The Word of the Week is 'Sparkle'!
Keep the holiday festivity alive this month, without the stress...
This past week, I realized in a BIG way that the holiday let-down is real, and I had to push myself to get out and get inspired!!
A big thank you to Jessie Kilguss for her post-holiday holiday party last Wednesday featuring a slew of her uber-talented singer/songwriter friends!! The night offered just the antidote I needed to sinking into bleak January blues. Sparkles surrounded the stage and holiday cookies were passed around as I arrived to Jessie (top left) singing out her beautiful lyrics accompanied by Kirk Schoeherr on guitar. Alyson Greenfield (top right) took the stage afterward with hilarious ditties she bravely belted out, some as her rap alter ego, Aly G. She even gave me a sticker for being an enthusiastic listener!! The Roots Rock duo of Lizzie Edwards and Greg McMullen, aka Lizzie and the Makers, came on next offering their soulful compositions, and the evening closed out with an awesome offering of Richard Alwyn’s songwriting prowess. (Sorry to have missed Dave Foster and Henry Tenney.) Check all these talented songwriters out, as they’re playing all the time in various forms and in fun venues. Lots of opportunities to witness their creative talents on display and get inspired!
I was so wired from the evening that I actually went out dancing! I adore dancing, and have been to The Woods in Williamsburg a few times before, mostly on Mondays when it was virtually empty. This night, Queer Night, was the opposite of empty. And I put away my worries about being old (and heterosexual) and just let loose. It is bliss to move one’s body freely and deeply!! I moved into the music as if I was an instrument in my sound bath, listening and translating the rhythm with my hips, legs, arms, my whole self. Joy! Grab some friends and go sometime! Warms up a cold night, for sure.
Thursday night was my New Moon Sacred Bloom Sound Bath at The Shirley Project Space. Melissa Capasso’s beautiful artwork was the perfect backdrop to offer intentions for the Capricorn Moon, which is all about starting fresh, taking action and planting seeds for long-term goals. ‘Bloom!’ came through to participants, in surround sound, complete with visuals. It was a beautiful night!
Here is the calendar of my picks for the coming week…these are just a sampling of the HUNDREDS of offerings on any given night around the city, so ListenUp, and find some inspiration to help you sparkle!!! Enjoy!! Hope to see you out on the town. Subscribe now to get the calendar emailed every week:)
LISTENUPNYC CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 15-JANUARY 21
monday, january 15
Maria Schneider Orchestra
Birdland Jazz Club
7 PM (SOLD OUT) + 9:30 PM
The critics use many superlatives when they talk about jazz composer Maria Schneider, but I think ‘magical’ is the most apt. She absolutely sparkles as she leads her orchestra, at least she did the last time I was lucky enough to see her at Birdland, and I am positive she will again! Still tix for the late show at this writing so BUY NOW! One night only! She is known for her prowess at finding the funds to hire an all-star orchestra, fyi. Too many individual names to list (and I don’t have them anyway) but this is a WOW! See you there.
tuesday, january 16
A Well-Being Concert with Ablaye Cissoko + Cyrille Brotto
Carnegie Hall - Resnick Education Wing
6:30 PM
This cool Carnegie Hall series features world-class musical performances like this one with Senegalese Ablaye Cissoko and French accordianist Cyrille Brotto with the theme of self-care and mindfulness. YAY! Dream come true. Carnegie has built up enough evidence that “music helps people heal and thrive” and is offering opportunities in its smaller immersive spaces to prove the point. I’ve been to one of these, featuring the amazing Kenyatta Emanuel among others and it was super cozy and fabulous. GO! Will sell out fast and, if it does, try to book for another of the series and instead for this night try…
Songwriters Night in NYC
The Bitter End
6 PM
Check out what is sure to be an interesting evening at one of this legendary old NYC rock clubs, presented by The Society of Composers & Lyricists, Songwriters Guild of America and New York Songwriters Collective.
OR
BR-AN-CH
Roulette Intermedium
8 PM
Jazz pianist and fellow Arizonan Angelica Sanchez (although she’s from Phoenix and I’m from Tucson:) plays at Roulette, a cool bigger-than-most Brooklyn venue on Atlantic Ave. Fun fact: I held my first benefit for my now-paused educational arts non-profit InspireCorps in this room years back, so I’m always nostalgic. Was a beautiful night of amazing artists. But on this particular night, Angelica, who I’ve not yet met, plays in a new trio with Brandon Ross on guitar and Chad Taylor on drums. She’s well-known on the New York jazz scene going on decades, and plays with some greats so it’s pretty much a sure thing!!
wednesday, january 17
Freddy DeBoe Vinyl Release Party
Mama Tried BK
8 PM
If you haven’t yet ventured out to this funky bar on a dingy stretch of 3rd Ave. in Brooklyn by the Costco, just under the elevated BQE, you must attend this event. I don’t know this said-to-be “soulful” sax player, Freddy DeBoe (yet), but I trust in the Mama Tried folks to know a great musician when they hear them, and to throw a great all-night party. In warmer months, the backyard is one of the greatest spots in BK, iconic Brooklyn. Joined by DJs…
thursday, january 18
Keep Sparkling Sound Bath & Reiki Energy Session
My Place
7 PM - 8:30 PM
RSVP to www.sacredbloomtribe.com/events
Space is limited for this special event with Reiki Master and massage therapist Colleen Smith. Will be a lovely relaxing reset for your nervous system, so you can rid yourself of any residual bad energy and focus on how to sparkle bright in 2024!! With snacks and spritzers, as always at my house. $35 fee.
friday, january 19
Donny McCaslin w/ Jason Lindner, Jonathan Maron and Nate Wood
Joe’s Pub
7 PM + 9:30 PM Shows
California-born Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist Donny McCaslin is someone whose name I’d heard but I never met him until my husband and I ran into him on the subway after seeing him play with the Maria Schneider Orchestra last year. We were talking as we all headed home to Brooklyn and, as happens, the train came to a dead stop, luckily partway into the station. We made our way out and shared an Uber and so he is forever cemented in my mind this way, his beautiful music followed by the reality of even great world-reknown musicians having to make their way home. First impressions are forever. My own personal story aside, Donny is well known for his progressive compositions, the latest album of which, “I Want More” he will play from with pianist Jason Lindner, bassist Jonathan Maron and multi-instrumentalist Nate Wood.
saturday, january 20
North Fork Happy Hour with Sacred Bloom & Mattituck Mushrooms
Mattitutuck Mushroom Farm
5 Pm - 6 PM
Join me if you’re out on the North Fork of Long Island at the beautiful Mattituck Mushroooms Farm for a true “Happy Hour” filled with sound meditation and mood-enhancing mushroom tea (optional.) RSVP to www.sacredbloomtribe.com/events
Jan. 18 - Jan. 21
Billy Harper Quintet
Smoke Jazz Club
7 PM + 9 PM (Dinner Shows)
Come celebrate the 81st bday of this tenor saxophonist extraordinaire as he plays with heavy-hitters Freddie Hendrix on trumpet, Francesca Tanksley on piano, Aaron Scott on drums and Mr. Dezron Douglas on bass. I see anything I can where Dezron is playing, cause I know it will be amazing and I just love watching him vibe and giving him a hug after. And, apparently, Mr. Harper is full of “explosive majestic passion.” Just what we all need this year, and always!!
Put in your tickler file that Dezron has his first long run at the legendary Village Vanguard as a leader this March with the Dezron Douglas Quartet!!! Save the date, March 19-24.
sunday, january 21
Ari Hoenig Trio
Bar LunAtico
Sets at 9 PM & 10:15 PM
Drummer Ari Hoenig is known for his “unusual and intense approach.” I’ve heard him once, at Smalls, and it was indeed powerful. Plays this night at Bar LunAtico, one of my fave rooms, with bassist Ben Tiberio and Gadi Lehavi. I know Gadi and his free wild piano cause he’s played around NYC and toured with sax great Ravi Coltrane, a friend who I see play a lot. Gadi came to NYC from Israel when he was about 12 to play a gig where he wowed people, including Ravi, and has taken the scene by storm the last couple of years. He is definitely amazing to see and hear, and I know this will be a spectacular night of music in this little room.
Another amazing week full of truly inspiring events. Brave the cold, turn off the TV and find an event or two or three to attend to find and keep your SPARKLE!
XX Steph