Themed Concerts

I Am Woman: A celebration of female songwriters and performers, starting with trailblazers of the 30's and 40's (Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday) and moving up to the '60's and '70's, when the women's movement collided with pop and rock to change the nature of the American song forever. Songs include "Respect" (Aretha Franklin), "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" (Carole King), "Proud Mary" (Tina Turner) and of course, "I Am Woman" (Helen Reddy).

 

Bleecker Street: From The Bitter End to Cafe Wha? to Cafe Au Go Go, in the 1960's, everyone who was anyone in the folk/rock/protest movement was performing somewhere on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village. A look at the life and times of artists like Bob Dylan ("Like A Rolling Stone"), Peter Paul & Mary ("Blowin' In The Wind"), Joni Mitchell ("Both Sides Now") and Simon & Garfunkel ("Sounds Of Silence"). 

​

Give My Regards To Broadway: The Great American Songbook, fueled by the Great American Musical. A look at the songs of the Golden Age, the musicals they came from, and the culture they were written in, focusing on legends Cole Porter ("Night and Day"), the Gershwin Brothers ("Embraceable You), Irving Berlin ("No Business Like Show Business") and Rodgers & Hammerstein ("My Favorite Things").

​

Happy Christmahanukwanzicah!: A singalong holiday program exploring who wrote the songs, when and why. For instance, Mel Torme wrote The Christmas Song (chestnuts roasting....) in L.A. on a sweltering day in July, just trying to think "cool" thoughts. Songs include Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad, Adam Sandler's Hanukah Song, White Christmas, and more.

​

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling: A look at Irish history through its songbook, with tunes about the rebellions, the diaspora, occupations, the potato famine and "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. Songs include "Galway Girl", "Whiskey In A Jar", "Black Velvet Band" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", as well as songs by great Irish women songwriters like Sinead O'Connor and Delores O'Riordan of The Cranberries.

​

Love Is In The Air: A special Valentine's Day program, dedicated to songs of love from all genres and eras, from Nat King Cole ("L.O.V.E."), to The Supremes ("Stop In The Name Of Love"), The Beatles ("All You Need Is Love"), Barry White ("Can't Get Enough Of Your Love"), and Roberta Flack ("Feel Like Makin' Love").

​

Ages Of Rock: (Special quartet performance by Willa's rock band, The Bassenettes.) Take a roller coaster ride through 40 years of rock music. From Chuck Berry in the '50's, the British Invasion of the Beatles and Stones and the psychedelic music of Jimi Hendrix in the '60's, the hard rock of Led Zeppelin and the country rock of The Eagles in the '70's to the arena rock of Guns N' Roses and AC/DC in the '80's, each decade had its own unique sound. Songs include "Johnny B. Goode", "Satisfaction", "Fire", Rock and Roll" "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Don't Stop Believin'".

​

​