P.J. Pacifico is one of ten outstanding singers and musicians that have volunteered their time to participate in a not to be missed cabaret benefit entitled “In Harmony, Blending Voices, Building Dreams.” The fabulous evening of entertainment will take place at the Downtown Cabaret in Bridgeport,Ct. on Saturday Nov. 6th at 8:00P.M. and will benefit the Norwalk Sister City Project. This community development program based in Nagarote , Nicaragua has been a partnership between the people of Nicaragua and Norwalk for some 25 years.
In helping alleviate poverty and creating positive alternatives to combat gang violence, the program in recent years as developed a viable pre-school program, an after school program for 150 teens, a scholarship program for students, a tree planting farm and most recently an organic farm. With the hard work and energy of the local board here in Norwalk and a board of Nicaraguans, the project has recently purchased land to build a community center to house its’ growing programs.
P.J Pacifico is no stranger to the local music scene and has toured extensively throughout the east coast and Mid-Atlantic States. Following the success of his 2005 debut album “Well I’ll Be”, P.J has just released his sophomore effort entitled, “Always and Everywhere.” With the exception of three songs, all the work is original and “feel immediately familiar and comfortable; straight from the heart and sure to get stuck in your head.” His good friend Steven Ferentzy, another Norwalk native who will also be performing at the cabaret, wrote one song “This Street” on the album. Steven’s CD, “Secrets and Lies” is a collection of country-rock music. Steven was part of a local band called “Tracks” back in the eighties and going out on his own he has been described “as a singer songwriter-guitarist whose harmony addicted songs have been influenced by the Beatles, Beach Boys, Steve Earle, Kim Richey and Bruce Springsteen.
Also joining in an volunteering time to sing are three female formers Jill Pascucci, Elba Llantin Cruz and Emily Hall.
Jill grew up in Norwalk, performed in many of the musicals at Norwalk High School and has performed on her own in clubs in this area and on the west coast where she now lives. She has recorded several CD’s of children’s music and runs a Music for Children School in the San Francisco area.
Elba Llantin Cruz grew up in Norwalk attending Columbus Magnet School, Roton Middle School and Brien McMahon High School. After graduation from college Elba came back to teach at Columbus Magnet School and followed her passion for music writing and performing her own music which has included popular, church and Spanish music. She has recorded numerous Spanish Children’s cds produced by Beth Manners in her Spanish for Kids series. She has also been part of the CT Commission on the Arts and collaborated with Incite Productions in the song, You Made it Through, for an independent movie, Trees. Much of the inspiration for her writing and singing comes from her strong connections to family and her roots in Puerto Rico. Her voice and radiant personality make for a mesmerizing performance.
Emily Hall has had a star-studded career as a Broadway, regional theater, film and concert performer. She has appeared in the pre-broadway run of “Whistle Down The Wind”, Follies and James Joyce’s “The Dead” at the Kennedy Center in Wahington D.C. She has traveled with regional theater companies performing as Jennifer in “Paint Your Wagon, as Dainty June in “Gypsy” and Alice in “A Christmas Carol.” She has done radio and televison voice and most recently produced a children’s video entitled “The Music of the Mountains.”
Also volunteering to be part of this evening of musical talents are the harmonic voices of the father and daughter team of Larry and Toni-Anne Mattera. Larry was a one time member of the band Tracks and has performed locally by himself and with friends Todd Forcelina ,P.J. and Steven Ferentzy. His daughter Toni-Anne is a freshman at Norwalk High School. She got her start with Crystal Theater in Norwalk and sang in many of their wonderful plays produced by the Kemeny Sisters. Together the two of them perform harmonious versions of popular music, some from the Beatles.
Alex Handler, a 2010 graduate of Norwalk High School has graciously volunteered to share his talents for the cabaret evening. Alex has performed in productions at Norwalk High School including leading parts in Fiddler on The Roof and last year the lead role as Javier in Les Miserable’s. Alex studies privately with Bill Hall in Westport and his hoping to pursue a career in music in the years ahead.
Also joining the program for the evening is Damon Grant, percussionist extraordinaire! A graduate of Norwalk High School and the marching band, Damon got his music degree at the University of Massachusetts. He has been on stage and performed with the likes of Issac Hayes, Richie Flores, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez and the group the Bomb Squad. He was part of the original cast of the Emmy Award winning play “Blast.” He has played locally at clubs in the area as well as the Kennedy Center, Webster Hall, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center and a host of other venues.
Rounding out the performers are the fabulous DeTroy brothers, Steve and Jon. Steve is a pianist who has performed locally at a number of venues and is also a teacher. His brother Jon lives in Denver Colorado and is presently with a group called Patinumsound that performs in the Denver area.
Tickets for the Cabaret benefit can be purchased by email nnscpspecialevents@yahoo.com or calling Tom Kretsch at 203-227-1528
