THUR. FEB. 19
Film History – Starring Barbie
Written and performed by Lacey Langston, “Cat Fight,” is the true story of the divine feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford acted out with Barbie Dolls. The two stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age appeared together only once in the classic horror film “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.” Find out what really happened on the set. It’s a brawl between beauties and there are Barbies involved, need we say more? Thursdays at 9 p.m. at Rose’s Turn, 55 Grove St. Call 212 366 5438 for reservations.
Opening Night in SoHo
“Magic Hands Freddy” is a new play by Arje Shaw, directed by Rebecca Taylor about two brothers whose lives are worlds apart, but whose loyalty and love creates a compelling story. Starring Michael Rispoli of “The Sopranos” and Ralph Macchio of “The Karate Kid.” 8 p.m. at The SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Additional showtimes Wednesday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call 212 239 6200 or visit www.telecharge for tickets. For more information visit www.magichandsfreddy.com.
Poking Fun at Bush
Chicago City Limits, New York’s longest running comedy review presents a biased political comedy for an election year, “Chicago City Limits Gets AmBUSHed,” with Tara Copeland, Eugene Cordero, Joe DeGise II and Robert Schiffman and Travis Ploeger on keyboard. Director by Paul Zuckerman and Joe DeGise II. George W. Bush takes center stage, but he is not the only one. Songs include “Leader of Iraq” by a Baghdad girl group and “I Got Hussein” by both presidents Bush doing their best Sonny and Cher. Wed. and Thur. at 8 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. at 1105 1st Ave. at 61st St. Tickets are $20. Call 212 888 5233 or visit www.chicagocitylimits.com for more information and tickets.
FRI. FEB. 20
The Heritage Ball
“Recreate the march on Washington, serving the runway for your rights.” In conjunction with African American Heritage Month, come to the “hotness” house ball of the year, with honorees and performers Willy Ninja, Kevin Aviance, Harmonica Sunbeam, The Houses Of Xtravaganza, Ebony, Balenciaga, Massai, Evisu, Manolo-Blahnik, Prodigy and more. The grand prize is $1,000. NYU’s Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, 60 Washington Square South. Doors open at 7 p.m., ball starts at 9 p.m. For a complete list of categories, visit frankleonroberts.com/events/.
Free and open to all.
Movie Night
The Identity House is a non-profit counseling service for the LGBT community and they sometime host fun events too. The Identity House is hosting, “Men’s Shorts,” a movie and social event. Join us for this fun, interactive movie night, featuring a short gay-themed film, discussion, and socializing. Snacks and sodas will be served. 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Identity House, 39 W. 14th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. Suggested donation is $10. Visit www.identityhouse.org.
Gay Camp
The Isotoners are a satirical gay cabaret punk band made up of four New York gay guys who put raunchy humor into their music. The material is novelty songs and parodies loaded with lascivious lyrics put to accordion, guitar and keyboards. Check them out and hear songs from their debut album, “Sometimes I Sit Down When I Pee,” including the smash hits, “Leather Daddy,” “Roofie Me,” “Manboobs,” and everyone’s favorite song about sex on the L train, “Subway Love.” Playing through Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. (5:30 p.m. Sunday) at La MaMa E.T.C., 74A E. 4th St. Tickets are $15 or $12 for members. Call 212 475 7710 for tickets.
Funk Rock Concert
The Black Rock Coalition presents a night of rocker Austin Willacy’s folk funk-rock. Using acoustic and electric funk styles, Willacy plays music filled with jazzed-up organs, heart tugging strings and huge cellos with noticeable inspirations of Stevie Wonder and Ben Harper. 9 p.m. at BAMcafe at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. 30 Lafayette Ave. in Brooklyn. No cover, $10 food or drink minimum. Call 718 636 4139 or visit www.bam.org for more information.
Politics of Sex
“Secret Things,” a new French film written and directed by Jean-Claude Brisseau, is the story of Natalie and Sandrine who discover the power of sex and use it to climb to the top. After being fired from a strip club, the two women concentrate on the art of seduction with their eyes on the prize of Christophe, an heir apparent and the rising star of a large bank. Starring Sabrina Seyvecou, Coralie Revel and Fabrice Deville. Opens today at the Quad Cinema.
SAT. FEB. 21
Oscar Reality
See all three Oscar nominated documentary short films at the 2nd Annual Underdog Film Festival. The nominees are “Asylum” about genital mutilation in Ghana, “Chernobyl Heart” about the 1986 nuclear disaster and “Ferry Tales”,” a peek inside the culture of the women’s restroom on the Staten Island ferry. 1p.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow at Anthology Film Archive, 32 2nd Ave at E. 2nd St. Admission is $20. Call 212 243 0099 for more information.
How to Hit on Someone
The Identity House is a non-profit counseling service for the LGBT community and tonight they are hosting a workshop for gay and bisexual me called, “Rejection & the Games We Play to Avoid It.” Fear of being rejected can often incapacitate anyone (gay or straight) from introducing themselves to someone they’re attracted to. This workshop will include some playful improvisational exercises, meditative visualizations, open and honest discussion, and some helpful suggestions. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Identity House, 39 W. 14th St., between 5th and 6th Aves. Suggested donation is $10. Visit www.identityhouse.org.
S/M Demo
The Gay Male S/M Activists are hosting the Winter Dungeon Demo. Heat up your weekend with live, hot S/M action for your inner, hardcore pleasure. Come support GMSMA in body and spirit. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Eagle, 544 W. 28th St. $10 cover includes a drink ticket. Visit www.gmsma.org for more information.
Famous Mother Daughter Duo
Tommy Femia teams up with Christine Pedi in “Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli Live!” The mother-daughter duo will sing Judy’s and Liza’s greatest hits as well as some contemporary numbers that they never had the chance to do. 11 p.m. at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St. Cover is $20 and there is a 2-drink minimum. Call 212 757 0788 for reservations.
SUN. FEB. 22
Solemn Evensong
St. John’s in the Village presents a celebration of “African American Songs Of Faith And Freedom,” a musical presentation with origins in Gospel verses, to celebrate African American History Month. The choir will perform under the direction of Choirmaster David Beck with with Kendall Thomas as guest musician. All are welcome with a reception to follow. 218 W. 11th St., 4 p.m. Free
Voices for Peace
“World Voices Against War” benefits Global Women’s Strike and sends a message of peace with music and poetry. Lending their voices are “Paris to Kyiv,” a blend of Eastern European music featuring Alexis Kochan with Julian Kytasty and Richard Moody; Alicate, traditional Venezuelan music with a Bolivarian message; and Tom Mullian, a singer and songwriter who was imprisoned for civil disobedience in opposition to the war in Iraq; poetry and readings and video footage from strikes around the world. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Bowery Poetry Club at 308 Bowery. Suggested donation is $7 to $20. Call 212 614 0505 or visit www.bowerypoetry.com.
Opening Night
Waiting for the bus at Port Authority, a young couple that cannot communicate, a woman obsessed with a childhood acquaintance and a married couple dealing with the trials of having a baby connect with one another. “People Die That Way,” a play produced by Tom Noonan unfolds in real time and explores the subtleties of human relationships and interactions. Written and directed by Lisa Ebersole and stars Dahl Colson, Lisa Ebersole, Ken Forman, Rhonda Keyser, and Monique Vukovic. Runs through March 14th; Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 at 212 868 4444 or at www.smartitix.com.
TUE. FEB. 24
Country Lovin’
“Earl’s Weiner Shack” is a weekly party that takes it down to the “Dirty South” with DJ Aaron Elvis spinning country/rock/ rap, Damon serving up drink specials, including cheap beer, body shots, and nasty go-go boys all night long. Stop in for a shot, 10 p.m. at The Slide, 356 Bowery. Call 212 420 8885 for more information.
Queer Spirituality
Live Out Loud provides a forum for LGBT youth to interact with positive role models. Tonight’s event, “Exploring Queer Spirituality in Today’s World,” is moderated by Rev. Ingersoll, the executive director of One Spirit Learning Alliance and features the following guests: Moshay Moses from Metropolitan Community Church; Brian Flannaghan, a Theology and Queer Studies PHD candidate; Mark Page, Minister of Theology, Paz performance artist, drag-king comedienne and spiritual seeker; and Rabbi Nancy Wiener, Clinical Director of the Blaustein Center at Hebrew Union College. 6 p.m. reception opens the event at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South. Free.
Gay Civil Rights Leader
Co-Director and producer, Bennett Singer, will be present for a discussion and screening of the documentary film, “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin.” Bayard Rustin is best remembered as the organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. He brought Gandhi’s protest techniques to the American civil rights movement, and helped mold Martin Luther King, Jr. into an international symbol of peace and nonviolence. Rustin’s open homosexuality in a homophobic era forced him to remain in the background. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, 119 W. 24th St., room 410. Free and open to the public. Call 212 367 1016 for more information.
WED. FEB. 25
Be a Better Top
Gay Male S/M Activists know that it is not just about toys and props. You must learn about “Controlling A Scene: Make It Real, Make It Last.” This workshop will help you be a better top which requires a whole head space, setting the mood and discovering the appropriate persona to make an S/M scene last and succeed. An expert in the field of interrogation, mind control and psychodrama hosts this workshop. 7:30 p.m. socializing and 8 p.m. program, at The Center, 208 W. 13th St. Call 212 727 9878 for more information.
THUR. FEB. 26
Big Breaks
Out Professionals can help you with your career. If you want to break into TV or film, come to “Pitching Your Project: 12 Insider Secrets,” the first session of a new career series by TV packaging agent and entertainment industry lawyer, Jim Arnoff. Members pay $15 and nonmembers pay $20. 6:15 to 7:45 at the Center, 208 W. 13th St. Call 212 462 9255 or visit www.outprofessionals.org.
Scandal on the Right
It’s the story of family betrayal set against a backdrop of right-wing greed, lust and hypocrisy and it’s based on actual events. “The Barksdale Confession” by William C. Kovacsik stars Jeff Paul, Larry Sharp and Dena Tyler and is directed by Richard Kent Green. For this performance, New York State Senator Tom Duane will appear at the post show talkback. 8 p.m. tonight at the Workshop Theater Company, 312 W. 36th St. between 8th and 9th Aves. Tickets are $15 or $10 with student ID. Call 212 695 4173 or visit www.theworshoptheater.org for more information and additional show times.
AIDS Discussion
Out Professional welcomes you to “Truth and Lies in the Age of AIDS: Disclosure’s Impact on the Individual,” a talk with Robert Klitzman, M.D., psychiatrist and author of the new book “Mortal Secrets: Truth And Lies in the Age of AIDS.” Also featuring journalist Eric Marcus, author of “Pessimisms” and “Breaking the Surface”(with Greg Louganis). Members pay $10 and nonmembers pay $7. Call 212 462 9255 or visit www.outprofessionals.org for more information.
FRI. FEB. 27
Jewish Humor
MAC Award winner for last year’s best female stand-up comic, Kim Cea, will blend music and comedy at an intimate Jewcy event. Jewcy.com is dedicated to spreading Kosher-style fabulosity with live events featuring New York’s most fabulous Semites. 8 p.m. at Ars Nova Theater, 511 W. 54th St. Visit www.kimcea.com or www.jewcy.com for more information.
Arabic Hip-Hop
MRW is a hip-hop group whose angst-ridden raps about poverty, drugs, crime and discrimination come straight from the ‘hood, only this hood is the Israeli-Arab neighborhood of Acre. Mahmod Shalabi, Richi Shabby and Wassem Akar began in 1999 with performances at schools, pubs, and small concert venues. They are part of an international trend where rap music is adapted by inner-city youth around the world. Check them out at 9 p.m. at BAM cafe at the Brooklyn Academy of Music at 30 Lafayette Ave. in Brooklyn. No cover, $10 food and drink minimum. Call 718 636 4139 or visit www.bam.org for more information.
Girls on Film
Lesbian Cinema Arts hosts tonight’s examination of how lesbian African-American women are portrayed on film. 7 p.m. socializing and 8 p.m. screening at the Center, 208 W. 13th St. Members pay $6 and nonmembers pay $10.
SAT. FEB. 28
Flogging for Fun
Gay Male S/M Activists welcome interested men to a Flogging Workshop – floggers, cat-o’-nine tails, flails, quirts and much more. Learn how to use these flogging tools safely and erotically. Check out a variety of instruments and get tips from expert users and collectors including where to buy them, how to maintain them and what each can do to human skin. No prior experience necessary. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. today. Call 212 727 9878 for more information including location.
