By Scott Barbarino***Last month I went to see Fabulous First Fridays at Pangea and at the end of the show had already made plans to attend this month’s performance. Due to scheduling issues the show was moved to Friday April 14th at 9:30 PM and I will be there again and here’s why: it has, as they say these days, an OG feeling with a controlled open mic format, which works perfectly in the welcoming space Pangea has created. All the singers were good, with some stand outs who are a part of the monthly rotation. What makes it really special is that it is being curated and directed by long-time cabaret aficionado Gerry Geddes, who knows how to pick ‘em and who is weaving in stories from his long career as a producer and critic. He’s using First Fridays to t
est out some of the material he plans on including in his upcoming autobiography Didn’t I Ever Tell You This? Gerry’s been around the proverbial hen house a long time and has great stories as well as knowledge to impart. If you know him it’s memory lane and if you don’t it’s a look back at the industry—where it’s been, where it’s at and where it might go! I hope to see you there.
Gerry Geddes is New York City-based writer-director-producer, active in the performing arts scene and cabaret world since the late 70s, with many showbiz credits to his name: He has conceived and directed a number of musical revues, including the Bistro and MAC award-winning Monday in the Dark with George and Put on Your Saturday Suit (words/music by Jimmy Webb). He has produced a number of recordings, including two Bistro-winning CDs. Gedde joined BistroAwards.com in 2015 and is currently its senior critic. He is a regular contributor to the podcast, Troubadours and Raconteurs, and to National Public Radio. His lyrics have been performed in clubs throughout the city and on recordings, ncluding the latest live CD/DVD by internet sensation Perpetuum Jazzile. At Pangea, he is an artist-in-residence. He directed solo shows for award-winning singers Andre de Shields, Darius de Haas, Helen Baldassare, and drag sensation Julia Van Cartier.
Scott Barbarino is the publisher of NiteLifeExchange.com
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Pangea is located at 178 2nd Ave (between East 11/12 Streets), New York, NY
