APRIL ORANGE BRINGS “SAY WHAT”?
Season’s Greetings to everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Passover or Easter or 4-20 or all of the above!
Yes, as we reel from the orange dominance of the headlines and the attempted dominance of our lives, please know that there is a community of artists like me who are here to heal and inspire all of us! We can all use some sunshine now and for the foreseeable future. Feel free to use us to improve your health — and we need you, too!
Also, take heart! We are all marching in one form or another to save our democracy. I am happy to report that there ARE young people out there marching! These two young folks were united by tambourines — but otherwise did not (and do not) know each other. Each was convinced by a parent that participating in the April 19th march was important. So, here’s to the future! (OK, I admit that the red-shirted one is my eldest son, Elijah!)
A rare but cherished opportunity for the three brothers (Geoff, Chris, Mitty) to spend some time together! Nothing like a march; when we were kids, we did this regularly! Thank you, Orange Ass, for motivating us to unite in solidarity against you and your oligarch and MAGA cronies! We WILL win!
On April 13th, I had the honor and pleasure of presenting three of my songs as part of the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture’s service that day. The wonderful Barry Kornhauser accompanied me on guitar. I presented two newer songs, “Beloved” and “We Can Do This”, along with one of my signature songs, “Black-Eyed Susan.” (Videos will be available on my Patreon by Mother’s Day.)
The guest speaker that day was Betsy Carswell, President of the Golden Crown Literary Society, taking on “The VItal Role of Literature”. She was a powerful and inspiring teacher! I recommend that you follow her and her work, and I also recommend that you check out Brooklyn Ethical Culture at 269 4th Avenue & Garfield Place in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
The next Chris Oledude performance will again be my work with the 15TH STREET band!
On Saturday, April 26th, we will continue our “residency” of sorts at Connolly’s Klub 45 with second of four performances. This show is a double set starting at 9:00 PM, so
Buy your ticket now for $10. Save $5 on the day-of-show price ($15). Click here for tickets.
On Saturday, come to the 3rd Floor at Connolly’s Klub 45, 121 W. 45th Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway near Times Square. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
Tell the attendant that you have come for 15TH STREET (VERY IMPORTANT!), and then
Enjoy some good drinks and quality food while taking in our show!
If you want to see the other bands, go right ahead! There’s no additional charge! One band will go on before us (at 8) and another will go on after us.
We (15TH STREET) will also be performing on May 31st and June 28th — both Saturdays — for two sets each night!
And, as a special treat, I will also be part of a new band, FALSTAFF’S FOLLY, along with my brother Geoffrey, at the June 28th show. You get a TRIPLE dose of Oledude! June 28th would have been the 89th birthday of our father, Hon. Major R. Owens, so we will be saluting him with our music that night at 8 PM before 15TH STREET takes the stage at 9 PM!
By the way, 15TH STREET will have its debut gig at The Cutting Room on Sunday, May 18th. This is also a double set, so prepare to enjoy a premiere venue and a premiere band! Get tickets here.
I am a big supporter of re-entry programming! You might remember that I led The Re-Entry Bureau in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office for several years. This Sunday event is a very special day, so I hope you join me at the First Baptist Church of Crown Heights and check it out.
My good friend Pam is comin’ out to Brooklyn for a show. She’s great! You may remember her as a participant in some of my concerts. I hope to be there! Will I see you?
On Saturday, May 3rd, at 8:00 PM, there will be a great benefit concert for WBAI (real progressive radio targeted by Project 2025) and the Peoples’ Voice Cafe. The flyer is below. The program features a group of great artists and the location is a beautiful house of worship, Advent Lutheran Church, Broadway & W. 93rd Street in Manhattan.
I will soon be releasing my first “real” album: PREACHER MAN - VOLUME 1. This will be a stunning collection of old and new songs with social justice themes that you will listen to over and over. You can also help make that happen on time with a direct donation at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-chris-oledude-make-music-for-you or by becoming a monthly supporter on my my Patreon!
Make it stand out
By the way, Alyssa Dann has done it again! After more than a year of work and some 2,000 photos, the stop-motion animated video “Orange Blues 24” is also on a roll with film festivals around the world!
Find out the exciting and impressive details by visiting https://oledudesongs.com/ .
I am working hard to “build my brand identity”. This is the part of the “bizness” that I like least — the marketing — and I am not alone. That is why I try to confront my fear and discomfort with all of this social media stuff (though I don’t think I will ever “like” Instagram). I now have a TikTok account: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisoledude (just in time to be banned!) I am reinvesting in other social media outreach, as well. No more X for me; I am now on Blue Sky: @chrisoledude.bsky.social ! I am also on Threads, but that seems to be going nowhere.
Anyway, the best places to see updates on Oledude World will be my website, Facebook and through one of my blast emails or texts. If you are not currently on my contact list, please sign up now at https://www.oledude.rocks/contact . We want to be totally ready to explode the new albums as they are released and YOU (and everyone you know) are such an important part of our hopes and dreams!
THE PEOPLES’ VOICE CAFE UPCOMING SCHEDULE (CLICK HERE FOR THE WEBSITE):
