On Monday, May 21, Birdland once again hosts Justin "Squigs" Robertson as special guest artist-in-residence at Jim Caruso's Cast Party.
Whether celebrating opening nights in ink or reflecting showbiz luminaries on the Lights of Broadway Show Cards, Justin "Squigs" Robertson is happy and grateful to be a part of the Broadway community, carrying on traditions exemplified by the late, great
Al Hirschfeld. The fine folks at Birdland and Cast Party have long been Squigs cheerleaders. For this one evening in May, Squigs will sit in at Cast Party and casually draw the cavalcade of talent on the Birdland stage. He will gift the performers with the artwork for a donation of their choosing. All proceeds will go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which helps men, women and children across the country receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance.
Jim Caruso's Cast Party, the weekly showbiz bash/open mic at Birdland has been the place for show people and their fans to rub elbows during a wildly impromptu variety show for fourteen years. Musical director for the event is
Billy Stritch, who also works with
Liza Minnelli,
Tony Bennett,
Marilyn Maye, and many more. But every Monday, he leads the "Cast Party Symphony Orchestra," which includes
Steve Doyle on bass and
Daniel Glass on drums. Recently, Jim and Billy have taken the Party on the road, celebrating talent in London, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, and on the high seas. "A Very Squigs Cast Party" Benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Monday, May 21 at 9:30pm Birdland,
315 West 44 Street, NYC www.BirdlandJazz.com
