Jamie O'Reilly

Gabriela Mistral – Forever Inspiring

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:36:32 +0000

Gabriela Mistral, Chilean Poet

“Beauty shall not be an opiate that puts you to sleep but a strong wine that fires you to action, for if you fail to be a true man or a true woman,
you will fail to be an artist.”

I was first introduced to poet and Nobel Prize winner Mistral in the 1980s, when my voice teacher set her poem Apegado a Mi to music, sang it. This is one of the my favorite pieces of writing by one of my favorite writers.

Decalogue Of The Artist

I. You shall love beauty, which is the shadow of God
over the Univerese

II. There is no godless art. Although you love not the
Creator, you shall bear witness to Him creating His likeness.

III. You shall create beauty not to excite the senses
but to give sustenance to the soul.

IV. You shall never use beauty as a pretext for luxury
and vanity but as a spiritual devotion.

V. You shall not seek beauty at carnival or fair
or offer your work there, for beauty is virginal
and is not to be found at carnival or fair.

VI. Beauty shall rise from your heart in song,
and you shall be the first to be purified.

VII.T he beauty you create shall be known
as compassion and shall console the hearts of men.

VIII. You shall bring forth your work as a mother
brings forth her child: out of the blood of your heart.

IX. Beauty shall not be an opiate that puts you
to sleep but a strong wine that fires you to action,
for if you fail to be a true man or a true woman,
you will fail to be an artist.

X. Each act of creation shall leave you humble,
for it is never as great as your dream and always
inferior to that most marvelous dream of God
which is Nature.

Michael P. Smith – May Concert Dates

admin — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:24:06 +0000

Michael is appearing in Eastland, a new musical play and is in rehearsals. He will perform this month in a few select locales.

Keep updated on FACEBOOK

DETROIT, MI area
Sunday, May 20, 2012
3-4 & 5-6 pm two sets
West Bloomfield Public Library
4600 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323
Information PH 248.851.0463;
Email kaufmanL@dteenergy.com
http://www.wblib.org

Evening House Concert
Sunday May 20, 2012
8 PM
Detroit, MI
Host and Performer Sigrid Christensen opens
Call for address 313-345-1225
website www.stonehouseconcerts.com

###

Chicago area
Michael Smith with Small Potatoes
Thursday, May 24
8:00 PM
Fitzgerald’s
6615 W Roosevelt Road Berwyn, IL
fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

###

Wed Jun 6, 2012 – Sun Jul 29, 2012
Lookingglass Theatre
Eastland: An Original Musical
Water Tower Water Works
821 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL
Ph: 312.337.0665
http://lookingglasstheatre.org

With Michael Smith as the Ship Captain

___________________________

Sing an aria. Gwendolyn Brooks stamp. Poetic justice.

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:01:49 +0000

“We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it.”

Today the Gwendolyn Brooks stamp goes on sale at the Post Office,
along with those of 9 of her esteemed colleagues, as Poetry Month 2012, winds down.
Brooks is “best remembered for distinctive, lyrical portraits of everyday urban life”.

To me, she is Gwendolyn Brooks, personal hero, and coincidentally the cousin of my sister’s life-partner.

It was her poem Kitchenette Building that we performed in Between the Times, a musical I toured with, throughout the US in the mid 80s. The power of that poem gave us the courage to speak to reluctant Catholic audiences about the inequity. About the haves and have-nots. About the power of hope.

Last week I told my own stories of growing-up poor – in a huge family, in a Midwestern town in the ‘60s. The show is Songs of a Catholic Childhood. I shared the stage with Michael Smith, a New Jersey native. He talked about his family memories. Of collecting dimes, and the reaction of a stoic Grandpa, who was a miner in the Pennsylvania hills. Of strolling down Main Street in Pittston, PA with his Aunt Kitty.

I summoned up the memories of life with 13 siblings crammed in a small, damp house – and talked about sharing the bathtub, heated by a kettle from the stove. Of asking Jesus to intercede with Santa on my behalf. Of having no car, and no ride to Midnight Mass in a snowstorm, in a town with no buses.

I talked about singing. I sang the songs that pulled me through.

Afterward, people volunteered their own experiences as American Catholics during the Baby Boom era. Of big (7-8) families. Of “offering it up”, giving to the missions, and praying for the poor souls in Purgatory.
Of bland casseroles, and eating fish on Friday.

I reserve judgment about whether they had it as hard as we did. About whether they get that biscuits and applesauce, or fried potatoes and onions were sometimes a whole dinner. I think, my early years would read like a Dickensian novel on a tough day. Or, if I’m feeling romantic, maybe Yeats’ Cloths of Heaven.

Or…perhaps, like a masterfully written poem.

I think about Gwendolyn Brooks.

###

Gwendolyn Brooks as I met her

Kitchenette Building
by Gwendolyn Brooks

We are things of dry hours and the involuntary plan,
Grayed in, and gray. “Dream” makes a giddy sound, not strong
Like “rent,” “feeding a wife,” “satisfying a man.”

But could a dream send up through onion fumes
Its white and violet, fight with fried potatoes
And yesterday’s garbage ripening in the hall,
Flutter, or sing an aria down these rooms

Even if we were willing to let it in,
Had time to warm it, keep it very clean,
Anticipate a message, let it begin?

We wonder. But not well! not for a minute!
Since Number Five is out of the bathroom now,
We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it.

More about the commemorative stamp: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/postal-service-immortalizes-literary-giants-2012-04-2

###

The Cloths of Heaven
by William Butler Yeats

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths
Enwrought with golden and silver light
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Listen to Studs. The First Hundred Years

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:05:04 +0000

Studs would have been 100 this May 16.

Here’s my comments on his centenary site, on the right of the page. http://studsterkelcentenary.wordpress.com/

Read more http://studsterkelcentenary.wordpress.com/

Let’s say he IS 100 this May. Because Studs is a forever-kind-of thing.

Postscript to 2008
I sang at his 90th birthday, and his 93rd. Then we lost him in the fall of 2008, and I sang at his Memorial. Before Obama was President. Before the Arab Spring. Before the Iraq war ended. Before the housing crisis would beat down the spirit of the working people.

Before 99% vs 1% was a rallying cry for a new people’s movement!

Peter, my nephew whom I mention in the re-posted blog below, stayed a few years at the US Patent Office, went on to get his Masters in Green Technology, and is now working as a systems engineer for eSolar, http://www.esolar.com .
One of the good ones, Studs would say. The hope is in our young people.

Studs told me that the US would go to war, and it would be devastating. He was right.
And that the new technology would get people off their couches and into the streets…Egypt. Madison. Occupy. Right about that, too.

Alas, his beloved Cubs still haven’t won the pennant, but it would make sense that even in the place beyond he’s still cheering for the underdog!

We had a prophet among us folks. And boy, did we need him. And we still do.

This is the story I wrote when Studs died in 2008.

Information about the Centenary celebrations follows.

November 1, 2008

My friend Studs.

I had the life-changing pleasure of singing for Studs, and being on stage with him a fair amount in the past 20 years. I was interviewed on his radio show on WFMT when I was performing social justice pieces. He was most excited by the Spanish Civil War show Pasiones, I did with Michael Smith and Katrina O’Reilly. Those songs were his favs—he told me I sounded like the great Spanish singers when I sang. He especially liked Brecht’s ode to the workingman: Song of the United Front—which we sang in four languages—it included Michael reading one of Studs’ most quoted poems by Brecht.

“Who built Thebes of the seven gates
In the books you will find the names of kings.
Did the kings haul up the lumps of rock
And Babylon, many times demolished
Who raised it up so many times? In what houses
of gold-glittering Lima did the builders live?
Where, the evening that the Wall of China was finished
Did the masons go? Questions from a Worker Who Reads”

He loved the song Freheit! The Song of the Thaelmann Battalion, Freheit is German for freedom—and it was that song and another of his favorites I sang that he mentioned every time he saw me — and every time he introduced me to people. “Jamie and Mike Smith —they sing the Spanish Civil War songs—and Annie Laurie!”

He loved when I sang Annie Laurie. I sang it for him for his 90th birthday tribute at the Chicago History Museum. Studs told me Albert Parsons—the Haymarket martyr, sang Annie Laurie from his prison cell the night before he died. I tell that story when I sing it — because I made a promise to him that I would tell the stories, and sing the songs of the people!

And I’d work for social justice.

I visited Studs last on August 29th, 2008. He lives not far from me on Chicago’s Northside. I’m pals with Syd Lewis, his editor and co-author. She set it up for me. He was at home, and near the end—I told Syd he looked like an elf in a chair. He was surrounded by books and papers, in a yellow brick rambling house with spider webs in the eaves of the porch, and old leaves on the stoop. His caretaker, a gentle man named JR let me in, and told me to get up close and talk to him.

“You can stay only a few minutes, cause it tires him out.”

Studs knew me.
“Jamie O’Reilly, how are ya? Are you still singing, kid? I’m not doing so hot…you know I can’t hear?”

And he couldn’t. So I would usually bring a photo for him to look at when I knew I’d see him.
And he did the talking.

I gestured to the TV. He’d been half-watching the Democratic National Convention.

I said, “It’s gonna happen. They’re gonna get in.”

He said, “I don’t know. It’s all messed up.”

And I didn’t know if he meant—himself and his mind–or the state of the world.

I was going to ask him to sign a note to my nephew for his Graduation.

“He’s one of the good ones.” I said. “He’s going to do the good work.”

I showed him Peter’s picture with his family, and his Graduation announcement from
Cal Tech. I told him Pete was going to work in Washington at the US Patent Office.

He wrote, “To Peter, Peace!” Studs Terkel.

Walking out to the early fall change in the air afterward, I figured it’s the last time I’ll see him.

Or possibly the last time he’ll know me. Turned out to be true.

It’s all messed up.

…I wished I could have promised him the war would end, the second “McCarthy era” would end, and the Democrats would win the White House, and, and…

His friend Syd told me he was waiting for the election and to publish one more book before he moved on. Almost made it. Died on Halloween. All Hallow’s Eve, the Eve of All Saints, when the Spirits come out to celebrate the dead with the living—he had one, good long go-around with the great spirits who went before him…Ida and Big Bill and Mahalia…and then he joined them.

I drove Studs home from an anti-war event, in a snowstorm, the week before America invaded Iraq.

I said, “Well. whatta you think. Are they going in?”

“We’re going in and it’s gonna be bad,” he said.

He also asked me, “Do you do this Web-Internet thing?’

“Yes,” I replied.

‘”They say maybe that can do something.” he said.
“Maybe through this Internet-thing—people will do something.”

That was before Barrack, and moveon.org and the new grassroots
changed elections forever. And with hope, history as well.

While the snow covered Lake Shore Drive and we talked about going to war.
He sang me Eye of the Sparrow—the song Mahalia sang.

“You should sing that.”

I sang him Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

If you get to heaven ‘fore I do
Tell all my friends I’m coming after yo
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Coming for to carry me home

Studs: the Chariot’s come and taken you away.
Sleep in peace and I promise, we justice seekers will do the work down here.

Love,
Jamie

***

The Studs Terkel Centenary

The Studs Terkel Centenary Committee was formed in the interest of promoting and celebrating the life and work of noted Chicagoan Studs Terkel (1912-2012), and will host a number of events throughout the year.

Studs Terkel 100th Birthday Party
The Newberry Library
60 West Walton Street Chicago
Wednesday, May 16 5:30 – 8pm

###

100 Years of Studs Terkel
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark Street
Chicago
Wednesday, May 16 6:30pm
Cost: $15/$10 Members

To see more events and stories go to: http://studsterkelcentenary.wordpress.com/

The Songs of “SONGS”, program & fan mail

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:10:03 +0000

“Together Smith and O’Reilly have created a two-hour song tribute to the American Catholic Experience”.

Songlist from Songs of a Catholic Childhood

Comments about our “hit” showcase:

“Gorgeous, glorious, heart-breaking/warming/stopping, tears of laughter and sorrow performance last night! Would not have missed it for the world. So many, many memories. Thank you and Michael for your beautiful voices, music, and souls.” – B. Bremner

“I laughed and cried tonight at your lovely and beautiful show. ” - K. O’Neill

“I too laughed and cried. A beautiful show indeed.” - L. Smith

__________________________________________________________________

From a Blog by Pat Hickey:
“The Sunday afternoon at Chief O’Neill’s was a real palate cleanser. The fine restaurant and pub named in his honor was a wonderful venue for celebrated songwriter, singer, guitarist and unapologetic Catholic Michael Smith and songstress Ms. Jamie O’Reilly. Together Smith and O’Reilly have created a two-hour song tribute to the American Catholic Experience. This is not a nun-bashing, priest eviscerating abattoir, but a banquet of sacred and touching memory of Catholic Childhood. The songs and tone itself was a celebration of Catholic experience, especially those of us who remember pre-Vatican II. May Crownings, Christmas memories and sweet classroom moments were celebrated in songs adapted or written by O’Reilly and Smith…

I hope that venues like Beverly Arts Center, Irish Cultural Center, Balzekus Lithuanian Museum, the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, and the Polish National Museum avail their facilities to these great artists.

download our one-sheet

Find out more here.

RADIO INTERVIEWS – Songs of Catholic Childhood

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:27:54 +0000

SPRING SHOWCASE

Sunday April 15 at 7:30 PM
Listen for Jamie & Michael on Brian Noonan’s radio show, WGN Radio 720 Am.

LISTEN TO INTERVIEWS AT LINKS BELOW

April 1, 2012
Jamie O’Reilly appears on WGN Radio The Sunday Papers, with Rick Kogan.
Rick plays her version of Song of Bernadette.
Listen here:
http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/sundaypapers/wgnam-kogan-120401-jamie-oreilly-michael-smith-songs-catholic-childhood,0,6139732.mp3file

***

April 8, 2012 Easter Sunday
Radio Broadcast from Evanston, IL
Length 50 minutes

WNUR 98.3 FM The Folk Show with Sue Kessell, Host – website wnur.com
Songs: Pagan Children, Holy City, Bells of St. Mary’s, Vaya con Dios

Part I. Michael and Jamie come on 28 minutes into this one-hour segment http://theradiotapes.com/wnur/wnur2012040811CDT.mp3

Part II. Jamie and Michael complete interview with Sue

http://theradiotapes.com/wnur/wnur2012040812CDT.mp3

***

August 2011.
Michael Smith and Jamie O’Reilly appear on WGN The Sunday Papers with Rick Kogan promoting and singing from the show. Michael sings Pagan Children. Jamie sings I Fell Out of Love With Sin Today.
Listen here : http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/sundaypapers/wgnam-kogan-uncut-110828-jamie-oreilly-michael-smith-songs-of-a-catholic-childhood,0,3544896.mp3file

Michael Smith April E-News & Spring Showcase

admin — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:16:40 +0000

Songs of a Catholic Childhood is sold out for the run!

MAY – Read about Michael’s Fitzgerald’s gig May 24 and more.

Michael’s latest Blog:

Life Lessons from Me and Rudy Vallee:

“So one of the big advantages to having the privilege of growing old is that you get new, presumably cooler viewpoints that would not have been afforded you if you were too soon dead, yeah? And oh yes, you get to look back and see these big mistakes. Of yours. The gift of growing old, and it is a wonderful gift, no question.”

Read more: michaelsmithmusic.com

***

SONGS Update. April 16
Looks like a sell-out!

Listen to Michael’s radio interviews

SONGS OF A CATHOLIC CHILDHOOD
Dinner Theater. April 19, 22, 26 in Chicago

“I remember when gas was eleven cents a gallon
Round the time of Burns and Allen
Way before Jimmy Fallon
I remember when gas was eleven cents a gallon
You had fish on Friday
And you had to wear a tie to go to school”
(From “Pagan Children”, Michael Smith)

Michael

A Note From Michael
This (cruelest) month I’m doing a few presentations of Songs Of A Catholic Childhood with Jamie O’Reilly, a further exploration of a show we did recently for a gathering of Chicago’s St. Scholastica alumni. Writing new stuff for it, messing with some of what we already have. This is the funny thing: the more one reminisces, the more one remembers. You do have a little file cabinet up there, and if you open it up often enough you discover how unsuspectedly near you are to that far time and place. Life does seem to zip by, a thought you probably weren’t ready to encounter on this little email, huh?

It’s 7:00 PM Th April 19, 4 and 7 PM Sun April 22, and 7 PM Th April 26 at Chief O’Neill’s and the folks at O’Neill’s are reportedly glad to have us all coming and going and talking of Michelangelo.

***

RADIO
Easter Sunday, April 8 at 11 am, Michael appears on The Folk Show
WNUR 89.3 FM. Streamed worldwide at wnur.org
And Podcast: http://marconi.soc.northwestern.edu/folk/

SPRING SHOWCASE
Michael Smith & Jamie O’Reilly
Songs of a Catholic Childhood
Th April 19, 7 PM
Sun, April 22, two shows 4 PM, 7 PM
Th, April 26 at 7 PM
Chief O’Neill’s Pub and Restaurant
3471 N. Elston Ave
Music Cover $20; Special Dinner Package $25
Reservations Required PH 773.583.3066
www.chiefoneillspub.com

Read about Songs here

***

See Michael’s videos http://www.michaelsmithmusic.com

Hear his song Sure Has Grown Michael Smith-Sure Has Grown © Bird Ave, ASCAP

“Haute Hibernian” Menu for Songs Spring Showcase

admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:18:53 +0000

Peat smoked shrimp, Shepherd’s Pie with veal, Penne Pasta with Stilton cheese in the sauce, Flourless chocolate tart with raspberry sauce and Frangelica whipped cream?

Dining Rm at Chief O'Neill's

Foods of our Catholic childhoods – tuna casserole and fish sticks – NOT!
Chef Alan Lake, and the folks at Chief O’Neill’s “four forks” pub and restaurant, created a special pre fixe dinner-theater menu for our Spring Showcase of Songs Of a Catholic Childhood.

READ FULL MENU BELOW

“Jamie and Michael bring us to our lives:
to cherish what is simple, know what is lost,
and remember the best of times.”
Read more about the show

Jamie O’Reilly & Michael Smith
Songs of a Catholic Childhood
Thursday, April 19, 7 pm
Sunday, April 22, two shows 4 PM, 7 pm
Thursday, April 26 at 7 pm
Chief O’Neill’s Pub and Restaurant
3471 N. Elston Ave
Music Cover $20
Special Dinner Package $25 (see menu online)
Reservations Required PH 773.583.3066
www.chiefoneillspub.com

NOTE FROM JAMIE
Just three more weeks! We are so excited about our new show. The full information about the dinner-theater menu for our Spring Showcase at Chief O’Neill’s follows below.

RADIO
Easter morning at 11 am, Michael and Jamie will appear live on WNUR’s The Folk Show with Host Sue Kessell. Listen for our radio ads on The Midnight Special, WFMT 98.7 FM, wfmt.com, Saturday, March 31 9 pm – midnight.

DINING & MORE ABOUT THE EVENING

CHIEF O’NEILL’S PUB AND RESTAURANT ANNOUNCES SPECIAL PRE-FIXE “HAUTE HIBERNIAN” MENU FOR SMITH/O’REILLY SPRING SHOWCASE PERFORMANCES APRIL 19, 22 & 26 (2 shows Sunday)

Dinner from the pre fixe menu is $25 (drinks, gratuity not included). Plan on arriving ninety minutes before the performance. Or just coming for the show? Arrive 30 minutes before and order from the dessert and drink menu. Reservations required. Groups accommodated. Street Parking. Call 773 583 3066.

DINNER TIMES
Dinner guests are asked to arrive by 5:30 pm for the 700 pm shows – 4/19, 4/22, 4/26; At 2:30 pm for the Sunday 4/22 4:00 pm show. If you have made a reservation, the restaurant will call you, informed of the menu and your arrival time will be confirmed.

SHOW ONLY, NO DINNER
Just coming for the show? Reservations are requested 773. 583.3066
Guests who are not having dinner are welcome to come anytime before the
show. Your table will be held for you for the evening. There is no drink minimum. Chief’s extensive Drinks Menu will available. Desserts are $7

Songs of a Catholic Childhood
Pre Fixe Menu $25

Appetizers (choose one)

Donegal Peat Smoked Shrimp (Served Chilled)

Fennel-Orange Salad, Carrot-Ginger Emulsion

Cashel Blue Cheesecake
ecans, Scallions, Herb Salad, Kumquat-Fig Chutney

Baked Crab Stuffed Clams
Roasted Peppers, Celery, Onion, Pecorino Romano,
Lemon Zest, Rosemary, Thyme

Entrees (choose one)

Shepherd’s Pie
Ground veal and sirloin, carrots, peas,
rosemary and thyme topped with mashed potatoes

McKinney’s Famous Corned Beef
Slow-cooked, house cured corned beef with braised cabbage,
carrots and baby red potatoes

Fish & Chips
Harp beer battered North Atlantic Cod served with mushy peas,
coleslaw, tartar sauce, steak fries

Penne Pasta
Grilled Chicken Breast, Asparagus, Roasted Peppers, Walnuts,
3 Cheese Sauce (Stilton, Aged Cheddar, Goat Cheese)

Bangers & Mash
Diamond’s authentic Bangers, mashed potatoes,
caramelized onions and demi-glace

Dessert (choose one)

Flourless Chocolate Tart with Raspberry Sauce,
Frangelica Whipped Cream

Warm Strawberry Rhubarb Oat Crumble
Ala mode with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

*******

Make your reservation now, call 773 583 3066.

MY Cultural Plan for Chicago? Share the Spoils

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:39:33 +0000

This is my submission to the request for a story or thoughts on Chicago’s new Cultural Plan: www.chicagoculturalplan2012.com. Warning. It is fiery and opinionated and refreshing as hell to get it out of my system, since I gleefully, am an INDEPENDENT artist, and I ain’t “workin for the man!”

I have been a celebrated cultural artist, producer and activist in Chicago for 30 + years. www.jamieoreilly.com. My family has been making art, working in newspapers, been part of the teachers, theater and electricians unions for over 120 years. Chicago is our town! I was on the Friends of the Cultural Center Board for five years with the late Fred Fine and Al Booth, developed classes on self-promotion and career development for the artist at Columbia College. I was a teacher at ArtScape Gallery 37 Chicago, a regular presenter at the Chicago Cultural Center, and was a contributor to Chicago Artist Resource. I am a contributing radio producer to WFMT Fine Arts Radio, and more.

I am also an arts activist. I run my own business J. O’Reilly Productions from my home, where I also host the Roots Salon. My paying clients are post-college age adults whom I successfully coach in artist development and career management. I also provide them opportunities, collaborations, and PAY.

I have followed this transition in city culture – the grandiosity of this plan – with hope it was a refreshing effort after the nasty dealings in the previous administration. I am unimpressed. I do not see the many gifted independent artists we have here being served with these objectives. It strikes me as for show. And more about aiming for a high profile in the business sector, than life giving in the creative one.

Though an internationally recognized artist, and named a Notable Chicagoan by the generous, dynamic Rick Kogan, I have NOT been invited in this conversation. The last few times I was asked to participate in city cultural events it was for NO PAY.

The average performer is STILL receiving less than minimum wage – being asked to perform for nothing at farmers markets and city festivals. I could go on.

Mayor and Committee: the tourism dollars you seek, will NOT go to the people who MAKE the art – but the people who market their art, landscape designers and florists, sound engineers, parking garages, and ADMINISTRATORS with full time positions and benefits. It is not my experience that these people ‘invited’ to the city’s party – who benefit from the art we make – pay it forward.

We who have stayed in this city, and developed our craft – who advocate for – and employ our peers – are consistently slighted, and underpaid. It may take a Red Moon or a Grant Park Symphony to court dollars, and tourism, but it is the rich resource of independent artists – people like us – that invest heart, mind, time and talent to the great city – our city.

We make the memorable WORK that puts Chicago on the map.
That builds community.

I am blessed to have many Chicago artists in my own O’REILLY family – my late father James, (an award-winning actor, co-founder of the Court Theater), my mother Winifred (who at 88, has directed theater at Renaissance Dept of Aging for 20 years), my brother Beau (Co-founder of the Curious Theater, teacher at the School of the Art Institute), my sister Cecilie (Head of Voice and Speech at Columbia College Chicago Theater Dept), and yes, me.

WE ARE CHICAGO.

I would love to see this acknowledged with real paid work, and appreciation – with funds going to ARTISTS – and not out-of-town consultants.

And I would love my displeasure at this whole business to be abated and my faith in Chicago restored.

Sincerely,

Jamie O’Reilly
“A Voice for the Soul of the City

California Dreamin’- Michael P. Smith S. California Tour

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:42:25 +0000

March 1, 2012

CELEBRATED CHICAGO SONGWRITER MICHAEL P. SMITH
RETURNS TO S. CALIFORNIA IN SERIES OF FOLK CONCERTS

With the recent addition of an appearance on Tuesday, March 27 at the Coffee Gallery in Altadena, folk music legend Smith expands his roster of performances to 5 concerts in S. California this month: Tales from the Tavern series, in San Ynez (3/21), St. Matt’s After Dark, in Orange (3/24), Dark Thirty House Concerts, in Lakeside (3/25), and the Caltech Folk Society Concerts, in Pasadena (3/31).

To read about Michael, view videos; http://www.michaelsmithmusic.com

The full list of California concert and weblinks appear below.

“When I was twenty-three or so I realized that I was probably a songwriter.
I was living then in Coconut Grove, Florida, and worked six nights a week for three years at a coffeehouse, The Flick…It took me quite a while but I finally picked up on The Beatles around Sergeant Pepper and now I will never be free.
Thank God for The White Album.” (M. Smith)

One of the most captivating songwriters in the music arena, this “undisputed genius,” (Sing Out Magazine), has toured the United States and Canada for nearly five decades. Michael creates new work on a constant basis, and the finest performers record his songs.

Rumor has it, his classic song “The Dutchman,” (a signature piece for the late Liam Clancy and folksinger Steve Goodman, and a recent hit by Celtic Thunder on PBS), was first heard at Bob Stane’s The Icehouse in Pasadena! Stane, now owner of the Coffee Gallery, is one of the enthusiastic hosts on this tour who make Michael a regular on their performance rosters.

There are no signs the 70 year-old songwriter is slowing down–or has any shortage of musical ideas. He is in fact, more prolific than ever, having recently composed a score for Melville’s Moby Dick, written a dozen songs on commission for listeners of The Midnight Special radio program (wfmt.com), and has completed his next solo CD recording of all original work.

Michael was recently quoted as saying, “In truth, it is only in the last 10, 15 years that I have come to understand how precious it is, the chance to create. One is lucky to get to write songs and luckier still to make a living this way’, he said. ” (“Michael Smith still in high creative gear”, Lake Forester Sun Times)

In powerful songs, award-winning musical scores, and unforgettable recordings – musical mastery is in whatever Michael does. Those familiar with Michael know what stands out about him. For those who aren’t, the California tour is a wonderful opportunity to see the master at work. Now aren’t YOU the lucky ones? Don’t miss Michael Smith in concert.

Michael’s California concerts are listed below:

Wednesday March 21, 7:00 PM
Tales from the Tavern, Host Ron Colone
The Maverick Saloon
3687 Sagunto Street
San Ynez, CA
PH 805.688.1375

http://www.talesfromthetavern.com

Saturday March 24, 8:00 PM
St. Matt’s After Dark
Venue: St Matthew’s Church
1111 Town & Country Rd.
Orange, CA
PH 714.792.3964

http://www.saint-matthew.org/hap/afterdark.php

Sunday March 25, 7:30 PM
Dark Thirty House Concerts, Host Jimmy Duke
11132 Pinehurst DR
Lakeside, CA 92040
PH 619.443.9622

http://www.darkthirty.com/

Tuesday March 27, 8 PM
The Coffee Gallery Backstage
2029 N. Lake
Altadena, Ca. 91001
PH 626.798.6236

www.coffeegallery.com

Saturday March 31, 8:00 PM
CalTech Folk Society
Beckman Institute Auditorium (building 74 on the map).
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA 91125
Tickets obtained from the Caltech Ticket Office.
PH 626.395.4652.

http://folkmusic.caltech.edu

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