BOB CAPPELLA! Two Shows March 1 @ 1pm & 8pm

A few months ago Robert Patrick told me he had a new idea for a show where he got to sing his favorite original a cappella tunes to be performed without any cabaret patter in between them, just all singing, to tell two very different stories in two short acts. I was intrigued and of course as the other LA Underground Original A cappella Songwriter, how could I say no? And it's not difficult to say yes when I find his delivery absolutely charming in every way and incredibly inspiring to say the least! And his lyrics - witty as ever from a deviously clever mind like Bob's!

So I took up the helm as producer and director and did what I was told in finding him one day to present two shows. He pretty much directed himself in "What Doesn't Kill Me...Makes A Great Story Later" - I only had to give him a few notes as an outside eye for that - he's a complete theatre pro and knows what he is doing like nobody else. Once again, while I put a bit more of my hand and attention into this production, Robert makes the task so easy when he presented me with an already well thought out and designed production.

And so now, the world, or at least the handful of people in Los Angeles that will attend our workshop production this Sunday, will discover the genius of a songwriter and SINGER Robert Patrick. The past week has seen me humming his tunes in my head. They evoke all the beauty and glory of classic Hollywood and Broadway musicals. There are elements of Garland, Gershwin, Guthrie, Porter, Lerner and Lowe to name a few mixed into his style.




Robert Patrick Playwright & Jason Jenn present:

BOB CAPPELLA! Songs of Love & Laughter

Written & performed by Robert Patrick
Produced & directed by Jason Jenn

A passionate and playful hour of a cappela music composed and delivered with the distinctive charm of Robert Patrick Playwright. Act One spins a story of love, loss, and yearning, while Act Two presents a free-for all of comic numbers, ranging from suave and sophisticated to raucous and rowdy. The author of “What Doesn’t Kill Me…Makes A Great Story Later,” “T-Shirts,” and “Kennedy’s Children” presents both his romantic heart and rambunctious wit using original songs from scores for his shows “Oscar Was Wilde,” “Making Love,” “Blue is for Boys,” “New Songs for Old Movies,” and “The Bugger’s Opera,” plus some written especially for this production.

Two shows, One day only!
SUNDAY, MARCH 1st, 2015
1pm $5 & 8pm $10

Tickets available at the door or in advance at: http://bobcappella.brownpapertickets.com/

SPIRIT STUDIO SILVERLAKE
3711 EVANS STREET
SILVERLAKE, CA 90027

Just up the hill from Hyperion Blvd above Barbarella's Restaurant
Entrance through the parking lot

There is another blue-eyed crooner waiting to wow the world with song!

Patrick Angus The Film Trailer

I am pleased to present the video trailer for Patrick Angus The Film - a documentary in process I am working on as editor with friend and art colleague Marc Arranaga. Enjoy!

The Patrick Angus Connection Part 1

This is a self portrait by Patrick Angus. I am working with my friend and artistic colleague Marc Arranaga, Art Historian, Curator and Filmmaker on the creation of a documentary about the life and times of Patrick Angus (1953-1992).  Angus was an American social realist painter most known for his work depicting the everyday gay life and scenes around The Gaiety Theater in NYC. He was referred to as "The Toulouse-Latrec of Times Square" by his friend (and mine) Robert Patrick, for how he depicted what some deemed a "seedy gay  underworld" in a beautiful light in the same way TL did with the Parisian nightlife. 

In working on this project as editor (and assistant director) I am in awe not only of the talent Angus possessed, but the various connections shared with my own life. While I never knew Patrick Angus until Marc brought him to my attention, I now realize how interwoven our lives are, and I feel charged by the opportunity to work with Marc in illuminating Angus's life and work to a greater audience. It is sad to think that Angus died at age 39 of AIDS complications. He had such promise in the years ahead of him. I just recently turned 40 and feel so incomplete with all the art I want to manifest in the world. The world lost so many great artists from the AIDS crisis - and it is also why I am working on a grant for The City of West Hollywood to perform the works of those whose careers were cut short from the crisis  - but that is another blog/story...

I actually have many stories to share all connected with this project, but for now I find it wonderful to be able to help bring this story forth with Marc. It's our third video collaboration together, having completed two short artist video profiles. With each project we are learning more and I am grateful to be stretching my video capabilities and excited to be working on my first feature documentary.

The picture on the right is a photo Marc snapped of me in December 2010 when I was visiting him in NYC (he has since moved back to LA). I'm reading his copy of the book of Patrick Angus paintings called "Strip Show" by Douglas Turnbaugh. I had no idea that years later we'd actually be making the documentary. That Marc would receive the blessing of Douglas Turnbaugh, his estate holder, and by an interesting twist of fate, that I would be friends with Robert Patrick Playwright (who I didn't know until 2011). Robert Patrick was THE friend of Patrick Angus who convinced him to paint the works that are featured in the Strip Show book and what Angus is most known for.

MORE SOON...

Happy ReBegin 2015!

40RTE! A montage of images over the past 40 years. (click for full size)

In case you need a reminder, the entire month of January is particularly wonderful to set aside some self-care time, to still reflect on the year that just past, to form ideas for the year yet to come, to enjoy changing/shaking things up in the moment for the fun of it, and to rearrange the space you live in somehow to stimulate new energy. I hope you'll make some art you've always wanted, put on your favorite music to have a solo dance party, and write down all the crazy ideas you have in your head just to get them out in the open!

December, with all its big "holidaze," somehow always ends up a gluttonous feast of social events, parties, family, friends, spending, busy-busy-busy-ness, and heavy sugar coma inducing foods. 

January is time to retreat, to cleanse, to go within. The entire month or as long as you need - not just a day or two of making resolutions. Spend some quality time with your deeper Self! I really wish our culture would embrace the idea that January should be an international month of powering down, slowing down, and spending more quiet time. The two-heads of Roman deity Janus, for which the month is named, reflected back on the past AND planned ahead for the future. And the month of January was once considered a month outside of the normal calendar system. The year started in March and ended with December (which means the 10th month, decem=10). 

For me personally it's a time to catch up on all the things I planned on accomplishing before the end of the year, but couldn't get to because there just wasn't enough time. Shortly upon returning to LA in mid-Sept I started a somewhat unexpected full time job setting up the office space for my friend's video production studio. The reason I took the job is because we needed to get the studio ready, as this year we're going to start production on some exciting video projects, including the making of a movie I'm co-writing! I had to adjust to the new schedule in addition to help producing the 5 already planned shows/events at Spirit Studio the past few months and deal with the passing of a dear friend. in my after work hours. I haven't had a 9-5 job in 13 years. Add in a 2+ hour traffic rush hour commute. I found myself exhausted with little time to prepare for all the things I wanted to do when I got home. I only had a few days free to prepare for my 40RTE birthday party that I thought I'd have all month available to do! I definitely spent some time here and there to get ready for it, but I only accomplished a few of the planned elements I wanted in order to prepare for the party and art gallery show. However, the show and birthday happened and was splendid.

It was definitely a wonderful party. I feel very touched, moved, heartwarmed, and inspired by the occasion. And it didn't really matter that I didn't get all the things done I planned. I covered the important aspects and had a good, low/no stress time! I wanted to do something unusual, challenging, significant, and a bit ritualistic to mark the day, so threw a party with performances every hour on the hour. I did some old favorites and showed a few videos from the past. I also did some spontaneous things, and most importantly enjoyed seeing and hanging out with friends. And because I didn't get every single thing done before the party, it just means I get to spend the entire year enjoying the process of continued reflecting on the past 40 years and developing the plans! AHA! There is no need to stop just because the actual day has come and gone. We can have a ReBegin anytime we wish! 

a freshly organized art studio

So when the party was over and the new year began, I whipped my apartment into shape and decided to rearrange a few things to switch up the energy. I cleaned up my art studio and carved out some space to work on some new collage pieces. I even found a couple large rolls of paper hiding out in storage waiting for the day I made a larger collage piece with them...and the time to use it is NOW. I had so much fun with 40RTE, I want to keep that energy going and since my collage art is still hanging up...

You're invited to a 40RTE COLLAGE ART CLOSING PARTY on Sunday, January 11 from Noon-6pm at Spirit Studio Silverlake (3711 Evans Street, Silverlake, CA 90027).Drop in for a few minutes to say hi or stay for hours to create some art. I'll have all the paper cement and craft paper and other art supplies available for your use (I'll even have some paints, oil pastels, and other items for assemblage making). I'm rather short on magazines and materials at the moment, so bring a stack to use and we'll make collage together. 

I'm going to roll out a large piece of paper on the stage and make a big collage piece myself! And if the wifi internet stays working, we can even stay later and project a live stream the Golden Globes and order in some food or go to one of the local watering holes nearby if need be.

Regardless. I wish you all a most blissfilled January - dive deep within and enjoy the month!