Rachelle Garniez & Erik Della Penna

Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents Rachelle Garniez and Erik Della Penna in “Sidewalks of New York: An Evening of Original and Vintage Songs About NYC.” Singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists, both artists bring a wealth of inspirations and influences to their crafts—from Tin Pan Alley to folk and Americana.

Tickets: Academy Members $20, General Admission: $25

Another video:
If I Had You

“Two of New York’s must stunningly unique musicians join forces to cover vintage songs about New York in their own unique way—complete with an accompanying slide show of old photos taken in 1928,” says Academy Music Committee Member Gerald Seligman. “Fresh from their German tour of ‘Ein Abend in New York,’ they harmonize and wax poetic, creating a sound that charms and delights audiences of all stripes. We can’t wait to host this one!”

Multi-instrumentalist and performer Rachelle Garniez is a native New Yorker who has earned the titles “Diva with a Difference” (Billboard Magazine) and “Master of Surprise” (Entertainment Weekly). She employs a variety of instruments, including accordion, piano, claviola, guitar, and plastic bells to bring her darkly optimistic story-songs to life. She has played with Thomas Dolby, Jack White, and composed music and songs for Taylor Mac, Catherine Russell, The Citizens Band, Ingrid Lucia, and The Flying Neutrinos. Garniez is one third of VickiKristinaBarcelona band, a trio of women dedicated to reimagining the songs of Tom Waits.

Erik Della Penna is a songwriter, composer, and guitarist living in New York City. He has written for and performed extensively with Hazmat Modine, Joan Baez, Natalie Merchant, and Joan Osborne. He is currently working on a musical with Tony Award winning composer David Yazbek that is based on the bizarre life and death of failed train robber Elmer McCurdy and he has a musical for young people now in production at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami entitled “Kitty Hawk.” He has also written music for the New York Historical Society, A&E television, and dozens of documentary films. Penna’s guitar and drum duo, Kill Henry Sugar, is currently recording their seventh collection of original songs.

Read the April 13, 2023 Berkshire Eagle article.