NY Sings the Great Canadian Songbook

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Parent Category: Film and the Arts

Category: Previews

Published on Thursday, 01 July 2010 02:03

Written by T. Terry Maloney

The annual "New York Sings the Great Canadian Songbook" is one of the highlights of Canada Day celebrations in New York City, both for those Canadians -- acting as stealth Americans hiding in the USA -- and New Yorkers alike. On July 1st, 2010, Joe`s Pub at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street) will host two performances of this very popular event at 7 and 9:30 pm.

On July 1, 1867, Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain and a federation of four provinces: Nova Scotia; New Brunswick; Ontario; and Quebec. The anniversary of this date was called Dominion Day until 1982. Since 1983, July 1 has been officially known as Canada Day.

Produced and emcee'd by Jeff Breithaupt, the show features some of New York's finest singers who are invited to perform a favorite song with just one caveat: that song must have been written or first recorded by a Canadian. Featuring a stellar international line-up, performers includes legendary rock trio BETTY (BETTY Rules, The L Word), East Village Opera Company's AnnMarie Milazzo, jazz vocalist Carolyn Leonhart (Steely Dan), Tony Salvatore (BETTY, Pleasuredog), singer-songwriter Jamie Leonhart, East Village Opera Company's Tyley Ross (The Who's Tommy, Miss Saigon), cabaret favorite Maggie Moore, jazz chanteuses Amy Cervini and Melissa Stylianou, feisty cabaret spitfire Shelley McPherson, BETTY’s Alyson Palmer in a special solo setting, Miranda (of "Miranda Sings" internet fame - "Back off, haters!"), and more special guests.

All the performances are backed by the Joe's Pub all-star "Workin`for the Weekend" House Band, led by Music Director Peter Kiesewalter (Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata, East Village Opera Company).

The evening's sparkling cast of special guests will lay down unforgettable versions of all your favorite Canadian anthems from "O Canada" to songs by Leonard Cohen and Bruce Cockburn; to the classics by Joni Mitchell and Gordon Lightfoot; to rockers from Neil Young, or fey folk tunes from Rufus Wainwright to a kid classic by Raffi; and there may be tunes by B.T.O. or k.d. Lang plus many more. You never know what (or who) you might hear.

As you walk to the subway, hail a cab or wait for your limo look up and check out the top of Empire State Building which will be lit up red and white in tribute to our very musical neighbor to the north.

Tickets for the two concerts are available for $25 each at www.joespub.com

Canada Day Performances
Joe`s Pub
July 1st, 2010
7 and 9:30 pm
the Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street
New York City