A splendid array of local and visiting talent gave their all at the annual benefit for the Pines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)—the animal rescue and placement organization, headed by Lee Frey (Pines) and Valerie Perez (Grove)—at the Ice Palace on June 1. Sal Piro coordinated the show and DJ Chuck McTague was responsible for music, lights, and sound.
In the pre-show, Lavinia Draper and Kenny Holcomb, accompanied by canine friend Oscar, aptly opened with “(You ain’t nothing but a) Hound Dog,” and Oscar met Scarlett and other puppies present while Lavinia sang “All of Me.” Kenny began “Till there Was You” dulcetly, but gave it a big finish. Lavinia and Kenny’s next duet was “The Lady Is a Tramp,” to put people in mind of Walt Disney’s doggy movie “Lady and the Tramp;” Lavinia sang “I just want to make love to you;” and plugging Lavinia’s Wednesday night shows and Monday night’s Broadway at the Beach, when Kenny sings, they ended their set with “Last Dance.”
Following this prologue, Bella served as Mistress of Ceremonies for Act One and “Il bacio, i baci” (kiss, kisses) was how her love song started. A colorful Logan Hardcore danced vigorously to “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and “Ring My Bell.” Bella brought Lorraine H. Michels to the stage, showing off her new book “Celebrating the Heart of Cherry Grove: the Community House,” available by donation to the Cherry Grove Community Association’s Save Our Community House campaign, and introduced new Grove Homecoming Queen Shirley Shapiro. This writer and baritone belted out “I Am What I Am.” Linda Dickerman addressed Paul Anka’s “Having My Baby” to Barbara Hirsch, who responded with “I Could Have Danced All Night” before ‘giving birth’ to said baby, whose eyes lit up. Rose Levine, in Ethel Merman mode, regaled us with “They say that falling in love is wonderful.” Mario Scarpa contributed a swinging “Luck Be a Lady.” Demi-Tasse, elegant in black as Norma Jean, and Madison Mansfield, no less elegant in white as Marilyn Monroe, offered “Let Me Be Your Star,” from television’s “Smash.” Tommy Femia was Judy Garland reborn, singing “I’ll plant my own tree,” “Rockabye Your Baby,” and “Chicago (that toddling town)” to close the act.
Panzi, Mistress of Ceremonies for Act Two, introduced Ken Woodhouse, who brought down the house singing “That’s Life.” The M & Ms did back-to-back numbers, with a very affirmative Whore D’Oeuvre (Michael), runner-up in the Homecoming Queen contest, declaring “It’s My Time,” in the new Martha Wash song, and Matthew sweetly singing “My Funny Valentine.” Donna Piranha got hot announcing “The bitch is back!” Porsche, in a dress made from the old fringed purple Ice Palace stage curtain, sang “Those Were the Days” in memory of Jean Stapleton; a Lily Allen song (“You never make me scream”); and because it was a benefit, “Big Spender,” as Shirley Bassey.
Cherry’s staff, represented by Tim “Sabel Scities” Byars, won the 50-50 raffle, which amounted to more than $800. A dessert buffet concluded the evening.