Martin Creed’s Variety Show
Martin Creed is best known as a visual artist, one who experiments with conceptual and minimalist practices to create an infinite array of work. But visual art is not all Martin Creed does. He is also the founder, guitarist and vocalist of the band Owada, whose first CD was released in 1997. This weekend, for two days only, the British visual artist/musician will get a chance to be a mix of things, all at once, in his variety show at the Abrons Arts Center.
Creed was born in Wakefield, England in 1968 and raised in Glasgow, Scotland. After graduating from London’s Slade School of Fine Art, he lived and worked in the same city until 2001, and now splits his time between London and Alicudi, Italy. His works are numbered and named in a self-explanatory fashion in an attempt to take weight off the work itself and simplify the culture we live in. One of his most famous pieces, “Work No. 227, the lights going on and off,” is an empty room in which an electrical timer switch makes the lights go on and off at intervals. Creed garnered the Turner Prize in 2001 for the work.
This Friday and Saturday, March 30th and 31st, Creed and his band, which includes Keiko Owada on bass and vocals, and Karen Hutt on drums and vocals, promise to bring to the Abrons Art Center, and for the first time in the U.S., a show that is “part music concert, part theater, part talk and part dance.” (Variations of the performance have toured London, Edinburgh and New Zealand). Presented by the Public Art Fund, the New York version of this relatively improvised piece will be yet another chance for Creed to take over the stage and engage the audience in this exciting theatrical experience.
Both performances are at 7:30 at the Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand Street. (Friday’s show is sold out.) For more information and tickets, contact the Public Art Fund at publicartfund.org or call 212-980-3942. To learn more about Martin Creed, visit martincreed.com.
— Sandra Larriva
CLASSES
Abrons Arts CenterDance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts Classes and Workshops. To register, call 212-598-0400 x. 224. 466 Grand St. www.henrystreet.org/arts.
Spa for the SoulTrinity Church presents the Quiet Day Series: Spa for the Soul, workshops examining various approaches to peaceful contemplation. Sat., Mar. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, the Reverend Cynthia Hizer will lead “Celtic Spirituality,” an exploration of how the movement of the seasons is reflected in our breathing, our being and our relationship with God. For more information or to register, contact Ali Lutz at alutz@trinitywallstreet.org or 212-602-0807.
YogaThe BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY is sponsoring a 10-week Hatha yoga session taught by Molly Heron of the Integral Yoga Institute, which now includes a second weekly class, due to popular demand. Mondays and Wednesdays through April 25. Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, 2 South End Ave. For more information, call 212-267-9700.
All classes, Community Center at Stuyvesant High School, 345 Chambers St. (access: West St.). For information, call 646-358-6880 or visit www.ccshs.org.
DANCE
Balam Dance TheaterDance ensemble fusing Balinese and contemporary dance styles. Premiere of “Wyang Blues” by Carlos Fittante. Mar. 17, 18. $20. Dance New Amsterdam, 280 Broadway, 2nd Fl. For more information, call 212-279-4200.
MaydanceWorld premiere of “The Endless House” by Juliana F. The quartet changes into seemingly random forms that link to each other through feeling and motion. May. Mar. 15-17 at 8 p.m. Tickets $15. Joyce Soho, 155 Mercer St (Houston St.), 212-334-7479.
Moving MenCurated by Janusz Jaworski. Brian Brooks Moving Co., Juan Mershan, Will Rawls and Alethea Adsitt & Co. Mar. 20 at 8 p.m. $12/TDF. Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, 212-219-0736.
Tina Croll & Co.“Ancient Springs” is a collage of dance pieces. Mar. 15-18 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets $15. Danspace, St. Mark’s Church, 131 E 10th St. (2nd Ave.), 212-674-8194.
Work & Show FestivalThe Tribeca Performing Arts Center at the Borough of Manhattan Community College presents its annual festival, an outgrowth of its ten-year-old Artist-in-Residence program. Featuring new work by eight artists representing dance, theater and music. Through Mar. 31. Tickets $10, unless otherwise noted. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street. For tickets or more information, call 212-220-1460 or visit www.TribecaPAC.org.
EVENTS
Free Fridays at The South Street Seaport MuseumGet a gratis tour of the museum and hear live music from 5 to 9 p.m. the third Friday of every month. South Street Seaport Museum, Melville Gallery, 213 Water Street. 212.748.8568, www.southstseaport.org.
Free Hearing screenings at the League for the Hard of HearingEvery Tues. from 12-2 p.m. and every Thurs. from 4-6 p.m. Call or email to schedule an appointment. League for the Hard of Hearing, 50 Broadway, 6th floor, 917-305-7766, appointments@llh.org, www.lhh.org.
Native American AuctionThe Thunderbird American Indian Dancers will hold their 28th annual spring auction of Native American jewelry, pottery and other crafts on March 24 at 2 p.m. Preview from 1 – 2 p.m. Free. American Indian Community House, 11 Broadway, 2nd Fl. For more information, call 201-587-9633.
Open registration for Basketball CampRegistration is now open for the Ten Star All Star Basketball Camp. Boys and girls ages 10-19 encouraged to apply. Past participants include Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. Registration is also open for the Bryan Adrian Summer Basketball Camp. Boys and girls ages 6-18 eligible. For more information, call 704-373-0873.
Parents’ Network BREAKFASTParents, expectant parents and babies 0-12 months are invited to enjoy a monthly breakfast. Share tips, seek advice and meet other new moms and dads. First Tues. of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. Free for BPCNA members and first timers. Membership applications available at the event or at www.bpcnpa.com. Applebee’s on Vesey St. Organized through the Battery Park City Neighbors Association.
Passover Program for FamiliesShira Kline, a Jewish musician, educator and performer, will lead an afternoon of storytelling, singing and craft activity. Additional activities for children. Mar. 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 36 Battery Pl. To reserve tickets, call the box office at 646-437-4202. For more information, call 646-437-4300 or visit www.mjhnyc.org.
Tribeca Meet & GreetSecond Wednesday of the month from 6:30-9 p.m. at various area restaurants. Have a drink, do some networking and exchange some ideas with people from local businesses, schools, newspapers, restaurants and more. 212-220-1459, dcleaver@tribecapac.org.
EXHIBITS
“Camp Campaign”The newest project by Ayreen and Anastas questions the existence of Guantanamo Bay in present-day America by visiting all the camps in this country, from detention camps to campsites. Through Mar. 31. Art in General, 79 Walker St., 212-219-0473, www.artingeneral.org.
Rosemarie Castoro, “The Dimension of Line”Through Mar. 31. Hal Bromm, 90 West Broadway at Chambers, 212-732-6196, halbromm@gmail.com.
Changing Climate, Changing ColorsWorking in a variety of mediums, and coming from a wide range of religious, cultural and political backgrounds, the 24 Muslim artists in” Changing Climate, Changing Colors” shed light on the diverse interpretations of Islam today. Through March 16.Stan Gaz, “Ash Series”A series of photographic drawings combining symbolic imagery with ash evokes a sense of fragility, memory, and mortality. Through Apr. 8. Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand St., 212-598-0400, henrystreet.org/arts.
Chinese Classical Architecture’s Ornamental ArtBeijing architect Chen Xiao Rui’s installation of traditional Chinese interiors. Through March 16. Asian American Arts Centre. 26 Bowery, 3rd Fl., 212-233-2154, www.artspiral.org.
“Clash of the Titans,” Anna TsouhlarakisThrough Mar. 31. American Indian Community House Gallery, 11 Broadway, 2nd Fl., 212-598-0100, www.aich.org.
Fluid FieldsWatercolor group exhibition curated by Susan Shatter. Through Mar. 24. The Painting Center, 52 Greene St., 212-343-1060, www.thepaintingcenter.com.
Yona Friedman, “About Cities”First U.S. solo show of the sustainable-minded artist and architect, featuring drawings and an installation in collaboration with Normal Architecture Office. Through Apr. 7.Levity: Selections Spring 2007Explores lightness as both a material and metaphoric condition in the work of fourteen emerging artists selected from the Viewing Program. Through Mar. 31. The Drawing Center, 35 Wooster St., 212-219-2166, www.drawingcenter.org.
“From the Heart: The Photojournalism of Ruth Gruber”Ruth Gruber is being honored with an exhibition at the Museum of Jewish Heritage that celebrates the life’s work of the 95-year-old journalist and activist. Through Oct. Free, with cost of museum admission. 36 Battery Pl., 646-437-4337, www.mjhnyc.org.
In, Out and In-BetweenBurr Artists group show featuring a variety of works. Through Apr. 15. Synagogue for the Arts Gallery Space, 49 White St., 212-966-7141.
International Residency Program ExhibitionA group show of eight of the 17 resident artists from Location One’s International Residency Program. Through March 17. Location One, 26 Greene St., bet Grand & Canal Sts., 212-334-3347.
Jennifer Nocon, “Elective Affinities”Through Apr. 21. Tracy Williams, Ltd., 313 W 4th St., 212-229-2757, www.tracywilliamsltd.com.
Off the Map: Landscape in the Native ImaginationNative Americans explore the idea of landscape and its multiple meanings in this new group show. Features works by Jeffrey Gibson, Carlos Jacanamijoy, James Lavadour, Erica Lord and Emmi Whitehorse. Through Sept. 3 National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center, One Bowling Green, 212-514-3823,www.AmericanIndian.si.edu.
Photographs of the Lower East Side, 1937 to 2007Features work by members of the Educational Alliance Art School community and participants in the Young Artists Program. Through Apr. 9. Ernest Rubenstein Gallery (at the Educational Alliance), 197 E Broadway.
Scream of Nature: Recent Paintings by Naoto NakagawaJapanese artist explores monumental landscape painting with a “unique, highly skilled realism.” Through Apr. 14. Ethan Cohen Fine Arts, 18 Jay St., 212-625-1250, www.ecfa.com.
“A Month of Krap”features 58 winning images from the 9th Annual National Krappy Kamera Competition in the main gallery. The front gallery features the 14th Annual Members’ Krappy Kamera Exhibition, including 12 gallery photographers. The upstairs gallery features “Krappy Kollage,” an installation of every image submitted for the KK9 National Competition. Through Mar. 31. Soho Photo, 15 White Street., 212-226-8571, www.sohophoto.com.
Semina Culture: Wallace Berman and his circleExamines the work of an important figure in the history of post-war California art and the artistic community around him. Organized by the Santa Monica Museum of Art and co-curated by Michael Duncan and Kristine McKenna. Through Mar. 31. Grey Art Gallery, New York University, 100 Washington Sq. East, 212-998-6780.
Catherine Courtenaye, “Ghostwriters”New paintings that appropriate text from nineteenth century American notebooks. Through Apr. 7. Gallery Hrs: 11-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Cheryl Pelavin, 13 Jay St., 212-925-9424, www.cherylpelavin.com.
SilenceA group exhibition that focuses on artists’ uses of and responses to silence, as manifested in sculpture, installation, composition, works on paper, and time-based practices. Through Mar. 31. Gigantic Artspace, 59 Franklin St., bet Broadway & Lafayette, 212-226-6762, www.giganticartspace.com.
State of Mind: Death RowSculptural paintings inspired by a close friend of the artist who was stricken with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Reception: Mar. 16, 5-7 p.m. A poetry reading will follow. Through Apr. 30. Pratt Manhattan, 144 W 14th St., (212) 647-7421.
Swiss MountainscapesPhotographs by Albert Steiner and works on paper by Alberto Giacometti, Augusto Giacometti, Giovanni Giacometti, Helmut Federle, Ferdinand Hodler and Giovanni Segantini. Through Mar. 24. Peter Blum Soho, 99 Wooster St., 212-343-0441, www.peterblumgallery.com.
The Jews: Matt Silverstein & Dave JeserArtists from Rough Draft Studio show unpublished, unaired and uncensored work at apexart through April 14. 291 Church St., 212-431-5270, www.apexart.org.
MUSIC
Aviva PlayersPresent the Downtown Chamber Trio and Israeli singer, Magda Fishman, performing works by Julie Mandel, Mira Spektor and Clara Schumann. Mar. 18 at 2 p.m. Free. Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand St., 212-598-0400, henrystreet.org/arts.
Concerts at OneHeld most Mondays at Trinity Church (Broadway at Wall St.), and Thursdays at St. Paul’s Chapel (Broadway at Fulton), the Concerts at One celebrates its 38th season. All hour-long concerts are free, and begin at 1 p.m. Through Mar. 29.An Early Musical Tour of EuropeTrinity Church’s annual choir season offers weekly performances with pieces from the time of Monteverdi through Haydn. Through May. For performers and more information, call 212-602-0747 or visit www.trinitywallstreet.org.
Knitting Factory Main Space LineupAppleseed Cast, The Life and Times, Le Rug on Mar. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Damien Dempsey on Mar. 18 at 8 p.m.; Ken Andrews, First Wave Hello on Mar. 22 at 7 p.m. Call for full schedule, times and prices. The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., 212-219-3132, www.knittingfactory.com.
The Laura Dreyer TrioBrazilian music, including original bossa novas and sambas and traditional songs from the Brazilian repertoire. Sat. 1-4 p.m. No Cover. Reservations recommended. DEKK, 134 Reade St. 212-941-9401.
Live JazzGary Wang on bass and Lee Metcalf on guitar. Thurs. 7:30-10:30 p.m. VinoVino, 211 West Broadway, bet Franklin and White, 212-925-8510.
MUSIC WITH A VIEWKathleen Supové curates this series of emerging or mid-career composers at The Flea Theater through May. The March installment, moderated by Joan La Barbara, will feature the work of Molly Thompson, Jane Rigler, and Douglas Cuomo. Apr. 9, 7 p.m. 41 White St., 212-229-0051 ext. 101, www.theflea.org.
Susan McKeownIrish singer and song-writer will perform traditional and contemporary tunes on St. Patrick’s Day. Mar. 16 at 12:30 p.m. Free. World Financial Center, Winter Garden, 220 Vesey Street. For information, call (212) 945-0505 or click www.worldfinancialcenter.com.
The Vinson Valega/Lee Metcalf TrioPlays jazz standards from the Great American Songbook of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and more. Sun. from 7-10 p.m. No Cover. Reservations recommended. DEKK, 134 Reade St. 212-941-9401
TALKS & READINGS
Artist’s talk: Jennifer Viola “Sculpture into Painting”The artist will discuss the relationship between her ceramic sculpture and her painting as well as lead an open discussion on source material and the effectiveness of working in more than one medium. Co-sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts. Mar. 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free but reservations are requested. The Educational Alliance, 197 East Broadway, 212.780.2300, ext. 378.
Conversations with The EconomistThe debut of a series of Sunday afternoon discussions that address important issues today. The first one will consider the problem of modern-day slavery. Moderated by The Economist’s New York Bureau Chief, Matthew Bishop. Mar. 18. Reservations recommended. Culture Project, 55 Mercer St. For more information, visit www.cultureproject.org.
La MaMa Coffeehouse ChroniclesAn oral account of the history, creation and development of Off-Off Broadway. Mar. 17 at 3:00pm. Free.Poetry Electric “ 45 Poets Celebrate 45 Years”45 spoken word artists convey politically charged messages through a fusion of music, movement, sound, and dance with the spoken word. Mar. 19 at 8 p.m. La MaMa E.T.C., 74a E. 4th St. , 212-475-7710.
Musical Instruments of Ancient MexicoMichael Heralda (Aztec) explains the history of the instruments and how they are used today. Mar. 22. National Museum of the American Indian, Diker Pavilion, One Bowling Green, 212-514-3700, www.americanindian.si.edu.
She Captains: Heroines and Hellions of the SeaThe Seaport Book Club meets on the second Thursday of every month. This month’s selection, a book by Joan Druett, is in honor of Women’s History Month. Melville Gallery, 213 Water St. For more information, call 212-748-8568.
The Great Escape: Nine Jews Who Fled Hitler and Changed the WorldRichard C. Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., interviews his wife and author, Kati Marton. Mar. 21 at 7 p.m. Adults $10, students & seniors $5, free for members. Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 36 Battery Pl. For more information, visit www.mjhnyc.org.
THEATER
Betty & The BelraysBack in 1963, three white female singers challenge a racially divided Detroit by singing for a black record label. Written and directed by William Electric Black, a seven-time Emmy winner for “Sesame Street.” Through Apr. 1. Adults $15/Students $10.The Further Adventures of Uncle Wiggily: Windblown VisitorsA new musical by Laurel Hessing “in the spirit of Antoine de St. Exupéry’s ‘The Little Prince.’” Through Mar. 25. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., 212-254-1109, www.Theaterforthenewcity.net.
Drawing Board SeriesCelebrated cutting-edge theater and dance artists present their works-in-progress for the first time. Performances followed by open discussions.Banana Bag & Bodice: The Fall and Rise of The Rising FallenThe story of the underground band. For mature audiences. Mar. 17 at 8 p.m. Free. Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand St., 212-598-0400, henrystreet.org/arts.
FRIGID New YorkIndie theater festival premieres in three East Village theaters: The Kraine Theater, The Red Room, and UNDER St. Marks. Through Mar. 18. Tickets $5-15. For more information, visit www.FRIGIDnewyork.info.
Hotel OracleA play about peregrinations and post-its presented by the Sum of Us Theater Company. A lonely reporter, a con man, an expectant mother, a mysterious messenger, a pill popper and a kindly hotel clerk leave the comfort of their hotel and set out to find the Oracle. Written by Bixby Elliot and directed by Stephen Brackett. Through Mar. 31. Tickets $15. WALKERSPACE, 46 Walker St. For information, visit www.hoteloracle.org. For tickets, visit www.theatermania.com.
In a Dark Dark HouseA world premiere by Neil LaBute Two brothers in a psychiatric facility struggle to come to grips with their troubled past. Through June 23. Lucille Lortel Theater, 121 Christopher St. For tickets, call 212-279-4200 or visit TicketCentral.com.
JanylThe Yara Arts Group presents its newest work, a world music-theater piece based on an ancient epic song from Kyrgyzstan, “Janyl Myrza,” about the struggles of a woman warrior in a traditional society. Mar. 16-18 and 22-25. Tickets $15. La MaMa E.T.C. (first floor theater), 74 A E 4th St. For times, call the box office at 212-475-7710 or visit www.lamama.org.
Los AngelesPlaywright Julian Sheppard, a Drama Desk nominee, and director Adam Rapp, a Pulitzer finalist and Obie winner present the world premiere of Los Angeles. Through Mar. 17.The DirectorA new play by Barbara Cassidy. Directed by Jessica Davis-Irons. Through Mar. 31. Tickets $20. The Flea, 41 White St., 212-229-0051 ext. 101, www.theflea.org.
My Trip to Al-QaedaAward-winning author and screenwriter Lawrence Wright presents a story that examines the rise of Al-Qaeda. Based on Wright’s bestseller The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11. Through Apr. 14. Culture Project, 55 Mercer St. For more information, visit www.cultureproject.org or call 212-353-3101.
SpinThe Urban Ballet Theater presents the world premiere of an “electrifying” new ballet by Daniel Catanach, a fuse of classical ballet, breakdancers and live DJs. Choreographed by Andres Gonzalez. La Llorona, a Latin version of Medea, Tangoed and Mambo will also be performed. Mar. 17, 18, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $15. Abrons Art Center, 466 Grand St. For tickets, call 212-352-3101 or visit www.henrystreet.org/arts.
TOURS
Fraunces Tavern MuseumSelf-Guided Tours Visit the museum between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays for a self-guided tour of the exhibitions. $4 adults, $3 for kids 18 and under. Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl Street, 212-425-1778, www.FrauncesTavernMuseum.com.
Gangs of New York and the Bloody Five PointsA vibrant immigrant community and the memory of what was once the most notorious neighborhood in 19th c. America. Mar. 18 at 1 p.m. (2 hrs.). $15/$12. Meet at the northwest corner of Bayard St. and Bowery. Joyce Gold History Tours of New York, 141 W 17th St., 212-242-5762, www.joycegoldhistorytours.com.
Skyscrapers – Yesterday, Today and TomorrowA Special program co-presented by the Skyscraper Museum that will explore the history of architecture in Lower Manhattan. Mar. 18, 1-3 p.m. $12 adults/$8 children ($4 off for members). Reservations required. Call 212-748-8757. South Street Seaport Museum, 213 Water Street. 212.748.8568, www.southstseaport.org.
Wall Street Walking TourFree 90-minute guided walking tour weaving together the history, events, architecture and people of Downtown. Thursdays and Saturdays at noon. Meet at the steps of the National Museum of the American Indian. One Bowling Green. Alliance for Downtown NY, 212-606-4064. www.downtownny.com
Listings Requestsfor the Downtown Express may be mailed to Nicole Davis at 145 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-1548 or e-mailed to nicole@downtownexpress.com. Please include listings in the subject line of the e-mail and provide the date, time, location, price and a description of the event. Information must be received two weeks before the event is to be published. Questions, call 646-452-2507.
