Happenings for Week of July 23rd, 2007

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Book Discussion: (L, M)
Practicing: A Musicians Return to Music with Glenn Kurtz
The remarkable odyssey of a classical guitar prodigy who abandons his beloved instrument in defeat at the age of twenty-five, but comes back to it years later with a new kind of passion. With insight and humor, Glenn Kurtz takes us from his first lessons at a small Long Island guitar school at the age of eight, to a national television appearance backing jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, to his acceptance at the elite New England Conservatory of Music. He makes bittersweet and vivid a young man’s struggle to forge an artist’s life and to become the next Segovia. And we see him after graduation, pursuing a solo career in Vienna but realizing that he has neither the ego nor the talent required to succeed at the upper reaches of the world of classical guitar and giving up the instrument, and his dream, entirely.
@ Barnes and Nobles
1972 Broadway (@ 66th Street)
7p
Free
For more information: bn

The Split (A)
A screwball comedy about life, love and divorce - Hollywood style.
@ Peter Jay Sharp Theatre
2537 Broadway (@ 95th Street)
7p
Free
For more information: symphonyspace

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

Business Networking Event (E, S)
Network with business professionals, promote yourself, explore business opportunities and form strategic partnerships with other outstanding and successful entrepreneurs and business owners. Get a pocket full of business cards and a stack of new connections. Small business owners and entrepreneurs are successful because they're experts on their own business. Whether you're in sales, tech, finance, retail, marketing or any other industry, find a way to transform your expertise into an informative, concise and entertaining speech. This will boost your ability to present yourself professionally at any networking event.
@ Village Pourhouse
64 Third Avenue (@ 11th Street)
6:30p
$10, Pre-Payment Required
For more information and to sign up:reallive



Fitness Guru: Kick It. (S)
Boot camp on the boardwalk, with Michael Feigin and Lawson Harris, the Fitness Gurus.
Rain or shine Bring a really good pair of sneakers and a mat for floor work.
@ Brooklyn Bridge Park
Boardwalk, Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Registration begins at 6:30p, classes start at 7p
Free
For more information: fitness

Trivia Night (Code: T-MM5RT61-02) (D/F, P, S)
Enjoy some sharp-witted trivia over frothy brews and jalapeño poppers at the Gael Pub’s raucous weekly trivia night. Makor team members get a free beer on arrival and special drink prices for the duration of the event.
@ Gael Pub
1465 3rd Avenue (between 82nd and 83rd Avenue)
8:30p
$10
For more information and to sign up: trivia

Wednesday, July 25th, 2007

Art Exhibit Roundtable Discussion: Watching New York Rise (A, C, E)
De Salignac's photographs will be addressed in a roundtable discussion with Michael Lorenzini, Diana Edkins, and Thomas Mellins.Eugene de Salignac, who served as the sole photographer for the New York City Department of Bridges/Plant and Structures from 1906 until 1934, amassed a remarkable visual record of the city’s explosive growth. His work not only provides a wealth of information about the city’s bridges, roadways, and other public works, but is also distinguished by its consummate artistry.
@ Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue (@ 103rd Street)
6:30p
$9
For more information and to make reservations: mcny



Second Annual NY's Best Emerging Jewish Artists (A, C, M)
Hosted by comedian Seth Herzog
Established performers will introduce emerging Jewish artists for a dynamic evening of cutting-edge comedy, music, and film. Emerging performers include: Brett Gelman, comedian; Gayle Kirschenbaum, film director; Yuri Lane, musician; Rachael Sage, musician; Noah Tarnow, quizmaster; Yermiyahu Ahron Taub, poet; and Simon Tedeschi, pianist.
@ Museum of Jewish Heritage
36 Battery Place (between 1st Place and Little West Street)
7p
$30
For more information and to buy tickets: museum



Movie Screening: Latcho Drom (E, F)
A spectacle of sight and sound, this intoxicating, documentary follows several Gypsy bands through Asia and Europe, capturing both the romance and tribulations of their vagabond lives.
@ Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Boulevard (@ Main Avenue), LIC
Pre-screening performances begin at 7p, film starts at sunset
Free
For more information: sculpturepark

DeCADEnce (A, C)
A retrospective of the 20th Century… Behold each turn of the screw that loosens or tightens with the passing of another ten years: 10 Things Hidden, 10 Things Ignored
Starring: Elizabeth Burke and friends...
@ St. Marks Place (UNDER)
94 St. Marks Place (Between 1st Avenue & Avenue A)
$18
8p
For more information an to buy tickets: risingsun

Thursday, July 26th, 2007



Break Dancing Class (D, E)
Come learn how to include toprock, a transition into downrock, a display of power moves, and finally a climactic freeze or suicide. Impress your friends with your new dance moves.
@ Highbridge Park
2301 Amsterdam Avenue (@ 173rd Street)
6p
Free
For more information: breakdance

Designing Cathay: The craft of puppet-making (A, E)
Stephen Kaplin, the recipient of the 2006 Henry Hewes Award for Notable Effects by the American Theatre Wing, will speak about his work designing and constructing the puppets for Ping Chong’s acclaimed 2005 show, Cathay: Three Tales of China. This show was a unique collaboration between artists in New York, Seattle, and Xian, China, and gave Kaplin the opportunity to work closely with and learn from traditional Chinese puppeteers as they developed the piece. He will also discuss the particular challenges of theater design with and for puppets, and bring with him prototypes of his Cathay puppets.
@ Museum of Arts and Design
40 West 53rd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
6 - 7:30p
Free with museum admission, $9
For more information: madmuseum

Live Performance starring: Cultura Profética (C, M)
Cultura Profética mixes up a smooth sound rooted in reggae with touches of salsa, bomba, ska, jazz, funk, hip hop and other Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Hailing from Puerto Rico , this group of six was the only invited band performing in Spanish at the prestigious Bob Marley Festival in California in 2003, 2004 and 2006, and they have worked in Jamaica with Errol Brown, Bob Marley’s legendary producer.
@ El Museo
1230 Fifth Avenue (@ 104th Street)
6:30 - 9:30p
Free
For more information: elmuseo

Rumble on the River (S)
Come have the time of your life as amateur boxers from all walks of life duke it out to see who is the best.
@ Pier 84 (@ West 44th Street and West Side Highway)
7p
Free
For more information: hudsonriverpark

Friday, July 27th, 2007

Solar Powered Dance Festival (A, C, D, E)
Featuring: Bret Mantyk/THE FUTURE, Christine Coleman
Kelly Hayes/RedShift Dance, Stefanie Nelson Dance Group
Andrea Gise and Paloma McGregor
@ Stuyvesant Cove (at East 23rd and the East River)
6:30p
Free
For more information: dance

One Act Musical: Hipster Cinderella (C)
When simple Cindy moved to Alphabet City. She had no idea what was in store. Her old BFF, Julia, was now Hipster to the core. Stingy Patty and Becca are Julia's new crew. One of them's a dope and the other's coo-coo. After a trip on the L and a CBGB Ball. Will Cindy stay simple. Or go Hipster for once and for all? To see this spectacle unveil. So don't miss the rest of this funked up tale.
@ Mo’s Pitkins House of Satisfaction
34 Avenue A (between 2nd and 3rd Streets)
$5 in advance, $8 at the door
7:30p
For more information and to buy tickets: mopitkins

Speed Dating Event (S)
Men Ages: 35 - 45, Women Ages: 32 - 44
(women are sold out, but you can join waiting list)
@ Mustang Harrys
352 7th Avenue (between 29th and 30th Streets)
7:30p
Cost: $41.75, (SAVE - Use the name Laura in the discount code and pay $27.14).
For more information and to sign up: dating

Saturday, July 28th, 2007



9th Annual Thunderbird American Indian Summer Pow-Wow (A, C, D, E, M)
New York City’s oldest and largest pow wow will feature three days of intertribal Native American dance competitions to which the public is invited. Over 40 Indian nations are represented at this spectacular event held in the apple orchard on the farm grounds. A large selection of quality Native American art, crafts, jewelry and foods are available.
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Parkway (between 73rd Road and 74th Avenue), Queens
10 - 10p
$9
For more information: queens



Wine Making in Brooklyn (class: section B) (D/F, E)
You don't have to live in the Mediterranean to make good wine. This course will introduce you to the art of wine making, using grapes easily procured or grown locally, and also provide a brief overview of wine culture in human history. We'll end with a tasting of homemade wine to complement what we've learned. Specific topics include pertinent definitions and concepts for the budding oeneophile, and varietal characteristics of popular wines. Wines from both the classic wine grape, Vitis vinifera, and hybrid grape species will be reviewed. Then delve into the process of both white and red wine production as we discuss equipment requirements, sugar and acidity (including pH of the must), yeast selection, fermentation methods, clarifying processes, storage/aging, and bottling the wine. We'll point out expected challenges and common wine faults so that you can produce a vintage worthy of a connoisseur.
@ Brooklyn Botantical Garden
1000 Washington Avenue (@ Montgomery Street)
2 - 5p
$44 (Fee includes $10 materials charge)
For more information and to sign up: wine

Wine Tasting: Wines from Spain (D/F, E)
@ Astor Wines and Spirits
399 Lafayette Street (@ East 4th Street)
3 - 5p
Free
For more information: Tasting

Hard Case Crime Reading (A, L)
Hard Case Crime is a much-talked-about line of sexy, hardboiled crime paperbacks in the pulp style of the 1940s and 50s. Edgar Award-winning series editor Charles Ardai will host an evening of readings by three Hard Case Crime authors: Jason Starr, who will read from Slide, his second collaboration with Irish noir master Ken Bruen; Peter Pavia, who will read from Dutch Uncle, a tale of small time crooks in Miami in the 1990s; and Richard Aleas, who will be reading from Songs of Innocence, his new sequel to 2004's Edgar- and Shamus-nominated Little Girl Lost.
@ Freebird Books and Goods
123 Columbia Street (between Kane and Degraw Streets), Brooklyn
5p
Free
For more information: freebird

Sunday, July 29th, 2007



Rafting on the Lehigh River (Code: T-MM5RT09-03) (S)
Join us for a 7-mile trip down the Lehigh River. Gentle Class I & II rapids are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Be prepared to get wet. Bring extra clothes and bring water guns to do battle along the river. Important: Please provide a phone number where you can be reached on the weekends in case of any changes or cancellations.
Meeting location @ 92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Avenue (at 92nd Street)
9a
$65
For more information and to sign up: 92y



Opening Exhibit: (A, C, E)
Takashi Horisaki, Social Dress New Orleans - 730 Days After
Displayed on the East River overlooking the New York skyline, Social Dress New Orleans - 730 Days After is a ghostly full-scale latex replica of a demolished Lower Ninth Ward shotgun-style home. The culmination of a three-month effort at 1941 Caffin Avenue, in the still-devastated Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood. Beautifully juxtaposing the bustling New York skyline with physical remnants of destruction in New Orleans, Horisaki has envisioned a way to make this tragedy tangible to those far removed from the disaster. It is the artist's hope that his project will inspire further support for Louisiana's recovery efforts.
@ Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Boulevard (@ Main Street), LIC
2 - 6p
Free
For more information: art

Dance Performances by Decadance Theatre and Rumba Tap (C, D)
Turning typical hip-hop dance upside down, choreographer Jennifer Weber and her all-female company Decadancetheatre take the rich history of break dance movement and imbue it with new significance. Weber builds her works around stories and themes that can come from anywhere the perfect example being the company’s acclaimed ballet “DecaDance vs. Firebird,” which is based on an old Russian folktale. But she sets these stories in the milieu of contemporary hip-hop culture. No less an authority than Gregory Hines has declared RumbaTap founder Max Pollak “one of the finest young tap artists on the planet.” The Austrian-born dancer (who was recently named one of 25 artists to watch by Dance Magazine) has developed a unique vision, a hybrid of tap, Afro-Cuban movement, jazz dancing and body rhythms. Pollak and his fellow dancers are constantly in motion, creating complex rhythms not only with their feet, but with their whole bodies, drumming on their torsos and vocalizing.
@ St. Mary’s Park
146th Street and St. Ann’s Avenue
3 - 6p
Free
For more information: cityparks

Animation Block Party (A, C, E, F)
Some call it punk rock, some call it grass roots, but labels aside NYC based Animation Block Party is dedicated to exhibiting the world's best independent, professional and student animation. Animation Block does offer other sources of exhibition, such as the web selects section of our site that promotes animation makers and their films. We also distribute shorts through our Animation Block Party Mix-Tapes, DVD releases that showcase some of the festival's best shorts.
Just to list a few that will be shown…
The Red Wheelbarrow - Lee Luker
Sycamore Eve - Evan Viera
Phantom Canyon - Stacey Steers
Ok, I’ll Let You Go - Greg Condon
The Million Colour Revolution - David Navas
Sunday Morning - Tom Senior
To The Door - Jon Brown
Cranium Theater - Jason Sandri
Rainy Day Muse - Heather K. MacDonald
@ Galapagos Art Space
70 North 6th Street (between Kent and Wythe Streets)
7:30p
$8
For more information: galapagos and animation

Monday, July 30th, 2007



Exhibition Closing and Artists Reception (A, C, E)
Matt Hoyle: Icebergs
It was the commitment to their "winter swimming" ritual and the diversity of characters who do this, that drew me to create this project. I simply wanted to capture the faces that made up these clubs rather than the physical pools or the spectacular views. I wanted more than anything to capture a look and tone for these members that almost suited their "Iceberg" title. Every artist needs to find his or her voice and if I had to describe mine, it would be of quirky empathy that I feel for my fellow human. From the humorous to the heartfelt, I try to look deeper within the subjects I photograph to draw something out that is unique. In doing this, I try to let you look a bit deeper too. My photography I think has become known equally for its character and narrative as well as the distinct treatment I give each shot afterwards.
@ Point of View Art Gallery
638 West 28th Street (between 11th and 12th Avenues)
6 - 9p
Free
For more information: exhibition

All Singin! All Dancin! (A, C, D, M)
The Song & Dance of The Great White Way
An exhilarating extravaganza of Broadway song and dance from Cohen to Stroman. Inspired by Fred & Adele Astaire, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Agnes DeMille, Gower Champion, Jerome Robbins and more of today’s great singin’ and dancin’ stars will create their own thrilling rendition of Broadway history.
@ Town Hall
123 West 43rd Street (between 6th Avenue and Broadway)
8p
Tickets: $40 & 35
For more information and to buy tickets: townhall



Key to Activities

A Art
C Cultural
D Dance
D/F Drink/Food
E Education
F Film
L Literature
M Music
NP Non-Profit
P Party
S Sport