THU.JUL. 6
Art-Pop Siren
Rachael Sage, The East Village songstress, poet, and multi-media maven, released her latest record “The Blistering Sun” May 16. Sage’s beautiful vocals, classically tinged piano playing, and colorful songwriting craftsmanship garnered her the 2005 Independent Music Award for Best Folk/AAA artist, the 2005 Outmusic Award for Best Songwriter, the 2002 Billboard Songwriting Award, and Grand Prize in the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. “The Blistering Sun” was produced by Sage, recorded by John Shyloski and mixed by Kevin Killen (Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush). It features acclaimed New York players Russ Johnson (Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin) on trumpet, drummer Dean Sharp (Moby, Jane Siberry), percussionist Doug Yowell (Duncan Sheik, Suzanne Vega), guitarist Jack Petruzelli (Rufus Wainwright, Gavin DeGraw), cellist Julia Kent (Antony & The Johnsons, Leona Naess), and bassist Todd Sickafoose (Ani DiFranco). After performing at Altanta Pride, she returns to New York City for a gig at Mo’ Pitkins House of Satisfaction, 34 Ave. A. 212-777-5660. 9 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. 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. Opening reception tonight from 6-8 p.m. 637 W. 27th St. 212-630-0722. Through Jul. 28, Tue.-Fri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
FRI.JUL. 7
Please Let Me Love You
This disturbing, abstract, and darkly comedic new play by Dan Fishback is not your grandma’s political theater. The performance is a scatter-shot meditation on pedophilia, imperialism, motherhood, and the post-gay movement—it’s about Michael Jackson, the war in Iraq, and butt-sex, and, in the end, all three start to sound like the same thing. Along the road to these revelations about love and violence, a cast of troubled characters emerges, from a gun-wielding Jackson clone to a pair of bickering Iraqi lesbians. Directed by Billy Rosen, with an ambient original score and a show-stopping production number, “Please Let Me Love You” has plenty of aesthetic lube to ease the entry of its troubling insights about rape, child molestation, and imperial warfare. Playwright and performer Dan Fishback is best known for his raucous indie-pop band Cheese On Bread. His writing has been published nationally, and, this fall, he will be the subject of a documentary piece by PBS’ gay newsmagazine, “In The Life.” Tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. at Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, btwn. Houston & Prince Sts., second fl. $15 at 212-219-0736 or dixonplace.org.
New York’s Eiffel Tower
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz opens a new chapter in the colorful history of a Brooklyn icon when he flips the switch to illuminate the Parachute Jump on the legendary Coney Island boardwalk—declared a city landmark in 1977. After standing sentinel over America’s Favorite Playground for more than six decades, Coney Island’s beacon of the boardwalk will twinkle to life when 17 lamps and 150 lighting fixtures featuring 450 LEDs are flipped on. The 277-foot-tall tower’s dazzling lights, designed by artist Leni Schwendinger, will shine for all to see for the first time, from Staten Island and New Jersey to Long Island and beyond. Throughout the year the tower will be lit in one of six different lighting schemes that reflect the seasons, holidays, and lunar cycles. The Parachute Jump will be illuminated from dusk until midnight May through October, and dusk until 11 p.m. other times. This electrifying evening will feature a preview of all six lighting sequences, followed by the weekly Coney Island Friday night fireworks on the beach, sponsored by Astroland and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. Free and open to the public. 9 p.m. Coney Island Boardwalk at W. 15th St.
SAT.JUL.8
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, including Suk-Yeon Lee’s digital illustration “Shout,” 2006, 28” x 37.” Jul. 8–22, opening reception Jul. 11 from 6-8 p.m. 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.
Young Punk
“Punk Like Me,” JD Glass’ first novel, is a brave story of strength and self-discovery. Twenty-one year old protagonist Nina plays in a rock band, and doesn’t always play by the rules. She also has a way with the girls. But standing in the way of her CBGB dreams are Catholic school nuns, disapproving parents, and her own fears about being different. Luckily there’s Kerry, who makes it impossible for Nina not to be tough, not to be honest, not to stand by what she knows is right. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton and Rivington. 212-777-6028. Free at 7 p.m.
SUN.JUL. 9
Global Family Day
This year’s event features an extraordinary performance from the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats. Hailing from Cangzhou, China, this troupe has been astonishing audiences for years with feats of strength, grace, and agility. Chinese acrobatics is an ancient art that combines story-telling, martial arts, comedy, drama and sheer bravado. Its practitioners often train for ten to fifteen years before they are deemed ready to perform in front of an audience. Also on the bill, The Dirty Sock Funtime Band combine retro-hipster cool with kid-style madness. The music is equally cool and crazy—ska and rock ‘n roll songs about dinosaurs and dancing. Then there’s Baby Loves Disco, which bridges the gap between grown-up and toddler entertainment. A family-friendly dance party featuring real club DJs mixing real dance classics from the ‘70s & ‘80s, the event has been a smash hit with young parents and children alike from Philadelphia to Park Slope. Central Park SummerStage, Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at E. 69th St. and Fifth Ave. or at W. 72nd St. and Central Park West. 1:30-4 p.m. Free.
MON.JUL. 10
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. 11
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.
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. Opening tonight from 6-8 p.m. 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. 12
Child Soldiers
In more than 40 countries around the world, hundreds of thousands of children as young as six are coerced into picking up arms for government or guerilla forces. Journalist Jimmie Briggs spent six years getting to know child soldiers and their families from five different countries, and will share his experiences with a photo presentation and discussion of his book “Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War.” Co-presented by Satya, a monthly magazine that focuses on animal advocacy, environmentalism, social justice, and vegetarianism. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton and Rivington. 212-777-6028. Free at 7 p.m.
THU.JUL. 13
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.
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