Highline Ballroom Announces Upcoming Shows Including Natalie Merchant

The Highline Ballroom is located at 431 West 16th Street between 9th Avenue and 10th Avenue. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketweb, online at ticketweb.com or at the Highline Box Office from noon until doors close at 866-468-7619.

Highline Ballroom is a full-scale restaurant. We also have a full bar with all premier liquors and domestic and international cold beer, and we serve a full menu at all of our concerts. A $10 food and/or beverage minimum is standard for table seating during shows.

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are suitable for all ages and offer general admission seating. Seating for all shows is first come, first seated; we do not take advance table reservations, except where noted as a condition of a VIP ticket. We cannot seat incomplete parties. Standing room for all shows is available at our bar.

For further show information, directions to the venue and for the latest updates visit us on the web at www.highlineballroom.com or call 212-414-4314.

All events are subject to change.

JUST ANNOUNCED

· AN INTIMATE ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH Natalie Merchant - October 7 - SHOW @ 8:00PM

· CITIZEN COPE PRESENTS: ALICE SMITH & GARY CLARK JR - October 18 - SHOW @ 8:00PM

· THE SUMMER SET, THE DOWNTOWN FICTION, PLUG IN STEREO, ALLISON PARK, MY GIRL FRIDAY - October 20 - SHOW @ 6:30PM

· CHIKARA PRESENTS JOSHIMANIA - A SHOWCASE FOR THE FINEST FEMALE WRESTLERS FROM JAPAN - December 4 - SHOW @ 4:00PM

· MENORAH HORAH - December 17 - SHOW @ 8:00PM

· BLOWOFF FEATURING THE DJ SOUNDS OF BOB MOULD & RICHARD MOREL - February 10 - SHOW @ 11:30PM

UPCOMING SHOWS - September 26 - October 2

EVERY SATURDAY LATE NIGHT at The Highline Ballroom:
The Rewind Show
with live performances and celebrity DJs
21 or over to enter
Doors at 10:30pm, Show at 11:00pm
$20 at door
RSVP to info@4kent.com
The Rewind Show is a vision we have had for as long as we have been in the business of night clubs and event planning. We are tired of the same concept that every night-club in NYC has been stuck with over the years and think that it's time to change the way to party! As we all know nothing can compare to a live performance and therefore we have created the Rewind Show! We want to bring an experience like no other by combining the live music of the 80's Rock & Roll era along with the best DJ's spinning the present hits. Every Saturday night, the Highline Ballroom will operate as a high-end night club to let people experience the Rewind Show. (http://therewindshow.com/)

Monday, September 26, 2011
Zee Avi
Concert starts @ 8PM
Doors open @ 6PM
Tickets $13.00 in advance
$15.00 day of show.
Full dinner menu available / General Admission Seated Show / All Ages / First come, first seated
Zee Avi is just 23 but she's an old soul. A huge talent in a petite frame bringing a universal message from the unlikely birthplace of Borneo, an ancient island east of Malaysia which remains an untouched, natural paradise, an apt description of her songs.

How Avi came to record her debut album in L.A., the first joint release from Ian Montone's Monotone Label and Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, is a true 21st century tale of the way the Internet has transformed the music business and shrunk the globe in the process.

Born in the tiny town of Miri in Sarawak on the island of Borneo, Zee grew up near the South China Sea in a liberal, encouraging household where her father owned an energy consultancy. "I was bred to be a lawyer," she says, but music was in her blood. Her father's father sang and played double-bass, accordion, violin and guitar in bands.

At age 12, Zee moved from Borneo to Kuala Lumpur where she has been based since. At 17, Zee started locking herself in a room for hours on end to learn to play guitar. Guitar took a back seat for 4 years while she was studying fashion design in London. When she returned to Kuala Lumpur, she picked the instrument back up and began writing songs and performing with a band.

Zee began recording her songs on a webcam and posting them on YouTube for a friend to hear. "I remember getting so excited when there was one new comment from some random person I didn't know... One read 'I'm lost for words - I shall favorite it and ponder if that's OK,' " which was written by Kris Rowley, a U.K. singer-songwriter with a YouTube following under the name Zzzzzzzzap. He began posting her videos on his site, which began a viral snowball effect.

The day before her 22nd birthday, Zee posted what she intended to be "my last video," a holiday song, "No Christmas for Me." By the time she checked her e-mail Avi had almost 3,000 messages including a slew of label offers. One email came from Ian Montone, who had been shown the YouTube clip by Raconteurs' drummer, Patrick Keeler, prompting Montone to get in touch and offer to release her music on the Monotone Label.

Before she knew it Zee was on a plane to L.A. to record her debut with producer Robert Carranza at Brushfire's Solar Powered Plastic Plant. "No Christmas for Me" was then featured on the holiday charity album, This Warm December, A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 1.

With an eclectic pool of influences that range from such eccentrics as Cat Power, Regina Spektor, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Jolie Holland, Daniel Johnston and Chris Garneau, to jazz greats Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, to classics like Velvet Underground and Led Zeppelin, this self-described "rock lover at heart" captures the dark, bittersweet qualities of romance with a crack left open for hope and optimism.

From the sensuous scat singing on "Honey Bee" to the sultry break-up song, "Is This the End," recalling the existential longing of Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is," Zee is hopeful of finding love, but equally aware of lurking heartache.

The songs on Zee Avi's debut are about an outsider's desire to belong and the tentative hope of moving on, filled with regret and loss, but boasting an impish, worldly wise sensibility. "I tend to be a loner," she nods. " 'Honey Bee' is about a romance between two nonconformists who are different from the rest of the hive, and are trying to avoid the pressure to be like everybody else."

"Just You and Me," the first song she wrote on ukulele, has a '20s New Orleans swing jazz vibe.

"I get my melodic feel from the simplicity of classic jazz, people singing what they felt with straightforward lyrics and not too many harmonies," Zee says. "Just a lot of honesty. I'm a girl of simple pleasures.

The elemental acoustic guitar of "Story of..." is enhanced with an Eno-like ambience that add to its shimmering quality, while "Poppy" is autobiographical "with a little bit of poetic license" that looks back at the demise of a two-year relationship.

"My stuff is pretty dark," Zee admits. "Most of my songs are about the reality side of romance, outlets to vent my emotions."

While her live experience amounts to playing gigs in Kuala Lumpur, Zee appeared this January on From the Basement, the U.K. TV webcast/broadcast that has featured Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Damien Rice, the White Stripes and the Shins. From the Basement will also air on the U.S.'s IFC Channel.

From Malaysia to Los Angeles, Zee Avi is enjoying the ride and ready to take on passengers. "I'm still pinching myself" she gushes. "My parents always told me it's important to keep yourself grounded. I'm thankful, but at the same time, I just want to jump through the roof. It's been a pretty amazing journey, getting to work with some really wonderful people, a blessing, really."

Zee Avi's Monotone/Brushfire Records debut returns that blessing...and then some.

Monotone Records is owned by Ian Montone, whose Monotone, Inc. manages the White Stripes, M.I.A., The Shins, Vampire Weekend, the Raconteurs, Against Me!, Cold War Kids, Crookers, among others.

Brushfire Records is owned by Jack Johnson and his manager Emmett Malloy and is home to artists like Rogue Wave, Matt Costa, Neil Halstead, Money Mark, G. Love, Mason Jennings, ALO and Zach Gill.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Humans
featuring
Toyah Willcox
Bill Rieflin
Chris Wong
Kid Savant
Concert starts @ 8PM
Doors open @ 6PM
Tickets $20.00 in advance
$25.00 day of show.
Full dinner menu available
General Admission Seated Show
First come, first seated
$10 min per person at tables
All ages
The Humans are an innovative, three-piece contemporary rock band comprised of Toyah Willcox, Bill Rieflin, and Chris Wong. The group, a brainchild of Toyah Willcox, brings together three lifetimes of musical experience, experimentation and craftsmanship.

The group was formed in 2007 after Willcox was invited by the Estonian ambassador to tour Estonia. Highly experimental, the band reflects the distinctly different musical backgrounds and life experiences of its members. Dispensing with the conventional rock band line-up, the DNA of The Humans consists of the voice (taking much more of a role as instrument) flanked by two bass players, with no designated drummer or guitarist. Although recorded and live work can include programmed drumming, beats or guest guitar, the intention is to allow space for the vocal to sit above and alongside the soundscape rather than compete with the noise of a rock band.

Before they had ever set foot into a recording studio, The Humans premiered their material in 2008 with a sell-out series of concerts in Estonia attended by the Estonian president. These songs then formed the basis of their debut album We Are The Humans, which was recorded in Bill Rieflin's hometown of Seattle and was released in 2009. The album received its UK digital release in September 2009 along with the band's first single, These Boots Are Made For Walkin', a provocative, 21st century twist on the Nancy Sinatra classic, featuring guest guitar from Robert Fripp.

The band marked its first ever live UK appearances with a series of warm-up concerts in the very intimate and beautiful surroundings of St. Michael's & All Angels Church and St. Anne's Church, Worcester. These were followed up by dates across the UK, featuring special guest Robert Fripp playing live with the band. The group was also invited to perform at The Roundhouse for the Helping Haiti fundraiser concert. The tour culminated in a headline date at London's Scala, yielding a 4-star review from the Financial Times, which concluded that the band's performance was an "intriguing, often terrific, show" with "programmed beats, sinewy, rumbling rhythms, [and] a kind of twisted funk."

The Humans have dedicated three years to establishing their sound, songs, and performance. Crystallizing what is at the core of The Humans' manifesto, the album Sugar Rush bears a cinematic density with stirring moments of exhilarating energy ("Sugar Rush"), tender contemplation ("Love In A Different Way"), and brooding soundscapes ("Sea Of Size"). The album also features guest guitar on all tracks from Robert Fripp.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Our Hit Parade
starring Bridget Everett, Kenny Mellman, and Neal Medlyn
Concert starts @ 8PM
Doors open @ 6PM
Tickets $20.00
Full dinner menu available / General Admission Seated Show / All Ages / First come, first seated / $10 min per person at tables
OUR HIT PARADE is a live top-ten countdown show created by Tony nominee and Obie winner Kenny Mellman (Kiki & Herb), carnal chanteuse Bridget Everett (At Least It's Pink at Ars Nova), pop song opera impresario Neal Medlyn (Neal Medlyn's Unpronounceable Symbol at P.S. 122), producer and MTV cameraman Brendan Kennedy, and writers Ada Calhoun and Peter Schjeldahl. The show is inspired by the musical sketch series Your Hit Parade that ran on radio and then television from 1935 to 1959. On that show, cast members performed the week's most popular songs as comically literal skits. In this show, the hosts and special guest stars from the local performance scene present their renditions of current popular hits live on stage!

Thursday, September 29, 2011
POGO
That 1 Guy
Concert starts @ 8PM
Doors open @ 7PM
Tickets $15.00 in advance
$17.00 day of show.
Full dinner menu available / General Admission Standing Room / Limited seating available first come, first serve / All Ages

Friday, September 30, 2011
Dukagjini Productions Presents
MEGA DP SHOW
Featuring the King of Albanian Music
Sinan Vllasaliu
With 100% Live Music By
Robert Berisha & DJ Bengji
Ladies: $30
Gents: $40
For reservations, please contact:
George: (212) 470-3187
Tom: (212) 961-6202
DukagjiniProduction@yahoo.com
Doors open @ 10PM
18 to party, 21 to drink
Dress to impress: no hats, sneakers, or baggy clothes

Sunday, October 2, 2011
Golden Pastie Awards
Hosted by Miss Astrid
$20 Adv / $25 Day
$30 VIP Adv / $35 VIP Day
To purchase 4 day passes and for information please visit www.thenewyorkburlesquefestival
Concert starts @ 8PM
Doors open @ 7PM
Full dinner menu available / General Admission Seated Show / All Ages / First come, first seated / $10 min per person at tables
The Annual New York Burlesque Festival is the largest and most acclaimed festival of its kind and has attracted sold-out crowds since it's premiere in 2002. This year marks the 9th Annual festival and producers, Thirsty Girl & Pontani Sisters Productions will once again, serve up 4 nights of glitter and glamour in Gotham, with over 120 eye-popping performances from the worlds' leading burlesque and variety entertainers at four of NYC's hottest performance venues. In addition to tassels and tail feathers, this year's festival offers live music, international DJ's, variety and circus performers, boylesque, and a burlesque boutique where you can try on custom corsets, peruse pasties, hair ornaments, vintage dresses, lingerie and even get a burlesque make-over.

Sunday, October 2nd the festival goes out with one last pomp and circumstance at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom with The Golden Pastie Awards and Burlesque Early Bird Dinner! Join all the performers at this Oscar styled escapade, full of mischievous antics, live performances and an awards ceremony that both honors and pokes fun at the world's finest burlesque performers with a double D sized Golden Pastie for winners. Categories include "Positively perfect posterior" and "Most likely to win RuPauls Drag Race". Expect stellar performances and an evening of hi jinx! And, don't miss the exclusive red carpet walk that kicks off the night!

 

2011 ANNOUNCED SHOWS

*Every Saturday night - The Rewind Show*

September
14- The Klezmatics
15 - Hal Willner's Freedom Rides f/ Lou Reed, Macy Gray, Tim Robbins, Geri Allen, Eric Mingus, James Carter & more
16 - Basia (E)
16 - Natural Selection 04, S.P.Y, D-Bridge, Robert Manos, Dave Shichman, Adred
17 - Ten out of Tenn
18 - Chikara Pro Wrestling
19 - New School Jazz at 25: Marcus Strickland & The New School Alumni All-Stars: Becca Stevens Band, Jesse Boykins III & The Beauty Created Frank LoCrasto Group
20 - Barrington Levy
21 - Patrizio Buanne
23 - Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Sons of Bill
24 - Rhett Miller, Jim Ward
25 - METROPOLIS: Loadstar & Sigma
26 - Zee Avi
27 - The Humans featuring Toyah Willcox, Bill Rieflin, Chris Wong
28 - OUR HIT PARADE STARRING Bridget Everett, Kenny Mellman AND NEAL MEDLYN
29 - POGO, That 1 Guy

October
2 - Golden Pastie Awards hosted by Miss Astrid
3 - The Bangles
5 - Ramblin' Jack Elliot
6 - Aterciopelados, Sonido Secreto
7 - An Intimate Acoustic Evening with Natalie Merchant
7 - Bass Squad Vol. 2 : Designer Drugs, Flinch, Bill Posters, Soundkeepers, Tjani
8 - The Aggrolites
9 - Dreams Come True *Sold Out
10 - Dreams Come True *Sold Out
11 - HIT WEEK PRESENTS: SUBSONICA, CASINO ROYALE & SPECIAL GUEST
12 - Parachute, Kate Vogele
13 - The Young Dubliners
14 - Garland Jeffreys, Savannah Jeffreys
15 - Woodkid
16 - SCHOOL OF ROCK, Best of Season Show
17 - The Moth GrandSLAM XXII Hosted by Dan Kennedy
18 - Citizen Cope Presents: Alice Smith & Gary Clark Jr.
19 - The Parlotones
20 - The Summer Set, The Downtown Fiction, Plug In Stereo, Allison Park, My Girl Firday
21 - Guitar Man George Benson the NEA jazzmaster in concert @ Town Hall
21 - Lisa Hannigan with Gavin Glass @ Hiro Ballroom
21 - Lalah Hathaway
22 - Kevin Devine: Presented by The Aquarian Weekly, An Horse, The Front Bottoms
23 - Port Chuck Featuring the stars of ABC's General Hospital
25 - Dam-Funk & Master Blazter
26 - Los Straitjackets Rock ‘n' Burlesque Spectacular with The World Famous Pontani Sisters & Friends and Special Guests: Lake Street Dive
27 - Joe Budden & Special Guests
28 - 1986 Classic Metal 25th Anniversary Show, Featuring Tributes to METALLIC MEGADETH SLAYER
28 - Tribute Wars 50 Featuring SCHISM (TOOL), FACELIFT (AIC), NO CODE (PEARL JAM), BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES (RATM)
29 - Rasputina
30 - PHANTASMAGOREY 2011: An Edward Gorey Halloween Brunch Spectacular
31 - QUEENSRŸCHE

November
2 - Shelby Lynne
4- Sonny Landreth, Jim Keller Band (E)
4 - BLOWOFF Featuring the DJ Sounds of Bob Mould & Richard Morel (L)
6 - The Toasters 30th Anniversary Show
7 - Eddit Trunk/Q104.3FM Present...ANVIL Monument of Metal Tour
10 - Will Hoge, Locksley
12 - Clara C, New Heights
15 - Jake Shimabukuro
16 - Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad & The Green, Cas Haley
16 - Meshell N'Degeocello @ Hiro Ballroom
18 - The New Mastersounds
19 - Raul Midón
26 -The Concert for Bangladesh - 40-Year Anniversary Show - Wonderous Stories + Special Guests
30 - Basya Schecter's Songs of Wonder

December
4 - Chikara Presents JoshiMania - a showcase for the finest female wrestlers from Japan!
16 - Lucy Wainwright Roche
17 - The Schlep Sisters and Thirsty Girl Productions Present: The 5th Annual MENORAH HORAH
23 - Kinsey Sicks-Oy Vey in a Manger: Christmas Carols & other Jewish Music
31 - The New Deal

January
10 - Buffy Sainte-Marie

February
10 - BLOWOFF Featuring the DJ Sounds of Bob Mould & Richard Morel