National Cabaret Month

We all know that there is a day, month and year for everything under the sun now. Attribute it to Hallmark in the 1980's where every day became an occasion to celebrate. And then advanced into the current millenium with the advent of Facebook Events.

BUT - March has somehow been designated a cabaret month. By whom, we will never know. Not only a day but an entire month. And it is one of those with 31 days! We all know of our own shameless plug for Women: A Broad View. I look on line and cities from NY to St Louis are doing something to commemorate it. But maybe a reminder to those at large out there to find one way to engage yourself with something. Maybe it is a concert at the Dakota. Maybe it is buying a new CD or MP3 of a favorite artist. Maybe it is even a night of karaoke out with good friends creating your own cabaret party. Do it up!

C'mon Get Pappy

 

Another interesting cabaret offering coming out of NY. This is the first father-son evening that I have stumbled onto. It features psychiatrist Dr. Edward “Pappy” Lowell and his son Brett, one of his closest friends. The press asks us to join the two of them for an evening of stories and songs on the art and science of being happy—84 years of wisdom on living a life of joy, passed from father to son. It looks like a very eclectic program mixing Kander & Ebb with Springsteen. Written by the two of them with musical direction by Darius Frowner and performed at both the Laurie Beechman Theater & the Duplex in NYC over the next month.

Grammy Schmammy

19 hours ago

Rarely do I have the entire evening off to enjoy the celebration of the Music industry. So it was with much anticipation that I had sights set of Sunday's telecast. Somehow I am out of touch or have emerged as the wrong demographic! I was hoping the pre-show preview might be about the music and talent. But no - it was about the cleavage warnings and fashions of Katy Perry & Rhianna. Really?

And then the show began with fluctuation from spectacle to dull. I am not denying that there was entertainment, but it was not engaging in most cases. They had been taunting the shift to performance celebrations and away from the awards. Instead I saw shameless plugs from CBS pseudo-stars for their shows who had no right to be at the show, outright presenting and introducing pop stars they had likely never met. Out of the 80+ awards presented, only a few that made prime time were worthy of my interest. There was an occasional bone thrown to jazz with a 2 minute morsel by Chick Corea, but as expected it was hip-hop circuses and bubble gum side shows. Even big names like Taylor Swift & fun. did not live up to the hype. Poor Carrie Underwood who should be a powerhouse of a performer was reduced to a standing statue so that incredible lighting effects could be projected onto her mammoth ball gown. Thank goodness for some old school soul from Justin Timberlake and an always reliable Kelly Clarkson for lifting me out of my hibernating on the couch. Also Bruno Mars & Sting collaborating on an odd medley of Bob Marley tunes.

No Diva's were in the house or on stage. For some reason Wiz Khalifa could expose as much nipple as he wanted - he needed something to grab our eager attentions. Adele had more punch in her 15 second speech than most did in the total 3 minute song slots. LL Cool J makes a far better actor than event host. And how does one explain categories like Urban Contemporary Pop or Americana? I'm all for genre bending but how do they come up with these things?

All in all - I find it sad that this used to be our reality television. Now I would much rather watch an episode of the Amazing Race or the Bachelor.

Cherry and Spoon

I know that many of my posts lean to the theater side. Part is that there is not always a lot in the loop that is true cabaret tidbits of note. But the other side is that my roots are in theater and where most of my experience and identity lies.

This is a link to Cherry and Spoon - a fellow blog here in the Twin Cities noted only as being published by Jill. She obviously sees quite a bit of what is on stage locally with a heavy emphasis on our musical theater offerings. But I also see posts on vocal concerts that lean very heavily in our genre. I am not going to attach it to our sidebar, but I will include the link for any of you that might be theater groupies. It lists quite extensively and might turn you onto some events that would normally miss your radar.

Cherry and Spoon

How Bout a Dance?

 


Our very own Joey Babay will be sharing the stage with other fine vocalists for a holiday dance in conjunction with 1st Universalist Church in Minneapolis. The decadent event is taking place this Saturday in the church hall @ 34th & Dupont Ave S at 7:30 PM. He is choosing some great swinging uptempo tunes to get the mood moving. John Jensen and the Usual Suspects will be holding court in the trio. If you are wanting a date and a sweet treat - come check him out!

Welcome Home

I am a big fan of flashmobs and it always thrills me when I catch something that is truly unique and special happening in a large public arena. This is yet another. It looks like a mass event staged by TMobile in the UK. It is from 2010 @ Heathrow and uses a massive number of live singers. The sound is impeccable and TMobile must have put much effort into the audio. But I love the stunned reaction from the hundreds of passengers as they are greeted upon arrival but an unexpected burst of joy in song.