NYC: ALGONQUIN SALON THIS SUNDAY CELEBRATES 1st ANNIVERSARY

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, March 22nd, to celebrate the THE ALGONQUIN SALON's First Anniversary, more than a dozen former Co-hosts and Gonkettes will be the collective "co-host" of the evening, sharing their duties in a "relay" format, including Raissa Katona Bennett, Michael Colby, The Definitely Dickens Holiday Carolers, Jenna Esposito, Bobbie Horowitz, Aaron Kaburick, Annie Lebeaux, Sue Matsuki, Tanya Moberly, Julie Reyburn, Sarah Rice, Maureen Taylor, Sara Wordsworth, Bill Zeffiro, and more to be announced. Remember, any material, on or off-theme, is always welcome at the Algonquin Salon.

ON RADIO: "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW": MUSIC OF MARGARET WHITING

On Sunday, March 22nd, 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, feature the music of Margaret Whiting. Some of the songs from her career that you will hear include "My Ideal"; Francesca Blumenthal's "Lies Of Handsome Man"; "It Might As Well Be Spring" (Richard Rodgers / Oscar Hammerstein II); "Moonlight In Vermont" and Ervin Drake's"Now That I Have Everything". Plus there will be an In-Studio Interview with Marcus Goldhaber prior to his performance with The Jon Davis Trio on on Wednesday, March 25th at the IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB. 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/ .

NYC: MAC/ASCAP SONGWRITER SHOWCASE SATURDAY AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM

ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), in association with MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets) present another installment in their recurring Songwriter Showcase series. This event will take place on Saturday, March 21st at 2:00 pm at the THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - ). The showcase will be hosted by award-winning performer and producer Jamie deRoy, who will be welcoming songwriters Jeff Blumenkrantz and Steven Lutvak. Sidney Myer will also perform songs from various composers. Special guest will be multi-platinum award winning recording artist David Pomeranz. No cover for members of ASCAP and MAC. Non-members $10 cover. There is no minimum, but a cash bar for drinks and snacks will be available.

NYC: AFTER PARTY TONIGHT WITH BRANDON - GUEST IS EDEN ESPINOSA

At THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 ) on Fridays at 10:30 pm, Brandon Cutrell & Alysha Umphress host AFTER PARTY, a free-wheeling open-mic with guest stars from Broadway and Cabaret, Ray Fellman at the piano and others serving up drinks and taking turns at the mic. Guest performers from Broadway, off-Broadway and cabaret drop by each week to sing, chat and join in the fun. No cover, no minimum. Singer/dancers invited at all times - you can hang out at the bar, at a table or even on stage. This week's guest is Eden Espinosa who made her Broadway debut covering the roles of Elphaba and Nessarose in Stephen Schwartz's Wicked. She eventually assumed the role of Elphaba on Broadway.

NYC: SHAWN RYAN AT THE METROPOLITAN ROOM SPECIAL DISCOUNT

CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE MEMBER DISCOUNT: $10 OFF THE COVER

Shawn Ryan & the Kelly Park Trio will perform on Friday & Saturday, March 20th & 21st at 9:45 pm and Sunday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440). Shawn Ryan is one of the rising stars performing jazz and standards today. After placing in the semi-finals of NBC's 2006 Summer hit, America's Got Talent, Shawn's star continues to ascend. He currently has two albums and numerous national TV appearances. Most recently taking on the gender bending role of Karen Adams in ABC's Women's Murder Club. Shawn is also the co-founder of The Young Actors' Theatre Camp along with John Ainsworth. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE - thats 1/2 price!

BOSTON: BACA MARCH IS CABARET MONTH 2009 FESTIVAL IS ON!

The big Boston MARCH IS CABARET MONTH FESTIVAL started last night (March 19th) at THE BLACKSMITH HOUSE (56 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA ) and runs through Sunday. The Festival gives Boston audiences the unique opportunity of experiencing all things cabaret in one venue over the span of a few days. For full information on all performances - performer/date/time plus ticket prices for all events, see the BACA website - http://www.bostoncabaret.com/ . If you are in the area, here is a chance to catch up on all the talented folks in Beantown - with shows nightly and a master class on Sunday. All the details can be found in the listings area below. Now more than ever, the art and artists - and organizations - of cabaret need your support.

SPECIAL JAMIE deROY & FRIENDS REBROADCAST WEDESDAY

There will be a special re-airing of Jamie deRoy & friends Cable TV show on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 7:30 pm on Time Warner 57 / RCN 84.

This episode includes performances from Eric Comstock, Barbara Fasano, and Anne Steele. Also, scenes from "Distracted" Starring Cynthia Nixon and "Guys And Dolls on Broadway."

There are also two special interviews segments: Charles Strouse, who will be honored by the NY POPS and Stephen Schwartz, who recently performed at our Academy Awards show.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR BACK STAGE AWARDS SHOW

BACK STAGE has announced that tickets for the 24th ANNUAL BISTRO AWARDS show on Tuesday evening, April 28th, featuring Liza Minnelli and Charles Aznavour and over 30 other artists, are now available at the special website, http://www.bistroawards.com/. For further information, call 646-654-5725. This might be an immediate sell-out, so be sure to get your order in immediately.

SOME SHOWS I HOPE TO SEE THIS WEEK IN NYC

Highly recommended for this week in cabaret here in NYC:

I plan to be a DON'T TELL MAMA a lot this week - if my funds hold out. I want to catch the very dynamic Ben Cherry and his "Love/Hate NY" show at MAMA'S on Tuesday, at 7:00 pm. On Wednesday, I plan to catch Donna Moore's COUGAR CABARET show at MAM'S at 8:00 pm. I have been going back to this show for several years now - it has gone through several revisions as it prepares for a possible off-Broadway run (it has been optioned). And of course I try to never miss Grace Cosgrove's GRACE NOTES - Singers Soiree shows - this time its on Thursday the 19th at 6:30 pm (with Julie Reyburn, Lennie Watts, Jenna Esposito, Stearns Matthews, Billie Roe, Steven Ray Watkins and Stefanie Rose). Best cabaret value in town at only $15 - and you can take $5 off if you are a member of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE. And on Saturday, a good friend from Cape Cod comes to NYC - Pat Fitzpatrick (how Irish is that) along with he sidekick Brian Patton, with an updated version of her fantastic show "Single, Again ... and this time it's not my fault!" at MAMA'S at 9:00 pm. A real gem! I also plan to be at MAMA'S at 7:00 pm to catch another Cape Cod favorite, Ralph Bassett's "I've Got the Divas In Me" show.

That's a lot of plans - I hope I can fulfill every one. We will take it one day at a time - and give an update in Thursday's issue as to how we are doing. I got three new short-run banner ads over the weekend plus a donation from someone who couldn't make it to our gala - all small amounts, but anything helps. At the same time, several banner ads expired over the weekend with two more expiring this week - this makes for an ideal time to run a banner, since they are displayed at random - the fewer banners running the more time your banner will be seen.

PRICE BREAK ON BANNER ADS ON THE CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE WEBSITE

Recession busting price break: For the next few months we will be discontinuing the $10 per week "surcharge" on the cost of the first two weeks of banner ads - meaning that REGULAR BANNER ADS will run just $30 per week and SUPERSIZE just $50 per week. 2-week minimum still applies on all advertising. 1 week free with 9 weeks paid still applies. I have updated the prices to reflect this change on the website. Write me for details - a few other changes apply. SIDEBAR ads continue at the same $25/week cost.

Remember - events that advertise get mentioned in EVERY issue of the twice-weekly newsletter, sent to over 2600 cabaret-loving subscribers.