For those for whom lyrics, melody, tonality, and interesting harmonic progressions and rhythm are the most important elements of musical production, Tom Culver’s shows provide veritable Master Classes in how music geniuses of the last century brought these five elements together to create the yet-to-be-surpassed mid-20th-Century Great American Songbook. Supporting are: Karen Hernandez, Piano Michael...
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 Open Mike, where we were delighted to learn that she has penned...
Keri Kelsey hosts a Singers’ Open Mike Night---the best in town, now in its 23rd year. Sign-up begins at 7p.m. There is an $8 Cover Charge and a $10 Drink Minimum.
Fri., June 23. GARY BRUMBURGH. At one time an elementary and special education teacher, Mr. Brumburgh moved from Upstate New York to Los Angeles to pursue what became a two-decade career in TV, film, and the stage, landing musical leads in stock and repertory productions of South Pacific (starring John Raitt,) City of Angels, Company,...
Sat. & Sun. June 24 & 25 at 8 p.m. ANDREA MARCOVICCI and MAUDE MAGGART, in “Brave and Foolish Things.” Frequently introduced as “the Queen of Cabaret,” Ms. Marcovicci transformed the 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...
Sat. & Sun. June 24 & 25 at 8 p.m. ANDREA MARCOVICCI and MAUDE MAGGART, in “Brave and Foolish Things.” Frequently introduced as “the Queen of Cabaret,” Ms. Marcovicci transformed the 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...
Keri Kelsey hosts a Singers’ Open Mike Night---the best in town, concluding its 23rd year. Sign-up begins at 7p.m. There is an $8 Cover Charge and a $10 Drink Minimum.
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.