The Fall 2008 Performance Series
DON SLEPIAN MUSIC & IMAGINATION CONCERT This is old style instrumental music, dynamic without being overly loud or mechanical, varied and surprising, stimulating to the imagination and soothing to the spirit. Don Slepian's 30 year performance career has taken him several times around the world, most recently performing in Singapore and Bali. A resident of East Stroudsburg, PA, he is a Hospice musician and shares his music in support of charitable causes. He is also an expert internet programmer and video artist.
HUDOST/THE BOWMANS HuDost core members Moksha Sommer (voice, harmonium) and JemalWade Hines (voice, guitars, bazouki, bendir) will perform a rare duo concert, and will be co-billing with The Bowmans, a fantastic Indie Americana duo. New York/Montreal based HuDost, an ‘Alternative-World rock, country and eastern fusion’ ensemble, mix a rich and eclectic blend of traditional Sufi music, Bulgarian and Balkan adaptations, Farsi, Turkish and Arabic pieces with elements of Folk, Pop, Rock and Bluegrass. HuDost weaves “mesmerizing vocals and instrumental work to create music with a unique and stirring vocabulary”. The group will be performing music from their critically acclaimed debut CD In an Eastern Rose Garden, material from their new release Unfinished as well as from their celebrated second album Seedling. HuDost has performed at Alex Grey’s CoSM in NYC, the Salvador Dali Museum, Shakori Grassroots Festival, Folk Alliance, Omega Institute, and they have headlined for Chapel Hill’s Rumi Festival. They have also opened for the California Guitar Trio and worked with Neko Case and Mercan Dede. HuDost recently performed for a Deepak Chopra conference at Kripalu Center in the Berkshires. They have also toured Turkey, where they performed with Istanbul based dancers and musicians, and parts of Europe including Germany, Switzerland and Austria. HuDost is currently working on their latest album with Grammy award winning producer Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Daniel Lanois). *****************************************
The Bowmans recently completed a West Coast tour which included a five-week residency at Los Angeles' Hotel Cafe and an in-store performance at Hollywood's Amoeba Music. They were selected by Paste Magazine and popular vote to perform alongside the likes of Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, and Patty Griffin on the inaugural Cayamo: A Journey Through Song cruise around the Caribbean, which took place in early February. They performed seven showcases in Memphis, TN at the 2008 International Folk Alliance Conference in late February, and had additional US tour dates following. Their 3rd European tour starts on April 3rd in conjunction with the Rounder release. The Bowmans have also been enthusiastically well received at festivals around the world, including CMJ, NEMO, Midwest Music Summit, Folk in der Walden (NL), Folk ver Volks (NL), the TOSCO Music Party (NC), Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival (TN), Club Passim Campfire Festival (Boston), The Vagina Monologues (NYC), three NYC Antifolk Fests, and the NY HOWL Festival. In the past year, they have supported renowned artists including Greg Brown, Nicole Atkins, JayMay, Jeff Lewis, Garnet Rogers and John Auer of The Posies. The Bowmans have been featured on NPR's “All Songs Considered” and many major noncommercial NPR format stations nationwide, including WYEP Pittsburgh, WTMD Baltimore, WAMC Albany, WDVX’s “Blue Plate Special” in Knoxville, and several Iowa Public Radio stations. They’ve also been recently featured on Indie 103’s “Watusi Rodeo Show” with Chris Morris in Los Angeles and KPIG’s “Please Stand By” radio show in Santa Cruz. They are in rotation on French, Belgian, Dutch, Swiss and German radio, and Starbucks has recently licensed the record to be played in over 10,000 of their stores throughout the US in February ‘08.
ROBIN RENÉE KIRTAN POP "She draws from rock, punk, New Wave, and folk, but a spiritual awakening brought South Asian chant into her musical vocabulary as well… sometimes merging her melodies with the mantras that have become her passion." "Renée's musical style blends a poet's eye with Punk and post-Punk's independent, defiant spirit, New Wave's quirky art-pop, and the edgy introspection with which [the classic] singer-songwriters… dissected life." "…one of the Garden State's finest singer-songwriters whose spiritual pop is a solid mix of Joni Mitchell, Joan Armatrading, and The Beatles." If Robin Renée were to start a religion all her own, it might well hold Groupie Consciousness as its central tenet. She chases after the God/dess within with a reverence and fervor not unlike her passion for the music that moves her most- acts as disparate as Elvis Costello, Krishna Das, James Taylor, Gary Wilson, and Devo. Those in the know are realizing that Renée is worthy of just as much hot pursuit. Oh, and that religion? There'd also be lots of yoga, a strong belief in cartoon physics, a little sexiness, and zero dogma. Such is the musical and magical world of Robin Renée. Her accessible tunes with a spiritual twist have forged her personal genre--Mantra-Pop! The seeds of her diverse influences can be uncovered therein, as well as a longtime focus on Eastern and eclectic mysticism, the mystery that cuts to the core of this powerful singer and wordsmith. At a live show today you might catch a solo acoustic set, a collaboration, or pure kirtan- a form of Hindu devotional chanting in Sanskrit, with which she finds deep resonance.
SIRIOM SINGH "SiriOm Singh is a wonderful blend of pure spirit and honest singing coming straight from the heart.… I appreciate the mix of spiritual hymns coming from different faiths such Sikhism, Buddhism and Christianity to celebrate the human spirit and the glory of God." "SiriOm … took us on a trip to the magical chants of India, and then on an inward trip to the wonderful rhythms of our body." SiriOm Singh is a spiritual teacher and Kundalini Yoga instructor, percussionist and vocalist, teaching and performing in The USA and internationally. His musical background is in church and gospel choirs, jazz, R@B and soul. After rediscovering his spirituality through the practice of kundalini yoga and meditation, he found his way back to his musical roots in church choir. SiriOm’s music combines mantras from many traditions with church hymns, spirituals, sacred texts and his own lyrics with music that is inspired by Jazz, Gospel, Reggae and Folk. It reflects his deep respect for all spiritual and religious practices, and honors them all as different paths to celebrate peace and the human spirit. His first music CD Travel The Light was released September 2006.
STEREOSHRUTI HANGHANG/ Lynn Miller will be performing with SpiritGrass and StereoShruti HangHang Both groups have members from Music for People a music improvisation organization with the belief that we all have music potential. http://www.musicforpeople.org. So don't be surprized if we get you singing, dancing, movin and groovin with us. *****************************************
SpiritGrass is a fusion of progressive bluegrass styles with world music. It draws on Eric's ripping mandolin combined with Clint's skill on an expansive array of flutes from Native American, African, Hawaiian, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European cultures. Lynn soulfully sings in a nonverbal language of the soul while Ron weaves a rhythmic tapestry. The sound combines the heavens with the earth with a feel ranging from melodic and meditative to upbeat and foot-stomping. *****************************************
Ron Kravitz and Dante Bucci, hang drum extroidinares are joined with Lynn Miller vocalist,who plays the Swiss koto, a hybrid instrument that combines the Indian tambora and the Japanese koto. Natasha Dastur blends world rhythms on the tablas and West African drums creating world music beyond this world!
RABBI SHAWN ZEVIT Songs for the Season of Turning: Bringing the Soul Back Home An evening of soulful songs for the season of returning to an authentic self, forgiveness and reflection Shawn Zevit, originally from Winnipeg and Toronto, Canada, now resides in Philadelphia, PA. He has been a singer, songwriter, actor, performer and liturgist for over 25 years- performing concerts, interactive music and theater events, and weaving song into a variety of performance, teaching and consulting venues around North America and the world. He is also an author, rabbi, playwright, poet and spiritual leader. He is also a founding member since 1995 of the musical group "Shabbat Unplugged" based in the Delaware Valley (for music go to http://alban.org/rabbizevit/music.asp Shawn's music draws on many styles from folk to indie rock to traditional Jewish music to rhythm and blues and beyond. "Generations" takes you through the world of prayer, longing and a celebration of life, using universal themes with a contemporary interpretation and sound. Many of the songs have found their way into worship services across North America and are performed by other singers and musicians. • Videos • Reviews New Jewish Liturgical Music concert was a treat photo by Leon Cohen
THE HOT CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA The Hot Club of Philadelphia was started at the end of 2001 by guitarist Barry Warhoftig, and violinist Mark Campiglia. We are an acoustic gypsy jazz quartet, dedicated to playing and preserving the music of Django Reinhardt Django, adding our own style to the process.
Saturday, October 11 - SHOW CANCELLED WITH REGRETS WYNNE ALEXANDER
TOM BISSINGER Tom Bissinger grew up in San Francisco, attended Phillips Academy and Stanford University, and after military service moved to New York, where in the 1960’s he directed plays Off and Off-Off Broadway as well as in theatres throughout the U.S. and in Europe. He began writing plays and short fiction in the 1970’s. He has held a variety of jobs in teaching, publishing and performing, including the formation of Big Game Theatre Company, which produced Descartes’ Blues and Going to Brazil and Other Rambles, a performance piece based on stories from Da Capo. Bissinger has published three books of poetry, one book of short stories, and a memoir. His eleven plays have been performed in theatres in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Da Capo is a collection of stories, plays, poems and journals in which Tom Bissinger takes on his world, whether reading Shakespeare to a blind bag lady, observing three playwrights comically vying to destroy each other’s career amidst the bustle of a Korean deli, or meditating on his father in a Sao Paulo swimming pool. Part autobiography, part story telling, part poetic explorations of dream world, and part social satire, Bissinger conveys the theatricality of so called ‘ordinary existence’ by pulling his life towards him, hungering for the nuggets of mirth and meaning, ultimately owning it in original, daring prose. He takes on the challenge of staying awake in a troubled, violent world, while addressing his yearning for reverie and revelation. For the evening at PSALM, Bissinger will read from and perform excerpts from Da Capo, introduce some new work, and be joined be guest artists. He may also give a brief presidential-like address on the State of the Onion, grand parenting, and other pressing matters.
GYPSY REEL CELTIC MUSIC IN OVERDRIVE The Vermont based line-up includes hot banjoist Claudine Langille, formerly of ‘Touchstone’, the sensational Irish/American fusion band that won critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, Englishman Graham Parker – fiddler extraoirdinaire; Jon Scaife, described as a genius on guitar by Dave Burland, and Camille Parker who has captivated the hearts of audiences across the globe with her singing in Spanish and English. Their 6 albums and world tours have gained them rave reviews -- ‘Ended the set in a frenzy’, ‘Gypsy Reel rocks stage at Charleston Spoleto Festival’ "Fine sparky playing: bags of originality" "The hottest acoustic band around" "A sound which is flawless and an atmosphere which is incredible "The frail frame of Camille Parker holds a remarkable rich and powerful voice." "Gypsy Reel have been perfecting their eclectic blend of Celtic and original music for over 20 years all over the world. Don’t miss this chance to hear these great musicians in a rare acoustic setting."
SAITH Philadelphia CD Release Party & Concert Saith is an important new singer/songwriter based in Sedona, Arizona where he writes and performs music as a recording artist signed with Black Onyx Records. Saith is at once phenomenally talented, visually striking, and deeply humble. His music is informed by the lifelong practice of yoga, new fatherhood, and working to live a spiritually driven life infused with remembrance of infinite spirit amidst the bittersweet struggles of modern life. His music evokes traces of roots and reggae, hip-hop and upbeat contemporary acoustic rock in a unique style all his own. Saith's new album produced by music industry veteran, Gardner Cole, entitled "Step Outside" was released in July of this year, and he has since been touring nationally as a headline artist to critical review. The CD is available on Amazon.com, and the single, "I'll Ride Your Wave" is receiving airplay at radio stations nationwide.
KEN ULANSEY ENSEMBLE/ Tonight’s concert will use jazz as home base, but draw from the band’s wide-ranging interests in music from around the world, including Brazilian, Klezmer, Indian, Zydeco...and maybe some Debussy, all with a twinkle in the eyes. Ken Ulansey, Penn Council for the Arts winner, plays alto and soprano sax and various whistles. He is a musical chameleon, having played contemporary classical music with Relache, jazz with his own award-winning band, latin with Synthesis and Minas, and folk music with most of the area’s and even the nation’s leading songwriters. Besides leading his own wedding band that specializes in swing, motown, latin, pop, zydeco and oldies, Ken has toured extensively in Europe and the States, played on nearly two hundred recordings, and worked in collaboration with dancers, film-makers, poets and story-tellers. Bassist Chico Huff is one of the top players in the field, putting the bottom end down with "A" list performers from James Taylor to Charlie Musslewhite and nearly every one in between for the past 25 years. Paul Jost is a versatile artist known equally for his abilities as vocalist, drummer, and composer. A Billboard Song Contest Winner, his songs have been recorded by legendary artists, The Band, Carl Perkins, and Rick Danko. He’s composed for films, played drums in the off-Broadway production of Andy Warhol's "Man On The Moon" featuring John Phillips, (Mamas and the Papas) and performed with, among too many others to list, Billy Eckstine, Liza Minelli and Mark Murphy. Paul served as musical director for Morgana King, and recorded with Ron Carter, Joe Farrell, Teo Macero, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dr. John, and Bobby Scott. Paul's vocals, drumming and/or harmonica can be heard on countless nationwide jingles.
Dave Posmontier has been playing keyboard professionally for the past 35 years. In the 70's, Dave formed an organ trio with Micky Roker and Bootsie Barnes and played extensively in the Philly area. He also joined a trio with Tony Williams and Al Jackson, also notable Philly musicians. Later, Dave worked with guitarist, Steve Giordano, playing contemporary, original music using piano, organ, synthesizers and voices. *****************************************
www.myspace.com/stephanienilles
GINA KAZ/ Singer, songwriter, and pianist, Gina Kaz explores the piano and voice with raw emotion and guts. Classically trained, Kaz utilizes her skill to set the tone for each song beautifully. Her musical vibe is honest and empowering. Her voice embraces the intimacy and freedom of vocalists like Sinead O'Connor and Sarah MacLachlan, while her piano is reminiscent of that of Tori Amos. "Gina Kaz sings intensely personal songs that manage to invade the listener's hearts." Greg Martino (Mount Airy Times, Philadelphia). Her songs have been played on WXPN in Philadelphia, WD1Y in Allentown, college radio, and on Internet radio. She has had her music used in 2 films by an independent filmmaker in London, England, and independent films in Los Angeles, CA, and in South Carolina. She recently performed on television in Princeton, NJ. Her debut album "Decipher" was featured in Performing Songwriter Magazine where they described her voice as "chilling" and compared her to Sinead O' Connor. She has been touring the Mid-Atlantic region and also in London, UK. Gina is planning on returning to London with the release of her new record. Gina has been performing her music at various homeless shelters throughout Philadelphia. She says, "I want to be at that moment when someone realizes they are powerful." She is performing a Mercy Hospice Benefit Concert in Philadelphia this fall to raise money for homeless women who are transitioning out of Mercy Hospice, a homeless shelter for women and their children. She is currently releasing her second album recorded in Nashville, TN. She feels very fortunate to have made this record with such amazing engineers, producers, and musicians all around her, and is honored to share this music with her fans. She says, "These new songs inspire me so much. My possibility is being inspiring and powerful and sharing my music in the world! Expanding my village. I am in a movement of lovin' up everyone!" "Kaz's voice is just chilling" "Kaz is making a big racket with her booming voice and eerily haunting songs" "a #1 Hit, Gina makes a splash with Drowning" "Gina Kaz, equipped with a vocal range and style capable of peeling the paint off the walls and fingers that swim across the ivory with perfect nonchalance" *****************************************
Immersed in the performing arts and her fatherâs eclectic tastes, she counts The Muppets, Igor Stravinsky, John Coltrane, Tom Waits, Laurie Anderson and Joni Mitchell among her earliest influences. Born and raised amid the beauty of the Colorado mountains, she honed her songwriting in secret while studying music education at Ithaca College, only revealing herself after moving to Philadelphia in 1998. After recording her debut album Chrysalis, Tania infused herself into the arts community as a singer-songwriter, music and movement teacher, session vocalist and vocal arranger. Her new release Emergence represents both a milestone in her songcraft and a culmination of her experiences as an artist in Philadelphia. Propelled to spread creative energy like a colorful weed, Tania Alexandra muses her listeners. Her passionate voice weaves through piano driven primal grooves creating a collage filled with poetic lyrics and engaging melodies. Tania's songs are edgy, evocative, and subtly complex. Some haunting, some playful, some reflective, some bold - her music explores her journey into the connections and emotions in life through generations and over time between people, nature, and love. "With a voice that floats with gossamer frailty one moment and soars to a sweeping fervor the next, Alexandra coaxes a sweet purity out of simple moments—watching a butterfly, taking a breath—and draws truth from places still painfully tender, peeling back the layers of her own assumptions and beliefs with a steely determination."
JACQUES PELLARIN TRIO French composer and accordion virtuoso, Jacques Pellarin, is a musical master. With gleeful abandon he mixes the exotic flavors of New Tango, 1890’s Parisian Bal Musette, Jazz, Swing Waltz, Balkan folk, Bach, and even classic French cinema, serving it up in a contemporary dish that is hot, fresh, and uniquely his own. In 2004 Jacques found the perfect compliment to his considerable skill and Close your eyes while you listen to Champlong, The Groove Maker or Sa Favorite. If you are not immediately transported to a wonderful little brasserie on the Champs E'leyse, then you have simply never seen Paris in April! The Jacques Pellarin Trio will perform limited US engagements while recording their new album, and sign CDs at their PSALM performance.
SAMADHI KIRTAN Samadhi Kirtan is a musical group that supports the yoga community with one of the oldest music traditions - Kirtan chanting. Using ancient Sanskrit mantras, the Kirtan calls upon sacred energies to quiet the mind, remove obstacles, and bring us back to the center of our being. Although Kirtan involves music, the underlying art of Kirtan chanting is not about musical ability - it is about the heart. The purpose of this music is to take you out of your head and into your heart. Please join us and allow Kirtan to carry you effortlessly to a place of quiet, stillness, and joy! Samadhi Kirtan is spirited by two professional musicians whose yogic journeys have brought them together to deepen their connection to Universal Consciousness. Yvette and Curt are certified yoga instructors and enjoy kirtan as a transcendent form of meditation. The yogic path is a continual cleansing and deepening of the self. Kirtan supports personal evolution by tuning into higher vibrations and resonating with higher levels of consciousness. In so doing the heart is opened as sound reawakens and frees the spirit. It is peace, Samadhi Yvette Pecoraro vocals, harmonium
WHENSHEWAKES When She Wakes is a women's a cappella trio, singing diverse spiritual and folk harmonies for joyous inspiration and transformation.
FIIDLA FIIDLA is a London born-NYC raised virtuoso, who plays 10 instruments, especially 1 very funky 5 string violin. A former member of Spaceman Sun Ra's - Arkestra, Fiidla spent time fronting the pop group Surface, and playing on Hip-Hop tracks like "Hip-Hop for Respect" from Raucus Records, Talib Kweli's "For Women" and Common's "Sun God". Forming his own band, "Chocolate Wireworks", he draws on his love of Soul and R&B, and used his extensive Jazz, Classical and Indian Training. A youthful master - Fiidla's 4 octave range voice and incredible musicianship, always take the music to the next level. In one show, FIIDLA sings, dances, and plays his audience through an amazing journey. The Music - World-Soul, a mixture of World (Indian, Reggae, African) and Soul (Blues, R&B, Jazz) features funky grooves, (lush harmonies and exotic melodies). As a guest artist, side man, opening act, and recording artist, FIIDLA, had worked with Mary J. Blige, Santana, Teena Marie, Lil' Kim, Celine Dion, Stanley Jordan, Stanley Clark, Talib Kweli, Wyclef Jean, Farnesworth Bentley, Glen Jones, City High, Surface, Dave Hollister, Aaries, Jill Scott, Jazzfatnastees, Odysey, Olivia, Curtis Chambers, Mario, Elijah, Chante Nicole, Lana, The Blue Notes, Billie Paul, Teddy Pendergrass and Bill Jolly. Consultant for - Divas 111, MTV's 25th Anniversary, BET's Stevie Wonder Walk of Fame, Self Magazine, VH1's The Fabulous Life of Lil Kim. A frequent performer at many festivals, venues, and night clubs, FIIDLA, has performed on stages including Madison Square Garden (NYC), The Mann Music Center (PA), The Electric Factory (PA), Trump Taj Mahal Arena (NJ), The AmeriMAsaia Festival (PA), Pier 6 (MD), and Mellon Jazz Festivals, to name a few.
SAM ROSSITTO AND THE LOTUS TATTOO BAND Join Sam Rossitto and the Lotus Tattoo Band for a joyful and inspiring evening of call and response chanting of unique original compositions featured on his recently released CD, Lotus Tattoo. His rock/pop/jazz influenced keyboard-driven chants are full of engaging melodies. His music has been described as “Billy Joel meets Krishna Das meets Broadway musical”. Sam will be performing with Neal Philips on guitar, Marianne Sutin on flute and Randy Sutin on percussion. He balances his “other life” as a Philadelphia lawyer and mediator with chanting. A longtime student of Swami Satchidananda, Sam leads Kirtans and composes and records chants influenced by the Integral Yoga path. Sam plays keyboard and records with Durga Das (David Newman). Released in 2007, Lotus Tattoo is his first Kirtan CD
BEAU DJANGO  It all began in Philadelphia.... Birth of Le Hot.... Forward to 2005.... Beau Django is sweet, upbeat, Gypsy heat with a fresh new take. Playing an extensive repertoire focusing on the music of Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and The Hot Club of France, Beau Django incorporates their collective knowledge of other styles and sounds to bring a new flavor to this great tradition. Now in its second incarnation, Beau Django features guitar virtuoso Andre Riege and young mandolin prodigy Bryce Milano, along with group founder, Jon Dichter on vocals & rhythm guitar. Andre Riege began playing guitar at age 15 and quickly excelled in classical and rock repertoire and technique. Incorporating jazz and classical arrangement sensibilities, Riege brings a sophistication to gypsy jazz that has been seldom heard or explored. Andre has toured and played with many top notch contemporary players including Joey DeFrancesco and Charles Earland and Sister Sledge. Bryce Milano, now 15, has been playing the mandolin since the age of 9. With the rhythmic drive of bluegrass and eastern European influences, bright sound of the mandolin, and refined melodic sensibility, Bryce adds that extra kick to the music that keeps people wanting more. Bryce has performed nationally with notables such as David Grisman, Darol Anger, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall, Tim O'Brien, Stephane Wrembel & Christian Howes. Jon Dichter has been at the center of the guitar and folk music scene in Philadelphia writing and performing folk and acoustic music around the United States and Europe. This is Beau Django. That's “Beautiful Django” in any language.
RAY GRAY IMAGINING THE WORLD OF CARL JUNG Carl Jung says in the prologue to his autobiography, Memories, Dreams, Reflections: "I have now undertaken, in my eighty-third year, to tell my personal myth. I can only make direct statements, only tell stories. Whether or not the stories are true is not the problem. The only question is whether what I tell is my fable, my truth." Ray Gray, for the first time in live performance, shares Jung's personal life stories that have influenced creative people around the world for over forty years. These seminal Jung stories directly influenced Gray's discovery of his life’s work as an oral storyteller. Gray hopes, through the art of oral storytelling, to lift Jung’s stories from the written page and bring them to new life as he imagines Jung told them during his life. "Ray Gray brings Carl Jung alive! Using the biographical stories in Jung's 'Memories, Dreams, Reflections' Ray Gray weaves a story-teller's enchantment with the voice of C.G. Jung talking about himself as a young man and a boy. The result informs us about Jung's personality and the roots of his psychological theories - shedding particular light on his character early in life and how his ideas arose out of the solutions he found to deal with life as 'half world genius, half Swiss peasant'. The students and audience came away the richer for this experience." Mr. Gray has been active in the Philadelphia storytelling community for the past thirty years. He is a past president of the Patchwork: A Storytelling Guild in Philadelphia. For the past three years he has coordinated Tellabration in Philadelphia, a concert that celebrates the art of storytelling. In addition to his work as a performer and organizer, Mr. Gray has produced and directed three documentary films about storytelling. His film, Brothers In Word, aired on public television stations in Pennsylvania in 2002 and appeared in two film festivals. Presently he is working on a documentary that revisits the storytellers who were subjects of his earlier film.
BEAUCOUP BLUE Beaucoup Blue is the Philadelphia based duo of David and Adrian Mowry. Father and son have been performing their music strongly rooted in the blues, up and down the eastern seaboard. Bridging many gaps in American music, their soulful traditional and contemporary style mesh into an innovative and authentic sound. Although blues is a staple in their repertoire, they also base their love in music from Folk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Country, and Bluegrass. All these interests and influences come out in their original songwriting in a unique way. A handsome range of instruments like six and twelve string guitars, slide guitar, Dobro and the two soulful voices blend together like only family members can, affecting audiences wherever they perform. Here are a few examples of some things written about Beaucoup Blue: "This is what acoustic blues should sound like but so rarely do. Father and son, David and Adrian Mowry, deliver a surprisingly soulful performance. Their singing is tough and controlled and their guitar work is crisp and mournful." (Tune-UP Magazine),“Throughout, their voices work superbly together, frequently attaining a mesmeric panache that must be thrilling to view in person, while their fret board and arranging skills are evident immediately. Beaucoup Blue is a versatile, imaginative team that has something to say and say it with an adventurous sense of personality from the bottom of their hearts.” Singout Magazine David Mowry: Vocals, Dobro, Slide guitar, Six string acoustic.
CHRIS CUBETA & THE LIARS CLUB/ Chris Cubeta and The Liars Club is a brash, Americana rock band from Brooklyn led by compelling and charismatic frontman Chris Cubeta. Cubeta is a relentless songwriter whose lyrics combine nuance-soaked imagery with incisive observations. The band’s sound is equally eclectic, combining the wispy, sensitivity of the singer/songwriter with the unbridled thrill of rock and roll. Fresh off their first-ever residency at The Living Room in June of 2008 as well as a packed Saturday night summer gig at Mercury Lounge, The Liars Club is ready to take off. In 2007, Cubeta and the band released the Change EP, a stripped-down, 7-song EP highlighted by the reflective title track that ponders the inertia of quiet lives and the struggle to evolve as human beings. The EP came on the heels of 2006’s Faithful, the band’s first New York City-based record. All of Cubeta’s albums - including his inaugural effort Sugar Sky (2003) - are artistic declarations, full of offbeat characters, ecstatic revelations and unfiltered emotion. In Cubeta’s universe, the heroes are the heartbroken vagabonds, the wistful winos and all the other overlooked beauty-seekers of his “crooked candy world.” Both Change and Faithful are the kind of records that unabashedly announce the arrival of a new and necessary young artist whose urgent and desperate approach to songwriting is all too rare in contemporary music. Says Jason Warburg of The Daily Vault, “(Faithful) is literate roots-rock of the first order, full of sharply-drawn characters, powerful arrangements and raw revelations, sung in a voice passionate enough to dare any cynic to believe.” Time Out New York calls The Liars Club “ a sturdy, passionate, local roots-rock quartet.” The Liars Club’s live show is bolstered by a high-octane band – Jeff Berner on guitars, Marc Capaldo on drums and John Passineau on bass. Each brings his own flair to a show that is a dynamic blend of passionate, guitar-infused energy and down-home, rootsy melancholy. Cubeta presides over every gig with the subtle and sure hand of a seasoned performer, deftly alternating between wowing the crowd with his guitar and telling the silhouetted stories of the unsung. In addition to being an accomplished and versatile musician, Cubeta is also a skilled solo performer who has opened several times for Chris Trapper (formerly of The Pushstars). A longtime resident of upstate New York, Chris moved to Brooklyn in 2005 and the band has since played prime slots at some of the city's most prestigious rooms – Pianos, The Bitter End, Trash, The Delancey, Crash Mansion and Rockwood Music Hall to name a few. In 2007, The Liars Club opened for singer-songwriter Gary Jules (“Mad World,” Donnie Darko soundtrack) and embarked on its first-ever East Coast tour, with stops in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond, Raleigh, Nashville, Boston and others. www.myspace.com/chriscubetaandtheliarsclub *****************************************
Born into a musical family, Woody was infected early on by his father’s love of music in all its forms. He began playing guitar from the age of six and never stopped, with the result that the fingers on his left hand are noticeably longer. An innovative and virtuosic guitar player and writer, he opened for Steppenwolf while still a teenager. As an adult, he toured widely throughout North America and Europe with Chrysalis Record’s Laura Hunter, A&M’s Gordon Michaels, Lifesong’s Crack the Sky, new wave pioneers Multiplex and Strangelove, US Bang (warming up for Kix and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry) on keyboards with Pebbles and the Bam Bam Boys in front of 81,000 people, on bass with Maryland’s #1 country band (Alamo Band), and many other acts. Simultaneously, Woody founded an original music project called Cubic Feet, recording with Procol Harum keyboardist Peter Solley turned producer (The Romantics, Oingo Boingo, Peter Frampton) and engineer Shelly Yakus (Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks) what would eventually be four CDs, supported by a Warner publishing deal, cracking charts with broad North American radio and video airplay. During live performances, Woody’s love of people and off-beat sense of humor quickly grab the crowd. His personality and excitement about music fill the room as do the new show’s folk and classical guitars, banjo, dulcimer and other interesting instruments.
ANIMUS Animus has been voted Philadelphia's number one favorite band. They are an instrumental group of culturally diverse musical concepts and traditions from ancient to modern alike. Greek, Blues, Middle Eastern, Jazz, Spanish, Funk, Latin, Rock, Indian, Jewish Klezmer, African. The unorthodox instrumentation and unique original compositions excite the mind, body and soul with an endless variety of grooves and tribal rhythms, coupled with spontaneous, passionate improvisation knows no boundaries and awakens the spirit to get everyone moving to the music. Animus performs world fusion music and dance blends music and dance forms from around the world. Primarily an Eastern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/Latin/American fusion ensemble, ANIMUS also performs traditional Eastern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern music. ANIMUS’ original music freely barrows and incorporates musical ideas and traditions from East to West, North to South, Ancient to Modern... it's one beautiful sounding world! The nature of our performance is interactive, exciting and inviting, open for all to participate or just sit back and enjoy the musical journey. The music may remind you of home or of far off places you'd love to visit. ANIMUS promotes tolerance, diversity, unity and peace through music and dance. Furthermore, Animus is here to push the boundaries and borders of music from all over the world to create something new as well as to preserve the oragins of cultural insparation. Over the years ANIMUS has taken their fans on a continuously evolving live experience, away from the stress of everyday life and created a relaxing and fun musical journey, mesmerizing audiences with their unique eclectic style.
HIPNOSIS Hipnosis is a Tribal Style belly dance troupe from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. All three co-founding members, Maeve Doyle, Jessica Staley, and Vikki Williams, got their start in cabaret style belly dance, but were very much intrigued by American Tribal Style belly dance….by the exotic and elaborate costumes, the controlled and earthy movements, and the idea of dancing with a group of women as one unit. "When I first heard of belly dance, this is what I envisioned" – Vikki Williams. Each member separately searched out this new form of belly dance, and eventually ended up at the same crossroads. Sharing similar artistic visions, a desire to grow as dancers, and an eagerness to expand on what they were already doing with tribal belly dance, they came together in the fall of 2003 to form Hipnosis and have since formed their own unique improv tribal style of belly dance. Tribal Style belly dance is a fusion style inspired by traditional Raqs Sharqi and folkloric dance movements from India, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Spain. This dance is performed as a "tribe" using synchronized group improvisation. Group improvisation is one of the features that make this dance style so unique - the dance itself becomes a language that the dancers use to communicate with each other while dancing, allowing seamless transitions and giving the appearance of a choreographed dance. The moves in Tribal Style belly dance are controlled and earthy portraying the strength and beauty of the dancers. Belly dance is a celebration of the strength and beauty of women; a dance of the women for the women. *******************************
She has performed folk, fusion and classical dance at local events uncluding regular appearces as a teacher at Thomas Jefferson University. She is the director of the Archana Dance Academy for Bharatanatyam and indian Cinematic dance which was first established in Queens NY in 2002-2003 before moving to its current locaiton in the Philadelphia area. Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest existing classical dance forms of Indian. It combines pure rythmic physical movements with acting and story telling in varying degrees to compose a dance form that ranges from mellow and gently to vigorous and almost robust at times. It is characterised by elaborate costumes and traditional Indian "temple" jewlery.
Monday, December 8 Americana Rock 'n' Roll with New York City's "Possibly one of the greatest songwriters of our generation." Frank Hoier is poised at the front of a new wave of modern Americana roots music. Backed by rock’n’roll prodigy siblings, The Weber Brothers, Frank’s self released album Lovers & Dollars is set for it’s national debut on November 11, 2008. Three years ago, Frank Hoier packed up his life in SoCal and moved towards SoHo. After just three months on the New York music scene, Frank made the cover of the city’s Urban Folk Magazine. In New York, he’s a regular fixture at The Sidewalk Café and Roots n’Ruckus, but can also be found performing at The Cake Shop, Piano’s, and Pete’s Candy Store. Frank Hoier has shared the stage with such notable acts as Jaymay, The Bowmans, Sam Shepard, The Powder Kegs, and Calvin Johnson. Well practiced in the ragtime and slide guitar blues of Blind Willie McTell, the vocal enthusiasm of Little Richard, and Bob Dylan’s skillful lyrics, Frank Hoier brings a fresh perspective and a rock'n'roll energy to Folk music. His Guthrie-esque anthem “Jesus Don’t Give Tax Breaks To The Rich” has been hailed as “the most perfect protest song written yet this millennium” (PopHeadWound). The song made the Top 50 on Neil Young’s anti-war website, Living with War Today. Frank will be taking his songs on the road this winter with The Weber Brothers, beginning in December. Frank Hoier- Discography
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Saturday, September 6
Wednesday, September 10 (Double Bill) 
The Bowmans presence on both the national and international scene is ever-increasing, thanks to the success of “Far from Home” and the waves of enthusiastic response from audiences in the US and abroad. The sisters have aggressively toured together around the US almost non-stop for the last three years and are circuiting a pattern around a large part of Europe as well, already arriving with high praise from press and leaving with rave reviews. Rounder Records has released “Far From Home” in Europe and the UK in March ‘08. 
Friday, September 12 
Saturday, September 20
Friday, October 3 (Double Bill) 
SpiritGrass is a unique collaboration between the renowned jazz and bluegrass artist Eric Miller and world instrument troubadour Clint Goss joined with Lynn Miller on rhythm guitar and vocals and Ron Kravitz with an array of percussive instruments from around the world.
StereoShruti HangHang is a musical Feast: Hang drums, Indian shruti, tabla, African drums, guitar, Swiss koto and voices. The shruti box is an Indian drone box which embodys spirit. The Hang drum is a Swiss instrument combining the mystical sounds of the Carribean steel drum with an African Udu drum.
Saturday, October 4 
Friday, October 10 
Friday, October 17 
Saturday, October 18 
Monday, October 20 
Friday, October 24 (Double Bill) 
David Cullen is a Grammy-Award Winner for Best Pop Instrumental Recording. He has performed with Will Ackerman, Victor Wooten, The Jaco Big Band and with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. David earned his Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance from the Hartt School of Music. He has performed for Classical Guitar Societies, Jazz Festivals and Performing Arts Series, touring throughout North America and Japan. He has made 10 CDs for Solid Air Records and was recently featured on the 25-Year Guitar Retrospective CD from Windham Hill, entitled Touch. Other recordings feature him with string quartet and with bass legend Michael Manring. His touring has put him alongside such luminaries as Liz Story, Darol Anger and international sensation, Ugandan multi-instrumentalist Samite. Billboard Magazine said, " It's not easy to get down on a nylon string guitar, but Cullen does it, swinging from jump jazz to jazz funk, with stops at Brazilian samba and gospel."
Born in Chicago to a chemical engineer and an architect, Stephanie Nilles is a musician of varying genres by sheer accident. She began studying classical music at the age of six on piano and later on cello. At the age of seventeen, she was a semi-finalist at the Young Concert Artists' International Competition. She holds a bachelor's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in piano performance and was a finalist at the 2006 Corpus Christi International Piano Competition. As a chamber musician, she has been awarded gold and silver medals at the Fischoff Competition and has appeared on WFMT's "Live from Studio One" and on the Dame Myra Hess Series. For the past two years, Stephanie has been playing improvisational music as a pianist, guitarist, and vocalist, and recently began writing her own politically-influenced jazz/folk/blues tunes. She has performed at The Sidewalk Cafe, The Cutting Room, The Bitter End, Banjo Jim's, and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, and she has collaborated with such artists as Bobby McFerrin, Christian Howes, Joel Newton, and Billy Contreras, in styles ranging from free improvisation and jazz fusion to funk and burlesque accompaniment. In 2008, Stephanie released a full length album, reDemo, recorded live in New York, on her own Sudden Infant Death Hut Records.
Saturday, October 25 (Double Bill) 
Tania Alexandra woke up one morning to see a piano taking up most of her bedroom. She was nine, and that piano became her diary.
Saturday, November 1
Friday, November 7 
Saturday, November 8 
Saturday, November 15
Friday, November 21 
Saturday, November 22 
Friday, November 28 
Saturday, November 29 (Double Bill) 
Woody Lissauer is a lifelong full-time professional who writes, composes and produces his own songs from his home in Baltimore (US) and performs them locally and internationally. He brings decades of passionate musical and literary exploration and a lifelong obsession with language(s) and aesthetic beauty to his song-craft.
Friday, December 5 
Saturday, December 6 
Shaily Dadiala has performed in temples, cultrual festivals and state youth festivals from age 12. She knew from a very early age that Bharatanatyam is the foremost passion of her life. Shaily has a "Visharad" in Bharatanatyam (B.A. In Dance) from the Brihad Gujarat Sangeet Samiti. 
The Philadelphia Society for Art, Literature & Music 5841 Overbrook Ave. Philadelphia PA 19131 215-477-7578 |