Conspiracy of Beards re-takes Manhattan
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:10 am
CONSPIRACY OF BEARDS, the San Franciscan a capella choir that sings exclusively the songs of Leonard, is returning to NYC for its 3rd annual springtime performances. The choir will be singing at the Bowery Poetry Club on May 1 and the Highline Ballroom on May 2. Below is the show information that is available at this time, as well as a bio and some links.
Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, NY 10012 (b/n Houston and Bleecker)
May Day! May 1, 2010 at 10pm-12am
Price: TBD
http://www.bowerypoetry.com
Highline Ballroom
431 W. 16th St., NY 10011 (b/n 9th & 10th Ave.)
Sunday, May 2, 1:30-3:00 pm
doors open at 12:30pm; seated show with full delicious lunch menu available
tickets: $12.50 in adv at http://www.highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1408 or $15 door
http://www.highlineballroom.com
San Francisco's CONSPIRACY OF BEARDS is a 30-member male choir that performs gritty, original arrangements of the songs of LEONARD COHEN (who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys this year). Formed in 2003 through the inspiration of the late performance artist Peter Kadyk, this a capella group has become a fixture in SF's folk scene. The Beards are well known for their live performances at Bay Area venues such as the Cafe du Nord, the Great American Music Hall, and The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and SF City Hall, as well as in bars, bookstores, hospices and various community centers. The choir has also been featured on National Public Radio's "West Coast Live," on KFOG, KPFA, WFMU and on PBS television station KQED-TV.
Transforming Cohen's simple melodies into complex 4- and 5-part harmonies, the group achieves a sound that is both robust and tender, with influences of indie rock, jazz, gospel, barbershop, classical and doo-wop in the unique arrangements the choir creates. Using the genius of Cohen's words, the Beards inspire audiences to ponder romance, politics, sex, longing and spirituality, all amid laughter and cheers.
"Like its inspiration, the group is deeply sincere, humble and humorous." -- Las Vegas Sun
"'Chelsea Hotel #2,'" as performed by the somber San Francisco all-male choir, is perfect in every way." -- San Francisco Chronicle
"...the troupe breaks Cohen's haunting warbles into multi-part harmonies, exploring the dark edges with complex, expertly rendered vocal interpretations." -- Andrew Phillips, flavorpill (NYC)
LINKS:
http://www.conspiracyofbeards.com
e Press Kit (including a high res photo): http://conspiracyofbeards.com/press.html
http://www.myspace.com/conspiracyofbeards