ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS: MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN" the WEEK of 6/29/14

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Today, from 12 noon-3pm, Deborah Monlux’s Catahoula Cajun Band will be playing at Superfine, a converted warehouse space with open kitchen, live music, bar and restaurant. Located at 126 Front Street, Brooklyn, NY  11201, in  the Dumbo neighborhood between Pearl and Jay Street.

 

Take the F train to York Street and walk one block to Front.  Make your day complete by walking after brunch to John Street , located between the Adams and Pearl Street waterfront, to see John Street Pasture, an art installation waterfront lot covered with beautiful crimson clover!  For reservations or tables near stage, call 718-243 9005     Directions

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Martina Fiserova
Martina Fiserova
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Singer/songwriter Martina Fiserova is performing at the Way Station, located at 683 Washington Ave btw Prospect and St. Marks, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, June 30th, Monday, at 11pm. Suggested donation for all shows is $5.  

 

 

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10409329_819118514772518_1943922312432796407_nDon Creedon’s play, The Lobby will be given a reading on Monday night, June 30th, at 7:00pm.  The New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ, is hosting the reading, which is directed by Adam Fitzgerald. Tom O’Keefe heads up a wonderful cast, including veteran Irish actors John Keating, Ciaran Byrne, Michael Mellamphy, Rachel Pickup, Matt Golden, Pepper Binkley, Dee Nelson, Orlagh Cassidy, and last but not least, fellow AWoW member, Honor Finnegan, as special musical guest!

 

The Lobby is an Irish immigrant story, a modern American comedy, and an old-school farce all wrapped up in one terrific new play. A group of Irish ne’r-do-wells do whatever it takes to get ahead in New York. The result is one big, elaborate and extremely hilarious hoax.

 

ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' MEMBERS "ON THE TOWN" WEEK of JUNE 15, 2014

 

Aedin Moloney
Aedin Moloney

Its official! Ulysses’ Folk House Stone Street , NYC -Annual  BLOOMSDAY Celebration – MONDAY 16TH – 2pm-5pm. Colum McCann’s Annual literary celebration, which will include actress Aedin Moloney’s infamous Molly Bloom. Join them for Oysters galore, wonderful readings and some very special surprise guests!  http://www.ulyssesnyc.com/special-events

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Brunnock
Michael Brunnock

Singer/songwriter Michael Brunnock and Actor John Duddy present an evening based a series of songs written by Michael and inspired by the Life of Roger Casement. The Players Club presents a reading of the informally titled ‘Roger Casement Project’ on Monday 16th June at 8.30pm.

 

John Duddy
John Duddy

This is a private show, performed in the beautiful historical institution that is the Players Club on Gramercy Park South, NYC http://www.theplayersnyc.org. Members of the public are also welcome, however, if you would like to attend, please contact Michael at info@michaelbrunnock.com or Lorcan Otway lorcanotway@gmail.com. via email to ensure a seat and ensure that your name may is added to the guest list . There are no walk-ins accepted. There is no cost. The length of the performance is approx 1 hour. www.theplayersnyc.org

 

 

 

Annette Homann
Annette Homann

 

 

Violinist Annette Homann will be peforming with the North/South Consonance Ensemble in a concert of New Chamber Orchestra Music on Tuesday June 17th, at 8 pm at the Christ and St Stephen’s Church120 W 69th street. Admission free

 

 

 

 

There’s’ a party brewing in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Friday, June 20th, a rare occurrence dancing on the streets: Catahoula Cajun Band plays at Checker Car Show. AWOW member Deborah Monlux teams up with Checker Car Club of America. It’s a free event. Feel free to check out over 50 Vintage Checker Cars and

Catahoula Street Band
Catahoula Street Band

Limousines dated from 1922-1982. The sidewalk and street are blocked off. Go to Box Street in Greenpoint between McGuiness and Manhattan Ave to find the entire street blocked off for the music dancing and Car show in Greenpoint Brooklyn, 11222. Car show starts at 3PM, Catahoula Cajun Music starts at 3:45PM – till sunset. 

 

From Brooklyn or Queens, take the G train to the Greenpoint Avenue stop. After exiting, walk North on Manhattan Avenue until you reach Box Street. From Manhattan or Queens, take the 7 train to the Vernon/Jackson stop. After exiting, then walk over the Pulaski Bridge, enjoy the view, and take the first stairway on the Brooklyn side on Box Street. For more directions go to: http://www.checker2014.com/#!directions/c1bfs or visit the site at http://www.checker2014.com

 

 

 

 

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
Connie Roberts

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.” 

 

 

 

Erin Layton
Erin Layton

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
Karl Scully

 

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
The Catahoula Cajun Band

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.

 

 

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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

Bernard Smith
Bernard Smith

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

  

 

DAZZLING TALENT at the ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS’ SHOWCASE, 6/25/2013

“I thought this kind of free flowing music, spoken word, anything goes evening, went out years ago. Terrific night at the ‘Artists Without Wall Showcase’ at The Cell Theater in Chelsea.” Marion Stein, attendee at Tuesday night’s “Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell.”

 

Navid Kandelousi and Mehdi Darvishi
Navid Kandelousi and Mehdi Darvishi

Iranians Navid Kandeousi and Mehdi Darvishi began the evening with a rhythmic improvisation. Navid wrote the work for an ensemble but for this performance it was arranged for the “kamancheh,” played by Navid, and the “daf,” a percussion instrument and the most common instrument in Iran, played by Mehdi.  The work, calling on traditional Persian folk tunes, included complex passages and difficult bowing techniques, which were perfomred by Navid with dazzling results.  Mehdi’s accompaniment was perfect, calling upon subtle forces to transmit great energy. A dynamic opening to the evening. 

 

Carl Capotorto, “Little Paulie” Germani in the Sopranos, expressed his gratitude to the group for allowing him a few moments to honor and remember his friend and colleague, James Gandolfini. “Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity.  And I was delighted to read a few pages from my book for the wonderfully diverse and highly sophisticated audience. It’s great work that AWoW is doing!” And thank you to Carl for sharing this thoughts on the Soparanos and James Gandolfini, and for his witty reading from his memoir Twisted Head

 

Leni Stern Trio
Leni Stern Trio

The Leni Stern Trio, which includes bass player Mamadou Ba, percussionist Alioune Faye and jazz guitarist Leni Stern, has recently written a set of ten songs that are based on old traditional Senegalese rhythms, blended with sounds of blues and jazz from America.  The songs they played on Tuesday were from that project, one of them performed for the very first time in public.  The trio will soon be traveling to Senegal to record their next album with a group of local percussionists, but they can be heard next Tuesday night, July 2,10pm, at 55 Bar on Christopher Street in New York.  Commenting on the diverse mix of talent that was presented throughout the evening Leni said “I was especially moved by the two young poets, Koro and Ciara.  What spirit!”

 

Ciara Thompson
Ciara Thompson

Back from a trip to Ireland where she was awarded the Poetry Award at the prestigious Listowel Writer’s Week, Connie Roberts introduced the two young poets, Koro Koroye and Ciara Thompson. Connie, while a professor at Hofstra University, was instrumental in shaping the paths of each of these rising stars. Spoken word artist Koro Koroye, who has dazzled the Showcase audiences in the past, performed her poem “My Name,” with power and verve, while Ciara Thompson read five soulful poems, which reflected on her life and her experiences. Two great young talents. 

 

Michele Cetera and Jack O'Connelll
Michele Cetera and Jack O’Connell

Michele Cetera and Jack O’Connell acted the closing scene of “Frankie and Johnny In The Clair DeLune. “ “What made this exercise very special was that it was the first time Michele had ever tried this off book,” Jack said.  “We practiced this scene many times outdoors in parks from Greenpoint to Central Park. Michele translated her personal life right into the shoes of her character “Frankie” with brilliant results.”  And, as always, Jack who played Johnny, was perfect in his role. Ray Lindie handled the music in this wonderful scene from Terrence McNally’s play. 

 

Catahoula Cajun Band played rocking two steps and a sweet waltz, which enticed audience members to jump up and dance.  Catahoula is a New York-based group that plays Cajun dance music of Southern Louisiana. While all the band members hail from north of the Mason-Dixon line, their love of the rocking two-steps, sweet waltzes, and soulful blues of Acadiana inspired them to bring their Northern take on this Southern sound to the parks, streets, and subway platforms of New York. They delighted the audience with toe-tapping, infectious rhythms, perhaps inspiring a pop-up Louisiana dancehall on a street corner or two.  Great music.

 

Matt Keating
Matt Keating

Matt Keating ended the evening with a few of what TimeOut London calls his “beautiful and honest songs of substance and melancholy”.  His first song, “Maker of Carousels,” from his most recent album, Wrong Way Home (Sojourn Records) was a moving tribute written after Matt read an obituary about the man who designed the Bryant Park carousel.  Matt followed “Carousels” with some amusing banter about nitrous oxide abuse as he finished the evening with his Willie Nelson-esque ode to summer jobs and un-requited love, “Between Customers.”  Time ran out on the evening–it felt like we were just getting warmed up–and Matt left the crowd wanting more. You can hear this outstanding musician and his band playing these tunes and others on July 10th, 8pm, at The Living Room in New York City. 

 

The next “Showcase at The Cell” will be held on July 31, 7pm. For more information on becoming a member click on “Membership” above or write to info@artistswithoutwalls.com 

 

 

 

CAT DWYER'S PHOTOS: "AWoW'S SHOWCASE AT THE CELL THEATRE," 6/25/13

Cat Dwyer’s photos of the Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at The Cell Theatre, June 25, 2013. The names of the artists appear above the pictures.

 

Navid Kandelousi and Mehdi Darvishi

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Carl Capotorto

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Mamadou Ba, Alioune Faye and Leni Stern

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Koro Koroye

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Michele Cetera and Jack O’Connell

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Catahoula Cajun Band

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Connie Roberts

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Ciara Thompson

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Matt Keating

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JOIN ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS: "SHOWCASE AT THE CELL THEATER" ON TUESDAY, JUNE 25

Cahoulas Cajun Band
Catahoula Cajun Band

Come on out to the “AWoW Showcase at The Cell” for a taste of “Northern Fried” Cajun music of Southwest Louisiana: Upbeat, danceable roots music, spirited two-steps and beautifully heartwarming, bittersweet waltzes. The Catahoula Cajun Band is a New York based group and while all the band members hail from north of the Mason-Dixon line, their love of toe-tappin’ dance and traditional music inspired them to tackle the two-steps, waltzes, and Cajun-French lyrics of Acadiana.

 

Here’s the rest of the evening’s line-up:

 

Matt Keating
Matt Keating

Timeout London said of singer/songwriter Matt Keating “Beautiful and honest songs of substance and melancholy.” Matt’s newest album, Wrong Way Home, a 16 song emotional piece, is his tenth release. Matt’s music is tinged by nostalgia while being entirely modern. It is contemplation on life’s narrative, offering moments of joy and melancholy, epiphany and regret.

 

Leni Stern
Leni Stern

Leni Stern, who was born in Munich, Germany, and educated at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, is a New York based guitarist whose recent recordings are lush, deeply felt explorations of the sound of Africa colored by Stern’s soulful lyrics, lightly sanded voice and dazzling instrumental prowess. Leni will be joined by one of her fine musicians, bassist Mamadou Ba. 

 

Carl Capotorto
Carl Capotorto

Carl Capotorto, born and raised in the Bronx, is a playwright, screenwriter and actor, well known for his six seasons in the role of “Little Paulie” Germani in the Sopranos.  Carl will be performing a work from his book, Twisted Head, a darkly comic memoir of growing up in the Bronx in the 60s and 70s.

 

Jack O’Connell, Michele Cetera and Ray Lindie, Showcases regulars, will be performing a scene from Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune by Terrence McNally. This two character play focuses on two lonely middle aged people who work in a Diner, he as a cook, she as a waitress.  Johnny is certain that he’s found his soulmate in Frankie.  She, on the other hand is far more cautious and disinclined to jump to conclusions.

Navid Kandelos
Navid Kandelousi

 

Classical musicians Navid Kandelousi and Ava Nazar not only perform classical music but Persian traditional music as well.  Navid, a violinist will be playing the Kamancheh, a traditional Persian instrument, and Ava will be playing the piano during their performance of Persian music.

 

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Stephanie Silber will be reading from her short story The Lemon Tree, which follows a little girl through an eventful day with her grandmother in a 1960’s cityscape both alluring and menacing.  This excerpt finds the duo visiting the grandmother’s stricken friend in a New York hospital for rehabilitation.
Stephanie Silber
Stephanie Silber

Artists Without Walls was created to provide artists of all disciplines an opportunity to experiment with new ideas in front of a live audience; create an environment that fosters collaborative and creative effort and  promote members’ careers in the arts, whether they have already established themselves or are at the beginning of their artistic career.  We’re looking forward to a great night. Hope you can join us.