Cabaret will diversify acts in fourth year

Contributed photos – Bruce Wojick and Jamie Holka will play an acoustic guitar concert on April 16 at the Cabaret at Studio B, 28 West Bank St. in Albion.

ALBION – In 2013, Amy Sidari had a dream of using space in her dance studio on West Bank Street for a performance venue.

She added professional lighting, sound equipment, tables and chairs for 84 people. She also started booking acts – local and regional musicians, comedians and other entertainers. The venue has proved popular with the performers and also the local community who welcome the chance to experience live entertainment in a cozy setting.

The Cabaret at Studio B is back for a fourth season. Sidari said many favorites will return including Marcy Downey, Josie Waverly and Phyl Contestable, a comedian better known as “Reverend Mother.”

Ace Caldwell works this morning on the new cappuccino bar for the Cabaret at Studio B in Albion.

File photo by Tom Rivers – Jim Babcock portrays Sonny and Sandra Monacelli-McNall is Cher in a performance of “I Got You Babe” during a Cabaret Variety Show on Aug. 15, 2014. More variety shows featuring local talent are planned for this year.

Sidari also is working with concert promoter Thom Jennings of Albion to bring in some new acts. Jennings has arranged for Bruce Wojick and Jamie Holka to perform at the Cabaret on April 16 at 7 p.m. Jennings lined up many of the performers for the Beegarten, the former Boiler 54, in Medina last year.

Wojick and Holka are full-time musicians doing 250 gigs a year. The April 16 concert will be their first in Orleans County.

Sidari said the venue will see other changes this year, including a new cappuccino bar. Her father, Ace Caldwell, has been busy working wth contractors to get that new setup ready.

Sidari said she is pleased to shine a light on so many talented people in the area. She includes other local talent in variety shows, which will be back again this year.

She expects to have 25 to 30 different shows this year. After Wojick and Holka on April 16, the Albion Jazz Band will perform twice on April 23 at 6 and 8 p.m.

For more information on tickets and prices for the shows, call 585-354-2320 or click here.