I Get Interviewed on Radio/TV

I don't get interviewed on radio or TV often. But I came into the studio an hour early this morning to prep my ArtsBeat Radio/TV show, and got interviewed on JP's Golden Age of Radio. Segment starts around 4:30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0V8MKUGz8E

ArtsBeat Radio/TV: The Big Broadcast

ArtsBeat Radio/TV on 89.5fm/WSKB and WCPC15 Profiles Mark Gionfriddo and Brian Lapis from The Big Broadcast!, with hosts Mark G. Auerbach and Jay Pagluica.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V__HWMObviw

Pioneer Valley Radio Review: Jesus Christ Superstar

Pioneer Valley Radio review of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Hartford's Bushnell through Sunday. Segment starts at: 1:35. http://pioneervalleyradio.com/2020/02/27/brad-shepard-today-thursday-february-27-2020/

Westfield News Review: Jesus Christ Superstar at The Bushnell

My Westfield News Review of Jesus Christ Superstar, at Hartford's Bushnell through March 1. Hard to believe it's 50 years old.   https://thewestfieldnews.com/jesus-christ-superstar-returns-to-hartford/

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/26/20

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/26/20. Review of Hartford Stage's "Jane Eyre"; a preview of "The Pitch", a world premiere at The Majestic, and arts news for WMass and No.CT.
https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-307/

Client Newsletter / MArch 2020

March, 2020

Dear Clients, Colleagues, and Friends,

We’re pleased to share our clients’ activities.

The Big Broadcast! returns to Mount Holyoke College’s Chapin Auditorium for its 15^th edition on Saturday, March 7 at 2PM and 7:30PM. (Snow date is Sunday, March 8). This signature event at Mount Holyoke, created by and directed by Mark Gionfriddo, who also stars as “Matt Morgan”., and WWLP-TV22’s Brian Lapis, returning as emcee “Fred Kelley”. Caitlin Jaene Mercer, MHC02, a founding member of the Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College, appears with that ensemble in the recreation of a live radio broadcast from 1942. Caitlin, a bass player and chanteuse, fronts the band Hippopotamous. For details on her career and links to her YouTube: www.caitlinjaene.com. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance at the UMass Fine Arts Center Box-Office and The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. For details: 413-545-2511, 800-999-UMASS, or www.fineartscenter.com.  Mark Gionfriddo was interviewed by Brad Shepard for Pioneer Valley Radio. http://pioneervalleyradio.com/2020/02/18/radio-show-285-mark-gionfriddo-and-the-big-broadcast-at-mount-holyoke-college/

The Capitol Steps continue their 39^th season of political musical satire, putting the “mock” in democracy. In addition to their weekly Friday and Saturday performances in Washington, DC; their touring companies are playing coast-to-coast this month. You can check their national tour schedule: http://www.capsteps.com/live/ And, they post new material weekly on their website: www.capsteps.com. The Chicago Tribune interviewed veteran Steps member Bari Biern. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-ent-capitol-steps-0228-20200218-bf37oxb6tjg7vgeaggxan5pz2m-story.html

Westfield Concerts, powered by Gaslight Entertainment, is off to a great New Year. Their March music weekend features  The Screaming Orphans, Celtic rock band on March 13; and Robbie Fulks on March 15. For details: www.westfieldconcerts.com.

More Shameless Self-Promotion

I’m looking forward to participating in marketing and public relations workshops at Western New England University on March 24, and at Westfield State University on April 3.

My weekly ArtsBeat column runs online every Wednesday in The Westfield News. Theatre reviews post generally a day or two after I review the performance. Find them at: https://thewestfieldnews.com/

ArtsBeat Radio/TV airs every Friday at 8AM on both 89.5fm/WSKB and WCPC15 in Westfield. They post to WSKB Community Radio’s YouTube shortly after they air. https://www.youtube.com/ Check out one of my favorite programs: a Valentine’s Day chat with regional actors/directors and spouses, Tara Franklin and James Barry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRBDRZ8OZ3g&t=2046s

Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard—Today airs my theatre previews and reviews, mostly on Tuesdays. Stream at: http://pioneervalleyradio.com/

My February article for Succeeding in Small Business, about state resources for start-ups, was prompted when I learned that Matt Pugliese, a colleague of mine at Connecticut Repertory Theatre and the Nutmeg Summer Stage, left the arts to work with small business development. https://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/are-you-a-start-up-business-your-state-can-help/#.Xk6jQxNKhQK

Here’s to Spring!

Pioneer Valley Radio / Review of Jane Eyre at Hartford Stage

Pioneer Valley Radio review of Hasrtford Stage's "Jane Eyre". Segment begins at 1:16.
http://pioneervalleyradio.com/2020/02/25/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-february-25-2020/

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/19/20

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/19/20. Review: 10x10 New Play Festival; summer season announcements at Williamstown Theatre Fwstival, Berkshire Theatre Group, Chester Theatre, and Shakespeare & Company and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-306/

Media Release: Mike Thornton to Perform Jazz Benefit in Pittsfield, MA on February 25

CALENDAR LISTING

The Mike Thornton Agency presents

WINTER WARMTH: A JAZZ BENEFIT

starring vocalist Mike Thornton, with Kelley Love on keyboard

Tuesday, February 25 6:30PM

Flavours of Malaysia, 75 North Street, Pittsfield, MA

Washington, DC based jazz singer Mike Thornton, best known as the veteran Capitol Steps member who has played US Presidents from Reagan to Trump during his two decades of as a member of The Capitol Steps, joins forces with local pianist Kelley Love to perform an evening of pop and jazz standards.

Thornton regularly performs in clubs around Washington, DC in between his Capitol Steps performances, and after releasing his new DC, Homeward, last year, part of which was recorded before a live audience in The Berkshires, he made his London, England, debut.

The concert is a benefit for two local charities, The Elizabeth Freeman Center and Berkshire County Kid’s Place. 

Tickets, $20.00 each, are available through Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-warmth-a-jazz-benefit-mike-thornton-kel-tickets-94883050759

For information on Mike Thornton: https://mikethorntonjazz.com/

For information on Flavours of Malaysia. http://flavoursintheberkshires.com/

For information on The Elizabeth Freeman Center: https://www.elizabethfreemancenter.org/

For information on Berkshire County Kids Place: https://www.kidsplaceonline.org/

# # #

Pioneer Valley Radio Previews "The Big Broadcast!"

Pioneer Valley Radio's previews the 15th edition of "The Big Broadcast!". Brad Shepard chats with Mark Gionfriddo, creator and director of the recreation of a 1940's live radio radio broadcast. Brian Lapis and Caitlin Jaene co-star with the Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College. Two performances, March 7, 2PM and 7:30PM. Tickets at fineartscenter.com.
 http://pioneervalleyradio.com/2020/02/18/radio-show-285-mark-gionfriddo-and-the-big-broadcast-at-mount-holyoke-college/

Pioneer Vazlley Radio Review: 10x10 at Barerington Stage

My Pioneer Valley Radio review of Barrington Stage's New Play Festival. 10 plays, each 10 minutes long, with two directors, six actors, and a mix of comedy and drama. It all adds up to a great day of theatrew. Segment begins at 2:18. http://pioneervalleyradio.com/2020/02/18/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-february-18-2020/

Succeeding in Small Business / February 2020: Profile of Matthew Pugliese

My February article for Succeeding in Small Business. My profile of Matthew Pugliese, CT Small Business Development. https://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/are-you-a-start-up-business-your-state-can-help/#.XkqUmhNKhQJ

ArtsBeat Radio/TV 2/14/20

ArtsBeat Radio/TV Valentine's Day Edition. Actors, directors, musicians, teachers and spouses James Barry and Tara Franklin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRBDRZ8OZ3g

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/13/20

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/13/20. A review of "The Lifespan of a Fact" at Hartford's TheaterWorks. Previews: "Pride and Prejudice" at Playhouse on Park, an Elvis tribute at Goodspeed, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-305/

Media Release: Westfield Concerts March Concerts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

Patrick Berry, Gaslight Entertainment. 413-579-8540 or patrick@westfieldconcerts.

Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations. 413-427-7352 or mgauerbach@gmail.com

CALENDAR LISTINGS

WESTFIELD CONCERTS MONTHLY MUSIC WEEKEND: MARCH, 2020

Powered by Gaslight Entertainment

March 13-15, 2020

Westfield Woman’s Club

28 Court Street, Westfield, MA 01085

Tickets and Information:  www.westfieldconcerts.com

Friday, March 13,  2020

Opener: Sarah the Fiddler  7PM

The Screaming Orphans 8PM 

The Screaming Orphans have been nominated by the Irish Music Awards for Best New Irish CD and have won the Top Celtic Rock band category. Screaming Orphans 2017 Folk/Irish album "Taproom" charted No. 1 in the iTunes World Music charts and in the top 10 in the Billboard World Albums charts. They were also included on the "Ultimate Guide to Irish Folk" album, which includes tracks from many of their musical heroes. "Taproom" was named 2017 Folk/Pop/Rock Album Of The Year by the Folk'n'Rock magazine.

screamingorphans.com

  

Saturday,  March 14, 2020

Opener (TBA) 7PM  

El Grande 8PM

Attitude fueled by rock and roll and punk ethics gives life to El Grande‘s original brand of ska. Combining muscular vocals and lyrics that touch on personal triumph, relationships and social messages that speak to everyday people, El Grande’s songs range from fast, upbeat soul shouting ska to crooning rocksteady and lovers rock reggae.

elgrandemusic.com

 

Sunday,  March 15, 2020

Opener Jon Adams 4PM  

Robbie Fulks 5PM

Robbie Fulks is a singer, recording artist, instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter. Fulks most recent release, 2017’s Upland Stories, earned year’s-best recognition from NPR and Rolling Stone among many others, as well as two Grammy® nominations, for folk album and American roots song (“Alabama At Night”).

www.robbiefulks.com

  

-30-.

Attached: Photos of the headliners

The Screaming Orphans

El Grande

Robbie Fulks

  

Note to the Press.

Contact Patrick or Mark for additional photos or video. Patrick or Mark can also arrange interviews with the musicians and the Gaslight Entertainment team.

ArtsBeat Radio/TV 2/7/20: Tom Willits and Jay Pagluica

ArtsBeat Radio/TV for 2/7/20, Mark G. Auerbach chats with Jay Pagluica who previews this weekend’s Westfield Concerts’ David Bowie and Queen tributes concerts. And, Tom Willits talks about the PVPA/MAPS collaboration where students put poetry to music..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVJrrFj5_EI

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/5/20

Westfield News ArtsBeat 2/5/20. "Jane Eyre" opens at Hartford Stage; "The Lifespan of a Fact" at TheaterWorks/Hartford, and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra presents "Love on Broadway". And arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-304/