Compiled by sarah norris
Reading
Charles Bock & Keith Gessen
Renowned debut novelists Charles Bock (“Beautiful Children”) and Keith Gessen (“All the Sad Young Literary Men”) will read from and answer questions about their books. Gessen is one of the founding editors of n+1 magazine, based in Brooklyn, and the profits of this evening will go to the journal. Perhaps the best part of this showcase, though–aside from the writers’ much-touted talent–is that events at Bowery Poetry Club feel less like staid literary readings than big, friendly parties replete with alcohol, conversation and some of the last edginess on the Bowery not yet channeled into hotels. Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. $7. Bowery Poetry Club. 308 Bowery (at Bleecker St.) 212-614-0505, bowerypoetry.com.
Photo credit Anne Diebel
Keith Gessen, author of “All the Sad Young Literary Men”
Arts
After Nature
Inspired by the early fictional documentaries of German film director Werner Herzog, “After Nature” is intended to unfold as a visual novel. Spread over three floors, the show displays a future landscape of wilderness and ruin, with 90 works by international artists, filmmakers and writers. Highlights include Zoe Leonard’s giant sculpture of a crippled tree, Maurizio Cattelan’s fallen horse (pictured) and Tino Sehgal’s living human sculptures in which a dancer acts out feelings of ecstasy on the floor. Yes, to answer your question–before you notifiy security–that well-dressed man writhing in the corner is actually supposed to be there. Through Sept. 21. New Museum of Contemporary Art. 235 Bowery. 212-219-1222, newmuseum.org.
Courtesy Marian Goodman Gallery, New York
Maurizio Cattelan, “Untitled” (2007) . Taxidermied horse skin and fiberglass resin.
The West Villager, “The Artist’s View”
This group show features renderings of the West Village by local artists, and two essays, by writer and regular “Villager” contributor Kate Walter, about the neighborhood. The show’s opening reception will be on August 16 from 5-8 p.m. and offers an opportunity to mingle with these New York artists whose work celebrates the history and dynamism of Greenwich Village. Aug. 16-31, Thurs.-Sun. from 1-6 p.m. Free. Westbeth Gallery. 57 Bethune St. (at Washington St.) 212-989-4650, westbeth.org.
John L. Silver, “Florent” (2008).
Theater
Last Tango in Paris
Bernardo Bertolucci’s iconic 1972 film tells the story of an American widower who is drawn into a sexual relationship with a young, soon-to-be-married Parisian woman. This new, multimedia adaptation of the movie, adapted, conceived and directed by Doris Mirescu, attempts to imbue the hedonistic story with post-modern significance. There are, of course, countless off-off-Broadway plays being staged in New York all the time, and this week especially, but this production deserves credit for taking on the obvious challenges of adapting such a work from the screen to the stage. Aug. 22-Sept. 6, Tues.-Sat. at 8 p.m. $15 general, $10 students. Paradise Factory. 64 E. Fourth St. 212-724-5004, email do@dangerousgroundproductions.com
Marlon Brando and Maria Scheider in the 1972 Bertolucci film.
Puppet show
A mainstay of children’s theatre in New York since the 1970s, Penny Jones & Co. Puppets presents a musical puppet show next Wednesday morning. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” set to the work of the same title by Paul Dukas, tells the familiar tale of an apprentice who wants to succeed–the easy way. His attempt to have others do his work results in predictable chaos. A short puppet presentation titled “What Music Looks Like” closes the program, which is appropriate for children of all ages. August 20 at 10:30 a.m. Free. Washington Square Park, University Pl. and Washington Square North. 212-924-0525.
