Saturday, March 20, 2010

Our secrets sleep in winter clothes

In honor of the first day of spring, here are some of my favorite winter memories, in random order.

Discovering 17 Frost.   There is a big difference between Manhattan open mics and Brooklyn open mics.  And an even bigger difference between regular Brooklyn open mics and awesome warehouses that you stumble across that no one really knows about with amazing sound equipment, projectors, screens, couches, and an art gallery.  Not only do the people actually care about sound there, they are supportive of a lot of different types of music and I feel so lucky that I have gotten to showcase my sound there without having to wait over 4 hours to play just two songs. 
Snowball fight 2010.  This was the first time I'd been involved in three consecutive snowball fights with perfect strangers.  The night of the big blizzard, Chad, Dustin, Garrison, Angie, and I ventured out to McCarren Park where there were giant snowmen, an igloo, and a lot of Brooklynites just waiting to throw snow around at random people. 
Cinderella.  My first lead in a musical since 2001.  I did come out here for a reason!  I love moments that prove that. 
Mark's Dinner Party.  (picture on right)  Delicious five course tasting menu provided by Cristina and Mark.  I didn't even hear one fight --I think they need to open a restaurant together!  And thanks to Mark's eclectic music taste, we had a dance party that involved Ace of Base and plenty of Disney. 
Christmas in Williamsburg.  This was our first Christmas in New York.  My parents (being the supportive, good sports that they are) flew out to see my holiday show and spend Christmas with Chad, Garrison and me.  Supportive, because it was the Tortoise and the Hare's Holiday Hoop-la (not the most riveting show I've ever done) and good sports because they ran 1 avenue block and 5 street blocks in record time to see Mary Poppins when the cab driver dropped us at the wrong intersection.  I loved having everyone at the apartment and just being together.  It was a much different feeling than spending Christmas in a big house where everyone is sort of spread out.  We opened our presents at night with all of the candles lit and I'll never forget that feeling of peacefulness that I had.   
New Years Party.  We all wrote down one thing we would leave behind and one thing we would take with us into the new year on slips of paper.  Then at midnight we burned them in Cristina's makeshift "fire bowl" on the roof of our apartment.  It started out with just the people from our party (which was an unexpected amount anyway) and ended up getting the attention of all of the parties on the roof.  We knew it was time to hide the fire bowl when someone asked if she could throw fireworks into it.  Mark, being the protective fire marshall he is, persuaded the girl into thinking that was not the best idea...haha.  Even though I wasn't able to fully play Auld Lang Syne on my guitar for everyone by the time it reached midnight, it was a grand Brooklyn New Years. 

Monday, March 1, 2010

First song for Hansel and Gretel is done! Listen at www.sparrowtree.org!

Witches Have Red Eyes, the third song in Hansel and Gretel, has now been completed! At this point, it’s the only song in the show to be mixed and recorded and ready for people to hear! One of my favorite musicians/singer/songwriters is Zach Condon of the group, Beirut. A lot of the music for this show is inspired by his sound. I am so grateful to the SparrowTree members for really pulling together and making this happen. It just wouldn’t have been the same without their help and passion for the project. This was truly a collaborative process, from Chad mixing to Dustin singing and Garrison playing the djembe.

Last Monday we all drove an hour out of the city to a forest to film some footage to go with the song. We were all freezing and looked rather insane I’m sure running through the forest (with Angie in her hooded witch cloak -- long, brown and tattered, Dustin in his knickers and knee socks, and Garrison running around chanting with a tambourine). We were all freezing by the end, but the finished product will be totally worth it. The video will be the next thing to go up on the site, so be sure to check back! This song is a great example of collaboration and teamwork and I’m so proud that we made it happen. Thank you SparrowTree!