Sun. and Mon., Dec. 7 & 8. Dinner service begins at 6 p.m. Showtime is 8 p.m. MAUDE MAGGART, in “A Tiny Match.” Part of the fun in anticipating a Maude Maggart show involves the mystery created by knowing the show’s title but then guessing how the material and its presentation will support it. “A...
Tuesdays, Dec. 2 and 9. 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, now in its 26th year. For those for whom Gardenia history may be of interest: the first Gardenia Open Mike was conducted by MaryJo Mundy and the...
Thu., Dec. 11. KAREN CELESTE KRUZ. Jazz a constant in her childhood home in Connecticut, Ms. Kruz also derived influences from the unique musical sounds and culture of her primarily Hungarian family in Bridgeport. But her neighborhood was more diverse---and she counts Broadway, R & B, blues, and Latin styles among her influences as well. ...
Sat., Dec. 13. CAROLYN MARTINEZ. Influenced by the “West Coast Cool” singers of the 1950s, as well as the Bossa Nova movement of the 1960s, Ms. Martinez’s repertoire covers the best of the American Songbook from Jerome Kern to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Sergio Mendes. Los Angeles jazz critic, Scott Yanow, has written, “Carolyn is...
Sun., Dec. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner and/or drinks. Show begins at 8 p.m. BRANDON MAGGART’s 92nd Birthday Bash. Although longtime Gardenia patrons know Brandon Maggart best as the Dad of Maude Maggart (and Fiona Apple,) Mr. Maggart himself had a storied career on Broadway, and was connected with The Gardenia even...
Tuesday, Dec. 16. The Gardenia’s OPEN MIKE, with Keri Kelsey, host, (the last Open Mike of the year,) including Holiday Toy Drive. Starting at 8:30 p.m., Keri Kelsey hosts a Singers’ Open Mike Night---the best in town. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.
Thu., Dec. 18. BRUCE GOLD, in “A Little Touch of Holiday Magic & So Much More.” Paying homage to some of the best songwriters of all time, Mr. Gold makes his Gardenia return with a program chosen from “The Great American Songbook” and from Broadway, which also includes “some fun Holiday songs.” Selected at...
Fri., Dec. 19. LINDA ZULAICA, selected from The Gardenia's Open Mike hosted by Keri Kelsey.
Sat., Dec. 20. DONN MOLZAHN. A stand-out at The Gardenia’s Open Mikes, Mr. Molzahn’s solo debut at The Gardenia in June veritably demanded this repeat booking. His nearly 70 years of voice performance started with solo and choral work as a church musician and choir director---and a Bachelor of Music degree, collecting many roles in...
Sun., Dec. 21, Doors open at 6 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. KERI KELSEY. The irrepressible, irreplaceable, implacable, fearless, gorgeous, perfect host of the Tuesday night Gardenia Open Mikes closes out December with her own show. She comes from a background that includes a degree in Theater Arts, but in addition to roles in...