THU.APR.6
Reel Venus Film Festival Showcase
Show up for an hour-long screening of selected shorts from previous Reel Venus Film Festivals! Launched in 2003, the Reel Venus Film Festival is a three-day event that showcases an eclectic body of film and video shorts, directed by emerging and established women filmmakers and video artists from the US and abroad. Their work pushes traditional boundaries through storytelling methods that inspire, entertain, inform and provoke audiences with challenging topics, themes and images. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington St. 212-777-6028. 7 p.m. $5-10 suggested.
My Penis and I
Filmmaker Lawrence Barraclough presents his personal journey on screen, in which he explores the issue that has plagued his life—the size of his penis. Ever since childhood, Barraclough has been convinced that his penis is too small. He reveals how this has tainted his sense of masculinity over the years and, ultimately, the effect it has had on his relationship with his one and only girlfriend, Nicola. In a society where phallic symbols abound and images of sex are everywhere, Barraclough explores whether size is really in the head or below the waist. 7 p.m. at The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St.
New Music
The eight-year old new music series Cutting Edge Concerts kicks off its new season with the New York premiere of Katherine Hoover’s “The Knot” performed by The Colorado String Quartet. Also on the program is music by Jeffrey Mumford, Richard Wernick and Victoria Bond. Renee Weiler 8 p.m. at the Concert Hall of Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow St, btwn. Bedford St. & Seventh Ave. $15/$10 students and seniors. 212-242-4770 or gharts.org. Also Apr. 20 and 27.
FRI.APR.7
Fruitful Pathos
“Pear Cowboy Planet” by choreographer and Bessie Award winning dancer Chris Yon, Minneapolis-based choreographer and sound designer Justin Jones, with director, designer, curator Jeff Larson and comedian, actor, playwright Zach Steel is a modern-vaudevillian, tragicomic triptych about the mysterious properties of addition and subtraction in a seamless combination of dance, theatre, and sketch comedy. “Pear Cowboy Planet” reunites Yon and Jones on stage after a nearly three year hiatus. Joining them in revisiting and destroying their youth are longtime collaborators Larson and Steel with the help of Genevieve Bennett, Taryn Griggs (a.k.a. Mrs. Yon), with Nicole and Katy Pyle as the Zambonis. They will be accompanied by an otherworldly sound design by Jones & Keithley and transportive lighting by David Fritz. The Club at La Mama, 74A E. Fourth St. $15 at 212-475-7710. Tonight & tomorrow at 10 p.m., Sun. at 5:30 p.m.
Dancemopolitan
Dancenow/NYC presents “The Pepatian Bronx Burlesque Show,” hosted by comedian Elizabeth “MACHA!” Marrero, with special guest appearance by Rhina “La Reina” Valentin and choreographers Arthur Aviles, Christal Brown, Richard Rivera, Anthony Rodriguez with La Santa Luz, Rokafella and Full Circle Soul Sistahs, Noemi Segarra, Merian Soto, and Tina Louise Vasquez. Pepatian is a South Bronx-based arts organization dedicated to supporting Latino and Bronx-based dance and performance artists who offer cutting-edge work that speaks to and from the Afro-Caribbean-Latino perspective of the South Bronx. Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, 475 Lafayette St. $15 in advance at 212-239-6200 or Telecharge.com, $20 at the door. Tonight and tomorrow at 9:30 p.m.
SAT.APR.8
Posteritati Movie Posters presents “Queer as Film: Classic Gay and Lesbian Movie Posters,” a new exhibition showcasing vintage movie posters from gay and lesbian-themed film classics from around the world. Posteritati specializes in rare, vintage movie posters and is also the exclusive seller of contemporary film posters by film distributors such as Zeitgeist Films, Rialto Films, Magnolia Pictures, and First Run Features. The gallery has over 13,000 original movie posters from over 38 different countries in stock and features customer kiosks with iMacs for visitors to browse Posteritati’s extensive inventory, which can be viewed at posteritati.com. The exhibition will feature international posters from acknowledged landmarks of queer cinema, including French comedy smash “La cage aux folles” (1979), “Pink Narcissus” (1971), “Querelle” (1982), “The Life And Times of Harvey Milk” (1984), “My Beautiful Laundrette” (1987), “My Own Private Idaho” (1992), “Aimee & Jaguar” (1999), and more. 239 Centre St. btwn. Broome & Grand Sts. Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m. Through Apr. 30.
Graffiti Art Activism
A self-taught Puerto Rican artist, Vincent Salas makes social, political, and spiritual issues central to his work. That work has taken many forms since he became a member of the Nation of Graffiti Artists in 1975, including found objects, mixed media, collage and watercolors. Over the past 15 years, he has curated art shows in many alternative gallery spaces, including work by artists and community groups dealing with issues such as homelessness, gentrification, and AIDS. In this, his first exhibit in five years, Salas will show canvases exemplifying his early work alongside new collages. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. 7 p.m. Free.
Dance 208
Dance 208 has always welcomed flagging friends, and Flag: 208 is a special dance party and celebration of this gay-friendly art and tradition for all flaggers/fanners—and their admirers. DJ Louis Morhaim of Sirius OutQ, DJ: Saturday Night OUT, Sunday QTea, Heartbeat Records, Tom of Finland,Cielo, Discoteque, SBNY, and Sea Tea is sure to get your flag waving. Special performances by flagging dance company Axis Danz and other special surprise guests. Let your freak flag fly. $10; $6 members, flaggers w/flags, and before 9:45 p.m. The LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13 St. 212-620-7310. 9 p.m.
SUN.APR.9
Electro Shock Therapy Comedy Hour
Adam Sank brings back the brilliant Bob Smith—the first openly gay comic to appear on “The Tonight Show” and have his own HBO special—to an adoring crowd at Therapy, along with the lovely, lewd and lesbionic Mina Hartong, and a special musical performance by the gorgeous Goddess Perlman. 10 p.m. at Therapy, 348 W. 52nd St. Come watch the latest episode of “Desperate Housewives” on the big screen at 9 p.m. Stay for the live comedy afterwards. No cover charge, no minimum, $5 cosmos all night!
God and Sexuality
Out & Faithful joins Bard College and the LGBT Religious Archives Network for a special two-day conference called “God and Sexuality: Ritual and Sexual Expression.” This exciting and important event provides an exhilarating opportunity for discussion, debate, learning, and socializing for academics, religious leaders, activists, and lay people. The 2006 conference features more than 30 speakers; workshops include “The Virtual Rituals of Gay Sex,” “May Love and Justice Increase: Rituals for Same-Sex Ceremonies,” “The Spiritual Salad Bar: Religious Organizations as Resources for Queer Women,” and “It Will Make a Man of You!” This conference provides a forum for the exchange of scholarship and ideas that fuels the engine of social and religious activism. Register at godandsexuality.org. LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. Today and tomorrow starting at 9 a.m.; through 9 p.m. Sunday, 4:30 p.m. Monday.
MON.APR.10
Men in Tutus
Les Ballets Grandiva blends the beauty, physicality, and grace of ballet dancers with the brilliance of classic and contemporary choreography. Nineteen men in tutus and toe shoes provide outrageously entertaining evening of dance for a special 10th anniversary performance. The program will include classics from their vast repertoire as well as a world premiere for the acclaimed company. Les Ballets Grandiva is an all-male comedy ballet company, one of only a handful of companies in the world that practice this art form. It is the newest and also the largest company of its kind in the world. Founded by current director Victor Trevino, the company originally consisted of 13 dancers and a repertoire of seven ballets and this season has grown to 19 dancers and 32 ballets in the active repertoire. In 2001 Grandiva performed in China at the Shanghai Grand Theater, marking the first time a male comedy ballet company performed in such an important theater in a communist country. From Romeo to Juliet, Don Quixote to Pocahontas, gallant fauns to dying swans, these divine “ballerinos” approach some of history’s greatest roles with flamboyant aplomb. Grandiva is more than dancers en travesti, flitting and floating on pointe. The company transforms the male comedy ballet art form from mere sight gag to the height of technical precision and dramatic excellence. 8 p.m. at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater in the Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St. $10 at symphonyspace.com or 212-864-5400, btwn. 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., Tue.-Sun.
TUE.APR.11
The Cost of Civil Obedience
Kenji Yoshino examines the struggle for human dignity in two arenas—as a law professor at Yale, he argues with intellectual rigor and scholarship about an imagined monolithic state that can both further and hinder his liberties. As a gay Asian-American man, he uses his autobiography to reveal his struggle with his family, a smaller but more in some ways more difficult institution. Join the author in a discussion on his new book “Covering: The Hidden Assault on Our Civil Rights.” The LGBT Center, 208 W., 13th St. 212-620-7310. Free at 7 p.m.
The Cucumber Incident
Co-producer Bonita Makuch will be in attendance for this screening of “The Cucumber Incident,” a film about the Frank family of Delaware, Ohio. In 1997, four of the family’s female members committed a sensational act of vigilantism when they suspected that one of their young children was being molested. The film gives voice to the family, portraying them not as villains or heroes but as complicated, strong women whose dramatic actions challenged community values and the law. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. 7 p.m. $5-10 suggested.
Godmothers of Song
New York Festival of Song, with artistic director Steven Blier and associate artistic director Michael Barrett, continues its 18th season with a concert celebrating the wealth of vocal works commissioned by Princesse de Polignac, Isabella Stuart Gardiner, Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, and other women whose patronage of song composers enriched the song repertoire. The program features mezzo-soprano Charlotte Hellekant and baritone William Sharp, and includes works by Fauré, Chabrier, Ravel, Albeniz, Poulenc, Milhaud, Falla, Satie, Thomson, Bowles, Rorem, and others. In addition, Blier and Barret will perform. 8 p.m. at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th St., btwn. Broadway & Amsterdam Ave. $45, $35 for seniors, $ 22.50 for student rush—one half-hour before show time. 212-501-3330.
WED.APR.12
Made in Palestine
The first museum-quality exhibition devoted to the contemporary art of Palestine to be held in the United States is a survey of work spanning three generations of Palestinian artists who live in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, parts of Israel, Syria, Jordan, and the U.S. The exhibition was curated by James Harithas during a month long stay in the Middle East, aided in his mission by Palestinian artist Samia Halaby. The artists utilize a multiplicity of techniques, mediums, and aesthetic styles such as realism, abstraction, and conceptual art. They have been influenced by ancient and contemporary art of the Near East and Egypt as well as by such Western approaches to art as Arte Povera and Installation Art. The works range from monumental pieces to those of a more intimate nature that invite close attention. The Bridge Gallery, 521 W. 26th St., third floor. 646-584-9098. Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Apr. 22. Free.
THU.APR.13
Coming of Age
Bluestockings welcomes acclaimed writers Michelle Tea and Katia Noyes as they read from their latest books. In the reverse of most literary pilgrimages, the 17-year-old street punk heroine of Katia Noyes’ “Crashing America” leaves San Francisco to work on a farm in Nebraska, where she ends up stealing cars and having all kinds of adventures. Michelle Tea’s first novel, “Rose of No Man’s Land” is a furious coming of age story, brimming with snarky observations and soulful wonderings on the emptiness of contemporary culture as seen through the eyes of the unforgettable Trisha Driscoll. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. 7 p.m. Free.
Taylor Mac
P.S. 122’s first-ever recipient of the Ethyl Eichelberger Award for artistic excellence, Taylor Mac, teams up with puppeteer Basil Twist, choreographer Julie Atlas Muz, and a slew of New York’s most joyous, extreme, and outrageously gifted downtown performers for “Red Tide Blooming,” a musical extravaganza inspired by the gentrification of Coney Island and imagining the Last Mermaid Parade Ever. Set in a phantasmagorical aquatic wonderland, Red Tide Blooming tells the story of Olokun, a hermaphrodite sea creature, who is on a quest to find a community of divine freaks on a far-off place called The Floating Landfill. Using the revitalization of Coney Island as a metaphor for America’s obsessive desire to find safety by eradicating the old, odd, and the uncomfortable, Red Tide Blooming uses song, dance, burlesque and classic Mermaid Parade antics to create a collective visualization of Armageddon in the murky waters of gentrification and cultural homogenization. Through Apr. 23, Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m, Sat. and Sun. at 5 p.m. P.S.122, 150 First Ave. at E. Ninth St. $20, $15 students/seniors, $10 P.S.122 members or anyone dressed as a sea creature, at 212-352-3101 or theatermania.com. For more information 212-477-5288 or ps122.org.
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