Tonight is Cinco de Mayo Eve! Animal Friends Benefit at Diesel!

Friends, Romans, Yinzers!

I entreat you to celebrate your Latin American heritage, or if you are like me, celebrate the heritage of the Latin Americans around you! Sorry for the late notice but I just got a call to sing as opening act for Pittsburgh's longest running Latin Dance Band, Guaracha! Tonight at Shadow Lounge I am singing this evening May 4, 2011 from about 9:30 - 10:15 pm as the opening act for Guaracha Latin Dance Band's Fiesta Wednesdays! Join me as I sing with their band leader Miguel Sague III and their guitarist Carlos Peña as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo Eve! The event is only $7, 18 and over, and if you bring a non perishable food item, it is only $5. To date they have raised almost 1000 pounds of food for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. After I sing, Miguel will be giving dance lessons in salsa, side step, back step and cha cha style, and maybe even some merengue! Finally, the piece de la resistance, Guaracha will take the stage, about 11 or so, and blow us away with their salsa, cumbia, merengue, reggaton and more! Cuban standards and original music! I hope to see you out tonight!

This weekend, on Friday May 6 2011, from 6:00pm - 9:30pm, I am singing and emceeing at a benefit for Animal Friends at Diesel.

Here's the deets:

"Charaoke…Karaoke with a ♥” is brought to you by Top of the Line Entertainment! TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE HERE: http://www.showclix.com/event/29952
The night will feature karaoke by Anti-Flag's JUSTIN SANE, The Pump Fake's PATRICK MALONEY, Toonseum's JOE WOS, Comedian AARON KLEIBER, Former On-Air Radio Host SHAWN ISRAEL, Singer JESS SIDES, Comedian SEAN COLLIER, Una De Luna's MARLA DEGENHARDT, Comedian STEVE SWANSON, Ferris Bueller's Revenge's SHAWN MAUDHUIT, Kill the Drama's BRYAN LASKEY, also featuring a few members of the STEEL CITY DERBY DEMONS!!!! The event will be hosted by PHAT MAN DEE! Judges include WTAE's SALLY WIGGIN, 100.7FM’s MELANIE TAYLOR, WDVE’s MIKE WYSOCKIi and City Paper Radio Host LYNN CULLEN! All proceeds go to ANIMAL FRIENDS!!!

DIESEL CLUB LOUNGE is located at:
1601 East Carson Street, South Side, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Facebook event page link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158106784242653

And then next week I have 2 wonderful events that I am very very excited about!
Friday May 13, 2011 I am singing and emceeing for the Sticky Buns Burlesque Troupe from Baltimore, MD at the Rex Theater!

Deets:
Friday, May 13 · 8:00pm - 11:30pm
"Sticky Buns Burlesque brings Baltimore bizarreness to Rex"

Baltimore’s Sticky Buns Burlesque troupe is performing at the Rex Theater for a Friday the 13th Masquerade Ball. Sticky Buns specializes in unique theatrical striptease with sexy, comedic commentary.
They’ll be performing with local jazz singer Phat Man Dee and the Bridge City Bombshells.

The show is part of the “Burlesque at the Rex” series. Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 day-of-show, and to fit with the Friday the 13th Masquerade Ball, $13 in costume. Advanced ticket-holders will be refunded $2 at the door if in costume.
Doors open 8:00 PM; show begins 9:00 PM.
Tickets are available here:
http://rextheater.inticketing.com/events/145062/Sticky-Buns-Burlesque

The Rex Theater is located at 1602 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15203

Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101199149966656

The following day on Saturday, May 14 · 6:00pm - 8:00pm
I am singing at the Grand Re Opening of Eljay's Books!
They are now located in Dormont at 3233 West Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
I was so sad when they left South Side, but their new store is so big and lovely!
They are full of books and ready to party. We just need you. (And your family and friends, and their family and friends etc...
Music from Tommy Amoeba and Phat Man Dee with Andrew the Impaled and special surprise guests!
Cheap Books! Food and Drink More Books! Door Prizes And did I mention all the Books?

Dates to save, more info soon:

May 21, 2011 I am singing at DraculaCon in Windber, PA at the Grand Midway Hotel.
More info:
http://www.iliveinahauntedhotel.com/Dcon/Draculacon2011.html

May 25, 2011 I am singing back up for Christiane D's new solo album preview at the August Wilson Center. More info soon!

As a closing statement, my friend Baby Dee, an incredible songstress, composer, pianist, and harpist is performing this Friday night at the Warhol Museum. I toured in the circus with her back in the mid 90's. She is one of my biggest inspirations. I am going to be raising money for Animal Friends at Diesel, and our event is going to rock, but if you can split your night in 2 and do both, I highly recommend you check her out.
More info:
http://www.warhol.org/webcalendar/event.aspx?id=2540

Love, light and vegan flavored butter cakes,
Mandee
http://www.twitter.com/phatmandee
http://www.facebook.com/phatmandee
http://www.phatmandee.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/phatmandee

Hey friends,

Thank you so much for being the beautiful people you are! It is an honor to live in this world and know that you are out there and I can sing to you and you will like it..... It's really all I have ever wanted. I may not be rich in dollars or gold, but in spirit and love I feel like I won every level and got every super jackpot on every pinball I have ever played.

TONIGHT, Friday April 22, 2011 our region is blessed with the incoming of one of the greatest divas of them all, the Toughest Girl Alive herself, Candye Kane! I met her years ago when I opened up for her at Club Cafe and then toured briefly with her in California and Arizona with the Fat Bottomed Girl Burlesque Review in 2005. She has received many accolades and awards as a blues singer since and has even produced a musical about her life called the "The Toughest Girl Alive". She is an incredible singer and a beautiful performer, we are blessed to have her talents travel through our region. Please come on out, it will be an amazing night!

Show time is 9 pm and Moondogs is located at 378 Freeport Rd, Blawnox, PA 15238. Phone at the club is 412-848-2040. I will be singing with Carlos Peña, Ralphie Crewe and Miguel Sague III of Guaracha Latin Dance Band!

More info:
http://www.candyekane.com/
http://www.moondogs.us/AllEventsatMoondogs.html
FB event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156622414401615

The following evening on Saturday April 23, 2011, I am singing downtown, in the heart of the cultural district at one of Pittsburgh's newest and tastiest clubs....... NOLA on the Square! Join us in a beautiful evening of music, jazz in English, Spanish and of course French at this beautiful restaurant, a New Orleans Jazz Brasserie located on beautifully renovated Market Square. A breathtaking transformation of the storied 1902 Landmark Tavern, a Nouveau Creole menu by Executive Chef Andrew Hebson, Bourbon Street cocktails, live jazz and blues music at least twice a week all contribute to that Big Easy vibe. You'll love our Patio seating on Market Square and the convenience of valet parking. Stroll by and come see us at Nola On The Square! I will be singing with Carlos Peña, Ralphie Crewe and George Jones!

Show time is 9 pm - 12 am The cover is a $5 voluntary donation, 100% of the proceeds benefiting, MAKE IT RIGHT "helping to rebuild New Orleans Lower Ninth Ward" and THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION GULF OIL SPILL RECOVERY FUND.
(Donation Recipient is Customer's Choice)
For more information:
http://www.nolaonthesquare.com/
FB event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201966296503582

And in closing, to recap from last week, we raised almost $1000 for the Tsunami Benefit for the International Medical Corps at the Shadow Lounge! Thank you to those of you who came to support and to perform, we had a most magical evening. I captured the show on video, so I hope to get a little time to edit and post some of those incredible performances. Blessings upon you and much love. Next week I am emceeing the Bridge City Bombshells show at Belvedere's on Friday and singing with Miguel and Carlos at the Christine Frechard Gallery on Saturday from 7:30 - 9:30 pm, more info soon.

Quick reminder, do YOU have your copy of Formula 412's new album "Reality Show"? I am on it! The track is #9 and the song title is "One Hit Wonderfool" and I am very pleased about it.

Find more FORMULA412 albums at Myspace Music

 More info and where you can listen and order:
http://www.myspace.com/formula412/music/songs/one-hit-wonderfool-ft-phat-man-dee-81191746
The group is amazing, I have known the musicians a loooong time and really am quite honored to be included.



Be well, I hope to see you this weekend.
Mandee
http://www.reverbnation.com/phatmandee

Tsunami Benefit @ Shadow Lounge & more!

It's raining, it's pouring and Pittsburgh's never boring..... And to  prove it I say unto you thus, I have 2 gigs you could come to this  weekend, 2 next week and you can even hear me on the radio......

To help promote the following event, Randy Baumann of WDVE has kindly  invited me to sing on the radio tomorrow, Thursday April 14, 2011 at 9:45 am! Singing with me will be Miguel Sague III and Izzy Arlet on guitar. Tune in for the Randy Baumann show on 102.5 on your FM dial in the Pittsburgh area tomorrow at 9:45 to hear us sing and promote the Tsunami benefit!
http://www.dve.com/main.html

First on this weekends order of business please check out the benefit my sister Beth Kivowitz, Geña and I put together an awesome show to benefit the International Medical Corp's relief work in Japan and we'd be honored to see you this Friday at the Shadow Lounge.

Friday, April 15th 2011
Pittsburgh Artists Rally to Raise $$$ for the Tragedy in Japan
Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd., E. Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 363-8277

Doors open at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm, 18 & older, $10 entrance fee
($5 extra to compete in video game competition)
Proceeds to benefit the International Medical Corp's efforts in Japan,
for motr : http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/

Performers include: 
Phat Man Dee with Miguel Sague III & Carlos Peña, Geña y Peña, Gene Stovall, Onya Grounz, Christina Springer, BenShannon, Daryl Fleming, Amoeba Knievel, Alba Flamenca, Barb York, Musuhallpa, Lady Elizabeth Couteau of Bridge City Bombshells, Ivivi Mori (Dj Soy Sos & Geña), Abafasi, Christine Andrews of Zafira, Emay and Erin (fire dancers).

The following day on Saturday April 16, 2011 I am singing at the
Backstage Bar with Miguel Sague III and Carlos Peña from 5 to 7 pm.
655 Penn Ave, Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA
All ages, light menu, delicious cocktails and me with 2 of my favoritist musicians ever!

Later that night you may catch me at the Formula 412 cd release party at Mr Small's Funhouse in Milvale. I did a guest back up vocal behind  one of Mr Masai Turner's fabulous and inspired rhymes, the track is "One Hit Wonderful".
To see their recent music videos check them out on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/formula412tv
Show info: http://www.mrsmalls.com/NewPHP/home.php?section=events

This just in: April 22 I am opening up for one of America's greatest blues treasures, Candye Kane at Moondogs in Blawnox!

And also next week I am making an appearance at Pittsburgh's newest jazz  club, NOLA on the Square!  

Saturday April 23, 2011 from 8 pm to midnight I am singing with Carlos Peña, Ralphie Crewe and George Jones at 24 Market Square, Downtown, Pittsburgh, PA! $5 donation to get in is voluntary and all proceeds go to help rebuild the 9th ward in New Orleans.

And for this week's digital offerings I would like to hip you to the  fact that very shortly I will have online a new song by Poogie Bell and myself called "Tokyo on a Sunday" I will let you know as soon as it is online, all proceed of the song for one year will go to help Tsunami victims. I will be debuting it on Fri night at the Shadow Lounge benefit show. It features Bobby Sparks (keys) Tony DePaolis (bass) and Chris Parker (guitar) and was produced by Dana Cannone atChurch Recording Studios. I will send a link as soon as it is active.

And a free offering from myself and Teresa Foley of PittsburghFilmmakers and Locally Toned! You too can have a Phat Man Dee ringtone, I recorded an improv scat version of the melody of Torch of Blue and it is now available as a free ringtone! For more info on this fascinating project and to get me on your phone visit:
http://locallytoned.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/phat-man-dees-tone/

Love and light!
Mandee

Phat Man Dee singing Three Times this weekend!

You heard it here first folks, if you are in the Pittsburgh area this weekend, 

I would love to see your shiny pretty face! If you aren't, well, I love ya anyways!

Tonight, Friday night I am singing in 2 places, but on the same street, so you could actually attend both were you so driven. At about 8:30 or so I will sing as an opener act for the lovely Miss Tess, the Twilight Brigade and Elliot Sussman at Hambone's in Lawrenceville, at 4207 Butler Street. $7, 21 and over.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169910736393317

Same night, just a little later, and 2 blocks closer to town at 10 pm, I am emceeing another phenomenal night of lovely ladies at Belvedere's, 4016 Butler St. in Lawrenceville, a night of live jazz by Pittsburgh's number one and number two best jazz artists (according to the City Paper readers poll 2010) namely me and Olga Watkins, and we're doing a duet together as we accompany the incredible dancers of the Bridge City Bombshells! Doors open at 9:00pm and show at 10 pm! 21 and over, $8 before 10 pm and $10 after 10 pm. Drink specials: $2 Yuenglings $3 Wells
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=198897510128980

And then tomorrow on Saturday, March 26  from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, at the Christine Frechard Gallery at 5871 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, if you would like me to sing to you with 2 of my favorite musicians (and not to backing tracks in smoky loud clubs) live and in person in a great art gallery check out the Facebook event page! Only $10 and ALL AGES!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138847262850421

 
And if you cannot attend I understand, for now, but please save the date of April 15!  We are planning a big Tsunami benefit for Japan at the Shadow Lounge, confirmed performers so far include myself, Geña of Machete, Miguel Sague III and Carlos Peña of Guaracha, Christina Springer, Daryl Fleming, Ben Shannon, Alba Flamenca (formerly Flamenco Pittsburgh) and more! Also a video game competition and raffle, so save the date and we'll send out more info soon!

Love and light,
Mandee

Spring, Song, Phat Man Dee and you!

Hello friends! just a quick shout out to remind you that tonight, on St Patrick's Day 2011 I am singing at the Smiling Moose on Pittsburgh's glorious and historic South Side, as an opener for the everyone's favorite circus sideshow cum hip hopper from Cleveland, Bushwalla!
Also playing is Caleb Lovely!
I would love to see you, it shall be a phabulous evening of musical righteouscity...
I saw Bushwalla when he emceed the Jason Mraz tour last year and he was hilarious, I cannot wait to hear his music in person!
Here's the specifics of it all:
Thursday March 17, 2011 Bushwalla, Phat Man Dee and Caleb Lovely
Showtime is 7 pm at the Smiling Moose - upstairs and it is an ALL AGES
show!
Only $10 at the door.
1306 E. Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
http://bushwalla.net/

For more info about the evening:
http://www.druskyentertainment.com/calendar.php

Also next week:
Friday, March 25, 2011
I have 2 shows! I am emceeing the Bridge City Bombshells burlesque
extravaganza with Olga Watkins Band!

Bang Bang Burlesque with ALL LIVE MUSIC!
Live and in person at Belvedere's!
21 and over.
$8 before 10pm $10 after
Doors @ 9pm Showtime 10pm
 $2 Yuenglings $3 Wells
Facebok event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=198897510128980

That same night I am running over to Hambone's to open up for Miss
Tess w/ The Twilight Broadcasters, with Elliott Sussman during Olga's
first set, more details online:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169910736393317

Next day on Saturday March 26

I am singing at the Christine Frechard Art Gallery with my good
friends and musical co conspirators, Miguel Sague III and Carlos Peña
of Guaraha.
5871 Forbes Avenue (between Murray and Shady), Pittsburgh, Pa. 15217
ALL AGES, 7 pm - 9 pm , $10 at the door

Come one, come all, it's Spring now so don't forget to call..... your
friends and make a date to come out and have some fun with us!
Love and spicy vegan buttercakes,
Mandee
http://www.reverbnation.com/phatmandee

Phat Man Dee w/ Rusted Root and Bushwalla!

Friends, last week I suggested Spring was about to be sprung, and for our wonderful show with Coyote Run and it seemed that I was right, of course once they took their magical gaelic goodness away, the green and warm weather seemed to follow them, but they were not the only trick up my phat little sleeve! If you came to that show, I thank you for your attendance, and we had a wonderful night didn't we??? When they broke out into "Whalesong" in 4 part harmony with the didgeridoo I thought I'd lose it.... and if you'd told me 5 years ago I'd be singing Stevie Nicks and Tears for Fears songs as well as Irish rebel songs with Terry Griffith on a stage in front of people I'd have called you slightly tetched..... But miracles do happen and wishes do come true. Last week's gigs and this coming week of gigs is proof of that.

Friday March 11, 2011

I am singing as guests load onto the Gateway Clipper for a cruise with Rusted Root! It will be lovely, I'm singing with Colter Harper and Miguel Sague III, just a short set, but I've been listening to Root for so many years and this is something I have always wanted to be part of.

*NOTE*

I am *ONLY* singing as people are loading on, from 7:30 - 7:55 p.m., and though I am making a brief cameo appearance with Rusted Root during their set, if you wish to see me with guitarist Colter Harper and percussionist Miguel Sague III then you must be early and on the boat by 7 p.m.. Once the boat departs there is another opening band "Bear Cub" and though I have heard good things about them, I've never heard them personally.

Details:

This Friday Mar 11, 2011 at 7 p.m., 21 and over
Begin boarding the Gateway Clipper at the dock at Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: 412-355-7980
Buy Tickets online for $25, show is 21 and over:
http://www.gatewayclipper.com/cruise_detail.asp
More info:
http://www.druskyentertainment.com/calendar.php?venue=Gateway%20Clipper

And this impending St Patrick's Day

Thursday Mar 17, 2011

Last year I had the good fortune to see my friend and a previous companion in music, Mr Reggie Watkins, play his trombone with Jason Mraz here in Pittsburgh. I love and miss Reggie, he played on my debut album "Life Just Goes On".

Anyhoo, the emcee for this event was a hilarious performer named Bushwalla. and he's an entertainer after my own heart. We both have Reggie in common, we're both circus sideshow freaks and geeks from the old school, and we both love to make people happy with our music. His medium is hip hop, and his rhymes are edgy and somehow poignant, I cannot wait to hear his music live and in person on Carson Street and at the Smiling Moose! I hope you come the other opening act will be the Caleb Lovely Band.
Details:
Thursday Mar 17, 2011 at the Smiling Moose
1306 E Carson St, South Side, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
7 p.m., all ages, $10
For info on this show CLICK HERE 

I hope to see you at one or both of these shows, gigs like this don't come around every day. Until then, for your viewing pleasure, in late 2009 I worked with a pretty interesting photographer, Matt Hoyle, while he was shooting images of circus people. He's from Australia and lives in NYC. Last year he did a talk in Dubai at a TED X event, his talk was called "Perfect Imperfection" and he interviewed me and showed my picture and let me speak about beauty to all these people. It's pretty cool.

TEDxDubai 2010| Matt Hoyle from Giorgio Ungania on Vimeo.
The video is online at: http://vimeo.com/19071450

Safe travels, please come out to the gig!
Mandee

This Sat! Coyote Run w/ Terry Griffith & Phat Man Dee

Spring is desperately attempting to get sprung and I for one hope you  will join us on Sat night and help it along!  I know I have mentioned this show in past email/blog blasts, but the weekend is nigh and I am  really excited about it.

This Saturday night I am bringing together under one roof and on one  stage my favorite Irish and Celtic musicians to ever walk the planet.  From Virginia the incredible talents of Coyote Run and in addition to their fiddle and their bagpipe they use didgeridoo and djembe and their mastery of their instruments and the stories behind their songs just shine right through. Their ultra tight vocal harmonies just bowl me over and I know you'll love them. I met them out at Starwood last summer and I am thrilled they're coming here, I really hope you will come out to see it.

.Flier made by Mr Arm of the SSOA

Their latest music video for "Oak and Ash and Thorn" :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPBSMoeYCfE
My favorite song that they do so very well "Whalesong" :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXsqexdtlIU

Some great press quotes:

"Imagine Jethro Tull on Broadway and you start to get the picture." --
Sam McDonald, Music Editor, Daily Press, Norfolk, VA

"If the Red Hot Chili Peppers wore kilts...they might sound like this
band." -- Mike Farragher, The Irish Voice, Boston, MA

Their website:

http://www.coyoterun.com/

Also joining us for a set this night is Terry Griffith , locally celebrated Irish Balladeer and an organizer for the St Patrick's Day Parade.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/terrygriffith
http://www.pittsburghirish.org/griffith/index1.htm

Accompanying me are my trusty companions Miguel Sague III on conga and Carlos Peña on guitar of Guaracha Latin Dance Band.

Specific details:

This Saturday Mar 5, 2011 at Howler's Coyote Cafe in Bloomfield at 4509 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224
http://www.howlerscoyotecafe.com
Doors open at 8:00 pm / Show begins at 9:00 pm
Admittance is for ages 21 and over

Cost: $15 at the door or $12 in advance
For advance tickets please pay pal directly to mandee@phatmandee.com
The tickets will be held at will call at the door the evening of the event, or rather, the name used to purchase the tix will be at the door on a list and you will be granted entry.

I really hope to see you there! If for some reason you are in Kent on Mrach 4, this Friday I will also be singing at my friend Halim El-Dabh's birthday party at Standing Rock Art Center.  He is a wonderful composer who has given so much to world in terms of music and ethnomusicology.
http://www.halimeldabh.com/

One last note, this month I lost my father Jay Leslie Kivowitz. He was a wonderful photographer who stoked my love of music with his adoration of Peter Paul and Mary as I was growing up. He is missed.
http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=jay-l...

Love light and music,
Mandee