CLASSES
Adult Art ClassesCollage, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Pottery, Sculpture. Dozens of evening weekend and daytime classes. Ongoing, Educational Alliance Art School East Broadway 212-780-2300, ext. 378, 197 edalliance.org/artschool.
Figure DrawingA traditional figure drawing class for beginners and advanced students interested in sketching people.$220 includes materials fee, Feb 4 – Mar. 29 (8 Wednesdays) Meeting Room at The Verdesian 211 North End Avenue (bet. Warren and Murray Streets) 212.267.9700, ext. 348 or 366 bpcparks.org
Dance and PilatesBallet, jazz, tango, hip-hop, and modern dance classes offered for all levels. $16/class, discounts for multiples. Ongoing, Dance New Amsterdam, 280 Broadway (entrance at 53 Chambers St.) 2nd Floor. 212-279-4200, dnadance.org.
Figure Drawing a traditional figure drawing class for beginners and advanced students interested in sketching people. $220 (includes $40 materials fee) 8 Wednesdays, Feb. 4 – Mar. 25, 212-267-9700, ext. 348 or 366 www.bpcparks.org
Downtown BoathouseOffers a number of kayaking classes and trips for a variety of levels. Go to the Park office and get an identification card (cost $9), which is needed for any class in the park. Ongoing. 241 W. Broadway, 646-613-0740, downtownboathouse.org.
Adult Fitness ProgramYoga at 9:15 a.m. on Mondays, Zumba at 7 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and Total Body Workout on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Free trial classes, Downtown Community Center, 120 Warren St., manhattanyouth.org.
Table Tennis Training ProgramTable tennis training and play to players of all skill levels, and provide a venue for players of all ages to come together, enjoy the sport, and build new friendships. Mon.-Fri,10 a.m.-1 p.m. $100 a year for people ages 6-15 and 50 and older, $200 for others. American Asian Cultural Center of Tribeca, 384 Broadway, lower level. 646-772-2922.
New Beginnings Chair YogaTrinity Church’s seniors group meets for one hour of gentle yoga while seated 10-11 a.m. Ongoing, TRINITY CHURCH, Broadway at Wall St. 212-602-0747, trinitywallstreet.org.
Online Dating This workshop for single, professional woman will offer professional advice from a dating coach, a makeover from a cosmetics expert, and a personalized portrait from a photographer, all of which can be used to make an online dating profile. Jan. 30. 16 W. 23rd St., 4th Fl. 212-813-3211, LifeCoachTracey.com.
Valentine Making WorkshopArtist and sculptor, Jenny Bevill, will lead all ages in creating unique valentine cards, collages, and heart-shaped sachets for their loved ones. Free event.Materials will be provided. Feb. 7 10:30 A.M – 12:00 P.M. Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, 2 South End Ave. (access at West Thames St.) 212.267.9700, Ext. 348 INFO@BPCPARKS.ORG
WEIGHTWATCHERSWeekly meetings to help motivate you and keep you focused. Stop dieting and start living! Come and meet our friendly group and new leader. From $9 per week. Tuesday afternoons at 3.30pm. Doors open from 3.00pm for weigh in. Caring Community Room, Level 2, 310 Greenwich St. Entry at side of building next to Washington Market Park.646-673-5096.
DANCE
Approaching Climaxchoreographed by Jody Oberfelder, teases the extraordinary out of ordinary encounters. By exploring the emotional intricacies of mundane, physical engagements, Oberfelder questions the nature of narrative and the mysteries of social arousal.Movedchoreographed to music by Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, mines the emotion of love, with all its flip-sided facets.Feb. 12-15, Thurs. at 7:30, Fri.-Sat., 8 P.M. Sun. 3 P.M. Joyce SoHo, 155 Mercer St. 212-352-3101 joyce.org
The Blue Birdby Witness Relocation, whom Performing Arts Journal dubbed a “dance-theater anarchist’s utopia,” will present the American premiere of “The Blue Bird” by Mikuni Yanaihara. Witness Relocation’s work normally blurs and ignores the lines between dance and theater, and includes aspects of installation art, live video, task-based performance and improvisation of all sorts. $18, $12, students Jan 7-24 Wed. – Sat., 7:30 P.M.; Sun. 3 P.M. Clemente Soto Velez, 107 Suffolk St. 212-868-4444 witnessrelocation.org
Eight Strokes and the Moving World by H.T. Chen & Dancers – The focus of this series will center on the theme of demystification, revealing not only elements of choreography but also clarifying valuable lessons in Chinese history and culture. Jan. 12-16, Jan. 20-23, Jan. 27-30, Feb. 2-4, Feb 6, Feb. 9-13, Apr. 21-24 Chen Dance Center, 70 Mulberry St., 2nd. Fl. 212-349-0126 chendancecenter.org
The Lost Soul of Spain: Music and Dance of the Sephardic Jewsfeaturing Hebrewand Ladino songs from Morocco, Andalusia, Bosnia, and Israel, this is a one-night-only chance to see the same concert that will be performed for the King of Morocco at the upcoming 2009 International Sacred Music of Fez. The artists will be available at a meet-and-greet reception after the show. $25 adults, $20 students/seniors, $15 members Feb. 18, 7 P.M. Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 36 Battery Place (646) 437-4200 mjhnyc.org
Soul SamuraiMa-Yi Theater Company in association with Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company, presents the world premiere production of “SOUL SAMURAI,” written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Robert Ross Parker, with fight choreography by Mr. Nguyen $25 / students and seniors $20 Feb. 14 – Mar. 15, performance times vary, Here Arts Center, 145 Sixth Ave., entrance on Dominick St. 212-352-3101 here.org
The 24th Annual New York Sword Dance FestivalThe festival features 14 teams, as the performing groups are known, who will travel to New York from around the country for an exciting weekend of performances in public spaces around the city. Free. Admission charges to enter the museums. Feb. 14-15. Opening performance will take place at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in Manhattan on Feb 14 at 9:30 a.m.Call or visit web site for complete schedule 212-569-4374 halfmoonsword.org
EVENTS
Fairway Bus Trips every ThursdayShopping trip to Fairway (Red Hook, Brooklyn) welcome to all senior citizens. Two van pick-up spots, 8:45 a.m. on River Terrace across from Pan Latin and at 9 a.m. on South End Ave. in front of the Chase bank. The van leaves Fairway at 11 a.m. for the return trip to BPC. Sponsored by BPCNA and the Downtown Alliance, bpcna.org.
Free Hearing Screenings at the League for the Hard of HearingEvery Wed. from 12-2pm 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.
City Winery Pairing SeriesPairings is a unique “blend” at City Winery: an intimate concert series — served with fine wine — that will take place on City Winery’s main stage every Thursday evening, starting in January 2009. Each concert will be preceded by an optional tasting or private dinner, followed by personal performances from some of today’s most respected musicians. Pricing varies. 8 P.M. seating, 9 P.M. show155 Varick St. 212 608-0555 citywinery.com
Joan Rivers Stand Up ActWith the closing of The Cutting Room, legendary comedian brings her her live stand-up act to The Lower East Side. Tickets are $30 with a portion of the proceeds going to Joan Rivers’ favorite charities: God’s Love We Deliver and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Live performances every Tuesday at 7:30pm from February 3 – 24 The Slipper Room, 167 Orchard St. For reservations call 212-352-3101 or visit SpinCycleNYC.com
EXHIBITS
Beauty Surrounds UsFeaturing an elaborate Quechua girl’s dance outfit, a Northwest Coast chief’s staff with carved animal figures and crests, Seminole turtle shell dance leggings, a conch shell trumpet from pre-Columbian Mexico, and an Inupiak (Eskimo) ivory cribbage board. Two interactive media stations show visitors in-depth descriptions of each object. Ongoing. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN, One Bowling Green, 212-514-3700, nmai.si.edu.
Battery Park City Park Conservancy’s Annual Art Exhibitionfeatures a diverse collection of work created by the public in BPCPC programs Opening Reception Jan. 11, 1-3 P.M. Through Jan. 30, weekdays from 2-4 P.M. Battery Park City Parks Conservancy 2 South End Ave (access: West Thames St.) 212-267-9700 bpcparks.org
Candid Portraits of Celebrities from the 1960s and 1970sa photography exhibition of 36 portraits of American heroes, Hollywood notables and photography icons by photographer Dick Swift. Free Opening Reception Feb. 3, 6-8 P.M. Through Feb. 28, Wed. – Sun., 1-6 P.M. and by appointment Soho Photo Gallery 15 White St. 212 226-8571sohophoto.com
Culturemart 2009The annual festival will feature 17 works that blur the lines between dance, theatre, music, new media, puppetry and visual art. Tickets range from $15.00-20.00. Festival passes are available for $35.00 Jan 7-Feb.4, check listings for schedule HERE Arts Center,145 Sixth Ave 212-352-3101 here.org
.Experiments with MatterIn her first NYC gallery solo show Mindell Seidlin’s new work displays the artist’s freedom of choice in disregarding the original meaning or purpose of “useful” items, transforming matter that is no longer suitable for its intended use into art: includes experiments with collage, autobiographical elements and mixed media. Jan. 15-Feb. 22 Mon. Wed. Thurs. 1-5 P.M., Opening reception: Jan. 15, 6 – 8 PM Tues. 1-7 P.M and by appointment Synagogue for the Arts Gallery Space, 49 White St. 212-966-7141 synagogueforthearts.org
If These Walls Could TalkAs Manhattan’s oldest surviving building, 54 Pearl Street has witnessed nearly 300 years of the city’s history. Ongoing. $4, $3 seniors and children under 18, and free to children under six. Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl St. 212-425-1776, frauncestavernmuseum.com.
Imbeddeda collaborative show put on by GalleryBar and the Salon Ciel, an arts exhibition series designed to promote undiscovered visual artists. Free Through Feb. 9, 7 P.M. –11 P.M. Gallery Bar 120 Orchard St. 212-529-2266 gallerybarnyc.com
Global Warming:Greenhouse Britain, and other works from 1974 to 2009 a new multimedia installation by Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison that relates to global warming, a topic they have addressed throughout their career.
Monarchs of the SeaIn celebration of the ocean liner era, this permanent exhibition features plans, models and memorabilia evoking the majesty and magic of a time when ocean liners were considered the last word in luxury travel. $10 general admission, $8 seniors/students, $5 children 5–12, under fives are free. South Street Seaport Museum 12 Fulton St (bet Front & South Sts). 212-748-8786, southstseaport.org.
The Shooting of the Jews in Ukraine: Holocaust by BulletsInterviews, photographs and artifacts unveil evidence of the murder of 1.5 million Ukrainian Jews when Nazis invaded the Soviet Union through Mar. 22
Woman of Letters: Irène Némirovsky and Suite FrançaiseExhibit examines the life, work, and legacy of this enthralling, often controversial, literary figure. Tours begin at 5 p.m. and continue every 30 minutes until 6:30 p.m. through March. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students, children under 12 free. Hiding in Plain Sight: Pre- and Post-War French Cinema Film Seriesexamines how the Nazi occupation of France influenced French cinema long after the war had ended, and how filmmakers took on the task of exploring complex and often controversial topics about this period of French history; in tandem with Irène Némirovsky exhibit. Check with museum for viewing times Museum of Jewish Heritage 39 Battery Place 646-437-4202, mjhnyc.org
Vertical Cities: Hong Kong |New York Examines the evolving identities of these world’s two great skyscraper cities. Both island cities with perfect harbors, evolved from colonial ports into dominant centers of international finance and commerce. As they grew, each embraced the skyscraper as the principal instrument of modern urbanism. Through Feb. $5 general, $2.50 seniors/students. Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl (bet Little West St & 1st Pl). 212-968-1961, skyscraper.org
Re:ConstructionBridges the efforts of public partners and the creative community to improve the quality of life in Lower Manhattan through the creation of places of attraction. The three-pilot projects are “Best Pedestrian Route” (John St, east of Bway), “Fulton Fence” (Fulton St east of Bway), and “Concrete Jungle” (Bway, bet. John & Ann Sts). reconstructionnyc.org.
MUSIC
Brady Rymer and the Little Band That CouldPresenting music with the whole family in mind, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could, will showcase “Rymer favorites” from all of Brady’s albums, including tunes from the GRAMMY-nominated ‘Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could.’ $25 Jan. 25, 11A.M. 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson St. 212-415-5500 92y.org
Rehearsals: Tuesday Male Chorus needs singers (Popular Standards and the American Song Book) for its annual Immigrant Heritage Week Concert on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM and Spring Concert Rehearsals every Tuesday, between 6:30 & 8:30 PM at St. Margaret’s House, 49 Fulton St., near the South Street Seaport, beginning Jan. 13
THEATER
East 10th Street: Self Portrait with Empty Housea play by and about Downtown performance icon Edgar Oliver.that takes a stark and enigmatic look at a life on the fringes of New York’s Lower East Side $20 $15 Students/Seniors Feb. 12-28 Axis Theater 1 Sheridan Square 212-352-3101 AxisCompany.org
Five Throwsa new work based on Sophocles’ Antigone written and directed by Rachel Dickstein $25/ $20 students/seniors Feb.22-Mar.28, Wed. – Sat. 8 P.M.3LD 80 Greenwich St. at Rector St 212-352-2101 3LDnyc.org
This is BurlesqueA racy new weekly revue featuring Murray Hill, neo-burlesque star Angie Pontani, The World Famous Pontani Sisters, and others. Thurs-Sat at 8pm. $25. CORIO, 337 West Broadway (at by Andrea James will be directed by Harold Dean James and Karen Oughtred. The play is a Grand St). smarttix.com, thisisburlesque.com.
Love/Stories (Or But You Will Get Used to It)World Premiere of Itamar Moses’ LOVE/STORIES (OR BUT YOU WILL GET USED TO IT), Moses is the author of The Four of Us, Bach at Leipzig, Back Back Back and Celebrity Row, Nothing is what it seems in these five funny and poignant short plays. A couple moving in together finds that greater intimacy can have surprising results. And much more. Jan. 29-Mar. 9 $20 Performance times vary.
The World Premiere of Kaspar Hauser: a foundling’s opera a music-theater piece by Tony-nominee and Obie-winner Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney of 13P. $25 Feb. 13 – Mar. 28, Wed. – Sat. at 7pm, Sat. matinee at 3pm.The Flea Theater, 41 White St. (212) 352-3101 theflea.org
Sixty Miles to Silver LakeIn this world premiere production, playwright Dan LeFranc and Obie Award-winning director Anne Kauffman team up to see just how much time and space can exist between the pleather seats of a father’s used car.$25; $35 Reserved Seating Jan. 22 – Feb. 8 at Soho Rep 46 Walker St. (212) 941-8632 sohorep.org
Wicketsa radical adaptation of Maria Irene Fornes’ Fefu and Her Friends Tickets $30 /Students $15 Through Jan.25 8 P.M. 3LD Art & Technology Center 80 Greenwich St. 212-352-3101 3ld.org
READINGS AND TALKS
Access Restricted: Capital of the Worlda free nomadic tour and lecture series that encourages the public to experience rarely visited Downtown locales through the lenses of architecture and planning, art, history, sociology, political science, and law. Free Five lectures and tours through April 28 Schedule and meeting places vary. 212-219-9401 lncc.net
Regarding the Pain of Othersa panel discussion inspired by Susan Sontag’s work will examine the impact of horrific images on our contemporary world, and how and when they should be used. An Evening with The New York Times The Ethicist Columnist, Randy CohenJoin Cohen for a conversation about his unique job, the authenticity of some of the more outrageous letters submitted to The Ethicist, and the process of responding to ethical dilemmas. Feb. 11 7 P.M.$10, $7 students/seniors, $5 members Feb. 4, 7 P.M., Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust 36 Battery Pl. 646-437-4202 mjhnyc.org.
Luncheon Talkshop Baby Boomers Career Transitiona two-part workshop to teach you how to network, create a 21st-century resume, and navigate today’s competitive, high-tech job search terrain. Part 2 – focused on what kinds of jobs are actually out there. $15 Part 1 is on Jan 20, 1-2:30 P.M., Part 2 is offered on January 27. Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay TodayBook Discussion. David A. Andelman, author of A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today argues that the Versaille Peace Talks at the end of World War I set the stage not only for World War II (old news), but also for much later crises in Vietnam, Kosovo and Iraq $16 Jan.29,12 P.M.-1 P.M.The 92 Y Tribeca 200 Hudson St. 212-601-1000 92YTribeca.org/daytime
The City’s End:Two Centuries of Fears and Premonitions of New York’s Destruction, The Pen Parentis After-Work Reading Seriesholds its second monthly reading featuring authors DARIN STRAUSS and MICHAEL DAHLIE Free Admission Full Bar Available Upstairs Library at the Libertine in Gildhall Hotel at 15 Gold St. Feb. 10, 6-8 P.M. penparentis.org
TOURS
Public Art Walking ToursLMCC offers a series of three self-guided audio tours exploring public art downtown. Titled “Art and Security,” “Art and the Body,” and “Monuments and Memory,” the 45-minute tours are narrated by Perry Garvin and William Smith. Download the free tours to your iPod or other MP3 player and start walking. lmcc.net.
Tribute WTC 9/11Walking tours of Ground Zero. Daily. VISITORS CENTER, 120 Liberty St. For hours and info, visit tributewtc.org.
Wall Street Walking TourFree 90-minute guided walking tour weaving together the history, events, architecture and people of downtown. Thurs. and Sat. at noon. Meet at the steps of the National Museum of the American Indian. One Bowling Green, Alliance for Downtown NY, 212-606-4064, downtownny.com
Museum at Eldridge StreetGuided tours led by historian-trained docents tell the story of the 1887 landmark synagogue, and illuminate the experience of the East European Jewish immigrants who settled on the LES in the late 19th century. Sun.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children Museum Of Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St. 212-219-0888, eldridgestreet.org.
Listings Requestsfor the Downtown Express may be mailed to Listings Editor at 145 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-1548 or e-mailed to listingseditor@gmail.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 646-452-2472.
