Author Archives: dannyashkenasi

Unknown's avatar

About dannyashkenasi

I'm a composer with over 40 years experience creating music theater. I'm also an actor, writer, director, producer, teacher and general enthusiast for the arts.

Diana Rigg and the 3rd Happy Song for Dark Times

Posted on September 10, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

I just learned that Diana Rigg passed. Rest in Peace, Diana Rigg. Diana Rigg was probably my first childhood celebrity crush. I likely first loved Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins the way tots love their nannies, but I had my … Continue reading →

Posted in Beginnings, Cinema Scope, Live! On Stage, Melodies Linger On, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

So last night I received the JUDY GARLAND AWARD

Posted on September 8, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

I could say I’m over the moon… … actually, I’m over the rainbow Last night the Art is Alive Film Festival held its awards ceremony. Just like the festival, it was a virtual affair. Cindy Mich, festival founder, convened a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

INDIEDANCE AWARDS

Posted on September 7, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

“The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” wins two awards from Indiedance Film Festival 2020 Yesterday I was informed via a recorded zoom call that Indiedance film Festival 2020 awarded “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” with a Gold Award for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TELL-TALE TONIGHT!

Posted on September 4, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

SOMETHING THAT’S THRILLING SOMETHING THAT’S CHILLING SOMETHING TO STILL YOUR HEART A MUSICABRE TONIGHT! 8:15PM EST – ON-LINE SCREENING OF THE TELL-TALE HEART – A MUSICABRE FOLLOWED BY A Q&A WITH YOURS TRULY! HOSTED BY ART IS ALIVE FILM FESTIVAL … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Art is Alive Actor Workshop

Posted on September 2, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

Thursday, Sep 3 – 6pm – 7pm CDT (7pm – 8pm EST) Silverspot Cinema (Brookfield, WI) 320 Market Street, Brookfield, WI 53045 I will be taking part in an Actor Workshop with the actor Michael Gentile, moderated by Cindy Mich, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Live! On Stage, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SEPTEMBER FESTIVALS

Posted on August 29, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

Four Festivals Feature ‘THE TELL-TALE HEART” this month Covid 19 has done a number on the film festival circuit, effecting many festivals that had been scheduled to screen “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” earlier this year. There have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BLACK LIVES MATTER MURALS in MADISON, WISCONSIN

Posted on August 22, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

Black Lives Matter Art in State Street and Environs, Madison, WI

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Notes in the News | Leave a comment

GRAND ARMY FOUNTAIN

Posted on August 18, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

Statues Splashed in Water and Light I have already posted pictures of what I called The Lovers of Grand Army Plaza. But those spring pics are few and overcast compared to these sun drenched shots I took over several days … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

48 FINAL DAYS OF OUTDOOR MEMORY ESCAPES

Posted on August 12, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

All Things Come to an End, if not this Pandemic (yet) I’ve continued posting the awkwardly named Daily Outdoor Memory Escapes far longer than I thought I would. Arguably the pandemic is worse in the whole of the USA than … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Notes in the News, Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN REOPENED

Posted on August 7, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

After 5 months locked out, a return to the gardens Last March, on the weekend where Broadway was already shut down and schools were cancelling performances and assemblies, but the rest of the city was still open for a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Notes in the News, Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TELL-TALE RUNNER UP

Posted on August 1, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

An Acting “Silver Medal” I’m happy to report that I won Runner Up Best Actor of Year 2020 from Flicks Film Festival for my performance in “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre“. I’ve already posted about the Flicks Film Festival … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

TELL-TALE over TIMES SQUARE

Posted on July 28, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

The Tell-Tale Poster Shines on a Big Billboard over Broadway Last night Ed and I travelled to Times Square to watch the poster for my gothic musical short film “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” be broadcast over Times Square. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres, Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

FESTIVAL PANDEMIC POSTPONEMENTS

Posted on July 22, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

See you in … 2021? Below is the 2020 Official Trailer for the Denali Film Festival. It’s a beautifully put together trailer, full of lovely images of the great outdoors. You get a strong sense for the festival’s overriding theme, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres, The Teaching Artist | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

108 WYCKOFF

Posted on July 17, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

I’ve been taking long walks in Brooklyn lately. And the other day in Cobble Hill I came upon this amazing facade festooning the brownstone at 108 Wyckoff Street. It’s a fantastic riot of mosaics and messages, colored stones and mirror … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts-a-Poppin', Notes in the News, Two-fisted Touristing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ED

Posted on July 12, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

My husband turns 61 today. Happy birthday, Ed! And just like every year for the past 27, I composed a viola piano duet for us to play. Each one is called an Evocation. This year’s birthday duet, Evocation XXVII, takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber Works, LGBTQ Alphabet Soup, Notes in the News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

TELL-TALE BEST FEATURE(TTE)

Posted on July 8, 2020 by dannyashkenasi

UPDATE – AUGUST 1, 2020: Central States Indie FanFilmFest has named “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” Best English Language Featurette of the year. After earlier awarding my musical Edgar Allan Poe adaptation Best English Language Feature/Featurette for the Winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema Scope, Notes in the News, Poe Musicabres | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments