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The A list

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Volume 75, Number 28 | Nov. 30 – Dec. 06, 2005

The A – List

Carnaval Brazilian choreographer Alexandre Magno, whose technical prowess extends from ballet performances to Madonna’s comeback world tour, will inaugurate Ballet Hispanico’s 35th birthday celebration with “Orfeu in the Carnaval of Souls.” His adaptation of the Greek Orpheus myth premiers Nov. 29th, kicking off a two-week run for the New York company at the Joyce Theater. Emblematic of the troupe’s mission to fuse pirouettes, jazzy dips and Hispanic forms, Magno restages Orfeu’s descent into hell amidst an impoverished favela, where Brazilian rhythms and Carnaval samba swallow his search for his lost love, Eurydice. Also on the opening night bill is “Eternamente y un Dia” (Forever and a Day), a creation of ex-Pilobolus member, Peter Pucci, set to Mexican music by the Kronos Quartet. A special performance of “Club Havana” on Dec. 6 will honor Pedro Ruiz, a 20-year veteran of the company. Tickets $40. November 29 through 11. Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. at 19th St. (212-242-0800; joyce.org).—Sara G. Levin

Bruce Laurance

Old School For decades, white America has borrowed from hip hop style and culture in the making of its own music and fashion. Now, African American artist Kehinde Wiley takes his turn co-opting the art of dead white men in his new exhibit, “Rumors of War” at Deitch Projects. In a series of gilded-framed, nine-foot-tall paintings, Wiley riffs on the 17th Century Old Master style of equestrian portraiture by having African American sitters he approached on the streets of Harlem and Fort Greene stand in for generals and dukes atop regal stallions. Though clad in Timberlands, sports jerseys, and lots of bling, their poses look just as royal as the aristocrats of yore. Through December 10. Deitch Projects, 76 Grand Street at Wooster (212-343-7300; deitch.com).

Photo courtesy Deitch Projects

Family Ties Hollywood power duo William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman pair up in “Transamerica,” a far-fetched film about a father (or mother) and child reunion, depending on your perspective. The woman of “Desperate Housewives” fame ironically plays a character named after one of the cast members on the hit television show. But the straight-laced Bree Van De Kamp is nothing like Huffman’s character, a transsexual awaiting her final sexual reassignment surgery who suddenly learns she has a son (fathered back when she was a he). A reunion, followed by a cross-country road trip, takes both on a transformative journey to self-discovery. Opens Friday, December 2 at the IFC Film Center, 323 Avenue of the Americas at Waverly Pl. (212- 924-7771; ifccenter.com).

Courtesy of The Weinstein Company/Jessica Miglio

Final Composition How can we stay attuned to the continuing calamity of AIDS? Tomorrow’s eloquently programmed concert at Trinity Church in observance of World AIDS Day is one way, but that’s not the only reason to attend. The concert, produced by Mimi Stern-Wolfe, right, will include works by four composers of extraordinary promise who were struck down by AIDS in the early 1990s while still in their 30s or 40s: Chris DeBlasio, Robert Chesley, Lee Gannon and Kevin Oldham. Performers include soprano Janet E. Hopkins, counter-tenor Marshall Coid, tenor Gilles Denizot, and cellist David Eggar. Performance time is 1 p.m., December 1, at Trinity Church, 74 Trinity Place. For further information, call 212-602-0813 or contact www.downtownmusicproductions.org or www.trinitywallstreet.org.—Michael Clive

Photo courtesy Mimi Stern-Wolfe

Alive and Kicking Often unfortunately (but not unfairly) compared to fellow Portland indie rockers The Shins, Rogue Wave’s quiet, quirky pop songs contain similarly subtle hooks to their Sub Pop labelmates. The Shins may be the band to change your life on CD (at least according to Zach Braff), but their live show borders on boring. Expect Rogue Wave to instill the emotive songs from their new album, “Descended Like Vultures,” with a new level of energy on stage. Tickets $15. Doors 8:30, Friday December 2 at the Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street at Bowery (212-533-2111; boweryballroom.com).—Emily Zemler

Photo courtesy Sup Pop