DON'T TELL MAMA OPENS IN LAS VEGAS

DON'T TELL MAMA (517 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV - 702-207-0788) had their "soft opening" on Wednesday,February 18th, with the official opening set for Monday, March 9th. Some familiar faces from the original NYC Mama's will be on hand behind the bar and on the floor, including Minh Pham, who owns the joint, Colette Hawley, Jenifer Kruskamp and Phillip Officer - all fabulous talents and MAC Award winners. Happy hour is at 6:00 pm with the piano bar entertainment starting around 8:00 pm. More news as we get it.

400 REACHED - AND SURPASSED!

The addition of one new member - and the renewal of one 2007-2008 member, both within a few minutes of each other has allowed us to trumpet that we hit - and surpassed - our goal of 400 CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members for the 2008-2009 membership year, which ends on July 5th, 2009. We are still down about 20% from our record year of 2007-2008 but about 15% ahead of our previous 2nd place year - 2005-2006. Do we dare dream of 410 or even 425? Well, 17 CHARTER members (those who have been steadfast supporters since 2001 when we started our membership system (with 180 original members) still have time to rejoin - thats nearly 15 percent of last year's charter list, so we do have some hopes.

You can join right on this blog - just scroll down and look on the right column for a large PayPal logo with the words SILVER PAYPAL above it - the cost is just $20. Or you can go to the regular website (http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/ ) and click on the button at the top of every page marked JOIN HERE and see all the levels of membership and benefits.

NOW MORE THAN EVER CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS

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SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS
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NYC: TODD MURRAY AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $10 OFF THE COVER ***
Los Angeles area favorite Tod Murray returns the THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) following his highly praised debut at the club in 2008, on Friday, February 20th at 9:45 pm to celebrate the release of his new CD "Stardust & Swing." There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: "2009'S NEW FACES OF COMEDY!" AT MAMA'S
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
Ron Poole hosts the opening night of a new series "2009'S NEW FACES OF COMEDY!" at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) on Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 pm. Featured in this show are Tracey Allred, Jeffrey Johns, Suleman Khan, Sue Matsuki, Devin Sanchez and Niki Wenger with special guest star Sidney Myer, Award-Winning Musical Comedian. There is a $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE and anyone who can say "Sue Matsuki" 10 times really fast.
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NYC: HELENE FELDMAN IN CONSTANT CRAVING AT THE BEECHMAN
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $6 OFF THE COVER ***
Helene Feldman returns to the cabaret stage and THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909) with her acclaimed 2008 show "Constant Craving" on Sunday, February 22nd at 6:00 pm. There is a $12 cover plus a $15 food/drink minimum. $6 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: JULIAN YEO & HIS RETRO-JAZZ BAND AT IRIDIUM
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $10 OFF THE COVER ***
SCOBAR ENTERTAINMENT presents Julian Yeo & his Retro-Jazz Band on Tuesday, February 24th with sets at 8:00 & 10:00 pm at IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB (1650 Broadway, NYC - 212-582-2121) as part of the Big Band Tuesdays at Iridium series. There is a $25 cover plus a $10 food/drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: KAREN OBERLIN & MILES PHILLIPS COMBINE PLEASURES
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
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Two of New York's favorite vocalists, Karen Oberlin and Miles Phillips, combine their gorgeous voices in a return with their acclaimed hit, THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 ) on Friday, February 28th at 9:45 pm. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.

PRINCETON STUDENTS RAISE FUNDS FOR KIDS WITH CABARET SHOW

The students of Princeton Day School in Princeton, NJ are launching a fund-raising event to save 100 children, in partnership with  Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontiers in French). For roughly $45, a child dying of mal-nourishment can be treated and saved through Doctors Without Borders Ready to Use Food (RUF) program. Since the program started in 2006, hundreds of thousands of children have been saved every single year. The students are holding a Cabaret of student performances and great food at PRINCETON DAY SCHOOL (650 Great Road, Princeton, NJ - 609-924-6700 ) on May 14, 2009 from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. Tickets for adults are $20, students under 18 are $10. You can find out more - and even make an online donation - at http://www.cabaretforlives.com/

IT'S SAFE TO COME BACK TO THE MESSAGE BOARD

We're trying to revitalize our CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE Message Board. After a massive spam attack that "broke" the board three times last year, we closed the board for a period of 3 or 4 weeks. And a lot of folks never bothered to come back to post their news, views and cabaret ideas. Its FREE, anyone can post a message - with a few important rules: it must be cabaret related, it must be in good taste, and you must use your real name in your posting. Of course I reserve the right to reject any post that I feel is not in the spirit of cabaret. To keep spammers at bay, all postings are moderated, which means your post may take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours to appear (I get away from the computer on occasion). Just click on the button marked MESSAGE BOARD at the top of every page on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website.

NYC: MAC NEW FACE SHOWCASE: THE DEBUTS, PART 1

*** CABARET ORGANIZATION EVENT ***
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To familiarize members on nominees for this year's MAC AWARDS voting, MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) presents the first set of Debut Nominees on the Preliminary Ballot on Saturday, February 28th at 3:30 pm at THE REPRISE ROOM AT DILLON'S (245 West 54th Street, NYC). Nominees appearing are Kim Smith, Nicole Kafka, Edd Clark, Shannon Brown, Stearns Matthews and Cait Doyle. Reservations must be made through the MAC reservation number, 212-465-2662 ext. 1 or via e-mail at RSVP@MACNYC.com . There is no cover for MAC members ($10 for non-members). A second showcase of debut preliminary nominees will be held on Saturday, March 7th.

NYC: SETH'S CHATTERBOX: GUEST RICHARD SEFF

2007 MAC BOD AWARD WINNER Seth Rudetsky's BROADWAY CHATTERBOX at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 ) is usually presented on Thursdays at 6:00 pm. This week Thursday, February 19th, Seth's guest is Richard Seff, author of Supporting Player: My Life Upon the Wicked Stage celebrating his lifetime on stage and behind the scenes. Seth's weekly interview show always features stars, soon-to-be stars and folks behind the scenes of the musical theater stage - for just a $10 cover - 2-drink minimum. Best of all, all proceeds from the cover go to BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS! For details, see: http://www.sethsbroadwaychatterbox/ .

!A GREAT PLACE TO BE TONIGHT!

NYC: GRACE NOTES: A SINGERS' SOIREE: !LATIN NIGHT!
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GRACE NOTES - a Singers' Soiree, hosted by Bistro Award Winner Grace Cosgrove, is held monthly at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 ) with the next show, !LATIN NIGHT!, scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at 6:30 pm. The lineup of special guest performers for this show include Ruben Flores, Lucio Fernandez, Suzzanne Douglas, Hector Coris, Georga Osborne, Jana Martinez, Shaynee Rainbolt and Grace Cosgrove. Don Rebic is Musical Director, with Steve Laspina on Bass. Lennie Watts serves as Director. This is an on-going lab for top-notch singers - a place for great singers to perform, to try out new material, and to expand their audiences. Each show also introduces a newcomer. There is a $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.

ONLY ONE MEMBER MORE - ONLY ONE MEMBER MORE

Only 1 more new or renewing members and we will have 400 2008-2009 CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members! Just a reminder that all memberships are valid through July 5th each year. A SILVER membership is still just $20 - and non-members who purchase a $30 ticket to the MARCH IS CABARET MONTH GALA on March 10th at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN will receive a FREE 2008-2009 membership (good through July 5th, 2009). Members can purchase tickets for $20. It would be fantastic if we hit the 400 member mark by March 1st - less than 2 weeks away.

CABARET SERIES LOOKING FOR PERFORMERS

"Casual Cabaret" is a special series of cabaret events in St. Louis, MO (I had the thrill of being there on opening night last fall). The sponsors are auditioning singers for the coming season at Kranzberg Arts Center on Wednesday March 4th and Thursday March 5th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at THE CENTER OF CLAYTON (50 Gay Avenue, St. Louis, MO) and performers are invited to call for an appointment at 314-795-8778. You will be asked to bring two selections from the Great American Song Book (including a musical theatre or jazz standard) in your key. An accompanist will be provided - no transpositions please.

BOSTON AREA BACA/CCAE OPEN MIC EVENT FEBRUARY 20th

The next Boston Cabaret Open mic, sponsored by BACA (Boston Association of Cabaret Artists - http://www.bostoncabaret.com/ ) will be held on Friday, February 20th at 8:00 pm at THE BLACKSMITH HOUSE (56 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA - 617-547-6789 - Ext. 1 ). Host will be Will Mcmillan and accompanist will be Doug Hammer. Performers are welcome to come early and help set up - it's a great way to meet other music-lovers. Sign-up starts at 7:00 pm. $12 ($10 BACA members).

NYC: ANY WEDNESDAY FEATURES KEVIN DOZIER

ANY WEDNESDAY, the free in-store concert series that features the best in cabaret, jazz and theater music takes at THE BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSTORE (66th Street and Broadway, NYC). Performances are at 6:00 pm. On Wednesday, February 18th at 6:00 pm, featured performers is Kevin Dozier. Kevin returned to the New York cabaret scene last year and was welcomed back with great enthusiasm. Discover why as he offers highlights from his new album, Love-Wise. No cover.

ONLY 3 MEMBERS MORE TO MAKE 400

Only three more members and we will have 400 2008-2009 CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members! Just a reminder that all memberships are valid through July 5th each year. A SILVER membership is still just $20 - and non-members who purchase a $30 ticket to the MARCH IS CABARET MONTH GALA on March 10th at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN will receive a FREE 2008-2009 membership (good through July 5th, 2009). Members can purchase tickets for $20. It would be fantastic if we hit the 400 member mark by March 1st - less than 2 weeks away.