Joe's Pub Names Alex Knowlton New Director

This September, Joe's Pub at The Public kicks off its 20th Anniversary year, celebrating two decades of presenting the best in live music and performance nightly with a commitment to diversity, production values, community, and artistic freedom. The fall season is comprised of Joe's Pub debuts like Max Vernon and The Tiger Lillies; familiar faces like Justin Vivian Bond, John Kelly, and Shaina Taub; and two New York Voices commissions: Refrigerated Dreams, a collaboration from Nona Hendryx and Carrie Mae Weems, and Murray Hill's About To Break, directed by Scott Wittman. There will also be a change in leadership at Joe's Pub - Alex Knowlton will become Director of Joe's Pub, as Shanta Thake will inaugurate a new role at The Public Theater as Senior Director of Artistic Programs.

Joe's Pub will also continue two partnerships: Joe's Pub @ Astor Place, a free outdoor concert series with the Village Alliance, and Joe's Pub Sound View, a piano bar series at the Sound View Inn in Greenport, Long Island. Additionally, the venue will host Hustle on the Hudson, a disco sunset cruise, with WFUV and Sid Gold's Request Room. Dates and more information are below.

Tickets for paid events are available at www.joespub.com, over the phone (212-967-7555) and in-person at The Public Theater's box office (425 Lafayette, NYC).

Knowlton, who is currently the Associate Director of Joe's Pub, will take over as Director from Thake, who will become Senior Director of Artistic Programs at The Public in September. Knowlton said, "It's an honor to be a part of the Joe's Pub story. I believe so strongly in our community of artists and the power of our stage as a platform for more than entertainment. I'm thrilled to build upon that legacy."

"In my tenure at Joe's Pub, it has been incredible to witness the growth of this special place, in terms of the reach and impact for both audiences and artists. Its status as a thriving independent non-profit music venue is rare in the fluctuating music industry. Alex, who has been part of the Joe's Pub team since 2009, has the experience, passion, and good taste that will push it even farther for years to come," said Thake.

Named for The Public's founder Joseph Papp, Joe's Pub opened in October 1998 with a concert by rising star Carl Hancock Rux and funk rock icon Nona Hendryx. The venue quickly became popular for its expansive programming, driven by the founding director, Bonnie Metzgar, and its late night scene, driven by nightclub legend Serge Becker, who also designed the space. Eventually, The Public took over the booking of Joe's Pub completely, led by world music devotee Bill Bragin for a time and, for the last decade, by Shanta Thake, known for her commitment to artist development and lifting under-represented voices. Each of these directors has worked alongside renowned restaurant partners, led by managing partner and co-founder Kevin Abbott.

Joe's Pub is "one of the premier nightclubs of New York, known for eclectic programming," (The New York Times) ranging from intimate showcases with Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Leonard Cohen to world music artists like Konono No. 1 and Youssou N'Dour, to the Downtown cabaret scene of Bridget Everett, Alan Cumming, and Justin Vivian Bond to funny people like Amy Schumer, Gad Elmaleh, and Reggie Watts. It has also supported theater artists - Taylor Mac, Stew, Liz Swados, Daniel Alexander Jones, and Shaina Taub - and music artists exploring theater - Toshi Reagon, Abigail Washburn, and Dawn Landes - by offering space to develop new work. This dedication to artists is actualized in programs like New York Voices, Joe's Pub Working Group, The Vanguard Residency & Award, and programming partnerships across the city and country.

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