Max Pollak Group Holiday Show
Drom85 Avenue A, New York 10009
Max Pollak Group’s Holiday Show brings a seasonal celebration of groove and community to Drom, combining live music with percussive dance, body music and vocals. Pollak’s approach blends jazz and Afro-Caribbean traditions with theatrical roots in a chamber-music setting.
A native of Austria, Pollak is a musician, bandleader, composer, educator and percussive dancer who treats tap dance and body percussion as voices within the ensemble. Over more than 25 years in cross-cultural performance, he has collaborated with Ray Brown, Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera, Pedrito Martinez, Danilo Pérez, Diana Damrau and Zubin Mehta. His debut album, RumbaTap, arrived in 2015, and he co-created the off-Broadway show Carmen: To Havana and Back.
Drom offers a richly textured experience where music from around the world fills a compact, warmly lit room in Manhattan's East Village. The venue features a bar and serves small plates inspired by Spanish, Turkish, and Italian cuisines, complemented by an eclectic wine and cocktail list. Shows here often highlight cultural diversity, ranging from jazz and electronic to soul and world music, creating a night where attentive listening blends with socializing over drinks. Seating is available but limited, encouraging a close connection to the performers. Events typically start in the evening, with ticketing details varying by show, so planning ahead can enhance the experience. The venue’s walls and layout invite you to immerse yourself in the sounds and flavors, making each visit a unique journey through global music traditions.