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Room 53 Upstairs
Piano Bar and Dining
www.room53.us
Phil Kadet on Piano
Bobby Butler on Bass
Room 53 Downstairs
Polly’s Follies, Open Mic
At
Room 53
www.room53.us
314 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019
646.675.5341
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
November 10, 2014
There’s a gorgeous new Club in town, Room 53, in Hell’s Kitchen, between 8th and 9th Avenues. The cultured British Proprietor, Steve, has great ideas and plans, as the lushly renovated spaces evolve. Upstairs is a baby grand piano and sound system, plus stately ding décor and new furnishings and chandeliers. The bar is busy, with different performers and bands most nights. There’s even enough space for theater and ensemble cabaret. A side bar has its own lively vibe, while Downstairs, a chef’s room with flickering candles, tucked behind an exposed brick archway, is ready for elegant, small celebrations or conferences. The larger, Downstairs space can be casual or formal, depending on the party or event. Menus are Moroccan-French, and quite reasonable.
Tonight I caught a portion of two different events, one Upstairs and one Downstairs. Upstairs, Phil Kadet crooned at the piano, accompanied by Bobby Butler on bass. Phil and Bobby created deep rhythms with bluesy intonations, with Phil adding piano interludes to his songs. Downstairs, in the earthy, rectangle room, with its smaller bar, high tables, and chef’s dining room, behind the piano and microphone, was the Monday night Polly’s Follies. Emerging and seasoned vocalists, looking for a spotlight to showcase their versatility and repertoire, sign up with Host, a dynamic Polly McKie. Tonight’s two featured singers, Beth Adubato and Janine Hegarty, sang songs from “Into the Woods”, “Kiss Me Kate”, and “West Side Story”, among other shows. Janine also sang a glorious aria from the opera, “Carmen”, revealing an extraordinary vocal range through various musical genres. Beth’s vocals, as well, were sensuous and intriguing. Ms. McKie, who spoke fondly of her native Scotland, sang with humor and zest, a vivacious entertainer, between greeting the crowd and calling on guests for their turn at the mic. John Champion sang “Autumn Leaves”, with deeply stretched notes in earthy emotionality. You can call Room 53 at 646.675.5341 to check out their upcoming events.
Phil Kadet on Piano
Bobby Butler on Bass
Room 53 Upstairs
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Artist Sketches Music Event
Room 53 Upstairs
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Room 53 Upstairs Decor
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Phil Kadet on Piano
Room 53 Upstairs
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Beth Adubato and Janine Hegarty Vocal Duo
Room 53 Downstairs
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
Polly McKie, Open Mic Host
Room 53 Downstairs
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
John Champion, Vocalist
Room 53 Downstairs
Courtesy of Roberta Zlokower
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