Lynne Cadena & father: her source of inspiration
SOLD OUT! Call The Sammons Center for standby ticket status…..
“I want to bring a smile to your face, a tug at your heart, or maybe just a little peace to the end of your hectic day,” says Lynne Cadena, soulful songstress and pianist gracing The Sammons Center for the Arts Cabaret series this Thursday March 21. Cadena’s childhood hero inspires her every time she strokes a piano’s keys or charms an audience with her voice. Sometimes she serenades her personal hero, her father, in person, like on her parents’ 54th wedding anniversary in 2012 (see photo above). He’s always with her in spirit when she sits down to perform.
Lynne Cadena grew up in a small town just outside Pittsburg, PA, the first of a brood of creatives. Her father juggled job and family responsibilities adeptly. A dedicated professional musician, jazz band director and respected high school music teacher, he included his children in his band’s performances, inspiring them with love, devotion and disciplined study. The experience made a positive lifelong impression on his eldest child. “ Every one of us learned to play piano first as he felt it would give us thorough understanding of music before moving on to other instruments.” Lynne graduated to performing in a variety of bands when she finished high school and even spent a short period in the “shark tank” of Los Angeles. She says it wasn’t long before she came home and found her niche in the piano bar scene, singing and relating to people “like I was visiting with them in my living room”.
In 1962, Lynne and brother Scott entertained the family
In 1986 she moved to Dallas and began subbing at the Melrose Hotel. During the 1990’s she performed regularly for Sunday brunch audiences at the Doubletree Hotel off 75. She began to develop a dedicated following that enjoyed her inclusive, eclectic, intensely personal style while playing at a neighborhood piano bar in McKinney. Soon the popular Steve Fields Steak and Lobster Lounge discovered her and gave her free rein to entertain. She enjoys giving original interpretations to classics and standards from a wide range of time periods, which her loyal audience (including her father) appreciates. “I love the passion of torch songs, but I learned early on how much audiences enjoy up-tempo numbers, so I try to mix it up. It’s different every performance, as I read the audience’s mood. You may hear me go from Mustang Sally to Lady Gaga to Andrea Bocelli, if it feels right!”
What matters most to this vibrantly alive performer with the sparkling eyes and merry smile? “It’s when someone comes up after an evening of piano and song and tells me how much I made a difference in how they feel about their life challenges. Certain nights seem to just click with an audience…I’m laughing so hard tears are coming out of my eyes and everyone is having such a good time with the music…that’s what I live for.” Easy to see how a musician father could be very proud of his eldest daughter.
There are still some seats available at this Thursday night’s cabaret performance by Lynne Cadena. Reserve yours now to enjoy the unique warmth and charm of this soulful songstress and pianist. Christian Soto will accompany her on guitar.
The ticket price for each evening’s concert includes free parking, coffee, and beer, soft drinks, wine and light snacks. Seating is general admission. Regular ticket price is $40.00; Member price is $35.00. All performances are in Kurth Hall at the Sammons Center for the Arts, 3630 Harry Hines just off Oak Lawn. All performances are on Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; doors and the bar open at 7:30 p.m.
Reservations and information: 214/520-7789
The City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and TACA, INC, provides support for this series.
criticalrant.com Alexandra Bonifield 