Joe’s Pub, a program of The Public Theater, was named for Public Theater founder Joseph Papp. Since it opened in 1998, Joe’s Pub has played 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 live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community, and artistic freedom. Here’s a sample of what’s coming up in June:
ARKAI—Saturday, May 28 at 7:00 PM
ARKAI’s music fuses their classical virtuosity with the energy of a rock band, the spontaneity of a jazz combo, and the beauty of a string quartet. Join ARKAI for an awe-inspiring and heart-moving musical journey as they celebrate the release of their debut album, Aurora, produced by seven-time Grammy-nominated producer Joel Hamilton. Winners of the 2021 Astral Artists National Auditions, ARKAI’s past appearances have included The MET Breuer, Rockwood Music Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the 92nd Street Y. Their electronic debut composition, “Letters from COVID,” was featured at TED@PMI for a global audience of over 30,000 people from 182 countries.
treya lam—Wednesday, June 1 at 7:00 PM
treya lam (they/them) is a multi-instrumentalist and composer whose complex identity informs but does not define their work, whether solo or when collaborating with a variety of multidisciplinary ensembles. Their strident voice, politically charged songwriting and fluency on guitar, piano and looped viola recalls Nina Simone and Andrew Bird. lam is currently developing otherland—an audiovisual chamber-folk album and show on healing in the wake of grief and loss, radical self-acceptance, and the relationship between individual and collective healing. This project began in 2019 during treya’s time as a Joe’s Pub Working Group Resident and has been presented as a work-in-progress at Lincoln Center and MASS MoCA. lam is a OneBeat fellow, NYCLU Artist Ambassador, and active member of the Resistance Revival Chorus.
Becca Stevens & Attacca Quartet—Wednesday, June 1 at 9:30 PM
Nearly a decade ago, Becca Stevens was approached to reimagine a selection of her songs with string arrangements for a performance at San Diego’s Mainly Mozart Festival. It would end up being a life-changing opportunity—introducing Stevens to her future husband, the acclaimed violist, composer, and Attacca Quartet member Nathan Schram. The concert would also inspire a career-spanning passion project—one which blossomed alongside her relationship with Nathan and resulted in what will be the couple’s first collaborative full-length album.
Yemen Blues: We Believe—Sunday, June 5 at 9:30 PM
We Believe is the latest project of the internationally beloved global music ensemble, Yemen Blues. Conceived by Ravid Kahalani, co-creator and frontman, the We Believe ensemble also includes bassist/ producer Shanir Blumenkranz (John Zorn, Yo Yo Ma), acclaimed drummer Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce, Jay-Z, George Michael), and renowned Jazz bassist/composer & co founder of Yemen Blues Omer Avital.
House of Speakeasy—Tuesday, June 7 at 7:00 PM
House of SpeakEasy’s acclaimed series of literary cabarets are where authors take the stage to riff and ruminate informally, dinner-theater-style, on the evening’s theme. The Wall Street Journal calls it “Think-y entertainment for New York’s book-loving crowd,” The New York Times says it’s “a literary mixtape [with] perfect flow and variety,” and CBS Local News adds: “You have never seen a cabaret quite like this…. The lineup includes some of the most brilliant minds in the literary and artistic worlds.”
Eleri Ward: A Perfect Little Death – Acoustic Sondheim—Tuesday, June 7 at 9:30 PM
Eleri Ward, New York City-based actor, singer, and musician, makes her Joe’s Pub debut with A Perfect Little Death: Acoustic Sondheim to celebrate the release of her album from Ghostlight Records, which takes Stephen Sondheim songs and reinvents them with ethereal, acoustic guitar arrangements. After gaining a viral TikTok following, Eleri’s project was released to acclaim and impressive streaming numbers, and will be followed by national tour dates with Josh Groban over the next year. At Joe’s Pub, she will offer a preview of her upcoming projects and will be joined by special surprise guest stars.
Carol Lipnik: Blue Forest—Wednesday, June 8 at 7:00 PM
Blue Forest, which will be performed in its entirety, features original songs that combine Lipnik’s uncanny ability to channel the magic and mystery of the natural world with her stunning vocals to pierce through the chaos and anxiety of today and invoke a more hopeful future. Carol will also perform some selections from her other newly released album Goddess of Imperfection which feature collaborations with Obie Award-winning playwright/performance artist David Cale and Mexican composer Tareke Ortiz.
Sven Ratzke: Where Are We Now—Wednesday, June 8 at 9:30 PM
After his 2019 sold out run at New York’s La Mama, Sven Ratzke is back with his show WHERE ARE WE NOW. Press and audience agree: no other artist comes as close to David Bowie as Sven Ratzke. In an intimate setting of only piano and voice, Ratzke unravels the songs of the master in all their beauty and pureness, and takes you to another universe with his poetic and unique storytelling. Ratzke arrives in NYC with WHERE ARE WE NOW after capturing the hearts of audiences in Berlin, Amsterdam and London.
Justin Vivian Bond: Mary’s Choice, Fast and Loose, or WTF?—Thursday through Saturday, June 9-11 at 7:00 PM
Mx Justin Vivian Bond, their glorious band, and a myriad of other Mary’s drop in for a week of riotous revelation as they teeter on the mic tip of cultured chaos while never forgetting that GLAMOR IS RESISTANCE.
Joe’s Pub is located at 425 Lafayette Street near Astor Place, NYC, 212-967-7555
