THE BIRTH OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK Set for The Palmer House, 5/21

The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, has announcde dinner, dancing and all-star performances with The Birth of the Great American Songbook, Saturday, May 21, in the legendary Empire Room, on the lobby level of the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe St. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed by a three-course gourmet dinner with choice of entrée and wine service leading to performances by Ron Hawking and Joan Curto backed by The City Lights Orchestra, conducted by Rich Daniels, at 8:30 p.m. Dancing will follow the performances until 11 p.m. Single tickets are $150 and VIP tickets, which include premium seating and an open bar throughout the night, are $175. Tickets to The Birth of The Great American Songbook may be purchased at http://www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/events/empireroomseries/.

For more than 80 years, the fabled Empire Room has been one of Chicago's centers for entertainment, fine dining and very special events. During its history, iconic performers like Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Belafonte and Louis Armstrong have delighted audiences with songs that have become synonymous with the American popular music songbook. The Empire Room adds a new page to its history with a one night only event highlighting these entertainers and their music. Hits and some hidden gems from the Empire Room's fabled past will delight audiences once again in an evening that not only provides an unforgettable night of song but includes a delicious dinner and dancing with a full orchestra.

"To attend a performance in our Empire Room is an experience that is unparalleled. You can feel the room come alive with the energy of past performers, the decades of music and the thousands of memories that were created here," said Dean Lane, general manager, The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. "We are excited to share The Birth of the Great American Songbook with its incredible roster of talent performing beautiful music for an appreciative audience."

The Three Course Menu includes:

First Course, Salad
Butter Lettuce Heirloom Tomato, Peppered Goat Cheese, Poached Pear, Tunnel Maple Dressing

Second Course, Entrée (Choice of)

Cavatelli, Spring Peas Exotic Mushrooms, Pulled Chicken Breast, Egg, First Press Olive Oil

-or-

Bistro Steak, Shaved Asparagus, Spring Onion, Romesco Sauce, Croquette Potato

-or-

Grilled Alaskan Salmon, Yukon Puree, Ramps, Gremolata, Meyer Lemon Butter Sauce

-or-

Spring Pea Ravioli, Rooftop Sage, Olive Oil

Third Course, dessert
Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch, Chocolate Mousse, Sea Salt Caramel

Chef's choice of seasonal pairings with all entrees.

About Ron Hawking
Chicago award-winning entertainer Ron Hawking has appeared on television shows before entering grammar school and won talent competitions before he could tell time. He has sung in countless broadcast commercials for television and radio and on stage as a performer and impressionist. His singing talent, combined with a knack for effortlessly creating character voices for commercials, has led to a demand for Hawking as an entertainer at corporate events throughout the country.

In July of 1998, Hawking created and self-produced the hit musical His Way-A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, which opened to rave reviews and sold out crowds at Chicago's Mercury Theater. The show's success in Chicago and touring the West Coast led to him opening The His Way Theater inside studio "A" at Chicago's NBC Tower. Ron Hawking has made over 1000 appearances starring in the hit show, and with nearly a million tickets sold, the show has become one of Chicago's longest running and most beloved musical tributes.

In 2007 Ron created the hit musical production, Ron Hawking celebrates-The Men & Their Music. His critically acclaimed Christmas Show, Ron Hawking Home for the Holidays, has played to sold out audiences at many Theaters and continues to be a seasonal favorite. He has also performed at New York's Carnegie Hall with The Philly Pops Orchestra honoring singer Patti Page and her 50th anniversary in show business.

He continues to perform his shows at many prestigious theaters and performing arts centers around the country. His film appearances include The Express and Look Who's Talking. Hawking is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Music Awards and his latest 2014 album release, "The Song Is You," was nominated in the category of Best Traditional Pop Vocalist Album for this year's 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

About Joan Curto

Called a "cabaret icon" by NBC news Chicago, and "an artist with clout" by the Huffington Post, Joan Curto has appeared across the nation in concerts and clubs, often celebrating the music of the Great American Songbook. Chicago based, she is a familiar face to Chicago audiences, garnering a reputation for her thoughtful interpretations and powerful voice. Curto has performed in many Chicago theaters and clubs including: the Auditorium Theatre, The Harris Theater, the famed Empire Room, Victory Gardens, Davenports, The Drury Lane Theater, Park West, The Thorne Auditorium and the Claudia Cassidy Theater. She has been seen in numerous Chicago Humanities Festivals and the Mabel Mercer Foundation's Cabaret Conventions. Nationally, Curto has performed in some of the top cabaret clubs and concert series including New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Metropolitan Room, The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Milwaukee, and The Overture Center in Madison, The Gardenia in Los Angeles and the Colony Hotel, Palm Beach.

Awarded the Chicago After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artist, she continues to explore the songs of both the Classic and the New American Songbook. She has developed and performed shows across the country featuring the music of Cole Porter, George & Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers and Jerry Herman. Most recently, Curto garnered extensive praise, and sold out shows featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim. Howard Reich from the Chicago Tribune has praised Curto's work describing her as "a seasoned interpreter who makes every note count." Curto is gearing up for a big 2016 with a 125th birthday celebration to Cole Porter at the Auditorium Theatre in September and other exciting projects. You can find her music on CDBaby.com, ITunes and Amazon or though her website: www.joancurto.com

About Rich Daniels and The City Lights Orchestra
Rich Daniels has been creating and conducting memorable musical concerts and events since 1974, when he began his professional journey as a high school freshman on the great south side of Chicago. Through the vehicle of The City Lights Orchestra, he has been given a chance to participate in thousands of programs nationwide for associations, corporations and non-profit organizations. Additionally, Daniels and his colleagues have had the chance to take the stage and perform with artists as diverse as Ray Charles, Mel Torme, Garth Brooks, Rosemary Clooney, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Michael Buble and David Foster.

Daniels was recently tapped to be the musical supervisor for three different television series and composed music for the pilot of the Emmy-award winning show Boss. He and the orchestra were also featured in concert on PBS this past fall. TV duties have also included being the on-camera music supervisor for the hit show on FOX, Empire.

Daniels also travels the country conducting orchestras for the estate of Jerry Garcia performing a "Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration" with legendary guitarist / vocalist Warren Haynes. He also has his hand in charitable organizations, including The Mercy Home For Boys & Girls in Chicago (former board chairman), the DePaul University School of Music (current board chairman) and the Archdiocese Office of Immigrant Affairs (treasurer). Daniels was appointed by Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn to the board of the Illinois Arts Council in 2013 to serve a 4-year term and is also a board member at the Chicago Federation of Musicians and a delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor.