Artists in Partnership (AIP - http://www.aip-arts.org/ ), a non-profit cultural arts organization, will host its 8th Annual Cabaret Festival at the LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY (111 West Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY) on Thursday through Sunday, May 20th through 23rd. The festival will be a celebration of the cabaret genre honoring the American Songbook with performances by renowned local and New York City-based artists. Featured performances at the Library on Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00 pm: "Cabaret Conversations" featuring established cabaret artists and authors perform and comment on cabaret with guests Gretchen Reinhagen, David Gaines, Anita Darian among others; on Saturday, May 22nd at 8:00 pm: "All About Love" with Baby Jane Dexter, 2010 Nightlife and MAC Award Winner for Outstanding Vocalist, with Musical Director Ross Patterson on piano. This event is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program administered by The Huntington Arts Council, Inc. All performances are free to the public.
The acclaimed cabaret/jazz, husband/wife team of Wesla Whitfield and Mike Greensill present "We're in the Money!: Songs From The Movies" at RRAZZ ROOM at THE HOTEL NIKKO (222 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA - 415-394-1189) Tuesdays through Sundays, May 11th through 30th at 8:00 pm (Saturdays at 7:00 & Sundays at 5:00 pm). Featuring the magical and original interpretations of vocalist Wesla Whitfield along with the swinging Mike Greensill Trio, "We're In The Money" presents the best of Hollywood's musical soundtracks including Over the Rainbow, Jeepers Creepers, A Kiss To Build A Dream On, The Boy Next Door and many more along with stories of the legendary performers who made these songs into the timeless and unforgettable tunes we all love. Wesla and Mike will explore the scores of such movie gems as Meet Me In St Louis, An American in Paris, Bandwagon, The Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, Top Hat and many more. Tickets are $35/$45.
The Cabaret at the Columbia Club Presents "Lauren Cregor: Living in Music" on Friday, May 21st at 8:00 pm at THE CABARET AT THE COLUMBIA CLUB (121 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, IN - 317-275-1169). Moments of our lives, big and small, are given a home in jazz, folk, rock and soul as Indiana native Lauren Cregor returns home to present a night of original music, including works from Broadway, film and cabaret. Lauren is the composer and musical director for the acclaimed off-Broadway company, Waterwell. Nominated for multiple Drama Desk and IT Awards, Waterwell has produced nine original pieces in New York. Their current project will be devised and performed at Indiana University in August 2010 as part of Premiere Musicals, thanks to a generous grant from Eli Lilly. She was recently selected to participate in BMI's esteemed Musical Theater Workshop. As a singer / songwriter, Lauren has released two albums with her band and is currently working on her third. She received her B.A. in Theater from Indiana University, a post-graduate degree in Voice and Theater from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and her M.A. in Composition from New York University. Tickets are $35-$45-$55.
Singer, actor, and producer Anthony Escobar will perform his show "Songs I'll Never Sing on Broadway" on Friday, May 21st at 9:45 pm at THE METROPOLITAN ROOM (34 West 22nd Street, NYC - 212-206-0440). Anthony most recently performed in "The Pop Show" at The Laurie Beechman Theater in November 2009. Other shows include "Uncertainty Principle" at Don't Tell Mama, "Melange A Trois" at The Duplex and Davenport's in Chicago, "B-Side & Bastardized" at La MaMa E.T.C. and "Passage" at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Additionally, he has worked on independent films in New York and was a voice-over character for playwright/novelist Jessica Hagedorn's animated series "The Pink Palace" which aired on the Oxygen Network. Originally from Chicago, Anthony moved to New York City in 1993 to attend NYU and received his degree in English Literature. There is a $10 cover plus a 2-drink minimum.
After a thrilling 2-night series this winter, the legendary NYC performer Raven ORaven O returns with his one-man show, One Night With You - an autobiographical look at his life in story and song - to THE BLEEKER STREET THEATER (45 Bleecker Street, NYC - TKTS: ) on Tuesday nights at 8:00 pm starting on May 18th through August 31st. Known worldwide for his starring role in Cirque Du Soleil's Zumanity, Raven O is a master at captivating audiences. On stage, he is the son of the devil one minute, a soul wrenching swan singer the next. His performances are fearless, provocative and often times off-the-wall. At 18, he entered and won a dance contest with a first place prize being a roundtrip ticket to New York City. He later learned the organizers did not have enough money to cover a return trip. They offered Raven O a one-way ticket and he took it - never looking back. He soon became a fixture in the East Village club world. He sung in dark, seedy underground cabarets and burlesque theatre houses. Cirque Du Soleil was a major turning point for the performer. The troupe invited Raven O to host their Zumanity show in Las Vegas. In 2007, after three long years in Las Vegas, Raven O returned to his love - New York City. Raven O is currently preparing to release his first musical CD this summer. For information, ticket price & reservations, go tohttp://www.telecharge.com/ .
Joan Crowe and her band on return on Thursday, May 20th, at a new venue for a fun evening of "Swing into Spring!" atLAFAYETTE GRILL & BAR (54 Franklin Street, NYC - 212-732-5600 - ) from 7:30 pm until 12:30 am. Join this hot new swing scene where the swingin' sounds of Jesters of Jive will help you swing into shape while having a blast on the fabulous dance floor! There will be a Free Swing Dance Lesson at 7:30 pm. When the show starts you will be ready to tear up the dance floor. Joan will be performing with a 5 piece version of her band with Julie Milgram on Piano, Doug Largent on Bass, Joe Izzo on Drums, Sean Mahoney on Trombone and vocals. Instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome to sit in. LAFAYETTE GRILL & BAR is located in a really hip neighborhood downtown and easy parking after 7:00 pm. $10 cover (No cover on May 20th).
