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Cabaret Hotline Online is an independent website with more than 7,400 pages of news, information and stories on cabaret, owned and maintained by Stu Hamstra. CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE is not affiliated with any club or organization. It is totally supported through advertising and membership donations. This blog is an extension of the website and newsletter.

NOW IN OUR 26th YEAR OF PROMOTING THE ART & ARTISTS OF CABARET!

"His eye is on the sparrow...."

Thursday, January 27, 2011

"HERE & THERE" - THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, OBSERVATIONS FROM CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE


"HERE & THERE" - THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, OBSERVATIONS

Overnight about a foot & a half of snow fell here in NYC and this morning everyone seems to be in a tizzy. I am told (I haven't been out yet) that the city is doing a pretty good job of cleaning things up, helped a bit by the fact that the bus lines all quit running around 11 pm last night and already at noon yesterday the mayor was urging people to get their cars parked and off the roads - they even allowed folks to park at meters free. This meant fewer cars blocking intersections and roadways.

And, for just the 7th time since 1978, schools we closed today (it wasn't decided until 5:00 am, so a lot of folks awoke this morning to the news (good or bad news, depending on your perspective).

Staying with my friend Daniel as I search for housing (and try to accumulate funds for deposit & security for same) has one huge advantage: when he got back to the apartment at 11:00 pm last night, he was able to go down the block to the 24-hour supermarket and get some much needed groceries. And thank you SUPERMARKET for allowing Daniel to take advantage of the Wednesday 10% Senior Discount on my behalf (the clerks there have seen the two of us shopping together on Wednesdays in the past).

Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway) I stayed indoors yesterday and will likely do so today and tonight.

While it appears that, since the snow stopped falling here in NYC around 2:00 am, things will be back to normal by evening and there will be very little in the way of cabaret show cancellations here, but the storm hit the East Coast from Washington DC all the way to Boston and north, so be sure to phone ahead to make sure any cabaret event you planned on attending tonight is a go.

As a free service to all our cabaret loving friends, you can get news of cabaret event snow-related cancellations at http://cabarethotlineonline.blogspot.com/ or follow me on TWITTER at http://twitter.com/cabarethotline
Please report cancellations to me at stuhamstra@svhamstra.com so I can pass the word along. As of 11:00 am, no cancellation notices have been received.

I hope you'll join me (if you're in the area) on Saturday night, January 29th, at 8:30 pm at DON'T TELL MAMA for a brand new venture, "PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW", conceived by Sue Matsuki and produced by CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE and SUE MATSUKI PRODUCTIONS. Details are below. This is not a fund raiser for CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - in fact, unlike a benefit, the performers are being paid for their appearance. All three are comparative unknowns on the NYC cabaret scene, and caught Sue's eye as she was reviewing shows for the website. I will be there and I hope you can make it too - there aren't too many seats left, so try to make your reservation today. You can event do it on line using the DON'T TELL MAMA website athttp://www.donttellmamanyc.com/

And I hope you'll join me on Monday night, January 31st, at 7:00 pm (note the time) at THE TOWN HALL for the 9th Annual NEW YORK NIGHTLIFE AWARDS show - were the brightest and the best of NYC cabaret, jazz and comedy talent are awarded for their achievements in their various fields. This is the premier nightlife award event in NYC since the awardees are chosen by over two-dozen critics, reviewers and experts - not by popular vote or by just 3 or 4 folks. I was one of the judges again this year in the cabaret section. Tickets are available. Did I mention? No acceptance speeches! The winners perform instead! It's always and exciting show - don't miss it.

A new "Sue's Views, Reviews & News" column from Sue Matsuki was posted on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE WEBSITE on Monday, January 24th. In the column Sue presents part 1 of a 2-part series about producing your CD, from inception to sale. She also reviews Christine Lavin's recent show at BIRDLAND. Watch for Sue's column every Monday on the website.

Be sure to check out our MARCH IS CABARET MONTH website - including regularly updated news of our Annual CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE MARCH IS CABARET MONTH GALA, to be held at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN on Friday, March 4th at 7:00 pm. As releases come in for March shows and events, they will be added to the appropriate geographical pages on the special website. If you are planning a special MARCH IS CABARET MONTH show or event, please send a press release as soon as possible. Releases should be sent tostuhamstra@svhamstra.com (a flier or a website link is not considered to be a release).

YOU CAN HELP SPONSOR THIS EVENT
Just CLICK here!

The full $100 sponsorship includes a free ticket to our GALA on March 4th at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN (worth $25) and a 1/4 page ad in the program booklet (also worth $25). But any donation amount would truly help. Here's a quick link to send a donation for MARCH IS CABARET MONTH:

FINAL NOTICE FROM MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) 2011 MAC AWARDS APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SATURDAY, JANUARY 29th! No Extensions! Applications are now being accepted for the 2011 MAC Awards, which will be held at BB KING'S BLUES CLUB (237 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-997-4144 - ) on Tuesday, May 10th. The rules for the Awards are posted on the MAC website. Several categories have changed since last year, as has the submission process for songs and special musical material, so please read the 2011 rules carefully. The application forms have also been posted on the website. To apply, download the appropriate forms, complete them, and mail them to the address indicated on the forms along with the required documentation. As stated on the forms, completed applications must be received by January 29, 2011. If you wish to enter the Awards competition, don't wait until the last minute, because this deadline will not be extended. If you have any questions, feel free to contact info@macnyc.com.