Category: Blogpost

2008 MAC Award Nominee for Female Vocalist Jenna Esposito in: “Takin’ A Chance on Love” Jenna sang at the Tudor City Greens concert last week, and was so charming. Great, classic voice for the songs she sang, classic 50’s and big band 40’s songs. Jenna returns to The Metropolitan Room with an encore performance of her newest show, “Takin’ A Chance On Love!” Featuring a wide selection of (you guessed it!) love songs, from a wide variety of writers, including Harold Arlen, the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Kander & Ebb, and Leonard Cohen, the show is a musical journey through theContinue readingJenna Esposito: Takin’ A Chance on Love

I’ll be singing on Weds, October 22nd at noontime at the Tudor City Green Park (North Park on Tudor City Place, 42nd Street between 1st and 2nd Ave.) Get there early to grab one of the chairs or benches, be prepared to win a free CD in raffle prizes, pick up fliers for cabaret and musical revue shows (and you may win a complimentary ticket for one of them!), and to hear some “Witchcraft”-themed songs in honor of Halloween. A blog with more info and some pretty poster art to come.

Monday night, Sept 29, I gave myself the musical gift of seeing two cabaret events at the Duplex Theater on Christopher Street. The first was another monthly night of Scott Alan’s Monday Nights New Voices, featuring the Guest Composer Adam Gwon. The second was the New York Theater Barn’s monthly fundraising cabaret, which featured the two-woman musical group Band Practice and the songs of composer Daniel Maté. MONDAY NIGHTS NEW VOICES I’ll tackle MNNV first. For those who don’t know this monthly event, or who haven’t read my blog post about last month’s event (shame on you), Monday Night’s NewContinue readingA Double-Hitter at the Duplex

A sobering but beautiful street memorial chained to a lamppost at the corner of 40th Ave & Broadway Franco Scorcia72 Years OldKilled By CarDecember 6, 2007Rest In Peace Dig the snazzy Fashion District trash bags. I live in Washington Heights – why don’t we get designer trash bags like the Fashion District? HMMMmmmmmmm?

I’m reading a book right now about the functions of the brain (will blog about it soon) and it reiterates the healing properties of music to the human psyche/soul/synapses, however you wish to put it. While at the New Concerts at Tudor City Greens last Wednesday, I picked up a flier for a volunteer performing company called “VocalEase.” It seems they are a singing organization for hospitals, nursing homes, and senior centers. Music, but especially live music, has been known to improve morale amongst those who are sick, elderly, depressed, and otherwise experiencing physical and mental pain. Just to haveContinue readingVocal Ease: Songs from the Heart – a great cause!

Not to be too morose, but in learning of Paul Newman’s passing this past weekend (his greatness transcended generational lines; both my mom and myself appreciated his work, although my mom probably swooned over his baby blue eyes more in her youth), I began to think about those people in today’s headlines who I will miss once they are gone. Whether this is tomorrow due to a tragic accident or years and years from now when I’m in my old age — doesn’t matter. These are the people (brainstormed in an hour while watching television) that mattered to me atContinue readingPeople I Will Mourn in the Future

My honey’s blog has been mentioned a few times by CSPAN & on air by Leslie Bradshaw of CSPAN2. He recently posted his review of the first Presidential debate of 2008, and CSPAN deemed it fit to post on their website. Enjoy!

The above video was taken by myself in the middle of Times Square last night. After going to the Algonquin Hotel for some good open mic work (I sang “And I Will Follow,” this time dedicating it to husband Pete since he followed me and my dream to New York with uncertain sacrifice on his part), we walked through 42nd and Broadway to see the final act of the Metropolitan Opera’s Gala Opening celebration. Renee Fleming, one of my opera inspirations, was the diva of the night, starring in three different selections: “Act II of Verdi’s La Traviata, and continuesContinue readingTimes Square Becomes Public Screening Room for Renee Fleming & The Metropolitan Opera

Today, it suddenly dawned on me that I finally had the time here in New York to go to the location where a moment in history (both for the United States and for my personal family) occurred. It’s now called the Brown Building, but in 1911 it was the Asch Building, located at 23-29 Washington Place – cross street Greene Street. There, 146 employees of the Triange Shirtwaist Factory lost their lives in a horrendous fire. Many safety precautions of the building were revealed to be inadequate, and too many lives were lost jumping out of windows unequipped with fireContinue readingTriangle Shirtwaist Factory – New York & Family History