THE AFTER PARTY Set for Rockwood Music Hall Tonight

It isn't a secret that New York City is exploding with underground talent.

Few are born here, but many reside here. It's the city that never sleeps, and a launch pad for artists who desire to make it "big." It's a place where creatives of all shapes and sizes can experience similar minds, unconventional lifestyles, and simultaneously embark on an epic quest in search of greater art.

You will find them everywhere, but artists rarely congregate in such concentration as they do in Manhattan's Lower East Side (especially in the late hours of the evening.). The LES is not only the physical gateway to New York's "hipster city" (see Williamsburg), but a home to incredible murals, specialty shops, foodie-grade eats, third-wave coffee, and legendary venues that have survived for decades. One of said venues: Rockwood Music Hall.

Rockwood Music Hall showcases an average of fifteen bands across three different stages each and every night, seven nights a week, 360 days a year. Rockwood has showcased such artists as: Elle King, A Great Big World, Snarky Puppy, Jessie J, Greg Holden, Emily King, Ingrid Michaelson, Rachel Platten, Lake Street Dive, Jose Gonzalez, Johnny Swim, et al. It's no secret amongst the music scene, foreign and domestic, that Rockwood Music Hall is the best sounding room to play in NYC.

Now cue a tenured-session-drummer, a soulful-singer-songwriter, and a waitress-turned-entrepreneur from Jersey...

After countless coffee dates, hundreds of emails, a labyrinth of Google spreadsheets, and three handsomely-made designer bowties; Ryan Vaughn, Akie Bermiss, and Janine Lee Papio ceremoniously unveiled "The After Party."

The After Party was created out of an aspiration to foster a centralized nexus for the city's far-flung working-class musicians who yearned for an opportunity to network, perform, and simply "let loose." The After Party is arguably the most prolific musical hang the downtown music scene has seen in years.

For the artists, it's the affordable drink specials, the inspiring performances, and the opportunity to celebrate an "off night" with great company that keeps them coming back for more. For the spectators, The After Party never disappoints: the room is always packed and the talent is continuously awe-inspiring.

"These are the genuine movers and shakers of the New York City music scene," says Akie Bermiss, "and a place where we can all let our hair down and enjoy *making* music."

At each event, over a hundred musicians perform a variety of hit songs selected from the U.S. Billboard Top 100 of a secretly curated year (i.e 1983 or 1969). The musicians show up armed only with the knowledge of what song they were assigned to perform; nothing else. None of the performers or the audience has any idea who they will be performing with until they walk onto the lighted stage. The After Party is usually held on the third Monday of every month from approximately 11:30 PM until 2:00 AM.

Past performers include: Margot Bingham (RENT, HBO'S Boardwalk Empire & ABC's The Family), Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages), Zach Jones (One Man, 2 Guvnors), Jon Epcar (Spider Man, Lion King), Bruno Esrubilsky (Hedwig), Dave Heilman (Spring Awakening), Mason Ingram (RENT), Jordan Perlson (Blue Man Group), Justin Goldner (Spider Man, Dear Evan Hansen, Bridges of Madison County), Tony Maceli (Spider Man), Lorenzo Wolff (Bright Star) Oscar Bautista (Kinky Boots, American Idiot ), Dillon Kondor (Dear Evan Hansen) Emily Marshall, Alex Eckhardt,, Julia Adamy-Pederson.

Longtime Rockwood performer and singer/songwriter, Martin Rivas, says it best:

"You simply don't find a higher concentration of talent, artistry, enthusiasm, camaraderie, and spontaneity than you do at The After Party. From a performer's perspective, there's no greater thrill than walking the sonic tightrope with musicians and friends that you love and trust. From a listener's perspective, the joy with which the songs are spontaneously performed is an increasing rare sight in the current musical age. What a treat to see musicians jump onto the stage with fellow respected musicians, no one knowing who they are going to play with on a given song. And they always, always, always CRUSH it."

Local radio personality Ralphie Alversa, radio DJ and host of Ralphie Tonight on NYC's 95.5 PLJ, is also a regular and previous host:

"The After Party is the coolest gathering of creatives in the city. The roster of talent that performs never disappoints, but what has made this a must-attend for me every month is the community of artists that come together with the sole intention of simply enjoying each other's company and celebrating each other's work. Besides, the idea that I have one less Monday a month to dread is an idea worth believing in."

Monday, June 20th @ 11:30PM: Rockwood Music Hall, New York City. Hosted by Akie Bermiss.