Cabaret Room: A MONETTE SOIREE, 7:00pm
Pangea178 2nd Avenue, New York 10003
Monette brings its girl-group and doo-wop songbook to Pangea’s Cabaret Room. The trio of Monica Passin, Sherryl Marshall, and Deborah Berg will sing material from Passin’s album Monette alongside other selections, with Passin on guitar and Dave Hofstra on upright bass. Expect close vocal harmonies, sha-la-la and shoo-bop refrains, and arrangements shaped by lyric, groove, swing, and a sultry mood.
The group is presented as a three-voice project centered on Passin, Marshall, and Berg, drawing on the sound of early-1960s New York girl groups and doo-wop. Reviewing a previous Pangea performance, Sharon Ellman of Broadway World wrote that the singers made the room feel like a “time warp to the early 1960’s in New York,” praising their “amazing vocal harmony” and calling them a “truly accomplished triumvirate.” With Hofstra’s upright bass beneath the vocals and guitar, this set returns to the music and character of the trio’s album while leaving room for further songs in the same harmony-led vein.
Pangea offers a distinctive evening where live music and dining merge in a cabaret setting that feels like stepping into a classic New York supper club. The room features communal seating arranged on a first-come, first-served basis, encouraging a shared experience among guests. The venue emphasizes the performers, with ticket prices supporting artists and production, while a $20 food and beverage minimum ensures a full dinner and drink service throughout the night. Shows typically start early evening, with the house opening at 6:00pm to allow ample time for ordering. Expect a night focused on attentive listening, where the music, from jazz to storytelling performances, takes center stage in a space designed for connection and immersion rather than casual chatter.