Photo Coverage: Bebe Neuwirth Hosts Dancers In Transition Heart & Soul Gala

Anka Palitz, The Actors Fund National Ambassador Vice Chair and founder of the Heart & Soul Gala was honored at the Gala's 10th Anniversary in Palm Beach at The Breakers last night, along with Gillian Murphy, Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Ethan Stiefel, Principal guest instructor at the American Ballet Theatre. Tony and Emmy Award winning actress/singer/dancer Bebe Neuwirth hosted The Actors Fund event which featured performances by local Florida dancers.

The Heart & Soul Gala is a benefit for Career Transition For Dancers, a program of The Actors Fund.

As Vice Chair of The Actors Fund Board of Trustees Bebe Neuwirth is the founder of The Dancers' Resource, a program of The Actors Fund that addresses the unique challenges of dancers' physical and emotional health. Ms. Neuwirth is a two-time Tony Award winner (Sweet Charity in 1986, Chicago in 1997) and won two Emmys for her role as Lilith in Cheers. Additional Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, Dancin', Little Me, Damn Yankees, Fosse and The Addams Family; and she has appeared in such major motion pictures as Say Anything, Bugsy, Malice, Jumanji and Tadpole. Her TV career includes roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Blue Bloods, Frasier, Law & Order: Trial By Jury, The Good Wife and 71 episodes of Madam Secretary.

Ethan Stiefel was the first individual dancer supported Anka Palitz and he is married to fellow honoree Gillian Murphy. Palm Beach cultural patron Anka K. Palitz has been a generous and tireless supporter of dancers for decades, both during and after their dance careers. After a successful life in the fashion and cosmetics industry, Mrs. Palitz has dedicated her life to helping dance companies and professional dancers. A Board member of American Ballet Theatre for more than 25 years, she also helped to formulate and served as a Board Member of Career Transition For Dancers (CTFD). As a program of The Fund, CTFD continues to enable dancers to define career possibilities and hone the skills necessary to excel in a variety of disciplines, thus supporting them in developing rewarding post-performance careers. Mrs. Palitz serves as National Ambassador Vice-Chair of The Actors Fund. Grandson Ryan Alexander Kriser presented his grandmother Anka Palitz with her award.

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

Gunhild Carling, Ben Markley Big Band, and More to Play Birdland This Month

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced their jazz programming running February 7 through February 19. Performers appearing at Birdland Jazz Club include Gunhild Carling, Ben Markley Big Band Feat. Ari Hoenig, Catherine Russell and Sam Blakeslee Large Group. 

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Margot Sergent's THE EDITH PIAF EXPERIENCE To Play Birdland This Month

Parisian-born chanteuse and jazz instrumentalist Margot Sergent will return to Birdland Theater with The Edith Piaf Experience on February 16 at 8:30 pm.

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TURN THE BEAT AROUND Turns Back Time At 54 Below

If retro is your thing, or if you’re just curious about this night of dancefloor madness that really does recall Studio 54’s 70s & 80s magic, you can’t go wrong with this offering from the king of all discos.

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Lorna Luft, PIPPIN 50th Anniversary Concert, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 

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From This Author - Stephen Sorokoff

Stephen is also the cabaret/ music and co-theatre editor of the Times Square Chronicles. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music. Besides being a pianist, Stephen’s business career was in... (read more about this author)

Photos: Cafe Centro Inaugurates Open Mic Series
January 31, 2023

I don’t know if the Census Bureau keeps track of how many Open Mics there are in the United States but add another one to the list, Cafe Centro in Palm Beach. 

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Photos: The Footlighters Club of South Florida Honors President Errol Dante
January 30, 2023

It was an early-bird very special event in Florida yesterday as The Footlighters Club of South Florida honored their President Errol Dante who was celebrating his 80th birthday.  Many spoke in praise of entertainer Errol who in addition to having a long a successful career in show business has also dedicated his time and efforts to senior entertainers who benefit from the charity of the Footlighters club.  

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Photos: John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey Receive Legends Radio Artist Award
January 15, 2023

The genius of John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, and the songs of the Great American Songbook (with a hat tip to Stephen Sondheim) were on the stage of the Eissey Campus Theatre last night.  The outstanding musical event was presented by the RRAZZ ROOM for the 9th Anniversary of Dick Robinson’s Legends Radio. 

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Photos: Ann Hampton Callaway Plays Cafe Centro For First Engagement of 2023
January 6, 2023

Ann Hampton Callaway was at Cafe Centro, the intimate cabaret/restaurant in West Palm Beach which has become a premier music destination, on January 5. This marked her first gig of 2023.

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Photos: Erich Bergen Rings in the New Year at the Wick Theatre
January 2, 2023

Back in 60s, Jackie Gleason filled a railroad car with pals for a trip from NYC to Miami for his TV show.  In the 1920’s Henry Flagler organized a similar journey with a “party train” of friends..destination Palm Beach.  

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