The Peoples' Voice Cafe
239 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012 / 212-787-3903

PVC is an alternative coffeehouse offering live and live-stream entertainment in New York City,
presenting folk, blues, jazz, rap, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, theater and dance since 1979.
We shine a spotlight on social issues and artists from underrepresented cultures.





Peoples Voice Cafe


Alcohol-free ~ Fully Wheelchair Accessible


Refreshments are back!


Masks are no longer required

  • We will continue to offer KN95 or other high quality masks to anyone who wants one.
  • We use three HEPA air purifiers within the Assembly Hall.
  • We offer livestream shows whenever possible.





  • Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 8pm:

    In Person Tickets        Livestream Tickets



    Lisa Klotz
    Lisa is a singer/songwriter whose style is a combination of folk, blues and gospel held together by a powerful and resonant voice. Both her original and cover songs touch upon themes of social justice, environmental awareness, women's rights, empowerment, family, conflict resolution and spirituality. Lisa's first CD Morning Sun, was released this year and reached #32 on international folk radio stations. Tonight she'll be joined on stage by Mark Dann, Amy Soucy and Ben Silver.
    lisaklotz.com
    Spotify


    "Seventh Generation"




    Colleen Kattau
    Colleen is a bilingual songwriter who stirs listeners with her clear voice, collective spirit and rhythmic sensibility. Her music is informed by nature, social and environment movements, and Latin American folk in a genre she calls americaña (TM) aka gringa latin. She's a twice-nominated Sammy nominee with seven albums and three benefit compilations for antimilitarism and environmental causes. Her latest release is Besos/Kisses, with another to be released later this year. Her song "Dangerous women" is now featured in the National Women's History Museum in Seneca Falls, NY.
    "It's a thrill singing with you." Tom Prasado-Rao.
    colleenkattau.com


    "In the Garden"



    LOCATION:
    Judson Memorial Church
    Assembly Hall (not the main sanctuary on West 4th St.)
    239 Thompson Street, between West 3rd and West 4th Streets
    New York NY 10012

    TRANSPORTATION:

    to West 4th St./Washington Square - south exit
    Walk three blocks east to Thompson Street; turn left. (3 minutes)
    MAP

    SHOWTIMES:
    All shows start at 8 PM, Saturdays. Doors open at 7:15.
    No reservations, so come early to be assured a seat.

    ADMISSION:
    Suggested contribution: $20. Friends of PVC*: $12. Students & Youth: $12
    Folk Music Society of NY Members: $12. Judson Memorial Church Members: $12
    More if you choose, less if you can't. No one turned away for lack of money.
    * Friends of PVC include monthly sustainers, regular volunteers, Collective members,
    performers and people who donate at least $30.

    ACCESSIBILITY:
    Wheelchair accessible (including bathrooms). For info call 212-787-3903.




    Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 8pm:

    In Person Tickets        Livestream Tickets

    "City Streets and Mountain Peaks"




    Brooklyn Stoop Singers
    Brooklyn Stoop Singers feature lively choruses, vibrant harmonies and strong voices wrapped around guitar, banjo and mandolin accompaniment. Individually and in other bands, the group's members have been delighting East Coast audiences for decades with their eclectic repertoire of sea chanteys, contemporary pieces, singalongs, gospel numbers and songs from the British Isles and Appalachian Mountains. An ensemble since 2022, the group unites Deirdre Bialo-Padin, Katie Browning, Chris Carpenter, Elizabeth Hershon and Chris Seymour.
    Facebook
    Instagram
    YouTube




    The Rustic Riders
    The Rustic Riders, Lisa and Klaus Meissner, were raised in Northport, NY and moved to the Adirondack Mountains in the fall of 1980. They loved the mountains and traded the salt water for fresh. They've been folk performers since 1996. Their music is informed by their love of folk traditions, careers as social workers and activists and their love of the outdoors. They love helping people connect with each other by singing together with new and well known songs. Join them as they bring a taste of the Adirondacks to New York City.
    rusticriders.net


    "Goodman Mountain"



    Saturday, November 16, at 8pm:

    In Person Tickets        Livestream Tickets



    PVC Fundraising Concert: PETER YARROW
    of Peter, Paul and Mary

    Peter Yarrow's life work has been framed by his conviction that music can transform society. As a performer and activist, Peter has used music in just this way, inspiring and bringing people together to create a more just, peaceful, and compassionate society. Beginning in the early 1960s, the music of Peter, Paul & Mary became, for millions of people, the genesis of their activism.

    Peter commits his time and talent to many issues: equal rights, peace, the environment, gender equality, homelessness, hospice care, education, and many others. Peter's gift for songwriting has produced some of the most moving songs in the Peter, Paul & Mary repertoire including "Puff, the Magic Dragon," "Day is Done," "Light One Candle," and "The Great Mandala."

    Peter, Paul & Mary participated in the Civil Rights Movement, which brought them to Washington in 1963 to sing at the historic march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the Selma-Montgomery march in 1965. Peter went on to produce and coordinate numerous events for the Peace/Anti-Vietnam War movement, including festivals at Madison Square Garden and Shea Stadium. These efforts culminated in the 1969 "Celebration of Life" march in Washington, in which some half-million people participated.

    Peter is currently committed to an effort which he considers to be his most meaningful undertaking to date. Called Operation Respect: "Don't Laugh At Me: (DLAM), this project is based on his passionate belief that music can be a powerful educational tool and an inspiration for children and educators alike. DLAM combines music with character development curricula to foster a climate of respect in schools.

    Peter believes that "We may not have achieved our dreams in the time frame that we once believed was possible, but the magnitude of what is yet to be achieved only confirms the crucial nature of our commitment. Knowing this, we cannot stop now."
    peteryarrow.net
    Facebook


    "From Then, Till Now"



    Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 8pm:

    In Person Tickets        Livestream Tickets

    Photo by Susan Stava
    My Greenwich Village: Dave, Bob and Me
    Terri Thal in conversation with Steve Suffet

    A personal story of the 1960s Greenwich Village folk music world, told by the woman who was Bob Dylan's first manager and Dave Van Ronk's then-wife and manager. Terri Thal was an intrinsic member of that world. She hosted folk singers such as Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs, and Danny Kalb in her apartment. She was involved with socialist groups and the civil rights movement. Later, she merged her social justice commitment with her work for not-for-profit organizations. She is a fascinating speaker and has written a fascinating book. Tonight she'll be speaking with Old Fashioned Folk Singer Steve Suffet.
    About the Book

    This event is supported by The Folk Music Society of New York.


    Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 8pm:

    In Person Tickets        Livestream Tickets



    Rubén González & Handmade
    Rubén González, originally from Argentina, performs his own idiosyncratic world-beat compositions, inviting audiences to listen, to move, to sing along, to think. The stories around the songs bring listeners into a world made by hand, one song at a time. Rubén was invited by trailblazing composer Phillip Glass to perform in his 75th birthday celebration at the Tune-In Music Festival for his "musical ingenuity" and as "an example of new directions in music."
    rubengonzalezmusic.com
    Facebook
    Spotify


    "Cantar para ser libre"




    Kevin Allred
    Kevin Allred is an independent singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn, with an unlikely combination of influences spanning the women's singer/songwriter explosion of the 1990s and Lilith Fair, punk rock, outlaw Country, Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, and Odetta. His songs peel back artifice - whether social, interpersonal, individual, or political - and cut to the core of our shared experience with earnest charm. He likes to say he plays "sad gay music for the end of the world," chock-full of humor and a whole lot of heart.
    kevinallred.com
    Facebook
    Instagram


    "Shades of Blue"




    And coming up in 2025:

    Jan 4: Sally Campbell + Chris Brown

    Jan 18: Martin Luther King Day Celebration, featuring Chris Owens

    Feb 1: Lindsey Wilson + Jendog Lonewolf

    Feb 15: Rod MacDonald

    Mar 1: Tribute to Bev Grant, featuring DuPrée & others

    Mar 15: Charlie King + Rick Burkhardt

    Mar 29: Gina Forsyth + Reggie Harris

    Apr 5: Bernardo Palombo Tribute

    May 3: [to be announced]

    May 10: Paul Kaplan & Rod Sinclair + Open Mic [no livestream]

    May 17: Carolyn Hester with Karla & Amy Blume

    May 31: Jamie Anderson [+ one other to be announced]



    Help The Peoples' Voice Cafe!

    We are making great progress towards our fundraising goal!
    A heart-felt thanks to all who have contributed so far.
    If you can help, please click here.





    The Peoples' Voice Cafe is supported in part by the generosity of

    Judson Memorial Church

    The Folk Music Society of New York





    PVC Solidarity Statement Against Racism

    Peoples' Voice Cafe, started in 1979 by members of Songs of Freedom and Struggle, carries forward the vision of using songs and performing arts to support the struggle for peace and justice.

    All are impacted by the history and ongoing practice of systemic racism in this country and the continuing brutal murders of Black Americans by police.

    We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, outraged by the many faces of racism found in education, healthcare, housing, jobs, poverty, criminal justice, and voting. All must be free to move about in the "land of the free" without suspicion, harassment, or arrest.

    Peoples' Voice Cafe stands committed to speak out, sing out, and work against racism, white supremacy, and indifference.