With our own local show having it's premier this week (it will get it's own shout out in the next day or two), here is another buzz item from New York that sounded very interesting. For two reasons: The piece itself has the long title Humpty Dumpty Cracks Up, The Nightmare of Cabaret. The press release is a bit sprawling and I am trying to get the scope of what exactly it is. But it mentions Christine Lavin as a cameo performer, which is bang for the buck alone. Then it also mentions "nightclub singers" which is a bit obsolete as well as musical theater - so I am not sure what it is attempting to be.
But I am also curious about one of the two venues it is presented at. The Duplex has long been a cabaret standby. But it also references a new place called the Playroom Theater on 46th. Although their website is not real flashy, it touts that it's a small and intimate destination for cabaret performances. Exactly what we need here in the Twin Cities.
This is a share from our own member Janet who still has ties to the cabaret scene in Chicago. The premise is great and aligns itself exactly with one of the TCCAN goals of bringing both awareness and an audience to what we do. Many are not familiar with the genre and confuse it with a jazz gig, a musical theater revue or sometimes even a burlesque show. So the idea of using media as a tool to "sell" our product is a no-brainer. Of course that takes a different talent as well as resources. Chicago videographer Eric McHenry Brown is undertaking an indiegogo crusade for some of that assistance. It is another arts philanthropy site like Kickstarter which seeks investors for a project. He is centering on the small culture of artists in the Chicago area which should give him a wealth of opportunities. As a side observation - I wish he would have sought out some of that same talent for his pitch. A few clips of sizable Chicago talent would be much more captivating than him sitting on his small sofa expounding the virtues of cabaret. It comes across more like an essay assignment instead of bells and whistles that might make someone say "sign me up!" Here is the link and wishing him luck on the project.
For anyone that follows the blog steadfastly, we do have a Patter Workshop coming up this coming Monday. Our Education committee is making great strides to make sure this component is a valued part of our mission.
This particular session is for members that want to invest time into the storytelling aspect of what they do. A chance to try sampling some of their writing in front of supportive peers. How do you make a seamless transition from your story into your song? This one is being hosted by Janet Skidmore at her home in S Mpls; 3029 3rd Ave S and will be moderated by Rhonda Laurie. Priority will be given to those performing in our upcoming Showcase this Nov. But any members are always welcome also. A reminder that any workshop is open to colleagues of current membership who want to attend on an audit/ observer option.
I know sometimes the blog goes off on musical talents that are a far stretch from cabaret. But I think it is wise to open our ears to offerings outside the box. I have posted a few overlap vocals on here prior and they do always amaze me. When looking for a perfect blend, there is obviously not much that fits better than your own voice. Unless you are lucky enough to be an Osmond or a Lennon sister with some genetics in the pedigree. This new find is Jacob Collier who is making mixes so dense that is hard to hear all the notes in his chord structure. It is pure jazz vocalese. But what I was struck by was his apparent young age. Looking at his screen shots, he appears to me a teen if that. Hard to believe that sort of range is coming from a single person, let alone someone you'd not think capable of octaves and perfect pitch. Below is his recent arrangement of the Newley classic Pure Imagination. One poster commented that it was super human and it does seem nearly that.
Just as we are attempting to make a presence here in the Twin Cities, it looks like Detroit has jumped on the band wagon as well. Check out the splashy new website for Cabaret 313. Just like our own TCCAN began in soirees of private homes, they are doing the same. Sandi Reitelman & Allan Nachman are spearheading the crusade as part of Detroit's cultural renewal. Spring settings included Christine Andreas, Lousie Pitre and Carole Bufford. This fall they are bringing in Amanda McBroom & Ute Lemper. Great pedigree! It looks like their efforts right now are more about bringing in outside headliners. And no one venue is noted so it seems they are experimenting around town just as we are, to build a public clientele. I will keep their link on our blog for future events. Cabaret is catching on.
I would bet that we all consider the piano to be the instrument of choice for all of us doing cabaret work. It is a two-person gig with you and your music director. It is one of the big priorities as our venue committee is exploring spaces for us all. But I found this interesting feed about new, unique and unusual instruments being created. These go beyond global music. Bjork is always exploring new sounds and has used a Gameleste on some recent recordings. It is a combination of gamelan and celeste.
If you thought a trombone was awkward, how about this Bellowphone? It looks like a hybrid of a saxophone that mated with a pipe organ.
Or even bigger yet - the solar powered Sharpsichord. Check out the full link with videos below: Mental Floss - Instruments
This resource comes out of a Showcase rehearsal with Connie. Besides being an asset of talent to our organization - the woman is a wealth of knowledge in terms of material. We got onto the subject of tracking down unusual and hard to find pieces of music that fit what we do. We have musicnotes et al which are certainly convenient. And our public library has some reserves which are mostly on hold. But she had recommended Bagaduce Music.
It sounds like it works as a co-op library based in Maine of all places. You buy an annual membership which then gives you access to their files. After that you pay for processing which must include mailing rates per song and there are limits as to how much you can have "checked out" during any period. They tout having over 250,000 pieces of rare and hard to find, including choral works as well. I did not spend a lot of time searching but it sounds like a great resource when we are hitting dead ends locally. Give it a spin - no charge to search, only when borrowing.
