CABARET SCENE

Don Heckman’s much-warranted article on cabaret’s renaissance (“Rosie’s Got Her Groove Back,” March 2) did not include information on two Los Angeles-based organizations that are aiding in the art form’s renewed popularity.

Cabaret West, which I founded, is an organization of over 200 cabaret performers, presenters and patrons. It produces several concerts each year in addition to sponsoring workshops and meetings on the art and business of cabaret.

Los Angeles is also host to the only free community outreach series devoted to educating the public in the art of cabaret. The Cameron Silver Foundation and the Beverly Hills Public Library produce Monday Night Cabaret by the Books in the library’s auditorium; on May 5, three of California’s top female songwriters of theater music will perform.

The true heroes of cabaret are the local artists who don’t receive acknowledgment. These are the singers with abundant talent who are cherished by their fans yet are not recognized by the mass media or public. It is these performers who are keeping the American Songbook alive.

CAMERON SILVER

Beverly Hills

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Calendar finally acknowledges the existence of cabaret in its own backyard.

Cabaret Scenes, a nationally distributed magazine for which I am a contributing writer, has been covering L.A. for over a year. A couple of notable omissions from the article are the organization Cabaret West, which produced the SRO Cabaret Cavalcade at the Jazz Bakery and has done much to stimulate cabaret activity here, and Tom Rolla, owner of the Gardenia, who has given many first-time cabaret performers a place to be heard.

Through the efforts of Rolla and J.D. Kessler, lovers of the Great American Songbook can drop into either the Gardenia or the Cinegrill any night of the week for the intimate pleasure that is cabaret.

LES TRAUB

Beverly Hills

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I was delighted to read the article about Rosemary Clooney. My 12-year-old daughter Adrienne had an opportunity to sing (with her school choir) with Ms. Clooney in a Christmas program at the Orange County Performing Arts Center a few years ago.

Ms. Clooney was so nice to the children and complimented Adrienne on her singing ability in front of the audience. Adrienne was so proud!

Adrienne has continued singing, and we feel that her success and love of singing are due in part to this positive experience. Ms. Clooney took the time and made the effort. Her words encouraged and inspired our daughter, and for that, we are grateful.

ROBYN PANIAGUA

Costa Mesa

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Rosemary Clooney has her facts twisted concerning the death of singer Russ Columbo.

He did not kill himself accidentally, nor did his shooting occur anywhere near Ms. Clooney’s Beverly Hills home. It happened at the tiny East Hollywood cottage of famed photographer Lansing Brown. Brown, a pipe smoker, struck a match on an antique pistol that was used as a paperweight. That set off an ancient charge left in the weapon. It ricocheted off Brown’s large wooden desk and hit Columbo in the corner of his left eye, passing on to the brain.

Brown was so devastated by the accident and the inquiry that he gave up his lucrative career and spent the rest of his days as a travel agent.

Columbo may have rented the Clooney house and his spirit may have “come on-a” her house, but his tragic demise was definitely elsewhere.

N.N. WILLIAMS II

Beverly Hills