Louis Prima, Jr. et al. Set for Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, 7/13

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum presents an evening of cabaret on Friday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Lorenzo's Restaurant in the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island. The show features Louis Prima, Jr., and The Witnesses with Sarah Spiegel.

The original "King of Swing," Louis Prima's "Wildest Show in Vegas" was attended by even the famed Rat Pack, and his standard hits, "Just A Gigolo," "That Old Black Magic," and the Grammy Hall of Fame hit "Sing, Sing, Sing," have been covered by contemporary artists such as David Lee Roth and Brian Setzer.

Prima's youngest child and only son, Louis Prima, Jr., was born on Father's Day 1965. Louis Jr., began his music "career" at age five, when his father brought him onstage to sing Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" with his sister Lena. As a young man, Louis Jr., wanted to pursue a career in finance, but he also continued to sing with his sister, and eventually left college and went back to performing full time.

In 1987 he formed the rock band, Problem Child, for which he was lead singer and songwriter. But with the onset of Grunge music in the early '90s, record labels were looking for music with a darker edge. "I decided that depression was not what I was about, and opted to make a career of performing my father's music. I haven't looked back..."

In 1995, with his sister Lena and the musical direction of a member of his father's band, Louis Jr., put together a tribute to his father's popular Las Vegas show. He was also working part-time as a Food and Beverage manager in various places, ending up as Acting Assistant General Manager for HMS Host at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, but his love of music, his insatiable need to be on stage full time, and a desire to protect his father's legacy led him to finally quit his day job. Louis Jr., now tours internationally, bringing his father's legend to life for a new generation.

Cost of $100 per person includes a glass of wine, salad, choice of entree, dessert and coffee, show cost, taxes and tip. Proceeds from this event benefit the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum. Make check payable to Garibaldi-Meucci Museum and mail to 420 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 by July 1, 2012.

For more information visit www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org or call 718/442-1608. The Hilton Garden Inn is located at 1100 South Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and administered by the Order Sons of Italy in America.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor.

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