Star Ledger, Smaller venues nurture world music scene >>
Big names overseas play restaurants, dance clubs while trying to gain foothold in U.S.
Friday, February 04, 2005
BY TAD HENDRICKSON
FOR THE STAR-LEDGER
If you prefer hearing great music in small venues, the region's world music scene is all that -- and more.
Artists from all over the globe who may play soccer stadiums in their home countries often work more intimate settings here -- from a restaurant in Newark to a dance club in New York City -- as they try to get a crossover foothold in the U.S. market.
In New York City's more club-based scene, it's not uncommon to see a U.S. premiere performance by a big overseas name in a small room, and the audiences are apt to include hipsters open to modern global influences.
The world music scene in New Jersey is more theater- and neighborhood-based. In an era of institutionalized cultural diversity, there are opportunities to hear strains of world music presented as a specific series under the auspices of a theater's season or at local ethnic restaurants. There are also clubs in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods -- if you know where to look -- that cater to the locals, bringing in artists from their native countries who have yet to reach a broader audience.
As part of an occasional series that spotlights clubs in our environs, we look at the some of the venues in New Jersey and Manhattan, and give you an idea of what you can expect should you make the trek.
NEW YORK
Joe's Pub
425 LaFayette St., between Astor Place and E. Fourth Street.
Music: Usually three shows nightly at 7, 9 and 11 p.m.
How much: About $20; two-drink or $12 minimum at tables. Full bar; dinner menu available. Call (212) 539-8778 or visit www.joespub.com
Joe's Pub cabaret is in the former reading room of the New York Public Library branch that is now the Public Theater complex. Barely six years old, it's one of the hippest and most comfortable spaces -- what with the plush velvet seats -- in the city. The intimate, candle-lit room's two tiers have tables, banquettes and stools at the bar. Eclectic programming by Bill Bragin has made way for the annual GlobalFest, a one-night festival of world music acts. Upcoming shows include two acoustic sets by the Mavericks' Raul Malo (Feb. 15) and traditional Colombian folk singer Lucia Pulido (Feb. 18).
Makor
35 W. 67th St., between Central Park West and Columbus
Music: Between 7:30 and 9 p.m. Usually one music bill or performance per night
How much: $12-$15. Full bar; food available. Call (212) or visit www.makor.org
An offshoot of the 92nd Street YMCA -- a heavyweight in the New York arts scene -- Makor is a Jewish Community Center that runs arts and lecture programs. The ultra-modern steel and glass basement bar is primarily meant to be a mingling spot for young-adult Jews, but anyone is welcome. The mostly locally based, excellent world music fare is presented weekly. Music fans may want to sit close to the stage; the bar scene in the back of the room can get loud. Upcoming shows include young traditional Celtic band Gráda (Tuesday) and Israeli jazz/world guitarist Dan Nadel (Feb. 28).
Satalla
37 W. 26th St., between Broadway and Sixth Avenue
Music: Two performances nightly, sometimes three, at 7:30, 10 and midnight
How much: $12-$25; one-drink minimum. Full bar; dinner menu. Call (212) 576-1155 or visit www.satalla.com
Satalla bills itself as a "Temple for World Music" and it is. The 200-capacity room is completely dedicated to world music or American roots and folk strains. While artists might play bigger rooms or theaters in other towns, stars like Mexican-American singer Lila Downs play here because of the intimate vibe and generally accommodating staff. Happily, the day-glo décor has been removed for a more elegant ambience. Parking for this spot on the edge of Chelsea is actually pretty easy. Upcoming shows include Montreal's chanteuse Lhasa (See story on Page 23), Argentine tango singer Sandra Luna (Feb. 20), and the New York tropical trip-hop group Si*Sé (Feb. 25).
S.O.B.'s
204 Varick St. at Houston Street
Music: Doors open 6-7 p.m.; music begins 8-9 p.m. Rather than clearing the room between performances, S.O.B.s typically puts together bills of two artists and/or DJs
How much: $20 is average for live music; half that for a DJ night. Full bar; dinner menu. Call (212) 243-4940 or visit www.sobs.com
An acronym for Sounds of Brazil, S.O.B.'s has been in business for more than 20 years. It books its fair share of Brazilian music (with weekly Brazilian dance nights), but it covers the whole Afro-Latino diaspora in North and South America as well as African music.
The West Soho club also gets an after-work crowd from the business corridor located near the Holland Tunnel entrance. Many of the DJ nights feature dance classes for people to get their moves together before Salsa Groove or Basement Bhangra (Indian club music) theme nights. Early risers beware: Performers tend to go on late and play late. Among the legends who have played the club: Astrid Gilberto, Fela Kuti, Gil Scott-Heron. Upcoming shows include area Afro-beat band Antibalas (Thursday) and Brazilian legend Jorge Ben Jor (Feb. 19).
World Music Institute
Music: 8 p.m.; occasional 3 p.m. matinees
How much: $30-$40; often less for children
Call (212) 545-7536 or visit www.heartheworld.org.
Celebrating its 20th year as presenters, the World Music Institute has booked artists from 70 countries. Concerts are typically held at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side, but the annual flamenco festival fills the considerably larger City Center in Midtown. WMI shows are traditional-leaning music and dance performances that often emphasize artists who have yet to cross over to American audiences or deserve wider recognition. Upcoming highlights include Roswell Rudd's Malicool, an acclaimed blend of Malian folk music and jazz (Feb. 18) and the Qi Shu Fang Peking Opera Troupe (Feb. 25).
NEW JERSEY
Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood
Music: 7 or 8 p.m. about twice monthly
How much: $25-$45. Full bar; food available. Call (201) 227-1030 or visit www.bergenpac.org
The former John Harms Center has a new lobby, box office computer system and other upgrades. The 1,385-seat theater retains its excellent acoustics -- Tony Bennett recorded his last album there. Upcoming world music events: the Afro-Peruvian folk music and dance company Peru Negro (Feb. 27), Canada's Celtic pop group Leahy (March 9).
Coco Bongo
429 N. Broad St., Elizabeth
Music: Mostly DJs; occasional live shows
How much: $35. Full bar; food available. Call (908) 527-1928
Open on Fridays and Saturdays, Coco Bongo is an upscale club with a high-tech sound system and lights. Though it has booked popular Latin American acts such as Colombia's Juanes and Aterciopelados, and hip-hop acts such as Fat Joe, the live events are hit or miss.
McCarter Theatre
91 University Place, Princeton
Music: 7:30 or 8 p.m.
How much: $30 and up. Full bar; food available. Call (609) 258-2787 or visit www.mccarter.org
The McCarter is one of the finest regional theaters in the country. The former home of the Princeton University Triangle Club has booked world music as far back as the '60s. In recent years, McCarter's world music series has become one of the most active in the area. The area Indian community is expected to turn out for legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar -- with daughter Anoushka Shankar (Feb. 29) -- who last played McCarter in 1969. Other upcoming shows include the Israeli singers Chava Alberstein and David Broza (March 12).
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
1 Center St., Newark
Music: 7:30 p.m.
How much: About $30. Full bar; snacks during intermission. Call (888) 466-5722 or visit www.njpac.org
This premier theater space in Newark is a fitting setting for noted artists from around the world. The organization presents a number of programs each year, the world music component being the Alternate Routes Series. This year's biggest show is Paquito D'Rivera (April 23). Alternate Routes has commissioned the reedist and composer to present a night of pan-Latin pop and classical.
Palacio Europa
280 New York Ave. (between Van Buren and Pulaski streets in the Ironbound district), Newark
Music: 10 p.m. once a month
How much: $40. Full bar; food available. Call (973) 589-8999
Palacio Europa, primarily a Portuguese restaurant, is becoming the place to see some of the bigger names in Brazilian pop music and of the Portuguese diaspora who rarely make it to New York. With a roughly 600-seat capacity, the room is big enough for a stage at the front while people dine in back. It has hosted Brazilian legends like pianist Ivan Lins, pop star Anna Caroline and Cape Verdean morna diva Maria de Barros.
The Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center
1148 E. Jersey St., Elizabeth
Music: 8 p.m. about twice monthly
How much: About $35 and up. Full bar; food available. Call (908) 352-7469 or visit www.theritz.org
Grand old theaters can have a museum quality, but the right sound system can bring the music alive. The Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center, a 100-year-old Art Deco gem, is such a place. Julio Iglesias and Colombian pop star Juanes have appeared here. Live music is booked into the 2,800-seat theater about twice a month. Aterciopelados frontwoman Andrea Echeverri appears on March 11.
