Pgh Complaint Choir, Summer Phun w/ Phat Man Dee, Korel sightings & more!

Hey! Bon jour! Guten tak! Shalom! Hola mi amigos!

I have so many things happening simultaneously I don't always get the word out in the timely fashion I would care too. If you want to know where/when I will be singing, please follow me on twitter or facebook or check my calendar online, I hit those up with far more frequency than I do the email and blog stuff. That said, here goes!

Tonight June 6, 2014! 2 gigs!
6 p.m. Gateway Center T Station DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH with the Pittsburgh Complaints Choir. Complaints Choir website for exact locations. Al performances are free.

This project was conceived of by Christiane D, poet, vocalist, artist liaisons officer at the Pittsburgh Arts Council. She and I wrote a song with Pastor Deryck Tines, Andrew the Impaled, the arrangement was done by Douglas Levine and we got all the actual complaints through her website, so really, we wrote it with the Citizens of Pittsburgh. So, tonight is debut performance and we will perform it every night at 6 p.m. of the next 10 days of the Arts Festival downtown, so check the


Later tonight on June 6, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at Mr Smalls Theatre in Milvale, PA!

 I am part of the Creative.Life.Support Revival Series show featuring Drowning Clowns, the Wreckids, Grey's Fool and a reunion of one of my favorite collections of Pittsburgh musicians, Crisis Car! I will sing with Liz Berlin and Korel Tunador! I will also debut some brand new tunes, as of yet unreleased! Show is at 7:30, over 21 is FREE under 21 is $2 to get in.
More info online:  https://www.facebook.com/events/545331375577015/

THIS SUNDAY June 8, 2014 at Equality on Ellsworth!

Event time is 4 pm, and I know Mayor Peduto, Councilman Bruce Kraus and poet Vanessa German are all on before me. Then I sing with the High Priestess of Pittsburgh Jazz, phenomenal pianist Ms Donna Davis! Don't miss this most excellent party, featuring local Drag Queens, the Re-52's (B 52's tribute band) and Charice of GLEE!  This event has a suggested donation of $10.
More info online: https://www.facebook.com/events/1482373621976239/

Next FRIDAY June 13, 2014 at Howler's Coyote Cafe!  I am co hosting a ridiculous evening filled with way too much amazing stuff. Me and my friend, local rapper and event organizer, HollyHood shall co emcee and evening featuring my husband's band Amoeba Knievel, Weird Paul, burlesque artist and filmmaker Smokin' McQueen and nationally dubious freak rocker Andy D. Its a 21 and over show, $10 at the door. My sister's production company booked it, so I am sure it will be a drunken and raucous evening of unparalleled joy and tomfoolery.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/285165618323864/

Then I think I get to work on video editing for a couple weeks and get my work from this past spring and winter online....before I go out to my summer festival season!

July 1-6 - SubGenius World Gathering at Wisteria Campground, Pomeroy, NY

MUST BE A REGISTERED SUBGENIUS MINISTER TO ATTEND!
More info: http://www.subgenius.com/newdevivals.html


July 7 - 12 Sankofa Festival at Brushwood Folklore Center, Sherman, NY

This is a very exciting gig for me, for I am leading a choir, a pan spiritual and multi cultural choir of singers at the event during the week, and we are going to perform with my band "The Cultural District" on Sat July 12, 2014 on the mainstage and my musicians for the evening shall be the High Priestess of Pittsburgh Jazz, Ms. Donna Davis, saxophonist Roby Supersax Edwards, percussionist JT Smitty Smith, and guitarist Carlos Peña! We'll be sharing that evening with Macabre Noir of Steel City Burlesque Academy and her burlesque students from the festival as well as our troupe, Kabarett Vulagre! Come on out and join us as we get down with America's modern pagans, wiccans, druids, Voudoo and Goddess worshippers! It is a campground, so you need to bring a tent, and there are week rates, weekend rates, and day rates. Bonfires, workshops, cool vendors and artists from all over!
More info:
http://www.brushwood.com/sankofa.html

Like I said, I am sorry for short notice on this weekend's stuff, but if you follow me on the twitter or the facebook or the web calendar, you can find out whats up as soon as I know it. I am honored to have you in my life and I appreciate sincerely your support of my work and the work of our community of wonderful artists and musicians. I hope you have a beautiful day and a beautiful summer. I hope our paths cross somewhere.
One love,
Mandee

Springtime in Pittsburgh means Jazz, Dance, Video and Phat Man Dee!

Wow.... it's like Bill Peduto got elected to mayor of Pittsburgh, and I've just been sent into this delirious, in between state, of joy and am just now waking up to find that we're all actually living the dream! Ok, maybe it's not like that at all, in reality I've been studying hard at Pittsburgh Filmmakers and working my video internship at Mr Smalls, which has also involved weekly vocal coaching for some young people which has been thoroughly enjoyable, challenging and all in all leaves little time for blogging.... So here we are, nearly to April, and unless you follow me on twitter or facebook, you have no idea what I've been into. (But if you do follow me on twitter, say something to me on there so I can follow back, ok?)

Next Monday Mar 31, 2014

I will be singing at SAVOY JAZZ! 
 6 pm - 9:30 pm, all ages, reservations recommended
Phone: (412) 281-0660
The Savoy is located at 2623 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh
http://www.savoypgh.com/

Joining me will be bassist Tony DePaolis, guitarist Mark Lucas and drummer JT "Smitty" Smith! Every Monday evening they open the restaurant for Monday Night Jazz! Come in and enjoy some of the finest live jazz around, performed by some of the best jazz artists Pittsburgh has to offer. And the kitchen is open for some amazing dining to go along with that amazing music. Attire: Business casual (no sneakers, hats, tank tops or shorts) Dining: Full dinner and dessert menus are available along with the lounge menu. Drink specials are all domestic beers for $3.00 (plus tax) and a special martini called the “Jazztini” for $8.00 (plus tax). Hours: Restaurant opens at 5pm, and live music goes from 6pm to 10pm. Kitchen closes at 9pm. Make Monday Night Jazz @ Savoy your special treat every week by reserving your table today!
 

Next Friday April 4, 2014 at 7 p.m.

I will be emceeing a wonderful event called Pittsburgh Festival Nouveau!
Hoops, Aerials, Music, Comedy, and a Clown or two! Join us for a family friendly Night at the Circus! Enjoy some of Pittsburgh's finest in circus and side show arts. Featuring Madame Onca O'Leary and Paolo Garbanzo from down South!
Featuring face painting by local artist Lauren Toohey!
Family Evening FUN! At Pittsburgh Dance Center
4765 Liberty Ave,Pittsburgh, PA 15224 
For more info on the festival, all the workshops by dance/sideshow professionals and the performances go to: http://www.hakandances.com/pfn/

I am very excited to announce the final installments of my pilot season of my video podcast, I am in the thick of editing right now, but I have two more shoots, one in the intimate Funhouse Living Room Theatre and one on the Mainstage at the Mr Smalls Complex in Millvale.... and here they are, so excited! We live in a city with so much talent and I am so honored to perform with them and be trusted to document them! 

Sunday April 6, 2014

Phat Man Dee & Creative.Life.Support are thrilled to present the third and final  "Sunday Phunday" featuring one of Pittsburgh's finest vocalists. From Brazil, we welcome the  astounding talents of Kenia in a performance at the Funhouse  Living Room  Theatre, an intimate venue in the new Funhouse section of the Mr. Smalls complex in Millvale. This show will be videotaped in front of a live studio audience for inclusion in Phat Man Dee's podcast so  please be on time and ready to enjoy a wonderful evening of Pittsburgh's finest in Brazilian jazz!    

No cover charge, donations encouraged.  
Mr Smalls is located at 400 Lincoln Ave, Millvale, PA 15209  
Entry to the event is not through the main entrance, but actually through the Courtyard Entrance on Butler Street between Lincoln and Evergreen Ave, closer to the top of the hill and rear of the building. There will be signage.    

Links: Kenia's website: http://www.kenialive.comhttp://www.kenialive.com
Creative.Life.Support's website: http://www.creativelifesupport.com/
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/780707908623692/

Sunday April 19, 2014

Creative.Life.Support Presents:

Phat Man Dee's Cavalcade of Stars N'at! 

This local showcase on Mr Smalls Mainstage includes some of Pittsburgh's most phenomenal musical artists and will be video taped live for inclusion in Phat Man Dee's pilot season of her video podcast about local music. 

Doors at 6:30 pm, show at 7 pm
It's FREE to attend if over 21, or only $2 if under 21 

Ticketing link:

http://www.eventsbot.com/events/eb475284831

The show is free but if you register for your free ticket then when you show up and redeem your online reservation the artist you chose will get $1. Also, bring tips for to help support the other artists when we pass a hat. Tangible love in monetary form is always appreciated. 

Mr Smalls is located at 400 Lincoln Ave, Millvale, PA 15209

Artists featured include:

* BeLove Sanaa - singer/songwriter, jazz/r&b vocalist  
* DRU - the artist formerly known as Andrew the Impaled  
* Miguel Sague Jr & Miguel Sague III, father/son Cuban duets w/ guitar &  conga  
* The Reverend David Apocalypse & his Traveling Museum of Oddities  
* Phat Man Dee - w/ members of The Cultural District, feat. Roby “Supersax” Edwards  
* CHAIBABA - psychedelic progressive rock band  
 

This show completes Mandee's video internship and residency in Mr Small Theatre's Creative.Life.Support program.  It is a celebration of local music and showcases some of her favorite Pittsburgh based talent. Because in a perfect world, shows are free, people show up, bands get paid and local music reigns supreme! 

Facebook event page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1411867259068804

 Friday April 25, 2014 

I will be singing at Marty's Market in the Strip for a delightful collaboration with their chef to devise the menu that tastes like my music sounds.... which is Jewish Soul food??? I'm thinking latkes and bar be que with a side of greens and matzoh balls? Can we make that? Do we have the technology? Come and find out in person! 

Join us for a wonderful evening of music at the fresh food destination supermarket and cafe Marty's Market. Curated by Andy Mulkerin of City Paper and Christiane D of the Pittsburgh Arts Council, this monthly series that combines community, dinner and local music has become a very popular way to spend your Friday in the Strip District!

Tickets: $25 per person includes dinner
All Ages
Marty's Market is located at 2301 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 586-7177
Web: http://www.martysmarket.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1456038367943798/ 

And so that's it for my public performances in April..... May will be a doozy too, we've got Pyrotopia, the festival of fire arts happening, which I am very excited about!! I will be co emceeing the event with Andrew the Impaled.

More info here: www.pyrotopia.net/ 

Also happening in May is the Atrocity Exhibition, in which we will be exploring the theatre of dreams....and nightmares... With some of the finest dark performance artists from across this perverse and beautiful nation! 

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/MoroseAndMacabresAtrocityExhibition

Somehow in the middle of all this I need to complete my final edit for class and get my band ready for our summer festival touring circuit. Thankfully I play with the best musicians I know, and we can do it. Want proof? Take a special listen to my new song on my reverbnation profile, it's called "Hey Phat Chick!" It was recorded last month, arranged by Tony DePaolis and it features musicians Cliff Barnes on keys, Tony DePaolis on bass, JT "Smitty" Smith on drums and the Steel City Horn Trio, which includes Reggie Watkins on trombone, Ron Horton on trumpet and Roby "Supersax" Edwards on saxophone! 

Go to: http://www.reverbnation.com/phatmandee to listen!  

Love and butter and one song with many voices.... I am yours, Phat Man Dee

Two special performances this weekend!

Heidi ho friends and neighbors! 

I am so happy to have made it to 2014, had you asked me 10 years ago I am not sure I would have said I'd still be alive, but look! Still here! Still singing! Still happy to be living in Pittsburgh, PA!

Tomorrow Friday Jan 3, 2014, I am so excited to be singing for my friend Chris Rickert of Rickert Beagle Books (formerly ElJay's Books)! She is having a Grand Opening event to celebrate the fact that she has taken over the business of providing Pittsburgh with a place to buy and sell books that are weird and wonderful. She has partnered with one of my favorite authors, Peter S Beagle famous for his book "The Last Unicorn". He is flying in to help celebrate at the event, so please try to be there and say hi! The event goes from 5:30 - 9 p.m. and I am singing at 6:30 with my old friend Tall Paul Leech and Tony DePaolis. Also performing will be Pixie and Davi della Flamma, Terry Knapton and if we're lucky, maybe Peter S Beagle will play a couple for us!
The bookstore is located at 3233 West Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 their telephone # is 412-344-7444.
Facebook invite page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/248793258621460/

The night after on Sat Jan 4, 2014 I am going to go to Lower Burrell and sing at a wonderful art and tattoo space called ArtForm Gallery! The art show is featuring the work of Todd Pinkham in a show called "Modern Day Knight" which tells the moralistic story of a modern warrior as he fights for his beliefs and strict codes against evil hordes of allegorical and fantastical monsters still present in this day and age. I will be performing with my friend guitarist Carlos Peña at about 8 p.m.
The gallery is located at 2603 Leechburg Rd, Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania 15068 and their phone # is (724) 212-3153.
Facebook invite page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/484786561640261/

So that's it for now, then I head off to the Navajo Nation. After a long and painful recovery from a bad ankle break last July, my mother is going back to work. She is a special education and special needs teacher out there and I am going to travel with her and stay a couple days to make sure she can manage ok.

I do have some gigs in later January, I will try to send out a reminder, but it I don't consider this your moment to save the dates:

Thursday January 23 I am performing at Fiesta Flamenca at New Hazlett Theatre with my dear friend filmmaker and dancer Carolina Loyola Garcia. Also performing is Alba Flamenca with guitarist Jon Bañuelos, James Bond, Barbara York, Lucas Savage, Flor Isava-Machi. Other guests include saxophonist Erik Lawrence  and dancer Olivia Kissel.
New Hazlett is located at 6 Alleghyeny Square East, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Facebook invite:
https://www.facebook.com/events/244408265722897/

Monday Jan 26, 2013 I am so freaking excited!!!!! My old performance partner, Big Daddy Bull Seal! aka Damon a Griffith IS NOT coming to Pittsburgh, but his DAUGHTER Grannia D Griffith IS and I booked her a gig! She and her grandfather, my dear friend Terry Griffith, Irish Balladeer, will both be performing at the Funhouse Studio at Mr Smalls in Millvale, PA. I am shooting the show as part of my Video Internship at Mr Small's Theatre for my podcast featuring locally based performers. I know Grannia doesn't live here anymore, but she was born and raised here and if we show her how much we love her maybe she'll come back. She left when she in 12 or 13 and this is her first time back and also her first time ever singing in Pittsburgh. She's as beautiful and as talented as the rest of her family, so do come out and support! I don't have a facebook page for the event yet, but I will shortly so pay attention to my facebook Phat Man Dee page and my tweets cuz I'm gonna blow it up! (That's just modern day slang for "tell alot of people about a thing", Don't worry, I don't actually know diddly about incendiary devices.) That show will start at 7 and there is limited seating, so be on time and be ready to hear some wonderful music by Grandpa Terry Griffith and his granddaughter, Grannia.

One last thing for now, dear friends, I just uploaded a new video to celebrate the new era our fair city is about to enter under the leadership of our new mayor, the Honorable Bill Peduto.
Please enjoy and share it around. It's me singing "Won't You Be My Neighbor" with Carlos Peña. 
Peace, unity, and equity for all, I am your friend,
Mandee

I am thankful....

I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for my family, my friends, my fans and my community. I am thankful to have people in my life who are creative and want me to share my creativity with them. My new position as an intern in the Video Department at Mr Smalls had afforded me some spectacular opportunities this month. I have been to more shows in the last month than I have been to in the last year. You would think that as an entertainer I would go out all the time, right? Well, while I am out quite a bit, when I am performing, I consider it work. It is work I enjoy immensely, but if I am doing it right, I am not partying, I am performing and it's the patrons who should be partying. So, if I am not working, I stay home and deal with things like my dining room ceiling falling in, or refinishing floors or stopping the basement from leaking, real sexy stuff, right? But, now that part of my work is documenting the creative work of others besides myself, I find I am just thankful that there are so many wonderful artists in the world and that we have people in our lives who want to bear witness and be part of the magic. So, I guess what I am saying is, I am thankful for you.

That said sometimes not everyone has what they need to create, real basic stuff, like healthcare and housing.... fortunately 2 of the 3 gigs I have this very weekend are all about healing and living warm and safe.... and the other one is all about the tunes and the company (which I hope are just as healing).

Thursday November 14, 2013 - 8 p.m., $10, 21 & over
I am emceeing an amazing evening of diversified entertainers hosted by Balanced Mind Pittsburgh. 4 Rivers Vaudeville - Designed to Educate, Edify, Amaze and Uplift! It is part of a 3 Day Alchemical Adventure that is the beginning of a convergence of Integrated Medicine Professionals, Natural Holistic Healers and Creative Artistic Geniuses.
James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy, 422 Foreland St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
https://www.facebook.com/events/664117206956040/

Friday November 15, 2013 - 5 p.m. - 730 p.m.
Join me and some musical members of the Cultural District for some cocktails and a multi lingual jazz filled evening to kick off this mid November weekend. November 15, 2013 will only ever happen once, and we would be honored to sing to you on that day before it slides away... No entry fee, just show up and enjoy the music, the spirits and the menu.
Backstage Bar, 655 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
https://www.facebook.com/events/597086450351379/

Sat November 16, 2013 - 12 p.m is Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council's inaugural Health & Housing (HE-HO) Fair for Artists, held on Saturday, November 16 from noon - 6 p.m. at the Kingsley Association, will bring artists face-to-face with local healthcare and housing experts and providers. Through vendors and well-organized seminars, HE-HO will prepare our community of artists for the forthcoming health care reform, the Affordable Care Act, and empower our creative community with the right knowledge on mortgage lending and fair housing by gaining information about buying, renovating, or retrofitting a property. HE-HO will offer free screenings, educational resources, seminars, one-on-one meetings, prizes, performances and hands-on activities. Child care will be available on-site.
The Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave, Pittsbburgh, PA 15206
Registration to attend workshops is recommended -
http://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/events-and-workshops-etc/gpacevents/event/115

Saturday Nov 23, 2013 - 7 p.m., $10
Atrocity Exhibition Documentary Screening!
I am not actually performing at this event, but as an Atrocity Exhibition artist, I shall be participating in the Q and A session after the movie. We are screening a documentary about the Atrocity Exhibition by Brian Cottington! This movie features the performances of local and nationally curated artists, like Macabre Noir, Cherri Baum, Lilith Deville, Nick Noir, Vinsantos, Reverend Decay, Rachel Deacon, myself and more!
Hollywood Theater, 1449 Potomac Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216
https://www.facebook.com/events/1388619194707836/

Monday November 25, 2013 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., free , all ages!
Come celebrate a fall carnevale with us and our signature jazz, burlesque and sideshow performances at Rhoades Hall for the friends and community of Clarion University in Oil City!! Featuring performances by Kabarett Vulgare members Macabre Noir, Lilith Deville, Nick Noir & Penny de la Poison as well as my group "The Cultural District" featuring Don and Tony DePaolis and John "Smitty" Smith!
Venango College of Clarion University, Rhoades Hall, 1801 W 1st St, Oil City, PA, 16301
http://www.clarion.edu/

That's it for now, folks, but what a great month it is going to be! Be thankful for your family, your friends and know I am thankful for your support of local art, music and creativity! 

I swear to goodness I didn't fall in.....

But I fell out....and up....and all around.....maybe now I should consider falling in.....

So, I send these emails out once a month, right? Unless my dining room ceiling falls in and my mom shatters her ankle and I lose a couple friends in a sadly untimely fashion and I decide to start working in the video department at Mr Smalls Creative.Life.Support and maintain my regular gig schedule.... then apparently I don't write for 3 or 4 months..... I am ok, healthy, if slightly crazed...But the dining room ceiling was fixed by a motley crewe of sideshow marvels, boylesque dancers, drag queens, Christian clowns, and blue haired ukelele players under the careful guidance of an Italian fine artist. Miraculously NOTHING was broken. Not the dried flowers I have from Tommy Amoeba's father's funeral service, not the wedding pictures, nothing....It's all really dirty, but it's all intact. However, while my mom is sadly still in a nursing home, on the plus side, she normally lives on the Navajo Nation in Chinle, AZ for 11 out of 12 months a year and I NEVER get to see her but I've been able to see her ALOT in these last couple months. And she caused my uncles to come visit from Tulsa and that was very exciting. The friends I have lost, well, I will miss them a great deal but I have great faith that I shall meet them somewhere in some form a little on down the line and around a couple bends. As far as my video gig at Mr Smalls is concerned, it's been very exciting. I have been studying on and off at Pittsburgh Filmmakers for years now, as I could afford the classes and I've studied with some great teachers there and now I am interning at Mr Smalls Theatre and I'm shooting music and editing video of some incredible artists and there I've found a home to produce my video podcast. I am still seeing my vocal coach Beth Claussen and I am still working out at a gym. I've started a vitamin regimen and am somehow able to maintain this bizarre schedule. I am still a member of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, a new member of the Pittsburgh Arts Council and i even donated to WYEP because I love the Soul Show...

Things I have happening in the immediate future.....I am really excited about this show.....
 

Creative.Life.Support Revival Series presents:
“Phat Man Dee’s Cavalcade of Stars N’at!”
When: Thursday October 17th
Doors 6:00PM,  Show 7:00PM
Where:  Mr. Smalls Theatre   400 Lincoln Ave.   Millvale, PA 15209
Cost: Over 21: Free       Under 21: $2.00
 
EVENT OVERVIEW:
Creative Life Support Revival Series and Phat Man Dee Productions have teamed up to bring together the first ever "Show of Shows and Cavalcade of Stars" featuring some of Pittsburgh's finest entertainers. The music performed will be jazz, salsa, gospel, hip hop, and rock n' roll as well as burlesque and bellydance.
 
This "Cavalcade of Stars N'at" includes:
    •    Phat Man Dee's cabaret jazz group "The Cultural District"
    •    Amoeba Knievel - local rawk n' roll phenomenon
    •    Live Video Feed Performance -  Dr. Colter Harper in Ghana
    •    Machete Kisumontao - Caribbean salsa, vocals by Geña
    •    Reverend Deryck Tines - gospel artist
    •    HollyHood - the sexiest hip hop mc in da'Burgh
    •    J-Pad da Juggernaut - hip hop mc and beats master
    •    Lita D'Vargas – burlesque
    •    Christine Andrews – bellydance
    •    Trixy - fire breathing pick'em up art car by Trundle Manor

The entire event will be filmed for an impending “Phat Man Dee Smallscast”! Phat Man Dee has just joined Mr. Smalls’ vibrant team as a Video Intern and will be celebrating the beginning of her web series with this debut Revival series performance. She looks forward to celebrating local art and music by showcasing it in this digital international showcase! Come and celebrate with the Mr. Smalls family!
 
The Creative Life Support Revival Series:

The “2013 Revival Series” is a revolutionary model of local showcase where admission is free. Each artist will be distributing free tickets and paid according to how many of their tickets are redeemed at the door. The show starts at 7pm and is free for anyone over 21. Under 21 guests will be charged a measly $2 at the door.Because in our perfect world:
Shows are free, people show up, bands get paid & local music reigns supreme!
Please register for your free ticket here:
http://www.phatmandeerevival.eventsbot.com/

To help spread the news via facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/521371724609956/

If you register for your free ticket and show up to use it, the band you've chosen to register for will get $1 from the venue in addition to whatever tip $ comes when they pass a hat for each group. So, it costs YOU nothing (unless you're under 21, then it costs you two bucks) but it means something to the performers.

So you can see, I am very happy working at Mr Smalls as I can now produce these crazy shows and we are planning on video taping this one and it is going to be footage for my first ever podcast featuring local artists. Liz Berlin and Mike Speranzo (owners of Mr Smalls) are dong some truly wonderful and exciting things with their venue, music camp for kids in the summer (I am importing footage now from those sessions, the camp looks amazing) and building a beautiful VIP balcony and a restaurant and I feel like I am really part of something locally grown but nationally known beautiful scene, and I just really hope you come to my first show. And I would be remiss in not mentioning that my friend and now boss at Mr Smalls , the lovely and talented Liz Berlin, is having her own show at Mr Smalls the week before mine, it is a similar event, part of the Creative.Life.Support Revival Series and she is also having my friend Frieddi Price close out the night. She is an incredible singer, as I hope you know and he is an old friend of mine from Oakland, California, and he is spectacular. He's in town for a puppet show called The Pigeoning, but he's gonna give us a set late night at Mr Smalls. I'll be there that night, but I will be shooting video!
For info on their gig: http://www.eventsbot.com/events/eb264951183

I am also working on doing a very intimate live evening of me with the band at Church Recording Studios, I intend to shoot a live dvd of that show, so keep your eyes peeled for a kick starter plea form me, but I am editing the video ask before I will send out the link. The cobblers children... they have no kickstarter campaigns.......

Normally here is where I say "Love and Light" but honestly, I've been doing so many different things and just trying to maintain reality, that my energy is a little scattered, so I will just say, thank you for being in my world,  thank you for allowing me in yours. If you want to hear from me more frequently, I am on the twitter.... If you tweet to me, I shall follow back.
Yours, Mandee

Final local Phat Man Dee appearance for 5 weeks!

Hey sugar dumplings!

I am just making a quick post to thank you for being on my list and in my world. I have been blessed to have some great gigs lately and I just want you to know that it's such a blessing to recently sing for new people and make new fans and it makes me realize afresh how much I appreciate the fans and friends I've had for so long. I also, wanted to remind you about my last local shows for a little while. I am out traveling doing festivals this Summer, so if you want to hear me sing before I go, then this is the weekend to do it!

Tonight June 21, 2013!
I am singing at an art opening at Ava Lounge, the show is called She: Art by Danielle Robinson
I probably go on about 9 ish. Big emphasis on the ish. My friend makes beautiful images, and this venue is closing soon, so come celebrate with us before the lights go out on Ava Lounge.
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/377736448998712

Tomorrow June 22, 2013
I am singing at my husband Tommy Amoeba's Rock N Roll Birthday Bash and SubGenius Devival! Special guest the Reverend Ivan Stang himself!
Howlers Coyote Cafe, doors at 9 p.m.,  21 +, $10 at door
Performers include amoeba knievel, Andrew the Impaled, Eric Singer, Phat Man Dee, sT tENTATIVELY a cONVENIENCE and the Reverend Ivan Stang!!!!!!!
If you are lucky, maybe Princess Wei R Doe will join me for a tune or 2!
See what Bill O'Driscoll had to say about it in the Pittsburgh City Paper: http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/short-list-june-19-25/Content?oid=1662054
Scott Mervis also included it in the Weekender in this week's Pittsburgh Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/music/local-scene-in-music-this-week-692322/

Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/160390250799321/
It's so exciting to have Ivan Stang back in town, he hasn't been here since 1998, and if you purchase salvation this weekend, you could come camping with us in July at the SubGenius World Gathering on July 1-7 at Wisteria Campground!!!
More info:http://www.subgenius.com/newdevivals.html

Hope to see you, I will have live musicians with me tomorrow (Michael Murray, Colter Harper and Tony DePaolis), but am singing to backing tracks tonight.

If you wish to come on the road with us, you should consider coming camping at the beautiful Brushwood Folklore Center in Sherman, NY. I am performing at Summerfest on July 26 with both my jazz band, The Cultural District, AND the sideshow burlesque troupe with whom I am affiliated, Kabarett Vulgare. On Sat July 27th, the night after we play, my good friends Guaracha Latin Dance Band, will be performing and then shall lead us drumming and chanting to the big bonfire in the Round House. Camping and singing and drumming and dancing and going to workshops with other beautiful musicians and artists sound good to you? Buy your ticket now and make sure your tent is in good order!!!
More info:http://www.brushwood.com/summerfest.html

Have a beautiful weekend, may your solstice burn bright and shower you with cosmic life force, keep our friends who need our prayers in mind, there is much strife in the world and I hope we can leave this place better than we found it, one song, one kindness, one gesture at a time.
Mandee

Jazz is a how you do, not a what you do....

Or at least that's what I tell myself. I also believe that jazz happens when you use music and your instrument to communicate complex ideas and feelings in a conversation that isn't spoken. You don't  need words, (though they help,  if your a poet and vocalist like me, they are as much a part of your instrument as much as a reed is to sax player or a string is to a bassist). Sometimes those conversations bleed into to other art forms, they shape them and the other art responds and shapes the music right back. When you talk about New Orleans, you talk abut the music and you also talk about the food.... Jazz can affect many mediums like dance and visual art and that to me is the beauty of this particular musical form.... I think that might be why I do so many different kinds of gigs. Once one of my musicians said to me that while he might make more money playing with some other cats, he could never pay for the experiences that playing with me has led him. I like to take the jazz from hither to thither and yon. I've sung on the high desert in Nevada beneath flaming steel lotus sculptures just before dawn, and I've sung it to the homeless who live in the depths of the sewers which run alongside the LA river, I've sung it for bellydancers, burlesquers and circus freaks and I am proud to say that no matter where I go, people like to listen. I am honored to have such a wonderful and diverse community of friends and fans. Thank you. I hope you can come out to some of the nice gigs I am blessed with this month.

This Friday May 24, 2013 from 7 - 10 p.m. at Tables on the Green!

New venue, new restaurant, no cover, please come out and support this new venture in Natrona Heights! Join me with my group, The Cultural District, featuring Carlos Peña (guitar), Miles Jackson (bass), Langston Kelly (sax) and Brian Edwards (drums) at this once private club in it's new incarnation as a beautiful destination restaurant! Creole cuisine and live jazz! Their motto is “In an effort to shape our way of cooking, we look to our landscape and delve into our ingredients and culture, hoping to rediscover our history and shape our future.” For some of you it is a bit of a drive, I know.... but I hope you come anyways. It's going to be a great night and I'd love to see you there!

Tables on the Green - 1299 Lane avenue Natrona Heights, PA 15065
web: http://www.tablesonthegreen.com/ phone: 724-226-0955 no cover, all ages

The following Friday May 31, 2013 at 7 p.m. Morris Levy Gallery aka Monk's Place

photo by Mia Donna Maneer

I am singing at a closing for an art show for my friend Mia Donna Maneer (photographer). She documents many of the counter cultural performances happening in town, she has great images of our burlesque and other performing art extravaganzas. I shall sing a short set accompanied by pre recorded backing tracks. LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of the Endangered Cocktail) shall also be present mixing up some delightfully historic libations! No cover, but you can buy the art what hasn't already sold from her exquisite collection!  

Morris Levy Gallery aka Monk's Place

3634 Penn Ave. Lawrenceville Pittsburgh, PA 15201

no cover, all ages, though art work featured will include adult material

   

Saturday June 8, 2013 8 p.m. - midnight at the Pillow Project

Phat Man Dee is thrilled to be included in the Second Saturdays event with the phenomenal dancers of the Pillow Project. Also featured throughout the evening will be new conceptual multimedia work by the residents of The Space Upstairs, as well as ongoing Freejazz performances. I will be bringing a slightly different version of the Cultural District to play with me, joining us in this exciting improvisational collaborative effort between jazz dance company and myself will be the musicians: Carlos Peña (guitar), Dave Pellow (bass), George Jones (conga) and Poogie Bell (drums). The Pillow Project occurs every second Saturday at the Space Upstairs. 

214 N Lexington Pittsburgh, PA 15208 phone: (412) 225-9269
All Ages, $10 entrance fee
Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/556446571066743/
Also, when we say The Space Upstairs, it's up like 2 flights of stairs, so if you have trouble walking, this may not be the gig for you, it is not wheelchair accessible.


Friday June 14, 2013, 10 p.m. to midnight
Phat Man Dee's Cavalcade of Stars, featuring Bob Lynch and friends at the Americans for the Arts Conference

This gig is for attendees of the Americans for the Arts Convention only.
I am so excited to be hosting this year's musical jam session after the VIP welcoming dinner for the Americans for the Arts Conference. Featured guests include CEO of AFTA Bob Lynch & friends, the ensuing improvisational musical collaboration shall extend our sonic bridges far beyond Pittsburgh! Musicians include Carlos Peña, Tony DePaolis, Miguel Sague III and all of our wonderful guests! This conference is very exciting, over 1200 attendees from all over the country shall come gather in our fair city and talk about the future of art in America!!! We are so honored to be included and cannot wait for this glorious weekend!!
Phat Man Dee's Cavalcade of Stars, featuring Bob Lynch and friends at the Americans for the Arts Conference shall occur at the Westin Hotel downtown and any attendee to the conference who is musically inclined is welcome to sit in with us or take the stage for their own!!
More info about the conference and how to attend: http://convention.artsusa.org/


Saturday June 22, 2013 9 p.m. at Howler's Coyote Cafe

Join us for this madcap event featuring the dulcet tones of Tommy Amoeba and his band Amoeba Knievel as he celebrates his 52nd birthday in grand style in conjunction with Pittsburgh's first SubGenius Devival in almost 15 years! Also performing is myself with members of the Cultural District namely Michael Murray (keys) and Tony DePaolis (bass) , Andrew the Impaled, Saint tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE, local pyrotician/roboticist/saxophonist Eric Singer, and amazingly the honorable and ever more adorable, very irreverent Reverend Ivan Stang, co founder of the Book of the SubGenius himself!!!  For more info on how to join the Church of Bob and buy your salvation for only $35 or triple your $$ back, or to find out how to keep the pinks from STEALING your SLACK! Check out http://www.SubGenius.com
Howler's Coyote Cafe  4590 Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15224 21 and over, $10 at door 
 

So.... as you can see, jazz happens in strange and unlikely places. Sometimes it happens in a lovely restaurant with delicious creole cuisine, sometimes it happens in art galleries, sometimes it happens in dance spaces with improvisational modern dancers turning the music into beautiful movement, sometimes it is the medium with which musicians and artists from all of the country can come together and learn about each other and the region they are visiting, and then sometimes it happens in the middle of a SubGenius devival featuring savvy salesmen selling salvation in the form of aliens who will come to take us all away in our pleasure domes when the Rupture comes and the pinks and norms begin to burn..... In any case, I am happy to meet the jazz there and bring it forth, for I too have a message, and my message is "We're all a bunch of weirdoes, let's celebrate it and love each other for the freaks we really are, cuz if this is the only go round (and I'm not saying it is, but I have alot of friends who believe it might be) I don't want to spend it trying to fit into someone else's misinformed opinion of what I should or should not be, so let's have a good time and as the SubGenius say 'F*ck'em if the can't take a joke!' Of course they also say 'If you're gonna eat a hamburger, eat the HELL out that hamburger!' which is good too, unless your vegetarian and then I suppose it would be 'If you're gonna eat a veggie burger, eat the HELL out that veggie burger!' I do eat meat, but I also like veggie burgers, and I am digressing cuz it's been a long life, so please come to a gig, I am here now and so are you, and if not now, when???" That's a long motto, but I'm sticking to it.