Arts & Entertainment

Big Talent to Fill Intimate Pelham Music Venue

Rising star, Cécile McLorin Salvant, a jazz singer, will perform two shows on Friday, Aug. 23rd at Rockwells in Pelham. Tickets for the 7:30pm and 9:30pm shows are $35.

Doug Panero and Steve Robins have been friends since they were five-year-old neighbors in Riverdale. And as old friends often do, they exchange barbs, but their smiles never fade. Clearly they enjoy each other's company, despite claims otherwise, and the pair have embarked on what they describe as a labor of love: bringing big music talent to an intimate setting tucked in a corner of Pelham. 

Panero, a lawyer by day, and Robins, whose business involves renting furnished apartments in the city, are passionate about their moonlighting. 

"We have been booking artists of a caliber you wouldn't expect to find here in Pelham," said Panero, adding that Rockwells is fast becoming a concert destination. Beginning in mid-September the frequency of music performances will increase from once a month to weekly on Friday nights.

Rockwells American Restaurant, which was previously owned by Robins and is now owned by his son Marc, is much bigger than it appears amid the row of charming storefronts that line Wolfs Lane. A vintage bar is flanked by a row of cozy booths and an overflow room with two more rows of booths. But, through the bar and down the stairs, there is room for a stage and dozens of additional tables. A wall of glass doors collapse accordion-style to annex a massive patio area. It is downstairs where the transformed performance space belies the modest Wolfs Lane entrance like a well-kept secret.

While Robins experimented with hosting comedy nights downstairs that have become a successful staple of Pelham Saturday evenings, Panero was hosting concerts at his home with what he described as lots of hospitality. Robins would feed the performers and guests generously. The next step was obvious to Panero and Robins. They moved the concerts to Rockwells beginning in May, with a goal of retaining what they described as "a house party vibe."

Cécile McLorin Salvant, whose first album, WomanChild, has already hit number one in the iTunes album chart, is a rising jazz sensation. "In a couple of years you won't believe you saw her perform in the tiny village of Pelham," said Panero, who likens 23-year-old's talent to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan or Billie Holiday. 

New York Times music critic, Stephen Holden, describes her as a "23-year-old virtuoso." Click here for link to Salvant singing "Body and Soul."

Panero and Robins expect both shows to sell out quickly considering the artist has sold out much bigger concert venues.

As of Wednesday morning, a limited number of tickets to hear Salvant were still available. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased via the Rockwell's website. The site also has information on Rockwells' loyalty club, plus menus and both comedy and music links. Loyalty club members receive occasional emails and four tickets to the comedy club, as well as other discounts. 

Rockwells has two Facebook pages. One for "The Stage at Rockwells," and one for the family style restaurant.   


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