THU.JUN. 29
Hot & Queer
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. Highlights of the festival include a Mondo Cane commissioned production of Jeffrey Essman’s latest work and a brand new work-in-progress by downtown performance matriarch Penny Arcade. Taylor Mac debuts his Edinburgh-bound solo cabaret. The Mammy Project’s Michelle Matlock gives a first taste of her collaboration with the music group Inner Princess. Look for festival favorites like Henry Hill and Kelly Bartnik as well as newcomers like Hank Starr and his ensemble camp soap opera Emerald Crest. HOT! runs 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.
Hot and Bothered: Feminist Pornography
What happens when pornography and feminism come together? This documentary takes a rare and empowering look at the porn industry and feminist community to see how they intertwine within the politics and poetics of female sexuality. Director Becky Goldberg shows women who are committed to making and supporting pornography that upholds their feminist values and will go up against an industry rife with stereotypes and sexism to get what they want. Who better to claim the adult industry for themselves than the women it depends on? Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. between Stanton and Rivington Sts. 7 p.m. $5-10 suggested at 212-777-6028.
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” have 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.
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. The gallery will be closed on Jul. 4.
FRI.JUN. 30
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 “ex-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 Jul. 1, 7, & 8 at 8 p.m. at Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, btwn. Houston & Prince Sts., second fl. $15 at 212-219-0736 or dixonplace.org.
New Opera
Collective Opera Company—including COC Founding Members Ryan Tracy, Adriana Chavez, and Paula White—premieres “DREAMpaula,” an hour-long opera extravaganza the opening weekend of the 15th Annual HOT! Festival at Dixon Place. In “DREAMpaula,” Collective Opera Company dissolves the universe of words into improvised utterance, made up language and guttural outbursts. Language is perceivable but incomprehensible; music and theatrical situation take over. Combining collective forces with a host of local performance-and-otherwise artists, including Jonah Bokaer, Nick Hallett, Sonya Headlam, Moving Theater Company, and Elke Rindfleisch, with video projections by Leif Krinkle, and original songs by Ramzi Awn, Collective Opera Company continues to question what opera is, redefining opera in the context of contemporary performance, including dance & movement, music, media, theater, language, and idea. Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, btwn. Houston & Prince Sts., second fl. 10 p.m. $15, $12 students & seniors at 212-219-0736 or dixonplace.org.
$10,000 Cash Prize
The Lesbian Writers Fund of the ASTRAEA Lesbian Foundation for Justice supports the work of emerging lesbian writers, and acknowledges the contributions of established lesbian writers to the movement and culture. First place awardees in each category receive $10,000 and there are additional cash prizes for runners-up. Guidelines and application forms, as well as listings of previous grantees and panelists, are available at astraeafoundation.org, or 212-529-8021, ext. 22. The deadline for application is today.
Tongues Still Untied
“Tongues Unchained,” a tribute to the 20-year legacy of Black Gay writing,directed by Valerie Winborne, features performers Gale Jackson, Anton Nimblett, Khary Polk, Colin Robinson, and Pamela Sneed, and work by Daniel Garrett, Roy Gonsalves, Craig G. Harris, Essex Hemphill, Audre Lorde, Richard Bruce Nugent, Assotto Saint, Donald Woods, and others. Kumble Theater, Long Island University, at Flatbush & DeKalb Aves. $12 at 718-488-1624, Mon.-Sat., 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Performance at 8 p.m. After-party starts at 10 p.m. at Grand 275, 275 Grand Ave., btwn. Lafayette Ave. & Clifton Pl., 20 blocks east of the theater, 718-398-4402.
SAT.JUL. 1
Opera In Concert
The Martina Arroyo Foundation and the Young Artists of Prelude to Performance present Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” concert version, conducted by Maestro Willie Anthony Waters, General & Artistic Director of Connecticut Opera. Experience the beauty of opera with the freshness of young voices. Liederkranz Foundation, 6 E.87th St. btwn. Fifth & Madison Aves. 3-6 p.m. Free. 212-534-0880.
SUN.JUL. 2
Feminist Book Club
The feminist book club reads books and discusses feminism. There is no claim about what feminism is or whom it serves, and this is not a forum for affirming any predetermined feminist platform. Rather, the group relies on feminism(s) as a lens for examination—of theoretical texts, literature, and primary works. The book club is open to everyone, and welcomes people of all genders, political persuasions and levels of familiarity with feminism. The club meets on the first Sunday of every month. Books are chosen by consensus. This month’s reading is “Female Masculinity” by Judith Halberstam. feministbookclub@yahoo.com for more information. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. between Stanton and Rivington Sts. 2:30 p.m. Free at 212-777-6028.
MON.JUL. 3
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 July 28, 2006. Yvon Lambert, 564 W. 25th St. 212-242-3611.
Anarchist Therapy
Nick Cooper traveled from the U.S. to Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Bahia, and São Paulo to capture the exercises, voice, and movement of Soma Therapy. He spent many long sessions with Roberto Freire, who, having survived the Brazilian military dictatorship, developed Soma (body) thirty years ago, incorporating Wilhelm Reich’s teachings, a martial art/dance form called capoeira angola, and the politics of anarchism. Soma provides a radical alternative to traditional therapy, with the goal of liberating those who have been subjected to repression. A screening of Cooper’s documentary “Soma: An Anarchist Therapy” will be followed by a discussion. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. between Stanton and Rivington Sts. 7 p.m. $5 suggested at 212-777-6028.
TUE.JUL. 4
Independence Day
Write a letter to the Mayor, Police Commissioner, or your Councilperson. E-mail Chuck and Hil and your congressional representative. Sign a petition. Defend the faith. Hold hands. Kiss in public. Don’t conform. Fight—loudly or quietly, aggressively or peacefully—to protect, preserve, and expand the freedom to love, to live, to exist fully.
East River Fireworks
2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the East River Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza. This year’s event will feature more than 120,000 bursts of pyrotechnic color and a live soundtrack from the New York Pops. There are three different fireworks launching sites this year—the traditional location on the East River between 23rd and 42nd Streets, the Statue of Liberty, and the South Street Seaport. The celebration will begin at 7 p.m. with the first fireworks scheduled to begin at 9:20 p.m. East River—you can see the fireworks from any place in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens with a view of the East River. In Manhattan, the FDR Drive will be closed to traffic for public fireworks viewing from 14th to 42nd Sts. Pedestrian access to the viewing area will be at 23rd, 38th, and 42nd Streets. South Street Seaport—join the River to River Festival for a special fireworks viewing party at the South Street Seaport, which provides views of all three fireworks locations. Pedestrian access to the FDR at the South Street Seaport is from Pearl Street only. Liberty State Park in Jersey City also offers terrific views of the fireworks. From the North Cove Marina, directly in front of the World Financial Center, you can take the Water Taxi to the Liberty Landing Marina located in Liberty State Park. Long Island City hosts an annual Fireworks Festival featuring music, food, games, and a great view of fireworks display at the Hunter’s Point Pier at Borden Ave & Fifth St.
WED.JUL. 5
Queer World
The Museum of Modern Art presents the first of two installments of “Another Wave: Global Queer Cinema,” an exhibition of 56 international gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender film and media works produced since the late 1980s. The exhibition includes nonfiction, fiction, experimental shorts, and feature films. Special programs devoted to the work of New York-based filmmaker Jim Hubbard, a series of personal films about AIDS, and a series dealing with issues of homosexuality and national identity conclude the exhibition. Organized by Charles Silver, Associate Curator, Department of Film and Media, The Museum of Modern Art; David A. Gerstner, Associate Professor, CUNY, College of Staten Island, and author of “Manly Arts” (Duke University Press, 2006); Jim Hubbard, filmmaker, curator, and archivist; and Thomas Beard, Program Director, Ocularis. North America and Western Europe are often recognized for their prolific output of gay, lesbian, and transgender film and media. Yet over the past 20 years a wide range of works falling into the sub-genre of New Queer Cinema has emanated from sub-Saharan Africa, India, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Israel, and China. Queer filmmakers have traditionally tested the possibilities and boundaries of film and media aesthetics. Some of the boldest experimentation in narrative and visual form has been made by filmmakers using gay themes, narrative, or imagery to bolster or subvert existing conventions in cinema. The new wave of Queer Filmmakers presented in this exhibition investigates cinematic form in relation to the complexities of their sexual identities and the world in which they live. Part one runs through Jul. 21. MoMA, 11 W. 53rd St. $10, $8 seniors, $6 students (for admittance to film programs only) at 212-708-9400 or moma.org.
THU.JUL. 6
Art-Pop Siren
Rachael Sage, The East Village’s favorite songstress, poet, and multi-media maven, released her latest record “The Blistering Sun” on May 16, 2006. 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.
FRI.JUL.7
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” (pictured). 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.
gaycitynews.com
