A Harmonious Open Mic

The Sunday February 21^st installment of the Sherman Theater's Living Room's weekly Open Mic Nite Series welcomed the many who came to partake of the music, comedy, and poetry the venue has become so well known for. The warmer than normal temperatures enhanced the hospitable atmosphere as those who sought to share their talents lined up so their names could be recorded on the sign in list at the appointed time. An eagerness filled them and those who came in support of their endeavors until the moment in which the opportunity to let their desires regarding being part of the performances arrived.

After the sign in procedure came to a close, the event's co-host, Theresa Ratcliff, took the stage to welcome those who were present. She shared some announcements and introduced Bongo Dan who offers to provide percussion to performers who desired it. Ms. Ratcliff and Bongo Dan remained on stage as they were joined by the evening's first performer which was Ann Matthews and her guitar. Together, the trio explored the joy embodied in some rousing songs associated with the Beatles.

As the set concluded, Ms. Ratcliff and Bongo Dan remained once again on stage and were joined by guitarist Brian Bramkamp who, with Ms. Ratcliff, form the duo known as “Woodrow.” www.facebook.com/wearewoodrow/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf. Their exceedingly extraordinary talents and interpretations of the songs brought a new dimension to them including “Daydream Believer” which was composed by John Stewart of the Kingston Trio and was originally recorded by The Monkees. The song appears on their 1968 album titled, “The Birds, The Bees, and The Monkees.” A new life was also given to Bob Dylan's “Like a Rolling Stone” which is found on his 1965 album titled, “Highway 61 Revisited.”

Woodrow was followed by Brad whose terpsichorean interpretations looked into and revealed the essence of each song that accompanied him. Brad was followed by comedian Zack Hammond who was introduced to the gathering by co-host, Satilia Rose (aka Tilly), who alternatively shared the honors of presentation with Ms. Ratcliff throughout the evening. The topics Mr. Hammond explored included those relating to the Salvation Army, Film Etiquette, and passing the love to fellow comedians. He was followed by Bongo Dan whose solo performance explored the origins of the blues.

Bongo Dan was followed by Dedzik www.facebook.com/TwinDevilDedzik/?fref=ts whose hard core phrasings were strung together on a barb wired thread which cut deeply into every soul that accessorized them. It was after the echoes of his performance resurfaced the contours of the psyche did a break ensue in order to prepare the stage for the much anticipated featured performers for the evening. A great deal of excitement filled the room which crescendoed to fever pitch when they took their first step upon the stage.

From the first moments their voices touched the air with their divine qualities, the female trio known as “The Set Up” caught the gathering up in the flowing serenities of their harmonious utterings. A calmness in their measures allowed each listener to explore the subtext of each song they performed which revealed not only a new meaning to the work but of his/her life in general. This inspired an enthusiastic reception from the Living Room denizens that proved to be well deserved. The Set Up consists of Josefine Cardoni, Hannah Lee, and Charlie Cimino. You can learn more about them by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/thesetupp/?fref=ts.

It was after their performance did a raffle take place with the winner receiving a gift card to a local restaurant. With the help of co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly), Set Up member, Hannah Lee, picked the winning ticket which was received with great appreciation. A break ensued in order to prepare the stage for the next performer.

Guitarist Walter Lee (brother of Hannah Lee) took to the stage as the break concluded. His clarion voice echoed the substance of his songs as they were absorbed by each listener. He was followed by Guitarist Lauren Bruckstein of the band Azure www.facebook.com/AzureBandPA/?fref=ts whose haunting voice transfixed the gathering's communal conscientiousness toward a new awareness. She was followed by John who shared his A Capella renditions of a number of songs. John was followed by comedian Chris Jones who explored the endeavors of buying beer trunk side, life after college graduation, not having a life on Facebook, and the value of voting. The evening officially concluded with a performance given by Wilbium whose electronic musicianship led the crowd into a dance which transcended the senses.

After Wilbium concluded his performance, co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) stepped on stage to announce the main list of performances for the evening was exhausted and there was time enough to present those who placed their names on the waiting list. The first of these was co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) herself who shared poetry whose power permeated the room with their emotions. She was followed by a new comer to the venue named, “Brandy.” Her poetry blended into the mind of all who were touched by their words creating an understanding that transcended understanding. It was with Brandy's concluding words did co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) share her farewells with the gathering while expressing her appreciation for their endeavors and presence. Her words inspired those who heard them to share equally warm adieus with one another as they looked forward toward the next installment of The Sherman Theater's Living Room Open Mic Nite Series.

The next Open Mic Nite is scheduled to take place on Sunday February 28^th beginning at 7pm with sign ins beginning at 6:30pm. The featured performer for the evening will be Joe Craig. www.facebook.com/songsbyjoecraig?fref=ts Musicians, poets, writers, and anyone who would like to share something with a receptive audience are welcomed to do so. In the meantime, you'll be able to view the photographs we took during the Sunday February 21^st event in the A Harmonious Open Mic Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154599915063761.1073741946.91146283760&type=3.

The Sherman Theater’s Living Room is located at 522 Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA. You'll be able to view additional photographs taken during installments of their Open Mic Nites Series by their staff along with videos taken of interviews with the featured artists and the performances of some who attended the event on their Facebook Page. In addition to their Open Mic Nites Series, the venue also holds a number of concerts and special events. Please Explore The Sherman Theater’s Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom, The Sherman Theater's Website at www.shermantheater.com, or call 570-421-2808 for more information.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.

Celebrating Winter Birthdays at Origins

The Origins Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA hosted the 2^nd Annual Winter Birthdays Art Jam on Sunday February 21^st which honored the seasonal births of several individuals who reside in the local artistic community. They included Joy Taney, Carolyn Burbage, and Melissa Benzinger. The afternoon and early evening consisted of joyous music, opportunities to explore one's own creativity (including an invitation to add icing to the birthday cake), a birthday cuisine, and good conversations with good friends.

The Juggernaut String Band www.facebook.com/JuggernautStringBand who consisted of Peter Taney, Joy Taney, and Carolyn Burbage along with the duet known as Woodrow www.facebook.com/wearewoodrow which consists of Theresa Ratcliff and Brian Brancamp provided a variety of music that filled the hearts with measures of joyfulness. Tables were set up with sketch pads, paper, paints, charcoals, and other items that bade the large gathering who attended the event to indulge their artistic desires by drawing something wonderful. Many did and, although the quality of the pieces produced reflected the extent of the skill of the individual artist, a light shown through every work that inspired those who viewed it to marvel at the love that inhabited it.

In the midst of the music, conversation, and aesthetic explorations, a break ensued in which the gallery's curators, Jody Singer and Ashley Catherine Fontones, shared information about the gallery and the arts while expressing their thanks for all who were present and inviting the gathering back for their future endeavors. It was after their inspiring words did the highlight of the day arrived as the ceremoniously event of cutting the cake occurred. It was during the sharing of the tasty baked good was a raffle held in which those who held a ticket that was hidden underneath their chairs were eligible to win something cool. The digits that were called were accompanied by a profound excitement until the crescendo reached its zenith as the final number echoed against the triumphant cry of the winning ticket's holder.

The event continued on as more music was accompanied by tap dancing provided by Bob Lippi and more drawings were created which included those rendered by some of the musicians who shared their musical talents with one another. It was a great afternoon filled with great things. Happy birthday kids and may you all have many more. And, may we be there to help celebrate them with more Winter Birthdays Art Jams. You'll be able to view photographs taken during the event in The Celebrating Winter Birthdays at Origins Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154599832658761.1073741945.91146283760&type=3.

The Origins Gallery next endeavor will be their All the Ways to Say I Love You exhibition with the Artists' Reception scheduled for Saturday February 27^th. The event will also serve as celebration of Origins' first anniversary. All are invited to partake and reflect on the arts. Those who wish to contribute their work for the exhibition may do so. The drop off dates are February 25^th and 26^th.

The Origins Gallery is a contemporary arts gallery located at 580 Main St. in Stroudsburg, PA. In addition to their exhibitions and special events like the 2^nd Annual Winter Birthdays Art Jam, the Origins Gallery holds a number of art related festivals and provides a space to those who wish to teach and learn more about the arts. You can learn more about The Origins Gallery by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg or their Website at www.originsgallery.org.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.

St. Valentine's a Massacre, Old Chum

After a long holiday nap, The Origins Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA opened their doors to a much appreciative crowd on Thursday February 11^th whose vast numbers eagerly filled the venue in anticipation for its first event of 2016. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre Cabaret was hosted by The Carlton www.facebook.com/The-Carlton-766604210150855/?fref=ts and featured an evening filled with comedy and music indicative of the exemplary quality the gallery has become known for throughout its first year. A joy touched the hearts of the large gathering as friends, established and those meeting for the first time, conversed with one another while the stage was being prepared by a number of the gallery's staff with the stage lighting being provided by Reverend Dude photography www.facebook.com/reverenddudestudios. The good reverend also served as the event's official photographer.

After a time, the evening's host, The Carlton, took the stage to share his welcoming and appreciative remarks in the unique manner he has become known for. He then introduced the gallery's curators, Jody Singer and Ashley Catherine Fontones, who took the stage to share their appreciation with those who attended the event along with news of upcoming endeavors of the gallery and the art community. At the conclusion of their announcements, The Carlton retook the stage to introduce the first comedian of the night.

Andrew Michael Spence shared his fear of white people (in spite of being Caucasian) and his aspirations of creating a cinematic interpretation of Mega-man. A great deal of laughter punctuated the finale of each concept. After his performance, The Carlton retook the stage to introduce the next comedian who was Delmer Macosky. Mr. Macosky (who is from Wilkes Barre) slapped the room hard with his comedic perceptions which delighted the audience to no end as he shared the highlights of his life and the prospects of going to heaven afterwards. The Carlton returned to the stage after his set to introduce the headlining comedian who was Zack Hammond.

Mr. Hammond was the better known of the comedians among the Stroudsburg audience as he had appeared at the gallery and other local venues more frequently than the others. He opened this gig with a retelling of a number of previous gigs he performed in including opening for a diaper fitted band at a biker bar. He then moved on to exploring some fun things one can do after being diagnosed with cancer before committing suicide and the prospects of having children so they could be one's organ donors. These topics and Mr. Hammond's delivery of them brought about a great deal of laughter from the gathering. You can learn more about Zack Hammond by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/zackhammcomic.

After Mr. Hammond's set came to its conclusion, The Carlton returned to the stage to begin the musical part of the evening's program. The first performer in this genre was guitarist Chris Cee Rock Roberts www.facebook.com/crock113officialmusic whose powerful phrasings encapsulated the grittiness of life. As the final notes and lyrics of Mr. Roberts embedded themselves throughout the room, The Carlton returned to the stage to introduce guitarist Vanessa Marchiano of Jettison www.facebook.com/Jettison-256135561207791 who lured the denizens of the gallery into a labyrinth of wonderments through her songs and voice. As her performance ended to resonate in our collective subconsciousness, The Carlton returned to the stage to announce the band known as “The Set Up” www.facebook.com/thesetupp would be performing as soon as the stage was prepared for them. In other words, as the Carlton put it, they had to set up for The Set Up.

It was during this procedure did a great deal of frivolity grace the stage with some of the comedians playfully making their presence known during the interim. The members of the band made their was toward their instruments as the final touches to the stage were made. From the very first notes and utterances of the trio (who consists of Josefine Cardoni, Hannah Lee, and Charlie Cimino), the auric qualities of their songs encircled the life force of the audience with their harmonies. Their songs included a number of original pieces along with some written by other established artists. The later compositions included a unique interpretation of the song titled, “Billie Jean” which was originally written and sung by Michael Jackson and appears on the 1982 album titled, “Thriller.” Their rendition of the song elevated it and made it a more meaningful sub-texturally than the first version.

It was after their performance did The Carlton take the stage to announce the end of the show and to thank everyone for making the evening a great one which it was. He then turned the final minutes over to the gallery's curators, Jody Singer and Ashley Catherine Fontones, who reiterated and updated information about the gallery and the arts while sharing their thanks for all who were present and inviting the gathering back for their future endeavors. An excitement filled the audience at the prospects of enjoying the offerings of the venue during the remainder of 2016 as their eventual departures were embodied with conversations relating to the future.

The Origins Gallery next endeavor will be their one night only event titled, “Carnal Nature” on Saturday February 13^th featuring the work of Marty Carr and erotic artwork by community artists. This will be followed by their “All the Ways to Say I Love You” exhibition with the Artists' Reception scheduled for Saturday February 27^th. The event will also serve as celebration of Origins' first anniversary. All are invited to partake and reflect on the arts. Those who wish to contribute their work for the exhibition may do so. The drop off dates are February 25^th and 26^th. In the meantime, you can view photographs taken during the St. Valentine's Day Massacre Cabaret at The St. Valentine's a Massacre, Old Chum Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154571157023761.1073741944.91146283760&type=3.

The Origins Gallery is a contemporary arts gallery located at 580 Main St. in Stroudsburg, PA. In addition to the special events like their St. Valentine's Day Massacre Cabaret and exhibitions, the Origins Gallery holds a number of art related festivals and provides a space to those who teach the arts to those who would like to learn from them. You can learn more about The Origins Gallery by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg or their Website at www.originsgallery.org.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.

Rashaad Touches The Living Room

The Sherman Theater's Living Room in Stroudsburg, PA held another installment of their weekly Open Mic Nite Series www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom on Sunday February 7^th. A modest sized gathering of musicians, poets, and those who desired to partake of their talents by being their audience began to populate the venue. A joy filled the room to its emotional capacity as acquaintances and re-acquaintances were being made whose warmth offset the wintry chill that was in the air outside the abode of dreams.

The call for those wishing to perform was made and those who did eagerly placed their names upon the sign in sheet. It was after this did the event's co-host, Theresa Ratcliff, take the stage to welcome those who were present and introduced Bongo Dan who again volunteered to provide percussion to performers who desired it as he did the previous week. She then proceeded to introduce the first performer on the list who was Guitarist Nick Desouza who was accompanied by Bongo Dan. His set began the night with the smooth utterances found within his voice and instrument allowing those who were touched by his sounds to enjoy the effects of their mesmerizing properties. Nick was soon joined by vocalist, Elonda Vibez, whose voice moved the room to a heightened state through its rhythmic qualities.

As the echoes of Nick and company faded into the realm of eternity, co-host Emillie Day took the stage to introduce a poet known as “M. C.” to the gathering whose words had the ability to touched upon the realm of truth. He was followed by Ann Matthews who was introduced to the audience by co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) and performed a song exploring the properties of vowels while being accompanied by Bongo Dan and the audience through their participation. She was followed by the reemergence of co-host Emillie Day who took the stage to introduce the evening's featured performer.

Rashaad Taylor took the stage and explored a variety of musical styles originating from a number of established artists making each song his own while keeping the memory of their greatness alive. After his set, he was joined on stage by co-host, Satilia Rose (aka Tilly). Together, they selected a raffle ticket whose winner received a gift card from WaWa. It was after this did a break ensue.

Rashaad Taylor (aka Sugar Prince) has been singing since the age of 5 and has been inspired by the sounds created by B2K, Chris Brown, Omarion, R. Kelly, New Edition, Boyz II Men, James Brown, and Michael Jackson for which he is well known for his impersonations of the “King of Pop.” Mr. Taylor created his own EP titled, “Uh-Huh” in November 2013 through the “Vocalive” application on his i Phone. You can learn more about Rashaad Taylor by exploring his Website at www.reverbnation.com/rashaadtaylor.

After the break, the the performances resume as co-host, Satilia Rose (aka Tilly), introduced a poet known as Joe to the gathering and whose rhythmic renderings were met by the beats emanating from Bongo Dan's percussions with both recalling the mind expanding experiences of those attributed to the Beat Generation (Beatniks) of the 1950's and 60s. Co-Host Emillie Day then introduced Bobby Jo Moran whose poetic imagery cultivated a new landscapes in the mind's domain. She was followed by the duo known as “Woodrow” www.facebook.com/wearewoodrow/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf consisting of guitarist Brian Bramkamp and vocalist Theresa Ratcliff along with Bongo Dan as introduced by co-hosts Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) and Emillie Day. Together, they played the songs that were written on the heart and authored by the soul.

After an introduction given by co-host Emillie Day, Woodrow was followed by John F. who sang A Capella versions of songs whose measures were upon each string of the soul. Co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) then introduced Cody Wyoming who shared poetry that explored life through their stories which illuminated the essence of their existence. She also engaged the audience by asking what kind of fish reflected their feelings to which many thoughtfully responded. She was then joined by Co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) who shared some inspired moments together. They were followed by a poet known as Juice Box Fairy who was introduced by co-host Emillie Day and whose words touched the souls of many to the point where a number of the living room denizens touched the home of their hearts as they communed with its stirrings.

Juice Box Fairy was followed by Anthony DeRobertis (aka Frenesi Gates) who shared words that penetrated the gathering through their profundity. He was followed by co-hosts Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) and Emillie Day who shared the stage providing poetry that explore the realms of being. This was followed by a few impromptu jokes delivered by Cody Wyoming and co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) in succession. This was followed by Brad who graced the stage with a dance routine that enlivened the crowd. The evening concluded with an impromptu diversions which included a song consisting of the word “do” as sung by co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) inspiring those who know the words to sing along. Farewells and some final announcements were given by co-host Theresa Ratcliff as co-host Satilia Rose (aka Tilly) provided visual illustrations to her utterances. It was soon after this did the company of friends leave the venue to reflect on their experiences and to anticipate next week's event.

The next Open Mic Nite is scheduled to take place on Sunday February 14^th beginning at 7pm with sign ins beginning at 6:30pm. The featured performer for the evening will be Paul Knakk. www.facebook.com/PaulKnakkMusic/?fref=ts Musicians, poets, writers, and anyone who would like to share something with a receptive audience are welcomed to do so. In the meantime, you'll be able to view photographs taken during the Sunday February 7^th event in the Rashaad Touches The Living Room Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154560933568761.1073741943.91146283760&type=3.

The Sherman Theater’s Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. In addition to their Open Mic Nites series, the venue also holds a number of concerts and special events. Please Explore The Sherman Theater’s Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 or call 570-421-2808 for more information on the venue, all they have to offer, and how to be a part of it all.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.