7 Days and 7 Nights

THU. MAY 19

Gay Literary Journal

Gay male writers, photographers and artists are invited to submit their original works for consideration to Cream Drops, a new literary journal. Visit creamdrops.com for more information.

Compassion in Dying

Actors, artists, designers and others come together to celebrate the choice-in-dying movement at a benefit reception honoring individuals who have raised awareness of end of life issues through their work, including Florent Morellet, president of Compassion & Choices of New York and benefit co-chair; Diane von Furstenberg, benefit Co-chair; Isaac Mizrahi, co-host; Ally Sheedy, co-host; and Christo & Jeanne-Claude, host committee members. 6:30 p.m. tonight at the studio of Diane von Furstenberg, 389 W. 12th St. For more information, visit compassionandchoices.org.

Lambda Literary Awards

“Voices of New York: An Evening of Lambda Literary Finalists Readings” is a free event tonight at 7 p.m. at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, 208 West 13th St. Featured authors will be reading from their books. All are finalists for the upcoming Lambda Literary Awards in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender writing. Free

“Damaged Dames”

Directed by Neal Sims and written by Todd Michael, this show, described as a “sensational nerve shocker,” stars Joe Remy Dolinsky, Patrick Duran, Kelly Ann Heaney, Todd Michael, Daniel Shafer, Neal Sims, and David L. Zwiers, Vincent Fordyce and Pauline Miller. Under St. Marks 94, St. Marks Place, between 1st Ave. & Ave. A, at 8 p.m. through May 21. Call 212 244-9864 for $15-tickets.

Tribute to Stanley Kunitz

Celebrating the 100th birthday and lifetime achievement of Stanley Kunitz—co-founder of Poets House, poet, editor, teacher, activist, leader, collaborator and friend. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, at Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers St., seats available at $15, 212-220-1460 or www.tribecapac.org.

Benefit for Joe’s Pub

Opera star Renee Fleming and gay jazz great Fred Hersch join together for a unique evening of music, “Haunted Heart,” to support the wonderful musical offerings of Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater. There are two shows—7 p.m., with tickets beginning at $125, and a gala at 9:30 p.m., with tickets beginning at $200, and a post-performance reception with the artists. Tickets are available at 212.239.6200 or online at telecharge.com. 425 Lafayette St., below Cooper Sq.

“Dress Suits to Hire”

Tonight is the opening of this play with a heady mixture of erotic fantasy and hard-boiled pulp drama, in which two “sisters” who live in a rental clothing shop use the merchandise to try on various facets of their personalities. “Dress Suits To Hire” is a haunting and hilarious look into sexuality and lesbian desires. La MaMa E.T.C. Annex Theatre, 74A E. 4th St. Shows are Thu.-Sun. through June 5. $20; 212-475-7710

Katrina Balling

“Knick Knack Paddy Wack… Give a Dog a Bone,” the new work by this artist, is on exhibit through June 19 at Metaphor Contemporary Art, 382 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, Thu.-Sun. 12-6 p.m. 718-254-9126.

Ana Shteynshleyger

“Siberia,” the photographs of this artist, a Russian-Jewish émigré, are on display at Moti Hassan Gallery at 330 W. 38th St., suite 211, through June 16, opening reception tonight at 6 p.m.

Pansy, Dyke, Homo, Fag

NYU Bobst Library presents an exhibition of primary research materials from the university curricula for the study of gender and sexuality in English and American culture. Items included range from literary texts from 1740 to present to materials from the early German and English homosexual rights campaigns to highlights of the university’s Downtown New York collection of art—among them, the work of David Wojnarowicz and the art collective RepoHistory. Benjamin Mosse is curator. Bobst Library is located at 70 Washington Square South. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The exhibition runs through Sep. 15. For more information, call 212-998-2596.

Sarah Emerson

“The Moon is Down,” new paintings by this artist, is on exhibit through June 19 at Metaphor Contemporary Art, 382 Atlantic Ave. Brooklyn, Thu.-Sun. 12-6 p.m. 718-254-9126.

FRI. MAY 20

“Five Lovers”

Soprano Jama Jandrokovic sings texts from her autobiographical collection of poetry, featuring settings of the texts by leading American composers, including Lori Laitman, Luna Pearl Wolf and Paul Moravec, a Pulitzer Prize-winner. Alice Tully Hall Lincoln Center at 8 p.m. $20-40; 212-875-5050.

Homomuseum

What do Alexander the Great, J. Edgar Hoover, Gertrude Stein and Andy Warhol all have in common? Exit Art begins a two-month exhibition structured around the idea of an imaginary national art museum dedicated to LGBT artists. From the West Side Piers to Sal Mineo to Mercedes McCambridge to Quentin Crisp. Gala opening dinner tonight at 7 p.m. $275. Call 212-966-7745. 475 Tenth Ave. at 36th St.

“Songs of Jacques Brel”

Micheline Van Hautem (vocals) joins Frederik Caelen and Peter Swales (accordion, piano and singing saw) at Danny’s Skylight Room, 346 w. 46 St. tonight at 9:15 p.m., Sunday at 8:45 and Monday at 7 p.m. 212-265-8133.

Carmine Santaniello

“Mosaics,” the new series of works on paper by this artist are on exhibit at 125-10 Queens Blvd., #724, Kew Gardens, Queens. 718-261-6755

Professional Enhancement

“Making The Book: Image Analysis & Sequence Editing,” a workshop with Daniel Power, Publisher of powerHouse Books, offers two Saturday classes on July 9 and 16 from 11a.m.–5p.m. Registration fee is $500 or $350 for students. Contact [email protected] or call 212-604-9074 x116 for more information.

Out at the Movies

The Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York, presents a series of queer films through June 1, including “Brother to Brother” and “My Mother Likes Women” and “The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg.” $9 each film. Visit burnsfilmcenter.org or call 914-747-5555 for directions and times.

SAT. MAY 21

“Celebrating the Black Voice”

The Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center hosts the annual “Celebrating the Black Voice” festival, today and tomorrow, featuring panle discussions, readings and film screenings at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95 St. Call 212-864-3375 or visit fdac.org for more information. S. Epatha Markerson, Amiri Baraka and Stanley Crouch are among the many artists scheduled to present.

Mamapalooza 2005

Riverside Park South hosts a festival for moms who rock. In conjunction with the New York Parks Department, Mamapalooza celebrates all things maternal, and this music and art filled afternoon of folk, rock and mom-inspired crafts and food is a gathering for all ages, celebrating mothers and the people who love them. Starts at 12 p.m. at Riverside Park South, accessible from W. 68th or W. 72nd Sts. Free

John Dugdale

“Behold the Lamb of God,” the recent work including mammoth plate albumen prints, are on display at Clamp Art (opening reception tonight at 6 p.m.) at 531 W. 25th St. through June 18, Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 646-230-0020

Young People’s Chorus

Over 350 students from city public schools present “When You Believe,” a free concert at the Lower East Side Preparatory High School at 145 Stanton St. at 4 p.m. The mixed choirs of youngsters include singers from Harlem, Chinatown and Washington Heights.

SUN. MAY 22

Rev. Beth Stroud in White Plains

An out lesbian minister, Rev. Beth Stroud, who was the founding editor on New York’s LGNY, was recently re-instated to her ministry in Pennsylvania by an appeals court of the Methodist Church, in a decision that overruled a church panel that last December defrocked her because of her status as a woman living in a relationship with another woman. Stroud will preach at White Plains’ Memorial United Methodist Church, a congregation that describes itself as welcoming, at the 10 a.m. service. She will speak more informally at the church at 4 p.m. The church is located at 250 Bryant Ave. between North St. and Mamaroneck Ave. Look for the red banner! For directions to the church visit memorialmethodist.org or call 914-949-2146.

Jansson Stegner

New paintings by the artist are on exhibit at Mike Weiss Gallery through June 11. 520 W. 24th St. 212-691-6899

Ion Zupcu

“Works on Paper” by this artist are on display through June 18 at Clamp Art, 531 W. 25th St. Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 646-230-0020

MON. MAY 23

Luscious 2005

RuPaul serves as honorary host to a benefit for the Ali Forney Center, the city’s leading resource for emergency housing for homeless queer youth, at the Lucille Lortel Theater, 121 Christopher St., btwn. Bleecker and Hudson Sts. The evening will include performances by Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Ramona Keller from Broadway’s “Brooklyn,” and pop star Ari Gold. A catered after-party for VIP-paying guests will be held at Luke & Leroy, 21 Seventh Ave. South at Leroy St. The evening begins at 8 p.m., with tickets at $25, $150 for VIP-status. Call 212-279-4200 or visit aliforneycenter.org.

Carmen Herrera

Latin Collector Gallery is pleased to present “Carmen Herrera: Five Decades of Painting” a retrospective of paintings by visionary Cuban artist Carmen Herrera. The exhibition will run through July 31 with an opening reception tonight at 6 p.m. 153 Hudson St. between Hubert and Laight Sts. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat. 12-6 p.m. 212-334-7813.

Live Out Loud

Tony Award-winning Broadway actor Cherry Jones is the special guest host for the fourth annual spring gala and scholarship presentation of Live Out Loud, a nonprofit organization that provides programming and workshops at high schools and colleges to benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgendered youth. Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS is the lead sponsor. Other special guests include: Alan Cumming, David Drake, John Cameron Mitchell and Hal Rubenstein. Johnny Dynell is the evening’s DJ, and Sean Patrick Maloney, a gay former staff member of the Clinton administration seeking the 2006 Democratic nomination for state attorney general, will be the keynote speaker. Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St., 6-9 p.m. For tickets, visit liveoutloud.info or call 631-586-2887.

TUE. MAY 24

“Venus and Adonis”

Claire Bloom and John Neville conduct a dramatic reading of Shakespeare’s “Venus and Adonis,” with musical interludes by violinist Gil Morgenstern, directed by Robert Scanlan, at the 92nd Street Y at Lexington Ave. and 92nd St. 8 p.m.; $16

WED. MAY 25

The Collegiate Chorale

The Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center hosts the Collegiate Chorale presenting “Amici and Amore,” a gala benefit recital starring tenor, Salvatore Licitra and special guest soprano Sylvia McNair. The evening will begin with cocktails and a light supper at 6 p.m. The recital program at 7:30 pm. will feature Mr. Licitra singing popular operatic and Italian favorites. At 9 p.m. a live auction of luxury items will conclude the evening. The show will be produced and directed by Roger Rees. Festive attire. Tickets are $250-$1,000 at 917-322-2140, or visit our Web site at collegiatechorale.org.

Spring Fever Festival 2005

Breeding Ground Productions presents this three-week festival of creative experiences that “take risks, blur boundaries and bring the innovation of the underground arts community to the surface of the city.” Events are at the Flamboyan Theatre at Clemente Soto Velez Center, 107 Suffolk St. Visit breedingground.com or call 347-683-7698 for more information.

THU. MAY 26

author2author

Thomas Kelly and Colum McCann discuss Kelly’s latest novel, “Empire Rising.” Both authors will be available to answer questions and sign books after the reading. Thomas Kelly worked in construction, graduated from Fordham and Harvard, then served as an advance man for the mayor of New York City. A former teamster, he writes for Esquire. His first novel, “Payback,” has been adapted by David Mamet for a feature film. Housing Works Used Book Café at 7 p.m. 126 Crosby St., one block east of Broadway.

Whitney Study Program

The 2004-05 Helena Rubinstein Critical Studies Fellows of the Whitney Museum’s Independent Studies Program present papers focusing on the development of critical perspectives on visual culture. 6 p.m. at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Madison Ave. at 75th St. Free

FRI. MAY 27

Shoot to Win

MAN inaugurates it’s newest — and manliest of competitions – “Spunk Fight,” a sport where the best sperm wins. Competition cups and instructions can be picked up at the door or visit brotherhooded.com for more details. DJ Mark Cicero spins in the main room. DJ BeJay reigns in the M8 Lounge. Boots, barbers, artists, vendors, dancing and lots of sexy men provide for fun and mayhem. $20, 11 p.m. 21 and over. ID required. 555 West 33rd St.

WED. JUNE 1

Free Outdoors Concert

Grammy Award-winning composer Tan Dun will conduct “Water Passion After St. Matthew” on Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport at 8 p.m., part of the three-day series of events “Sights Unseen” launching the River-to-River Festival of 500 free cultural events throughout the summer. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for tonight’s concert. Visit rivertorivernyc.com for more information.

FRI. JUNE 3

Moral Values Festival

Running through July 3, this performance festival is for the “mortally perverse and morally bankrupt” and includes shows like “Dear Dubya: Patriotic Love Letters to Whitehouse.org” and “Lulu: A Peep Show.” At the Brick Theater, 575 Metropolitan Ave. (between Union Ave. and Lorimer St.) in Brooklyn. $10 each show. Call 212-868-4444 or visit smarttix.com for complete schedule.

Contemporary Japanese Music

“Weaving Japanese Sounds” is a live concert series tonight and on June 10 with a varied repertoire of musicians. Pre-concert lectures at 7 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m. at Piano Salon at Yamaha Artist Services, 689 Fifht Ave. at 54 St. $15; 212-339-9995

Whitney “SoundCheck”

On select Friday evenings (pay-what-you-wish admission) at the Whitney Museum of American Art, this series offers live music and literary events. Tonight it is the “Refuge Trio” named after a Joni Mitchell song, with Theo Bleckmann, John Hollenbeck and Gary Versace making their unique jazzy sound. 7 p.m. at 945 Madison Ave. at 75 St.

SAT. JUNE 4

Open Air Book Fair

Readers and music lovers can look forward to kicking off the summer with a daylong block party and book sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Crosby St. (between Broadway and Lafayette) at Prince Street. Hosted by Housing Works Bookstore Café, the bookstore run by the citywide not-for-profit organization that provides services for homeless New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS, all profits from the sale will benefit clients of Housing Works.

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