Compiled by Scott Stiffler
PERFOMANCE
PARIS SYNDROME
Village resident Suzi Takahashi co-created this piece, which looks at the real-life phenomenon of extreme culture shock experienced by some Japanese women when visiting Paris. It’s said the famed city of lights claims the sanity of a dozen or so 30-somethings every year. Sit back and watch the transition from tourist to freakout as the six women of Ex.Pgirl (a movement theater company) journey to their own personal “Paris.” To do so, they’ll mash genres, play language games, reference cinema and present video interviews — all in the service of exploring why France’s top tourist destination drives some mad. Spoiler alert: It has something to do with identity, gender and place. Through June 19th (Tues.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.), at HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Ave., one block below Spring St.). For tickets, call 212-352-3101. Visit www.here.org.
AUDIO
RADIO BLOOMSDAY
The lit-boosting folks at Radio Bloomsday continue a proud 32-year WBAI tradition on June 16th, when they broadcast excerpts from “Ulysses” — James Joyce’s epic tale of kicking all across a fine Irish town. The roster of talent paying audio homage includes Paul Muldoon, Jerry Stiller, Amy Stiller, T. Ryder Smith and Caraid O’Brien. Some highlights of what should be seven solid hours: From 8 to 10 p.m., listen to Leopold Bloom as he wanders through Dublin. At 10 p.m., Alec Baldwin reads Joyce’s love letters to his wife Nora (Charles Busch plays the whoremistress Madame Bella Cohen.) The marathon event happens June 16th, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on WBAI (99.5 FM) and on www.wbai.org. Visit www.radiobloomsday.blogspot.com.
BOOKS
THE SWEET ROT
You couldn’t write it better than this. NYC author and illustrator Joe Simko will have his book launch for “The Sweet Rot” at that temple of wind-up fun — Toy Tokyo. That the book promo party does double duty as an art show means it qualifies as a cultural excursion. Kids won’t care, though. They’ll be more concerned with reading about the exploits of Pollilop Drop resident Pukeboy as he struggles to break free from his fear of playing guitar in front of an audience. Having 46 pop art illustrations to look at doesn’t hurt the story either. In fact, it really helps! Free. June 18th, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at TT Underground Gallery (91 Second Ave. btw. 5th & 6th St.). Visit www.sweetrot.com.
ART
FOURTEEN AGAIN
The Chelsea Art Museum and the nonprofit organization More Art have teamed up to present this group exhibition. Bearing the ominous, nostalgic title “Fourteen Again,” the event features collaborative works between creative types and “ordinary” citizens. Each participating artist conducted workshops with students from Clinton Middle School and Liberty High School. The resulting artwork tackles themes such as adolescence and the fleeting reality of meaning. We’re not sure they’ve stumbled upon the meaning of life, but that’s OK. Good art is more about contemplative journeys than satisfying conclusions. See for yourself now through June 19th. At the Chelsea Art Museum (556 W. 22nd St.). Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues. through Sat. On Thursdays, admission is free and the museum stays open until 8 p.m. (otherwise, it’s $8 general admission, $4 for students/seniors). Visit www. chelseaartmuseum.org and www.moreart.org.
ART
LUSH LIFE
This exhibition presents visual interpretations of Richard Price’s “Lush Life.” As in the novel, trouble starts brewing when the Virgin Mary makes a cameo appearance. Things get curiouser and curiouser from that point on. Unlike Price’s page-turner, the exhibit will take you until August to finish. Like the book, it’s a good excuse to witness the Lower East Side in all its gaudy, eccentric glory. Curated by Franklin Evans and Omar Lopez-Chahoud, this “Lush Life” takes place at nine LES galleries — one “chapter” at a time. The high-concept art/adaptation/event unfolds from June 17th through August 13th. Here are the nine galleries, in order of the “chapter” they represent. Visit their websites for time/place/details. Yes, we’re making you do some grunt work; but it’ll be worth it: Sue Scott Gallery, On Stellar Rays, Invisible-Exports, Lehmann Maupin, Y Gallery, Collette Blanchard Gallery, Salon 94, Scaramouche and Eleven Rivington. See? Done already.
