Category Archives: Notes in the News

On current and historic events, likely with a musical angle

Excerpt from Jane Fonda’s Speech You Must Read

Posted on February 23, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Jane Fonda received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the SAG Awards tonight. She concluded her speech with a rousing message that speaks to the perilous times we find ourselves today. I will quote this conclusion in full here: “Make no … Continue reading →

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Playing the Notorious Nathan Leopold

Posted on February 6, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Nathan Leopold 1924 March 1 Live On-line Performance of “In the Aftermath of Mercy” I’ve been cast as Nathan Leopold, the lead character in the new play “In the Aftermath of Mercy”, which Virtual Arts will be broadcasting as a … Continue reading →

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Excursion to the Corpse Flower

Posted on January 31, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

Last weekend we heard on the radio that an amorphophallus gigas, a “corpse flower”, was blooming in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The BBG acquired the plant in 2018 and this was the first time it was blooming, a flowering that … Continue reading →

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Return of the Tell-Tale Heart

Posted on January 11, 2025 by dannyashkenasi

NYC Repeat Screening of “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre” 2/25 My first short film Edgar Allan Poe musical adaptation “The Tell-Tale Heart – a musicabre“, recipient of over 60 IMDb.com recognized awards, has long concluded its official festival run, … Continue reading →

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Queer Movies Under the Radar

Posted on November 17, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

Nine Fine Films to Keep an Eye Out For Last month we took in a variety of LGBTQ films via the Newfest film festival. Some higher profile films like “Emilia Pérez” and “Bird”, which I saw in Cannes and just … Continue reading →

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Disaster and Disgrace

Posted on November 6, 2024 by dannyashkenasi
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CYNDI LAUPER in MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Posted on November 3, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

Pics and Clips from Her Farewell Tour Concert 1986 I attended Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors tour Madison Square Garden performance. Almost 40 years later she (and I) returned to MSG for the Girls Just Want to Have Fun Farewell Tour … Continue reading →

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11/3 FREE SCREENING of PIT & PENDULUM in EAST VILLAGE

Posted on October 21, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

“The Pit and the Pendulum – a musicabre” screens this Sunday 10pm at Under St. Marks UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled for November 3, 10:30pm – the following information has been updated accordingly: My musical short film Edgar Allan … Continue reading →

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GORDON PARKS captures INGRID BERGMAN at a fraught time

Posted on October 3, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

This Spring I was enjoying a sprawling exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum featuring select works of many African and African-American artists, when I came upon this photo of Ingrid Bergman. A photo that by itself vibrates with meaning and emotion. … Continue reading →

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Paw Paw Harvest

Posted on September 26, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

Above is a bowl of paw paws, the only North American tropical fruit. You won’t find it the grocery store, because it so easily bruises it is considered unmarketable. It also only ripens on the tree, and then must be … Continue reading →

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Actor and Cinematography Awards for P&P

Posted on August 24, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

In a handsomely arched hall turned screening room in a stately old building filled with history, my Edgar Allan Poe musical adaptation “The Pit and the Pendulum – a musicabre”, was shown last night at the Giove International Film Festival … Continue reading →

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Another P&P Screening in Italy

Posted on August 18, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

This Friday, August 23, my short film musical Edgar Allan Poe adaptation “The Pit and the Pendulum – a musicabre” (click here for trailer and much more) will screen again in Italy, specifically at the Giove International Film Festival in … Continue reading →

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EVOCATION XXXI for String Orchestra

Posted on August 4, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

I recently posted this year’s viola/piano duet birthday present for Ed, Evocation XXXI – you can listen to the computer play it and follow the score here. While I composed it, I already knew that I would also be arranging … Continue reading →

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STELENFELD – Berlin Holocaust Memorial

Posted on July 16, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

In Berlin, Germany, just south of the Brandenburg Gate, across the street from the eastern edge of the Tiergarten park, lies the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, A K A the Holocaust Memorial, and also referred to colloquially … Continue reading →

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DISGUSTED

Posted on July 7, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

To the New York Times, I am thoroughly disgusted with the New York Times.  It has lost all journalistic integrity with the pile-on of articles and op-eds pushing an agenda to force President Biden to drop out of the race, … Continue reading →

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PRIDE NYC ’24

Posted on July 1, 2024 by dannyashkenasi

Ed and I made our wasy from Brooklyn to the Village to watch much of the Pride festivities and parade before joining the Quakers* at their late afternoon slot in the march down Fifth Avenue. What follows are a couple … Continue reading →

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