LOVELY LADIES OF CABARET to Benefit Cabaret Cares/Help Is On The Way Today at the Met Room, 1/25

After eight years of terrifically entertaining, monthly fundraisers at The Laurie Beechman Theater, Cabaret Cares/Help Is On The Way Today is on the move! The 501c non-profit organization that assists children and youth living with HIV/AIDS is relocating to new digs. The first event of 2015 will be held on January 25th at Metropolitan Room, where the charity's founder, Joseph Macchia, is the co-booking manager with owner Bernie Furshpan. Cabaret entertainer Gretchen Reinhagen will host "Lovely Ladies Of Cabaret" with Jennylind Parris, Karen Mason, Tracy Stark, and Joanna Morton Gary. Gretchen will also perform. Metropolitan Room is in the fashionable Flatiron District at 34 West 22nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. Tickets are $20.00 and a two drink minimum per person applies. Call 212.206.0440 for reservations or reserve online at metropolitanroom.com.

"The Laurie Beechman Theater has been a generous and gracious host to Help Is On The Way Today over the last eight years," says Joseph. "We've held monthly events and all our annual galas there, and I am extremely grateful to Steve Olsen, Kenny Bell and the staff. Our loyal supporters have been well fed and well entertained, and we've had a ball."

The 2015 annual fundraising gala will be held on May 17th at the Metropolitan Room, honoring special award recipients: Help Is On The Way Today will honor superb actress/singer Anita Gillette with The Ruth Kurtzman Lifetime Achievement Award. Perfomers Gary Lizardo and Ricky Ritzel will each receive a Spirit Award, designated for individuals who have shown unusual support of the charity throughout the previous year.

Help Is On The Way Today was founded by Joseph Macchia in 2005 to assist children and youth living with HIV and AIDS. Since then, the organization has raised over $100,000 and assisted more than 700 children in need. Fundraising is undertaken primarily through monthly performances by many of New York's finest nightclub and theater performers, and supports annual Backpack and School Supply Drive, scholarships for summer camp and an annual Holiday Toy and Gift Drive. The charity also helps families and organizations with special and immediate needs. Help Is On The Way Today is currently working on a new mentoring initiative.

At the 2014 gala, two Lifetime Achievement awards were given to honor beloved cabaret star Julie Wilson, and to Sidney Myer, hilarious actor/singer and long time manager of the cabarets at Don't Tell Mama. Arsenio Amadis (2013 Mr. Eagle Leather and Founder of Leather Cares) was bestowed the Spirit Award.

For more information about Help Is On The Way Today or to donate, visit the website at www.helpisonthewaytoday.org. For tickets to the January 25th fundraiser at Metropolitan Room, call 212.206.0440 for reservations or reserve online at metropolitanroom.com.

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