Take another little piece of my heart: Velocity Chyaldd and friends are cooking up a !Badass! tribute to Janis Joplin.
!BADASS! BURLESQUE PRESENTS: !BADASS! LOVES JANIS 3
FringeNYC veteran, Huffington Post blogger and classically trained soprano Juliet Jeske brings her killer voice and improv chops to the role of Janis, as she hosts a righteous tribe of highly sexualized performers gathered together in the service of “making tantric mojo to Joplin’s jaw dropping battle cries.” The ensemble includes Cassandra Rosebeetle, Rev. Mother Flash, “!BadAss! Burlesque” founder Velocity Chyaldd, Delysia LeChatte, Run Around Sue, Boo Boo Darlin’, Nasty Canasta, Kat Mon Dieu, Legs Malone , Danger Doll, Gal Friday and Francine. Stage Masters Faceboy and SuperMorgan, alongside Stage Kitten Amanda Whip, keep things clean — between acts, that is — by mopping the stage and removing the tattered remnants of what came before them. Far out raffle prizes, righteous cinema and way out audio also figure into the mix, making for a skin show that’s as dedicated to good vibes as it is to groin-based thrills.
Fri., May 24, from 1am-3pm (technically, that’s Saturday — but think of it as happening on a very late Friday night). At The Kraine Theater (85 E. 4th St., btw. 2nd Ave. & Bowery). For tickets ($15), badasslovesjanis.brownpapertickets.com. For info, visit badassburlesque.com.
David Rothenberg performing with cicadas. See “Insect Music.”
INSECT MUSIC
Don’t beat yourself up for sleeping through the morning and missing that appointment. That’s nothing compared to the 17-year snooze cycle the cicadas are on. Just like you, though, they’ll eventually have to emerge and face the music — and we’re about to get an earful, as they cover the New York area with their high-pitched mating sound. With the whole city buggin’, the time seems right for “Insect Music.” This concert celebrates the return of the cicadas, along with the release of musician/naturalist David Rothenberg’s book and CD, “Bug Music: How Insects Gave us Rhythm and Noise.” The concert brings together Rothenberg, veteran composer Pauline Oliveros and others, who will play off the sounds of cicadas as well as crickets, katydids, leafhoppers and water bugs.
Wed., May 22, at 7:30pm. At Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South, btw. Thompson & Sullivan Sts.). Suggested donation of $15, at the door. For info, visit eartotheearth.org.
Molly Tynes, appearing in the current Broadway revival of “Pippin,” will appear at the May 20 Swish benefit.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF EQUALITY: A BENEFIT FOR SWISH
Sequins, glitter, Pride parade floats, sassy signs for rights marches and a tireless campaign on the part of straight allies to champion the LGBT movement — these things cost money, honey. That’s why supporters of the 3,000-member-strong Swish are set to get together, knock a few back and watch some of the brightest stars on the musical theater and cabaret scene knock it out of the park — all in the name of raising much-needed funds for the organization. Held annually since 2008, “Songs in the Key of Equality” has presented a potpourri of talent that draws from New York’s rich musical communities. For one night, nightclub chanteuses, singer-actors, folkies, rockers and dance divas will meet on one stage in what has become a signature musical event. Bring your fabulous self, listen to the music and know you’ve done your part for those who are doing their queer brothers and sisters a solid, all year round! Among the more than 16 performers already signed for this year’s show: Jeff Blumenkrantz (a Tony nominee for the “Urban Cowboy” score). Caroline Bowman (currently appearing in “Kinky Boots”), Gabrielle Ruiz (who toured for a year as Diana Morales in “A Chorus Line”) and Molly Tynes (appearing in the current Broadway revival of “Pippin”). Sara Haines, contributing correspondent and host of “Backstage Pass” for NBC’s “Today Show,” hosts.
Mon., May 20, at 7pm at Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker St., btw. Sullivan & Thompson Sts.). $20 for Live Streaming (virtual access to show), $25 for Standing Room (for bar stools with a view of the show — for a limited time only), $75 for General Admission (priority seating, 3 hours cash bar & hors d’oeuvres), $150 for Premium (priority center stage seating, 3 hours limited open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and post-show meet & greet with the cast), $250 for VIP (includes premiere center stage seating, 3 hours premium open bar & passed hors d’oeuvres and post-show meet & greet with the cast) and $1000 for Ally Sponsor Package (includes 4 VIP tickets with all benefits, branded “RESERVED FOR” table signage, brand placement on invitation, on-site event materials and 4 places of honor on Swish’s 10th Anniversary Pride float at NYC Pride, on June 30.). Reservations: donate.swishpride.org/SwishConcert2013.
BSESS at MHM: See “Bond Street.”
THE BOND STREET EUTERPEAN SINGING SOCIETY PRESENTS: SPRING FEVER — THE SONG IS ON THE ROSE
Technically precise vocal pyrotechnics and good humor make any appearance by The Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society a must-see event — and this concert is your last chance to hear them until October. With fall a very long haul away, the current season is, appropriately, on the brains (and vocal chords) of BSESS. “Spring Fever —The Song is on the Rose” is a collection of lush, magical vocal music by 19th century European composers such as Rossini, Mendelssohn, Sullivan, Fauré, Wolf and more, performed in the only authentic, intact 19th century domestic interior remaining in Manhattan.
Sat., May 18, at 7:30pm. At the Merchant’s House Museum (29 E. 4 St., btw. Lafayette & Bowery). Limited seating (50-person capacity). Tickets are $25 ($10- for Merchant’s House members). To purchase, visit merchantshouse.org/calendar.
In their current exhibition (on view through June 8), Teen Art Gallery goes for the black and white look.
T.A.G. (TEEN ART GALLERY) EXHIBITION
Determined to overcome “the limiting environment assigned to us because of our age,” the prolific members of T.A.G. (Teen Art Gallery) make their own opportunities by helping young artists navigate the process of showing in a gallery setting. Their current Chelsea exhibition consists of work rendered in black and white, and features contributions from Lisbeth Checo, Mindy Zou, Morris Reeves, Mary Walker Rippe, Kevin Nguyen, Maya Moverman, Phoebe Kaufman, Clara Lu, Teri Minogue, Jasmine Clarke, Sungwon Hong, Alika Feldman, Arielle Trenk and Robin Krupnick. From July 11-20, T.A.G. will present a second exhibition at Chashama — featuring a wide range of work from artists across the country, as well as a selection of creative writing and the introduction of the group’s YouTube channel. Plans are currently being solidified, so visit teenartgallery.org for updates.
A free exhibition, “T.A.G. in Black and White,” is on view through June 8, at HiArt! (227 W. 29th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves., buzzer 400). Gallery Hours: Mon.-Fri., 3-6pm. To arrange a private viewing outside normal gallery hours, call 212-209-1552.
