NY Cabaret Artist Karen Akers Comes To BCBC's 2009 Red Curtain Cabaret Gala 5/20

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts (BCBC) will welcome Karen Akers, one of New York's premier cabaret artists, to the 2009 Red Curtain Cabaret gala benefit to be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 on the stage of the magnificent Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College.

"(Karen Akers is) perfection! Her voice has never been more lustrous or full-bodied nor her expressive wingspan so wide." - The New York Times

Karen Akers is the recipient of the 2005 NY Nightlife Award for "Outstanding Female Cabaret Vocalist in a Major Engagement." Ms. Akers has appeared in many prestigious venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Barcelona's Opera House, and now makes her Manhattan cabaret home in The Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel. She was an original cast member of the Tony Award-winning musical Grand Hotel directed by Tommy Tune, and received a Tony Award nomination and Theater World Award for her performance in Nine, also directed by Mr. Tune. Ms. Akers's TV appearances include "Cheers," "The Tonight Show," and the PBS specials "Ellington - The Music Lives On" and "Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall." In addition, Ms. Akers has two of her own PBS television specials: "Presenting Karen Akers" and "Karen Akers: On Stage at Wolf Trap." Her film credits include Mike Nichol's "Heartburn," Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo," and "Vibes." Ms. Akers's CD's include "If We Only Have Love," "Feels Like Home" "Live at Rainbow & Stars," "Unchained Melodies," "In a Very Unusual Way," and most recently, "Simply Styne" (DRG Records).

BCBC will honor Brooklyn College President Christoph M. Kimmich with the Cultural Leadership Award. President Kimmich will retire this summer after a almost decade as president and thirty-six years at Brooklyn College. As a Chairman of the BCBC's Board of Directors, President Kimmich has been a dedicated leader and passionate advocate of the arts. During his tenure, BCBC presented over 600 international artists and companies, welcoming over 700,000 patrons, and introducing over 450,000 schoolchildren to the live performing arts.

The evening will begin at 6:00 with silent auction, followed by hors d'oeuvres and a performance by Ms. Akers. All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting BCBC's arts education, dance, theater and music programs. The event is co-chaired by Marina Belessis-Casoria (Con Edison) and Yvonne Riley-Tepie (TD Commerce Bank), joined by Board President Antonia Yuille Williams (Con Edison) and BCBC's Managing Director Frank L. Sonntag. Individual tickets are $275 each or a pair for $500; corporate packages and tables are also available. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, contact Lana Rogachevskaya at (718) 951-4600 x 21 or at Lana@BrooklynCenter.com.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people annually, including 42,000 schoolchildren from over 225 schools, in the 2,400-seat Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College. www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org

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