LA TI DO will present its second annual Joel Markowitz Award at LUCKY: A 7th Anniversary on January 28, 2019.
Washington, DC’s premiere cabaret series will award DC business owner Russwin Francisco the annual Joel Markowitz Audience Award, offer sneak-peak performances from LA TI DO’s 2019 cabaret performers and conclude with a dance party hosted by DJ JDVBBS. The event will be held at Bistro Bistro in Washington, DC.
Seated (L to R): Chris Urquiaga (Oct), Sarah Anne Sillers (Sept), Erin Granfield (Mar), Don Michael Mendoza (Co-Founder), Jarreau Williams (Feb), Paige Rammelkamp (Nov). Photo by Sasha Sinclair of Studio 3440.
Each year, LA TI DO presents the Joel Markowitz Award to someone from the community who has demonstrated deep support for LA TI DO through attendance, performance, administrative/financial support, or a combination of those.
The theme of the evening is “lucky” as LA TI DO thanks alumni, partners, fans, and friends for their support.
LA TI DO co-founder Don Michael Mendoza said of the event, “LA TI DO will ring in its seventh season serving the Washington, DC artistic community and I hope you can join us as it is set to be a memorable evening. This event is our chance – my chance – to thank you in person for your support.”
LA TI DO has recently expanded the cabaret series to New York City and Los Angeles, produced in the Capital Fringe Festival, debuted at Feinstein’s/54 Below, worked with theatre companies such as Arena Stage and Shakespeare Theatre Company, and is now preparing a new musical – Musical Therapy – for an Off-Broadway premiere.”
About Russwin Francisco:
Russwin Francisco is a DC-based actor and business owner. His theater credits include Simba in The Lion King, Bernardo in West Side Story, Harry Barker in Meet Me in St. Louis, Marryin’ Sam in Li’L Abner, and Marley’s Ghost in A Christmas Carol. He performed in a live radio broadcast dramatic series on DZRH, a well-known station in the Philippines.
He owns and operates Bite the Fruit, a popular boutique store located in Washington, DC. He co-owned Black Fox Lounge, a jazz venue which frequently received excellent industry reviews during its five-year run. He sings with a jazz band at various venues in the DC area. Francisco will make his debut as a film actor and producer with the 2020 release of Nanay Ko, a Filipino-American musical feature.
About LA TI DO:
Curated and hosted by Don Michael Mendoza and Regie Cabico, LA TI DO made its debut to a full house in Washington, DC on January 23, 2012, at The Black Fox Lounge in Dupont Circle. Since then, LA TI DO became DC’s premiere musical theatre cabaret and spoken word series to serve the artistic community on a monthly basis.
On June 9, 2013, the show then opened a touring chapter in New York City, made a special appearance at Feinstein’s/54 Below in 2015, and continues to present cabarets on a bi-monthly basis at The Duplex Cabaret and Piano Bar. In 2017, LA TI DO became LA TI DO Productions. On March 12, 2018, LA TI DO made its west coast premiere at The Three Clubs in Los Angeles, California.
Past musical performers range from Broadway veterans, Helen Hayes Award honorees to internationally recognized spoken word artists. Some notable alumni include Lauren Molina, Apollo Link, Jose Llana, Nova Y. Payton, Nicholas Rodriguez, Dorea Schmidt, Emily Zickler, Sonya Renee Taylor, Adele Hampton, Vijai Nathan, Sophia Walker, along with the national touring casts of The Sound of Music, The King and I, and Miss Saigon.
LUCKY: A 7th Anniversary featuring Russwin Francisco, the 2019 LA TI DO featured artists and DJ JDVBBS will take place on Monday, January 28th, 2019 from 7 pm to 12 am at Bistro Bistro Restaurant – 1727 Connecticut Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. For tickets, go online.
