MAC Awards

The MAC Awards, established in 1986, are presented annually to honor achievements in cabaret, comedy and jazz. They are administered by the non-profit Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC), founded in 1983, and voted on by the MAC membership.^[1]

The Awards encompass more than two dozen categories, such as: vocalists and vocal groups, piano bar and jazz performers, comedy and musical performers, writers of songs and special material, directors, musical directors, recordings, and musical revues. In addition, through special awards, MAC salutes outstanding contributions to the field of live entertainment, including Lifetime Achievement Awards. Honorees of the MAC Awards have included Liza Minnelli,^[2] Barry Manilow,^[3] Rosemary Clooney,^[4] Stephen Schwartz,^[5] The Manhattan Transfer,^[6] Keely Smith,^[7] Betty Buckley,^[8] Maureen McGovern,^[9][10] Polly Bergen,^[11] and BenDeLaCreme.^[12]

The Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) itself was founded in 1983 as an organization "for cabaret owners, managers, and booking agents to meet and exchange ideas." Its membership was opened to performers in 1985. The Board of Directors began bestowing its MAC Awards in 1986 to those they deemed "had made a contribution to live entertainment, whether a business person, local performer, dedicated critic, or cabaret luminary." Currently, the Awards are voted on by the MAC membership and honor cabaret, comedy, and jazz performers, as well as behind- the-scenes professionals.^[1]

Curt Davis was the first president of MAC. After his death he was succeeded by Erv Raible, co-owner of several New York piano bars and cabarets. Other MAC presidents have included Jamie deRoy, Michael Estwanick, Barry Levitt, Judy Barnett, Scott Barbarino and Ricky Ritzel. The Association's current president is Lennie Watts, appointed in 2009.A 501C6 trade organization with a dues-paying membership, MAC differs from a 501C3-designated organization in that contributions to it are not tax deductible. According to the organization's website, "MAC’s mission is to advance the art and business of live entertainment ... its activities are designed to heighten public awareness of the field’s contributions and vitality, to honor its creativity, to build its current and future audiences, and to speak out as an influential voice on behalf of MAC members and the industry at large."^[1]

• Holden, Stephen (March 1, 1985). "A NEW GOLDEN AGE OF CABARET". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
• Holden, Stephen (March 4, 1988). "Spotlighting the Stars Of New York Cabaret". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
• Holden, Stephen (March 5, 1993). "Where Stardust Dreams Are, Always". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
• Wong, Wayman (April 3, 1996). "A MAC-NIFICENT WAY TO HONOR NIGHTLIFE". NYDailyNews.com. New York Daily News. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
• Gans, Andrew (May 4, 2004). "2004 MAC Awards to Feature Cantone, Flowers, Gold, Hoffman, Wallowitch and More". Playbill.com. Playbill. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
• Gans, Andrew (May 17, 2004). "2004 MAC Awards Presented May 17". Playbill.com. Playbill. Archived from the original on February 17, 2005. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
• Gans, Andrew (April 27, 2010). "MAC Awards to Feature Brian Stokes Mitchell, Leslie Uggams, Karen Mason and More". Playbill.com. Playbill. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved December 29, 2013.

• Official website: Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC)
• MAC Award nominees/winners: 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 19961997 1998 1999 2000 2001 20022003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20082009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017