East Village venue Drom hopes to keep their beat alive with a 2-night fundraiser

Drom, the longtime Avenue A venue known for its global music programming, is launching a two-night fundraiser to help keep the space open amid rising rent and operating costs. 

For nearly 20 years, Drom has hosted artists from around the world and served as a gathering spot for the East Village community. Now, the owners say they need public support to ensure the venue stays here between Fifth Street and Sixth Street. 

Here's the lineup for the two-night benefit:

Sunday, Dec. 21

6:30 p.m. — Zlatne Uste 

7:30 p.m. — Fantcha 

8:30 p.m. — Rana Farhan with Joe Abba's Funk Unit

Tickets here.

Monday, Dec. 22 

7 p.m. — Arturo O'Farrill Quartet

8 p.m. — The Secret Trio 

9 p.m. — New York Gypsy All-Stars with Jason Lindner.  Special Guest, Carlton J. Smith. 

Tickets here.

Ticket tiers range from a $50 "Supporter of Drom" general admission option to a $1,000 "Champion of Drom" level that includes a one-year membership. 

Other tiers include: 

$250 — Friend of Drom: GA + one complimentary drink 

$500 — Patron of Drom: GA + six-month membership 

Organizers say that every ticket and donation will go toward sustaining the artists, staff and community that have kept Drom running since 2007.

Aside from the benefit shows, there's a GoFundMe here.

Live music returns to these 2 Avenue A venues

Live events, with limited attendance, have returned to venues on Avenue A.

Drom, 85 Avenue A between Fifth Street and Sixth Street, is welcoming back an array of acts. (Schedule here, flyer above.) 

The club is also the new home of DJ TM.8's Temptation INXS — 80s Dance Party Saturdays. (The first one on May 1 is already sold out.) This was a long-running dance night at the now-closed Pyramid Club.  

Live music is also back (as of April 16) at Berlin – Under A at 25 Avenue A and Second Street. Check out their Facebook account for upcoming shows. 

On Avenue A, lining up to see (OMG!) Austin Mahone

For unknown reasons, Austin Mahone, the 15-year-old Justin Bieber-inspired YouTube sensation, performed earlier this evening at Drom on Avenue A... and there was a line for the performance/meet-and-greet that stretched around East Sixth Street ...

It's OK if you want to press play. You are mildly curious.



Photos by Bobby Williams.