Cabaret 2000
Friday, November 3rd

Oh, What a Night It Was! Cabaret Paradiso on Friday night assembled a nearly unbelievable group of talented folks, all focused on presenting a magical evening of entertainment. From the moment one entered the enchanted Roman garden, until the final rousing singalong, it was sheer delight! Julie Faxvog and Pat Keller transformed the space with imagination and verve! Paul Hempe, General Chair, welcomed the enthusiastic crowd, and we were launched! Bob Hanson began by winning the hand of the lovely Isabella by the light of la bella luna. Bruce Henry ignited the room with "Love Train"" joined by the outstanding backup of the SJA musicians. He set the room swaying with "Stand By Me", and there followed a dizzying array of talent and grace. Only a sampling of the scope and variety of the nearly four-hour parade of artistry can be given here, but the caveat is: "Don't EVER miss the Cabaret at St. Joan's!!

Some highlights:

• George Wertin and Gary Mietz as Roman clerics in full dress,
• Anna Vagle joining Jim tenBensel in a trombone duet,
• Billy McLaughlin making his guitar do things you never knew a guitar could do. Whether evoking the soft melancholy of Irish culture, or setting feet tapping and heads bobbing, Billy gave us a wonderful set.
• We were blessed once again by the a cappella beauty of "Dare to Breathe". This inspiring group showcases the human voice as a marvelous instrument. Part of their contribution was what I can best describe as an Italian madrigal!
• The travel accommodations for Steve Kremer were upgraded from last year's train songs to loftier trips "in the Early Morning Rain". He was joined by the whole crowd For "Leavin' on a Jet Plane". No lyrics were supplied - or needed- leaving one to wonder just how old this group really is!
• Lee Vague and Shane Speltz gave us "I Wish it Would Rain Now" -and Phil Collins should be looking over his shoulder!
• The first half of the evening ended with three dynamic sets -Mark Stillman and Jim Price gave us a lovely medley on the accordion ,"fiddle", and balalaika. If you could sit still during their rendition of "Tarantella", you need to have someone check your pulse!
• Next came Mary Jane Alm and Pat Frederick, each rockin' the house with their wonderful styles.
• The first half (can you believe it!) ended with Gwen Matthews, backed by Mary Jane, Pat, and Debbie Duncan, raised the roof with "I Believe".
• Then - wonderful café food provided by TLC Catering, in the persons of our own Cathy Meyer and Dale Olson- brought rave reviews during intermission. The winners of the many raffle prizes shoed their great delight, claiming treats ranging from dinner catered by Chef Wertin, to a vacation on Maui! Then - it was back to the music!
• Jokes and trombones by Jim tenBensel,
• Mime by the inimitable Michael Hennessey (and several audience "volunteers" who demonstrated that talent - and generous portions of ham- are not the sole property of our featured artists!)
• Robert Robinson, backed by his sisters and accompanied by Joe Chouinard, brought the audience - and the other musicians - to their collective feet.

• Deb Harley followed, singing the lovely "You Take My Breath Away" with obvious conviction, and plenty of soul.
• Rachel Kroog wowed us with her composition "Water, Fire, and Ice", joined by Deb, Lee, Shane, and Dick Hedlund. To quote from that piece, "a little balance would be nice" - tonight we reveled in a perfectly balanced and exciting melange of cool, blue, subtle, laugh-out-loud, and stirring talent.
• Paul Peterson - joined by SJA's all-boy band, gave us "Just One of Those Things", demonstrating the reason for the great demand for his talents.
• Then, our own Bob Hanson got all us old folks rockin' with "Good Love".
• He was followed by the extraordinary song styling of Debbie Duncan, with a stirring rendition of "My One and Only Love".

Jean Jachman is a consummate volunteer. Jean pitches in at the parish office, waits tables at Cabaret, and contacts and schedules the readers for masses. All that and a career as a nurse that included time in a refugee camp on the Thailand-Cambodia border.

Peg LaSota is interested in the biographies of parishioners... any suggestions?? She also loves studying piano, recorder, Spanish, and of course...singing in the choir!	Edie Kalweit has been a St. Joan of Arcer for 23 years now. Now that her children are grown, there is time to participate more fully in activities taking place at St. Joan's.