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HERE & THERE - PART I
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It's another big week for cabaret! This weekend the PROVINCETOWN CABARET FEST takes place, Friday through Sunday; the BISTRO AWARDS GALA takes place tomorrow night, and several CABARET BENEFIT event are taking place (NYC, S.F. & N.C). We're happy to report that Joni Rapp will be covering the Provincetown events on our behalf - we look forward to her writeup early next week.
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There has finally been some closure on the report we had last week about Ryan J. Ritzel, son of former MAC Board of Director's President Ricky Ritzel, who went missing while swimming in Hawaii on Tuesday, April 6th. Ryan's body was recovered yesterday about 100 yards downstream from where Ryan was last seen swimming. There has been an outpouring of condolence messages on the internet for Ricky and family on this tragedy, which of course we join. Here is a link to the story in yesterday's STAR BULLETIN - the local newspaper in Ryan's home town: http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/90580474.html
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We're still tingling with excitement from the sold-out CALLING ALL ANGELS benefit of last week Saturday afternoon at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN. We don't have a tally on the total funds raised on behalf of Gregory Kennell, but preliminary reports suggest that over $5000 was raised. The show was fantastic - everyone taking part had a connection to Mr. Kennell, who is a former member of the MAC Board of Directors, and over the years designed fliers, advertisements and logos (including the logo for CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE) for performers, organizations and clubs. A video was also shown delivering a personal message from Gregory. Congratulations to everyone who took part in the event, with a special acknowledgement to the LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER which donated the room free of charge! And hats off to musical director Tracy Stark who filled in at the last minute when the original musical director has to drop out.
For those who could not attend and would like to make a donation to help, please make checks payable to Geri Malino mailed them directly to Geri Malino at 54 West 16th Street, Ste. 16C, New York, NY 10011.
100% of the proceeds are going to provide extra care and therapy to Greg, and ongoing therapeutic process necessary to help hom regain motor skills and return to a normal life after almost two months in a coma at St. Vincent's Hospital as a result of demyelinating encephalitis and related consequences. Miraculously, Greg has recently regained the ability to communicate with limited speech. However, he remains paralyzed and confined to St. Elizabeth Ann's Health Care & Rehabilitation Facility on Staten Island where he receives minimal rehabilitation therapy.
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