HOTLINE MEMBER CABARET EVENT TODAY AT 4:00 PM IN NYC: TRACY STARK & MARCUS SIMEONE - "ON SACRED GROUND: THE SONGS OF JANIS IAN"
Two of today's most honored and prolific performers, Tracy Stark & Marcus Simeone, present a first in cabaret: 'On Sacred Ground: The Songs of Janis Ian' at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) on Saturday, Noember 21st at 4:00 pm. Janis Ian learned the truth at seventeen. With influences from folk pioneers like Joan Baez, Odetta and a bevy of activists and artists, she began writing songs at a very young age. When she released "Society's Child" in 1967, she received hate mail and death threats in addition to a radio station (in Atlanta) being burned down due to the controversial nature of the song's lyrics about an interracial romance. Many stations refused to add the song to their play lists. The song won her the first of two Grammy awards. After two previous attempts, the song became a runaway hit when Leonard Bernstein featured it in a CBS television special. It was only the beginning. At 16, she met Bill Cosby while touring with a chaperone (due to her age.) The shy teen often slept with her head on the chaperone's lap. Mr. Cosby petitioned television stations not to allow her on the air due to her bad influence as a result of her "lesbianism." A few years later, she would be the very very first musical artist to appear on the debut of Saturday Night Live. Hers has been a remarkable, outspoken, non-stop career that remains active to this day. Revered artists like Barbara Cook, Dame Shirley Bassey, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, Nina Simone • and Cher - have all recorded Janis Ian's songs to great acclaim. She remains one of today's most respected female songwriters in a crowded field. For the first time in cabaret, On Sacred Ground - starring Marcus Simeone and Tracy Stark, pays overdue tribute to the lady who broke glass ceilings and made a lasting impact on generations. Her best selling autobiography (At Seventeen) won a Grammy (Best Spoken Word.) This homage to Janis Ian will feature familiar and rarely heard songs, including "Between The Lines," "Matthew," "Getting Over You," "This Train Still Runs," "Silly Habits," "When Angels Cry," "Jesse," "She Must Be Beautiful," "At Seventeen," "Stars" - and "Society's Child." Marcus Simeone is one of today's brightest lights in cabaret. Renowned for his multi-octave, expressive tenor and his unique ability to sing in many genres, he has received countless accolades. He recently made his Carnegie Recital Hall debut. Also a respected songwriter and recording artist, he will soon be releasing his sixth album on Miranda Music. Tracy Stark has won numerous awards for her distinguished work as a pianist, arranger and songwriter. She has accompanied a plethora of artists, including Lesley Gore, Phoebe Snow, Karen Black, Tovah Feldshuh and Barb Jungr. Her upcoming CD, on Miranda Music, is a collection of original songs titled "Shades of Beautiful." Lennie Watts directs, with Peter Calo on Guitar, Skip Ward on Bass and Mark Leitz on Percussion. There is a $22.50 cover plus a 2-drink minimum.
TRACY STARK & MARCUS SIMEONE ARE EACH MEMBERS OF CABARET HOTLINE ONLINEcopyright 2015 - See cabaret listings from all over the world at CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE
