My first two Celebrate Brooklyn! events of the season, and they could not have been more different. Thursday evening, I was exhausted from work and not up to crowds. I brought my dinner to Prospect Park and spent a peaceful evening on the grass under a tree listening first to the zany, rollicking, madcap musical…
Category: Voice
Steel Hammer
“He laid down his hammer and he died. Lord, Lord. He laid down his hammer and he died.” I have had Pete Seeger’s voice singing his version of the folk song, John Henry, racing through my head like a runaway train ever since I left Steel Hammer — a collaboration between composer, Julia Wolfe, and SITI Company….
Jean Ritchie Memorial Concert
Last night I spent over three hours at a tribute to Jean Ritchie, the “Mother of Folk,” who passed away on June 1 this year. The tribute was sponsored by the Folk Music Society of NY (FMSNY), and was organized by folk musician Dan Schatz. Jean’s two sons, Jon and Peter Pickow were in attendance,…
Community and Culture
As the days get longer and spring flowers turn to the lush green of early summer, my various cultural communities explode with outpourings of music and art. First there are all the wonderful spring concerts presented by the community choruses here in Brooklyn: the Brooklyn Community Chorus, Brooklyn Women’s Chorus, Grace Chorale of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Contemporary…
Park Slope Singers
Yet another weekend of excellent choral music from one of Brooklyn’s community choruses. This time it is the Park Slope Singers, under the expert direction of Ira Spaulding. This is my chorus, so I admit my bias right off the bat. We are really, really good. Don’t believe me? Come hear us some time. We…
Brooklyn Community Chorus
It was freezing outside, but after spending this evening at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope listening to the Brooklyn Community Chorus, I left with a warm glow and a song in my heart. I love community choruses, and this one is so big, they threaten to fall off their risers! Co-Artistic Directors Steven Coburn…
Early Music New York
Last night, I attended A Dutch Christmas at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It was presented by Early Music New York. I have seen this group perform several times and it is always a wonderful treat. To hear them perform in a beautiful, intimate cathedral chapel really transports me back in time. In…
On Behalf of Nature
I have had a hard time making up my mind what to say about tonight’s performance. Interestingly, eekahil’s comment on the BAM blog helps me. I, too, have seen a number of Meredith Monk performances — at BAM and at Danspace Project. I am very familiar with her movement and vocal style, and consider myself…
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