Skip Ward News

Thanks to the successful vaccines and the re-opening of clubs and cabaret rooms, we are starting to see a slow return to the normality of gathering to hear the work of fellow artists. I was privileged to be at such a gathering this afternoon when I attended the PANGEA SUNDAY OPEN MIC & JAZZ BRUNCH. Jazz Brunch was created before the pandemic by multi-award-winning cabaret artist, Sue Matsuki and her awesome musical director and composer, Gregory Toroian. And it is back with a bang, playing to a sold-out house.

When the clubs began reopening, Matsuki and Toroian were ready to give the people what they want: music, music, music.

Six online concerts will replace 20 show in person... but you know with Urban Stages involved, the shows will be good.

Urban Stages has announced its 12th annual awarding-winning cabaret series, Winter Rhythms, streaming online between November 30th through December 18th and benefiting Urban Stages' Outreach, Arts in Education programs.

URBAN STAGES lines up some heavy hitters for their virtual fundraiser premiering October 22nd!

Bewitched, Not Bothered, Not Bewildered is a CD Preview show with Suzanna Ross singing selected songs from her new CD, as well as new songs.

A true original, Kim David Smith is fully represented on his new live recording, just released last week, and perfectly so.

The new album Kim David Smith: Live at Joe's Pub is available on digital and streaming platforms, in addition to a physical CD, today Friday, July 17. The provocative Australian singer and performer was nominated for the Helpmann Award, Australia's highest honor for the performing arts.

The new album Kim David Smith: Live at Joe's Pub will be released on digital and streaming platforms, in addition to a physical CD, on Friday, July 17. Pre-order the album or purchase the CD at KimDavidSmith.com

The new album Kim David Smith: Live at Joe's Pub is now available for digital pre-order. The recording will be released on digital and streaming platforms, in addition to a physical CD, on Friday, July 17.

The new album Kim David Smith: Live at Joe's Pub will be released on digital and streaming platforms in addition to a physical CD on Friday, July 17.

Several Downtown legends are congregating at the alt-cabaret hotspot Pangea in Marcha?? Among the headliners taking risks and breaking ground are Penny Arcade with her new show, a?oeNotes from the Undergrounda?? (March 4 & 18); David Cale, with new show a?oeSandraa?? (March 8), and Charles Busch being himself in a new act (March 26).

In her debut cabaret, Lauren Frazza is making all the right choices and it is sure paying off.

The new open mic brunch at Pangea is already proving to be a great idea from Sue Matsuki and Gregory Toroian, and it's only had two day!

Suzanna Ross will be singing at the Triad Theater in her cabaret show -- Bewitched, Not Bothered, Not Bewildered -- on Friday, March 20, 2020. The show includes all of the songs on her debut CD by the same title, which has received positive reviews and a Song of the Day (Ces petits riens) in Jazziz Magazine that highlights her 'winning voice' and a 'full-bodied bass solo to boot.'

February is festooned with fun treats from beginning to end as a rainbow assortment of artists of many persuasions continues to take risks and break ground at the Downtown supper club Pangea.

Kati Neiheisel, a 2018 MAC Award nominee for her New York Debut, Among the Stars, is brings her love of Christmas to Don't Tell Mama in her new show That Holiday Feeling! on Thursday, December 5th at 7 PM and Saturday, December 14th at 4 PM. She will be joined by singers Janice McCune and Linda Jackson, with musical direction and arrangements by Gregory Toroian, Skip Ward on bass and David Silliman on drums. The show is directed by Geoffrey Stoner.

Suzanna Ross will be singing in her new show - Bewitched - at Don't Tell Mama on February 7, 2019. The show highlights a collection of bewitching and romantic songs from around the world, including American, French, and British songbooks. There are favorites as well as a few surprises. The line-up spans jazz, pop, French chansons, bossa nova, movie songs, and a country tune. From the song lists of Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Charles Aznavour, 1960s pop, Jobim, Marlene Dietrich, Patsy Cline, and more. Suzanna's singing has been described in reviews as 'convincing to the ears,' 'passionate,' 'well-paced,' and 'magical.'

Presented by Center Theatre Group, 'Bright Star' will open at the Ahmanson Theatre on Friday, October 20. The Tony Award-nominated Best Musical, with music, lyrics and story by Grammy, Emmy and Oscar winner Steve Martin and Grammy winner Edie Brickell, is currently in previews and is directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Performances will continue through November 19, 2017. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the cast onstage in Los Angeles below!

At Pangea we celebrate the edge, the cutting edge. And right on the cusp of February are the extraordinary Rachelle Garniez finishing up a run, and Kim David Smith launching another.  Add to that Jeremy Lawrence, Salty Brine, Carol Lipnik and another season of Kevin Malony's "Happy Cry Pretty," and it all starts to make sense: Downtown's supper-club Pangea, which Stephen Holden recently called "a bohemian oasis not unlike the fabled Max's Kansas City from days gone by," plays home to some of the best in alt cabaret.