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.
Musician, storyteller & actor Richard Stillman be playing Irish music at the Verona Inn with guitarist Paul Byrne on Sundays, 6-9pm (March 29, April 5, 12 & 19). The music will include vocals, guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin, pennywhistle, concertina, bones, harmonica and bagpipes. The address is: 624 Bloomfield Ave. Verona, NJ. For info. call 973 239 0544.
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Kathleen Bennett Bastis’ solo art show opens on March 31-April 25th at First Street Gallery, 526, W26th, Suite 209 in Manhattan. Opening reception is April 2, 6-8pm. “I am inspired by the distinctive character, energy and form found in the fragments of discarded, washed up, broken or otherwise overlooked materials which I salvage from the street, river bank and scrap yards. Their unique shape, texture and hue guide my creative process as I reinterpret the history of this detritus and construct a contemporary visual narrative.” Kathleen Bennet Bastis
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Artists Without Walls: Performance Series
“The Musical History of the Lower East Side”
Join members of Artists Without Walls on April 2nd, 7pm, as it journeys through the music of the Lower East Side. Celtic music, Minelstry, Yiddish music and humor, Italian opera and Neapolitan song, Jazz and Rock presented by a talent cast including, Ashley Galvani Bell, Deni Bonet, Maritri Garrett, Niamh Hyland, Noah Hoffeld and Baysa Schecther. And some Yiddish humor from Nancy Redman. Narrated by Charles R. Hale. Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3, 185 Orchard St, NYC. Tickets $15 and $20. For ticket info click here. Use the code AWWMEMBER for an AWoW discount.
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Opening on April 4th and running through April 25th, Jack O’Connell, will be starring in the World Premiere of The BISCUIT CLUB, Marianne Driscoll’s canine comedy inspired by The Breakfast Club. Directed by Kira Simring. For ticket info click here Use the code awow for discounted tickets.
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Ever wonder what goes on in a kennel when people aren’t around? THE BISCUIT CLUB gives audiences a behind-the-bars peek into Bradley’s Bed & Biscuit, a boarding house for dogs. When an aging Bulldog, a jumpy Beagle, a glamorous Shih Tzu, a grumpy Pit Bull, a champion Airedale Terrier and a wide-eyed Labrador pup are locked together for the night, a doggone good time is in store for all.
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Artists Without Walls: Gallery Series
Kathleen Bennett Bastis: “Permutations”
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Join Kathleen Bennett Bastis and Artists Without Walls on April 10th, 6;30pm at First Street Gallery, 526, W26th St, Suite 209 when Kathleen, in conjunction with AWow, will be celebrating the arts–including Kathleen’s mixed-media art and live entertainment. Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks will be served. Entertainment during the evening provided by Annette Homann, Martina Fiserova and Allison Syliva.
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Soprano Ashley Galvani Bell will be performing in SEÑORA/SIGNORA ROSSINI: A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF ISABELLA COLBRAN on April 10th and 11th, 2015 at 8 pm at the Loretto Theater at the Sheen Center in NoHo, located on the corner of Elizabeth and Bleecker Street in New York City. The show will be presented as a multi-disciplinary concert for classical singers, piano, harp and actor/narrator.
Ashley Galvani Bell
For more information and to order tickets click here. Tickets are $10 for the balcony and $30 for the orchestra. Please note there is $10 discount for orchestra seats using a SPECIAL AWOW DISCOUNT CODE…Divaria1 (Be sure to use a cap D. Case sensitive.)
“I get great satisfaction from combining materials in unintended ways, which reinterpret their history and origins into a modern visual story.” Kathleen Bennett Bastis. Kathleen’s show “Permutations” will be opening in New York City on March 31. See the end of the article for details.
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Mixed media artist Kathleen Bennett Bastis’ work is influenced by the energy and character found in the shape, texture and color of reclaimed materials. Essentially, all of her work starts with a “find” – material that has visual interest in either the shape, color or markings made by nature or an industrial process.
“The character of the scrap is what starts and guides my creative process,” says Kathleen. “Because of the unique nature of the materials in my work, I would say that it is nearly impossible for me to repeat myself. The shapes, texture and hue guide my creative process as I reinterpret the history of this detritus and construct a contemporary visual narrative. Although the materials and the finished pieces are very distinct – I have been told there is a thread throughout that identifies me as the storyteller.”
Here are two of Kathleen’s work with her thoughts on each:
Concerto #1
One day, a few years ago, I was walking to the 14th St subway when I spotted a old upright piano on the corner of W 12th and 8th Ave. In my head, I heard my son Nick’s voice saying “Mom, do NOT pick that up.” So, I kept walking. I made it to 13th Street before I turned around to take a closer look…it had ivory and ebony keys. Needless to say, I went home, grabbed some tools and proceeded to extract the entire keyboard from the piano. I filled several bags with all the keys, felted hammers and some other interesting parts.
As was I was gathering up my haul I looked up to see a silent, clapping ovation coming from the patrons and employees of the bank on that corner who, apparently, had been observing my labors from behind the plate glass windows.
Slate Study #2
For many years, I have had the pleasure of spending time in a summer cottage set on a wooded ridge in Northfield, MA. On the main street of town, which is about a half-mile stretch of Route 16, there is an antique shop located in a barn at the back of a large white, early 1800”s home.
“Antiques” is perhaps not the word I would use to describe the majority of the contents of this barn, which is perfect for me. Dave the proprietor/owner runs the place from a stool in the front just inside the door. Piles of interesting bits and pieces that reflect the rural, agricultural setting and life style of the area surround him. Leaning up against the outside wall of the barn in the sun were a bunch of beautiful, beaten up pieces of slate roofing tiles. Seen in the sunlight, the depth of color and geometric markings became irresistible. It turns out that the slate was from Dave’s own roof and was at least 200 years old. The bleached out quadrants, globs of tar, holes and fractures created an appealing abstract composition. I just took it from there.
Kathleen’s show, “Permutations,” will be at the First Street Gallery from March 31-April 25. There is an opening reception on April 2, 6-8pm. The gallery is located at 526 West 26th Street, Suite 209.
From Artists Without Walls’ member Kathleen Bennett Bastis: “I am a member of the First Street Gallery and we’re pleased to announce that our annual exhibition, which is comprised of non-member artists from all over the country, presents its 2014 National Juried Exhibition, June 26 – July 19.” There will be a reception on Saturday, June 28, 3-5 PM, 526, W26th St., Suite 209, NYC.”
The exhibit will be juried by Jed Perl, the art critic for The New Republic, author of numerous articles, essays, and books. The exhibition includes paintings, photography, drawings, mixed media, and sculpture by 45 artists from all parts of the country, working in diverse styles.
