By Karen Kennedy
This time of year, we all struggle to come up with a mushy and endearing sentiment to add to the Valentine’s prose on the card Hallmark has already written for us. Often, we end up adding something devastatingly clever, like, “Love, me.”
Don’t you wish you could come up with something like this?
I’ve got a crush on you, sweetie pie
All the day and nighttime, hear me sigh …
The world will pardon my mush
‘Cause I have got a crush, my baby, on you.
Nobody expresses love quite like George Gershwin and nothing could be more romantic than sitting and listening to a glorious evening of his music sung by the inimitable Michael Feinstein.
Feinstein’s “Gershwins and Me” will be presented at the Palladium on Feb. 16. It will be an evening of songs and stories presented the way only Feinstein can.
When he was 20, Feinstein was hired by George Gershwin’s brother, Ira, as an archivist. He wrote a book about those years entitled, “The Gershwins and Me; a Personal History in Twelve Songs.”
Feinstein will sing songs from the Gershwin songbook interspersed with tales from the book. He also will share the stage with the winner of 2013’s Great American Songbook Competition, Julia Goodwin, who recently performed with him at the legendary New York jazz club Birdland.
“I have read Michael’s book and cannot wait to hear these stories in person,” said John Hughey, director of external relations for the Center for the Performing Arts. “It’s going to be a beautiful tribute to the Gershwins. We all adore Michael for his musical talents, but he’s an amazing writer and storyteller, too. No one other than Michael could share these stories. He lives and breathes American music and makes us proud of our history as he brings these songs to life.”
Forget the chocolates. Take your Valentine to an evening he or she will remember forever.
Feinstein’s “The Gershwins and Me” ● 7 p.m. Feb. 16 ● The Palladium in Carmel ● Tickets start at $15. ● For more information call 843-3800 or visit www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org.
