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© 2004 by Avian Music LLC
upcoming events
August 2004
Photo-Op by Conrad Cummings
A presidential campaign opera (Click here to hear music samples)Monday, August 30, 2004 - shows at 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Cornelia Street Cafe
29 Cornelia Street, New York, NY.
Tickets available at the door; $15 with a one drink minimum.
$5 discount for anyone who presents convention floor credentials!“A bright new future for you and for me”
As the Republicans open their Convention uptown, New York’s premiere offbeat new music ensemble Avian Music and 21st Century Schizoid Music present the alternative campaign opera Photo-Op in a special one-night engagement at the Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street, NYC). With bold proclamation, heart-wrenching oratorio, and idealistic references that never grow stale, Photo-Op, composed by Conrad Cummings with lyrics by James Siena, will be performed by the Avian Orchestra with special guests singers Laura Heimes and Curtis Streetman.
“Let’s never give up on more jails for more criminals.”
Photo-Op is an hour-long biting musical satire of politi-speak, public posturing, and the private thoughts behind attention grabbing sound bites. A pair of political candidates, portrayed by two singers backed by a small instrumental ensemble, deliver campaign speeches and gradually and unbeknownst to themselves, reveal the hidden thoughts behind their seemingly innocuous pronouncements. Listen to excerpts at www.avianmusic.com/upcoming.html
Photo-Op Music Samples
“Let’s fight terrorism at home as well as abroad.”
Speaking of the event, Robin Hirsch, co-owner of the Cornelia Street Cafe said, “We have a long tradition here at the Cafe of politically engaged entertainment, our version of the great Weimar era cabarets. Cummings’s and Siena’s Photo-Op is squarely in the tradition of Weill, Brecht, and Blitzstein, and we’re proud to present it in the space where William Kunstler and Eugene McCarthy read their poetry and where Eve Ensler originated her Vagina Monologues.”
“I believe in something . . ."
These performances of Photo-Op are a campaign season warm-up for the Avian Orchestra’s pre-election political music extravaganza, "The Sweet Sounds of Politics", scheduled for late October that, in addition to Photo-Op, will include new works by Avian Orchestra director Peter Flint, Scott Wheeler, and several up-and-coming composers along with a smorgasbord of historical presidential campaign songs presented in devastating deadpan by the singer-songwriter Brian Dewan. A webcast of the August 30th performances will be available for download on demand at NewMusicBox.org between Oct. 15 to Nov. 15, 2004.
". . . but I’ve forgotten what it was.”
This event is presented as part of the Imagine Festival of Arts, Issues & Ideas, a citywide cultural festival designed to inspire, instigate and support civic engagement. From August 28-September 2 the Imagine Festival will present over 100 cultural events in 6 days including concerts, performances, forums, town meetings, exhibits, screenings, and other issue-based artworks. www.imagine04.org
October 2004
The Sweet Sounds of Politics
(The Avian Orchestra votes with notes)October 27, 28, 29 at 8pm
Loft 343, 343 Canal Street at Church Street, 4th Floor, NYC, NY
Tickets $20; available at the door.A pre-election political music extravaganza that will feature Conrad Cummings' Photo-Op, new works by Avian Orchestra director Peter Flint, Scott Wheeler, and several up-and-coming composers, along with a smorgasbord of historical presidential campaign songs presented in devastating deadpan by the singer-songwriter Brian Dewan.
Guest performers include soprano Lauara Heimes, baritone Curtis Streetman, violinist Greg Fulkerson, and stage direction by Michael Johnson Chase.
Funded in part through the Meet The Composer Fund program with the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the Jerome Foundation.
For more information, contact info@avianmusic.com
