Cabaret Roundup: May 4-10 – Melissa Manchester, David Yazbek, Toshi Reagon & More
See some of the top cabaret shows and concerts in NYC this week
Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including new work from composer David Yazbek, Toshi Reagon's annual birthday concert, a Star Wars May 4th comedy show, jazz and more.
David Yazbek: A Few Cheery Songs About Death at 54 Below
May 4 @ 7 pm
7 Broadway shows, 5 albums, Tony®, Emmy and Grammy Awards- How does he do it? He has no idea but he’ll try to figure it out and maybe you can help. Hear songs from The Band’s Visit composer David Yazbek‘s upcoming new album, performed by the award-winning composer and a band of stalwart musical giants from his career. The night will also include a few songs from Dead Outlaw, with Tony®-nominated special guest Andrew Durand, Broadway’s very own Elmer McCurdy, and the show’s co-writer, Erik Della Penna, as well as favorites from Yazbek’s other shows and albums.
Tickets: Tickets start at $69 including fees. There is a $25 Food & Beverage Minimum.
The George Lucas Talk Show at The Bell House
May 4 @ 7 pm
A show for Star Wars fans & non-fans alike returns to THE BELL HOUSE for the 3rd time along w/ some amazing guests! Comedian Connor Ratliff ("Dead Eyes," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel") appears as George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, & interviews guests like on a "normal talk show." He is joined by sidekick Watto, played by Griffin Newman ("Blank Check," "The Tick") & show producer Patrick Cotnoir. W/ Dave Foley, Jorma Taccone & Chloe Radcliffe. *Lineup subject to change.
Tickets: Tickets start at $25. 21+ only.
50th Anniversary of the Concert of the Century at Carnegie Hall
May 5, 2026 @ 7 pm
Carnegie Hall celebrates the 50th anniversary of its “Concert of the Century” by presenting a once-in-a-lifetime, star-studded performance. Join us in commemorating one of the most legendary events in Carnegie Hall's history, and witness an even larger cast of the world’s top musicians as they make music history of their own. Complete this glamorous evening with gala tickets that include the best possible concert seating and your choice of a pre-concert cocktail party; a post-concert, black-tie gala dinner; or both! This gala evening supports our artistic, education, and social impact programs.
Tickets: The only tickets currently available are via gala RSVP.
Melissa Manchester – Fifty Threads: An Artists Journey at 54 Below
May 6 to 9 @ 7 pm
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester returns to 54 Below with Fifty Threads: An Artist’s Journey, reflecting on her five-decade career, celebrating her 20 plus albums, and sharing stories along the way. A Native New Yorker, Melissa holds the distinction of being the first singer ever to have two Academy Award-nominated songs in the same year (“Through The Eyes Of Love” from Ice Castles and “I’ll Never Say Goodbye” from The Promise) and to perform them both in the same Oscar telecast.
Tickets: Tickets start at $35 including fees. There is a $25 Food & Beverage Minimum.
The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band at Birdland Jazz Club
May 7 @ 5:30 & 8:30 pm
Led by veteran trumpeter Simon Wettenhall and Grammy winning pianist Conal Fowkes, The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band are a New Orleans style Jazz band which for decades have been Woody Allen’s band of choice for his movies, concert tours and weekly performances. The band have appeared on all the premiere concert stages of Europe and the United States. Band members have appeared in and provided music for Woody Allen movies including: Wild Man Blues, Sweet and Lowdown, Midnight in Paris, Blue Jasmine, Cafe Society, Magic In The Moonlight, and A Rainy Day In New York.
Tickets: Tickets start at $35.46 including fees. There is a $20 minimum on food or drinks per person.
Oscar Peterson: A Centennial Celebration at Lincoln Center
May 8 & 9 @ 7:30 pm
Piano titan Oscar Peterson looms large as one of the 20th century's great improvisers. Join Jazz at Lincoln Center for a memorable night in honor of one of the piano's greatest practitioners. This celebration features a star-studded ensemble including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Green, Christian McBride (Sat), and more.
Tickets: Tickets start at $42.
Toshi Reagon’s 42nd Annual Birthday Concerts at Joe’s Pub
May 10 at 6 & 8:30 pm
Toshi Reagon is a multi-talented and versatile singer, composer, musician, curator, and producer with a profound ear for sonic Americana. Her expansive career includes residences at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House, and multiple festivals and venues nationally and internationally. A highly collaborative artist, she has worked with many musicians, choreographers, film and theater makers, including Meshell Ndegeocello, Alsarah, Lizz Wright, Urban Bush Women, Dorrance Dance, Ananya Chatterjea, Nona Hendryx, Carl Hancock Rux, Rhiannon Giddens, Robert Wilson, her band BIGLovely and many more.
Tickets: Tickets are $42 (inclusive of advance phone/web service fee). There is a 2 drink or 1 food item minimum per person. Only a few tickets are left for this.
|
Linda Eder 54 Below (7/29-7/29) |
|
Isaac Mizrahi Hooray 54 Below (8/13-8/13) |
|
Matthew Morrison: SHOW UP 54 Below (7/10-7/10) |
|
Áyal: Queer Chaos 54 Below (7/26-7/26) |
|
Ephraim Sykes: For The Record 54 Below (8/04-8/04) |
|
54 Sings Jeff Buckley: It’s Never Over 54 Below (10/01-10/01) |
|
Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway: BOOM! 15th Anniversary Concert 54 Below (7/15-7/15) |
|
Matt Cavenaugh, Jenny Powers, And The Cavenaugh Powers Family 54 Below (10/03-10/03) |
|
Hayley Trapp: The Bubbling Cabaret 54 Below (9/01-9/01) |
|
Southern Nights, feat. Mary Porter, NaTasha Yvette Williams, & more 54 Below (9/15-9/15) |