I recall a time when my friends and I went to Hunts Point Palace in the Bronx on a Saturday Night and danced to the Cal Tjader’s Modern Mambo Quintet, at the time featuring Mongo Santamaría and Willie Bobo, and then Sunday venturing downtown to Birdland and seeing the band again in this wonderful small setting. It was like they were playing just for us. Small venues have many advantages. You can hear the music. In larger venue, especially with performers whose recordings you know, you remember the music.
“I know that big venues are where the big money is, but a few more of these intimate cabaret-style appearances wouldn’t break the bank.” Liz Smith
The Gramacy Park Hotel-New York
Liz Smith writes in WOWOWOW about a recent set that Liza Minnelli did at the NYC’s Gramercy Hotel where intimacy ruled. No one pandering for their favorite song or to wave their hands in the air, which might be fun at a big event, but not when you can hear the music and see a great performer doing what she was born to do.
Unfortunately only the fortunate are able to attend these smaller, intimate and rewarding performances. The Gramercy Hotel is not Madison Square Garden and you may have to be invited to spend your money on a ticket.