Contact: Gina Martino
ginamartino@gmail.com
856-979-4153
Rotunda Rocks for Sandy Relief
Night of Music and Marvels to Benefit Hurricane Victims
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA) On Saturday November 10 "psycho-Celtic glam-blues band" Sylvia Platypus along with a contingent of clowns, jugglers, dancers, face-painters, sword swallowers and fire spinners will take over the Rotunda at 4014 Walnut Street for a combined concert and circus-themed extravaganza to aid those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
"As Sandy hit the Caribbean, the suggestion for a hurricane relief concert was raised," says Janet Bressler, vocalist and principal songwriter for Sylvia Platypus. "Then, the devastation arrived so close to home, and the choice became obvious."
Take vocal mannerisms reminiscent of Edith Piaf and John Lee Hooker and combine them with a stage presence that is equal parts James Brown and Judy Garland, and you have some idea of Bressler's lead-singer style . Add the soul-searing Waddy Wachtel-meets-Brian May guitar work of Bill Barone (formerly of the '70's era German symphonic rock band, "Wallenstein") , the heart-stirring musical textures of award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Rutan on highland and uilleann pipes, tin whistles, English horn and Neopolitan zampogna, and the take-no-prisoners rhythm section of Michael Southerton on rhythm guitar, Ruchama Bilenky on bass, and Rosalba Gallo on drums and you get a six-piece outfit (three men, three women) that delivers a tough and tender genre-busting impact.
Sylvia Platypus' visionary scope and fearless presentation are attracting increasing attention from the music industry. They recently signed a publishing deal for the film and TV placement of some of their compositions. The band has a something-for-everyone appeal that reaches across demographics.
"I was inspired by the Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus, which I have never seen" says Bressler. "This seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out the Sylvia Platypus version while helping those hardest hit by the unprecedented 'superstorm'."
Admission is FREE (Suggested donation: $5. to $20.)