ITEM: The great Lou Valentino at LaStrada Enoteca Italian Restaurant on E.Tremont and LaSalle avenues, on Sunday, November 22, from 4 to 7 p.m.
ITEM: Here are some upcoming gigs for the Bronx’s very own party dance band Just Nuts: Not only are they playing Michael’s on Boston Post Road every Wednesday night but catch them there for very special shows on Thanksgiving Eve and New Years.
ITEM: As promised here is Part Two of the Rock on the Bronx Interview with local filmmaker/author James McSherry about his new film “Poetry Man”:
ROTB: What are the goals for the film?
JM: Ideally I would love to make some noise with “Poetry Man” in the big festivals.I’ve already submitted it to Sundance and will certainly to Tribeca, amongst others.Obviously, the goal is to garner some awards, attention and parlay that into the making of my next film.I think we have a legitimate shot, but, whatever happens I am proud of the film and blessed to have worked with so many talented individuals, including the entire cast, and the two Directors of Photography Johnny Tsang and Spike Bauman.
ROTB: Tell us about some of the Bronx people who worked on your movie, behind and in front of the camera.
JM: There is so much talent in the Bronx.All of my producers, Iris Montalvo, Marc Anthony Seda and Wayne Gurman are all Bronxites.Joseph Diaz who plays, Louie, and Melanie Torres were originally from the the Bronx.I believe Joe is in Yonkers now and Melanie in New Jersey.Their daughter in the film, (who sings opera) is actually Paige McSherry, my daughter in real life.All of the extras in the film, including most of the students were students in my film and drama classes at Lehman High School with few exceptions.The Bronx locations are at the heart of the film as well, including The Bronx County Courthouse, St. Raymonds Cemetery, Orchard Beach, I.S. 192 (interior Columbia University), Wilkinson Park, and all of the street scenes, with the exception of the exteriors of Columbia University.The interrogation room at the precinct is actually a beautiful building in the South Bronx transformed into a permanent set for film and modeling shoots, called “Lightbox.”It’s all about the Bronx, baby! Chris Raffaele, who was the first AD on my film.He is also a Bronx guy (Country Club) and has just completed his first feature film shot in black and white (35mm) called “Grasslands.” ROTB: Thanks James! As I’ve been saying filmmakers are the new rock stars of the Bronx. Rock on! Rock out!
