Symphony Space News

Composer Fred Coscia has announced the release of his holiday single, 'Magical Christmas Cheer' featuring vocals by renowned actress and vocalist Leandra Ramm. Fred Coscia wrote 'Magical Christmas Cheer' in 2011 as an expression of the joy he has experienced during the holiday season. Coscia has re-recorded the song with Leandra Ramm in hopes of bringing this heart warming new holiday classic to audiences across the globe.

Please stay tuned for all of this season's eclectic and exciting performances in the Just Kidding series. Don't miss the holiday season shows with GRAMMY NOMINEE Elizabeth Mitchell this Saturday, December 15th, and Uncle Rock's New Year's weekend concert on December 29th. Perennial favorites will return in the new year, including Justin Roberts (February 23). Other scheduled performers include The KamiKaze Fireflies (January 12), Moona Luna (January 19), Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band (February 2), The Deedle Deedle Dees (March 2) and Hot Peas 'N Butter (April 13).

Valentina Kozlova's Dance Conservatory Company returns to Symphony Space for their delightful production of Tchaikovsky's full-length NUTCRACKER, today, December 8 at 5 PM, followed by a repeat performance on December 22 at 4 PM at Guild Hall in East Hampton. Guest Daniyar Shmanov, principal with the Kazakh State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, joins the company of professional dancers and students of Kozlova's midtown school (at Symphony Space).

The Hudson River Mummers, led by Henry Chapin (New York Revels at Symphony Space), will take to the June Havoc Stage at Abingdon Theatre Company (312 West 22nd Street) on December 15 at 2pm. Admission is free. This 25-year old troupe performs all over the tri-state area, celebrating the shortest day of the year at the Winter Solstice and the rebirth of the New Year.

Featuring a concert version of King's Bessie-nominated piece Astral Epitaphs that was commissioned by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for its final shows at the Park Avenue Armory in Dec. 2011, the music of New York composer John King (www.johnkingmusic.com) will be presented at Brooklyn's Roulette tonight, December 7 at 8pm.

The Chelsea Symphony announces the third concert series of the orchestra's seventh season with a performance tonight, December 7 at 8 PM at St. Paul's Church, 315 West 22nd Street, New York NY 10011. The program will showcase a world premiere by Chelsea Symphony composer Seth Bedford entitled In a Snowy Day: Poem for Orchestra, as well as Chelsea Symphony resident composer Aaron Dai's The Night Before Christmas, narrated by special guest Mo Rocca.

Goldstar - the leading membership-based web retailer of half-price live entertainment tickets-announces the nominees for the 6th annual Goldstar National Nutcracker Award today.

Soprano saxophonist/composer and former NASA artist Jane Ira Bloom brings her trio to the December concert series at The Stone curated by Min Xiao Fen & Scott Amendola. The concert is set for December 20, 2012, at 8 p.m., featuring Jane Ira Bloom on soprano saxophone, Mark Helias on bass and Bobby Previte on drums.

Award-winning singer and PBS/WNET and NY affiliates Host Cristina Fontanelli brings her program of Italy's best-loved songs, arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics during her 9th-Annual "Christmas In Italy" concert at the Peter J. Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space today, December 1 at 3:00 PM.

The New YorK Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company, will launch its G&S Fest 2013 with a rarely staged production of The Sorcerer today, December 1st and Sunday, December 2nd at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College.

Always one of the most anticipated shows of the Just Kidding season, Elizabeth Mitchell (of Ida fame) creates gentle, heartfelt music that transfixes audiences with homespun renditions of great songs by Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, The Velvet Underground, and more.The quiet sweetness and intimacy of her concerts cement her as a favorite artist whose music truly resonates with all ages. Elizabeth and her family band will perform seasonal songs with special musical guests, who will be announced soon.

America's foremost Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, continues its annual tradition of New Year's Eve fun at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2535 Broadway at 95th Street) , on Monday, December 31st at 8PM. The champagne gala will feature Albert Bergeret (Artistic Director) and his merry NYGASP Company in G & S scenes, songs, parodies, and the very popular tour-de-force challenge: audience requests performed impromptu with full orchestra! Incorporating a 25-piece orchestra, its productions are highlighted with contemporary energy while retaining the traditional respect for each of the G & S masterpieces. The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players are considered by many as the nation's "leading custodian of the G & S classics."

Featuring a concert version of King's Bessie-nominated piece Astral Epitaphs that was commissioned by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for its final shows at the Park Avenue Armory in Dec. 2011, the music of New York composer John King (www.johnkingmusic.com) will be presented at Brooklyn's Roulette on Friday, December 7 at 8pm.

Actress Leandra Ramm's life story will be featured in Lifetime's 'My Life is a Lifetime Movie,' an original hybrid unscripted series focusing on people who could have been the subject of one of its trademark telefilms. The series will feature re-creations and interviews with women who recount their experiences that are said to be so unbelievable that they must be true. Leandra's story will be aired tonight, November 28, at 10pm EST.

Bang the Lion has lost his beat. How will he find it? The Lolli-Pops™ gang, guest conductor James Judd, and audiences will help him, as The Little Orchestra Society (LOS) presents, WHO'S GOT THE BEAT?, on Saturday, February 9, at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Sunday, February 10, at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th St. between Park and Lexington Aves.).

Award-winning singer and PBS/WNET and NY affiliates host Cristina Fontanelli brings her program of Italy's best-loved songs, arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics during her 9th-Annual "Christmas In Italy®" concert at the Peter J. Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space on Saturday, December 1 at 3:00 PM.

Recently compared to pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard and David Greilsammer by New York Times reviewers Anthony Tommasini and Vivien Schweitzer in reviews of her appearances at New York's Carnegie Hall and Le Poisson Rouge, pianist Jenny Q Chai (www.JennyChai.com) presents her lecture-recital "Dissecting Stroppa" - An Analysis of "Innige Cavatina" from Miniature Estrose by Marco Stroppa -- on Monday Dec. 3rd, 7:30 PM, at The William R. and Irene D. Miller Hall, Manhattan School of Music, 120 Claremont Avenue, in New York City. Tel: 212 749 2802. Free Admission.