The Performance HUB

HUB on hiatus

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:44:38 -0400

Hey folks! The HUB is on a temporary hiatus, and will likely return in the fall. In the meantime, follow us on twitter where I’ll still be retweeting shows and other cool goings-on.

Auditions for Le Cabaret Grimm

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:54:23 -0400

Liars & Believers is taking Le Cabaret Grimm to NYC in July.

Liars & Believers will be bringing our show Le Cabaret Grimm - a punk cabaret fairy tale {sans fairies} to New York this July for the New York Musical Theatre Festival. First premiering in Boston in 2010, Le Cabaret Grimm is a punk cabaret adaptation of the “Tales of the Brothers Grimm”, with dance, songs, puppetry and mask. It is a dark and sexy ride through the subconscious.

Le Cabaret Grimm Book and Lyrics by Jason Slavick Music by Cassandra Marsh Directed by Jason Slavick Music Direction by Cassandra Marsh Choreography by Michelle Chasse

Rehearsals June 25 - July 23 in Boston. Performances in New York July 23-28 with a possible extension of a couple of days. You will need to find your own housing and transportation to and from NY. This is a paid gig with exposure to NY audiences, critics and producers.

Audition Information: Auditions: Monday May 7th 9am-2pm Callbacks: Wednesday May 9th 9am-2pm Location: The Boston Conservatory at 31 Hemenway street studio 003. The Boston Conservatory is near the intersection of Boyleston and Mass Ave.

Audtions will begin with a dance call 9am-11am. Followed by 1 minute song and 1 minute monologue.

Come with sheet music. Anything will do but it must be accompanied and you must have sheet music.

Non-equity.

email Kate@liarsandbelievers.com to book an audition.

More info on Le Cabaret Grimm: http://www.liarsandbelievers.com/Shows/past-shows More info on New York Musical Theatre Festival: http://www.nymf.org/

The Eschaton of 2012

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:42:53 -0400

The Eschaton of 2012:

Okay, maybe I’m a little bit biased because we’re in the midst of a collaboration with one of the bands playing this show, but HOLY SMOKES, what a line-up! Black Thai, Sidewalk Driver, Planetoid, and Walter Sickert & the ARmy of BRoken TOys, and hosted by Mary Widow.

Some trivia:

Mary Widow was the first burlesque performer I ever saw. She did a Lizzie-Borden themed routine at Reverend Glasseye’s Boston farewell show.

Both Planetoid and Sidewalk Driver were brought up by Johnny Blazes when we were brain-storming bands to play the HUBbub before Le Cabaret Grimm.

I had to look up the word “Eschaton.” It refers to the end of the world.

The Eschaton 2012: Black Thai, Sidewalk Driver, Planetoid, Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys, hosted by Mary Widow, March 16 @8, Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Avenue, Boston, MA 02134, $12adv, 18+

Rock 'n' Roll High School: Clique Wars

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:00:00 -0500

Rock 'n' Roll High School: Clique Wars:

Here’s a secret: The best way to get featured on the HUB? Give your show a theme. I’m a sucker for themes.

Tomorrow is a themed-show I’ve been amped about since it was announced: Rock ‘n’ Roll High School: Clique Wars with The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library as The Nerds, The Zambonis as The Jocks, and Sarah RabDAU and Self-Employed Assassins as The Freaks, and hosted by J. Krafty.

It should come as no surprise that I was a drama geek in high school. As the two groups who stayed late at school for rehearsal/practice, we had an uneasy sort of alliance with the jocks. The gym and the theater were adjacent, so we had to bear with the sounds of dribbling basketballs and sneakers skidding on the court and they had to put up with our loudly projected and over-enunciated vocal warm-ups. Good times, good times.

Do you want to relive YOUR high school years without having to relive the acne and the angst? More importantly, do you want to have a rockin’ good time at a show that you can post pictures of to Facebook to make yourself feel better with your life than the popular kids from high school? I know I do!

Rock ‘n’ Roll High School: Clique Wars, Thursday, March 8th @8:pm Radio, 379-381 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA, $7, 21+

New music video from You Won’t! You Won’t opened for...

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:36:48 -0500

New music video from You Won’t! You Won’t opened for our last two performances of “Song of Songs,” and I hear yesterday was drummer Raky’s birthday :)

In other new releases from “Song of Songs” openers, The Doctors Fox released a new single, “Gauge.” Check it out at http://thedoctorsfox.bandcamp.com/track/gauge-single

Gragger/Noisemaker! The Workmen's Circle's Fifth Annual Radical Purim Party

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:48:00 -0500

March 10, 8pm – 1am

45 Danforth St, Jamaica Plain (Spontaneous Celebrations)

Sliding scale $10 – 20

**Music by Cirkestra and DJ Ross of Love**

**Costume contest**

**Cash bar**

**Political Theater**

Like an old-school mic check, the gragger is a Jewish noisemaker traditionally used to lift up our voices in the name of liberation and justice. This year, we will celebrate the ways that our communities create collective opportunities for living, from credit unions to CSAs and everything in between. So come – turn the world on its head and make some serious noise in a rowdy call for justice and joy!

Co-sponsored by Moishe Kavod House and Keshet

Questions? Contact Leah at leah@circleboston.org or 617-566-6281

Bohemian Bacchanalia

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:49:06 -0500

Bohemian Bacchanalia:

We here at the LAB are big fans of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and madness. The OG (Original Greek) version of the Bacchanalia festival, the Dionysia, were - according to the all-knowing Wikipedia - the driving force behind Greek theater.

We’re also big fans of the Boston Circus Guild, our local modern-day purveyors of bacchanalian revelry and merry-making.

This week’s performances feature music from Johnny Blazes & the Pretty Boys and Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band. The press release also promises acrobat, aerialists, stilt-walkers, jugglers, and burlesque. Don’t miss it.

Bohemian Bacchanalia February 23 & 24 at 8pm OBERON, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge, MA $18 standing/$24 seated in advance, or $24 standing/$30 seated at the door 18+

Rogue Burlesque and Sirlesque! bring you Sirlesque! Guys, Gals...

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:35:37 -0500

Rogue Burlesque and Sirlesque! bring you Sirlesque! Guys, Gals & Glitter at Club Cafe in February.

Welcome to SPAKLETOWN

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:46:56 -0500

Welcome to SPAKLETOWN:

What a line-up! I guess that’s why they’re calling it “a tour of Boston’s Best Burlesque.” If burlesquers were Boston landmarks, this would be the Freedom Tail.

Also: they’re promising fart jokes.

February 5, 8pm Oberon, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge, MA

The Buttcracker

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:21:45 -0500

The Buttcracker:

Boston has any number of takes on Tchaikovsky’s seasonal classic, from the traditional Boston Ballet Nutcracker to the more recent hit, The Slutcracker. The most fun you will have at a -cracker this year, however, will be at The Buttcracker. Now in its second year, The Buttcracker features butt-themed drag, burlesque, spoken word, and other callipygian shenanigans.

Sunday, December 18th at The Midway Cafe in JP. Doors at 7:30, show at 8:00. $10, 18+

The Upper Crust + Sidewalk Driver + Gene Dante & The Future Starlets

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:19:08 -0500

I would be hard pressed to think of a more rockin’ line-up for a New Year’s Eve show than The Upper Crust, Sidewalk Driver, and Gene Dante & the Future Starlets. Make 2012 sparkle and shine by resolving to get your glam on at Church. This show is 21+. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Get your tickets here.

"28 Seeds" audition notice

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:58:00 -0400

Liars & Believers and Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys announce their upcoming collaboration, 28 Seeds. Written by Walter Sickert & Meff, directed by Jason Slavick and performed by The Army of Broken Toys and the LAB, 28 Seeds is an apocalyptic, steampunk, science fiction tale that combines music, dance and theater in a genre-bending live show.

We are seeking 4 non-equity actors. Performers must be experienced, creative and collaborative. Performers must be excited by the developmental process, open minded and comfortable with improvisation and change. Performers should be comfortable creating characters, have good language skills and strong physicality.

We are seeking performers diverse in size, ethnicity, look, gender, and performance background.

This is a paid gig.

Production Dates:

January 8-28 Workshop

January 29 Public Staged Reading

March 25-April 18 Rehearsal

April 19 Open

May 12 Close

Workshop and Rehearsals are Monday-Thursday 7-11pm and Sunday 3-9pm.

AUDITION INFO:

Location: Cambridge YMCA, 820 Massachusetts Ave

Auditions: Monday, November 14th 8-10pm

Callbacks: Wednesday, November 16th 8-10pm

Please prepare a 2-minute monologue

Come with a headshot and resume.

To book an audition slot, please e-mail Kate Smolik at kate@liarsandbelievers.com

Shudder Fest Horror Film Festival

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:29:18 -0400

Shudder Fest Horror Film Festival:

Four independent horror movies and a dozen short films over two nights at the Somerville Theater October 14th & 15th

Org: Asylum

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:02:00 -0400

Org: Asylum:

You know how sometimes you wish that you were cool enough to be friends with all the artsy people in town and you could just throw a big party and everyone would perform? (No? Is that just me?) Well Mali Sastri (lead singer of Jaggery) is that cool. And she is throwing that party. And you’re invited: “The second in the Org performance event series to take place at Oberon, Org: Asylum includes a short film shot on location at an abandoned state mental institution, a butoh interpretation of Vaslav Nijinsky, a body-painting storyteller sharing tales of art-making and suicide attempts, and much more.”

Now to figure out my “asylum chic” attire… I’m thinking Harley Quinn?

Aliza's Brain Trust

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:48:42 -0400

Aliza's Brain Trust:

Aliza is a pillar of the Boston alternative and arts communities, as well as a supporter of the LAB. Please consider helping out. Every little bit makes a difference.

“On Monday, July 25, 2011, Aliza Shapiro, the big brains behind Truth Serum Productions, was admitted to the hospital and is being treated for a stroke caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.

She currently has motor and vision impairment on the right side as well as language impairment. Aliza will have a long challenging road back to full recovery but we know she will get there with the love and support of her family, friends and various creative communities.

As a self-employed event producer, artist, and activist in the Boston music and queer arts communities for over 15 years, Aliza has neither employer benefits nor deep resources to support her during this rehabilitation time. Aliza’s Brain Trust is a way to help support her by raising money for her treatment and expenses during her recovery, as well as fostering the amazing community connections Aliza has created and is a vital part of.

Please click on the Donate button to support Aliza with whatever amount you wish (even $5 gets us closer to our goal), and be sure to add your stories, photos and notes for Aliza below.”

Awesome new video from Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling is an...

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:22:00 -0400

Awesome new video from Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling is an homage to the 60s cult UK TV show The Prisoner. If you’re not familiar with the The Prisoner, there’s a shot-for-shot comparison video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KcWB4B_nBM You may recognize Mike and Sofia from The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library, who opened for Song of Songs on June 2nd and 3rd.

Joshua Meyer, a friend of the LAB whose art hung in our lobby...

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 14:58:36 -0400

Joshua Meyer, a friend of the LAB whose art hung in our lobby during Le Cabaret Grimm, is being featured in an exhibit at the Tufts University Art Gallery. The exhibit features new and recent work by 13 Massachusetts Cultural Council 2010 Award Recipients in Painting and Drawing. It runs until July 31st.

28 Seeds audition notice

Tue, 31 May 2011 10:05:35 -0400

Liars & Believers (formerly The Performance LAB) and Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys announce their upcoming collaboration, 28 Seeds. Written by Walter Sickert & Meff, adapted to the stage by Jason Slavick and performed by Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys and the LAB, 28 Seeds is an apocalyptic, steampunk, science fiction tale that combines music, dance and theater creating a mysterious, alluring and genre-bending live performance.

We are seeking 3 actors for the workshop of the show and possibly for the production. Performers must be experienced, creative and collaborative. Performers must be excited by the developmental process, must be open minded and comfortable with improvisation and change. Performers should be comfortable creating characters, have good language skills and strong physicality.

We are seeking diverse performers in size, ethnicity, look, gender, and performance background.

Show info: Workshop will be evenings July 10-28 on the Brandeis Campus. There will probably be another workshop in the fall or winter (location TBA). The show will run for 4 weeks in April-May 2012 with a possible 5th week extension. Paid, non-equity.

Audition info: Location: Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre - 539 Tremont Ave. Auditions Monday June 13 7-11pm Callbacks Tuesday June 14 7-11pm Please prepare a 2-minute monologue Come with a headshot and resume.

To book an audition slot, please email Kate Smolik at kate@liarsandbelievers.com

FACES - June 16-18 Organ tones over diffused beats, lush vocals...

Wed, 25 May 2011 16:35:11 -0400

FACES - June 16-18

Organ tones over diffused beats, lush vocals and summertime hooks, Boston based Faces is Jonathan Corey and Annika Franklin. Check them out at www.facesthemusic.com

The Doctors Fox - June 9-12 “The Doctors Fox bring a...

Tue, 24 May 2011 21:08:55 -0400

The Doctors Fox - June 9-12

“The Doctors Fox bring a refreshing dose of different to the Boston music scene. With tight orchestrations, quirky chord progressions, and genre-bending songwriting, they capture the attention of listeners with a grab bag of styles including Rock, Jazz, Pop, Bluegrass, Klezmer, Bossa Nova, and Ska. For performances in conjunction with Liars and Believers, the Doctors Fox will be performing acoustic rearrangements of material from their 2009 release Plural Non-Possessive, and their upcoming album, Handful of Laughs, which will be released this fall.”