Enter The Rooms CD Release!

Hi Friends!

I wanted to let you all know about a killer show coming up this Saturday night at World Cafe Live, featuring the band of a few good friends of mine, Enter the Rooms!  ETR is an alternative rock band that was formed in 2008 in Philadelphia.  Members include: Matt DeAngelis on guitar, Michael Mayton on guitar and lead vocals, Matt McGlaughlin on bass, Matt Orlando on drums, and the band's most recent addition, Tony Yoo on keyboards.  This will be the band's CD release show, so it's not one to be missed!  (Though I regretfully will not be in town for it, doh!)

A little description about the band and its sound, taken from the ETR website:

"Known for their dynamic and ever-evolving sound, Enter the Rooms has been described as a style-transcending act that incorporates musical experimentation, artistic vision, and a message of personal experience. Following the successful release of 'Before We Grow Empty', Enter the Rooms have been hard at work creating their next sonic vision. The highly anticipated sophomore effort has already began gaining buzz through the small showcases the band has played to refine their work. Drawing from the sounds that they are now known for, and pushing themselves to new creative heights, Enter the Rooms is ready to make a bold and uncompromised statement."

Check out one of ETR's music video's to "Part of Me" here!  Oh, and visit the band's Facebook Page, while you're at it!

Some more details about the show:

Date/Time: Saturday, August 21, 2010 | Doors 7pm | Show 8pm | Downstairs Live
Tickets: Floor/Loge (Limited General Admission Seating plus Standing Room): $16 ($13 ticket + $3 processing fee)  Purchase tickets here!

Feel free to get in touch with me with any questions, and I will put you in touch with the right person, or get the information for you!  

Enjoy the show!

Tina

"Louis" & Brubeck Come to Philadelphia!

Hi Friends and Happy Wednesday!

I recently learned of two upcoming performances coming to Philadelphia, both of which are sure to be excellent, so I wanted to share!

First, "Louis: A Silent Film" is scheduled to be performed at the Keswick Theater on Tuesday, August 31, 2010.  This will be the only performance in Philadelphia, and it appears to be the final performance of the show's run.  The show will feature live musical performances by Wynton Marsalis and pianist Cecile Licad, as well as a 10-piece "all-star" jazz ensemble.

Taken from the show's website, "LOUIS is an homage to Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, beautiful women, and the birth of American music."  This fascinates me on multiple levels, as I have been wanting to see Wynton Marsalis perform, and I also would love to know more about the life of Armstrong, in addition to what I know from watching Ken Burns' "Jazz" documentary a few years back.  For more details about the show, and to purchase tickets, click here!

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The second performance that I wanted to let you all know about is one I am especially excited for:  Dave Brubeck at Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center!!  Okay, so this performance is not until October, but I am planning on purchasing tickets now, for fear that it will sell out.  I have hesitated in the past and lost, so now I am proactive :)  The exact date and time is Tuesday, October 26, 2010.  For more details about this event, and to purchase tickets, click here!

I don't know if anyone watched the Kennedy Center Honors this year (I never watch award shows, but I happened to be with my grandmother at the time, who does), but the tribute to Brubeck was phenomenal.  Here is one clip from the evening.  You just do not see live jazz like this on prime time national television anymore, and the look on Brubeck's face when they announced his sons performing moved me to tears!  This was said at the Honors about Brubeck and his music:  "Jazz, like the country of its birth, is forever a dazzling work in progress.  The genius of that progress for more than six decades... is embodied in Dave Brubeck's music."

I do not know that I will be able to attend both events, but I am planning to purchase at least two tickets to the Brubeck performance within the next couple of days.  I do not yet know who I am taking with me, so if you are interested, please contact me offline :)

Hope you can make it out to at least one of these fabulous events!

Always,
Tina

2010 Philly Fringe Festival

Hello friends!

Colloquially known around Philly as simply, "the Fringe Festival," The 14th Annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe, is taking place this year from September 3-18, 2010.  This year, I will have the opportunity to participate in the festival, as part of a children's opera called "The Crowded House."

A little background about the Festival:  It is an "unfiltered" Festival that supports the work of a broad array of performing artists--both new and established--by presenting two concurrent 16-day festivals each September at various venues throughout the city of Philadelphia.  Nick Stuccio, the Festival's Producing Director, selects the artists who will perform--about half of whom are from Philadelphia, the other half from all over the world.  As stated on their website, "the mission of the Festival is to provide an opportunity and a platform for Philadelphia-based artists to produce their work."

Written by local composer Michael Dutka, "The Crowded House" is a whimsical children's opera, based on a traditional tale, that ignites the imagination with visions of dancing sunflowers and animals, princesses and knights, and a good witch! The show premiered at The Barnstormer's Theater in Ridley Park, PA, and I had the pleasure of playing clarinet as part of a woodwind quintet + piano pit orchestra for six performances this past April.  I have included some photos from the performance, below.  (If you look closely, you can see me on clarinet in two of them! :)

The Crowded House will run for five performances, from September 9-12, at The Lantern Theater Company's St. Stephen's Theater.  The Festival's description of the show, including detailed information regarding showtimes and location information can be found here:  http://www.livearts-fringe.org/details.cfm?id=13532.  This 65-minute long show is one fit for the whole family, so come on out and bring the kiddies!  I am delighted to have the opportunity to play this show again, and to be participating in this year's Fringe Festival!

Hope to see you there!
Tina

"Jazzing Up" Brunch, Philly Style

Hi Friends,

So, it is Sunday, and while admittedly past the hours that are generally acceptable for "brunch," I can't help but think of brunch on Sundays.  Sitting down to a nice brunch is probably one of my favorite activities, particularly on an early Sunday afternoon, when the weather is something like it was yesterday--around 80 degrees, abundant sunshine, with a nice breeze.  So how does this tie into music, you might be wondering?

Well, by now, one thing you should have learned about me is that I also love jazz.  In fact, jazz is arguably my favorite type of music to listen to.  Combine this with my affinity for brunch, and you  have pretty much the best date this girl could ask for: Jazz Brunch.

I recently heard about a few spots offering live jazz during Sunday brunch, so I thought I would share:

• Estia, located at 1405-07 Locust St, an upscale Greek and Mediterranean restaurant, features a live jazz band during Sunday brunch from 12 pm - 3 pm.  
• Nodding Head Brewery, located at 1516 Sansom Street, features not only unique micro-brews on tap, but also jazz brunch on Sundays from 10 am - 1 pm.  
• Manayunk Brewery on Main Street in Manayunk has a live jazz brunch buffet on Sundays from 10:30 am - 2 pm.   
• It has also been rumored that "Mar Bar" (upstairs at the Marathon Grill) at 40th & Walnut Streets in University City features jazz brunch on Sundays, although I was unable to find any details online.

I unfortunately have not attended any of the aforementioned jazz brunches, so you'll have to rely on Yelp for reviews on any of these for the time being.  I do hope to check out one of these spots soon, however, so "stay 'tuned'"!

~Tina

Still "Time" & Place for Jazz in Philly

Hi Friends!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending a few hours at Time, a combination restaurant, whiskey bar and tap room, and Bohemian Absinthe Lounge (yes, you read that correctly--Absinthe).  This sophisticated yet casual restaurant and bar touts on its website the spot's uniqueness as "Three concepts, one address."  Time is probably best known for its extensive whiskey list, and you can enjoy live music there each Wednesday through Saturday during happy hour.

My primary purpose for going last night was to check out a jazz trio that plays on Wednesday evenings during happy hour (from 5 pm - 8 pm, to be exact).  I know the bass player--the very talented Brian Howell--who strongly recommended I check it out.  So, I gathered a couple of friends and went on over.  We were not disappointed!  Last night's trio featured Brian on bass, Peter Gaudioso on drums, and Tim Wendel on guitar.  The trio perfectly accompanied the dimly lit, elegant atmosphere of the bar, and my glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.  :)  

Speaking of wine, while my friends and I were there, we took advantage of the Center City Sips specials that are offered at various bars and restaurants throughout Center City every Wednesday during the summer, from 5pm - 7 pm.  Time participates in "Sips," and its specials include:

$2 Straub Drafts & Miller High Life Bottles

$3 House Red & House White

$4 Presbyterians & Philadelphia Collins

$4 Seasonal Risotto Balls or Sweet & Sour Meatballs 

As for my review of the food, I tried an order of each of the "balls", and they were both fabulous.  In fact, the Risotto Balls in particular were so delicious, I ordered them twice!  What can I say?  I can eat!

My overall impression of Time was a positive one, and I would highly recommend checking it out next Wednesday if you can.  Even the music playing as you peruse the website gets you in the groove!  Seriously, you could listen to it all day.  Try it.    

1315 Sansom St

Philadelphia, PA 19107 (Directions)

(215) 985-4800

As a side note, Brian also performs at Chris' Jazz Cafe on Tuesday nights from 10 pm - 2 am with the Victor North Quartet, for the Jazz Jam session.  Admission is only $3, and Chris' website states this about the North and the Jam Session: "This versatile side man is so awesome on the tenor saxophone it earned him a place in Chris' Jazz Hall of Fame.  Come experience this jazz phenom from Alaska - he's so hot, he's cool."  

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Tina

P.S. Don't forget to check out Jump City Jazz tonight at Le Cochon Noir! 

Big Band Thursdays feat. Jump City Jazz Orchestra!

Hello all!

Just wanted to post a quick note that Jump City Jazz Orchestra will be featured once again tomorrow night at Le Cochon Noir, the newest hotspot for jazz (and excellent BBQ food)!  They will play two sets, between 8 pm and 10 pm, and yours truly will be sitting in on this one, on Alto Sax.  So... you should definitely be there!

This is a great opportunity to check out some live jazz, enjoy an excellent meal (I recommend trying the ribs!), and enjoy the company of friends.  Don't forget to bring a bottle of wine, because it's BYO!

Sincerely hope to see all you "swingin' cats" out tomorrow night!
~Tina

2010 Holiday POPS!

Hi Friends!

So, I just returned from a lovely week's vacation in sunny Brigantine, NJ, and am now suffering through the intense heatwave in Philadelphia, but for some reason all I can think of is the holidays!  And no, it has nothing to do with "Christmas in July," for those of you who might be wondering!

I recently received my letter from the Philly POPS inviting me back to sing with the 2010 POPS Festival Chorus, a chorus that performs with Peter Nero and The Philly POPS at the Kimmel Center for its ten Holiday POPS concerts each December.  This will be my fourth year singing with the POPS Festival Chorus, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in this Philadelphia holiday season tradition for another year!

This year, the ten concerts will fall between December 4, and December 22, 2010.  And as in previous years, we are looking to recruit some new voices to join the chorus, and always, we especially need more male voices.  That said, if you are interested in singing with the Festival Chorus, and have a good voice and decent music reading skills, please contact the POPS office (215-875-7699) to schedule an audition!  The next set of auditions will be held on Tuesday, July 20, from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the Merriam Building.  For more details about audition, rehearsal, and show times, click here!

Participating in the Festival Chorus is certainly a big time commitment, but if you are able to swing it, I can promise you it will be well worth your time!  It is an honor to be able to say I have performed with the legendary Peter Nero in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, and I hope that of my many talented family members and friends, at least a few of you will be able to participate with me this year!

Cheers!
Tina