(Le) Poisson Rouge

(Le) Poisson Rouge
LPR
The façade of (Le) Poisson Rouge
Map
Address158 Bleecker Street
LocationNew York City 10012, US
Coordinates40°43′42″N 74°00′00″W / 40.7284°N 73.999977°W / 40.7284; -73.999977
TypeNightclub
Seating typeStanding, cabaret seating, or in-the-round
Capacity700[1]
Opened2008
Website
lpr.com

(Le) Poisson Rouge (often referred to as LPR) is a music venue and multimedia art cabaret in New York City founded in 2008 by Justin Kantor and David Handler on the former site of the Village Gate[2] at 158 Bleecker Street. The performance space was designed and engineered by John Storyk/WSDG. It has become known for its focus on artistry, bringing contemporary classical music into the club setting, and offering a variety of set ups so that a seated classical performance can be followed by a standing set by a rock band or a DJ.[3] Responding to a performance of Olivier Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time featuring pianist Bruce Brubaker at LPR, The Wall Street Journal reported: "The crowd – many of whom wouldn't even have known who Messiaen was – sat in rapt silence, and roared their approval at the end."[4][5]

Kantor and Handler, both graduates of Manhattan School of Music, founded LPR[6] with the stated desire of creating a venue that would foster the fusion of "popular and art cultures" in music, film, theater, dance, and fine art.[7]

The venue is home to a myriad variety of genres focusing on classical, new music, avant garde music, indie rock, and jazz, but also playing host to readings, comedy, film, DJs, parties, theater, and burlesque.[1]

A number of live albums have been recorded at (Le) Poisson Rouge, including an improvised album by J. Spaceman and Kid Millions[8] and Grand Valley State University's New Music Ensemble recording of Terry Riley's In C.[9]

Main stage
Hanging fishtank in the vestibule
  1. ^ a b "About". (Le) Poisson Rouge. Archived from the original on 2016-01-31. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  2. ^ Mark Swed (2009-07-04). "Critic's Notebook". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  3. ^ Smith, Steve (2010-10-11). "A Quartet Mixes It Up With Younger Voices". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Sandow, Greg (March 28, 2009). "A Young, Hip, Classical Crowd". The Wall Street Journal.
  5. ^ Sandow, Greg (2008-11-14). "Seeing the future". ArtsJournal.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  6. ^ "(Le) Poisson Rouge". Shecky's NYC Nightlife. Archived from the original on 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  7. ^ "Le Poisson Rouge". InTheMO. Archived from the original on 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  8. ^ Nick Neyland. "J. Spaceman / Kid Millions Live at Le Poisson Rouge". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  9. ^ "Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble In C (Live @ (le) poisson rouge)". Bang on a Can. Retrieved 2013-04-18.