Sat., July 8. JUDY BARRAT. Nearly forty years ago, Andrea Marcovicci surprised and delighted Gardenia audiences by introducing readings from poets Edna St. Vincent Millay and Dorothy Parker into a musical cabaret act---forcing Tom Rolla to eat virtual crow (and maybe even humble pie,) after predicting emphatically that “that’ll never work!” Judy Barrat is a...
An “eclectic, loving group with many a twinkle in its collective eye” share their talents, personalities, and stories.
Keri Kelsey hosts a Singers’ Open Mike Night---the best in town, wrapping up its 23rd year. Sign-up begins at 7p.m. There is an $8 Cover Charge and a $10 Drink Minimum.
Fri., July 14. PIERRE CHAMBERS releases his CD, Shining Moments. Best known to Gardenia audiences as the tenor/baritone harmonic anchor of the celebrated vocalese trio, Chambers, Herbert, and Ellis (who re-introduced local audiences to the works of Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross at The Gardenia,) Mr. Chambers is the son of Paul Chambers, noted bassist who...
Tuesdays, July 11, 18, & 25. The Gardenia’s OPEN MIKE, with Keri Kelsey, host. Starting at 8:30 p.m., Keri Kelsey hosts a Singers’ Open Mike Night---the best in town, soon to celebrate its twenty-third anniversary. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.
Fri., July 21. PAMELA CLAY. The late, great, esteemed critic Richard Blackwell once wrote: “Pamela Clay is the rebirth of Edith Piaf…she is fabulous with a voice that will have you mesmerized…She is Piaf you close your eyes…She has that fabulous, gutsy street sound with the emotions that made Piaf an icon not to be...
Sat., July 22. JEUDI. This “vintage-style chanteuse,” Jeudi Cornejo Brealey, comes by her passions naturally, as the daughter of a suave, storytelling Costa Rican tuna pole-fisherman father and a stylish Mexican American mother who competed in USO swing dance contests while working in an airplane factory by day. Encouraged by her family to explore the...
Sun., July 23, at 7:30 p.m. JOHN CICCOLINI parties down for his birthday. Nominated for an LA Weekly Award for Outstanding Solo Performance for his cabaret show, “Frank Sinatra F#@ked Up My Life,” Mr. Ciccolini, the consummate entertainer, has also guest-starred on Raising Hope, Castle, No Ordinary Family, Dexter, Justified, ER, The Sitter, Dirty Sexy...
Tuesdays, July 11, 18, & 25. The Gardenia’s OPEN MIKE, with Keri Kelsey, host. Starting at 8:30 p.m., Keri Kelsey hosts a Singers’ Open Mike Night---the best in town, soon to celebrate its twenty-third anniversary. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.
Fri., July 28. LAURAL MEADE, in “Ms. Tucker Will See You Now.” A longtime member of the theater faculty at Occidental College, playwright and musical performer Ms. Meade has sung in Southern California venues “both sacred and profane,” and directs a choir for The Secret City. Her vocal musicianship has turned heads at The Gardenia...
Sat., July 29. SANDRA PILLER. Although born and raised in Southern California, Ms. Piller has “always been a country girl at heart,” and a number of years ago was named “Best New Country Artist” by New Music Weekly. However, her previous outings at The Gardenia have often featured the songs of her late mother-in-law, Ruth...
Tuesdays, Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29. The Gardenia’s OPEN MIKE, with Keri Kelsey, host. Starting at 8:30 p.m., Keri Kelsey hosts a Singers’ Open Mike Night---the best in town, beginning its twenty-fourth year. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.