The Season of Song

Fans of song, get ready for four nights of performers digging into the heart of the Great American Songbook. The St. Louis Cabaret Festival returns Wednesday through Sunday (July 31 through August 4), and it brings some of the biggest performers in the biz to town to work their pipes. Wednesday night brings Billy Stritch and the music of Mel Torme to the Bistro at Grand Center (3536 Washington Boulevard) for an 8 p.m. show. You may know Stritch as the long-time music director for Liza Minelli, or perhaps from his numerous solo projects. Tonight you get him up close and personal as he explores the life of the Velvet Fog with humor and the panache of a seasoned pro; tickets are $35. Thursday's stars are Marilyn Maye and Jason Graae, performing individual shows in a double-header at the Sheldon (3648 Washington Boulevard); tickets for that extravaganza are $40 to $45. Singer/songwriter John Bucchino takes center stage Friday night back at the Bistro with a selection of his own music, and Sunday closes out the run with a showcase performance that stars more than 30 singers each tackling the song of their choice. For tickets and more information on all shows, call 314-534-1111 or visit www.thecabaretproject.org.
July 31-Aug. 2; Sun., Aug. 4, 2013