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Founded in 2010 by Audrey Banks (a current NYC high school senior), T.A.G. (Teen Art Gallery) is dedicated to consolidating and exposing the work of young artists from across America. “Anyone who walks into a T.A.G. gallery is supporting the recognition and opportunities that teen artists should be offered,” says contributor Sierra Pittman. In their last show before the current generation moves on to college (“T.A.G., You’re It: The End of a Chapter”), the collective celebrates youthful creativity by exhibiting paintings, photographs, sculpture, film, music, installation and writing.
Opens Tues., June 12, for a two-week run at Salon 94 Freemans (1 Freeman Alley, off of Rivington, btw. Bowery & Chrystie). Hours: Tues., 1-6pm; Wed.-Sat., 11am-6pm. For info, visit teenartgallery.org and salon94.com.
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With Film Forum, Angelika Film Center, Quad Cinema and the IFC Center all within walking distance of each other, the Village has an embarrassment of cinematic riches. But for sheer volume, scholarship and scope, nobody does it better than Anthology Film Archives. During four decades spent preserving, presenting and promoting independent, non-commercial and avant-garde cinema, Anthology has amassed over 20,000 films and 5,000 videos. Each year, they preserve an average of 25 films, while hosting nearly 1,000 public programs. All of that comes at a price, though…and that’s where you come into the picture. Their Annual Film Preservation Honors and Benefit celebrates those who’ve made important contributions film heritage — and the proceeds help support Anthology’s preservation and public screening programs. This year’s honorees: The Women’s Film Preservation Fund, film restoration lab Cinetech and Richard Pena (who earlier this year retired as Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Director of the New York Film Festival). A raffle (you don’t need to be present to win) will reward winners with prizes such as a private screening at Anthology, a visit to the set of “Boardwalk Empire” and VIP tickets to “The Colbert Report.”
Mon., June 25, 7-10pm, at The Standard (High Line Room + Terrace; 848 Washington St. at W. 13th St.). For tickets ($175), visit anthologyfilmarchives.org/support/2012honors or call 212-505-5181, x10. Raffle tickets are $25 each; $100 for five.
READINGS: “LOVE, CHRISTOPHER STREET: REFLECTIONS OF NEW YORK CITY”
Edited by Thomas Keith with an introduction by Christopher Bram, the 26 native New Yorkers, American transplants and international writers who contributed to “Love, Christopher Street” represent four decades of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender life that transpired on that famous street and throughout the five boroughs.
At two upcoming events, several authors will read from their original essays. Among them: “Dis-membering Stonewall” — the Rev. Irene Monroe’s eyewitness account of that hot night in 1969 when police raided the Stonewall Inn and drag queens fought back. Bob Smith’s “Silence = Death: The Education of a Comedian” recalls life as an out stand-up comedian in the 1980s. You’ll have to pick up the book if you want to hear “An Old Queen’s Tale” — Penny Arcade’s saga of how, as a runaway, she was taken off the street by gay men who introduced her to Warhol’s Factory. Also among the authors featured in the book, but not at the readings: Martin Hyatt (“My Last Big Addiction”), Justine Saracen (“The Opera Singer’s Pants, and How I Got In Them”) and Charles Rice-González (“A 1986 Bronx Story”).
On Wed., June 13, from 7-8pm at Barnes & Noble (W. 82nd St. & Broadway), Brendan Fay, G. Winston James, Rabbi Andrea Myers and Ocean Vuong will read. On Wed., June 27, from 6:30-9pm at the LGBT Community Center (208 W. 13th St.), author readings from Mark Ameen, Christopher Bram, Martin Hyatt, Fay Jacobs, Michele Karlsberg, Rev. Irene Monroe, Charles Rice-Gonzalez, Bob Smith & Judy Gold and Charlie Vázquez. Both events are free. For more info, or visit “Love, Christopher Street” on Facebook or email lovechristopherstreet@gmail.com.
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Clubbed Thumb’s 17th annual program of new works by emerging writers furthers the theater company’s mission to “commission, develop and produce funny, strange and provocative new plays by living American writers.” Very much alive, and certainly provocative, are Summerworks 2012 playwrights Ethan Lipton and Peggy Stafford. Lipton’s tense comedy “Luthor” concerns a loving but cash-strapped couple and the war veteran they “adopt” — then take to the office party. Stafford’s “Motel Cherry” takes place in eight rooms of a roadside motel. From deep in the woods of the Olympic Peninsula, secrets seep through thin walls over the course of one charged night.
For performance times/dates and more info, visit clubbedthumb.org and/or here.org. “Luther” plays through June 17. “Motel Cherry” plays June 21-30. All shows begin at 8:30pm, at HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Ave. — enter on Dominick St., one block south of Spring St.). For tickets ($18, $15 for students), call 212-352-3101 or visit here.org. Also visit clubbedthumb.org.
— BY SCOTT STIFFLER
