The Bistro Awards

12/19/2023

Tributes to Sting, Jimmy Webb, Taylor Swift, and Barbara Cook; a salute to the stars of the famed Algonquin Hotel; a double-header evening featuring various cabaret artists' muses—these were just some of the 21 shows that made up the 12-day annual Winter Rhythms season that played at Frances Hill's Urban Stages on W. 30th St. Produced by Sue Matsuki, with able assist from Kati Neiheisel (pix below), the series is now in its 15th year.

Though we weren't able to cover every single show, we did cover a lot of them! Read Mark Dundas Wood's account of his adventures here: https://bistroaward.com/bistro-bits-artist-tributes-highlight-the-2023-winter-rhythms-season/

12/14/2023

Jazz vs. Cabaret: Just how similar or dissimilar are they?

"Jazz is cerebral,
Cabaret is more on the emotional side.

Jazz is cool. Or it’s hot.
Cabaret seems fine with being warm

Jazz performance is about notes and sounds.
Cabaret is much more lyric-focused.

Jazz is, at its core, African-American artistry.
Cabaret grew out of European traditions."

More and more, singers have begun to fuse both styles in their presentations on stage. Read more on the topic in BistroAwards.com's Mark Dundas Wood's feature, "Kissing Cousins or Estranged Siblings" here: https://bistroaward.com/bistro-bits-jazz-and-cabaret-kissing-cousins-or-estranged-siblings-veronica-swift-and-mary-foster-conklin-shed-some-light/

11/22/2023

The BISTRO BITS column is back!

Well over 40 years ago, BOB HARRINGTON began to write individual reviews of club acts for us while I was editor of BACK STAGE. Within months, and his gaining popularity with our readership, I asked him to write a weekly column for us in which he could critique all the acts that he would see during the week. I decided to name the column BISTRO BITS and it was very well received in the cabaret community. When Bob, unfortunately, passed away in the fall of 1992, a number of different critics had their turn penning the column, but in 2008, when I left Back Stage, it also was the end of the column.

UNTIL NOW!

BistroAwards.com feature writer and my colleague on the Bistro Awards, MARK DUNDAS WOOD, will be Bistro Bits' newest author. Here's what he writes about this week on what makes for SUPER-GREAT CABARET: https://bistroaward.com/bistro-bits-a-greeting-plus-what-makes-for-super-great-cabaret/

11/01/2023

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER serves as the source of inspiration for two performers.
BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES reviews MAMIE PARRIS in "Surrender– An Andrew Lloyd Webber Thrill Ride" and finds the show a "triumph" as well as "a perfect blend of Broadway and cabaret": https://bistroaward.com/mamie-parris-surrender-an-andrew-lloyd-webber-thrill-ride/
Geddes also reviews GILBERT SANCHEZ's "Cats II–The Other Cats Musical" and notes the "ingenuity, charm, satirical wit on display":https://bistroaward.com/gilbert-sanchez-cats-ii-the-other-cats-musical/

10/04/2023

Are you a songwriter?

If you are, then how do YOU keep the music playing in a world that's swiftly changing?

BistroAward.com's MARK DUNDAS WOOD asked this question, among others, to songwriters AMANDA McBROOM, MICHAEL HOLLAND, JOE ICONIS, and TIM Di PASQUA and you can read how they responded in his feature article "Changing Their Tunes...or Not. Cabaret Songwriters Adapt in a Volatile World: https://bistroaward.com/changing-their-tunes-or-not-cabaret-songwriters-adapt-in-a-volatile-world/

09/13/2023

"To translate the energy, the heart, the style, the artistry, and the power of a Broadway star performance into the intimate surroundings of a cabaret is not an easy thing to do. Some singers just recreate the energy and size of their theatrical triumphs into the smaller space to sometimes disastrous results..."

But obviously not TONY YAZBECK who obviously understands the art of the cabaret genre. Read the rest of BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES review of the Broadway star here: https://bistroaward.com/club-review-tony-yazbeck/

09/05/2023

09/05/2023

WHEN and WHY did CABARET DIRECTORS become so essential?

Here's how six cabaret pros respond to that question when asked by BistroAwards.com's SIMI HORWITZ for her latesst article this week, "From Logistics to Aesthetics: The Varying Roles of the Cabaret Director": https://bistroaward.com/directors/

08/14/2023

Two recent jazz albums shed new light on classic songs, while offering original and some rare and unusual tunes as well. Read BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES's reviews of CHLOÉ JEAN's "Fairy Tale Fail" here: https://bistroaward.com/chloe-jeans-fairy-tale-fail/; and WILMA BAAN's Look at Me Now! here: https://bistroaward.com/wilma-baans-look-at-me-now/

08/09/2023

Who says cabaret doesn't offer up varied fare?

To prove the variety, and sometimes complexity, of NY cabaret, read GERRY GEDDES's latest writings on BistroAwards.com—DANIEL REICHARD's show pays tribute to Fred Rogers ("Mister Rogers Neighborhood"):https://bistroaward.com/daniel-reichards-its-you-i-like/ , and past Bistro Award winner SALTY BRINE sets his murder mystery show in the Pansy Craze times of 1930s NY and performs songs by Cyndi Lauper: https://bistroaward.com/salty-brines-hes-so-unusual/

07/31/2023

We all know just how divine a performer ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS is. Well, De Shields proved that divineness once again playing Loki, the Demi-God of Fire, a role that he originated 50 years ago in BARRY KEATING and JIM STEINMAN's '70s rock musical RHINEGOLD, based on Wagner's opera, "Das Rheingold." Read GERRY GEDDES's review of the concert version of that show here on BistroAwards.com (Photo of Mr. De Shields by Lia Chang): https://bistroaward.com/songs-from-rhinegold/

07/24/2023

Despite the heat, humidity, and polluted air in New York City, cabaret thrives!
Read BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES's reviews of LUCIE ARNAZ at 54 Below: https://bistroaward.com/lucie-arnazs-i-got-the-job-songs-from-my-musical-past/
and JULIAN FLEISHER and TEDD FIRTH and their performance at Joe's Pub, both reviews posted this morning: https://bistroaward.com/julian-fleisher-tedd-firth-six-of-one-half-a-dozen-of-another/

07/11/2023

"Passion, wit, creativity, and talent blend seamlessly," writes BistroAwards.com's Gerry Geddes in his review of stage actor-singer AMBER GRAY ("...The Great Comet of 1812," "Hadestown") in her cabaret debut. Read it here: https://bistroaward.com/amber-grays-gray-matter/
On stage actor and veteran cabaret peformer. ZORA RASMUSSEN, Geddes writes, "The years have imbued her voice with a burnished, smoky intensity, and her storytelling and phrasing have grown even more dramatic and incisive," though he wished for a bit more of one and less of the another: https://bistroaward.com/zora-rasmussen/d

06/22/2023

*Did you ever ask yourself, "Does this song fit me?"

*How do you know when you’ve outgrown a song, when your audience has outgrown it, or when it’s simply the time to delete it from your setlist?

*Should you stick with material that rests within your comfort zone, or should you branch out into genres that will surprise your listeners, perhaps raising an eyebrow or two?

Read what four Bistro Award-winning performers have to say on the subject in Mark Dundas Wood's latest feature on BistroAwards.com: https://bistroaward.com/does-this-song-look-ok-on-me-four-singers-discuss-their-approaches-to-repertoire/

05/18/2023

What are the subtle and not-so-subtle differences among the various New York cabaret rooms?

Have their boundaries blurred over the years?

Read Simi Horwitz's latest feature on Bistro Awards.com and find out. You may even be surprised at some of her revelations: https://bistroaward.com/ny-cabaret-rooms-what-are-the-subtle-and-not-so-subtle-differences-among-them/

(Photo: Courtesy of The Green Room 42.)

05/09/2023

SHEER JOY!

Read BistroAwards.com's Gerry Geddes's reviews of both ANTHONY MURPHY's show, "A Joyful Noise" (https://bistroaward.com/anthony-murphys-a-joyful-noise/) and MARY FOSTER CONKLIN's latest album release, "These Precious Days" (https://bistroaward.com/cd-review-mary-foster-conklins-these-precious-days/) and share the joy!

05/06/2023

Barbra Streisand devotees!

If you know so much, then tell us who her opening act was during her 1971-'72 engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton?*

Matt Howe, creator of the Barbra Archives (https://www.barbra-archives.info), has a new book recently published on the Streisand recording career, including all kinds of wonderful tidbits. Read BistroAwards.com's Mark Dundas Wood interview with him here and find out a couple of things that may be brand new to you! https://bistroaward.com/barbra-streisand-the-music-the-albums-the-singles-a-conversation-with-author-matt-howe/

*Robert Klein :-)

04/30/2023

Photos from the 38th annual BISTRO AWARDS held April 17! All these, plus much more including our special presenters and tribute guests. Click here to see all: https://bistroaward.com/2023-award-winners/2023-bistro-awards-photos/

04/12/2023

Uhhhh, did I fail to mention our glamorous After-Party?
https://bistroaward.com/buy-tickets-2023-2/

03/24/2023

And once again, with the correct links (sorry!), here's DANNY BACHER, just one of the 15 extraordinary 2023 BISTRO AWARDS honorees. Please join us for the celebration! https://bistroaward.com/buy-tickets-2023-2/

It's Swingtime with Danny! One of 15 Outstanding Artists on Our Evening Menu!  Get A Taste of What to Expect! Sample DANNY BACHER, 2023 Bistro Award honoree for Outstanding Singer/Instrumentalist, p

03/23/2023

https://conta.cc/3nd2hw9

It's Swingtime with Danny! One of 15 Outstanding Artists on Our Evening Menu!  Get A Taste of What to Expect! Sample DANNY BACHER, 2023 Bistro Award honoree for Outstanding Singer/Instrumentalist, p

03/14/2023

THERE IS NOTHIN' LIKE A DAME!
With that in mind, we asked the legendary DAME EDNA EVERAGE to host the 38th annual The Bistro Awards show. The bad news is that she was not able to join us due to scheduling onflicts. But the good news is that, in her place, she is sending SCOTT F. MASON, Dame Edna's Honorary Understudy to host the show! See Scott and 14 other, what we consider to be, the crème de la crème of performers of 2022! Take advantage of our EARLY-PURCHASE ticket rates, and buy now! https://bistroaward.com/buy-early-purchase-tickets-2023/

03/07/2023

Presenting our 2023 BISTRO AWARDS honorees!

See photos and read more about each of them here: https://bistroaward.com/2023-award-winners/

02/21/2023

Raised in a log cabin that his father built outside of Seattle, his talents and career aspirations led him to the rarified heights of New York City nightlife.
His legendary style and talent are the epitome of sophistication, intelligence, and musical artistry.
Now in his sixth decade of performing, we are proud to announce that singer-pianist-songwriter RONNY WHYTE will receive the ASCAP-Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award, the Bistro Awards highest honor, at the 38th Annual Bistro Awards on Monday, April 17. A complete list of 2023 honorees will be announced the week of March 6. Watch this space, or go to www.BistroAwards.com

01/24/2023

"Timidity, stupidity, solidity, frigidity / Avidity, turbidity, Manhattan, and viscidity / Fatality, morality, legality, finality / Neutrality, reality or Southern hospitality"

I dare you to try repeating that at a breakneck pace!

They're lines from COLE PORTER's "LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT LOVE," from his 1941 Broadway musical "LET'S FACE IT." starring Danny Kaye, Eve Arden, Vivian Vance, and Nanette Fabray.

Read more about the song and its various interpretations, and why the song can still work well in a 2023 cabaret act! It's in the latest article in MARK DUNDAS WOOD's "Cabaret Setlist" series: https://bistroawards.com/cabaret-setlist-lets-not-talk-about-love-music-and-lyrics-by-cole-porter/

01/10/2023

"There have been so many Sondheim tributes in the year since his passing and many have been fine and pleasantly taken up residency in my memory, but RONNY WHYTE’s "Swinging Sondheim" has taken up residency in my heart as well."

Read the rest of BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES's terrific review of jazz singer/pianist/songwriter Ronny Whyte here: https://bistroawards.com/club-review-ronny-whytes-swinging-sondheim/

01/06/2023

Below is singer-songwriter JIMMY WEBB at the 2022 BISTRO AWARDS gala evening where he was honored this past May. He shares his appreciation of the uniqueness of small, intimate clubs and how special they make him feel. About eight minutes into the video he sings one of his rare songs that colleague and friend JUDY COLLINS discovered and made into her own.
https://bistroawards.com/watch-jimmy-webb-perform-at-the-2022-bistro-awards/
"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" will be just one of the songs performed at PANGEA this Saturday night, JANUARY 7 at 7 pm where BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES and his cast salute Webb with an evening of his songs. For reservations: http://www.pangeanyc.com/show/9531/

01/05/2023

So what's an operatic voice doing in the cabaret community where lyric interpretation plays a key role?
Through the sound of his voice, this performer is able to musically express the emotional context of a song, prioritzing this over the song's lyrics...and it works! Read BistroAward.com's LISA JO SAGOLLA's review of SEAN PATRICK MURTAGH new CD here: https://bistroawards.com/cd-review-sean-patrick-murtaghs-the-mario-101-a-celebration-of-the-mario-lanza-songbook/

01/02/2023

JIMMY WEBB was honored with the Bistro Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award last May at our 37th annual Bistro Awards gala evening. Now BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES is continuing the tribute with a show that he conceived and directed, CELEBRATION OF JIMMY WEBB, this Saturday, January 7 at 7 pm at Pangea, 178 Second Ave. He has rounded up a spectacular cast who will perform the award-winning songwriter-performer's material, both well-known and those gems of songs that aren't as widely known. Here's the link for tickets: http://www.pangeanyc.com/show/9531/

12/17/2022

"There is something special in the sound, the style, and the phrasing of a horn player who sings; I think back to my favorites of the past like Chet Baker, Jack Sheldon, and even Louis Armstrong. They brought a unique musicality and lightness to their delivery while paying attention to the lyrics, both narratively and rhythmically." Add the name of DANNY BACHER to that grand tradition, and read the rest of BistroAwards.com's GERRY GEDDES's review here: https://bistroawards.com/club-review-danny-bacher-trio/