Musical Performances

Rock ’n’ Roll, the Opposites, & Our Greatest Hopes—A Celebration!

Why has Rock ’n’ Roll affected people so much? Singing and commenting on songs from the ’50s and ’60s to the present, we illustrate these sentences from an Aesthetic Realism lesson Eli Siegel gave to a rock musician: “Rock ’n’ roll has the answer to people’s problem of, on the one hand, wanting to be very private and sad, and on the other, wanting to have something like sunlight and public force. Every person has to make a one of the most secret thing in him and the most public thing. Rock ’n’ roll shows it can be done.”

The Great Fight of Ego vs. Truth—Songs about Love, Justice, & Everybody’s Feelings

You’ll hear, through songs—including some of the most popular and beautiful songs—what the biggest fight is within every person and America herself. Eli Siegel, the great American critic, philosopher, and poet, founder of Aesthetic Realism, explained it. It’s the fight between contempt for the world and respect for it. It’s the fight of Ego—lying about the world to suit yourself—vs. Truth. Through this matinee, as you laugh and are stirred by songs, you’ll know yourself and all people better. And you’ll find out why art and honesty are stronger than contempt and lies—no matter who’s telling them!

Aesthetic Realism Theatre Co performing in "Ethics Is a Force!"--Songs about Labor

Ethics Is a Force !”—Songs about Labor

“The most important thing in industry is the person who does the industry, which is the worker….Labor is the only source of wealth. There is no other source, except land, the raw material….Every bit of capital that exists was made by labor just as everything that is consumed is. Ethics is a force like electricity, steam, the atom—and will have its way. ” —Eli Siegel
The songs include “Hold the Fort,” “Joe Hill,” “The Union Buster,” “Rum and Coca Cola,” “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” “Old Man River,” “Seven and a Half Cents”—and many more!

An Aesthetic Realism Cabaret—About Love & Everyone’s Hopes!

Come and hear unforgettable performances of some of the most loved and timeless songs, with thrilling comment on their meaning for our lives—by singers from the Aesthetic Realism Theatre Company. Songs include “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” sung by Marion Fennell & Alan Shapiro with the Alan Shapiro trio: Alan Shapiro, piano; Rob Colavito, drums; Tony Falanga, bass. For announcement, click here.

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