TITS UP BIG APPLE: LUCINDA’S by Medea Hoar

Hi ya’ Manhattan-ites, Medea Hoar here with all things fun and festive in the Village.

In spite of a love of line dancing and live country music, Manhattan has seen so many honky-tonk venues close or dial back the live music in recent years, Rodeo Bar, Hill Country BBQ, the list goes on and on. That’s why this month’s column is one of celebration, lauding the opening of Lucinda’s in the East Village, named for and an homage to none other than Lucinda Williams.

I decided I would mosey in on Labor Day weekend to check out Lucinda’s. I love holiday weekends in the city because everyone leaves, and I don’t have deal with “people’ing”.  On a quiet Sunday night in August, I walked through the doors of Lucinda’s just in time to catch Alan Lee and the Whiskey Bumps getting ready for an 8 pm set. Patrons are greeted by signage behind the stage that clearly lays out the rules of the venue: “ALL Y’ALL ARE WELCOME BUT YOU GOTTA ACT RIGHT.” Nuff’ said!

A bit more about the venue…The stage is slightly raised and nestled in the corner of the main room, with lighting framing the space and large enough for a decent size band. Though it just swung the doors open this past Summer, it has already established itself as a go to venue and has a set schedule of weekly events to keep those kicky-poo cowboy boots kickin’:

Tuesday Nights is a Bluegrass Jam hosted by Allison Kelly
Friday Nights is Live Band Country Karaoke with Alan Lee & the Whiskey Bumps
Saturday nights are Live Country Party Bands with a different band each week

And the bathrooms!! Oh, my stars and garters, they are just fantastic. There’s the spacious, bodacious Dolly Parton room, bedazzling in pink and prettiness, and perfect for adjusting one’s wig.

Then we have the smaller Johnny Cash and George & Tammy rooms complete with photos and posters galore. No shortage of reading materials but be mindful of your duties as you gape around the room.

Now, back to the music. Alan Lee and the Whiskey Bumps are a veritable juke box full of country classics and country newcomer’s tunes. ‘Course they must be as they host the weekly Live Band Country Karaoke. The first set was chockablock full of this ole gal’s favs, “Take This Job & Shove it” (apropos for Labor Day weekend), “Roll Me up and Smoke Me” (apropos everyday) and even Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down”. Alan also pulled bar co-founder, musician, singer extraordinaire Kelley Swindall up on stage to sing her rendition of Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight”, which was just f’ing great!

Band took a short break and then played their hearts out, opening set number two with “Can’t Let Go”, performed by Lucinda Williams on her Car Wheels on A Gravel Road CD in the late 1990’s. By this time of the evening the room was fully filled with 20 and 30-somethings dancing their little selves silly and singing along with the band. Quite a sight to behold, and it lifts one’s spirits to see such unabashed joy. Music has the ability to wash away the generational lines that often separate us and for that I’m always grateful. Thank you, Lucinda’s and Alan Lee and the Whiskey Bumps, for such a pleasurable evening’s restorative respite.

On that positive note, I leave you my darling readers. I encourage all of you to sing loudly, dance like a dervish and enjoy every day as though it was your last and know that I always hold you in my heart. Till we meet again between the pages or the sheets, I remain your musing Muse, Medea Hoar.

Lucinda’s, 169 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 www.lucindasnyc.com