Singer/songwriter Martina Fiserova will be performing at the Path Cafe, 131 Christopher Street, West Village, NYC on Friday January 9th at 7pm, and featuring a special guest, Yuka Kameda (tap dance). There is no cover.
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.
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.
“I am always so impressed by the level of talent I witness at any Artist Without Walls’ event. It is rare to witness a room filled with that kind of unbridled spirit, charisma and joy even in NYC. An incredible ensemble of artists are represented at an AWoW showcase!” Erin Layton, actress/playwright
Gregory Harrington began the evening with a stirring performance of the Prelude from the Cello Suite by J.S. Bach, which he arranged for violin and is on his upcoming CD – Bach: Transcriptions and Variations on CDBaby. Greg was then joined by Leon Boykins on double bass and for a virtuosic performance of U2’s “With or Without You. “Had a great time and really loved the space,” Greg added.
DJ Sharp took us back to Tennessee Williams’ days at New York City’s historic Elysee Hotel with a scene from his one man show, “Tennessee Williams.” Here’s what an audience member said, “Tonight I saw D J Sharp knock it out of the park–no, much farther than that. He knocked it out beyond the parking lot, past the interstate and well into the corn fields of Nebraska. A performance to be seen.” I’m flattered,” DJ said. “Thanks again to Artists Without Walls for creating a evening with great performers and a wonderful audience!”
Terry McCarthy tore into the room with four of his brashly melodic original songs. In honor of his wife’s first attendance at an AWoW Showcase, he opened with “Queen of the World” a tune recounting the second time they met and marking the thirty years they’ve been together. He then performed “And a Little Girl Closes Her Eyes” an anti-war song in the Celtic folk tradition. Next was a rocking version of “Down For The Day” a tribute to the people of the Rockaways who are rebuilding their lives after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. He closed with a fan favorite “Sorrow Salsa,” a Tejano flavored tune of triumph over depression. Terry was joined by the brilliant guitarisist, his nephew Devon McCarthy who wowed the audience with his talent and a special guest, Andy Sandel, who proved why he is known as the “Master of the Squeezebox.” All of these songs and many more are available @ TerryMcCarthymusic.com as well as ITunes and Cdbaby.com
Irish playwright, director and actor, Don Creedon, presented his very funny short play “Divine Intervention.” In this charming, revelatory, two-hander, we meet Grainne, a woman with an extremely colorful past, who goes to Confession for the first time in thirty-one years. Maeve Price was both hilarious and touching as Grainne, a woman with a delightfully anarchic sense of what’s right. Don did a wonderful job as Father Divine, a priest caught between following his true heart’s desire and the dictates of the Catholic Church.
Singer/songwriter Robin Pahlman played three original songs “Miss Lonelyhearts,” which is the first single off his debut solo EP, out on Monkey Records click for video, “Man Overboard,” also on the EP and a previously unreleased song called “Rain Clouds”. Robin’s been moving around a great deal in the past few years–he’s lived in Seattle, WA; Helsinki, Finland; Vienna, Austria; and now New York City), and he tends to write songs about how places and memory define us, and what “home” really means. Musically, Robin owes a lot to the American folk/country/roots tradition, even though as he says, “A certain element of melancholy probably comes from my Finnish heritage, as Finnish music traditionally is very sad and minor-key. Click here for Robin’s Facebook band page.
Jim Hawkins has spent decades telling stories. On this night, Jim combined story and song–both American and Irish–to tell a folksy and witty tale of two young men–Jim and his friend Billy–coming of age in the early 1970s. Just like the seanchaís of old, Jim told the story, “Driving Across America with Billy Zuckerman” with a gentle, easy-going manner and warmth, which he says is his contribution to keeping this wonderful art-form alive and well.
For more information about Artists Without Walls contact info@artistswithoutwalls.com. AWoW’s next Showcase will be at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., December 23rd, 7pm.
We’ve been fortunate to have a number of great violinists and fiddlers at Artists Without Walls’ Showcases, including Deni Bonet, Annette Homann and Bernadette Fee. On Tuesday we will feature another great violinist, Gregory Harrington. Gregory, who has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Boston’s Symphony Hall and venues around the world, will be performing a few pieces, including Bach and Nirvana. You won’t want to miss this brilliant performer.
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.” Come hear him perform an excerpt from his story, “Driving Across America with Billy Zuckerman.”
Finland native and guitarist Robin Pahlman, who has been performing around town with Deni Bonet and who’s wonderful performance at AWoW’s recent Showcase at Rockwood recently, was a big hit with the audience, will be making debut appearance at an AWoW Showcase at The Cell.
We’ve had some incredible performances at AWoW’s Showcases during the past year and right up there with the best was David Sharp’s performance from his one-man show Tennesse Williams. His tour-de-force performance was spellbinding and brought down the house. David will be performing another scene from his work at Tuesday’s Showcase.
Terry McCarthy was born in New York City and grew up in Breezy Point, writing songs as he wandered the winter beach. After surviving both a Catholic and public school education, Terry attended SUNY, College at Purchase where he received a BFA in Theater Arts, all the while knowing his first love and passion was music. Terry who ended a recent Showcase with three terrific tunes from his most recent album, The Charm, will once again be joined by the great guitarist Devon McCarthy.
Joining AWoW for his first appearance is folk singer/songwriter Mickey Coleman. Mickey’s talent for penning songs has been well documented in songs such as Culdaff, Duffy’s Cut, Undocumented Man, The Brantry Boy, My Coalisland Girl, The Holylands Belfast and Kilkeel Fishermen. Mickey has released three albums Carefully Crafted,A Mother’s Lullaby and the critically acclaimed Last Glance and he’s shared the stage with some of the world and Ireland’s top folk artists such as The Chieftains, Cara Dillon, Francis Black, Liam Reilly and Bagatelle, Steve Cooney and many more.
Don Creedon is an award-winning playwright, director, and actor originally from Dublin, Ireland. In October 2010, Don received the 1st Irish 2010 Theatre Festival Audience Award for Best Play for Guy Walks into a Bar. Also in 2010, Don was nominated for Best Director 1st Irish 2010 Theatre Festival for the US premier of Dermot Bolger’s one-woman drama The Holy Ground, featuring Katherine O’Sullivan. Don will present a scene from his one act comedy Divine The Cast with Maeve Price and himself in the role of Father Divine.
Get there early to get a good seat. The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., NYC. The show begins at 7pm.
Today, Sunday, Sept 21, 11:00-4:00, actor/writer Stella Pulo–the first Aussie to receive Lifetime Membership in The Actors Studio–will be at the Jersey City Free Public Library at Grove Street Plaza in Downtown Jersey City. (Between Christopher Columbus Drive and Newark Avenue)
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Today, Sunday, Sept 21, 12;30-5:00 Antoinette Montague is part of the 31st Annual World Class Jazz Concert & Brunch withinternationally renowned musicians: Warren Vaché, Cornet, Bucky Pizzarelli, Guitar, Derek Smith, Piano, Rufus Reid, Bass, Bill Easley, Tenor Saxophone, Steve Johns, Drums
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Artists Without Wall’s Showcase at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St., Tuesday, September 23rd, 7pm. With Ashley Bell, Deni Bonet, Terry McCarthy, Emiko, Joe Goodrich, Erin Layton, Larry Fleischman and Niall McKay.
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Jim Hawkins and Kate Danaher will do a performance of their show, “Stories By A Turf Fire – The Life and Stories of Eamon Kelly,” Friday, September 26, 7 P.M. at the Shoreham-Wading River Library in Suffolk County. Eamon Kelly is one of the great storytellers of the world. In this performance, Jim and Kate will tell the story of Eamon’s life, discuss the influences on his storytelling and tell many of his stories. Admission is free but call the library to make a reservation.
Artists Without Walls Showcase at The Cell Theatre, 338 W23rd St. Tuesday, August 26, 7-9:30pm. A great lineup of artists including, Honor Finnegan, Warren Malone, Renata Hinrichs, Niamh Hyland, Mark Donnelly, Nick Garr, Martin Kleinman and Steve Simring
Samuel Barclay Beckett meets Honor Molloy, Kevin Holohan and Maeve Price. Four Dubliners in one hypnotic, obsessive swoon of lingo . . . BECKETT IN THE BINGO LOUNGE Friday, August, 29th, 7:30-10:00pm, 161 Chrystie Street
Honor Finnegan will be performing at the Uke New Jersey Too! Ukulele Festival. August 30th, 7:30pm show. Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ.
Honor will also be teaching a songwriting class during the day. Saturday all day and night $65, Saturday night concert only $20, Full Event $75
Jim Hawkins will be telling at the “Hooley on the Hudson” Irish festival in Kingston, New York on Sunday, August 31 at 2 P. M. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Fr. Con Colbert Woulfe Division 1, Ulster County, and the City of Kingston invite all to the annual “Hooley on the Hudson XIII™” from 11:30 AM until 9:00 PM at the beautiful waterfront at the T.R. Gallo Memorial Park on the Rondout Creek in historic Kingston, New York.
“The event last night was replenishing, especially because of AWoW’s spirit and the vibe among the people. They were all so happy to be there.” Justine Blau, author of Scattered: A Mostly True Memoir.
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Afro Peruvian guitarist Yuri Juarez and percussionist Jhair Sala got the evening off to a great start with a song called “Idolatría.” The song is a traditional Peruvian waltz with a free and open interpretation for guitar and cajon. Yuri and Jhair followed with “Arroz Con Concolón,” a Festejo or in English a celebration. “Arroz con concolón is rice with the toasted rice in the botton of the bowl. You can see that in the Spanish paella. It’s delicious,” Yuri explained through his infectious laughter. Great music, a great beginning.
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Nick Garr followed with an outstanding performance from his solo theatre piece, Paper Tigers. Written by Nick, the work is a stunning combination of comedy and drama. Nick meshed his great physicality with piped in sounds as diverse as spraying mouthwash, bullets flying through the air and screams to create an intense piece of theater.
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Actors DJ Sharp and Mary Tierney were splendid in a scene from Joe Davidson’s Looking for Cans. DJ, as the butler Philip, perfectly captured the lubricious behavior of Philip, as he attempts to extort money from his boss, the wealthy socialite Mary Wellsworth. Mary T, as she always does, slipped into her role of “wealthy socialite,” well, as if she were one. Is she? A stirring scene brought alive by two great actors.
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Jim Hawkins, making his first appearance with AWoW, began his presentation by giving the audience a brief background on the life of Eamon Kelly, the great Irish storyteller or seanchai. Jim followed with a wonderful rendition of Eamon’s story, “The White Cat,” and concluded with a spirited version of Tommy Makem’s humorous song, “The Liar. Of Jim’s performance, actor Jack O’Connell said, “I love watching a great pro who’s come prepared.” Well said and right on the mark.
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Actor John Duddy and singer/songwriter Michael Brunnock opened the second half of the show bringing to life the extraordinary character that was Irish Nationalist, Roger Casement. Their passion for telling Roger’s story was palpable and truly compelling in its intensity. If this is a taste of what’s to come , then I believe the audience is hooked. John and Michael aroused the listener’s curiosity through haunting melody and Casement’s own words, telling the story of one of the great humanitarians of this century . “I believe Roger Casement and what he represents is as important today as when he died, one-hundred years ago. I am privileged to tell how I see his story and working with John Duddy on this has been such an inspiration to me ” said Michael. “We are so excited to work together and looking forward to producing the full show in the late spring.” And we’re looking forward to having this dynamic duo return.
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Aedin Moloney, one of NYC’s finest actresses, performed a scene from her award winning performance in A Most Dangerous Woman, a play about writer George Eliot. During this bravura performance, Aedin held the audience captive as she brought to life the disappointments and frustrations of being a great woman writer in a man’s world.
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Mary Lannon charmed the crowd reading from her completed 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’s the title.) She also encouraged everyone to “Facebook Friend” her main character Miranda J. McCleod as she seeks out an agentpublishing opportunities for this terrific young adult novel.
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Actor Andy Baldeschwiler closed the evening by sharing the Tom Robbins’ travel story “Two in the Bush”, depicting a couple’s romantic mis-adventures in the African wild. His animated and hilarious performance elicited many appreciative guffaws from the crowd and was the perfect send off into a chilly New York night.
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The next Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell will be on March 3, 7pm at The Cell Theater, 338 W23rd St., NYC. For more info on Artists Without Walls contact info@artistswithoutwalls.com
“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
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And we expect more of that tomorrow night, Tuesday, January 28th, 7pm, at The Cell Theater in NYC.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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?
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The fun begins at 7pm–please arrive on time–at The Cell Theater, 338 W23rd St., NYC. Hope to see you there.