The Les Michaels Memorial Project a Celebration of Life Free Open Mic Comes To Palm Springs Cultural Center

Les Michaels, the late Palm Springs resident and cabaret producer and singer who produced and presented Open Mic Cabaret events at various venues in both in Palm Springs and Los Angeles will be honored on what would have been his 72nd birthday as the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents The Les Michaels Memorial Project, A Celebration of Life Free Open Mic, hosted by Gregg Marx, Daytime Emmy Award Winner for "As The World Turns," Leslie Tinnaro, star of CVRep's recent hit show, "Fun Home" and Clifford Bell,acclaimed Cabaret Producer and Director.

The event will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 East Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262, where Les Michaels once presented an Open Mic Series. Pianists Joel Baker and Constance Gordy will serve as Music Directors and Accompanists. There is no admission fee.

Clifford Bell, spokesperson for The Les Michaels Memorial Project Committee said, "We are currently regrouping our plans. We presented our first highly successful Memorial Concert in memory of Les Michaels at the Arthur Newman Theatre at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert on January 28th. Since our application for a Star for Les Michaels on the Walk of the Stars Palm Springs was recently denied for this season, we are opting to suspend our fundraising efforts until we can apply again in the fall of 2023."

Bell continued, "We are holding all the money we have received to date in a dedicated account until we are able to move forward again. If anyone who has made a contribution would prefer a refund, please write to lesmichaelsmemorialcommittee@gmail.com to obtain a refund. However, we do still plan to create a Memorial for Les Michaels, whether it be the Star on the Walk of the Stars Palm Springs or that we have to figure out something else like a plaque, a tree, a bust, a scholarship, etc. Thank you for your support and understanding."

Singers are invited to come and participate in this Open Mic Tribute to the late Les Michaels by bringing their sheet music for the song they would like to perform. Pianists will be provided to accompany singers, or singers are welcome to bring their own accompanists, if they wish. Singers are encouraged to arrive by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21st to sign up to perform.

More About The Event Hosts and Pianists:

Gregg Marx, descendent of Hollywood legends, The Marx Brothers, is probably best known to television audiences as Tom Hughes on the CBS daytime drama, "As The World Turns," a role for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award as Best Supporting Actor. He also starred for three years as David Banning on NBC's fan-favorite, "Days of Our Lives."

As a singer, Gregg Marx has appeared at some of the country's most celebrated cabaret venues, including the legendary Hollywood Cinegrill, Herb Alpert's Vibrato, and The Gardenia Supper Club and Lounge in Los Angeles, Feinstein's at The Nikko in San Francisco, and The Metropolitan Room in New York, performing his unique interpretations of classics from The Great American Songbook. In those moments when he is not on stage, Marx can most likely be found in a recording studio...the voice of hundreds of television and radio commercials, promos, movie trailers and audio books.

Leslie Tinnaro was born and raised in Long Beach, CA and moved to the Coachella Valley six years ago. Tinnaro performed in the original cast of "Evita" at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles before moving to New York where she appeared in the Broadway Company of "Evita" as well. Most recently she played the role of Helen in CVREP's production of "Fun Home." Tinnaro has been a private voice teacher for over 25 years sharing her knowledge, vocal technique, love and passion for Musical Theatre. She is also on faculty with Musical Theatre University at Rancho Mirage High School.

Clifford Bell, known affectionately as "Lawrence of Cabarabia," is one of the leading directors and producers in the fields of cabaret, concerts, and one-person shows. As a 40-year veteran of show business, Bell has worked in venues large and small. He has written and directed variety performances featuring icons like Walter Cronkite, Colin Powell, and Michael Eisner, at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA, and toured with television star, Katey Sagal and her band. With his frequent collaborator Lara Teeter (Tony Nominee, "On Your Toes"), Bell also co-created the successful touring show "Direct From Broadway," starring Tony Award winners Debbie Gravitte ("Jerome Robbins' Broadway") and Michael Maguire ("Les Misérables"). As one of the most prominent figures in the West Coast cabaret community, Bell hosts "Cabarabia The Podcast," focused on "Live Entertainment In Intimate Settings."

In addition to live performances, Bell has also produced several CDs such as Lauren White's "Meant To Be" and Lauren White & The Quinn Johnson Trio's "Experiment: Inspired By The Recordings Of Irene Kral," Chase Masterson's "Rendezvous," Lee Lessack's eponymous debut, Tiba's "Jukebox Baby," and the late Bobbie Norman's "Here And Now" and "Always Faithful, Bobbie." Bell also produced popular cabaret CDs including Betsyann Faiella's "Can I Be Frank?," Eileen Barnett's "Live At The Cinegrill" and the recording of the live charity event " "Revolution: A Benefit for the Pop Culture Hero Coalition."

Joel Baker, a Seattle native, moved to the desert in 2003, and has kept busy ever since as a music director, performer, and accompanist. Baker has won two Desert Theater League Awards for his work in the cabaret scene, and can currently be found playing for "The Judy Show" at The Purple Room, as well serving as for the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus as principal accompanist. Baker is also on the staff of Musical Theater University and Midsummer Musical Retreat in Walla Walla, WA. He holds a degree in music from The University Of Washington, where he studied with international concert pianist Robin McCabe.

Constance Gordy is an Accompanist and Music Director. After earning degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ (B.M. degree in Piano, Voice) and Concordia University in Montréal (M.A. degree in Piano, Psychology), she performed throughout the West for ballet, opera and theatre companies. Locally, she is Music Director/Pianist with David Green's Musical Theatre University and Andy Eisenmann's Rancho Mirage High School Choirs. Gordy has enjoyed collaborating with cabaret and opera singers, the Desert Ensemble Theatre, the Palm Springs Opera Guild, Desert Rose Playhouse, and the PS Underground.

Tickets here

WHERE, WHEN & HOW:
The event will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center where Les Michaels once presented an Open Mic Series in the past, 2300 East Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

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