Eric Wortham II Presents: Velvet Nights
Velvet Whip
Philadelphia
Feb. 11, 2026
Last night marked the fourth installment of Velvet Nights, a vibrant music series conceived by the acclaimed Eric Worthman II. Eric, a celebrated piano enthusiast who famously accompanied Adele during her residency and recently joined singer-songwriter Jill Scott for an NPR performance, is the creative force behind the biweekly event.
Velvet Nights is a unique partnership between Eric Worthman II and Velvet Whip venue. Every other Wednesday, Eric leverages his extensive network of talented musicians to bring a frictionless backbeat to the room while the Velvet Whip, an underground speakeasy in North Chinatown, conjures a community of eager, emerging artists and audience members hungry for total musical immersion.
Eric's flawless musicality combined with the Velvet Whip's unique sense of sanctuary offer an escape from modern reality, granting attendees the opportunity to shapeshift between observer and participant and to travel between different decades of song catalogues.
The Setlist and the Space
The evening followed a familiar, soulful structure. Eric took the keys, backed by a powerhouse band: Christian Klinefelter on bass, alongside a rotating guitarist, saxophonist, trombonist, and drummer. This week, they opened the night with a transformative rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” before diving into a frenzy of covers and originals, spanning everything from Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu to the timeless classics of Marvin Gaye.
The Velvet Whip is a tight knit space with a maximum capacity of 77 patrons. By the end of the night, the suite was packed beyond measure, creating a pressurized environment where the music felt like it was vibrating through my skin. But the real magic began when the "house" set ended.
The Pulse of the Bar
As Eric delivered a welcome speech that was at once warm, inviting, and delicately comedic, I navigated toward the bar to scope out the scene. I greeted the regulars, laughed with the "happy drunks," and occasionally grabbed a house specialty from Corey the bartender.
The mood was blissful. The joy in the room wasn’t driven by mindless indulgence, but by a pure love for music and human connection. It was held together by the very thing the Velvet Whip specializes in: intimacy.
This sense of intimacy can be a gift and a challenge; it was while waiting impatiently for drinks at the increasingly crowded bar that I got to meet two patrons named Felicia and Joel (who would later transform into "The Blue Lotus"... read on). Felicia, a new Philly resident of only two days, was in high spirits. When asked what she liked about the space, she took a second to gather her thoughts over the energetic sounds of the band.
“It’s intimate and unassuming,” she noted. “You enter through a basement entrance and everything is just smooth. It has a classic, timeless vibe, for sure.”
Joel shared a similar sentiment: “You feel like you're in an environment where everything is cushioned. The music sounds like you put on a record; it sounds timeless in every corner.”
Design and Discovery
Though the physical footprint is small — a tight stage, low-slung couches, and a tiny back-of-house production area — the space feels expansive in its character. This is thanks to Sue Moerder, the underground interior designer who transformed this small basement into a social club with a theatrical ballroom feel. Combined with the soft lighting and specialty cocktails, the venue feels like a living, breathing entity.
As I made my way through the venue, I spotted several upcoming luminaries, including the musician Lady—striking in a balanced black-and-white afro—and Stephanie Chambers, who was also recently featured on Jill Scott’s album. The drinks were flowing, the room was full, and then the true "Velvet Whip mystery" and magic began to unfold.
The Open Stage: Blue Lotus and Lady
As part of the series, Eric invites anyone from the crowd to perform live any song of their choice, provided the band can follow. I pulled out my camera, ready to capture the moment, when I saw a familiar face take center stage: Joel.
To my surprise, Eric introduced him as "Mr. Blue Lotus." He launched into a rendition of Mariah Carey that brought the house down, the crowd embracing him with cheers and hugs as he walked off stage. Lady followed with a powerhouse vocal performance.
This is the mystery the Velvet Whip had in store for us: local, up-and-coming artists nestled inside an opulent, cozy pad, singing music that refuses to age.
Earlier in the evening, Joel had expressed his uneasiness as a new artist searching for his identity. It was therefore a delightful surprise to witness the birth of Mr. Blue Lotus, singing Mariah Carey’s "Always Be My Baby.'"
To Mr. Blue Lotus: you were right. From Mariah Carey to Marvin Gaye, every corner of The Velvet Whip sounded timeless.
