For over two decades, Traverse City Web Design has partnered with Jim Caruso and Birdland Jazz Club to manage and publish the weekly Cast Party newsletter—an essential tool in promoting one of New York City’s most beloved and longest-running live events.

The Client: Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Birdland

Launched in 2003, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is a vibrant open mic/variety show held every Monday at Birdland Jazz Club in Manhattan. Dubbed the “gold standard of open mic nights” by The Wall Street Journal, the show has featured a dazzling array of talent, including Liza Minnelli, Ariana Grande, Tony Bennett, and Kristin Chenoweth. Over the years, the event has hosted more than 1,040 editions in New York City alone, with each show spotlighting at least 20 performers.

Beyond its New York roots, Cast Party has taken its show on the road, performing in cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Dallas, Cleveland, Austin, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Orlando, the Hamptons, and Provincetown, as well as on cruise ships.

In recognition of its cultural impact, New York City Mayor Eric Adams proclaimed:

“Whereas, I am enormously proud to lead a city renowned as a global capital of the arts, ‘Jim Caruso’s Cast Party’ has enriched our dynamic cultural landscape since 2003, and on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, I am pleased to recognize the weekly show’s tremendous contributions to our performing arts and nightlife sectors.”

Our Role: Newsletter Strategy & Execution

At Traverse City Web Design, we’ve been proud to contribute to that success. For over twenty years, we’ve managed Cast Party’s online mailing list and published the weekly email newsletter—every Thursday without fail. What started as a straightforward campaign has evolved into a well-oiled digital outreach system that reaches over 7,500 loyal subscribers, many of whom are industry insiders and dedicated fans of Broadway, cabaret, and jazz.

We’ve tested a variety of platforms over the years—Constant Contact, Mailchimp, and others—but ultimately landed on iContact for its superior deliverability, design control, and data tracking. Each week’s newsletter is built around a single-page format that highlights upcoming performers, key events in the Broadway at Birdland series, and moments from the previous week’s Cast Party. The goal is always clarity, rhythm, and excitement—capturing the essence of the show itself.

The results have been remarkable. Cast Party has been repeatedly voted one of New York’s best shows. The newsletter has helped foster a tight-knit, informed, and passionate community. According to host Jim Caruso, this partnership has been integral to the show’s ability to maintain visibility and momentum.

“Traverse City Web Design has been my partner in promoting Cast Party at Birdland with a newsletter every single Thursday for the past eleven years,” Caruso says. “In tandem, we’ve come up with a marketing system that my company, and its followers, can depend upon like clockwork.”

Impact & Recognition

The synergy between Cast Party’s dynamic performances and our targeted digital marketing has contributed to the show’s sustained success and expansion. The newsletter has played a pivotal role in building a community around the event, keeping fans informed and engaged.

Cast Party’s excellence has been recognized with multiple accolades, including four BroadwayWorld Awards, two MAC Awards, a Bistro Award, and a Nightlife Award.

This case study reflects the essence of our work: strategic consistency, creative clarity, and long-term relationships with clients whose art deserves to be seen and celebrated.

If you love Broadway, jazz, or just want to keep a finger on the pulse of New York City nightlife, let us know—we’ll get you on the list.