Here's a Provisional Line-up for the Evening of
Saturday, 28 January 2012
We're broadcasting from the spanking new facility at 102 Witherspoon Street. Here's how to get there.
Nassau Street separates the town from the university in downtown Princeton. An iron gate demarcates the campus where Witherspoon Street T-intersects with Nassau Street at the traffic light in front of that gate. Take Witherspoon Street down from Nassau, past Hulfish Street on the left. The next left is Paul Robeson Place. The Princeton Arts Council's Paul Robeson Center is on the northwest corner of the intersection of Witherspoon and Paul Robeson Place. There is often on-street parking and there are many reasonable parking garages nearby. If you've got lots of equipment, see us in the rotunda lobby of the Paul Robeson Center, and we'll give you the best access to an elevator up to Cafe Improv in the Solley Theater. Find Cafe Improv on FACEBOOK

Booking: John Irving • (609) 933-9155 - cell • (609) 497-2480 - office • Online Form •

Emcee Tom Florek and video director Mary Michaels harmonize together. Then, 11-year-old Anne Irving sings & plays a Gershwin tune.

Andrew Klein - Singer-Songwriter
Rockin' the 88s

Mr Klein will be playing rock and pop music on the Cafe Improv concert grand. He sings, finding the grist for his original songs somewhere in his psyche. One number, "Do It Again," wonders if, looking back, we would repeat decisions made in the past. It's lyrically profound with catchy delivery. Mr. Klein has performed at The Bitter End in NYC, the Stone Pony in Asbury Park and other venues in the area. As a day job, he works at the Fulton Street fish market, which he has immortalized in one of his songs. Essentially, though, he considers himself a balladeer, love being a recurring theme of his lyrics. Rick Wakeman of Yes, Tony Banks of Genesis, and Keith Emerson of ELP are among those who contributed to his musical development.

Mir Stavola with Heidi Winzingerr
Gypsy Music and More

Slovakia born, New Jersey based, singer-songwriter Mir Stavola performs in South Jersey and Philadelphia at coffee shops, spiritual centers, fairs and festivals, and elsewhere. You've heard her solo or with friends in several configurations of a project/band named Gypsonica. Ms Stavola's music promotes the natural lifestyle and she enjoys learning about native cultures through song. Her latest CD, Gypsy Heaven, blends folk rock, world, and roots music, including traditional Eastern European Gypsy songs with fresh arrangements and English lyrics. Learn more about Ms. Stavola at www.mirstavola.com . Folk-singer Heidi Winzinger & guitarist David Livingston will reportedly join Ms. Stavola as accompanists.

The Monacchios -- A Performing Couple
Double the Previous Musical Pleasure

Keith Monacchio wanted to give people a CD as a wedding favor at the reception.  He told us that he was betrothed to the phenomenal singer, Sheli Aarden. They intended to compose 4 or 5 songs together, but the chemistry and setting quickly ripened into 10 new original songs.  The Monacchio's "Wedding Album" is a full-length release. Both of these artists have performed delightfully at Cafe Improv. We're looking forward to their inaugural act on our stage as a couple in the first show of 2012. Mr. & Mrs. Monacchio have a site at www.reverbnation.com/themonacchios. Find Ms Aarden-Monacchio also on Facebook.

Suzanne Rae-Deshchidn - Poet
Poetry of Diverse Origins

Suzanne Rae-Deshchidn has an MFA in poetry from the Solstice Creative Writing Program in Massachusetts. A freelance editor and adjunct professor of English at Passaic Community College, Ms Rae-Deshchidn is currently preparing a manuscript for publication through the 92nd Street Y's Poetry Thesis Workshop with Cornelius Eady. Her confessional free verse deals with a woman coming out, parenting, and making a way for herself and her daughter in the world. Of chicana and native (isleta pueblo) heritage, Ms. Rae-Deshchidn brings roots in nature and deep spirituality to her art.

Dale Lakata & Eden - Rock & Roll Ensemble
Musical Beauty that Defies Classification

Dale Lakata has been touring solo since the mid 90's. She's fronted bands, the latest of which is "Dale Lakata & Eden," in which she performs covers and many originals. Ms Lakata's recently revised song, "Story," advocates trusting yourself. She has recorded it twice. It's special to her. Another song,"Return of Spring" focuses on the sensory stimuli of that season -- scents, sounds, and sights. Ms. Lakata has primarily performed in NJ, NY, and Pa, however she has introduced herself to audiences around the world via internet radio. You've seen Ms. Lakata on the boardwalk live on the NBC Today show doing "Black Box." You've heard her music on the Silver Screen. In the studio, she has collaborated with Bob Pantella, Leigh Foxx, and other equally talented musicians. More about Ms. Lakata at www.reverbnation.com/dalelakata .

Hannah Larson - Singer-Songwriter
Consistent Passion in Her Music

Originally from the Midwest, Miss Larson's roots spread out all over the United States. While she hardly settles long in one place, she's at the local choir college now, where music is her passion and consistency. The songs are simple in a sophisticated way and quite engaging, with just her voice and the Cafe Improv grand piano. Miss Larson's music reveals an open heart as it uncovers where she has been and, more importantly, where she is going. Find Miss Larson on Facebook.

Helen O'Shea - Gaelic Singer
Moving Musically through the Fair

We make time to introduce Mrs. O'Shea from the Emerald Isles. She'll sing a traditional Irish ballad for us without accompaniment. We look forward to the best of authentic Gaelic melodizing.

Mr. Mainway has written over 200 love songs. He's released two CDs: The Brightness and Heaven on Fire, and regularly delivers passionate performances at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, The Court Tavern in New Brunswick, and elsewhere. Mr. Mainway's deftness with his instruments complements an ability to express raw human emotions in songs that hook his audiences and remain with them. The music refines the youthful energy of alternative rock into a more mature and listenable style, one that shows folk influences of Bob Dylan while retaining the punk intensity of a Kurt Cobain. Mr. Mainway is honored to be one of only three artists granted permission by the Cobain estate to cover the Nirvana song "You Know You're Right," which appears on his first CD.

Sandy Zio, a singer/piano player with a big dream and a voice to match, makes no apologies for putting out smooth, adult contemporary music with a message that is familiar and unique at the same time. She comes to Cafe Improv fresh after 5 years of writing, recording, and producing the 13 songs that make up her new CD, All That I Am. The songs in this album address time-honored and wide-reaching themes from soul searching, to finding a special someone, to celebrating new life. She'll choose from these in a solo performance on the Improv stage on this fourth Saturday in January. Learn more about Ms. Zio at http://sandyzio.com/

Matt Wong -- Young Talented Guitarist
Strumming Beautiful Jazz Instrumentals

Matt Wong discovered his passion for the guitar at age six. His genres of preference are now classical, jazz, and a bit of rock. Young Mr. Wong has played at venues and events throughout New Jersey including The Bog Restaurant in West Windsor, Small World Coffee, and a Stop Diabetes fundraiser sponsored by Novo Nordisk in Princeton. He's a sometime-member of the jazz ensemble Bopology and his musical efforts have been inspired by Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Robinson, The Beatles, and other greats. Mr. Wong is a prolific songwriter, often incorporating a finger-picking technique with alternating and walking bass lines. Six of his original compositions are featured on Matt's debut album, which includes such classics as the title tune "Fly Me to the Moon." The CD release was on 20 October 2011. There's more at http://mattwong.webs.com/bio.htm

9-50 - 10:00 pm

At the tail end of the evening, strange occurrences can be expected as the crew and the performers together feel strangely moved to let out all the stops.