Celebrating Spirit Studio and 4 Fab Years!

Oh this month is bringing a lot of ch...ch...ch...changes. I am still reeling from the news of one of my creative heroes David Bowie passing on. I admired his versatility and constant outpouring of new material. And this month also serves to mark a major change in my personal life. For the past 4 years I have been blessed with a wonderful venue called Spirit Studio in which to produce and create performance art, but the doors must close this month as the owner of the building want to build a sushi bar instead!

The episcopal church group Holy Spirit - LA have been wonderful hosts of Spirit Studio and allowed many local artists a low-cost venue in which to independently produce their original works. I was the first show to hit the stage in January of 2012 and I'll be helping to produce several of the last. And then, just as Spirit Studio will be moving to a new location (but uncertain of just when it will reopen), I am making a huge leap across town by moving from East Hollywood/Silver Lake to live in South Bay closer to my day job as Operations Director at Holonyne Corporation (a multimedia video post production company). A lot is happening, but I've been feeling the need for some changes for quite some time.

So, please join me to honor Spirit Studio and share in the talents of many of the artists who have graced the stage over the years.

Robert Patrick Playwright will present 3 more shows of his delightful NEW SONGS FOR OLD MOVIES.

Three encore shows:
Saturday, January 16 at 8pm
Sunday, January 17 at 6pm
Sunday, January 24 at 4pm

For less than the price of a night out at the movies, you’ll get real live entertainment! Just $10 Tickets available at the door or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2482979

Friday January 22 at 8:30pm (doors open 8pm - special slow dancing follows show)
$10 cover in advance / $15 at the door
http://spiritstudioallgoodthings.bpt.me/ - COMING SOON

Selected performances from past shows and new creations by:
April Hava Shenkman
Ian MacKinnon
Juan Martin Matamoros
Themegoman
Devan M.
Strawberry
Jane Cantillon
Odious Ari
Princess PoodlePoo
Queer David Lawrence
Jason Jenn
Robert Patrick Playwright

& a favorite feature of many events over the years - the Maverick Mystic will be on hand to read your Tarot cards for tips

After the show - join us for mingling and spend some splendid time connecting with your fellow human for some SLOW DANCING hosted byTimothy Power

Jason Jenn presents SONGS & STORIES FOR OUR DAYS on Saturday, Jan 30 at 8pm

Join the trickster troubadour Jason Jenn in a special intimate, candlelight performance to honor the closing and eventual reopening of Spirit Studio in a new space.

It's a provocative and uplifting evening of words and original a cappella music exploring both the joys and challenges of living in such a complex modern world where dog fights are nothing compared to devastating dogma wars. The aim is to alchemically stir the soul and journey from chaos towards bliss by painting sublime images in the mind's eye through the power of words and melodies over theatrical artifice and illusion.

Jason presented the piece as the first show at the then new venue in January of 2012 and will give all proceeds from this final show towards the future space of Spirit Studio.

Tickets available at the door - suggested $5-20 donation

In "HARMONY" with Robert Patrick

Quite a pair - singing with Robert Patrick Playwright

Well, I finally got my wish - to sing a duet with Robert Patrick during one of his shows. This was my third time around as producer/director for Robert and third time was definitely the charm for that wish to come true! As a special finale number to his recent "New Songs For Old Movies" we performed together in a lovely little number called "HARMONY" written as a clever homage to the road movies of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby.

I must admit, I was under a lot of stress juggling the various demands of my day job as post production Operations Manager at PennRose Studios (coincidentally I celebrate my one year anniversary on the job this month) and the role of producer that we had precious little time to run our number. I was struggling with hitting all the notes and rhythm correctly up until the last minute - it's hard work singing a cappella to someone else's tune!

But I'm happy to say, in the end, it all worked out splendidly! In fact, Robert confessed to me - in spite of our ordeal getting to the point - that it was one of the most fun moments on stage he's had. I certainly agree and look forward to doing the number with him again!

The piece starts out with Robert singing the first verse and melody of the song solo - as if he were Bob Hope singing to Bing (my part). It's a clever ditty about the strength of great friendships/ partnerships - a perfect tribute to Bob and Bing who starred in 7 (yes, SEVEN) "Road to..." movies. Robert and I have 4 more productions to mount before we could even dare to compare... 

After the first verse, the song gets passed along to me, and I sing pretty much the same lyrics (with slight variation), but this time the harmony of the tune.

The first lines of the verse are "I'm no good alone, but I'm great harmony..."

And then...the two of us sing together! This was the tricky part for me to handle...I always wanted to slip off my part and join Robert in the melody! But I held it - and even used some simple choreography to ensure I got it! 

So we danced around - snapping our fingers and enjoying the finale to our third production together and celebrating Robert's 78th birthday!

And I must say - "HARMONY" proved to be another fun and witty song created by the remarkable Robert Patrick Playwright. I am continued to be inspired by his history, intelligence, and creativity. 

So now I have another wish! As the final lyrics of his song profess:

"So please give in, and say that we'll live in....wonderful glorious, beautiful marvelous, glowing and growing harmony!!!!"

Robert Patrick Playwright's "New Songs For Old Movies"

Since puberty, Robert Patrick has created songs for the movies and movie stars he most admired. Now at last he presents them in a concert evening in which he pays vocal tribute - with an occasional edge of satire - to Betty Grable, Bing Crosby, Eartha Kitt, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Harvey Fierstein, Carmen Miranda, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Johnny Cash, and Audrey Hepburn among others.

Join the acclaimed author of “Kennedy’s Children” and “Blue is For Boys”, forefather of modern gay theatre, and beloved Silver Lake Underground All-Star *Robert Patrick Playwright* as he shares the results of his witty imagination.

One night only special engagement, for less than the price of a night out at the movies, you’ll get real live entertainment! Just $10

SATURDAY SEPT 26 - 8pm
SPIRIT STUDIO SILVER LAKE
3711 Evans Street, Silver Lake, CA 90027

Photos from "Recognition=Life"

Here are a few of the photographs from the event "West Hollywood This is Your Life" presented as part of One City One Pride's LGBTQ Arts Festival "WeHo@30"at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park on June 27. It was part of the celebration for the 30 year history of West Hollywood as an incorporated city. I presented works by one of its greatest figures, the AIDS activist and award-winning writer, Paul Monette. I chose to read excerpts from one of his political essays "The Politics of Silence" - as relevant in its observations and activism today as it was in the early 90's. It was followed by two of his stirring, heartfelt poems about the loss of his lover Roger to AIDS, "The House on Kings Road" and "Here".

I was accompanied by a fine cast of dancers, Atasiea, Harpal Sodhi & Qlint Steinhauser, along with live music by Ahmond. Many thanks to the folks of One City One Pride for their support of the arts. All photos by Tony Coehlo. Click on the images to see the full size.