Molly Ringwald and More Set for Melbourne Recital Centre's American Songbook Series from June 14

Melbourne Recital Centre has presented for the third year the highly acclaimed and popular American Songbook series. After a sold-out success last year American Songbook series returns bigger and better this year with a fabulous line up of local and International Artists.

"Melbourne Recital Centre's American Songbook series celebrates the exceptional song-writing that developed over the course of the 20th century across all s all mediums." Said Kirsten Siddle, Director of Programming and Presenter Services, Melbourne Recital Centre. "An exceptional line-up of stellar artists examines the leading song-writers and performers from across this diverse time, providing sensitive insights and interpretations that pay the perfect homage to these legends of American song". she added.

America has an incredibly rich history, especially when it comes to the development of popular song-writing. From the days of Tin Pan Alley through to the present day, America's song tradition captures the melting pot of cultures and traditions combined with the verve of the New World. The rise and influence of the blues and jazz on America's popular song is well known, but of course film, Broadway and country music have all contributed to this incredibly diverse catalogue.

The songwriters of the Great American Songbook translated positive values and an optimistic spirit into the soundtrack s not only of American life, but life in other countries across the world particularly Australia. These values are as true and applicable today as they have ever been. Melbourne Recital Centre is pleased to be presenting this series for the third time. In presenting this fabulous series they hope to educate today's youth and community about the relevance of the Great American Songbook and its connection to current popular music and our current culture.

Join us on this glorious journey through the glorious history of American popular song with gifted musical interpreters Barb Jungr, Michelle Nicolle Quartet, Mary Wilson, Lady Rizo, Mary Carewe, Bernadette Robinson and Jay Laga'aia.

Barb Jungr

The New American Songbook

'Sheer poetic beauty" Jazz Times

The Salon in cabaret mode

Friday 14 June 7pm, Saturday 15 June 3pm & 8pm

Tickets $45/$40 concession

MICHELLE NICOLLE QUARTET

Plays Jimmy Van Heusen

The Salon - Two hours incl. interval - in cabaret mode

Fri 21 June 7pm & Sat 22 June 3pm & 8pm

Tickets $45 /$40 concession

AN EVENING WITH Molly Ringwald

Fri 21 June 7.30pm

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl. interval)

A reserve $65/$55 concession

B reserve $50/$40 concession

STORMY WEATHER

The Lena Horne Project, featuring Mary Wilson

Motown royalty and founding member of The Supremes, Mary Wilson

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two hours incl interval)

Fri 28 June 7.30pm

A Reserve $55 /$45 concession

B Reserve $45 /40 concessions

Lady Rizo

New York cabaret superstar

Lady Rizo." - Time Out London

The Salon in cabaret mode (Two hours incl. interval)

Thur 27 and Fri 28 June 8pm

Sat 29 June 4pm & 8pm

Tickets $45/$40 concession

Mary Carewe

Over The Piano

The Salon in cabaret mode

Thursday 4 July and Friday 5 July 7.00pm

Saturday 6 July 8.00pm

Tickets $45 ($40 concession)

BERNADETTE ROBINSON

Judy, Patsy, Billie and Me

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (75 mins no interval)

Friday 12 July 7.30pm

A Reserve $55 ($45 concession)

B Reserve $45($40 concession)

ON A CLEAR DAY

Hits from Stage and Screen

Thur 18 July 7.30pm

Elisabeth Murdoch Hall (Two Hours incl. interval)

Featuring Jay Laga'aia and Tony Gould.

Tickets $55 ($45 concession)

For more information and the full American Songbook 2013 schedule visit: melbournerecital.com.au/americansongbook. Bookings: melbournerecital.com.au or phone 9699 3333.

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