The Mabel Mercer Foundation's 29th annual cabaret fest brings together some of the genre’s top artists to celebrate the Great American Songbook. A lot of performers are pecked into each of the convention's four shows, so be prepared for long nights of song.
Performers of note at the October 9 opening, hosted by KT Sullivan, include Anna Bergman, Carole J. Bufford, Sandy Stewart and Bill Charlap, Eric Yves Garcia, Marissa Mulder, Karen Oberlin and this year's Mabel Mercer Award honoree, Carol Woods.
The October 10 show is a tribute to the late chanteuses Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook and Julie Wilson; the lineup includes Darius de Haas, Natalie Douglas, La Tanya Hall, Marilyn Maye, Kenita Miller, James Naughton, Linda Purl, Billy Stritch and Karen Ziemba.
Klea Blackhurst hosts a salute to Broadway master Jerry Herman on October 11, with singers including Brent Barrett, Debbie Gravitte, Marieann Meringolo, Christine Pedi, Lee Roy Reams and Amra-Faye Wright.
The convention wraps up on October 12 with a tribute to lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, hosted by Andrea Marcovicci and Jeff Harnar, that includes performances by Karen Akers, Barbara Brussell, Eric Comstock, Barbara Fasano, Penny Fuller, Anita Gillette, Sally Mayes, Sidney Myer, Mark Nadler, Steve Ross and Gabrielle Stravelli.