Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro

Performers included Rob Russell, Dawn Derow, Joe Freer, Meri Ziev, Clare Coco, Judi Mark, and more.

There have been many successful launches in Florida but the musical lift off last night at Cafe Centro (which is Palm Beach's ground zero for live entertainment) had many stars. Rob Russell's Open Mic Series made it's debut and his line-up of singers ignited an evening of diverse singing styles. All systems were go with mics at the ready, Kim Forman at the piano, and "Mr Palm Beach" introducing a bevy of local and national artists to an appreciative audience of cabaret connoisseurs.

Rob even had concert/cabaret leader Meri Ziev of the South Florida Cabaret Singers (ScFloCab) in the performers line up as well as legendary pianist Copeland Davis, who holds court in the new piano room at Cafe Centro. Famed Palm Beach and international entertainers Maycol & Lillian stopped by to add some musical excitement to Rob's opening night and 100.3 Legends Radio was well represented with performances by Mike McGann and Gregory Popeye Alexander. Well known NYC Cabaret singer Dawn Derow and Friar Judi Mark were also on Rob Russell's list.

It was a great opening night "party" at this new open mic series and Cafe Centro was packed with some of Palm Beach's most enthusiastic supporters of live music. We even had Tennis master Karen Donnelly sitting court side calling the evening a winner!

Performers included Rob Russell, Dawn Derow, Joe Freer, Meri Ziev, Clare Coco, Judi Mark, Gregory Popeye Alexander, Maycol & Lillian, Donya Lane, Mike McGann, Sarah Dreben, Copeland Davis, and Wilner Pierre.

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Rob Russell

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Cafe Centro

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Maycol & Lillian

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Dawn Derow

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Joe Freer

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Meri Ziev

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Meri Ziev

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Clare Coco

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Clare Coco

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Judi Mark

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Sal, Lillian, Maycol, Mike McGann, Gregory Popeye Alexander

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Mike McGann

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Mike McGann

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Mike McGann & Rob Russell

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Copeland Davis & Kim Forman

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Rob Russell & Gregory Popeye Alexander

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Rob Russell

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Sarah Driben

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Donya Lane

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Maycol & Lillian

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Wilner Pierre

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Rob Russell, Gregory Popeye Alexander, Maycol

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Rob Russell & Barbara Donnelly

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Joan Karp, Nancy Stone, & friends

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Cafe Centro

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Jane Shevell & Larry Weissfeld

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro

Photos: Rob Russell Launches Open Mic Series at Cafe Centro
Karen Donnelly, Eda Sorokoff, Barbara Donnelly



TAP DANCING THROUGH AUSCHWITZ to Return to the Boca Black Box Theater in April Photo
'Tap Dancing Through Auschwitz' is set to return to the Boca Black Box Theater in West Boca Raton Wednesday, April 26th & Thursday, April 27th at 8 p.m.

Photos: Linda Purl with Billy Stritch Play Cafe Centro Photo
If there was any doubt that Cafe Centro was a bona fide Cabaret Venue it was dispelled last night.  Billy Stritch was seated at the Cafe’s Grand Piano and Linda Purl was the songstress headlining on the cabaret stage of the South Florida restaurant. 

South Florida Symphony Orchestras 25th Anniversary Season Concludes With Rachmaninoff and  Photo
​​​​​​​ South Florida Symphony Orchestra will close out its triumphant 25th anniversary season with a grand finale concert featuring  Rachmaninoff's demanding Piano Concerto No. 3 performed by Svetlana Smolina; along with Bruckner's choral masterpiece, Te Deum, featuring the South Florida Symphony Chorus and vocalists Elaine Alvarez, soprano; Rehanna Thelwell, mezzo-soprano; Neil Nelson, bass-baritone; and Arnold Rawls, tenor.

Classical Superstar Joshua Bell Joins Palm Beach Symphony, April 16 Photo
Grammy Award-winner Joshua Bell, one of the most celebrated violinists of his era, joins Maestro Gerard Schwarz and Palm Beach Symphony in an evening of Mendelssohn and Beethoven at the Kravis Center on Sunday, April 16 at 8 p.m. 


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: Linda Purl with Billy Stritch Play Cafe CentroPhotos: Linda Purl with Billy Stritch Play Cafe Centro
March 30, 2023

If there was any doubt that Cafe Centro was a bona fide Cabaret Venue it was dispelled last night.  Billy Stritch was seated at the Cafe’s Grand Piano and Linda Purl was the songstress headlining on the cabaret stage of the South Florida restaurant. 

Photos: Marilyn Maye Prepares For Her Carnegie Hall Debut With The New York PopsPhotos: Marilyn Maye Prepares For Her Carnegie Hall Debut With The New York Pops
March 24, 2023

Sometimes you have to pinch yourself at the opportunities you are presented with.  TODAY would be one of those. Or as Marilyn Maye might sing to you, “It’s Today.”

Photos: Storm Large Plays 54 BelowPhotos: Storm Large Plays 54 Below
March 23, 2023

Storm Large has made a name for herself from tours with Pink Martini to orchestral appearances at Carnegie Hall to the television stage of 'America's Got Talent.'  But it is with her loyal and fearless band, Le Bonheur, that she grabs audiences. by the lapels and refuses to let go. 

Photos: Make Your Own Party: The Songs of Goldrich and Heisler Plays 54 BelowPhotos: Make Your Own Party: The Songs of Goldrich and Heisler Plays 54 Below
March 15, 2023

The only thing missing at last night’s party for Marcy and Zina was a Latte choice in the beverage section on the menu at 54 Below (with extra foam).  

Photos: LOVE SONG SATURDAY NIGHT Brings An Evening of Romance To 54 BelowPhotos: LOVE SONG SATURDAY NIGHT Brings An Evening of Romance To 54 Below
March 13, 2023

If there is one night during the week when you want-need?- to hear love songs, well, it’s got to be a Saturday night. And this last Saturday, 54 Below provided just the right tonic of famously romantic songs in a show created and hosted by Scott Siegel titled “Love Song Saturday Night”.