Puma Perl's Blog, page 4

December 6, 2021 Teen Cancer USA Benefit at the Cutting Room

Photo, Anne Husick
L-R Joe Sztabnik, Puma Perl, Dave Donen, Arno Hecht, Joff Wilson

On December 6, 2021, the first of series of benefits for Teen Cancer USA was held at the Cutting Room. The theme was connected to the recent release of "Get Back,"a three part documentary series by Peter Jackson, which includes the Beatles' last live performance. All of the bands created a song connected to the Beatles.

Joff Wilson, guitarist and vocalist, arranged a version of "Eleanor Rigby" and I recreated a poem, "Why Do I Write?" to support the teens living with cancer and enhancing their lives through the arts. The charity was started by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend. Bassists/writers Tom Semioli and David C. Gross conceived and implemented this series.

Puma Perl and Friends was honored to be included and to have the great Arno Hecht joining us onstage.
 

November 6, 2021 Celebrating Marky

Marky Iannello, 9/28/53-2/17/21, Photo Puma Perl


  Joe Sztabnik, Dave Donen, Rick Eckerle and I
did a few songs. Photo, Don Sztabnik



With Cathy Boruch
Marky owned many guitars and apprenticed as a luthier when he was young.

Losing Marky Iannello was a shock to his friends and family. He was a behind the scenes legend, a gardener, a sailor, a business owner, and a beloved friend and supporter of the music and arts world.
On November 6th, 2021, his friends and family came together to celebrate his life.In true Marky fashion, he had left behind money and a playlist so all of his friends could have a great party in his honor. And it was.

October 17, 2021 Female Fronted Bands at O'Henry's Publick House, Staten Island, NY

With Pupa, Rick, Joe, Puma, Julie
Pupa, my friend for over 40 years.

I was invited by Kitty the DJ to be one of three female fronted bands playing at the O'Henry Publick House in Staten Island. Joe Sztabnik accompanied me at this event made possible by the New York Artists Corp. A bunch of our good friends came out to see us. 

September 9, 2021, SoulCake Record Release in Rochester

 We had a great time accompanying Joff Wilson, Sarafae and Laura Sativa to their SoulCake record release party in Rochester, NY.

Top photo is at Murph's, the best blues bar in town, taken by Thomas Richards.

The second is at the Photo City Music Hall, where the actual record release took place. Photo by Mary Monroe, Joe Sztabnik, Nate Coffey on bass, Mary Monroe did double duty on harp, and lo and behold Joff Wilson is a drummer.

Video What in the World

 One of my favorite recordings, with Joe Sztabnik, Joetone Studios.  Original poem, "What in the World" and vocals by Puma Perl, original music and production by Joe Sztabnik, percussion, Dave Donen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MPIs...

8/27/21 Opening for Wreckless Eric

Onstage with Joe Sztabnik, Photo Don Sztabnik
Wreckless Eric, courtesy Eric Goulden


Group shot backstage, L-R Sarafae, Amy Rigby, Puma Perl,                     Jules Styles, Wreckless Eric, Joff Wilson
Jules Styles, Gass Wild, Joff Wilson, Joe Sztabnik, Puma Perl, Sarafae                                         Photo by Shelley Fromm   

Joe Sztabnik and I were happy to be invited to open for the fabulous Wreckless Eric at Our Wicked Lady, located in Bushwick, Brooklyn. We played a 45 minute set to a packed house and then enjoyed Wreckless Eric's set.                                              
                   

July 30, 2021 Return of the NYC Poetry Festival

Great Weather for Media Table with Pete, Puma, Jane and David
With David Lawton, both photos by Linda Kleinbub


The 11th annual Governor's Island NYC Poetry Festival returned on the weekend of July 30-31 after being canceled the previous year due to the pandemic.

"The festival has given poets and poetry lovers from all five boroughs and beyond an opportunity to hear, appreciate, and interact with poets whom they might never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. The festival has also presented hundreds of artists of other mediums. By reaching outside the established poetry communities, The Poetry Society of New York hopes to create new audiences for poetry and facilitate collaborations between poets and other artists. Similarly, by reaching out to colleges, high schools, grade schools, and youth-focused poetry organizations the festival hopes to encourage, educate, and inspire fledgling writers of all ages to become a part of New York's diverse and dynamic poetry." scene.  (https://www.newyorkcitypoetryfestival...)

I was honored to read for Intersections, a bilingual (Spanish) international group, and for Matthew Hupert, who organizes several poetry events in the city.

June 25, 2021 Follow up with Michael Anthony Alago

Images by Michael Anthony Alago will be include in his upcoming book.

In our interview, he discusses the ways in which the pandemic affected him and how he got his creative juices flowing again. Read the Chelsea Community News article here:

https://chelseacommunitynews.com/2021... 

June 21, 2021 Music Under the Stars

Photo, Charley Crespo
Photo, Anne Husick
It was a fantastic night on Ave B. Thanks to JOff WilsOn for organizing such a wonderful series, all the musicians who kicked booty up there on the stage, and all of our friends who came out to support. NYC is alive with the sound of music. Music Under the Stars takes place June-October during the summer months at the 6th Street Community Garden. The 2020 series did not happen due to the pandemic. Everyone was glad to be back.

June 7, 2021 at the Anyway Café

Dave, Puma, and Joe, Photo John Richards
Gass Wild joining us for a song, photo Anne Husick
Photo, John Richards
 June, 7, 2021

Another night with Puma, Joe (Sztabnik) and Dave (Donen) at the Anyway Café.

Full house with the choice of indoor or outdoor seating.

Poetry, original music, and a few covers.