Upcoming Events
Highlights from the 35th New York Cabaret Convention - Photos by Richard Termine / Music by Mabel Mercer “Just One Of Those Things” (Cole Porter)
The Mabel Mercer Foundation, Est. 1985
Preserving and promoting the intimate art of Cabaret, its timeless Songbook, and the legacy of Mabel Mercer.
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Cabaret Spotlight
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Donna McKechnie
TAKE ME TO THE WORLD – THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM
April 24 & 26 @ 7:00 PM
54 Below
Encore engagement after a sold out run! In honor of Stephen Sondheim’s birthday month, Donna McKechnie celebrates the greatest Broadway composer and lyricist of our time by performing songs from many of his shows, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Anyone Can Whistle, and Sunday in the Park with George, and by sharing stories of her time working with him and the great influence he had in her life, both professionally and personally.
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Ricky Ritzel
RICKY RITZEL'S BROADWAY
April 25 @ 7:00 PM
Don’t Tell Mama
Get ready for a night of laughter, music, and Broadway magic with Ricky Ritzel’s Broadway! This Bistro and 5-time MAC Award-winning show brings Ricky Ritzel’s signature musical comedy to life, with an ensemble cast and Ricky himself at the piano. A must-see tribute to the Great White Way! $20 cover ($15 for MAC members) and a $20 minimum (must include two drinks) per person.
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Billy Stritch
TRIO
April 25-27 @ 7:00 & 9:30PM
Birdland Jazz Club
Billy Stritch is an award-winning composer, arranger, vocalist and jazz pianist celebrated for his masterful interpretations of the Great American Songbook. With a career spanning decades, Billy’s artistry combines sophistication, humor, and showmanship, captivating audiences worldwide. He is proud to call Birdland his musical home in New York and this will mark his twelfth annual engagement at the legendary nightclub. His 2022 engagement was named Best Jazz Vocal Show of that year by BroadwayWorld and he was also recently named Best Musical Director for an unprecedented sixth time.
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David Raleigh
SETTING THE STANDARD
April 30 @ 7:00PM
The Green Room 42
David Raleigh, the soulful NYC singer and pianist, returns to The Green Room 42 for an unforgettable evening of music, offering his signature take on classics from the Great American Songbook. Joined by Eric Vanderbilt Matthews (keyboard & saxophone), Danny Weller (bass), and Jem Seidel (drums), this performance is sure to be a night to remember!
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Sue Matsuki
KRAL SPACE...CELEBRATING IRENE KRAL
May 2 @ 7:00PM
Don’t Tell Mama
Join Sue Matsuki and the Gregory Toroian Trio for an unforgettable evening celebrating the lesser-known but highly acclaimed jazz legend, Irene Kral. With a voice that spanned from the late 1950s to the late 1970s, Kral's remarkable career was cut short at just 46, a year after her final album. Throughout her career, she collaborated with the likes of Fran Landesman & Tommy Wolf, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, and Steve Allen, bringing new life to songs by Porter, Hammerstein, Kern, Livingston & Evans, and more.
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Celia Berk
FOR THE RECORD
May 4 @ 7:00PM
54 Below
In For The Record, award-winning singer and recording artist Celia Berk returns to 54 Below with a “boxed set” of highlights from her critically-acclaimed albums and a special spotlight on her new EPs Four Seasons Of Song. Known for her intimate interpretations, warm cello sound, and affinity for hidden gems by great songwriters, the evening’s playlist includes favorites from her albums You Can’t Rush Spring, Manhattan Serenade, and Now That I Have Everything.
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Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano
SPRING SWING
May 5 @ 7:00PM
Birdland Jazz Club
Hailed as “smart, funny, and utterly delightful” and "a hotbed of pleasure" by The New York Times, Eric and Barbara draw from an ever-evolving American Songbook – Jazz and pop classics by Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, and Cole Porter to singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Carole King, and Bruce Springsteen, plus surprising gems. The NYC Jazz Record’s Marilyn Lester raves, “great tunes, impeccable musicality, and vocal prowess.”
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Hamptons Summer Songbook
VARIOUS ARTISTS
May 7 @ 6:30PM
Triad Theater
Join for a festive Spring Launch Party / Friendraiser / Fundraiser supporting LTV Studios in East Hampton — the new home of Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea! Enjoy an unforgettable evening of music and celebration, featuring special performances by: Eric Comstock, Barbara Fasano, Steve Ross, Karen Murphy, Maria Abous, David Alpern, Mark Nadler, KT Sullivan, Marta Sanders, Natalie Douglas, and Craig Rubano.
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Ann Kittredge
WHEN IN LOVE
May 8 @ 7:00PM
Chelsea Table + Stage
Ann is returning to Chelsea Table & Stage with her music director, Christopher Denny, at the piano in a new show, When in Love. This musical evening explores the silly, the complicated, the classy, and the not-so-classy sides of love—the feeling that makes us tingle. Hailed as “the real thing” for her stunning voice, quirky humor, and captivating performances, Ann will wow you with her unique renditions of songs from the American Songbook, jazz, classic pop, and musical theater, spanning decades of unforgettable music.
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Frank Dain
A CELEBRATION 24 YEARS IN THE MAKING!
May 7 & 29 @ 7:00PM
Don’t Tell Mama
Join Frank Dain for a special musical event, "A Celebration," marking 24 incredible years in the making! With an outstanding ensemble featuring musical director Kathleen Landis on piano, Boots Maleson on bass, and Peter Calo on guitar, this performance promises to be a night to remember. Directed by Lennie Watts and in collaboration with Kurt Peterson, this unique celebration showcases Frank’s journey and the music that has defined his career. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of powerful performances and timeless tunes!
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Mark William
TECHNICOLOR DREAMS 2.0
May 10 @ 7:00PM
The Green Room 42
Ending a brief hiatus from the NYC nightclub scene, 2-time BroadwayWorld Award winnerMark William returns to The Green Room 42 with a fresh take on his critically-acclaimed show, Mark William: Technicolor Dreams 2.0. A cinematic, fantastical journey awaits you, with a repertoire ranging from Jule Styne and Anthony Newley, to Elvis Presley and Mark William himself.
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Andrea Marcovicci
PERSPICACITY: A MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION
May 11 @ 7:00PM
54 Below
Andrea returns to Broadway’s Living Room with a brand new show filled with her signature wit and a guarantee of a torch song, or two. Focusing on the loving relationship of parent and child, Andrea will offer her unique perspective on this tender journey through story and song. The show will feature music that spans from the American Songbook to several modern day songs, plus a few surprises along the way. With a special guest appearance by 54 Below alum, Lauren Fox this is sure to be a wonderful evening celebrating all things Mom.
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Clint Holmes
ICONS REIMAGINED
May 12 @ 7:00PM
Birdland Jazz Club
Birdland is proud to announce that Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Clint Holmes will performs songs by iconic artists, from iconic movies and Broadway shows on Monday, May 12. Bill Zappia will be musical director for the one-night-only event. Clint is a consummate entertainer, writer, performer, recording artist, and one of the country’s finest vocalists. Whether he is singing selections from contemporary classics or stirring original pieces, every performance is a one-of-a-kind, mesmerizing, and unforgettable experience.
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Mark Nadler
BACK AT THE BEECHMAN: LOTS OF RHYME AND NO REASON
May 16 @ 7:00PM
Laurie Beechman Theatre
With no particular theme—just sheer, unfiltered entertainment— Mark Nadler promises an evening packed with dazzling musicality, outrageous humor, and his signature blend of showmanship. A multi-award-winning, internationally celebrated singer, pianist, and tap-dancer, Nadler delivers a high-octane performance that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable. Expect the unexpected, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.
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Ava Nicole Frances
THE DREAM THAT I SEE
May 16 @ 7:00PM
The Green Room 42
Back by popular demand, American Idol finalist, two-time Broadway World Cabaret Award, and Cabaret Convention alumni Ava Nicole Frances returns to The Green Room 42 for a special reprise of her “dream” show, celebrating the release of her new live album The Dream That I See. With soaring vocals and a diverse mix of influences—from Sondheim to Beyoncé—Ava’s performance is a journey through dreams, passion, and possibility. Joined by Luke-Michael from American Idol, musical director Michael Collum, and her five-piece band, this is a night you won’t want to miss!
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Klea Blackhurst
A BRAND NEW EVENING WITH
May 18 @ 7:00PM
Chelsea Table + Stage
Klea Blackhurst has originated memorable characters and introduced standout songs in world premieres that never quite made it to Broadway, from Radio Gals' "Dear Mr. Gershwin" to Buffalo Gals' "The Yodeling Muchacha," along with roles in The Nutty Professor, Hazel, and more. In this special evening, Klea shares the songs she's made her own, alongside her favorite selections from the Great American Songbook. With humor, heart, and a touch of the unpredictable nature of a life in the arts, Klea creates a celebration of the joy and absurdity in the pursuit of a dream. Music Direction and Arrangements by Michael Rice with The Lunch Money Trio.
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Marissa Mulder & Bill Zeffiro
YOU CAN'T MAKE OLD FRIENDS
May 18 & June 15 @ 4:00PM
Join award-winning performers Marissa Mulder and Bill Zeffiro for an evening of unforgettable music and chemistry in their intimate musical duo performance, "You Can't Make Old Friends." With a mix of heartfelt songs and engaging storytelling, this dynamic duo brings a truly special experience to the stage.
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Steve Ross
SONGS OF ROMANCE & RUE
May 19 @ 7:00PM
Birdland Jazz Club
Birdland is proud to present cabaret icon Steve Ross as he delves into the rich treasures of the Great American Songbook in this new collection, featuring classics by Berlin, Porter, the Gershwins, Dietz and Schwartz, Johnny Mercer, Michel Legrand, Lerner & Loewe, and Noël Coward. He'll also introduce newly-minted gems by contemporary American and British songwriters.
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Craig Rubano
TAKE THE MOMENT
May 24 @ 7:00PM
Laurie Beechman Theatre
Encore performance of the M.A.C. award-nominated and Bistro Award recipient for Outstanding Autobiographical Show! Broadway’s (Les Misérables, The Scarlet Pimpernel), Craig Rubano reprises his celebrated 2024 run in New York City at The Laurie Beechman Theatre with Take the Moment, a collection of songs that shine a spotlight on the choices we make during the moments that matter. Craig taps into music and lyrics by Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Stephen Sondheim, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Jerry Herman, and more.
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Rosemary Loar
VAGABOND HEART
May 29 @ 7:00PM
The Green Room 42
Broadway, jazz, cabaret, and recording artist Rosemary Loar returns to her jazz roots in her most musically ambitious show yet, celebrating the release of her 12th CD Vagabond Heart. With out-of-the-box arrangements and both hilarious and heartbreaking stories behind the music, Rosemary performs well-known standards, original compositions, and classic Broadway songs—all with her signature twist and in four different languages. Critics call her “that rare combination of jazz vocalist, comedienne, and dramatic actress”
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Carole J. Bufford
TOO DARN HOT
May 30 @ 7:00PM
54 Below
Carole J. Bufford returns to 54 Below with Too Darn Hot, a musical romp through those sultry, starlit summertime evenings. Carole will put her unique spin on timeless classics made famous by Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Adele, Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Wilson Pickett, Patsy Cline, Randy Newman, and more. From Broadway to blues, and standards to soul, join Carole for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling to ignite your senses and kickstart your summer season!
“Mabel Mercer taught me everything I know.”
— Frank Sinatra
Discover the magic of Mabel Mercer.
Mabel Mercer’s distinctive style was defined by her exquisite phrasing, impeccable diction, and deep emotional nuance. Rather than belting or embellishing with vocal acrobatics, she delivered songs with an intimate, conversational quality, making each lyric feel deeply personal. Her mastery of subtle inflections and pauses gave new depth to lyrics, transforming songs into storytelling experiences. Mercer’s influence extended beyond traditional cabaret, shaping the interpretative styles of legendary singers like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, and Tony Bennett. Her refined, understated approach made her a revered artist among those who valued the power of lyrical interpretation.
“The Mabel Mercer Foundation, American song’s best friend.”
— Octavio Roca, San Francisco Chronicle

Make a donation.
As we celebrate the forty-year milestone at the Mabel Mercer Foundation, we want to extend our sincere gratitude for your continued generosity and support in preserving the timeless art of Cabaret by keeping great songs alive.

