BY SCOTT STIFFLER
THE POETRY PROJECT’S 41st ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S DAY MARATHON BENEFIT READING
Founded in 1966 by the late Paul Blackburn — when displaced Lower East Side coffeehouse poets were welcomed into the St. Marks Church artist/activist fold — The Poetry Project’s mission to “promote, foster and inspire the reading and writing of contemporary poetry” endures.
This annual New Year’s Day event brings together dozens of writers, musicians, dancers and artists for a 12-hour celebration of expression. $20 gets the general public in the door, and helps sustain the Project’s present state of “rude health,” as does the purchase of donated food, beverages, books and tons of terrific raffle prizes (including booty from Anthology Film Archives, BAM and the Strand Bookstore).
Visit poetryproject.org for a list of the Marathon’s 140+ participants — and if you can’t make the Jan. 1 celebration, check out the Project’s Mon., Wed. and Fri. night reading series, as well as its 2-3 weekly writing workshops.
Thurs., Jan. 1 from 2 a.m.–2 p.m. At The Poetry Project at St. Mark’s Church (131 E. 10th St. at Second Ave.). Seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and refreshments available. Wheelchair accessible (with assistance, by calling 212-674-0910 in advance). Tickets are $20 general, $15 for students, seniors, and Poetry Project members. Purchase at the door, or in advance at poetryproject.org.
“COME CALLING” on NEW YEAR’S at MERCHANT’S HOUSE MUSEUM
New Year’s Day used to be about more than recovering from the night before. The real party happened on Jan. 1, and had nothing to do with football games or floats made out of roses. In an 1844 diary entry, former New York City mayor Philip Hone likened it to “a general carnival” where “Broadway, from one end to the other, was alive with private carriages, omnibuses, cabs, and curricles, and lines of pedestrians fringed the carriageways.”
That custom of starting the year by traveling to visit friends is alive and doing very well, at this “Come Calling” event — which fills the lovingly preserved Tredwell family residence with the sights, sounds and customs of an old-fashioned 19th century New Year’s celebration. Tours of the house run throughout the afternoon, refreshments are served and a raffle drawing takes place at 4:30 p.m. Through Jan. 5, Merchant’s House Museum remains decked in festive splendor — part of their “Christmas Comes to Old New York” exhibit. Scenes of holiday preparation are recreated, linking many of our modern holiday traditions (handmade ornaments, poinsettias, evergreens) to the mid-19th century.
“Come Calling” happens from 2–5 p.m. on Thurs., Jan. 1. At Merchant’s House Museum (29 E. Fourth St., btw. Lafayette & Bowery). $20 ($10 for members). Reservations required. Call 212-777-1089 or visit merchantshouse.org/calendar. Facebook: facebook.com/merchantshouse. Twitter: @merchantshouse. Regular Hours: Thurs.–Mon., 12–5 p.m. Admission: $10 ($5 for students/seniors, free for under 12).
ALTERNATIVE NEW YEAR’S DAY SPOKEN WORD & POETRY EXTRAVAGANZA at NUYORICAN POETS CAFE
From 2 p.m. to midnight, over 160 performers will perform at Nuyorican Poets Cafe, marking the 21st year of this New Year’s Day extravaganza. Arrive with your own material, and claim one of the open mike slots (interspersed throughout the day). There’s no admission fee, but the organizers encourage you to bring a book. Used paperbacks will be given to Books Through Bars, which distributes donated books to incarcerated people (more info to be found at booksthroughbarsny.org for more info).
On Jan. 2, Nuyorican’s first “Friday Night Slam” of the year is hosted by Mahogany L. Browne ($13; line forms outside 1 hour before 10 p.m. admission). On Jan. 3, multi-award-winning jazz vocalist Laurie Dapice and Marylyne Myrthal are among the featured artists in “Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz Jam” (doors open at 9:30 p.m.; $15 admission).
The Spoken Word & Poetry Extravaganza, a free event, happens on Thurs., Jan. 1, from 2 p.m. to midnight. At Nuyorican Poets Cafe (236 E. Third St., btw. Aves. B & C). For more info, call 212-780-9386 or visit nuyorican.org.
