Just Do Art!

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[media-credit name=”Photo by Kenji Mori ” align=”aligncenter” width=”600″][/media-credit]

NORTH RIVER MUSIC AT GREENWICH HOUSE MUSIC SCHOOL  Greenwich House Music School’s “North River Music” series concludes, with a performance by GHMS pianist and faculty member Taka Kigawa. He’ll perform John Cage’s “Etudes Australes” — a work of 32 pieces for which, GHMS tells us, “Cage used various chance operations over a star chart of the sky in the southern hemisphere to determine the selection of notes and chords in the work.” Just comprehending the concept is tough enough…so imagine trying to play it. Conceived as a duet for two independent hands, Kigawa’s solo take on the complex work will validate Cage’s declaration that “a performance would show that the impossible is not impossible.”

Thurs., June 7, 8pm, at Greenwich House Music School (46 Barrow St., at Bedford St.). Tickets are $15 at door, $10 for students/seniors (no advance sales). For info, call 212-242-4770 or visit greenwichhouse.org. To learn more about the artist, visit takakigawa.com.

MERCHANT’s House Annual June Benefit: A Greek Revival  Considering the fact that the Merchant’s House Museum has been home to the Tredwell family’s furnishings and possessions since they first moved in a very long time ago, the whole place looks remarkably well. Still, a little microscopic and chemical analysis wouldn’t hurt…in order to ensure that everything from window treatments to carpeting to the placement of furniture accurately represents the time period of 1835-1865.

The MHM’s Historic Furnishings Plan is an ambitious effort to present an even more authentic interpretation of the house. Such CSI-like detective work costs real money, though…and that’s where you come in. Help the keepers of Merchant’s House preserve the integrity of New York City’s only family home preserved intact from the mid-19th century — when you attend their annual June benefit. This year’s theme, “A Greek Revival,” involves cocktails, fine wines, hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction in the Museum’s lush 19th century garden (with the chance to spend some quality time in MHM’s one-of-a-kind Greek Revival parlors).

Thurs., June 7, 6:30-8:30pm, at Merchant’s House Museum (29 E. 4th St., btw. Bowery & Lafayette). Tickets start at $125. Reservations required; call 212-777-1089 or visit merchantshouse.org/greekrevival. Regular Museum hours: Thurs.-Mon., 12-5pm. Admission is $10, $5 for students/seniors.

ARChive OF CONTEMPORARTY MUSIC SURFIN’ SUMMER RECORD & CD SALE  A not-for-profit archive, library and research center, the ARChive of Contemporary Music collects, preserves and provides information on popular music from 1950 to the present (by, among other things, keeping on hand two copies of all recordings released in America). One of their big events, Brazilian Music Day, happens on September 7…but you don’t have to sit tight until then. Put on your Hawaiian shirt (or buy one on site) and get into the spirit of ARChive’s “Rockin’ Summer Record & CD Sale.” Over 20,000 items are up for grab — including hundreds of CDs priced at $1 to $5, and just-released CDs for $5-$10. It’s mostly pop and rock, but you’ll also find jazz, blues, Cuban CDs and classical LPs and CDs. If discs and vinyl don’t excite you, maybe the original vintage 60s psychedelic posters and Astroturf Yard Sale section of vintage kitchen wares and clothing will get your motor running.

Sat. June 9 through Sun., June 17 (11am-6pm, daily). Cocktail party, for ARC members, on Thurs., June 7, 6-9pm. At ARChive of Contemporary Music (54 White St., btw. Broadway & Church St., three blocks south of Canal). For info, call 212-226-6967 or visit arcmusic.org. Email them at arcmusic@inch.com, follow their blog at arcmusic.wordpress.com and friend them, at facebook.com/archiveofcontemporarymusic.