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.
RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART: SPIRAL MUSIC
That six-story, 90-foot spiral staircase — an iconic holdover from the building’s former life as home to department store behemoth Barney’s — is as much of an eyecatcher as what’s on display at the Rubin Museum of Art. Their upcoming “Spiral Music” series makes savvy use of the staircase by planting at its base artists who specialize in music from the Himalayas and South Asia. With museum works often simultaneously projected behind the musicians during the performances, audiences are invited to forge a connection between the music and the RMA’s contemplative collection of Himalayan art.
This isn’t the first time the staircase has hosted performers: Back in January, “Cirquetacular: The Green Lama” saw aerial artists navigating the space while interpreting a 1944 issue of “The Green Lama” comic book. The exhibit that inspired that event (“Hero, Villain, Yeti”— all about comic books that draw on Tibetan culture and religion) can be seen through June 11.
As for “Spiral Music,” it happens every Wednesday in June, and is a free event. On June 6, Riger Lipson (sitar) and Ehren Hanson (tabla) inaugurate the series. On June 13, the work of Noorul Khan (sitar), Sujay Dighe (tabla) and Ricky Mathew (tabla) includes a piece of Indian classical music composed for the series. From 5:45pm-6:30pm, Nepali musicians Raj Kapoor (percussion) and Pawan Benjamin (bansuri) join them. The series concludes on June 20, with Max ZT — whose dulcimer work enlivens the conceptual framework of traditional folk music by fusing multi-cultural roots and traditions.
Free. Wednesdays in June, 5-7pm, at the Rubin Museum of Art (150 W. 17 St., btw. 6th & 7th Aves). Regular Hours: Mon./Thurs., 11am-5pm; Wed., 11am-7pm; Fri., 11am-10pm; Sat./Sun., 11am-6pm. Adults, $10; students/seniors, $5; under 12, free. Gallery admission is free every Fri., from 6-10pm, and free for seniors (65+) on the first Mon. of the month. For more info, visit rmanyc.org.
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.
