Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this week:
Clare Burson – Thursday, June 10 at 7pm
Southern Girl cum Brooklyn songwriter Clare Burson brings a special performance to a special place. Her Thursday night show at the historic Henry Street Settlement House marks the release of a new CD – and greater still, the culmination of her long and introspective journey across oceans, history, and family memories.
Burson’s recording, Silver and Ash, is an exploration of her grandmother’s ordeal as a young Jewish woman struggling to escape the oppression of Nazi Germany. With the help of gastronomist Sarah Lohman, audience members will embark on this voyage with a four course meal prepared by Lohman, accompanied by Burson’s thoughtful, yet restless songs; touring late 19th century Eastern Europe, through Weimar Germany to 1950’s Tennessee, and finally, present day Brooklyn.
$60 // Henry Street Settlement House – 265 Henry St. (at Montgomery St.)
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Weimar New York with Joey Arias and Penny Arcade – Fri. June 11/Sat. June 12 at 8pm
Earl Dax’s much loved Weimar New York finds a new home at Abrons Arts Center. The outrageously wicked and totally New York variety show will be hosted by the tremendous Joey Arias and Penny Arcade. Re-imagining the spirit of 1930-40’s underground cabaret on a present day downtown Manhattan stage, the talents of John Kelly, Sven Ratzke, Mike Albo, Libby Shapiro, Russell Brown, Tigger! and the Pixie Harlots, will poke, prod, and tickle all the dark corners of your brain and give you a hell of a show to boot.
$35 // Abrons Arts Center – 466 Grand St. (at Pitt)
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Andy Friedman and Jim Avett – Sun. June 14 at 7pm
The Avett family of musicians doesn’t start and stop with Scott and Seth. Their musicianship was cultivated by none other than their own father (and long-time musician) Jim. Jim is now touring with Brooklyn cartoonist/songwriter Andy Friedman.
Don’t expect the rough and tumble sounds of the Avett Brothers with this duo. They will take to the stage at Joe’s Pub with songs more on the John-Prine-like side of the street. Uniting the hilly folk styles of North Carolina with the gritty, urban folk styles of New York, the two trade punch for punch with their capable playing and skilled song-writing.
$15, $12 minimum at tables // Joe’s Pub – 425 Lafayette Street
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Splitting his time between performing and producing, contributor Ken Beasley primarily plays with his own roots/rock band, Ken Beasley & Co., as well as the power punk outfit Missy Sport, while also curating the Underground at the Abrons music series on the Lower East Side.
