Les Chauds Lapins (“the hot rabbits”), led by New York’s Kurt Hoffman and Meg Reichardt, will bring to Pangea their repertoire of French swing from the 1920’s through the 40’s. The group has re-arranged long-forgotten French classics for banjo-ukes, string trio, guitar and winds, mixing the rootsiness of early American jazz with the lushness of a Bernard Hermann film soundtrack, and has composed new songs that take their inspiration from this repertoire.

Prior to their turn as French entertainers, Meg Reichardt was best known as one fourth of Americana group The Roulette Sisters and Kurt Hoffman as co-leader of cult instrumentals band The Ordinaires, and as sideman and arranger for such luminaries as They Might be Giants, Frank Black and and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Neither Kurt nor Meg are French. Their leap from art-rock and Americana to the world of French chanson may seem far-fetched, but the progression isn’t as absurd as it may seem.

“Meg and I had independently spent a lot of time with American popular music from the 20s through 40s. The pivotal moment for us was the discovery of singer/songwriter Charles Trenet” says Kurt. “He combined American big band swing with French chanson like no one else had up to that point. For us, it was like the dream where you find the hidden door into the extra room in your apartment — Trenet pointed the way to an entire parallel universe of great jazz and Tin Pan Alley songs….in French. And as in a dream, we examined them, only to discover they were sometimes a bit strange.”

Human passion seems fantastical, unreal—yet it’s what drives us to kiss, to embrace, to undress, to do a thousand good and bad things. It’s what attracts Les Chauds Lapins to these marvelous songs, which are the pinnacle of a flippant, fantastical, infectious songwriting tradition that blossomed in the theaters, cabarets and music halls of France.

Allons-y! Come swing and swoon to the jazzy French stylings of Les Chauds Lapins!

Les Chauds Lapins are: Meg Reichardt – guitar, uke, vocals; Kurt Hoffman – uke, clarinet, vocals; Karen Waltuch – viola; Garo Yellin – cello; Jude Webre – bass.

“A titillating throwback to French cabarets and American jazz joints, is a fresh breath of provocative, art-pop air….a soothing salve for an aching heart.” — My Old Kentucky Blog

“Playful, fresh, and smart. … This is perfect for fans of folk, Americana, French, and other acoustic European musics.” — Inside World Music

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There is a $20 minimum per person (food or beverage).

Tickets online are $20. Tickets at the door, if available, are $25 (Cash Only).

The house opens at 6:00pm for food and beverage service. Please join us for dinner.

Seating is first come first served. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY.

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