Category: Cabaret

I’m now taking on a second blog – that of www.markjanasthesalon.blogspot.com, the official blog of markjanasthesalon.com. The Salon, presented by the fabulous pianist, composer, music director Mark Janas and Producer Tanya Moberly, is a weekly open mic held currently at the Etcetera Etc restaurant. A cover and food/drink minimum will let you in on a great evening of singing, spoken word, workshopped performances, classical, musical theater, rock, opera, whatever! Everything is accepted, and there is even a weekly theme to help in musical choices. However, all material (on or off theme) is welcome. I’ll be blogging about the performers andContinue readingNow “The Blogette” for Mark Janas – The Salon’s Blog!

I had a terrific time at The Salon on Sunday the 21st. In tribute to the late Kathryn Grayson, I decided to sing from “Show Boat,” which Grayson starred in with Howard Keel. Mark Watson was gracious enough to jump into a duet of “Make Believe” with no rehearsal, but with the fabulous Mark Janas on the piano. An mp3 of the song, recorded live, and my introduction to it can be found here. -Sierra

August 23, 2009 was very special at the Salon. Two days after, on the 25th, it would have been composer Leonard Bernstein’s (pronounced BernstAHEEN, there was some confusion) 91st Birthday. Mark Janas, the co-host of the Salon and pianist, was a protege and assistant to Bernstein, so this evening meant a lot to him. It turned out to be part open mic in Bernstein’s name and part rehearsed concert, with many people bringing in solos, duets and trios of his work from shows like On The Town, Candide, Trouble in Tahiti, West Side Story, and many others. I was askedContinue reading“I Can Cook Too” at the Algonquin Salon’s Happy Birthday Bernstein Celebration

On Sunday, beautiful and talented Sarah Rice hosted the themed open mic at the Algonquin Salon – this time, entitled “Waltzing Matilda.” Matilda is the beautiful grey Algonquin Cat, and her birthday is the 12th (her 14th). In her honor, any song in 3/4 time or having to do with cats, kittens, or other feline persuasions would be welcome. You can follow Matilda on Twitter at @Algonqueen, if you wish! I was excited to sing the song “Pet Me, Poppa,” a song I had in my sheet music book for years but had never performed. This was the time toContinue reading“Pet Me, Poppa” at the Algonquin Salon, in honor of Matilda the Algonquin Cat