By Scott Stiffler
Benefit
TASTES THROUGH CHELSEA
Sure, you’ve got some time left until June 5th rolls around — but once it does, you’ll thank The A List for the heads up that mad you drool with anticipation. “Tastes from the Meatpacking District through Chelsea” gathers together offerings from Chelsea and the Meatpacking District’s top restaurants. The wares you sample (and the price you pay for the privilege) benefit the New York City Lab School for Collaborative Studies — high-performing, multi-ethnic public school in Chelsea for middle and high school students. In addition to the high quality food, there will also be entertainment and pizza for the kids and anyone else who wants to slum it while still attending this classy event — and even then, you’ll hardly be slumming it (the pizza is from Stella’s). Admission gets you six “tastes.” Tickets are $35 in advance ($45 on the day of the event)Sat., June 5th, 11:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m. at Gansevoort Plaza. Visit www.tastesnyc.org.
Theater
VERITAS
In the 1920s, those stuffy Beantown eggheads at Harvard somehow found time to go on an anti-gay witch hunt. Stan Richardson’s play “Veritas” was inspired by this event. For one night only, a staged reading of the play will be presented — for the benefit of Lambda Legal (that gay rights legal organization that wasn’t around back then to help oppressed queers). Doing the honors for the reading will be Tate Ellington (of Broadway’s “The Philanthropist”); Mitch Dean (“Altar Boyz”); and Matt Steiner (The Acting Company’s “Jane Eyre”). This reading also anticipates a full run of the play in August 2010’s NY Fringe Festival. Tues., May 25th, 8:00 p.m., at the LGBT Community Center (208 West 13th St.). For tickets ($20 general admission, $50, VIP), visit www.brownpapertickets.com.
Music
KEYS TO THE FUTURE
For the fifth year in a row, Greenwich Village mainstay Joe Rubenstein presents NYC’s only contemporary solo piano festival. As always, it features a diverse lineup of piano pieces, with no agenda other than quality. Over three successive nights, “Keys to the Future” delivers a forward-looking roster of talent. This year, that roster increases from four to ten; and the festival moves to a new home. What hasn’t changed: Each concert is one hour, and features selections by contemporary classical masters, emerging composers and jazz luminaries. May 25th through 27th, 7:30 p.m., at Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker St., btw. Sullivan and Thompson St). For tickets ($20), call 212/505-3474.
Good enough to eat…
Talks
DUMPLINGS: MADE IN NY
If there’s one thing NYC does better than almost anyone else (besides bagels and kvetching), it’s dumplings. Don’t believe us? Attending this upcoming meeting of the minds just might change yours. “Dumplings: Made in New York” gathers together the authors of “Jewish Holiday Cooking” and “The Veselka Cookbook” along with the co-founder of Rickshaw Dumpling Bar. This feisty panel is moderated by the author of “The Dumpling: A Seasonal Guide.” Together, they’ll explore the dumpling’s prominence in America’s multi-ethnic kitchens — be they Polish, Chinese, or Italian. Although this event doesn’t give out free samples, you won’t go hungry. The Rickshaw Dumpling Cart will be parked outside. Free. Thurs., May 27th, 6:30 p.m. at the Tenement Museum Shop (108 Orchard St. at Delancey St.). For info., call 212-982-8420. Once you leave, sufficiently stuffed, crow about the experience at tenement-museum.blogspot.com.
Benefit
BLEECKER STREET ART FAIR
Do you dream of attending a NYC Street Fair bereft of tube socks and sunglasses — while supporting a good cause? Commerce and Karma will come together for one glorious afternoon, when you attend Greenwich Village Youth Council’s annual five-block street fair. “Fine Art and Designer Crafts on Bleecker” features nothing but reasonably priced works from artists and independent designers. Locals and those from as far away as Florida will be gently hawking functional and collectible art. Best of all, this street fair won’t attempt to clog your arteries with overpriced funnel cakes and smoothies (no food vendors allowed). Instead, there will be live music at two locations, plus craft demonstrations. Free. Sun., May 23rd, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Bleecker St. between Bank and Christopher Streets). For more information, visit www.greenwichvillageyouthcouncil.net.
