THU.SEP.29
Larry Kramer
Larry Kramer will discuss his new book, “The Tragedy of Today’s Gays,” based on his speech last fall at Cooper Union, with Michael Specter of The New Yorker at The Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at 12th St. Free and open to the public. 6:30 p.m. 212-473-1452.
12th Annual Tastings Benefit
The Momentum Project, one of New York’s oldest HIV/AIDS service organizations, has teamed up with top chefs from 25 of New York’s most celebrated restaurants, for this scrumptious charity fundraiser. Attendees will enjoy a smorgasbord of mouth-watering signature dishes prepared by chefs from New York’s A-List restaurants including Picholine, Beacon, Butter, Ian, Riingo, Serendipity 3, and Zoë. This year’s honoree will be the M.A.C. AIDS Fund, which will be presented with the first and only Momentum Visionaire award for its continuous visionary leadership and philanthropic generosity in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The after-party celebration features DJ Lady Bunny and special celebrity guests. The Altman Building, 135 W 18th St. at 7 p.m. $150/VIP $300 at 212-691-8100 ext. 358 or momentumaidsproject.org
For the Benefit of Queer Youth
You may know him as Carlos, the slutty bartender in the gay romantic comedy “The Ski Trip,” but Emanuel Xavier is also a leading voice in the modern day poetry movement, hosting through his House of Xavier, an annual Glam Slam competition. Tonight, Xavier takes center stage in a benefit for the LGBT Community Center’s Youth Enrichment Services Program, or YES. Joining him will be percussionist Joyce Jones, 2005 Glam Slam Champion Danielle Bero, drag diva Sha Boom Boom, and youth from the YES program. Visual artist Medina will provide an installation featuring a mural he created with YES members. LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., room 101, 7 p.m. Suggested donation is at least $5.
The Naughty Show
The bad girls of comedy bring in their naughty style, in an all-chick extravaganza of performers doing their lewdest, sassiest, dirtiest material going into territory usually reserved for the dudes—sex, politics, fart jokes. A raucous show of no holds barred feminine powered bawdy humor. Featuring the naughty go-go team. And hosted by über fag hag Kate Rigg and featuring therapy icon and super gay straight girl Kim Cea. 10 p.m. Caroline’s on Broadway at 49th St. $15-$25 at 212-757-4100.
FRI.SEP.30
New Orleans Poetry that Soothes
Bowery Poetry Club hosts a benefit for victims of Hurricane Katrina, with Amiri Baraka and Eric Bogosian among those reading from the work of New Orleans poet Kalamu ya Salaam, in an evening entitled “Shelter from the Storm.” 308 Bowery at E. First St., 9 p.m. for the duration of the evening. For more information, call 212-614-0505.
Queer Piers Revisited
Frank Hallam’s photographs capture the sexually-charged atmosphere of the West Side Piers in the 70s and ‘80s. Before gentrification and police crackdowns transformed the area into the family-friendly park it is today, the decrepit waterfront served as an al-fresco meet-and-greet for men of all ages and colors. Relive—or experience for the first time—the rowdy days past when the piers were referred to as “the wild, wild West.” This slide presentation contains sexual imagery. 6:30 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. Call 212-741-2247 for more information.
SAT.OCT.1
Girls on the Wild Side
As part of its Coffeehouse Chronicles series, La MaMa plays host to three versions of the crowd Lou Reed was talking about when he wrote “Take a Walk on the Wild Side.” Biographer Jeremiah Newton talks about his friend Candy Darling. Craig Highberger discusses Jackie Curtis. And the legendary Holly Woodlawn makes a special guest appearance. This event is free. 74A E. Fourth St., between Bowery and Second Ave.
Joining Forces to Help
Toni Morrison, Cecil Taylor, Yusef Komuntakaa, Eddie Bobé, Denizé Lature, Dael Orlandermith, Anne Waldman, Edwin Torres, and Suheir Hammad are among those who will read and perform to benefit the 21st Century Foundation’s Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund. New Orleans native poets Tonya Foster and Greg Fuchs will emcee this event. A $20 donation is requested as are donations of books, journals, artworks, and clean clothing in good condition. Poetry Project at St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery, 131 E. 10th St. at Second Ave., 1-4 p.m., with a party with New Orleans cuisine and music to follow until 7 p.m. For more information, call 212-674-0910 or e-mail ss@poetryproject.com.
Picking Apples and Pumpkins
The Staten Island Health and Wellness Program heads to the Battleview Orchards in Freehold, New Jersey for some old fashioned autumn fun. Vans will leave the program’s headquarters at 380 Van Duzer at 10 a.m. and return to Staten Island at 3 p.m. Space is limited on the free buses, but bring money to pay for the apples and pumpkins you pick. Call Matthew at 718-273-5833 to reserve your space.
First Saturdays at Brooklyn Museum of Art
Free programs of art and entertainment on the first Saturday of each month, starting at 6 p.m. 200 Eastern Pkwy. at Washington Ave. 718-638-5000 or brooklynmuseum.org/first-Saturdays.
Judy Is Back
Tommy Femia, back from six acclaimed months on the road with his “Judy Garland Live” show, returns to Don’t Tell Mama for a late Saturday evening show at 11 p.m. running through Nov. 19. Mathew Ward, whose credits include “Forbidden Broadway,” is musical director. Femia belts out Judy’s biggest hits including “I Feel A Song Coming On,” “That’s Entertainment,” “After You’ve Gone,” “Over The Rainbow,” and “Chicago,” as well as tunes Garland never lived to sing, including “Fifty Percent” from “Ballroom” and even “Cabaret.” 343 W. 46th St. There’s a $20 cover and a two-drink minimum. For reservations, call 212-757-0788.
SUN. OCT 2
At Bear Café
Paul Chambliss, MD, the medical adviser to Bear Café, hosts the Chub Healthy Heart Fair, Forum & Social with other doctors in an interactive setting. Learn about abnormal heart rhythms, alcoholic, congestive, and dilated cardiomyopathy, angina, coronary artery disease, heart attacks and heart failure, high blood pressure, valve infections, pulmonary hypertension. Free testing with trained medical staff on premises. LGBT Community Center, 208 W 13th St. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. $7/$5 for Bear Café members. Call 866-749-8180 or visit bearcafe.org.
Bronx Cheers
The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture presents The ¡Viva Bronx! Festival, an arts and culture festival celebrating a community, the South Bronx, which has served as a gateway to America for generations of immigrants. Crafts, food, and vendors go all day. Hostos Community College/CUNY located at the southern end of the historical Grand Concourse, btwn.144th & 149th Sts. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, call 718-518-6700 or visit hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts/events.html
MON. OCT. 3
Medicare Road Show on Staten Island
Gay Men’s Health Crisis and the New York AIDS Coalition are conducting a statewide series of presentations for HIV-positive Medicare beneficiaries, case workers, and advocates who want to learn more about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. The addition of Part D to Medicare is the most dramatic change to the program since its inception and is likely to have a significant impact on the estimated 10,000 to 20,000 HIV-positive New Yorkers enrolled in Medicare. GMHC’s and NYAC’s Medicare Road Show will be in Staten Island on Oct. 3, Manhattan on Oct. 12, Brooklyn on Oct. 13, and Queens on Oct. 18. All sessions are open to the public. For more information, including borough-by-borough locales, contact Christina Kazanas at NYAC at 212-629-3075, ext.104 or Laura Caruso at GMHC at 212-367-1228.
Rosh Hashanah I & II
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, Manhattan’s LGBT congregation, celebrates the first day of Rosh Hashanah at Hammerstein Ballroom, 34th St. betwn. Eighth and Ninth Aves., 6: 30 p.m. The following day, services will be at the same location at 7: 30 p.m. For complete information, call 212-929-09498 or visit cbst.org.
Out Music Out Loud
The first Monday of every month, everyone is welcome to come and listen or play at the monthly New York City open mic. All performers will have one song or five minutes—whichever is shorter. Signups start at 7 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m. $5 plus a one-drink minimum. Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen St. btwn. Houston and Stanton Sts. Call 212-477-4155 or visit Outmusic.com.
More Aid to Katrina Survivors
The Southern Arts Federation has established an Emergency Relief Fund to assist arts organizations and artists residing in Gulf Coast communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Distribution and decisions on the use of funds will be made by state arts agencies. Donations may be made by check or credit card to Southern Arts Federation Emergency Relief Fund. All donations are tax-deductible. Send via mail or fax to: Southern Arts Federation, Emergency Relief Fund, 1800 Peachtree St. NW, Suite 808, Atlanta, Georgia 30309 or fax to 404-873-2148, attention Emergency Relief Fund.
TUE.OCT.4
Live Out Loud
Continuing its popular series linking LGBT youth with leaders in the New York City community, Live Out Loud presents a three-day series at New York University. Dedicated to empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gendered youth, Live Out Loud is a non-profit organization that produces programming, community events, and workshops that connect LGBT youth with role models and leaders in the LGBT community. Today, a panel entitled, “The Emerging Face of Activism in Today’s LGBT Community,” with moderator Cathy McElrath Renna, director of media relations for Fenton Communications. 60 Washington Sq. So., Rm. 905 8 p.m.
WED.OCT.5
Together and Not Alone
Out Professionals hosts an evening workshop “Finding and Creating Supportive Relationships,” led by life coach Robert C. Notter, who will discuss new interpersonal skills, better communications, and useful dating tips. LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., 8-9:30 p.m. Admission is $15, $12 for OP members.
Sexy Witch Workshops
LaSara FireFox, pagan priestess, second-generation witch, and sex positive activist embarks on a 20-city book tour to promote her new book, “Sexy Witch,” with forewords by Annie Sprinkle and Nina Hartley. She will be in New York City Oct. 5-8 to give three workshops. Explore the energetics of attention and attraction, and learn simple techniques to align presentation with desires in “Magickal Techniques in Flirting.” Oct. 5 from 7-9 p.m. at Morgana’s Chamber, 242 W. 10th St., free. For more information, call 212-243-3415. Tired of all tease and no play? Make flirting work for you with “Flirting to Get Laid” at the Museum of Sex, 233 Fifth Ave., Ste. B. Oct. 6 from 7-9 p.m. $10/$8 for students and seniors. Space is limited, so call 212-689-6337 x115 or visit museumofsex.com. “Breaking Open to Self” explores the impact of marketing and other factors on sexual self-image with a focus on creating individual realities, thinking critically, and listening to and communicating with the body. Bluestockings Women’s Bookstore and Café, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton and Rivington Sts., Oct. 7 from 7-9 p.m., free. For more information, call 212-829-4986 or visit bluestockings.com
THU.OCT.6
Edge Co.
Ko Muroboshi, one of the best known butoh artists in the world and leading inheritor of Tatsumi Hijikata’s original vision of butoh brings his company to New York City for its U.S. debut in work called “Handsome Blue Sky,” an homage to the master. Japan Society, 333 E 47th St. $35 at 212-752-3015 or japansociety.org. Through Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me
Join playwright and performer David Drake and writer/director Tim Kirkman in a discussion following this special screening of the film, being presented as part of Live Out Loud’s three-day series at NYU. A trailer of Kirkman’s new film “Loggerheads” will also be screened. 60 Washington Sq. So., Rm. 914 7:30 p.m. $5/ free for students. Seating is limited. For more information, visit liveoutloud.info.
Beating Around the Bush
The New York Society for Ethical Culture presents a special evening of American satire featuring Kurt Vonnegut, author of “A Man Without a Country,” Art Buchwald, author of “Beating Around the Bush,” Barry Crimmins, author of “Never Shake Hands with a War Criminal,” and Paul Krassner, author of “One Hand Jerking.” Playwright, author, poet Sarah Jones hosts with an introduction on American satire by Lewis Lapham, author of “Gag Rule: On the Suppression of Dissent and Stifling of Democracy.” Tickets are $20 at the door, but for guaranteed seating, pay $50 by calling 800-596-7437 or visiting sevenstories.com. 2 W. 64th St. at Central Park West, 7 p.m.
Homo Comicus
As part of The New York City Underground Comedy Festival, Frank DeCaro of Comedy Central’s “Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and his own show on Sirius Satellite Radio, hosts an evening of Homo Comicus that includes turns by Kim Cea, Keith Price, Bob Smith, and others. Gotham Comedy Club, 34 West 22nd St., 8:30 p.m. There’s a $12 cover, with a two-drink minimum. For reservations, call 212-367-9000.
FRI. OCT. 7
The Taylor Mead Show
Andy Warhol’s favorite movie star and the poet laureate of The Factory, Taylor Mead, performs at The Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery btwn. Bleecker and Houston Sts., 6:30 p.m. $6. For more information, call 212-614-0505 or visit bowerypoetry.com.
Eisa Davis
A classically trained pianist with an unforgettable voice, as well as an accomplished songwriter, actor, and playwright, Fort Greene soulstress Eisa Davis returns to BAMcafé with her passionate, minimalist soul. Her music is warm and hypnotic, cathartic, and fresh, with lyrics that engage long after the sweet chords have faded away. 30 Lafayette Ave., near Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, 9 p.m. Seating is on a first-come basis. For more information, call 718-636-4100. For same-day reservations, call 718-636-4139 or visit bam.org/events/bamcafelive.aspx.
First Stop Philadelphia
Rayzor Bachand’s “Project Red Soks” kicks off a national gallery tour that begins in Philadelphia with a month-long exhibit benefiting the AIDS Fund. The Project was inspired by late supermodel Gia Carangi, a Philadelphia native who died from complications due to AIDS in 1986. What started as a single nude photo, taken in 1992, has now become “Project Red Soks.” The exhibit is comprised of more than a decade of private work, including hundreds of images of over 60 models whom all personally believe in the Project and support the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The opening reception is at 6 p.m. Qbix Art Gallery, 211 Arch St., Philadelphia. For more information, call 215-625-2521 or visit nothingbutredsoks.com.
SAT.OCT.8
Queer Batman on the Run
In our last episode, DC Comics had garnered a cease and desist order on the homoerotic use of Batman and Robin imagery. Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts fights back with a few Bat-ulous drawings in the gallery office. Check them out. 526 W. 26th St., # 411, Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 212-463-8500.
National Coming Out Day
The Staten Island LGBT Health and Wellness Program celebrates this annual day for expressing gay visibility with a fall picnic at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace, next to the Children’s Museum. Organizers promise food, music, games, and most importantly fun. Noon to 4 p.m. For more information, call 718-273-5833. For details on the Snug Harbor site, visit snug-harbor.org.
WED.OCT.12
Yom Yippur Services
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, Manhattan’s LGBT congregation, celebrates Kol Nidre at Hammerstein Ballroom, 34th St. betwn. Eighth and Ninth Aves., 5:45 p.m. The following day, N’ilah services will be at the same location at 6 p.m. For complete information, call 212-929-09498 or visit cbst.org.
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