Impressario taking stage at Mainstay April 5

On Friday, April 5, The Mainstay once again presents piano accompanist and impresario Joe Holt in another of his popular and widely diverse “First Friday”” programs. The theme of the evening is a timely tribute to the beloved tunes of composer Burt Bacharach and vocalist Dionne Warwick.

Bacharach passed away just over a year ago. His immensely popular works, such as “Walk on By”, “Anyone Who Had a Heart”, “Alfie”, and “Don’t Make Me Over”, made Warwick a superstar. Holt’s tribute program spotlights the passionate vocals of vocalist Paula Johns. And to flesh out the music even more, Holt has invited dancer Lea McGowan to interpret the tunes.

Paula Johns is an accomplished cabaret singer and jazz vocalist from Philadelphia who brings her own distinctive panache to the wide reach of song she sings... from Ella to Cole Porter, Diana Ross to the wonderful opus of Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick. Paula’s performances are known to ignite the emotions of her audiences and allow them to feel the stories that each song tells.

McGowan is an interpretive dancer based out of New York City, whose resume includes the Houston Ballet, LINES Ballet and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. To keep things from ever getting boring she’s also a comedian and a circus performer. Holt’s invitation to feature an interpretive dancer on the Mainstay stage again broadens the expectations people have of what the Mainstay can delight its audiences with.

Showtime for the concert is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance of the show and can be purchased online at mainstayrockhall.org. Phone reservations are accepted by calling 410-639-9133. Tickets reserved by phone are $25 when paid at the door. The Mainstay is located at 5753 N. Main Street in Rock Hall.