committee
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Elizabeth Ahlfors was born, raised and educated in New York (NYU). Her first love was always music, cabaret, and theater – in the audience, not performing. She writes for Cabaret Scenes, CityCabaret.com, Bistroawards.com and Curtain Up's Cabaret Nights . She was previously Philadelphia correspondent for Theatre.Com and InTheatre Magazine and reviewed for Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia City News and Spotlight Magazine. Sherry Eaker
Sherry Eaker, Editor of Back Stage from 1977 to 2006, Sherry Eaker is currently the weekly performing arts trade paper’s Editor at Large. She has compiled and edited four editions of the Back Stage Handbook for Performing Artists, and compiled and edited the Cabaret Artists Handbook, both published by Back Stage Books. Sherry serves on the executive committee of the American Theatre Critics Association, she is a trustee on the board of the National Theatre Conference, and special advisor to a number of organizations including the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs, the NY Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts & Media, Theatre Resources Unlimited, and the Institute of Outdoor Drama, and has just completed a six-year term on the board of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. She is also a member of the Drama Desk, the League of Professional Theatre Women, and NY Women in Film & TV. Sherry produces the annual Back Stage Bistro Awards show, now in its 25th year, and produces and moderates industry panel discussions.David Finkle
David Finkle, who won cabaret awards when he was part of the satirical trio Weeden, Finkle and Fay, is a freelance reviewer living in Manhattan.
Rob Lester
ROB LESTER is honored to be part of honoring outstanding talent in New York as a member of the Bistro Awards selection committee. He writes reviews and articles for Cabaret Scenes Magazine and the websites NiteLifeExchange.com, TalkinBroadway.com and others. Also a judge for the Nightlife Awards and on the eligibility, CD and song-nominating committees for the MAC Awards, and guest judge for the Metropolitan Room's MetroStar Talent Challenge, he spends many nights in the cabarets of his home town, New York City. He has written liner notes for several recordings, including those by recent Bistro winners Marilyn Maye and Susan Winter.Erv Raible
NYC based director, coach, publicist and consultant. Executive Director / Artistic Director of the International Cabaret Conference at Yale University, and Executive Director of Erv Raible Cabaret & Concert Artists International. Owned and booked the cabarets and piano bars: The Duplex (1978-84), Brandy’s (1980-85), Don’t Tell Mama (1982-89) and the legendary Eighty Eight’s (1988-99); and through these venues presented over 4000 performers to the public. Co-founded The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & clubs (president for 11 years, produced the first 9 MAC Award shows). Has written book and lyrics for Wallis & Edward: The Love Story of the Twentieth Century? and is co-lyricist for Ship of Fools: The Musical. Is directing and developing Hildegard of Bingen and the Living Light. Is developing a music documentary Silent Voices: Words and Music of the Holocaust, Hate, Hope and the Human Spirit for the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Roy Sander
