I love it when things like this happen - A performance is happening somewhere else in the state and the performers agree to do another in Burlington while they are here. In this case, Gabe Halbert from 35th Parallel is teaming up with Neel Murgai from NYC and the ASHA Foundation to create an evening of Indian music and food not to be missed. And if you are among the first 50 to make reservations you won't miss it.
Classical Indian Music at Burlington’s North End Studio
North End Studio presents New York City sitarist Neel Murgai with Vermont tabla player Gabe Halberg in a rare concert of North Indian Classical music on Sunday, February 8. Show time is 5:00PM, and tickets are $10.
Indian food will be available at intermission for $8 per plate. All proceeds from food sales will benefit Asha for Education, an international organization focusing on socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children. http://www.ashanet.org
North End Studio, located at 294 North Winooski Avenue, Suite 116B in Burlington, VT is an intimate venue that seats 50. Advance tickets are recommended. For tickets and more information call 802-863-6713 or northendstudio@vpal-us.org.
Neel Murgai is a multi-instrumental performer, composer and teacher. He has studied sitar for 13 years, currently with Pandit Krishna Bhatt, himself disciple to Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Neel has performed around the world at venues ranging from the Blue Note to the Kennedy Center. He has worked extensively with the Bill T. Jones Dance Company, creating and performing music for their multi-media performance, "Blind Date". Neel has composed original music for the films "The Yes Men Fix the World" and "Crossing Lines", as well as BBC and TBS television productions.
With the Neel Murgai Ensemble, he is working to create a new sound dubbed Indo-chamber-jazz. Their first CD, "Audionomic Stimulus Package" is due to be released this spring. Listen to pre-release tracks at http://myspace.com/neelmurgai
Gabe Halberg has studied music with two of India's finest tabla masters. He began his tabla studies in 1993 at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael CA, under the guidance of Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. At this time Gabe was an off-campus student at Goddard College, where he eventually received a degree in Tabla Composition.
Since 1997, Gabe has continued his musical training with Pandit Samir Chatterjee. In 2002, Pt. Chatterjee and Gabe performed the Ganda Bandhan, or "thread tying", ceremony which formalizes the relationship between guru and disciple.
In Hindustani classical performances Gabe has been featured as both a soloist and an accompanist, and over the years has participated in various world music ensembles. He is a founding member of the world fusion group 35th Parallel, bringing together the instruments and musical traditions of the Middle East, North India, North Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Gabe is dedicated to spreading knowledge of the tabla and Hindustani classical music throughout New England. He teaches regular classes in Burlington and Plainfield VT, and gives performances throughout the region.
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Friday, February 20th, 8 p.m. - Middle Eastern/Mediteranian Music/Dance Cabaret. This will be hopefully the beginning of a monthly series of this kind of event. Come listen and dance to our house band Lokum. There will be belly dancing to watch and do, traditonal dances lead by me and others or just free form cabaret dancing. Plan on a $5 donation plus something for real Turkish treats. You can tip the dancers and musicians if you like. Sounds like fun? See you there!
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Over the last couple of months I have noticed more and more parties booked into the Studio. Birthdays (both kid and adult), holiday parties and just plain parties with recorded or live music. The Studio is a great place to have a party because it is big enough to sit, dance and listen to a live band without bothering the neighbors. Call me to book your party. 863-6713.
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Hey Musicians, Actors, Dancers! Need a place to rehearse with your group or by yourself. The North End Studio is available after 10 until ? and on some nights earlier. Call me 863-6713.
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Last month I listed the classes now going on at the Studio. Please scroll down to the January entry to see what is going on class-wise.
This info on the tap class came in after the January listing so here it is now:
Shawn Lipenski resides in Winooski, VT where he works in the non-profit sector, teaches tap dance and gets involved artistically whenever possible. In the past, he was a featured dancer in the Music Under the Stars' production of Anything Goes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has performed as a dancer and singer at Seaside Music Theater in 42nd Street, Brigadoon, and The Who's Tommy. In New York City he originated the role of Frankie Greenberg in the musical Coming of Age in Korea which featured the music of Grammy award-winner Annie Roboff. Shawn also performed in NYC at Theater East in the musical production of That's Life! In 1999, while residing in Northern California, he was nominated for an Arty Award for Best Director for Harbor Theatrical Group's production of School House Rock Live. In 2004 he directed Exploring the Lives of Women in Musical Theater which debuted at the Fourth Annual Estrogen Fest in Burlington, Vermont. In 2005 he toured with the Weimar Berlin-inspired Spielpalast Cabaret and performed at the New York Burlesque Festival.
In 1999 he worked as a line-producer for the film Specific Types filmed entirely in the Czech Republic which debuted at the 52nd International Film Festival of Salerno, Italy. His other acting credits include A Perfect Goodnight Kiss and Attraction which debuted at the 15th Annual Vermont International Film Festival. Shawn can also be seen acting in the film Love/Hate produced by blackandblue Productions.
Shawn produced The Once and Future Ubu written and directed by Seth Jarvis. He also originated the rage-filled role of the Punk in the show of the same title. Most recently, he associate produced the acclaimed play, The Bus, written by Jim Lantz. Shawn trained at the University of Wisconsin and The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in NYC.
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That's it for now. Contact me if you need more info - ben@vpal-us.org or 802-863-6713 .