The Metropolitan Room Announces August Events

The Metropolitan Room hosts Manhattan's most exciting "American Idol" style competition. The third annual "Metrostar Talent Challenge" Trials begin July 12, 2010 with a grand finale on August 30th, 2010. Expert judges and the audience score each singer; the scores are tallied at the end of the evening and the top 18 singers from the July Trials will advance to the August Quarter Finals. The top 18 finalists will be announced at the end of the third night of Trials.

The Top 18 singers compete on August 2nd,then the top ten are chosen and perform on August 9th. On August 16th,23rd and 30th the top 5 battle it out for the title of Metrostar 2010. The winner is announced on August 30th during the grand finale night. The finale will include performances by some of the best cabaret performers in New York. $20

8/3,8/10,8/17,8/24,8/31 9:30PM Annie Ross"Ms. Ross is a master class in how to sing jazz inside out, upside and down......Her sense of time and rhythm will fracture you...." ~ Rex Reed

Annie Ross has been an abundant contributor to the art of jazz for over 50 years. Born in the UK, she has been a permanent resident of the USA for many years and a US citizen since 2001. The following are some highlights of what has been a long and illustrious career in jazz:

Annie Ross is one of the pioneers of vocalese and the composer of "Twisted", one of the most well known examples of that art, as well as "Farmers Market", quot;Jackie" and many others. A founding member of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, considered the greatest jazz vocal ensemble of all time, her influence is present in all subsequent practitioners of vocalese. "Twisted" has been recorded by a host of vocalists, including some not normally associated with jazz, including Joni Mitchell and Bette Midler.

Annie Ross toured in the 50's with the extraordinary Lionel Hampton band that included Art Farmer, Clifford Brown, Gigi Gryce, and Quincy Jones. Ms. Ross has recorded with James Moody, Kenny Clarke, Milt Jackson, Harry Sweets Edison, the Count Basie band, Louis Armstrong, Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Chet Baker and many more. In this variety of settings, she became known as a great jazz singer, masterful at ballads and up tempos, with the ability to swing hard, improvise and make every lyric meaningful and revealing.

As a child, Annie Ross entered a talent show on the radio accompanied by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, which resulted an a six-month contract with MGM. She went to Hollywood at age eight where she appeared in "The Little Rascals" singing a jazz version of "Loch Lomond." At age eleven she appeared as Judy Garland's sister in "Presenting Lily Mars." At age 14 she composed the song "Let's Fly", which was subsequently recorded by Johnny Mercer and Jo Stafford.

In Paris in the late 40's, she met up with musicians involved in modern jazz, including James Moody, Kenny Clarke, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Billy Strayhorn, and displayed an unerring ear and savvy sense of harmony, which was much appreciated. At 19, she recorded "Le Vent Vert" with Moody. Back in the U.S. at age 21 she recorded for Savoy, along witH Clarke, Milt Jackson and Percy Heath. She worked on 52nd St. with Max Roach, Tommy Potter and George Wallington and subbed for Billie Holiday at the Apollo Theater. The original recordings of "Twisted" and "Farmer's Market" were done in 1952 with Wallington on piano and Art Blakey on drums.

Annie Ross has continued to bring the essence of jazz to a broad spectrum of listeners internationally, by touring, through her recordings, conducting workshops, writing, and appearances in film, television and radio.

Currently, Annie Ross is living in New York and is still active as a jazz performer, having recently performed in New York, Scotland, and Spain as well as having recorded a new CD, Let Me Sing..$25

8/4 9:30PM Gina Gerszberg Welcome to the unique artistry of singer/songwriter Gina. She will take you on a musical journey that is both witty and poignant, with a side of fries. $10 plus a 2 drink minimum will get you in. No charge for enlightenment. $10

8/6 7:00PM Warren ScheinThe "Remembering Mel" show pays fitting tribute to one of the most enduring singers of all time and includes many of Mel's most popular songs, including, "Lulu's Back In Town," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry," "Sing For Your Supper," a medley of "Gershwin Classics;"and of course "The Christmas Song" to name but a few.

Warren has been performing on stages across the New York metropolitan area for over two

decades. He has played leading singing roles in many summer stock and Off-Broadway performances. Warren is also an actor and voice over artist in TV and radio commercials for such well known advertisers as The History Channel, Nickelodeon, WPLJ radio, Nick At Nite, and A&E.$20

8/7 4:00PM Laurie Vega Join Laurie Vega for a night of Summer Part II on Saturday, August 7th @ 4pm. Breeze into the warmth of August with smooth jazz, R&B, soul, salsa. The night will sooth your senses and make you fall in love with Summer.$15

8/7 7:00PM Jo Thompson The late great Lionel Hampton proclaimed, "Ms. Jo Thompson is one of the last of the great female pianists and singers!" He added, "Her musical director,trumpeter Walt Szymanski (trained by bandleader and legendary drummer, JC Heard) really knows how to swing and is an outstanding musical director!"
With these well deserved accolades, Jo Thompson's "Thank You Lena!!!" is a must-see show that sparkles with the superb seasoning of the vibrant Jo Thompson and the dynamic Szymanski."Thank You Lena!!!" debuted at the world famous Blue Note in New York, wowing the discerning audience. In this one hour show, MS. Thompson acknowledges the tremendous influence that Lena Horne had on her career. "In this
tribute to Lena Horne (who befriended me when both of us were booked at Jack Goldman's Clover Club at Miami Beach) I will make no effort to impersonate her. To do so would be presumptuous. I would not dare it and do not think anyone should make such an attempt.

There was only one Lena," states Thompson. "It is my heartfelt respect and
admiration for this great lady that I want to convey through song and story to my audience."
This very special evening will be the official release of Jo Thompson and Walt Szymanski's newest CD, entitled: "JO THOMPSON: FOREVER FABULOUS!!!" on the JAZZ JEWELS DIGITAL label.$20

8/7 9:30PM Cindy Scott From New Orleans, vocalist Cindy Scott(with Brian Seeger - guitar, Vadim Neselovskyi - piano, Dan Loomis - bass, Jared Schonig - drums) "By the standards set by vocalists who preceded her, this lady is truly sensational. She has the uncanny ability to mesmerize listeners with titillating displays of vocal timing and captivating nuances. She utilizes her skills in a manner that clearly allows for total immersion in her music." -Sheldon Nunn, JazzReview.com

New Orleans-based vocalist Cindy Scott has a warm, sexy tone with clear presentation of lyrics and attention to melody. She either swings hard or floats dreamily, depending on the song. Scott's passion for the music comes out in her delivery and casts a spell on her listeners.Expect a blend of original tunes and unique arrangements of jazz and not-so-jazz standards, from Cole Porter to Hank Williams to Smokey Robinson. Listen casually and you'll hear the beautiful voice and sophisticated styling of an accomplished jazz singer. Listen more closely and you'll experience Cindy's varied influences, rich life experience, and a subtle story-telling that is all her own. www.cindyscott.us $20

8/7 11:00PM Piano Bar at The Metropolitan Room Working on a new show? Want to revisit some established songs? Thinking about new material? Bring your charts and try it out with an audience and Ricky Ritzel, Steve Lowenthal, or NateBuccieri at the piano with Kim Lee Hicks on vocals! Saturdays From 11pm - 2am

No Cover Charge 1 Item Minimum Required

8/8 7:00PM & 9:30PM Sean Harkness & Mike Herriott CD Release Party $20

8/10 7:00PM Gregory Generet A Marvelous Night" "The arrival of a good new male vocalist on the jazz scene these days has become something of a rarity. It is good, therefore, to hip you to , Gregory Generet." - New Jersey Jazz Journal, 2010 Mr. Generet has been performing to sell-out audiences all over New York City in venues that include *Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub and Feinstein's at the Loews Regency. " Gregory is not locked into any style. He delivers and he swings too!" His style is reminiscent of Johnny Hartman and Joe Williams. After receiving three Emmy Awards for his work at CBS Network, Generet focused on his own work and in 2009, he released his debut CD (re)generet-ion. Taking on the theme of romance, he has re-imaged the term "Standard" His effort has garnered attention, receiving radio play across the country at such stations as KKJZ-FM in Los Angeles, as well as Jonathan Swartz's "The Saturday and The Sunday Show," on WNYC-FM as well as raves from reviewers and listeners alike. $20

8/14 11PM Piano Bar @ The Metropolitan Room Working on a new show? Want to revisit some established songs? Thinking about new material? Bring your charts and try it out with an audience and Ricky Ritzel, Steve Lowenthal, or NateBuccieri at the piano with Kim Lee Hicks on vocals! Saturdays From 11pm - 2am

No Cover Charge 1 Item Minimum Required

8/15 7:00PM Dani Burr and Sasha Weiss A graduate of the Boston Conservatory, Dani Burr is a bright and talented performer who believes very strongly that the performance is as much about the audience as it is those on the stage. Since moving to NYC in 2007 she has spent a year on the road performing Gertrude McFuzz in the national tour of Seussical under the direction of Tony-nominated director Marcia Milgrom-Dodge. She originated the roles of Dorothy in the New York production of Yellow Brick Monologues and of Gash in the premier production of The Best Little Crackhouse in Philly. Dani's vocal talents can also be heard on the original cast recordings of JMR Productions' Princess Diana, the Musical and From Generation to Generation.

Sasha Weiss is thrilled to be returning to the cabaret scene after a haitus from performing a year long run of her themed cabarets 'Sasha Sings...'. A graduate of the Boston Conservatory, her New York credits include: Jerry Springer the Opera (Carnegie Hall); I and Albert, The Grand Tour (York Theatre); Carrie: the Musical (industry reading, dir. Stafford Arima). TV: ABC's What Would You Do? (Ugly Americans in Paris, Overly Friendly Customers). She can been seen throughout the city doing various readings and cabarets. Plus, she just rocks. $10
8/18 7:00PM Bobby LynnBobby Lynn performs timeless classics from the Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hart Songbooks. Featuring Cecilia Coleman on piano, Ron Affif on guitarand Tim Givens on bass.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Bobby Lynn moved to New York in 1986 after attending Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Throughout the 1990's, he performed with his rockabilly and blues band, The Bobby Lynn Band. His debut CD, "Five Bar Romp", was released in 2004 on Clementine Records. Since the release of "Five Bar Romp", Bobby has continued to pursue his love of American music, culminating with the release of a jazz recording, "All Of You", in 2010.
Cecilia Coleman, a native of Long Beach, California, is currently the jazz piano instructor at her Alma-mater, CSU Long Beach. She has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Telluride Jazz Festival and the New Mexico Jazz Workshop. She has released seven CD's as a leader and is also on three recordings of The American Jazz Institute which feature Lee Konitz, Billy Harper, Jack Montrose and Gary Smulyan plus many more.

Ron Affif, a Pittsburgh native, studied under his uncle and bebop great Ron Anthony. While in Los Angeles, he also took lessons from the legendary Joe Pass. He moved to New York City in late 1989. He has released six albums under the Fantasy label and can be caught with his
trio every Monday at the Zinc Bar, NYC.

Tim Givens, a Palm Springs, California native, currently plays with New York Electric Piano and the Cecilia Coleman Quintet. He has toured with Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller and Chris Barron. He was also The Bobby Lynn Band's bassist in the 1990's. He has recorded with Ray Bryant, Gloria Cooper and Steve Smithie as well as recording for HBO and Nickleodeon. His own group features Tim on cello. $15

8/19 9:30PM Wolgemut Wolgemut (an ancient german word which simply means, "to be in a good mood") presents early music for modern minds. Join Wolgemut for an evening of unique sights and sounds guaranteed to leave you in a good mood! $20

8/21&8/28 Tracy Hamlin Jazzy Tour Presents International Recording Artist, Tracy Hamlin (Former lead vocalist for Pieces of a Dream) Live At The Metropolitan Room. Tracy has performed all over the world and various festivals and we are happy to announce that she will be performing for the very first time in New York as a solo artist. Please visit her website at www.tracyhamlin to get the latest information on her new CD.
8/21 9:30PM Q-TALK Q-Talk the Queer Talk Show hosted by Joseph John,Frantz Hall,Stacey Todd Holt and Angie McKnght.Compared to the funnier gayer version of The View. These hosts tackle both fun and informative topics in an open forum. They also provide quality entertainment from the Broadway, Cabaret, and Comedy communities.www.q-talk.net$5

8/21 Piano Bar at The Metropolitan Room Working on a new show? Want to revisit some established songs? Thinking about new material? Bring your charts and try it out with an audience and Ricky Ritzel, Steve Lowenthal, or NateBuccieri at the piano with Kim Lee Hicks on vocals! Saturdays From 11pm - 2am

No Cover Charge 1 Item Minimum Required

8/22 7:00PM Michael Ricca

8/25 7:00PM Basia Moore it's a little story about the ladyhood kind of tribute to the ladies, who know how to make the best out of themselves no matter what 's the circumstances. Real lady instinctively creates a class act.$15

8/26,8/28&8/31 @7:00PM 8/30 @ 9:30PM Emily Bergl Kidding On The Square is a highly theatrical cabaret that brings the audience on a roaring 20's ride through love, heartbreak, and everything in between. It's an old fashioned evening of entertainment told from the perspective of a modern girl and the eccentric characters she inhabits. In her debut musical performance, Broadway, film and television star Emily Bergl with acclaimed musical director and pianist G. Scott Lacy, creates a cabaret world that blend sclassic Fats Waller and Cole Porter hits with vintage takes on modern favorites from Roy Orbison to Madonna.

Conservatory Theatre, 42nd Street Moon, SanDiego Repertory Theatre, San Diego Opera, NorthCoast Repertory Theatre, the Emmy Award Winning Malashock Dance Company and many others. Mr. Lacy has had the honor of working with some o fthe theater's finest directors including Michael Greif, Neel Keller, Peter Schneider, Les Waters, ReGina Taylor, Susan Booth, Todd Neilson, CynthiaStokes, John Malashock, Mindy Cooper, Robert Smyth, Deborah Smyth, Greg McKellan, and Kerry Meads. Mr. Lacy is a successful vocal coach whose clients include Tony, Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe Award Winning performers. His students have attended such prestigious universities as NYU, Harvard, Carnegie Melon, North Carolina School ofthe Arts, UCSD, UCLA, and Sarah Lawrence. Mr. Lacy was a faculty member of the San Diego Opera's Summer Intensive Program for Singers for three years and served for 8 years as the Vocal Coach for the Tony Award Winning La Jolla Playhouse's Summer Conservatory Program. Mr. Lacy is a successful cabaret and recording artist He works with cabaret singers Steven Fales, SandyCampbell, Angelo D'Agostino, Tyler Kent and performs a number of one man shows. He performs regularly at "Sunday Cabaret" at Lamb's Players Theatre in San Diego and has performed in NYC (Joe's Pub, Metropolitan Room), Los Angeles (Upright Cabaret), Atlanta (Paris on Ponce) SanDiego (Schroeder's, Palace Bar), Shanghai (JW's,Nessun Dorma) and Beijing (Flow Bar). He has recorded 11 albums with various performers and released his own inspirational album/cd, " A QuietPlace" in 2000.$25

8/26 9:30PM Alix Paige Even at her relatively tender age, Alix Paige has encountered many different men in her life and has experienced love in all its forms. Through old jazz standards and Musical Theatre showstoppers, Alix tells stories of love, loss, and just pure and simple lust. Alix's "haunting" and "sensual" vocals give her an "old-soul" quality that has been described as "well beyond her years" and with this unique voice she explores the love songs of brilliant composers like Gershwin, Porter, Sondheim, and Kander & Ebb. You will not want to miss Alix Paige's shimmering presence and powerful vocals in this Metropolitan Room debut!

Alix Paige is thrilled to be making her New York City Cabaret debut at the Metropolitan Room! She has performed with bands of all styles nationwide and performed her first cabaret at the The Globe in Miami, FL. She has sung with the world-renowned jazz pianist Shelly Berg and the up-and-coming star pianist Daniel C. Strange, in a concert for Angela Lansbury. Although she started singing in temple at the age of 5, Alix's vocal career has
predominantly revolved around the Musical Theatre. She most recently returned from The National Tour of *Cabaret*, in which she was the understudy to Sally Bowles and the female swing. Previous to "Cabaret", Alix played Ginger, a role originated by Stephanie Block, in the National Tour of Irving Berlin's "I Love a Piano". Other credits include "Sunday in the Park with George" (Dot),"Mad Forest "(Lucia)," And the World Goes ‘Round" (Woman 4). NY Theatre: "Too Much, Too Far, Too Soon" (Elizabeth), AlCarmine's "Christmas Rappings". Alix received her BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Miami and currently resides in New York City, where she is working on a new jazz record as well as projects in theatre, film, TV, and voiceovers. You can visit Alix at her website: www.Alix-Paige.com $15

8/27 7:00PM Alix Paige Even at her relatively tender age, Alix Paige has encountered many different men in her life and has experienced love in all its forms. Through old jazz standards and Musical Theatre showstoppers, Alix tells stories of love, loss, and just pure and simple lust. Alix's "haunting" and "sensual" vocals give her an "old-soul" quality that has been described as "well beyond her years" and with this unique voice she explores the love songs of brilliant composers like Gershwin, Porter, Sondheim, and Kander & Ebb. You will not want to miss Alix Paige's shimmering presence and powerful vocals in this Metropolitan Room debut!

Alix Paige is thrilled to be making her New York City Cabaret debut at the Metropolitan Room! She has performed with bands of all styles nationwide and performed her first cabaret at the The Globe in Miami, FL. She has sung with the world-renowned jazz pianist Shelly Berg and the up-and-coming star pianist Daniel C. Strange, in a concert for Angela Lansbury. Although she started singing in temple at the age of 5, Alix's vocal career has
predominantly revolved around the Musical Theatre. She most recently returned from The National Tour of *Cabaret*, in which she was the understudy to Sally Bowles and the female swing. Previous to "Cabaret", Alix played Ginger, a role originated by Stephanie Block, in the National Tour of Irving Berlin's "I Love a Piano". Other credits include "Sunday in the Park with George" (Dot),"Mad Forest "(Lucia)," And the World Goes ‘Round" (Woman 4). NY Theatre: "Too Much, Too Far, Too Soon" (Elizabeth), AlCarmine's "Christmas Rappings". Alix received her BFA in Musical Theatre from University of Miami and currently resides in New York City, where she is working on a new jazz record as well as projects in theatre, film, TV, and voiceovers. You can visit Alix at her website: www.Alix-Paige.com $15

8/29 4:00PM Carla Gordon Although we lost the multi-talented Beatrice Arthur just one year ago, she is not forgotten. Arthur will be remembered again in Queen Bea-A Tribute To Beatrice Arthur performed one afternoon only!Beatrice Arthur was the larger-than-life actress who delighted Broadway audiences as the original matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof and the hard-drinking actress in Mame before she went on to star in the groundbreaking '70s TV series Maude and, in the '80s, the beloved sitcom The Golden Girls. While many know of Arthur's television successes and Emmy awards, fairly few know that early in her career, Arthur tasted success on Broadway and on the big screen, even winning a Tony Award for her role as Vera Charles, the feisty pal of Angela Lansbury's title character in Mame. She would go on to play the same role in the musical's big-screen adaptation; then opposite Lucille Ball. In her later years,

Fellow silver-haired cabaret chanteuse, Chicago based Carla Gordon along with musical director, Beckie Menzie will be performing the salute which has already been enjoyed by full house crowds in Chicago. Gordon was a guest of Arthur's director at the Bea Arthur Memorial Celebration hosted by Angela Lansbury. "I learned so much that day about why everyone loved Bea ." Gordon shares, "Not only was she a remarkably talented woman, she was also a remarkable citizen, raising many thousands of dollars for homeless gay youth and for PETA and other animal rights organizations. And she was funny as anything. It is such an honor to be saluting this Queen Bea!" $20

The Metropolitan Room

34 West 22nd Street

New York, NY 10010

212-206-0440

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