“From the 1940s until her death in 1984 Mabel Mercer was regarded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Leontyne Price as the definitive cafe singer, an artist who struck a deep personal chord in nearly everybody who came to hear her,” writes James Gavin in his chronicle of cabaret, Intimate Nights. The nonprofit Mabel Mercer Foundation, founded in 1985, honors her contributions with an annual high-profile showcase for her artistic heirs; this wingding is traditionally held in New York or San Francisco, but this year it comes here, offering local admirers of this fragile yet tenacious art form an unparalleled opportunity to sample its finest practitioners. The schedule features seven different programs over four days at four different venues: a $75 black-tie gala opening at the Palmer House’s fabled Empire Room, more modestly priced concerts at the Park West and the Casino, and free presentations at the Chicago Cultural Center. The lineup of talent booked by the foundation’s executive director, Mercer’s former publicist Donald Smith, is astonishing in quality, quantity, and stylistic range. Venerable vets like Rita Gardner, Lilianne Montevecchi, and the great Julie Wilson will perform on bills with younger singers–among them Andrea Marcovicci, Amanda McBroom, Baby Jane Dexter, Karen Akers, Tovah Feldshuh, Christine Andreas, Steve Ross, Phillip Officer, and Chicago favorites Karen Mason, Nan Mason, Spider Saloff, Beckie Menzie, Audrey Morris, Judy Roberts, Jeff Harnar, and Justin Hayford. In addition, Davenport’s Piano Bar & Cabaret will present a special program in conjunction with the convention. For more information about the convention or to purchase tickets, call 773-929-5959.
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12:15PM KT Sullivan and pianist Larry Woodard
Park West
Claudia Cassidy Theater, Chicago Cultural Center
1-5PM Mary Foster-Conklin, Weird Sisters, Joyce Breach, Moonglow
The Casino
