By Scott Stiffler
EVENTS
RADIO HAPPY HOUR
Don’t try to understand it, just show up and enjoy it. But if skeptical friends insist on an explanation, tell them what the producers told us — namely, that “Radio Happy Hour” is “a live variety show featuring a made-for-radio murder mystery sitcom, guest stars, musical performances, an audience quiz, and interviews with the guests.” Show creator and head writer Sam Osterhout hosts. The next episode features David Dondero as a struggling restaurateur and 2009 US Air Guitar Champion William Ocean as the celebrity chef who will save the restaurant — until death shows up on the menu. Maybe regular cast members actors Matt Skibiak and Robin Reed (or musician Rich Bologna) will be of some help. Sat., July 17th, at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1 p.m.) at (le) Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker St.). Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 the day of the show. Visit www.RadioHappyHour.com.
BOOKS
TUNE IN TOKYO
Like many of us, Tim Anderson wanted to rise above his “boring, stagnant” life “full of inertia and regret.” Unlike most of us, Anderson gave himself a good swift kick and mustered the motivation to conduct his search for a happier self by way of a trip to Tokyo. Whether he returned to Brooklyn more enlightened or more deeply damaged is still up for debate. Decide for yourself once you’ve finished “Tune in Tokyo: The Gaijin Diaries.” Anderson’s novel follows the exploits of a “left-handed, diabetic, young-ish American gaywad” who karate kicks his way through “a city where the year is 2119 and the future is now.” Oh, that old story again? The (Free!) book launch party takes place July 13th, 7:30 p.m. at the KGB Bar (85 E. 4th St.). For info, call 212-505-3360.
MUSIC
WORLD OF JAZZ III
We’re tempted to say the third time’s a charm…but that’s not much of a speculative compliment, since all reports indicate the 2008/2009 installments of “World of Jazz” were just fine indeed. For three Saturdays in July, the Chelsea Art Museum’s popular summer Jazz-brunch concert series returns with a roster of talent which spotlights on emerging artists on the New York scene. July 17th, vocalist Pauline Jean performs standards and traditional Haitian music fused with jazz. July 24th features Israeli-born bassist and composer Daniel Ori. July 31st, Elias Meister (guitar) and Jeff Miles (guitar) are featured, in a rare duo performance. Following each Noon concert is a brunch at which you can meet the artists. The $20 ticket ($10 for students/seniors) includes admission to the museum. For info, call 212-255-0719, x 111 or visit www.chelseaartmuseum.org
Folks from 10 religious traditions work to find common ground.
FILM
LOCAL FAITH COMMUNITIES
For over a year, leaders from 10 diverse religious institutions serving the East Village have been meeting. Their goal: Use the common ground and common goals of the Lower East Side’s diverse faiths to decrease fear, erase prejudice and “lower the need for vast military spending around the globe.” On May 5th, these leaders and others walked the walk of that bold talk by taking a tour of the LES’s various religious institutions. Anthony Donovan’s documentary (“Local Faith Communities”) encapsulates what they’ve learned — but makes no attempt to tie it all up in a neat bow. See what insights he captured, though, by attending the film’s premiere. Free (donations appreciated and accepted). Mon., July 12th, 7:30 p.m. at Anthology Film Archives (32 Second Ave. at E. 2nd St.). Visit www.LocalFaithCommunities.org.
MUSIC
SUMMER SAMBA & JAZZ
Cooper Union seems to think one sure cure for the summertime blues is an infusion of cool jazz by way of hot samba. Why else would they book their “Summer Samba & Jazz” series on what will likely be summer’s most balmy Thursdays? Only the iconic Brazilian musicians they’ve booked know for sure — and to find out, you’ll just have to show up. The series will present sultry vocalist Kenia (July 15th), the remarkable Claudio Roditi Quartet (July 22nd), and the acclaimed New York Samba-Jazz Quartet, featuring drummer extraordinaire Duduka Da Fonseca (July 29th). On each date, shows take place at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at The Rose Auditorium at The Cooper Union (41 Cooper Square; 3rd Ave. btw. 6th and 7th Streets). For tickets ($30 per show, $25 for seniors/students; series price = $75/$65), call 800-746-3119 or purchase at the door. For info, visit www.cooper.edu or call 212-353-4195.
