Because the Mayan calendar promises that the world shall end in late 2012, Ann Magnuson has decided to celebrate early. And, like Cher and Streisand before her, she shall begin the first of many ‘farewell’ tours to prepare for the aforementioned Apocalypse.
But because she wants to go out with neither a bang nor a whimper, she has chosen the route of Gentility, partly because of age but mostly because, in an increasingly vulgar world, it’s the most radical thing to do. A mashing up of ‘end of the world’ songs, appropriately themed spoken word stories and bona-fide poetry will be presented as a contemporary twist on the “Victorian Drawing Room Entertainment”.
With original songs by Ann Magnuson and Kristian Hoffman including material from the albums Pretty Songs & Ugly Stories, The Luv Show as well as golden nuggets from Ms. Magnuson’s former psycho-sexual-psychedelic alt-cult band, Bongwater.
Ms. Magnuson’s drawing room guests may also hear new variations on songs written by Jacques Brel, Kurt Weill, Bessie Smith, David Bowie, Skeeter Davis and the Doors (in a special Tribute to Occupy Oakland).
In keeping with Victorian Drawing Room tradition, Ms. Magnuson shall recite poetry both classical (by Percy Bysshe Shelley) and contemporary (by California’s own bard, The Lizard King himself, Jim Morrison) and premiere a new original spoken word piece.
With musical director Mr. Kristian Hoffman on grande pianoforte and Mr. Joseph Berardi demonstrating a variety of exotic primitive percussive instruments from cultures occidental, oriental, and accidental.
Celebrate the beginning of the end in true Victorian style.
To purchase tickets, follow this link.
Tuesday, January 24 & Wednesday, January 25 at 8pm @Yoshi’s Oakland, 510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oak. | $25 | Recommended for mature audiences
Check out this amazing video of a 1997 performance where Magnussun channels Kate Bush: