THU.JUN. 8
The Culture Of Queer
Leslie/Lohman’s first collaboration with a major exhibitor in the U.S highlights J.B. Harter, a Louisiana artist who came out of the closet late in life and died young, and is supplemented by work from nine other queer Louisiana artists as well as by 27 works from the permanent collection of Charles Leslie and Friz Lohman, who have been collecting and displaying erotic male art for thirty years. 26 Wooster St. at Grand St. Tue.-Sat. 12-6 p.m. 212-431-2609. Through Jul. 1.
FRI.JUN. 9
Conversations in Dance
Choreographers Michael Leleux and Donnette Heath whip together a crew of dancers and performers to create a series of fresh new dance pieces with special guests vocalist Nadia Ackerman, visual artist Dan Price, and Jule Ramirez and her crew of sassy mouthed queer youth from the Bronx spitting out original poetry in an event called “Talking Feet And Dancing Tongues.” The LGBT Youth Project appear courtesy of an Action Lab grant provided by the Bronx Museum. Tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. BAAD! 841 Barretto St. in the South Bronx. #6 train to Hunts Point Ave. $15 at 718-842-5223 or BronxAcademyofArtsandDance.org.
Lesbian Herstory Archives
“Snatches of Lesbian Activism: 1970-2005.” Opening reception for a new multi-media exhibit using materials from different parts of the collection—print, photos, buttons, t-shirts, banners and videos—to highlight some of the lesbian activism in the last 35 years. Lesbian Herstory Archives. 484-14 St., btwn. Eighth Ave. and Prospect Park W. F train to 15th St. Free. Tonight from 7-9 p.m. And tomorrow the Archives hosts its Annual Brooklyn Pride Day “Books Plus” sale. Support the Archives and find lots of great books for summer reading. Everything is 50 cents or $1. Plus T-shirts, LPs and music cassettes. 718-768-3953 or lesbianherstoryarchives.org.
SAT.JUN. 10
Showers of Stoles
Park Avenue Christian Church announces an exhibition of the “Showers of Stoles Project,” a collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and sacred items representing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons of faith from 26 denominations in six countries. Each stole contains the story of a LGBT person who is either active in or seeks to serve their faith community—minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson. Although this collection celebrates the ministries of some who are openly affirmed by their congregations, the majority of stoles in the exhibit represent those who are being denied their vocation because of their faith community’s stance on sexual orientation or gender identity. In some cases, the stoles represent persons who are serving while unable to fully disclose their sexual or gender identity for fear of reprisal. The collection is displayed in hundreds of locations each year as a witness to the project’s mission—to end religious discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Opens tonight at 6:30 p.m. and runs through June 25 in the church’s Idleman Parlor at 1010 Park Ave., at 85th St.
Fire Island History
“When Ocean Meets Sky” is the first and only historical documentary about Fire Island Pines, the gay summer resort that has thrived for over 50 years. It provides a look at what it meant to be gay in the 20th century, and how, through the decades, this playground reflected the many times of change, crises, and strength that continue to impact gay culture today. It also offers an intimate view of the island’s birth as a nudist colony, the hedonism of the ‘70’s, to AIDS activism and the birth of the vibrant and active community of the present. The haven of The Pines brought together many of our nation’s leading designers, writers, composers, artists, movie and theater stars, investment bankers, etc.—but its story has never been told until now. The story is told first-hand by notables such as Larry Kramer, Jerry Herman, Carson Kressley, Alan Poul, as well as many other longtime Pines citizens, who speak about their close connection to this island retreat and how a place can define a belief system and a state of mind. 9 p.m. on LOGO Channel.
SUN.JUN. 11
Bengali In Platforms
Cinemarosa, the monthly film series presents a special premiere screening of “Yours Emotionally!” by Bombay director Sridhar Rangayan, a compelling comic drama about two gay friends, Ravi, a British Indian, and his best mate, Paul, who go on holiday to India where they attend an eye-opening gay sex party. Though Ravi finds a mixture of moribund traditions and shocking openness, he cannot reconcile them with the gay scene back home in Leicester, England. Interspersed with flashes of semi-surreal situations presented through dream sequences the film unfolds on a brightly painted canvas that defies stereotypes and explores contrasting values within Indian and Western gay sub-cultures. The screening also includes “Lavender Ink,” a collection of literary narratives created by members of SAGEQueens who took part in the month long “Writing and Visualization” program led by New Media Artist, Hector Canonge. There will be a Q&A session with the attending filmmaker, writers, and artist. Queens Museum of Art. #7 train to Flushing, exit at Willets Point Ave./Shea Stadium. Descend the platform on the park side and walk through the park. The museum is located next to the Unisphere fountain.
MON.JUN. 12
LGBT Youth Benefit
The Ali Forney Center celebrates its fourth year of service in the community with “Luscious 2006.” The Ali Forney Center’s mission is to shelter and house homeless LGBT youth, and to assist them in becoming safe, healthy, and independent. The center currently houses 24 youth per night in safe, homelike environments and provides a center in Chelsea where medical, mental health, and vocational services are offered. The center will be highlighting its recently expanded emergency housing facility as well as the opening of the first of three planned transitional housing sites in Brooklyn. Drag Darling Edie MC’s between acts ranging from the hilarious actor and comedian Mario Cantone to downtown performer Da Lipstyxx. “Luscious 2006” pays homage to Ali Forney, the homeless gay youth violently killed on the streets in 1997; Luscious was his stage name. He was dedicated to the safety of other homeless queer youth and he loved to entertain. 8 p.m. at the Lucille Lortell Theater, 121 Christopher St. $50 at 212-279-4200 or ticketcentral.com; $150 VIP tickets at 800-511-4396 include prime seating at the show and admission to the after-party at Luke & Leroy, 21 Seventh Ave. btwn. Leroy and Carmine Sts., from 9:30-11:30 p.m. For more info 212-206-0574 or aliforneycenter.org.
TUE.JUN. 13
Activism in the Black LGBT Community
The program “Politics and Activism in the Black LGBT/SGL Community” is part of a month-long series called “Art and Activism” Contemporary LGBT Arts and Protest” being presented by the New York Public Library and The LGBT Community Center. This first of two programs co-sponsored by the Schomburg Center’s Black Gay and Lesbian Archive will focus on political activity within the black same-gender-loving community over the past 30 years. Currently, politically active LGBT/SGL activists of African descent are a mix of seasoned and new thinkers, engaging a range of issues including marriage equality, homophobia in the black church, and hate crimes, among other issues. Panelists include Samiya Bashir (The Right to Marry Campaign), Larry D. Lyons, II (Rashawn Brazell Memorial Fund), Kevin McGruder (Gay Men of African Descent), and others. 6-8 p.m. at The New York Public Library Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd.
WED.JUN. 14
Ladies Night
GLAMM Wednesdays, a naughty weekly party for girls who like girls and their gay boyfriends. Come early, play your iPod, and drink cheap. Orchid Lounge, 500 E. 11th St. btwn. Ave. A & B. 212-254-4090. Happy hour 5-8 p.m features $3 beer, $5 wine, and $5 cocktails. Raunchfest starts at 8 p.m. Free surprise shots at the sound of the gong. No cover.
Yoga4M
Bendyboys, yoga for modern men, meets at the Breathing Project, 15 W. 26th St. 10th fl., btwn. Broadway & Sixth Ave. 8-9:30 p.m. $17 per class, $150 for 10 class series usable over three months. All levels are welcome. Questions or reservations at bendyboys.net.
NYC Gay Men’s Chorus
The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Our Journey,” a Celebration of Gay Pride. Under the direction of co-Music Directors Gary Miller (founder of NYCGMC, 1980) and Casey J. Hayes and Executive Director David Edelman, the 225-member NYCGMC will rock the rafters of Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall with their signature big-choral sound for an evening music celebrating the perseverance and creativity of the LGBT community. The centerpiece of the program will be the east coast premier of an extraordinary choral suite, “Metamorphosis.” With music by Robert Seeley and lyrics by Robert Espindola, “Metamorphosis” is an epic journey of coming of age, coming out and family. The special guest star for the evening is the internationally renowned dance company Jennifer Muller/The Works (dancer Gen Hashimoto pictured, photo by Carol Rosegg). 8 p.m. at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Columbus Ave. at 65th Street. $27-$84 at 212-875-5030. For more information, 212-242-1777 or nycgmc.org.
THU.JUN. 15
Mix Festival
When MixNYC New York’s experimental lesbian and gay film festival comes to the Bronx, they will bring two provocative programs of work that promise to be a cruising ground for radical opinion, sexy performance, and plain old brilliant experimental film and video. Tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. BAAD! 841 Barretto St. in the South Bronx. #6 train to Hunts Point Ave. $15 at 718-842-5223 or BronxAcademyofArtsandDance.org.
Fast Futures
Japan Society Gallery presents three cutting-edge artists as part of Fast Futures: Asian Video Art. The three artists featured in this exhibition capture the rapturous and sometimes peculiar beauty of intricate repetition, introspection and routine. In “Enclose,” Bea Camacho (The Philippines) documents the 11 hours it took to crochet herself into a cocoon of bright red yarn. Hiraki Sawa (Japan) exposes surprise elements within a seemingly barren household terrain in his video, “Trail.” Koki Tanaka (Japan) offers seven short, often-lively works that encapsulate the immensity of infinity. $5, $3 students & seniors, free for members and children under 16, at 212-832-1155 or japansociety.org. 333 E. 47th St., btwn. First & Second Aves. Through Jun. 18, Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
CalArts Retrospective
MOMA presents the most extensive retrospective ever mounted of films and videos by former students at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). “Tomorrowland: CalArts in Moving Pictures” celebrates more than three decades of intimate, inventive, and technically sophisticated student filmmaking and videomaking. This exhibition features nonfiction, narrative, animation, and experimental styles and genres—including Gary Schwartz’ “Animus” (pictured)—with particular focus on the animation program. Special evenings are devoted to artists Ericka Beckman, David Cabrera, James Casebere, Ken Feingold, Jack Goldstein, Sharon Greytak, Matt Mullican, Tony Oursler, David Salle, Ilene Segalove, Christopher Williams, and David Wilson, founder of The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles. These artists studied under John Baldessari, Michael Asher, Nam June Paik, Allan Kaprow, and Wolfgang Stoerchle in the “Post-Studio” program, and their conceptual films and Portapak videos of the 1970s and 1980s remain contemporary and provocative. Many of the artists will be at MoMA to present their work during these special evenings. 11 W. 53rd St, Wed.-Mon. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fri. 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Closed Tue. $20 adults; $16 seniors, $12 students; free for children 16 and under. $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 students for admittance to film programs only. For information and schedule 212-708-9400 or moma.org. Through Aug. 13.
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