Chain Film Fest selected Inspiration Project films

The Inspiration Project series episode Music Under New York auditions 2013 and my short film The Inspiration Project are both official selections in the Chain NYC Film Festival 21-28 45 Rd Long Island City, NY 11101

The second and last screening will be this Thursday August 14th at 9pm.  It would be wonderful if you could join me at the screening.  If you can not attend, I have attached the films below, including links to rate the film, which I would much appreciate. There is even a space to write a review if you are so inclined. These films are what I call "lo-fi with hi-human content." The only cost in making them is my time and passion (which is actually more than you can imagine). To be able to share with you the stories of the people I meet and what inspires them in short clips is inspirational to me, and to be selected to screen at a film festival is very gratifying.

The Inspiration Project short film you can rate here on the Chain Film Fest website

Music Under New York Auditions 2013: The Inspiration Project web series, you can rate here on the Chain Film Fest website

Picked from hundreds of submissions from all over the world, The Chain NYC Film Festival is presenting 108 films. From short documentaries to full length narratives and web series; encompassing work from filmmakers in Australia, Belgium, F…

Picked from hundreds of submissions from all over the world, The Chain NYC Film Festival is presenting 108 films. From short documentaries to full length narratives and web series; encompassing work from filmmakers in Australia, Belgium, France, UK as well as our own Long Island City; an innovative and diverse set of topics is curated in thematic groups, featuring both indie actors on the brink of stardom as well as actors such as Academy Award Nominee Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight), Louis Lombardi (The Sopranos), Nicholas Brendon (Xander from Buffy), and the debut lead performance of 2014 Miss Golden Globes, Sosie Bacon (Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick’s daughter).
 
Films will be presented on a rotating schedule from August 4 through August 17.Tickets are $10 for all performances. For more information please visit www.chainfilmfestival.com.

A Timeless Inspiration From Some Time Ago #TBT

Love. Always love. A moving inspiration shared by fellow NYC Buskers and MUNY artist Tyrone Owusu Slater and fellow percussionist Sabor played before me at the LIRR location in Penn Station. Before they left, they gave me incredible, honest inspirations about love and healing.

Prideful NYC 2014

In Celebration of Gay Pride week in NYC here is a tribute from my archives

Matthew Hamilton featured in this clip wrote to me in a recent post, "I got to walk my Mom down the aisle and give her away at her wedding last year. It was far and away one of the best days of my life."  

Now that's what I call inspiration at it's fullest.

What's your inspirational story?

Rick Miramontez Broadway's Charmer

Seeing the fun article about Rick Miramontez in the NY Times Today by Patrick Healy, made me think of the time when I filmed Rick for my Inspiration Project.  Made in 2011 at the Premiere of Nico Muhly's Dark Sister produced by Music Theatre Group.

What inspires Rick?  Colors and Music!

 What's Your Inspiration? 
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Mitch Goldstein HooplaHa.com inspired

At the 27th annual Music Under New York auditions I interviewed Mitch Goldstein from HooplaHa.com about what inspired him to do a story on the musicians auditioning.

Here's some of the artists and interviews he captured during the auditions.

and here's the list of the musicians who auditioned and made it into the program!

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Inspired Music Under NY Annual Auditions

In honor of today's annual Music Under New York Auditions, here's a clip I made for the Inspiration Project from last year.

Come watch the festivities in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central today 9-3:30 pm, and then I play at Grand Central Shuttle from 3-6pm to showcase the brand new logo.  Will be a fun, but long day.

Paulina dances The Neighbor's Shuffle

Artist Paulina Antoniewicz came to the US as part of Pawel Althamer's creative team in presenting The Neighbors at the New Museum. As part of the collaborative nature of the exhibition, Pawel wanted street musician's  to perform in the lobby throughout the exhibition and I've happily performed and filmed people for my Inspiration Project. Paulina is an amazing artist in her own right.

What inspires Paulina?  "Meeting people, others, beauty of nature and creation."

Read more about my experience creating my Inspiration Project for the New Museum.

Here's a clip of the same moment taken by another member of Pawel's team. It's fun to see both perspectives.

check out other Inspiration Project clips from the New Museum

My New Museum performance schedule

gHSTS n gUITARS inspired James

Street musicians have been invited to perform at the New Museum as part of artist Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors (ongoing until April 20th). The sound is mic'ed and then amplified into the 3rd floor exhibition room. I met guitarist James Joseph of gHSTS n gUITARS performing after me, as he was setting up in the lobby. 

What inspires street musician James of gHSTS n gUITARS?

"Life, Living,
Solving problems that governmental organizations set up to slow me and other people down,

Little kids, energy from children help me tap into energy I'd forgotten about- incredibly powerful,

blessings,
women, nice bottle of wine,
420 friendly."

You can say that James is one inspired guy!

check out other Inspiration Project clips from the New Museum

My New Museum performance schedule

Jacob Cohen inspired cellist

Street musicians have been invited to perform at the New Museum as part of artist Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors (ongoing until April 20th). I met cellist Jacob Cohen as he was performing during the opening of the exhibition on the 4th floor entitled Draftsmen's Congress.

check out other Inspiration Project clips from the New Museum

My New Museum performance schedule

Jim Costanzo revolutionary @NewMuseum

I met Jim at the opening of Pawel Athamer's exhibition at the New Museum. Street musicians have been invited to perform throughout the exhibition (ongoing until April 20th) Jim was invited by the artist to perform during the opening of the part of the exhibition entitled Draftsmen's Congress.  With Jim's baritone trumpet and socially conscious heart, he shared his philosophy on life and the world.

What Inspires Jim? "The common good from the commonwealth, all people created equal, all people entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Follow the other Inspiration Projects I've filmed  during the exhibition:

Jacob Cohen inspired cellist

Communication Director Gabriel Einsohn Inspiration

What inspires artist Pawel Althamer ?

What inspires Museum Curator Massimiliano Gioni?

My New Museum performance schedule

Alice Tan Ridley Giving JOY @ APAP conference

I caught up with Alice Tan Ridley before her showcase at this year's Association of Performers and Presenters (APAP) at the Hilton hotel on 6th ave.  Alice performed for years in the NYC subways with Music Under New York, before catapulting onto the national stage with her amazing America's Got Talent performances.

Alice is the real deal, an amazing gospel singer with heart and soul. Her story is amazing. You might know her daughter Gabourey Sidibe an Academy Award nominee her role as Precious in Precious. 


 What's Your Inspiration? #inspirationproject #nycsubwaygirl
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Gabriel Einsohn New Museum Communications Director

NYCSubwayGirl chats with Communications Director of the New Museum about Pawel Althamer's exhibition The Neighbors, and what inspires her.  The New Museum's is also supporting their true neighbors the Bowery Mission, there will be a coat drive to benefit the mission.  Bring a coat during the exhibition and get free admission.

I am performing at the New Museum during the exhibition. Pawel wanted to have street musicians performing during the exhibit to express the idea of collaboration and connection. I will be performing from time to time until April 12th (here's a link to my schedule).  Many other street musicians have been selected to also perform. 

Inspired New Museum curator Massimiliano Gioni

I met Massimiliano the curator for the New Museum during the set-up day of a new exhibition entitled "The Neighbors" by artist Pawel Althamer, which will also include street performers. 

What inspires Massimiliano?  "Nudity" he says with a laugh looking around the room at Pawel's sculptures most of them nudes. Then on a more serious note he responded "Weirdness."  What caught me off guard was he then asked "what about you?" Being the first time anyone ever asked me, I kept filming and I quickly answered, "spontaneity and free flow of people, thoughts and ideas."  I am really inspired to be a part of this amazing exhibition in collaboration with Pawel. Massimiliano added a quote, "Can I restore my innocence?" I say "Do you want to?" to which he replied, "Guess that's what we do." Perfect!

The exhibition is Feb 12- April 20th. And certainly not to be missed.  I have yet to hear of another endeavor as complex and encompassing as this while also using street performers. The live music will be piped up into the 3rd floor exhibition room. I will be performing on specific dates (here's my schedule). On the 2nd floor will be open to the public to come and create the art installation. There will be every kind of creative tool and materials to use. It will grow daily and will be interesting to see how a public installation will turn out by the end of the exhibition on April 20th. 

On the 2nd floor Pawel with a group of collaborators will be creating new works. And he will collaborate with next door neighbors The Bowery Mission which will include a collaborated film with tenants and a coat drive. Wow.

watch what inspires Pawel Althamer

my performance schedule at New Museum

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Pawel Althamer Music Art Mashup

What inspired the artists Pawel Althamer to want to include NYC street musicians to perform during his exhibition at the New Museum entitled The Neighbors?

I'm really excited to have been invited along with a great lineup of other NYC subway musicians, buskers and street performers to perform at the New Museum 235 Bowery. NYC, as a musical layer of a new exhibition entitled The Neighbors by Pawel Althamer  February 12-April 20th

My New Museum performance schedule is listed below.

The Neighbors has many layers of collaboration. On the 2nd floor Pawel will be creating new work. On the 4th Floor will be a completely interactive room where anyone can come and paint on the walls, create art.  And in true collaboration with neighbors, Pawel will create a film with Bowery Mission tenants (neighbors of the New Museum). There will also be a coat drive.

What's Your Inspiration? #inspirationproject #nycsubwaygirl

Cathy Grier NYCSubwayGirl performance schedule:

  • Tuesday 11th February  9am-noon  Preview Press OPENING OF THE EXHIBIT
  • Thursday 20th February 6-9 pm
  • Friday 28th February 11:00 am-2:30 pm
  • Friday 14th March  11:00-2:30 pm
  • Friday 20th March  2:30-6:00 pm
  • Sunday 6th April 11:00 am-2:30 pm
  • Saturday 12th April  2:30-6:00 pm