On Stage: Award winning Shen Yun set to wow

Also: Light Day Foundation with Rob Hyman and Lisa Bouchelle; Emma Cullen, Tomeka Reid Quartet, and more to perform locally

 

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times

 

The annual touring production by Shen Yun Performing Arts is a treat for the senses — a spectacle of sight of sight and sound. It has made an annual visit to Philadelphia every year for more than a decade.

This year, the 2016 Shen Yun show will have four performances from January 8-10 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333, www.kimmelcenter.org).

Each year, it gets better with more colorful costumes, more musical variety and a more technically advanced production. The show has sold out virtually every one of its performances in Philadelphia in recent years.

The production, which is a breathtaking spectacular that delights audiences everywhere, features handmade costumes, graceful dancing and lively drums. It is a showcase for traditional Chinese culture with all original songs and original dances, many of which are based on traditional pieces.

The touring cast features outstanding vocalists, elegant classical Chinese dance, a variety of traditional music along with an impressive stage design and gorgeous scenery. It is a big multi-media show that accomplishes the difficult task of blending Eastern and Western instruments through original scores.

“Each year, Shen Yun does get better,” said Shen Yun principal dancer Tony Xue, during a recent phone interview. “With Chinese classical traditions, there are so many things you can draw from. And, there is also a lot that you can draw from with Chinese folklore.”

When people see the annual touring production by Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time, they usually exit the theater with awe-struck looks on their faces. Invariably, they return to see the show the following year — and sometimes even during the same run the first year.

Shen Yun’s show changes 100 per cent from year-to-year but the format does not. It always is a showcase for traditional Chinese culture. It is a performance that features all original songs and original dances — many of which are based on traditional pieces.

“Each year, the show is completely different program,” said Xue. “Everything is brand new — even the musical compositions. The Chinese instruments all have unique sounds that can portray different emotions.”

The Shen Yun show has grown in popularity so much in recent years that it now has four companies on the road.

“There are four troupes but we all do the same show with the same sets,” said Xue. “The shows play all over the United States and in many other regions around the world.”

Xue won first place in New Tang Dynasty Television’s 2012 International Classical Chinese Dance Competition. He won second place in 2010, and first place in the junior male division of the same competition in 2009. He pursued advanced studies in classical Chinese dance at the New York-based Fei Tian Academy of the Arts.

“I’ve been studying classical Chinese dance at Fei Tian for years,” said Xue. “Chinese dance has a rich history of more than 1,000 years. Classical dance comes from really ancient times.

“I saw a Shen Yun show when I was a kid and knew I wanted to join the company. I joined Shen Yun in 2007 as part of the school curriculum at Fei Tian. I’m dancing in a lot of numbers in this year’s show because I’m one of the principal dancers.

“One of my favorite numbers from previous shows is the Monkey King Dance. It gets really positive feedback. We’ve had a couple of monk dances that are always good. I personally like dances featuring historical figures.

“Those types are harder to dance because you have to learn about the historical figure. One of my favorites is Lin Chong who is a main character in the famous Chinese novel ‘Outlaws of the Marsh.’

“In the Shen Yun show, the dance numbers for the females are very different than those for the males. The guys’ dances are strong with a lot of energy and passion. The girls’ dances are more graceful and more colorful.”

There are pieces in the Shen Yun show that deal with the persecution of Falun Gong (a spiritual discipline that is similar to Buddhism). They are presented with just the right balance — not too heavy-handed but also not subtle enough to be overlooked.

A lot of Chinese culture has been destroyed by the totalitarian regime there now. So, it is important that a company such as Shen Yun has the artistic freedom to represent arts from 5,000 years of Chinese culture. The company’s shows embody traditional values and a message of hope.

Video link for Shen Yun — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tC35DjhLml8.

Shen Yun performances at the Academy of Music will be on January 8 at 7:30 p.m., January 9 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and January 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $60-$180.

The Philadelphia area finally has its own Light of Day event. On January 8, the World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com) will host “Light of Day Philadelphia: Songwriters Up Close & Personal.”

The first-ever Philadelphia concert for the world-renowned Light of Day Foundation will be the opening event of “Light of Day Winterfest 2016,” a 10-day festival that will bring over 150 music and comedy acts to 30 venues in three New Jersey cities, New York City and Philadelphia.

Light of Day WinterFest has maintained a high profile with performances by Bruce Springsteen in 11 of the previous 15 years, including last year’s event, which raised over $500,000 to combat Parkinson’s disease.

The Light of Day Foundation utilizes the power of music to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson’s disease and related illnesses such as PSP and ALS within our lifetime. The Foundation’s mission is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those illnesses, their families and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life.

The primary fundraising efforts are an annual series of concerts held in Asbury Park, NJ. Since its inception in 2000, Light of Day has raised over $3 million in the fight to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

What began as a single concert in New Jersey has grown into approximately 70 shows in 13 countries on three continents including North America, Europe and Australia. The concerts and the organization began as a birthday party in November 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank, New Jersey to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin.

Benjamin had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and in lieu of gifts, asked that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. More than $2,000 was raised that night.

The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park’s legendary Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists. The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers headlined the show, which featured a surprise appearance Springsteen.

The roster of previous Light of Day performers includes Michael J. Fox, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Darlene Love, Southside Johnny, Jesse Malin, Alejandro Escovedo, Willie Nile, Garland Jeffreys, Jakob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Pete Yorn, Gary US Bonds and John Eddie.

The line-up for this weekend’s “Light of Day Philadelphia: Songwriters Up Close & Personal” show features host/performer Ben Arnold, Rob Hyman of the Hooters, Lisa Bouchelle, Mutlu, Blake Morgan, Willie Nile, and more to be announced.

Rob Hyman is a musician who needs no introduction to area music fans.

A Philly Walk of Fame inductee, Hyman is a singer/songwriter, keyboardist, and producer who co-founded Philly rock band The Hooters with collaborator and fellow Philly Walk of Famer Eric Bazilian in 1980.

The Hooters are one of the most popular music acts to come from Philadelphia. They were the opening act at the U.S. Live-Aid Concert in 1985 — and at the Amnesty International Concert at Giants Stadium (1986), Harry Chapin’s World Hunger Benefit at Carnegie Hall (1987), and Roger Water’s “The Wall” in Berlin (1990).

The popular rock act toured the United States and abroad extensively and recorded multi-platinum albums with hits such as “And We Danced”, “All You Zombies”, “Day By Day”, “Johnny B”, “Satellite”, “500 Miles”, and “Karla With A K.” The band finished up their “35 Years Live” Tour at the Keswick Theater in the Philadelphia area in November 2015.

Hyman individually gained international fame when he played keyboards, sang, and co-arranged Cyndi Lauper’s debut album “She’s So Unusual” (1983). He also co-wrote and performed on “Time After Time” with Cyndi, which earned them a Number One song on the Billboard Charts and a Grammy nomination for “Song of the Year” in 1985.

He recently toured with Lauper again in Japan and was part of her house band at her annual True Colors Foundation benefit concert at the Beacon Theater in New York last month.

“The Hooters had two sold-out 35th anniversary shows in November at the Keswick and it was great,” said Hyman, during a recent phone interview. “The shows at the Keswick were some of the best we’ve ever done.

“Everybody is in good shape. It’s not an oldies thing as far as we’re concerned. We’re still rocking out. Some of our other greatest shows were Live Aid, a live MTV Special from the Spectrum on Thanksgiving in 1988 and the show at JFK Stadium with the Who and the Clash.”

The Light of Day show will be a first for Hyman.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Hyman. “It’s a great cause. It’s the 16th anniversary of Winterfest with 30 shows over a 10-day period. Eric (Bazilian) just did the European swing of Light of Day shows.

“With the Light of Day show in Philadelphia, I’m a latecomer to the party. Ben Arnold is the Philly connection. He’s the host and he and Willie Nile have spearheaded the project. I’ve worked with Ben and Willie — and with Mutlu — over the years.

“For this show, it will be round-robin. We’ll all pick some tunes and interact — spontaneous, loose performances. ‘Time After time’ is definitely a contender. We’re emailing each other trying to get a game plan. Everyone has tunes they want to do as well as requests from others. I expect Mutlu to jump in on a Hooters’ song.

“I go the farthest back with Willie. He collaborated on a Hooters’ song — ‘Washington’s Day’ from the ‘One Way Home’ album back in 1987. I’m a great fan of Willie’s. He’s one of the last great troubadours.”

Video link for Rob Hyman — https://vimeo.com/4550569.

Lisa Bouchelle is an entertainer on a lot of levels.

She is a talented songwriter, a powerful singer and a mean guitarist. She is a musician who excels both as a solo artist and fronting a rocking band. Bouchelle is a sought-after backup singer. She is also an accomplished cook, a former model and the host of her own television show.

Right now, Bouchelle is embarking on a campaign to promote her upcoming album, “Whole Lotta Highway.’”

“We just finished making ‘Whole Lotta Highway’,” said Bouchelle, during a recent phone interview from her home in the Trenton area.

“The album really features the singer/songwriter aspect of what I do. I always start writing the songs on acoustic guitar. The new album also has more of an Americana feel to it with pedal steel guitar and mandolin.”

Bouchelle did a limited physical release of “Whole Lotta Highway” for her fans and now is looking to take it to the next level.

“I’m really excited at how well it’s selling as a limited edition fan club CD,” said Bouchelle. “I’m in talks right now about signing with a record label for the album. I’ll do another pressing when we sign with them.”

The new album was co-produced by Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow’s producer and frequent co-writer) .

“I did half of the album in California with Jeff Trott,” said Bouchelle. “I did the other half at a studio in Edison, New Jersey. The album was five months in the making and I just finished it a month ago. The songs are all new. I always road-test songs before I release them. I don’t consider them done until they’re broken-in.

“The album is about my first tour in 2007. It was baptism by fire so I had to write about the experience. I got a call from my manager and he told me I had three days to get ready for a tour. I was opening for Blues Traveler. I was in Atlantic City on a Wednesday night and had to get to New Orleans by Saturday morning. I threw some canned goods in the trunk of my old Nissan and off I went.”

Bouchelle, Blues Traveler’s fans and John Popper (lead singer for Blues Traveler) all realized that her maiden tour was the start of something really good.

Ever since that tour, Bouchelle has been building a fan base and establishing herself as well-respected musician. She has sung duets with Jon Bon Jovi, John Popper, and James LeBrie of Dream Theater; sung backup for Bruce Springsteen; and done national tours and/or opened for Meat Loaf, Blues Traveler, Bryan Adams, Train, Ingrid Michaelson and Ted Nugent.

“I’m in it for longevity,” said Bouchelle. “My fan base looks for me to be real.”

Bouchelle and her management are also in discussions with several interested parties concerning the national syndication of her TV show “Rock Star Kitchen,” which is seen on The Comcast Network (TCN) in this area on Sundays at 8 p.m. and Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.

“I’ve been doing my TV show for two-and-one-half years,” said Bouchelle. “I’ve done 20 episodes for Comcast and it’s the highest-rated show on that syndicated network. I’m hoping to get picked up by a national network soon.”

Video link for Lisa Bouchelle — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=42uIF8ahm4Y.

Showtime at the World Café Live is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Other upcoming shows at the World Café Live are Aiden James on January 9, Old Soul Revival and Fragile on January 10, A Fistful of Sugar on January 10, Monday Jazz Jam on January 11, Samba Guitar Duo on January 12 and The Suitcase Junket on January 13.

Local clubs such as Chaplin’s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110, http://chaplinslive.com) frequently provide area music fans with opportunities to see and hear young, emerging talents perform in the early stages of their careers.

One of those opportunities will exist on January 8 when Chaplin’s presents Emma Cullen as one of the acts on a triple bill that also features Jordan White and Tracy Chamberlain. Cullen is a talented singer-songwriter-guitarist whose music falls mostly into the indie-rock category.

“My brother started playing guitar when he was nine and I wanted to be like him,” said Cullen, during a recent phone interview. “I started guitar lessons when I was 10. I’ve been taking lessons on-and-off ever since.

“I also started writing songs when I was 10. I was inspired by Taylor Swift so some of my older music has a country-pop feel. My latest song ‘The Truth’ has an indie-pop feel inspired by Lorde.

“Now, I’m writing about more life things. ‘The Truth’ is about my perspective of the world — about what is going on around me. I need to be grateful for what I have but I want to achieve great things — to travel the world and have people hear my music.”

This Friday’s show will mark the seventh time Cullen has played Chaplin’s. She also has performed at the Robin Hood Dell, the Trocadero Balcony, the World Café Live, the Ladybug Festival, the Steel City Coffee House and the World Café Live at the Queen.

“I’m always writing — with very little effort,” said Cullen. “I just write. Most of the time, I have an idea of what I want the song to say and then the music follows.

“My major influences are Lorde, Biffy Clyro, Bjork. I like the weird indie-pop sound. I also like rap artists like Eminem. I really appreciate rap music.”

Video link for Emma Cullen — https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=0j6vwi5P1uI.

The show at Chaplin’s will get underway at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 online and $12 at the door. On January 9, Chaplin’s will present Chestnut Grove and The Noc Jox.

The Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) will have Davey Dickens Jr. and The Troubadors along with Josh Komorowski and The Sons of Thunder on January 8, and No Stringz Attached and Joy Ike on January 9.

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com) will host Bob Dylan and The Band Tribute featuring The The Band Band on January 8, and The End of America along with The Fallen Troubadours on January 9.

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389, www.ardmoremusic.com) will host Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead Tribute) and Man About A Horse on January 7, Flightschool, Denizen and Bird Watcher on January 8, and Maceo Parker and Rugby Road on January 9.

Doc Watson’s Public House (150 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, 610-524-2424, docwatsonspublichouse.com) will host Halos and Horns on January 9.

Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, 610-354-8118, www.vfcasino.com) will present Fish Out Of Water on January 9 in The Vault.

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) hosts Corey Harris with Toney Rocks on January 7, Raymond the Amish Comic on January 8, Lights Out on January 9 and Davy Knowles on January 13.

The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, www.thegrandwilmington.org) will present the Band of the Royal Marines on January 13.

World Café Live at the Queen (500 North Market Street, Wilmington, 302- 994-1400, www.queen.worldcafelive.com) will host The Weekend Riot & The House On Cliff with Special Guest Conundrum Nine on January 8, Kategory5’s Rewind to Vinyl Show on January 9, Brian Fallon & the Crowes with Cory Branan on January 10 and Badfish with Sun Dried Vibes on January 13.

On January 7, Ars Nova Workshop will present the Tomeka Reid Quartet at the Philadelphia Art Alliance (251 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, www.arsnovaworkshop.com). The Tomeka Reid Quartet features Mary Halvorson, guitar; Jason Roebke, bass; Tomas Fujiwara, drums and Tomeka Reid, cello. The show starts at 8 p.m. with tickets priced at $15.

The Walnut Street Theatre (825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-574-3550, www.walnutstreettheatre.org) is presenting “A Christmas Story, The Musical” now through January 10.

“A Christmas Story, The Musical” is a Broadway musical comedy based on the classic 1983 movie. Set in Indiana in the 1940’s, it features a bespectacled boy named Ralphie who has a big imagination and one wish for Christmas –a Red Ryder BB Gun.

Video link for “A Christmas Story” — https://youtu.be/8ibc4ubYe9E.

Ticket prices range from $20-$95.

The Prince Music Theater (1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 267-239-2941, princetheater.org) is presenting a new show titled “The Three Maries  — A Philadelphia Phable” that will run through January 10.

“The Three Maries” is a musical comedy inspired by an historical event — Queen Marie of Romania’s visit to the city of Philadelphia in October of 1926. The original score is infused with 1920’s jazz, vaudeville, Tin Pan Alley and the famous sound of the Mummer’s string bands.

Ticket prices range from $27-$52.