About Us
WELCOME to the Cabaret Hotspot Universe!
I hope that you enjoy Cabaret Hotspot, Cabaret University, and Cabaret HotTrax, and find our cabaret universe to be informative, helpful, and above all, educational.
Mr. Stu Hamstra
Cabaret Hotspot! grew out of a need, after Stu Hamstra’s passing, and the demise of his Cabaret Hotline Online. The Hotline was a central hub of Cabaret for several decades. For nearly 30 years Cabaret Hotline (which started out as a newsletter, pre-computers) was devoted to promoting the art of cabaret, not only in NYC, but also across the country. The Hotline “Online” website later became the “TV Guide” of Cabaret, where one could see all the daily listings of shows, in every venue in NYC, and other cabaret cities, in addition to news and reviews. A mainstay at almost every club (one wondered how he had the time to be everywhere, all at once), Stu was a beloved figure in the cabaret community, and an esteemed reviewer. A favorable review from Stu Hamstra could go a long way in getting a new performer noticed.
I was one of those lucky young performers and remember Stu Hamstra well. Always optimistic for the future of cabaret, and enjoying (most of) the performances he attended, Stu was a bright light on 46th Street, (where he one time resided).
Realizing that Cabaret Hotline Online had fallen into demise with Stu’s passing, I decided to pick up the baton and create Cabaret Hotspot! It is my hope to not only pick up where Stu left off, but to exceed his wildest expectations as a supporter (and educator) of cabaret and small venue performance.
With my colleague, Sue Matsuki, and our growing roster of contributing bloggers across the country, Cabaret Hotspot strives to cover all things cabaret in NYC, and across the country. And, with Cabaret University, and Cabaret HotTrax, we hope to inspire and educate the next generation of cabaret professionals, both singers and musicians.
Above all else, however, Cabaret Hotspot, University and HotTrax, are meant to be educational, informative, and very interactive. All readers are encouraged to leave a post reply, communicating with the contributing author(s), and each other.
Are you a professional coach or resource professional? Consider joining Cabaret Hotspot!, as a PRO Member, and you’ll be able to create your own personal profile where talent can find you, and receive site-wide discounts on advertising. Performers can become an Artist Member and receive discounts on all advertising and Cab U Classes. And ALL Members can upload their show details, with a picture, and links to purchase tickets on our Universal Calendar.
Our contributors are performing artists, or educators, and writers. And, I consciously use the term “contributor” rather than “reviewer” or “critic,” because my goal for Cabaret Hotspot! is to be educational, supportive, constructive, and to contribute to the world of cabaret.
Cabaret University offers a wide variety of classes in the craft, business, and technology of small venue performance (both in the club, and since COVID19, virtually, online) And, Cabaret HotTrax is the first digital music marketplace of it’s kind, supporting singers, song-writers, arrangers, coaches, musicians, and music directors.
My deepest thanks to Sue Matsuki, for giving me the courage and strength to take on this endeavor. And, for helping me at every step of the way. Sue is often referred to as the “cabaret mom.“ Well, she certainly is my “cabaret sister,” and I could not have done this without her.
A BIG thank you to Ms. Regina Zona at www.toscawebdesign.com, who worked tirelessly to complete my vision for all three websites Cabaret Hotspot, Cabaret University, and Cabaret HotTrax.
And lastly, thank you Stu, for your many years of dedication to the world of Cabaret. Rest in Peace my friend. We got this!
Please be sure to bookmark www.cabarethotspot.com and come back often!
Sincerely,
David Sabella
Owner/Editor-in-Chief, Cabaret Hotspot, Cabaret University, and Cabaret HotTrax.