Singer/Songwriter Morgan Karr (Broadway's Spring Awakening) returns to the newly renovated Joe's Pub, November 11, 2011 at 11:11 PM to give a benefit concert for the New York-based arts outreach organization, Sing for Hope, responsible for the Pop-Up Pianos placed around city parks and public spaces over the summer.
For Karr, a Volunteer Artist for Sing for Hope, the unique date and time of the concert also hold a special meaning. "As the saying goes, ‘Make a wish at 11:11 and your wish will come true," Karr explains. "I use this moment to stop and reflect on my day-to-day life and how I can improve as an artist and human. It's helped align me in times of stress, given me a jolt of energy when I felt defeated, and provided clarity when I felt confused."
For more than a year, the performer has tracked 11:11 on clock faces, tweeting to his fans messages of hope and inspiration. Karr's 11:11 observations have attracted an international following, his "11:11 Army," whose members are scattered across Germany, London, Paris, Canada, Mexico and the U.S. "11:11 has become a little sign from the universe that I'm in the right place," explained Karr. "Playing a show on 11/11/11 is a great way to celebrate the excitement of 11:11 through music. By donating all ticket sales to Sing for Hope, we're passing along this excitement and encouragement to people who are looking for a way to truly express themselves."
Kicking off at 11:11 PM, the Joe's Pub concert will feature a full band, new songs, and arrangements, as well as Karr's signature powerhouse vocals. "While his music carries a spirit of country-possibly a result of his hometown-the boy knows his way around a good soulful riff and run," says Justin Joseph of LogoTV's NewNowNext music blog. Featured guest artists include: new collaborator Alina Smith (www.alinasmith.com), long-time friends and collaborators Catherine Brookman (Broadway: Hair) and Starr Busby (Regional: Caroline or Change) as well as fellow Sing for Hope Volunteer Artist and R&B sensation Shyvonne. After three sold-out engagements at Joe's Pub, this concert marks an exciting homecoming to the venue, which reopened with a dramatic makeover on October 5th. "The purpose of this concert is to give back and come together on 11:11 because this kind of synchronicity will only happen once in our life" said Karr.
Hailing from Nashville, Karr burst onto the New York entertainment scene in 2009, when he joined the cast of the groundbreaking 8-time Tony Award-winning pop musical, Spring Awakening on Broadway. In 2010, he won first place at the legendary "Amateur Night At The Apollo" in Harlem. Soon after, he began performing his original music to sold-out audiences across the country in historic venues such as Joe's Pub & Rockwood Music Hall in NYC and Mercy Lounge in Nashville. He has collaborated with artists like Grammy Award-winning Producer Ari Levine (Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green), and British Singer/Songwriter Alex Berger (Independent Music Award).
Karr's debut self-titled three-song EP was released in May, co-produced by Grammy-nominated Producer Juan Patiño (Lisa Loeb's "Stay"), Cliff Goldmacher (Jane Monheit, Spencer Day), and Kevin Fisher (Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans) which broke the Top 100 Singer/Songwriters on iTunes. The 11/11/11 Joe's Pub concert will feature all new songs from his collaboration with Alina Smith and their forthcoming EP due in early 2012.
All concert ticket sales will go towards reviving Sing for Hope's Pop-Up Pianos project which launched in New York in 2010. Last summer, Sing for Hope placed 88 pianos painted by Volunteer Artists on city streets, in parks, and on boardwalks to be played and enjoyed by the public. After the project ended on July 2, the Pop-Up Pianos were donated to the local schools, hospitals, and community organizations in an effort to bring the arts to a wider audience.
Sharing in the spirit of arts accessibility, the concert will be livestreamed online at www.livestream.com/joespub.
When: Friday, November 11 @ 11:11 PM
Where: Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY
Tickets: $15 - Click here to purchase
The concert features music direction by Justin Goldner and is produced by Lindsay Meck.
