THU.DEC.29
UJIMMA
African Ancestral Lesbians Celebrate Women’s Kwanzaa with collective work and responsibility. Featuring speakers, performers, food and drink. Donations accepted. For more information contact Candice Boyce at 212-620-7310. The LGBT Center, 208 W. 13th St. 6 p.m.
FRI.DEC.30
One Night in Advance
Motherfucker, which produces polysexual, raucous rock parties, hosts its inaugural New Year’s Eve-Eve ball, featuring The Juan Maclean, who will supply their brutish and groovy funkadelic synth melodies, reflecting the band’s love affair with Kraftwerk, Derrick May, Giorgio Moroder, Lipps Inc., and Talking Heads. Elsewhere at the club DJs Michael T (Bust at Boys Room, Rated X), Justine D (Tiswas, Aktion at Lit, Nighttime), and Dave P provide gorgeous freak chic tunes with their selection of rock n’ roll, glam rock, punk, and new wave. Avalon, 662 Sixth Ave., btwn. 20th 7 21st St. Doors open at 10 p.m. The Juan Maclean onstage at 11:30 p.m. Redbull energy drink open bar from 10 to 11 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 at 212-532-4650; $20 at the door.
Just As We Are
Roulette Fine Art presents 20 fine portraits of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Americans by photographer Charzette Torrence. 6-8 p.m. at the 96th St. branch of the New York Public Library. 112 E. 96th St. A panel discussion with the artist and people portrayed will take place Sat. Jan.14, also at the library. Through Jan. 21. 212-289-0908.
A Very Bette Christmas
A new holiday play with music, written by Elizabeth Fuller (“Me and Jezebel”) imagines the star in the setting of a 1962 Christmas television special. Tommy Femia, who is best known for his award-winning Judy Garland impersonation, plays the intimidating, explosive actress. Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St.. $20 cover plus two-drink minimum at 212-757-0788. Weekends, various times, through Jan. 8.
Glam Days
Mick Rock the photographer often referred to as “The Man Who Shot the Seventies,” showcases an intimate selection of some of his most iconic rock ‘n roll images. From his earliest work as David Bowie’s official photographer to working with Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, the Ramones, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Rock’s enthusiasm remains remained undiminished as he has continues to capture the musical spirit of successive eras right through to the new millennium. The gallery at SoHo Grand, 310 W. Broadway. Through Jan. 30.
SAT.DEC.31
Party Like It’s 1984
And they even throw in ‘80s discount prices at Pyramid’s 1984 New Year’s bash. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. with two hours of an all-Madonna dance floor. At 11:30, the Go-Gos, Duran Duran, Boy George, and other ‘80s faves are thrown into the dance floor mix. Admission is only $12, with drink specials before 11 p.m. 101 Ave. A at E. Seventh St. You must have a photo ID that shows you’re at least 21.
The White Party
In the spirit of Brazilian New Year’s Eve parties, ALMA hosts its annual White Party, featuring exceptionally talented drummers and musicians and DJs True and Miller Cruz, who will keep you dancing to beats from New York to Johannesburg and everywhere in between. The producers promise an evening of an incredibly sexy journey into sound. Sullivan Room, 218 Sullivan St., btwn. Third Ave. & Bleecker St. Doors open at 9 p.m. with dancing until 3 a.m. Admission is $25. To guarantee a spot, RSVP to musikbutrfly@earthlink.net. Complete details at emergingarts.com/alma.html.
A Special New Songwriter
Nellie McKay won rave reviews for her debut album, “Get Away from Me,” the Washington Post hailing her as “a darkly funny New York oddball who has all the makings of the first great singer-songwriter of the young century.” Ars Nova, 511 W. 54th St., 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include a champagne toast at midnight; 212-868-4444 or smarttix.com
Fireworks!
If you are looking for hot visuals on New Year’s Eve, check out one of three opportunities in Brooklyn and Manhattan. At Grand Army Plaza all the way to Ninth Street on Prospect Park West in Brooklyn, watch a spectacular light show in the park at midnight. For more information, visit prospectpark.org or call 718-965-8999. In Manhattan’s Central Park, there will be a midnight display best seen from Tavern on the Green or Sheep’s Meadow. Visit centralparknyc.org or call 212-794-6564. The Grucci family will light up New York Harbor above the Statue of Liberty at the stroke of midnight. The best views for this show are Battery Park and Wagner Park in Battery Park City.
Downtown’s Kings and Queens
After you watch the ball drop, head over to Joe’s Pub for the first after-hours party of 2006, with dancing from 1 a.m. until breakfast. John Cameron Mitchell hosts with artists including JD Samson, Flotilla DeBarge, Larry Krone; Jim Andralis; Chris Weilding and Lauren Molina (“Sweeney Todd”); Bradford Scobie, Taylor Mac, Dynasty Handbag, Jay Brannan and Scott Matthew (of Shortbus band). 425 Lafayette St., btwn. E. Fourth St. and Astor Pl. Tickets are $25 at 212-539-8778 or $30 cash at the door. Free breakfast buffet at 4 a.m.
Lambda Literary Awards
Celebrating and enhancing the visibility of books that speak the truth about LGBT lives, the Lambda Literary Foundation honors the best authors in our community annually. Past winners have included Michael Cunningham, Dorothy Allison, Christopher Bram, Adrienne Rich, Edmund White, Michele Tea, Michael Nava, Lillian Faderman, David Sedaris, as well as younger writers such as Achy Obejas, Christopher Rice, Jacqueline Woodson, and Tristan Taormino. Nominations for the 18th annual Awards are due on Dec. 31. For guidelines and nomination forms, visit lambdaliterary.org/awards. The group aiming to relaunch the prestigious Lambda Book Report as a quarterly publication, and is seeking donations. A gift of $35 or more will earn you a bonus book you can choose from four choices. Visit the Foundation’s website at lambdaliterary.org or send a donation, tax-deductible, to Lambda Literary Foundation, P.O. Box 1957, Old Chelsea Station, New York City 10012.
SUN.JAN.1
Saint At Large
It’s a new year and there’s a new party. Gaydom’s tireless underground party promoter for a quarter century surfaces in 2006 to throw the first big dance event at the Euro-import Pacha NYC, promising “a fresh, uplifting, HI-NRG vibe with a futuristic, Japanime-infused theme.” DJ Chris Cox will inaugurate the 12-hour party with his eclectic blend of tribal rhythms and souring vocals. Taking over the reigns and keeping the pace pumping will be David Knapp. After two decades as a professional DJ and winning avid fans around the globe, he remains one of the most beloved and popular musical artists in the gay community. JonJon Battles will represent the new breed of downtown DJ’s who draw from a wide spectrum of musical genres as he spins in the ultra-plush Louis XVII Lounge. 618 W. 46th St., 8 p.m. until 8 a.m. Advance tickets are $45 at saintatlarge.com; $55 at the door. For more information, call 212-674-8541.
MON.JAN.2
SMUT
A weekly program of no-holds-barred performance every Monday at Galapagos. This week, host Desiree Burch introduces Giuilia Rossi. 70 N. Sixth St. btwn. Kent and Wythe in Williamsburg. 718-782-5188. 8 p.m.; free.
Yoga for Modern Men
Bendyboys has moved to a brand new, spacious, carpeted studio with views of midtown at One Spirit Learning Alliance. Two classes are now offered at different levels—Mon. is Level I-II, suitable for beginners; Thu. is Level II-III, suitable for those looking for a more rigorous flow and advanced poses. New classes will feature such themes as morning after yoga for detoxification as well as special classes for immune system boosting, weight reduction, and overcoming anxiety, depression, and addictions. 6:30 – 8:15 p.m. 330 W. 38th St., Suite 1506. $17; $1 mat rental. bendyboys.net.
TUE.JAN.3
Female Robotics
As part of a rare solo exhibition, encompassing 30 years of Lynn Hershman Leeson’s groundbreaking artistic practices, the artist will premiere her latest artificial intelligence robot. Dubbed as “the grand dame of digital art,” Hershman Leeson has been working with robots and artificial intelligence as an art form for more than a decade. DiNA, a virtual presidential candidate with the slogan campaign, “Artificial intelligence is better than no intelligence,” is embodied by the face of Leeson’s longtime collaborator, actress Tilda Swinton. Swinton’s transformed visage is driven by cutting-edge animation software and a brain as big as the Internet, growing smarter as it interacts with users and processes information. bitforms gallery, 529 W. 20th St. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Through Jan. 14, Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Somnambulic
Location One presents the first New York solo exhibition by Canadian artist Martin Beauregard. This body of recent sculpture, videos, and photographs highlights Beauregard’s ongoing interest in themes revolving around the relationships among dream, illusion, and reality. 26 Greene St., btwn. Canal & Grand Sts. 212-334-3347 or location1.org. The exhibition’s opening reception 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours Tue.-Sat. 12-6 p.m. Through Feb 4.
WED.JAN.4
Stryker
Winnipeg, Manitoba, has one of the world’s largest aboriginal populations. In this gritty and often emotionally violent feature, activist-filmmaker Noam Gonick partnered with celebrated cinematographer Ed Lachman to vividly dramatize the explosive underbelly of that Canadian city’s Native community. Stryker, a fourteen-year-old fugitive arsonist from the Brokenhead First Nation reserve, becomes a pawn in the ongoing war between the Indian Posse and the Asian Bomb Squad. MoMA, 1 W. 53rd St. 212-708-9400. 6 p.m. Also Thu. 8:30 p.m., Fri. 8:45 p.m., Sat. 4:30; p.m., Sun. 5 p.m., Mon. 8 p.m.
THU.JAN5.
Ying Quartet
In their fifth and final year of residency at Symphony Space, this beloved string quartet returns to perform “…but not simpler…” by Tod Machover. From cooking noodles to incorporating magic, this quartet of siblings never fails to delight with their fresh approach to classical performance. Additional selections to be performed include works by Beethoven, Bach, Cage, Carter, Byrd, and the Beatles—all sources of inspiration for Machover. $21, $16 members, $18 students, and seniors at 212-864-5400. Leonard Nimoy Thalia. Broadway at W. 95th St. 7:30 p.m.
Fringe Fest Hit
The first-ever anti-SUV theatrical production, “SUV: The Musical!” is a timeless love story, an old-fashioned, three-hankie, boy-meets-girl, boy-designs-really-big-car-for-girl, girl-leaves-boy-for-environmental-activist, boy-is-sentenced-to-death-for-crimes-against-humanity story. Now Off-Broadway through Jan. 21 at Wings Theatre, 154 Christopher St. at Greenwich. $18 at 212-627-2971 or suvthemusical.com. 10:45 p.m.
NEUROfest
Untitled Theater Company #61, artistic director Edward Einhorn, present the first theater festival dedicated to neurological conditions. The festival is partly inspired by the work of famed neurologist and author Oliver Sacks (“The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat,” “Awakenings”), a writer well regarded for his exploration of the creative revelations made through neurology. Science has long since been a bedfellow to the arts, and NEUROfest will combine the two in a festival of over 20 plays, seminars and readings about neurological conditions, ranging from aphasia to savantism to autism to Tourette’s. Theater 5, 311 W. 43rd St., fifth fl. The festival runs through Sun., Jan 29. Tickets are $15 212-352-3101 or theatermania.com.
FRI.JAN.6
Fort Greene Scene
Local artists launch a series of improvisational electronics, jazz, funk, R&B, and classical music that will run through the Spring of 2006. Composer and trombonist Chris McIntyre leads LOTET, which performs music conceptually inspired by the oscillations and vibrations of low frequencies. McIntyre’s compositions are a filtering and reprocessing of his musical life, often incorporating improvisational, site-specific electronic elements that allow the group to apply diverse, bass-heavy colors of pulsing, visceral music from the bottom up. McIntyre is joined by Andrew Barker (cello, percussion), Kato Hideki (electric bass, bass synthesizer), Raz Mesinai (percussion, electronics), and Charles Waters (bass clarinet). BAM Café, 30 Lafayette Ave., btwn. St. Felix St. & Ashland Pl., near Flatbush Ave., 9 pm. No cover charge, but a $10 food/ drink minimum. On Sat. Jan. 9, the E.J. Strickland Project appears at 9 p.m. Downbeat has called Strickland “the most exciting new drummer since Billy Kilson… and going back further, like Tony Williams or Billy Higgins, E.J. can emit fields of cumulative energy, clouds of feather-touch and heavy-handed syncopations, latent with power like an oncoming storm.” For more information on either show, or the Fort Greene Scene series, call 718-636-4100, or visit bam.org.
SAT.JAN.7
FurBall1: Growl!
Dance 208, the LGBT Community Center’s dance series, presents an evening of fur flying with DJ Mark D’Aleo, a veteran of P’Town’s Crown & Anchor and Ft. Lauderdale’s Ramrod. Expect hot guys, go-go bears, and a celebration of everything furry, with backdrops provided by artists Curry Mendes and David Aviles. Sponsored by Metrobears and Bear Café. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $10, $6 for Center members and members of all NYC-area Bear clubs. 208 W. 13th St.
First Saturday
Brooklyn Museum celebrates the New Year with a Saturday evening Winter Ball of arts performances. At 6 p.m. the Brooklyn Ballet performs a combination of traditional and contemporary ballet. Also at 6 p.m., hear the band Musette Explosion re-create the romance of a Parisian café with a blend of classic accordion music and American jazz. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., create a beaded headdress inspired by the Museum’s own Yoruba crown. At 7 p.m., Museum guide Jim Marshall leads a tour of the exhibition “Manufactured Landscapes: The Photographs of Edward Burtynsky.” At 8 p.m., join one of the Museum’s student guides in a conversational tour of the exhibition “Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire”. At 8:30 p.m., the Brooklyn Philharmonic presents “Amadeus Live!”—highlights from the film with a live performance of Mozart’s music in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth. From 9 to 11 p.m., the Beaux-Arts Court presents an evening of dance with the Vienna Festival Orchestra and in the Grand Lobby Lounge, Vintage DJ spins vinyl from the ‘30s to the ‘70s.The Museum is at 200 Eastern Parkway, a block past Grand Army Plaza. For more information, visit brooklynmuseum.org
SUN.JAN.8
The Switch
Fans can decide for themselves what the name of this band portends, but the musicians are interested in being all about embracing their individuality and true identity. The bands lead singer is a lesbian who was part of the shoot for “On Our Back: Guide to Lesbian Sex.” Switch will perform in the semi-final round of the Red Bull Battle of the Bands Competition at the Knitting Factory Main Stage at 6:45 p.m., 74 Leonard St., btwn. Church St. and Broadway. For more information, call 212-219-3132.
THU.JAN.12
Violent Ends
“The End of Reality,” a new theater work by Richard Maxwell, explores violence; physical exchanges are as significant as dialogue. Set in a “lobby-citadel,” guards attempt to secure a vulnerable area against unidentified intruders. The resulting confusion and conflict take the audience to a place that is both new and distinctly American. The Kitchen, 512 West 19th St., Thu.-Sat. through Jan. 28 and Jan. 22-23, 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 at 212.255. 5793 x 11 or thekitchen.org.
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