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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...."

Saturday, January 31, 2009

A REVERSE COVER CHARGE?

The Scene: The Large Cabaret Room at DON'T TELL MAMA
The Date: Friday, January 30, 2009
The Time: 9:30 pm (show was scheduled to start at 9:15 pm
The Event: The Cocktail Show with Danny Leary & Becky Donahue

The room was filled to capacity - not one empty seat. People were lined up outside the room, still hoping to get in somehow. A young man was in the doorway - I was seated next to the doorway. He and 3 friends had travelled from NJ to see a comic friend who was in the show. Mr. Leary told him repeatedly that there were no empty seats -certainly not four empty seats.

The young man pulls out a wad of bills and offers me and the other three audience members around me $20 each if we would give up our seats. Very tempting. But he had no takers.

The only other time I ever saw something like this was many years ago at EIGHTY EIGHT'S - Baby Jane Dexter had a sold out house and a gentleman on the stairway asked the folks in the line who were waiting to be seated if they out accept $100 to allow him to take their spot in line.

What would you have done?

FINAL REMINDER TO ALL CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE MEMBERS

If you haven't sent in your ballot yet for the MEMBERS' CHOICE FAVORITE PERFORMERS OF 2008, the "polls close" at midnight tonight, Saturday, January 31st. There are still nearly 100 members who haven't voted, and tallies are close in nearly every category - in one category we have 4 nominees just one vote apart. If you have not sent in your ballot yet, your vote just might tip the balance towards your favorite performers. Both winners in the Debut category will be invited to perform at our MARCH IS CABARET MONTH GALA on March 10th.

Friday, January 30, 2009

SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS

The following shows are offering discounts to members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE in the next 10 days:

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NYC: LAURIE KRAUZ' TAPESTRY REWOVEN MONTHLY AT THE IRIDIUM
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $10 OFF THE COVER ***
February 3rd at 8:00 & 10:00: ScoBar Entertainment presents Laurie Krauz & The Daryl Kojak Octet and their show "Tapestry Rewoven," a jazz re-imagining of the Carole King classic, to the IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB (1650 Broadway, NYC - 212-582-2121 )
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NYC: MAUREEN TAYLOR AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
Maureen Taylor brings back her acclaimed show of 2008, "Taylor Made" to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) for one performance only on Saturday, January 31st at 5:00 pm.
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NYC: JACKIE DRAPER: BETWEEN YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $3 OFF THE COVER ***
Vocalist Jackie Draper returns with a reprise of her ninth solo show, once again with Music Director Gregory Toroian (at the piano) and Ritt Henn on bass on Sunday, February 8th at 5:00 pm at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909).
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NYC: JOAN JAFFE SINGS FUNNY AT MAMA'S
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
Singer/actor/comic Joan Jaffe brings her show JOAN JAFFE SINGS FUNNY.... to DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) for 1 more performance - Monday, February 2nd at 7:00 pm.
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AUS: SANDI McMENAMIN IN CABARET IN ADELAIDE
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
Australian singer, pianist, and songwriter Sandi McMenamin will be presenting a brand new show "Sandi McMenamin In Cabaret" on Saturday, February 7th at 7.30 pm at the LATVIAN HALL (4 Clark Street, Wayville, Adelaide, AUS - TKTS: 8598 3118).
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NYC: MICAELA LEON PRESENTS SONGS OF WEIMAR BERLIN
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
Micaela Leon returns to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) on Saturday, January 31st at 9:45 pm with her new show "METROPOLIS: Songs of Weimar Berlin".

That's a total of $33 in 10 days - a SILVER MEMBERSHIP costs just $20!

For membership information, CLICK HERE

SHADOW YES? SHADOW NO?

CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE member Peter Haas took issue with something I wrote in Thursday's newsletter. He reminded me that the when groundhog sees his shadow it means 6 more weeks of winter, not the other way around. Makes more sense the way I wrote it, but that's the wrong legend. By the way, the groundhog has only been right in his prediction about 35% of the time, so maybe my statement was correct after all!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

THOSE INDEFATIGABLE SIEGLES

When it comes to Scott & Barbara Siegel, their energy and enthusiasm for live entertainment seems to have no bounds (when do these folks sleep?). New on the agenda will be "Scott Siegel Presents: BROADWAY JUKEBOX" at BIRDLAND (315 West 44th Street, NYC - 212-581-3080 ) on Sunday nights at 6:30 pm. Set to kick off on February 8th, with additional shows scheduled for the 15th and then March 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd, the series will showcase talented performers from the worlds of jazz, cabaret, comedy and Broadway. Stay tuned for details.

Oh, yes, did we mention the BROADWAY BY THE YEAR series, presented by THE TOWN HALL and produced, written and hosted by Scott Siegel? That series kicks off on Monday, February 23rd at 8:00 pm with "Broadway Musicals of 1924" - songs from The Student Prince, Lady, Be Good!, Rose-Marie, Charlot's Revue, The Music Box Revue of 1924 and more. Monday, March 30th its Broadway Musicals of 1931 - songs from The New Yorkers, The Gang's All Here, The Band Wagon, The Cat and the Fiddle, Of Thee I Sing and more. Monday, May 11th: Broadway Musicals of 1944; Monday, June 15th: Broadway Musicals of 1970. Subscriptions for all performances are on sale now (as well as single tickets) website and at the box office at THE TOWN HALL (123 West 43rd Street, NYC - 212-997-1929).

IMPORTANT ITEMS FROM TODAY'S NEWSLETTER

Monday, February 2nd is GROUNDHOG DAY (at least here in the USA) and I have my fingers crossed that the little critter will emerge from his den in bright sunlight and thus signal an end to this horrible winter (Al Gore, why did you make us believe there was such a thing as "Global Warming"? - I gave my down jacket to the Salvation Army!).

To celebrate Groundhog Day, the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE issue on Monday will try to include a roundup all the show news for Valentine's Day (I haven't figured out exactly what the connection is). So if you have a cabaret event for Saturday, February 14th, and haven't sent me a press release yet, please send it in before Saturday night. And, please, please don't send, instead of a press release, one of those e-mails with all those annoying html links (with multi-columns, embedded photos, distracting backgrounds, etc.) Do not send simply a .jpg of your post card. Do not send me one of those "e-vite" things that require us to "click to open" and lead to a web page somewhere. I never open them! REMEMBER: A FLIER IS NOT A PRESS RELEASE!

And while we're on the subject of press releases, starting on Monday I will also be adding cabaret news items for events occurring in March to the MARCH IS CABARET MONTH website . I will include items on that website even before they appear on our own CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website.

Please do your part for our MARCH IS CABARET MONTH promotion by simply adding the "tag" MARCH IS CABARET MONTH to any press releases and/or invitations you send out for shows in March and include the http://www.MarchIsCabaretMonth.com/ link if possible. And if you have a website, there are logos you can download and add with this link to your website - it would really be appreciated.

REVUE IS WHAT THEY DO - REVIEW IS WHAT I DO

The title of this item is one I say over and over again to myself when editing news items sent in for the newsletter and the website. You would be amazed how often I have had to correct articles - headlines, even - about "revues". So imagine my horror on reading over todays newsletter and discovering that I made the same error myself! And I can't even blame it on my spell checker.

I always find typos, missing words and other stuff (I put DC Anderson in NYC in today's issue, even though I know that THE GARDENIA is not in NYC) after I send out the e-mail, and by the time it gets all coded to be added to the website I catch most of them.

I made another goof - I forgot to add the ''SUPER PICK" tagline to several items. I fixed that, too.

So a corrected (95% anyway) version is now posted on the website - links are on the home page.

STU

DO YOUR PART TO PROMOTE CABARET

Starting on Monday, February 2nd, I will be adding cabaret news items for events occurring in March to the MARCH IS CABARET MONTH website. I will include items on that website even before they appear on our own CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website. Please do your part for our MARCH IS CABARET MONTH promotion by simply adding the "tag" MARCH IS CABARET MONTH to any press releases and/or invitations you send out for shows in March and include the http://www.MarchIsCabaretMonth.com/ link if possible. And if you have a website, there are logos you can download at the MICM website and add with this link to your website - it would really be appreciated.

Remember, this effort is not a local NYC thing - and it isn't even a CABARET HOTLINE thing. It is an worldwide promotion to get folks thinking and talking about the art of cabaret. When they see the slogan their curiosity will be aroused and those search engines will get spinning! ALL of cabaret will benefit.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG AND BE NOTIFIED OF ANY NEW POSTINGS

It is so easy to subscribe - just scroll down this page and on the right side, near the bottom of all the items in the right column - just under the PayPal button, you will see a section titled (appropriately) SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG. Click on one of the buttons (if you have a GOOGLE or YAHOO account, a click on those choices will make subscribing very easy). Follow the instructions and that's it! From now on you will be notified whenever a new post or a comment about a post is added to the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE blog.

MEMBERS' CHOICE DEBUT VOTE STILL TOO CLOSE TO CALL

AS OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009

I just added in the latest ballots for the MEMBERS' CHOICE 2008 FAVORITE PERFORMER poll, and the results are pretty much the same as before - with the poll closing at midnight on Saturday, January 31 and still 100 or so more votes possible (if everyone takes part).

In the FEMALE DEBUT section, five nominees are within 3 votes of each other.

In the MALE DEBUTE section, a leader seems to be developing but still only 7 votes separate the top five.

And the DUO/GROUP vote actually is in a 3-way dead heat!

The MALE & FEMALE VOCALIST contests are nearly decided however, barring a last minute rush of votes. As I mentioned, Barbara Cook has been taken out of the list into a separate category since now her total is about 20 ahead of the second place FEMALE VOCALIST. There are three other strong candidates with one pulling ahead of the pack. In the MALE VOCALIST section a clear winner is emerging as well - but two others are still within striking distance.

So, if you have not sent in your ballot yet, you can make a real impact on the outcome in both categories. Voting ends March 31st - MEMBERS ONLY.

A STORMY DAY IN GOTHAM

As the saying goes, here in NYC, if you don't like the weather, just wait an hour. That can sum up our forecast for today!

Snow - changing to sleet & freezing rain - changing to all rain - temperatures climbing to near 40 degrees (f) and then tonight dropping to the high 20s turning everything into a frozen mess.

Biggest challenge? Crossing at the crosswalk, as giant slushy puddles form just where you want to cross the street. And an attempt to leap over these frozen moats could end in disaster if you don't land on a dry spot!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE APPROACHING THE 400 MEMBER MARK!

Just 16 more to go to make it to 400 CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members for 2008-2009. And here's a special way you can join for $10 instead of the usual $20 SILVER member cost. Every non-member who purchases a $30 ticket for the March 10th MARCH IS CABARET MONTH event will receive a FREE membership - good through July 5, 2009. You must purchase your tickets online - just click HERE.

And we just added a "new" benefit for members. In the past, any performer who offered a CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE discount would have their event included in the listings in every MIDWEEK (Thursday) issue of the newsletter. To further shorten the size of the issues, this privilege will now be for members only. Non-members will have their show listed in the newsletter just once and will continue to be listed on the website's DISCOUNTS page. Member discount shows will continue to be listed in every Thursday issue.

To find out all the benefits of membership just go to the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website and click on the button marked JOIN HERE at the top of every page.

NYC: TICKET SALES ARE BRISK FOR CABARET MONTH GALA

Tickets are now on sale online for the 2nd ANNUAL MARCH IS CABARET MONTH GALA on March 10th at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 ) and sales have reached the 25% mark on available seats.

The celebration is produced by Tom Stajmiger (who has a a lot of experience in producing events). 2009 Nightlife Award winner Brandon Cutrell will host the show, presenting a lineup from newcomers to multi-award winners. In addition to the two "debut" winners of our MEMBERS' CHOICE poll, newcomer Antonio Edwards will perform.

Other performers include Kristy Cates (Broadway's Elphaba and part of original WICKED cast), multi-award winner Natalie Douglas, Anne Steele (who won the Metropolitan Room's Metrostar Contest), Joan Curto (from Chicago), Anna Bergman, Sally Mayes and Jack Donahue. Of course, as with all live entertainment events, performers are subject to change.

You can purchase your tickets at BY CLICKING HERE. Seating is limited to 80. Tickets are $30 - $20 for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE. This does not include the $15 food/drink minimum set by the venue. All tickets must be ordered online - the LAURIE BEECHMAN is not accepting reservations for this show and no tickets will be sold at the door on the night of the event.

The MARCH IS CABARET MONTH event is sponsored in part by
Les Michaels' LIFE IS A CABARET Newsletter
Ron Squeri
Kitty Skrobela of MIRANDA MUSIC
Jim Van Slyke
Marty Geiger
Geri Malino
Raissa Katona Bennett
Colette Black at THE REPRISE ROOM AT DILLON'S

NYC: SETH'S CHATTERBOX: NO SHOW THURSDAY, JANUARY 29th

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. There is no show scheduled for Thursday, January 29th. 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!

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'!

At the NY NIGHTLIFE AWARDS last night at THE TOWN HALL (more on this in a later post) one amazing thing stood out - there was not a single mention of former President Bush by any of the comics, performers, presenters and even - yes I swear - by MC for the night Judy Gold!

Monday, January 26, 2009

ALONE IN YOUR ROOM? COME TO THE CABARET!

Another great week for cabaret starts today - In addition to the fabulous NY Nightlife Awards at THE TOWN HALL tonight, Eric Michael Gillett is at the METROPOLITAN ROOM with the final performance of his fantastic "Best of My Love" show at 7:00 pm. Another great show at METROPOLITAN ROOM is the final performance of Morgan Sill's Johnny Mercer tribute - a personal tribute, not a biography. I told someone next to me when I was at the opening night that if every show was as good as Morgan's, every cabaret room would be filled every night of the week. Try to catch is before it closes.

Raissa Katonah Bennett and Don Rebic continue their Tuesday night Broadway Jazz on Broadway series at THE IRIDIUM ROOM on Tuesday, with shows at 8:30 & 10:30 pm. Their guests this month are Ann Harada (Ave. Q, Suessical), Rosemary Loar (Sunset Blvd.., Chess), Kirby Ward (Showboat, Crazy For You) and Chip Zien (Into The Woods, Falsettos). Truly a bargain show - such talent! And, of course, the iconic Annie Ross continues her weekly Tuesday night gig at 9:30 pm at the METROPOLITAN ROOM.

Steve Ross (an icon in his own right) is at THE ALGONQUIN OAK ROOM with the final week of his Alan J. Lerner tribute show and the marvelous super-icon Julie Wilson winds up her 2 week run at THE GARDENIA in Los Angeles this week as well.

Another tribute show - this time to Rodgers & Hammerstein - will be presented on Thursday night at 7:00 pm at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN by that dynamic duo of David Gurland and Brian Farley. It is one of those shows you will long remember - fun, funny, yet there is a depth that soon makes you realize that beneath the good humor and fun Brian and David's approach to this classic music is refreshing and moving. Go see!

Jennifer Wren's "Big Night Out" has moved to THE REPRISE ROOM AT DILLON'S - show is on Thursday at 9:00 pm and features Hector Coris as Featured Composer. Should be a terrific night spotlighting a terrific guy.

Details on all these shows can be found in the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE Diary/Datebook on the website

BLAME IT ON THE NEW MOON

If I were a firm believer in astrology (I admit I can't resist checking my horoscope every day) I would be just a bit fearful today with a number of cosmic events all taking place at the same time. But when you look at the details, you will discover that it all is about one event. Today marks the start of the 15-day Chinese New Year (year of the Ox), there is a new moon today (naturally since the Chinese New Year starts at the second new moon after the winter solstice), and also a solar eclipse (again, naturally, since a solar eclipse can only happen when there is a new moon).

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER - TONIGHT AT THE TOWN HALL

Another "deep freeze" has settled in over the NYC area but that's not going to keep me from getting to THE TOWN HALL tonight for the 2009 NY NIGHTLIFE AWARDS at 7:00 pm. This annual event is a "must see" for anyone who appreciates live entertainment since it recognizes the best of 2008 in the fields of cabaret, jazz and comedy. I hope to see many of my cabaret friends at TOWN HALL tonight, supporting this event that is not simply a celebration - its an annual affair to remember.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE 2009 MAC AWARDS

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE 2009 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) AWARDS: Due to a booking conflict/problem at BB KING'S BLUES CLUB (237 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-997-4144), the 2009 MAC Awards will not be held on Tuesday, May 12th as originally announced. All deadlines for voting, etc. will remain the same but the new date for the MAC Awards show is now on Monday, May 18th at 6:30 pm. More information at www.MACNYC.com.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER STAY AT HOME DAY FOR ME!

A year ago, when we had a spell of bitter cold and windy weather - like we are experiencing here in NYC right now - I caught a cold that had me literally in bed for over three weeks. A constant cough continued for another two or three weeks. Now, everyone tells me that you don't catch a cold from cold weather - you get a cold from someone who has a cold. But the cold weather weakens your immune system because your body works so hard to keep you warm.

Anyway - those five or six weeks stick in my memory as the most miserable time in my live - all almost 70 years worth - so I simply refuse to take chances this year. And so far it has worked!

I have taken my "one-a-day" pill to "two-a-day" and tried to get more sleep (my insomnia still gets me up at 4:30 am so I now get to bed by 11:00 pm when I can). A nap at 10:00 am for just 15 minutes, and another 1/2 hour nap every afternoon around 2:00 pm seems to make up for any early-morning sleep loss.

So no shows again for me tonight - I am saving my energy for Monday night's 2009 NY Nightlife Awards at the TOWN HALL on Monday night at 7:00 pm - many of my good cabaret friends will perform and will be in the audience. It is the top Live Entertainment Award show in town.