THU.JAN.19
Josh Wood, Kenny Kenny, GBH, Larry Tee, Amanda LaPore, and Sofia Lamar take part in “The Peter Berlin Low Couture Show,” a fashion event showcasing Berlin’s individual creations. Distortion Disko at Duvet, 45 W. 21st, 212-989-2121. The runway show will feature a pack of beautiful men all wearing designs by Peter Berlin and Koos Van Den Akker. $15 at 11 p.m.
No Angie Dickinson
Indie rock icon Joan Wasser’s “Joan as Police Woman” features new songs from her forthcoming album, “Real Life” with her rhythm section–Rainy Orteca on bass and Ben Perowsky on drums. Each week, different special guest musicians and vocalists will join the band. Scheduled to appear are Rufus Wainwright, Joseph Arthur, and Antony, all of whom Joan has intimately collaborated with on their music, and now on her own. Tonight and Jan. 26 and Feb, 2 at 8 p.m. at The Living Room, 154 Ludlow St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. Free; no reservations. For information 212-533-7235.
FRI.JAN.20
Gay Art
Joseph Cavalieri presents a showcase of his latest works of painted stained glass, which refer to both pop and queer cultures. Enjoy refreshments, the art, and the other exhibitions on display at this special evening with the artist. Leslie/Lohman Gallery, 127B Prince St. at Wooster St. 212-673-7007. 6-9 p.m.
Identity Singing
Directed by Anand Ramaswamy, with musical direction by Rachel Kaufman, “Boy Sings Girl,” written and performed by Jon Wilcox, is one man’s musical odyssey of coming to terms with gender and sexuality. The story is told through musical theater and popular songs originally written for women by Stephen Sondheim, Galt MacDermot, Richard Maltby, and David Shire, Stephen Schwartz, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Andrew Lloyd Webber, William Finn, and Richard Carpenter. From a childhood in Minnesota in the 1970s, where singing “girl songs” from musicals like “Hair,” or pop songs by The Carpenters and Mama Cass felt perfectly natural, “Boy Sings Girl” follows Wilcox’s journey through teenaged years as shame put an end to such performances. The story continues through years as a would-be Broadway star in New York, where the ecstasy of coming out was quickly replaced by the fear of AIDS in the 1980s – followed by a move west to California, where life as a businessman and marriage to a woman came crashing down by the end of the 1990s. Wilcox ultimately returns to New York, where fears about gender identity and sexuality can finally be overcome in a transformation that coincides with meeting his 18-year-old son for the first time. Upstairs at Rose’s Turn Cabaret, 55 Grove St. btwn. Seventh Ave. & Bleecker St. $10 plus two drink minimum. Reservations at 212-366-5438 after 4 p.m. Jan. 20 & 27 at 9 p.m.
Just As We Are
Roulette Fine Art presents 20 fine portraits of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Americans by photographer Charzette Torrence. 6-8 p.m. at the 96th St. branch of the New York Public Library. 112 E. 96th St. Through Jan. 21. 212-289-0908.
SAT.JAN.21
Violent Ends
“The End of Reality,” a new theater work by Richard Maxwell, explores violence; physical exchanges are as significant as dialogue. Set in a “lobby-citadel,” guards attempt to secure a vulnerable area against unidentified intruders. The resulting confusion and conflict take the audience to a place that is both new and distinctly American. The Kitchen, 512 West 19th St., Thu.-Sat. through Jan. 28 and Jan. 22-23, 8 p.m. $15 at 212-255-5793 x11 or thekitchen.org.
Live-Action Video Game
The Chocolate Factory is proud to present the world premiere of the video game infused theatrical extravaganza “Gun Play,” conceived and directed by Chocolate Factory founder/artistic director Brian Rogers. Drawing parallels between real violence and imagined violence, the performance will recreate the world of 3-D first-person-shooter videogames on stage while integrating videogame footage using high-tech video and computers. The audience, wearing headphones—Quake Convention style—watch the gun and gamer world come to life with an all-star cast of real-life gun relevant personalities like Hunter S. Thompson, Ted Nugent, William S. Burroughs, and John Carmack, who developed the games Doom and Quake. The cast plays videogames, manipulate realistic weaponry, and step into the shoes of real life personalities. 5-49 49th Ave. in Long Island City. $15 at 212-352-3101 or theatermania.com. Thursday is “Pay What You Can” for Queens residents. For more information, chocolatefactorytheater.org. Thu.-Sat. at 8 p.m. Through Feb. 4.
The Atlas Group
Walid Raad’s first New York solo exhibition, “The Dead Weight of a Quarrel Hangs: Documents from The Atlas Group,” includes video projections, digital prints, and two performance lectures that are part of an ongoing project. The Atlas Group researches and documents contemporary Lebanese history, and the consequences of war. The Kitchen, 512 West 19th St., Tue.-Sat. 12-6 p.m. Free. Through Mar. 11.
NEUROfest
Untitled Theater Company #61, artistic director Edward Einhorn, present the first theater festival dedicated to neurological conditions. The festival is partly inspired by the work of famed neurologist and author Oliver Sacks (“The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat,” “Awakenings”), a writer well regarded for his exploration of the creative revelations made through neurology. Science has long since been a bedfellow to the arts, and NEUROfest will combine the two in a festival of over 20 plays, seminars and readings about neurological conditions, ranging from aphasia to savantism to autism to Tourette’s. Theater 5, 311 W. 43rd St., fifth fl. Through Jan 29. Tickets are $15 212-352-3101 or theatermania.com.
Performance and Media
Zone: Chelsea Center for the Arts presents a retrospective of video installation works by artist Molly Davies, who started making experimental films in the late 1960s. She became well known in the 1970s for her innovative work with film and performance, collaborating with contemporary choreographers, performers and composers. The exhibition will focus on Davies’ unique collaboration between mediums and will feature four major installation works spanning three decades. The exhibition includes “David Tudor’s Ocean” (1991), a six-channel piece, documenting three performances of the first tour of Merce Cunningham Dance Company’s acclaimed work “Ocean,” with composer David Tudor and Takehisa Kosugi performing live. “Sea Tails” (1983), a three-channel, six monitor piece, that integrates an evocative electronic score by David Tudor with film footage of French artist Jackie Matisse’s extraordinary underwater kites will also be on display. The exhibit will include the premiere of “Desire” (2002), a three-channel, three- screen installation with text by renowned poet Anne Carson. And in “Pastime” (1995), a provocative slide/video/sound installation built of layers with three projection surfaces and a sound collage. Zone: Chelsea Center for the Arts, 601 W. 26th St., #302. 212-255-2177 or zonechelsea.org. Through Feb. 18, Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Studio Visit
Exit Art features the work of more than 160 artists invited to create a short video on the subject of their workspace. The works are presented as projections or on single channel monitors throughout the studio, or in smaller artists spaces created throughout Exit. The aim is to offer the public the opportunity usually reserved for curators, critics, collectors, and friends to view an artist’s private work space. Seven artists—Chris Clary, Aaron Krach, J. Morrison, Francis Palazzolo, Joyce Pensato, Cynthia von Buhler, and Paul Wirhun—actually create a studio in the gallery’s windows that face the street. Krach, with a video on himself swimming, forged a beach setting that looks out on 36th St. For complete information, visit exitart.org. Thu.-Sat., 7 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 28. 475 10th Ave. at 36th St.
SUN.JAN.22
Needling Lesbians Return
Come on in and knit, make new friends, drink some tea, and learn a new craft at a self-help and member led group event. The Dyke Knitting Circle is open to all levels of experience and meets every third Sunday of the month. Please bring yarn and knitting needles. For more information, knittingcirclenyc@yahoo.com or 212.714.8375. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton & Rivington. 212-777-6028. 4-6 p.m. Free.
MON. JAN.23
Cheer Up After the Holidays
Cheer New York holds mid-season tryouts for the pep squad that supports the community at the AIDSWalk, the Move Against AIDS dance-a-thon, and other LGBT benefits. The group is inviting interested cheerleaders, gymnast, dancers, and athletes to join the team. No one’s too old, but you must be at least 21! 6:30 p.m. at the NYC Parks Department Gym, 533 W. 59th St. For more information, visit cheerny.org, call 888-671-7312, or e-mail info@cheerny.org.
SMUT
A weekly program of no-holds-barred performance every Monday at Galapagos, hosted by Desiree Burch. 70 N. Sixth St. btwn. Kent and Wythe in Williamsburg. 718-782-5188. 8 p.m.; free.
Yoga for Modern Men
Bendyboys has moved to a brand new, spacious, carpeted studio with views of midtown at One Spirit Learning Alliance. Two classes are now offered at different levels—Mon. is Level I-II, suitable for beginners; Thu. is Level II-III, suitable for those looking for a more rigorous flow and advanced poses. New classes will feature such themes as morning after yoga for detoxification as well as special classes for immune system boosting, weight reduction, and overcoming anxiety, depression, and addictions. 6:30 – 8:15 p.m. 330 W. 38th St., Suite 1506. $17; $1 mat rental. bendyboys.net.
TUE.JAN.24
Porn Idol 2006
Will Clark Presents.com in tandem with Jeff Kagan’s 64 events com host an evening which searches for the next big porn star. Videos, lube, and a $100 cash prize will be awarded. Porn star Kyle Douglas, Broadway Cares’ Anthony LaTorella, Cheer New York’s Felipe Hernandez, and promoter Bobby McGuire are the celebrity judges. Singer Scottie Gage performs. XL, 357 W. 16th St, 10 p.m. No cover, drink specials.
WED.JAN.25
First Fiction Reading Series
Come support two fresh voices sharing their debut works. Author Bill Gordon will read from his novel “Mary After All,” a story about a Jersey City native who comes of age during the turbulent 1970’s. Ronna Wineberg’s award-winning collection “Second Language” has been described as ‘a series of complex, absorbing worlds beautifully written and deeply satisfying’ by novelist Margot Livesey. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton & Rivington. 212-777-6028. 7 p.m. Free.
THU.JAN.26
Support Chelsea Non-Profit Dance
Nicholas Leichter and his dance company nicholasleichterdance, who blew away crowds at this summer’s Fire Island Dance Festival, host a benefit for their new studio in Chelsea, scheduled to open in March. The event features live performances by composer/singer Eisa Davis, and a preview of the company’s “Carmina Burana” premiering next month at BAM with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and fabulous raffle prizes are in store. The honorary benefit committee includes Richie Akiva and Scott Sartiano from Butter, music director Michael Christie, artist Mary Ellen Carol, and performer Billy Porter. The Loft at 47 West St. $150—a portion of which is tax-deductible—at 718-797-2450. 7-10 p.m. nldnyc.org.
Lost & Found
Drunken! Careening! Writers! is a monthly reading series dedicated to the proposition that readings should be: excellent, well-read pieces that have at least one thing in them that makes people laugh and don’t run more than 15 minutes each. Carol Novack is a lapsed criminal defense lawyer with an unused MSW. A book of her poems, Living Alone Without a Dictionary, was published in Australia. Greg Sanders’ short stories have appeared or are forthcoming in numerous journals. Todd Zuniga is the founding editor of Opium Magazine. Kathleen Warnock hosts. For more information, CareeningWriters@aol.com . KGB Bar, 85 E. Fourth St. 212-505-3360 or KGBBar.com. 7 p.m. Free.
SAT.JAN.28
Mariposas
This spoken word event, a benefit for SOMOS, a project of the Latino Commission on AIDS, features Dino Foxx, Emanuel Xavier, Simply Rob, and Robert Ortiz, and is hosted by Elizabeth Latex. SOMOS is an innovative HIV prevention project that will focus on homophobia, as a cause of higher rates of HIV transmission among Latino gay and bisexual men. SOMOS’ goal is to increase sexual self-regulation by addressing the cultural scripts that decrease self-esteem, lower sexual control and competency, decrease social isolation and address the sense of fatalism among Latino gay and bisexual men, and change external factors causing these cultural scripts the undermine the enactment of safer sex intentions through community-level interventions which address homophobia in New York’s Latino communities. Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery at Bleecker St., 212-614-0505 or bowerypoetry.com. For more information about SOMOS, latinoaids.org/programs/mano_somos.htm. 6-8 p.m. $5 suggested.
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