Author Archives: dannyashkenasi

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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.

The Lights of Bergen Street

Posted on November 12, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

“Light” Song #1 We have entered dark times.  This week has ushered in a calamity that threatens many ills and horrors.  For me personally, the worst horror is the reversal in progress against the very real and already active threat … Continue reading →

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DAS LILA LIED – THE LAVENDER SONG – “We just happen to be Different from the Others!”

Posted on November 7, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

My recent posts about the Newfest LGBT Film festival included an enthusiastic look at the handsomely restored print of the first known movie to sympathetically portray homosexuality, Germany’s 1919 “Anders als die Andern” (“Different than the Others”). Soon after posting … Continue reading →

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QUEER SEX ON SCREEN – The Handmaiden, Theo & Hugo, and what’s left (i.e. Part 3) of the Newfest Baker’s Dozen

Posted on November 4, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The Handmaiden – Paris 05:59: Theo & Hugo – Baby Bump – Where Are You Going, Habibi? – Different from the Others Between writing my second piece on the Queer Baker’s dozen of LGBT films I saw at the NewFest … Continue reading →

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN with Notes from a Composer

Posted on October 29, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

As Halloween falls on a Monday this year, I think it makes sense to call this a long Halloween Weekend.  Much costumed celebrating and ghoulish goings-on will have already begun yesterday and continue through today and Sunday into the official … Continue reading →

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A Queer Baker’s Dozen of NewFest LGBT films – Part 2

Posted on October 27, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Akron – I Love You Both – Women Who Kill – Don’t Call Me Son – The Cult – The Nest – (and a Lazy Eye addendum) I experienced a marathon weekend of new LGBT movies from around the world … Continue reading →

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MOONLIGHT & the Queer Baker’s Dozen of NewFest LGBT Films – Part 1

Posted on October 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Moonlight – The Pass – Esteros – Lazy Eye I am “recovering” from watching 14 LGBTQ themed movies over the course of four and a half days.  Not “recovering” in a bad way, only in as much as after seeing … Continue reading →

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The Sublime Coastline of Brazil

Posted on October 20, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro lie some of the most fabulous coastline views on Earth – (including that “Twilight” honeymoon spot) Brazil (Alternate Take) – Antônio Carlos Jobim It’s always fun when a movie shows you some impressive, … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Pernambuco Memories

Posted on October 17, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

  Brazil – Cornelius   Why have Ed and I traveled twice to Brazil, exploring different parts of the country for the whole month of August in 2012 and 2016?  We do love to travel and explore the world when … Continue reading →

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BLUMENAU – OKTOBERFEST IN BRAZIL

Posted on October 12, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Desi Arnaz The classic tune “Brazil”, performed in a classic style by Desi Arnaz and his Orchestra (yes, the Desi from “I Love Lucy”, he led a Band Orchestra in real life too, not just on TV).  Now … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Amazon Animal Adventures

Posted on October 5, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Very Close Encounters with Caiman, Tarantula, Pink Dolphins & more in the Amazon! Brazil – Rosemary Clooney and John Pizzarelli Brazil – Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby (Yes, it’s a “Brazil” song double feature today, because it’s Rosemary Clooney, and … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – SÃO PAULO a/k/a SAMPA

Posted on September 30, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

BRAZIL – Lee Press-On and the Nails (I enjoy this take on the song Brazil, but what I really love is the name of the artists:  Lee Press-On and the Nails… hilarious!) Today let’s take a panoramic visual and musical … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – The Beauty of Olinda – The Light of Tieta

Posted on September 25, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Spirit of Brazil Olinda is a beautiful historic town, one of the oldest in Brazil, founded 1535 in the state of Pernambuco.  The large metropolitan capitol city of Recife looms just south, contrasting modern high rises at the … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Salvador High and Low

Posted on September 19, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – The Coasters Brazil’s city of contrasts – topographically, historically, religiously… Salvador, in the state of Bahia, is a Brazilian city full of highs and lows.  Quite literally, at first blush, due to its topography.  The historic center sits … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – LENÇÓIS FLYOVER

Posted on September 13, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Les Paul and Mary Ford In my previous Brazil post I introduced you to the Lençóis region – the “Bedsheets” of Brazil, including two unique approaches / views of this one-of-a-kind landscape. Today we will explore the Lençóis … Continue reading →

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September 11, 2016

Posted on September 11, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

For this day: HOPE from the oratorio The Song of Job 9:11   For the full concert, go to the  Song of Job page.   Also: THE SONG OF JOB 9:11 – 14 year anniversary of 9/11/2001 Posted on September 8, … Continue reading →

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LENÇÓIS – The Bedsheets of Brazil

Posted on September 6, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra Around ten years ago Ed and I saw an extraordinary Brazilian movie called “The House of Sand”.  It is set in a landscape of endless, blindingly white sand dunes.  So unusual and otherworldly … Continue reading →

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