DESPERATELY SEEKING SPONSORS

I want to print out the post cards for the MARCH IS CABARET MONTH promotion but funds are extremely short right now. I was hoping to place the order over the weekend - the artwork is already complete. If you would like to be an early sponsor of the promotion, please let me know or use this link:

http://www.svhamstra.com/thankyou1sponsor.shtml

Sponsors receive a free ticket to our MARCH IS CABARET MONTH GALA at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER on Tuesday, March 10th for each sponsorship unit ($100) they donate, and their name and website (if requested) will be included on all promotional material (except the post card). In addition, sponsors will receive a free 1/4 page ad in the show Program Booklet for each unit.

If you can't afford to be a sponsor right now (or want to be a sponsor and also expand your free show booklet ad to a larger size) or won't be able to come to the show but want to support our promotion, use this link:

http://www.svhamstra.com/thankyou1prog.shtml

Thanks for your continued support of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE and MARCH IS CABARET MONTH

HUGS

STU

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INNOVATION - SORT OF

Project: send out membership cards by e-mail to all current members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE

Solution: Send out my normal FORM LETTER e-mail program and add a jpg of the card as an attachment

Discovery: The program - which I have been using for 3 years - doesn't permit attachments (never tried it before)

Problem: Members began sending complaints that their card wasn't enclosed

Solution? Research and a bit of luck. I had purchased a different FORM LETTER program about a year ago. I tried it once and found it too confusing. It only cost me $18 so I set it aside. So I found the program and began testing. It took me 17 tries to send out the letter plus attachment - all 17 to myself - until I got it right.

Meantime, I worked all day to update all the member names and website addresses on the website so I had an excuse to send another letter to the members to which I could attach the card.

Result: success!

My fingers are bleeding from all the typing. My eyes are burning because I was staring at the computer screen for about 8 hours. But the job is done!

And now for some TV - There's a MONK marathon today on cable.

SNOW FORECAST NYC REVISED

They've upped the ante - the new forecast this morning calls for 4 to 6 inches of snow in Manhattan - and one TV station, probably in the quest for ratings, is saying (hopefully) 8 inches of snow. In any case, there may actually be some show cancellations tonight after all. So check the message board on the website and this blog - and call the performance venue after 4:00 pm before heading to the cabaret.

By the way, snow is a major headache for traffic and mass transit is the way to go. The MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) has cancelled all track work for the weekend - all subways will be running on their norman routes according to their normal weekend schedules. Be safe - take the subway, take the bus and leave your valuable and dent-free car at home.

HUGS

STU

SNOW IN THE FORECAST FOR NYC AREA

With a light 1-2 inches of snow forecast for Saturday (1/10) here in NYC I don't expect any show cancellations - but when it comes to the weather, one never knows for sure.

If you have an event - or know of an event - that has cancelled for this weekend, please be sure to let me know so I can spread the word. You are invited to post your information as a comment to this posting, post in on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE message board on the website, or contact me by e-mail with the information so I can post it myself.

Once again

WISHING YOU A BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

HUGS

STU

CHASING THE BLUES AWAY - THE CABARET WAY

If you are like me, and getting sick and tired of all the bad news - wars, Ponzi schemes, deficits, bailouts, foreclosures, corruption, racism (even in Congress!), homelessness, famine, violence, and all the rest - let me pass along some advice: go to a cabaret show. The doors close, the lights dim, the performer steps into the spotlight and all the troubles of the world (and even your own personal troubles) are forgotten, even if for only 55 minutes or so. I always say, now more than ever, live entertainment needs your support. I can easily and truthfully add, now more than ever we need live entertainment!

ON RADIO: "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW": CD ROUNDUP PART II

On Sunday, January 11th, EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, on the Radio over WBAI 99.5 FM and on the Internet at http://www.2600.com/offthehook/hot2.ram, usually heard from 9:00 to 11:00 pm and hosted by David Kenney, will feature "A Round-Up Of 2008 CD Releases & Re-issues, Part 2". Some of the 2008 Releases & Re-issues that you will hear: Ask Me Again, Nancy LaMott; With A Song In My Heart, John Pizzarelli; Rainbow 'round My Shoulder, Barbara Cook; When The Wind Blows South, Philip Chaffin ; ...At Les Mouches, Patti Lupone; My Own Voice, Devin Richards; In The Heights, Original Broadway Cast; Wonder In The World, Kelli O'hara; Then and Now, Herbie Hancock; The Live Smoke Sessions, Lea De Laria; Family and Friends, Ray Brown, Jr.; Adding Machine, World Premiere Recording; Dreaming Of A Song, Klea Blackhurst  / Billy Stritch; Symphonica, Joe Lovano; A Kiss To Build A Dream On, Jessica Molaskey; Judy Takes Broadway!, Judy Garland; and more. Each week David presents the usual blend of big-band jazz, swing, standards, showtunes, contemporary cabaret and celebrity interviews plus MEGA-MEDLEY MADNESS. For more information contact: oldisnew@earthlink.net. You are also invited to e-mail your comments and suggestions for future shows. You can listen to past shows at any time by going to the WBAI Archives at http://www.archive.wbai.org/ . For more information, see http://www.oldisnew.org/ .

NYC: SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY FEATURES SUE MATSUKI

The New York Sheet Music Society meets the second Saturday afternoon of each month from October through June. The fourth meeting of the season will be on Saturday, January 10th at LOCAL 802 MUSICIANS' HALL (322 West 48th Street, NYC). There is a Flea Market starting at 12:30 pm (a great place to find music, tapes, CD's etc. at bargain prices} followed by a program from 1:45 to 3:30 pm. The meeting on January 10th will feature a Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald with MAC Award winning performer Sue Matsuki, accompanied by Tedd Firth. You can now register and join the NYSMS on line at http://www.NYSMS.org/ . Membership is $50, and includes free admission to all 9 programs (non-member fee is $10 per meeting) plus a monthly newsletter.

NYC: SETH'S CHATTERBOX: GUEST CHRISTOPHER SIEBER

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. The show for Thursday, January 8th will feature as guest Christopher Sieber, currently appearing in Shrek The Musical. 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/ .

SPECIAL TO MEMBERS OF CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE

Oft times plans go awry and our plan to send out the ballot to all members for our 2009 MEMBERS CHOICE PERFORMERS yesterday certainly went awry - urgent personal business kept me away from the computer most of the day - the ballots will go out instead later today. Sorry for any inconvenience. (I also accumulated 95 e-mails that need answering)

2009 NIGHTLIFE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

2009 NIGHTLIFE AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

MARILYN MAYE, CHRISTINE EBERSOLE & BILLY
STRITCH, FREDDIE COLE, HANK JONES,
MICHAEL BIRBIGLIA, BABY JANE DEXTER
AMONG BIG WINNERS IN WORLD’S ONLY
ALL-PERFORMANCE AWARD SHOW!

GUEST PERFORMERS/PRESENTERS ALSO TO INCLUDE
TOMMY TUNE, LARRY GATLIN, STEPHANIE J. BLOCK,
NOAH RACEY, EUAN MORTON, AND MORE!

Unique Awards Concert
Monday, January 26 at 7 PM at The Town Hall

This past year’s most outstanding performances in cabaret, comedy, and jazz have been chosen by more than two-dozen critics and experts who concluded their voting over the holidays (see below). The winners are, as always, a richly eclectic mix of exceptional talents from across the length and breadth of New York nightlife – all of them are in the process of being invited to Town Hall to perform (instead of making acceptance speeches)!  The winners include some stunning repeats from past years, such as Marilyn Maye, Hank Jones, Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch, Freddie Cole, John Mulaney, and Allan Harris. Among first time winners are comic sensation Mike Birbiglia, long-time cabaret star Baby Jane Dexter, and legendary cabaret comedienne Helen Baldassare, and the popular After Party open mike host Brandon Cutrell. Among the duo or group winners, there is the critically acclaimed cabaret concert version of the soundtrack album of Robert Altman’s Nashville, and two sets of ties provide a multitude of winners including the Hank Jones Quartet and the Steve Bernstein Millenial Territory, as well as Improvised Shakespeare and Kurt Braunhohler & Kristen Schall.

Many, if not most, of the winners will perform at Town Hall. They will be joined, as always, by a glittering array of celebrity performers and presenters, among them (so far) will be multiple Tony Award winner Tommy Tune, Broadway/Nightlife stars Stephanie J. Block and Euan Morton, country superstar Larry Gatlin, and many more, soon to be announced. The awards concert will be directed for the first time by Broadway singer/dancer/choreographer Noah Racey!

Scott Siegel, the creator/producer of The Nightlife Awards said, “Announcing these exceptional winners, just three weeks before the awards show, itself, makes me giddy with anticipation. I can’t wait for January 26th when anyone who buys our sponsored-supported, reasonably priced tickets will get to enjoy what has gained a reputation as one of the year’s most exciting, talent-packed concerts.”

Tickets are $25, $50 & $75 and they are available at The Town Hall Box Office at 123 West 43rd Street (noon to 6 PM except Sunday) or by calling TicketMaster at 212-307-4100 or going to TicketMaster.com.

The Nightlife Awards is sponsored, in part, by ASCAP, TheaterMania.com, The Edythe Kenner Foundation, Trattoria Dopo Teatro, Peter & Barbara Leavy, Jill & Irwin Cohen, Edith & Ervin Drake, Thoroughbred Records, Fred Landau, Stuart E. Bloom & Robert L. Aaron: Lightstyles, LLC, Steven T. Ernst, and Ghostlight Records.



2009 NIGHTLIFE AWARD WINNERS & FINALISTS:

OUTSTANDING CABARET VOCALIST IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: MARILYN MAYE
Finalists: Barb Jungr & Euan Morton

OUTSTANDING CABARET DUO OR GROUP IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: CHRISTINE EBERSOLE & BILLY STRITCH
Finalist: Bill Charlap & Sandi Stewart
              John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey

OUTSTANDING CABARET VOCALIST:
WINNER: BABY JANE DEXTER
Finalist: Barb Jungr, Julie Reyburn

OUTSTANDING CABARET COMEDY OR CHARACTERIZATION:
WINNER: HELEN BALDASSARE
Finalists: Sharon McNight, Christine Pedi

OUTSTANDING CABARET DUO OR GROUP:
WINNER: NASHVILLE: DARYL GLENN & JO LYNN BURKS
Finalists: Alison Fraser & Mary Testa
               Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano

OUTSTANDING PIANO BAR ENTERTAINER:
WINNER: BRANDON CUTRELL
Finalists: Ann Steele, Alysha Umphress

OUTSTANDING JAZZ VOCALIST IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: FREDDIE COLE
Finalists: Annie Ross, Marilyn Maye

OUTSTANDING JAZZ VOCALIST:
WINNER: ALLAN HARRIS
Finalists: Jay Clayton, Andy Bey

OUTSTANDING JAZZ SOLOIST:
WINNER: HANK JONES
Finalists: Bill Charlap, Harry Allen

OUTSTANDING JAZZ COMBO:
WINNER: TIE –
 HANK JONES QUARTET
 STEVE BERNSTEIN MILLENIAL TERRITORY ORCHESTRA
Finalists: Fred Hersch Trio, Lew Tabackin Quartet

OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN IN A MAJOR ENGAGEMENT:
WINNER: MIKE BIRBIGLIA
Finalists: Jim Gaffigan & Doug Stanhope

OUTSTANDING COMEDIAN:
WINNER: JOHN MULANEY
Finalists: Sean Patton, Julian McCullough

OUTSTANDING COMIC DUO OR GROUP:
WINNER: TIE --
IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE
KURT BRAUNOHLER & KRISTEN SCHALL
Finalist: 4-Track