7 Days & 7 Nights

THU. MAY 6

Oy Vey! Feeling Farklempt?

The 14th St. Y presents a one session crash course “Instant Yiddish.” Through games and songs, this Yiddish language simcha should not to be missed!  Learn 50 + Yiddish words and phrases. 7 p.m. at the 14th St. Y, 344 E. 14th St. $12 for Y members and $18 for the general public. 212 780 0800

Album Release

Putumayo Records presents “Women of Africa,” a collection of favorite songs featuring female artists from Africa. The compilation contains some of the most cutting edge female voices on the planet. The album is available in stores now.

Opera Recital

Brooklyn Academy of Music, in collaboration with the Guggenheim Museum Works and Process Series, presents a one-night workshop of “Three Classical Heroines.” The operatic monodramas depict three classical heroines by three composers from three centuries: “Arianna” (Hayden), “Phaedra” (Britten) and “Cleopatra” (Berlioz). 8 p.m. at The Concert Hall at the Ethical Culture Society, 2 W. 64th St. Tickets are $45 orchestra/$20 mezzanine/$10 students. For tickets, call 212 691 6415.

Gay Theater

Gayfest 2004 is an inaugural theater series dedicated to producing exceptional works written by emerging authors in the gay community. The series features musical works as well as plays. Runs until May 22 at The Director’s Theater Company 3, 311 W. 43rd St., 3rd Floor. For tickets and more information, call 212 352 3101 or visit theatermania.com.

Town Meeting

Join community leaders in their support for LGBT families and to stop the writing of discrimination into the Constitution. 6-9 p.m. at Hostos Community College, 120 Walton Ave. 2nd fl., the Bronx. To get involved, contact José Jorge at the Empire State Pride Agenda at 212 627 0305 or Andres Duque at Mano a Mano at 212 584 9306.

Colin Hay is Hard at Work

Colin Hay of Men at Work stars in a one-man show, “Man @ Work, which blends acoustic music with comedy. Through May 15 at 8 p.m. the Village Theatre, 158 Bleecker St. Tickets are $20. Call 212 741 0391 or visit ticketmaster.com.

FRI. MAY 7

Patty Griffin Performs

Singing sensation Patty Griffin performs live. 8 p.m. at the Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St. Tickets are $25. 212 840 2824 or ticketmaster.com.

Sing off key? Two left feet?

SpeakOut: LGBT Voices for Recovery presents the first ever “No Talent” talent show. Sing, dance, read a poem, juggle, karaoke, show us what you got (or don’t got!). 8-10 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13 St. Free. To sign up, contact Deb Goldstein at 212 620 7310 or e-mail dgoldstein@gaycenter.org.

Fashion and Talent Show

Uni Aum Entertainment presents Seân Shane Curtis, also known as “The Harry Belafonte of this millennium,” in “Show It Off” a spring fashion and talent show. 5:30-9 p.m. at New York City College of Technology Klitgord Auditorium, 285 Jay St. Brooklyn. Tickets are $5, available at 646 234 0191.

Imani Henry Performs

BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange Presents, “Living in the Light,” a new multi-media theater piece written and performed by Imani Henry with direction and choreography by Baraka de Soleil. Henry documents living and breathing inside the largest Caribbean community in the U.S. juxtaposed with images of slavery and the Caribbean’s history of colonialization. As a solo performer, Henry has toured nationally and has been featured at a wide array of venues including The Boston Center for the Arts, The Apollo Theater and national anti-war rallies. 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, Sunday at 6 p.m. at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, 421 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn. Admission is $15, $10 members, $8 low income. For information or reservations, call 718 832 0018 or bax.org.

Meet Dan Barry

New York Times columnist Dan Barry will read, discuss, and sign copies of his new memoir, “Pull Me Up.” The book recounts Barry’s idiosyncratic childhood in Deer Park, Long Island. 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 1972 Broadway. For information barnesandnoble.com.

SAT. MAY 8

Saturday Night Swing Club

Hot swing dancers Angie Whitworth and Chad and Midori Fasca of the Sandra Cameron Dance Center with special guests lead an evening of swing dancing, jitterbugging, and Lindy-hopping to live music from the 1930s – 50s. A group lesson is held during the first hour. 7 p.m. – 1a.m. at the 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. $15 at the door.

Patricia Highsmith Tribute

In celebration of the release of the Patricia Highsmith biography, “Beautiful Shadow: A Life of Patricia Highsmith” by Andrew Wilson, the Housing Works Used Book Cafe presents an evening dedicated to this lesbian novelist. Wilson will lead a panel discussion with Gary Indiana, Meg Wolitzer and others. Drawing on Highsmith’s voluminous personal papers, and the testimonies of her closest friends, Wilson has written the first biography of the author. 7 p.m. at the Housing Works Used Book Café, 126 Crosby St., just south of Houston St. Free admission but donations of used books are welcome.

Brooklyn Arts Festival

The Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) opens today with a multi-ethnic arts festival in Red Hook. The festival features music, lectures, video, and dance performances every weekend through June. For information and a schedule of programming go to bwac.org.

SUN. MAY 9

Show Opening

The Play Company presents “Trust,” a play written by Gary Mitchell and directed by Erica Schmidt. “Trust” offers a rare glimpse of contemporary life in Protestant Belfast and tells the story of a working class family. 7 p.m. at The Kirk Theater, 410 W. 42 St. $15 tickets can be purchased at 212 239 5258.

MON. MAY 10

Film and Discussion

BAMcinematek and BAM Rose Cinemas’ repertory program, in collaboration with the Polish Cultural Institute, present Jerry Stuhr, one of Krzysztof Kieslowski’s favorite actors, screening the film “The Big Animal” and afterwards hosting a question and answer session about the film. In this Duze Zwierze-directed film, Stuhr brings a sense of absurdity to this story about a camel that wanders into a small town and adopts a local couple, dramatically changing their life. 4:30, 6:45, 9 p.m. Jerry Stuhr continues the series on May 17 &18 and May 24 &25 at BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave. Brooklyn. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for students under 25, seniors and children. For tickets, call 718 777 FILM or visit bam.org

HIV and Health

Pride in the City will host a community forum with representative Bristol-Meyers Squibb to discuss HIV as it relates to the heart and other cardio-muscular functions in the body. 6-9 p.m. at People of Color in Crisis, 468 Bergen St., Brooklyn. For information call 718 230 0770.

TUE. MAY 11

Support the Working Family Vote

Voices for Working Families/MoveOn.org Voter Fund hosts “Concert at the Apollo,” featuring artists Black Eyed Peas, John Mellencamp, Savion Glover, Rosie Perez, Sandra Bernhardt among many others. Pres. William J. Clinton is the keynote speaker. All proceeds from this event go toward the Voices For Working Families “Get Out The Vote” drive. 7:30 at the Apollo Theater, 253 W.125 St. Tickets are $100-250 and can be purchased through ticketmaster.com.

FUN in Fundraise

Let your happy hour drinks support Living Beyond Belief (LLB), an organization that provides support for HIV/AIDS prevention education and a scholarship fund for NYC public high school seniors who are HIV/AIDS peer educators, activists and advocates. Mention LLB to the bartender and you will be able to choose from a selection of top-shelf cocktails for $5. 6-11 p.m. at Madam X, 94 W. Houston St. Visit livingbeyondbelief.org for more information.

WED. MAY 12

Saintly Drama

Target Margin Theater, the Obie Award-winning company, renowned for its innovative adaptations of a wide range of classics, presents the American premiere of Charles Peguy’s masterpiece “The Mystery of the Charity of Joan of Arc.” Wed.-Fri. at 8:30 p.m., Sat 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m. at HERE Arts Center, 145 Ave. of the Americas. $20 tickets available at 212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.

Benefit Performance Party

Federation of East Village Artists (FEVA) and Performance Space 122 (P.S. 122) presents Rave Revue, a one-night benefit to honor Mark Russell. Proceeds from this event will support FEVA’s presentation of the annual HOWL! Festival and ongoing programs at P.S. 122. The benefit committee includes Deborah Harry,  George C. Wolfe, and others. Rave Revue art auctions and performances by Eric Bogosian, Ron K. Brown, Karen Finley, John Kelly, Meredith Monk and others. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the tribute to Mark Russel from 9 – 10 p.m. and dancing and performances  until 1a.m. There is an open bar from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., at Capitale, 130 Bowery. Tickets range from $35 to $500. Call 212 206 5999 or visit ps122.org.

Black Pride Idol

Black Pride NYC, Inc. hosts the semi-finals for the “Black Pride Idol” talent competition. The winner of the semi-finals will be invited to perform at the finals at Splash on June 22, for the seventh annual celebration of, “Kuumba,” meaning creativity. Participants must be 21 or older to enter. 7-10 p.m. at the Langston Lounge, 1073 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. For information call 212 613 0097 or visit blackpridenyc.org.

Publishing Triangle Awards

The 16th Annual Publishing Triangle Awards, honors the best lesbian and gay fiction, nonfiction, and poetry published in 2003. In addition to the literary awards, this year the group honors historian Lillian Faderman with the Bill Whitehead Award and Barbara Gittings with a special leadership award. Awards are 7-8:30 p.m. with reception to follow at the Tishman Auditorium of the New School for Social Research at 66 W. 12th St. For information go to publishingtriangle.org.

THU. MAY 13

Religion and Gay Pride

In collaboration with the Union Theological Seminary, Out and Faithful: LGBT People and Religion series examines how religious beliefs and practice play in the development of gay pride and the evolution of alternative congregations to give LGBT people a safe place to worship. Panelists include the Rev. Pat Bumgardner of the Metropolitan Community Church and Rabbi Ayelet Cohen of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah. 7 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13 St. $6 for members, $10 non-members. For information, call 212 620 7310.

FRI. MAY 14

African Nights

“African Nights,” a drama by Clint Jefferies and directed by Jeffery Corrick, set in colonial Africa, is about decadent Europeans and Americans living in “Happy Valley,” an exotic Kenyan enclave of the rich and famous. Through June 12 on Thu., Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3:30 p.m. & Mon. at 8 p.m. at the Wings Theater, 154 Christopher St. $19. For tickets, call 212 627 2961.

Queer Rock

The Isotoners, New York’s gay pop rock band, performs in this one-night show. Listen to catchy tunes, funny lyrics, combined with razor sharp wit. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the show begins at 10:30 p.m. at Fez, 380 Lafayette St. Tickets are $10. Visit theisotoners.com.

La Traviata

The Bronx Opera Company concludes its 36th season with Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. 8 p.m. and Sat. at 8 p.m at Lovinger Theatre, Lehman College, Bedford Park Blvd. Tickets are $15-$30. For tickets call 718 960 8833.

SAT. MAY 15

Salsa Dance Party

Join José Rosario and Yvonne Vasquez for an evening of exciting Latin dancing, including salsas, meringues, rumbas, cha-chas, and batchas with a salsa performance at 10 p.m., and a deejay spinning music by the hottest Latin musical artists. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. at the 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue. $15 at the door.

Life Before Stonewall

Black Pride NYC, in collaboration with Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus and SAGE, presents a lecture by Mark Fowler of “The Words of my Mouth Consulting.” Discuss the lives of 8 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors about life before Stonewall. 1 p.m. at Long Island University- Brooklyn Campus, Zeckendorf Health Sciences Center, DeKalb and Flatbush Aves. Free. 212 613 0097

Manny Spins

Manny Lehman, Tommy Boy Music and Freedom Party NYC present an in-store appearance to promote Manny’s latest compilation CD “Bangin 02 and Freedom Party NYC.”

4-6 p.m. at the Virgin Mega Store (Union Square location).

Manny will be spinning live, signing CDs and giving away tickets to the Freedom Party NYC on Saturday of Gay Pride weekend.

SUN. MAY 16

Walking Tour

The South Street Seaport Museum is sponsoring a walking tour, “African American Life in Lower Manhattan.” The tour connects African burial grounds to other historic sites, including stations on the underground railroad, the former location of New York’s slave market, the African Free School, and the Colored Sailor’s Home. 2-4 p.m. Meet at the entrance of the South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St. $10, does not include museum admission. For information call 212 748 8786.

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