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Melpo Mene @ Cake Shop, NYC - pics

photos by Chris La Putt

Melpo Mene

Melpomène (“to sing” or “the one that is melodious”), initially the Muse of Singing, she then became the Muse of Tragedy, for which she is best known now. Her name was derived from the Greek verb melpô or melpomai meaning “to celebrate with dance and song.” She is often represented with a tragic mask and wearing the cothurnus, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors. Often, she also holds a knife or club in one hand and the tragic mask in the other. On her head she is shown wearing a crown of cypress. Melpomene is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Her sisters include Calliope (muse of epic poetry), Clio (muse of history), Euterpe (muse of flute playing), Terpsichore (muse of dancing), Erato (muse of erotic poetry), Thalia (muse of comedy), Polyhymnia (muse of hymns), and Urania (muse of astronomy).

In Roman and Greek poetry, it was traditional[citation needed] to invoke the goddess Melpomene so that one might create beautiful lyrical phrases (see Horace’s Odes). [Wikipedia]

Sweden’s Melpo Mene performed four times in three days in NYC, all solo. His first was at Mercury Lounge (where he wore blue makeup). His third was upstairs at Cake Shop (where he wore red). Later that night (last night) (12/12) he played a show with Takka Takka and Loney Dear at The Bell House. More pictures from Cake Shop below…

Melpo Mene

Melpo Mene

Melpo Mene

Melpo Mene

Melpo Mene

Melpo Mene

Melpo Mene