THU.DEC.22
Klezmer Lesbians
Isle of Klezbos, whose Outmusic award-winning recordings have topped world music charts at home and abroad, appears at Joe’s Pub. Hold the date for this special almost-Hanukah show! 425 Lafayette St., just below Astor Pl. Information at 212-539-8770. Reservations for dinner at 212-539-8778, doors open 6 p.m. $12 at telecharge.com or 212-239-6200. 7:30 p.m.
FRI.DEC.23
‘Twas
The title is a mouthful, but “’Twas the Night Before the Twelve Days of a Nutcracker Christmas Carol,” directed by Ken Nintzel, features the unabridged drama of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” set to the complete score of Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” with a reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” An infusion of language, music, dance, and design, Nintzel’s theatrical constructions mix elaborate staging techniques with a quirky detailed aesthetic to create an evening of intimate spectacle that is fun for the whole family. Choreographed by Johanna Meyer and performed by a company of more than 20 of the brightest underpaid talent of downtown theater and dance—and the voice of Richard Foreman. Through Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 150 First Ave. at Ninth St. $20/$15 students and seniors, $10 children 13 at theatermania.com or 212.352.3101.
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. A panel discussion with the artist and people portrayed will take place Sat. Jan.14, also at the library. Through Jan. 21. 212-289-0908.
A Very Bette Christmas
A new holiday play with music, written by Elizabeth Fuller (“Me and Jezebel”) imagines the star in the setting of a 1962 Christmas television special. Tommy Femia, who is best known for his award-winning Judy Garland impersonation, plays the intimidating, explosive actress. Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St.. $20 cover plus two-drink minimum at 212-757-0788. Weekends, various times, through Jan. 8.
Glam Days
Mick Rock the photographer often referred to as “The Man Who Shot the Seventies,” showcases an intimate selection of some of his most iconic rock ‘n roll images. From his earliest work as David Bowie’s official photographer to working with Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, the Ramones, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rock’s enthusiasm remains remained undiminished as he has continues to capture the musical spirit of successive eras right through to the new millennium. The gallery at SoHo Grand, 310 W. Broadway. Through Jan. 30.
Lambda Literary Awards
Celebrating and enhancing the visibility of books that speak the truth about LGBT lives, the Lambda Literary Foundation honors the best authors in our community annually. Past winners have included Michael Cunningham, Dorothy Allison, Christopher Bram, Adrienne Rich, Edmund White, Michele Tea, Michael Nava, Lillian Faderman, David Sedaris, as well as younger writers such as Achy Obejas, Christopher Rice, Jacqueline Woodson, and Tristan Taormino. Nominations for the 18th annual Awards are now open and due on Dec. 31. For guidelines and nomination forms, visit lambdaliterary.org/awards. The group aiming to relaunch the prestigious Lambda Book Report as a quarterly publication, and is seeking donations. A gift of $35 or more will earn you a bonus book you can choose from four choices. Visit the Foundation’s website at lambdaliterary.org or send a donation, tax-deductible, to Lambda Literary Foundation, P.O. Box 1957, Old Chelsea Station, New York City 10012.
SAT.DEC.24
Female Robotics
As part of a rare solo exhibition, encompassing 30 years of Lynn Hershman Leeson’s groundbreaking artistic practices, the artist will premiere her latest artificial intelligence robot. Dubbed as “the grand dame of digital art,” Hershman Leeson has been working with robots and artificial intelligence as an art form for more than a decade. DiNA, a virtual presidential candidate with the slogan campaign, “Artificial intelligence is better than no intelligence,” is embodied by the face of Leeson’s longtime collaborator, actress Tilda Swinton. Swinton’s transformed visage is driven by cutting-edge animation software and a brain as big as the Internet, growing smarter as it interacts with users and processes information. bitforms gallery, 529 W. 20th St. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Through Jan. 14, Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Somnambulic
Location One presents the first New York solo exhibition by Canadian artist Martin Beauregard. This body of recent sculpture, videos, and photographs highlights Beauregard’s ongoing interest in themes revolving around the relationships among dream, illusion, and reality. 26 Greene St., btwn. Canal & Grand Sts. 212-334-3347 or location1.org. The exhibition’s opening reception 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours Tue.-Sat. 12-6 p.m. Through Feb 4.
SUN.DEC.25
Broadway Tunes Up for a Cure
The 2005 holiday season will be merry and bright with the latest installment of “Broadway’s Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure Volume 7” in which the entire Broadway community comes together to raise money for their favorite charity, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS This year’s twp-CD set is packed with 27 unique versions of both traditional and original holiday songs created especially for this recording. “Carols for a Cure” offers holiday music from virtually every Broadway show—and a few off-Broadway companies—including “Mamma Mia!” “The Phantom of The Opera,” “The Producers,” “Rent,” and “Wicked.” Available at broadwaycares.org or 212-840-0770.
MON.DEC.26
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.DEC.27
Women’s Poetry Jam & Open Mic
Susan Scutti does not come near her favorite writers, among them Doris Lessing and Patricia Highsmith, but she’s trying. Her book “A Kind of Sleep” is a story of reinvention. Linda Lerner’s chapbook “Because You Can’t, I Will” deals with the aftermath of her partner’s death and how her new cat Samsara and his background improvisational jazz has helped her to endure. Women’s Poetry Jam is hosted by Vittoria Repetto, the hardest working guinea butch dyke poet in the Lower East Side. Open mike sign-up starts at 7 p.m. Come and deliver (up to) 8 minutes of your poetry, prose, songs, and spoken word. Bluestocking, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. $3-5 suggested.
WED.DEC.28
Art For Social Change
Activist, artist, writer, and educator Beverly Naidus will discuss the history and power of art for social change. Her slideshow and talk will emphasize the importance of various practices, such as working alone in studio to heal oneself to facilitating community dialog through cultural projects. Beverly was active in the NYC street art movements of the early 80’s and the LA feminist art movements in the 80’s and 1990’s. Currently, she is designing the ‘Art For Social Change’ program at the University of Washington. Bluestocking, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. $5-10 suggested. 7 p.m.
THU.DEC.29
UJIMMA
African Ancestral Lesbians Celebrate Women’s Kwanzaa with collective work and responsibility. Featuring speakers, performers, food and drink. Donations accepted. For more information contact Candice Boyce at 212-620-7310. The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St. 6 p.m.
FRI.DEC.30
One Night in Advance
Motherfucker, which produces polysexual, raucous rock parties, hosts its inaugural New Year’s Eve-Eve ball, featuring The Juan Maclean, who will supply their brutish and groovy funkadelic synth melodies, reflecting the band’s love affair with Kraftwerk, Derrick May, Giorgio Moroder, Lipps Inc., and Talking Heads. Elsewhere at the club DJs Michael T (Bust at Boys Room, Rated X), Justine D (Tiswas, Aktion at Lit, Nighttime), and Dave P provide gorgeous freak chic tunes with their selection of rock n’ roll, glam rock, punk, and new wave. Avalon, 662 Sixth Ave., btwn. 20th & 21st St. Doors open at 10 p.m. The Juan Maclean onstage at 11:30 p.m. Redbull energy drink open bar from 10 to 11 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 at 212-532-4650; $20 at the door.
SAT.DEC.31
Party Like It’s 1984
And they even throw in ‘80s discount prices at Pyramid’s 1984 New Year’s bash. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. with two hours of an all-Madonna dance floor. At 11:30, the Go-Gos, Duran Duran, Boy George, and other ‘80s faves are thrown into the dance floor mix. Admission is only $12, with drink specials before 11 p.m. 101 Ave. A at E. Seventh St. You must have a photo ID that shows you’re at least 21.
The White Pary
In the spirit of Brazilian New Year’s Eve parties, ALMA hosts its annual White Party, featuring exceptionally talented drummers and musicians and DJs True and Miller Cruz, who will keep you dancing to beats from New York to Johannesburg and everywhere in between. The producers promise an evening of an incredibly sexy journey into sound. Sullivan Room, 218 Sullivan St., btwn. Third Ave. & Bleecker St. Doors open at 9 p.m. with dancing until 3 a.m. Admission is $25. To guarantee a spot, RSVP to musikbutrfly@earthlink.net. Complete details at emergingarts.com/alma. html.
Fireworks!
If you are looking for hot visuals on New Year’s Eve, check out one of three opportunities in Brooklyn and Manhattan. At Grand Army Plaza all the way to Ninth Street on Prospect Park West in Brooklyn, watch a spectacular light show in the park at midnight. For more information, visit prospectpark.org or call 718-965-8999. In Manhattan’s Central Park, there will be a midnight display best seen from Tavern on the Green or Sheep’s Meadow. Visit centralparknyc.org or call 212-794-6564. The Grucci family will light up New York Harbor above the Statue of Liberty at the stroke of midnight. The best views for this show are Battery Park and Wagner Park in Battery Park City.
SUN.JAN.1
Saint At Large
It’s a new year and there’s a new party. Gaydom’s tireless underground party promoter for a quarter century surfaces in 2006 to throw the first big dance event at the Euro-import Pacha NYC, promising “a fresh, uplifting, HI-NRG vibe with a futuristic, Japanime-infused theme.” DJ Chris Cox will inaugurate the 12-hour party with his eclectic blend of tribal rhythms and souring vocals. Taking over the reigns and keeping the pace pumping will be David Knapp. After two decades as a professional DJ and winning avid fans around the globe, he remains one of the most beloved and popular musical artists in the gay community. JonJon Battles will represent the new breed of downtown DJ’s who draw from a wide spectrum of musical genres as he spins in the ultra-plush Louis XVII Lounge. 618 W. 46th St., 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. Advance tickets are $45 at saintatlarge.com; $55 at the door. For more information, call 212-674-8541.
FRI.JAN.6
Fort Greene Scene
Local artists launch a series of improvisational electronics, jazz, funk, R&B, and classical music that will run through the Spring of 2006. Composer and trombonist Chris McIntyre leads LOTET, which performs music conceptually inspired by the oscillations and vibrations of low frequencies. McIntyre’s compositions are a filtering and reprocessing of his musical life, often incorporating improvisational, site-specific electronic elements that allow the group to apply diverse, bass-heavy colors of pulsing, visceral music from the bottom up. McIntyre is joined by Andrew Barker (cello, percussion), Kato Hideki (electric bass, bass synthesizer), Raz Mesinai (percussion, electronics), and Charles Waters (bass clarinet). BAM Café, 30 Lafayette Ave., btwn. St. Felix St. & Ashland Pl., near Flatbush Ave., 9 pm. No cover charge, but a $10 food/ drink minimum. On Sat. Jan. 9, the E.J. Strickland Project appears at 9 p.m. Downbeat has called Strickland “the most exciting new drummer since Billy Kilson… and going back further, like Tony Williams or Billy Higgins, E.J. can emit fields of cumulative energy, clouds of feather-touch and heavy-handed syncopations, latent with power like an oncoming storm.” For more information on either show, or the Fort Greene Scene series, call 718-636-4100, or visit bam.org.
SAT.JAN.7
FurBall1: Growl!
Dance 208, the LGBT Community Center’s dance series, presents an evening of fur flying with DJ Mark D’Aleo, a veteran of P’Town’s Crown & Anchor and Ft. Lauderdale’s Ramrod. Expect hot guys, go-go bears, and a celebration of everything furry, with backdrops provided by artists Curry Mendes and David Aviles. Sponsored by Metrobears and Bear Café. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $10, $6 for Center members and members of all NYC-area Bear clubs. 208 W. 13th St.
First Saturday
Brooklyn Museum celebrates the New Year with a Saturday evening Winter Ball of arts performances. At 6 p.m. the Brooklyn Ballet performs a combination of traditional and contemporary ballet. Also at 6 p.m., hear the band Musette Explosion re-create the romance of a Parisian café with a blend of classic accordion music and American jazz. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., create a beaded headdress inspired by the Museum’s own Yoruba crown. At 7 p.m., Museum guide Jim Marshall leads a tour of the exhibition “Manufactured Landscapes: The Photographs of Edward Burtynsky.” At 8 p.m., join one of the Museum’s student guides in a conversational tour of the exhibition “Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire”. At 8:30 p.m., the Brooklyn Philharmonic presents “Amadeus Live!”—highlights from the film with a live performance of Mozart’s music in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth. From 9 to 11 p.m., the Beaux-Arts Court presents an evening of dance with the Vienna Festival Orchestra and in the Grand Lobby Lounge, Vintage DJ spins vinyl from the ‘30s to the ‘70s.The Museum is at 200 Eastern Parkway, a block past Grand Army Plaza. For more information, visit brooklynmuseum.org
SUN.JAN.8
The Switch
Fans can decide for themselves what the name of this band portends, but the musicians are interested in being all about embracing their individuality and true identity. The band’s lead singer is a lesbian who was part of the shoot for “On Our Back: Guide to Lesbian Sex.” Switch will perform in the semi-final round of the Red Bull Battle of the Bands Competition at the Knitting Factory Main Stage at 6:45 p.m., 74 Leonard St., btwn. Church St. and Broadway. For more information, call 212-219-3132.
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