Act One

SJA's Tenth Anniversary Cabaret prompted a typical question: What theme to use for a tenth anniversary? Eureka, why not go back to the beginning and start all over. Surely, "Just Like Starting Over" sets the tone for nostalgia but Co-Director Dan Chouinard optioned performers to choose music that expresses first loves while General Chair of Cabaret Planning Committee Paul Hempe chose a visually bohemian style by creating a Gypsy-like feel with various hues of red. These two ideas exquisitely capture the meaning of romance. Song selections have never been so personally touching and Hempe has created, by far, the most gorgeous design of the past cabarets, superbly executed by use of beaded shawls of fabric adorning table center pieces and arranged as dazzling life-sized ceiling lanterns.

As an introduction number to the start of 32 performances for the evening, SJA's Minister of Peace & Justice, Julie Madden and Chouinard had a ripping good time parodying "Do You Love Me?" from Fiddler on the Roof. Donning night caps and gowns, and nestled in a bright red theatrical bed, the two, with cheeky irony, twisted Tevye and Golde's lyrics: Responding to the song title's question sung by Chouinard, Madden fired back with lines like "Education's in the toilet," " Economy's got you down," and "You're on crack!" His "I was nervous" line was met with her reply "you were gay." And the implied "yes" answer to that question for both concluded with "after 25 years it's nice to know."

Singer-songwriter Gary Rue led the beginning verse of the 1980 John Lennon tune "Just Like Starting Over," an apt opening production number featuring all of the night's performers gleefully singing along. Soul crooner Dennis Spears closed the opener with a verse from the Nat King Cole tune "LOVE." Following, singer-guitarists Boyd Lee and Joe Cruz leant some harmonious magic to The Doobie Brothers' "Love the One You're With" with rocking back-up vocals provided by Kathy Perkins, Mary Jane Alm and Pat Frederick and a funky piano solo by Chouinard. Singer Bruce Henry, looking dapper in a long white coat and black leather hat concocted a gospel hoe-down with his self-penned "Everybody Jump That Groove" with Chouinard's spirited accordion accompaniment.

Co-Director Anna Vagle joyfully announced that this was "a night of love and romance." She introduced Gospel singer Gwen Matthews(right) who worked love into the crowd with Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman" that induced naturally a hand waving and a sing-along response. Chouinard introduced "our own natural woman" and her hip husband—Anna Mae and Fred Vagle—for a heavenly working of the Turtles "Happy Together" further energized with vocal backing from Joe Chouinard, Steve Kremer, Nancy Stockhaus, Carin Vagle, Rachel Kroog and Deb Harley.

Soul legend Ray Charles received a passionate tribute with some sweet harmonica playing and singing by Bruce Kernow with "Georgia" that included an ambient guitar solo from Bobby Schnitzer. This epic concert's backup band featured terrific support from Shane Speltz on drums, Dick Hedlund on bass and Schnitzer on guitar. And Schnitzer took front and center showcasing bluesy and hypnotic guitar playing with Santana's popular "Europa." carin Vagle took a gamble with Roberta Flack's stark ballad "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" that indeed, paid off. A difficult choice, Vagle won the audience over with a brilliant performance that began girlishly innocent in tone and gradually crescendos to a sense of wise maturity and longing. Pat Frederick offered a smooth rendition of "My Girl" with playful backup vocals from Kathy Perkins, Mary Jane Alm and Boyd Lee.

Always the singer to dress the part, Dennis Spears(right), in a white ruffle collared shirt, swished his purple velvet jacket with wild abandon while covering Marvin Gaye's 1970s groove "Let's Get It On." He also showed off his deep baritone register while singing the title words. Debbie Duncan identified her first love as "the man that I would give up," then paused and said, "don't say that, Deb," referring to a never ending crush for Johnny Mathis. Duncan gently caressed each note of the Mathis classic "The Twelfth of Never" with smooth nuance. Chouinard accompanied with piano like the sound of raindrops falling aided by Jim tenBensel's purring french horn. What loveliness! Mary Jane Alm recounted her tale of first love at the tender age of 14. She fell in love with a 17 year old boy who owned a snowmobile. "He'd drop me off by the water tower." She gave him her number and when he returned a call, he was greeted by the stern reply of Alm's concerned mother, warning him "don't call here again." How fitting that Alm chose to sing the Lennon/McCartney tune "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away." Her terrific rendition received fine support from Boyd Lee's guitar, Chouinard's accordion and Kernow's harmonica playing.

Kathy Perkins wore her wedding dress, and while sitting, raised her leg to reveal white leather and fur-lined platform boots. Cyndi Lauper sure comes to mind and how perfect to sing Lauper's huge ballad hit "Time After Time." A valentine to Perkins' husband, our drummer Shane Speltz, a biographical video montage captured the two from their birth to their own wedding. Perkins masterfully mines an endearing loopiness with a style of deeply soulful singing. Neal Hagberg had these words of advice: "We wanted to talk to Shane and Kathy about what happens after the first year of marriage." Neal, of course, is the male half of Neal & Leandra, who performed their big hit "Old Love" at the first SJA cabaret. The comically engaging couple feel their song has worn out its welcome over the years so they decided to reinvent it for tonight's performance. With harmonious perfection, they wryly added new lyrics: "It's an old love. Silver hair among the gold, love" and "People think we're happy. Because we sing this song sappy" and concluding with "Like mold, love. Grows just like decay, love. We're both old enough for art."

Folk singer/songwriter Ann Reed remembered her first love when she met her partner some twenty years ago. In 1990, she put her feelings to words with the endearing tribute "What It Would Be Like If You Were Mine." Her strong, low alto vocal complemented nicely with a bass solo turn by Dick Hedlund. Another folk singer/songwriter, Peter Mayer(right), took a good while to find a power cord to plug into his guitar causing the ever ready Chouinard to quip, "Accordions, of course, don't require external power. They're self-sufficient." These two performers then transported us to a romantic French street by the sounds of their impeccable accordion and guitar playing. Mayer's "Magical World" has lyrics that make you swoon with enchantment. Renowned accordion player Mark Stillman decided we should travel further East so he heartily played an interlude fit for a Greek wedding. Russian singer Sima Shumilovsky chose a Gypsy song about love. She offered, "It's not a sea of love, it's an ocean of love." Stillman and Chouinard joyously accompanied her with accordions while Anna Vagle, Harley and Stockhaus encouraged clapping and hearty "La-la-la's" from the aroused audience. Some feedback from the stage left monitors caused Shumilovky's mike to cut out a few times, but this did not curtail her bountiful energy one bit.

Closing the first act in style, Rachel Kroog(right) channeled a 1960s Liza Minnelli with Kander and Ebb's "Ring Them Bells." Tonight's performers may recall first loves, so perhaps musically, Kroog's first love may be Minnelli. Both share that Bob Fosse theatrical style and robust vocal belt. Kroog's singing, moves and presence sizzle with pizzazz. Dressed in a bright orange nerdy dress paired with (SJA guitarist) Lee Vague as a Buddy Holly-like looking suitor, she later ripped out of her wallflower attire to reveal a stunning black sequined outfit. Keeping the bar elevated to a high power Act One finish also included a knock-out Brass ensemble with tenBensel and Anna Vagle on trombone, Stockhaus on Tenor Saxophone and Joe Chouinard on trumpet.

Intermission

Intermission started sharply at 9:30 PM with Paul Hempe and Julie Madden facilitating a mountain of prize give-a-ways:

• Door Prizes
  • A number of music CD's from our performing artists.
  • Double chocolate fudge cake from Wilde Roast Cafe.
• Raffle Drawings
  • 2004-05 SJA Concert series tickets: Two tickets for each show—a $100 value.
  • Your party of three will board at Flying Cloud Airport and enjoy a one hour flight over the Twin Cities area. You will be contacted in the spring of 2005 to arrange your flight.
  • A one night stay at Minneapolis' LeMeridian Hotel—a $350 value.
  • A two night stay for two at the Naniboujou Lodge in Grand Marais—a $213 value.
  • Premiere table for eight at the 2005 Cabaret—a $600 value.
  • A beautiful 3 ft. X 5 ft. Balutch Prayer Persian Rug, courtesy of Persian Rug Decor, Inc. —A $600 value.
  • An evening of fine food, magic and music. Your home party will be catered by Cathy Meyer of TLC Restaurant; wait service by Catherine Pesusta and Maria Karpinski; and Dan Chouinard will provide his kaleidoscope of music—a $1000 value—Dan says it's priceless.
  • A Two-toned gold diamond bracelet .975 carat, designed by Sonia Bitton, courtesy of Shop NBC—a $2,700 retail value.
• Heads or Tails Game
  • $10 a chance, one chance per person, a flip of coin decides who goes to Maui for seven days. You and your guest will enjoy a two bedroom beach-front condo with the use of a Ford Focus wagon. Reservations from May to October 2005—according to availability. Plus $500 in cash. All courtesy of the Nancy & Don Lynch Family.

Act Two began at 10:20 PM with a stirring dedication to former SJA singer/musician and parishioner Bob Hanson. A powerful video montage of Hanson's archived Cabaret performances were shown courtesy of Fred Vagle. Clips included:

• 1998: "With a Little Help From My From My Friends" - Bob doing a spot-on impersonation of Rock singer Joe Cocker.
• 1999: "Good Love" - Bob singing the Honeyz classic song.
• 2000: "Amore" - a clip from Cabaret Paradiso.
• 2001: "Those Were the Days" - Bob and Julie Madden impersonating Archie and Edith Bunker.
• 2003: "Tonight" - Bob and Nancy Stockhaus singing the theme from West Side Story.
• 2002: "Wild Thing" - Bob parodying a 1960s hippie with a raucous delivery of the Trogg's breakthrough hit.
• 2003: "Pinball Wizard" - Bob covering The Who's rocker from the Rock opera Tommy.
• 2001: "Your Song" - Bob performing a marvelous rendition of Elton John's first major hit.

Michael Hennessey performed a moving mime dedication about letting go of Bob titled "The Kite," accompanied by Joe Chouinard on piano. The following dedication excerpt comes from the program:

Dedication We dedicate this evening of music to the memory of Bob Hanson whose immense talent and generosity embodied the spirit of the Cabaret and St. Joan of Arc. Always the professional, the singer for every season, clown for any good reason, Bob brought his love, friendship and loyalty to us in everything he did. Bob will never be replaced or forgotten. Bob Hanson, 1955 - 2003

Dan Chouinard returned to the stage to introduce gifted Finnish singer-songwriter Diane Jarvi with "she keeps us honest about our Nordic heritage." Jarvi caressed her ever so sensuous jazzy vocal around the Frank Sinatra standard "My Foolish Heart," while Chouinard offered shimmering accordion. He returned for some light-hearted banter by introducing Steve Kremer as "one of the old, old, old timers." Kremer returned the quip by remarking "at least I'm not short" and worked his warm and resonant folk style singing/guitar playing charmingly to an approving audience with the 1957 Jimmy Rodgers tune "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine." Kernow offered a little harmonica as well. Lee Vague leant a suave almost rockabilly style vocal delivery with great guitar licks to the Monkees' "I'm a Believer," while Kathy Perkins, Steve Kremer, Carin Vagle, Rachel Kroog and Deb Harley provided backup vocals. We even had some Tenor sax from Stockhaus and trombone from tenBensel while Chouinard had a go with keyboards.

I have first hand information that a chest cold might have prevented Nancy Stockhaus from performing at the Cabaret but her Catholic guilt got the best of her. She tapped into Frank Loesser's 1950 musical Guys and Dolls culling "Bushel and a Peck" to honor her true love husband Mike Stockhaus, who sat in locked loving arms right next to her. Displaying a sweetly clear singing voice and keenly animated moves, she's a natural for musical comedy characters. Her backup singers—Anna Vagle, Harley and Kroog— coyly cooed "We're no spring chickens but we're full of the dickens."

Back to first loves, Deb Harley first sang Joni Mitchell's 1971 composition "A Case of You" to her husband Steve 25 years ago this past June. Lyrics slide into constant paradox: "I am as constant as a Northern star, Constantly in the darkness/You're in my blood like holy wine. You taste so bitter and so sweet." Harley's love of this song impresses; her delivery resonates from real life experience: passionate, complex but constant. The a cappella vocal group Dare To Breathe looks like it will put to breath its last performance come this February. It's unfortunate to see them retire. They performed many times at SJA masses and past Cabarets. "In a Tiny House," didn't shed much light on a first love but their pitch-perfect blend, vocal intonation and command of diction with clever word play marvels the senses.

Prudence Johnson's(right) first love, who ever called her, was "a dentist's son," she recalled, who took her to her first rock concert— Herman's Hermits. They played the Duluth Arena when she was 13 years old. Her effervescent performance of the group's Gerry Coffin/Carole King ditty "Something Good" captured a playfully whimsy side of her that I've never quite seen before. She dressed for great fun with past performances but this tune truly brings out her inner twinkle. Nice to see such visual joy on the face of such a treasured voice. This time a sturdy male quartet—Joe Chouinard, Steve Kremer, Gary Rue and Fred Vagle—provided vocal backup support. Singer/songwriter Gary Rue claims one of "the grooviest tunes I've ever heard spinning records" comes from Georgie Fame's 1963 hit "Yeah, Yeah," his favorite first love song. With fun backup vocals from Johnson and Harley, Rue recreates feel good nostalgic crooning every bit worth it's quick two minutes and 22 seconds.

Mandolin player Peter Ostroushko dug into the "old grade school songbook" to recover the old song "Manny," singing in a gritty blue-grass style that grew poignant with tender piano accompaniment by Dan Chouinard. Larry Long played recorder, recited some poetry and sang a cappella about "A Love Like Some River," all with such an intimate sense of desolation that I thought we'd gathered around a camp fire. Singer T Mychael Rambo—he confirmed tonight that the "T" stands for Thomas—feels that his first love coincides strongly with Stevie Wonder's song "For Once In My Life." His violin case was hurled in the air from a school bully and landed on the school roof. A dear friend enlisted the assistance of the school janitor to return the missing case. Rambo performed his favorite Wonder composition with complete conviction and a solid inner strength. He clearly won the audience over with his brilliant baritone voice and joyful sense of play.

The grand finale arrived with the all-star singers and musicians gathering for a final medley of Burt Bacharach's "What the World Needs Now," lead by Prudence Johnson and Debbie Duncan leading "Put a Little Love In Your Heart." Lee Vague put some serious kick into the mix with some hot guitar licks and the house continued to give back the love. Yes, it's the love exchange from performers to audience and back that makes a live performance roll into something truly energetic and impressionable. St. Joan's has managed to attract the best of the Twin Cities music scene for both its Sunday masses and its annual Cabarets for ten years now. I believe the reason for this mutual attraction is because of SJA's call to social justice, inclusivity and a true desire to keep nurturing the growth of our faith in God and all of humanity. Enlighten us all because we are all welcome. After all, St. Joan's is about the community and the house that serves them.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

An epic four hour event like this cannot happen without the strength and year long commitment of the Cabaret Planning Committee. An enormous thanks goes for all their efforts this past year. Also to Doug Lohman, our indispensable Sound Technician for all your tireless efforts. And finally to Cabaret Directors Dan Chouinard and Anna Vagle for orchestrating the artistic production, rehearsals and performances. Thank you abundantly. It may be Just Like Starting Over but look how far we've come these past ten years.

Bill Cameron was a pilot at Northwest Airlines for 32 years until his retirement in June of 2001. Also an attorney, Bill now practices law about half-time. The rest of his time is spent taking pictures (... a serious photography habit), playing tennis, and working on volunteer projects. Bill's wife Connie is an educational consultant and they have three adult sons.