SAD NEWS - EARL WENTZ - 1938-2009

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SAD NEWS - EARL WENTZ - 1938-2009
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Earl Wentz, 71, of New York City and Charlotte passed away at his home in Charlotte on Sunday, November 15th, following an extended illness. He is survived by his partner of 27 years, William B. Watkins of New York. Born March 22, 1938, composer, performer, arranger, and teacher Earl Wentz began his career at the age of 12, playing the piano at Charlotte's Amity Presbyterian Church. He became that church's first organist at the age of 15. Since 1993, Earl Wentz had been the organist and choirmaster at John Street Methodist Church in New York, the oldest Methodist congregation in America.

In New York, Wentz created the American Composer Series, an ongoing performance series in the cabaret format, paying tribute to the greatest composers of popular American music on the American scene, particularly those composers associated with Tin Pan Alley and the American Songbook. From 2000 to 2009, the series presented 15 original musical revues, many returning for multiple performances over several seasons (see http://www.americomps.com/ ).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the "Amity Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund", 2831 N. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, NC, 28205, or to the "The John Street Church Pipe Organ Restoration Fund". Checks should be made to "John Street Church", 44 John Street, New York, NY 10038. On the memo line "Organ Restoration Fund" or "In honor of Earl Wentz".

For a full obituary, and many more details on this incredibly talented and loving man, see http://www.earlwentz.com/

MARK JANAS' SALON RETURNS - NEW LOCATION

Note from Mark Janas:

I'm happy to announce that Salon will return on Sunday, November 29 (the Sunday at the end of Thanksgiving weekend) at Etcetera Etcetera, 352 West 44th Street (near the corner of 9th Ave. on the South side of the street) 7PM - 10:30PM.  Doors open at 6:15 with sign up beginning at 6:30.

The venue is upstairs in the Restaurant and is lovely. It has a grand piano, lights, a sound system and someone to run them, and has a wonderful Italian menu at reasonable prices.  A $10 cash cover will be be collected by an "Etceterette" at the door, and there will be a $10 minimum on food or drink.  The prices here are more reasonable, so I'm guessing that even with the cover, most of you will be spending the same or less than you did at the Algonquin.

The theme for the evening is "WE GATHER TOGETHER."  Here's a chance to sing of things you are thankful for, and to celebrate the spirit of the Salon, or indeed, any gathering of kindred spirits.  I know I have certainly missed our seeing each other, as so many of you have expressed over the past weeks. As always, the theme only a suggestion, and you may perform anything you would like.

Our wonderful co-hosts for the evening will be the ever-entertaining Jim Brochu and Steve Schalchlin, creators of the hit Off-Broadway musicals "The Last Session" and "The Big Voice: God or Merman."  Jim is in town performing his award-winning original one-man show, Zero Hour, about Zero Mostel, which opens this Sunday, Nov. 22nd, at The Theatre at St. Clements on West 46th St. at 7 PM.  Steve is returning to us after a wild success with his choral/orchestral work "New World Waking" which had it's World Premier at Davies Symphony Hall with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus featuring Jennifer Holliday as soloist.

Peter Napolitano will be sending a reminder and more information next week. Please mark Nov. 29th on your calendars and join us for what promises to be a very exciting new beginning.

FLA: JIM VAN SLYKE BRINGS THE SEDAKA SHOW TO NAPLES, FLA

Jim Van Slyke and his acclaimed "The Sedaka Show" will be at the GULF SHORE PLAYHOUSE at THE NORRIS CENTER (755 8th Avenue South, Naples FL - 239-213-3049) on Wednesday & Thursday, November 18th & 19th at 8:00 pm. Directed and conceived by Tony nominated Singer/Actor Brian Lane Green, Jim lends his beautiful voice and charm to the intimate melodies of Neil Sedaka. With music arrangements by Award winning Music Director Tim Di Pasqua This tour de force trio have created a magnificent evening of Neil Sedaka favorites, lost gems and a few surprises. Call for cover/minimum information.

FOR MORE CABARET NEWS SEE CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE

BABY JANE DEXTER'S NEW SHOW OPENS TONIGHT AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM

Baby Jane Dexter brings her eagerly awaited new show, "All About Love" to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - ) for 11 performances, opening on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:30 pm. Additional shows are on Fridays & Saturdays through December 19th, also at 7:30 pm. Tackling the quixotic aspects of love, from woulda, coulda, shoulda and a few mountains in between, Baby Jane Dexter's brand new show dives full force into that which is real - and that which is fantasy. She leaves no stone unturned as she delves into matters of the heart. In doing so, she will sing from the catalogues of a potpourri of great songwriters including, Duke Ellington, Carole King, Stephen Sondheim, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. She is accompanied by her longtime arranger/musical director Ross Patterson. Elissa Patterson serves as consultant/director. There is a $25 cover plus a 2-drink minimum.

FOR MORE CABARET NEWS GO TO CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE

NEW COVER/MINIMUM POLICY AT FEINSTEIN'S NYC

FEINSTEIN'S has announced a new price structure. All headliner shows for the spring season will have a select amount of seats - based on availability - with a $40 cover charge and no food/beverage minimum. In addition, for the first three months of the season, all 10:30 pm late shows will have $40 cover charge. Tony and Emmy Award winner Tyne Daly will return to the club to open the official season from January 19th to 30th with her new show "The Second Time Around." Following the triumphant run last year of her show "Broadway By Request," Tony Award winner Betty Buckley will return to the club with a new program of Broadway songs she's always wanted to sing from February 2nd to 27th. She will be joined by longtime Music Director Kenny Werner and John McDaniel will serve as Music Consultant. Acclaimed singer Marilyn Maye will make her Feinstein's debut with a new show created exclusively for the club from March 2nd to 13th.

JOHN TREACY EGAN & GRETCHEN REINHAGEN ADDED TO CD SHOW

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JOHN TREACY EGAN & GRETCHEN REINHAGEN ADDED TO CD SHOW
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Top three winners of our BEST CD OF 2009 contest will be announced at our 2nd Annual CDs FOR THE HOLIDAYS PARTY on Monday, November 30th at 7:00 pm at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788). The show will be MCd by Jim Speake. Musical director is Tracy Stark. Performers announced to date are:

CYNTHIA CRANE* - JOSHUA WARR - BOOTH DANIELS - KATHLEEN FRANCE - SUE MATSUKI - EDD CLARK - SHIRLEY RITENAUR* - DENISE WHITTIER - GREG PURNHAGEN* - GRACE COSGROVE* - JOHN TREACY EGAN* - GRETCHEN REINHAGEN - and more added soon. (* have CDs entered)

(As with all live entertainment events, performers are subject to change without notice.)

Tickets for the AWARDS PRESENTATION & CDs FOR THE HOLIDAYS show cost $10 for 2009-2010 members, $5 for CABARET FOR SENIORS members and $15 for non-members. Tickets MUST be purchased online, in advance via the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website. NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN BY THE VENUE. Limited to 70 seats - no reservations takend after November 27th.

To order tickets go to http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/thankyou1tkt2.shtml

17 cabaret CDs have been entered in our annual 2009 CD OF THE YEAR contest. You can see all the CDs entered on the website at http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/CDContest2009.shtml

Three CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members are serving as judges this year: A performer (Sue Matsuki), a Cabaret Maven (Joe Regan, Jr.) and a reviewer (John Hoglund). CDs will be judged for 3 main qualities, with weighted points awarded in each area: VOCALS/INSTRUMENTALS, PRODUCTION/TECHNICAL QUALITY and PACKAGING/PRESENTATION.

The 2009 CDs FOR THE HOLIDAYS PARTY is sponsored in part by SCHUIL COFFEE - OUR SHOPPE and Jim Van Slyke