(NEW YORK, NY) -- The Public Theater presents Joe’s Pub New York Voices concert commission, Venus Smiles Not In The House Of Tears (name inspired from "Romeo & Juliet") is a transformative concert that explores generational trauma and opens meaningful dialogue through music and movement. The show will be available to watch through November 20 on the company's YouTube Channel.
The surrealist concert experience is written, produced and performed by composer/pianist/vocalist/civil rights activist, Samora Pinderhughes and Brooklyn-based producer and drummer, Jack DeBoe. The concert is directed by Christian Padron and Kassim Norris, choreography by Amanda Krische and dance performances by Taylor Boyland, Rachel Gill, and Amanda Krische.
Samora Pinderhughes and Jack DeBoe will debut new arrangements and perform fan favorites such as “Blood,” “Process,” “Inertia,” and “Gatsby" that have never been performed live before. Find more music on Spotify.
The performance brings an intimate yet radical experiment in multi-genre and poetic storytelling full of “pathos-laden melody and heart-rending harmonies” (The New York Times). Heralded as one of his generation’s most captivating composers, Pinderhughes showcases a combination of emotional and political theatrics with radically honest lyrics set to lush harmonies.
In addition Joe’s Pub will present Toshi Reagon: Post-Election Day Concert premiering November 4 at 7:00pm ET on Joe’s Pub YouTube channel. Click here for more info.
SAMORA PINDERHUGHES (Venus Creator & Performer) is a composer/pianist/vocalist known for striking intimacy and radically honest lyrics alongside high-level musicianship. He is also known for his use of music to examine sociopolitical issues and fight for change. He’s collaborated with artists across boundaries and scenes including Common, Sara Bareilles, Glenn Ligon, Robert Glasper, Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Lalah Hathaway, Herbie Hancock, and more. Samora is the first-ever Art for Justice + Soros Justice Fellow and was also awarded Chamber Music America’s 2020 Visionary Award. A Sundance Composers Lab fellow, Samora scored the award-winning documentary, Whose Streets?. He is also currently getting his PhD at Harvard University.
JACK DEBOE (Venus Creator & Performer) is an American drummer, music producer, and engineer born and raised in the Midwest, currently based out of Brooklyn, NY. With over 30 years of experience performing on stages and making records, Jack is known for using his empathic communication style to bridge the emotional and personal elements of an artist's unique experience with creative and technical wizardry in recording and live environments. He has worked in a variety of capacities with a wide range of artists and organizations, including Meshell Ndegeocello, Tyler the Creator, YEBBA, Megan Hilty, Lizz Wright, Trixie Whitley, NPR, and NASA.
JOE’S PUB, a program of The Public Theater and named for its founder Joseph Papp, opened in 1998 and plays a vital role in The Public's mission of supporting young artists while providing established artists with an intimate space to perform and develop new work. Joe's Pub presents the best in live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community, and artistic freedom. The organization also offers opportunities like New York Voices, an artist commissioning program that helps musicians develop original theater works; Joe’s Pub Working Group, an artist development initiative; The Vanguard Award & Residency, a yearlong series that celebrates the career of a prolific and influential artist; and nationwide programming partnerships. Commissioned artists have included Mx Justin Vivian Bond, Bridget Everett, Daniel Alexander Jones, Ethan Lipton, Toshi Reagon, Allen Toussaint, and more. The venue’s food and beverage partner is the venerated Noho Hospitality Group, helmed by acclaimed chef Andrew Carmellini. With its intimate atmosphere and superior acoustics, Joe's Pub presents talent from all over the world as part of The Public's programming downtown at its Astor Place home, hosting approximately 800 shows and serving over 100,000 audience members annually. Support for New York Voices provided by the National Endowment of the Arts.
