Women Musicians Network 23rd annual concert, Thursday, Nov. 7th Berklee Performance Center

Women Musicians Network  

23rd annual concert, Thursday, Nov. 7th 

Berklee Performance Center 

Kirk Etherton 

I think this is Boston's best annual concert: completely different every year, extremely diverse and very high quality. Often, I run into people who share my opinion.  

I met a very interesting Berklee student a few years ago (she was older, having taught classical piano at a university in Japan before discovering jazz, and eventually getting a full scholarship to Berklee). 

This woman knew music--travelled widely, had her own radio show, etc.--and she insisted, "This is the best annual concert anywhere! For me, missing this show would be musical tragedy." 

As always, it's at the B.P.C. and focuses on Berklee women students and their bands from around the world, plus special guests. 

There are 10 (yes, ten) original acts again this year, ranging from Cuban Jazz and Flamenco, to Korean Folk, R&B, and Poetry set to music and dance. 

The WMM concert (and its co-founder / leader / host, Lucy Holstedt) has gotten special commendations from the Cambridge Mayor's Office and the Mass. House of Representatives, and been featured on WGBH's "Eric in the Evening."  

I hope to see you there. 

Women Musicians Network 

23rd annual concert 

Berklee Performance Center 

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm  

Tickets: only $10 in advance / $15 day of show 

www.berklee.edu/BPC 

-------------------------- 

Directed by Lucy Holstedt.  

Supported by Berklee's Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & the Office of External Affairs, plus Boston Union Realty. 

Women Musicians Network 22nd annual concert, Thursday, Nov. 8th.

Women Musicians Network 
22nd annual concert, Thursday, Nov. 8th. 

By Kirk Etherton

This may be the most amazingly diverse--plus high-quality--concert you've ever seen. (If you've been to a previous WMN concert, you know what I mean.)

As usual, it's at the Berklee Performance Center, from 8:00 - 9:30 pm., with a focus on Berklee women and their bands from around the world--plus special guests. But every year is different.

This year, you'll see 10 original acts: Rock, Balkan folk, Latin Jazz, Neo-classical, Spirituals....my favorite act this year (I'm "connected," so I see some acts in advance) is probably "Orange Delivery," because it is so simple and charming. Wait: maybe it's "Crossing Reality," which is high-energy big band jazz. Then again, the Taiko drumming act is fantastic. But of course there's....

Well, you get the idea. No wonder this annual show has gotten special commendations from the Cambridge Mayor's Office and the Mass. House of Representatives, and been featured on WGBH's "Eric in the Evening."

NOTE: Check out the fine WMN website, recently created by Claire Mulvaney, the group's student leader. Go to: http://www.berkleewmn.org

For years, a popular headline for this concert has been, "Once a year, there's a once-in-a-lifetime show." In other words, don't miss it!

And if you really can't attend, do the next best thing: watch via Concert Window, as it's live-streamed around the world from the B.P.C. (which has a fantastic sound system, so be there if you can!).

Women Musicians Network

22nd annual concert

Berklee Performance Center

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Tickets: only $10 in advance / $15 day of show

www.berklee.edu/BPC

--------------------------

Directed by Lucy Holstedt & Christiane Karam

Supported by Berklee's Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & the Percussion Department, plus Boston Union Realty

Women Musicians Network 20th Concert Wednesday, November 9, 2016, 8:00 pm (doors 7:30) Berklee Performance Center

Christiane Karam & Lucy Holstedt
photo credit: Carolyn Alden

                                                         

Women Musicians Network

20th annual concert, Wed., Nov. 9th

Berklee Performance Center

www.berklee.edu/BPC

"Once again, it's a once-in-a-lifetime show."

20 years ago, Lucy Holstedt moved to Somerville and also co-founded the W.M.N. concert. Today, Lucy (a professor in Berklee's Harmony Dept.) feels "very good" about both decisions: she is now a homeowner here, and this concert has become well known and highly regarded.

One fan is Cambridge Major E. Denise Simmons, whose 2016 PROCLAMATION thanks Holstedt for her huge role in creating an "exciting and diverse showcase {that brings} the gift of music to so many throughout Greater Boston."

"It's never easy," says Lucy—who is also the W.M.N. student club advisor, concert co-director, and primary host—"but I love working with the great, original talent constantly pouring into Berklee. This may be the only college where you could put together such an eclectic concert that's different every year." As always, the focus is on Berklee women (mainly students) as songwriters, composers, bandleaders, and producers. In the course of 90 minutes, you'll see 10 original acts—from Solo Jazz and Contemporary Classical, to Funk/Gospel and Rock.

The Nov. 9th show begins with a Big Band arrangement by Berklee professor Ayn Inserto, based on a jazz composition by pianist Zahili Gonzalez Zamora—a Berklee student from Cuba who has already performed around the world. "I'm excited we're starting with an all-women, 19-piece band," Lucy remarks. "It's not something you see every day."

Soon after, concert co-director Christiane Karam will be leading her magnificent (in my experience) traditional Pletinitsa Balkan Choir. Near the end of the concert is a setting of a poem dealing with refugees. The poem was written by Boston Poet Laureate Danielle Legros Georges (born in Haiti), who now teaches at Lesley University. This poem inspired Holstedt to write "Miles Apart," a song she'll be performing with vocalists from Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Every Women Musicians Network concert I've been to—roughly a dozen so far—is like a cross between an international music festival and a magic trick: 10 acts in an hour and a half!? How is this possible? "The staff at the B.P.C. deserve a huge amount of credit," says Lucy, who adds that W.M.N. student leaders are always working to make smooth transitions between acts.

The focus is on women, but a good number of Berklee men are included. Lucy shows me a draft of the program, and I count participants from more than 20 countries.

Not quite as "international" as Somerville, of course—but not bad for a concert.

Women Musicians Network

20th annual concert the

Berklee Performance Center

8:00 pm - 9:30 pm (doors 7:00 pm)

Tickets: only $8 in advance / $12 day of show

www.berklee.edu/BPC

Boston National Poetry Month Festival, 2015 April 9 -12 (Boston Public Library & Fisher College)

By Kirk Etherton   


  

Denise Provost/Somerville Poet/State Legislator

Somerville is home to so many fine writers, chances are good you may be one them. Even if you aren't on the "official program," perhaps you'll recite a poem at the Open Mic.

The Festival is celebrating its 15th year; 2015 promises to be more diverse and exciting than ever. It begins Thursday evening with a program of Poetry, Music & Dance (produced by Somerville resident & Berklee prof. Lucy Holstedt). Participants include various members of the Berklee community, and electric bassist Ethan Mackler.

Friday afternoon features 13 great "Keynote Poets." Included are Somerville resident & Pulitzer Prize winner Lloyd Schwartz, David Ferry (National Book Award), Kathleen Spivack, Charles Coe, and Diana Der-Hovanessian (recipient of the Barcelona Peace Prize—plus countless other accolades).

Friday evening, it's the Festival's first "High School Slam Poetry Competition." Six teams will compete. The event is hosted by well-known slam poetry organizer "Mr. Hip"; teams represent schools from Brookline, various areas of Boston, plus the North Shore.

I should mention that poet Harris Gardner—who co-founded this annual event— resides here in Somerville. Denise Provost, one of the fine "Featured Poets" on Saturday, lives here as well; of course, she is also a highly regarded State Representative. On Sunday, you won't want to miss award-winning poet Ifeanyi Menkiti (Somerville resident and owner of the world-famous Grolier Poetry Book Shop).

Somerville's Doug Holder, who kindly suggested I write this week's column, is another exceptional poet you'll want to hear on Sunday. Doug's neighbor Bert Stern, a profoundly talented writer, is reading Sunday as well.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must tell you that I, too, am a "Somervillen"! (I'll be hosting some events, and also performing.)

NOTE: this is a FREE event, and all are welcome. One reason it's free is the generosity of various excellent area businesses. In Somerville, many thanks to The Norton Group (real estate), Master Printing & Signs, Blue Cloud Gallery, and Sweet Ginger Thai Cuisine. Thanks also to Union Square's fantastic Market Basket, for helping with publicity.

In what I call "Greater Somerville," which includes Cambridge and Boston, special thanks also to Harvard Book Store, boloco, and the Middle East & ZuZu Restaurants and Nightclubs.

I can't begin to mention everything and everyone this Festival has to offer (a panel discussion on "Craft & Publishing," a reading by Boston's new Poet Laureate, book tables, etc.), so you should really check out the Festival's website.

It's easy to learn more—including how to sign up for the Open Mic I mentioned at the beginning, plus where and when everything is taking place. Go to: bostonnationalpoetry.wix.com/poetry