SEND ME YOUR MARCH IS CABARET MONTH NEWS

Putting on a show in March? Send me your press release (and latest jpg headshot if you have one). If you designate your show as a MARCH IS CABARET MONTH EVENT it will go up on the special cabaret month website (http://www.MarchIsCabaretMonth.com/ ) in addition to our regular website. And it will stay there until March 31st - even after the run of your show has ended! And its FREE extra publicity for you.

SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS

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NYC: JENNA IS TAKES ANOTHER CHANCE ON LOVE
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
Jenna Esposito returns to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440) with a special VALENTINE'S DAY show, "Takin' A Chance On Love" on Saturday, February 14th at 5:00 pm.
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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 - Sunday, February 15th at 6:00 pm.
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NYC: BARBARA ROSENE AT THE IRIDIUM
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $10 OFF THE COVER ***
Scobar Entertainment presents Barbara Rosene and Her New Yorkers at IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB (1650 Broadway, NYC - 212-582-2121 - )on Tuesday, February, 17th with sets at 8:00 & 10:00 pm.
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NYC: GRACE NOTES: A SINGERS' SOIREE: !LATIN NIGHT!
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $5 OFF THE COVER ***
GRACE NOTES - a Singers' Soiree, hosted by Bistro Award Winner Grace Cosgrove, is held monthly at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788) with the next show, !LATIN NIGHT!, scheduled for Thursday, February 19th at 6:30 pm.
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NYC: TODD MURRAY AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM
*** MEMBER DISCOUNT *** $10 OFF THE COVER ***
Los Angeles area favorite Tod Murray returns the THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - ) following his highly praised debut at the club in 2008, on Wednesday and Friday, February 18th & 20th at 9:45 pm to celebrate the release of his new CD "Stardust & Swing."

NOTE REGARDING SUNDAY'S EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN SHOW

David Kenney's 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 will start 1 hour earlier this Sunday at 8:00 pm (David sent this correction after yesterday's HOTLINE was sent out). HELP SUPPORT WBAI-FM & EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN Call 212-209-2950 with your pledge during this broadcast. For your pledge of $50.00 with a Credit Card, David will send you "DAVE'S CD GRAB BAG OF LOVE".

MAC ANNOUNCE MEMBERSHIP DEADLINE

The folks at MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) asked me to remind everyone that all the applications for the 2009 MAC Awards have been compiled and the Preliminary Ballots for mailing to the membership are being prepared. You MUST be a current, paid-up member in order to receive a ballot and vote. Non-members cannot vote. MAC must receive your renewal/membership by tomorrow, February 15th to receive the Preliminary Ballot. Visit http://www.MACNYC.com to join or renew online or dowlonad an application and FAX it to 201-801-9206. Annual memberships start at $50.

NYC: SCOTT SIEGEL'S BROADWAY JUKEBOX MUSICAL REVUE SUNDAY

Broadway Jukebox, an ever-changing revue of Broadway music on Sunday nights at 6:30 pm at BIRDLAND (315 West 44th Street, NYC - 212-581-3080 - ) features a different trio of musical theater stars every week, each offering a brand new slate of songs. Further, in the spirit of the show's title, the audience will get to pick the Broadway songs they will hear each week. The weekly series continues on Sunday, February 15th with Lisa Howard (Putnam County's 25th Annual Spelling Bee), Jack Noseworthy (Sweet Smell of Success) and Tony Yazbeck (Gypsy). Broadway Jukebox is directed by Scott Coulter, with musical direction by Tedd Firth. Broadway Jukebox is conceived and produced by Scott Siegel, who will also host this Sunday night revue. There is a $25 cover plus a $10 food/drink minimum.

NYC: ALGONQUIN SALON THIS SUNDAY WITH HOST MARK JANAS

Mark Janas' Algonquin Salon usually takes place on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 10:00 pm in the lobby of THE ALGONQUIN HOTEL (59 West 44th Street, NYC - 212-419-9331 - ). The Salon is a weekly event in which singers, writers and musicians share their talent with each other and audience members in the lobby of the Algonquin Hotel, an informal, yet elegant setting with a grand tradition of artists gathering to socialize. There is no cover and no minimum. Salon Secretary Peter Napolitano reports that on Sunday, February 15th, the THE ALGONQUIN SALON will have the theme "LOVE AND MARRIAGE!", co-hosted by newlyweds and founding Salon members, Kristin Maloney and Adam MacDonald. The 15th is also composer Harold Arlen's birthday, so "Happy Birthday, Harold!" is the secondary theme. In addition to jazzing up your vocal and instrumental solos, here's your opportunity to improvise with each other, if you like, as they "jam it up" at Salon. Remember, any material, on or off-theme, is always welcome at the Algonquin Salon.

ON RADIO: "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW": POST-VALENTINE SPECIAL

On Sunday, February 15th, 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 start at 8:00 pm to present an extra hour to its Post Valentine's Day On-Air Fundraiser featuring songs of Love & Money! Some of the singers that will be part of the mix: Ann Hampton Callaway, Nat King Cole, Stevie Holland, Tony Bennett, Patti Lupone, Frank Sinatra, Leslie Kritzer, Simavi, Judy Garland, Johnny Hartman, Carmen Mac Rae, Philip Chaffin, Sutton Foster, Cy Coleman, Jessica Molaskey, Ronny Whyte, Victoria Clark, Eric Comstock, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Darius De Haas, Kelli O'hara, Marcus Goldhaber, Blossom Dearie & More. HELP SUPPORT WBAI-FM & EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN Call 212-209-2950 with your pledge during this broadcast. For your pledge of $50.00 with a Credit Card, David will send you "DAVE'S CD GRAB BAG OF LOVE". 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/ .

MY OWN EASY - HASSLE FREE - SOLUTION TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

If the folks in Washington DC are so eager to spend our money by pumping 800 Billion dollars into the economy, I have a great idea. Instead of bickering over what is pork and what will create jobs, simply give every man, woman and child a check for $50,000 and let them spend the money as they choose - and the cities and states (but not the feds) and take their usual tax cut from the checks and spend that money as they choose. My math is a bit rusty so I don't know what the total cost would be, but I am pretty sure it would be less than $800 billion - and folks will deposit some of that money in banks that they trust in. After all, its our money, right?

NYC: SHEET MUSIC SOCIETY FEATURES MARY CLEERE HARAN

The New York Sheet Music Society meets the second Saturday afternoon of each month from October through June. The fifth meeting of the season will be on Saturday, February 14th at THE TRIAD (158 West 72nd Street, NYC - 212-362-2590) NOTE LOCATION CHANGE THIS MONTH ONLY. 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 February 14th will feature David Kaufman, author of "Doris Day, The Untold Story of the Girl Next Door" with Mary Cleere Haran and Don Rebic on piano. 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: GUESTS NEIL BARTRAM & BRIAN HILL

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. This week's guests are Neil Bartram & Brian Hill, creators of "The Story of My Life" currently on Broadway. 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/ .

THE TOWN HALL PRESENTS BROADWAY BY THE YEAR 1924

THE TOWN HALL (123 West 43rd Street, NYC - 212-997-1929) presents the opening show of the 9th Season of its BROADWAY BY THE YEAR series with the BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1924 on Monday, February 23rd at 8:00 pm. Directed by Jeffry Denman the show features Marc Kudisch, Sarah Jane Mcmahon, Jeffry Denman, Kendrick Jones, Melinda Sullivan, Erin Denman, Jason Graae, Kevin Worley & more including special guests, The Howard Fishman Quartet. Broadway By The Year, known for great singing and spectacular Broadway dancing, is created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel. This edition of the critically acclaimed series will mark the earliest year ever covered, and will include such famous shows as The Student Prince, Rose-Marie, Lady Be Good, Charlot's Revue, I'll Say She Is, The Music Box Revue of 1924, The Grand Street Follies, and more. Tickets are $50 & $45 and are on sale now through TicketMaster at 212-307-4100 or www.ticketmaster.com, as well as The Town Hall Box Office between noon and 6:00 pm.

NYC: MIDTOWN JAZZ AT MIDDAY WITH CATHERINE DUPUIS

MIDTOWN JAZZ AT MIDDAY continues on Wednesdays at ST. PETER'S CHURCH - LIVING ROOM (Lexington Avenue at 54th Street, NYC). This long-running series was created by Edmund Anderson and is now produced by Ronny Whyte. Next show is on Wednesday, February 11th featuring Catherine Dupuis, singer. Performances are at 1:00 pm, $7 donation.

NYC: ANY WEDNESDAY FEATURES TODD MURRAY

ANY WEDNESDAY, the free in-store concert series that features the best in cabaret, jazz and theater music takes at THE BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSTORE (66th Street and Broadway, NYC). Performances are at 6:00 pm. On Wednesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm, featured performers is Todd Murray. The handsome balladeer brings an intoxicating mixture of Stardust & Swing to our stage, in a repertoire that ranges from Jule Styne and Johnny Mercer to original works. No cover. Todd is appearing at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 ) on February 18th & 20th.

KITCHENETTES PERFORMANCE CLASSES IN SAN FRANCISCO

After a little hiatus while the members of The Kitchenettes (Lua Hadar, Linda Kosut & Barry Lloyd) traveled the country and the world with their solo shows, the trio has returned to San Francisco with a new series of SING OUT LOUD! PERFORMANCE CLASSES. The classes give each singer the opportunity to work on several songs in a master class setting, addressing interpretation of lyrics, stage presence, mic technique, verbal introduction to the song, working with instrumentalists, and "selling" the song in performance. Video may be used as teaching tool. In addition, all students are featured in a showcase performance, with Barry Lloyd accompanying, to which family, friends, and associates are cordially invited. San Francisco Classes begin on Tuesday, February 24th and continue for an additional seven Tuesdays, ending on Tuesday, April 14th. The closing concert will be Friday or Saturday, April 17th or 18th. The classes will be held at the LANDIVAR STUDIO from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Tuition is $350 (including a $20 non-refundable registration fee.) Payment plans and credit card payment are available, for a small administration fee. See http://www.thekitchenettes.com/ for full details.

JUST 8 MORE NEEDED TO REACH OUR GOAL

Just 8 more members to go to make it to 400 CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE members for 2008-2009 (we added 4 new/renewing members last night). It won't be a record (last year we had over 475 members) but it is a nice round number as a goal. If you know someone that isn't yet a member, let them know that isn't too late to join - see http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/Membership.html

RICE & CHERRY AT MICM GALA

Sarah Rice and Ben Cherry were the debut winners in our MEMBERS' CHOICE FAVORITE PERFORMERS OF 2008 poll and have been invited to perform at the gala on March 10th and both have accepted our invitation to perform. With these two additional very popular performers now added, you best get your ticket order in pronto. All tickets must be ordered online at http://www.cabarethotlineonline.com/thankyou1tkt2.shtml - 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.

PLEASE ADD A COMMENT TO ANY ITEM

One of the nice advantages of a blog compared to a regular website it the chance for visitors to post a comment after each blog item I post. There is a posting below regarding the passing of cabaret great Blossom Dearie. To post a comment, just click on the word COMMENT immediately below the item and a box will open up where you can write your thoughts.

Now this being the internet - where I have no control over who visits my blog - before a posting actually gets displayed for all to see, the blog sends me an e-mail describing the posting and I have to reply to the e-mail with an approval or rejection. So your comment will not appear instantly, but your posting is there and there is no reason to try to post a second time.

You may comment (in good taste, naturally) on any and all postings.

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

The weather has gotten far more pleasant - the temperature hit close to 50 degrees (f) yesterday and I decided to break out from my self-imposed confinement. I even traded in my heavy overcoat for the lighter winter jacket. I managed to walk my mile - it ias been many days since I could carry out my personal physical fitness regimen. I even got my grocery shopping done.

Best of all, I want to see two - yes two cabaret shows last night as well, both at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM. Nice thing about going to the METROPOLITAN ROOM is that I can get there by bus in about a 1/2 an hour for just a buck.

Two GREAT shows - Mary Foster Conklin doing tribute to a warmer climate with her "MOON AND SAND - Songs of salty days and sultry nights" show followed by Skie Ocasio's "At Last" show - a benefit for BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS. Both shows drew great rooms - wonderful to see these days.

I even managed to work in a little extra exercise because the E train - which I usually take back to 14th Street to catch my bus home was not stopping at either 23rd or 14th so I had to walk to Fifth Avenue - where I could catch a bus downtown and save a dollar. (by way of explanation - senior citizens ride the bus at 1/2 price - $1 and get one transfer free to a second bus, but there is no such discount on the subway - you can however transfer from subway to bus once for no extra charge).

I made great connections and was dropped off virtually at my doorstep (actually across the street from my doorstep) again in less than a half hour. A wonderful evening all around..... except....

In my decision to switch outerwear, I neglected (notice how I avoid the word 'forgot') to move the keys from the first jacket to the second - so I was locked out of the building. It was nearly midnight. But - fortunately - my room mate was home and was still awake, and was able to "buzz me in."

For those who treasure their privacy, there is a benefit in not living alone.

BLOSSOM DEARIE PASSES AWAY

BLOSSOM DEARIE PASSES AWAY

April 29, 1926 - February 7, 2009

New York: Feb. 7, 2009: Legendary songwriter/singer Blossom Dearie died peacefully in her Greenwich Village home following a lengthy illness. She was 84 years old. Her longtime manager/representative Donald Schaffer said she died of natural causes.

Ms. Dearie was always known for her girlish voice and writing urbane songs about love and humor and collaborations with the likes of Cy Coleman and Johnny Mercer. Her last professional engagement was at Danny's Skylight Room (now closed) on Restaurant Row where she performed regularly for seven years through 2006.

She is survived by a brother named Barney from New York State. Funeral plans have not been announced.

Prepared by John Hoglund

FULL STORY ON CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE WEBSITE