MAC News Flash

A few weeks ago, we mailed a questionnaire to all current MAC members. The purpose is to find out the opinions of our members to guide MAC on its future course.

The board would like to present the findings at the Annual Membership Meeting, so please, if you haven't already, please take the time to fill out the questionnaire and return it in the stamped self-addressed envelope provided. Remember, on the questionnaire, there is also a section for you to let the board know your feelings, suggestions, etc.

It's time for elections for the MAC Board of Directors. MAC depends on your support and participation, and to that end, we encourage all members to VOTE. The candidates announced to fill the six positions available for the Board of Directors are Scott Barbarino, Hector Coris, Cynthia Crane, Kevin Kennison, Peter Leavy, Sidney Myer & Ricky Ritzel. Ballots will go out Sunday August 27, 2006.

Reminder- Awards Criteria and Process

As MAC members know, some changes were introduced into the MAC Awards process that took effect last year. At the time of their inception, it was stated that nothing was written in stone; it was a first attempt to implement some new ideas and we would all weigh the pros and cons of their effects and results. The current Board has decided that the rules for next year's MAC Awards would not be formalized until after this Fall's Board elections. This will enable the new Directors you elect, to weigh in and decide what to do about continuing vs. revising the Awards rules, and how to effectively enhance the process.

Hopefully, the member survey—which we encourage all members to fill out—as well as ongoing input from us all, will assist the new Board in its determinations.

After the new Board has had a chance to meet, get acquainted with the business of the Association and each other, they will then discuss the MAC Awards in a timely fashion, so that if there are any changes made to the process, there will be ample time to share them with the membership and properly institute them.

We will be collecting items for the flea market up until Sept. 23rd. You can drop items at Don't Tell Mama,

MAC Annual Meeting

Note: The Annual Meeting is open to MAC members only . If you are not currently a member, you can join at any time prior to September 18 th ; you can even join that very evening, as long as you do so before the meeting starts.

We are looking forward to a large and enthusiastic turnout. This is your Association—come, hear what's going on, volunteer and be a part of it!

It's time for elections for the MAC Board of Directors. MAC depends on your support and participation, and to that end, we encourage anyone who is willing and able to commit their time and creativity, to step forward and throw his/her hat in the ring and run for the MAC Board of Directors. Here are some parameters for those of you who are considering running for the Board (there are six Director seats open):

1. Candidates must be MAC members. You can join by the cut off date: Friday, August 18th.

2. Those of you who are interested in running, should submit your name, along with a statement presenting your background, the skills you would bring to the Board and any other information you think pertinent for members to consider when deciding whether to vote for you (e.g., your views on various issues, your thoughts on where MAC should be headed, etc.). The maximum length of your statement is 200 words, firm . If longer, it will simply be cut; it will not otherwise, for better or for worse, be edited in any way.

3. You should not consider running unless you are prepared to put in several hours a week and attend at least one evening meeting a month. If you can't make such a commitment, you might consider, as an alternative, serving on a MAC committee.

4. More and more of the Board's business is conducted electronically; accordingly, candidates should have regular access to e-mail and to Microsoft Word.

7. The names of all the people who have entered into the election process, will be posted on the MAC web site on August 16th. If you sent in your candidate material but don't see your name, e-mail your submission to make sure you make the August 18th deadline.

MAC Annual Meeting

Monday, September 18 th , 6pm
at Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
( West 4 th St . bet Sullivan & Thompson Sts.)

Note: The Annual Meeting is open to MAC members only . If you are not currently a member, you can join at any time prior to September 18th; you can even join that very evening, as long as you do so before the meeting starts.

We are looking forward to a large and enthusiastic turnout. This is your Association—come, hear what's going on, volunteer and be a part of it!

Awards Criteria and Process

Hopefully, the member survey—which we encourage all members to fill out—as well as ongoing input from us all, will assist the new Board in its determinations.

As an arts association with a membership, we are all interested in fine tuning our Awards process so that most members are satisfied with that process most of the time, while doing all we can to ensure that the MAC Award is a true, meaningful and respected reflection of outstanding, quality work done, year in and year out. After the new Board has had a chance to meet, get acquainted with the business of the Association and each other, they will then discuss the MAC Awards in a timely fashion, so that if there are any changes made to the process, there will be ample time to share them with the membership and properly institute them.

Sunday, Sept. 24th
We will be collecting items for the flea market up until Sept. 23rd. You can drop items at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th. Contact Flea Market Coordinator, Ruth Kurtzman, with any questions or to volunteer at edruart@aol.com

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MAC News Flash (scroll down for past MAC News Flash content)

NEWS FLASH- Sunday, July 16, 2006

HOLD THE DATE: MAC's Annual Meeting date and location announced.

September 18 at 6pm Judson Church 55 Washington Square South

____________________________________________________

FORWARDED FROM THE CABARET SINGERS GROUP

METROPOLIS IN MOTION EVENT
Tired of living Footloose?

Join this open-air dance event to bring attention
to the antiquated and restrictive New York City cabaret laws.

Throw on your best club-going attire and join the party. 2 - 4pm.

Saturday, July 22 ...2 - 4pm.
( Bloomberg Mansion , 79th St. between 5th & Madison )

For more info visit www.metropolisinmot ion.org

______________________________________________________

AND DON'T FORGET!!

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME!!!
MAC NIGHT OUT @ THE NEW GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB TUESDAY, JULY 18TH @ 6:30 PM UNTIL...

Gotham Comedy Club owner Chris Mazzilli is supplying the latest MAC Night Out member club destination in his downstairs room at the new Gotham Comedy Club located at 208 W. 23rd Street, Between 7th & 8th Avenues.
There will be a cash bar and some delicious complimentary food available at this latest networking opportunity for MAC members and interested friends. Come party and meet your colleagues in this terrific setting and get to know the new Gotham Comedy Club. Bring your friends and have them sign up as new MAC members, too!
As a special bonus, Chris Mazzilli will be waiving the cover for the 8 PM show upstairs for anyone who gets their schmooze in early and wants to see some hot comics do their thing. You simply have to meet the 2 drink minimum.
We look forward to seeing lots of you on this mid-week summer night, it will be a blast! Your MAC Board of Directors PLEASE FORWARD THIS NEWS FLASH TO ANYONE ON YOUR E-MAIL LISTS THAT WOULD APPRECIATE IT!! TO BE REMOVED FROM THIS LIST, PLEASE REPLY WITH THE WORD "REMOVE" IN THE SUBJECT LINE

Friday, March 31, 2006
(scroll down for past MAC News Flash content)

- MAC Awards Program Advertising Deadline Extended to Wednesday, April 5th @ 5 PM
- MAC Month Show Announcements
- MAC/ASCAP Songwriter's Showcase at Iridium A Great Night Of Song
- 2006 MAC Awards Special Committees Announced
- MAC Final Ballots Due Back...VOTE!!

MAC Awards Program Advertising Deadline Extended to Wednesday, April 5th @ 5 PM
The deadline for ad sales for the MAC Awards program has been extended to April 5, 2006 @ 5PM. Rates and specifications can be found on this website. There is no design charge for text ads and basic designing is available for a flat fee of $85 in addition to the advertising rate....If you have any questions, contact Shaynee Rainbolt at macprogramsales@hotmail.com or call 917-547-8796.

MAC Month Show Announcements
We are taking an entire month to celebrate the MAC nominees and clubs. Here is a reprint of the table of these performances which is also posted on this website and included in all our press packages over the last few weeks. Please enjoy and support the outstanding work that has earned these performers a nomination for the 2006 MAC Awards.

Performers Club Date

Adrianne Tolsch
None of Your Damn Business!
Rose's Turn April 8 & 15 at 7 pm

Evan Stern
Sentimental Journey, Songs of WWII Helen's March 28, 7:00 p.m.

Jasper Kump
Sunday In New York The Duplex April 2, 5:00 p.m.

Kate Pazakis
The Sexless Years
The Duplex March 30, April 4 - 9:30p.m.

Jeanne MacDonald Helen's April 1, 8, 21, 22, 29 &
May 5, 6 - 9:30p.m.

Leslie Anderson and Ricky Ritzel
Mercer at the Movies Helen's March 21, 9:30 p.m.

Matt Sigl
Unstuck in Time Don't Tell Mama's March 27, 9:00 p.m.

Rick Skye
A Slice O' Minnelli Helen's March 23 & 30, 7:00 p.m.

Sue Matsuki
10 Years in the Making - Special Encore Performance Helen's April 9, 2:00 p.m.

Suzanne Fiore
The Storefront Sings LaMott
Debut Vocalists Night

The Duplex
March 27, 7:00 & 9:30

Terese Genecco -
Drunk With Lov:: A Tribute To Frances Faye ODC THEATER,
San Francisco, CA March 23-26

Debut Vocalists Night The Duplex March 27, 9:30 p.m.

Female Vocalists Night Iridium April 5, 7:00 p.m

MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase at Iridium A Great Night Of Song
The MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase featuring the Song and Special Musical Material nominees for this year's MAC Awards was held Thursday, March 23 at the Iridium Jazz Club. Host Jamie deRoy was joined by special guest, award-winning songwriter Craig Carnelia for this celebration of songs honored by our community. (photos Maryann Lopinto)

Steven Lutvak sings "Sing You To Sleep"

Lisa Brescia

Craig Carnelia with host Jamie deRoy

Craig Carnelia sings "What You'd Call A Dream"

2006 MAC Awards Special Committees Announced
The following are the lists of members for all the special committees involved with this year's MAC Awards selection process.

Eligibility Committee

Song/Special Musical Material Committee

Artistic Coordinator/faculty BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop, lyricist (Ed Kleban Award-winner), playwright, actor

composer/lyricist ("Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Free to Be You and Me"), teacher

composer/lyricist, arranger, singer, instrumentalist

technical director/manager Helen's, disk jockey

singer, owner/booker Helen's, MAC Vice President

critic/columnist, Chairman MAC Advisory Board

Jazz Committee

jazz singer, songwriter, recording artist, CD and events producer, MAC co-President

bassist, jazz consultant to Concert Department, Local 802, Associated Musicians of Greater New York

jazz pianist, arranger, recording artist, producer, MAC Board Director

jazz singer, recording artist, booker, Jazz Vocalist Series at Sweet Rhythm

owner/booker Smoke jazz club

author, jazz reviewer New York Sun

Recording Committee

producer/host "Everything Old is New Again" WBAI-FM 99.5 and wbai.org

writer on music (recorded and live) talkingbroadway.com and edgenewyork.com

chief critic Theatre Reviews, Ltd

Comedy Committee

Time Out New York

Caroline's on Broadway

The Onion

The Laugh Factory

Gotham Comedy Club

MAC Final Ballots Due Back...VOTE!!
MAC Awards final ballots were mailed to all MAC members on March 18. If you are a paid-up member and have not received yours by now, send an e-mail to info@macnyc.com or call 212-465-2662. Make your choices count, be sure to vote. Completed ballots must be received by MAC's accounting firm no later than Wednesday, April 12.

Sincerely,

Your Board of Directors of The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs. As always, working for you and "advancing the art and business of live entertainment."

Monday, March 13, 2006

- MAC Award Nominee's To Be Announced At Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
- Club Committee Announces MAC Month
- MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase at Iridium
- CD Sales At MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase
- MAC Final Ballots Due Back...VOTE!!
- MAC Award Program Advertising Available
- Appropriate Use Of The Term MAC Award Nominee
- First Seminar Of 2006 A Great Success
- Committee Formed To Select Designer For New MAC Website
- Thank You Mailing Committee Volunteers

MAC Award Nominee's To Be Announced At Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Tuesday, March 14
The MAC Award nominees for 2006 will be announced Tuesday, March 14, at a press event to take place at one of the most recent additions to our roster of MAC member clubs, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center. MAC has hosted similar events in past years, and we look forward to reestablishing it in our annual MAC calendar. They provide an opportunity to inform the press of our Awards nominees in a celebratory setting, with the additional benefit of photo ops to enhance and expand MAC's presence in the New York media.

Club Committee Announces MAC Month
This year, there will be four weeks between the announcement of the MAC Award nominees and the deadline for returning completed ballots. In cooperation with participating clubs Don't Tell Mama, Helen's, Iridium, The Duplex and The Triad MAC has created MAC MONTH to feature the nominees and give MAC members and the public a chance to see them before voting. These clubs have agreed to give the nominees show times or are creating special nights to feature nominees. Nominees will be contacted with specific information.

MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase at Iridium Thursday, March 23, 6pm
The MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase featuring the Song and Special Musical Material nominees for this year's MAC Awards will be held Thursday, March 23, at 6pm, at the Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway at 51 Street. Host Jamie deRoy will be joined by a special guest, award-winning songwriter Craig Carnelia.

MAC & ASCAP members $5 General Public $15

No minimum. Cocktail menu available.

For reservations 212-582-2121.

CD Sales At MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase
Jean Barlow of In the Flow Music has volunteered to manage a CD sales table at our next Showcase evening at the Iridium.
Following are some procedural notes that we hope will ensure a smooth-running and successful CD sales operation:

All songwriters featured in the Showcase, plus any performers and instrumentalists who accompany them on that evening, and any other MAC or ASCAP members who wish to, may bring items for sale at the table.
Table merchandise may consist of CDs, sheet music, and/or songbooks.
There will be a separate area available for show postcards and other promotional materials.
A maximum of 10 copies of each person's CD will be displayed on the sales table. (You may want to have more with you, in reserve.)
EACH COPY of your CD (or songbook/sheet music) must be identified with your NAME or initials, as well as with the selling PRICE.
Selling price must be in increments divisible by 5 (e.g., $5, $10, $15, $20), and YOU set the price.
DROP OFF your merchandise on your way INTO the sound check, to allow time for Jean to arrange the table. If you cannot arrive early that night, labeled and priced CDs/sheet music/songbooks may also be left in advance with Scott Barbarino at the Iridium.
Merchandise will be for sale all evening, EXCEPT during the show itself.
The sales table will remain open up to 45 minutes after the performance ends.
You MUST come back after the performance to retrieve your money and leftover materials. If you cannot stay to the end, but wish to have your materials remain on sale, please arrange to have someone else to retrieve your money and unsold materials. Inventory and monies not claimed by the end of the evening will be considered a contribution to MAC.
Jean will bring some small bills, but it would be helpful if you had change in increments of $5, if needed.

If you have any questions about the sales table, feel free to contact Jean directly at JeanIntheFlow@verizon.net.

MAC Final Ballots Due Back...VOTE!!
MAC Awards final ballots will be mailed to all MAC members on March 18. Watch your mailboxes. If you are a paid-up member and have not received yours by March 25, send an e-mail to info@macnyc.com or call 212-465-2662. Make your choices count be sure to vote. Completed ballots must be received by MAC's accounting firm no later than Wednesday, April 12.

MAC Award Program Advertising Available
You may place your own ad in the MAC Awards Program. The deadline for ad sales is March 29, 2006. Rates and specifications on this website. If you have any questions, contact Shaynee Rainbolt at macprogramsales@hotmail.comor call 917-547-8796.

Appropriate Use Of The Term MAC Award Nominee
We would like to remind everyone that people listed on the preliminary ballot, which was sent to MAC members last month, are not MAC Award nominees and they should not advertise themselves as such. Once the first-round votes have been tallied, the final ballot will be sent to the membership. Only the people appearing on that ballot may refer to themselves as nominees. (Note that in certain categories, such as Song, Special Musical Material and the jazz and comedy categories, the nominees are not shown on the final ballot. In those categories, the nominees and award winners are determined by vote of special committees.)

First Seminar Of 2006 A Great Success
On Monday, February 13, MAC VP Richard Skipper hosted a very successful seminar on the ins and outs of "Booking Yourself On The Road." Over 40 people attended at The Hideaway Room at Helen's to hear an expert group of panelists discus finding work out of New York, and getting paid for it. The panel included Barbara Lavery from The Bendheim Performing Arts Center in Scarsdale, Lenny Bart from 12 Miles West Theatre in NJ, Annie Chadwick, host of the Working Professionals Series at The Drama Bookshop, and singer Anna Bergman. Watch your e-mailboxes for the date and subject of the next MAC Seminar. Suggestions for future seminars are always welcome at info@macnyc.com.

Committee Formed To Select A Designer For A New MAC Website
Scott Barbarino will chair a Website Exploratory Committee to solicit designers to submit ideas for a redesigned MAC website. If you are interested in participating, please email info@macnyc.com. Include the URLs of several websites you have designed that you feel would be appropriate and clearly represent your skills in this area.

Thank You Mailing Committee Volunteers
The MAC Board of Directors expresses its warm appreciation to all the volunteers who worked on Saturday, February 11, to mail out the preliminary MAC Awards ballots. The work was completed in a record two hours. The next mailing party will be hosted on Saturday March 18 at 11:00am by the Perle Mesta of Cabaret, Mr. Sidney Myer at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46 Street. If you'd like to volunteer for this mailing party, send your name and contact information to info@macnyc.com.

Sincerely,

Your Board of Directors of The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs. As always, working for you and "advancing the art and business of live entertainment."

Friday, February 3, 2006

MAC Seminar
When: 6 PM, Monday Feb. 13th, 2006
Where: The Hideaway Room @ Helen's -
Topic: "Booking Yourself On The Road"

The first topic of the 2006 MAC Seminar Series was originally announced as "Producing Your Own CD." Due to scheduling issues for a major panel member, it was decided that that Seminar should be moved to a later date in the MAC calendar. In it's place, we are presenting a seminar which we had planned for later in the series. The topic will be "Booking Yourself On The Road," and it will be moderated by MAC Vice President, Richard Skipper. Richard, who himself works extensively out of town, has put together a very impressive panel of experts; Barbara Lavery from The Bendheim Performing Arts Center in Scarsdale, Lenny Bart from 12 Miles West Theatre in NJ, and Annie Chadwick, host of the Working Professionals Series @ The Drama Bookshop and other panelists to be announced. Look over your press kits and come armed with questions that will help you develop/improve the ones you are currently using. This seminar will be held Monday Feb. 13th @ 6PM at The Hideaway Room at Helen's 169 Eighth Avenue (18th Street) www.helensnyc.com This seminar is free for MAC members and $5 for the public. There is no minimum, but food and beverage of superb quality will be available. MAC would like to thank our hosts for the evening, Colm Reilly and Shane Mathews, for their generous support of this MAC produced event. Suggestions for future seminars are always welcome at macnycinfo@aol.com

Look for the next MAC NEWS FLASH which will contain more information about other exciting MAC events planned for the upcoming year, including the 20th Annual MAC Awards Show, to be held on April 17, 2006 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center at BMCC www.tribecapac.org

Sincerely,

Your Board of Directors of The Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs as always, working for you and "advancing the art and business of live entertainment."

Date & Location Announced for the 20th Annual MAC Awards

For twenty years, The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs has celebrated the best performances and work done over the course of a calendar year with its annual MAC Awards. The 20th Annual MAC Awards will be a star studded event taking place on Monday, April 17th, at the fabulous Tribeca Perfoming Arts Center. More exciting details to follow, as the event draws closer.

First MAC Seminar of 2006 "Producing Your CD"

On Monday, February 13th, at 6PM, the first MAC Seminar of 2006 will take place at The Hideaway Room at Helen's, located at 169 Eighth Avenue.
The panel this evening will consist of a variety of industry professionals and individuals who have produced or been a part of a team producing a CD.

MAC/ASCAP Songwriters' Showcase Date Announced

Steadily Improving Communication

The monthly Minutes of the MAC Board of Directors meetings will now be available in condensed form on the MAC web site giving members an idea of the issues, topics and business discussed and dealt with by your Board.

Reaching Out For Volunteers For The Club Committee

The Board of Directors recently welcomed Edd Clark to the MAC Board of Directors. Edd will be the new Chairman of the expanded Club Committee, continuing and broadening the work of this very crucial Committee. Any MAC member interested in giving their time and getting involved, should contact us at info@macnyc.com for more information.

MAC Night Out At Rose's Turn: A Night Of Good Vibes & Good Will Gathers, Unites The Community

On Monday, January 9th, the third in the series of MAC Nights Out took place at Rose's Turn, on Grove Street in Greenwich Village. This successful event just gets better and better. A special thank you to Carolyn Montgomery and her team at Hell's Kitchen Catering for the amazing spread they put out for us. New members were signed up and the turnout of 100+ people was both celebratory and re-affirming! Next MAC Night Out will be in May, stay tuned.

In front of the legendary night spot at 55 Grove Street
The upstairs cabaret room helped to launch the careers
of Joan Rivers, Woody Allen, Dick Cavett, Ruth Buzzi
and Dixie Carter in the 1960's and Nancy Lamott, Karen
Mason and Lina Koutrakos to name a few in the 1980's

(left to right) MAC Co-Pres. Scott Barbarino, Rose's Turn Owner
Henry Pham, Rose's Turn Booking Manager Collette Black,
MAC Co-VP Richard Skipper MAC Co-Pres. Judy Barnett

(left to right) Margaret Wright (singer performer and fixture during those
golden years) & Legendary cabaret booker, owner & MAC Board Advisor Jan
Wallman, returning to the room she made famous.

(left to right) Eadie Cohen, Collette Black and "The Farley Brothers" who continue
the tradition of great cabaret to this day with their weekly musical comedy romp.