“CROSSING BOROUGHS” WRITE-UP by VINNIE NAUHEIMER

“CROSSING BOROUGHS”

by VINNIE NAUHEIMER

The audience at the Artists Without Walls’ presentation of “Crossing Boroughs” was treated to a scrumptious mix of singing, dancing, music, and history last Sunday afternoon at the Museum of the City of New York. Weaving together the intricate blend of the music, dance, history and culture that defined each of New York City’s boroughs, “Crossing Boroughs” showcased the magnificent tapestry that defines New York City. Combining a superb narrative, slideshows, singing, dancing and monologues, the show transported the older members in the audience back to the days of their youth, while giving the younger folk a glimpse into New York City’s past.

Vocalists David Raleigh and Niamh Hyland

The opening slideshow presented visual snippets of New York City, which provided the backdrop for Niamh Hyland who sang “Midnight in Harlem” with enough soul to rock a congregation. Charles R. Hale picked up from there, narrating a brief history of Manhattan and its past, his words accenting and explaining the slides flashing across the screen. This background material led to a duet, “Manhattan,” a song written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and performed by Niamh and David Raleigh.

Jack O’Connell, while holding a Spalding, known as a “spaldeen,” recounted Brooklyn born Pete Hamill’s description of “stickball” as he knew it growing up in Brooklyn, including the fact that Spaldings were not manufactured during WWII because of the rubber shortage caused by the war effort. Growing up in the Bronx, I can attest to the fact that stickball was played with the same rules across boroughs.

“Crossing Boroughs” creator Charles R. Hale

Stickball transitioned to baseball when Charles shared a personal story…his father taking him to his first baseball game at Ebbets Field. It was his first chance to see the Dodgers and Charles recounted the game and the chance meeting with Jackie Robinson at a stoplight as Charles and his dad drove home from the game. This personal touch, acknowledging the importance of the father-son bonds that were formed over the game of baseball, drew the audience in as they reflected on their ties to baseball. To add to the realism of the baseball moment, midway through Charles’ story, Jack O’Connell, to the sounds of a ballpark crowd, walked down the aisles dressed as a ballpark vendor: “Peanuts, popcorn, cracker-jacks….getcha cold beer…cold beer here….soodaaa, soodaa.”

Actor Jack O’Connell

From Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, we were transported to Coney Island when Jack O’Connell (Man of a Thousand Faces) appeared as a carnival barker from the Midway where he pitched the various sideshows that were flashing on the screen behind him. This seamlessly transitioned into the story of another carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, from the 1945 Broadway show “Carousel.” Niamh Hyland once again wowed the audience with her rendition of “If I loved You,” Julie Jordan’s thoughts on her relationship with Billie

Moving from Brooklyn to Queens, Charles took the audience to the 1939 World’s Fair and the introduction of nylon stockings, which led to the opening dance number, “Nylon Stockings.”  David Raleigh sang the song, which featured  the very talented young dance duo, Laura Neese and Johnathan Matthews.

Dancers Laura Neese and Jonathan Matthews

Continuing through Queens, Charles once again brought the audience into his early life as he recounted his fond memories of Saturdays at one of the five New York Metro “Loew’s Wonder Theaters.” A short video depicted the grandeur of those theaters, which struck a solid chord with all who had the opportunity to spend time at those theaters, regardless of which borough they hailed from.

From Queens, the show moved over to the Bronx where once again, Laura and Johnathan traversed the floor in magnificent style, dancing the Lindy Hop to Dion and the Belmonts, “I Wonder Why.” The dance scene was followed by a fascinating narrative in which Charles combined the opening of the Triborough Bridge with the concurrent history of the Randall’s Island stadium, located beneath the Triborough, and the part it played in selecting the runners who represented the United States at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Every show has its highlight: This shows highlight was Niamh Hyland’s performance of the Etta James’ song “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Niamh nailed it, boxed it and delivered it to an audience that devoured every note. At the end of her song, thunderous applause spontaneously erupted as several members audience jumped to their feet paying tribute to the superb performance they had just witnessed.

Vocalist and music director Niamh Hyland, guitarist Shu Nakamura and bassist Mary Ann McSweeney

Once again, back in Manhattan at McHale’s Bar, Jack O’Connell took the stage to give us a sobering portrayal of a bartender speaking to an invisible customer (or the audience?) while reciting Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row.” A poem that perfectly describes the seedier side of life–desolation–in New York.

As we headed out to the final borough, Staten Island, footage from the Staten Island Ferry with the Manhattan skyline in the background filled the screen. Accompanying the visual, David and Niamh sang “Leaving New York.” The entire experience was made complete by the accomplished musicians who provided the musical accompaniment led by renowned guitarist Shu Nakamura, drummer Shirazette Tinnin, keyboardist Steve Okonski and bassist Mary Ann McSweeney.

The Band for Crossing Boroughs

For this Bronx boy, who has lived and worked in New York City most of his life, this was a terrific afternoon. It is not very often you see a show that skillfully combines New York City nostalgia, song, dance, music, and fun into one package. Kudos to Charles Hale Productions and everyone that contributed to making “Crossing Boroughs” a most enjoyable show.

Crossing Boroughs was created and written by Charles R. Hale. Charmaine Broad directs the show and Niamh Hyland, in addition to being the show’s lead vocalist, is its musical director.

Photos by Mitch Traphagen

ST PAT’S with DARRAH CARR DANCE, LIZ HANLEY and CHARLES R. HALE at LEHMAN COLLEGE

The Institute for Irish American Studies, Lehman College: City and Humanities and Artists Without Walls presents a celebration of Irish music and dance with Darrah Carr Dance, singer/guitarist Liz Hanley and emcee Charles R. Hale, Thursday, March 17, 12:30pm. Studio Theatre, Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY. Click here for directions

 

Performing with Darrah Carr Dance will be Jonathan Matthews, Mary Kate Sheehan, Brigitte Gillis, Laura Neese, Trent Kowalik, Alexandra Williamson and Darrah Carr. 

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DARRAH CARR DANCE at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Darrah Carr Dance showcased excerpts of “ModERIN SWINGS! Darrah Carr Dance with Tara O’Grady & her Black Velvet Band” during AWoW’s Fourth Anniversary celebration at The Cell Theatre on February 23rd. The dance company premiered this collaboration in November 2015 as part of their annual NYC season at the Irish Arts Center. 

 

Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese
Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese

Using inspiration from O’Grady’s original songs, as well as the Andy Cooney Band, Darrah, the groups’ Artistic Director, has provided exuberant works for the company’s outstanding dancers. Dancers for the Artists Without Walls’ celebration included: Darrah Carr, Jonathan Matthews, Laura Neese, and Mary Kate Sheehan.

 

Matthews and Neese began the set dancing to Tara’s rendition of Irish Rover. They were followed by Mary Kate’s modern dance to Tara’s “Black Velvet Band.” Their last piece, an Irish step dance, included Darrah, Jonathan and Laura, which was performed to a track from The Andy Cooney Band.

 

Mary Kate Sheehan
Mary Kate Sheehan

As a reviewer for the New York Times wrote “Darrah Carr Dance…putting a new wrinkle into New York modern dance with a program of pieces that add Irish step dancing to the modern mix.”  So true. Their performance was sensational.

 

Darrah Carr, Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese
Darrah Carr, Jonathan Matthews and Laura Neese

And the ever gracious Darrah ended the evening proclaiming, “Many congratulations on Artists Without Walls’ four year milestone and thank you so much for including us!”

 

Photos by Vera Hoar

DARRAH CARR DANCE at ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS' ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE

Join Darrah Carr and a great collection of performers at Artists Without Walls’ Anniversary Showcase, Tuesday, February 23 at The Cell Theatre, 338 West 23rd St., NYC.

 

Darrah is the director of Darrah Carr Dance, a Bessie-Award nominated Irish dance company that specializes in ModERIN: a unique combination of traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. NYC performance highlights include: a return appearance on NBC’s “The Today Show,” a guest performance with The NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, a benefit engagement at Jazz at Lincoln Center, “Victory Dance” at The New Victory Theater and “The Yeats Project” at the Irish Repertory Theatre.

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Darrah Carr Dance. Darrah (center)
Darrah Carr Dance. Darrah (center)

The company has performed at venues throughout the US including MASS MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard, the San Jose Fleadh and the company’s annual New York season at the Irish Arts Center. Darrah is also a respected scholar of Irish dance and has presented her research findings at the Congress on Research in Dance, the World Dance Alliance, and Dance Research Forum Ireland.

 

The doors and bar open at 6:45

"DARRAH CARR DANCE" at HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY, TUESDAY, FEB 18, 2:15PM

Darrah Carr Dance sources from two genres, traditional Irish step and contemporary modern dance. Darrah pulls in two directions, one toward tradition and another toward innovation, and seeks to create dance in the space between. Dance in Ireland traditionally happened at a crossroads, which is exactly what Darrah has planned for Artists Without Walls’ Showcase at Hofstra University. It’s called, “Dingle Meets Diwali.”

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Darrah Carr Dance
Darrah Carr Dance

Darrah Carr, Artistic Director & Choreographer of Darrah Carr Dance, currently teaches at Hofstra University and is doctoral candidate, pursuing a PhD in Dance through Texas Woman’s University. She has been named one of the “Top 40 Under 40“ by The Irish Echo one of the “Top 100 Irish Americans of the Year“ by Irish America Magazine, and one of the “Most Influential Women of 2010“ by The Irish Voice.

 

Darrah Carr
Darrah Carr

Darrah has been active for over fifteen years in both the Irish and modern dance communities as a choreographer, dancer, educator, and writer. In addition to her work as the Artistic Director of Darrah Carr Dance, Darrah has collaborated independently with a number of esteemed artists. She served as the assistant choreographer to Seán Curran for the TONY award winning Broadway musical “James Joyce’s The Dead“ and has set original works on Trinity Irish Dance’s Junior Company, the Nassau Dance Theatre, and the Mise Eire Irish Dancers. 

 

Darrah has had the privilege of performing with many renowned musicians including: Mick Moloney, Natalie MacMaster, Andy Cooney, and Arlo Guthrie & The Vanaver Caravan. Carr has performed on NBC’s “The Today Show,“ and New York 1. She can also be seen tapping away in “The Guru,“ a feature film starring Heather Graham. Carr’s own work is the subject of a New York University Master’s Documentary entitled “Reel Steps“ and she choreographed the film “Right Foot/Left Foot.“

 

Brigid Gillis
Brigid Gillis

Dancing with Darrah Carr Dance will be Brigid Gillis and Mary Beth Sheehan. Brigid Gillis is a native Long Islander, who started her formal dance training in competitive Irish dance and later explored her passion for modern dance at The College of Brockport SUNY, where she acquired her BFA. Brigid has performed in various professional venues in New York City with Zehnder Dance and Darrah Carr Dance.  

 

 

Mary Kate Sheehan
Mary Kate Sheehan

Mary Kate Sheehan began her dancing career training in Irish step dancing, ballet, and jazz. She competed in Irish step dancing for over 15 years on the international level, placing in the top 10 in the World. She moved to New York City in 2010 to shift her focus to modern, contemporary, and ballet as a pre-professional trainee at the Joffrey School. 

 

Join us at Hofstra University, Tuesday, February 18, 2:15pm in the Helene Fortunoff Theater located in Monroe Hall.  This is a free event sponsored by Hofstra’s Irish Studies Program with a generous grant from the Hofstra Cultural Center. 

AWoW MEMBERS and FRIENDS on the TOWN: WEEK of 9/8/2013

tomjones_septMary Tierney is performing in the the Theater of the New City’s production of Tom Jones at 155 First Avenue Thursday – Sunday, September 8 – 22, Thursday – Saturday at 8pm. Sunday at 3pm. All Seats $18/TDF Vouchers For Tickets click here.

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Tara O'Grady
Tara O’Grady

 

Tara O’ Grady  will be singing at Winnie’s Lounge at the Refinery Hotel, 63 West 38th St. Tuesday,  September 10th, from 6-9pm.

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Colin Broderick
Colin Broderick

Colin Broderick has two events this week; one with the Irish Society  Garden City, New York on Wednesday Sept 11, the other at The American Irish Historical Society on Thursday, Sept 12 with Michael Patrick MacDonald at 991 Fifth Avenue. New York, NY 10028. T: 212.288.2263.

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Samara
Samara

 

 

Samara Adell’s New Friday Evening Dance Class begins on September 13th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Nola Studios 250 West 54th Street
Between Broadway and 8th Ave on the 11th floor. 
This is a Technique Class that will focus on Break down of Body Movements, Arms, Hip Work, Traveling Steps, Veils and Finger Cymbals. Samara also works on combinations and choreography. You can email Samara at samaradance@ecoisp.com

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Antoinette Montague
Antoinette Montague

Antoinette Montague will be performing with Dave Chamberlain’s Band of Bones at the Ridgewood, NJ Jazz Festival, Van Ness Park, Ridgefield, NJ. Sunday September 15, 2013, 1:30-3:00

 

 

 

 

AWoW MEMBERS AND FRIENDS’ UPCOMING EVENTS: THE WEEK OF 5/5

Darrah-CarrToday, Darrah Carr Dance at the NYC Irish Dance Fest, Sunday May 5, 3pm.  Riverside Park So. Pier at W 68th St. New York, NY. For more information on the day’s events click here

 

 

 

 

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Today, Annette Homann, violinist, with the International Street Cannibals at the Drom, Sunday May 5, 7:30pm. Drom 85 Ave A, between 5th and 6th Sts. Click here for ticket information

 

 

 

 

 

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Saturday, singer/songwriter Honor Finnegan, An Anniversary Celebration of Join Mitchell’s “Blue” at the Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ. Saturday, May 11, 7:30pm. Phone 609 586-0616

 

 

 

 

 

 

artswalk11closeup-1Saturday, a reading of short new plays, including playwright Kate McLeod’s “”Ice Floes or don’t stay, please go . . . no wait” at the Hudson Opera House, 327 Warren Street, Hudson, NY, 12534. Saturday, May 11, 7pm. Call 518 822-1438 for reservations. Ten dollar suggested donation.

"ARTISTS WITHOUT WALLS SHOWCASE" AT THE CELL THEATRE, TUESDAY, 1/29/12

Jack O'Connell
Jack O’Connell

Artists Without Walls will be launching its “Showcase” series on Tuesday, Jan 29th, 7PM at The Cell Theatre, located at 338 W23rd St.  Artists Without Walls is a multi-cultural community of artists from all artistic disciplines whose purpose is to collaborate, create and showcase its works. 

Antoinette Montague
Antoinette Montague

 

The objectives of the organization include: provide artists of all disciplines an opportunity to experiment with new ideas in front of a live audience;

Billy Barrett
Billy Barrett

create an environment that fosters collaborative and creative effort and  promote members’ careers in the arts, whether they have already established themselves, are starting their careers, or looking to segue into the arts from an unrelated profession.

Marni Rice
Marni Rice

 

Joining us on Tuesday will be actor Jack O’Connell, jazz singer Antoinette Montague, writer Billy Barrett, dancer Darrah Carr, French 

Xio Evans
Xio Evans

chanteuse and accordionist Marni Rice performing with dancer Xio Evans, singer Salina Sias, playwright/novelist Honor Molloy and a four person act including musician/storyteller Russell Brown,

Salina Sias
Salina Sias

singers Tara O’Grady and Niamh Hyland, and storyteller Charles R. Hale

 

We look forward to seeing you Tuesday. Admission is free.