AWoW’s SHOWCASE at THE CELL: PHOTOS by MITCH TRAPHAGEN

Mitch Traphagen’s photos from Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre, April 26, 2016.

Christopher Dean Sullivan
Christopher Dean Sullivan
Gina Costigan and Cav Eire
Gina Costigan and Cav Eire
Kazuki Kazuru
Kazuki Kazuru
Mala Waldron
Mala Waldron
Premix Russell Tubbs
Premik Russell Tubbs
Celeste Muniz
Celeste Muniz
John Ambrosini
John Ambrosini
Jean Huff
Jean Huff
Jim Hawkins
Jim Hawkins
Richard Cashman
Richard Cashman
Michelle Macau
Michelle Macau
Patricia Schneider and Honor Molloy
Patricia Schneider and Honor Molloy
Kazuki Kazuru, Paul Roberson, Celeste Muniz and Al Foote III
Kazuki Kazuru, Paul Roberson, Celeste Muniz and Al Foote III

 

AN EXCITING and DIVERSE EVENING of ENTERTAINMENT: ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS’ APRIL SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE

“Artists Without Walls has has gotten off to a fantastic start this year. I’m so very thankful for the artistic, cultural and social benefits I have reaped from this organization. Thanks, Charles and Niamh. Thanks everyone for your support.” Mark Donnelly

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Rick Ashman
Rick Cashman

We’ve got a great evening of diverse entertainment planned for Artists Without Walls’ April Showcase at The Cell Theatre, Tuesday, April 26. One of the group’s newest members, songwriter Rick Cashman, will be making his first AWoW appearance. Joining Rick will be jazz pianist John Ambrosini and saxophonist Premik Russell Tubbs, who has performed with Lady Gaga, Sting, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. Rick is also the creator, writer and producer of a weekly comedy podcast called “The Hickory Bench Playhouse”  

 

 

Gina Costigan
Gina Costigan

 

 

Actress Gina Costigan will be performing a scene from Honor Molloy’s short play, “And in My Heart. ” The play is a young woman’s account of love and revolution during the 1916 Easter Rising, which is drawn from Honor’s Great Aunt Florence Kane’s eye witness account of the week when Ireland changed, changed utterly.

 

 

Mala Waldron
Mala Waldron

Mala Waldron, a New York City native, balances local performances with regular tours in Europe and Asia. Currently, the songstress is excited about her upcoming solo release, “Deep Resonance.” The project is an intimate, unplugged, personal glimpse into the heart of the artist, featuring her lush vocals and piano accompaniment. Mala’s recordings include her CD debut, “Lullaby,” a tribute to her godmother, Billie Holiday and a duo project with her father, pianist/composer Mal Waldron, “He’s My Father” and “Always There,” which, in addition to being her first U.S. release, was also licensed by Columbia Records (Japan) and voted one of the Top 20 Jazz CDs of 2006 by JazzUSA.

 

Jenai Huff
Jenai Huff

 

Jenai Huff, NYC based singer/songwriter composes songs that address life with its nuances, contradictions, and challenges. Working with acclaimed cinematographer and cameraman, Arthur Jafa (Selma, Crooklyn, Seven Songs for Malcolm, Beyonce, Lauren Hill), has put two of her songs to film, which she will be showing at Tuesday’s Showcase. One of the songs, “Just Like Me,” subtly addresses racism and how we really are all mostly a like. 

 

 

Jenai Huff
Michelle Macau

 

 

 

Michelle Macau will be presenting a reading of selected poems from “The Surrender Tree” by Margarita Engle about Cuba’s struggle for freedom, experimenting with percussive sounds to enhance the story. Joining Michelle will be Al Foote III, Celeste Muniz, Paul Roberson and Kabuki Kozuru.

 

 

 

Jim Hawkins
Jim Hawkins

 

Storyteller Jim Hawkins will pay tribute to the men and women of 1916 Ireland, with passages from Sean O’Casey’s writings and the song, “The Foggy Dew.” Jim has spent decades telling stories, with a sly, folksy understated humor, like the seanchaís of old, whom Hawkins emulates. 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.”

 

Artists Without Walls’ Artistic Directors Niamh Hyland and Charles R. Hale will be hosting and emceeing the event. The Cell Theatre is located at 338 W23rd. St., NYC. The doors and bar open at 6:45. The Showcase begins at 7:30. For more information about the event click here

 

 

 

JIM HAWKINS on ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS and "GENUINE COMMUNITY SUPPORT"

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
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.”

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' SHOWCASE at THE CELL THEATRE, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

“Artists Without Walls creates the space—literally and figuratively—for artists of all stripes to be their best selves, to push boundaries, to experiment, to collaborate in a safe, nurturing environment.” Connie Roberts, poet and author of Little Witness.

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12004851_925585547501924_8908813288792632632_nSinger/songwriter Terry McCarthy got the evening got off to rocking start. Performing solo for the first time at The Cell, Terry opened the show with two songs from his latest CD The Charm, and followed those with two tunes from his new EP Go Fourth.  We’re looking forward to Terry’s upcoming show, Words in Music: An Artists Without Walls Presentation at The Cell Theatre, Nov 15th, which will feature a number of AWoW’s members, including Jack O’Connell, Connie Roberts, Noah Hoffeld, Liv Mammone and Cecil Hooker. 

 

Kathleen Frazier read from her recently released memoir, SLEEPWALKER: The Mysterious Makings and Recovery of a Somnambulist accompanied by cellist and vocalist Serena Jost. Their collaboration was hauntingly beautiful and emotionally stirring. Kathleen is a Norman Mailer Fellow, member of The Actors Studio and envisions a reality show in which Serena plays alongside her day and night:) For more on her memoir visit www.kathleenfrazier.com and for more on Serena’s otherworldly music: www.serenajost.com

 

SONY DSCMaeve Price debuted a very charming performance piece based on a singing engagement at Maple Grove Cemetery. Looking splendid in her very own civil war era dress, she regaled a delighted AWoW audience with a pithy and charming true tale that included music blowing in a ghostly wind, a chat over champagne with Frederick Douglass and a cameo appearance by a local Raccoon. Clearly everything that could have gone wrong at this gig, did go wrong – but Maeve lived to tell the tale with a little singing and a dash of graveyard humor! Connie Roberts summed up Maeve’s performance perfectly, “H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. Brilliant Maeve.”

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SONY DSCJim Hawkins brought to life the wit, humor and wisdom of Frank O’Connor’s story, “My First Confession.” He built layers of humor clearly segueing through the plots of the story and the characters as they were introduced. He demonstrated his acting skills bringing to life the characters with a variety of facial expressions and vocal intonations. There were moments in Jim’s telling when the audience were in howls of laughter.  Great showcase Tuesday night. Mark Donnelly commented, “Wonderful performance! And Jim even got me examining my conscience about Bad Confessions I’d made, oh so many years ago.” 

 

SONY DSCBrian Carbee is a choreographer, dancer, writer & performer who began his dance career in Cambridge, and has since performed all over the world. Brian performed a scene from a play he and Sarah Carradine wrote called Perch, in which Perch answers an ad to watch over Susan while she sleeps, and arrives dressed as an owl. Of Brian’s performance, Richard Stillman said, “His sense of mimetic movement was impeccable.” Perfect description. 

 

SONY DSCFlutist Sean Schulich heralded in Autumn with the opening few notes from Johnny Mercer’s “Autumn Leaves.”  The audience at times was enraptured and at others hypnotized by the Sean’s fluid sounds, which were the perfect denouement to an evening filled with performance art, singer-songwriter music and theatrical scenes. Sean will be appearing at Carnegie Hall, Sunday, Nov. 1st as part of the The Phantom and the Illharmonic Orchestra.  

 

The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre will be on October 27. 

 

Photos by David Goldman. 

AWoW MEMBERS AROUND TOWN THIS WEEK

Jim Hawkins
Jim Hawkins

Jim Hawkins will be presenting a program of “Stories and Songs from the Irish Tradition” today, Sunday, 2pm at the Glen Cove Gold Coast Library, Glen Cove, LI. 

 

On March 17 and 21, Jim AND Greg Ryan will be playing traditional Irish music and singing Irish ballads at the MacArthur Park Restaurant on Park Ave in Rockvile Center, LI. They will be playing from 5-9 on the 17th and from 1-4 on the 21st, after the Rockville Center St. Patrick’s day parade.

 

Richard Stillman
Richard Stillman

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Singer, storyteller & musician, Richard Stillman will be performing his Irish Balladeer show at 3pm at the Verona NJ Library. For info call 973 857-4848. The family show combines traditional and original Irish music, storytelling and step dancing accompanied on cittern guitar, banjo, mandolin, bagpipes, concertina, pennywhistle, bones, bodhran and harmonica. 

 

 

Mary Tierney in "Sacred Sow"
Mary Tierney in “Sacred Sow”

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Mary Tierney will be appearing today, Sunday March 15, 1:30 pm in the Poor Mouth Theatre company presentation of A Night of Irish Storytelling” “Sacred Sow” written and directed by  Ellie Cummings.

 

 Located at 445 W238th St., Bronx, NY. Admission $18 available at the bar

 

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Nancy Redman
Nancy Redman

 

Nancy Redman won Best Comedian Award United Solo 2014 for her one woman play “THE DOCTOR IS NOT IN” directed by Austin Pendleton. She will be performing “THE DOCTOR IS NOT IN” Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 7pm at Abingdon Theatre Company Dorothy Strelsin Theatre, 312 W36th St. 1st Fl., NYC

 

Nancy recently performed “The Doctor Is Not In” at the United Solo Theatre Festival 2014 and received the award for “Best Comedian.”

 

Tickets are $20.00 Use Code Doc315 for a $15.00 ticket. Click here for tickets

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Vincent Cross
Vincent Cross

Singer/songwriter Vincent Cross will be at Scratcher Cafe, 209 E.5th St., Sunday night, March 15, 7:15

 

From Vincent: “Traditionally, St Patrick’s Day would be just the day of March 17th, but living here in the US, there seems no end to the various celebratory parades. I’m not complaining of course, as I can claim that my upcoming show at the Scratcher is to commemorate the Saintly man himself; however, I would like to invite folks out to hear some newly written tunes at the one and only Scratcher Bar on the Lower East Side. That day being March the 15th at 7:15pm on the dash. There are usually two acts split over two hrs with fifteen minutes between each. I’m not sure who will be sharing the stage with me, but be sure to catch both sets. Oh…and if you join the Facebook invite here, I’ll be eternally grateful.”

 

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Ed Romanoff
Ed Romanoff

Singer/songwriter Ed Romanoff, who recently concluded his tour of Germany and Ireland now wraps up in NY next week. He’s bringing along one of his favorite players, Clive Barnes from Kilkenny Ireland. Clive’s a blues powerhouse and has played with many legends. Join them for some new songs and some new sounds.

 

16th March Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3-NYC 7pm
17th March Parkside Lounge -NYC 8pm
18th March Bearsville Theatre – Woodstock New York 9pm

 

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Cajun Music
Brooklyn Cajun Jam Session

 

Whatta Weekend! Saturday March 21st, 3PM -12midnight

 

The next session of the traditional Brooklyn Cajun Jam Session at the fabulous Jalopy Theatre in Brooklyn, will be lead by Tim Kness and open to all musicians at the Jalopy Theatre and School of Music, Brooklyn, NY (Red Hook Neighborhood) 315 Columbia Street (Between Hamilton & Woodhull) Brooklyn, NY, 11231.

 

Jam at 3PM, Eat at 6PM and Dance at 8PM!

 

 

 

 

AWoW MEMBERS PERFORMING AROUND TOWN THIS WEEK: 3/8/2015

Richard Stillman
Richard Stillman

Singer, storyteller & musician, Richard Stillman will be performing his Irish Balladeer show on Long Island next week. The family show combines traditional and original Irish music, storytelling and step dancing accompanied on cittern guitar, banjo, mandolin, bagpipes, concertina, pennywhistle, bones, bodhran and harmonica. He’ll be at the Amityville, NY Library on March 7th at 2 pm. For information call 631 264 0567. He’ll repeat the show at the Island Park, NY Library on March 12th at 7 pm. For information call 516 432 0122 .

 

Paul Byrne and Richard Stillman
Paul Byrne and Richard Stillman

 

 

Richard and guitarist Paul Byrne will also be performing their Irish Balladeer show on March 14th at 10 and 11 am at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston, Ma. For more information call 617 514 1560. On March 15th Richard performs the show solo at 3 pm at the Verona NJ Library. For information call 973 857 4848.

 

Jim Hawkins
Jim Hawkins

 

 

 

 

 

Jim Hawkins will be doing a program of “Stories and Songs from the Irish Tradition” on the following dates, times and locations: March 8, Williston Park Library, Williston Park, Long Island 2 P.M. March 14 Copiague Library, Copiague, Long Island. March 15 Glen Cove Gold Coast Library, Glen Cove, Long Island. March 22 Deer Park Library, Deer Park, Long Island. 

 

On March 17 and 21, Jim and Greg Ryan will be playing traditional Irish music and singing Irish ballads at the MacArthur Park Restaurant on Park Ave in Rockvile Center, LI. They will be playing from 5-9 on the 17th and from 1-4 on the 21st, after the Rockville Center St. Patrick’s day parade.

 

Mary Tierney in "Sacred Sow"
Mary Tierney in “Sacred Sow”

 

 

 

Mary Tierney is appearing in the Poor Mouth Theatre company presentation of A Night of Irish Storytelling” “Sacred Sow” written and directed by Ellie Cummings.

 

Thursday, March 12/8pm, Friday, March 13/8pm and Sunday, March 15/1:30pm. Admission $18 available at the bar

 

Serena Jost
Serena Jost

 

 

 

March 12 @ 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Serena Jost returns to Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3, her favorite downtown venue, on March 12, 8:30pm. Come hear new songs, some favorites and hang out with Serena after the show. Special Guests.

Here’s what New York Music Daily said about Serena’s 2014 Rockwood Concert: “…a lush, sweeping, richly enveloping, tuneful show by the art-rock cellist/multi-instrumentalist singer (Serena) and her band.” Click here for tickets, which are $10.

 

Honor Molloy
Honor Molloy

Honor Molloy and Kevin Holohan: Beckett in Brooklyn March 14 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

 

Kevin, Honor and Maeve Price, celebrate Nobel Prize Winner Samuel Barclay Beckett

“What do I know of man’s destiny? I could tell you more about radishes.”

Kevin Holohan
Kevin Holohan

 

 

 

“Beckett Out Loud” Saturday, March 14th
4 – 6pm – Free at the Brooklyn Public Library – Dweck Center 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn

 

RSVP: BrownPaperTickets.com or 718.230.2200

 

Click here for information.

 

Nancy Redman
Nancy Redman

 

 

Nancy Redman won Best Comedian Award United Solo 2014 for her one woman play “The Doctor Is Not In” directed by Austin Pendleton. She will be performing “The Doctor is Not In,”  Sunday, March 15, 2015 at 7pm at Abingdon Theatre Company
Dorothy Strelsin Theatre, 312 W36th St. 1st Fl., NYC

 

Nancy recently performed “The Doctor Is Not In” at the United Solo Theatre Festival 2014 and received the award for “Best Comedian.”

 

Click here for tickets, which are $20. AWoW members can use code Doc315 for discounted tickets at $15

 

 

 

AWoW MEMBERS in the "NEWS"

Nice article about upcoming AWoW events in today’s Irish Echo. Come on out and see some great performers including Brona Crehan, Grainne Duddy, Annette Homann, Jim Hawkins and Terry McCarthy. 

 

Screen Shot 2015-01-14 at 12.20.43 PM

 

 

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "AROUND TOWN"

Brona Crehan and Grainne Duddy
Brona Crehan and Grainne Duddy

If you missed Grainne Duddy at Artists Without Walls’ Holiday Showcase on December 23rd, here is your chance to see her perform again. An extract from Moonlight Sonata, written and directed by Brona Crehan, will be part of Manhattan Repertory Theater’s Winter One Act Competition.

 

Show dates are, Tuesday January 13 at 6:30 pm, Wednesday January 14 at 6:30 pm, Thursday January 15 at 6:30 pm and Friday January 16 at 6:30 pm.

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Manhattan Repertory Theater is located at: 303 W. 42nd St. Suite 614, right past Duane Reade on 42nd St. Enter Right Door to Elevator – go to 6th floor – Suite 614 – You will see signs.  Tickets are $20 and reservations are made by email at: mrtreserve@gmail.com

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Annette Homann
Annette Homann

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Join Annette Homann for her CD release at the Duplex Cabaret Theatre, 61 Christopher St, January 15th, 9:30pm. Tickets are officially on sale now. “I Would love to share my excitement with all of you!” says Annette. For tickets click here

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Jim Hawkins
Jim Hawkins

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Jim Hawkins will be telling Frank O’Connor Stories on Friday, January 16 at 7pm, at the Inquiring Mind Book Store and Gallery, 200 Main Street, Saugerties, New York. Storyteller Janet Carter who runs this monthly event will also tell Irish stories. Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.

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Terry McCarthy
Terry McCarthy

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Terry McCarthy premieres his new five piece electric band on Friday, January 16th, at Tierney’s, 136-138 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ. Terry will be joined by the fantastic Bern and the Brights. $10 cover.

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Noah Hoffeld, Dan Yurkofsky and Melissa Sytlianou
Noah Hoffeld, Dan Yurkofsky and Melissa Sytlianou

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Singer, composer, and songwriter Dan Yurkofsky will perform songs from Hoverhill, his recent album on Sunday, January 18th, 4pm, at The Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St., NYC. This will be a full group show and the first ever performance of all the songs from the record.

 

With Anna Dagmar – piano and keyboard, Thad Debrock – guitar, Noah Hoffeld – cello, and Melissa Stylianou – voice.  Click here for tickets, which are $10

 

 

Montage by Vera Hoar
Artists Without Walls Montage by Vera Hoar

 

 

Artists Without Walls Showcase at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St. Tuesday, January 27th, 6:45 pm.