Category: Blogpost

Join me Thursday, February 26th, at 9pm for BIG NIGHT OUT!!! This bi-monthly celebration of music is part open mic, part composer showcase this time! In addition to the regular hosts Jennifer Wren and pianist-musical-genius Bill Zeffiro, I will be guest hosting the evening and singing two featured composer songs. More information for the event can be found at Broadwayworld.com. “Big Night Out featuring Composer Potpourri will play Thursday, February 26th at 9:00pm – in the Reprise Room at Dillon’s (245 W. 54th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenues). Big Night Out will occur at 9:00 PM on select THURSDAYSContinue readingBig Night Out February 26th – and I’m Guest Hosting!

ThePete has uploaded and YouTubed and posted Part 1 of his documentation of our gloriously wonderfully exhausting and exuberant experience during Inauguration Day 2009. View his blog entry and website here.

“Divorce: The Musical,” written by Erin Kamler, has had quite a number of events to be happy about this Valentine’s Day weekend. For reference, this is the show I helped workshop for a number of months, from four songs to a complete show until it culminated in a staged reading at the Edgemar for the Performing Arts last year. I feel very proud to have been a direct influence and inspiration on my characters – Erin herself said she created a song and delved deeper into one of the parts because of my work. So, I’m very excited by theContinue reading“Divorce: The Musical” has quite an opening weekend!!!

Come see me in the ensemble of “Strange Fruit,” an American Opera by composer Chandler Carter and librettist Joan Ross Sorkin. Ticket information can be found at the Harlem School of the Arts website here. Performances are Friday, February 27th, 8 pm and Sunday, March 1st, 2 pm at the HSA’s Gathering Space at 645 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York. Price is $15. To reserve tickets, call: 212 926 4100 x325 “Strange Fruit,” is based on the controversial book of the same name by Lillian Smith, which was in turn inspired by the famous Billie Holiday song (wikipedia article here).Continue readingBooked: “Strange Fruit,” an American Opera – The Harlem School of the Arts in Association with New York City Opera

Monday night, I had the ultimate pleasure to witness the opening night of “Book of Crazy: Kevin & Johanna Present The DSM-IV in Song”. Before you read any more, know that it’s also performing (Friday the) 13th and the 16th both at 7pm at the Duplex at 61 Christopher Street. I’m actually going again the 13th – my husband will be videotaping it, and I’m happy to see the show for a second time! I cannot tell you how brilliant the concept of this show is. I heard about snippets over the last few weeks, but it wasn’t until IContinue reading“Book of Crazy” — best Cabaret comedy duo show EVER!

Two new cabaret/revue shows are coming up; both feature the artistic prowess of friends, both have intriguing constructs, and both are shows I’m going to! The first is a composer showcase of the work of Daniel Maté, a Canadian-born maestro. His show, “Marry Me, America,” will feature singers Alexander Gemignani, Jason Tam, Donna Lynne Champlin, Alysha Umphress, Katie Thompson, Brandon J. Ellis, Heath Calvert, Brittney Borgstedt, Auri Marcus and Jordan Price (amongst others) and is music directed by Christopher D. Littlefield. I’ve blogged previously about Daniel Maté’s confrontationally funny writing style. I look forward to seeing another evening of hisContinue readingTwo (count ’em) TWO Shows to See: “Marry Me, America” and “Book of Crazy”

ThePete.com’s creative juices are being recognized by Toy2R, a Hong Kong based company specializing in designer/art toys and collectables. His logo is one of 66 artists’ featured on a 36” tall Qee Bear made specially for the HKAI Award Ceremony. More pictures/info from the Qee4All.com blog: “TOY2R is proud to present the STICKER QEE project. Created to display the innovation and support of the art of designer toys, TOY2R put together this 36” QEE BEAR during the award ceremony at the 2008 Hong Kong Award for Industries, one of the most influential commercial organizations in Asia. TOY2R was honored toContinue readingThePete.com a featured artists for Toy2R!

I had the extreme pleasure of going to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and seeing an old College (that’s UCLA) buddy of mine perform in “Cirque Eloize: Nebbia,” which is now on tour on the Eastern coast. His name is Joseph Pinzon, and he had been dreaming of working for Cirque since UCLA. I remember being in a show with him soon after College, “bare” the musical. We had a “talent competition” one afternoon after a matinee, and watched as Joe did a handstand on a stable chair. Oooooo! We all laughed and applauded. He’ll be in Cirque soonerContinue readingHe Can Do More than Just A Handstand on a Chair Now!

Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing one of Pete’s college buddies from Syracuse University – Ryan Dunlavey (website) – speak at a Q&A on his artistic comic book work at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. The exhibition runs until February 15, 2009. Dunlavey co-wrote a series of comics with another friend of Pete’s, Fred Van Lente (website), for Evil Twin comics. One series took advantage of Van Lente’s research on philosophers throughout the ages called “Action Philosophers,” while another tackled the actual history of Comic Books itself, “Comic Book Comics.” Dunlavey and Van Lente did anContinue readingNew York Artist Showcase: Ryan Dunlavey at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art

This month’s Big Night Out Composer Showcase evening, January 29th, 2009, will feature the music of brilliant lyricist Hector Coris, as well as the solo singing work of me, Sierra! Big Night Out is a simple, straightforward open-mic now held each Thursday every two weeks. 9-11pm, $10 cover/1 item minimum, but AEA, MAC & EMC members get in 1/2 price on the cover. Every so often, they put aside the second half to dedicate a showcase for one up and coming composer. Other featured singers will be Raissa Katona Bennett, Summer Broyhill, Patrick Garrigan, Rudy Scala, Eadie Scott, Doug Shapiro,Continue readingTHIS THURSDAY! BIG NIGHT OUT PRESENTS THE MUSIC OF HECTOR CORIS – featuring Sierra!