Dear Friends –

I hope this finds you well & enjoying all of the wonderful tidings this season brings. Hopefully you all have our CDs & Cookies in hand – we mailed the last out this week. I hope you enjoy the finished product you helped to create.

We’re getting terrific response & great reviews for the CD. Here’s a sample:

"Operatically trained soprano Suzanne Carrico has been making waves in cabaret since her impressive debut in 2007 for her well-received show, The Art of the Cahn, Music from the Sammy Cahn Songbook. The Tribute show won her a MAC Award in 2008. On her debut CD, What Christmas Time Means to Me, she lends her sweet mezzo to an album rich with traditional favorites and engaging surprises. Here, she teams with the highly respected Don Rebic Trio, giving this Christmas album a decidedly contemporary jazz flavor that is refreshing. There's a reason it pays to surround yourself with the best. Too, Carrico's pitch-perfect vocals are showcased on these holiday chestnuts that fuse the lighthearted with the poignant. All cuts are alive with Rebic's distinct, driving arrangements which often just soar. Rebic, who has a history which includes working with names as diverse as Peggy Lee, Ricky Martin and opera's Jose Carreras, is one of the best in the business: a challenge that might intimidate a lesser artist. Carrico proves she is up to the musical face-off. This is especially so on some fun cuts, like "Silver Bells" and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" (to which comic Booth Daniels adds his cool voice and warm touch) and the whimsical "The Man with the Bag" (Stanley/Taylor/Brooks), as well as the celestial "Some Children See Him" (Hutson/Burt), performed with magical guitarist Sean Harkness, which is probably the album's best cut. Mixing the more familiar with clever novelty tunes makes his album a stand-out. Other highlights include "Because It's Christmas" (Sussman/Feldman/Manilow) and a beautifully arrange medley of "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?" All this is a tinsel on a serious tree. The heart and soul of the album consists of the pairing of a solid rising singer, with a definitive musical director and an exceptional musical group, also including Dan Gross (percussion) and Jason DiMatteo (bass)." - John Hoglund, Cabaret Scenes Magazine

You can find more reviews of the CD on Theatermania, Nitelifeexchange & Cabarethotline. The CD makes a terrific gift & is available on amazon, i-tunes, cdbaby & in stores.

Last week we opened in NYC & played our first gig in Boston – we’re having a blast! We have 5 more shows in NYC, including tonight & 1 show in Chicago. If you are around we hope that you will stop by & see us. We’d love to thank you in person for making this happen. Please spread the word to your friends & family, co-workers & random folk on the street… word of mouth is the best advertising!

New York City's Metropolitan Room:
34 W 22nd Street (Between 5th & 6th Ave) Call 212.206.440 for Reservations

Thursday, December 9th 9:30 PM
With Tedd Firth on Piano & Jason DiMatteo on Bass
$25 Cover + 2 Drink Minimum

Sunday, December 12th 1:00 PM
SPECIAL SHOW FOR KIDS WITH CHRISTMAS COOKIES!
With Pat Firth on the Piano
$10 Cover for Kids + 1 Dink Minimum (Hot Chocolate, Juice, Waters or Soda)
$20 Cover for Adults + 2 Drink Minimum

Thursday, December 16th 7:00 PM
With Don Rebic on Piano & Jason DiMatteo on Bass
$25 Cover + 2 Drink Minimum

Saturday, December 18th 1:00 PM
SPECIAL SHOW FOR KIDS WITH CHRISTMAS COOKIES!
With Pat Firth on the Piano
$10 Cover for Kids + 1 Dink Minimum (Hot Chocolate, Juice, Waters or Soda)
$20 Cover for Adults + 2 Drink Minimum

Thursday, December 23rd 7:00 PM
FINAL SHOW OF THE SEASON!
With Don Rebic on Piano & Jason DiMatteo on Bass
$25 Cover + 2 Drink Minimum

Chicago's Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret
1383 Noth Milwaulkee Avenue Call 773.278.1830 for Reservations
Sunday, December 19th 7:00 PM
CHICAGO CABARET DEBUT! ONE NIGHT ONLY!
With Pat Firth on the Piano
Special guest Elizabeth Doyle!
$20 Cover + 2 Drink Minimum

Love,
Suzanne
XoXo

Hi!

It's been a busy month since we made our Kickstarter Goal with your help & we're only a couple of weeks away from going into production & pressing the CD. We've just gotten our distribution deal into place & are still working on adding a few more dates & cities to our December schedule. Once the CD has gone to press we'll be in touch with you about where to send your fabulous rewards, but in the meantime we thought you might want to see the album cover!

Love,
Suzanne
XoXo

I can’t tell you how much we’ve enjoyed the Kickstarter process – aside from securing the funding we needed; it’s been a fantastic marketing tool. We have essentially already sold over 100 CDs before we have finished the product! We’ve found new friends, old friends & folk we can’t wait to make friends with during the holidays when we’re out & about performing this music & promoting WHAT CHRISTMAS TIME MEANS TO ME. December is gonna be so much fun!

As we progress over the next few months, I’ll keep you in the loop about how we’re doing, where you can come & see us, etc. I’ll also be in touch to find out where to send your Fabulous Rewards – starting with our exclusive digital release!

With this project coming to an end starting next week people will be able to pre-order the CD & tickets to our winter shows via my website: www.suzannecarrico.com so keep spreading the word! We'll start releasing singles in mid November & you can find us on i-tunes & in stores starting right after Thanksgiving.

As promised - here’s the last cookie recipe… I have to admit I don’t make this frosting anymore… I use the icing pens from William Sonoma – they are so easy & they make the fine work very pretty. The secret ingredient here is the Orange Juice – it makes the cookies not too sweet, but just sweet enough!

CUT OUT COOKIES
• 2 ½ Cups Self Rising Flour
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 Cup Butter
• 1 Egg
• 2 Table Spoons Orange Juice
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Combine all ingredients.
Chill dough for 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Roll dough out on well floured surface to ¼” thickness.
Cut out with Cookie Cutters.
Bake 7 minutes.
Cool & Decorate

MOM’S FROSTING
• 4 Cups Powdered Sugar
• ½ Cup Butter
• 4 Tablespoons Milk
• 2 Table Spoons Vanilla
• Food Coloring of your choice

Words & recips don't seem enough to express how I feel about all of you – Thank you from the very bottom of my heart!

Love,
Suzanne
XoXo

P.S. The Cat thanks you too!

We did it! Thank you so much for your support – we’re just THRILLED. We have until tomorrow at 5 PM to keep raising funds, so keep talking about us! The more funds we raise the better we’ll be able to promote the CD with additional PR & travel.

As promised – here is my cookie recipe people ask for the most. Tomorrow I’ll send out the Cut Out Cookie Recipe with my last update.

HOLLY COOKIES (These make every tray look like Christmas & also make your mouth green)
• 30 Large Marshmallows
• ½ Cup of Butter
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon Green Food Coloring
• 4 ½ Cups Corn Flakes
• Cinnamon Candies
Melt marshmallows in butter over medium heat stirring constantly.
Add vanilla & food coloring.
Stir in cornflakes.
Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper & decorate with cinnamon candies.
Let cool.

Sean Harkness sent me more pictures of the recording sessions… enjoy!

Love,
Suzanne
XoXo