From Story to Song
Come together for an evening of storytelling and original music featuring Resident Songwriters Alex Wong, Morninglory, and Sarah Kang and Storytellers David Glover, Lucy Yu, and Nataly Aukar. Songwriters and Storytellers pair up to share their chosen stories through new songs never played live before, accompanied by a full band. Be a part of this very special Keepsake House showcase where performance, music, and conversation intersect.
With music direction from TONIE.
This show is co-executive produced by Elliott Jake Elder & made possible by Keepsake family like you.
Special thanks to From Here to Sunday, Halmi, and Storyworth for being a part of From Story to Song. For each RSVP to the show (either in-person or livestream), receive one raffle ticket for a chance to win a free Storyworth subscription, which includes one personalized hardcover book!
Doors open: 6:30pm
Tickets:
*In-person (RSVP recommended): FREE
Livestream (RSVP required): FREE
Left to right: Nataly Aukar, Sarah Kang, Alex Wong, Morninglory, David Glover, and Lucy Yu.
— Songwriters —
Alex Wong
Alex Wong creates music to help people remember who they are and show themselves to the world. He has always had a complicated relationship with his own memories, unable to remember his own childhood birthday parties yet possessing many vivid, sensory memories from dreams, places he’d never been, and what seemed almost like isolated vignettes from another life. That dissonance led to the songs on his latest album, “The Elephant and the Seahorse.” As he looked closer at his memories from the past, he was forced to acknowledge that he had been “hiding” his identity as a second generation Chinese-American for much of his life. Memories of being told to downplay his ethnicity in school, social groups, or in the mostly-white music industry, assimilate to white culture, speak with no accent, and keep himself small rushed to the surface, along with waves of shame and anger for buying into this conditioning. A lot of deep questioning followed, which he chronicles for the first time in his song “Show Yourself.”
Alex is a Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist and producer known for his work with Delta Rae, Vienna Teng, Melissa Ferrick and Morgxn, among others. Alex’s music has been featured in movies including “The Last Song” and TV shows including “True Blood.” Alex has toured all over the world, performing at festivals like Coachella, Outside Lands, and Corona Capital, in arenas in Mexico City and theaters in Europe and Japan, and on NPR’s Mountain Stage.
Alex has previously performed in the Keepsake House shows From Story to Song (2021) and Foresight and is a 2022 Keepsake House Artist in Residence. He also co-produced and performed in the Show Yourself benefit residency.
Website | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Morninglory
Accomplished vocalist, actor, and writer, Livvy Marcus performs atmospheric folk music under the name “Morninglory,” her legal middle name. Born and raised in southern Massachusetts, Livvy graduated with a bachelor of music from BW Conservatory in Ohio. Her debut album, “Livvy Marcus Eats Her Shoe,” was released on all platforms in March 2022. She hasn’t gone a day without chocolate since 2018 and would generally always rather be singing. Do you like dancing? Do you sometimes live in the liminal space between giggling and crying?
Morninglory has previously performed in the Keepsake House shows Foresight and Lighting Sparks and is a 2022 Keepsake House Artist in Residence.
Website | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook
Sarah Kang
Sarah Kang is a Korean-American jazz/soul/R&B singer/songwriter based in New York City. Born in South Korea and raised in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, her music, much like her life experiences, crosses the borders of genre. Her inspiration comes from artists like Crush, Bruno Major, and H.E.R.; however, her earnest voice paired with soul sensibilities and thoughtful songwriting create a sound that is all her own. Her hope is that her music can encourage listeners to ask important questions and provide safe, cozy spaces to rest. Sarah’s debut full-length album, “how i remember,” was released last October.
Sarah has previously performed in the Keepsake House shows Sarah Kang, Foresight, Show Yourself, and Linguistics and is a 2022 Keepsake House Artist in Residence.
— Storytellers —
David Glover
David Glover is an artist drawn to telling needed stories; stories that challenge comfort, question vulnerability, and press at the potent roots of trauma and healing. His artistic body of work centers on identity, history, and home with a focus on the complexity and measures of Black life, love and liberation.
David has previously performed in the Keepsake House shows From Story to Song (2021), Foresight, and Lighting Sparks and is a 2022 Keepsake House Artist in Residence.
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Lucy Yu
Lucy Yu is the owner of Yu and Me Books located in Chinatown, Manhattan. She is a Scorpio but doesn't really know much about astrology and was a previous chemical engineer that no longer mixes chemicals. This is her first time sharing her work on stage.
Nataly Aukar
Nataly Aukar is a Lebanese born and raised stand up comic based in NYC. She was featured at the Brooklyn Comedy Festival, has toured the country and the world opening for Gad El Maleh, Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef. She has starred in the short film Sofa So Good, featured in The New Yorker! Nataly was recently part of Netflix’s “Introducing…” showcase at the Netflix is a Joke Fest in 2022.
— Musicians —
TONIE (they/them), Music Director & Keys
TONIE is doing their very best to make you cry, in all the best ways. Their music is deeply autobiographical, taking on topics such as love and heartbreak, struggles with depression, and queer contemplations. TONIE wraps challenging conversations in luscious synths, driving guitars, and dynamic vocals that invites listeners to love themselves fully and bask in their feels.
The LA-native writes and produces each synth-pop track from the comfort of their skylit home studio in Brooklyn, NY — a perfect backdrop for the emotional vulnerability that colors their lyrics. Proudly Vietnamese American, nonbinary, and themselves!
TONIE has previously performed in the Keepsake House shows Show Yourself and Meet Cute Music and was the Music Director of From Story to Song (2021).
Kenji Tokunaga, Bass
Sebastian Denalis, Guitar
Zac Swanner, Drums
With keepsakes sponsored by…
From Here to Sunday
From Here to Sunday began in a fake bodega within a real museum by artist Diana Ho with the simple act of sharing baked goods. This gesture is at the root of the business, which values creating an inclusive community through artful gift-giving. Each product is lovingly made in limited quantities by talented artists—ranging from paintings, to zines, to jewelry, to baked goods, and beyond. This small business continues to evolve in different contexts, whether it is a pop-up shop or an art exhibition. Now with a brick-and-mortar space, From Here to Sunday strives to utilize its platform to uplift marginalized artists through a decolonized lens. At From Story to Song, all guests will receive one handmade DIY mini garland kit.
Special cocktails mixed with…
Halmi
Halmi (a nickname halmoni, which means grandma in Korean) is a brand of light sparkling beverages inspired by traditional Korean flavors. They use real, good-for-you ingredients rooted in history and culture and aim to amplify Korean and Asian American voices, from shared experiences to differing points of view. At From Story to Song, all guests will have a chance to try a specialty cocktail made with Halmi Cinnamon, Ginger, Jujube, and Persimmon flavored sparkling beverage.
And a chance to win a subscription to…
Storyworth
Storyworth makes it easy to record your family stories. With one Storyworth subscription, each week your storyteller will be emailed a question about their life. All they have to do is reply with a story. The Storyworth team then saves their stories and shares them with your family members in the form of a personalized hardcover keepsake book.
*Note: Rockwood Music Hall is a 21+ venue. Government-issued ID is required to enter.