There's music everywhere...in New York!

It's Tuesday, and I have to blog about a weekend (plus) of music and discovery. I'll try to be quick, or I might (probably) break it into a few blog posts. I fear in the future it will be literally impossible to blog on every musical adventure I have in this city - the place is literally crowded and packed with countless theaters, cabarets, music halls and other venues to see music.

Thursday, the 19th, I finished work for the day and took the train/walked through the pouring rain to the famous Algonquin Hotel on West 44th St. Each Thursday, Mark Janas hosts an open mic called the "Algonquin Salon" in the Oak Room. This Thurs, the room was filled to the brim with singers, people coming off the street, and regulars. Raissa Bennett had taken over for a vacationing Mark, and David Caldwell was at the piano.

Each Algonquin Salon has a theme for the week which singers can gain inspiration from or use as an excuse to sing a song they've always wanted but never had the opportunity to sing. However, one is also able to sing anything, bring instruments, read lyric sheets, sit and play the piano themselves, even read poetry or content from books if wished. This week's theme (garnered from the weekly email mailing list) was "Gender Benders," meaning women could sing songs originally meant for men to sing, and vice-versa.

I was excited and appreciative of all the talent up there. Composers got up and sang new material, cabaret artists sat on stools to recreate pieces they've done before, an author read a shatteringly funny piece from a book of his about his early life in New York, people who just loved to sing and obviously wanted to share that with people, everything was there. I had two songs to sing at the ready, although I had printed out lyric sheets: "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha and "Go Home With Bonnie Jean" from Brigadoon. I was able to sing "The Impossible Dream," and it felt so good to sing full-out without any expectation or pressure.

I was also able that night to meet up with Jennifer Wren, who is hosting the 1930's Idol singing night on Weds the 20th. She is an enthusiastic singer and overall positive person. I was also able to briefly meet Bill Zeffiro, our music director for the night as well. In addition, there were a couple of singers who are going to be sharing the stage with me that night, so I introduced myself. Later, I even met & petted the hotel cat, Matilda.

That night, I left extremely positive and looking forward to the future. It's such a wonderful feeling to know that there is a huge group of enthusiastic people out there, just wishing to sit around and enjoy each others talents and passion for the same love of music.

Friday, after work, I met up with my cousin Stephen, his niece Mary, and his boyfriend David for dinner at a cute little Italian restaurant called Apizz, which I later learned was an American-Italian slang term for "pizza". I had a great slake fish dish, but we all ate off each other plates like a proper family. Had my first vodka Gimlet and shared a few desserts all around.

Afterwards, we walked a few blocks through the wet asphalt to the Rockwood Music Hall on the recommendation of one of Stephen's friends. There, we caught the solo guitar/vocalizing of Emily King and the band of Richard Julian (whose song "Syndicated" particularly hit my ears with its witty lyrics about America's spread around the world). The Rockwood Music Hall, while small, is a good venue for solo or small bands and is cozy with good drinks. There's also a second, smaller room off to the side to stand and talk without disrupting the musicians, and it as a video feed from the hall itself if you want to keep in touch with the music.

We all had an adventurous time taking a cab back towards David's neck of the woods (Hells Kitchen). I hadn't taken a cab this entire time in New York, and I had forgotten how much of a rollercoaster ride it is. Things went by in a blur!

Stephen (left), me, and David (right)

Next post: New friend, new audition project, and Monday Nights New Voices.

NYC Sound Tracks - A Talent Competition for Subway Musicians

My mom emailed me after I wrote an entry about finding a lot of talent under the streets of New York, within the subway system's many train stations. She noted that the MSG Network was hosting a talent competition, trying to find the city's most talented Subway musicians. As they put it on their website: "Five Boroughs, 16 Musicians, One Superstar. We're looking for the best sounds from the underground — and you will be the judge. Join the search for New York City's greatest subway musicians, Sundays at 8PM on MSG and MSG.com." Round 1 starts August 10th Sundays at 8PM on MSG. Or you can watch 'em online. I will check it out - thanks, Mom!!!

My Audition Kit

For my first audition here in New York, I packed what I thought would be a well-thought out bag of travel and acting items. This was based on my own needs as well as outside advice from fellow New York actors.

1. Rolling Bag. Really, I could use any bag, but this one keeps weight off my shoulders and makes travel to audition locations quicker and easier. I bought the Dash Rolling Hardside Carry-on (in cherry red) which is lightweight and small, with a quick-retracting handle and 360 degree wheels. It's also weatherproof, which will come in handy when the rains start pouring. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't have an outside pocket for quick access.
2. Sigg Bottle. Made by the same company as the famous Swiss Army Watch, these bottles are eco-friendly alternatives to the wasteful habit of buying plastic water bottles. And every singer NEEDS to have water at auditions, especially when the rehearsal building water fountains aren't acceptable. It's apparently "The World's Toughest Water Bottle," and is made of lightweight metal - I think aluminum. Thus, I can hang it from my purse or put it in my bag and not worry about it exploding.
   
3. (and bear with me, this is not an advertising list) A Bento Box, or compact lunch box containing several small lidded bowls and maybe a travel fork or spoon (or spork!). Mine is the Mr. Bento box. Bringing some leftovers or simple food in this box will help me save money and prevent lightheaded hunger if ever I need to wait in line to audition for an extended amount of time.
4. You kind of can't see this, but I packed my skirt and audition shoes while wearing pants and sneakers to get to the audition location. In New York, it's common practice for auditioners (at least women) to dress comfortably and put on whatever they need to wear to be presentable once they arrive. This is easy to do at locations like the Actor's Equity Assoc. audition location, where they apparently have a green room for auditioners to put on makeup and even curl their hair (again, I'm talking women here). I have an audition coming up soon that takes place in the AEA location, I'll see how easy it is to use the facilities.
5. Audition Music book. The reason I'm there in the first place. I've invested the last 6 years in voice lessons and coaching from Calvin Remsberg. We nailed down about 10 or so audition pieces which we feel run the gamut of audition demands, from rock to pop to opera and legit. I'm still learning new songs for future specific auditions (ie. they want to hear "This Place is Mine" for an audition for the role of Carlotta in "Phantom"), but this book means more to me and my career than anything.
6. Headshot and Resume. Duh. My headshot was taken by Jonathan Vandeveer in Los Angeles.
7. Actor's Interview Log. It's important to keep a log of each audition: when and where I audition, who I auditioned for and for what project, even what I wore and what I sang, who I might have met along the way. Plus, any notes on how I felt about the audition after. That way, callbacks become more informed and whenever I write down "ugh that audition went horribly!" and then get a callback, I can be reminded that my perception of how things go are often not the case. :)
8. Journal. Just to jot down ideas, new audition material ideas, names & numbers, etc. Hey, maybe even write journal entries to include in a blog somewhere...
9. Audition Post Printout. Juuuuuuust in case, a print out of the location, time, date, and expectations of the audition in question.
   
10. Deodorant and Hairbrush. Just in case.
11. Makeup Kit. I actually am able to do my makeup on the A train before I get to the downtown area, which shaves off some morning "get ready" time for the sake of breakfast and sleep.

Not pictured: iPod (to review audition music or hear a warmup track), Mouthwash (again, just in case) and an immeasured amount of talent and beauty :) All in all, everything I packed was either utilized well or at least good to have on hand. Nothing was too heavy and the rolling bag worked in the subway like a charm.-Si