After being forced to go virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, the Mabel Mercer Foundation‘s 32nd Annual New York Cabaret Convention returns live on Wednesday, October 27 at 6 PM at Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center. The Melody Lingers On: A Gala Tribute to the Songs of Irving Berlin will be hosted by Foundation Artistic Director, KT Sullivan.
Appearing at the one-night-only event will be Karen Akers, Christine Andreas, Klea Blackhurst, Stephanie Blythe, Carole J. Bufford, Natalie Douglas, Eric Yves Garcia, Aisha de Haas, Jeff Harnar, Nicolas King, Andrea Marcovicci, Karen Mason, The Moipei Triplets, Todd Murray, Sidney Myer, Mark Nadler, Karen Oberlin, Steve Ross, Sandy Stewart, Billy Stritch, Stacy Sullivan and Amra-Faye Wright. As an additional highlight, Ms. Akers will accept The 2021 Mabel Award.
Because, in the normal course of events, the Cabaret Convention covers more than a single evening of song, there will be two evenings of streamed performances—free of charge—streaming via mabelmercer.org. On Monday, October 25 at 7 PM, Love Is Sweeping the Country will feature performers from across the United States and around the world, live at various venues. KT Sullivan again serves as compere to present Stefan Bednarczyk, Cynthia Clarey, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano, David Edelfelt, Shana Farr, Meg Flather, Eric Michael Gillett, Sean Harkness, Paula Dionne Ingram, Lina Koutrakos, David LaMarr, Michael Kirk Lane, Alexandra Lewis, Marilyn Maye, Sally Mayes, Tammy McCann, Marissa Mulder, Phillip Officer, Marcus Simeone, Gabrielle Stravelli, Heather Sullivan, Jill and Rich Switzer and Lennie Watts. The evening also features the presentations of The 2021 Julie Wilson Award and The 2021 Donald F. Smith Award.
On Tuesday, October 26 at 7 PM, Natalie Douglas hosts The Future of Cabaret,also virtually streamed at mabelmercer.org. The show honors the three winners of this year’s Adela & Larry Elow High School Teen American Songbook Competition and includes appearances by other rising young performers, including past Elow award recipients Hannah Jane and Anais Reno. A special feature of the program will offer Ms. Douglas in a portion of one of her cabaret masterclasses.
Tickets are $25, $50, and $100. Premium seating at $500 is limited to fifty patrons and includes a post-performance cocktail reception with the evening’s artists. ($350 of that price is tax-deductible.)
Additional donations may be made via mabelmercer.org (which gratefully accepts funds 24/7/365) or by check payable to The Mabel Mercer Foundation.
PURCHASE PRESALE TICKETS HERE.
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