Happy First Week of 2024!!
Finding the strength to grow, even in winter...
I see a yellow flower growing out of a stump on my walk in the park. I think at first that it is fake. It is winter, and this flower feels like spring. But no, its petals are soft and very real. I laugh out loud. Nature is surprising and magical and inspirational. And our attempts to imitate and capture it, to let it move through us in various forms, often feel false by comparison. But all we can do is keep trying to find that authentic expression, and support others who do the same.
This flower represents the hopefulness of this new year, the hardiness with which we must face the challenges and difficulties. We must push through to be our best, strongest most colorful selves. Good luck!!
The calendar is a fun one this week!! Hope to see you at one of my sound bath events, or another of these. And PLEASE send along info if you are performing or throwing an event!!
Wishing you a beautiful bountiful 2024!! Appreciate your support of this new ListenUp NYC project, and look forward to connecting with you more this year.
XX
Steph
tuesday, january 2
Tamir Shmerling, Bass
Mezzrow
Sets at 10:30 PM & 12:00 AM
Like so many other foreign-born New York City-based musicians I know, Israeli bassist Tamir Shmerling came to the U.S. on a scholarship to attend Berklee School of Music in Boston. It is an immigration pattern of sorts, and one we as New Yorkers are the great beneficiaries of. Heard great things about this young musician. With Dani Danor on Drums and a pianist TBA.
wednesday, january 3
Sacred Bloom ‘Get in Tune’ Drum Circle/Sound Meditation
Maha Rose
6 PM - 8 PM
Tix at https://www.maharose.com/sacred-bloom
Join me at the beautiful new Maha Rose space for this special two-hour New Year drum circle and sound meditation to find your rhythm for 2024!! Collaborative percussion and discussion together with a relaxing meditative sound bath is sure to set you up for a great start to the year.
Afterward, on january 3:
James Carney & Friends
The Django @ the Roxy Hotel.
Sets at 10:30pm & Midnight
$35 cover
This great pianist and composer I’ve known for years brings some super talented friends onstage for a very cool show in a super cool basement space in the hip Roxy Hotel — I remember when it was the Tribeca Grand! With saxophonist Oscar Noriega, bassist Dezron L Douglas, and drummer Allan Mednard, all ace performers whose synergy is palpable. Fun night. The last time, I brought a big group of young people, my kids and their friends, and everyone enjoyed!!
thursday, january 4
Samir Langus & Friends
Barbes
10 pm-11:55 pm
I have known Samir LanGus for a long while, following him and others religiously for years as they play the beautiful ancestral trance-like Gnawa music of their Moroccan heritage. It is healing music, plain and simple, from the seering vocals to the deeply stirring ancient sintir (or guembri) that Samir has learned to play from a variety of Gnawa masters. The music derives from the history of the Gnawa people as slaves, and is intended to draw out the spirits. Combined with the non-traditional more jazz-like addition of horns, keys and drums, one’s spirit will definitely be lifted!! Samir and the musicians he gathers always provide a joyous beautiful evening.
Samir LanGus - Sintir, Lead Vocal; Arta Jekabsone - backup vocals; Julia Chen - Keys; Nizar Dahmani - Drums; Edo Gur - Trumpet; Oran Etkin - Bass Clarinet; Rich Stein - Percussion; Marcelo Perez, David Lizmi - Castanets
Also on january 4:
If you missed Rachelle Garniez’s Farewell Party homage to musicians we lost last year on the 28th, here’s another chance to see it!! At Pangea, 7 PM-8:30 PM. pangeanyc.com
friday, january 5
Sacred Bloom Sound Bath
YogaSole
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Only a few spots left at this writing for my Sound Bath at this lovely yoga studio, an ideal cozy spot to lie back and relax and let the bells, bowls, chimes and drums I play wash over you and send you into the weekend with a smile.
saturday, january 6
50 First Jokes NYC
The Bell House, Brooklyn
Sets at 6:30 PM & 10 PM
This Mega Comedy Show features 50 of NYC’s stand-up comics sharing their first new jokes of 2024. Sounds like fun to me…laughing is the best medicine, and I’m resolved to do more of it this year. Maybe you have this resolution as well? This sounds like a great place to start!
sunday, january 7
Jason Ewald w/Ben Zwerin & Andy Stack
Colony, Woodstock, NY
8 PM
www.jasonewald.com
Catch this awesome trio featuring vibrant highly entertaining songwriter/vocalist and drummer Jason Ewald, along with the always-awesome Ben Zwerin on bass, and the great Andy Stack on guitar. Colony is a super cool Woodstock venue that is a great spot for upstate folks, or even those wishing for a weekend getaway. Saw this group here at Colony last year and absolutely LOVED! Opening for blues guitarist and singer Murali Coryell if you want to stay.
Would LOVE to hear your feedback, or hear from you about upcoming events!!