by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

As indicated last week this writer, accompanied by Nancy Barr, went to the Bootlegger Bistro Sunday evening to see just what all the fuss is about with a new concept in entertainment. Well, not exactly new but bringing back an old concept - Supper Club Entertainment!

This particular Sunday evening a good friend, and one heck of an entertainer, was performing. Carmine Mandia, who also entertains every Friday and Saturday evenings at Pierro's on Convention Center Drive and is also a member of the "Shades of Sinatra" show, was doing his "Tribute to Bobby Darin." And, what a tribute it was too! Mr. Darin, who wrote and published more than 300 songs during his brief life (he died on Dec. 20, 1973 at age 37), would probably kiss Mandia on both cheeks for the way he presents his (Darin's) music. It was that darn good!

Mandia does not try to imitate or do an impression of Mr. Darin. No, but just like they do in the "Shades of Sinatra" show, he simply presents and sings the music of the man. Just a few of the songs (among about 22 to 25) performed this particular evening were: "As Long as I'm Singing," "Dream Lover," "Up a Lazy River," "Beyond the Sea (my favorite)," "Under My Skin" and "After You've Gone."

Ned Mills, one of the fine pianists in our town and a wonderful arranger, jumped in with "Bill Bailey," "Splish, Splash" and joined Mandia in a medley comprised of "If I Were a Carpenter" and other hits. The pair then teamed up on a fabulous "San Francisco," as the nearly 90-minute show was coming to an end. Of course the final song was the one most beloved by Darin's fans world-wide, "Mack The Knife." This new/old concept is presented every Sunday evening beginning at 8:30 by Kelly Clinton, with a variety of entertainers lining up to perform.

All this writer has to say is: "Please do yourself a favor if you like great music, sung the way it was meant to be and so you can understand it, stop by and catch Carmine Mandia wherever he may be performing." You will not be disappointed, I promise. This guy is for real, folks!

Attended the public meeting for The CAST, Inc., at Josette's Bistro last Saturday afternoon. It was a very interesting meeting, to say the least. I am not going to bore you with the odd things that occurred during the meeting, which incidentally, was never officially called into order. President Tony Sacca, who recently gave up his title of Treasurer to his friend, Ed Swindle, welcomed everyone to the first membership meeting of the year. He pointed out they needed to elect three new board members for a total of nine, and members only would be asked to nominate their choices later in the meeting (it never happened). Sacca also told the audience they were now up to 40 memberships, after falling to a low of 13 a few months ago. In the same breath he proclaimed that the organization is quite solvent, having a little more than $11,000 in the bank from a low of $10,000 a few months ago. New membership dues have been reduced to $100.00. Does that mean The CAST, Inc., raised $2,700 in new money?

The one thing that I am disturbed about is financial. Mr. Sacca and the present board comprised of Sacca, Swindle, Denny Jones, Steve Lippia (the only original board member of CAST), Gary Anderson and Tony Ruivivar voted to write new by-laws and re-name the organization, and to apply for a 501C (for non-profit), thereby in simple terms - dissolving the original club. He presented three names, approved by the board (the domain names had already been purchased), and they were, The CAST, Inc. (the present name), The Show Business Society or The Show Biz Society. A hand vote was taken (after some discussion about the word society) and Mr. Sacca then told the members "we will take your vote under consideration as to changing the name."

Now my concern: If there was $10,000 in the bank before the new memberships were accepted, (at the time Freddie Bell - an original member - turned over the books to another treasurer there was $14,000 in the coffers according to Bell), and after the original board had voted to disband, then the new organization should take the $1,000 that is in the bank (subtracting the original funds from what he reported was in the bank) and use that money for the new club. The $10,000, of which there are two or three paid ($1,000) lifetime (LT) memberships, should be used to refund those LT members, with the remaining funds (about $7,000) donated to the Society of Singers. If the LT members want to remain with the new organization then they can declare so in writing and that money will then be given to the new one. That is the only justifiable way to accomplish what the new board wants to do - get rid of the old and bring in the new.

If you readers out there (and former CAST members regardless of your present status) wish to have the above accomplished, please send me an e-mail declaring your wish. These will be forwarded to the new board and its president.

Well, gang, that's about it for this week. I'll report next week on the "Shades of Sinatra" show at the Suncoast, which we attended earlier this week, but too late for a review.

I'm outa here!

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