THU.JUL. 27
Uncommon Threads
This retrospective exhibit showcases 30 years of designer Alexander Julian’s innovative contributions to men’s and women’s fashion, textiles, and home furnishings. Also included are historic sports uniforms and original costumes from the Robert Altman film, “The Player.” Briggs Robinson Gallery 527 W. 29th St. 212-560-9075 or briggsrobinson.com. Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closes today.
New Generation Dance Company
Black White Tango, with choreography by Dardo Galletto of Argentina, teacher of Tango in New York City and former member of Julio Bocca’s Ballet Argentino. The company’s 12 dancers will be joined by guests Elizabeth Mertz and Luciana Paris of ABT for all performances, and Mariela Franganillo and Cecilia Saia of Broadway’s “Forever Tango” (today only). Opening Night Program is a combination of Programs A & B; Program A features dances to music by Astor Piazzolla (July 28 at 8 p.m. & July 29 at 3 p.m.); Program B features dances to music by Ravel (July 29 at 8 p.m. & July 30 at 3 p.m.) Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand St. $25-$40, reservations required. 646-342-9910 or 212-431-1825.
Thomas And Smith
“Gwenn Thomas Revisits Jack Smith” is a photographic narrative organized as a cinematic sequence of Thomas’ black and white images starring the legendary performance artist and filmmaker Jack Smith. Taken more than 30 years ago on the bosky grounds of the Cologne Zoo during the Kölner Kunstverein’s Projekt 74, these interpretive, unmediated views show a costumed Smith in performance, and reveal the artist in a hilarious yet serious project critical of the implications of national boundaries, landlords, and the concept of rent. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closes Jul. 28, 2006. Yvon Lambert, 564 W. 25th St. 212-242-3611.
Cultural Currency
Schroeder Romero opens its new group exhibition “Money Changes Everything.” The exhibiting artists have chosen to use currency as the medium itself, captivated by the image and symbolism of money as the ultimate representation of power. Money as a raw material is loaded with a political, social, and emotional charge and directly raises the question of the monetary worth of a work of art and blurs the boundaries of cash, commodity, and culture. Participants include Michael Asente, Ray Beldner, Barton Lidice Benes, Robin Clark, Peggy Diggs, Jed Ela, Stuart Elster, Kim MacConnel, Elizabeth Sisco, David Avalos and Louis Hock, Ken Solomon, Oriane Stender, Mark Wagner, and C.K. Wilde. 637 W. 27th St. 212-630-0722. Closes Jul. 28, Tue.-Fri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
FRI.JUL. 28
Friends
Friends celebrates the idiosyncrasies of dancers and non-dancers alike, investigating what we do when we groove to our favorite tunes. Megan Metcalf invited people from the street to dance to their favorite songs. She is creating a piece for professional dancers based on the movements from the filmed ‘source material.’ The edited video will be integrated into the choreography, revealing the process of the piece’s making and the choreographic inventiveness of every individual. Showing today and tomorrow. Here Arts Center. 145 Sixth Ave (btwn. Spring and Broome). $15. 212-647-0202 or here.org.
Bad Guys, Badasses and Other Mean Spirits: Great Villains in Cinema
Tired of rooting for the good guy? Then come cheer for characters that you love to hate. We’re showcasing some of English-language cinema’s greatest villains, bad guys (and gals), murderers, and other mean spirits. From Hitchcock to Welles, film noir to horror, there’s plenty of evil afoot this summer at BAMcinématek. Showing through July 30th, the BAM presents “All About Eve,” “The Manchurian Candidate,” “The Godfather: Part II,” and “Apocalypse Now Redux.” 30 Lafayette Ave. $10. Call 718-636-4100 or visit bam.org for showtimes.
SAT.JUL. 29
A Comeback From Abroad
After an 18 year hiatus, two time Emmy Award winner and Hollywood Squares star Madame returns with her first full-length live show. Alongside her new partner Joe Kovacs, the legendary comedienne will present a limited engagement workshop of her new show “A Comeback From Abroad” beginning July 17th at The Cutting Room. A Comeback From Abroad runs until July 31, Mondays at 8 p.m. The Cutting Room, 19 West 24th St. $15 212-352-3101 or TheaterMania.com.
Allied Productions Exhbition
Three acclaimed artists will be showing their work in a unique setting. Graffitist Yseult Digan, who painted 50 giant faces in Paris, Emmy-award winning composer Steven Sandberg and actor Reinaldo Cotia Braga return with a new collaboration of sounds performance and multi-media. Le Petit Versailles Garden, 346 E. Houston St. Free, 8 p.m.
Harlem Cool Cat Jazz
Carol Friedman, author of “Nicky The Jazz Cat” will read “Nicky” and host a jazzy sing-a-long with “Nicky’s Jazz For Kids” CD, accompanied by very special guest jazz musicians. Big Apple Jazz, 2236 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. Free, 12 p.m. 212-283-5299.
Gay and Lesbian Comedy Fest
The Comedy Fest is back again, starring Danny Cohen, Danny McWilliams, Shecky Beagleman, Marcus Hicks, Anne Neczypor, David Hodorowski, Sidney Myer, and hosted by Michael Brill. Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St. $10 cover, two drink minimum. Reservations strongly suggested at 212-757-0788.
SUN.JUL. 30
GALDE 16th Annual Picnic and Health Fair
For the last 16 years, this event has brought together lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual communities of New York City and the Dominican Republic in a day of health awareness, relaxation, fun in the sun and music. Several local officials from the community will address the crowd at 3 p.m. and will close with two free after parties at the Monkey Room. Ft. Washington Park, under the George Washington Bridge. Free, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Martin Schoeller
“Close Up,” Schoeller’s long awaited U.S. debut of large format photographic portraits, often features celebrities, political figures, athletes, or musicians. Schoeller’s distinct style is in full force here. Through Sept 1. Mon-Fri 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Hasted Hunt, 529 W. 20th St. Free, 212-627-0006.
MON.JUL. 31
Pier Outlaws
Out Professionals screens Pier Outlaws, a colorful and historic record of an exhilarating era by photographer and author Frank Hallam. Inspired by the success of the Stonewall uprising, renegades “liberated” the closed piers on Manhattan’s lower West Side, turning them into a virtual gay beach and cruising area. Hallam captures the sun-drenched action in vintage 35mm slides. The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St. 6 p.m. $5 for OP members, otherwise $10. 212-620-7310.
Virginity or Death!
No matter what the subject, Katha Pollitt’s writings are always as eloquent as they are provocative. In “Virginity or Death!” her new book of essays, she showcases her keen insights and mordant wit while skewering hypocrites from every part of the political spectrum. Katha Pollitt is an award-winning poet, essayist and columnist for The Nation. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton and Rivington. 212-777-6028. Free, 7 p.m.
An evening of short films by Katrina del Mar
Katrina del Mar is presenting the first ever-public screening of her collected work: girl gang genre movies, art films and music videos. Get ready to rumble with these tuff chicks: aggressively sexy, outlandish and bold. Pioneer Theater at Two Boots, 155 E. Third St. 212-591-0434. $9 at 7 p.m.
TUE.AUG. 1
Post-photography
“It’s not a photo” is an exhibition of abstract photography and electronic media. Photography has long since passed its status as a document of truth. The old chestnut of popular wisdom, that “the camera does not lie,” seems quaint and even naïve today. 21st century photography lies most of the time, given the ubiquity of digital tools and techniques. Even the most amateur photographer is capable of undermining and confusing established conventions. More than what is real, the questions become what is real that or can be made to look as if it were fake—and vice versa. Artifice and manipulation reign. The group of artists selected for “It’s not a photo” has abandoned representation to focus on the media itself. Like abstract painting, photography has become increasingly self-referential, medium to investigate the tools of its own making—light, paper, chemicals, digital processes, etc. Opening tonight from 6-8 p.m. Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St. Through Aug. 26. Tue.-Sat. noon to 6 p.m., Thu. Noon to 8 p.m. $6/$3 students & seniors at 212-255-0719.
WED.AUG. 2
Symbiosis: a Photographic Sculpture Exhibit
Artist Stephen Barnett’s series of black and white images juxtaposed with color abstract images demonstrating the “symbiosis” between the mind and the soul. This exhibit is made possible by a Premier Grant from the Council of the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island, with public funding from the New York State Council on the Arts. Through Sept. 12. The Alice Austen House Museum. 2 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island Free 718-816-4506
Family Week
Hundreds of families from all over the world will gather in Provincetown for Family Pride’s annual Family Week, a week-long conference and family adventure from July 29-August 5. For the 11th consecutive year, Family Pride’s Family Week will provide a safe, vibrant and engaging space for LGBT parents and their children to gather. In addition, there are workshop and discussion days for adult, as part of Family Pride’s advocacy work. 917-757-6123.
Latin Open Mic Night
The Latino Cultural Arts Festival welcomes Emanuel Xavier as he performs and hosts an open mic, which will give other voices within the Latin community an opportunity to share their own words. Each presenter will get 3-5 minutes to excite, motivate and inspire in English, Spanish or Spanglish. Anyone interested in performing at the Open Mic, should contact Angel at areynoso@queenstheatre.org to RSVP. Flushing Meadows Park. Free, 7 p.m. 718-760-0064.
Krapp
This year Queen’s Theatre in the Park’s JPMorgan Chase Latino Cultural Festival brings Grupo Krapp a five-member dance and music company based in Buenos Aires, Argentina whose name comes from the Samuel Beckett play “Krapp’s Last Tape” – popular in Latin America. “Project E,” a world premiere, explores the creation of dance, a group of performers who are tall, agile and beautiful and are magically extracted from a work in progress. Reduced from their natural size, they fantasize about the thought of returning to their previous state, but now is not before. So they create strange routines, absurd patterns and disturbing orchestrations as they try to recover the adrenalin and drive that once made the masses breathless—they search for that singular sensation that led to applause and standing ovations. The program will also include “Rio Seco” (Dry River), receives its inspiration from images of not so idyllic family vacations in the mountainous area rivers of the Argentinean pampas (countryside). Wednesday, August 2 at Queens Theatre in the Park 8 p.m. $20 at the door and $15 in advance. Queens Theatre is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. 718-760-0064 or QueensTheatre.org for information and tickets. Also Thursday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Ave. in Long Island City. $12 (adults) and $6 (students) at 718-482-5151 or lagcc.cuny.edu/lpac/ for information and tickets.
THU.AUG. 3
The Sam Shepard Festival
The Michael Chekhov Theatre Company is pleased to announce the continuation of The Sam Shepard Festival at The Big, Little Theatre. The Michael Chekhov Theatre Company opened their new theatre on March 15th with three of Shepard’s plays: “Simpatico,” “Buried Child,” and “A Lie of the Mind.” They continue their ode to Shepard by next presenting: “Forensic and the Navigators” directed by Tom Amici and “States of Shock” directed by Joe Benenati in a double bill, “Savage/Love” directed by Jason Kalus, “4-H Club” directed by Guilherme Parreiras, and “Rock Garden” directed by Alisha Silver in a triple bill, and “Seduced” directed by Joe Zarro in a single bill. The Big, Little Theatre, 141 Ridge St. Through August 31. $18, 8 p.m. 212-340-1962 ext. 4.
Homo Comicus
The faeries of the funny will be casting their side-splitting spell on a cool night full of hot comics, hosted by the man who gives great talking head Frank DeCaro (from “The Frank DeCaro Show” on Sirius OutQ Radio), with hilarious gay and gay-friendly comics Larry Amoros, comic diva Kim Cea, Susan Jeremy, Mark McCombs and more! Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W. 23rd St. $15 cover/2 beverage minimum, 7:30 p.m. Reservations required at 212-367-9000.
FRI.AUG. 4
Thin Walls
Thin Walls is a summer exhibition at the Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery, an artist-run space open on Saturdays and Sundays. The objects were chosen for their relation to a loosely-defined theme of reflection. Reflection in all of its forms was chosen as an appropriate activity on which to dwell during a weekend show between seasons, semesters, and in some cases fiscal years. Ranging between the personal, historical, political, and optical, Thin Walls presents eight modestly-scaled objects curated by artist Sara Greenberger Rafferty. Through Aug. 20, Saturday & Sunday 12-6 p.m., or by appointment. Klaus Von Nichtssagend Gallery, 438 Union Ave. Free, 718-383-7309.
Edison Woods
The spiegeltent is one of the globe’s most treasured marvels. The Spiegeltent is an opulent and spectacular venue of canvas, cut glass, teak, mirrors billowing velvet and brocade, which is being brought to New York City for the first time in history. This exceptional venue will be filled with sultry, funky, cutting edge artists for a strictly limited run of only nine weeks (through October 1st). Featured artists include Edison Woods, Diamanda Galas, Absinthe, Ethel, Gutbucket, Duncan Sheik, and Cynthia Hopkins, amongst others. Spiegeltent, Fulton Fish Market, Pier 17, South Street Seaport. 12 a.m. $15, 212-279-4200.
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