The fair-trade ticketing company.

THE L.E.S. IS MORE MUSIC FESTIVAL Presented by Chris Rael

Theatre 80 ST. MARKS
New York City, NY

Original Howl! music curator CHRIS RAEL of the Indo-pop group Church of Betty presented more than 50 bands during the first several Howl! festivals. He returns in solidarity with HOWL! HELP, presenting this remarkable lineup of original and compelling local talent. Theater 80, a magical neighborhood landmark that once served as the home of Leon Trotsky, is a charming and atmospheric setting for this largely acoustic show. Acoustic or not, these groups rock with the trademark soul that makes Downtown legendary. L J MURPHY (7 PM): Described by the press as a modern-day beatnik, vaudeville barker, New York noir rocker, blues growler, barroom balladeer, saloon philosopher, subway cabaret monster, and untraditional traditionalist, we hope you get the picture of L J. He is a poignant lyricist with a tremendous sense of melody, giving the aforementioned growlers of this world a run for their money. Come hear for yourself! LUNAS ALTAS (8 PM): A gorgeous new acoustic project brought to you by Chris Rael and Rima Fand of Church of Betty, Lunas Altas performs original arrangements of songs from the Sephardic diaspora. Rael alternates between sitar, 12-string guitar and Portugese lute, while Fand plays violin. Both sing, along with Bulgarian chanteuse Vlada Tomova. The group is completed by reed man extraordinaire Greg Squared and flamenco percussion star Nacho Arimany. These soulful ancient songs in Ladino, Turkish and Greek recall the droning, microtonal sound palette of Church of Betty at its best. HILARY HAWKE & THE FLIPSIDES (9 PM): This clawhammer-fingerstyle banjo-playing phenom is charming beyond belief, and her band rocks a roots style of music in a completely contemporary, urban way. Both intimate and powerful, the Flipsides are powered by drummer/producer Brian Geltner of Nervous Cabaret and Johnny Society. Hilary writes deceptively wistful songs that tickle your fancy, then punch you in the solar plexus. This group is all kinds of fun! MAMIE MINCH (10 PM): Simply put, Mamie is the premier blueswoman in New York City right now, bar none. This young woman's voice sounds like it's being shot from a cannon. A connoisseur of antique blues songs and ballads, her shows take one part of you to some fascinating PBS special on great folk art of the past, and the other part straight to the floor of some moonshine shack, drenched in your own everclear. An experience not be missed! Door proceeds from this entire evening will benefit The Actors Fund for HOWL! HELP.
More Information: http://www.chrisrael.com

Note: No refunds. No credit card sales at the door. Cash only sales at the door if seating is available. Programs subject to change.

Kid Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: No

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Contact