THU. OCT. 14
Public Health Forum
Compassion in Dying, N.Y. presents “Breaking Down Barriers: Improving pain care and health care decision making in New York.” From the sponsors: “The under-treatment of pain is a public health crisis. The causes, what people can do to get better pain care and legislation designed to improve pain care in New York, will be discussed. New York State generally excludes families from making critical medical decisions for loved ones who lack the capacity to decide for themselves, absent a health care proxy. The Family Health Care Decisions Act, seeks to correct this problem.” Moderated by David Leven, executive director, Compassion in Dying of New York, speakers include: Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Dr. Tia Powell, an expert on the Family Health Care Decisions Act and Dr. Lauren Shaiova, a pain specialist at Beth Israel Medical Center. 6 p.m. at the The New School, 66 West 12th Street, Orozco Room, 7th floor. Reception, wine and hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of Restaurant Florent, to follow.
Irish Dancing
“Shaylyn” is a dance show that illustrates the continuing evolution of Irish dance and its many influences while remaining true to its original form. A tribute to Irish ancestors who struggled to keep the culture of music, song and dance alive, “Shaylyn” brings the story of Irish dance full circle. One-night performance at Town Hall at 123 W. 43rd St. at 8 p.m. $35. Contact Joe McManus of the Leitrim Society of New York at 718 939 9420 or visit Shaylyn.net for more information.
FRI. OCT. 15
Afternoon Concert
Housing Works Used Book Café and V2 records present an afternoon concert sponsored by Red Stripe. This remarkable event features special performances by Blanche, Brendan Benson, Buck 65 & Jim White. 2 p.m. at 126 Crosby St., one block east of Broadway. $10
Cherry Vanilla Reunion
The Cherry Vanilla Band (RCA London) will perform at Don Hill’s in New York City tonight. Doors open at 7 p.m. As a special celebration of Cherry’s birthday, they will be joined by a bevy of pals from Max’s Kansas City days. This is a rare chance to see and hear first hand just what the fuss was all about. Advance tickets are $10. Don Hill’s is at 511 Greenwich St.
SAT. OCT. 16
New Jersey Benefit
Honor 2004, New Jersey’s Annual Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersexed Awards banquet will be held tonight at the Somerset Marriot. Richard Skipper, as Carole Channing, will emcee the evening. The dinner, “Tastes From Around the World,” will feature cuisine from the Far East, Mexico, and Italy. This year, six individuals will be recognized for their contributions to N.J.’s GLBTI community. For more information about the evening, for advertising information in our program booklet or to get tickets for the event, contact NJLGC at mail@njlgc.org or 732 828 6772.
Center Dance
Come celebrate the harvest moon with superstar circuit DJ Randy Bettis at his Dance 208 debut. Randy has most recently played at gay days at Great Adventure as well as Gay Days at Disneyland, Broadway Bares, SBNY, Limelight and Webster Hall. David Aviles will create the decor for the evening. $10 admission and $6 for center members. 9 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13 St.
Married Women Who Love Women
Many lesbians struggle with their sexuality, questioning how they fit in with family, friends and church. Married women who discover a same-gender attraction may have an even more difficult time. Please join Carren Strock, author of “Married Women Who Love Women,” and therapist Arleen Bandler in a comfortable and safe environment to discuss some of the issues related to this topic. Pre-registration suggested. 11 a.m. at Identity House, 39 W. 14 St., Suite 205. Suggested donation: $10
Oscar Wilde’s Birthday
The Oscar Wilde Society of America in commemoration of Wilde’s 150th birthday presents Christopher Borg, Desmond Dutcher, Michael Hartney, Jamie Heinlein, Matt Rashid, Ellen Reilly and Casey Weaver in an all-star a reading of Doric Wilson’s “Now She Dances!” a nightmarish fantasia on the trial of Oscar Wilde directed by Mark Finley. TOSOS II dedicates this performance to Bill Kaiser. Free at 3 p.m. at CAP21, Studio 6, 18 W. 18th St., 6th fl.
SUN. OCT. 17
Million Worker March
Today, people from across the country will converge on Washington D.C. for the Million Worker March under the slogan, “Organizing in our Own Name.” March demands include jobs, health care, a national living wage, repeal of the USA Patriot Act, bringing the troops home now, slashing the military budget and an end to all racist and discriminatory acts in the workplace and in our communities. The voices and issues of LGBT workers will be raised at the Million Worker March. We will be there as union members and unorganized employees, unemployed, immigrants and youth, joining hundreds of thousands of other workers and supporters. To learn more and arrange for travel to the capital, visit millionworkermarch.org.
Kushner Reading
Josh Wood and John Cameron Mitchell are proud to invite you to a special one-night-only reading of Tony Kushner’s new play, “Only We Who Guard the Mystery Shall Be Unhappy.” 7 p.m. at the Great Hall at Cooper Union, 30 Cooper Square at Astor Place. Mitchell (Golden Globe nominee for “Hedwig & the Angry Inch”) will portray the first lady of the United States, Laura Welsh Bush. He is joined by Patricia Clarkson (Oscar nominee for “Pieces of April”), who is again typecast as an angel. Emmy-winning actress Kristen Johnston (“Third Rock from the Sun”) will play the narrator and host the evening. $20 tickets available at 1 800 494 TIXSMON.
Art from the Heart
A screening of “How Do I Look,”an award-winning artistic community project, will be presented by Art From The Heart at Yale University, an arts in education program. The documentary film chronicles the 35 year old Harlem “ball” community. “The film has inspired and touched the community from all walks of life including celebrities Melba Moore, Mo’nique from the “The Parkers”, dance diva Kevin Aviance, and Patricia Fields from Sex in the City,” said director Wolfgang Busch. 7 p.m. at the Hall of Graduate Studies (Room HGS 119), 320 York Street, New Haven. Call 718 726 0831 for more information.
Calhoun School Benefit
Celebrated theater and film artists from The Calhoun School’s parent and alumni community will perform at a special Dedication and gala benefit marking the opening of the school’s new Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center. The evening honors its namesake, Mary Lea Johnson, and pays special tribute to Bernard B. Jacobs, legendary Broadway producer and past president of The Shubert Organization. Grandchildren of both Mary Lea Johnson and Bernie Jacobs are Calhoun students and alumni. The Calhoun School is located at 433 West End Ave. at 81st St. 6 p.m. Tickets to the dedication and gala benefit are $1,500. For more information, contact 212 497 6500 or visit calhoun.org.
Biking to Cure MS
Today is the 20th annual multiple sclerosis bike tour beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the South Street Seaport. Go to msnyc.org, or call 212 463 9791 to register. Proceeds raised will benefit the New York City Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
MON. OCT. 18
Freedom Follies
Theaters Against War, a pro-peace anti-empire cabaret of short performances, songs and readings, will be hosted by the Tank, a space for performing arts, at 7 p.m. tonight. Since 2003, THAW’s crew of volunteer artists has curated monthly extravaganzas of pro-peace/anti-war texts, illuminating a timely theme-of-the-month. 432 W. 42nd St. This is a free event and donations are welcome.
TUE. OCT. 19
Pet First Aid
The 14th Street Y is offering Pet First Aid, a three-hour course providing training for pet emergencies. Topics covered include: rescue breathing, assistance for choking, poisoning, and bleeding. Students will practice on dog and cat mannequins. Please leave your pet at home. Class size is limited. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. For more information, or to register, contact 212 780 0800 ext. 221. Y Members $45, others $55, materials fee $10. 344 East 14th Street at 1st Avenue
Queens Rainbow Event
This meeting is for all community members would like to help out, get involved, or volunteer at the Queens Rainbow Community Center so we can continue to provide a great services for LGBT youth in the borough. Grantwriters, fundraisers, and publicity gurus are especially needed, and we always love to see more women, people of color, longtime residents of Queens, and newbies! Call Marisa Ragonese at 718 204 5955 or e-mail queensrainbow@yahoo.com for moer information. 7 p.m. at 30-74 Steinway St., 2nd floor, Astoria. Take the G/R/V to Steinway, exit at Broadway.
WED. OCT. 20
Hampton’s Film Festival
This annual festival starts tonight and runs through the weekend a t a variety of venues. The festival opens with a welcome greeting from honorary board member Kathleen Turner and a screening of “Kinsey” (East Coast premiere), Academy Award-winner Bill Condon (“Gods And Monsters”) turning the microscope on Alfred Kinsey in a drama that is at once a portrait of a man driven to uncover the most private secrets of the nation, and a journey into the mystery of human behavior. The closing night film is Niels Muller’s “The Assassination of Richard Nixon” (U.S. premiere), based on a true story, focusing on Sam Bicke (Sean Penn), a desperate “everyman” who, in 1974, attempts to assassinate President Richard Nixon.
Black Women’s Erotica
A night in the life of a deviously kinky young lesbian, a hip-hop seduction set to an Outcast song, the story of a genital mutilation survivor who discovers how to give herself pleasure, a tale of group sex in the suburbs. All of these stories and more are collected in “The Best Black Women’s Erotica 2,” a book that has raised the bar of what is often accepted as “erotica.” The book’s editor, Samiya Bashir, and other contributors, gather at Makor for a dramatic reading. Call 212 415 5500 or visit Makor.org for reservations. 6 p.m. at 35 West 67th St.
THU. OCT. 21
Debating Modernism
A show of such significance has not been mounted in the United States in nearly thirty-five years. This extraordinary collection of noted works from public and private collections offers an unparalleled viewing opportunity for the art world and the public. This noteworthy modern art exhibition will showcase works from some of the most significant artists of the 20th century, including Jim Dine, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Andy Warhol, George Segal, Sol Le Witt, Mark Rothko, Richard Pousette-Dart, Frank Stella, Robert Motherwell, Roy Lichtenstein and Louise Nevelson. “An American Odyssey, 1945-1980 (Debating Modernism)” at 11 a.m. at Queens Community College Art Gallery/ CUNY in Bayside, New York. For further information, directions, or arrangements for parking, please call 718 631 6327. For information on the exhibit, visit qccartgallery.org.
Spooky Haunt
Producers Publicity Outfitters are proud to announce the creation of the city’s only genuinely frightening haunted house attraction, on the entire bottom floor of the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center — all 9,000 square feet (located at 107 Suffolk Street between Rivington and Delancey). The chills start Oct. 21, and end on Halloween, Oct. 31, running Thur. – Sat. from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $20, and $15 for very, very bold 16-year-olds and under. A new tour every 5 minutes. For more information call 212 946 2098 or got to hauntedhousenyc.com.
Kenneth’s Frequency
“If it bleeds it leads, baby!” Enter anchorman Dan Rather, man behind the Opens tonight at the 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 W. 78 St. This “why-dunit” theorizes that Rather’s climb to the top of the American media empire may have hinged upon the same natural disaster — Hurricane Carla, which struck the Texas coast in 1961 and catapulted Rather from his local newsroom onto the national stage, destroying the career of his fellow Texan, novelist Donald Barthelme. Performances are Thu.-Sat. at 8 p.m. through Nov. 21. Tickets are $15 at 212 868 4444.
SAT. OCT. 23
Glam Slam 2004
Created in 1998 by poet Emanuel Xavier, this annual event has become one of NYC’s most unique spoken-word experiences by combining the excitement of the legendary ball scene and the power of poetry. Celebrity judges score four open poetry categories and the winner of each competes for grand prize ($100) and the annual championship title. Trophies are awarded to each winner and special guests from the House of Xavier perform throughout the evening. Hosted annually with much attitude and positive energy by the fabulous Mother Diva Xavier. 7 p.m. at the Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery. $10/$5 for pre-confirmed contestants.
Carnegie Hall
The Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, opens its 32nd season, with Garrick Ohlsson tonight. Ohlsson makes his debut with Orpheus, playing the New York premiere of Paul Chihara’s new orchestration of Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” in E-minor. Also included in the program is Orpheus’ first ever performance of Brahms’ “Haydn Variations” as well as the “Transylvanian Dances” of Hungarian composer Sándor Veress. These nationalistic but original dances plunge into the lively, rustic rhythms of eastern European folk idioms. Tickets are available at 212 247 7800 or carnegiehall.org. Additional information about the season is available by calling the Orpheus office at 212-896-1700.
Women’s Event
Tonight at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, Karen Williams emcees an event honoring Kate Clinton––comedian, author and activist––at an evening of cocktails, dinner, a luxury auction, dancing, a raffle and an awards presentation. Women’s Event attendees will enjoy beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty and Hudson River through Pier Sixty’s floor-to-ceiling windows, and savor the culinary creations of renowned caterer Abigail Kirsch. $250 tickets at 212 620 7310 or at gaycenter.org. 7 p.m.
