HERE'S WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT ....

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...."

Friday, June 5, 2009

MEMBERSHIPS NOW INCLUDE NEW BENEFITS!

2009-2010 CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE MEMBERSHIPS are now on sale - all current memberships expire on the 5th of July each year, so new members can get an extra month of benefits by joining now. And current members can avoid a lot of pesky e-mails from me begging them to rejoin by signing up today and getting it all out of the way now. You can join today - just click on the button marked JOIN HERE at the top of every page on the website. ($250 Crystal members and above get 2 free tickets to the birthday show - subject to availability.)

By the way, some new benefits for members start up in July - especially for those running banner ads! For one, if you don't have a website, I will build you a temporary one-page "website" to link your banner to - a full copy of your flier, front & back if applicable - no extra charge. And that page can link to the club where your show is taking place (or the CDBaby or LML page where your CD is for sale). With many clubs now accepting reservations online, this could be important.

Next, if you have a sample of the show you are advertising on YouTube, we will add an extra "promo" banner under your banner or side-bar ad linked to the YouTube video. (All members are entitled to a YouTube link year round, listed a special page, but this link will appear right with your ad!) Again, this is a MEMBERS' ONLY offer, but memberships (SILVER) are as low as $20 per year.

And, again starting in July, I will be adding TWITTER links to the membership listings - we already link our members names to their websites and MySpace pages. More details on this in the special MEMBERS' ONLY newsletter going out tomorrow. These benefits are in addition to the special CD promotion page that every member is entitled to, and of course discounts/rebates on banner advertising, and discounts on select cabaret events all year long. And we're continuing to seek ways to make your membership in CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE more valuable - stay tuned.

Just click on the button marked JOIN HERE at the top of every page on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE for details on all benefits and levels of membership - and you can join instantly using a credit card and PayPal!

ON RADIO: "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW": JOHNNY HARTMAN

ON RADIO: "EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW": JOHNNY HARTMAN
CABARET ON THE RADIO - TV - WEB
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On Sunday, June 7th, EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, on the Radio over WBAI 99.5 FM and on the Internet at http://www.wbai.org/, usually heard from 9:00 to 11:00 pm and hosted by David Kenney will feature the music of Johnny Hartman. Some of the songs from his career that you will hear: "You Are Too Beautiful" with John Coltrane; "Violets For Your Fur"; "My Ship" (Kurt Weill / Ira Gershwin); Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life"; and "I Just Dropped By To Say Hello". David will also have an in-studio interview with Mark Winkler. 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/ .

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

ON RADIO: "AT THE RITZ!" SATURDAYS & STREAMING AUDIO 24/7
CABARET ON THE RADIO - TV - WEB
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Regular weekly live broadcasts of the AT THE RITZ! radio program can now be heard on WVOF 88.5FM on Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 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.

ADELAIDE CABARET BLOG COVERS BOTH FESTIVAL & FRINGE

Two cabaret events are happening right now in Adelaide (Australia): The gigantic ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL and the CABARET FRINGE FESTIVAL - both opening on June 5th. You can follow them both on the CABARET CONFESSIONAL blog organized by Matthew Carey - with the link at the top of the right column on this blogsite - and Frank Ford, one of the founders of the ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL will be providing weekly updates on the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website.

TOWNHOUSE HAS TALENT CONTEST HAS GREAT OPENING NIGHT!

David Pellegrene reports that the first night of the TOWNHOUSE HAS TALENT contest was a huge success - 15 singers competed and three were chosen to go on to the finals to be held on June 22nd. There are two more weeks of competition - held on Mondays, June 8th & 15th at 9:30 pm at THE TOWNHOUSE OF NYC (236 East 58th Street, NYC - 212-754-4649 - ) - singers who wish to compete should be there by 8:00 pm - and performers who did not make the top three last Monday are also invited to come back and try again. 1st prize is $500 and a guest spot on Paul Sheesley's TV Show "American Songbook". 2nd place: $250 and 3rd place $100. CLICK ON THE TOWNHOUSE LOGO on the front page of the CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE website for details.

GET YOUR MEMBERSHIP & PARTY TICKETS HERE!

I hope you will go to the website at http://www.svhamstra.com/Membership.shtml and join CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE as a 2009-2010 member - and then go to http://www.svhamstra.com/thankyou1tkt2.shtml to buy your ticket (members can purchase 2 tickets at the member price) to our 19th Birthday Show at THE LAURIE BEECHMAN on Thursday, June 9th at 7:00 pm. That way you can get the MEMBER price of $15 rather than $25. Or if you can't make it, buy an ad in the program book (as little as $25) at http://www.svhamstra.com/thankyou1program.shtml or purchase a ticket that we can give to someone who can't afford one (each birthday we give away 4 or 5 tickets purchased this way.) $100 sponsorships (includes a free ticket and a 1/4 page program ad plus acknowledgement in promotions) available at http://www.svhamstra.com/thankyou1sponsor.shtml

DELIVERY GIRLS & MOIRA DANIS JOIN CAST OF 19th BIRTHDAY SHOW

DELIVERY GIRLS & MOIRA DANIS JOIN CAST OF 19th BIRTHDAY SHOW
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The all-girl pop vocal group The Delivery Girls (Mary Carey, Amie Carey, April Henry and MD Tracy Stark), performing this month at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM and later this summer at FEINSTEIN'S, have joined the cast of "A Few of My Favorites", the 19th BIRTHDAY PARTY of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE to be held on Thursday, July 9th at 7:00 pm at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - ). Also joining the list of HOTLINE cabaret favorites this week is Moira Danis, who's latest show, The Greatest Show On Earth, wowed audiences and critics at DON'T TELL MAMA earlier this year.

Already announced cast members include cabaret legend Tom Anderson, recent cabaret newcomer Terrell Baker, cabaret/Broadway favorite Raissa Katona Bennett, singer/dancer Ryan Greer and the inimitable singer/actor Jim Speake. Musical director for the show is the 2009-double-MAC-Award winning Tracy Stark. More performers will be announced shortly.

The party celebrates the start of the 20th year of publication of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, which saw its first issue go out (in print) on July 6th, 1990 - published on the internet since 1997. The event also celebrates the 70th birthday of the founder, editor and publisher (and the only person who actually reads every issue all the way through - because he writes them) Stu Hamstra. The show will feature a number of performers who have become favorites of the newsletter's editor over the years. Part II - "More of My Favorites" will be presented next July when the publication celebrates its 20th Anniversary as the longest running cabaret-only news source of all things cabaret.

Each year CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE presents the DOTTIE BURMAN and JEFF MATSON awards, and this year we welcome back as our honored guests, past winners: DC Anderson, Hector Coris, Trudi Mann, Collette Black, Joe Regan and Miles Phillips - JEFF MATSON AWARD which has been presented since our first birthday party in 2004 and Maria Gentile and Tracy for the DOTTIE BURMAN AWARD, which we started presenting in 2007.

Tickets are $15 for new/renewed 2009-2010 members and $25 for non-members (plus the usual $15 food/drink minimum required by the venue). TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE WEBSITE - no reservations will be taken by the club, no tickets will be available the night of the show.

The 19th Birthday Party of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE is sponsored in part by Raisa Katona Bennett, Suzanne Carrico, Chelsea's Desktop, Inc. - Chelsea Hudgins, Creative Minds Productions, Teresa Fischer, Marty Geiger, Eric Michael Gillett and Laura Hull.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

NYC: SETH'S CHATTERBOX: NO SHOW THIS WEEK

FEATURED CABARET BENEFIT EVENT
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Seth Rudetsky's BROADWAY CHATTERBOX at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmamanyc.com ) is usually presented on Thursdays at 6:00 pm. On Thursday, June 4th, Seth is taking the week off - check back next Thursday for his guest for June 11th. 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 (http://www.bcefa.org )! See: http://www.sethsbroadwaychatterbox.com/ .

CDs THE SECOND TIME AROUND

I went to so many shows in May, I was able to listen to dozens of CDs. You see, it takes me at least 45 minutes to get from home to any cabaret venue in town, so each night I load up my iPod Touch with two or three CDs to keep me entertained on subway or bus. Of course, this meant I listened not just to new CD arrivals, but to older ones as well. And I discovered that "the second time around" most CDs sound better than the first time! You see, when I first listen to a CD, my mind is searching for any flaws. I can't help it. But the second time, I am listening to enjoy. It is amazing how something "burned" into a piece of plastic and then transferred to my computer and finally to my iPod, can improve with age. Favorite rediscoveries: Mary Foster Conklin's "Blues for Breakfast"; Peggy Herman's "Mercer and More"; Barb Jungr's "Waterloo Sunset"; Becky Menzie's "Real Emotional Girl". I liked them first time - and really loved them this time around. I'll list a few more "Great Cabaret CDs from the Past" in future issues of the newsletter.

CABARET FOLKS ON TWITTER YOU SHOULD FOLLOW

CABARET FOLKS ON TWITTER YOU SHOULD FOLLOW DEPARTMENT: Every week we spotlight another cabaret personality who you should follow on TWITTER (besides me at http://twitter.com/stuhamstra ). These are performers and friends of cabaret that I am currently following, who provide pithy comments and news on a regular basis, and who will not inundate you with TWITS of a political, commercial or pornographic nature and endless promos for their website, blog or next cabaret show. Choice this week is Russ Lorenson (http://twitter.com/russ_lorenson ). Last week we "twittered" with Russ to Detroit and back for an audition, and I am sure that this week we will be hearing about events leading up to his show on Saturday the 6th of June at the RRAZZ ROOM in San Francisco. Click on his link to sign on as a follower.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

MANHATTAN-HENGE TONIGHT IN NYC

Twice a year, the sun aligns with the east-west grid of city streets as it sets, creating a modern-day 'Stonehenge effect' in Manhattan. The setting sun lines up perfectly with the cross streets – as it aligns with the stones on the solstices of Stonehenge -- creating an ethereal glow down the island's concrete canyons. Sunset is at 8:17 p.m. You must be north of 14th Street.

GREAT SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS NEXT 10 DAYS

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GREAT SHOWS GIVING DISCOUNTS TO MEMBERS!
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FRIDAY-SATURDAY - MAY 29 - 30
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NYC: GRACE COSGROVE IS WISHIN' & HOPIN'
MEMBER DISCOUNT $5 OFF THE COVER
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Bistro Award-winning vocalist, 2009 MAC AWARD NOMINEE Grace Cosgrove returns to THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - ) with her new show "Burt Bacharach Songbook", Thursday through Saturday, May 28th through 30th at 7:30 pm. In this show, Grace shifts her attention from the eclectic music of her past to the pop contemporary rhythms of legendary composer Burt Bacharach. With her long-time collaborators Don Rebic at the piano and Eric Michael Gillett as director, Grace pays tribute to the Burt Bacharach songs that formed the soundtrack of our lives, guiding the audience into a musical collage of the times in which they were written and popularized. "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?", "Alfie", "The Look of Love", "That's What Friends Are For", "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head"; they're all here, brought to life once more through Grace Cosgrove's introspective and moving vocals and Don Rebic's brilliant, imaginative arrangements. There is a $15 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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SATURDAY - MAY 30
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NYC: ANGELA SHULTZ PREMIERES HER NEW SOLO SHOW
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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NYC cabaret performer Angela Shultz premieres her new solo show "Kiss Me Like You Mean It," at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 ) on Saturday, May 30th at 5:00 pm. Angela Shultz returns with a show about the kind of love that drives you to commit or be committed, featuring the songs of Derek Webb, Cy Coleman, Heart, Heisler and Goldrich, Harold Arlen and the Magnetic Fields. Musical direction is by Brett Kristofferson, with direction by Hector Coris. There is a $12 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $7 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: THE FOLLEN ANGELS MAKE METROPOLITAN ROOM DEBUT
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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THE FOLLEN ANGELS, international jazz and cabaret recording artists bring their dynamic show, "Tunes of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Friends" to the THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440 - http://www.metropolitanroom.com/ ) on Saturday, May 30th at 9:45 pm for one enchanting evening. The Angels (Hildy Grossman on vocals, Rieko Tanaka on piano and vocals, Kenneth W. Dantzig on drums, Rick Stone on sax/clarinet and Nicholas Thibault on bass) have filled concert halls and Radio airwaves and continue to draw enthusiastic audiences from Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, to Mechanics Hall in Worchester, to Danny's Skylight Room in New York City, to sharing the stage with HBO Comedian, Lewis Black. Some favorite songs included in the show are I got Rhythm, Lady Be Good, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, Night and Day, What is this Thing Called Love, Embraceable You, The Man I Love, I Love Paris, and many, many more. There is a $25 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $20 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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SUNDAY - MAY 31
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NYC: JIM VAN SLYKE SALUTES NEIL SEDAKA AT THE BEECHMAN
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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Jim Van Slyke returns to NYC and THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 ) for just one night only on Sunday, May 31st at 3:00 pm. Celebrating the music of pop icon Neil Sedaka, critically acclaimed singer Jim Van Slyke returns with this highly acclaimed new show. In a rare NY appearance, Jim lends his beautiful voice and charm to the intimate melodies of Neil Sedaka in his latest project "The Sedaka Show". Directed by Tony nominated singer/actor Brian Lane Green with Music Direction by MAC Nominee/Back Stage Bistro Award Winner Tim DiPasqua, this tour de force trio have created a magnificent evening of Neil Sedaka favorites, lost gems and a few surprises! There is a $15 cover plus a $15 food/drink minimum. $10 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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NYC: BOB O'HARE SINGS OF HOME AT MAMA'S
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $5 OFF THE COVER
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Bob O'Hare sings about "home" at DON'T TELL MAMA (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 212-757-0788 - ) on Sunday, May 31st at 3:00 pm and Mondays, June 15th & 22nd at 6:30 pm. The show is a musical exploration of the concept of "home", with songs by Flaherty and Ahrens, Bernstein, Bucchino, Carnelia, Coleman and Leigh, Arlen and Mercer, Kander and Ebb and others. Musical director is Tom Nelson, with direction by Eric Michael Gillett. There is a $20 cover plus a 2-drink minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.
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TUESDAY - JUNE 2
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NYC: LAURIE KRAUZ' TAPESTRY REWOVEN MONTHLY AT THE IRIDIUM
MEMBER DISCOUNT: $10 OFF THE COVER
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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 - ) the first Tuesday of every month. Next show is Tuesday, June 2nd with sets at 8:00 & 10:00 pm. Joining Laurie and Daryl on stage for the show will be Sean Conly on bass, Gene Lewin on drums, Jamie Fox on guitar, Sue Terry on sax & flute and Emily Bindiger, Margaret Dorn, and Kathryn Raio on backup vocals. There is a $25 cover plus a $10 minimum. $15 cover for members of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE.

ANOTHER UPDATE ON THE JULY BIRTHDAY EVENT

Time for a quick plug for the 19th Birthday Party of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE on Thursday, July 9th at 7:00 pm at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC - 212-695-6909 - ). First a little history. This is the 5th annual event, and it was an outgrowth of our CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE membership program that started in July of 2001. Conferring with a few friends, I was seeking a way to finance operations through the slow summer months when banner income (our only income source at that time) drops by 70 to 80 percent. Meantime operation costs stay about the same. The idea that developed was to use the "PBS" model - offer memberships with benefits to raise the needed funds. That's why membership renewal season is in July each year - and we settled on July because CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE started publication on July 6, 1990 (July 6 also happens to be my birthday).

Five years ago we decided to hold a birthday party to kick off the new CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE year. Since we are selling memberships at the same time we are selling tickets to the party, the ticket price is intentionally low. But of course the whole reason for the party is to try to raise $2000 - $3000 to tide us over the lean summer months. And that's why we also have sponsors and program book advertisers. With less than 80 seats to sell at $15 each there is no way the party alone can raise the funds. And that's why your membership renewal or new membership donation is very important.

And the Birthday Parties have traditionally featured a variety of performers over the years. The past 4 birthday parties have presented 49 performers - and only 4 of them have appeared in more than one birthday party! (mostly because they were folks booking the various rooms or won one of the awards). We're not going to promise an all-star lineup of "big" names to appear at the party, but we have included a few. We try to include newcomers and old timers, maybe a comic, maybe someone who has been performing for several years mainly to "family & friends" and I feel they should be seen by a wider audience. I promise surprises, a lot of fun, prizes and of course our annual DOTTIE BURMAN and JEFF MATSON award winners.

I'm on the hunt right now for additional performers - I signed up one the other night after seeing his show, and another one last night who was a a show I was at. I want to include a few 2009 MAC Award winners - invitations going out this weekend. One act is already signed on who does a performance unlike any other seen in cabaret, and one person is signed on who appeared in my very first Birthday Party show!

In fact, this is more of a "fun raiser" party than a fund raiser - it is in a way the first membership benefit to be received by those who join as 2009-2010 members - a $10 discount on the non-member price!

I hope you will go to the website at http://www.svhamstra.com/Membership.shtml and join - and then go to http://www.svhamstra.com/thankyou1tkt2.shtml to buy your ticket (members can purchase 2 tickets at the member price).

Or if you can't make it, buy an ad in the program book (as little as $25) at or purchase a ticket that we can give to someone who can't afford one (each birthday we give away 4 or 5 tickets purchased this way.) $100 sponsorships (includes a free ticket and a 1/4 page program ad plus acknowledgement in promotions).

Here's the info once more: 19th Birthday Party of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE on Thursday, July 9th at 7:00 pm at THE WEST BANK CAFE/LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER (407 West 42nd Street, NYC). Tickets are $15 for new/renewed 2009-2010 members and $25 for non members (plus the usual $15 food/drink minimum required by the venue). TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH THE WEBSITE - no reservations will be taken by the club, no tickets will be available the night of the show.

The 19th Birthday Party of CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE is sponsored in part by Raisa Katona Bennett, Suzanne Carrico, Chelsea's Desktop, Inc. - Chelsea Hudgins, Teresa Fischer, Marty Geiger, Eric Michael Gillett and Laura Hull.

PROTECT YOUR DATA

We've had a few instances of members/friends/subscribers having their mailing lists exploited by con artists. Here is a cardinal rule: do not use the same password on your various password-entry accounts - especially your banking and other financial accounts. For example, it is fairly easy to steal your password if you have a FACEBOOK or TWITTER account. You get a real-appearing e-mail saying so-and-so wants to be your friend or follower, and you are then directed to click on a link to go to your account to accept or reject so-and-so. And at that link you must, as usual, enter your account name and password. But it is not a legitimate web page - and instantly you have compromised your information for the con artist to exploit. If you are using the same account name and password for your AOL, GMAIL or other accounts, in a few minutes that data too is available - and AOL and some of the other mailing programs store your address book online (so that you can use your account away from home on any computer). Voila - your mailing list is now usable for any purpose. And from that list they can find your bank, your broker, your lawyer, and other names that can help them truly mess up your life. Be safe - be secure - change your passwords 4 or 5 times a year, and use a different password for each of your vital accounts.