Steve Allen News

Last night, December 19, Town Hall overflowed with the musical joys of the season when three extraordinary talents, Leslie Uggams, Marilyn Maye and Christine Andreas took the stage for Holiday Belles. These award-winning singers brought their unique and diverse talents to the celebration, performing songs from the musical theater and the American Songbook, as well as holiday favorites. The concert, conceived and directed by Michael Bush, featured each singer performing her own individual set, and then brought them together for a very merry finale of holiday melodies. Check out photos from the concert below!

On Tuesday December 3 sublime singer Spider Saloff appeared at Rockwell Table and Stage for an evening of Cool Yule accompanied by electric jazz pianist Richard Eames. I say sublime, as there are a rare few like Saloff who can really sing, wrapping their heart around the lyrics of a song and then delivering it as if they had never told the story before. It takes an actress to sing well, and Saloff has everything it takes. Like Garland, she's one of the best.

After acclaimed premieres in Hollywood and Chicago, CHRISTMAS SMACKDOWN makes it highly anticipated New York Premiere. Written by Mark Nutter (Re-Animator: The Musical, Bicycle Men) and Cynthia Carle (The Sixth Man), performances begin December 19 at The Laurie Beechman Theater (inside West Bank Cafe at 407 West 42nd Street -- at Ninth Avenue, accessible from the A,C,E,N,R,V,F,1,2,3 trains at 42nd Street). This limited engagement runs for 2 nights only: Thursday, Dec. 19 & Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 plus a $15 food/drink minimum. To purchase tickets call 212-352-3101 or visit www.SpinCycleNYC.com.

Vocalist Peggy King--one of the few, certifiable stars of stage, screen, television and nightclubs still performing today-is returning to New York City for the first time in several decades, along with the charismatically swinging All-Star Jazz Trio. Peggy King and The All-Stars will appear at 54 Below-"New York's Supper Club," 254 West 54th Street-on Monday, December 30. Showtime is 7:00 p.m. Tickets are priced from $25 to $35, and are available in advance via www.54below.com Reservation details:646-468-7619.

'The Firehouse Variety Hour' is a live entertainment-variety show, set in a TV talk show format. Gordy Young, host of 'Experience Michiana', weeknights at 7pm on WNIT/PBS, South Bend will emcee.

Swedish Grammy-winning pop band Brainpool (Christoffer Lundquist, David Birde, Jens Jansson) are in New York City for a week-long development workshop of their rock opera JUNK, following two sold-out concerts of songs from the show (Pieces of JUNK) performed by a cast of Broadway performers at Joe's Pub earlier this year.

"The Firehouse Variety Hour" is a live entertainment-variety show, set in a TV talk show format. Gordy Young, host of "Experience Michiana", weeknights at 7pm on WNIT/PBS, South Bend will emcee.

Tune in this Wednesday, October 16th, 2013 at 12:35 PM (ET) to join in the celebration with 'Mr. Showbusiness' on Jimmy Ferraro's THEATRE CHAT AND THIS 'N THAT, broadcasting live on WWJB -- regionally and nationally on the world wide web: www.wwjb.com/pages/4395150.php. This week's guest is legendary Broadway, television, film star, and author Kaye Ballard.

Legendary concert artist and Kennedy Center Honoree Barbara Cook returns to New York City's Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street (between 6th Avenue & Broadway,) on Thursday, November 14th at 8 PM with a new evening of song (and stories) as she continues to explore her newly-developed repertoire of jazz and swing, while also reprising her now-classic renditions of songs from Broadway and the Great American Songbook. Five weeks later, on December 19, 2013, Town Hall will overflow with the musical joys of the season when three extraordinary talents, Leslie Uggams, Marilyn Maye and Christine Andreas take the stage for Holiday Belles.

To introduce its stellar faculty to downtown Evanston workers and residents and welcome them to its new campus, the Music Institute of Chicagois offering free lunchtime concerts and conversation one Wednesday per month from 12:15 to 1 p.m. at its new home, 1702 Sherman Ave., Evanston. Lunch is available for purchase from the Pret A Manger Kiosk, and free coffee will be served.

The Music Institute of Chicago's fourth annual jazz festival celebrates the enduring legacy of Chicago's own Benny Goodman, featuring two concerts and the film The Benny Goodman Story November 1 and 2 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. This two-day event shines a spotlight on the King of Swing, who first learned to play the clarinet at Chicago's famed Hull House.

Today, September 18, the Metropolitan Opera Guild will celebrate the life and career of Rise Stevens with an evening tribute at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College in NYC that will showcase the legendary mezzo-soprano in rare performance videos not seen since the 1950s.

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem has added a slew of new events with Jonathan Batiste. Below you will find the entire calendar of events for September with three new Jazz Is:Now! additions. The museum is also happy to announce that Greg Thomas will host next Tuesday's 'Words on Bird' event accompanied by pianst Chris Pattishall.

Metropolitan Opera Guild to Show Rare TV Footage at "Rise: A Celebration of Rise Stevens" at Kaye Playhouse Sep 18

Famed singer, actress and Broadway star Eydie Gormé has died at age 84. Spokesperson Howard Bragman said 'Legendary singer and performer Eydie Gorme passed away peacefully today at Sunrise Hospital following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her husband, son and other loved ones at the time of her death.' In his own statement, Steve Lawrence said: 'Eydie has been my partner on stage and in life for more than 55 years. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and even more the first time I heard her sing. While my personal loss is unimaginable, the world has lost one of the greatest pop vocalists of all time.'

With the International Al Jolson Society's 17th Annual Long Island Festival just three weeks away (On August 17, from 9am to 4:30pm, at Oceanside Knights of Columbus, 2985 Kenneth Place, Oceanside, NY 11572.), BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Review/Columnist and passionate Al Jolson fan Stephen Hanks fantasizes about what it might be like to have a conversation with 'The World's Greatest Entertainer,' 53 years after he died. You ain't read nothin' yet.

Dubbed 'The greatest white female singer in the world' by none other than Ella Fitzgerald, star vocalist Marilyn Maye took Provincetown audiences by storm in her highly anticipated debut at The Art House two summers ago, and again last year. She returns to The Art House by popular demand this summer on August 8, 9 and 10 at 7:00 PM featuring Billy Stritch on the piano. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com, or call 1-800-838-3006.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts' popular summer concert series Frist Fridays kicks off tonight, June 28 with a performance by the Chattanooga-based band The MaleMen. Now in its eleventh season, Frist Fridays take place on the final Friday of June, July and August from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m in the Center's Turner Courtyard. Patrons are invited to enjoy an evening of live music, light snacks and beverages as well as the diverse exhibitions on view in the Frist Center's galleries. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the events. Frist Fridays take place rain or shine.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts' popular summer concert series Frist Fridays kicks off Friday, June 28 with a performance by the Chattanooga-based band The MaleMen. Now in its eleventh season, Frist Fridays take place on the final Friday of June, July and August from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m in the Center's Turner Courtyard. Patrons are invited to enjoy an evening of live music, light snacks and beverages as well as the diverse exhibitions on view in the Frist Center's galleries. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the events. Frist Fridays take place rain or shine.