From Last Artist Series Show:
Listen to Edward Kuntchef live from “Passionate Journeys” at the AllGood Cafe, May 8, 2013.
With highly entertaining and engaging shows that combine high classical artistry with comedic antics and a welcoming spirit, Open Classical produces events that place classical music into the heart of everyday popular culture.
Based in Dallas, TX, a flourishing community of supporters has grown up around Open Classical events, which has enabled the organization to build an organic grass roots following for alternative classical music events.
WARNING! Comedy sometimes trumps perfection! Mark Landson and Thiago Nascimento perform their signature comedic version of "Czardas" for the late stragglers during the “It's too cold for the awesome downtown deck park but the show must go on” show at The Wine Therapist.
Our signature weekly event is Classical Open Mic held at Buzzbrews Kitchen coffee shop/restaurant on Lemmon Ave every Tuesday from 8PM until we drop dead from playing classical music (12am or later normally)! This event has been hosted by Open Classical founder and director Mark Landson since June 2011, producing almost 100 shows during that time with over 100 classical music performers. Around 75-100 people now show up weekly for what many consider the best night of the week!
Get on the list - be in the know!
[ESCRAMBLEmark[AT]openclassical.orgENDSCRAMBLE]
Open Classical Artist Series
Highlights from the Feb 20 Open Classical Series Concert featuring Keron Jackson...
Open Classical also produces Artist Series Concerts, which are highly rehearsed professional classical entertainment programs which highlight engaging classical artistry from artist level performers.
These shows are produced in venues where people can relax, eat and drink, meet and greet. Some are amplified chamber music concerts in traditionally rock/pop venues and some are in restaurants where no amplification is needed.
Highlights from the Jan 16 Open Classical Series Concert featuring Miika Gregg and Damon Clark
The Performers
The performers for the Open Classical Professional Series are taken from some of the professional talent that has freely shown their mettle at Classical Open Mic, plus some featured guest artists.
Artist Series Club Shows at the AllGood Cafe
The AllGood Cafe is a well known all ages Dallas pop, rock and folk music venue. With an inexpensive, yet tasty menu and good coffee, wine and beer to sip on, you can experience these artists in a comfortable and friendly setting. Musically, these shows will be “sound-enhanced” using advanced amplification techniques to bring the music alive like never before.
Classical Up Close Dinner Concerts at Momo’s
Momo’s at the Quadrangle is a well known and popular upscale Italian restaurant that is a hit with the theater crowd due to its close proximity to the arts district and the nearby Theater Three. It is the perfect intimate setting to experience classical artistry up close and personal. Unlike many dinner concert experiences, this one is priced at only $20 per person plus a $20 prefixe menu (gratuity and drinks extra).
Open Classical in the news...
Barry Samsula interviews Mark Landson on WRR Classical 101 - April, 4 2013
Also, performances by Damon Clark, Keron Jackson, and Bach's Concerto for Two Violins and Tap Dancer, featuring Katelyn Harris. Mark Landson and Jiah Kyun, violins, Thiago Nascimento, piano.
Dallas Observer highlights Open Classical...
Some quotes from the article:
The best example of Open Classical's success is their signature event, a weekly classical open mic night held at Buzzbrews on Lemmon Avenue every Tuesday from 8pm until they get too tired to play (usually well after midnight). I attended one skeptically - there's nothing more cringe inducing than a bad open mic - but I was surprised by the quality of both the performances and the atmosphere.
Mark Landson and pianist Thiago Nascimento are the driving forces behind the success of these casual open mic nights. The event works because they will try anything, play anything, and play with anyone. You're a band director, doctor or student who's been dying to play that oboe concerto with accompaniment? Haven't used your trombone since college and want to dust it off? Bring your music. Thiago will accompany you and nobody will judge.
According to Mark Landson, "The reason people think classical musicians are elitist is because classical musicians are elitist."
"The biggest problem," he explains, "is that for so long classical music has been run with a top-down approach, leaving the audience completely out of the process."
CraveDFW article on Open Classical’s Classical Open Mic - Jan 8, 2013
Amid the restaurant clammer, somewhere around 8:00ish, Mark Landson wanders up to the stage, violin in hand. Dressed in a Sun Studios t-shirt, jeans and pleasantly worn black boots, he could be any dude hanging out at a coffee bar. Then, he starts to play the hauntingly familiar strains of Bach/Gounod’s Ave Maria. He plays with such loving intensity, he transforms into another Rudolfo, Puccini’s romantic leading man in La Boheme.