Mission Statement
MAC’s mission is to advance the art and business of live entertainment. A trade association, its activities are designed to heighten public awareness of the field’s contributions and vitality, to honor its creativity, to build its current and future audiences, and to speak out as an influential voice on behalf of MAC members and the industry at large.
Members of MAC include cabaret, comedy and jazz artists, directors, musical directors, technical directors, musicians, club owners, booking managers, composers, lyricists, journalists, publicists, artists’ managers, agents, and friends and supporters of live entertainment. The organization was created in 1983.
ADVOCACY
When appropriate, MAC advocates for the best interest of the entertainment industry by being involved with city and state hearings on matters affecting MAC members and clubs.
History
The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) was founded in 1983, primarily as an organization for cabaret owners, managers, and booking agents to meet and exchange ideas. The organization started accepting performers in 1985.
MAC is currently a trade organization, designation 501C6, with a dues-paying membership. It differs from an organization designated a 501C3 in that contributions to MAC are not tax deductible.
MAC’s first president was Curt Davis who, upon his death, was succeeded by Erv Raible, co-owner of several New York piano bars and cabarets. Past presidents include Jamie deRoy, Michael Estwanick, Barry Levitt, Judy Barnett, Scott Barbarino, Ricky Ritzel,and Lennie Watts. Its current president is Amy Wolk, appointed in 2020.
MAC’s mission is to advance the art and business of live entertainment. A trade association, its activities are designed to heighten public awareness of the field’s contributions and vitality, to honor its creativity, to build its current and future audiences, and to speak out as an influential voice on behalf of MAC members and the industry at large.
To help educate members to the business and behind-the-scenes aspects of live entertainment, MAC presents seminars and panel discussions on a variety of subjects. Recent topics have included: producing and marketing CDs, publicity, and using the internet as a marketing tool.
MAC serves as an advocate for its membership. At various times over its history, MAC has been an active participant in dialogues designed to change or overturn legislation adversely affecting New York’s community of performers and clubs. The MAC honorary board has included such greats as Joan Rivers, Kaye Ballard, Phyllis Diller, Jerry Herman, Liza Minnelli, Rex Reed, and Julie Wilson.
Since 1986, the MAC Awards have been presented by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs at an annual ceremony usually held in spring. Originally, MAC Awards were simply given by the Board of Directors to whoever they felt had made a contribution to live entertainment, whether a business person, local performer, dedicated critic, or cabaret luminary. Currently the annual Awards Show shines the spotlight on up and coming, locally established, and nationally recognized cabaret, comedy, and jazz performers, as well as behind- the-scenes professionals. Awards are voted by the MAC membership.
MAC in the newspapers over the years:
Spotlighting the Stars of New York Cabaret – New York Times, 1988
Where Stardust Dreams Are, Always, New York Times, 1993
New Golden Age of Cabaret, New York Times, 1985
A MAC-nificent Way To Honor Nightlife, New York Daily News, 1996
MAC Supporters
Angel Level
Ellen Auwarter
Linda and Peter Hanson
Jill Senter
Patron Level
Cynthia Crane
Kim Grogg
Bennett Silverstein
Benefactor Level
Cabaret Scenes Magazine
Bernee Kapili
Jim Speake
Michael Pizzi
Martha Ann Talman
Sponsor Level
Fred Barton
Elena Bennett
Claudine Cassan Jellison
Mario Davila
Jim Dolan
Sandi Durell
Sherry Eaker
Helen Flaster
Alexandra Frederick
Cathy Glickman
Carol S Greenwald
Dr. Bradley Jones
David LaMarr
Ralph Lampkin Jr
Quinn Lemley
Irina Maleeva
Scott F. Mason
Stephen Morfesis
Sidney Myer
Robert O’Hare
Georga Osborne
LORCAN OTWAY
Anna Palermo
Jane Seaman
Christy Trapp
John Williams
Jeffrey Harnar
Justin Dylan Nastro
Tim Cahill
Jamie deRoy
Martha Bartz
Jo Brisbane
Eden Casteel
Sally Darling
Lauren Frazza
Marge Helenchild
Renee Katz
Susan Mack
Craig Pomranz
Wendy Scherl
Niki Sorrentino
Julie Stainer
Elvira Tortora
Jeffrey Vause
Conor Weiss
Meri Ziev
John Alec Briggs
Bob Diamond
Marty Geiger
Barb Jungr
Daryl Kojak
Kay Love
Frank McDonough
Lynda Rodolitz
Carol Shedlin
Andrea Wolff
Russ Woolley