THU.DEC.1
The Price of Liberty
Join the Mehmet Tarhan Defense Network for an evening of letter-writing and discussion of support networks for political prisoners. Come hear about the situation of Mehmet Tarhan, a queer-anarchist, anti-militarist organizer serving a four-year sentence in Turkey for draft resistance, and learn about current anti-militarist, queer, and radical struggles in Turkey. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. 7 p.m. $5 suggested.
World AIDS Day
REVIVAL! World AIDS Day Service features a keynote address by Bishop Zachary Jones, Unity Fellowship Church. Other Speakers include Pastor Barbara Caesar-Stephenson, The Potter’s House; Elder Joseph W. Tolton, Rehoboth Temple Christ Conscious Church; Rev. Valerie Holly, Unity Fellowship Church; Rev. Karen Jones, Union Theological Seminary; and Rev. Lezlie F. Austin-Kennedy, Cadman Memorial Congregational Church. With music by Gary Samuels Prayz “n’ Hymn Ensemble, and Vincent Brace, soloist. Cadman Memorial Congregational Church, 350 Clinton Ave. at Lafayette Ave. in Brooklyn. C, G Train to Clinton/Washington. Doors open at 7 p.m., service begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, 212-828-9393 ext 138 or kfarrow@nysbgn.org.
Stop AIDS—Keep the Promise
U.N. AIDS in collaboration with African Services and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene present an evening of music and reflection keynoted by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and performances by Billy Porter, Bill T. Jones, Jessica Care Moore, Roberta Flack, and Salman Ahmed. Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. at 112th St., 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free.
Queer Ice
Blades Against AIDS 3 is a World AIDS Day Fundraiser to benefit Body Positive, co-produced by the New York City Gay Hockey Association, 64events.com, Out of Bounds, and Body Positive. Hosted by Flotilla DeBarge, featuring live entertainment by the cast of “Naked Boys Singing” and the Glamazons. Activities will include ice skating, an HIV/AIDS outreach and education fair, a silent auction, raffles, free food, free open bar, and free hot chocolate. $40 in advance, $50 at the door, $25 for students with a valid school ID, and $25 for people living with HIV/AIDS. 212-566-7333 or bodypos.org. 8 p.m. to Midnight. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers, 23rd St. at the Hudson River.
eBay Joins World AIDS Day
An online auction of entertainment memorabilia to benefit LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity, which will begin today on eBay at 3 p.m. and last exactly 10 days. Going onto the eBay site and search for “Bid 2 Beat AIDS.” The items on sale include a 2006 Vespa LX-50 for auction, signed by scores of stars who have appeared on Sirius Satellite Radio including Gloria Estefan, Dakota Fanning, Cameron Crowe, Ricky Martin, Alanis Morissette, Ashlee Simpson, Angie Stone, Neil Diamond, Garth Brooks, Nancy Wilson, Adrian Grenier, members of ZZ Top, Audioslave, and Sevendust. The last autograph will be that of Kanye West, who will do so in Sirius’ lobby on Dec. 6, the same day he is given the artist achievement recognition at the Billboard Music Awards. Other sales item highlights include the podium from the 2005 MTV Movie Awards, signed by Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes; the original artwork and paste-up for Joni Mitchell’s iconic album “Court and Spark,” and signed instruments from Tim McGraw, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wynonna Judd, Los Lonely Boys, and many more. For more information about LIFEbeat and the auction, visit bid2beataids.com.
FRI.DEC.2
Pioneering Spirits
Please join Congregation Beth Simchat Torah’s Main Shabbat Service, commemorating World AIDS Day with special guest speaker, Ana Oliveira, executive director of Gay Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’s first AIDS service and advocacy organization. Oliveira is the first Latina and lesbian to head GMHC. Named executive director in November 1999, she is responsible for programs and services reaching more than 15,000 men, women and children annually. In 2004, she was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to the New York City Commission on AIDS. 57 Bethune St. at 7 p.m. 212-929-9498.
The End of Sodom
Handwritten Theatre Company presents the world premiere of a new musical comedy about the last days of Sodom and Gomorrah, with book and lyrics by Kevin Laub and music by Adam David Cohen. The piece recounts the demise of the original Sin City. When God is hell-bent on destroying Sodom, optimistic Abraham sets off to prove the Big Guy wrong by finding ten honest Sodomites. But will he find them in time? The cast includes Randy Jones—best known as the cowboy from The Village People—as God and Tony Award nominee Jonathan Kaplan as Lot. The Kraine Theater, 85 E. Fourth St. btwn. Second Ave. & Bowery. $15, $10 for students and seniors at 212-868-4444 or horsetrade.info. Through Dec. 3 only, Fri & Sat.10:30 p.m.
Urban Ballet Theater
With “Nutcracker In The Lower,” Daniel Catanach offers audiences a whole new way to enjoy the beloved holiday tale retold in the diverse cultural vernacular of New York’s Lower East Side. The little Clara in this version lives with her mother in a housing project. Her kindness at a holiday party takes her on a special evening of dreams which leads her to a hip-hop battle of hood rats and toy soldiers, the land of snow, and finally to the land of the sweets, where she finds an array of Flamenco castanets, Russian sword fighters, ribbon candy dancers, snake charmers, and an elegant floral waltz. With guests from Dance Theater of Harlem. Harry De Jur Playhouse, Abrons Arts Center at Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand St. at Pitt. Through Dec. 4. $15, $10 students and seniors at theatermania.com or 212-352-3101.
Politics On and Off the Wall
Raymond Pettibon’s obsessive drawings pull freely from a range of sources including music, politics, religion, art history, sex, sports, movies, and comic books. Frequently employing lyrically ambiguous texts, and rendered with a loose virtuosity of line, Pettibon’s style has become more fluid and expansive of late, resulting in room-size wall drawings and installations. His thematic range is increasingly topical, addressing current political concerns, and his work continues to explore a human need for belief. Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison at 75th St. 800-Whitney or whitney.org. Pay what you wish, Fri. 6 – 9 p.m.
SAT.DEC.3
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.
Don’t Know Much about Herstory
The Lesbian Herstory Archives, one of the oldest and largest collections of material related to the Sapphic past, hosts its annual Holliday Books Plus sale, including fiction, poetry, pulp, mystery, and sci-fi, plus LPs, cassettes, and T-shirts. Almost everything is either 50 cents or a buck. The sale is from noon to 5 p.m., with an Open House and tours of the facility from 6 to p.m. The Archives are located at 484 14th St., near Prospect Park West, in Park Slope. Take the F train to 15th St./PPW. For more information, call 718-768-3953 or visit lesbianherstoryarchives.org.
Safe: Design Takes on Risk
This exhibition features approximately 300 products and prototypes designed to protect the body and the mind from dangerous or stressful conditions, to respond to emergency situations, to ensure clarity and information, and to provide a sense of comfort and safety. Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St. Thru Jan. 2.
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.
A Dance Anniversary
Peridance Ensemble hosts two in-house concerts at its East Village center in celebration of its 21st year. The event features performances by the ensemble followed by a meet and greet with founder and artistic director Igal Perry. 132 Fourth Ave. btwn. 12th and 13th Sts. Today and Dec. 10 7:30 p.m. $15 at 212-505-0886.
SUN.DEC.4
Feminist Discussions on Books
The feminist book club debates books and serves as a venue for the discussion of feminism in which no predetermined feminist platform is taken as a given. The group relies on feminism as a lens for examination of theoretical texts, literature, and primary works. The book club, which meets the first Sunday of every month, is open to everyone, and welcomes people of all genders, political persuasions, and levels of familiarity with feminism. This month’s reading is “Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Worker’s Rights at Wal-Mart” by Liza Featherstone. Contact feministbookclub@yahoo.com for more information. Bluestockings, 172 Allen St., btwn. Stanton & Rivington Sts. 212-777-6028. 2:30 p.m. Free.
Married in Massachusetts
The first BAX Platform, a new conversation series, is entitled “Same Sex Marriage Re-Visited.” Join four same sex couples in an intimate conversation that includes family, love, church, immigration, and legality. Participate in the discussion as we take stock of where we are and where we’re going. Brooklyn Arts Exchange, 421 Fifth Ave. $10 at 718-832-0018 or bax.org. 6 p.m.
Escape from Chelsea
Bay Ridge’s one and only private hot spot for the LGBT Community, Legacy Night Club, hosts a monthly Sunday night party, with DJ Andy Luna from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Happy Hour from 7:30-8:30 p.m. 437 88th St., btwn. Fourth & Fifth Aves. R to 86th St.
Holiday Drag
Style Network show hostess Brini Maxwell presents her third annual live holiday show, “A Very Brini Christmas,” for one night only. This heartwarming evening features a variety of standards including “Everybody’s Waiting for the Man With the Bag,” “Christmas Time is Here,” and Maxwell’s signature “Entertaining at Home.” Accompanying Maxwell will be the David Downing Trio, a GLAMA Award nominee. 8 p.m. at The Cutting Room, 19 W. 24th St. $20, at 212-352-3101 or Theatermania.com. A meet-and-greet session with Maxwell will follow the performance.
MON.DEC.5
A Playwright’s Perspective
Celebrated playwright Edward Albee will be the featured guest for The Center’s “Times Talks” series, presented in collaboration with The New York Times. Coinciding with the publication of his new work, “Stretching My Mind,” Albee will talk about theater, literature, and the political and cultural battlegrounds that have defined his career. Joining the conversation will be New York Times contributor Jesse Green. Albee is America’s pre-eminent living playwright and has been rocking our country’s moral, political, and artistic complacency for almost 50 years. Albee’s provocative, unsparing indictment of the American way of life earned him early distinction as the dramatist of his generation. $10, seating extremely limited. To reserve a seat, visit gaycenter.org. The LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. 7 p.m.
That’s No Lady
Charles Busch’s classic “The Lady in Question,” a free-wheeling satire of patriotic 1940s thrillers such as “Notorious” and “Escape,” is presented through Dec. 7 7 p.m. Downstairs at the Monster, 80 Grove St. at Sheridan Sq. 212-330-7043. $10-cover, plus a one-drink minimum.
TUE.DEC.6
Force of Nature
The School of Visual Arts presents a panel discussion on the art and activism of the late Frank Moore, who died in 2002 at the age of 48, in recognition of World AIDS Day. The panelists are Michael Combs, a sculptor who worked as Moore’s studio assistant; Nick Debs, director emeritus of Visual AIDS; Marc Happel, a designer who has created costumes for Kiki & Herb; Mary Jo Vath, a painter and faculty at SVA; Thomas Woodruff, a painter and illustrator. The evening will benefit Visual AIDS’ Frank Moore Archive Project. 209 East 23rd Street, 3rd-floor amphitheater. 7 – 9pm. The suggested admission is $10; free for SVA students. For more information, call 212.-592-2062.
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.DEC.7
Dixon Place in Exile
Jody Oberfelder’s “LineAge” is a suite of short dances, rendered in audaciously physical and verbal wit, which plays with concepts of lines and age—from tabula rasa to wrinkles. A short film augments this live performance, shot by Ronald K. Gray, featuring 80-year- old Martha Myers, renowned dance educator and long-time dean at the American Dance Festival. With narrative score by Coleman Hough. Dixon Place at The Clark Studio/Lincoln Center, 65th Street & Broadway, Rose Building, 7th fl. 7:30 p.m. Gala Opening Night Performance/Champagne Reception: $150; otherwise $20, $12 for students & seniors. 212-219-0736 x111 or dixonplace.org. Through Dec. 11.
THU.DEC.8
Taking Risks for Peace
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice’s Ninth Annual Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Risk-Taker Awards will honor those who fight against war at home and abroad, including the Audre Lorde Project, Leslie Cagan and Jessie Cagan of United For Peace and Justice, which has mobilized against the war in Iraq; Reverend James Forbes of the Riverside Church; Seymour Melman, (1918-2004), economist and co-founder of SANE/FREEZE, which battled for an end to the nuclear arms race; and Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Hosted by lesbian comedian Kate Clinton with performance by Staceyann Chin, a star of “Def Jam Poetry.” Brotherhood Synagogue, 28 Gramercy Park So. Reception begins at 6 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m. For tickets and complete information, contact 212.647.8966 ext. 14 or alana@jfrej.org.
FRI.DEC.16
Holiday Ho
Jackie Beat, a holiday cross between Scrooge, the Gringe, and an old-fashioned hangover, will appear at the Cutting Room for three nights only in her eighth annual holiday show. She’s bold, bawdy, ballsy, and most of all in your face. 19 W. 24th St. 10 p.m. tonight, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., Fri & Sat., Dec. 16-17, and 8 p.m. Sun. Dec. 18. Tickets are $17 at 212-868-4444 or smarttix.com.
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