MAUREEN TAYLOR RETURNS TO THE IGUANA TOMORROW NIGHT!, ALONG WITH LOIS MORTON, DIANA LABLANC...AND THAT'S JUST FOR STARTERS!

Well, another week has passed and we return to The Iguana tomorrow night! Wow, what a line-up! The reservations have been pouring in. Don't be left off. One of my favorite entertainers is kicking off the show tomorrow night. Maureen is one of the greatest gifts I have received performing at The Iguana in the last year and a half. Can't wait to see what she has prepared for us tomorrow night. Check out her website at http://www.maureentaylornyc.com

Lois Morton began writing songs in the late sixties, and at the suggestion of Pete Seeger, had several topical songs published in Broadside Magazine. After a long hiatus, which included raising a family, teaching, writing children's books and ESL textbooks, and directing a continuing education program at the YWCA, she returned to songwriting in the mid nineties. She currently focuses on humorous songs of social commentary on subjects such as CLUTTER, CELL PHONES, PSYCHOTHERAPY, et. al., which have delighted audiences at Acoustic Long Island, the Huntington Folk Music Society, and other performance venues. Her song "Confessions of a Clutterholic" received a standing ovation at the National Conference of Professional Organizers.

Diana LeBlanc returns. Diana is in the beginning stages of putting together a tribute show to Angela Lansbury! I can't wait! I don't think it has been done before! Tomorrow night, Diana will be previewing a song from that show.

And of course, there's Dana Lorge!

Warren Schein will be singing at the Iguana on Wed. Sept. 22, can't wait.
He is terrific...

E.J. Decker returns! E.J, is in the process of recording a new cd and will be previewing an original song tomorrow night. You will also have the option of buying E.J.'s cds tomorrow night and/or enter in a drawing for our door prize featuring the cds of tomorrow night's artists. “It’s so nice to finally hear someone who knows what they’re doing!”

—Legendary jazz vocalist Laurel Watson
(Basie, Ellington, Sonny Stitt)

New York City in the mid- to late-’90s produced an amazing group of talented jazz vocalists. After years of supporting each other's gigs, helping each other network and find new clubs and talented sidemen, singers such as Kendra Shank, Diane Hubka, Jody Sandhaus, Barbara Sfraga, Dena DeRose, Mary Pearson and Roseanna Vitro are all enjoying well-deserved accolades.

Now, E. J. Decker, another from this group, emerges with a stunning debut album entitled While the City Sleeps..., released on the Candela Records (EJ9265) label.

"The reaction of listeners was very positive, they mentioned your unique voice and melodism. Thank you again for your brilliant CD and songs you sing."
—Remigijus Leipus
Lithuanian Radio-1 programme (LR-1)

John Beebaut will also be joining us tomorrow night.



ROBERT GINO Returns!





CYNTHIA CRANE RETURNS!Cynthia Crane is a SINGER, ACTRESS, WIFE (TED STORY), MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER (two 5th generation Native NYer grandsons), PRESERVATIONIST & ENVIRONMENTALIST.

From Tavern-on-the-Green to Town Hall, she has sung all over town, performing for most of her life, with big bands, in summer stock and in clubs and cabarets including Paris Concerts in French and the Montmartre Jazz Festival.
She has 6 CDs, 4 working with the great Mike Renzi. Some years back, Ted Story, George Ferencz & Cynthia opened and ran the IMPOSSIBLE RAGTIME THEATER (IRT), which had a great 100 play/10-year run. She co-chaired the FRIENDS OF THE JEFFERSON MARKET LIBRARY BELL, which brought voice back to OL’ JEFF, the 128-year-old BELL in the Venetian Gothic Tower of the Jefferson Market Courthouse Library. She also chairs MULRY ANGLE/WEST 11TH STREET BLOCK ASSOCIATION. Her website covers all of this. http://www.cynthiacrane.com Go and read about all the things that warms my heart.
http://cdbaby.com/all/cynthiacrane

(The performers of 2009's Diversity Weekend. In this photo: Brad Loekle , Aunt Joanna, Jay Rogers , Cynthia Crane)


MARCUS SIMEONE RETURNS!
Brand new show !!!
Brand new CD !!!

Four shows only !!!

Fridays, Oct 29 & Nov 12 at 7:30
Saturdays, Dec 4 & 11 at 9:45

“King of the power ballads ! ” Back Stage
“Silky and sinuous interpretations...! ” NY Daily News
“Beautiful and haunting!” Worall Newspapers

Marcus Simeone returns to Metropoliltan Room with his brand new show featuring highlights from his thrilling new album, Haunted, on the Miranda Music label as well as evergreens from the Great American Songbook, As always with Marcus, there will be some very special musical surprises culled from his repertoire of 3000 songs.

After recording over 300 songwriters' demos for major artists (Trisha Yearwood, Reba McIntyre, etc.,) and two live CD's (At Last, Everything Must Change / Miranda,) the new album, Haunted, is Marcus's first full-length studio CD and features memorable – and haunting songs by many of today's most visible and popular songwriters including, John Bucchino, David Friedman, Heather Sullivan, Janis Ian, Stephen Schwartz, and David Zippell among others.
The CD also features many of the original composers at the keys in unison with Marcus on this exciting project. The album is scheduled for release in December with a special celebration at the conclusion of this run.

In the liner notes to his first album, At Last, best selling author, critic and renowned song historian Will Friedwald gushingly referred to , “ … his beautiful voice, his extremely wide range, his ability to switch effortlessly from baritone to tenor to falsetto and, likewise, his multi-generic ability to move easily between the world's of pop, cabaret, theater music, soul and even jazz.”

Universally respected for his heart-wrenching interpretations of soulful ballads, red-hot jazz sensibility and powerful pop flair, Mr. Simeone's musical genius has also been compared to some legendary, eclectic greats in the industry including, Marc Anthony, Al Jarreau, Johnny Mathis and Jimmy Scott. He appeared on the original Star Search as well as Showtime at The Apollo as well as performing as part of the annual Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention at Town Hall and Jazz At Lincoln Center series on four occasions.
Critics have frequently referred to Marcus's haunting vocals as mesmerizing. He has been honored by The Manhattan Association of Clubs with three vocal awards (and ten nominations) as well as the coveted Back Stage Bistro Award as Outstanding Male Vocalist. Theaterscene.net twice named him their Outstanding Artist of the Year.
Reserve now to see this emotionally-charged, multi-octave tenor who sings with an emotional depth that is rare. This is one of those not-to-be-missed performances by an artist who is receiving national acclaim and attention.

STEVE (The Whistler) HERBST joins us for the first time!Steve Herbst has been dazzling audiences with his artistic whistling for over 48 years.
A remarkable three-octave range on his "instrument" matches his enormous stylistic range, which encompasses classical music, jazz, blues, pop, and Broadway. His virtuostic control of pitch and powerful lyricism combine to produce a quality of expression that is rare among musicians at large, let alone whistlers in particular. At the 2002 International Whistlers Competition held annually in Louisburg, North Carolina, Steve won the International Grand Champion Prize, placing first in the classical category and second in the popular music category, a testament to his enormous versatility. At both the 2003 and 2004 Convention, Steve was awarded the prize of North American Champion as well as the coveted title, "International Whistling Entertainer of the Year", the most prestigious award in this entertainment venue, which he has just won again in 2005 for an unprecedented third time.
The award acknowledges not just his competitive excellence, but his winning international acceptance for this musical art form wherever he performs: clubs, churches, festivals, plus television and radio media. Steve lives his motto, " whistling is an idea whose time has returned!"

MELISSA HAMILTON RETURNS!
Melissa will be at Studio 100 on Thursday with guitarist Chris Bergson (just back from European tour) and bassist Neal Miner! Also, Melissa has a show coming up on November 2 at the Triad Theater which is called "Dear John Letter," a tribute to her favorite songwriters and performers named John!
JACKIE DRAPER RETURNS!
NANCY TIERNEY JOINS US FOR THE FIRST TIME!Nancy is a jazz-centric pop singer who loves to take songs from "back in the day" and kick them up with contemporary jazz arrangements. With this kind of wild mix of songs spanning 15 decades in her creative toolbox, she weaves both song and story into theme-driven musical shows with the intention of entertaining and uplifting anyone within earshot. As a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific, Nancy was educated in classical music. She was going to be an opera singer until her first year at college when she discovered how ugly the opera world can be. But the training was invaluable. It taught her how to be a musician, not just a singer. She says, "I fell in love with the art of cabaret because it is the only performance art form I know of that allows the artist so much creative freedom. Anything goes. I can incorporate songs from any genre, pop, classical, jazz, rock, whatever works, A show can be funny, meaningful, inspirational, dramatic or just plain silly! It all has a place in cabaret.
When I'm not creating and producing my own shows, like "In Your Wildest Dreams," "Insomnia," "Love and Lunacy," "Lovin' The Spin I'm In" and "In My Own Voice,” I perform on demand at fund raising events, special musical showcases, and at some pretty nice clubs and cabarets throughout the San Francisco Bay area."

LAUREN ROBERT RETURNS!Lauren Robert is a professional actor, singer, songwriter and playwright. She is a former Epic Records recording artist and her original songs have been produced by Stephen Bray (The Color Purple, Madonna) and Robert Nemiroff (Raisin). Lauren spent years recording and performing on the road at clubs, festivals and on national theatrical tours. For fourteen years Lauren hailed as the lead singer of the wildly popular Louisiana Zydeco-funk band Mojo Hand. Lauren is about to sign with a wonderful literary agent GOTHAM ARTISTS AGENCY...who will be representing Lauren as a writer and performer...with special attention to development of her play .22 CALIBER MOUTH. They are welcoming interest in the production and all comers should get in touch with GOTHAM ARTISTS!!
Joey Infante (left in picture with his partner, Michael McDonald) returns!


MARILYN COONEY JOINS US DIRECT FROM SAN FRANCISCO! The following is taken from Marilyn's website: My life began with family sing-alongs, my father on piano and accordion. My love affair with the piano began the moment Dad placed my small fingers in C major position. Many years later, most of the songs on this CD were born on that family upright, which my mother had shipped to me from New York one Christmas.
Growing up near New York City, I was raised on Broadway tunes, but credit also goes to Debussy, Irving Berlin, Motown, The Kingston Trio, and others whose music became part of me. I have always tinkered with words, but at 16, lyrics and music converged when my siblings bought me a pawn shop guitar.
As I sang the works of Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Carole King, and Laura Nyro, I learned that everyday experiences could become universal songs.
As a high school English teacher for 32 years, I was privileged to help students find their own writing voices, while they showed me the courage of self-expression. In the meantime I attended and led seminars in self-discovery, where I began to write songs. When I retired, my dear husband encouraged my devotion to music. The path led to the San Francisco cabaret community, where I encountered musicians who became friends, mentors and colleagues.
It was Barry Lloyd who faithfully transcribed my songs into lead sheets, tweaking a chord here and there for flavor. He also taught me vocal interpretation and some simple ways to accompany myself. But Barry is the primary pianist on this album, and as you listen, you will know why his solo cabaret shows are acclaimed nationwide.
Songwriting is a mysterious process. Sometimes it seems as if out of nowhere, notes and words come flying, and all I have to do is scribble them down before the moment is lost. Other songs require far more conscious effort, but all are gifts.
I hope that my experiences and observations, collected here in musical form, will speak to you or encourage your own self-expression, for truly,
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN A LIFE!

VICKI BURNS RETURNS!

Take Vicki home with you! http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/vickiburns

LINDA KOSUT MAKES HER DEBUT WITH US TOMORROW NIGHT!

TAKE LINDA HOME WITH YOU! http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/1912170-linda-kosut

AND
Sunday, September 26 · 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Location Don't Tell Mama

343 West 46th Street (Restaurant Row)
New York, NY
BISTRO AWARD WINNER - MAC AWARD NOMINEE

Having just completed a 4-show run at San Francisco's Rrazz Room, Linda Kosut brings a "tasting" to New York - - - a "flight" of the unexpected - - - blending jazz, folk & cabaret styles into sparkling arrangements of songs by songwriters as diverse as Peggy Lee to Tom Paxton to Annie Lennox.

Linda is joined by some of New York's finest musicians with TEDD FIRTH piano; TOM HUBBARD bass; JEFF LEDERER sax; JOE ABBA drums.

DON'T TELL MAMA
SUN, SEPT 26, 8:15-9:30PM
Cover $20 + 2-drink min (cash only)
Reservations a must. www.donttellmamanyc.com


JUDY STADT RETURNS!Radio Host of THE LUNCH & JUDY SHOW! stories, songs and comedy www.thelunchandjudyshow.com

And don't forget:


GET READY FOR THE 2010 BC/EFA FLEA MARKET!
JOIN DANCERS OVER $) AT THEIR TABLES!

AND DONATE GOODS TO HELP THE CAUSE!


Last year’s rain almost put the kibosh on the BC/EFA Flea Market, that had to move from West 44th St to Roseland! We HOPE the skies will be clear on September 26th for DO40's fourth foray into Flea Marketdom back in Shubert Alley! They can’t do it without your help! If you’d like to donate items for the DO40 table, and/or your time that day, please call the DO40 Hotline at 212-330-7016 and let them know how you’d like to help. They have a convenient midtown location where you may drop off donated items. They’re asking Volunteers to work the table for a 3-hour slot, between 9:00am and 7:30pm. You may also contact them at dancersover40@aol.com.

They will be selling our fabulous DO40 t-shirts, DVDs, CDs, books, posters and framed memorabilia and of course, the ever favorite Playbills!! Theyhave a framed poster of Michael Bennett’s Ballroom, signed by members of the original cast (including co-choreographer Bob Avian) and a mystery donor who never fails to surprise them with incredible items. Come and meet their Board of Directors, and many, many of the great dancer/members that make DO40 the great organization it has become!
They will be located on the North side of West 44th Street near the Broadhurst Theater (unless they move them from where they were last year! - details have yet to be announced!) But you will be able to spot their great white and blue DANCERS OVER 40 banner from anywhere!


THE FOLLOWING ARE RECENT COMMENTS FROM
http://www.richardskipper.com/guestbook.html

Richard and Dana, thanks so much for inviting us to perform at The Iguana recently. It was an especially smooth and enjoyable evening with wonderful fresh talent among the mix of wonderful familiar guests who are always entertaining. Richard, you were extra "on" that evening and had many of us in stitches. Dana, your song was great and you were gorgeous as usual. I spoke to two sets of new comers at intermission who said you both make people feel so warm and welcome and they plan to return. Kudos to you both. There is no stopping you, and nobody plans on it, so keep it up! We had a blast.
Mary Lahti, Riverdale, NY

Richard,
Congratulations on your great success Tuesday night (7/27/10). Your performance was a lovely example of true showmanship - funny, warm and completely Carol!
Best,
Peter Napolitano


Here's to an ARTS-filled week! Don't forget to contribute to the DR. CAROL CHANNING & HARRY KULLIJIAN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS:
http://www.carolchanning.org/Foundation.htm

If you would like to join the Channing-Kullijian National Coalition for returning arts education to public schools, email your contact info to info@channingarts.org to be added to our elist. With grateful XOXOXs for your support!

Richard Skipper

Follow me on Twitter @RichardSkipper




TILL NEXT WEEK...HERE'S TO A MUSICAL SEPTEMBER!

With grateful XOXOXs for your support!
Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com