Symphony Space News

It is rumored that family music icon Recess Monkey recorded its tenth studio CD, Desert Island Disc, while shipwrecked on the beach of a distant island. The band's spokesmonkey has refused to either confirm or deny these tales but has indicated that legions of fans will soon be able to judge for themselves.

Now in its 35th year of diverse multidisciplinary arts programming, and under the artistic leadership of Laura Kaminsky, Symphony Space announces its 2013/2014 season of inventive works by renowned musical artists, authors, and performers. Primary to Kaminsky's artistic vision are a commitment to new and innovative work, and the fostering of an atmosphere of intimacy and access between artists and audience. This 35th season at Symphony Space promises just that with staple series and programs such asSelected Shorts hosted by BD Wong, Bloomsday on Broadway, Wall to Wall, and weekly family performances with Just Kidding, as well as newer series and inaugural partnerships such as Thalia Film Club hosted by Marshall Fine, Royal Opera House Cinema in HD presented in partnership with WQXR and the Royal Opera House, and the critically-acclaimed comedy debate series Uptown Showdown.

Coming off the wild,13-week ride that landed their song 'Iko Iko' in the #1 spot on Sirius/XM's Kids Place Live chart, Boston-based kindie rock band Josh & the Jamtones is ready to break new ground with the release of their second kids'/family CD, Bear Hunt!.

New York City Center is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Fall for Dance Festival with a very special season, beginning with two free evenings of dance at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, hosted by The Public Theater, on September 16 and 17 (rain date, September 18). The Festival will continue at City Center from September 25 - October 5 with performances by 20 acclaimed dance companies and artists from around the world, including three new works from today's most exciting young choreographers, commissioned by New York City Center in celebration of the tenth anniversary.

The distinguished American pianist Ursula Oppens will perform Faure's Piano Quintet No. 1 in D Minor with the Cassatt Quartet at Music Mountain on Sunday afternoon, August 25th, at 3:00 p.m. at Gordon Hall, 225 Music Mountain Rd., Falls Village, CT. The program will also include works by Shostakovich and Beethoven.

Key Wilde and Mr Clarke will celebrate the release of 'Pleased To Meet You' with a FREE concert in Union Square today, July 25th at 11 am. It will be a 'Summer in the Square' series concert, located at the South Plaza stage.

UnsungMusicalsCo. (UMC) will launch its fifth anniversary celebration with a new Off-Broadway production of the 1950 musical revue Bless You All! with sketches by Emmy Award winner Arnold Auerbach ('The Phil Silvers Show,' Call Me Mister) and a score by acclaimed songwriter Harold Rome (Fanny, Destry Rides Again). Directed by UMC artistic director Ben West (The Fig Leaves Are Falling, At Home Abroad), the limited three-week engagement will run Sep 19 - Oct 5 at The Connelly Theatre (220 East 4th Street), officially opening September 22.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, opens its 2013-2014 season with New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013, Wednesday, December 11 through Sunday, December 15, 2013 in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater and features Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by the Senior Class, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division. Next season's innovative choreographers are Juilliard alumnus Takehiro Ueyama (1st Year Dancers); Brian Brooks (2nd Year Dancers); and Juilliard alumnus Darrell Grand Moultrie (3rd Year Dancers).

Jonathan Larson Award-winning composer Sam Davis makes his 54 Below debut with a concert of new songs celebrating the release of the original cast album of his hit Off-Broadway musical comedy Bunnicula tonight, July 21st at 7 PM.

Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects invites audiences to experience their hearts from the inside out with the world premiere of 4CHAMBERS. Created, directed and choreographed by Jody Oberfelder, this immersive blend of dance, theater, film and visual installation runs through July 21 at Officers House 15 on Governors Island. In January 2014, the production will transfer to Brooklyn's Arts@Renaissance where it will run for 8 weeks.

The Concrete Jungle by Bobby Cronin & Crystal Skillman will have an industry presentation tonight, July 20 as part of the TRU Voices Musical Series.

Home After Dark: The Music of Sam Davis will feature performances by Nick Blaemire, Andrea Burns, Charles Busch, Liz Callaway, Sarah Corey, Drew Gehling, Edward Hibbert, Matthew Scott, Kirsten Scott, and David Hyde Pierce, plus cast members from Bunnincula the Musical: Ashley Campana, Abe Goldfarb, John Garry, Robert Anthony Jones, Prescott Seymour

A team of experienced pros with extensive Broadway, regional and TV experience, will perform the hilarious, madcap comedy RUMORS, by Neil Simon, at the Saint Michael's Playhouse today, July 17 to 27. The show will be staged, evenings at 8 p.m. July 17 to 20, and 23-27 and matinees at 2 p.m. July 20 and 27.

Symphony Space, New York's home for innovative and diverse cultural programming on the Upper West Side, celebrates its 35th season of Music programs in 2013-14 with a stellar array of artists in imaginative, thought-provoking presentations. Curated by Artistic Director Laura Kaminsky, the offerings range from marathon celebrations to intimate recitals, encompassing a rich variety of musical styles. Highlights include a visit from Krzysztof Penderecki, October 25; the fifth THE MUSIC OF NOW MARATHON, with the dream-inspired theme of 'REM: Rapid Ear Movement,' February 1; and appearances by Dar Williams, Tom Paxton, Christine Lavin, and other icons of folk/acoustic music. Capping the season is SLEEPING AROUND, a multidisciplinary festival celebrating the culture, history, art, scene, and scandal of New York's most famous hotels, highlighted by WALL TO WALL SLEEPING AROUND on May 3.

Capezio A.C.E. Award Winners Festival, a competition dedicated to introducing the next generation of emerging and influential choreographers, announces its lineup for the winners performance festival, August 5 - August 8 at Ailey Citigroup Theater (405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue).

Key Wilde and Mr Clarke will celebrate the release of 'Pleased To Meet You' with a FREE concert in Union Square on July 25th at 11 am. It will be a "Summer in the Square" series concert, located at the South Plaza stage.

This summer marks the 53rd annual Summer Sing Program. Each summer, the New York Choral Society produces a Summer Sings series that features the most popular masterworks of the choral literature.

The Concrete Jungle by Bobby Cronin & Crystal Skillman will have an industry presentation July 20 as part of the TRU Voices Musical Series.

Spectrum presents NYX II: New York Progressive and Experimental Festival celebrating the historical interaction between the genres of classical Experimental Music and Progressive Rock since their beginning and into the 21st century.

Geoffrey Arend will lead the cast as Professor Bert Rufus. Arend's film and television credits include Garden State, Supertroopers, (500) Days of Summer, Save the Date, Beach Pillows, Devil, The Ringer, 'The Closer' (TNT), 'Law & Order' (NBC), 'Trust Me' (TNT) and 'Body of Proof' (ABC). Onstage he was seen in The American Pilot (MTC) and Mother Courage and Her Children (Public).