Dark Night Cabaret

Ongoing: Last Monday of every month, 8 p.m.

Henry Heymann… Dark Night Cabaret

Ongoing: Last Monday of every month, 8 p.m.

Henry Heymann Theater

$4 with student ID

In the center of the Henry Heymann Theater floor is a single light – a lamp on a tall post to illuminate the theater. This lamp is symbolic of the one night that the Heymann is typically closed – Monday – which would signify the dark night theme; however, the dark night is brought to light by art, creation and dedication.

Since November, Dark Night Cabaret has been hosted at the Henry Heymann Theater as an ongoing monthly performance series to provide a forum for local artists. Whitehead, a husky, bald man, dressed in black and equipped with thick rimmed glasses is understated when he is thanked for the work he does. He starts the monthly lineup months in advance and brings venues (some that would go unnoticed) to the center stage. He and the other producers promise to stay devoted to the art scene in Pittsburgh.

If you’ve missed the last five months at the Dark Night Cabaret, it is truly a shame. You have missed a group of talented Pittsburgh based artists that bring their acoustic souls and creative spirits to the stage. Last month, singer and songwriter Madge shared her beautifully intricate harmonic music. A multitalented group of four sensual young rockers who call themselves Salena Catalina took the stage after The Working Poor, penniless but still inspired to create.

Part of Pittsburgh’s charm is the art scene that grows bolder every day. That is the beauty of the Dark Night Cabaret: Producers Dave Mansueto, TK Mundok and Mark Whitehead want music, passion and soulful art to come alive in front of audiences or even other artists. Yet, too often, the message is overlooked.

The atmosphere is fun, light, deep and moving. The performances are diverse: A reading by a local author might come before a performance by local indie rock group. The variety, the surprise and the curiosity to guess what could possibly be next are part of this show’s concept. Live entertainment is never intended to be predictable and even so, the theory of live music should be transporting if done well.

Tonight’s show features puppets by Tom Sarver and other artists to be announced.

Yet, the seats are only half full and it’s sad to see people miss out on all this talent. Where are you, people?

Visit the Dark Night Cabaret online at www.emayhem.com/darknightcabaret.