THE BIRTH OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK Set for The Palmer House, 4/23

The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, is proud to announce dinner, dancing and all-star performances by Chicago's cabaret stars with The Birth of the Great American Songbook, Saturday, April 23, in the legendary Empire Room, on the lobby level of the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed by a three-course gourmet dinner with choice of entrée and wine service leading to performances by Ron Hawking and Spider Saloff backed by The City Lights Orchestra, conducted by Rich Daniels at 8:30 p.m. Dancing will continue following the performances until 11 p.m. Single tickets are $175 and VIP tickets, which include premium seating and an open bar throughout the night, are $200. Tickets to "The Birth of The Great American Songbook" may be purchased at http://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/events/empireroomseries/. The Palmer House has a special room accommodations beginning at $149 for couples attending the event. Room Rentals may be made by calling 312.726.7500.

For more than 80 years, the fabled Empire Room has been one of Chicago's centers for entertainment, fine dining and very special events. During its history, iconic performers like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte and Louis Armstrong have delighted audiences with songs that have become synonymous with the American popular music songbook. The Empire Room adds a new page to its history with a one night only event highlighting these entertainers and their music. Hits and some hidden gems from the Empire Room's fabled past will delight audiences once again in an evening that not only provides an unforgettable night of song but includes a delicious dinner and dancing with a full orchestra.

"To attend a performance in our Empire Room is an experience that is unparalleled. You can feel the room come alive with the energy of past performers, the decades of music and the thousands of memories that were created here," said Dean Lane, general manager, The Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel. "We are excited to share The Birth of the Great American Songbook with its incredible roster of talent performing beautiful music for an appreciative audience."

The Three Course Menu includes:

First Course, Salad
Butter Lettuce Heirloom Tomato, Peppered Goat Cheese, Poached Pear, Tunnel Maple Dressing

Second Course, Entrée (Choice of)

Cavatelli, Spring Peas Exotic Mushrooms, Pulled Chicken Brest, Egg, First Press Olive Oil

-or-

Bistro Steak, Shaved Asparagus, Spring Onion, Romesco Sauce, Croquette Potato

-or-

Grilled Alaskan Salmon, Yukon Puree, Ramps, Gremolata, Meyer Lemon Butter Sauce

-or-

Spring Pea Ravioli, Rooftop Sage, Olive Oil

Third Course, dessert
Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, Chocolate Mousse, Sea Salt Caramel

Chef's choice of seasonal pairings with all entrees.

About Spider Saloff

Spider Saloff has been heard around the world as the host/ star of the syndicated public radio series Words and Music, but for thousands the most familiar way to enjoy the jazz stylings of Saloff has been through live performances. The Chicago -based jazz vocalist has won accolades around the world for her introspective approach to the genre, most profoundly through her one-woman tribute to George Gershwin, The Memory of All That, conceived with the blessing of the Gershwin estate and headlining the Gershwin Centennial in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Saloff's major night club engagements included turns in Chicago at The Green Mill and Jazz Showcase and in New York at Birdland and Feinstein's, and among many others, and have made her a five-time winner of the MAC Award from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets. She is no stranger to major concert halls, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Millennium Park, Ravinia Music Festival, The Auditorium Theater, and the Smithsonian Institution. Raised in New Jersey, Saloff made a name for herself in New York before making Chicago her adopted home in the mid-1990's. She quickly became a fixture on the local music scene with sold out performances. For more than a decade Saloff has taught vocal master classes at The Bloom School of Jazz in Chicago and she continues to perform in concert as an ambassador of the American Songbook. As composer, playwright and actress, Saloff wrote a one-woman musical, The Roar of the Butterfly that played in Chicago, Los Angeles and Melbourne, Australia. Her original song "When You See Me," a jazz/R&B tune has garnered more than 100,000 views on YouTube and her discography includes nine national releases.

About Ron Hawking
Chicago award-winning entertainer Ron Hawking has appeared on television shows before entering grammar school and won talent competitions before he could tell time. He has sung in countless broadcast commercials for television and radio and on stage as a performer and impressionist. His singing talent, combined with a knack for effortlessly creating character voices for commercials, has led to a demand for Hawking as an entertainer at corporate events throughout the country.

In July of 1998, Hawking created and self-produced the hit musical His Way-A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, which opened to rave reviews and sold out crowds at Chicago's Mercury Theater. The show's success in Chicago and touring the West Coast led to him opening The His Way Theater inside studio "A" at Chicago's NBC Tower. Ron Hawking has made over 1000 appearances starring in the hit show, and with nearly a million tickets sold, the show has become one of Chicago's longest running and most beloved musical tributes.

In 2007 Ron created the hit musical production, Ron Hawking celebrates-The Men & Their Music. His critically acclaimed Christmas Show, Ron Hawking Home for the Holidays, has played to sold out audiences at many Theaters and continues to be a seasonal favorite. He has also performed at New York's Carnegie Hall with The Philly Pops Orchestra honoring singer Patti Page and her 50th anniversary in show business.

He continues to perform his shows at many prestigious theaters and performing arts centers around the country. His film appearances include The Express and Look Who's Talking. Hawking is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Music Awards and his latest 2014 album release, "The Song Is You," was nominated in the category of Best Traditional Pop Vocalist Album for this year's 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

About Rich Daniels and The City Lights Orchesta
Rich Daniels has been creating and conducting memorable musical concerts and events since 1974, when he began his professional journey as a high school freshman on the great south side of Chicago. Through the vehicle of The City Lights Orchestra, he has been given a chance to participate in thousands of programs nationwide for associations, corporations and non-profit organizations. Additionally, Daniels and his colleagues have had the chance to take the stage and perform with artists as diverse as Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Garth Brooks, Rosemary Clooney, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Michael Buble and David Foster.

Daniels was recently tapped to be the musical supervisor for three different television series and composed music for the pilot of the Emmy-award winning show Boss. He and the orchestra were also featured in concert on PBS this past fall. TV duties have also included being the on-camera music supervisor for the hit show on FOX, Empire.

Daniels also travels the country conducting orchestras for the estate of Jerry Garcia performing a "Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration" with legendary guitarist / vocalist Warren Haynes. He also has his hand in charitable organizations, including The Mercy Home For Boys & Girls in Chicago (former board chairman), the DePaul University School of Music (current board chairman) and the Archdiocese Office of Immigrant Affairs (treasurer). Daniels was appointed by Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn to the board of the Illinois Arts Council in 2013 to serve a 4-year term and is also a board member at the Chicago Federation of Musicians and a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor.

About The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel

The legendary AAA four-diamond rated hotel has been hosting visitors to the Chicago Loop for more than 140 years. Today, the Palmer House Hilton continues to thrive in the heart of the theatre and financial district, just steps from the Art Institute, Millennium Park and State Street shopping. A short walk away is Grant Park where summer festivals take place. Family attractions like the Chicago Children's Museum and Navy Pier are just a quick cab ride away. The hotel features 130,000 sq. ft. of function space with more than 77 meeting rooms, seven ballrooms and two exhibition halls. Lockwood Restaurant & Bar, located just off the lobby, is open throughout the day serving contemporary American cuisine. Small plates and classic cocktails are served in Potter's. Balance Spa features 14 treatment rooms including hydrotherapy services for the ultimate pampering. The fitness center offers over 10,000 sq. ft. of cardio and free weight equipment, an indoor pool, whirlpool, and saunas.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, comprised of more than 4,600 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with more than 758,000 rooms in 100 countries and territories. For 96 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors. Hilton HHonors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app, where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn and Instagram.

To post a comment, you must register and login.