The GARDENIA's OPEN MIKE, with KERI KELSEY, host
2025-05-06 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-13 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-20 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-27 19:00 - 23:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Tuesdays, May 6, 13, 20, & 27. The Gardenia’ 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 twenty-fifth year. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.

GINNY and JIM MENTEL, "RC and NOIR."
2025-05-16 19:00 - 23:00 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Fri., May 16. GINNY and JIM MENTEL, “RC & NOIR.” A successful musician for years, Jim played in bands in Boston, New York, and L.A, and composed songs for PBS and The National Lampoon; and Ginny worked “behind the scenes” for Hollywood glitterati before joining Jim to “grab the microphone” herself. They chose their professional name to reflect their preferences in movies: romantic comedies and film noir—which in turn reflects their shared musical tastes—the Great American Songbook. Their Gardenia debut in February was so entertaining that a repeat booking was in order.

LARRY DAVIS
2025-05-17 19:00 - 23:00 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sat., May 17. LARRY DAVIS. A performer whose unassuming nature belies the depth of his talent, Mr. Davis inherited his musical sense from his tap-dancing, bass-playing, part-time janitor father, who tragically died when Davis was a child, leaving him to be raised by his hard-working mother and his half-Cherokee Indian grandmother, herself a gifted storyteller. Pursuing dance as a young man, he found no outlet for this during his hitch with the Air Force, but auditioned for a slot as a singer, subsequently spending many nights in the early 60’s singing pop and jazz in Air Force Officers’ Clubs. However, his college degree was in graphic arts—and upon showing his portfolio to executives at ABC Studios in Los Angeles in 1964, he was hired immediately, remaining there for 43 years, ultimately retiring at the age of 69—at which time he returned to singing for the first time since the Air Force. Initially performing only at piano bars and open mikes, he was recruited to guest in others’ shows, and eventually produced two of his own CD’s: Close Your Eyes and Larry Davis, Too. His voice is pitch-perfect with just the right amount of humanizing rasp to sex it up, and he delivers a lyric with those impeccable choices in phrasing and rhythm that seem to be conferred only through maturity. We have followed, and have been fans of, Mr. Davis for several years, but his Gardenia shows have left us running out of superlatives.

WEHO COMEDY NIGHT
2025-05-24 19:00 - 23:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Saturday, May 24. CHRIS ISAACSON PRESENTS WEHO COMEDY NIGHT, hosted by comedian Mark Serritella, and starring Craig Robinson (Emmy Award-winner, NBC’s The Office😉 Maz Jobrani; Mary Lynn Rajskub (Fox’s 24, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia😉 Chris Spencer (TV Host The Vibe; MTV’s Wild ‘N Out😉 Erica Rhodes; Chris Porter; Doug Benson; Momo Rodriguez; Jay Larson; Maronzio Vance; and more! (talent line-up subject to change without notice.)
Please note!: Tickets for this event can be obtained through the Direct Ticketing Link: https://bit.ly/WeHoComedyGardeniaMay24
Please also note!: Dinner reservations (as opposed to “drink” reservations,) will be guaranteed seating. Tickets obtained through the Direct Ticketing Link will be offered priority seating second to those who are dining.
Please also note!: The price of tickets obtained though the Direct Ticketing Link does NOT include the “minimum” of either two drinks for $20 or a dinner entrée.

GUMBO CABARET
2025-05-31 19:00 - 23:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sat., May 31. GUMBO CABARET. Direct from the heart of New Orleans, Kelly Dixson, Rebecca Leigh, and Harry Mayronne weave traditional and New Orleans jazz together with the Great American Songbook and contemporary pop to bring a taste of “The Big Easy” to Los Angeles.

The GARDENIA's OPEN MIKE, with KERI KELSEY, Host
2025-06-03 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-06-10 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-06-17 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-06-24 19:00 - 23:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17, & 24. 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 twenty-fifth year. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.

ANDREA MARCOVICCI and MAUDE MAGGART
2025-06-07 18:00 - 22:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sat., June 7, at 8 p.m. (Door opens and dinner service begins at 6 p.m.) ANDREA MARCOVICCI and MAUDE MAGGART conclude their 2025 “Spring Semester” of monthly shows with a tribute to Irving Berlin.
Andrea and Maude have chosen Berlin to be the recipient of “special treatment” for their Farewell to Spring in anticipation of a relaxing (yet productive) family-focused “summer off.” Irving Berlin himself would be pleased and honored to participate in the engaging and invigorating blend of warmth and humor (laced with a dash of musicology) that we always appreciate from this pair.
Frequently introduced as “the Queen of Cabaret,” Ms. Marcovicci transformed the “cabaret genre,” has created over 35 nightclub acts at The Gardenia, and holds the record—an unprecedented 25 seasons—at the legendary Oak Room of The Algonquin Hotel—as well as the distinction of being the Oak Room’s final performer there before its closing. She has combined forces with Maude Maggart, considered by many to be Marcovicci’s heir apparent, who can boast her own cabaret beginnings at The Gardenia a half generation later. Our favorite endorsement of Ms. Maggart comes from Jim Bruce: “If you have not yet heard Maude Maggart sing, I envy you the moment of discovery because there is nothing quite like the very first time you realize what a talent she is. Then again there is also nothing quite like every single time after.”

KAREN MORROW'S SINGERS' WORKSHOP
2025-06-08 18:00 - 22:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sun., June 8. (Doors open at 6 p.m., show at 8 p.m.): KAREN MORROW’s SINGERS’ WORKSHOP. Karen Morrow, Broadway, TV, and cabaret personality, brings her Singers’ Workshop students, “An eclectic, loving group with many a twinkle in its eye” to share their talents, personalities and songs, with musical direction provided by Greg Schreiner. This season’s participants are Dave Ritchie, Vince McCord, Anne Heger, Diane Jubelier-Light, Kenn Schmidt, Jeannie Hudak, Judi Freed, Daniel McVey, Robert Loitman, Tom Nobles, Maris Clement, Stevie Stern, and Inga Neilsen.

CAROLYN HENNESY
2025-06-20 19:00 - 23:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Fri., June 20. CAROLYN HENNESY. After spending last summer exercising her creative theatrical muscles in “The Berkshires and beyond,” Ms. Hennesy has returned to The Gardenia to continue to exercise her musical muscles. The “deliciously vicious” “Penelope Ellis” on the ABC series, Revenge; “Rosalyn” on True Blood; “Diane Miller” on General Hospital (“17 years and counting;”) and “Mrs. Valentine” on Dawson’s Creek, the Emmy-Award-Winning Ms. Hennesy received training at the American Conservatory Theater and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She is also seen on the “big screen” in Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker; Legally Blonde 2; and Terminator 3. She has been a member of The Groundlings, and received the L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award for “Best Actress in a Play” for her role as Maria Callas in Terrence McNally’s Master Class, presented at the Garry Marshall Theatre. She has received multiple additional awards for her stage work, and has hosted the red-carpet reception for the Daytime Emmy Awards. She has also met success as a writer, having created the popular Pandora children’s book series and the N.Y. Times Bestseller, The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli. Adding to her list of creative accomplishments, she has been exploring her musical side at The Gardenia, with a display of “vocal chops,” well-chosen material that changes with each outing, and performance presentation so compelling, (with pitch-perfect tonality and a belt worthy of Broadway,) that the cognoscenti have taken notice. (To experience Broadway-caliber talent in a living-room-like venue such as The Gardenia is nothing short of thrilling. It’s no wonder that the cognoscenti have taken notice.)

DONN MOLZAHN
2025-06-21 19:00 - 22:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sat., June 21. DONN MOLZAHN, in “Songs My Mother Taught Me…and More.” A stand-out at The Gardenia’s Open Mikes, Mr. Molzahn’s 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 plays, musicals, and operas along the way. While still in high school he recorded and toured with the Young Americans, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show and Kraft Music Hall Specials. His career has been in education, during which he drew heavily upon his music and performance skills. His show reflects upon moments from his musical life, and features material from The Great American Songbook and Big Bands to the genres of Classical and Musical Comedy, as well as a glancing look at the Sacred repertoire. Musical director is Bob Remstein, with Dori Amarilio and Nate Lite supplementing on guitar and bass; with guests Keri Kelsey, Elliot Zwiebach, and Judy Barrat.

The GARDENIA's OPEN MIKE, with KERI KELSEY, Host
2025-07-01 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-07-08 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-15 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-07-29 19:00 - 23:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Tuesdays, July 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, celebrating its 25th Anniversary in July. For those for whom Gardenia history may be of interest: the first Gardenia Open Mike was conducted by MaryJo Mundy and the late Clifford Bell on July 11, 2000. Clifford Bell’s involvement soon fell by the wayside. In 2008, Keri Kelsey and MaryJo Mundy were co-hosts, and Keri Kelsey assumed solo hosting duties in 2009. There have been no other hosts. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.

GUMBO CABARET
2025-07-17 19:00 - 23:00, 2025-07-18 19:00 - 23:00 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Thu., & Fri., July 17 & 18. GUMBO CABARET. “Cross Pollination” benefits all, resulting in “healthy” populations…and in-breeding leads to stagnation or worse.
In May, a coterie of Gardenian Angelenos were treated to an exceptional show brought from “Away,”—in this case, New Orleans—in the form of “Gumbo Cabaret,” comprised of Kelly Dixson, Rebeca Leigh, and Harry Mayronne, who weaved traditional and New Orleans jazz together with the Great American Songbook and contemporary pop to bring a taste of The Big Easy” to Los Angeles. Included in their offerings was “The Oldest Profession,” (Cy Coleman and Ira Gasman, from The Life,—rarely heard in L.A.,) sung by Kelly Dixson with a power and intention that would have made Lillias White proud. Coupled with an appearance by a Tennessee Williams marionette, their show introduced fresh and worthy material generally overlooked by the L.A. cabaret scene. This group deserves national recognition and underscores the idea that exceptional talent can be found in the most insular of places…“exposure” is the key to discovering it…this immediate repeat booking allows the joy of discovery to be brought to a wider audience.

MON DAVID
2025-07-19 19:00 - 23:00 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sat., July 19. MON DAVID. Winner of the 2006 London International Jazz Competition, Mr. David’s spectacular vocal prowess has been recognized by JazzTimes Magazine’s Christopher Loudon, who said, “Every once in a rare while a singer arrives clear out of the blue and knocks you out. Such a revelation is Mon David.” Don Heckman of the International Review of Music has marveled at “a remarkable voice able to leap octaves in a single bound combined with a world class scat singing style,” and jazz critic Roger Crane has written, ”Like Mark Murphy, whose singing he at times resembles, David can swing you into bad health and then turn around and break your heart with a ballad.” Among several multi-award-winning albums to his credit, Coming True (Freeham Records) was voted one of the Top 10 jazz vocal CD’s of 2009 by JazzTimes. “…a smooth vocal quality reminiscent of Tony Bennett without a rasp, [David] has a penchant for playing with vocal sounds a la Bobby McFerrin and the ability to scat and sing in his native Tagalog.”—Marcia Hillman, All About Jazz, New York. “…a vocal technique that is ingenious, swinging, daring in places; cool in others.”—Brick Wahl, LA Weekly. And this from Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene: “A major jazz vocalist who can sing any type of music with credibility, creativity, heartfelt emotions, and wit.” But perhaps the most effective, albeit understated, endorsement comes from our own discriminating Tom Culver, who turned to us, and nodding in Mr. David’s direction, stated simply, “You know…that guy’s really good.”

The GARDENIA's OPEN MIKE, with KERI KELSEY, Host
2025-07-22 19:00 - 23:30 | CA

ANAïS ST. JOHN
2025-07-31 19:00 - 23:00 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Thu., July 31. ANAïS ST. JOHN. Holding a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of New Orleans, Ms. St. John follows in the footsteps of her father, alto saxophonist Marion Brown, by singing jazz and headlining hotels in New Orleans. Her cabaret shows have won “Big Easy Awards” in New Orleans for “best cabaret,” and she performs every Saturday night at the Bombay Club in the heart of the French Quarter. She again joins pianist/marionettist Harry Mayronne, with whom she created “Lulu White—Queen of Storyville” and “Josephine Baker: From Creole Goddess to Siren of the Resistance.” Their weekly livestreamed “Porch Fests” have received a Proclamation from the New Orleans City Council. This show completes the not-to-be-missed Gardenia July visitation from the best of New Orleans cabaret.

The GARDENIA'S OPEN MIKE, with KERI KELSEY,Host
2025-08-05 19:00 - 23:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Tuesdays, Aug. 5, 12, 19, & 26. 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. Sign-up, libations, and noshing begin at 7 p.m.

DOLORES SCOZZESI
2025-08-10 18:00 - 22:00 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sun., Aug. 10. Doors open for dinner at 6p. Show is at 8p. DOLORES SCOZZESI.
Making her start “years ago, when Budd Friedman’s Improv sprinkled singers between its comedy acts,” Ms. Scozzesi studied with The Groundlings and with J.D. Lewis and Aaron Speiser. As “an actress who sings,” she was cast in Paul Horner’s award-winning musical revue, Suddenly This Summer, for which critics described her as “an arresting presence, smokily dramatic…a blend of intelligence and passion.” Piers Ford, in reviewing her CD, Jazz is a Special Taste, enthused, “It’s the voice that grabs you to begin with. A rich contralto with edge, snapping from molten serenity to a predatory growl in a single phrase, and a timbre that makes you want to place your hands on the speakers just so you can capture something of its individuality. She switches easily between the ominous and the edgy.” In addition to A Special Taste, her second CD, Here Comes the Sun, has also received widespread airplay. Her photo has graced the cover of The Los Angeles Jazz Scene, she received the Jazz Living Legend Award in 2017, and she received the Jexxa Award in 2021 for her contributions to Jazz. She is very proud of the two singles she released more recently: “Flor de Lis,” (“Upside Down,”); and Raye/dePaul’s “You Don’t Know What Love Is.”
Ms. Scozzesi has become one of the most compelling voices in the local jazz/cabaret scene. Her contralto has a unique timbre that demands that attention be paid, and she fearlessly chooses the most interesting material to share.

The GARDENIA'S OPEN MIKE, with KERI KELSEY, Host
2025-08-12 19:00 - 23:30, 2025-08-19 19:00 - 23:30 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States

NIC CHAMBERLAIN
2025-08-23 19:00 - 23:00 | The Gardenia, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90046, United States
Sat., Aug. 23. NIC CHAMBERLAIN. Although he lived in Southern Utah his entire life, Mr. Chamberlain has performed all around the U.S. and Canada for over a decade, and moved to Southern California in June, 2018. In 2016 he recorded a debut album of original material, playing all of the instrumentals as well as singing all of the vocals. He describes his songs as “Roots music,” “equal parts rock and old country.” Known for his expertise with guitar, mandolin, and banjo, and even a “punishing force behind the drum kit,” he is perhaps most remembered for his “high and lonesome” vocals. His Gardenia debut a few years ago turned heads and gave notice that a major talent was emerging, armed with original material not only lyrically compelling and melodically and harmonically interesting—but also commercially “accessible,”—a creative combination rare to find wrapped up in a single individual. Even his style is rare for, albeit perfect for, The Gardenia, with moments recalling Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Dylan, and even John Denver, but infused with a rock sensibility suitable for this millennium.
