Gifts of October

I'm so late with this! Ack! Guess I have some habits to get into regarding timliness of event notification.

Anyway, there's something cool happening tonight and tomorrow. It's one of October Project's loft concerts. I went to my first one this spring and the only thing I could think of to describe it is that it's like Disney World for the Sex and the City set. It's so far beyond my regular sphere that I'm shocked and amazed that I get to go to another one tonight. (Thank you Julie!)

You go to the web site (or you beg your very hip friend who is part of the group) and you order a ticket ($50) and they e-mail you the address (because it's at someone's home so, you know, posting the address on the internet could be dangerous) and then you go. You get checked off the list at the door which is SMACK! in the middle of Soho then you take the teeny elevator to their floor and this apartment? It's the sort of apartment that you see on TV, it's like Friends big. I'm here to tell you that the reality of New York real estate is that a combo office number cruncher and rarely working D list actor or a combo coffee shop waitress and oft out of work chef are sharing studio apartments not two bedrooms with HUGE living rooms.

Anyway, the loft concert loft is out of a dream world. You come in, take off your shoes, have some munchies, get a glass of wine and mingle with the crowd.

A word about the crowd. Diverse.

And long about 7:45 the magician, Ben Robinson, comes on. You heard me. I wanted to talk to him after the last concert but I got freaked out and didn't. So maybe tonight I'll meet him.

After he cuts his arm into 3 pieces (and, incidentally, re-assembles it) there's a break and then the opening act. Tonight it's Richard Barone and tomorrow it's Francine Wheeler. I don't know anything about them but I'm confident that Julie and Emil and Marina wouldn't ask someone who sucked to join them.

Then another short break and then there's October Project. For me it's the lyrics that are so important. But that's just me, you can't discount the way that Emil's music supports and expands what I find in Julie's words ("in the verses and reverses of my heart"). Marina and Julie's clear voices blend in a way that, really, only friends can do. Eh, I can't do it justice, go to the concert.

If you can't make it to the concert this time I think they'll do another weekend in the spring and in the mean time you can buy a disc. I recommend Different Eyes.

Here's the scoop:

First Live at the Loft Concert of the Fall
An Unplugged Event in Soho
with Richard Barone and Ben Robinson

Friday, October 14, 2005
8:00 pm
Private Soho Loft
New York, New York

Join us for the return of our much talked-about Live at the Loft concerts in Soho. Illusion genius Ben Robinson will open the show, and we are proud to announce a rare, special guest appearance from a performer described by New York's Village Voice as "Prince of New York, pop icon," Richard Barone. Richard's shimmering montage of words and music explores love's victories and defeats. His beautiful, spine-tingling voice opens the heart and stirs the soul. Having produced Tiny Tim at the tender age of 16, he fronted the Bongos in the 80s, pioneered chamber pop in the 90s, and is currently completing a new album and book of memoirs. DO NOT MISS HIM!

Beverages and a selection of hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Seating is VERY limited. Be sure to reserve early. Reservations secured by Advance Purchase Only. Concert location and other details will be sent via email upon confirmation of your paid reservation.


For more information:
Contact: info@octoberproject