The Trav-a-Log : An Early Holiday Junket on the Lower East Side

Yeah, I know it's almost three weeks away, but we needed some Christmas early this year, know'm sayin'? So when I had the opportunity to review a holiday show at Pangea last night (see below) I enjoyed the evening abroad to the full. Riding shotgun on the adventure was documentary-maker Heather Quinlan, who took some of the better pictures you see below (the uncredited ones are mine)

The night got off to an auspicious start the instant I got off the F train; there was a vintage subway train parked in the station. The MTA pulls a couple of them out of mothballs (actually the NY Transit Museum) every year at this time.

Stopped by the Paulaner Brauhaus on the Bowery (site of my wedding after-party/reception) for the tree trimming.

It was nice to see this pop-up Christmas tree market at the site of the 2015 East Village Gas Leak Explosion, a little bit of festive beauty enlivening what would otherwise be a depressing black hole.

Then it was off to Pangea to see "'Tis the Season to be Morbid", a charming cabaret show starring Austin Pendleton (What's Up Doc? Catch-22 etc etc etc) and Barbara Bleier (with a cameo by Barbara Maier Gustern.) See my review in Chelsea Now.

: Bleier and Pendleton in concert. The lady in the red sweater in the audience is none other than Tammy Fay Starlite. Turn around, Tammy! Photo by Heather Quinlan

: Barbara Maier Gustern. Photo by Heather Quinlan

: Pendleton and Trav S.D., lookin' goofy

The off to Hotel Chantelle on Ludlow Street for the First Annual Repeal Day Party (honoring the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition.) We caught several performances by the likes of Trick-the-Bastard, Lewd Alfred Douglas and several burlesque performers, but the photos didn't come out well in the dim lighting. Anyway, we were too busy enjoying the performances! I hope it does prove to be annual tradition, as it was a lot of fun!

: Dapper Don Spiro and Delicious Dandy Dillinger, hosts!

: Nelson Lugo!

: Hannah Schiff and Dan Hermann!

: Merch room. Photo by Heather Quinlan

: Quinlan snapped this young lady on the street as we were leaving. I love what it says: the joy of Dandy's party is spilling out into the world and spreading.

One last stop! I'd wanted to see Cardone's New York House of Magic ever since he launched it at the Slipper Room over a year ago. The timing was perfect to see it last night. On the bill were young Apollo Riego, mentalist Patrick Terry, and the headliner Devlin. And of course Cardone.