Feinstein's at the Nikko Welcomes Pink Martini's Storm Large This Weekend

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are proud to welcome Storm Large of Pink Martini fame to Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only -- tonight, October 18 (7 p.m.) and Sunday, October 19 (7 p.m.).

Storm Large reunites with her loyal and fearless band, Le Bonheur, for a new record that captures their unique energy. The eponymous disc "Le Bonheur" -- to be released in the Fall of 2014 on Pink Martini's label, Heinz Records -- will be a collection of tortured and titillating love songs; beautiful, familiar, yet twisted...much like Storm herself. She hits the road with her stalwart band in support of this new release. You will be swept away by the voice, beauty and visceral talent of Storm Large, an artist who truly lives up to her name. "Because it has to be said Storm Large is an astounding presence on the stage. And that voice. She can smolder like a chanteuse and then she lets fly with one of the most powerful rock voices I have ever heard in my life and have you pinned to the back wall with its intensity." Short Back & Sides: Adelaide Reviews (AUS).

Tickets range in price from $35 - $50 and are on-sale now and available by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein's at the Nikko by Executive Chef Philippe Striffeler, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom.

Storm Large: musician, actor, playwright, author, awesome. She shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova, where despite having been eliminated in the week before the finale, Storm built a fan base that follows her around the world to this day.

Storm spent the 90s singing in clubs throughout San Francisco. Tired of the club scene, she moved to Portland to pursue a new career as a chef, but a last minute cancellation in 2002 at the Portland club "Dante's" turned into a standing Wednesday night engagement for Storm and her new band, The Balls. It wasn't long before Storm had a cult-like following in Portland, and a renewed singing career that was about to be launched onto the international stage.

Storm made her debut as guest vocalist with the band Pink Martini in April 2011, singing four sold-out concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She continues to perform with the band, touring nationally and internationally, and she was featured on their CD, Get Happy. Storm has also sung with Grammy winner k.d. lang, pianist Kirill Gerstein, punk rocker John Doe, singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer George Clinton.

She debuted with the Oregon Symphony in 2010, and has returned for sold out performances each year thereafter. Storm made her Carnegie Hall debut in May 2013, singing Weill's Seven Deadly Sins with the Detroit Symphony as part of the Spring for Music festival. The NY Times called her "sensational," and the classical music world instantly had a new star.

In 2007, she took a career departure and starred in Portland Center Stage's production of Cabaret with Wade McCollum. The show was a smash hit, earning Large glowing reviews. Her next endeavor, the autobiographical musical memoir, Crazy Enough, played to packed houses in 2009 during its unprecedented 21-week sold out run in Portland. Storm went on to perform a cabaret version of the show to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adelaide Festival in Australia, and Joe's Pub in New York. Her memoir, Crazy Enough, was released by Simon and Schuster in 2012, named Oprah's Book of the Week, and awarded the 2013 Oregon Book Award for Creative Nonfiction.

Storm is featured in Rid of Me, a film by Portlander James Westby, starring Katie O'Grady and Theresa Russell. In November and December of 2010, she starred at the Mark Taper Forum with Katey Sagal and Michael McKean in Jerry Zak's production of Harps and Angels, a musical featuring the work of Randy Newman.

In the 2013/14 season Storm and her band, Le Bonheur performed in many new cities around the country, including Las Vegas, Boston, Minneapolis in a evening called "Taken By Storm" In June 2014, she appeared at the Ojai Festival with the exciting new orchestra, The Knights and the vocal ensemble Hudson Shad. Later in the summer she debuts at the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago.

On October 7, Storm & Le Bonheur will be releasing a record designed to capture their sublime and subversive interpretations of the American Songbook. Entitled simply, "Le Bonheur" and ­released­ on­ Pink­ Martini's­, Heinz­ Records,­ the recording will be a collection of tortured and titillating love songs; beautiful, familiar, yet twisted...much like the lady herself. Storm and her band will hit the road in support of this new release. Storm also makes her debut with The New York Pops Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, The Cincinnati Symphony, The Houston Symphony and The RTE Concert Orchestra in Dublin amongst others. Storm is also busy creating a new musical with The Public Theater in New York City.

Le Bonheur consists of James Beaton (piano), Scott Weddle (guitar), Matt Brown (electric bass) and Greg Eklund (drums).

All seating at Feinstein's at the Nikko is cabaret style and available on a first-come, first-served basis within the section purchased. Guests who purchase the prix-fixe dinner at Restaurant Anzu will receive a complimentary section upgrade (subject to availability) and get to choose their exact seat locations within the upgraded section.

Guests of Feinstein's at the Nikko can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options before performances. Kanpai Lounge, located in Hotel Nikko's lobby, offers light cuisine, a full bar and specialty cocktails. Restaurant Anzu, Hotel Nikko's intimate restaurant located on the second floor, serves sustainable California cuisine enhanced with Asian flavors. Restaurant Anzu will also offer Feinstein's at the Nikko guests a special three-course prix-fixe dinner ($45 per person) prior to all performances. Reservations can be made by calling (415) 394-1100.

For additional information on Storm Large, visit www.stormlarge.com. For additional information on Feinstein's at the Nikko, visit: www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins. For Hotel Nikko San Francisco room specials, visit www.hotelnikkosf.com. Code: FEIN.

ABOUT MICHAEL FEINSTEIN - The two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated Michael Feinstein is considered one of the premier interpreters of American standards. His 200-plus shows a year have included performances at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and the Hollywood Bowl as well as the White House and Buckingham Palace. More than simply a performer, Feinstein has received national recognition for his commitment to celebrating America's popular songbook and preserving its legacy for the next generation.

ABOUT THE MICHAEL FEINSTEIN GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK INITIATIVE - Founded in 2007, The Michael Feinstein Great American Songbook Initiative is dedicated to increasing the appreciation for the Great American Songbook and preserving it through educational programs, Master Classes, and the annual High School Vocal Academy and Competition, which awards scholarships and prizes to students across the country.