Because of swollen vocal cords, Audra McDonald was forced to cancel her concert at Joe's Pub Oct. 12. The concert was set to serve as the "grand opening" of the new cabaret and restaurant space located at the Public Theatre.

Carl Hancock Rux and Nona Hendryx's Rux Review , an evening of performed prose and poetry, will instead open the Pub, on Oct.16.

McDonald will perform Oct. 19 and 26 with an additional performance on Nov. 2. to make up for the lost concert. As of Oct. 10, the concerts were sold out.

Joe's Pub, named in honor of the Public's founder Joseph Papp, will serve as a cabaret-like environment where the Public can host programs similar to McDonald's as well as spoken word events, world music concerts and the return of "New Jazz at the Public."

Also a restaurant, the Pub serves dinner and drinks from 5 PM. On show nights, the general admission seating at the Pub's tables, couches and the bar begins at 7:30 PM with performances commencing at 8:30 PM. Included in the up-coming Pub schedule of events are Craig Harris and Ntozake Shange (recently represented at the Public as part of Love's Fire) on Oct. 23-24, Inside the Creole Mafia, a piece by Roger Guenveur Smith Nov. 13-14, Mike Robles' comedy/variety show, Comedy Rhumba (Nov. 20), theatrical rock band BETTY on Nov. 21 and The Lorca Festival, a centennial celebration of Frederico Garcia Lorca's work to be performed Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 4-5.