performance/event news

~ I'm please to announce that I am working with two time Emmy Award winner Wayne Keeley.  He wrote a play titled, Waiting on the Sun.  Stephanie Lyons of Danbury is the Producer and Assistant Director.  Music is by the Doug Wahlberg Band.  It stars Scott Kegler, Stephanie Jordan and Mike Ripollone.

The show is a funny, heart-warming and very real window into the life of a young college student afflicted with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. 

Special thanks to everyone that attended performances of Waiting on the Sun at the Danbury Music Center.  If you were not able to come down, please note that the next scheduled show will be at the Ridgefield Playhouse.  The date will be on either August 2nd. or 9th.  I will let you know as soon as the date is confirmed.
 
For questions and reservations, please call The Wyatt Foundation at 203.312.9804.  You may also visit the website at http://www.thewyattfoundation.org
/waitingonthesun/index.html or send an email to the wyattfoundation@gmail.com.  

How did I get involved with this project, you may ask?  Well, my friend Doug Wahlberg mentioned the project and foundation to me last year.  As it came together, there was the need for additional entertainment, so, I contacted Wayne and the rest is history...  It's nice to be a part of this.

It has been some time since I worked in theater.  I was a technical geek in college, working as a sound designer and engineer on many productions.  I continued to do some freelance work after college, but gravitated to musical performance over the years.  It has always been in the back of my noodle to work in this area again.

I am honored to be helping out with stage managing, sound and marketing.  It's a slight departure from playing guitar, but it is surely exciting and news worthy!

Wayne, his wife Joanne and Stephanie Lyons created the Wyatt Foundation of CT, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity to benefit boys diagnosed with Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophies.  The foundation's mission is to also extend support to those with other terminal or chronic illnesses. 

Wayne and Joanne's son Wyatt was unfortunately diagnosed with Duchenne MD, prompting the creation of the foundation. 

With the help of many volunteers, the organization has held two wonderful benefits over the past year- please see below for details on the Chef's Table Event at Two Steps Downtown Grille and at the Sculpture Barn in New Fairfield.


~ On Saturday night, March 28th, the Wyatt Foundation hosted an important benefit at Two Steps Downtown Grille in Danbury, CT. 

The initial launch of this truly wonderful foundation was created by the Keeley family, in support of helping their son, Wyatt Keeley of New Fairfield, CT.  He was shockingly diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  Duchenne is the most lethal form of MD.  Currently, there is no cure.

Please click here to read the general background of how the history, foundation and benefits have all came together.  

Tom Devine, the Owner of Two Steps, has graciously offered his time, food and fine establishment to be the host site for the special Chef's Table event on 3/28, from 7:00pm-10:00pm. 

Yours truly performed throughout the evening.  Stephanie Lyon Shultz and many more people have also offered up their expertise and support to help make this night a success.

Please click here for more information as well...


~ The Georgetown Street Fair was held on Sunday, June 14th.  The event offered great food, music, arts, crafts and more.  Please click on the link for more info...  It's was an awesome afternoon for the whole family!!!

Thank you to everyone that came down.  Special thanks to Verryn Jennings for accompanying me on saxophone and djembe and especially Adam Lubarski for inviting me back this year. 


~ Acoustic Asanas is back!  I am very happy to announce that I am working with the owner, Gloria Owens of YogaSpace in Brookfield, CT. 

Aline Marie and I created "AA" two years ago.  We put it on hold temporarily, as she moved to California to pursue other endeavors.  We have been holding workshops when she's been home to CT for a visit.

Gloria was an integral part of helping "AA" come to fruition.  She was one of Aline's mentors.  While out in California, Aline and I continued to talk about the next step for "AA".  We always knew that other teachers and musicians may work, but they just had to be the right  ones. 

It just seemed natural to work with Gloria, so here we are.  We have Aline's blessing and believe that it's just another wonderful extension of the energy Acoustic Asanas offers atttendees.  

Gloria and I offered an impromptu classes during one of her regularly scheduled classes a couple of weeks ago.  It went over quite well- so, we're moving forward>>>

Thank you to everyone that attended our workshop on June 7th.  Please keep posted for future dates...


~ Sunday, May 3rd, I was fortunate to have debuted at The Candlewood Grille.   Please visit their website for more info at www.candlewoodgrille.com.

A big thank you to everyone that came down!

I performed throughout brunch from 12p-3p.  The response was great, as was the food!  The owner, management and waitstaff seemed quite happy as well. 

With that being said, I plan on returning in the near future.
Special thanks to Nancy Giordano of the wonderful band, The Eclectic Groove; for hooking me up with this gig! 
Please visit the bands website, for more info on upcoming gigs, music samples, etc...

I will keep you posted on my next scheduled performance.


Click here to continue reading more news.

 
John Waite and yours truly after the show--he requested that we "not" smile?   Sort of a play on his song-
"When I See You Smile"-hahaha, not!
Photo courtesy of John's crew



Cutting Room, NYC
Photo courtesy of Christine Berntsen


Cutting Room, NYC
Photo courtesy of Christine Berntsen


Cutting Room, NYC
Photo courtesy of Christine Berntsen


Cutting Room, NYC
Felicia Collins and Hubie Doobie 
Photo courtesy of Christine Berntsen


Cutting Room, NYC
My better half Christine & I- after the gig- it's party time... 
Photo courtesy of Cindy Wahlberg



Thursday night open mic/jam at The Georgetown Saloon
Hangin' with Jose Feliciano


Hyatt Regency, Greenwich, CT
Performing & Celebrating for the Georgetown Saloon 
winning two huge awards...
Photo courtesy of Christine Berntsen


Jammin' at Brian and Jill Ready's wedding reception
Tupper Lake, NY
Photo courtesy of Jill Ready