Quark House Concerts

Was having a great day in my classroom and sitting in Coach Class with a few kids after school when I learned the news about Daniel J Vomastek, one of my favorite high school teachers. The waves of sadness hit me swiftly and I had to excuse myself to have some private tears down the hall. Recently diagnosed short and aggressive cancer. I had Mr. Vomastek for at least two years, including his first year of teaching, and was at that age in an upper-level math class where we recognized teachers as human beings. He told funny stories about his experiences in college, and as a fellow nerdy guy myself, I definitely related to him. I remember him writing a big open-hearted editorial for the school newspaper, which I was editor-in-chief of, and later he became our advisor when we needed one in a pinch. He was dedicated, lifelong inspiration.

I've loved staying in touch with him over the years, seeing him continue in education and technology. He kept that big open heart and love for people. Mr. Vomastek's Twitter Bio is simply, "What we do for children echoes in eternity," and as I round out my 23rd year in the classroom with inspiration from him, those words ring super true about him. He's echoing in me and countless others. Rest in Peace, Mr. Vomastek. This one hurts! Condolence to friends and family.

Just 5 days away! I’m hosting Pride Trivia at Guilford Hall Brewery with Washington Heights with all proceeds going to Unmatched Athlete! Enjoy trivia, an amazing drag performance, dancing, outdoor games, and bottomless mimosas! Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sip-and-slay-sunday-funday-at-guilford-hall-brewery-tickets-639310082667?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb&fbclid=PAAaY-2k09R4hytDSyTiJIG0IyFWnqh8zeDHfPv0hr12zx9JWBibNjeuDISPQ_aem_th_AaCOk5bBU5KkEpCrw_0_DrargUuGhXckgszJJ5apX2v6cAvMbWGSntR6Q-PU8ktv2E8

Sip and Slay: Sunday Funday at Guilford Hall Brewery Join us at Guilford Hall for an epic Pride kickoff event: "Sip and Slay" on June 18th from 11-4 ! Indulge in brunch and bottomless mimosas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo4KrlCKt_w&t=13s

Brenda Kahn sings "In Indiana" at Quark House Concerts 5/19/17

One of our favorite moments of this season at Quark House Concerts occurred after the Dan Bern show, when a longtime fan asked him to write and record a song for his kids Levi David Ari Asher. He put it on YouTube, and we just found it. Backup vocals by Alan Rosenberg, Mark Miazga, Becca Derry, Billie Rinaldi, and others.

Levi David Ari Asher Samuel Locke by Dan Bern Thank you Dan Bern for this invaluable gift for my kids. And thanks to Mark from Quark House Concerts and his friends for helping with the singing.

Brenda Kahn performs "Mojave Winters" at her excellent performance this month at Quark House Concerts. (5/19/17)

Brenda Kahn "Mojave Winters", 5/19/17, Quark House Concerts

I hope everyone is having a great day! We are getting excited about our show on Friday featuring Brenda Kahn and are hoping we can get a big crowd for her in our living room as she returns to the stage after some time away. We still have spots.

Listen to her music; anyone who is a fan of good poetic singer/songwriters in the vein of Ani DiFranco, Bob Dylan, or Jeff Buckley (her friend and collaborator) will enjoy.

Plus I'm making tacos (turkey and vegetarian)!

Please send an e-mail to [email protected] to reserve your spot. Spread the word to anyone who might enjoy. This is the last show of the Quark House Concerts' first season.

From a 2014 Spin Magazine piece called "Bad Romance:
The 35 Bitterest Songs Ever,"
the reviewer had this to say about Brenda Kahn's song "Mint Juleps and Needles":

"Folk-punk singer-songwriter Brenda Kahn obviously knows a few things about sh*tty boyfriends (Creem once called her the "high priestess of the apocalyptic relationship") and the dude she describes in "Mint Juleps and Needles" is a historic sh*tshow. He's a frustrated, roiling alcoholic (from Boston!), not to mention that he's already got a girlfriend. But that doesn't stop Kahn from still pining away. Released on her major-label debut Epiphany in Brooklyn, "Mint Juleps" is a Dylan-worthy anthem for every woman who can't stop herself from dating the worst guys."

Article: http://www.spin.com/2014/02/bitter-love-songs-list-bad-romance/thumbnail_48_1/

OUCH: "Next to the club where your girlfriend is dancing on the bar / I left a stain on your glass, you called it a scar."

Brenda Kahn returns to the stage on Friday, May 19, at Quark House Concerts. E-mail [email protected] to reserve a spot. And PLEASE spread the word!

Brenda Kahn – “Mint Juleps and Needles” (1992) SPIN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeLrPb8gqlI

Night Provided to YouTube by Entertainment One Distribution US Night · Brenda Kahn Destination Anywhere ℗ Shanachie Released on: 2005-06-20 Auto-generated by YouTube.

Video #2 from last month's show with Dan Bern at Quark House Concerts

"Jerusalem" by Dan Bern, Live at Quark House Concerts in Baltimore, MD Performance from 4/21/17