this week in music

CULTUREMART 2017

Purva Bedi and Mariana Newhard perform a duet in ASSEMBLED IDENTITY (photo by Benjamin Heller)

Mariana Newhard and Purva Bedi perform a duet in ASSEMBLED IDENTITY at HERE (photo by Benjamin Heller)

HERE
145 Sixth Ave. at Dominick St.
March 15-25, $15
212-647-0202
here.org

HERE’s annual multidisciplinary festival, CultureMart, starts tonight, featuring workshop performances that often defy easy categorization. Things kick off March 15-16 with Purva Bedi, Kristin Marting, and Mariana Newhard’s Assembled Identity, a multimedia duet between Bedi and Newhard that explores just what makes us human, on a shared bill with Trey Lyford’s kinetic solo show The Accountant, about how we can lose our humanity at the office. On March 18-19, Gisela Cardenas + Milica Paranosic and InTandem Lab’s Hybrid Suite No. 2: The Carmen Variations tells the story of fictional archaeologist Elizabeth Sherman, paired with Leah Coloff’s autobiographical song cycle ThisTree. The double bill for March 21-22 consists of Rob Roth’s cinematic hybrid Soundstage, linking the screen goddess with the adoring gay male fan, and Chris Green’s American Weather, an interactive piece performed by Quince Marcum, Katie Melby, and Yasmin Reshamwala. On March 25-26, Zoey Martinson and Smoke & Mirrors Collaborative lead audiences into The Black History Museum . . . According to the United States of America, examining the criminal justice system, while a birthday party turns into much more in Jeremy Bloom and Brian Rady’s Ding Dong It’s the Ocean. CultureMart concludes March 26 with a reading of HERE playwright in residence and downtown legend Taylor Mac’s The Bourgeois Oligarch, the third section of his four-part Dionysia Festival, this one involving a ballet and a philanthropist. With tickets only $15, CultureMart is always a great way to check out new and up-and-coming talent presenting works in progress at one of our favorite spaces.

CELEBRATING LOU REED — 1942-2013: THE RAVEN & THE POETRY OF LOU REED / LOU REED: DRONES

The life and legacy of Lou Reed will be celebrated on July 30 with free all-day festival at Lincoln Center

The New York Public Library is celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of Lou Reed’s birth with a two-part exhibition and two live programs

Monday, March 13, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, free with advance registration, 7:00
Wednesday, March 15, New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Celeste Bartos Forum, 476 Fifth Ave. at 42nd St., free with advance registration, 6:00 – 10:00
www.nypl.org/loureed
www.loureed.com

In honor of what would have been Lou Reed’s seventy-fifth birthday on March 2 — the legendary Brooklyn-born musician passed away in October 2013 at the age of seventy-one — the New York Public Library is paying tribute to the Velvet Underground leader and solo star with a pair of exhibitions and two live programs. “Celebrating Lou Reed: 1942-2013” consists of items from the Lou Reed Archives, newly acquired by the library under the guidance of Reed’s widow, multimedia artist Laurie Anderson. The show runs through March 20 at the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center and the main branch at Fifth Ave. and Forty-Second St. In addition, on March 13 at 7:00 in the Bruno Walter Auditorium, “The Raven & the Poetry of Lou Reed” features a performance of Reed’s The Raven, based on the Edgar Allan Poe tale, and other poetry, with music and spoken word by Anderson and special guests. On March 15 in the Celeste Bartos Forum, the soundscape installation “Lou Reed: Drones” will be performed from 6:00 to 10:00, led by original Reed collaborator Stewart Hurwood, along with tai chi demonstrations led by Ren Guangyi at 7:00 and 9:00. Admission to all events is free, but advance registration is necessary for the live programs.

CRITICAL JUNCTURES: GLENN LIGON

Glenn Ligon and Samora Pinderhughes will be in conversation at YoungArts event at NYLA

Glenn Ligon and Samora Pinderhughes will discuss pivotal moments at YoungArts event at New York Live Arts on March 5

Who: Glenn Ligon, Samora Pinderhughes
What: National YoungArts Foundation Salon Series
Where: New York Live Arts Theater, 219 West 19th St., 212-691-6500
When: Sunday, March 5, $10, 2:00
Why: In 2011, New York City–based visual artist Glenn Ligon had a major midcareer retrospective, “Glenn Ligon: America,” at the Whitney. In 2009, Berkeley high school pianist and composer Samora Pinderhughes was named a YoungArts Winner in Jazz Keyboard. On March 5 at 2:00 at New York Live Arts, the two will take part in the latest edition of the National YoungArts Foundation Salon Series, “Critical Junctures: Glenn Ligon,” as they look at pivotal moments in their creative process while placing it in sociohistorical context. The Salon Series, which “brings together creative alumni voices and offers audiences an opportunity to engage with internationally renowned and emerging artists,” will be back at New York Live Arts on May 14 with “Critical Junctures: Alexei Ratmansky,” in which the Russian-American choreographer will be in conversation with 2011 YoungArts Dance Winner and ABT soloist Cassandra Trenary.

BROOKLYN MUSEUM FIRST SATURDAY: FUTURE FEMINISMS

Alfred Stieglitz, “Georgia O’Keeffe,” gelatin silver print, circa 1920–22 (© Georgia O’Keeffe Museum)

Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway at Washington St.
Saturday, March 4, free, 5:00 – 11:00
212-864-5400
www.brooklynmuseum.org

The Brooklyn Museum goes feminist to the hilt with the First Saturday program “Future Feminisms,” part of its 2017 theme “A Year of Yes: Reimagining Feminism at the Brooklyn Museum.” There will be live performances by Charlotte Dos Santos, Buscabulla, and Natasha Diggs with #SoulInTheHorn; a Blues Lounge Bar; a screening of Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’s The Trans List, followed by a discussion with writer Kate Bornstein and DJ and philanthropist Lina Bradford, facilitated by the Sylvia Rivera Law Project; a hands-on art workshop in which participants can make wearable handmade paper flowers inspired by the new exhibit “Georgia O’Keefe: Living Modern”; a Postcard Write-In hosted by Forward March NY; a Scholar Talk with Linda Grasso about her upcoming book Equal Under the Sky: Georgia O’Keeffe and Twentieth-Century Feminism; a screening of Suha Araj’s The Cup Reader and Pioneer High; pop-up gallery talks on “Marilyn Minter: Pretty/Dirty,” hosted by teen apprentices; a tour of “Georgia O’Keefe: Living Modern” led by guest curator Wanda Corn; and the Brooklyn premiere of Fatimah Asghar and Sam Bailey’s web series Brown Girls, followed by a talkback with members of the cast and crew, moderated by Lindsay Catherine Harris. In addition, you can check out such exhibits as “Iggy Pop Life Class by Jeremy Deller,” “The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago,” “Marilyn Minter: Pretty/Dirty,” “Infinite Blue,” “A Woman’s Afterlife: Gender Transformation in Ancient Egypt,” and, at a discounted admission price of $12, “Georgia O’Keefe: Living Modern.”

DAYBREAKER NYC: SPRING FLING

Early morning Daybreakers will celebrate Spring Fling at Irving Plaza on March 1 (photo courtesy Daybreaker NYC)

Early morning breakfast clubbers will celebrate Spring Fling at Irving Plaza on March 1 (photo courtesy Daybreaker NYC)

Irving Plaza
17 Irving Pl.
Wednesday, March 1, yoga 6:00 am, dance party 7:00 am
Admission: $26.75 dance party only, $37.05 yoga and dance party
www.daybreaker.com
irvingplaza.com

Getting home at six in the morning isn’t unusual in New York City. Getting up to go clubbing at that hour certainly is, but thanks to Daybreaker’s now-legendary 6:00 – 9:00 sober dance parties, New Yorkers can do just that. Founded three years ago by Matthew Brimer and Radha Agrawal, the Daybreaker movement is spreading to more than three dozen cities around the world, bringing its ethos of mindfulness, mischief, camaraderie, wellness, and self-expression to happy early risers everywhere. Almost every month, a couple hundred to a thousand partygoers show up at a rotating series of clubs around New York for an hour of funky club-style yoga (bring your own mat), followed by a two-hour psychedelically lit, high-energy, super-positive dance party with high-energy DJs, surprise performers, and changing themes. Then they head off to work. The parties are alcohol-free, and each has a different suggested theme, but the vibe is pretty accepting of whatever you wear, since most of the twentysomething attendees are powering off to work at nine. The March 1 rave at Irving Plaza is a Spring Fling; the next, who knows? Tickets come with lots of treats from partners, including cold-brewed coffee, green juice, coconut water, energy drinks, and more. Stoking the energy at that hour is key, led by yoga instructor Alex Silver-Fagan and French DJ duo FDVM, who will orchestrate the music, with a performance by singer-songwriter Erin Willett to keep the spirit high. As Daybreaker’s website says, “We come as we are to sweat, dance, and connect with ourselves and each other. Dancing sober in community during the morning is amazing for your health and happiness.” If you want to jump-start your day with possibly the best jolt of energy in the city, rave on with Daybreaker.

ARMORY ARTS WEEK 2017

Art on Paper: Tm Gratkowski, “No Matter What,” collaged paper on wood panel (courtesy of the artist and Walter Maciel Gallery)

It’s that time of year again when the art world descends on New York City for the start of art fair season. There are no fewer than eleven fairs this week, with the next batch scheduled for May. Below is a brief look at March’s shows, highlighted by participating artists and special events and projects.

What: Moving Image
Where: 269 11th Ave. between 27th & 28th Sts.
When: February 27 – March 2, free
Why: “A viewing experience with the excitement and vitality of a fair while allowing moving image-based artworks to be understood and appreciated on their own terms,” with works by Rebecca Allen, Marcos Bonisson and Khalil Charif, Kevin Cooley, Adriana Duque, Zachary Fabri, Nina Fischer & Maroan el Sani, John Craig Freeman, Claudia Hart, Robert Hodge, Marlon Hall, and Robert Pruitt, Iyvone Khoo, Christopher Manzione & Seth Cluett, Alexander Mazza, Joiri Minaya, Brenna Murphy, Damir Očko, Will Pappenheimer, Jacques Perconte, Jefferson Pinder, Jordan Rathus, Casey Reas, Michael Rees, Rick Silva, Jakob Kudsk Steensen, Tamiko Thiel and Zara Houshmand, Naoko Tosa, Anton van Dalen, Arda Yalkın, Matteo Zamagni

What: The Art Show
Where: Park Avenue Armory, Park Ave. at Sixty-Seventh St.
When: March 1-5, $25
Why: “Offers collectors, arts professionals, and the public the opportunity to engage with artworks of the highest quality through intimately scaled and thoughtfully curated exhibitions that encourage close looking and active conversation with gallerists”

Friday, March 3
“Beyond New York: Cultural Vibrancy Across the U.S.,” Keynote at the Art Show, with Kaywin Feldman, Lawrence J. Wheeler, and Zannie Giraud Voss, moderated by Lindsay Pollock, Board of Officers Room, 6:00

What: NADA New York
Where: Skylight Clarkson North, 572 Washington St.
When: March 2-5, $20-$40
Why: “Contemporary Drag,” curated by Gordon Robichaux, and numerous special discussions and performances

Thursday, March 2
“Social Noise!” panel discussion hosted by Sam Hillmer, with Don Christian, Azikwe Mohammed, Maria Chavez, and Victoria Keddie, 5:00

Friday, March 3
“Contemporary Drag in Conversation: Stonewall Was a Riot,” with Lady Bunny and Horrorchata, moderated by David Yarritu, 2:00

Saturday, March 4
“Jacolby Satterwhite: Artist Talk,” with Jacolby Satterwhite, presented with Moran Bondaroff, 2:00

Sunday, March 5
“Contemporary Drag: Baby Tea,” featuring a conversation with Theda Hammel and performances by Matt Savitsky, Merrie Cherry, and Patti Spliff, presented by Tyler Ashley aka the Dauphine of Bushwick and Wise Men, 3:30

What: VOLTA NY
Where: Pier 90, West 50th St. at 12th Ave.
When: March 2-6, $25-$60
Why: “Showcases relevant contemporary art positions from emerging international artists, from cutting-edge trendsetters to next year’s rising stars [with an] approachable solo-booth format”

Friday, March 3
“Alternative Myths,” with Jesse Bransford and Dominic Shepherd, the Volta Salon with ArtNet, 1:00

Saturday, March 4
“Improv for Artists,” with Morgan Bassichis, Jill Pangallo, and Richards Smit, moderated by Hollis Witherspoon, 2:00

Sunday, March 5
“Art Meets Tech,” with Ashley Zelinskie, Valentine Uhovski, and Alicia Carbone, moderated by Ariel Adkins, 2:00

What: Spring/Break Art Show: Black Mirror
Where: 4 Times Square at 43rd St.
When: March 1-6, $15-$50
Why: “An internationally recognized exhibition platform using underused historic New York City spaces to activate and challenge the traditional cultural landscape of the art market”

What: Scope
Where: Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West Eighteenth St. between Sixth & Seventh Aves.
When: March 2-5, $15-$150
Why: “SCOPE New York’s spirit of innovation has consistently forged the way for emerging artists and galleries. Attuned to nuances in the market and itself an influential force in the cultural sphere, SCOPE continues to usher in a new vision of the contemporary art fair.”

What: The Armory Show
Where: Piers 92 & 94, 12th Ave. at 50th St.
When: March 3-6, $25-$80
Why: “New York’s premier art fair and a definitive cultural destination for discovering and collecting the world’s most important 20th and 21st century artworks,” featuring Platform projects by Abigail DeVille, Fiete Stolte, Evan Roth, Jun Kaneko, Dorian Gaudin, Douglas Coupland, Ai Weiwei, Iván Navarro, Yayoi Kusama, Per Kirkeby & Lawrence Weiner, Abel Barroso, Patricia Cronin, Sebastian Errazuri

Friday, March 3
“What’s Technology Got to Do with It? Art in the Digital Age,” with Shiva Ahmadi, Charles Atlas, Marilyn Minter, and Thomas Allen Harris, moderated by Barbara London, 4:00

Saturday, March 4
“David Salle: The Painting Life,” artist talk with Joe Bradley, Alex Katz, Dana Schutz, and Chris Martin, moderated by David Salle, 2:30

Sunday, March 5
“Glenn O’Brien: Like Art,” artist talk with Glenn O’Brien, Jeffrey Deitch, and Andy Spade, 1:00

What: Art on Paper
Where: Pier 36, 299 South St.
When: March 2-5, $25-$40
Why: “Art on Paper’s medium-driven focus lends itself to significant projects — unique moments that have set the fair apart and established a new and important destination for the arts in New York City,” featuring special projects by Pablo Lehmann, Peter Sarkisian, Tahiti Pehrson, Valerie Hammond, and Timothy Paul Myers in collaboration with Andrew Barnes

What: Clio Art Fair: The Anti-Fair for Independent Artists
Where: 508 West 26h St. between Tenth & Eleventh Aves.
When: March 2-5, free
Why: “Focuses attention on the kinds of contemporary art and interventions that are being created by independent artists the world over,” featuring works by Piero Manzoni, Carla Accardi, Maurizio Cattelan, Nina Berman, Denise Adler, Sonia Aguessy, Paul Bouchard, Peter Bradley Cohen, Robby Davis, Monica Delgado, Matthew Demers, Wenjun Fu, Orit Fuchs, Rachel Goldsmith, Larry Jones, Rusudan Khizanishvili, Gary Low, Rafael Melendez, Hayley Palmatier, Alicia Piller, Claudia Shapiro, Emily Strange, Kimberly Zeluck, more

What: The Independent
Where: Spring Studios, 50 Varick St.
When: March 2-5, $25
Why: “An invitational art fair devised by and for gallerists, which reexamines the traditional methods of presenting, viewing, and experiencing contemporary art”

What: New City Art Fair
Where: hpgrp Gallery, 434 Greenwich St.
When: March 3-6, free
Why: “A boutique art fair which aspires to globalize contemporary Asian art,” this year featuring works by Japanese artists Daisuke Takahashi, snAwk, So Sekiyama, Meguru Yamaguchi, more

I WANT TO SEE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS TONIGHT

bright lights tonight

Who: Mary Fahl, Liz Tormes, Cassandra Jenkins, Hannah Read, Joy Askew, Oren Bloedow, Adam Minkoff, Glenn Patscha, Steven Bernstein and Sex Mob Horns, Matt Johnson, David Mansfield, Mark Marshall, Katie Scheele, Matt Darriau, more to be announced
What: All-star performance of Richard and Linda Thompson’s I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight album
Where: City Winery, 155 Varick St. between Spring & Vandam Sts., 212-608-0555
When: Monday, February 27, $25-$35, 8:00
Why: In 1974, former Fairport Conventioneer Richard Thompson and singer Linda Thompson (née Peters) helped redefine British folk rock with the classic album I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, consisting of such stand-out Richard originals as “The Calvary Cross,” “Withered and Died,” “Down Where the Drunkards Roll,” “The Great Valerio,” and the rollicking title track, in which the Thompsons proclaim, “Meet me at the station, don’t be late / I need to spend some money and it just won’t wait / Take me to the dance and hold me tight / I want to see the bright lights tonight.” On February 27, you can meet up at City Winery as an all-star lineup performs the record in its entirety, along with other numbers from the Thompsons’ canon, which came to an abrupt end in 1982 with the ultimate breakup album, Shoot Out the Lights. The event is organized by Canadian composer, producer, musician, and Ollabelle founder Glenn Patscha and will feature members of such groups as the October Project, Elysian Fields, and the Doyle Bramhall Band in addition to veterans of Bob Dylan, St. Vincent, Glen Hansard, and more. It’s only fitting that the show is taking place at City Winery, where Richard Thompson has played many times. In fact, a few years ago we were at one of Richard’s shows at City Winery when I had to ask the woman in front of me, who was enthusiastically singing along to the songs, if she could stop leaning so far forward, as she was blocking my view. My jaw dropped as she turned to me and sincerely apologized. “I’m so sorry. I’ve certainly seen him enough over the years, having lived with him,” Linda Thompson told me, sitting back in her seat.