Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Calling All Renaissance Fans

Two Classic AlbumsDear Renaissance Fan:

We are excited about the upcoming fall U.S. tour, and look forward to seeing as many of you at the shows as possible.

The band would LOVE to perform across the entire country, and for that matter, the planet. Unfortunately, where we tour is mostly a function of local concert promoters’ interest and awareness. To help achieve this we must consolidate and expand the band’s fan base. This will help with not only touring, but also distribution of a new studio album and other output from the band.

With this in mind, we are asking for your help. Please reach out to every Renaissance fan, or anyone you know that should be one. Invite them to sign up for the mailing list at www.renaissancetouring.com/welcome and to ‘like’ the band’s official page on Facebook (also to invite their friends). The email signup form will ask who referred them.  As a thank you to you, the band will reward the the top three ‘enlisters’ with a prize:

  • prize-004First prize:  Annie’s personalized backstage pass from 1979 Azure D’or tour AND a personal commisioned 8×10 painting by Annie. Annie will call you to discuss the creation of your one of a kind painting.
  • prize-002Second prize: A rare Turn of the Cards Valentine card (the UK release date was Valentine’s day!) autographed by Annie and Michael, and a promotional Turn of the Cards sticker
  • prize-005_0Third prize: Original 1970s press photo autographed by Annie and Michael

Only mailing list signups count toward the prizes (Facebook likes do not.) We want both, but there’s no good way to tally referals on Facebook. The link to refer folks to is:

www.renaissancetouring.com/welcome

As a further gesture of thanks… we are giving all fans a desktop wallpaper of an original painting by Annie (pick your screen shape – regular or widescreen):

4:3 16:9

The Magical Planet by Annie Haslam

 

Thanking each of you in advance for your help and fanship.

Annie Haslam & Michael Dunford
www.renaissancetouring.com
www.facebook.com/RenaissanceTouring

Note from Annie in Japan – June 18 2011

I am in Nagoya, Japan and being treated so well. Jet lag is heavy duty, I will be rid of it by the time I leave here.

Went to the Tokugawa Museum yesterday overlooking a lake filled with the biggest KOI fish I have ever seen. They were bright yellow, white, orange and some that looked like they had graffiti on them, but Kink assured me that was not the case…

Air conditioning limited due to the low power and power plant situation. The hotel rooms are OK but the airports were a little sticky. This is the rainy season here right now, but due to climate changes the weather is not behaving normally as is evident the world over.

This really is a fascinating country and I encourage a visit here if you are able.

I am looking forward to the show tomorrow.

♥ Annie San

Annie Haslam Joins ‘Music Saves • Benefit for Japan’

What started off as a request for for me to record a video message in support of Japanese earthquake victims and a special benefit concert at The Bottom Line in Nagoya Japan, has turned into my actually going there to perform!

Minami Soma FarmerA few weeks after the earthquake there was a photo that came up on my computer ‘news’ page of a 75 yr old farmer, Kunio Shiga, stranded and alone, sitting amongst the debris of his home four weeks after the deadly Tsunami had ripped through his village Minami Soma, and his homeland. It made me cry like so many of the devastating images I had seen every day, but for some reason this image stayed with me. I remember the headline well: ‘Stranded and Alone’.

Then shortly after, I was approached by Kink Kume, a LONG TIME friend who was organizing a benefit show in Nagoya to raise funds for the Japanese people affected by this terrible disaster! My mind immediately went back to when Renaissance performed in Japan last August, and as always, we were greeted so warmly by our Japanese fans.

This is a perfect opportunity to give something of myself for no other reason than to give my time and support in song and art. So, I am looking forward to this very special week in my life that I know will be memorable in many ways…

I will be singing accompanied by Japanese musicians and am also taking some paintings to auction. The show is ‘Music Saves’ Benefit for Japan’, June 19th 2011. It will be ‘streamed’ online at Ustream at:

2:00 PM – 9:30 PM Japan time, June 19th 2011
1:00 am – 8:30 am EST, USA on June 19th 2011

I will be singing some time between 7:40 am to 9:10 am EDT. If you miss it, it will be in the ‘Ustream’ archive section

♥ Annie

Renaissance Announces Fall Tour Dates

Band To Perform Two Of Their Most Successful Albums in Their Entirety

Band takes On New Management

Two Classic AlbumsJune 1, 2011 – New York, NY – Progressive British rock band Renaissance announced that they will be performing two of their most successful albums, ‘Turn Of The Cards’ and ‘Scheherazade’ in their entirety on a Northeast US tour this Fall.

Band principals Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford noted, “When our agent Wayne Forte (Entourage Talent Associates) and new manager Bruce Garfield suggested that we present to fans the ‘evening with’ and two complete albums concept, we loved it immediately and picked two of our favorites. Fan reaction has been great as are early ticket sales”.

The band recently enlisted manager and former label executive Bruce Garfield of MonsterWorks, Inc. to take over guidance of their career. “I love the musical elegance of Renaissance and have always enjoyed taking on clients with established track records with whom I can work closely and maximize the full potential of their career.”

The first leg of the band’s Fall tour will take place in the Eastern United States as follows:

September 10 – White River Junction, VT – Tupelo Music Hall
September 11 – Londonderry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
September 13 – Buffalo, NY – The Tralfamadore
September 15 – Rochester, NY – German House Theater
September 16 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall
September 17 – New York, NY – The Concert Hall
September 20 – Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head Onstage Theater
September 22 – Alexandria, VA – Birchmere Music Hall
September 23 – Philadelphia, PA – Keswick Theater
September 24 – Newark, NJ – Victoria Theater

www.renaissancetouring.com
www.facebook.com/RenaissanceTouring

Two Classic Albums

Colors of Sound and Light – The Art of Annie Haslam

Tuesday, May 10 at 12:00pm – May 12 at 9:00pm

Twenty-Two Gallery of Fine Art
236 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Special Guest Artist: ANNIE HASLAM, voice of English Classical Rock Band “Renaissance”

Limited exhibit 3 day show. Extended gallery hours: noon to 9 PM each day

VIP Private Opening Reception, Monday, May 9, 6 – 9PM (by invitation only)

Personal Appearances by Ms. Haslam during the exhibit. Call for details

http://www.twenty-twogallery.com/
215.772.1911
info@twenty-twogallery.com

Annie Interviewed on WXPN 88.5 FM Philadelphia Friday April 22

Annie Haslam will be a guest of Michaela Majoun’s “Women’s Music Hour” on WXPN 88.5 between 9-10am EDT on Friday April 22.

Live stream at http://xpn.org/music-artist/xpn-stream

Station web site: http://www.xpn.org/xpn-programs/xpn-morning-show

Annie Haslam to appear on a panel at NY-area Beatles fan convention

The “B.U.I. (Beatles Under The Influence)” musicians forum on Sunday afternoon is to be joined by a very special, previously-unannounced guest. Annie Haslam lead vocalist of the legendary British fusion band Renaissance – has just been added to the lineup and will join musicians Gary Wright, Mark Hudson, Joey Molland, Mark Rivera and forum creator/moderator Martin Lewis in an informal conversation and jam session celebrating the myriad musical influences that shaped the Beatles.

Annie’s brother, the late Michael Haslam, was a ballad singer managed by Beatles manager Brian Epstein in the early 1960s – he performed at the Beatles Christmas shows 1964-1965.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thefest

Website: http://www.thefest.com/

Specific webpage about the upcoming event: http://tinyurl.com/cejl3y

Annie Haslam to show her unique painted guitars as part of Jonathan Singers ‘The Art of the Guitar’ at the Morrison Hotel Gallery, NYC

Dear Friends

I am very excited to be showing my painted guitars at The Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho, NYC, from February 11th, and feel very honoured to have been invited by Jonathan Singer to be part of his very special show.

Please take a moment to read about the show, if you can get down to see it you will not be disappointed, his photographs are ‘stunning’!

♥ Annie

The Morrison Hotel Gallery Presents

THE ART OF THE GUITAR

The Photography of Jonathan Singer
Curated by Bernard “Buzzy” Levine

A Celebration of Guitars from Famed Photographer Jonathan Singer
at The Morrison Hotel Gallery Loft at 116 Prince Street in SoHo, NYC.
VIP/Press Preview Thursday, February 10 from 5:30-6:30 pm

January 20th 2011, New York, NY – For the first time ever, The Morrison Hotel Gallery loft in Soho is thrilled to introduce The Art of the Guitar: The Photography of Jonathan Singer as fine art photography in a special VIP/press preview on Thursday, February 10 from 5:30-6:30 pm, sponsored by Guitar Aficionado and Canson Infinity.

This special show is curated by Bernard “Buzzy” Levine, owner of Lark Street Music, appraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and longtime contributing editor to the Vintage Guitar Price Guide.  Featured photographs will include guitars by Fender, Gibson, Martin, Gretch, Mandolin Brothers and John Monteleone “Four Seasons” guitars in signed, limited edition sets, among others.

Jonathan Singer has been shooting guitars for over 20 years and has appeared in Acoustic Guitar magazine, Guitar Maker, Premiere Guitar, Vanity Fair, and ARTnews, among others. He has also been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and ABC News.  Singer is renowned for his unusual shooting style which he developed for his botanical work, bringing him world wide acclaim and entry into the Smithsonian Institution and The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and earning him many accolades and awards.

On his newest exhibition Singer says, “By turning the guitar into an art piece it takes on a whole new meaning. The style I use either makes the guitars melt into the background or jump off the paper they are printed on. The instrument must have the power to be a celebrity on its own.”

Some instruments featured in The Art of the Guitar will be shown for the very first time to the public.   For any musician or individual who appreciates the history and craftsmanship of the guitar, this exhibit is sure to please and inspire.  In addition to his exhibit, Jonathan Singer has collaborated with artist and Renaissance singer Annie Haslam, whose paintings on guitars will also be featured and up for sale in the gallery windows.

On the exhibit, curator Bernard “Buzzy” Levine says, “The American guitar is eternal in its stringed simplicity, yet novel in its ability to connect the soul and fingers. Singer captures and honors the beauty and utility of these relics of American craftsmanship in a way befitting the majesty of their legendary sound.”

Stan Jay, President of Mandolin Brothers adds, “Jonathan creates art into what was formerly merely description.”

Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top says, “Well it’s that time again…! Guitars, guitars, and mo’ guitars. And the photographic styling’s from premier camera master Jonathan Singer takes the many forms of the 6-string into an elegant excursion into fresh versions of passionately observing wood and wire.  A goodly combo all way ‘round.  Enjoy Jonathan Singer’s exquisite capture of form and focus.”

The Art of the Guitar: The Photography of Jonathan Singer
is sponsored by Guitar Aficionado & Canson Infinity

5:30-6:30pm The Art of the Guitar Exhibition – VIP/Media Preview
Morrison Hotel Gallery Loft, 116 Prince St.

*The Art of the Guitar Exhibit Will be
Open to the Public beginning February 11 at both 116 Prince Street & 313 Bowery, NYC*

www.morrisonhotelgallery.com

The Morrison Hotel Gallery was founded in 2001 by Peter Blachley, a former record company executive, producer Rich Horowitz, a former independent record store owner, and Henry Diltz, a legendary music photographer. The gallery has since grown to become a major brand in fine art and music photography and is respected amongst peers and artists alike.

‘Annie in Wonderland’ re-release plus a bonus new recording of Roy Wood’s huge ‘hit single’ from the 60’s… ‘Flowers in the Rain’

I am very excited to tell you that my very first solo album Annie in Wonderland produced by Roy Wood is being re-released on Friday Music. This has been a rare album/CD to get hold of in the past few years so I am happy that it will be readily available again. Of all my recordings this was the most fun. Working with Roy who is a ‘musical genius’ and learning so much from him during the recording was priceless.

Roy also painted and designed the unique whimsical cover art… and Yes I used to wear striped stockings like that, and Yes I used to laugh like that and still do! Ah! the 70’s….

We also recorded one of his hit singles Flowers in the Rain as a bonus track! Please check it out, it’s a gem!

Love, Peace and Harmony

♥ Annie

ANNIE IN WONDERLAND
Original Recording Remastered + Bonus Track
Release Date Jan 25th 2011

Pre-order everywhere at all leading online retail accounts like Amazon.com and at Fridaymusic.com:

FLOWERS IN THE RAIN
Annie Haslam
ITUNES digital download single – available now!!!!!