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Amy Conley, Lynne Barstow, Daryl Anderson, Barbara Papendorp,
Dean Reichard, Elise Logemann, Rick Mauery, Matt Howe,
and Andrew Harmon. Photo: Matt Howe
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Rick Mauery had always dreamed of standing under the spotlight and singing his heart out to a wildly appreciative audience. So last year he signed up for the Cabaret for Adults class at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). “I was curious to find out if I had any potential as a soloist,” says Mauery, a long-time Hill resident. “The class provided a familiar, nonjudgmental venue that gave me a chance to see if I had the voice for cabaret singing and to learn more about how to do it well.”
Mauery’s time in class led to his debut performance earlier this year at CHAWbaret, an evening of cabaret songs and music sponsored by CHAW and the GLBT Arts Consortium. “My favorite thing about performing at CHAWbaret was having the sense that I was connecting with the audience,” says Mauery. “That for a few minutes, I was able to take them away from the cares and concerns of their lives by providing entertainment through sharing my story with my song. And the applause was nice too!”
The Hill community will get another chance to enjoy cabaret in mid-October, when CHAWbaret 6: Magic To Do! debuts on Friday, Oct. 16, Saturday, Oct. 17, Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8:00 p.m. The performances will feature pop songs, standards, and show tunes that will take the audience on a magical journey without leaving Capitol Hill.
CHAWbaret began in spring 2007 when Dean Reichard—long-time cabaret enthusiast—approached CHAW about organizing and hosting an evening where cabaret singers in the area could share their talents with the community.
“Cabaret is such an intimate musical performance genre,” says Reichard. “You'll have lots of moments of recognition during a performance where you really relate to the performer because music does that; it emphasizes what we all have in common.” Since then, popularity for the event has grown and Reichard has organized new performances every fall and spring.
After witnessing the success of the CHAWbaret performances, Reichard again approached CHAW in spring 2008 with the idea for the Cabaret for Adults class. Reichard teamed up with music director Amy Conley and the two have offered three sessions of Cabaret for Adults, with a fourth class being offered this November.
“My class experience at CHAW was absolutely fabulous,” said Mauery. “We learned so much about the history and art of cabaret singing.” Mauery said the class also gave him the tools and confidence to tell a story through song. “Stepping out alone in the spotlight can be daunting,” he said. “The class helped me gain confidence and learn to use my voice with more ease.”
Cabaret students who want a chance to perform are invited to participate in one of the upcoming CHAWbaret performances. CHAWbaret features performances from some of the best cabaret singers in the DC area, including performers from the DC Cabaret Network. “I have participated in CHAWbaret since the beginning and plan my life around these events,” said Deborah Davidson, Hill resident and member of the DC Cabaret Network. “I like to learn from others and to see how different people interpret their music. And it’s just a fun and happy experience.” |
