Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its nightly performances, September 20 - October 1, 2017. Scroll down for details!
THE WORLD OF CAPTAIN BEEFHEART WITH Nona Hendryx & Gary Lucas
Wednesday, September 20 at 7:00PM
$25 - $50
Legendary funk rock diva Nona Hendryx and acclaimed avant-guitarist Gary Lucas perform a tribute to visionary composer, bandleader, poet and painter Don Van Vliet aka Captain Beefheart. Beefheart changed the face of music, with a series of groundbreaking albums featuring his Magic Band - from 1967's "Safe as Milk" to 1969's hallucinatory "Trout Mask Replica" through 1982's "Ice Cream for Crow." The World of Captain Beefheart is a comprehensive musical overview of the man's towering legacy, as re-imagined by Hendryx and Lucas, who starred in a symphonic Beefheart Tribute with Amsterdam's famed 65-piece Metropole Orchestra.
Cole Escola: HELP! I'M STUCK
Wednesday, September 20 at 10:00PM
SOLD OUT
Sunday, October 29 at 7:00PM
Tuesday, November 7 at 9:30PM
$15
Too weird for pretty much anything else, the feral writer/performer and brains behind a slew of absurdly funny online videos (like his portrayal of a mom in an orange juice commercial), Cole Escola (Difficult People, Man Seeking Woman, Mozart in the Jungle), brings his unique voice to the stage, playing multiple characters in a series of comedic vignettes that operate on the fringes of coherence and social acceptability. The show is directed by Christian Coulson.
Thursday, September 21 at 7:00PM
$20
Hassan Hakmoun is one of the most notable figures in contemporary Moroccan music. The talented vocalist and sintir player learned the traditional sounds of the Gnawa people in his native Marrakesh before moving to the U.S. in 1987. Since then, his music has absorbed elements of popular styles - jazz and world music to neo-classical contemporary Western music and cerebral pop. Hakmoun has established a diverse, award-winning, critically acclaimed body of work - his first solo album, Gift of the Gnawa was released 26 years ago. His latest album Unity is the finest example of ritual music combined with the heart of American rock, soul and blues. Hakmoun's ensemble includes the sintir plus vocals, guitar, drums, percussion, flute/sax and karkaba, the metal double castenets of the Gnawa.
Thursday, September 21 at 9:30PM
$15
Alsarah is a Sudanese-born singer, songwriter and ethnomusicologist. Born in Khartoum where she spent the first eight years of her life, she relocated to Taez, Yemen with her family to escape the ever-stifling regime in her native country. She abruptly moved to the U.S. in 1994 when a brief civil war broke out in Yemen. Upon arriving, Alsarah started her musical training at the age of 12, attending the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter High School and studying music with a concentration in ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University. Now a Brooklynite, she is a self-proclaimed practitioner of East-African Retro-Pop working on various projects. She has toured both nationally and internationally with critically acclaimed groups such as the Nile Project, which featured her on their debut, Aswan, named one of NPR's top 5 international albums. In between albums, Alsarah works with the Sudanese artist collective Refugee Club Productions on a variety of projects including the critically acclaimed documentary "Beats of the Antonov."
Justin Sayre: I'M GORGEOUS INSIDE
Friday-Sunday, September 22-24 at 9:30PM
$25
Justin Sayre returns to Joe's Pub with I'm Gorgeous Inside. With all the wit and whimsy you got at The Meeting*, Sayre returns solo with all new observations in story and song. Don't worry kids, you'll still have a gay ol' time. I'm Gorgeous Inside is directed by Dusty Childers with musical direction by Kenny Mellman.
Ute Lemper: SONGS FROM THE BROKEN HEART
Saturday & Sunday, September 23 & 24 at 7:00PM
$30
Ute Lemper returns to Joe's Pub with her new show Songs From the Broken Heart, featuring stories of life, wonder, love, doubt, and loss, spanning from her Song Trilogy of Poets to her tales of long sleepless nights wandering dark alleys into the streets of Berlin and Paris. Lemper presents selections from her self-penned repertoire alongside the lyrics of Bukowski, Coehlo, Leo Ferre, Jacques Brel, Nick Cave, and Tom Waits. Lemper's career is vast and varied. She has made her mark on the stage, in films, in concert and as a unique recording artist. She has been universally praised for her interpretations of Berlin Cabaret Songs, the works of Kurt Weill and Berthold Brecht and the French chanson songbook as well as her own compositions and her more jazz-influenced collaborations and works. In the world of theater Ute made her mark with her portrayals on Broadway, in Paris and in London's West End.
NEVER SLEEP ALONE STARRING DR. ALEX SCHILLER
Saturday, September 23 at Midnight
$35 Players / $45 Voyeurs
When did you last make out with a complete stranger? Are you fulfilling your socio-sexual potential? What is an MBO? And WHO is going to give you one? If you can't answer these questions, you urgently need Never Sleep Alone, session with straight-talking sexual evangelist Dr. Alex Schiller. This is Get dressed up to the nines, grab your friends and lovers and come to Joe's Pub for a hysterically funny and seriously sexy live entertainment experience where the audience laughs, learns and literally hooks up with each other! Whether you're single and seeking, or happily coupled, Never Sleep Alone is the New York night you've always wanted. During this highly interactive show, Dr. Alex gives life-changing advice from her best-selling book, and leads the audience through a wildly entertaining evening where nobody hesitates and everybody participates.
LARD DOG & THE BAND OF SHY: DREAMERS ALBUM RELEASE
Sunday, September 24 at 2:30PM
$15
Lard Dog & The Band of Shy celebrates their sophomore album Dreamers, which will be officially released on September 29. With this new collection of spirited music, Lard Dog continues his mission of promoting creativity, acceptance, and frivolity through his unique style of nerd rock blended with absurdist humor. The uplifting 11 new songs on Dreamers are sure to fill the hearts and souls of listeners with an abundance of empowering messages, silliness, happiness, and both Belopian and New York City pride. Thoughtful songwriting and lyrical wordplay are skillfully paired with the impressive musicianship of the Band of Shy resulting in a uniquely original production.
MICHAEL R. Jackson: WHITE GIRL IN DANGER
Monday, September 25 at 9:30PM
$20 - $40
Celebrate the upcoming 2017-2018 season with one of Musical Theatre Factory's founding members, Michael R. Jackson. White Girl In Danger is a dark musical comedy about Keesha Gibbs, an African-American teen who lives in the "blackground" of an all-white world of a 90s era melodrama. Keesha seeks to prove she's just as much of a protagonist/heroine as Meagan, Maegan, and Megan, the white girls who battle issues such as drugs, alcohol, abusive boyfriends, eating disorders, and finally a serial killer who has been murdering the town's white girls one by one. The show is inspired by classic 90s TV movies like, She Cried No, Friends 'Til The End and Mother, May I Sleep With Danger?
Monday, September 25 at 7:00PM & Tuesday, September 26 at 9:30PM
$15
Are you frustrated with traditional housing? Have you been fed a host of lies your whole life about who you are and what you can achieve? Then KareHouse is for you. It is a new way of living built upon community, shared goals and a fundamental belief that we are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. KareHouse challenges "living" norms through physical spaces that foster meaningful relationships. We feature group activities, communal meals and our current play list is pop/punk on heavy rotation. You'll find like-minded individuals learning to navigate their emotions and desperate to connect. Let our home become yours and together we can find a cure for the apathy that infects us all. KareHouse is a grunge pop musical inspired by Ferdinand Bruckner's Pains of Youth and is written by Michael Kimmel with music by Libby Winters and direction by Jenny Koon.
HOUSE OF SPEAKEASY: SERIOUSLY ENTERTAINING
FT. ADAM BEGLEY, ANN BRASHARES, ERICA WAGNER & Loudon Wainwright III
Tuesday, September 26 at 7:00PM
$15 - $35
House of SpeakEasy opens the sixth season of Seriously Entertaining, a monthly literary series. Produced and hosted by its founders, award-winning historian Amanda Foreman and editor Lucas Wittmann, the series presents highly-acclaimed writers from across the arts riffing 15 minutes on each show's given theme. The thrill and intimacy of these live shows deepen the audience connection to each writer's work and life. September's theme is "One for the Road" and features guests Adam Begley (Updike, The Great Nadar) Ann Brashares (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), Erica Wagner (Chief Engineer: Washington Roebling) and Loudon Wainwright III (Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter).
UNITARD: TARD CORE - THERE ARE NO SAFE WORDS
Wednesday, September 27 at 7:00PM
Wednesdays, October 25 & November 15 at 7:00PM
$20
Buckle up your bustier and bite down on your ball-gag because Unitard -- NYC's naughtiest, nastiest, no-holds-barred comic trio - continues their monthly takeover. These arbiters of biting bitchiness and snappy satire bring Tard Core - There Are No Safe Words, just in time to give our crappy culture the tasteless tongue-lashing it deserves. Made up of The Combined talents of performers Mike Albo (former New York Times columnist, author of The Underminer), Nora Burns (of the comedy group The Nellie Olesons, featured in film and TV) and David Ilku (featured in film and TV, and member of the Dueling Bankheads). "Incredibly vicious and relentlessly hilarious" says Time Out New York.
2017 DANCE NOW Joe's Pub FESTIVAL ENCORE - 22ND ANNUAL SEASON
Thursday, September 28 7:00PM
$25 Adv / $30 Door
Acclaimed for its adventurous short-takes format, the annual DANCE NOW Festival presents a diverse array of works by some of today's most exciting dance makers. The 22nd season of this eclectic showcase will feature 40 emerging and established choreographers side by side, including DANCE NOW veterans and festival newcomers. The amazing TruDee will once again emcee. Click here to view the complete DANCE NOW Festival schedule of performers and choreographers.
Julian Fleisher: POP MUSIC WITH SPECIAL GUEST Martha Plimpton
Thursday, September 28 at 9:30PM
Thursday, November 9 & Tuesday, December 12 at 7:00PM
$30
A long time ago in in a nightclub far, far away... Julian Fleisher and Martha Plimpton had an act. And that act was good. In September, Fleisher invites Plimpton to be his special guest to recapture some of that long ago white light. To sweeten the pot, they'll be joined on stage by their erstwhile collaborator, vibraphone wizard Nick Mancini, who was a charter member of Fleisher's rhythm section, which includes Tedd Firth, Dave Berger and Matt Clohesy, until he made the move to Los Angeles where he could be free. The stars only align in this manner every decade or so, get on the bus, Gus.
Friday, September 29 at 7:00PM
$15
Lost Bayou Ramblers' evolution as a Cajun band continues to excite, challenge and redefine both genre expectations as well as cultural preconceptions. Produced by Korey Richey (LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire), the band's latest studio album, Kalenda, was released in August. Their performance, produced by Jack White, on the 2017 documentary series and record release, American Epic, solidified Lost Bayou Ramblers' reputation as a traditional, yet extremely progressive, Cajun band.
Kyle Riabko: BACHARACH REIMAGINED
Friday, September 29 at 9:30PM & Saturday, September 30 at 7:00PM
$25
Kyle Riabko is the star and creator of the hit West End show Close to You: Bacharach Reimagined and the earlier acclaimed Off-Broadway version What's It All About? With Bacharach Reimagined, Riabko presents his extraordinary Bacharach arrangements in a solo concert and album launch of the original London cast recording, now available on Ghostlight Records. Accompanying himself on guitar, Riabko will perform his celebrated versions of Bacharach's biggest hits and more. The stage production was named "One of the Year's 10 Best" by The New York Times and received nominations for Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards and Lucille Lortel Awards.
Nellie McKay: THE BIG MOLINSKY - CONSIDERING Joan Rivers
Friday, September 29 at Midnight
Fridays, October 27 and November 3, 10 & 17 at Midnight
$15
Nellie McKay is back to debut her latest musical biography on one of comedy's legendary female voices, Joan Rivers. McKay co-created and starred in the award-winning off-Broadway hit Old Hats and has written three previous acclaimed musical biographies. McKay has six full-length albums to date - music that has been heard on Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, Weeds and Grey's Anatomy. She is also a recipient of PETA's Humanitarian Award in recognition of her dedication to animal rights. The New Yorker says McKay is "funny and touching, ceaselessly clever and scarily talented."
Murray Hill IS HELLO, MURRAY!
Saturday, September 30 at 9:30PM
$25
New York's superstar comedian, beloved showbiz trooper and international entertainment phenomenon Mr. Murray Hill is back in New York City for a one-night-only affair. Hello, Murray! is a rip-roaring one-man comedy show featuring Hill's trademark blend of hammy humor, irreverent monologues, so-bad-it's-gotta-be-good crooning, raucous audience interaction, and freewheeling ad-libbing. He'll regale the audience with showbiz tales - like getting discovered by Don Rickles while bussing tables; his fifth career comeback (and that was just last week), his failed SPANX for Men endorsement deal; and, of course, cavorting with and losing the ladies (he's been engaged 11 times to eight different women). The show will be underscored by the swinging Brian Newman Quintet.
TRASHCAN SINATRAS: AN ACOUSTIC EVENING
Sunday, October 1 at 9:30PM
SOLD OUT!
Traschan Sinatras celebrate their 30th anniversary with a three-piece acoustic tour featuring Frank Reader, Paul Livingston and John Douglas. With six well-spaced full-length albums to their credit, starting with their debut Cake in 1990, through last year's Wild Pendulum, the band has written and released just north of 100 songs. Although the band often delves into its back catalog for obscurities, particularly during acoustic tours, many songs have never been played live. Others may never be played again. Over the course of the five week tour, they plan to play each one of those songs. This tour is a chance for the band to reflect on its past, take a look at the present and imagine where they might go next.
For tickets, go online at joespub.com, call 10AM-7:00PM daily at 212-967-7555, or visit in person at The Public Theater Box Office, 425 Lafayette Street, NYC (Opens daily at 2PM). There is a $12 food / two (2) drink minimum per person per show, unless otherwise noted.
Named for Public Theater founder Joe Papp, Joe's Pub at The Public opened in 1998 and plays a vital role in The Public's mission of supporting young artists while providing established artists with an intimate space to perform and develop new work. Joe's Pub presents the best in live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community and artistic freedom. The organization also offers unique opportunities like New York Voices, an artist commissioning program that provides musicians the resources and tools needed to develop original theater works. Commissioned artists have included Ethan Lipton, Toshi Reagon, Bridget Everett, Allen Toussaint and more. In 2011, the Pub received a top-to-bottom renovation, leading to improved sightlines, expanded seating capacity and a new menu from acclaimed Chef Andrew Carmellini. With its intimate atmosphere and superior acoustics, Joe's Pub presents talent from all over the world as part of The Public's programming downtown at its Astor Place home, hosting approximately 800 shows and serving over 100,000 audience members annually.
The Public Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, is the only theater in New York that produces Shakespeare, the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental pieces in equal measure. Celebrating his 10th anniversary season at The Public, Eustis has created new community-based initiatives designed to engage audiences like Public Lab, Public Studio, Public Forum, Public Works, and a remount of the Mobile Unit. The Public continues the work of its visionary founder, Joe Papp, by acting as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, and leading and framing dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day. Creating theater for one of the largest and most diverse audience bases in New York City for nearly 60 years, today the Company engages audiences in a variety of venues-including its landmark downtown home at Astor Place, which houses five theaters and Joe's Pub; the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to free Shakespeare in the Park; and the Mobile Unit, which tours Shakespearean productions for underserved audiences throughout New York City's five boroughs. The Public's wide range of programming includes free Shakespeare in the Park, the bedrock of the Company's dedication to making theater accessible to all; Public Works, an expanding initiative that is designed to cultivate new connections and new models of engagement with artists, audiences and the community each year; and audience and artist development initiatives that range from Emerging Writers Group to the Public Forum series. The Public is located on property owned by the City of New York and receives annual support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; and in October 2012, the landmark building downtown at Astor Place was revitalized to physically manifest the Company's core mission of sparking new dialogues and increasing accessibility for artists and audiences, by dramatically opening up the building to the street and community, and transforming the lobby into a public piazza for artists, students, and audiences. The Public's work is also seen on tour throughout the U.S. and internationally and in collaborations and co-productions with regional and international theaters. The Public is currently represented on Broadway by the Tony Award-winning acclaimed American musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and in spring 2017, Lynn Nottage's acclaimed new play Sweat. The Public has received 59 Tony Awards, 168 Obie Awards, 53 Drama Desk Awards, 54 Lortel Awards, 32 Outer Critics Circle Awards, 13 New York Drama Critics Awards, and five Pulitzer Prizes.
Videos