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Artists:Patrick Arena
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Patrick Arena is a multi-faceted entertainer. As a jazz singer, song writer, monologist, teacher, producer and music journalist he brings his years of experience to the stage. As a child, he was a featured entertainer at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ. and is a veteran of the New York City nightclub and jazz renaissance of the 1970, '80s, and '90s appearing at Ted Hook's Backstage, Copacabana, The Duplex, Jan Wallman's, and Reno Sweeney. More recently Patrick has appeared at Eighty Eight's, Don't Tell Mama, and The Ballroom.
On the jazz scene, Patrick performed a series of concerts with Abbey Lincoln and Fred Hersch at the New York Jazz Coalition. He has also made music with other illustrious musicians including Harold Maybern, Hilton Ruiz, Barry Harris, Gil Goldstein, Herman Foster, Joe Negri, Steve Sandberg, and Kirk Nurock. With Cobi Narita of the Jazz Center of NY, he produced many of his own concerts and he helped to develop VOICES INC. a support and networking organization for jazz singers. He has opened for Lewis Black, Julie Wilson, Jaffe Cohen and Holly Hughes.
He studied classical voice technique at Duquesne University and privately with James Gassett and Greg Little. A teacher of Bel Canto voice technique, Mr. Arena also created and established the vocal improvisation workshops called VOICES RAISED, which help singers to develop and expand their natural talent by encouraging them to take creative risks.
Patrick's current recording is the March 2004 "live" CD of his concert at the Uptown Theatre in his hometown of Washington, Pa. In addition, his debut recording,"NIGHT CAP" with Andy Monroe won the GLAMA award in 2000. NIGHT CAP was also nominated for the OUTMUSIC Legacy Award. A solo recording of "Christmas is the Time" is featured on Richard Foltz's album "NEW SONGS FOR THE OLD HOLIDAYS." In collaboration with Rob Costin he recorded their song "Plastic Man" which can be found on the "ROB COSTIN COLLECTION."
As a writer, Patrick has been a facilitator of the theater writing and songwriting workshops given by the arts service organization THE FIELD. He wrote and developed his one man performance pieces "BURLY-Q-BOY", an homage to the world of burlesque, which ran for two months at DON'T TELL MAMA. "I Am a Song" was developed at DIXON PLACE.
Vice Magazine has published several of Patrick's poems in the VICE VERSE section of the magazine. Starting in September of 1997 he became the music editor for VICE. Patrick's monthly music column VICE VOICES featured reviews, news and good gossip. He has been a contributing music and theater writer for Pittsburgh Citipaper, LGNY,PittsburghOUT, Washington Blade, Southern Voice, The SLANT and Between the Lines.
Mr. Arena has served on the board of directors of the arts organization All Out Arts. He produced four concerts for the 1998 Out On the Edge Together Festival NYC. As two term executive director of OUTMUSIC NYC, Mr. Arena produced and curated the 1993 and 1994 OUTMUSIC FESTIVALS in New York City. For the 1997 OUTMUSIC FESTIVAL Patrick produced the first OUTMUSIC outdoor concert at the band shell in Central Park. Overall his producing efforts have given exposure to the voices of literally hundreds of musical artists.
In 1999, Patrick relocated to Western PA in an effort to help his aging father. In the region, he has become a respected performer, voice teacher and coach. His own performances have included shows at the Andy Warhol Museum, The Sanctuary, Shenley Park, East Liberty Presbyterian Church and the Shadyside Arts Festival among others. Patrick also sings with the Pittsburgh Renaissance City Men's Choir. Audiofile says of his new recording, "Captured Alive," "finds him at the height of his craft."
Date published: Monday, July 11, 2005
He's gay, and proud of it
Patrick Arena, shown during his April induction into the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans/Queer Hall of Fame, left a successful career in New York to take care of his father in Washington. (STAN DIAMOND/O-R) BY KAREN MANSFIELD, Staff writer
karenm@observer-reporter.com
Patrick Arena has been a busy man. He recently sang the national anthem at PNC Park before a Pittsburgh Pirates game. He also was a featured singer at last month's PrideFest, an annual gay pride celebration.
The singer-songwriter's 2004 CD release, "Patrick Arena Captured Alive," received good reviews. And he was recently inducted into the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans/Queer Hall of Fame, slated to open in Charleston, W.Va., by late 2006.
"It is a good time for me," said Arena.
The induction at Uptown Theater in Washington, Arena said, strengthens his resolve to help gays and lesbians come to terms with their identity and to promote tolerance and acceptance in the community.
"Getting this acknowledgment," said Arena, "helps me to recommit to being as open as I am, and to building bridges."
Arena was nominated for two reasons: his music career and his dedication to his father, Patsy, whose health began to fail five years ago.
"He left a successful career in New York City and basically put it on hold drastically to come home and care for his father, exemplifying that the spirit of family is not reserved for a particular group," said Len Rogers, founder of the hall of fame. "He also was nominated for his vocal talent and is a shining star as a performer."
Arena has served as a role model and his courage has been a source of strength for the area's gay community and their families, said Maggie Zuraw, a member of Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays.
Arena helped organize the then-fledgling Washington chapter nearly five years ago and has provided the impetus for many of the organization's activities. He sits on the board of directors.
"Patrick serves as a role model for the GLBT community in the coming-out process. Everybody here is afraid to be out," said Zuraw, citing fear of job loss and discrimination.
Arena hasn't always been comfortable with himself, or his role as a mentor. Growing up a homosexual in Washington in the 1960s with nobody to confide in, he turned to alcohol and drugs and wound up a "full-fledged alcoholic and coke addict."
"I began to feel I was a horrible freak. I didn't feel like there was anyone else like that, no one for me to talk to," said Arena.
His personal life was a mess, but Arena found success in his professional life. A child tap protégé, he was a featured entertainer at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, N.J. Gifted with a smooth, silky voice, he studied classical voice technique at Duquesne University before he moved to New York City, where he became a popular fixture on the nightclub and cabaret scene in the 1970s and '80s.
Eventually, though, even his music stopped being fun.
His turning point came in 1987. One night, Arena was walking past a theater when he heard a group called Out singing about gay experiences.
"It totally changed me and my life, hearing these people sing about the gay experience. It made me want to be involved in music again in a new way," he said. Sober since then, he refocused on his music.
Arena performed in many benefits for the Gay Men's Health Crisis and other gay and lesbian organizations; teamed up with Grammy-nominated pianist Fred Hersch for a concert series; won the 2000 Gay and Lesbian American Music Award for his recording "Night Cap," and wrote several one-man shows and musicals.
In 1999, Arena, a 1969 graduate of Washington High School, moved back to Washington to care for his 92-year-old father, who now is undergoing treatment for cancer. He became involved in the area music scene and fashioned a second career teaching voice.
Alarmed at Southwestern Pennsylvania's lack of a network for gays, Arena joined PFLAG.
"Because he came from New York City, he enjoyed some freedom," said Zuraw. "When he came back here, he naturally assumed he'd be able to be the same person. That wasn't the case."
Zuraw said Arena is more than a positive role model: He's a good man.
"Gay or straight, that doesn't matter. Patrick is the model of a fine person. When his father needed help, Patrick stepped in and said, 'I'll take care of him,'" said Zuraw.
Arena gave up a successful career, 25 years worth of friendships and relationships, and an accepting community, but he is happy with his life.
"When you're in New York City, you feel like you're in a different country. You live your own life, no one cares if you're gay. I kept thinking it's been 25 years, we've got 'Will and Grace,' there's been progress," said Arena.
"When I came back, I found it wasn't at all like I thought. There wasn't as much progress as I thought. But the longer I'm here, the better it gets. I like it here."
Monday, May 2nd, 2005 9:09 AM EDT
STATEMENT OF INDUCTION:
It is with great pride and honor that I formally announce the induction of Patrick Arena into the GLBT Hall Of Fame. Patrick was nominated and inducted for; Art Excellence, Activism, Community Awareness, and Community Support.
Patrick's willingness to share his knowledge thus enriching the lives of others, combined with his standard of excellence is simply reason enough for his inclusion. However, at a time when the very nature of GLBT family value is at compromise, this outstanding citizen has shown what real family is all about. Patrick has demonstrated by placing his family above career, that family is about love and commitment first. In that Patrick is a source of community pride for not only the GLBT community, but for the world community of all.
Len Rogers
Founder
GLBT Hall Of Fame
Quotes from the nomination.... " I feel the quality and pride Patrick Arena puts into his music and performance is by itself justification of his inclusion. His support of other artists in ability growth and community related areas are outstanding."
"In a time when our community is questioned as one which compromise the "family", I think recognizing Patrick Arena is a must do! Patrick has demonstrated what "family" is and should be. When his father became ill and needed Patrick's support, Patrick literally walked away from his career contacts and support to be with his parent. That is family and I am proud to be in the same community with Patrick Arena."
"As an artist Patrick Arena has made excellent music, supported other artists and his community both artistically and through active work and involvement. His reach for success included his community and fellow artists. Patrick's willingness to teach and share his knowledge combined with his personal support enriched his music and our community."
© 2008 P A T R I C K A R E N A.
External links
| Patrick Arena on MySpace |
| Patrick Arena on Wikipedia |
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| Song | Album | Length | Played | Overall | You | Tags | Single Request |
| Doodlin' | Captured Alive | 7:44 | 1 |  0 votes |
You have to login to give your opinion about songs. | Solo vocalist / Acoustic / Band | Orange Colored Sky | Captured Alive | 6:04 | 10 |  4 votes |
You have to login to give your opinion about songs. | Jazz / Solo vocalist / Acoustic / Band | What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life | Night And Day | 4:28 | 2 | 2 votes |
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| Total Time | 18:16 |
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Artist name is|Patrick Arena Last played| more than 1 month ago ---------------------------------------- Show name| Songs by Patrick Arena Length| 15 minutes Order by| random Limit| 3 songs ----------------------------------------
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- Songs on WWR: 18
- Total plays: 34
- Total requests: 17
- Total listens: 883
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