Compiled by Scott Stiffler, Scott@thevillager.com
Talks
Book cover photo courtesy of James and Karla Murray
The neighborhood store front: Gone; but not forgotten?
STORE FRONT
Certain blocks in neighborhoods all over the city have NY looking less like Gotham and more like a ghost town. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has heard that song before, and connects our current rash of shuttered street level businesses with a greater loss of self and soul. In an illustrated talk and panel discussion, authors James and Karla Murray share interviews and photographs from their new book “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York” — revealing how neighborhood stores influence the pulse, life, and texture of their communities. Following the talk, the Murrays lead a panel discussion with store owners from Greenwich Village. September 9, 6:30 p.m. at Judson Memorial Assembly Hall (239 Thompson Street off of Washington Square South). Free, but reservations are required. To RSVP, email rsvp@gvshp.org or call 212-475-9585, ext. 35.
Music
Bill Frisell Trio
Over the years, Bill Frisell has crossed over genres and come back; then crossed over again with no return trip ticket. Known for his blend of straight-up jazz, telekinetic improv, lush soundscapes and hyperactive noise onslaughts, Frisell’s performance at City Winery will reach into that multi-disciplinary grab bag for a roster of time-honored jazz and folk songs representing the full spectrum of his repertoire. Along for the ride are the equally extraordinary Eyvind Kang on viola and Rudy Royston on drums. September 9, 9 p.m. at City Winery (155 Varick Street). Visit www.citywinery.com or call 212-608-0555.
Readings
Poets in conversation
Poet Charles Simic (the 15th Poet Laureate of the United States) opens the NYU Creative Writing Program Fall 2009 Reading Series. “The New Salon: Poets in Conversation” has Simic (a distinguished Poet-in-Residence at NYU) reading from his works and talking with Alice Quinn (executive director of the Poetry Society of America and former poetry editor of The New Yorker). Free. 7 p.m., September 10, at NYU’s Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House (58 W. 10th Street). For information, call 212-998-8816 or visit www.cwp.fas.nyu.edu.
Dance
Photo by Julie Lemberger
Chriselle Tidrick and Emily Smyth Vartanian
ABOVE AND BEYOND
Above and Beyond Dance’s fall season infuses modern dance with stilt, aerial and acrobatic work firmly rooted in the world of the circus. The result? “Ascendance” — a journey into group dynamics and the nature of strength that means to bend that concept through the prism of dynamic, highly watchable choreography. It’s a night of dance whose playful, threatening, subtle, sensitive and silly elements make the search for equilibrium and freedom fun again. Sept. 10, 11, 12 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 13 at 3 p.m.; at The Flea Theater (41 White Street, between Church St. and Broadway). For tickets, call 212-352-3101 or visit www.theflea.org. For more information on Above and Beyond, www.AboveAndBeyondDance.com
Memorial
Photo courtesy of the NYC Fire Museum
From 2008’s 9/11 event
NYC FIRE MUSEUM 9/11 SERVICE
The New York City Fire Museum (home to the first permanent memorial to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001) marks the eighth anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center with a memorial service. In addition to a wreath laying ceremony in the Museum’s 9/11 room and a bagpiper from the FDNY Emerald Society, the service will also feature the FDNY Color Guard and comments from Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano. After the service, stay (or return another day) to see their renowned collection of fire-related art and artifacts from the 18th century to the present. Noon, September 11; at the New York City Fire Museum, 278 Spring Street. For more information, call 212-691-1303 or visit www.nycfiremuseum.org.
