ARCHIVED: Private Mansion THE PLAYERS Opens Doors For SPRING SPECTACULAR – And Kiki’s Birthday!

Landmarked NYC Jewel THE PLAYERS Opens to Public for “Spring Spectacular”

Performances by  Martha Wainwright, Jolie Holland

and NYC’s “It” Artists Highlight the Event

New York, NY – April 29, 2010 – The historical landmark The Players of Gramercy Park opens its private doors to the public for SPRING SPECTACULAR, a night of elegance harkening the rich history of Manhattan’s legendary entertainers with a Kennedy-era flair.  This star-studded evening will feature big band, swing dancing, burlesque and jazz while bringing together a staggering array of talent demonstrating the city’s diversity.  The event will be held Friday, May 7th at 8pm.  Guests are encouraged to dress in swing, beatnik or  modern mid-century attire (a la Mad Men).

This rare occasion celebrates the spring season through an evening of the exuberant entertainment of yesteryear with a modern, independent edge. Special guests include vocalist Martha Wainwright performing a selection from her album “Martha Wainwright Sings Piaf” in addition to the “velvet voice” of Jolie Holland, the independent artist who counts none other than Tom Waits as one of her biggest fans.  Accompaniment  for the night’s performances as well as live jazz and swing provided by the acclaimed JC Hopkins’ Biggish Band along with tap-dancing sensation DeWitt Fleming Jr. (called “an amazement” by The NY Times) and singer Champian Fulton (who The New Yorker touts as having a “galvanizing voice”). Singer Shien Lee (of Dances of Vice) will perform with pianist Bryan Reeder in the club’s Sergent Room.

The cabaret atmosphere reaches crescendo as some of the best burlesque dancers in NYC step on to the stage to delight and entice: winner of the 2009 Golden Pastie Award for “Most Sensual Performer in Burlesque” Peekaboo Pointe, Miss Coney Island Ekaterina, and, in band breaks, 1920s tap sensation The Minsky Sisters.

The entire evening is presented by Midnight Follies and hosted by James Habacker, illustrious owner of downtown’s The Slipper Room and with Kiki Valentine, actress and producer of NYC’s only uncensored variety show, The Sunday Show. Valentine explains, “The Players has an incredible history and energy…to open the doors to the public and create a happening like this seems to wake the spirits of Frank Sinatra and Sarah Bernhardt. It’s like they’re giving us their blessing. Plus, they always loved a good party.” The event is also celebrating Valentine’s birthday.

 

The legendary Players, boasting Twain himself in its luminary roster along with Nobel-prize-winners Eugene O’Neill, Ernest Hemingway and numerous others, is a social club founded by the famed 19th century Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth. The Players’ history-steeped home is a magnificent Victorian mansion with dozens of paintings, marble fireplaces, and a wrought iron balcony overlooking Gramercy, the only remaining private park in Manhattan.

Friday, May 7th, 8pm-1am

Complimentary cocktails from 8 to 9pm

The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South

$20 w/RSVP, $25 at the door

$15 for members

RSVP at midnightfollies@gmail.com