Cabaret Notes| a Curtainup Column

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Cabaret Nights November 2019

By Elizabeth Ahlfors

KT Sullivan to the Birdland Theater stage with her popular show, 1919: It Was a Very Good Year on Nov. 1. Current cabaret favorites, Natalie Douglas, David Maioco, Ruth Carlin, Eugene Ebner, Karen Oberlin, Tim Sullivan, Jon Weber , will celebrate singers born that year, (Nat King Cole, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Betty Garrett, Marge Champion, Kitty Wells, Pete Seeger and Howard Keel. The next evening brings pianist/vocalist Eric Comstock, vocalist Barbara Fasano and bassist Sean Smith . Straight from the Cabaret Convention is /b> Deborah Grace Winer’s New York: Big City Songbook on Nov. 3 with Klea Blackhurst, LaTanya Hall, Nicolas King and Jay Leonhart . On Nov. 19, Nicolas King brings in his own show and pianist/vocalist Daryl Sherman will perform Satchmo the Singer on Nov. 21. On Nov. 25-27, catch the dynamic Karen Mason . Ending the month is outstanding singer, Sandy Stewart accompanied by her notable son, jazz pianist, Bill Charlap.

Nov. 1 welcomes Anna Bergman at the Beach Café and on Nov. 2, you can hear the smooth sounds of Kevin Dozier . On Nov. 8, catch Todd Murray’s show, before he leaves on tour. Jazz artist Alexis Cole is scheduled on Nov. 11 and the club’s regular, Karen Akers closes the month on Nov. 30.

Feinstein’s 54/Below presents Melissa Errico on Nov. 7—9 with An Even Grander Affair, remembering her acclaimed interpretations of music by the late composer, Michel LeGrand . Featured on Nov. 12-23 is Brian Stokes Mitchell with his new show, Plays With Music – Holiday! celebrating the holidays and his new album. Nov. 26-30 at Feinstein’s 54/Below, brings Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway: Broadway the Calla-way, these two talented sisters bringing you an evening of jazz and showtunes.

On Nov. 1, 2, Raissa Katona Bennett Can’t Help Singing – The Music of Jerome Kern at Don’t Tell Mama. On Nov. 2, Meg Flather wrote the songs and found a lineup of cabaret sisters to perform them in A Cabaret Sisterhood . Leslie Orofino glows in her latest show, Shine, on Nov. 3, spotlighting the music and lives of some female legends, including Peggy Lee and Lady Gaga . Another DTM favorite, Julie Reyburn is scheduled on Nov. 7 with Anywhere We Are and Rian Keating brings his musical memoir to the club with This Traveling Heart . (Nov. 16, 20, 24). Ricky Ritzel salutes Broadway on Nov. 29. A Cabaret Sisterhood .

Pangea presents Mary Foster Conklin & Mark Winkler Find The Sweet Spot On Route 66 on Nov. 9. Gretchen Reinhagen's continues her show, Take It With Me , on Nov. 19 at Pangea. Deborah Stone is back with Here I Am. on Nov. 13 and Craig Pomranz proves the truth of The Power of Song .

We’ve seen some wonderful shows over the year and more to come.

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New York's Leading Cabaret Venues
Feinstein's 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street,646) 476-3551. The club is just below the stage of Studio 54. For tickets, call (866) 468-7619. Reasonable, interesting menu and dramatic decor. The sightlines are all good. Seats about 144. Covers vary but they are reasonable. Credit cards are accepted.

Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street. (212)-206-0440. A favorite. Friendly, comfortable and reasonable. Covers are $15 to $35, depending on performer and two-drink minimum. Serves tempting pies, cakes (try the carrot cake), and a few snack bowls. Alas, food is not included in drink minimum. Every Tuesday, Annie Ross swings with great band.

Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46 St. (212) 757-0788. Middle of theatre district with cabaret and a lively piano bar seven days a week. A long time favorite, reasonable, run well with wide variety of talent and friendly staff. Covers vary but are reasonable, plus two drink minimum. Credit cards not accepted.

The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street on 7th Avenue.Piano bar with an open mike downstairs and singers upstairs. Check out weekly events.

The Laurie Beechman Theater, West Bank Cafe, 407 West 42 Street. (212) 695-6909.$15 minimum plus cover. Besides nightly performers, they present New Voices on Monday nights ($10 cover). Friday nights is The After Party (No cover, no minimum). This spot is always adding something new.

Time Out Lounge, West 50 St., west of Eighth Avenue. If you're around New World Stages, take the elevator down to this no-cover little bar with jazz and standards.

Birdland, 315 W 44th St. NYC. Phone: 212-581-3080. Cabaret features Monday nights with "Broadway at Birdland" at 7pm. Then stay on for Jim Caruso's Cast Party, 9:30pm to 1:00am ($10 Cover and a $10 Food/Drink Minimum). Bar, minimum $5 plus cover. Offers good Cajun cooking at reasonable prices.

Iridium, 1650 Broadway (51st Street), (212) 582-2121. Monday nights with legendary Les Paul is a must-see. Strong jazz lineup the rest of the week and some solid jazzy singers. Prices vary.

Midtown Jazz at Midday, St. Peter's Church, Lexington Avenue and 54th Street, (212) 935-2200. A real bargain. Every Wednesday, bring your sandwich, pay $2 and watch top-notch jazz or cabaret artist for an hour. Begins 12:30pm.

Reprise Room @ Dillon's, 254 West 54 Street. NYC. Every Monday night, Back in Pictures, songs from movies. Check schedule.

Broadway Baby Bistro at Broadway Comedy Club. 318 W. 53 St. NYC., 212-757-5808. A piano bar and show room. Credit cards accepted.

The Triad Theatre, 158 W. 72nd St., 212-362-2590. Climb up the winding stairs to the cabaret room. Frequently features Off-off Broadway shows Covers vary often $10 or $15 or higher.

Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street. 212-962-7555 or 212-539-8778. Good news/bad news. This is not a concert space and not a cabaret space, but a bit of both. It lacks intimacy but usually features intriguing artists and some big names trying new venues. Can be packed and some sightlines are undesirable, yet excitement level can be high. You must buy tickets in advance and then make seating/dinner reservations. Two drink or $12 food minimum per person.

When price is no object
Cafe Carlyle, Madison Avenue at 76th Street. (212) 744-1600. Beautiful room for posh night out with big-name entertainer. Monday night is jazz night with Woody Allen, if he shows up. Cover is high, and varies.