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.

Holiday Flee Market in the Classic Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower

Posted on December 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

This post features holiday music from the damn bestest Lesbian holiday album ever: Venus Envy’s 1990’s cult classic “I’ll be a Homo for Christmas” The Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower is the most famous building in Brooklyn.  Completed in 1929 it … Continue reading →

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SHADOW & LIGHT – an exploration in pictures and music

Posted on December 16, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Shadow and Light – Danny Ashkenasi (from the musical Speakeasy) Today I will share some photos I have taken over the past few months that feature a play of light and shadow in a diverse variety.  I’ll complement these images … Continue reading →

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An Indecent Play of Light & Geometry on 56th and 8th

Posted on December 10, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

New York New York – Ol’ Blue Eyes I moved to New York City in 1986 yet sometimes I still enjoy it like a tourist.  You know the old joke about telling the tourists from the New Yorkers by who … Continue reading →

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Political Tweet Storms from Electoral Colleges to Golden Showers to the Russia Sessions – updated 3/20/17.

Posted on December 7, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

1/12/17 – @canyonhaus, going viral via Debra Messing since November: “If anything, we are the ignored majority.  Not conservatives, who can’t win fair and square.”

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BRAZIL – THE WHOLE FEIJOADA

Posted on November 29, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

21 Brazil Articles! – 22 Covers of “Brazil”! – 19 Brazilian Music Tracks! – Countless Brazil Photos! When I started the Two-Fisted Touristing Brazil Series I did not anticipate that it would grow to 21 articles (including this final one) … Continue reading →

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A study of light in blue and gold

Posted on November 26, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

The morning sun dappled our blue and gold head sculpture just so the other day.  So I took this picture. That’s the version that should fit comfortably on your screen.  For a BIGnified look at the details, plus details about … Continue reading →

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Brasília in Twilight

Posted on November 21, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Brazil Choir / Brazil String Orchestra / Quatuor Ébène / Richard Héry The last day of our second trip to Brazil, August 2016, was spent traveling from Manaus, in the Amazon, to Campinas, just north of São Paulo, … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – Climbing up Trees in the Rainforest

Posted on November 18, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil (Aquarela do Brasil) – Leslie Odom, Jr. People from all over the planet come to Manaus to explore the Amazon.  But where do the people from Manaus go on vacation?  Presidente Figuerido, a resort town two hours north of … Continue reading →

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BRAZIL – The Sculpture Garden of Izulina Xavier

Posted on November 15, 2016 by dannyashkenasi

Brazil – Vérroneau When Ed and I were exploring Corumba, the Brazilian city that is one of the gateways into the Pantanal (here and here), the city tourist pamphlet led us to the Izulina Xavier Sculpture Museum.  We arrived at … Continue reading →

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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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