New York, NY (TOP40 Charts/ Odd Wednesdays) -- ODD WEDNESDAYS, the new, live, bimonthly comedy and music variety show returns on Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 @ 9:30PM at the famous Ivan Kane�s Cafe Was featuring an amazing lineup of talented bands, singer-songwriters, and comedians coming together for the newest comedy & music showcase in Hollywood. The April 21st event will feature stellar performances by Mark DeCarlo, Rob Paulsen, Audrey Turner, Billy Kent, Alan Murray, John Diresta, Joey Gian, Picard Manuever, Roxanne Ferrara, and the house band Old Blues Eyes. Tickets are only $5. Ivan Kane�s CAFE WAS is located at 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA. For artists individual bios please see below or visit the Facebook Page: ODD WEDNESDAYS & www.oddwednesdays.com
WHO: Presented by Mark DeCarlo and Ivan Kane�s Cafe Was
WHAT: ODD WEDNESDAYS at Cafe Was: A bi-monthly comedy & music show featuring established A-List performers and artists, together with a select up-and-coming singer/songwriters, providing Hollywood with a unique show every month. The April 21st event will feature performances by Mark DeCarlo, Rob Paulsen, Audrey Turner, Billy Kent, Alan Murray, John Diresta, Joey Gian, Picard Manuever, Roxanne Ferrara, and the house band Old Blues Eyes
WHEN: Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 at 9:30PM (and continuing 5/5, 5/19)
WHERE: Ivan Kane's CAFE WAS 1521 N. Vine St. Hollywood, CA (323) 466-5400
TICKETS: $5 Cover
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
MARK DECARLO & OLD BLUES EYES www.markdecarlo.com
When �Studs� took TV by storm, host MARK DECARLO took to the road. A Chicago native, DeCarlo used the popularity from his television series (Big Deal, Good Night America, the X Show and most recently Taste of America) to play the blues all over the US. Finally after years sitting in with the likes of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cowboy Mouth, Meatloaf, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, and the Queen of the Blues Ms. Koko Taylor, Mark knew it was time to transform into his musical alter-ego, TORNADO JOHNSON, put together a band and hit the road. The result, OLD BLUES EYES, features players from LA, Toronto and Chicago � the hottest session guys and composers cold beer and good BBQ can buy. The band is a high energy, at times hilarious, audience blues explosion. No two shows are ever the same. Sometimes Mark will bring up singers up out of the audience, some nights he�ll become part of the audience himself. That�s what happens when Tornado Johnson and his five piece musical marauders get up and play. Old Blues Eyes has headlined for CBS Studios & the Deal or No Deal Celebrity Golf Event, rocked the Jimmy Kimmel stage at the Hollywood San Gennaro Festival, and jammed in joints too small to change their pants. No matter where they play, the results are always the same: BIG BAD BLUES.
BILLY KENT
Billy Kent is a singer songwriter born in Los Angeles and raised in Highland Park (Northeast LA.) His songs are influenced from the many cultures and sounds of the city. His first full-length album "Soul Soft" was released January 1, 2008. Artist that have recorded Billy's songs include: Tower of Power, Vinx, and new artist Leigh Jones. In 1987 Billy wrote "Baby's Got the Power" with Greg Adams, Tower of Power's long-time horn arranger, and Ellis Hall. He later wrote the lyrics for three more Tower of Power tunes: "Someone New", "It All Comes Back", and "Quiet Scream". Vinx, world jazz artist, recorded "Just One Dance", and "Who Did You". www.billykent.com
JOHN DIRESTA
John DiResta is the real deal. He was raised on the rough and tumble streets of Long Island, where all he did was drink beer, listen to heavy metal and make fun of people. If you got mocked by John DiResta, then you were in with the in crowd. After dropping out of two colleges (New Paltz and Nassau Community) John took the New York City Police Exam. On July 15th, 1986 John was sworn into the worst police department in the history of the world, the New York City Transit Police. In 1992 John started his comedy career in the bowels of the New York comedy circuit. Five years later his one man show, BEAT: A Subway Cop's Comedy, open to raved reviews. The New York Times called him "UPROARIOUS. John quit the police department and moved his wife and three kids to the west coast. Hits include Miss Congeniality, 15 Minutes with Robert De Niro, Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the Howard Stern Show. In the spring of 2004 John's show, Trash to Cash, premiered on the FX Network. John then went on to star in How To Loose a Guy in Ten Days and Miss Congeniality Two. In the fall of 2007 John began work on his next two TV adventures: American Body Shop was on Comedy Central for one year and Hammered lasted two seasons on HGTV/DIY Networks. www.johndiresta.com
ROB PAULSEN
Robert Fredrick Paulsen, III (born March 11, 1956), sometimes credited as Rob Paulson, is an American voice actor best known as the voice behind "Raphael" from the 1987 cartoon of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, "Yakko Warner" and "Dr. Otto Scratchansiff" from Animaniacs, "Pinky" from Pinky and the Brain and Animaniacs, and Throttle from the 1990s and 2006 versions of Biker Mice From Mars. His role as "Yakko" won him a Daytime Emmy Award for male vocal performance; he won a second one for his portrayal of "Pinky". He was also "Prince Eric" in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. In total, Paulsen has been the voice of over 250 different animated characters and performed in over 1000 commercials. He continues to play minor parts in dozens of cartoons as well as supporting characters in animated movies. www.robpaulsenfans.com
AUDREY TURNER
San Francisco-born Audrey Madison Turner attributes her musical inclination to her parents. Audrey founded �Madison Avenue,� with contributions from musical genius Stevie Wonder. The family-based group produced hits including �Buttercup� and �Much In Love.� Additionally, she became the assistant choreographer to Lon Fontaine of Motown, creating routines for major superstars such as Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, and the Pointer Sisters and graced the stage with Chuck Berry, Little Richard, BB King and Little Milton. Then Ike Turner took an unabashed liking to Audrey. After meeting Ike Turner through a mutual friend Madison-Turner didn�t think twice about sharing the stage and going on tour with the man himself. Their professional relationship eventually segued into a romantic one, leading to a wedding years later. Ike and Audrey recorded multiple tracks together on his Live Montreaux Jazz Festival CD and Ike Turner�s Final CD before his historic passing in December of 2007. She is currently writing a book about the last years of their life together. Audrey Madison-Turner will soon release her first solo album, appropriately titled �Picking Up The Pieces.� Empowered by her sexuality, the R&B sex-symbol�s vocals have a haunting passion and her looks are reminiscent of a young Tina Turner. With the subtle, yet dominant sultriness of Chaka Kahn and the mystifying huskiness and tone of Macy Gray, Audrey is a fusion of today�s best female vocalists with a personal twist. She is active in various charitable efforts and delighted to help those causes that are advocates for mentally and physically abused women. www.audreyturner.net
JOEY GIAN
�Joey Gian is a soul singer, even when he�s singing standards. He�s a great storyteller, and he knows how to work a lyric.� �Ruth Brown, 1993 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee. Though Joy Gian is a gifted actor and acclaimed songwriter, he says� �When I�m onstage and the music takes over, I am in a state of true bliss; when I am singing, what you hear is the essence of who I am. �
PICARD MANUEVER
Picard Maneuver is a comedy duo specializing in nerd-based humor that all ages and audiences can enjoy. Formed by Adam Fanshier and Mike Hover in 2007, they combined elements of musical comedy, vaudeville, physical comedy, audience interaction, and improvisation to make their distinctive act. Adam and Mike�s unique brand of humor comes from their honest presentation of their personal lives. They are two nerds trying to make it in a world full of �cool kids�. Everyone has felt like an outsider at one point. You don�t have to be a nerd or ever watched an episode of Star Trek to enjoy Picard Maneuver (even though their name comes from a specific episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation). The boys don�t make fun of their audiences, instead they allow each audience to laugh at themselves (such as Mike�s unusually memorable way of picking up women: �The Wookie Dance�) The two joined with the intent to �Bring back the style of comedy popularized by classic duos such as Bing and Bob, Martin and Lewis, and The Smothers Brothers.� And audiences sure seem to enjoy their ideology. From comedy clubs and bars, to the halls of prison (yes, they�ve performed in prison), Picard Maneuver has been delighting audiences all over California. Whether you were beating up nerds in high school, the one thrown into a trashcan, or watching it from afar, Picard Maneuver is the comedy group for you. www.picardmaneuvercomedy.com
ROXANNE FERRARA
Born into a musical family, Roxanne�s parents were choral directors, voice teachers, pianists & singers. In addition to her strict ballet training, she was immersed in classical studies until she discovered musical theatre. Upon graduating from The American Musical & Dramatic Academy of NYC, Roxanne further expanded her music repertoire to rock, pop, country and blues. The past few years of theatre and touring brought Roxanne to LA and she�s thrilled to be joining Old Blue Eyes!! www.roxanneferrara.com
ABOUT IVAN KANE AND CAFE WAS
With the phenomenal success of Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce in both the Hollywood club and at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and his newest venture, Ivan Kane's Cafe Was, a bistro, bar and live music venue, the entrepreneur has added his own unique blend of excitement and edge to going out, turning "nightlife into a more theatrical experience." Unique materials, salvaged bars, balusters and doors along with distressed plaster walls, antique mirrors and velvet curtains make up the mystical space. The revolving 1924 Mason and Hamlin grand piano offers optimal views and can be removed for other performances. Ivan Kane's been called an impresario and a nightlife guru, but most of all Ivan Kane is an innovator. "I'm constantly looking to redefine nightlife," he concludes, "by doing the unexpected." Reservations or Information: 323.466.5400 www.cafewas.com
For media inquiries, or to set up an interview with any of the artists, please contact Yeni Alvarez @ [email protected] or call 213.840.3158.
