Talks & Readings
COLUM MCCANN, COLM TÓIBÍN & ROBERT SULLIVAN
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, renowned Irish writers Colm Tóibín and McCann discuss both their own work and Ireland’s place in global literature. Tóibín’s novel, “The Master,” was named by numerous publications as one of the best books of 2004 and, in addition to editing an anthology of Irish fiction, he wrote the newly published “Mothers and Sons,” a story collection. McCann is the international bestselling author of “This Side of Brightness,” “The Dancer,” and, most recently, “Zoli.” Robert Sullivan, author of the transfixing and New York-centric “Rats,” moderates. March 17 at 6:30 p.m. Tenement Museum Shop. 108 Orchard St. 212-431-0233, tenement.org
LIVE MAG!
Mr. Undergroud, alter ego of prodigious writer and art critic Jeffrey Cyphers Wright, helms this energetic reading of poems written by audience members. Mingle and swap books with guest editors Hanne Winarsky (editor of Princeton University Press) and William Electric Black (poetry coordinator of La Mama, Etc.), who “publish” submissions by reading them aloud. March 16 at 6 p.m. Bowery Poetry Club. 308 Bowery. 212-673-1152, bowerypoetry.com On a more solemn note, Jami Attenberg (“The Kept Man”) and Anne Landsman (“The Rowing Lesson”) read and discuss their emotionally rendered new novels. March 18 at 7 p.m. Housing Works Book Café. 126 Crosby St. 212-334-3324, housingworks.org
Theater
MAN-MADE
Written and directed by Susan Mosakowski, “Man-Made” imagines the interaction between Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace as a platform to explore the study of human evolution. Mary Shelley and the Creature from her “Frankenstein” bring humor to this curious drama culminating in the first bio-genetically engineered woman, Eugenie Doe. Questions of survival come into play along with fierce arguments fueled by morality, fears of mortality, and the 21st century clash between organized religion and scientific advancements. Through March 22. Ohio Theatre. 66 Wooster St. 212-868-4444, creationproduction.org
Music
YAEL NAIM & LANDON PIGG
Due to the overnight success of the song “New Soul” (the backdrop for ubiquitous MacBook Air laptop ads), Yael Naim just became the first Israeli solo artist ever to have a top-10 hit in the U.S. She’s preceded by Nashville native Landon Pigg, a singer-songwriter whose influences include Rufus Wainwright and David Mead. Their respective music styles differ wildly, but this evening offers an excellent showcase of two young and authentic musicians whose sounds are entirely their own. March 19 at 8 p.m. Bowery Ballroom. 6 Delancey St. 212-533-2111, bowerypresents.com
Film
BE KIND REWIND
Director Michel Gondry presents an art installation in conjunction with his current film, “Be Kind Rewind.” In the movie, a magnetically charged man accidentally erases all of the VHS tapes in a video store, and subsequently sets about remaking the lost films with a friend. “Audiences inspired by the film’s DIY effort can replicate the process at Deitch, where a mini-studio is set up to make films,” wrote The Villager’s Rania Richardson. “They start from scratch,” Gondry said. “I want people to create their own stories and watch among themselves in celebration. Watch a movie, have a party, and start again.” Through March 22. Deitch Projects. 18 Wooster St. 212-343-7300, deitch.com
