Video of the Moment
An American Idol finalist, two-time BroadwayWorld Award winner, Ava Nicole Frances, famously mentored by her “two Dads,” conquers genres with big, soaring vocals. As noted by NLE’s Sue Matsuki (Sue’s Muse), she’s “one of my favorite performers on the scene today.” Francis is also a favorite of Susie Mosher’s, often appearing on The Line Up. An actor she recently appeared in the Off Off Broadway show called Oliva O—and as a composer, Frances was nominated in 2025 for her first MAC Award for Original Song; and all of this by age 23 (but she’s been performing since age 10!). Here she is in 2025 at The Laurie Beechman Theater performing her Christmas show, Glitter and Be Gay. This year the show comes to The Green Room 42 on Friday, December 18 at 7 PM. Click here to find out more and reserve.
Music legend Tom Jones brings his Come Gather Round Tour to New York City’s historic Beacon Theatre tonight, September 29, and tomorrow, September 30, for two highly-anticipated performances.
At 86, the Welsh-born superstar continues to captivate audiences with the powerful voice, magnetic stage presence and unmistakable charisma that have defined his extraordinary career.
Fans can look forward to timeless hits including “It’s Not Unusual,” “Delilah” and “Sex Bomb,” alongside a repertoire that reflects his remarkable musical evolution.
From his early days as an international sensation to his enduring status as one of popular music’s most recognizable performers, Jones remains a singular entertainer whose appeal spans generations.
They are eternally legends and cabaret royalty, both majestic interpreters of song: UK-born Mable Mercer and Bobby Short. Mercer (1900-1984), who came to NYC in 1941, was a “singer’s singer.” Frank Sinatra famously said he learned everything he knew from Mercer.
Always regally seated, her style was parlando—sing-speak. Pianist-singer Short (1924-2005), noted for his sophistication, began a residency with his trio at the upscale Café Carlyle in 1968, which ended with his unexpected passing 37 years on. Both were, as Duke Ellington often noted, beyond category. On Mercer’s birthday, February 3, 1985, The Mabel Mercer Foundation was officially incorporated via her manager and friend, Donald Smith, with a mission to keep both Mercer’s legacy and the art form of cabaret vibrantly alive.
Theater artist, director, actress, singer and puppeteer…the amazing and wildly talented Yael Rasooly fascinates with her divas—Piaf and Dietrich, always a deep dive into storytelling with music and narrative depth.
Here’s Rasooly at one of last year’s Barbarino’s Big Nite Out shows (BBNO returns again this season on Tuesday, September 29). And keep your eyes peeled for Rasooly’s return to NYC. She has an active touring schedule, but you never know when she’ll pop up here with her girls. Visit Rasooly’s website to view her currently touring shows.
Get tickets for the next Barbarino’s Big Nite Out show on September 29!
ScoBar Entertainment’s Piano Bar Live! Was an interactive, cabaret-style piano bar experience created and produced by Scott Barbarino and ScoBar Entertainment. It began in 2019 at The Duplex in New York City and was later presented from Brandy’s Piano Bar on the Upper East Side before moving to a virtual format.
At its heart was piano-bar maestro Michael McAssey, taking requests and leading a rotating cast of professional singers, cabaret performers, Broadway artists, surprise guests, and even audience members who get up to sing.
What made Piano Bar Live! distinctive is that it wasn’t simply a concert being broadcast online. It aimed to recreate the spontaneous, communal, anything-can-happen atmosphere of a New York piano bar—with audience interaction, song requests, guest performers, humor, storytelling, and the feeling of friends gathering around the piano.
It also had a strong cabaret-community and mentorship mission. The program brought together established veterans and emerging performers, giving younger artists an opportunity to perform alongside experienced piano-bar, cabaret, and Broadway professionals. Barbarino described that passing of the torch as central to keeping the piano-bar tradition alive.
And it has industry recognition: Piano Bar Live! won the 2020 MAC Award for Show of the Year.
In short: _Piano Bar Live! Was a virtual extension of the classic New York piano bar—live music, requests, performers, comedy, cabaret, audience participation, and community, all gathered around the piano.
“If you knew Grove Street like I knew Grove Street… “ -Scott Barbarino
Collecting remembrances of the Five Oaks. Please email: ScoBarEnt@gmail.com
Jerry Scott: Remembrances of a Vintage Piano Bar Maestro
Pennsylvania-born Jerry Scott’s career spanned over four decades. He possessed an astounding repertoire that exceeded 2,000 to 2,500 songs over genres including show tunes, standards, pop operetta and ragtime. His style was free-wheeling, his banter […]
Pennsylvania-born Jerry Scott’s career spanned over four decades. He possessed an astounding repertoire that exceeded 2,000 to 2,500 songs over genres including show tunes, standards, pop operetta and ragtime.
His style was free-wheeling, his banter spirited. His gigs were at now classic spots: The Regency Hotel, Tatou, Nino’s Tuscany, Waverly Waverly and Danny’s Skylight Room, among many others. Scott earned 12 MAC Awards, a Bistro Award, a Critic’s Choice Award, and multiple Entertainer of the Year honors. Jerry Scott passed away from cancer on April 4, 2013, at age 67.
Annie Ross: remember her name. She was truly legendary—and her contribution to vocal jazz lives on today.
Always a first-call singer, she teamed up with two other giants in 1957 to form the trio, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross—and vocalese was born.
The likes of Manhattan transfer and beyond owe it all to Annie. She was singing till the end, finding a home in the now shuttered Metropolitan Room. Ross died days before turning 90, in July 2020. Here’s one of her signature songs:
Fulfilling a promise made 40 years ago, Gary Olsen is keeping Laurie Beechman’s magic alive for a whole new generation. Laurie is a once-in-a-lifetime performer who lit up any stage – from the small clubs of the early 70s in NY to legendary Cabaret runs, from the Broadway stage to the Global stage, Laurie would take her audience on an unforgettable journey with every note she sang. Come spend some time with an old friend.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner’s Artistic Director – Scott Barbarino introduces a special performance by Can Yasar at The Miss Subway Reunion this last week. We support all the artists who immigrate here to our great city! Lest we forget our invite ….
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”
Partnering with SageUSA, Ellen’s Stardust Diner celebrates Pride 2026 in the Stardust Theatre.
Sidney Myer! Cabaret icon, song stylist, and keeper of New York’s cabaret soul—the beloved performer whose wit, warmth, and singular charm delighted audiences for decades.
Enjoy this touching tribute featuring clips of Sidney in performance and a slideshow of photos celebrating his remarkable life and career.
As a fitting continuation of this celebration of his legacy, the video also spotlights To Sid, With Love, a special tribute concert at Don’t Tell Mama on June 21 at 3:00 PM, where a few singers will join together to sing “thank you” to Don’t Tell Mama’s longtime booking manager.
Betty Buckley! Originator of the Jellicle cat, Grizabella in 1982’s Cats on Broadway—the cat who sings “Memory” as she
ascends to the Heavyside Layer.
Miss Buckley has been appearing at Joe’s Pub with a new collection of Story Songs (April 24-26)… and there’s a new Grizabella, Chasity Moore, in the huge Broadway hit, CATS: The Jellicle Ball.
To salute them both, here’s Grizabella’s star-turn hit “Memory” as performed by Nicole Calkins at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. All hail Betty Buckley, Grizabella and memories!
“It was truly wonderful seeing so many MAC faces at Joe’s Pub on Sunday night, for “Comme Une Folle: torch songs for tough times because gay!” Thank you very much for being there!!”
Kim David Smith
Kim David Smith’s and Tracy Stark’s version of Kurt Weill’s venomous “Pirate Jenny”(performed with their fabulous band: Skip Ward, Matt Podd, and David Silliman), for the curious who couldn’t be there on the night.
The next big show is “A Wery Weimar Christmas” at Club Cumming, Sunday, December 14
Celebrate PRIDE 2024