Jenna's Two Cents Blog   
Website: JennaEsposito.com   

Monday, May 05, 2008

Monday, Monday...

Hello all, and Happy Monday!
Boy, it's been a busy 10 days since my last post!
When I last wrote, I was headed to see On The Rocks with Danny Leary at The Duplex. On The Rocks has been selected as a "best bet" by Time Out New York and boy, are they right! Hosted by the endearingly clever and funny Danny Leary, this 90-minute variety show features a number of different comedians and several musical acts each week, beautifully bridging the gap between comedy and cabaret. With a modest $10 cover and 2 drink minimum, this is easily one of the best deals in town. Go check it out if you can - I promise, you will not regret it!
The following night, I headed over to The Metropolitan Room for a great doubleheader - Julie Wilson at 7 p.m. and Sharon McNight at 10 p.m. These women are two of the most respected divas in cabaret, and their styles are completely different - making for a most enjoyable, interesting evening! Julie Wilson is in her eighties now, and much of her performance is speak-singing. What makes her fascinating to watch and listen to is how beautifully she is able to communicate the lyrics of a song, and the passion with which she performs. And she has never abandoned the old-school glamour for which she is known - a long, slinky, gorgeous black gown, with lace gloves and her signature gardenia behind her ear - a class act all the way! Sharon McNight, on the other hand, puts on a big, brassy, show-y kind of show, with energy through the roof! Belting out high notes and keeping the audience in stitches throughout most of the show, Sharon's well researched and well-constructed show Gone But Not Forgotten, pays tribute to many of the great ladies of stage and screen (including Ethel Merman, Bette Davis, Madeline Kahn, Pearl Bailey, and Betty Hutton, to name a few!). A thoroughly enjoyable show and a must-see if she brings it back to town!
The following Thursday (May 1), I was back at The Duplex for On The Rocks with Danny Leary, but this time I was there as one of the featured guests!! As with the week before, Danny assembled a fantastic lineup and I was thrilled to be a part of it! Other performers included sister act Vickie and Nickie, and comedy divas Giulia Rozzi and Vanessa Hollingshead, among others. Another fun, fun night out!
On Friday evening, I headed over to Metrojam at The Metropolitan Room, which ended up being terrific! Host Joe Bachana was a little under the weather, but pulled through like a champ and did a great job of singing and emcee-ing. Other talented folks who showed up to sing included Lina Koutrakos, Sue Matsuki, and San Francisco-based songbird Carly Ozard.
Last night, it was back to The Metropolitan Room for Marcus Simeone in his newest show, The Heart. Graced with a gorgeous, smooth voice, Marcus kept the audience enthralled as he worked his way through a show full of romantic songs, including a fun, catchy uptempo, "Just One Kiss," which was written by his producer, Jason Darrow. Marcus is at the Metropolitan Room the first Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. and is definitely worth checking out if you haven't yet!
So, that just about brings us up to date...
On the calendar for this week:

Tonight (Monday, May 5th)
Cast Party at Birdland
The hottest weekly open mic in town, hosted by Jim Caruso and featuring a wealth of talent from the Broadway, jazz, and cabaret communities.
$10 cover + $10 minimum
West 44th between 8th and 9th

Tuesday, May 6th
The 25 annual MAC Awards!
I'm nominated for female vocalist, so you KNOW I'll be there in style (and sparkles, of course)!
B.B. King Blues Club
237 W. 42nd Street
Tickets still available at www.bbkingblues.com
Doors open at 6 p.m., show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 7th
Jenna Esposito at The River Room
Sets at 7:00 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
I'm back for a return engagement at this gorgeous room with a stunning view of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge.
$10 cover (not a per-set fee; pay once and stay for as little or as long as you like), NO minimum!
Full menu available (appetizers, entrees, cocktails, dessert, etc.)
We'll be doing mostly standards, with a few surprises thrown in - hope you can make it!

Thursday, May 8th
Back to The Duplex for On The Rocks with Danny Leary
9:30 p.m.
$10 cover + 2 drink minimum
61 Christopher St. (at 7th Ave. South)

That's about all for now, folks - keep your fingers crossed for the awards tomorrow night!!

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