We are so thrilled to be part of this unique and local music event at The Brass Owl, a ladies boutique in Astoria. This inspiring fundraiser took place October 26th in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and featured a lineup of local musicians, appetizers catered by Wellness by Kristen, and wine provided by Adega Wine & Spirits. All tickets sales and 30% of the sales proceeds from the night were donated to SHAREing & CAREing to aid our free Queens-area cancer support services.
The Music Lineup
Tracey Horst – Tracey Horst is an Astoria-based harpist who performs classical, contemporary, and folk music. She has played at The Giving Tree Yoga Studio, as well as churches and special events throughout the area. Tracey has a varied musical repertoire and has created her own arrangements of rock music for harp. Info about her harp playing can be found at traceyhorst.com. A mother of two, she is also the creator and author of the blog astoriamom.com.
Kate McMorran – Kate is an actor and theater artist based in Astoria, Queens. Kate has performed across the country in the national tour of the children’s classic Are You My Mother? and has worked with several downtown theater companies in NYC Most recently, Kate wrote and performed in the original play Love Child as a part of The Future is Female festival. Kate is passionate about combining art and activism to tell stories that reflect and challenge our current political climate. More info about Kate and future projects can be found at katemcmorran.com.
Recalculating – Scrappy, cranky, indie(ish). Almost always grammatically correct. Two-thirds are brothers from Astoria, the other third takes three trains from Greenpoint to get there. They enjoy head-scratchy lyrics and highlighting the creepier moments of classic songs that sound happier than they should. One is a mental health professional, the other two write songs. Go figure. http://www.recalculating.band/
Ithalia Johnson – Singer songwriter Ithalia Johnson was born and raised in the Bahamas, and delivers her interpretations of life on a rhythmic wave of folk, rock, soul, country, and something you can’t quite put your finger on. She is refreshing in her blending of styles, but familiar and comforting like an old favorite memory. Ithalia started working at a very young age to help her family, and felt a calling to music as the struggles of the week were washed away every Sunday while singing old time gospel in tiny churches. “I make music because there’s a chance for transcendence in a four minute song.”The singer-songwriter writes more than she sings. She has written volumes of poetry, books, and screenplays that feature her music. In 2009 Ithalia performed for the international crowd at the Bahamas International Film Festival, and collected a prize for one of her screenplays. In 2011 Ithalia played Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble with her Alt-country band. Ithalia lives in Astoria, New York with her husband and two children.
Ala Muerte – The solo project of Queens born multi instrumentalist Bianca Bibiloni. She creates improvised soundscapes with processed vocals, guitar, and synthesizer. Occasionally she performs structured songs from her 2008 album, Santa Elena and stories from her 2016 release Medicine Songs. Her latest effort, a split cassette with Coffee Faith on Indonesian label, In Seratus Rebu” made it’s debut this fall.” www.biancamuerte.wordpress.com