Fri was  a  jam packed  night starting w/  the NYC premier of “Tied To A  Chair”  the film I did  stunts in described in “The Subway Diaries”  followed by a party along the Hudson River where Fleet Week was in full swing. Here’s the  New  YOrker  review of the film  & some pics of the fun : )

The Front Row: “Tied to a Chair”: Bound for Glory : The New Yorker

Happy Start To Summer! : )

Hi guys ! As thousands gather for Honecoming and Commencement weekend, Wesleyan University has asked me to perform, sign copies of “The Subway Diaries” and be part of an Arts Panel on Saturday May 21st.  It’s gonna be a rockin’ weekend so stop on by & soak up some rockin’ culture, food & fun!

A) PERFORMANCE:

1–3 P.M.

WESEMINAR 5,000 Women

A\This is a satellite production of a project called “5,000 Women” whose mission is to have 5,000 women artists performing in tandem. The name comes from the fact that every hour 5,000 women are giving birth at the same time throughout the world. “5,000 Women” honors that amazing creativity, by showcasing the creativity of women artists. The performance will include singer-songwriters, comedians, dancers, actresses, spoken word artists, independent films by independent filmmakers, and one-woman shows.

Performers: Naaz Hosseini , Aleta Staton , Heidi Kole, Lisa Porter, Jennifer Blaine, Elizabeth Liang  Nafeesa Monroe, Karen Gross , and Stephanie Fungsang

Center for the Arts Hall (formerly CFA Cinema)

B) PANEL:

3:30 P.M.

WESEMINAR Making It In the Performing Arts–Is it Possible?

This seminar, conceived by Wesleyan alumnae who have established careers in the arts, is a forum to share experiences and insights. For those who are contemplating a career in the arts we may ask ourselves: How can I make it as a performer?, Will I be able to support myself?, In what ways can I distinguish myself and establish a career? Through this seminar we hope to create a network of support for students and alumni in these challenging fields. All students, graduates and artists are welcome to attend. Networking session and screening of Fly Away, a film by Janet Grillo ’80, will follow.

Presenters: Dana Leslie Goldstein, playwright and poet; Heidi Kole, author, singer-songwriter; Lisa Porter, actress and vocal coach; Jennifer Blaine , actress and one-woman show; Karen Gross, cabaret artist and singer song-writer; Grace Overbeke ’08, director of marketing at Theater J; Martha Meade, muralist; and Tamina Davar, filmmaker.

Center for the Arts Hall (formerly CFA Cinema)

Hi all – today (despite the monsoon outside) I’ll be filmed & interviewed by the documentary film “Busking The System”. It’s a fabulous film & great crew so keep your eyes & ears peeled as we’re gonna make some waves : )

http://www.buskingthesystem.com

So, last week I was interviewed for a good hour and a half for this stage piece that’s in development called “Buskers” and tonight I’ve been invited to see it’s premier reading in association with The Old Vic Theater of London, at the Soho House here in Manhattan, in which an actress is playing me!

Go figure right? I’ve never been on this side of the fence/camera/stage before and I gotta say…it’s a bit trippy 🙂

Fill ya in later…

Stay musical!

Come on out & celebrate this Saturday @ 9:30PM @

So, last night I had a dream of  two dancers/mystics in long, colourful robes, movine & dancing across a green lawn, each one holding a flower. The first held an enormous, larger-than-life White Lily and the second an equally large, oversized Sunflower. After that dream, somehow now I knew Spring had finally arrived in NYC! We all thought it might actually skip us this year the way the winter dragged on. But the trees are in bloom, the flowers are comin’ up & birds tweeting madly. I even saw a goose lay her egg (all be it not golden) as I was running along The Hudson River. This truly is my favourite time of year & I hope all of you are enjoying it to the max.

I’m blessed this year to usher in the season with a full schedule of gigs & appearances that allow me to actually see the sun as I sing, speak & sign books! The tour dates range from Nassau Bahamas to Middletown Ct with fun appearances in between. Check out all the happenings below & I hope to see you all either above ground or under!

• 4/30/11  Nassau, Bahamas – Featured performer at Crazy Johnny’s All Rock & Roll Club http://www.bahamaslocal.com/events/
• 5/1/11 Global The Subway Diaries Featured Book Review in Dstripped Magazine http://www.etsy.com/listing/71533233/dstripped-magazine-spring-issue-2011– Pre Oder your fabulous printed copies NOW! It’s a rockin’ magazine. DStripped Launch party May 12th, NYC, NY – Location TBD

• 5/12/11 NYC, NY Taping of Different Voices with host Poet Minor on Time Warner TV, Chanel 56 – Open to Public www.bliptv.com/differentvoices
• 5/13/11 5/13/11 NYC, NY Performing at  “New York’s Underground Streets” Event 10PM @ “Terminal 5”
  

• 5/15/11 I’m teaming up w/ fabulous documentary film maker, producer Justin Morales & Associate Producer, Magda Grover on their super film “Busking The System” www.buskingthesystem.com – we’ll be filming in the NYC subways & appearing everywhere together @ festivals & events this summer & beyond so keep your eyes & ears peeled!

• 5/21/11 Middletown, Ct Featured Performer and Panelist at the 5,000 Women Festival http://www.wesleyan.edu/rc/2011/saturday.html

A special note of thanks to the brilliant handiwork of bassist & master luthier Rick Mullen who has repaired my much neglected guitar. Thanks to his talent & dedicated work on my ax I’m up and ready to go this Spring! If you’ve got a stringed instrument in need of repair – he’s your guy! www.rickmullen.net

Finally – I’m sending all of you the best wishes for a happy, safe & super creative Spring!

A lot of the buskers have noticed an increased police presence  underground, along w/ cops holding machine guns above on the street.  And, yes, I was ‘nabbed’ by the cops last week @ 59th St/ Columbus Circle.  So, we’ve surmised the latest ‘crackdown is due to us  being at  ‘war’ in Africa and that, of course, logically means no music underground in NYC, NY – Oh yeah, that makes perfect sense…

Which leads me to two favourite quotes of the week for the week – one from your s truly and the other from Rev Michael Beckwith.

“Let’s try the power of love vs the love of power…just for a minute and see what happens” ~ Moi

“When the ego loses, the soul wins” ~ Rev Michael Beckwith

Luss & I tryin’ out our latest twist on “Jet Plane” up in the Bronx – grainy & way unplugged but gives you an idea at least. Luss’s words rock so listen closely. Guaranteed, he’ll move you

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AicHCo2K4Gs[/youtube]

We all had a fabulous time @ The Transit Museum’s “Missed Connections Party” on Valentine’s Day. I asked Luss to come too & in between my solo tunz we did our thing on the old fashioned platforms @ the event. Here’s a clip in case u missed the party! 🙂

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-1-lr14Ksg[/youtube]