FIRST ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE

Artists Without Walls is happy to announce that Yuri Martín Juárez Yllescas guitarist, arranger and composer, will be performing at Artists Without Walls First Anniversary Showcase on Tuesday, January 28, 7pm at The Cell Theater.

Yuri began his career in 1996 as guitarist for various groups of Afro-Peruvian music, folk and fusion. His musical training ranges from formal studies with the Afro-Peruvian masters of the guitar Pepe Torres, Alvaro Lagos and Jorge Madueño and more “street” experience in Afro-Peruvian peñas.

Yuri has shared the stage and recorded with Eva Ayllón, Susana Baca, Chaqueta Piaggio Ebelin Ortiz, Pilar de la Hoz, Carmina Cannavino, Mariella Valencia, Pamela Rodriguez, Elena Romero, iconic Peruvian composers Kiri Escobar and Javier Lazo, and trail blazing bands including the Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet, Novalima, Teatro del Milenio and Sin Líneas en el Mapa, among others.

In December of 2009 Yuri received the Latin Jazz Corner Awards in the categories of Best Afroperuvian Jazz Album and Best Latin Jazz Guitarist debut for his work “Afroperuano.”

Here’s a great cut of Yuri accompanying singer Sofia Tosello.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' "COLLABORATION NIGHT" at THE CELL THEATER

**Tzila Levy, Niamh Hyland and Kathleen Frazier**

Some comments from Tuesday night’s Artists Without Walls “Collaboration Night.”

“Once again I thank you for the wonderful opportunity and venue you have provided for artists to showcase their talents.” Ron Vazzano

“Stupendous experience. Oh, the memories! A special highlight of my life participating at AWoW last night.” Cynthia Neale

“Good people, great fun! Let’s put on a show!” Jack O’Connell

“The photos capture the sweetness and magic of that night!” Jenai Huff

“I still have a smile on my face since Tuesday night, it was so much fun.” Tzila Levy

One of the objectives of Artists Without Walls is for members to collaborate with other artists of the same or different disciplines. Over the course of AWoW’s first ten months we’ve had a number of collaborations that have led to some wonderful performances and we know, given the opportunity, there are many more waiting to happen.

Last Tuesday AWoW had it’s first “Collaborative Night.” Six groups of three or four members, who have worked together for the past two months, presented short works. The idea behind the event was to get the creative juices flowing and come up with something creative and entertaining.

Marni Rice, Guen Donohue and Jack O'Connell — **Marni Rice, Guen Donohue and Jack O’Connell**

The evening began with a short work written by Honor Molloy and Joe Goodrich. Caroline Winterson and Annette Homann were wonderful as a woman looking for love and another looking for work in “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.” Charles Hale played the shifty and lubricious, bar owner/pianist.

Marni, Rice, Jack O’Connell and Guen Donohue each showcased their special talents in a skit about Coney Island circa 1970. Marni’s accordion, Jack’s “barking” and Guen’s yearning all worked brilliantly together and perfectly captured a “gone-by” era.

**Joanna Rush, Jenai Huff and Cynthia Neale**

Singer/songwriter Jenai Huff adeptly wove two songs through Cynthia O’Neale’s compelling reenactment of a story of her character Nora from her book, “Norah: The Making of an Irish-American Woman in 19th-Century New York,” and Joanna Rush’s dramatic performance of a character from her solo play “Asking For It.” The skit was titled “Women Who Rise Up Through Adversity.” This radiant trio gets the award for having the most fun. What a delight!

Noel Lawlor and Michele Cetera presented “Private Illusions”, combining Tennessee Williams, “Glass Menagerie” and “Streetcar named Desire.” Two different plays, two different characters and yet the protagonists, Tom and Blanche, have much in common. Each creates their own “private illusions” to cope with life’s disappointments and lost dreams, while never escaping ghosts from the past. Great work from two fine actors.

**Deni Bonet, Ron Vazzano and Mary Tierney**

Fiddler and singer Deni Bonet opened her group’s skit with a stirring rendition of her song, “One in a Million” and then proceeded to create evocative moods for the wonderful poetry of Ron Vazzano and Mary Tierney.

The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase will be on Thursday, December 19, 7pm, at The Cell Theater, 338 w. 23rd St., NYC. For more information on Artists Without Walls contact info@artistswithoutwalls.com

CAT DWYER'S PHOTOS from the ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE: 10/22/2013

Here are Cat Dwyer’s photos (Cat’s website) from the 10/22/2o13 Artists Without Walls’ Showcase. The names of the photographed appear above each picture.

DJ Sharp

Niamh Hyland

Diana Jones

Deni Bonet and Ed Romanoff

Sana Musasama

Ed Romanoff and Niamh Hyland

Angela Alaimo O’Donnell

Jenai Huff

Ron Vazzano

Alan McMonagle

CAT DWYER'S PHOTOS from AWoW'S SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE, 8/27/13

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.

———-

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATER: 8/27/13

“I’m so proud and grateful to be a member of Artists Without Walls. Tuesday’s Showcase featured a video of a young spoken word poet from Nigeria collaborating with a talented pair of Irish musician brothers, a chanteuse-accordionist, a documentary filmmaker/writer reading her latest short story, a solo trombonist and Near Eastern dance. It’s the best New York has to offer — and nice people to boot!” Maria Deasy

———-

I walked into The Cell Theatre an hour before the Artists Without Walls’ Showcase and I was presented with the perfect antidote to the cacophony that is a New York City rush hour, the sweeping sound of the opening movement of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Violinist Navid Kandelousi, who later opened the Showcase tenderly weaving phrases of Bach, Beethoven and Mendelssohn, was strolling through the theatre, warming to the task. I knew the evening would be special.

Jenai Huff followed Navid with three songs from her upcoming EP, Grace and Elbow Grease. She opened with “Just Like Me,” followed with “Splintered Light” and finished with her brand new song and title track “Grace and Elbow Grease.” Her radiant smile, the pure timbre of her voice and soulful lyrics captivated and touched the hearts of the audience.

Stephanie Silber read from a haunting excerpt from her short story, The Lemon Tree, which is set during the height of the Vietnam War. A little girl and her grandmother are visiting the

latter’s stricken friend in a rehab hospital. The glamour and allure of Manhattan are seen vividly through the child’s eyes, juxtaposed against the stark realities of great physical trauma; the fragment hints of the redemptive power of human resilience. A powerful reading.

Samara, who is the choreographer and artistic director of dance for The Mosaic Dance and Theater Company, and two of Mosaic’s dancers, Su’ad and Naima, performed traditional Near Eastern Dance. Su’ad performed an Oriental Dance, which was choreographed by Samara

with music by Adam Basma. Naima performed another one of Samara’s magnificent choreographies, an Arabic/Spanish Fusion called Balia Maria with music written and performed by Alabina. Samara ended the presentation with an Oriental Dance piece called Princess of Cairo. The sensual performers, the pulsating music and shimmering costumes made the dances a joy to watch.

Composer and jazz trombonist Chris Stover played a brand new solo arrangement of Chico Buarque’s “Apesar de você, ” a work dedicated to his Brazilian friends who, as Chris said, “Are fighting the good fight and making things happen in Brazil – saravá, gente!” Chris spent many years as the go-to trombone player in the jazz and Afro-Cuban scenes in Seattle. It’s clear why, since his playing incorporates a shimmering veneer and a casual sway even as the music’s tempo picks up.

Accordionist and chanteuse Marni Rice evokes an interesting blend of New York and Paris. With heartfelt songs and accordion in hand we heard Piaf, although we didn’t hear a word of French. We heard the streets of Paris, but it’s a theater on 23rd street in NYC. Marni’s songs are songs of New York, and yet we are transported to another time and place. Three excellent works by an incredibly talented artist.

Mark Donnelly gave a marvelous performance of a monologue from his one-act play The Steamfitter’s Dream. Smith and Kraus originally published the monologue in the collection Best Men’s Monologues of 1998. Mark truly captured the soul of alcoholic construction worker Pete O’Rourke as he takes a hard look at his life. Mark based the character of Pete on one of his uncles. Though not in the trade himself, Mark revealed proudly after the performance that he comes from several generations of New York Local 638 of the Steamfitters union.

Charles R. Hale ended the evening with a film featuring spoken word poet Koro Koroye and singers Owen and Moley O Suilleabhain. Koro’s poems of identity and individual expression with the O Suilleabhain’s performing Latin Gregorian chant and sacred songs from ancient Ireland are seamlessly presented in a dynamic performance that honors tradition and rejoices in innovation. Three brilliant young performers on the rise.

It was another splendid evening. The next Showcase at The Cell will be on September 30, 7pm. For more information about Artists Without walls write to info@artistswithoutwalls.com

A special thank you to Cat Dwyer and Vera Hoar for the wonderful photos.

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS: “SHOWCASE at the CELL THEATRE” on TUESDAY, AUGUST 27

Artists Without Walls’ growing multicultural community includes singers, dancers, painters, writers, actors, oral historians, poets, and cultural enthusiasts. Joining us for Tuesday night’s showcase will be Samara Adell, the founder of the Mosaic Dance Theater Company, whose objective is not unlike Artists Without Walls’. MDTC develops and presents original dance, theater, and educational programs celebrating the rich diversity of cultures and folkloric traditions of the Mediterranean, including the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain. The dances and music, the stories and myths, and the history and legends of this fascinating area of the world form the wellspring of inspiration for MDTC’s creative vision. On Tuesday night, Samara and two members from MDTC’s troupe will be performing original works from MDTC’s extensive repertoire of dance.

Chanteuse-Accordionist and Theater Artist Marni Rice, whose musical repertoire includes vintage French Chanson, Euro Cabaret Songs and original music will be performing songs from herEP (Extended Play) Songs for a Small Chamber, a collection of original ballads. Marni’s goal is to create and present musical and theatrical performance works for an international audience, and to bridge the gap between people across cultural and linguistic barriers.

Filmmaker and writer Stephanie Silber will be reading from The Lemon Tree, a story of the day in the life of a little girl who’s been separated from her many siblings and sent to stay with her grandma following her mother’s collapse from nervous exhaustion. The story contemplates the question of what it means to be wounded; how trauma is experienced, and the redemptive possibility of healing.

Recording artist, composer and trombonist Chris Stover will be playing a brand new solo arrangement of Chico Buarque’s “Apesar de você. ” Chris said, “The song is dedicated to all of his friends in Brazil, fighting the good fight and making things happen over the last weeks – saravá, gente!”

For almost two decades Jenai Huff managed bands because she felt that music could impact the world in a positive way. Now, with her first CD, Transitions, released in 2011 she wants to do just that. And certainly the world could use some positive impressions these days. A little bit folk, a little country and a touch of bluegrass, Jenai is currently recording her second CD and will be performing songs from her new work.

Mark Donnelly will perform a monologue from the climactic scene in his one-act play The Steamfitter’s Dream. The monologue, which occurs in a Manhattan bar, centers around a middle aged, alcoholic construction worker trying to convince a young man that the drinking life is not something to aspire to. The play was published in Best Men’s Monologues of 1998 by Smith and Kraus.

And there will be more. The Showcase begins at 7pm at the The Cell Theater, located at 338 West 23rd St., NYC. Hope to see you there.