A fixture of New York City’s
vibrant downtown performance scene for 30-plus years, Joey Arias is a bona fide NYC icon.  From his early days at Fiorrucci and performing with his close friend Klaus Nomi, Arias has been an enigmatic figure.  From outrageous performances at Club 57, Jackie 60 and Squeezebox to the now-legendary nights at Bar d’O where he held court with Raven-O and Sherry Vine, Arias distinguished himself with scandalous wit, sleek style and an extraordinary voice evocative of Lady Day yet uniquely his own. 

It was no surprise when Arias was tapped by Cirque du Soleil to originate the role of the emcee in their Las Vegas spectacular Zumanity, for which he co-wrote 3 songs.  After 6 years in that role, Arias returned to New York where he became star and co-creator of Arias With a Twist with master puppeteer Basil Twist.  The show was a critical and commercial hit and extended repeatedly for a total of 6 months at HERE Arts Center.  The show has been subsequently presented in Los Angeles and Paris and spawned a “docu-fantasy” film of the same name which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and had itʼs US premiere at the TriBeca Film Festival earlier this year. 

Arias has performed worldwide at venues including Carnegie Hall, The Freedom Theatre in London and on a transatlantic world tour into the cabaret clubs of Paris,and Tokyo to Germany and  England.  On film, he has appeared in Mondo New York, Big Top Pee Wee, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Wigstock – The Movie, Flawless and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. 

The Fall cultural season swings into high gear as the legendary Joey Arias  returns with his first concert engagements in New York City in nearly a decade! 

Music directed by Ben Allison (Newport Jazz Festival), a rising star on the new jazz scene, and produced by “downtown impresario” Earl Dax (Weimar New York) the concerts will feature Arias’ signature ‘channeling’ of Billie Holiday and other favorites from the Arias oeuvre as well as original songs and a few surprises.  These highly anticipated concerts feature a live band hand-picked by Allison and feature lighting design Ayumu “POE” Saegusa, the highly acclaimed lighting designer for Arias with a Twist.  The stark, dramatic world created for the production is designed to highlight Arias’ distinctive and seductive voice and to highlight the dynamic interplay between Arias, Allison and the band.  Arias says of the concerts, “I’m inviting the audience to dream as I take them back and then to the future.”

Last weeks show sold out – and this weeks  show is almost sold out!

JOEY ARIAS IN CONCERT   with  Music Directed by BEN ALLISON      October  8 and 9
at Abrons Arts Center , 466 Grand Street (at Pitt). 
Tickets are $25 and available online at Theater Mania  or by phone at (212) 352-3101.

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