The New SIENNA at CABO Restaurant Hosts Grand Opening Party Italian/American Grill, with a Manhattan Feel, Now Open in the Heart of White Plains

Guess where I'm going to be Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30? At Sienna, a new, premiere upscale restaurant with fabulous food, Manhattan ambiance, and three sophisticated bars which has finally opened in White Plains. Sienna, located at Cabo (nightclub) at 107 Mamaroneck Ave, is the most talked-about, highly anticipated restaurant in the area.
 Serving creative Italian/American fare, Sienna is hosting its grand opening party on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 from 6:30pm to 8 pm (it's open to the public but space is limited so call right away -  RSVPs are a must).
 Serving dinner six days a week (closed Sundays) from 5pm and lunch beginning in April, Sienna’s culinary concept is to apply inventive Italian and American cooking techniques to traditional dishes, using only the highest quality ingredients. The kitchen is headed by executive chef Rudy Straker, an accomplished chef whose hallmark is to keep the food sexy by using top ingredients and artistically preparing and presenting dishes in their purest form, so that each flavor is detected.
 The atmosphere and interior design of Sienna are upscale, spacious, comfortable and contemporary. Upon entering, you walk past a sleek, 36 foot mahogany bar, which leads you into an inviting vibrant spacious dining room with pleated, architectural ceilings and romantic lighting. There is a dramatic back bar and lounge off the dining room as well as a glass enclosed private party room. Upstairs you’ll find Sienna’s chic, private “VIP” lounge with its own entrance, bar and fireplace. And after dinner (on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays), Cabo’s DJ transforms the space into this area’s most exclusive, upscale nightspot.
 Sienna can host all types of parties, from small intimate gatherings to large banquets or corporate events. Tuesday is American Idol night at Sienna (7:30 - 10:30pm) now through May 20. Open to all, there are big cash prizes. Come see some of NY's finest talent compete. Wednesday night is Salsa night, complete with Salsa lessons. For more information on Sienna @ Cabo, how to make reservations, upcoming event nights or to RSVP to the March 8th grand opening event, call 914-358-9060.

Elli Fordyce And All That Jazz

I “met” Elli Fordyce on Twitter, which is where I seem to meet all my friends these days (maybe I should get out more!). It was right around the time that her new CD “Songs Spun of Gold” was released and I was very impressed with how she was marketing herself, getting the word out, and getting others to talk about her. She has built a network of extremely passionate and dedicated fans who are helping her in the way all Web 2.0 musicians hope for. Perhaps it’s because this is the second time around for Elli, and at 72 she’s definitely learned a thing or two.
Originally from Manhattan, Elli is a highly accomplished vocalist and actor. Prior to returning to New York 30 years ago, Elli took time away from her musical journey. First it was to devote herself to family. But the next came unpredictably, after a devastating accident on a snowy highway en route to a gig, when her car carrying her quartet and equipment crashed into a disabled truck. A successful year-long tour of “Elli Fordyce And Her Favorite Things” ended abruptly, leaving scars of several kinds. Soon after, Elli stopped singing for 15 years (”Not even Happy Birthday, not even in the shower”) to focus on much needed physical and spiritual healing.
But music was not over for Elli. A ginger-colored Yorkie pup named Dindi (pronounced Gingy, which means “little jewel” in Portuguese as well, as being Elli’s favorite Jobim bossa nova) got her back to singing. Elli discovered that Dindi loved hearing “Dindi” and inspiration was soon renewed. She began studying with Barry Harris, renowned jazz pianist and educator, to whom she gives much of the credit for putting her squarely back on the path she was meant for, and her comeback began.
She has now released two CDs, “Something STILL Cool” and the new “Songs Spun Of Gold”. You can find more information about Elli at her website.
OWM: How’d you get started in the music biz?
EF: At 18, a friend dragged me to sit in with a local jazz trio. The leader liked what he heard and decided to add me to a cabaret show being put on by the summer theatre’s cast and crew (for which he was being forced by his boss to play). He took me under his wing and coached me a little for the show, then called me up to sing 6 nights a week the rest of the summer.
OWM: What 3 things have helped you the most in becoming a working musician?
EF: In the ’70s when there were many lounges and restaurants all over the US and beyond using traveling groups, I heard a mediocre band with a mediocre vocalist singing mediocre versions of top-40 songs and realized I didn’t have to wait to become as good as I thought I should be in order to go after working as a professional vocalist.
In those days there was enough opportunity that I was able to get many bookings with traveling pop cover-groups, where I continually learned my craft and grew professional skills from performing.
Now, in a tough time in the live-jazz business, I find and use opportunities to expand and hone those skills as a solo jazz artist and in some ways feel I’m just beginning.
OWM: What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
EF: Take the step right in front of you, even if you can’t see how you can achieve your dreams. As Jack Canfield said, we only need to see 200 feet in front of us and stay on the road during a long nighttime drive in order to arrive at our destination. If we keep moving in a forward direction, we’ll find support in achieving what we’re after, even when we can’t see exactly how that will play out.

This post was shared by One Working Musician' blog . Check out Jason's other interviews.