Category Archives: Cabaret

Steve Ross Kicks off new Cabaret Season Salon Series in Chicago

 

Kick-off the third annual salon season with
“The Crown Prince of Cabaret”
STEVE ROSS
Sunday, September 12th (4pm to 6pm)

STEVE ROSS  rose to fame

as a cabaret entertainer during his lengthy sojourns at New York’s fabled Algonquin Hotel and Ted Hook’s Backstage in the late 1970’s. He has spent the ensuing decades singing and playing in smart clubs and swank parties all over the world. The Ritz in London, the Crillon in Paris and the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, in addition to festivals in Hong Kong, Perth and Spoleto – these are but highlights of Steve’s appearances on six continents.

In 1992 he made his Off-Broadway debut in his own tribute to Fred Astaire, I WON’T DANCE. He continues to tour with solo concerts, master classes, theatrical engagements and symphonic Pops appearances. In 1997 he made his Broadway debut in the acclaimed revival of Noel Coward’s PRESENT LAUGHTER, performing opposite Frank Langella.

Appetizers and champagne are provided along with a thirty minute performance all inclusive in the ticket price. The salon performance will commence in River North on Sunday, September 12th at 4:00pm with pre-show reception, performance begins at 5:00pm. After a ticket purchase has been made, patrons will be sent an exact address and directions to the private residence where the salon will be held. Due to the fact that these salon events are held in a private home, seating is limited.

$45.00 per person or $80.00 for a pair of two tickets

Tickets now available at Brown Paper Tickets  – search “Steve Ross” at the abov elink to purchase tickets OR visit the Lake Shore Salon blog where you can find ticket links along with photos of past season events at Lakeshore Salon This event will sell-out, so don’t wait to secure seats!

The 3rd Annual Lake Shore Salon Series is sponsored by:KMP Artists

Best Gay Chicago

Share

Steven Brinberg IS Barbra Streisand – Chicago’s

“When you first hear Steven’s Simply Barbra CD, for the first brief moment, you almost think, ‘My God! Is that really her?’ [Streisand] It’s so captivating! Not only does he have a wonderful take on her — not at all mean-spirited — and this ability to imitate her, he also captures a lot of moments and nuances that are terrific. It was very impressive.” – Marvin Hamlisch

Me too! When I first heard Steven sing Barbra, I was quite impressed. He was just in Chicago and I had the chance to see and hear him perform live.

LAKESHORE SALON SERIES , an intimate event held in private homes in Chicago, which just finished their second  annual season and going into it’s third.

Co-founded in 2008 by Thomas Hensel, Andrew Delicata and Kristopher McDowell , Kmp Artists , – they have  presented quality entertainers in some of Chicago and Evanston’s most elegant homes. Food and champagne is provided along with stimulating conversation and live entertainment.

The salon series produces an event once per month (usually on Sundays) from Fall to Spring each year. For more information on the next season, please visit…..

Back to Babs!  Steven Brinberg  is the premier Barbra Streisand impressionist, performing his incredible show, Simply Barbra, to international acclaim both on stage and television (and performing twice with none other than Marvin Hamlisch!) as he pays homage to all that is Streisand!

Steven does not lip-sync his performances but accurately portrays Streisand with his own voice! With over a decade of performing experience, his amazing show has Steven in demand literally worldwide!

We chatted briefly in Chicago, then Steven was headed off to Ireland. His career started quite by accident as he tells DEEP DISH …”I was performing cabaret shows as myself, and I would sing snippets of other voices – Cher, Katharine Hepburn, Billie Holiday – but my Barbra was the most popular. One day a friend suggested that I do an entire Barbra show, but I was like “I don’t even look like her and I don’t know anything about makeup.” But I finally booked a couple of weeks to perform as Barbra in New York – and the show just took off.”

Singing Streisand is a rarity. “Other than the veteran performer Jim Bailey, I am the only other male Barbra (that I know of) who sings live. Hers is such a unique voice that it is very hard to do properly. I was inspired when in an interview Barbra was asked what she thought of all the men who do her and she said “I wish they’d do me better!” and I thought I am going to be the first one to do her justice and NOT cross my eyes and be mean…I wanted to be flattering to her because I am such a fan…..I have never met Barbra…..but she knows me. Her manager hired me to sing at Donna Karan’s birthday party – and through her stage director, she told me what to say at the party. We almost met when she was at the same play I was – but I lost my nerve to go over to her. She later learned that I was there and said, “Why didn’t he say hello?” But I just wasn’t ready to meet her…”

Steven has been able to see Babs perform on several occassions – giving him an opportunity to study her up close.
He tells Barbra news

“I had a friend in Los Angeles who knew someone who knew someone who could get tickets for the 1986 ONE VOICE concert. There were only 500 seats and it wasn’t easy. When he said yes, then I had to convince my parents to give me the money… a lot for a kid to spend! Even then, people were saying this might be her last concert. It was well worth it. We were served dinner on her tennis court. I saw Bette, Whoopi, Goldie,Walter Matthau (they must have made up from DOLLY) everyone seemed to be famous except my party. It was amazing to hear her sing live for the first time and think “This is not a record!”.

More recently, I was in Australia while she was there also, and Marvin got my pianist and I great seats up close (the concert in the rain in Sydney). It was wild. I did my show one night, saw her show the next night, did my show the next night, and people in the audience waved the flashlights they got at her show! I did a lot of TV while I was there and am told that she saw me on one of the shows! I hope it was the one where the lighting was so beautiful (The Bert Show) cause that’s important to me, and to Barbra. The brief scene I have in the new movie CAMP (after the very end credits) is also lit beautifully. I think she’ll be pleased at how I look as her.”

What’s next for Steven Brinberg?
“Continuing to tour all over the place – and I’m hoping to perform again as myself. My real voice and look are so different than Barbra – but I’m not giving up Barbra. I would just like to be a boy also. I’d love to be a CSI killer and have people go, “Guess what else he does.” “

Steven will perform Milwaukee PRIDE  FEST  June 11-13  – 
Check their site for details  or the Simply Barbra Facebook page, as the date gets closer. 

  follow Simply Barbra on Facebook

Simply Barbra by Steven Brinberg

The Best of Gay New York   and  The Best of Gay Chicago

Share

Steven Brinberg IS Barbra Streisand – Chicago’s

“When you first hear Steven’s Simply Barbra CD, for the first brief moment, you almost think, ‘My God! Is that really her?’ [Streisand] It’s so captivating! Not only does he have a wonderful take on her — not at all mean-spirited — and this ability to imitate her, he also captures a lot of moments and nuances that are terrific. It was very impressive.” – Marvin Hamlisch

Me too! When I first heard Steven sing Barbra, I was quite impressed. He was just in Chicago and I had the chance to see and hear him perform live.

LAKESHORE SALON SERIES , an intimate event held in private homes in Chicago, which just finished their second  annual season and going into it’s third.

Co-founded in 2008 by Thomas Hensel, Andrew Delicata and Kristopher McDowell , Kmp Artists , – they have  presented quality entertainers in some of Chicago and Evanston’s most elegant homes. Food and champagne is provided along with stimulating conversation and live entertainment.

The salon series produces an event once per month (usually on Sundays) from Fall to Spring each year. For more information on the next season, please visit…..

Back to Babs!  Steven Brinberg  is the premier Barbra Streisand impressionist, performing his incredible show, Simply Barbra, to international acclaim both on stage and television (and performing twice with none other than Marvin Hamlisch!) as he pays homage to all that is Streisand!

Steven does not lip-sync his performances but accurately portrays Streisand with his own voice! With over a decade of performing experience, his amazing show has Steven in demand literally worldwide!

We chatted briefly in Chicago, then Steven was headed off to Ireland. His career started quite by accident as he tells DEEP DISH …”I was performing cabaret shows as myself, and I would sing snippets of other voices – Cher, Katharine Hepburn, Billie Holiday – but my Barbra was the most popular. One day a friend suggested that I do an entire Barbra show, but I was like “I don’t even look like her and I don’t know anything about makeup.” But I finally booked a couple of weeks to perform as Barbra in New York – and the show just took off.”

Singing Streisand is a rarity. “Other than the veteran performer Jim Bailey, I am the only other male Barbra (that I know of) who sings live. Hers is such a unique voice that it is very hard to do properly. I was inspired when in an interview Barbra was asked what she thought of all the men who do her and she said “I wish they’d do me better!” and I thought I am going to be the first one to do her justice and NOT cross my eyes and be mean…I wanted to be flattering to her because I am such a fan…..I have never met Barbra…..but she knows me. Her manager hired me to sing at Donna Karan’s birthday party – and through her stage director, she told me what to say at the party. We almost met when she was at the same play I was – but I lost my nerve to go over to her. She later learned that I was there and said, “Why didn’t he say hello?” But I just wasn’t ready to meet her…”

Steven has been able to see Babs perform on several occassions – giving him an opportunity to study her up close.
He tells Barbra news

“I had a friend in Los Angeles who knew someone who knew someone who could get tickets for the 1986 ONE VOICE concert. There were only 500 seats and it wasn’t easy. When he said yes, then I had to convince my parents to give me the money… a lot for a kid to spend! Even then, people were saying this might be her last concert. It was well worth it. We were served dinner on her tennis court. I saw Bette, Whoopi, Goldie,Walter Matthau (they must have made up from DOLLY) everyone seemed to be famous except my party. It was amazing to hear her sing live for the first time and think “This is not a record!”.

More recently, I was in Australia while she was there also, and Marvin got my pianist and I great seats up close (the concert in the rain in Sydney). It was wild. I did my show one night, saw her show the next night, did my show the next night, and people in the audience waved the flashlights they got at her show! I did a lot of TV while I was there and am told that she saw me on one of the shows! I hope it was the one where the lighting was so beautiful (The Bert Show) cause that’s important to me, and to Barbra. The brief scene I have in the new movie CAMP (after the very end credits) is also lit beautifully. I think she’ll be pleased at how I look as her.”

What’s next for Steven Brinberg?
“Continuing to tour all over the place – and I’m hoping to perform again as myself. My real voice and look are so different than Barbra – but I’m not giving up Barbra. I would just like to be a boy also. I’d love to be a CSI killer and have people go, “Guess what else he does.” “

Steven will perform Milwaukee PRIDE  FEST  June 11-13  – 
Check their site for details  or the Simply Barbra Facebook page, as the date gets closer. 

  follow Simply Barbra on Facebook

Simply Barbra by Steven Brinberg

The Best of Gay New York   and  The Best of Gay Chicago

Share

From Acrobatic Cats to Barbra Streisand, Skokie Theatre Entertains

LOOKING  FOR  SOMETHING  FUN
AND UNIQUE THIS WEEKEND?

HOW  ABOUT  ACROBATIC  CATS?!



Samantha Martin and The Amazing Acro-Cats and the Rock-Cats come to Skokie Theatre, Saturday March 20th at  12:00  and  2:00pm.


See the Amazing Acro-Cats Live and in Purr-son perform over 30 tricks and feats of agility. Audiences are astounded as they watch these fantastic felines push carts, ride skateboards, roll barrels, ring bells, turn on lights, walk tight ropes, jump through hoops and much more!

The Amazing Acro-Cats are part of Amazing Animals by Samantha, a private educational zoo owned and operated by Samantha Martin, a Chicago-based animal trainer and feline specialist. Her animal troupe have appeared on numerous national television shows, including TMZ, The Tonight Show and Animal Planet, as well as films, commercials and print advertising campaigns.



Ok, so you missed  One Night Only: Barbra Streisand & Quartet at  VILLAGE VANGUARD in New York City. The dvd will be out in a few weeks.  Until then, there is  BAB  FAB!

Celebrate the birthday of the legendary Barbra Streisand with the third annual “Bab Fab: The Barbra Streisand Birthday Celebration”.  THREE NIGHTS! 

It kicks off on April 23rd with a Streisand connoisseur Matt Howe, and then continues with two great performances of Streisand’s work on April 24th and 25th.  All performances can be found at the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation.

Spend an evening with Barbra Streisand activist Matt Howe on April 23rd, 2010 at 8pm.  Matt’s passion for the life and career of Barbra Streisand has not only inspired him to create one of the most thorough informational websites on Barbra but has gained the respect and admiration of several of Barbra’s creative associates and top people in the entertainment industry.


“Bab Fab” will continue on April 24th at 8pm and April 25th at 2pm with A Barbra Streisand Musical Celebration.  This performance will cover Streisand’s fantastic musical career, from her early days in Greenwich Village to her incredible rise to super stardom.  Rob Dorn escorts audiences through a Streisand musical timeline assisted by some of Chicago’s leading cabaret and musical theater talent, including Amy Cole, Elizabeth Dowling, Hilary Ann Feldman, Laura Freeman, Scott Gryder, Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Marianne Murphy Orland, Jason Paul Smith and more!


Skokie Theatre Music Foundation, 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois 60077.
order tickets by calling 847-677-7761  or  onlie  at  Skokie Theatre.

Best of Gay Chicago

Share

From Acrobatic Cats to Barbra Streisand, Skokie Theatre Entertains

LOOKING  FOR  SOMETHING  FUN
AND UNIQUE THIS WEEKEND?

HOW  ABOUT  ACROBATIC  CATS?!



Samantha Martin and The Amazing Acro-Cats and the Rock-Cats come to Skokie Theatre, Saturday March 20th at  12:00  and  2:00pm.


See the Amazing Acro-Cats Live and in Purr-son perform over 30 tricks and feats of agility. Audiences are astounded as they watch these fantastic felines push carts, ride skateboards, roll barrels, ring bells, turn on lights, walk tight ropes, jump through hoops and much more!

The Amazing Acro-Cats are part of Amazing Animals by Samantha, a private educational zoo owned and operated by Samantha Martin, a Chicago-based animal trainer and feline specialist. Her animal troupe have appeared on numerous national television shows, including TMZ, The Tonight Show and Animal Planet, as well as films, commercials and print advertising campaigns.



Ok, so you missed  One Night Only: Barbra Streisand & Quartet at  VILLAGE VANGUARD in New York City. The dvd will be out in a few weeks.  Until then, there is  BAB  FAB!

Celebrate the birthday of the legendary Barbra Streisand with the third annual “Bab Fab: The Barbra Streisand Birthday Celebration”.  THREE NIGHTS! 

It kicks off on April 23rd with a Streisand connoisseur Matt Howe, and then continues with two great performances of Streisand’s work on April 24th and 25th.  All performances can be found at the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation.

Spend an evening with Barbra Streisand activist Matt Howe on April 23rd, 2010 at 8pm.  Matt’s passion for the life and career of Barbra Streisand has not only inspired him to create one of the most thorough informational websites on Barbra but has gained the respect and admiration of several of Barbra’s creative associates and top people in the entertainment industry.


“Bab Fab” will continue on April 24th at 8pm and April 25th at 2pm with A Barbra Streisand Musical Celebration.  This performance will cover Streisand’s fantastic musical career, from her early days in Greenwich Village to her incredible rise to super stardom.  Rob Dorn escorts audiences through a Streisand musical timeline assisted by some of Chicago’s leading cabaret and musical theater talent, including Amy Cole, Elizabeth Dowling, Hilary Ann Feldman, Laura Freeman, Scott Gryder, Beckie Menzie, Tom Michael, Marianne Murphy Orland, Jason Paul Smith and more!


Skokie Theatre Music Foundation, 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, Illinois 60077.
order tickets by calling 847-677-7761  or  onlie  at  Skokie Theatre.

Best of Gay Chicago

Share

Love Hurts – An Alternative Cabaret Show with Tommy Hensel

An alternative to the traditional
 Valentine’s show!


Join Tommy Hensel for a journey into some of love’s more “entertaining” aspects.

LOVE HURTS is a collection of songs of Lust, Loss, Obession and Revenge!

A newly-transplanted resident of Chicago, Thomas A. Hensel was recently named as Managing Director of the Fine & Performing Arts Center of Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL.  

He also works as an actor, director, singer and cabaret artist as well as a  spiritual coach and counselor, Feng Shui consultant and hands-on healer. He has worked with hundreds of people both privately and in workshops to transform their lives using the techniques described in his book Invisible Armor: Protecting Your Personal Energy.  He is also one of the creators and teachers of the Wei Chi Healing™ system of hands-on healing.
.



 Tommy has quite the eclectic resume and life!  “My iPod might frighten you!  I have an incredibly eclectic mix of songs that I love. Broadway soundtracks are probably the winner in amount of space usage, but I also have everything from opera to ABBA, from 80s rock songs to classical, from Melissa Etheridge to Doris Day. I do love the Indigo Girls and for some odd reason Nanci Griffith.
 
I tend to not have anything extremely new or recent since most new music leaves me bored. But if you want to know anything about Broadway, I can probably help. OK, OK. I guess I am a card-carrying gay man after all.”

Catch him live Sunday, February 7 at 7pm
and/or Sunday, February 21 at 7pm

LOVE  HURTS
Featuring Cheryl Szucsits    
Musical Direction by Beckie Menzie   
Direction by Daryl Nitz

Davenport’s Piano Bar
1382 N. Milwaukee Avenue      Phone: 773-278-1830


Visit  Tommy Hensel online  and  on  FaceBook

Tickets for Love Hurts ONLINE 



The Best of Gay Chicago

Share

Cabaret and Broadway Singer Gordon Michaels at Moraine Valley January 16th

Broadway Revue in Color:
Hit Songs from Black Broadway Shows

Featuring Gordon Michaels

Saturday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.

$25 general public/$20 seniors
$15 students and MVCC staff
@Dorothy Menker Theater

Powerful baritone vocalist Gordon Michaels will return to Moraine Valley Community College to perform “Broadway Revue in Color: Hit Songs from Black Broadway Shows”.  This musical revue features show-stopping numbers from most of the well-known traditional black musicals from Broadway, including selections from Dreamgirls, Five Guys Named Mo, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Porgy & Bess, The Wiz, The Lion King, and others. Gordon Michaels’ delivery seems almost effortless and his stylistic range is diverse. 

A Boston cabaret artist, Michaels has performed with Patti Labelle, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart, and other legendary artists. He was awarded first place in the 2000 Encore Silver Note Sing Off and has been nominated twice for best male vocalist for Jazz and Gospel by the Boston Music Awards. He also is the creator of the popular Gospel Brunch at the original House of Blues in Harvard Square Cambridge, Massachusetts.



GET TICKETS for BROADWAY REVUE IN COLOR

Share