THU. JUN 23
Racism & Homophobia—A Pride Topic
Black Pride NYC hosts a 7 p.m. benefit screening of “Strange Fruit,” a film set in contemporary rural Louisiana, where a successful black gay lawyer from New York comes back home to investigate the lynching of a gay boyhood friends. The film will be followed by a discussion of racism and homophobia by a panel that includes Steven Fullwood, of the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, Jasmyne Cannick, of the Jasymyne Cannick PR firm, Kenyon Farrow of the Black Gay Network, Russell Robinson, an attorney, Basil Lucas of the New York Anti Violence Project, and Duncan Osborne of Gay City News. A cocktail reception follows. A second, general admission screening follows at 10 p.m. For tickets—$50 for the 7 p.m. benefit screening and $15 for the 10 p.m. screening—visit blackpridenyc.com or call 212-613-0097. Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick St. at Laight St., one block below Canal St.
Robert Smithson
The Whitney Museum of American Art is proud to present the work of this artist—who died in 1973 at 35—which includes the well-known “Spiral Jetty” and films, photographs, writings, sculptures and more. Exhibit runs through October. 945 Madison Ave. at 75th St. Open Wed.-Sun. 212-570-3633; $12.
And Baby Makes Seven
Paula Vogel debuts her new play about Ruth and Anna, lovers who enlist a close friend to father their child and learn that there’s a lot of education of the wider society that goes into starting such a family. This tender and comical look at modern family values plays at Temporary Theatre Company, 177 Macdougal St., below Eighth St. Jun. 23-25 at 8 p.m., Jun. 25 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 at theatremania.com or the door.
City Council Salutes Pride
City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, and the three gay and lesbian councilmembers—Christine Quinn, Margarita Lopez and Phil Reed—host an early evening ceremony honoring Laurel Holloman, from “The L Word,” Dr. Mathilde Krim, founding chairwoman of the American Foundation for AIDS Research, Christopher Sieber, of the “Spamalot” cast on Broadway, Joyce Hunter, founding member of the Hetrick-Martin Institute and the Harvey Milk School, Dr. Luis Freddy Molano, founder of the Community Healthcare Network’s Bronx Health Center Transgender Program, and Miriam Yeung, director of public policy & government relations at the LGBT Community Services Center. Celebrities on hand for the event include Jim Verraros, “American Idol” recording artist, the cast of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Robert Goulet from “La Cage Aux Folles,” the cast of “ The Altar Boyz,” Fran Drescher and the Gay Men’s Chorus Youth Pride Chorus. City Hall, 5: 30 p.m. RSVP to councilpride@aol.com.
Screaming Queens
The Jewish Community Center’s wickedly fun “Beach Blanket Bingo Pride Party” (without the beach, blankets or Bingo) features the fabulous drag performers, The Screaming Queens. Join this outrageously naughty lip-syncing entourage that has strutted its fabulous stuff at the parties of Barbara Streisand and George Stephanopoulos. 7:30 p.m. at 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St. $15/$20 in advance; $20 /$25 at the door. Dinner and booze will be served. To register, call 646-505-5708 or visit jccmanhattan.org.
Cherry Bomb
Cherry Bomb, named after the Runaways hit and with a nod to Joan Jett, showcases a night of varied LGBT acts through performance, drag and music featuring Bitch, God-Des, Karyn Kuhl, Dalypsttx, Justin Tranter, Taylor Mac, V.I.P., Dynasty Handbag, Jen Urban and the Box, and the Dazzle Dancers. 9 p.m. at The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., btwn. Church St. and Broadway, $15. 212-219-3132.
FRI. JUN 24
Backdoor to Oz
Crobar’s main room will be transformed for the evening into the land of Oz for an event with partial proceeds to benefit the Ali Forney Center for homeless youth. Complete with tornado-tossed house and the Emerald City, with a rock vibe, hosted by the luminous Michael T and DJ Lina, and presided over by Owen Hawk, Kansas never looked better. 10 p.m. at 530 W. 28th St. $20-35 available at crobar.com or the door.
Marble Cemetery Benefit
A program of inspirational songs from the New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus to benefit the Marble Cemetery in the East Village is tonight at 7 p.m. $12/ $10 students and seniors (pay at the gate) at 52-74 East Second St., east of Second Ave. Visit nycmc.org for more information.
Queer Pride at Le Petit Versailles
Madness in Gardenland, Katrina Del Mar’s screening of “Gang Girls 2000” and “Surf Gang” on Jun. 24 at 8 pm, and The Illusion of Separateness spoken word and music on Jun. 25 at 9 p.m. at 346 E. Houston between B and C.
SAT. JUN 25
Pride Run
Come to Central Park for the 24th Annual Front Runner Lesbian and Gay Pride 5 Mile Run. 9 a.m. Central Park. For more information and registration go to frny.org
The Pride Spirit
The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine along with gay Bishop Gene Robinson and playwright Terrence McNally, are among the speakers at this inter-faith service with participants from the LGBT community, Broadway and clergy. 2 p.m. at Amsterdam Ave. at 112th St. Call 212-316-7441 for more information.
Lesbian Herstory Archives
The Lesbian Herstory Archives hosts an open house from noon to 4 p.m. The archives, certainly worth a visit if you have not been there, is located at 484 14th St. in Park Slope, just off Prospect Park West. For more information, call 718-768-3953 or visit lesbianherstoryarchives.org.
Dyke March 2005
Open to all women, whether born women or otherwise, the annual dyke march is about visibility, noise, agitation and liberation. Bring signs, banners, drums, giant puppets, flags, hula hoops or just your squeeze. This is a protest march, not a parade. The organizers will once again this year not seek a police permit and the aim is to raise consciousness of lesbian rights , safety and oppression. The march takes off from Bryant Park at 42nd St. and Sixth Ave. at 5 p.m. sharp. For more information, call 212-479-8520 or visit nycdykemarch.org.
Black Gay, Lesbian Lit: New Directions
As part of Black Pride NYC, the Nuyorican Poets Café hosts a late afternoon discussion with young gay and lesbian writers of note in the African-American community. James Early Hardy reads from his new book, “A House Is Not a Home;” slam poet Staceyann Chin performs; Alphonso Morgan, author of “Sons,” reads; rapper and musiciain Hanifah Waldifah reads from “Black Folks Guide to Black Folks.” Frank Leon Roberts, co-editor of the forthcoming “Dancing the Down Low, Remixing the Closet: Black Men, Sexuality, and Cultural Politics,” hosts. 236 E. Third St., btwn. Aves. B and C., 4 to 6 p.m.
Rapture on the River
Heritage of Pride hosts its first-ever women’s dance on the Hudson River at Pier 54, W. 13th St., 5 to 10 p.m. Twisted Dee is the DJ. Advance tickets are $20, which can be purchased at Rubyfruit Bar & Grill, 531 Hudson, at boxofficetickets.com or by calling 800-494-TIXS. Admission is $25 at the gate.
Dyke Ball 2005
A benefit for the Dyke March Committee and W.O.W. Café Theater, the women’s performance space, Dyke Ball takes place at Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., btwn. Ninth and Tenth Sts., from 8 p.m. on. Admission is $10, or less if you’re strapped. For more information, call 212-479-8520 or visit nycdykemarch.org.
Caramoor Opening
Tonight is the opening festivities of the 60th annual Caramoor music festival in Katonah, New York. Caramoor’s Imperial Ball features “Ode to Joy” with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s led by Peter Oundjian and soloists Janice Chandler-Eteme, Mary Phillips, Simon O’Neill, Philip Cutlip, and The Collegiate Chorale. Tickets for the cocktail reception, dinner dance and concert are $250-2,500. Call 914-232-1252 for more information.
Coming Out In Jerusalem
Leaders of Jerusalem Open House—Elena Canetti, Tazchi Mezum, Noa Sattath and Yitschak Schnoor—tell stories of creating place for lesbian and gay Jews in Israel and discuss plans for the World Pride event in 2006, a gathering in Jerusalem that is generating intense opposition from conservative religious forces worldwide. 1:15 p.m. at Town and Village Synagogue, 334 E. 14th St at First Ave.
SUN. JUN 26
Nationwide Radio Pride Coverage
Join WBAI’s OUT 99.5 FM and LGBT producers from seven other radio stations from 11 a.m. til 9 p.m. for an eight city coast to coast broadcast called “Gay’s, God and Empire” discussing the issues affecting lesbian and gay men. WBAI 99.5 FM, for more info go to outfm.org.
LGBT Pride March
The 36 annual march kicks off at noon from Fifth Ave. at 52nd St. and proceeds down Fifth to its conclusion at Christopher and Greenwich Sts. At 2 p.m., there will be the traditional moment of silence to remember those who have died of AIDS and to honor those who continue to struggle with the illness and the effort to prevent and treat it. The grand marshals for this year’s march are transgender rights activist Pauline Park, author and Democratic Party official Andrew Tobias and the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. For complete information on where specific contingents are gathering to join the march, visit hopinc.org.
Pride Fest
Heritage of Pride hosts its annual Pride Fest, on Greenwich and Washington Sts. between Christopher and Spring. There’s art for sale, other merchandise, stage entertainment and even a KidSpace. Go early and beat the crowds or visit after the march. It’s open all day, from 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Dance on the Pier
Randy Bettis is the opening DJ and Warren Gluck the closing DJ for the Dance on the Pier that closes Gay Pride Sunday at Pier 54, at 13th St. at the Hudson River. Guy Smith handles the lighting. The dance runs from 4 to 11 p.m. and is capped with fireworks over the Hudson. Tickets are $55 by visiting boxofficetickets.com or by calling 800-494-TIXS.
Curry Club
The city’s hottest multi-cultural gay dance party takes place once a month at Satalla. DJs spinning soca (modern Calypso), reggae and chutney (Indo-Caribbean Calypso), Bollywood music, Bhangra (Punjabi), house, hip-hop, Latin house and reggueton. 37 W. 26th St. 212-576-1155; 4 p.m. $15
MON. JUN 27
Neal Medlyn at Starlight
Neal Medlyn performs a full length show as part of Julian Fleisher Monday Music Night at the East Village lounge. 9 p.m. Free admission at Starlight Lounge, 167 Avenue A at 10th St. For more information, call212-475-2172 or visit starlightbarlounge.com
Play Reading
Yvette Heylinger presents a staged reading of her play about AIDS, “What Would Jesus Do?” at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. at 7 p.m.
The ONE Campaign
Next month, Pres. George W. Bush will join the leaders of the world’s eight richest nations for a three-day Group of 8 summit in Scotland. At this historic meeting, these eight men will have the power to save the lives of millions of people who live in extreme poverty. And you can help make this happen. Sign the “ONE Declaration,” asking Bush to deliver an essential and historic plan for the world’s poor at the G8 summit this year. Visit ONE.org to sign the letter.
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., btwn. Rivington & Delancey Sts. Visit breedingground.com or call 347-683-7698 for more information.
TUE. JUN 28
Women’s Poetry Jam
Minnie Bruce Pratt reads from her new Alyson edition of “S/HE”, then Storme Webber performs from her new collection “Wild Tales of a Renegade Halfbreed Bulldagger” at Women’s Poetry Jam and Women’s Open Mike. 7 p.m. Bluestockings Bookstore, 175 Allen St., at Stanton St. For more information, call 212-777-6028 or e-mail info @ bluestockings.org
Free Reading
“Parched: A Drinking Memoir” by Heather King, who will read from and discuss this poignant, painfully honest and inspirational true story of her 20-year struggle with alcoholism, is featured tonight at Housing Works Used Book Café at 7 p.m. King will be interviewed by author and filmmaker Ann Leary. 126 Crosby St., one block east of Broadway between Houston and Prince Sts. 212-334-3324.
WED. JUN 29
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.
Slap & Tickle
David Parr’s new play “Slap & Tickle,” a generational portrait of people who grew up knowing about AIDS before sex. 9:30 p.m. Jun. 29-30 at Carnival of Culture at Access Theatre in Tribeca., 380 Broadway at White St., 2 blocks south of Canal.
Homomuseum
What do Alexander the Great, J. Edgar Hoover, Gertrude Stein and Andy Warhol all have in common? Exit Art continues 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. 475 Tenth Ave. at 36th St. For more information, call 212-966-7745.
THU. JUN 30
Honoring a Community Leader
Betty M. Adelson reads from “The Lives of Dwarfs: Their Journey From Public Curiosities Towards Social Liberation” which includes a profile of gay activist Harry Weider. 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble in Chelsea, Sixth Avenue between 21st and 22nd Sts.
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