Fundraising Campaign: Catherine Taormina & OperatiON: MuSiC CoNNeCT

OperatiON: MuSiC CoNNeCT

International Women Artists' Salon would like to raise awareness (and hopefully funds) for member Catherine Taormina's kickstarter campaign!
 
The proceeds will go towards the production of a musical collaboration at the Triad Theater in NYC in April. This prospective event involves diverse musical genres. Incentives for backing the event include tactile arts and crafts.
 

OperatiON: MuSiC CoNNeCT

The Fundraising Campaign ends Saturday Feb 18, 2012

Location: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/831913038/operation-music-connect

MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE
Hi! I’m Rockstar Sissy also known as Catherine Taormina. I’m looking to put together an awesome musical show called Operation: Music Connect. This show is so exciting because it involves diverse musical acts. The show will include classical, contemporary, rock, jazz, opera dixieland, french chanson & gutbucket blues. The bands performing will be me, Rockstar Sissy with my bandmates Jotan Afanador who will be back from his tour with Aventura just in time for this event! and Joseph Wallace on bass. I write and sing pop-rock-funk-punk groovin songs, Nick Addeo the amazingly sweet sounding operatic tenor, Anna Kendrick who composes and sings jazzy, bluesy, cabaret-esque standards, Nicky Addeo oldies, contemporary and R&B singer, the amazingly talented world renown concert pianist Inna Faliks, and the Hot Sardines french chanson, dixieland, and gutbucket blues musical group. The show will be MC’d by Johnny Petillo of the Johnny Petillo show. I am looking at producing this show at the Triad Theater in NYC in April on a Saturday at 2pm. So please take a look at the incentives for donations and the youtube links below of the amazing performers I have linked up. $8,000 is the minimum I need to raise for this show to happen. If I am able to raise this $8,000 I intend to produce more music performances, plays, and even films. So please pledge and awesome happiness can be shared with a whole lot of people, not just me!


BIO
Catherine Taormina a fun, energetic & extremely involved in creative and performance arts. Her most notable movie credit is playing Paul Reiser’s mother and Peter Falk’s wife as Olympia Dukakis’ character as a younger woman in a flashback scene in the movie “The Thing About My Folks”. She also works behind the scenes in video production.
 
She is also known as Rockstar Sissy singer-songwriter-guitarist-pop-rock fun-punker composer of 23 fun, danceable, groovin’, catchy songs. With a background in writing poetry, she is author of the book of poetry “Chalkboard With A Bad Eraser” and also the handmade book “My Steaks Are Rare Put Up Your Dukes You Ain’t In The Ring With No Porkchop”, lyrics are noticeably smart and artistic. Unique style & presence with strong energy. She is a 3 year Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor and composed the song “I’m Too Young For This” for the organization Stupid Cancer/I2Y. She is an environmental steward and a conscious consumer. When she is not busy organizing, creating artwork, knitting or crocheting, she goes for a 4 mile run in Central Park and bops from here to there on her little foldable bike.

 
ARTIST STATEMENT
I will use a quote from Quentin Crisp here “It's no good running a pig farm badly for 30 years while saying, 'Really, I was meant to be a ballet dancer.' By then, pigs will be your style.” as by now I cannot run a pig farm.
 

MORE FROM CATHERINE
Hi! It’s me! Your rockin’ Rockstar Sissy!
 
The kickstarter campaign I started still has more days to go and we could use your kick! Everyone I talk to about it gets excited about how fun this event would be!
 
Diverse musical acts all in one performance! Classical, contemporary, jazz, opera, rock, french chanson, dixieland and gutbucket blues! Please take a look at the very fun video I took the time to make describing my idea and wish! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/831913038/operation-music-connect
 
I keep going over figures in my head like if 800 people pledge $10 then the project will be funded! Or if 130 people pledge $75 than not only will the project be funded, but each person would get a ticket to the show (or you can assign your ticket for a cancer survivor to come in place of you if you can’t make it or if you are a cancer survivor, it would be awesome if you can spread the word and get someone to sponsor your ticket!) Or, if 400 people donate $20 dollars then the project will be funded. $10 is the cost of one good lunch you may buy for yourself and then forget you ate by the next day! Of course, you can pledge less, ever bit helps!!! I have great incentives...like an appearance in a Rockstar Sissy video or video project of mine!!! There is ad space in the program so if any business would like to participate, they can!

I did another fundraiser after I went through my cancer experience. Getting in shape and running that 1/2 marathon was very important to me and the funds raised went towards my getting to the marathon and the training helped my body heal. Running and athleticism are a hobby of mine while the rest of life is mostly consumed by the creative arts. This fundraiser is really the beginning of a new dream of mine, which, I know in my spirit is even more important than running is to my well-being! That is, having the control a producer has - which has to this point in my life been absent from my creative life. How amazing it would be if I called the shots when it came to my art, my music, my performance, my compensation and the well-deserved compensation of my fellow artists.

We already have 23 amazing donors to our campaign! We really only need a few more! Will you be the one? Thanks so much!

Most importantly, if I don’t meet the $8,000 goal, no one is charged the pledge they make, so why not consider it? If you pledge and I don’t make the goal, I will remember you as being warm-hearted and enthusiastic for me!

Pledge my kickstarter campaign!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/831913038/operation-music-connect
Fun Fun Fun!
 
SAG-AFTRA-AEA
http://www.catherinetaormina.com aka Rockstar Sissy
http://www.youtube.com/rockstarsissy
http://www.facebook.com/rockstarsissy
http://www.facebook.com/catherinetaormina
http://www.myspace.com/rockstarsissy

 
Venue http://www.triadnyc.com


Kickstarter Campaign:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/831913038/operation-music-connect

 

ARTISTS
http://www.catherinetaormina.com
http://www.catherinetaormina.com/rockstarsissy
Rockstar Sissy (pop-rocker funk-punker) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk3K7RWdb0o&
 
Jotan Afanador on drums http://www.jotanafanador.com/
Joseph Wallace on bass http://www.josephwallacemusic.com

Nick Addeo operatic performance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR_97Ne5bvM&
www.nickaddeoenterprises.com

Inna Faliks Concert Pianist
http://innafaliks.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NlMOSGUW_0

The Hot Sardines - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtUWNN5dSXc
www.hotsardines.com Dixieland, French Chanson & Gutbuck Blues

Anna Elizabeth Kendrick - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4ZKP8EhDko&
www.annaelizabethkendrick.com Jazzy Bluesy Cabaret-esque Singer with the Jeevan D'Souza Trio

Nicky Addeo
www.nickyaddeo.com/ -Oldies, Contemporary, R&B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m6d5UOQbOk&

MC Johnny Petillo - www.johnnypetillo.com





CONTACT
www.catherinetaormina.com
Phone: 212-333-3611      
Email: rockstarsissy@gmail.com

Exhibition TWO: color talk - Performance Salon Recap and Rainbow HIYER-KU by Jenny D Green

Twas the first Saturday of December and unseasonably warm, which was surely a good omen for the Performance Salon of the International Women Artists' Salon's Exhibition TWO:colortalk. Chashama, the beguilingly named host for a two-week celebration of visual, literary and performance arts from NYC's global melting pot of talented shes, offered a tempting 42nd Street debut for me as MC. I got there to find an extemporised tech being banged out by one of the super performers and visual artist Patricia Shea. What a trouper! By combination of gerry-rigging a hidden PA system - with no sight lines to our stage - in what was once presumably a clothing store, and bringing into action an amped-up boombox, she ensured the show would go on. Meanwhile Salonista-in-chief, Heidi Russell, wrestled with fabulous large sculptural pieces to make way for the expected hordes. I was trying to take the time to make sure my running order was going to work, checking in with performers and making my Hiyer-Ku poems slightly more colour-coordinated than the astonishing assemblage of clothing I had on, not to mention some clown-face makeup. There are no lengths I will avoid to make a rainbow. Our 7pm stated start time slipped a little (the luxury of being free from the discipline of a stage manager) as we waited for a couple of performers, along with AN AUDIENCE. We kicked off with my reading the poems of the absentee artist, Janet Restino (happily booked for a paying gig), and the world premiere of my specially devised HIYER-KU, Manchester's irreverent answer to a more delicate Japanese art. And we were off. Karlyn DeSteno captured much delicacy with her mesmerising blend of folk guitar and voice, then Melissa Riker swung everything around, literally (or maybe bodily?), with a site-specific devised dance piece that took her and her hat out of the storefront and scampering around the scaffolding outside. She made the most of the balmy night and caught the attention of passers by as she looked in on the audience, rapt by her playful and poised movement. Way to draw a crowd! Aimee Whelan kicked up the energy another notch with her swelligant renditions of a few showtunes (replete with some avant-garde chair-dancing by yours truly during an instrumental break) which took us into an intermission that buzzed with excitement and joy. Our impromptu, show-saving tech director, Patricia Shea opened Part the Second with her punchy guitar-fuelled folk-rock, then Kelley Donovan snaked her way through the space with her hypnotic dance of reptilian renewal. Jendog Lonewolf jumpstarted my heart - and the audience - as she paid tribute to our Jenny Green clan in her powerful, lyrical hip-hop, before being joined by the arrestingly beautiful Yalini Dream' sung and spoken performance poetry. There was scarcely a dry eye in the - pleasingly full - house by the time we finished. I for one felt we had all given from our multi-colored, multi-cultured hearts to make the Exhibition TWO Performance Salon the best free ticket in town for some time to come.




HIYER-KU OF THE RAINBOW, by Jenny D

 
RED

I hate red

my mum always says,

so in defiance I like it

for the slag in my bed

 
YELLOW

He called it mellow yellow

in a hippy haze.

Sunflower head,

Or colour self-dead?


PINK

Pink stinks

for outraged feminista

But l’il girls still love it

- Powderpuff sista


GREEN

Envy, earthy, innocent, fresh

So much meaning,

a colour most blest.

And, it’s my name – Pellegrino!


ORANGE

Orange is not the only fruit.

An amber flash,

a ginger joke.

Pekoe flower tribute


PURPLE

I am old enough to wear purple,

curse within my prose,

yet prefer the crush of velvet

To a drunken bruise


BLUE

A kind of sad thing,

Downbeat jazz

Smokey ganja party

Hallucinogenic smurf

Jenny D Green: mc, actor and producing artist, working in NYC since she graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2008. She has enjoyed hosting events ever since leading school assemblies as a tween (before tweens existed) and is more surprised than anyone that this has recently developed into being a Priestess (of the non-denominational www. kind). Fave mc & presenting gigs incl Mind The Gap, the BBC, Manhattan Theatre Source & indeed The Duplex. See jennydgreen.org for more and please don’t hesitate to contact Jenny at jennydgreen@gmail.com especially if you need your nuptials officiating! And keep an eye on her production company The OPTimistiks for word on a PANTOMIME for NYC...

International Women Artists' Salon Presents Their Second Annual Salon exhibition November 22nd - December 4th, 2011

International Women Artists' Salon

presents their second annual salon exhibition... 

photographysculpturecollagepaintingmusicdrawingtheaterpoetrydance  

videofilmcomedyparticipationartnon-fictioninstallationmixedmedia  

fictionspokenwordanimationfabricart

Participating Artists:

Aimee Whelan, Annie Heckman, Ashley Brooke Roberts, Bev Thompson, Bridget Riversmith, Caren Jo Shapiro, Carren Strock, Dorothy A. Krakauer, Elena Bouza, Ella Veres, Francine Trevens, Heidi Russell, Irina Kuzminsky, Janet Restino, Jeanine Alfieri, Jendog Lonewolf, Jennie Booth, Jenny D Green, Ji Ye Kim, Karlyn DeSteno, Kate Perotti, Kathryn M. Fazio, Kelley Donovan, Kera MacKenzie, Laura Cannistraci, Lauren Bond, Lisa Ferber, Lisa Zilker, Maggie Cousins, Maria Lago, Marla Mossman, Maria Taveras, Mary Gagler, Meg Graham, Melissa Riker/Kinesis Project, Miranda Loud, Nadine Charlsen, Orly Benun, Patricia Shea, Prinny Alaví, Rica Takashima, Sabina Pieslak, Sheryl Scott, Silvana D’Mikos, Stiliani Moulinos, Toni Silber-Delerive, Wen-Chi Chen, YaliniDream

Exhibition Hours:

November 22-27, Noon to 7pm, closed Thanksgiving

November 28-Dec 3, Noon to 8 pm

December 4th, Sunday, Noon to 5 pm

Special Events:

Reception:  Tuesday, November 29th, 7-10pm

Film Viewing: Friday, December 2nd, 6 pm

Performance Salon: Saturday, December, 3rd, 7-10 pm

Literary Salon:  Sunday, December 4th, 3-5 pm

Introducing

Participation Peace: tapestry of hope

YOU are invited to contribute to our exhibition's participation art project, anytime during the show ~ come on in!!!

While last year’s exhibition reflected our mission through the theme of

limitless possibility in Exhibition ONE: zero gravity, this year’s theme will

reflect the very personal and, at times, aggressive use of the universal language of color in Exhibition TWO: color talk. Each artist’s use of color changes from culture to culture and from year to year as they develop, rebel and delve into their use of color’s limitless vocabulary. The theme embraces the many backgrounds and influences of salon members and exhibits them all as a survey of what women artists are saying with color today.

For more information contact Heidi Russell:

heidirussellpublicist@gmail.com or 646.272.8879

Much appreciation to chashama and their staff!

www.chashama.org

Exhibition TWO: color talk - video and film program

 Click on cards for readable view:

Exhibition TWO: color talk - Visual Art Price List

Member Spotlight: Visual Artist Joelle Circé as part of EstroGenious Festival

International Women Artists' Salon is pleased to share some images from visual artist Joelle Circé, one of the participants in Estrogenius Festival exhibition, highlighting several Salon members and other women artists. October 5th-November 5th.

 Tanguero, oil, 28 inches x 20 inches

 

You can see her work in person at Manhattan Theatre Source during the Estrogenius Festival Exhibition, October 5th-November 5th.

Estro Art is that portion of the overall EstroGenius Festival celebrating female artists voices. It's open every night at the Theater before the show. Opening reception is on october 6th, from 6-8pm. Manhattan Theater Source, 177 MacDougal Street, NY, NY, 10011 (from october 5th to november 5th).

Check out: http://estrogenius.org/

 Shut up and be pretty, sanguine, 

pastel and charcoal, 20 inches x 17 inches

 

Circé's Artist Statement

My creations primarily consist of works in oils and occasionally charcoals and pastels. My process is instinctive and I?m unerringly drawn to expose and reveal the image and the moment contained therein to it?s fullest potential. I am a queer woman of transsexual origin and my art reflects an integrated queer feminism that is political, social and often emotional in nature. My art is integrated in my own personal politic and feminism, and I explore the power of this in my art.

---Circé

 

Breaking free, oil, 20 inches x 16 inches

 

My Bio in short

I was born In Montreal, Canada, and raised catholic though even from a young age, I had already begun to walk my own path. I was also born with a physiological condition called transsexuality and as might be imagined, this caused much consternation, eventually I was cured of it and today live life as a very happy woman indeed. I am agnostic as far as what I think about beliefs.

I grew up in rather poor settings, covering the walls of the shared bedroom with my drawings.

I began drawing as a child and the passion for lines and colors just grew as I aged. I studied at a private Art School in Montreal for about four years and participated in many art shows.

---Joelle Circé

 Red Light, oil, 36 inches x 24 inches

Salon Collaboration Event: One Body, A Multitude of Expression works by female artists, a component of Estrogenius Festival 2011

"Three Goddesses", Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Triptych, three 10"x 20" panels

by Anastacia Drake

International Women Artists' Salon is excited to announce founder Heidi Russell curates Estrogenius Festival exhibition, highlighting several Salon members and other women artists. October 5th-November 5th. Opening event: Thursday October 6th 6:00-8:00PM

One Body, A Multitude of Expression

works by female artists, a component of Estrogenius Festival 2011

Curated by Heidi Russell and installed by Ashley Middleton and Mary Gagler

at Manhattan Theatre Source

177 MacDougal Street, between Waverly and 8th Street

New York, NY 10011

http://estrogenius.org/Estro2011/components/art.html

Opening event: Thursday, October 6, 6-8pm

Show runs: October 5-November 5

The show will be on display from October 5th-November 5th.

Best viewing times: 12:00 - 7 pm

Artists include:

Anastacia Drake, Anne Carlino, Ashley Middleton, Barbara Lee, Beatriz Olivetti, Bridget Riversmith, Elena Bouza, Ella Veres, Eva Mueller, Fotini Vurgaropulou, Gretchen Radecki, Jade Chiu, Jeanine Alfieri, JiYe Kim, Joelle Circe, Judy Francesconi, Lee Ann Monat, Lillian Gottlieb, Lisa Lebofsky, Migdalia Luz, Maria Taveras, Marla Mossman, Mary Gagler, Matilda Szydagis, Meg Graham, Patricia Shea, Sheryl Scott, Stacie Joy, Toni Quest, Tracy Von Becker, Tricia Sellmer, and Zofia Bogusz

Poetry, music and performance by leading NYC female artists will help launch the opening on Thursday, October 6th, 6-8pm. 

Performers at the free reception include:

Cheryl B. Engelhardt, Ella Veres, Jennifer Pawlitschek, Kat Georges, Lauren Bond, Louise D. E. Jensen, Nicole Zaray, & Patricia Shea