From Broadway World:

The Algonquin Hotel’s Oak Room will celebrate its 25th Anniversary by sponsoring a Young Artist Competition, with the winner awarded a contract for a two-week engagement in its legendary cabaret venue in early 2006.

The competition will be limited to vocal artists under the age of 30 with a background in musical theater, cabaret or jazz, whose work embraces the Great American Songbook, including (but not limited to) the works of Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. Sing, you sinners!

Speaking of round tones at the Round Table, here's Richard Eilers's witty account in the Observer of flying from London to get spiffed up for the annual Dorothy Parker gala known as Parkerfest. He writes of the festive Bathtub Gin Ball and Speakeasy Cruise:

Our vessel, the Diplomat, was filling up fast at the quay, people chattering excitedly. But my partner Carolyn and I stood nervously apart. I was still frightened by the whole 'fan' thing. I collected her first editions, had flown across the Atlantic just to be at the party and, well, tried to buy her dress, but I was not obsessive, obviously. How would I deal with the uber-fan, who knew more about her underwear habits than was strictly healthy? You had to approach these people warily.

This year's Parkerfest—run by the devoted and admirably well-informed Kevin Fitzpatrick of the Dorothy Parker Society of New York—runs from September 30 till October 2. Here's more info. I'm planning to be there. I even know how to Balboa.