EVENTS RETROSPECTIVE


The list runs back to 1971, with a lot of stuff left out. It includes music, poetry, acting, etc as well as some Open Mics I've played.

2023  EVENTS
  • October 29 -Putnam house Open Mic - Blow me away, Shalain, Stranded in Starlight
  • October 22 -Putnam house Open Mic - Love Makes You Free, Come Down Little Bird, Shalain
  • October 15 -Putnam House Open Mic - Lay down and die, Blow me away, Shalain
  • October 13 - Harmony Grange #92 Music Circle Open Mic - Shalain, community organizer song, lay down & die
  • October 5 - Molten Java Rainbow Open Mic: Come down little bird, not sure what else
  • August 11- Harmony Grange #92 open mic not sure what I played,,,
  • August 6 Putnam House Open Mic (photo by Debbie  Light who kept me from chickening out!)

  • June 21 -- Read a few poems at the Bang-the-Can poetry event, on the Steps of the Ridgefield Library as a part of Make Music Day. Thanks to the out-going poet laureate of that town B. Fulton-Jennes for the invite. 
  • June 9 -- Harmony Grange #92 open mic in Monroe.— oh boy - someone I know found my old MUSIC on ReverbNation. So I got the opportunity to jump back into playing singing a bit in the HAD A GREAT TIME even though it's been years and years since I sang. Did the only two songs I'd practiced up for the occasion - Blow Me Away and Love Makes You Free. Have to get  a few more of the old tunes ready for the future!
  • ——————————————-
    2016  EVENTS
    • July 16, read as a featured poet at Ameen Storm's "Poetry Is Music" (it's 21st year), Railroad Plaza, North Canaan CT. Performers includedTom Nicotera, Victoria Munoz and Ameen himself, as well as several music groups, a very artistic Lebanese bellydancer, Eliseva and a REALLY spectacular fireworks display from Railroad Days. 
    • Earlier this year (2016) I read some poems as a guest at a Poetry Salon at the Oxford Grange hosted by Victoria Munoz. Can't recall the date though. Great time!
    2015  EVENTS
    • Was scheduled to read at the 2015 Newtown Arts Festival, but illness prevented.
    • April  - Read a poem at Side by Side, an ARC even at Hawthorne, NY.
    • March: On a borrowed guitar, I played two songs at the Common Ground in Danbury during their monthly open mic.
    2014  EVENTS
    • Oct 12, played a six-song set at the New Milford Harvest festival open mic - Shalain, Hoarder's Lament, Come Down Little Bird, Love Makes You Free, I Bet It All On You, Pegasus. Thanks to Don Lowe who hosted.
    • Oct 11, at the invitation of Good Medicine Rx I played one song "Shalain" at Dee Calvey's opening at the Cornwall Bridge Gallery.
    • Sept 13  2:30pm - Read in the POETRY SALON tent at the Newtown Arts Festival. 
    • Sept 6  Read poetry as a part of The Connecticut Beat Poetry Festival) even 12:30-5pm at The Buttonwood Tree 605 Main St Middletown. 
    • August 29, 2014 - played three songs as a special guest of Two Dollar Hat at Vivo Bar And Grill.
    • Open Mic - Thursday Night Open Mic at River Bistro hosted by Chris Ellis.
    • July 16, 2014 -1249 Winebar, Waterbury. Poetry Feature 
    • June 26, 2014 - Open Mic - Thursday Night Open Mic at River Bistro hosted by Chris Ellis. WORLD PREMIER (HAHAHA) of my newest tune, Hoarder's Lament written in memory of the woman who recently died when her floor collapsed.. Also played Love Makes You Free and I Bet it all on you....
    • June 17, 2014 - Open Mic at Hideaway Kitchen Bar hosted by Fred Ball. I sang a three song set with the theme of cars. Two originals: She wouldn't Take me home & Old Back Road, plus a song written by John Zansal called Roll on Old Car
    • June 11, 2014 - Open Mic: the All-American Valley General Store in Seymour Wed. Acoustic open mic. Love Makes You Free.
    • June 9, 2014 - Open Mic: the Town Crier in Beacon NY hosted b Don Lowe. Lay Down and Die, Love Makes You Free.
    • June 5, 2014 - Open Mic: Inaugural date of the New Thursday Night Open Mic at the River Bistro, hosted by Chris Ellis. (Formerly Tuesday/59 Bank St) Pegasus, Love Makes You Free. Lay Down and Die. "?I Bet It All On You?"
    • May 27, 2014 - Open Mic: Four songs at Hideaway Kitchen Bar Open Mic hosted by Fred Ball. Songs were: The Marigold Song, Love Makes You Free, Blow Me Away, Pegasus.
    • May 20, 2014 - Open Mic: Three songs at the Hideaway Kitchen Bar Open Mic hosted by Fred Ball. Songswere WishigStone, Stranded in the Starlight & I Bet it All On You.
    • May 1-18 2014 my paintings Spacious No1 and Glaring Irregularity hung at the Richter Arts Association members show.
    • April 2014  my painting, North Country View, is hung at Art & Frame in their By Land or Sea Show.
    • 2/4/2014 Open Mic: Hideaway Kitchen Bar Open Mic, hosted by Fred Ball played a three song set.

    2013  EVENTS
    • 11/26/2013 Hideaway Kitchen Open Mic hosted by Fred Ball Played a three song set.
    • 9/28.2013 Last minute on-the-spot call by Robin Sampson to read three poems at the 100,000 poets against gun violence reading at West Conn's westside campus. Event by Brian Clements. Following the wonderful Leslie McGrath, I read Compression, Survivors and Ashes to Ashes.
    • Sometime in Sept 2013 I played at an Open mic at the Bayou in Ridgefield host that night by Fred Ball. Lots of fun. Don't recall the play list now.
    • September 6, 2013, a featured poet at  Evening With Tiffany at the New Britian Museum of American Art.  A Voices of Poetry event.
    • August 22, 2013 - played four original tunes one Zanzal special accapella at Fred Balls new Thursday Evening Open mic at the Putnam House in Bethel. Met a lot of folks and had great time
    • August 10, 2013 - a featured poet for PoemAlley Presents Cafe-Night - a one night stand for the arts, at the Stamford UUs.
    • August 7, 2013 -  Played 4 originals (Marigold, Stranded in Starlight, Love Makes You Free & old Back Roads) at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultral Center Open Mic, hosted by The Blue Yodels. First time with the new Luna Dragon Fly. I put this stuff here so I can remember it as years go by!
    • July 31, 2013 OM Played 2 original songs (Love Makes You Free & Blow Me Away) with Bob's Blueridge Acoustic at the Greater Danbury Irish Cultral Center Open Mic, hosted by The Blue Yodels. First time in a while.
    • July 13, 2013, noon - Amazing Grace at a private memorial service in Denville, NJ
    • May 4, 2013, 1pm-4pm  at the Buttonwood Tree in Middletown --  Joint reading with the extraordinary Fatih Vicinanza - A Free Poets Collective event!
    •   Feb. 16,  2013 --  Words of Love, a Voices of Poetry event at the Bank Street Coffeehouse in New Milford, CT. Other readers for this event were, Susan Tuz, Joan Kantor, Faith Vicinanza,  and VOP organizer Neil Silberblatt.
                                            
      2012  EVENTS

    • Sept. 13, 2012 - Woman's Voices, 7pm at the Bank Street Cofeehouse. A reading organized by Susan Tuz featured readings by Susan Tuz, Joan Kantor, Robin Sampson and MM Walker.
    • July 8 2012, War Words, at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, readers include: Jay Albrecht ; Terry Dugan ; Hostage Poet; Ira Eliasoph; Deborah Maier; Eric Marx; Casey Minter; Laura Vookles; MM Walker; Dayle Wise
    • April 29, 2012 - Visions And Voices - poetry at New Britain Museum of American Art, with the Free Poets Collective.- 1-4pm
    • April 28, 2012, 3-5pm - Mysteries of Light: A Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Nobel Laureate, Odysseas Elyti--with featured poet Nick Samaras; Unitarian Universalist Society in Stamford, 20 Forest Street, Stamford, Ct 06901
    • April 14, 2012-  2-5pm+ Festivities of Nowruz (Persian Festival of New Light ie Spring) at the Nest Arts Factory in Bridgeport, Arists, Musicians, Poets - read  POETRY with Victoria Munoz, Natty Congo and Wild Bill Firehands.
    • April 12, 2012 - MUSIC OM Once again am ramping up!! - went down to Molten's open mike and played Disappear in the Dark and Love Makes You Free. Yalza! Good time!
    • April 2, 2012 - GotPoetry Live  II where I'm half a double feature with Robin Sampson, it's at Cafemantic, 948 Main in Willimantic, CT.  6:30-8:30pm.
    • Jan 31, 2012 - REGIONAL POETRY SLAM in NYC with White Plains Ny Slam Team. This was my very last slam ever anywhere ever- all done, period.
    • Jan 25, 2012 - MUSIC OM: Went to Al Rivoli's brand new open mic at Casablaca,  and played two sets or originals including: Love Makes You Free, Lost Opportunity,  the Marigold Song, I Bet it All on You, Lay Down and Die, Blow Me Away, Elves on Expresso (World Preimier!) -  not sure what else.


    2011  EVENTS
    • DEC. 20, 2011 PROSE: Featured Reading with Erobintica and Faith of Shijin/SubQ at the Erotic Literary Salon at the Time Absinethe Lounge in Philadelphia, PA  I read my original comic story called Lipolt and the Amazons    
    • Dec 18, 2011 - MUSIC GIG: a half hour music set as part of the Molten-is-Moving Send Off Concert! I am honored to do my bit for Molten Java - long time haven of eccentricity, zany art and HOT JAVA!!
      Molten Java Jazz Trio 12-1:30pm
      Marc Huberman – 1:30-2pm
      MM Walker – 2-2:30pm
      Joey Vee – 2:30-3pm
      The Hip Replacements 3-3:45pm
      Seth Lefferts and the Side Effects 4-4:45pm
      Amanda Bloom 5-5:30pm
      Neil Corday 5:30-6pm
      My Dad's Truck 6-7pm
      Michel Rae Driscoll 7-7:30pm
      Phoenix Tree 7:30-8:15pm
      J.D. Hill – 8:15-8:45pm
      Mr. Happy Cloud 8:45-9:15pm
      Burnkit2012 til closing
      • Oct 26, 2011 - POETRY OM: Appeared as Egor at Wedpoetry. Haha. Read a very short silly poem "Mouse Trap"
      • Oct. 16, 2011 - POETRY : A Celebration of the Women Beats, 11-2:30 at Broad Street Books in Middletown CT. (the date and venue here are changed) I read found poems from the words of Jay DeFeo, and a reaction poem to The Rose. This was a Free Poets Collective event.
      • Oct 6 2011 - MUSIC OM at the Hideaway, sang three songs: Blow Me Away, Come Down Little Bird, Stranded in Starlight
      • Oct 5 - POETRY OM: read "Travel Ready" at the White Plains Library OM.
      • Sept. 29, 2011 Sang three songs in the MUSIC OM at Molten Java, Blow Me Away, Love Makes You Free and the Marigold Song.
      • Sept 15th, 1st, Aug 25, 2011, MUSIC OM, Hideaway: 9/15-Love Makes You Free, Song for the Hiram Hog, The Marigold Song; 9/1-In Search of Our Dreams, Stranded in the Starlight & Love Makes You Free 8/25-Carey & my tune Love Makes You Free. 
      • Sept 14th - WNPS OM read my poem "Travel Ready"
      • August 24, 2011 - MUSIC At "Joni Mitchell Night" OM at WNPS, played Carey,  He Played Real Good For Free & my own song, Love Makes You Free
      • August 11, 2011, POETRY SLAM NATIONALS 9pm @ the Cantab, Cambridge, MA -  for Team White Plains
      • August 10, 2011, POETRY SLAM NATIONALS 7pm @ the Democracy Center, Cambridge, MA - for Team White Plains
      • July 19, 2011 (and again on Aug 2) MUSIC OM Tuesday Open Mic at 59 Bank Street - Most unexpectedly on 7/19 I won the open mic gift certificate
      • July 14 and Aug 8, 2011 MUSIC a Thursday night OM at the HideAway Cafe in Newtown CT
      • July 12, 2011- POETRY SLAM, regional 4 way slam - with Team White Plains at the Bowery Poetry Club. TWP finished in forth place we had a GREAT time.
      • June 28, 2011 POETRY read before the first -ever Zork Slam at the Vet Memorial Center, Harrison, NY with Team White Plains
      • April 12, 2011 POETRY At the New Britain Museum of American Art with the Free Poets Collective - a poem written for the occasion - http://freepoetscollective.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=123697723
      • January 26, 2011 POETRY SLAM Performance/Regional Slam with Team White Plains at the Bowery Poetry Club
      2010  EVENTS:
      • June 27, 2010 - a MUSIC & POETRY performance at the City Steam Brew Pub in Hartford for the "last hurrah" event of the Riverwood Poetry Festival.
      • April 24, 2010 - POETRY with Shijin for the Riverwood Poetry Series at the Buttonwod Tree in Middletown, CT
      • April 24, 2010 POETRY at the Green Fuse at Poem Alley in Stamford CT.
      • Feb 2010 POETRY SLAM with Team White Plains at the Bowery Poetry Club.... (gotta check the date)
      • Jan 11, 2010 - POETRY with Shijin, Monday Night Poetry, Town Center Barnes & Noble, Stamford, CT
      2009 EVENTS:
      • Sept. 12, 2009 MUSIC, Gig Singer-Songwriter, Ct Folk Festival 's Tour des Farms,which was a musical bicycle tour of scenic farms near New Haven CT which featured a different folk artist at each stop. 
      • Aug. 5, 2009 MUSIC - new song "Dangerous Dan" at Wednesday Night Poetry for the going away party of Dan DeRosa.
      • July 21, 2009 POETRY Feature for Poem Alley, at Curley's Diner, Stamford, CT
      • July -, 2009 - Invitational POETRY Salon, Freight Street Gallery, Waterbury, CT
      • June 27 POETRY was invited to read with the "Outlaw Poets," in Middletown as part of Riverwood Poetry Festival, but was unable to (Memorial service.)
      • June, 2009 - POETRY: read for a stop on the Elm City Cyclists Poetry Tour in New Haven CT.
      • Feb 13, 2009 - POETRY: with Shijin at Cornelia Street Cafe, NYC, NY
      • Feb 5, 2009 - POETRY: Feature at Concluencia Playbox Theatre, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT with Kenneth Lundquist Jr, Paula Panzarella, Ravi Shankar and Kate Russian
      • Jan 21, 2009 - POETRY SLAM: Won the Wednesday Night Poetry Slam, Molten Java, Bethel, CT
      • Jan 1, 2009 - POETRY: Read at Ex Tenebris Rising at the Bowery St Cafe, NY (second reader in open myk)
      2008 Events
      • Dec -, 2008 - MUSIC GIG: AARP Christmas Luncheon, Brookfield, CT
      • Nov 15, 2008 - POETRY: with Shijin at ArtWell Gallery in Torrington, CT
      • Oct 3, 2008 - POETRY SLAM at NorthBeast Regionals for Team White Plains @ the Cantab in Cambridge, MA - Again, a last minute call to fill in....
      • Aug 20, 2008 - POETRY: Feature for Weds Night Poetry, Molten Java, Bethel, CT
      • July 30, 2008 - POETRY: with Shijin for the Wednesday Night Poetry Series, Bethel CT
      • June 8, 2008 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Benedictus from Mozart Requiem at Rob's funeral
      • June 7, 2008 -POETRY: had to cancel my reading at CT Beat Festival but sent Anne Marie Marra to read in my slot. She was a hit!
      • May 2, 2008 - POETRY: Feature at First Tuesday Poetry Series, Wilton Borders
      • Mar 21, 2008, POETRY: with Shijin for Word of Mouth, temporarily at Long Wharf Theatre, rehearsal room.
      • Mar 3, 2008 - POETRY: with Shijin for the Long Wharf Theatre Guild, New Haven CT
      • MUSIC CLASSICAL: Various events associated with my church job as a mezzo/alto at St Marys.
      2007 EVENTS
      • Dec, 2007 - MUSIC GIG: AARP Christmas Luncheon
      • Oct 12, 2007 - POETRY SLAM at NorthBeast Regionals for Team White Plains in Cambridge, MA@ WMCA It was a last minute call to fill in....
      • MUSIC CLASSICAL: Various events associated with my church job as a mezzo/alto at St Marys.
      2006 EVENTS: 

      • July 8, 2006 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Opera Gala Soloist, Irvington, NY Roles: Adalgisa, (for two duets and a trio from Bellini's Norma) Juno (A Aria from Handel's opera Semele)
      • July 6, 2006 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Mistryel's Classical Recital, Art Song Festival, Terrytown Reform Church, Terrytown, NY
      • Apr.14, 2006, MUSIC CLASSICAL: soloist, Maurice Greene, Lord Let Me Know Mine Good Friday, St Mary's R.C. Church
      • Apr. 9, 2006 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Mezzo-soprano soloist Works: Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, & Mendelssohn's ,Denn in Seiner Hand Ist. With the Artimes String Quartet, Harpsichordist Maxim Vladimiroff, & Soprano Dominique Hellsten. Palm Sunday Concert at St Mary the Virgin Church in Chappaqua, NY
      • Feb, 26, 2006 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: soloist, Sowerby, I Will Lift up Mine Eyes, alto solo & 4-part choir, St. Mary's Church for a visit by the Bishop Lori arrgh!
      • Feb 24, 2006 -POETRY: with Shijin at Kafe Internationale in Chershire CT
      • Jan 26, 2006 - POETRY: with three other Shijin at Wednesday Night Poetry Series, Molten Java, Bethel CT
      2005, 2004 EVENTS:
      • Dec. 24, 2005 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Soloist: Handel, Oh Thou That Tellest , alto aria with recietive from the Messiah), St Mary's Church.
      • Jan 1, 2005 - POETRY a featured poet, Total Eclipse, 11th Alternative New Years Day Spoken Word Reading, Bowery Poetry Club, NYC, NY (there were 150 features.....)
      • Poetry with Shijin during 2004-2005:
      • The Utter Folly Tour Send-Off Bash, Bethel Arts Junction
      • the Long Wharf Theatre Guild, New Haven, CT
      • Kafe Internationale, Cheshire, CT
      • BAR 13 in Manhattan, NY,
      • Colony Cafe in Woodstock, NY,
      • The Arts & Literature Laboratory in New Haven, CT,
      • Borders Books in Wilton CT, --------------------->
      • Borders Books in Mt Kisco, NY.
      • AND (Naturally): The Wednesday Night Poetry Series.

      • Dec. 12, 2004 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Soloist: Handel, Oh Thou That Tellest , alto aria with recietive from the Messiah), St Mary's Church,
      • Oct 17, 2004 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: soloist, Sowerby, I Will Lift up Mine Eyes, alto solo & 4-part choir, St. Mary's Church
      • June 2004 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Chorus ringer with small part - Purcell's Dido & Aeneas adapted by Michel Dilthey: Trio Sailor, Marymount College, Tarytown, NY
      • Jan 16, 2004 - POETRY: Feature at Word of Mouth, at All Gallery (the Arts & Literature Lab, 5 Edwards St, New Haven, CT http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/yale-readings/2004-January/000022.html
      • Jan 1, 2004 - POETRY: In From the Cold, Alternative New Years Day Spoken Word Reading, Bowery Poetry Club, NYC, NY 
      2003 EVENTS: 
      • July 2003 - ACTING: Helga Ten Dorp in DeathTrap at the Warner's studio theatre in Torrington, CT
      • Apr 2, 2003 - ACTING/ POETRY Feature: Philym Poeticus, Roles: Sherry Simple, Sylvia Van Cleeves Thumpemeir, Natalie Essoterra at Bethel Arts Junction for Wednesday Night Poetry.
      • Apr, 2003 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Semi- finalist Frederick Schor Memorial Vocal Competition, Danbury CT - Visi d'arte from Pucinni's Tosca.
      • Mar. 2003 - ACTING: Hattie Glick/Lucretia DeWitt in My Fatal Valentine, Bethel Library Benefit performance, Stony Hill Inn, Bethel Ct.
      • Mar. 15 2003 - POETRY - Giving a Nature Poetry Workshop at the Pratt Center.
      2002 EVENTS:
      • Dec, 2002 - ACTING: Charwoman & ensemble (w/ 4 costume & makeup changes!) Main Stage, Warner Theatre, Torrington, CT
      • May 2002 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Scenes,Verdi's Aida: Amneris, CCOPA New Milford, CT

      2001 EVENTS
      • Dec. 2001 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Scenes, Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte: Dorobella, plus Scene, Weber's, The Freeshooters: Agathe - CCOPA, New Milford, CT
      • Dec, 2001 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Concert Soloist: Vivaldi's Gloria: mezzo-soloist, Concordia Chorale, New Milford, CT
      • Aug. 2001 - ACTING: Mrs French in Ravenscroft at the Sherman Playhouse, Sherman CT
      • May, 2001 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Concert Soloist: Rene Clauson's All That Hath Life and Breath: Concordia Chorale
      • Apr. 2001 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Scenes, Mozart's Marriage of Figarro: Marcellina CCOPA, Springfest






      2000 EVENTS: 
      • Nov. 2000 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Scene,Verdi's Otello: Desdemona Shakespearean Dreams, CCOPA
      • Nov. 2000 - MUSIC CLASSICAL: Sang in a Master Class with Orin Brown of the Juilliard School, sang "Voi lo Sapeta O Mama," from Cavalleria Rusticana, at CCOPA, New Milford, CT
      • Oct, 2000 - ACTING: Marmee, Little Women, CCOPA
      • Aug. 2000 - MUSICAL THEATRE: Widow Corney, Oliver at the Warner Theater, Torrington, CT
      • July 22, 200 - POETRY: feature with Faith Vicinanza at POETRY IS MUSIC #5 put on by Ameen Storm in Canaan CT.
      1999 EVENTS:
      • Oct 1999, - Music: "Nearsighted" at the CCOPA Cabaret night performance, New Milford, CT
      • Aug 1999 - MUSICAL THEATRE: chorus & understudy to Katasha, The Mikado at Riverfest in New Milford, CT



      1998 EVENTS:
      Sept. 30, 1998 - POETRY - feature at Kolekolo World Coffee hosted by Victoria Rivas. John Basinger came out to hear me! A memorable day. There's a tiny note on this page midway down
      POETRY SLAM: I Slammed in and around CT and won a place as an alternate to the CT Slam Team that year. Foolishly resigned and DID NOT GO TO NATIONALS in Austin Texas that year. Victoria Rivas (only a quarter point difference in our scores) went instead and had a great time!  Slams venues included the Buttonwood, and a semifinals or finals event (I forget) at RJ Julia's in Madison on Mother's Day. (A Mother's Day mine will never forget. She said slam was too depressing after that...)

      In New Hampshire or Maine: 89-92
      1980s intermittent Music gigs:

      • MUSIC: Bar folk singer, four 40-minute sets a night, usually one weekend a month, dragging around my own sound system. Area bars - most aren't around anymore. One in Branchville where I played once weekend a month for almost a year, is now an antique store.

      1970-71 - MUSIC: Back when I was religious and attending a bible college during my sophomore year I was booked out six weeks in advance (by the school's service department) as a Christian folk singer to churches in the outlying areas. I played at banquets and youth groups, outreach coffee houses, etc.etc.
      • ***During this time I once opened for Ray Hillabrand (of Paul and Paula) who had become a Christian and was doing an evangelistic gig right in Philadelphia. He used my guitar to warm up with and I remember being thrilled. That was the largest audience I had ever played for - around 3,000 people.***
      • I was also on a radio show locally (WLAD?) as a singer-songwriter I think when I was still in H.S. or  shortly after. - I have that on reel to reel somewhere. I was very young and nervous.
      1967-69
      The beginning of my performances: the high school talent show. two different years.