I want to thank God for a safe and thoroughly enjoyable trip back to Florida.  I forgot how really nice the weather can be down here.  Look at those palm trees sway.  Nice.

I have done my first two shows of the Florida season and I enjoyed both so much,  Great to see long-standing friends and supporters (I hate to say "fans".  I'm so modest. :-)

But the truth is, I DO  have a fan club, and they were out in full uniform on Tuesday night at Visani Dinner Theater, wearing their official Marcy Diva T-shirts with a picture of my face on the front!  Wow.  What's that song, 'O Lord It's Hard to Be Humble'?  But I am truly humbled by their love and support and I thank you, my dear friends for always being there for me.  

And my first night back at Turtles Waterfront Restaurant was a blast.  I must admit, I enjoy the relaxed and informal nature of just simply singing the songs once a week.  Don't get me wrong, I do love performing my cabaret show with the comedy and the pizazz, but it's also nice to sit on a stool and sing my favorite songs for an intimate crowd. I am blessed to be able to do both.


So on I go.  Grateful for every day, and every opportunity to reach out to people and see them smile.  

I'll keep ya posted.  

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I am so glad to say that our church concert on Sunday went just great.  My cousin David Hollenbeck, who performed classical, traditional, and jazz pieces on tenor and bass trombones and tuba, was just fabulous. And he was accompanied so ably and skillfully on piano by Joe Kwiatkowski.  I was so proud of them.

And I thank God (quite literally) that my voice was strong and confident, singing praise and thanks to my God. 

Here is a sample of one of the songs, recorded live Sunday night.  How Great Thou Art

Just had to report that my dad got a long standing ovation after performing on the tenor saxophone during last Friday's Variety Show at the Cabaret at Studio B in Albion, NY.  I was so proud I cried.  And our whole family was there to watch him.  What a moment.  At 95, he is still playing his horn, and playing it great!  He sounded wonderful. 

I am so grateful for that opportunity to see him receive such recognition and applause.  Wow. 

I also performed in the show, singing one of his songs with him, and also doing a singing and dancing duet with my dear friend Amy Sidari (owner of the Cabaret), as well as a duet with the fabulous Gary Simboli --voice like no other -- and I even did my Marge the Red Hat Lady routine. 

Since I had time for a full costume change, I got myself a purple dress, a few sizes too large, and stuffed a size 40D bra under it, along with some tummy padding.  What fun.  The audience had a good time!

My dad and I will both be appearing tomorrow night in a Cabaret Variety Show.  He will be playing the saxophone for three numbers, and I will join him in singing one of them: his favorite song, "Stardust".  He's also planning to play "All of Me", and "On the Sunny Side of the Street". 

Have I mentioned that my dad is 95?  This is so cool.  Dad used to play most every weekend in small combos when I was growing up.  (And way before that too!)  He hasn't played in clubs for years, but still plays for his own enjoyment (and mine) at home, playing along with CD's and videos of music specials.  (He loves to say, "I'm used to playing with Benny Goodman, ya know.") So when my friend Amy, owner of the Cabaret at Studio B, asked him to perform in her next variety show, I was surprised when he agreed.  But delighted! 

The photo above appeared in the newspaper today, along with a really nice article.  You can click this link to read it. (It may ask you to answer a couple of survey questions to read the whole article.  No biggie.)
http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/entertainment/article_866a070a-23c2-11e4-94c8-001a4bcf887a.html

Well I'll keep ya posted!

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