THU.JUL. 13
Brotherly Love
The Philadelphia Film Society presents the 12th Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, a 13-day affair that runs through Jul. 25. This year’s festival opens with the politically incorrect sex comedy, “Another Gay Movie,” tonight at 7:15 p.m. at Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. This lavender extravaganza features guest appearances by Lypsinka, Graham Norton, Scott Thompson, Darryl Stephens, comedian Ant, Matthew Rush, and Survivor’s Richard Hatch. The director and actors Michael Carbonaro, Graham Norton, Ashlie Atkinson, Jonah Blechman, and Darryl Stephens will be on hand to celebrate this Philadelphia premiere. The winner of both the Dramatic Audience and Dramatic Jury Awards at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, “Quinceañera” will close out this year’s festival Jul. 24 at 7:15 p.m. at Prince Music Theater.
“Quinceañera” chronicles Magdalena as she prepares for the traditional Latino rite of passage that signifies a 15-year old girl’s passage into womanhood. But when religiously devout Magdalena tells her conservative family that she is pregnant, her parents quickly ostracize her. She seeks refuge with her Uncle Tomás (Chalo González) and her openly gay cousin, Carlos (Jesse Garcia). Her new family unit is soon jeopardized when Carlos starts to bond emotionally with one of the men who begin using him for their sexual pleasure. Using the British “kitchen sink dramas” of the late 1950s as a model, openly gay directors Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland and executive director Todd Haynes have created gay characters who are flawed yet sincere, adding an element of authenticity and raw emotion in their frank depiction of sexuality and sweet, gentle humor. The directors will be in town for the Philadelphia premiere. Phillyfests.com.
The Big Release
Galapagos hosts a release party for Peaches’ “Impeach my Bush” and Thom Yorke’s “The Eraser” with DJ Uncle Buck spinning indie rock & electro all night. Giveaways from XL Recordings and Beggars Banquet. 70 No. Sixth St. btwn. Kent and Wythe Aves. in Williamsburg. 718-782-5188. Free.
FRI.JUL. 14
Spirited
RedBone Press celebrates the release of “Spirited: Affirming the Soul and Black Gay/Lesbian Identity” with a reading/signing by co-editors G. Winston James and Lisa C. Moore. In “Spirited,” more than 40 writers address the question of how same-gender-loving black people affirm themselves as sexual and spiritual people. These sacred narratives are a canon for survival—holy texts proclaiming the divinity of their lives, the righteousness of their love, and the sanctity of their being. New York City contributors reading include Alaric Wendell Blair, Mona de Vestel, Kenyon Farrow, Tawanna Sullivan, Linda Villarosa, and Gay City News writer Eva Yaa Asantewaa. The event is co-sponsored by Gay Men of African Descent. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 208 W. 13th St., room 312. 212-620-7310.
Sparkle Kids Action Network
Come out for a gender-defying coloring book-making workshop, with homespun entertainment from three solo acoustic troubadours. This troupe of independent thinkers, songwriters, artists, and activists deals creatively with themes of gender, politics, queer issues, work, and play. Jacinta Bunnell is the creative force behind the genderific coloring books “Girls Will Be Boys Will Be Girls Will Be…” and “Girls Are Not Chicks.” Dave End writes and performs songs that re-invent the fairytale to make himself the prince and the princess. Julie Novak is a musician with her band Guitars and Hearts, and an artist, activist, and graphic designer. As drummer and singer for The Kiss Ups, Michael Truckpile’s music dances across the boundaries of folk, country, and gut-bucket rocking. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton and Rivington. 212-777-6028. $5-10 suggested at 7 p.m.
Hot LGBT
Dixon Place Presents HOT! The 14th annual New York City celebration of queer culture. The grandmother of LGBT performance festivals features new works by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender artists featuring theatre, dance, music, poetry, fiction, performance art and homoeroticism for the whole family! Each year audiences flock to what amounts to an annual survey of New York City’s vibrant queer culture. This year, an eclectic roster of artists and performers appear in nearly 100 performances for six weeks at Dixon Place’s intimate space on the Bowery. Through Aug. 13 at Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, second fl., btwn. Houston & Prince Sts. unless otherwise noted. $0-15 or TDF vouchers; student and senior discounts. After a 10 year sabbatical from New York City, Jeffrey Essman presents all new work that moves from “Autobiography” to “The Secret Language of Tits,” from funeral oration to cybersex, and from the personal to the political to the punchline. Oscar Wilde said art should be a veil, not a mirror. With “Skin Deep,” Essmann takes on a series of hilarious veils that end up reflecting him far more than any mirror could hope to. Jul. 13, 14, 20 & 21 at 8 p.m. 212-219-0736 or dixonplace.org.
Cultural Currency
Schroeder Romero opens its new group exhibition “Money Changes Everything.” The exhibiting artists have chosen to use currency as the medium itself, captivated by the image and symbolism of money as the ultimate representation of power. Money as a raw material is loaded with a political, social, and emotional charge and directly raises the question of the monetary worth of a work of art and blurs the boundaries of cash, commodity, and culture. Participants include Michael Asente, Ray Beldner, Barton Lidice Benes, Robin Clark, Peggy Diggs, Jed Ela, Stuart Elster, Kim MacConnel, Elizabeth Sisco, David Avalos and Louis Hock, Ken Solomon, Oriane Stender, Mark Wagner, and C.K. Wilde. 637 W. 27th St. 212-630-0722. Through Jul. 28, Tue.-Fri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
SAT.JUL.15
12 BY 12 – Fire Island Dance Festival Twelve
The hottest cultural event of the summer returns with three performances featuring twelve dance companies and nine world premieres. The Fire Island Dance Festival, the signature event of Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA), is now in its twelfth year. This year’s annual dance concert party will once again be held in the Fire Island Pines at the home of Jon Biondo, Tim Horman and Sean Peggs, against a backdrop of the sun setting over the Great South Bay. 12 BY 12 Fire Island Dance Festival Twelve will feature nine world premieres—some of which were sponsored by donors specifically for the Festival—as well as other works from world-renowned dance companies and choreographers. The Festival is presented by and benefits Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. Performances will include works by American Repertory Ballet, Axis Danz, Julian Barnett Project, Timothy Bish, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Christopher Davis, Lar Lubovitch, Dance Company, MOMIX, Peter Quanz, Verb Ballets, and Kevin Wynn Collection. Jul. 15 at 5 p.m. & 7 p.m., Jul. 16 at 5 p.m. $100-$300 at 212-840-0770 or dradance.org.
Sonic Korea
Nearly 50 emerging and established Korean artists who graduated from The School of Visual Arts (SVA) are represented in this exhibition, which investigates the subjective interpretation of sound in visual form. Curated by Seoul-based artist and alumnus Jong Yuen Ahn (MFA 1992 Fine Arts), “Sóu-Lí/Sound” includes new and recent works in a wide range of media. Through Jul. 22. Visual Arts Gallery, 601 W. 26 St., 15th fl. Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m-5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Queer Comedy
The critically acclaimed Gay and Lesbian Comedy Fest, hosted by Michael Brill from Carolines On Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, The New York Improv and The Duplex, stars Lsa Kaplan from Gotham Comedy Club’s Homo-Comicus, Danny McWilliams from Funny Gay Males, Greg Walloch from Sweet Paprika, D’Yan Forest from Carolines On Broadway, Rob Driemeyer from Gotham City Improv, Anne Neczypor from The New York Improv, David Hodorowski from Bruised Fruits Comedy/Improv Hour, and award-winning musical comedian Sidney Myer. Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St. $10 cover plus two-drink minimum. Reservations strongly suggested at 212-757-0788. 11 p.m.
SUN.JUL.16
Book Discussion Group
Join this lesbian-only book group that meets to discuss contemporary and classic lesbian literature. Newcomers are always welcome. This month’s book is “The Chelsea Whistle” by Michelle Tea. For more info, email SalBookGroup@yahoo.com. 1 p.m. at The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St. Free, 212-620-7310.
Women’s Coffee House
Catherine Moon has a style of songwriting that is both striking and diverse, obliterating the barriers between folk and other music. She is most known for her dedication to feminism, peace, and social justice. Her merging of music and politics began with feminist causes such as “Take Back the Night” rallies, candlelight vigils for battered women, and pro-choice concerts. Coffee, tea, and dessert are available at no charge. For more info, roby2@verizon.net. 3 p.m. at The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St. 212-620-7310. $7.
MON.JUL. 17
Dramatic Reading
Set in 1930s Paris, when many artists converged on France in the hope of finding a greater aesthetic life, “Anais Nin: One of Her Lives” is a biographical play that chronicles Nin’s development as a writer. As told by writer/director Wendy Beckett, literary ambition competed with personal foibles during her tumultuous relationship with author Henry Miller and his wife, June. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton and Rivington. 212-777-6028. $5-10 suggested at 7 p.m.
Thomas And Smith
“Gwenn Thomas Revisits Jack Smith” is a photographic narrative organized as a cinematic sequence of Thomas’ black and white images starring the legendary performance artist and filmmaker Jack Smith. Taken more than 30 years ago on the bosky grounds of the Cologne Zoo during the Kölner Kunstverein’s Projekt 74, these interpretive, unmediated views show a costumed Smith in performance, and reveal the artist in a hilarious yet serious project critical of the implications of national boundaries, landlords, and the concept of rent. Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Jul. 28, 2006. Yvon Lambert, 564 W. 25th St. 212-242-3611.
TUE.JUL. 18
HOT! Homotext
Don’t miss this special edition of Dixon Place’s venerable Homotext series featuring Sarah Schulman & Gary Indiana—two of the most provocative and accomplished queer writers in New York, or anywhere! Curated by Sara Seinberg. 7 p.m. at Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, second fl., btwn. Houston & Prince Sts. 212-219-0736 or dixonplace.org.
Uncommon Threads
This retrospective exhibit showcases 30 years of designer Alexander Julian’s innovative contributions to men’s and women’s fashion, textiles, and home furnishings. Also included are historic sports uniforms and original costumes from the Robert Altman film, “The Player.” Briggs Robinson Gallery 527 W. 29th St. 212-560-9075 or briggsrobinson.com. Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Jul. 27
Post-photography
“It’s not a photo” is an exhibition of abstract photography and electronic media. Photography has long since passed its status as a document of truth. The old chestnut of popular wisdom, that “the camera does not lie,” seems quaint and even naïve today. 21st century photography lies most of the time, given the ubiquity of digital tools and techniques. Even the most amateur photographer is capable of undermining and confusing established conventions. More than what is real, the questions become what is real that or can be made to look as if it were fake—and vice versa. Artifice and manipulation reign. The group of artists selected for “It’s not a photo” has abandoned representation to focus on the media itself. Like abstract painting, photography has become increasingly self-referential, medium to investigate the tools of its own making—light, paper, chemicals, digital processes, etc. Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St. Through Aug. 26. Tue.-Sat. noon to 6 p.m., Thu. Noon to 8 p.m. $6/$3 students & seniors at 212-255-0719.
WED.JUL. 19
Mujeres Libres
In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Spanish revolution, Bluestockings will screen “Libertarias: Anarchism and Women’s Liberation in the Spanish Revolution,” one of the most spectacular film epics ever made in Spain. Focusing on a group of women who fought in the Spanish Civil War, the film recreates the physical details of the war and explains its defeated political ideals. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton and Rivington. 212-777-6028. $5 suggested at 7 p.m.
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