MEMBER DISCOUNT PAGE GOES MOBILE!

Now you can check out which shows are offering discounts to members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE while you are "on the move" using your iPhone or iPod Touch - just go to http://www.svhamstra.com/ and your mobile device will take you right to our "Mobile Website". Or, with a Blackberry (and maybe some other PDAs I haven't tested, go to http://www.svhamstra.com/HotlineMobile

NYC: HAPPENING AT THE HAPPY HOUR SALON AT D-LOUNGE

Joanna Parson will be presenting her first Happy Hour Salon in years at THE D-LOUNGE at the DARYL ROTH THEATRE (101 East 15th Street, NYC - 212-375-1110 - ) on Monday, March 30th at 7:00 pm. For five seasons, Joanna curated the Happy Hour Salon, a performance salon for new works of different genres. Six ten-minute slots are given out for new works from exciting artists working in different disciplines. This week Joanna will present comedian Ali Wong, fresh from hosting The Onion's comedy showcase in San Francisco; Singer-songwriter Julie Foldesi (on her night off from Broadway's "South Pacific") to sing from her new album THIS PART OF TOWN; Acclaimed monologuist James Braly (off-Broadway's LIFE IN A MARITAL INSTITUTION) previews from his new monologue THE MONTHLY NUT; Musical theatre and rock and roll pianoman Jeremy Schonfeld shows off the kind of work that landed him his current super-secret Broadway-bound writing gig; plus Robin Gelfenbien's hit solo show of FringeNYC 2008, MY SALVATION HAS A FIRST NAME will stop by. $10 at the door, full cash bar available.

NYC: ALGONQUIN SALON THIS SUNDAY WITH FOREIGN SYNCOPATIONS

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 29th, the special co-host will be singer Janice Hall, who has chosen "Other Nations' Syncopations" as the optional theme for the evening. Remember, any material, on or off-theme, is always welcome at the Algonquin Salon.

ON RADIO: "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW": BING CROSBY

On Sunday, March 29th, 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 Bing Crosby. Some of the songs from his career that you will hear: "Where The Blue Of The Night (Meets The Gold Of The Day)"; Charles Aznavour's "Yesterday When I Was Young"; "Sure Thing" (Johnny Burke / Jimmy Van Heusen); "Swinging On A Star"; And "Gone Fishin' " With Louis Armstrong. There will also be an In-Studio Interview with Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley currently performing at FEINSTEIN'S. 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/ .

ON RADIO: "AT THE RITZ!" SATURDAYS & STREAMING AUDIO 24/7

Regular weekly live broadcasts of the AT THE RITZ! radio program can now be heard on WVOF 88.5FM on Saturdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Producers and hosts Jeffrey C. Williams and Lynn DiMenna announce a new, convenient way to hear their weekly show, especially for folks outside of WVOF's local listening area. Simply go to http://www.attheritz.org/ and in one click you can enjoy AT THE RITZ! streaming 24/7 anytime! The Saturday shows are rebroadcast throughout the week along with some internet only music. AT THE RITZ! features cabaret, jazz, Broadway and similar sophisticated music along with celebrity interviews and commentary.

JAZZ BAKERY IN L.A.AREA TO CLOSE?

Word is that the JAZZ BAKERY (3233 Helms Avenue, Culver City, CA - 310-271-9039 - http://www.jazzbakery.com/ ) is closing, but no need to mourn a lot quite yet. Les Traub of CABARET WEST (http://www.cabaretwest.org/ ) reports that the club has been operating on a month to month basis for some time. The complex where it is located is home to a number of furniture stores and a furniture store will take over that space. The Jazz Bakery will re-locate to another location, probably by the end of the year. Manager Ruth Price will be booking occasional events at various locations around town until a new site is opened.

N.E.AREA: AMAZING THINGS OPEN MIC FEATURES PAUL TURNER

Every other Wednesday night Leslie Holmes holds an amazing Open Mic night at the new Hollis Street location of the AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER (160 Hollis Street, Framingham, MA - 508-405-2787 - ), and each show features a special guest. On Wednesday, February 11th the featured guest is Paul Turner of the Amazing Voice. Steven Sussman will be at the piano. The show starts at 7:30 pm, and there is an $8 cover charge ($7 cover for BACA members).

NYC: ANY WEDNESDAY FEATURES DEVLIN

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, March 25th at 6:00 pm, featured performers is Devlin. This delightful, wise, and occasionally wicked, singer who has taken the Manhattan cabaret world by storm offers highlights from her new CD, Devlin: Live in New York!. No cover.

NYC: JOAN CROWE WEDNESDAY NIGHT OF THE IGUANA TIME CHANGE

Vocalist/comic Joan Crowe hosts a weekly series where "anything goes as long as it is fun and entertaining" on Wednesday nights starting at IGUANA'S VIP LOUNGE (240 West 54th Street, NYC - 212-765-5454 - ). Joan has special guests each week from all genres of music as well as stand up comics. The show usually runs from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, but for the next two weeks - March 25th and April 1st, showtime is from 9:00 pm to midnight. This will make it possible for Joan's favorite Bluegrass band, The New York City Slickers, to perform for the last hour. Joan is the creator and star of the ground breaking video podcast: http://www.FunnyJazzChick.com/, which is, filmed live Monday Nights at Birdland. There is a $10 cover charge.

NYC: SETH'S CHATTERBOX: CAST MEMBERS OF 60s WSS

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.On Thursday, March 26th, Seth's guests are Victoria Mallory and Kurt Peterson, who starred in the Lincoln Center production of West Side Story in the late sixties. 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 !

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TIPS FOR CABARET PERFORMERS

Don't wait until the last minute to offer a discount off the cover charge for your show. Offering a discount shows that your care about your friends in whatever organization is included in the offer. If you wait until too late, it looks like you are "in a panic" - more concerned about filling seats than being appreciative of your friends in the organization. Many people actually shy away from attending shows that appear to be "in a panic". (Be sure to check with the venue if cover discounts are allowed).

THINGS THEY ARE A'CHANGING

Talk about changes, we made a big change - effective immediately - in the way we are pricing our banner ads. Through July 4th 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. Write me for details - a few other changes apply. SIDEBAR ads continue at the same $25/week cost. Members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE are also eligible for additional discounts - write for details at banners@svhamstra.com

And we are making some changes in the pricing of our 2009-2010 memberships as well, as we enter our 20th year of publishing (13 years on the web). New memberships go on sale on May 1st in conjunction with the first announcement of our CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE Birthday Party in July.

These changes are being made to make advertising more affordable and/or valuable for cabaret performers and cabaret fans in these rather troubled times, just when you need to promote more to try to fill those rooms. Stay tuned.

I can only keep CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE (3 newsletters a week, 3 websites and a blog) going if folks join as members and/or purchase banners and ads. I am not a wealthy person, and what little extra funds I had were spent long ago to keep CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE going during previous troubled times. So, I have to depend on you - and need to set my prices to what you can afford.

PROMOTE YOURSELF IN THE 21ST CENTURY!

Promote Yourself in the 21st Century! Create High Visibility Through The Internet. A free seminar especially geared for performers will be presented at 36TH STREET STUDIOS (260 West 36th Street, 3rd fl - NYC) on Wednesday, March 25th at 7:00 pm. The seminar will focus on internet marketing for actors and other entrepreneurs, and will be led by Richard Skipper. Richard will answer the most frequently asked questions about website and online marketing. Because Richard is waiving his fee for this workshop, and seating is very limited, reservations are a MUST. Please call 212-302-2724 to reserve your seat. On board with Richard is graphic designer, GLEN CHARLOW, who brings over 15 years in the business to the participants of this class and who will discuss the concept of image; how to use the internet effectively and how your website "sells" you even before you pick up the phone. To read more on Glen Charlow please visit: http://www.gcdtp.com/ .

15 GONE - 35 TO GO

My "lose it by my birthday" weight loss regimen is now starting its 5th week - I started on February 23rd - and I actually startled myself when I stepped on the scale yesterday (I check myself just once a week) and discovered that I am down by 15 pounds! Goal was to lose 2 pounds a week, so I am ahead of schedule. Its not a diet - just strictly calorie counting - I record everything I eat and the computer keeps track of the calories. I have to quit eating when I hit 2000 each day. Worst day so far was an overage of 300 calories - but most days I am below the line by 200 or more. In fact, over the past 4 weeks I have a 8525 credit - a full weeks worth of calories not eaten. I get a 49 calorie discount for every 10 minutes of "brisk" walking, so I am so happy the good weather is arriving!

SNEAKY SNAKE TAKES MANHATTAN!

"Sneaky Snake" isn't really a "cabaret act" - but the creators of this seemingly harmless sock-puppet, piano bar entertainers George Sanders and Shawn Curran, are well known in cabaret circles - they have been clowning around in the piano bar at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - ) for as long as I can remember. And one wouldn't expect a harmless sock-puppet snake to challenge the stormy topic of circumcision in the world's holiest city, Jerusalem. But that's just what happens in the hilarious short film, "Sneaky Snake: Lost In The Holy Land." In the film, which was inspired by a cab ride in Jerusalem and shot on video in a matter of hours, sock-puppet Sneaky Snake searches for a bacon-cheeseburger in the Holy City of Jerusalem. Along the way, he meets a Rabbi, a Catholic Priest, and a Mullah, and encounters genital prejudice. Sneaky Snake, himself, plays all the roles. Worldwide, the short has won seven "Best Film" awards (including "Audience Choice" and "People's Choice," and one for "Integral Realization" in Granada, Spain), and has led to deals with Spice Factory Films, MiniMovie.com and Quat Media.

You can join Sanders, Curran, and Sneaky Snake, himself, at the NYIIFVF screening of "Sneaky Snake: Lost In The Holy Land," tonight, Monday, March 23rd at 6:10 pm at City Cinemas Village East (Screen 6), 181 Second Avenue at 12th Street, NYC. Its actually just a few blocks from my house, but I am off to a show at 7:00 pm at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN, so I'll have to miss it. See http://www.georgesanders.net for more information.

SUNDAY IS CYNTHIA'S BIRTHDAY!

It is Cynthia Crane's birthday on Sunday, March 29th and she has the last performance of the current run of her "I'm Confused, Therefor I Am" show at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - ) on that date at 5:00 pm. It is another delightful performance - I saw it several weeks ago - and both Daniel and I plan to be there. Cynthia's life has been filled with drama - especially these past six months - but this show is all about fun (with a particularly touching ballad that had me shouting "brava" - something that reviewers aren't supposed to do).