Singer of the Month!!! Benjamin Cerf

Pink!  You need a pink shirt!!!!!  hotttttt!  Get a pink shirt, Ben!   

There are some mythological creatures that are of the Red and Black variety, and Ben can definitely take on a devilish expression and beguile us all. But Ben is much much more than his magical mustachio! He guides us all with both his gentle wisdom and his incisive wit. He leads us with the confident stride of his long legs and lays the foundation for our harmonies with his soulful squeezebox. He is both considerate and curious. He listens to the voices around him and, with such care and inclusiveness, nudges his brother and sister singers toward a better pitch or toward the right rhythm. He is also a very captivating dancer! He is so humble and I'm really happy we get to bring this new attention upon him. Haha. Much love, shilpa

 Sea Monkey is incredibly talented and artful!  He moves his body all over the place in exquisite fluid motion.

You have to see him dance during our Stop Shopping song.   If he was black, I would insist that he join the Temptations because he's cool like that.

Ben is a silly ass mofo and I love cackling with him over absurd things.  I cannot see a party being boring with him there.

In all seriousness though, over the past few months, I've noted a seriousness about Ben, a sort of quiteness that I have never seen or just never noticed.
It becomes him.  He's quite the pirate, he'll always be that but now I see him really coming into his own as a man, an artist and a friend.   He is such an asset to the choir.  I can't say enough about Benjamin Cerf but I'll end with a fond I love you and I will say that I adore my Sea Monkey!

Sea Monkey's Caribbean Queen.

Let us not forget, Beneviolence (the "i" is silent), is also the bass of the month.  This feat of double acknowledgement is heretofore unprecedented in the long and storied history of the Stop Life After Shopping Gospel Choir. 

I have learned many things as a student at the feet of our dear leader. 

First of all, it's really just better to never wear t-shirts.  There are very few people who can make that look good. 

For seconds, pick a color and stick with it.  I have yet to fully grasp this concept, but I see it working each and every single day for Mr. Cerf, as he continues to look dashing in black and red. 

Thirdly, ATTACK the camera.  I'm sure that everyone in the choir has had that experience of seeing a bad photo of themselves, only to spot Benjamin, looking ever the dapper dandy, nearby in that same photo.  Not one person, save MiSun, has proven capable of looking as good as consistently in the photograpy world.  

And lastly, one must not need KNOW how to dance if one is versed in FAKING a proper dance.

Go forth and conquer, my good man!
G

Some say he was born of a shining egg like the one pictured above; some say he lays them. Some are intrigued by his mysterious winks, wit, and nimble fingers upon the concertina and bass when he plays them.

Beneath that 'stachioed face and voice of thunder is a man who's full of wonder.

For me is a mixing of honor and felight, share the space with such generous character as Benjamin Cerf is. Always fun to be around, I celebrate you my friend. Bravo!

There are some mythological creatures that are of the Red and Black variety, and Ben can definitely take on a devilish expression and beguile us all.  But Ben is much much more than his magical mustachio!  He guides us all with both his gentle wisdom and his incisive wit.  He leads us with the confident stride of his long legs and lays the foundation for our harmonies with his soulful squeezebox.  He is both considerate and curious.  He listens to the voices around him and, with such care and inclusiveness, nudges his brother and sister singers toward a better pitch or toward the right rhythm. He is also a very captivating dancer!  He is so humble and I'm really happy we get to bring this new attention upon him.  Haha.  Much love, shilpa

 Few people know this, but I once was the Staten Island Ninja to Ben Cerf’s Manhattan Pirate.  His very convincible pirate was actually the good guy, which wasn’t much of stretch for him.  Ben is a good guy.  How good?  When the Rev and I traveled to Jackson, Mississippi, to say good-bye to our dear friend, Derrick, Ben Cerf brilliantly edited performance videos of Derrick and the choir, burned a DVD, and packed it in my bag.  I can still see Derrick and his mom in that hospital room smiling and laughing while they watched this gift.  That’s how big Ben’s heart is.  Singer of the Month?  At the Donau Festival a few years ago, Ben was the sole bass.  He was our anchor in a performance that stands out in my mind as one of our finest.  My pirate hat is off to you, Ben.  Congratulations!

 

Some clamor over those in the choir with the obvious, easy good looks, but there are those of us who are connoisseurs of the dark deceptive classic beauty like Brother Ben Cerf. Brother Ben is always eager to get his vocal part right and keep the bass section fired up. Sectionals at Ben’s place are a productive party. “More beer! More crumb cake!” He is gifted musically as he strolls various venues singing and playing his squeeze box. I have delighted in seeing his work on stage at the Living Theatre as well. When traveling with Ben he is the Daddy Goose keeping his eye out for the weaker goslings. He’ll help old Mother Goose out with her bags or up long stair climbs for which I am ever grateful. He is a fearless activist and an all around great actor in all the projects of the Church of Life After shopping. Brother, I am glad to know ye.

Love Mother Benn

  
He is delightful and delighted.

He has the wildest twinkle in his eye and more playful than a cat with a ball of string
and yet grounded and honest and more dependable  than anything.
He will wow you with his musicality and deep rock voice
and speak to you in French, German or another language of your choice.
He loves revelry with community and brings joy to friends
Where there is trouble, he will do what he can to make amends.
Where there is spirit and joie de vivre, there is Benjamin!
Where there is funky soul, there is Benjamin!
Where there is red and black, there is Benjamin!
Where there is rousing mischief and happy revolution, there is Benjamin!
Where there is love, there is Benjamin!

love
Monica

 Congrats Ben! I'll drink a Merlot in your honor.

Eric J.