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Featured Music Technology

D’Angelico Guitars To Introduce New Line of Products For 2020

Attention all D’Angelico Guitar fans, you’re in for a treat. The 88-year-old Manhattan guitar manufacturer is in the midst of a modern resurgence, offering new designs and a new line of gorgeous products for 2020.

D’Angelico has a storied history since its 1932 inception in Little Italy by master luthier John D’Angelico. The company’s devotees include guitar virtuosos Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Chet Atkins, and Bootsy Collins as fans of their instruments. In 2011, guitars by D’Angelico were included in the ‘Guitar Heroes’ exhibition at the Met. These guitars are absolutely gorgeous as well as being vessels for some of the most noteworthy music to come out of the last eight decades. Original D’Angelico guitars are considered prized collector’s items. Relaunched in 2011 by Brenden Cohen, John Ferolito Jr., and Steve Pisani, the brand blossomed into 125 partnerships in the United States with an additional 200 international dealers just three years later.

Here is the official press release from D’Angelico for the exciting new developments:

The Premier Series will see a refresh on all five of its acoustic models, plus the addition of a new “LS” variation – a satin mahogany option priced at $299.

Tammany LS

The popular OM Tammany will be available in all variations for the first time.

The Premier Series also welcomes the all-new Premier Mini DC – an ergonomic double cutaway semi-hollow, featuring a 14″ wide body perfect for players looking for a lightweight, easy-to-wield instrument.

And, coming off its triumphant first year in the Deluxe Series, the Bob Weir Bedford signature model is now available in the Premiere Series. Featuring the unique combination of two stacked P-90s and a middle single-coil controlled by a 5-way blade and blender knob, the Premier Bob Weir Bedford hosts an unbelievable range of tones.

 

Mini DC

In the long-standing Excel Series, 2020 welcomes new archtops for the first time since the re-launching of the brand. The Excel Series Throwback Collection hosts vintage-inspired takes on the flagship EXL-1 and the fan-favorite Style B. Features include the new Throwback scroll-style headstock, ebony headplate and pickguard, Throwback f-holes, ebony fingerboard, Seymour Duncan electronics, and Jazz Age finishes.

Also joining the Excel Series is the Excel Mini DC, an undersized double cutaway semi-hollow featuring Seymour Duncan 59 humbuckers and coil-splitting push/pull tone knobs.

 

 

Premier Bob Weir Bedford

The reimagined Deluxe Series is built to inspire – featuring Limited Edition takes on all four solid body designs, as well as the semi-hollow DC, SS, and 175. Across humbucking models, the Deluxe Series introduces the all-new Seymour Duncan Seth Love A4 – a pickup with remarkable depth, response, and richness in tone.

Meanwhile, the offset Bedford is now available in a stunning new variation. The Deluxe Bedford SH- a semi-hollow solid body featuring a unique modern f-hole window – adds an edge of acoustic warmth to its unique electronics configuration – two STR-52s and a Mini-Humbucker.

 

Limited Edition Deluxe Models are available in Matte Black, Matte Wine, and Matte Rose Gold. Only 50 pieces each.

D’Angelico will also debut the opening of its new USA Custom Shop and debut the shop’s first ten instruments at NAMM 2020. For the first time in brand history, solid bodies and semi-hollows will be built to spec in the USA, run by renowned luthier and longtime D’Angelico collaborator Gene Baker. Media outlets can contact jessica@dangelicoguitars.com to schedule an online interview and demonstration at the 2020 NAMM show.

All models will be officially available to select dealers on 16 January 2020.

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Categories
Events

Martin & Jean Shafiroff Host Annual Gala Kick-Off Party for the New York City Mission Society

Jean Shafiroff, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Don Peebles, & Katrina Peebles / Photo: Owen Hoffman/patrickmcmullan.com
Jean Shafiroff, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Don Peebles, & Katrina Peebles / Photo: Owen Hoffman

Earlier this week, author and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and Martin Shafiroff hosted a reception last night to announce the honorees at the New York City Mission Society’s annual Champions for Children Gala on Wednesday, Apr. 5, 2017 at the Mandarin Oriental New York. Attendees of the party included Elsie McCabe Thompson, Kenita Lloyd, Katrina and Don Peebles, Jay Morehead, Peggy and John Bader, Stan and Leah Rumbough, Geoffrey Bradfield, Edward Cox, Michael and Barbara Gross, Randi Schatz, Larry Milstein, Victor dE Souza, Maggie Norris, and Matt Rich.

This year’s Gala’s honorees are legendary actress and singer Diahann Carroll, entrepreneur Don Peebles, and three lifetime members of the Mission Society’s Board of Directors: actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill Hartley, whose family has supported the Mission Society for four generations; Lloyd W. Brown, II; and, LTC Francis W. Kairson, Jr.

WABC news anchor Bill Ritter, a longtime supporter of the Mission Society, will emcee the event. Performing that evening will be Kathy Sledge, the legendary voice of Sister Sledge, acclaimed singer Alex Donner and his Orchestra, and students enrolled in the Mission Society’s free after-school music education program, G.R.I.O.T.

Co-chaired by Mission Society’s board members Jean Shafiroff — Gala Chair for the previous two years and a former Mission Society Gala honoree — and Katrina Peebles, the benefit will support the Mission Society’s programs and services that help youth and families in our city’s most underserved communities.

This year’s Gala will be held at the Mandarin Oriental at 80 Columbus Circle in Manhattan, starting with cocktails at 6:30 PM, as followed by a 7:30 PM dinner and program, music and dance. To purchase tickets to the event and learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.nycharities.org/Events/EventLevels.aspx?etid=9605.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnH9EjhWhVo&t=2s

Categories
Events

Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week: Tuesday, Jan. 10 – Monday, Jan. 16

Trip.com is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.”

Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of great events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.

Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip.com. Visit the Trip.com site or download the app for more upcoming events.

Photo: Charlie Foster
Photo: Charlie Foster

1. Prototype
Check site for complete list of locations
Thursday, Jan. 5 – Sunday, Jan. 15 (check site for performance times)

A celebration of contemporary opera, theater and music, Prototype brings audiences one-of-a-kind performances! See something new, intriguing and innovative — any of the seven Prototype shows will leave even the most skeptical audience impressed. $30

Photo: Edsel Little/Flickr
Photo: Edsel Little/Flickr

2. Tiki Cocktails Workshop
Astor Center (NoHo)
Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

For an exotic taste of the South Pacific, Astor Center presents a tiki cocktail workshop with Jenn Smith. The class includes a crash course in tiki cocktail history, tiki tasting and tiki crafting basics that will prepare you to make your own liquid paradise at home. $79

Photo: Ayleen Gaspar/Flickr
Photo: Ayleen Gaspar/Flickr

3. The Muppets: A Burlesque
The Slipper Room (LES)
Thursday, Jan. 12 at 8:00 PM

Hotsy Totsy Burlesque’s tribute to The Muppets spices up the original Jim Henson creation. There will be drama, comedy and some of the best burlesque performances around! $10

Photo: In Sappho We Trust/Flickr
Photo: In Sappho We Trust/Flickr

4. What’s Your Dream?
Museum at Eldridge Street (LES)
Monday, Jan. 16 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM

To celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. this family program asks kids and adults to think about their own dreams for the world. The afternoon starts with a reading of Kobi Yamada’s children’s book What Do You Do With An Idea? and is followed by Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream. FREE

Photo: Lindsay/Flickr
Photo: Lindsay/Flickr

5. Compost 101
Sixth Street Community Center (East Village)
Tuesday, Jan. 10 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

One of our New Year’s resolutions is to reduce our carbon footprint. That’s why we’ll be attending the introductory workshop on composting at the Sixth Street Community Center, where we hope to adopt more environmentally-sustainable habits. FREE

Photo: Stu_Spivack/Flickr
Photo: Stu_Spivack/Flickr

6. Cassoulet Cook Off
Jimmy’s No. 43 (East Village)
Sunday, Jan. 15 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

If you are into cassoulet, in a fiendish kind of way, Jimmy’s No. 43’s 9th Annual Cassoulet Cookoff is a must! Amateur and professional cassoulet chefs will be presenting their best versions, and we’ll be partaking in the unlimited samplings of their efforts. Tickets $20, or $25 at the door

Categories
News

Downtown Tech Landmark J&R Music Closes For Massive Makeover

J&R Music and Computer World on Park Row, Lower Manhattan

J&R Music and Computer World on Park Row, Lower Manhattan

Downtown’s Landmark destination for all things electronic—J&R Music and Computer World is shutting it’s doors today.

April 10 is J&R’s last day in it’s current incarnation. The store located on the Park Row and will begin a long-term renovation to become “an unprecedented technology Mecca,” according to J&R officials as reported by The New York Daily News.

The electronics and music store was  showing symptoms of dwindling business as early as October , having to cut down on store space and laying-off some employees. Owners Joseph and Rachelle Friedman, who have operated the store since 1971, are closing the doors of what is the final branch of the former local chain.

jr

A rendering of the possible future of J&R when it returns in 2015.

J&R has been a source for the tech and elecronic necessities of Downtown residents for more than 40 years. It was one of the first stores to reopen after the attacks on 9/11. Larger competitors like Best Buy have also made the market more competitive for J&R.

Matthew Hiltzik, spokesman for the Friedmans, said “J&R will continue to sell merchandise online and on Amazon. The couple hopes to reopen the store next year.” However a date has not been set and the design has not been finalized.

Luis Cuevas