Boulevard East: Just in Time for Christmas

Boulevard East, the vocal trio formerly known as Eastern Standard Time, and twice-nominated by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) as Outstanding Vocal Group under their former name, bring their special show on celebrating the season to Dillon’s, Thursday, December 18. Titled Just in Time for Christmas, the show begins at 8:00 pm; dinner seating begins at 6:30 pm.

The song list for Just in Time for Christmas includes wonderful holiday classics presented in the trio’s inimitable style, as well as more contemporary holiday music by D. Jay Bradley and DC Anderson. Also included are the familiar standards, which first brought the trio together, as well as a few selections from “Act II,” Boulevard East’s newest show, which features original music and arrangements by Michael Holland.

Originally formed by Christopher Howatt and Dana Merritt as Eastern Standard Time, Boulevard East harkens back to a time when melodies were humable and lyrics were memorable, composed by such artists as the Gershwins, Hoagy Carmichael and Richard Rodgers, as well as celebrating outstanding contemporary songwriters from both the theatre and cabaret stages. Mr. Howatt serves as musical director, pianist and singer in the group. Joined by Ms. Merritt and soprano Beth Covell, they form the trio that performs those wonderful songs in “fabulous three-part harmony.” Since their successful debut at The Triad in January 1997, the trio has performed at various prestigious venues and affairs throughout the metropolitan area, including Don’t Tell Mama, Judy’s Chelsea, The Garrick Gaieties, Manhattan School of Music, the Dutch Treat Club, Tavern-on-the-Green and Odette’s. As Eastern Standard Time, the trio was selected to appear at the Mabel Mercer Foundation’s Tenth Anniversary Cabaret Convention at Town Hall, sharing the stage with such cabaret luminaries as Cybill Shepherd and Michael Feinstein, The trio has also been twice nominated in the Outstanding Vocal Group category for the MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award.