White Plains, NY — You can sit a cat at a piano, but can you make her purrform? On Saturday, Nov. 21st, for the first time in her brief yet illustrious musical career, Nora, the piano-playing cat, will star in a benefit concert, being dubbed “Shelter Aid”, live from the Westchester Cat Show in White Plains, New York. The concert promises to be the highlight of the festivities as Nora is honored as the 2009 Westchester Cat Show “Cat of the Year” for her unique feline musical talent. Nora will perform live via webcam from her piano at home in Philadelphia, PA, and she’ll be joined by her accompanist and owner Betsy Alexander, who’ll be accepting Nora’s award on stage at the Westchester Cat Show. As we all know, cats will be cats, and if Nora happens not to be musically inclined at the moment, we may just get to see her sitting at her grand piano watching us and enjoying Betsy’s performance. But with any luck, Nora will find the right key!
Nora’s fans and all cat lovers are invited to attend the Cat Show on Saturday, November 21 and see the Cat of the Year presentation ceremony and Nora’s concert live at 1:00PM. As 2009 Cat of the Year, Nora will receive the first “Scarlett Ribbon”, designed specially to honor the memory of the Cat Show”s first Cat of the Year, Scarlett, who in 1998 courageously saved her five kittens from a burning building. Scarlett’s owner, Karen Wellen, will present the “Scarlett Ribbon”.
If you can’t attend the show, Cat of the Year ceremonies and the “Shelter Aid” benefit concert will be broadcast on ustream.tv live at 1:00PM EST (search Shelter Aid). Replays will be available later. Viewers who watch and enjoy are encouraged to go to westchester-feline.org to make a donation of any amount to support metro New York area shelters and animal welfare groups selected by the non-profit Westchester Feline Club, producers of the annual Cat Show, and by Nora herself. These organizations are always stretched to the limits, but in our current difficult economic climate they are in desperate need of additional support. The Westchester Cat Show has a tradition of generosity for 34 years that you can help continue, just by watching Nora’s concert on the web, or, even better, attending the show, Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22, at the County Center in White Plains, New York. Proceeds from the Westchester Cat Show go back to help local animal assistance organizations.
The Westchester Cat Show is one of the most prestigious shows in the Northeast, showcasing 230 championship cats and kittens, representing the majority of the 55 breeds recognized by The International Cat Association, from American Curl and Balinese thru Sphynx and Tonkinese. And for BIG CAT fans, the wild and magnificent Savannahs will surely thrill. The competition is tough, with all entrants measuring up to strict breed standards. In the special Household Pet Competition however, it’s all about personality and looks, which makes this a fan favorite.
Back by popular demand this year at the Westchester Cat Show is the Meow Wear Feline Fashion Revue, a light-hearted and fun presentation by Meow Wear designer, Carla Reiss and the Westchester Cat Show feline supermodels in over-the-top costumes, both Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.
Another exciting happening for all to enjoy at the show this year is a Pet Book Autograph Party, featuring over 20 authors, at the special Cat Writers’ Association Book Store, on Saturday, from 3pm-5pm. Favorite cat books, autographed and in some cases pawtographed, will make great holiday gifts for loved ones, or yourself! Other returning features of the Westchester Cat Show include the Meow Marketplace for holiday shopping, Ask The Vet booth, and Carole Wilbourn, the ‘Cat Whisperer’. For children, Shelter Cat Birthday Parties and Face Painting will entertain. There will be cats and kittens available for adoption from shelters and for sale by breeders. Behavior training, pet bereavement and acupuncture lecturers will educate show goers.
The Westchester Cat Show, Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22, 10am-5pmWestchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains, NYTickets sold at the door: Adults $12, Seniors $9, Children (6-12) $5.Public Transit: Westchester BeeLine Bus System to the door; walk from Metro-North White Plains Station.For driving directions, call (914) 995-4050, or go to countycenter.biz.For all other Cat Show information, call (914) 739-5408 or e-mail: westchestercatshow@verizon.net
Visit the Westchester Cat Show at westchester-feline.org.