Compiled by sarah norris
Theater
Photo by Michael Rios
From top: John O’Neil, Michael Natale, Johny Jay
BEYOND THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
When flying monkeys, tin men and Kansas farm girls in Gingham swarm the sidewalks of Greenwich Village, it’s more than a typical night on the waiting line at Wings Theatre: It’s the start of a new midnight cult happening. Playwright John Lisbon Wood’s “Beyond the Yellow Brick Road” pays homage to Judy Garland. An MIT scientist retreats into the forest, sets up a Garland shrine and pins his hopes for a better future on the good things that can come from Gods, mythology and ritual. Sober themes like conformity and sexual freedom are jazzed up with generous servings of humor and drag. Dress in a costume that references Garland and you might just end up on stage. Fridays in May, Midnight, at Wings Theatre (154 Christopher St.); $15 or $9 if in costume; 212-627-2961 or www.beyondtheyellowbrickroad.com.
Film
Image by Alexander Wagner
From the animated short “Juxtaposed”
SVA FILM AND ANIMATION FESTIVAL
The 20th installment of the Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards features over 100 films by students graduating from the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). The program includes screenings of short films; videos and animations; and an awards ceremony and gala with notable presenters from the film industry. Films screen May 4-8 at the SVA Theater (333 West 23rd St.). The Awards Ceremony and Gala takes place at 8:00p.m. on Saturday, May 9; winning films screen the following day. Some events are free and open to the public. For information, call 212-592-2124 or visit www.sva.edu/dusty.
Poetry
Photo by An Xiao
Performer/Playwright Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene
VOLCANO’S BIRTHRIGHT(S)
Written and performed by Nigerian poet Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene and directed by Maija Garcia, “Volcano’s Birthright(s)” is a multi-media solo show fusing poetry, choreography, film and music to illuminate the murky matters of heartache, art, activism, culture and roots. Uncensored monologues and poetry that seethes with rage are tempered by a deep well of humor and intense love — all in the service of exploring whether or not poems are enough when staring into the face of genocide and war. May 1, 2, 3, 9 at 7:30p.m. and May 10, 7:00p.m. at The Tank; third floor, 354 West 45th St. (8th and 9th Aves.). Tickets are $10; purchase online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/62898.
Music
Photo by Brian Loub
Clockwise from upper L: Yibin Li, Assaff Weisman, Sean Katsuyama, Yonah Zur
“SEEDS OF IMAGINATION” BENEFIT CONCERT
A night of culture that’s good for the soul, benefits kids and is tax deductable? Any one of those three reasons is reason enough to attend this chamber music concert whose proceeds will benefit the New Amsterdam Early Childhood Center’s efforts to establish a permanent home for a new Waldorf preschool in the West Village. The quartet of virtuosic Julliard School grads will play signature compositions from composers including Ravel, Chopin and Brahms. Sunday May 3, 2009, 7:30p.m. at Merkin Hall (129 W. 67th St. between Broadway & Amsterdam.). Tickets: $25-$100. Call 212-501-3330 or visit www.kaufman-center.org/merkin-concert-hall. For information on the sponsoring organization, www.newamsterdamchildhood.org.
Events
Photo by Dennis Sivak
Puppets by Lucrecia Novoa
HUDSON RIVER PAGEANT
Who knew meditating on the worth of Mother Earth could be such fun? Hudson River Pageant, an ecological parade and performance art event, seeks to restore the Hudson river and address climate change in New York City — and what better way to do it than with oyster garden planting, a live fish release, a river cleansing ceremony and a procession of 15-foot river species puppets? Saturday May 9th, from 1:00p.m. to 6:00p.m., in the downtown section of The Hudson River Park. Rain date: May 10. For information and volunteer opportunities, call (212) 777-7969. Find the full schedule of free events at www.earthcelebrations.com.
