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.
Art Portfolio Development Class For TeensDesigned for middle and high school students wanting to attend specialized art high schools and colleges. Students will work with artist and educator Miki Iwamura to develop a strong body of work to present with their application.
The class is being offered in two sessions. The first runs Mondays through Thursdays for 4 weeks, Jul. 9 – Aug. 2. Program fee is $450. The second runs for 8 Saturdays, Sept. 8 – Nov. 3. Program fee is $270. Financial aid is available. Both fees include materials. All sessions from 10 am – 1 pm at the Battery Park City Parks Meeting Room at the Verdesian, 211 North End Ave. For more information and to register, call 212-267-9700.
The Battery Park City Parks Conservancyis sponsoring a number of classes for adults through October 31. Participants work in color and/or black and white, rendering subjects of their own choice in a variety of media. “Elements of Nature Drawing” takes place in the gardens of Wagner Park. (Instructed by Enid Braun.) “Figure Al Fresco” and “Drawing in the Park” take place at the South Cove (access: West Thames St.) and “Volleyball After Work” and “Tai Chi” at Esplanade Plaza (access: Liberty St.) All classes are free. For more information, call 212 267 9700 or visit www.bpcparks.org.
DANCE
Hot!This New York celebration of queer culture has been happening every July since 1991. It includes full length and shorter works in performance, music, theater, dance, literature, poetry, spoken word, puppetry, burlesque, drag and circus. The works presented are at all various stages of development, from works-in-progress to polished pieces. Jul. 2 – Aug. 25. For more information, visit https://hot.dixonplace.org.Egressexplores the ever-fluid relationship between music and movement as it reveals the ‘hell’ of three black souls trapped in an otherwordly cosmos. Presented by award-winning interdisciplinary artist Baraka de Soleil and D Underbelly, an underground network of artists of color. Created in collaboration with Composer/Multimedia Artist Daniel Givens. June 29-30 at 8 pm.Don’t Stop BelievingInterspersing original songs with spoken memoir about growing up queer among republicans in Texas, Gretchen Phillips presents an intimate evening of pain, faith and redemption. Jul 3 at 8 & 10 pm. Dixon Place, 258 Bowery, 212-219-0736, www.dixonplace.org.
White HotA searing domestic potboiler about the tragedy of marriage and hopelessness of love. Tempted by flaming desire, a young family systematically obliterates all faith in each other and themselves, causing terrible acts of injustice, madness and death. Through Jul. 2.Goodbye April, Hello MayA hundred years from today, in an apartment in Coney Island, an intrepid band of New Yorkers battle unconscionable hardship with inexplicable enthusiasm. Through Jul. 16. HERE Arts Center, Dorothy B. Williams Theater, 145 6th Ave. (Spring & Broome), 212-352-3101, www.here.org.
EVENTS
Critical Mass: ManhattanOn the last Friday of every month, join a celebration of bicycles and other nonpolluting modes of transportation and exercise your right to the road. May 25 at 7 pm. Free for cyclists and skaters. Time’s Up! Space, 49 E Houston St. (Mott & Mulberry). For more information, call 212-802-8222 or visit www.times-up.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 Fl. 917-305-7766, appointments@llh.org, www.lhh.org.
Horticultural VolunteersCultivate your love of gardening at the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, which operates and organically maintains the beautiful gardens of the area. Work alongside horticulturists every Wednesday morning, 7:30 am – noon, through October 31. Volunteers must be at least 18. For information and an application, call 212-267-9700 ext. 364. www.bpcparks.org
Independent Features Film FestivalThe festival will officially select films by a global audience via a web-based competition. The competition will take place June 1-30, 2007. Users will be able to rate each film they watch using a five star system, one star being the lowest, five stars being the highest. The top twenty-one films will go on to be screened at the festival from July 27-29. Individual tickets will be on sale on July 4. Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick St (at Laight St.). For information, call 212-941-2001 or visit www.tribecacinemas.com.
Let’s Play Ball!Slide into the Seaport and discover baseball as it was played in the 1850s. Take home your very own handmade ball. June 30, 1 – 4 pm.Super Story Sundays: Underwater Alphabet (part 1)In this two-week series, step inside the Living Harbor Wet Lab aboard the tall ship Peking to learn about where the salty ocean water meets fresh river water. Discover an array of critters that call this unique ecosystem home. Animal feeding will be at 3 PM. July 1, 1 – 4 pm. Living Harbor Wet Lab, Tall ship Peking at Pier 16.
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. Organized through the Battery Park City Neighbors Association. 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.
Record + CD Sale10,000 CDs, LPs, cassettes, books and videos. Organized by the non-profit organization ARChive of Contemporary Music. Through Jul. 1, 11 am – 6 pm. 54 White St. (between Church and Broadway), 212-226-6967, www.arcmusic.org.
Sunset Singing CircleJoin singers/guitarists Terre Roche and Marian Wilson as the sun sets over the Hudson River for an evening of folk songs, rounds, and chants. Everyone is welcome. Sponsored by Battery Park City Parks Conservancy. June 29, 7-8:30 p.m. Free. The Pavilions in Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park (access: Battery Place), 212 267 9700, www.bpcparks.org.
EXHIBITS
Alexander Calder in New Yorkis the artist’s first-ever multi-work sculpture exhibition in New York City’s public spaces and a Public Art Fund Project. An engineer by training, Calder’s works speak of his ability to work with industrial materials and also “demonstrate his joyful imagination, his sense of harmony and balance, and his lifelong interest in color, abstraction, scale and anthropomorphism.” Through Fall 2007. City Hall Park, Lower Manhattan, bordered by Broadway, Chambers St., Centre St. and Park Row.
Client Art ExhibitProject Ore, which offers assistance to homeless or isolated older adults, presents an exhibit of work by clients participating in the homeless outreach program’s art class. Through July 19. Ernest Rubenstein Gallery (at the Educational Alliance), 197 E Broadway. 212.780.2300. www.edalliance.org.
Melanie Crean, “The Luminists”The one work in this exhibition is based on conversations that Crean had with three artists who have lost their sight but continue to make artwork: Alice Wingwall, a photographer; Carol Saylor, a painter turned sculptor; and Tara Inmon, a painter turned writer. Through June 30. Art in General, 79 Walker St. 212-219-0473. For a full exhibition schedule, visit www.artingeneral.org.
From the Heart: The Photojournalism of Ruth GruberThis exhibition at the Museum of Jewish Heritage celebrates the life’s work of the 95-year-old journalist and activist. Through Oct.The Other Promised Land: Vacationing, Identity, and the Jewish-American DreamThis exhibition explores the history of Jewish vacationing in America from 1890 to the present, focusing on such legendary destinations as Atlantic City, the Catskills, Florida, Israel, and New York. Through Jan. 1, 2008.Daring to Resist: Jewish Defiance in the HolocaustThis large-scale exhibition, presented in association with Ghetto Fighters’ House, Israel, brings to light the stories of men, women, and children who defied the Nazis. Through July 2008. $10 adults/$7 seniors/$5 students. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 36 Battery Place, 646-437-4202, www.mjhnyc.org.
Gego, “Between Transparency and the Invisible”This exhibition traces the Venezuelan artist’s interest in “mak[ing] visible the invisible” from a rarely seen series of monotypes of the early 1950s to her delicate drawings without paper and “tejeduras” (woven paper pieces) of the late 1970s-1980s. Curated by Mari Carmen Ramirez, Wortham Curator of Latin American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.William Anastasi, “Raw”For this exhibition, the artist will recreate seminal site-specific works dating from the mid-1960s. Anastasi’s interest and pioneering efforts in site-specific projects, as well as in the medium of drawing is evident in this selection of early works. Both through Jul. 21. The Drawing Center, 35 Wooster St. 212-219-2166, www.drawingcenter.org.
International Artists-In-Residence ExhibitionThe second International Residency Program group show of the 2006-2007 season represents a diverse range of artistic approaches and many works in progress. Featured artists: Jeanette Doyle (Ireland), Cliff Evans (USA), Krist Gruijthuijsen (The Netherlands), JueiHsien Hsu (Taiwan), SoYoun Jeong (Korea), Miguel Palma (Portugal), Bundith Phunsombatlert (Thailand), Jani Ruscica (Finland) and Eric Van Hove (Belgium). Through Jul. 28. Location One, 26 Greene St. (btw. Grand & Canal), 212.334.3347, https://location1.org.
IntersectionsThis summer show focuses on points of intersection within the work of four alumni from the Artist-In-Residence Workspace Program, and four artists with whom they personally choose to collaborate. Curated by Martin Dust, Visual Arts Coordinator. Through July 8. Abrons Art Center at Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand St. (on the lower east side, at Pitt St.), 212-598-0400, henrystreet.org/arts.
Jim Isermann, “Vinyl Smash Up, 1999-2007”is an exhibition of decal works. Six different vinyl pieces, made between 1999-2007 and executed in Los Angeles, Grenoble, Paris, and Frankfurt, will cover the interior walls of the gallery space from floor to ceiling. Through Aug. 4. Deitch Projects, 18 Wooster St. 212.343.7300. https://deitchprojects.com.
Mixed SkinThree multi-ethnic artists examine identity questions. In his Hapa Project, Kip Fulbeck, of Cantonese, English, Irish, and Welsh background, photographs half Asian-Pacific American people. Dorothy Imagire, of Japanese and Iranian descent, blends fabrics from different cultures to explore a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Toni Thomas, of African and Native American roots, draws on the history of the Chinatown in the predominantly African-American community in Newark, New Jersey. Through Jul. 13. Asian American Arts Centre, 26 Bowery (two blocks below Canal St.) For more information, call (212) 233-2154 or visit artspiral.org.
The Most Curatorial Biennial of the UniverseCurators, artists, writers, and anyone so inclined are invited to submit work to an exhibition in which “all submissions are accepted” and “nothing (legal) will be censored.” Up to 1000 works will be accepted. All works must be received before July 5. Exhibition opens Jul. 7 – Aug. 11. apexart, 291 Church St., 212-431-5270, www.apexart.org.
Off the Map: Landscape in the Native ImaginationNative Americans explore the idea of landscape and its multiple meanings in this new group show featuring work 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.
Pelavin EditionsFirst annual print sale exhibition of discounted monotypes and editions. Through July 20, 13 Jay St. (between Greenwich and Hudson). 212-925-9424. To view a selection of the artworks online, visit www.cherylpelavin.com.
Summer ExhibitionIn celebration of its 25th anniversary, the New York Academy of Art presents more than 100 works of art by alumni, faculty and students. Through Jul. 18. 111 Franklin St. (between Church St. & W Broadway). For more information, e-mail summerexhibition@nyaa.edu.
Robert A. Virga, “Images: Without Time”In this selection of black and white photographs, the artist aims to capture images that exist outside the constraints of time and place. Also on view: Ellen Schaefer’s “Easter Island – Its Moais and Its Volcanoes,” Richard Shevlin’s “On the Road: From Mumbai to Madurai” and more. Through June 30. Soho Photo, 15 White St. 212-226-8571, www.sohophoto.com.
Charlene WeislerBloomingdale’s SoHo continues its support of local artists with its new exhibition featuring the work of the NYC photographer. Weisler’s images chronicle the ever-changing urban landscape of the city’s street art. Through June 30 during regular store hours. Free. Bloomingdale’s SoHo, 504 Broadway (between Spring & Broome), 4th Fl. 212-729-5900, www.charleneweisler.com.
MUSIC
Conservatory Stars Organ FestivalTrinity Church Wall Street will present its second series of summer concerts featuring performances on its state-of-the-art virtual pipe organ. This week will feature Cameron Carpenter, graduate of Juilliard School, performing works by Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Vladimir Horowitz, Dupré, Grainger, Karg-Elert, Richard Rodgers, Bill Conti, Burt Bacharach, and the world premiere of an original work by Carpenter, plus improvisations on themes by Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Cyndi Lauper. All performances will be held at Trinity Church, Broadway at Wall Street, Saturdays 1 – 3 pm. Admission to the concerts is free to the public. For more information on Trinity Church-St. Paul’s Chapel, go to www.trinitywallstreet.org
Luther VandrossStroke of Hope Foundation has organized their first New York benefit concert in memory of the legendary R&B artist on the second anniversary of the star’s death after suffering a stroke. This concert will star smooth jazz great saxophonist Kirk Whalum with Jeff Golub and Philippe Saisse among others. Jul. 1 at 6 pm. Tickets: $50 & $100. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers St. For tickets or more information, call 212-220-1460 or visit www.TribecaPAC.org.
Jazz at the SeaportJazz and poetry with Noah Howard (alto sax), Eve Packer (spoken word), Warren Smith (percussion), Brian Smith (bass), and special guest Stephanie Stone (piano) on June 29 at 8 pm.Enigma Manhattanis formed by Tristan Eggener, Bass; Ben Bynum, Drums; and Scott Litroff, Sax. With training in both the jazz and classical traditions, the trio indulges in musical exploration, delving into multiple genres and creating new melodic, harmonic, and timbral nuances. Jul. 5 at 8 pm. Admission: $10. The Seaport District Cultural Association, Gallery & Performance Space, SW corner of Beekman and Front Sts. (entrance on Front St.), 212-393-9191, https://seaportdistrict.org.
Live JazzGary Wang on bass and Lee Metcalf on guitar. Thursdays, 7:30-10:30 p.m. VinoVino, 211 West Broadway (between Franklin and White), 212-925-8510.
The New PornographersCelebrate Independence Day with indie rock “super group” The New Pornographers. Harmony-rich, soft rock quintet Midlake opens. July 4, 3:30 pm. Battery Park. Tickets required, space limited. For information, call 212-835-2789.
The ShakeThe band will be playing tracks from their just-released debut pop album, Kick It. July 1, 8 pm. The Knitting Factory. 74 Leonard St. For information about the band, visit www.wearetheshake.com.
ShearwaterWill Sheff and Jonathan Meiburg joined forces to create truth-seeking and contemporary indie-rock. July 5 at 7 pm. Castle Clinton National Monument, Battery Park. For information about this and other events, visit www.rivertorivernyc.com.
TALKS & READINGS
Tuesdays at 9This forum, led by Naked Angels Theater Company Creative Directors Joe Danisi and Stephanie Cannon, attracts over a hundred people each week who gather to listen and participate in cold readings of scenes, short new plays and fiction, often fresh from the printer. Writers have their new text read aloud by professional actors in a public forum. One example of how this program serves artists is Kenneth Lonergan’s Academy Award-nominated film “You Can Count On Me.” Several works of fiction and non-fiction have also emerged from this series. Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick St. (at Laight St.). For information on how to participate, visit www.nakedangels.com.
THEATER
Fall ForwardRising Pheonix Repertory performs a newly commissioned play by Daniel Reitz, directed by Daniel Talbott. The audience follows the action in three intimate vignettes as they move around the evocative courtyards of Manhattan’s oldest Methodist church. This performance is part of the River to River Festival. June 29 at noon and June 30 at 6 pm. John Street United Methodist Church and its adjacent open-air courtyards at 44 John St. (between Nassau and Dutch Sts.) For more information, visit www.rivertorivernyc.com.
Karaoke ManThe international phenomenon of karaoke provides a platform for this compelling and energetic story about the life of a typical “salary-man”: a Japanese corporate executive who is paid a fixed salary no matter how committed he is to his career. The protagonist can only fully express himself when performing karaoke, which reveals a number of different roles in his life, such as father, husband, son, company man, and lover to a secret mistress. His way of surviving is to use karaoke no matter which role he takes at the moment. At work, people simply call him “Karaoke Man.” Morio Kazama is one of Japan’s most prized and popular actors. Performed in Japanese with English subtitles. Through June 29, 8 pm. Tickets are $40 general admission, $25 for students. Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St. #110SC. For tickets, call 212.220.1460 or visit www.tribecapac.org.
TOURS
East Village Walking ToursEvery Tues. thru Sun. at 11:00 a.m. (weather permitting). $12 per person, $8 for LES residents and guests. Meeting at the Astor Place “cube,” located on a traffic island in the middle of E 8th St. (between Lafayette and 4th Ave.) For more information, visit https://eastvillagetours.com.
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 St. To make reservations and for more information, call 212.748.8568 or visit https://seaportdistrict.org.
Walking Tour: Dutch New AmsterdamDiscover what life was like for Manhattan’s early settlers as you take a walk back in time to Dutch New Amsterdam. The tour will conclude with a brief visit to New York Unearthed. $12 adults / $8 children / $4 discount for members. Reservations required. For more information, visit www.southstreetseaportmuseum.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.
