For the week of Halloween, Auntie Mae’s Parlor will host local and regional bands to provide a work week escape for citizens of Manhattan. The week of performances has been dubbed “Dungeon Fest.”
Auntie Mae’s was reopened in 1974 to honor the legend of Dora Mae, who, according to the business’s website, owned and operated the speakeasy as a widow.
Now, Auntie Mae’s attempts to stand out in the sea of Manhattan bars by hosting live music on a regular schedule, a rotating drink menu and trivia nights. Weekly shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus a jazz show on the last Friday of every month, are all means to attract customers.
The bar also tries to promote both local and regional artists.
“We try to do both,” said Matt Bargabus, general manager of Auntie Mae’s. “It just depends on what we can pay bands. We try to support local music but also have traveling regional bands … but usually we try and support local music, definitely.”
Bargabus said he hopes that by providing a venue for local artists to play, Auntie Mae’s can have a greater influence on the community.
“It gives musicians a place to play, and gives them exposure to crowds,” he said. “It gets people in the community that maybe don’t get to see a whole lot of live shows to come in and experience a different kind of music. We have everything from live jazz to bluegrass and rock. We had a metal show a while back.”
Dungeon Fest will have bands performing from Tuesday to Friday this week. Admission will be $5 every night, or a $15 bracelet to see all four shows is available for purchase. Patrons must be 21 or older.
Performers include Reverend Red, Headlight Rivals, Mike Hosty and more. For a full schedule of the event, visit the Auntie Mae’s Facebook page.
