THU.JUN.1
Health Forum
This free health summit and community forum titled “Asian Pacific Islander (API) Men who have Sex with other Men (MSM): Sexual Health and HIV Today,” includes keynote speeches from Gregory Huang-Cruz of Body Positive & Cicatelli Associates, Inc., Victor Inada, M.D. of Asian Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS (APICHA), and Von-Michael Hanton, the Community Chair-Elect of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene HIV/AIDS Prevention Planning Group. The conference will feature keynote speeches, a panel discussion on the realities of stigma, discrimination and HIV/AIDS as API MSMs maintain and sustain healthy relationships, and small group discussions on immigration, the intersections of religion, spirituality, cultural diversity, and family systems, and communication between young and old API MSMs. Free metrocards and complimentary light dinner will be provided to attendees. 5-8:45 p.m. at APICHA, 150 Lafayette St., btwn. Howard and Grand Sts., sixth fl. doneleymeris@hotmail.com or 212-385-4945.
Mr. Sontag
Acclaimed poet Edward Field talks about “The Man Who Would Have Married Susan Sontag,” his new memoir about his life as a gay man in bohemian Greenwich Village. 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 2289 Broadway at 82nd St. Free.
Shrub
“The Idiot King,” written and directed by Susana Cook, combines video, sound design, movement, official and religious discourses to create a political satire that exposes the ridiculous arguments used by the ruling class. In this show humor is used as a tool to ridicule the ones in power and their reasons for the oppression of minorities. Real facts are mixed up with ridiculous exaggerations, becoming very difficult to tell them apart. You can be with him, against him, or laughing at him. Through Jun. 3 at 8 p.m. at Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, btwn. Houston and Prince Sts. 212-219-0736.
FRI. JUN. 2
Brokeback Bronx
Since, “Brokeback Mountain” never made it to a Bronx movie theater or cineplex, BAAD! hosts a community discussion about being out and homophobia in the Bronx, and compare it to the challenges that the characters Ennis and Jack faced. Followed by a private screening of the film. The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, 841 Barretto St. btwn. Garrison & Lafayette Aves. in the South Bronx, 718- 842-5223 or visit BronxAcademyofArtsandDance.org. BAAD! #6 to Hunts Point. 8 p.m. Free.
The Culture Of Queer
Leslie/Lohman’s first collaboration with a major exhibitor in the U.S highlights J.B. Harter, a Louisiana artist who came out of the closet late in life and died young, and is supplemented by work from nine other queer Louisiana artists as well as by 27 works from the permanent collection of Charles Leslie and Friz Lohman, who have been collecting and displaying erotic male art for thirty years. Included in the exhibit is Jack Mitchell’s photograph “Joe and Bobby Dallesandro” (pictured). 26 Wooster St. at Grand St. Tue.-Sat. 12-6 p.m. 212-431-2609. Through Jul. 1.
SAT.JUN. 3
Gay Lit
The Lambda Literary Foundation and The New York Public Library present ”Words To Our Now: Contemporary LGBT Voices.” Celebrate the power of language and the imagination during LGBT Pride Month with two readings curated by the Lambda Literary Foundation and presented in conjunction with “Art & Activism: Contemporary LGBT Arts & Protest,” a month long series of programs and films at the New York Public Library. Readers include Abha Dawesar, author of “Babyjii,” finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction; Thomas Glave, author of “Words to Our Now,” finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Nonfiction; and Richard Siken, author of “Crush,” finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry. 2-4 p.m. Humanities and Social Sciences Library, 476 Fifth Ave. at 42nd St. Celeste Bartos Education Center Auditorium, South Court. Free. For information, asklambda@earthlink.net or 212-239-6575.
When She Was King
The Out Like That! Festival at The Bronx Academy of Art & Dance (BAAD!) defiantly returns for its sixth year. The festival officially kicks off with the BAAD! debut of International “Gender Illusionist “ Diyaa (a.k.a. Mildred Gerestant) formerly known as Drag King Dred. “When She Was King” is a funny, funky, superfly, thought- and spirit-provoking performance on life, conditioning, gender, and diversity directed by Emmitt Thrower. $15 at 718- 842-5223 or BronxAcademyofArtsandDance.org. 8 p.m. The festival continues every weekend through June 23 with a luscious stew of dance, theater, film, and more. All performances are at 841 Barretto St. in the South Bronx.
SUN.JUN. 4
Debbie Does The Bronx
Debbie Reynolds has been a ball of fire since she whirled on the Hollywood scene at 16 during MGM’s grandest years. With her always-adorable face and saucy sparkle, she has personified cheerful bounce and youthful innocence since the earliest days of her career. As sexy as her silver screen colleagues, she was ironically the most wholesome as well—even after more than 50 years in show business—first as a film star, then on stage and in nightclubs, then television; there is little she hasn’t done. But if her career has been distinguished by long-lasting and varied achievement, her personal life has been marked by continual misfortunes that would have devastated most people. Like the character she portrayed in her Oscar-nominated film, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” though, Reynolds is a survivor. She leaves no stone unturned in re-telling her life and career in a spectacular and intimate live show that combines her dancing skills and stage work with gossip and classic film clips. 3 p.m. at Lehman Center Concert Hall, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West on the campus of Lehman College in the Bronx. $35-$50 at 718-960-8833—Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and beginning at 12 noon on the day of the concert—or at LehmanCenter.org. #4 or D train to Bedford Park Blvd.
Yoga4M
Bendyboys, yoga for modern men, meets at the Breathing Project, 15 W. 26th St. Tenth fl., btwn. Broadway & Sixth Ave. There are two open level yoga classes now—Sun. 6:30-8:15 p.m. and Wed. 8-9:30 p.m. $17 per class, $150 for 10 class series usable over three months. All levels are welcome. Questions or reservations at bendyboys.net.
Confessions Dance Party
Identity Lounge/Bar is having a free gay dance party every Sunday night featuring DJ Drew G. The space offers two floors and chic decor with drink specials all night. 10 p.m. at 511 E. Sixth St. btwn. Aves. A and B. No cover charge. 212-995-8889.
MON.JUN. 5
LouderMondays
In the tradition of poets, Emanuel Xavier has experienced much throughout life. Since self-publishing his first poetry collection nearly a decade ago, the openly queer bard has conquered the spoken word scene, published several award nominated books, created a unique annual slam competition, and appeared on television (even as an actor). However, a brutal attack on the streets of Brooklyn nearly added his name to a long list of writers lost to tragedy. Tonight, the LouderARTS series celebrates “one of the most significant voices to emerge from the neo-Nuyorican poetry movement” followed by an open mic. 7 p.m. at 13 Bar Lounge, 35 E. 13th St. at University Pl., second fl. $5, $4 students at 212-979-6677. Two-for-one drinks.
Visual AIDS
Visual AIDS, New York’s premiere non-profit organization committed to supporting visual artists with HIV/AIDS, is awarding the first Visual AIDS Vanguard Award at its summer fundraiser to artist, author, and mentor, Barton Lidice Benes. The Visual AIDS Vanguard Award is given to a person who exemplifies the mission of Visual AIDS by exhibiting an unflagging commitment to HIV/AIDS education, awareness, and prevention, and supporting artists with HIV/AIDS as well as the visual and performing arts in general. Benes is an accomplished artist whose work has been recognized by major institutions around the world for the last three decades. He is also a longtime supporter of AIDS causes and service organizations. In the early 1990s Benes’ exhibition “Lethal Weapons” utilizing HIV+ blood, and the cremated ashes of people lost to AIDS provoked international controversy, and focused more attention on the pandemic. “Petits-Fours Samplers,” seemingly benign desserts made of AIDS medications, display his dark humor when dealing with illness, among other difficult subjects, and exemplify the transformational power of his aesthetics. In 2002, Abrams published his book, “Curiosa: Celebrity Relics, Historical Fossils, and Other Metamorphic Rubbish” (Abrams) surveying his “museums” of detritus, ephemera, and mementos that include items collected from artists and public figures. Actress and activist Rosie Perez will appear to present Benes with a tribute and the award for his persistent voice. Singer and artist John Kelly will present a special performance with Zecca Esquibel. DJ Honey Dijon spins; cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres will be served throughout the evening. $150 at 212-627-9855 or asadao@visualAIDS.org. Pier 63 Maritime, 23rd St. at the Westside Highway. 8–11 p.m.
TUE.JUN. 6
Fast Futures
Japan Society Gallery presents three cutting-edge artists as part of Fast Futures: Asian Video Art. The three artists featured in this exhibition capture the rapturous and sometimes peculiar beauty of intricate repetition, introspection and routine. In “Enclose,” Bea Camacho (The Philippines) documents the 11 hours it took to crochet herself into a cocoon of bright red yarn. Hiraki Sawa (Japan) exposes surprise elements within a seemingly barren household terrain in his video, “Trail.” Koki Tanaka (Japan) offers seven short, often-lively works that encapsulate the immensity of infinity. $5, $3 students & seniors, free for members and children under 16, at 212-832-1155 or japansociety.org. 333 E. 47th St., btwn. First & Second Aves. Through Jun. 18, Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sat. & Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
WED.JUN.7
CalArts Retrospective
The Museum of Modern Art presents the most extensive retrospective ever mounted of films and videos by former students at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). “Tomorrowland: CalArts in Moving Pictures,” an exhibition in 37 programs, celebrates more than three decades of intimate, inventive, and technically sophisticated student filmmaking and videomaking. CalArts was the first higher educational institution in the U.S. to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in both visual and performing arts; in ‘71 they added degree programs in dance, film and theater to those in art and music. This exhibition features a diverse range of nonfiction, narrative, animation, and experimental styles and genres—including Gary Schwartz’ “Animus” (pictured), with particular focus on the animation program. Special evenings are devoted to influential artists Ericka Beckman, David Cabrera, James Casebere, Ken Feingold, Jack Goldstein, Sharon Greytak, Matt Mullican, Tony Oursler, David Salle, Ilene Segalove, Christopher Williams, and David Wilson, founder of The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles. These artists studied under John Baldessari, Michael Asher, Nam June Paik, Allan Kaprow, and Wolfgang Stoerchle in the “Post-Studio” program, and their conceptual films and Portapak videos of the 1970s and 1980s remain contemporary and provocative. Many of the artists will be at MoMA to present their work during these special evenings. 11 W. 53rd St, Wed.-Mon. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fri. 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Closed Tue. $20 adults; $16 seniors, $12 students; free for children 16 and under. $10 adults; $8 seniors; $6 students for admittance to film programs only. For information and schedule 212-708-9400 or moma.org. Through Aug. 13
Ladies Night
GLAMM Wednesdays, a naughty weekly party for girls who like girls and their gay boyfriends. Come early, play your iPod, and drink cheap. Orchid Lounge, 500 E. 11th St. btwn. Ave. A & B. 212-254-4090.. Happy hour 5-8 p.m features $3 beer, $5 wine, and $5 cocktails. Raunchfest starts at 8 p.m. Free surprise shots at the sound of the gong. No cover.
THU.JUN. 8
Fallujah
After a major U.S.-led offensive in November of 2004, two-thirds of Fallujah was destroyed and thousands of its citizens were forced into refugee camps. Iraqi filmmaker Homodi Hasim sent a team of videographers and investigative journalists to the city to record the destruction and death resulting from the American assault. Stories and images of maimed and injured children, as well as destroyed mosques, schools and hospitals, glaringly contradict the official claims that there were no civilians remaining in Fallujah when the attack began. Using footage collected by both Iraqi and American filmmakers, Deep Dish Television has produced a gripping documentary that includes first hand accounts of the violence. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. 7 p.m. $5 suggested.
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