Goal reached!

The Congolese benefit evening was a success! Well past the goal of $2000, at $2141 and counting, all of the proceeds are going directly to the Panzi Hospital in the Congo to help build the City of Joy community living center to aid the victims of violent rape.

On a slightly lighter note of the evening, here are a couple pics of Fushadance performing!




Best to all, and a good Turkey Day, if you're into that kind of thing! ;-)

It's a bit last minute, but all for a good cause . . .

Tonight, I will be performing at a small benefit show with Fushadance Company. If you happen to be free . . .

To celebrate their birthdays, Gary Weingarten and Anna Williams invite you to the

"CITY OF JOY" & PANZI HOSPITAL BENEFIT

- a "Safe Space" and treatment center in the DR Congo for women and children who are the victims of sexual violence.
“City of Joy” will be a focal point for education, leadership support and economic empowerment for survivors of brutal sexual violence in Bukavu, DR Congo. The project is organized by V-Day, UNICEF and Panzi Hospital which provides the life-saving surgeries for these survivors.

We aim to raise $2000.00
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007. 7PM

LIVE CONGOLESE DRUM AND DANCE PERFORMANCE BY
FUSHA DANCE COMPANY @ 10 PM
DJ MSG SPINS THE BEST AFRO GROOVES ALL NIGHT!

VERLAINE, 110 Rivington Street. 212/ 614-2494

A donation of $10.00 or more for THEM means
Happy Hour 'till midnight for YOU, including $4 Lychee Martinis!

The UN Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs calls
the systematic rape of women and children in the Eastern Congo
the most prevalent in the world -- likened to "a cultural phenomenon."

Human Rights Watch reports that as many as 30% of rape victims are tortured
and mutilated during the assaults, usually with spears, machetes, sticks or gun barrels.

for more information, please call Gary (646.872.7434) or Anna (831.601.0576) or check out the following links:

http://www.vday.org/congo_splash.html
http://www.glamour.com/news/articles/2007/08/reallifedrama
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/08/1340255
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/world/africa/07congo.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
www.crisisgroup.org

FUN, FUN, FUN BEHIND THE SCENES

Woohoo! Night before opening. My first time doing outdoor theatre, and lucky me, we have a beautiful space to work in (and even luckier? No construction workers on weekends!)

Through the last few weeks, we've run through all kinds of things: staging, fight choreography, dance choreography, the best way to represent blood and wounds, figuring out our characters, and running somewhat risque dialogue on a crowded A train . . . and so on.

But we made it. We're here. And we're opening tomorrow. And as a teaser, here are some spoiler pics from our dress rehearsals. Enjoy!

Witches, hexes, hangin's and some vaudeville shtick!

And she's on a roll!!! Another play opening next weekend!


Hi all,

Something I've noticed - I haven't done a behind the scenes blog since this time last year! So, after this and starting on my next rehearsal, that's what I'm going to start doing again. There will also be some post-show blogs coming up soon about the show I just finished, simply because it was such a cool experience.

Now . . . on to next week's play.

The weather has been amazing and beautiful this month, and a good thing, too, because this next production is in an outdoor space up by the Cloisters and Ft. Tryon Park, possibly the prettiest place in Manhattan. The play, "Vinegar Tom" by Caryn Churchill is all about witches, and yes, I can hear some of you who know me saying "Gee, Shannon, how apropo." Harumph.

Anyway, you should all take advantage of the nice fall weather and the A express train to come out and see it. The postcard below will give you all that informational stuff . . . See ya!

"Shortening the Distance" - a collection of short plays by Josh Kaufman.

A new play! A new play! Well, a bunch of plays, actually. Acting in some, directing others, I am working with a very talented group of performers for this show, so you should definitely come check us out.




See you there!

For advance tickets: http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=SHO44

Long overdue updates!

So, finally, some pics from "A Night of Boxing Off Broadway" back at the end of June. I know, I know. "A bit late, aren't ya?" Well, yes. Yes I am. . .

We had everything. Boxing, drama, celebrities. So! Here's some pics from the show. Any boxing fans out there may recognize some of these guys. Woohoo!

First up - Me! The MC for the evening!

Not exactly elegant and cool, but just wait a bit...

Next up was Sportswriter and author Ron Ross, reading from his book "Bummy Davis vs. Murder Inc."


...followed by a multimedia piece done by Chris Cassidy, Bobby Cassidy, Sr.'s younger son. Really beautiful piece.

Then came the roundtable discussion hosted by Showtime boxing commentator Steve Farhood, which included some pretty big names in boxing lore.

Steve Farhood (very cool, mellow guy, with an insane amount of boxing knowledge)


Juan Laporte (big flirt! (; )


Mark Breland (strong silent type, and how many Olympic athletes does a girl meet in her lifetime?)

Reynaldo Snipes, whose pic, unfortunately, I don't seem to have.


and Carlos Ortiz, possibly the sweetest man ever (except to those he trains, of course)

And let us not forget, for the final show of our run, the man all of this was created for in the first place - Mr. Bobby Cassidy, Sr., Kid Shamrock himself.


Then came intermission, followed by the play for the evening, "Kid Shamrock", written by Bobby Cassidy, Jr., and directed by Gary Morgan. And introduced by little ole' me. Remember the goofy pic at the top of this post? Well, I looked a bit different for the play's intro. And of course, I have no pic of JUST me, so you will have to wait until the end of the post to see it. Hey! Don't skip ahead! It's like reading the end of a book first!

Anyway... the play. Not what you would expect from a boxing play. Not so much about the boxing as about the internal struggles of the boxer himself - drinking. Written with love by Bobby Jr., I have to admire the honesty of it.

Here are the pics of the actors in the play:


Seamus McDonagh, the title character of Kid Shamrock


Shane McCaughey, playing the younger Kid Shamrock


Patrick Connolly, playing the roles of the trainer and the businessman. He was on stage for the entire play, pretty much.

Then there were David Morgan as the bartender and Ron Ross playing, you guessed it, a sportswriter!

And last but not least, the new me! along with everyone else, for our curtain call.


Heck, I just wanted an excuse to wear a dress like that. . . gotta be girly sometimes, right?

Hello, all.

Welcome to my latest endeavor. I find myself in the lucky position of working with some nationally recognized folks in the sports, writing, and acting arenas this weekend! I am mad excited about this show, not just as a boxing fan, but as an actor, so I hope you all come out and see us.

And just for the record, we've gotten oodles of press on this already, so a good tip . . . get your tickets in advance!

First, the official press release with all the info you need, followed by links to any other info you might want about some of the players, and I'm even providing parking info for ya. Because I'm that nice....

So I hope you all come check out the show. See you soon!

Shannon


A NIGHT OF BOXING OFF BROADWAY

An unprecedented evening of pugilism and the performing arts at the Producers Club, 358 W. 44th Street, scheduled for June 29 and 30. Former world champion boxers, actors and writers command the evening. "A Night of Boxing Off Broadway" is a multimedia event that explores the depths of a fighter's soul and celebrates the proud tradition of the sweet science of boxing.

The main event is the world premiere of "Kid Shamrock," starring Seamus McDonagh, who fought Evander Holyfield in 1990, Patrick Joseph Connolly, fresh from his role in "Gardener of Eden" at the TriBeCa Film Festival, and former middleweight contender, Bobby Cassidy. This one-act play has been inspired by the life and times of Cassidy, a veteran of 18 years in the ring and the trainer of two world champions.

The play also features Shane McCaughey as the young Shamrock, Shannon Lower as the M.C and ring card dame, David Morgan as the bartender and Ron Ross as the reporter.

The production is a five-round event that brings authors, actors, artists and tough guys to the same stage.

Round One - A reading by Ron Ross, from his acclaimed book, "Bummy Davis vs. Murder Inc."
Round Two - Video: A highlight reel that pulls no punches, with musical accompaniment.
Round Three - Portraits by Chris Cassidy: Boxing photography, with narration.
Round Four - Fighting Words: Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood moderates a round-table discussion with former world champs Vito Antuofermo (Friday's performance only), Juan Laporte, Carlos Ortiz and Renaldo Snipes.
Round Five - The Main Event: The world premiere of "Kid Shamrock", written by Robert Cassidy Jr. and directed by Gary D. Morgan.

The show will premier Friday, June 29th at 7:30 pm and have two performances on Saturday, June 30 at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

The venue is the Producers' Club Theaters, 358 West 44th Street (8th and 9th avenues) and there is a ticket price of $28.50. Tickets may be purchased through TheaterMania online or by phone 212-352-3101.

About the cast members:

Seamus McDonagh graduated from St. John's University with a degree in English literature. He is a former New York Golden Gloves champion and was the No. 3 ranked cruiserweight in the world. In 1990, he fought Evander Holyfield. He has appeared in several Off Broadway productions, including "Bobby Sands, M.P.," "The Risen People" and "The Shoeshine." He also has been cast in the films "2by4" and "Whatever Happened To Rocky Sullivan?"

Patrick Joseph Connolly returns to the stage fresh off his feature film debut in "The Gardener of Eden," which premiered at the TriBeca Film Festival. Connolly will also appear in the final episode of the HBO hit, "The Sopranos." He also has appeared a theater production of "A Letter From Ethel Kennedy."

Bobby Cassidy fought professionally from 1963 to 1980 and was a world-rated contender from junior middleweight to cruiserweight. In 1975, he was the No. 1 rated light heavyweight by the WBC. He has trained two world champions. As an actor, he has appeared in the films, "Rocky," "Uncle Joe Shannon," and "This Thing of Ours." He also had a co-starring role in the television drama, "Daddy, I Don't Like It Like This."
_____________________

And now for other press:

http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/5157/bobby-cassidy-life-one-act/

http://www.saddoboxing.com/5469-night-boxing-broadway.html

http://www.irish-boxing.com/june07/18_June_2007_McDonagh.htm

http://hotboxingnews.com/

http://womenboxing.com/upcoming4.htm
_____________________

And last, but not least, the ever-frustrating parking issue:

The Producer's Club gives a sticker that allows parking up to 10 hours for $20 on Wed and Saturday and $18 on all other days. The place to park is 332 West 44th Street, Central Parking System.

And that's all, folks!

UrbanErotika this Saturday!

Hey all,

Another UrbanErotika coming up this Saturday night. Come check us out! All the info is at this link.

Also, mark your calendars for next month's show: on the beach! and Fushadance Company will be performing! Yes! For those of you who have been asking when we'll be doing a performance open to the public, this is it! So keep looking out for the details on that one.

See you soon!

Last minute announcement. . .

OK all, another UrbanErotika show coming up tomorrow night, and yes, I'm in it. So....

...here's the info:

Mo Beasley's
UrbanErotika

proudly presents a

Special Evening
with
JEREMY JAMES

with performances by
CLITTY POP, SHANNON LOWER
and a few
SURPRISE GUESTS!
(old and new)

THIS SATURDAY
May 19, 2007
The Bowery Poetry Club
10:00 pm

tickets: $10 at the door only
(tables of 4 available online now at $40 per table)
go to www.thelovestorm.com to buy your table now!

The Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery • New York City
bet. Houston & Bleecker


for venue info/ directions,
go to www.bowerypoetry.com
or call 212.614.0505

and check out
www.jeremyjamesmusic.net

UrbanErotika is Presented
Responsibly for Mature Adults!
(must be 21 years to attend / cash bar, no drink minimum!)

Loooonng overdue updates....

So, it's been awhile. Where, oh where, should I start?

OK, first, the short film I participated in last summer, "Keep It Clean" by Sena, has been invited to its second film festival, the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival 2007, taking place in New York City July 19th-26th, 2007. More info as I get it. To see some of what it's about, just go to Http://www.myspace.com/sena_productions.

Next, I will be performing at the end of June in "A Night of Boxing Off Broadway", featuring the new play "Kid Shamrock", about real life boxer Bobby Cassidy. Not only am I the MC for the show (as well as being the only woman amongst a host of boxing champions! My girly side gets all aflutter, the aggressive side wants free training... (; ), but I will also be the ring card girl. And I don't mean the kind you see on the WWF. Think "1940's sexy sassy class". For more on that, go to http://www.theateronline.com/playbill.xzc?PK=15495, or for tickets, go to www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/132445where. I'm really looking forward to working on this...

And that's not all! I just found out today that I have been invited (after a long, nail-biting audition process) to join the Jazz Acting Ensemble here in NYC. Their company and methods are new to me, so far, so I can't tell you a whole lot yet, except that I have a good feeling that this is the type of acting group I have been looking for, a place to truly create and to grow, and you should look forward to updates that include performances by us!

Lastly, I am waiting on the completion of last year's films (because post-production takes FOREVER), which I should be recieving in the next couple of months, and then - yes, folks - film clips on the site! This is probably more exciting for me than for you, but to me, each good first is an awesomely memorable moment.

As it should be.

Until next time...

Shannon

Hello all,

I'm just forwarding the info about the rescheduled Valentine's Day show. And Mo Beasley, creator of UrbanErotika, says it so much better than I... See you there!


Dear UrbanErotiks,

As you know, we postponed the Valentine’s Day Treat that was scheduled two days ago. You also know that that event, “Mo Beasley’s UrbanErotika: The Multi-Media Experience” (featuring images by michael scott jones), will now take place Friday, February 23, 2007 at 8:00 pm.

But what you don't know is that we have deceided to adjust the price too! We figured that we should treat you since it's technically no longer a "Valentine’s Day " event :-) So now, you can come check us at for $15 ($10 in advance). See the details below.

click on the image above to visit the Kumble Theater website

Purchase tickets at www.tix.com (keyword: kumble)

The first 10 people to RSVP and purchase a ticket will receive a sexy gift
to take home and share with their lover(s)! Email us at rsvp@akilaworksongs.com

If you are new to this listserv and you're asking yourself, "What is UrbanErotika?," then CLICK HERE.
If you want a glimpse of how great and creative a photographer Mike Jones is, then CLICK HERE.

For other questions, please call The Kumble at 718.488.1624.
You can also visit the web at www.kumbletheater.org.

Love All Ways,

Mo Beasley

Founder and Producing Director
The LoveStorm Entertainment Group
info@thelovestorm.com
www.thelovestorm.com
www.myspace.com/mobeasley

---

If you purchased tickets and want a refund or an adjustment, please contact the box office. The box office is located at The Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus), One University Plaza (at corner of DeKalb and Flatbush)

A storm's a-comin'!

Valentine's Day Performance postponed until Friday, Feb. 23.

If you have trouble reading this email, go to the online version.

Dear Friends

We have been watching the weather forecast for New York City and if you have too, then you know it ain't good. We thought it best to postpone the Valentine's Day Treat that was scheduled for tomorrow. So, "Mo Beasley's UrbanErotika: The Multi-Media Experience" (featuring images by michael scott jones) will now take place Friday, February 23, 2007 at 8:00 pm. We figured that there are cozier things to do on Valentine's Day then to trek to The Kumble in the freezing rain :-)

Let us know if you plan to attend. Do so at rsvp@akilaworksongs.com. The first 10 people to RSVP and purchase a ticket will receive a sexy gift to take home and share with their lover(s)!

If you are new to this listserv and you're asking yourself, "What is UrbanErotika?," then CLICK HERE. If you want a glimpse of how great and creative a photographer Mike Jones is, then CLICK HERE.

For other questions, please call The Kumble at 718.488.1624. You can also visit the web at www.kumbletheater.org.

Lastly, if you purchased tickets for tomorrow and would like a refund, please contact the box office. To everyone else, the ticket price for the show has not changed - $25 (or $40 for couples). You can buy them online at www.tix.com (keyword: kumble) or in person at the box office. The box office is located at:

The Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus)
One University Plaza (at corner of DeKalb and Flatbush)

We're looking forward to seeing you next Friday at 8 pm! Tell a friend or forward this email!

Sincerely,

Rodney Hurley (The Kumble Theater)
Mo Beasley (The LoveStorm Entertainment Group)
April Silver (AKILA WORKSONGS)
Michael Scott Jones (MSJ Images)

----
Put On BLAST! is a direct email marketing service,
est. 1997 by AKILA WORKSONGS Public Relations
1185 Carroll St ? Brooklyn, NY 11225
718.756.8501 ? 718.756.8502 fax

General Inquiries: frontdesk@akilaworksongs.com
Press and Media: pr@akilaworksongs.com
Specifically interested in the Put On BLAST! service? pob@akilaworksongs.com

As a subscriber, your email address is mobeasley@thelovestorm.com
Your options are:

• update profile
• unsubscribe
• forward

. . . and here's the info (because I know you've been waiting) on the Valentine's Day show I will be performing at. Come if you're single, come with your sig. other, whatever. It's a great way to celebrate this holiday without showing allegiance to Hallmark and the chocolate industry...

See you there!

Join us for our first UrbanErotika special event of the year. We hope you can handle it.

buy your tickets now: www.tix.com (keyword: kumble)



Our shows are NOT pornographic, but they are
created for mature and liberated grown folks!

For more information, please call
718.488.1624 or 718.484.0266 or 718.756.8501

* don't forget to join us for the PRE-VALENTINE'S DAY public forum on The Erotic As Power. We'll discuss love, sex, and sexuality in the 21st Century with the legendary poet, activist, humanitarian SONIA SANCHEZ, and others! Learn More...

Ok, folks, here's the scoop on the first show I'll be doing this month. It's funny, it's sexy, it's silly. You'll dig it. Here it goes...


THURSDAY - FEB. 8TH at 6:30 PM

SEX SCENES
by Polly Frost & Ray Sawhill

EROTIC & COMIC
tales of Hollywood read by actors

with: SHANNON LOWER, FRANCESCO PALADINO, KAREN GRENKE, RAMFIS MYRTHIL, CAMILLE DELGADO, ADONIS WILLIAMS, MINDY MATIJASEVIC, DOUG BARRON, ALI DIZIKES & JAKE THOMAS

$6 (includes a free house drink)

CORNELIA STREET CAFE

29 Cornelia Street (between Bleecker & W. 4th)

(212) 989-9319


to read more about this event:
visit: http://pollyfrost.com
for more information about the cast visit:
http://www.pollyfrost.com/page2/page22/page22.html

To read the TIME OUT NEW YORK article:

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl://TONYWebArticles1/584/out_there/aural_sex.xml

And in the Santa Barbara Independent:

http://www.independent.com/artsandentertainment/2006/12/erotica_uncorked.html

for more information about Cornelia Street Cafe, which was voted one of Downbeat's best 100 clubs, visit: http://corneliastreetcafe.com

01/25/07

I Got A Boy-Cut!

OK, OK, not really. But close. Pics coming soon...

In other news, this woman has NOT been sitting on her derriere, as could be assumed with no updates in over a month.

I have two shows coming up in February. But really, if I told you about them now, would you remember them by the time they came around?

No.

So I'll just give a teaser, maybe you'll mark down the dates on your calendar... ;-)

On Thursday, February 8, I will be reading a brand new piece from Sex Scenes by Polly Frost at the Cornelia Street Cafe.

And on Valentine's Day, UrbanErotika will be hosting its first multimedia show at the Kumble Theater in Brooklyn.

Details to come soon!

And that, folks, is all for now. But, as always, there's more to come...

Bless.

Shannon