THE FIFTH ANNUAL MISS TWIN PEAKS PAGEANT
During separate visits to a dream world Red Room, FBI agent Dale Cooper is told, in backwards-speak, “That gum you like is going to come back in style” and “I’ll see you again in 25 years” — by, respectively, The Man from Another Place and the Homecoming Queen whose murder Cooper has been charged with solving. Visionary burlesque producer Francine “The Lucid Dream” knows these scenarios well, along with every other strange and wonderful twist associated with David Lynch and Mark Frost’s 1990-1991 surreal soap opera “Twin Peaks” — returning, gum-style, for new episodes in 2017. But why wait? “The Pink Room: David Lynch Burlesque” has been keeping the “Peaks” flame burning since Feb. 2011, when its debut coincided with the anniversary of Laura Palmer’s death.
This installment has characters from the show vying for your attention and love, along with the title of Miss Twin Peaks (a nod to the show’s coveted pageant honor). Expect supremely odd and undeniably alluring talent competition displays from the likes of Audrey Horne, Shelly Johnson, Norma Jennings, The Log Lady, Josie Packard and others — as portrayed by “Lynch Burlesque” regulars Amelia Bareparts, Boo Boo Darlin’, Bunny Buxom, Foxy Vermouth, Minx Arcana, Montana, Satanica, Matt Knife and Schäffer the Darklord.
Sat., Jan. 30. Doors open at 11 p.m., show at 11:30. At Joe’s Pub at The Public (425 Lafayette St., at Astor Place). For tickets ($20), visit joespub.publictheater.org or call 212-539-8500. Artist info at francineburlesque.com.
A KICKSTARTER KICKOFF FOR “LEAVES OF GRASS I TRIMMED WITH MY MOWER”
His body and soul bled dry by 1,000 humbling cuts coming from obligations to work and family, the caged bird that is the suburban dad seeks solace in the little things: grilling meat in the back yard, small talk with his fellow bread-winners, and by-the-numbers lovemaking sessions with his wife “in the bed I paid for from my job.” Laugh if you must, but there’s a certain wounded dignity to this quiet struggle — and it’s all been captured by self-anointed “Dad Poets” Ralph Dobis and Zeke Anderson, in their new collection of rhymes: “Leaves of Grass I Trimmed With My Mower.
In order for these contemporary Walt Whitmans to grow a spine (the kind that binds book), they’ll need your help. That’s why Dobis and Anderson — the satirical personas of Upright Citizens Brigade regulars Mark Vigeant and Sam Reece — are seeking donations to fund a first edition printing of “Grass.” The authors will be reading selections from this alternately defeated and defiant tome, at the launch event for their Kickstarter campaign. The night of silly dad-themed jokes, poems and songs will feature special guests Dan Chamberlain, Anna Drezen, Doug Smith and Ike Knight Bardia Salimi.
Free. Fri., Jan. 29, 8:30 p.m. at The Drama Book Shop (250 W. 40th St., btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves.). Visit facebook.com/events/956706321070758.
FUNDRAISER: THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY APPRECIATION DAY
Low-cost ticket prices year-round and a free roving street theater production every summer keep the provocative, political, experimental, and often wonderfully loopy work of Theater for the New City (TNC) accessible to the masses — but the essential East Village complex’s lower level theater is currently off-limits to the TNC’s handicapped staff, patrons, and performers. Help correct this situation by heading into your kitchen, getting creative with butter and eggs and whatnot, then bringing your favorite goodies to TNC’s bake sale — whose proceeds, along with much-appreciated contributions of any amount, will kick off fundraising efforts to replace the theater’s broken handicapped lift (cost: $30,000).
Between browsing the bounty of sugary goodness, there will be a special presentation by playwright Jean-Claude van Italli, plus performances by the all-girl Japanese Taiko drumming/dance troupe COBU. Kitty Lunn, whose Infinity Dance Theater features artists with and without disabilities, will perform “In Time Like Air.” A biographical piece created for her by Peter Pucci, this duet for dancer and wheelchair is set during a snowstorm (referencing the accident that caused Lunn’s injury). Before and after the pros, sing the praises of TNC by belting out your favorite song, Karaoke-style.
Free (donations accepted via bake sale proceeds or cash contributions). Tues., Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. At Theater for the New City (155 First Ave., btw. E. Ninth & E. 10th Sts.). For info, visit theaterforthenewcity.org or call 212-254-1109.
—BY SCOTT SITFFLER
