A NIGHT WITH PEARL CLEAGE’S WOMEN
Juneteenth Legacy Theatre & Sugar Valley Theatricals’ “A Night With Pearl Cleage’s Women” takes you back to 1898 — when freed slaves found a new home on the Kansas plains. Then, flash forward to 1930 — when Harlem was bursting with black artistic expression and intellectual freedom. The play is directed by Audience Development Committee (AUDELCO) winner Rome Neal, with costume design by AUDELCO winner Ali Turns.The cast includes Patricia R. Floyd, T. Renee Mathis and Joresa Blount, along with Sugar Valley Theatricals Artistic Director, Bryan Webster, and AUDELCO winner, Michael Jones. Thursdays and Fridays, 7pm and Saturdays, 3pm — through April 16. At the Nuyorican Poets Café (236 E. 3rd St.). For tickets ($20 reserved; $15 for students/seniors; $25 at the door; Thurs. shows are $10), call 212-780-9836 or online at nuyorican.org. Visit .juneteenthlegacytheatre and svtheatricals.com.
A SHOT AWAY: PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA
The Red Fern Theatre Company’s philanthropic partnership with the Military Rape Crisis Center resulted in their upcoming production of “A Shot Away: Personal Accounts of Military Sexual Trauma.” To create this docudrama, interviews were conducted with U.S. military veterans. The result is a narrative which begins shortly following the death of composite character of Tina Priest has died. Is it suicide? Or, is it because, just weeks before, this American soldier reported she had been raped on her Army base in Iraq? Her mother and twin sister are left with nothing but doubt and questions. Through April 17, at the 14th Street Y (344 E. 14th St., btw. First and Second Aves). Thurs./Fri./Sat. at 8pm; Sun. at 3pm. Additional performance on Monday, April 11 at 7pm. For tickets ($25), call 866-811-4111 or visit redferntheatre.org. Also visit stopmilitaryrape.org.
JANIS BRENNER & DANCERS
Over three nights, Janis Brenner & Dancers explores modern dance from over the past five decades. Following the 2010 production of “5 Decades,” Brenner returns with “5 Decades II”—a collection of five works from 1929 to present day. The evening also includes the world premiere of “The Mind-Stuff Variations” — with music by composer/pianist Jerome Begin (plus two additional piece by two of Brenner’s major influences — Mary Wigman and Murray Louis). April 7–9, 8pm, at Danspace Project at St. Marks Church in-the-Bowery, (131 E/ 10th St., at Second Ave.). For tickets ($25; $15 for students/seniors), call 212-674-8112 or visit danspaceproject.org. Also visit janisbrenner.com.
GREEN-THEMED LECTURE, FILM
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation casts its springtime gaze on a few green matters meant to get your grey matter going. “Buildings that Grow: An Introduction to Green Roofs” is a lecture by Amy Norquist, president and CEO of the green roof design/engineering firm Greensulate. She’ll present the basics on green roofs: what they are, how they’re created and what their environmental and economic benefits are. Mon., April 11, 6:30-8pm at Judson Memorial Church (239 Thompson St., at Washington Sq. South). Free; reservations required. Call 212-475-9585 or visit gvshp.org. “Community Documentaries: ‘The Vanishing City’ & ‘Twilight Becomes Night’ — co-sponsored by Film Forum — screens these two provocative documentaries which examine the role of neighborhood stores and the politics behind the disappearance of neighborhood identity. The 90-minute screening will be followed by a Q&A with “Vanishing City” directors Fiore DeRosa and Jen Senko. Proceeds from this event will benefit GVSHP and the independent filmmakers of “The Vanishing City.” Mon., April 25, 6-8pm at Film Forum (209 W. Houston St., btw. 6th & 7th Aves.). GVSHP members, Film Forum members, students, seniors: $5. All others: $10. For info, visit gvshp.org and TheVanishingCity.com
EPONA’S LABRYNTH
HERE and Brooklyn-based South Wing Theatre Company (in collaboration with Japan’s Nibroll art collective) are presenting the world premiere of this bizarre, erotic, psycho-sexual drama which infuses writer Ivana Catanese and Kameron Steele’s original work with arresting multimedia images. The story is every bit as surreal as the storytelling style: As a man searches for his missing wife in a mysterious and vast underground hospital, he quickly discovers things are not as they should be. The hospital, it turns out, is home to an expansive network of outlandish sex experiments. No word yet on whether his insurance covers that. Guess you’ll just have to see for yourself. Japanese animé and cutting-edge choreography should help the medicine go down. April 7-23, at HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Ave.). For tickets and a performance schedule, visit here.org or call 212-352-3101. Also visit nibroll.com.
CONCERT FOR JAPAN
The “Concert for Japan” offers 12 Hours of music and special activities — all for the benefit of Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Proceeds and tax-deductible contributions made on site will go to organizations that directly help victims recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan on March 11. Composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and NY-based Japanese female-led bands Hard Nips, The Suzan, Echostream and Me & Mars are among those who will perform. The benefit will also offer many events and activities originally slated as part of “j-CATION: Beyond Cute” — the second annual daylong open house festival previously announced for Sat., April 9. Those activities include making origami cranes and washi lanterns for good wishes and recovery, basic Japanese language lessons and unlimited access to “Bye Bye Kitty!!! Between Heaven & Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art” — Japan Society’s current gallery exhibition.
Sat., April 9 from 11am-11pm at Japan Society (333 E.47th St. btw. First& Second Aves.) All proceeds go to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Can’t make it to this event? Japan Society will give half of all ticket and admission sales made through June 30 from all events to the fund. To donate to the fund, go to japansociety.org/earthquake — or a check to Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street, New York, New York 10017; Attn: Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Checks should be made payable to Japan Society and indicate “Japan Earthquake Relief Fund” on the check. For a full roster of performers, and a schedule, call 212-832-1155 or visit japansociety.org/concertforjapan
LECTURE: THE LATINO IN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
Jewish composers and lyricists literally wrote the book when it comes to the golden age (and, for that matter, the early age) of the Broadway musical — and when the shows they created looked to Latinos when casting performers for ethnic color. But it wasn’t until the extremely recent arrival of “The Heights” that Broadway had a musical about Latinos, written by a Latino creative team. This lecture touches upon that slow musical theater march towards recognition while examining the impact of Broadway Latino trailblazers such Chita Rivera and Priscilla Lopez. The Educational Alliance hosts the event. FREE. Mon., April 11th, 7pm. At The Educational Alliance (197 E. Broadway, btw. Jefferson & Clinton Sts.). For info, visit edalliance.org or call 646-395-4245.
PRE-PASSOVER NOSH & STROLL
It’s Jewish history made so real, you can taste it — and they mean that! See, and taste (and maybe feel and hear) for yourself, when you attend the “Pre-Passover Nosh & Stroll.” Journey into the kishkes of the old Jewish Lower East Side. In preparation for the holiday, this fun neighborhood walking tour offers a sampling of Passover treats, including chocolate-covered matzoh, freshly ground horseradish, pickles and Passover schnapps. The tour begins at the Museum at Eldridge Street/Eldridge Street Synagogue, at 12 Eldridge Street (between Canal and Division Streets). Sun., April 10; tours at 11am & 2pm. Space is limited, and reservations are required. For tickets ($15), call 212-219-0888, x205.
BENEFIT: CHURCH STREET SCHOOL FOR MUSIC AND ART PRESENTS: “DANCE! FUNK LATIN SOUL PARTY”
Church Street School for Music and Art — the only nonprofit community music and art school in Lower Manhattan — is coming up on its third decade of music and arts education. But like all worthy creative (not to mention nonprofit) enterprises, its good deeds require a considerable amount of green to make the engine run. Help keep that engine humming by attending their 4 Annual DANCE! event (whose proceeds will support Church Street School’s innovative programs). Spinning by DJ/musician René Lopez; dance lessons by Frankie Martinez of Abakua Dance — and hosted by Andrew W.K. (Artist Chair). Boogie, booze and shake your groove thing — and bid on arts & music items available at the silent auction. Wed., April 13, 7-10:30pm. At the fabulous Santos Party House (96 Lafayette St.). To purchase tickets, call 212-571-7290 or visit churchstreetschool.org.
