The beloved East Village supper club Pangea, which came perilously close to closing during COVID, is announcing a mixture of ticketed and no-cover entertainment during the summer. The announcement comes as Pangea earns the prestigious Village Award.
Among the headliners are Tym Moss (June 20) and Flotilla DeBarge (June 26 & 27, produced by TWEED TheaterWorks) anchoring a week of Gay Pride; harmony trio Marcus Simeone, Sean Harkness and Lina Koutrakos in Clearly Now (June 25); Rachelle Garniez (June 30 & July 1) releasing “Gone to Glory,” her compendium of “Farewell Party” hits (collected over five years). All of the above at 7pm.
TYM MOSS FLOTILLA DeBARGE (photo: Albie Mitchell) MARCUS SIMEONE, SEAN HARKNESS and LINA KOUTRAKOS in Clearly Now RACHELLE GARNIEZ (photo: Albie Mitchell)
Jean Brassard and Steve Ross, with special guests Karen Akers and Stephanie Biddle, create elegant fireworks together on Bastille Day, Wednesday July 14 at 8:30pm.
JEAN BRASSARD STEVE ROSS KAREN AKERS STEPHANIE BIDDLE
Beginning July 7, and running every Wednesday in July and August, will be the “Pangea Hot Summer Nights Jazz Series” curated by Ben Cassara. Scheduled so far in the series running Wednesdays from July 7 to August 25, are Sheila Jordan with Harvie S on bass and Roni Ben Hur on guitar (July 7); Kate Baker with Rachel Z on piano and Jon Toscano on bass (July 14); Tessa Souter with Luis Perdomo on piano (July 21); Alex Leonard with Al Gafa on guitar and Jay Leonhart on bass (July 28). All shows at 6pm, cover $25 (cash only), with a $20 food and drink minimum.
A Monday Open Mic Series hosted by Michael McAssey just started and takes place in the Front Lounge Mondays at 8:30pm. Also part of Pride at Pangea, Kyle Motsinger diverts on piano on Friday June 25 at 8:30pm in the Front Lounge (no cover). More Front Lounge artists will be announced soon.
Also just underway and returning by popular demand in the Front Lounge is Sue Matsuki’s “Jazz Brunch Open Mic” featuring music director Gregory Toroian on piano and Skip Ward on bass. Referred to as “an embarrassment of riches” by Stephen Mosher in Broadwayworld.com, this unique format mixing audience and guest artists and a full set by Matsuki, unfolds on the 2nd Sunday of the month, from 12noon to 3pm. Reservations required, no cover.
Talent director Stephen Shanagha, and fellow co-owner Arnoldo Caballero y Cespedes (who is also co-host and interior design director) have made Pangea a major hub of the burgeoning alt-cabaret movement since introducing music and performance in January 2015. Mixing spirited downtown hospitality with a deliciously priced Italian-Mediterranean menu, Pangea has been called “a bohemian oasis not unlike the fabled Max’s Kansas City from days gone by” by Stephen Holden of The NY Times. Recently The Times Elisabeth Vincentelli added, “Over the past few years the East Village boîte Pangea has vaulted to the forefront of the alt-cabaret scene!”
During the shutdown, Pangea produced some awesome virtual programs, under the “Ghost Light Series” heading, starred Tammy Faye Starlite (“Standing By”) and Penny Arcade (“Notes from the Underground.”) Both were filmed at Pangea and broadcast on pay-per-view for extended runs. Jackson Sturkey’s haunting original song and video “A Ghostlight for You” became Pangea’s anthem of hope amid the darkness.
For now, Pangea’s jewelbox Cabaret Room is at ¾ capacity, with generous table spacing and a proof-of-vaccination policy that will be observed upon entry. Reservations online will be required, with a cash-at-the-door cover (usually $25) and a $20 per person food and drink minimum (credit cards accepted). For the Front Lounge, Pangea will present an eclectic array of ambient entertainment on most nights of operation. Table reservations will be requested for these unique, casual experiences…with no cover charge, a $20 food and drink minimum, and active encouragement of artist gratuities paid directly through Venmo or Cash App or with old-school cash.
Pangea ghost light photo by Yale Wagner