S: Is for Holiday Seasons

Easter is a lunar festival that falls on the first Sunday, after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. Eostre (pronounced East-ra) was the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the dawn, the fertility goddess of the Northern European peoples, the invading Romans merged Eostre's spring legend with Christianity, to coincide with the time of Christ's resurrection. In German mythology, she is the goddess Ostara, celebrated at the Equninox when night and day are equal and balanced. Her consort was a rabbit Lepus, which was also a symbol of fertility! According to legend, Eostre became angry with the rabbit and cast it into the heavens. Today we can see the constellation Lepus the Hare, at the feet of Orion. Eostre gave Lepus the gift of laying eggs once a year, which, combined with the celebration of Christ's resurrection, is why we have the modern day tradition with the Easter Bunny delivering Easter eggs. From the most ancient times, the goddess Eostre was the measurer of time. Our measurer of time is the moon, chosen over the Sun, so the lunar month of 28 days (four weeks of seven days each) gives 13 periods in 364 days, equivalent to the solar year of 52 weeks. The moon may then be another name for Eostre, and its name comes from the Sanskrit word "mas" — from ma, to measure — and was masculine. Because the measurement of time is an active process, the waxing and full moon was considered male, while the waning and new moon were said to be female. Artists from the far east often painted the moon with rabbits racing across its face. The Chinese, in particular, have represented the moon as a rabbit pounding rice in a mortar. According to tradition, the Jade Rabbit pounds out medicine for the gods with the lady Ch'ang-e. Others say that the Jade Rabbit is a shape assumed by Ch'ang-e herself. Egyptians called the hare "Un," which meant open, to open, the opener. Un also meant period. Thus the rabbit became a symbol for the lunar cycle. The hare as "opener" symbolized the new year at Easter, fertility, and the beginning of new life and these are interesting F.A.C.T.S

T: Is for truth as told by Ruth Madoff

Ruth Madoff claims that the boats and her Palm Beach home that was confiscated, were taken with her consent and cooperation. However her apartment in Manhattan and a house in Montauk, are not so easily being given up. Ruth Madoff who is 67, is ready to rumble to save, not only the two remaining homes but also more than $62 million in private assets. Has she possibly seen to many productions of West Side Story? She also wants the money from the sale of her Florida properties. Ruth claims the Manhattan apartment, a $17-million bank account and $45 million in municipal bonds were not the fruits of her spouse's Ponzi scheme. According to Ruth they came from an inheritance from her investor father, Sol Alpern.

One has to ask the question why her money was not part of the Ponzi schemes and if not, why didn't her husband let her invest? If she didn't know what her husband was up to, as a wife wouldn't she would want to make money with the rest of his investors? You can't have it both ways. Mrs's Madoff what do you say to all the wives out there that can no longer feed their kids? Who can no longer house them? Who are at their wits end? Do you not have a conscious or a soul? How can you live with yourself knowing you have caused such heartache to so many. Were not your friends involved? What do you say to them as you fight to keep ill gotten wealth? I wish for you the same fate for you have so heartlessly inflicted on others. I think you need to face the F.A.C.T.S.

C: Is for the best in Cabaret

The nominees for the 23rd Annual MAC Awards have been announced, honoring excellence in New York City cabaret, comedy and jazz. The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs will celebrate the 23rd Annual MAC Awards on Monday, May 18th at 7:30pm at B.B. King Blues Club (237 West 42nd St, Between Broadway 8th Avenue). Doors open at 6:00PM. Polly Bergen will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. Also receiving the honors will be Eva Swann and Vocal Ease for bringing Broadway and Cabaret talent to hospitals, nursing homes and senior center for over a decade. The TimeOut New York Special Achievement Award will go to Poor Baby Bree.

Here is a full list of nominees.

FEMALE VOCALIST
Jenna Esposito
Terese Genecco
Raissa Katona Bennett
Julie Reyburn

MALE VOCALIST
Marcus Simeone
Kim Smith
Jonathan Whitton
Michael Winther

MAJOR ARTIST
Klea Blackhurst & Billy Stritch
Baby Jane Dexter
Eric Michael Gillett
Christine Pedi

DEBUT FEMALE
Deb Berman
Christina Bianco
Cait Doyle

DEBUT MALE
Ben Cherry
Kevin Dozier
Stearns Matthews

MUSICAL COMEDY PERFORMER/ DUO/GROUP
Booth & Pat
Hedda Lettuce
Shawn Ryan

VOCAL DUO/GROUP
David Gurland & Brian Farley
Karen Oberlin & Miles Phillips
Uptown Express

REVUE/SPECIAL PRODUCTION
Metro Star Talent Challenge
Nashville
What's The Point?!

VARIETY/RECURRING
Cabaret Cares
Grace Notes: Singers' Soiree
Jamie deRoy & Friends

OPEN MIC
The After Party
The Algonquin Salon
Jim Caruso's Cast Party

FEMALE PIANO BAR/RESTURANT ENTERTAINER
Maria Gentile
Tracy Reynolds
Anne Steele

MALE PIANO BAR/RESTURANT ENTERTAINER
Bobby Belfry
Eric Pickering
George Sanders

PIANO BAR/RESTURANT INSTRUMENTALIST
Michael Isaacs
Joe Regan
Tracy Stark

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Daryl Kojak
Don Rebic
Tracy Stark

DIRECTOR
Phil Geoffrey Bond
Eric Michael Gillett
Miles Phillips
Lennie Watts

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Michael Barbieri
David Colbert
Jean-Pierre Perreaux

JAZZ MALE VOCAL
Scot Albertson
Jack Donahue
Peter Eldridge
Tony Middleton
Julian Yeo

JAZZ FEMALE VOCAL
Laura Hull
Laurie Krauz
Shaynee Rainbolt
Jane Scheckter
Alysha Umphress

JAZZ DUO/SINGER/INSTRUMENTALIST
Champion Fulton
Russ Kassoff
Kathleen Landis
Alex Leonard Duo
Daryl Sherman

FEMALE STAND-UP
DENADena Blizzard
Michelle Buteau
Mary Dimino
Ophira Eisenberg
Maureen Langan

MALE STAND-UP
Wali Collins
Joe Devito
Joe DeRosa
Kyle Grooms
Rick Younger

MAJOR MALE STAND-UP
Mario Cantone
Jim Gaffigan
Greg Giraldo
Tom Papa
Louis Ramey

MAJOR FEMALE STAND-UP
Susie Essman
Jackie Hoffman
Jessica Kirson
Lynn Koplitz

IMPROV/ COMEDY GROUP
Chicago City Limits
Calgary Whalers
Comedy Sportz

RECORDING
Carol Hall - Hallways: The Songs of Carol Hall
Barry Lloyd - Barry Lloyd Live
Karen Mason - : Right Here, Right Now
Todd Murray - Stardust & Swing
Stacy Sullivan - It's a Small Town
Uptown Express - Walk Like a Man Karen Mason

JAZZ RECORDING
Elli Fordyce - Something Still Cool
The Kurt Weill Project - A Song About Forever
Shaynee Rainbolt - Charmed Life: Shaynee Rainbolt Sings Russell Garcia
Spider Saloff - Live at Maxim's
Julian Yeo - Unusual Passage Cole Porter

SONG
"Running" - Adam Gwon
"Change In Me" - Carol Hall
"Come Home" - Mark Janas & Peter Napolitano
"Right Here, Right Now" - Paul Rolnick & Jim Papoulis
"Living Without Love" - Jason Wynn

SPECIAL MATERIAL
"This Is My Birthday" - Carol Hall
"Leaky Ceiling" - Sharon Kenny
"The Olives of Regret" - Nicholas Levin
"The Mess" - Ryan Scott Oliver
"You May Have a Problem" - Dan Page, John Domurad & Michele Page

A shout of congratulations to Tracy Stark, George Sanders, Eric Pickering and Carol Hall. This is who the cabaret world thinks is the best of the best and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for art that rocks out

My favorite musical so far this year is a little show called "Rooms a Rock Musical" at New World Stages. Its story is completely predictable, but it is the music and lyrics by Paul Scott Goodman that makes "Rooms" a moving and exciting night in the theatre. Exciting, because this music goes in new places with harmonies that soar and thrill. This show has heart. Involving us from the moment it begins, we become instantly and intimately involved in the lives of two Scottish musicians. Monica P. Miller is a Jewish lyricist with an insatiable drive to succeed and Ian, is a Catholic musician who's idea of a good time is to stayed locked in his room pissed drunk. We follow them from Scotland to London where they become punk rock stars and lovers to New York where it all falls apart and comes back together again. God, I love happy endings. As Monica,Leslie Kritzer is zanily adorable. What could of become obnoxious, Ms. Kritzer makes endearing. Vocally superb she captures our souls and we become a part of her journey. Doug Kreeger is the perfect counterpoint. Where Ms. Kritzer is zanny, Mr. Kreeger is grounded in his dysfunctional realism. This character easily could be hatable, yet we understand his pain and ultimately his growth. Scott Schwartz, has created a wonderful use of simplicity with just a moving door and a couple of chairs, thus allowing the actors to create the rest. This one show I could easily see again and I can't wait for the CD to come out. Rooms will give you a night of theatre that will leave you sighing in contentment.

F: is for fashion thats about to become hot

For those who are fans of Project Runway good news has hit the air waves. The nasty legal battle that threatened it's future is settled. In case you were in the dark the newest season of Project Runway, was moved to the Lifetime cable network. Producers claimed an agreement had been broken with NBC Universal, which owns the Bravo cable channel where the show had originated. The Weinstein Company, which owns “Project Runway” has agreed to pay damages to NBC Universal. The following statement was released today by NBC UNIVERSAL: NBC Universal, The Weinstein Company and Lifetime have resolved their disputes. The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to move Project Runway to Lifetime. All of the parties are pleased with the outcome. Harvey Weinstein added, “I want to personally congratulate Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner. We look forward to working together on our ongoing projects. The sad part is the new season of Project Runway, is moving to LA. The good news is it will begin airing on May 7 at 10 p.m.

Now the reason I bring this up is the designer I was planning on writing about is in the list of contestants. Keith Lissner, is hot, 31 and resides in New York. Studying in London after his graduation he began designing for Perry Ellis and Ralph Lauren. Keith has since founded his eponymous line Keith Lissner, of women’s demi-couture eveningwear. Likewise, he recently launched a line of gently priced cocktail dresses called Keith By Keith Lissner, inspired by his friends in New York and their jam packed social calendars. Lissner’s collection has captured the attention of the city’s young social scene, and his dresses are regularly worn out-and-about by some of New York’s most effervescent young ladies. Lissner’s gowns are frequently worn by a mix of accomplished performers, including: Emmy Rossum, Taryn Manning, Janet Jackson and Natasha Beddingfield. These strong, talented artists typify the Keith Lissner woman; feminine, unique, and exuding a great sense of self. Keith believes this devotion to fashion, his timeless style and a passionate dedication to his work will push him to the top of the competition. I was sent his new line and like the man himself they are hot. This is the designer of the moment and you heard it here first and that is a F.A.C.T