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Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 8:30 PM – Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 9:30 PM
Shauna Davis: BLACK.ECO
DANCE
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 30 & JULY 1, 2021
8:30 PM
La MaMa Stream
$5-$20
https://www.lamama.org/shows/black-eco
Let's hope that this exploration of black womanhood is one of the last films — as opposed to live dance performances — we see. Which is no reflection on Shauna Davis, whose work is challenging, incisive, and wonderful.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I'm personally really jonesing for a Sazerac: rinse a chilled Old Fashioned glass with Absinthe. Muddle a sugar cube doused with 3 dashes of Peychaud's bitters in the bottom of a cocktail shaker (some people put in 1 teaspoon of club soda to help this process along). Pour in 2 oz. Rye and fill with ice. Stir. Strain into the rinsed glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ghost Ensemble Presents: Ben Richter
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021
8:00 PM
Ghost Ensemble Stream
YouTube
Free
https://www.facebook.com/events/203414901639593/
The accordianist plays music by two composers who arrived at a strangely similar (or similarly strange) place from opposite directions: Pauline Oliveros and James Tenney.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: 20th Century: pour 1-1/2 oz. Gin and 3/4 oz. each of Cocchi Americano, Crème de Cacao, and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Moor Mother & Arcana Ensemble: Coming Together
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021
7:00 PM
Bowerbird Live Stream
Free-$20
https://www.bowerbird.org/event/coming-together/
There's nothing worthwhile for me to say about the newly deceased Frederic Rzewski. If you have any interest at all in the intersection of the classical and the demotic; the use of classical music to make radical political statements; classical music as a living, responsive form rather than a means for the bourgeoisie (and worse) to congratulate themselves on their status; classical music as something you want to listen to rather than something that's good for you, then there's nothing more necessary right now than this tribute by Philadelphia's Arcana Ensemble with the mighty Moor Mother to this crucially important (if personally flawed) composer — without whom Your Compiler would very literally not be Your Compiler (for better or worse).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Piscola: pour 1 oz. Chilean Pisco and 3 oz. Coca-Cola into a tall glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon slice.
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Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 6:00 PM – Thu, Jul 1, 2021, 7:00 PM
Lisa Clair Group: The Mound
PERFORMANCE
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 30 & JULY 1, 2021
6:00 PM
Collapsable Hole
55 Bethune Street, West Village, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
WillasAuthentic@gmail.com
While we wait for crazy-like-a-fox theatrical madcap Lisa Clair's new theater piece, we can experience an immersive installation exploring its thematic and visual materials.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Austrian classic Wallsé is, amazingly, still good.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Aizuri Quartet
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021
5:00 PM
Baryshnikov Arts Center Stream
Free
https://bacnyc.org/performances/performance/aizuri-quartet
The first of two programs (the next airs next Wednesday) in which this vibrant string quartet plays music by women composers written over nearly a millenium. And what composers! Here, we have a piece by Barbara Strozzi, as good as almost any other vocal composer in 17th Century Venice. And Eleanor Alberga, who has the tremendous musical advantage of coming from Jamaica.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Act of Faith: pour 1-1/2 oz. Jamaican Rum, 1/2 oz. each of Blackstrap Rum and Pedro Ximenez Sherry, and 1/4 oz. Angostura Bitters into a rocks glass over ice. Stir. Garnish with an orange twist.
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Tue, Jun 29, 2021, 8:00 PM – Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 9:00 PM
Ayano Elson: A Gardner
DANCE
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 & 30, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/ayano-elson-a-gardener/
Undermining imperialism and hierarchy with . . . dance! Music by percussionist/composer/progressive about town Matt Evans.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, have an Awamori over ice with some water.
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Tue, Jun 29, 2021, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jul 3, 2021, 2:00 PM
-
Tue, Jun 29, 2021, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jul 3, 2021, 5:30 PM
600 Highwaymen: A Thousand Ways (Part Two)
THEATER
TUESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 29 – JULY 3, 2021 (continuing through AUGUST 15)
7:00 & 8:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
10:00 PM FRIDAY
1:30, 3:00 & 5:30 PM SATURDAY
Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$35-$70
https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2021/a-thousands-ways2/
600 Highwaymen continue their exploration of connection, begun over the phone during the Quarantine. But this time, things being what they are, it's one-on-one in person. They encourage you to do the telephonic Part One first, if you haven't already.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Now that I've eaten there, I'm more excited than ever about the Shanghainese at CheLi: this is NOT the stuff you've had before.
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Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
International Contemporary Ensemble: Being & Becoming: Emanations
MUSIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2021
7:00 PM
TUES@7
International Contemporary Ensemble Stream
Free
https://www.iceorg.org/events/tues7-june29
The questing trumpeter Peter Evans pulls together several of his favorite musics: Trane-style modal-into-free jazz, traditional African and Indian, AACM. And what a quartet he's assembled to do it (Joel Ross fans: pay attention)!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Bloody Sunday: pour 1-1/2 oz. Bourbon, 1/2 oz. each of orange juice and Grenadine, and 1 teaspoon Crème de Violette, with 1 dash Peychaud's bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with 1/2 of a split vanilla bean, if you happen to have one.
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Tue, Jun 29, 2021, 5:30 PM – Sun, Jul 4, 2021, 10:00 PM
Liminality
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 29 – JULY 4, 2021 (continuing through AUGUST 31)
5:30, 7:00 & 10:00 PM TUESDAY – THURSDAY
5:00, 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 PM FRIDAY
1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 PM SATURDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 8:00 & 9:30 PM SUNDAY
Museum of Future Experiences
148 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$75
https://mofe.co/products/liminality
An evening of immersive, suggestive, often VR, Future Theater.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to the new French/Italian brasserietoria Francie. Be sure to have an order of duck mortadella with your cocktail. After that, it's every diner for him or herself.
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Tue, Jun 29, 2021, 3:00 PM – Fri, Jul 2, 2021, 1:00 PM
Lynn Nottage & Miranda Haymon: The Watering Hole
THEATER
TUESDAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 29 – JULY 2, 2021 (continuing through AUGUST 8)
TUESDAY – THURSDAY 3:00-5:00 & 7:00-9:00 PM (staggered times)
FRIDAY 11:00 – 1:00 PM (staggered times)
Signature Theatre
480 West 42nd Street, Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
$0-$45
https://signaturetheatre.org/shows-and-events/Featured-Events/The-Watering-Hole.aspx
Lynn Nottage completes her interrupted residency at the Signature with an unexpected departure: an installation piece that has you wandering throughout the Signature's extensive plant, having different experiences as you go.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I don't think I knew that the West Village Moroccan spot Mémé had opened a branch in Hell's Kitchen.
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Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble: House Music
MUSIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2021
10:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble Stream
Free
https://metropolisensemble.org/house-music
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Metropolis Ensemble showcases ace musicianassociated with its excellent self, or in any event friends of the ensemble, playing solo contemporary, classical, and newly commissioned pieces from home. Metropolis Ensemble has assured me that no musicians were woken early for these shows; they are (new) prerecordings prepared for this series.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Coffee.
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Tue, Jun 29, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jul 4, 2021, 4:30 PM
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Mon, Jun 28, 2021, 8:00 PM – Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 9:00 PM
Modulations
OPERA
MONDAY – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 – 30, 2021
8:00 PM (or on demand)
California Performing Arts / LA Opera
PROTOTYPE Festival Stream
$25
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/modulation/
A major event. A self-guided exploration of the efforts of 13 composers to deal with the various strands that wove together the past year. The composers include such List regulars as Mollly Joyce, Angélica Negrón, Paul Pinto, Raven Chacon, and Bora Yoon! This is how online presentations should be done.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: TGV: pour 2-1/4 oz. Blanco or Reposado Tequila, 1-1/2 oz. dry Vermouth, and 1/2 teaspoon of Grenadine into a tumbler over ice. Stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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Mon, Jun 28, 2021, 10:00 AM – Wed, Jun 30, 2021, 12:00 PM
Pamela Z & Geoff Sobelle: Times3 (Times x Times x Times)
OPERA / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 – 30, 2021
Starting 10:00 AM
PROTOTYPE Out of Bounds
PROTOTYPE Festival Onsite & Stream
Times Square, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/times-3/
A sonic journey through Times Square and its history that you can undertake live in Times Square or virtually at your computer. Created by two of this List's very favorites: magic soundscaper Pamela Z and physical theater magician Geoff Sobelle!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, try the wonderful Los Tacos No. 1 (bizarrely closed Saturdays, though). At home, this will take some advance preparation, but: Times Square. Combine 1-1/4 oz. Southern Comfort (yeah, you heard right), 1/4 oz. sweet Vermouth, and 1/2 oz. Grenadine in a glass or pitcher. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Pour into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne.
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Mon, Jun 28, 2021, 7:00 AM – Sun, Jul 4, 2021, 7:00 PM
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 28 – JULY 4, 2021 (ongoing)
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
https://here.org/shows/cairns/
One of the first shows you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White. The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Jun 28, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jul 4, 2021, 1:00 AM
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 28 – JULY 4, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
https://www.ellenreidsoundwalk.com/new-york-philharmonic
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train (see below). The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Mon, Jun 28, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jul 4, 2021, 10:00 PM
Stephanie Fleischmann, Christina Campanella & Mallory Catlett: The Visitation
PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 28 – JULY 4, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
HERE Arts Center Presentation
Jackie Robinson Park
Between Edgecombe & Bradhurst Aves. & 145 – 155 Sts., Sugar Hill, Manhattan
Pay what you wish
https://here.org/shows/the-visitation/
Another sound walk (I LOVE these!), this one set to avant-pop you access through Soundcloud.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good beer, epic burgers at Harlem Public.
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Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 11:00 PM – Mon, Jun 28, 2021, 12:00 AM
Liminal States: Loren Connors
PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021
11:00 PM
Bowerbird Live Stream
Pay what you wish
https://www.bowerbird.org/event/loren-connors-liminal-states/
Bowerbird continues its series of programs designed to usher in sleep (but not by boring you). Tonight's schlafmeister is Loren Connors, whose avant-folk-blues guitar is well suited to the task.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Grand Rum Toddy: pour 1-1/2 oz. dark Rum, 3/4 oz. Grand Marnier, and 1/4 oz. lime juice into a heated mug. Fill with hot water. Stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.
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Sunday, June 27, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
21c Liederabend Op. World Wide (digital)
MUSIC
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021
7:30 PM
Beth Morrison Productions Stream
Free
https://www.bethmorrisonprojects.org/liederabend
Twelve new vocal works in the audience-friendly contemporary classical idiom with dedicated visuals. Impresario For Our Time Beth Morrison's taste isn't absolutely 100% unerring — nobody's is — but her hit rate is pretty fucking awesome. I woudn't miss this for anything.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Bicardi Special: pour 1-1/2 oz. white Rum, 3/4 oz. Gin, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1/4 oz. Grenadine, and 1 teaspoon of Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry. (Look, I wouldn't recommend a cocktail that wasn't especially delicious with this wonderful show.)
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Saturday, June 26, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Maya Sharpe / RJ the Magician / Ryan Douglass
PERFORMANCE / MUSIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021
8:00 PM
The Brick Theater
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20-$65
https://www.bricktheater.com/event/maya-sharpe-ryan-douglass-rj-the-magician/
An evening of performance pieces (including magic!) with some music. Live, in the same room as you are. You, and the rest of the audience.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Brooklyn location of Birria-Landia, surely the most famous food truck in New York City, Ground Zero of the NYC Birria Boom. (Eat your birria in Macri Triangle across the street.)
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Saturday, June 26, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
The Underground Cabaret
PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 (continuing through JULY 17)
7:30 & 7:45 PM
DeKalb Stage, City Point
445 Albee Square West, Downtown, Brooklyn
$40 (just drinks — but you have to pay for the drinks and there's a minimum of two) & $135 (includes dinner)
https://www.anverentertainment.com/the-underground-cabaret
Special Pride edition of this dinner and a neo-circus, neo-burlesque, neo-variety show.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Dinner is by Israeli chain Minzon.
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Saturday, June 26, 2021, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Charlie Burnham
MUSIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021
7:00 & 9:00 PM
Barbès in Person & Live Stream
376 Ninth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://www.pedrogiraudo.com/web/
If all violinist Charlie Burnham had done was play in James Blood Ulmer's great, searing band in the '80s, his place in NYC music would be secure. But of course, he's done (and continues to do) so much more.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, you'll be drinking at the venue, obvs. Soak it up with some pleasant neighborhood Italian at Bar Toto. At home, celebrate Midsommar with a Vespar: pour 2 oz. Gin and 1/2 oz. each of Aquavit and Cocchi Americano, with 2 dashes of orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon or an orange
twist.
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Sat, Jun 26, 2021, 2:00 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 5:30 PM
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Sat, Jun 26, 2021, 12:00 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 1:00 PM
Goodbye to the "Old" CF Outdoor Quasi-Mini-"Festival"
DANCE / PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 26 & 27, 2021
12:00 PM
The Chocolate Factory
5-49 49th Avenue, Long Island City, Queens
Free
https://chocolatefactorytheater.org/open-culture/
A gaggle of performers help The Chocolate Factory close down its old facility as it makes ready to move into expanded quarters elsewhere in LIC. The "Festival" takes place on the sidewalk in front of the old theater. It will all culminate in a procession to the new location on Sunday.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Last chance to cross the street from the Chocolate Factory to New York's unquestioned superstar Chiapan spot, Casa Enrique. If you march over to the new location on Sunday, you might want to try the good Brazilian at the extremely friendly Beija Flor.
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Friday, June 25, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sonya Belaya: Cognitive Distortions / Ancestral Patterns
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/sonya-belaya-cognitive-distortions-ancestral-patterns/
Pianist/composer Sonya Belaya applies her Russian jazz/folk to the effect of automatic patterns of thought on immigrant women. You would not believe the band she has assembled.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming anddelicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Gin-Gin Mule and thank God for Audrey Saunders: put 6 mint sprigs at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Pour in 3/4 oz. lime juice and 1 oz. Simple Syrup. Muddle. Add ice. Pour in 1-1/2 oz. Gin and 1 oz. ginger beer. Strain into a mule mug over ice. Garnish with some mint leaves.
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Friday, June 25, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Taylor Mac: Egg Yolk
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021
8:00 PM
Restart Stages
Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center
Amsterdam Ave. & West 62nd Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free (by lot)
https://www.lincolncenter.org/lincoln-center-at-home/show/taylor-mac-egg-yolk-1
A show by the inimitable (don't even try) Taylor Mac that promises to be in the spirit of his epic Popular Music piece of a few years ago (although this sublime stage artist never ever repeats himself).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Now that live performances are resuming, we can remember that one of the main problems with going to Lincoln Center — it's even worse at Carnegie Hall — is that when the show is over, you're in the area around Lincoln Center. Who wants THAT? Go to Olympic Flame Diner and get really depressed about being Uptown.
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Friday, June 25, 2021, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Kris Davis: Capricorn Climbing
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery
1160 Broadway, NoMad, Manhattan
$30-$40
https://www.jazzgallery.org/calendar/kris-davis
Kris Davis is about as good as it gets in contemporary jazz piano-playing/composition. Crisp, angular, usually surprising but always making sense.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Breslin Burger is still there.
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Fri, Jun 25, 2021, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 8:30 PM
Autumn Knight: M_ _ _ER
PERFORMANCE
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 25 – 27, 2021
7:30 PM
Abrons Arts Center
466 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$5-$20
https://www.abronsartscenter.org/program/autumn-knight/
Interdisciplinary artist Autumn Knight explores how the concepts of "mother", "murder", and "matter" shape experiences of intimacy. You can all spend the rest of the week trying to think of other words that fit the "m___er" format. I know I will.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Knockout Indian at Dhamaka.
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Fri, Jun 25, 2021, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jun 26, 2021, 9:00 PM
Kyle Marshall: RISE!
DANCE
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 25 & 26, 2021
FRIDAY 7:00 PM
SATURDAY 8:00 PM
Open Call
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Free (ticket required)
https://theshed.org/program/119-open-call-kyle-marshall
The supremely vital, communicative choreographer Kyle Marshall plays tribute to club music. Tell you what: this will be a blast.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Shed's lobby bar is still closed. Back for faux Southern food and drink at Porchlight.
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Friday, June 25, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ETHEL and Friends: Balcony Bar from Home
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 (weekly)
5:00 PM
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Facebook
Free
https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-live-arts/ethel-online
The fab alt string quartet ETHEL brings its weekly recitals in the Met Balcony Bar home (theirs and yours). Expect old and new music, and surprise guests (from still more homes).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Amber Negroni: pour 1/2 oz. each of Gin and Braulio Amaro, and 1 oz. each of Lillet Blanc (with the usual preferred substitutions, especially Tempus Fugit Kino l'Áero d'Or) and lemon juice, with 3 dashes of Bitterman's Burlesque Bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Chai
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
9:00 PM
NoonChorus Live Stream
$15
https://noonchorus.com/chai/
Are Chai the band of the year or what? They started out Pop Art Punk, but on their great new album move into something groovier. All done with the ironic distance imposed by their doing this from Japan — an ironic distance their relentless youthfulness can't erase. (And boy are they proud to be girls.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Pink Gojira: pour 2 oz. Junmai Sake, 1 oz. St-Germain, and 1/2 oz. each lemon juice and Simple Syrup, with 2 dashes of lavender bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with flowers.
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Luisa Muhr: Bab∃l
PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/luisa-muhr-babel/
A performance piece exploring the nature of communication. Luisa Muhr is great — but the list of performers also includes avant-Cantor Judith Berkson!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Wild Heart: pour 1-1/4 oz. each of Aperol and Vermouth Blanc, and 3/4 oz. lemon juice, with 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with 1/2 of an orange wheel.
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Leo Genovese: The Art of Not Playing...?
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
8:00 PM
Propositions from the deadWIP
ISSUE Project Room Stream
Free
https://issueprojectroom.org/event/propositions-deadwip-art-not-playing%E2%80%A6-leo-genovese
Pianist Leo Genovese is the kind of mainstreamy neo-Jarrett jazz player who doesn't get Listed here. But here he imposes a theoretical superstructure on his approach — except that his written description of it sounds a lot like . . . um, jazz, you know? Nevertheless, Your Compiler is a sucker for theoretical superstructures.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Rising Sun: pour 1-1/2 oz. Mezcal, 3/4 oz. grapefruit juice, and 1/2 oz. each of lime juice and Maraschino liqueur into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Put in a pinch of salt. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Pamela Z: A Secret Code
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
8:00 PM
Haverford College DocuLab Live Stream
Free (registration required)
asecretcode@pamelaz.com
Vocal/electronics magician Pamela Z — one of the most sheerly enjoyable performers on the experimental music scene — celebrates the release of her long-awaited new solo album by performing it, live, in its entirety.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Gimlet: pour 2 oz. Gin, 1 oz. lime juice, and 3/4 oz. Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. (On NO ACCOUNT use Rose's Lime Cordial.) (If you have the time and disposition to make your own, go for it and God bless.) Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Peter Evans: Being and Becoming
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery In Person & Live Stream
1160 Broadway, NoMad, Manhattan
$25-$35 in person
$20 live stream
https://www.jazzgallery.org/calendar/being-and-becoming
The questing trumpeter Peter Evans pulls together several of his favorite musics: Trane-style modal-into-free jazz, traditional African and Indian, AACM. And what a quartet he's assembled to do it (Joel Ross fans: pay attention)!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, the transformation of The Breslin into Breslin Burger is a man-to-ape reversion — but that burger menu is still mighty appealing. At home, have a Bloody Sunday: pour 1-1/2 oz. Bourbon, 1/2 oz. each of orange juice and Grenadine, and 1 teaspoon Crème de Violette, with 1 dash Peychaud's bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with 1/2 of a split vanilla bean, if you happen to have one.
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Zoe / Zoë / Eléonore / Ira Klezmer Quartet
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
7:00 & 9:00 PM
Barbès in Person & Live Stream
376 Ninth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://www.pedrogiraudo.com/web/
Four musicians who share a love for Klezmer and, apparently, diacritics.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, you'll be drinking at the venue, obvs. Soak it up at local favorite Pasta Louise. At home, have a Cel-Ray & Aqavit (I swear to God this is a thing): pour 2 oz. Aqavit into a Highball glass. Fill with ice. Top with Dr. Brown's Cel-Ray. Garnish with a celery stalk and a cucumber slice.
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Thursday, June 24, 2021, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Metropolis Ensemble: House Music
MUSIC
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 22 & 24, 2021 (semi-weekly)
10:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble Stream
Free
https://metropolisensemble.org/house-music
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Metropolis Ensemble showcases ace musicianassociated with its excellent self, or in any event friends of the ensemble, playing solo contemporary, classical, and newly commissioned pieces from home. Metropolis Ensemble has assured me that no musicians were woken early for these shows; they are (new) prerecordings prepared for this series.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Coffee.
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Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tony Malaby's Sabino Quartet
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021
7:00 & 9:00 PM
Barbès in Person & Live Stream
376 Ninth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://www.pedrogiraudo.com/web/
Saxophonist Tony Malaby is one of the top players in New York. But look who's in this quartet with him: guitarist Ben Monder, bass player Michael Formanek, and drummer Tom Rainey!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, you'll be drinking at the venue, obvs. Soak it up at local favorite Pasta Louise. At home, have a Cowboy Shandy: pour 1-1/4 oz. blended Scotch, and 3/4 oz. each of lemon juice and Simple Syrup, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a pint glass over ice. Top with lager. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Wed, Jun 23, 2021, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jun 26, 2021, 8:00 PM
Downtown Urban Arts Festival
THEATER
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 23–26, 2021
7:00 PM
Abrons Art Center
466 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free (ticket required)
https://ci.ovationtix.com/209/production/1058843?performanceId=10748194
A festival proposing the creation of engaged, relevant forms of theater speaking to urban life.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You can't do better in New York right now than the Basque at Ernesto's.
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Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Aizuri Quartet
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021
5:00 PM
Baryshnikov Arts Center Stream
Free
https://bacnyc.org/performances/performance/aizuri-quartet
The first of two programs (the next airs next Wednesday) in which this vibrant string quartet plays music by women composers written over nearly a millenium. And what composers! Here, we have a piece by Hildegard von Bingen, one of the most distinctive and compelling — I'm biting my tongue at "weird" —identifiable composers of the medieval period. And a new piece by the classically-trained folky Rhiannon Giddens, which should be interesting. Capping it off is the Aizuri's Greatest Hit, Gabriella Smith's Carrot Revolution: a piece to make you love (and I mean LOVE) contemporary classical. Just listen.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If we're listening to the Abbess HIldegard, we've got be drinking Bénédictine, right? Bénédictine Sour: pour 2 oz. Bourbon, 3/4 oz. Bénédictine, 1 oz. lemon juice, and 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with 3 thin lemon wheels.
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Tue, Jun 22, 2021, 8:00 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 11:00 PM
Michel Hausmann: Seven Deadly Sins
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 22 – 27, 2021 (continuing through JULY 18)
8:00, 9:00 & 10:00 PM
Tectonic Theater Project
94 Gansevoort Street, Meatpacking District, Manhattan
$65-$75
https://www.sevendeadlysinsnyc.com/
Seven storefronts over three blocks, each housing a different short play by a different playwright concerning a different Sin. This looks great. But I have to quote a passage from the promotional materials that's one of the funniest things I've read this Summer (OK: I'm writing this on the first day): "a thrilling evening that merges live theater with performance art, dazzling design, and CDC-mandated regulations". Thrilling!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Remember when the original Pastis seemed to signal The End Of The Meatpacking District? Now, the new revival seems like a charming return.
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Tue, Jun 22, 2021, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 8:30 PM
-
Tue, Jun 22, 2021, 7:00 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 6:30 PM
600 Highwaymen: A Thousand Ways (Part Two)
THEATER
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 22 – 27, 2021 (continuing through AUGUST 15)
7:00 & 8:30 PM TUESDAY – FRIDAY & SUNDAY
10:00 PM SATURDAY
1:30, 3:00 & 5:30 PM SUNDAY
Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$35-$70
https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2021/a-thousands-ways2/
600 Highwaymen continue their exploration of connection, begun over the phone during the Quarantine. But this time, things being what they are, it's one-on-one in person. They encourage you to do the telephonic Part One first, if you haven't already.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Now that I've eaten there, I'm more excited than ever about the Shanghainese at CheLi: this is NOT the stuff you've had before.
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Tue, Jun 22, 2021, 5:30 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 10:30 PM
Liminatlity
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 22 – 27, 2021 (continuing through JULY 1)
5:30, 7:00 & 10:00 PM TUESDAY – THURSDAY
5:00, 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 PM FRIDAY
1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 PM SATURDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 8:00 & 9:30 PM SUNDAY
Museum of Future Experiences
148 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$75
https://mofe.co/products/liminality
Want to know how liminal this is? I was planning on waiting for it to get out of previews before Listing it — until I realized it's never scheduled to get out of previews. An evening of immersive, suggestive, often VR, Future Theater.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to the new French/Italian brasserietoria Francie. Be sure to have an order of duck mortadella with your cocktail. After that, it's every diner for him or herself.
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Tue, Jun 22, 2021, 3:00 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 3:00 PM
Lynn Nottage & Miranda Haymon: The Watering Hole
THEATER
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 22 – 27, 2021 (continuing through AUGUST 1)
TUESDAY 3:00-5:00 & 7:00-9:00 PM (staggered times)
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11:00 – 1:00 PM (staggered times)
Signature Theatre
480 West 42nd Street, Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
$0-$45
https://signaturetheatre.org/shows-and-events/Featured-Events/The-Watering-Hole.aspx
Lynn Nottage completes her interrupted residency at the Signature with an unexpected departure: an installation piece that has you wandering throughout the Signature's extensive plant, having different experiences as you go.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I don't think I knew that the West Village Moroccan spot Mémé had opened a branch in Hell's Kitchen.
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Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Metropolis Ensemble: House Music
MUSIC
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 22 & 24, 2021 (semi-weekly)
10:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble Stream
Free
https://metropolisensemble.org/house-music
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Metropolis Ensemble showcases ace musicianassociated with its excellent self, or in any event friends of the ensemble, playing solo contemporary, classical, and newly commissioned pieces from home. Metropolis Ensemble has assured me that no musicians were woken early for these shows; they are (new) prerecordings prepared for this series.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Coffee.
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Tue, Jun 22, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 4:30 PM
-
Monday, June 21, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ka Baird: Proximity Exercises
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/ka-baird-proximity-exercises/
The excellent sound artist Ka Baird presents a multi-media piece involving instruments, electronics, voice, and field recordings — and movement and installations.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, usher in Summer with a Django Reinhardt: put 2 orange slices at the bottom of a cocktail shaker and pour in 3 oz. dry Vermouth and 3/4 oz. each of lemon juice and Simple Syrup into a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ICE. Muddle. Add ice. Shake. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with another orange slice.
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Mon, Jun 21, 2021, 8:00 PM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 9:00 PM
Modulations
OPERA
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 21 – 27, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
8:00 PM (or on demand)
California Performing Arts/LA Opera
PROTOTYPE Festival Stream
$25
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/modulation/
A major event. A self-guided exploration of the efforts of 13 composers to deal with the various strands that wove together the past year. The composers include such List regulars as Mollly Joyce, Angélica Negrón, Paul Pinto, Raven Chacon, and Bora Yoon! This is how online presentations should be done.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: TGV: pour 2-1/4 oz. Blanco or Reposado Tequila, 1-1/2 oz. dry Vermouth, and 1/2 teaspoon of Grenadine into a tumbler over ice. Stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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Monday, June 21, 2021, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Helen Gillet
MUSIC
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021
7:00 & 9:00 PM
Barbès in Person & Live Stream
376 Ninth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://www.barbesbrooklyn.com/events
I like cello and I like chanson. So, when confronted by a cellist/chanteuse, I get real interested.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, you'll be drinking at the venue, obvs. Soak it up at Columbia in Park Slope. At home, have an Insanely Good Gin & Tonic: pour 1-1/2 oz. Gin, 1/2 oz. Suze, and 1/4 oz. lime juice, with 1 dash of Angostura bitters, to a Collins glass over ice. Top with tonic. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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Monday, June 21, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Make Music New York
MUSIC
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021
Various Times
Various locations
Free
https://makemusicny.org/
This epic all-day all-City music festival is always so widespread in location, genre, and (it must be said) quality that it's hard to write about. Here are a few picks — but you really owe it to yourself to peruse the schedule (when you have a spare day or two) to see what appeals: a tribute to the French pedagogue Nadia Boulanger, the godmother of 20th Century American classical music, at Pier 1, Riverside Park from 4:00-7:00 PM; dance by Jody Oberfelder to music by Frank London about the work of Rube Goldberg, from 6:30-8:00 PM at the East River Park Bandshell; In C from 7:00-8:15 PM at the Harborview Lawn on Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park; and a piece by Elliot Cole for flowerpot from 7:30-8:30 PM on the Nethermead in Prospect Park.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: This is all over the City. You're on your own.
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Mon, Jun 21, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 11:00 PM
Pamela Z & Geoff Sobelle: Times3 (Times x Times x Times)
OPERA / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 21 – 27, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
Starting 10:00 AM
PROTOTYPE Out of Bounds
PROTOTYPE Festival Onsite & Stream
Times Square, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/times-3/
A sonic journey through Times Square and its history that you can undertake live in Times Square or virtually at your computer. Created by two of this List's very favorites: magic soundscaper Pamela Z and physical theater magician Geoff Sobelle!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, try the wonderful Los Tacos No. 1 (bizarrely closed Saturdays, though). At home, this will take some advance preparation, but: Times Square. Combine 1-1/4 oz. Southern Comfort (yeah, you heard right), 1/4 oz. sweet Vermouth, and 1/2 oz. Grenadine in a glass or pitcher. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Pour into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne.
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Mon, Jun 21, 2021, 7:00 AM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 7:00 PM
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 21 – 27, 2021 (ongoing)
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
https://here.org/shows/cairns/
One of the first shows you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White. The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Jun 21, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 10:00 AM
Stephanie Fleischmann, Christina Campanella & Mallory Catlett: The Visitation
PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 21 – 27, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
HERE Arts Center Presentation
Jackie Robinson Park
Between Edgecombe & Bradhurst Aves. & 145 – 155 Sts., Sugar Hill, Manhattan
Pay what you wish
https://here.org/shows/the-visitation/
Another sound walk (I LOVE these!), this one set to avant-pop you access through Soundcloud.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good beer, epic burgers at Harlem Public.
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Mon, Jun 21, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 27, 2021, 1:00 AM
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 21 – JUNE 27, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
https://www.ellenreidsoundwalk.com/new-york-philharmonic
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train (see below). The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Sunday, June 20, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
-
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
-
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
-
Sunday, June 20, 2021, 1:30 PM – 6:30 PM
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Sunday, June 20, 2021, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Fantasy Grandma: Grandma Loves You, Daddy
PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2021
12:00 PM
The City Reliquary
370 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free
https://withfriends.co/event/11370940/grandma_loves_you_daddy
Another queer flea market with stuff to buy, stuff to eat and drink, and drag and camp.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You saw where I said "stuff to eat and drink", right?
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Sunday, June 20, 2021, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Michael Gordon: Timber
MUSIC
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2021
12:00 PM
Bang on a Can Live Stream
Free (donation requested)
https://live.bangonacan.org/timber-marathon/
To celebrate the 10th birthday of Michael Gordon's hour-long wooden percussion piece, you'll be able to hear it over and over for 12 hours played by different wooden-percussion ensembles around the world.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Norwegian Wood: pour 1 oz. each of Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy and Aquavit (Linie by preference), 3/4 oz. sweet Vermouth, and 1/4 oz. yellow Chartreuse into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Anaïs Maviel & The Rhythm Method: listen to the rain
MUSIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/anais-maviel-the-rhythm-method-listen-to-the-rain/
Vocalist/percussionist Anaïs Maviel's music is, quite simply, magical. Tonight, accompanied by the rad string quartet The Rhythm Method, she premieres a new piece applying Afrocentric and Eurocentric musical elements to an Asian subject. Prepare to be transfixed.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Clear As Rain: pour 1/2 oz. each of Blanco Tequila and Kummel, 1 teaspoon of Crème de Cacao, and 2 oz. water into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Jjjjjerome Ellis: Impediment Is Information
PERFORMANCE / MUSIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021
8:00 PM
ISSUE Project Room Stream
Free
https://issueprojectroom.org/event/jjjjjerome-ellis-impediment-information
The always engaging Jjjjjerome Ellis takes his speech impediment and runs with it, this time in a Juneteenth presentation riffing on an 18th Century newspaper ad seeking recapture of a fugitive slave with "an impediment in his speech". You need to experience Ellis's work if you haven't already.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Cotton: rinse a chilled Martini glass or coupe with Absinthe. Pour 2 oz. Rye and 1/2 oz. each of sweet and dry Vermouth, with 2 dashes of orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Community Salon
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 (monthly)
7:30 PM
Contemporaneous
Zoom
Free (with registration)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-community-salon-tickets-140418512551
A virtual salon. Artists and performers can share pieces in whatever stage of completion. Everyone else can comment and converse.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Dark 'n' Stormy: pour 2 oz. Blackstrap Rum and 1 oz. lime juice into a Collins glass. Add ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Edward Einhorn: The Marriage of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein
THEATER
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021
7:00 PM
Untitled Theater Company No. 61 Live Stream
Zoom
Free ($25 donation requested)
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/untitledtheatercompanyno61/534850/#
Edward Einhorn revives what is surely one of the better American plays of the last few years, a fantasia on the institution of marriage (and a totally wicked take on Paris In The '20s) (holy shit you now have to specify the 1920s). Without wanting to scant the rest of a marvelous cast (ladies and gentlemen: Mia Katigbak! Jan Leslie Harding!), if you want to see what people mean when they call a performance "luminous", watch Alyssa Simon's Alice. A performance to remember.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Hemingway Daiquiri: pour 2 oz. light Rum, 1/2 oz. each Maraschino liqueur and grapefruit juice, 3/4 oz. lime juice, and 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Carl Hancock Rux: I Dream a Dream that Dreams Back at Me
MUSIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021
7:00 PM
Restart Stages
Lincoln Center Campus (starting at Hearst Plaza)
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free (by lot)
https://www.lincolncenter.org/lincoln-center-at-home/show/i-dream-a-dream-that-dreams-back-at-meandnbspa-juneteenth-celebration-901
The considerably talented poet/writer/singer-songwriter Carl Hancock Rux marshals the considerable talents of, among others, Nona Hendryx, Vernon Reid, Lynn Notage, Toshi Reagon, and Helga Davis to celebrate Juneteenth, explore African-American history, and consider what must be done to acheive equity in Amerika (I don't see any non-radical solutions working myself — but I have a feeling Lincoln Center doesn't endorse that view).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Since the Downtown (these things are relative) Charles Pan-Fried Chicken on West 72nd Street won't be open till at least next month, we'll celebrate Juneteenth at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Leonie Bell / Local Grandma: Sommersonnenwende & Other Arrivals
THEATER
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021
7:00 & 8:30 PM
Magic in Plain Sight
Target Margin Theater
Doxsee Theater
232 52nd Street, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Free
https://www.targetmargin.org/magic/
Leonie Bell is antic, madcap — but, of course, with a highly developed process-based undercurrent underlaid by critique and shit like that. Tonight she welcomes the Summer Solstice. You can think. You can have a good time. You can think AND have a good time..
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delightful Mexican at Tequilitas.
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
-
Sat, Jun 19, 2021, 2:00 PM – Sun, Jun 20, 2021, 5:30 PM
-
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
-
Saturday, June 19, 2021, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
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Saturday, June 19, 2021, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
The Blacksmiths / The Wide Awakes: Brooklyn Juneteenth Jubilee 2021
MUSIC
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2021
12:00 PM
Fort Greene Park
DeKalb Avenue & South Portland Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Free
https://www.wearetheblacksmiths.com/juneteenth2021
Music! Stuff!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: American bistro at Walter's.
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Fri, Jun 18, 2021, 11:00 PM – Sat, Jun 19, 2021, 12:00 AM
San Francisco Contemporary Music Players: Voices in Reverberation
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021
11:00 PM
SCMP Stream
$5-$15
https://sfcmp.org/individual-tickets/?eid=43237
Wow. Pamela Z doing Pamela Z. Pamela Z (and others) doing Caroline Shaw (a world premiere!). A bunch of folks doing John Adams. And some Andrew Norman. I'm not familiar with Amadeus Regucera, but if the SFCMP see fit to put his work in that company, I'm eager to listen.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Oh Rickey: pour 1 oz. each of Pisco, Suze, and lime juice, and 3/4 oz. Simple Syrup, into a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice. Dry shake. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a cucumber slice or two and a few mint sprigs.
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Friday, June 18, 2021, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Kronos Festival 2021
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 16 & 18, 2021
10:00 PM WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY
Kronos Quartet Live Stream
Free
https://kronosquartet.org/kronos-festival-2021/
We skeptical Easterners have two raps against the Kronos Quartet: (1) its wirey string tone (de gustibus non est disputandum); and (2) its very Californian it's-all-good eclecticism, which at least to us grumpy Easterners can seem to verge on indiscriminacy. Anyway, this Festival is clearly worth your time. No info yet on what this week's programs are.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Black Manhattan (I'm a chauvinist: so shoot me): pour 2 oz. Rye and 1 oz. Averna, with 1 dash each of Angostura and orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
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Friday, June 18, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Jaimie Branch: Birthday Show
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/jaimie-branch/
Brooklyn can be grateful — and Chicago can regret — that trumpeter Jaimie Branch moved here. Her rough, exploratory sound graces our scene. Here she plays in a jazz trio and an electronic duo.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming anddelicious Kind of Soul. At home, rub it in (and help celebrate Jaimie's birthday) with a Chicago: rub the rim of a Champagne flute with lemon juice and rim it with sugar. Pour 2 oz. Brandy and 1/4 teaspoon Cointreau, with 1 dash of Angostura bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into the rimmed flute. Top with Champagne.
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Friday, June 18, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Friday, June 18, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Scout: FEVER DREAM: A RETURN PERFORMANCE RITUAL
PERFORMANCE
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021
7:30 PM
Wild Project in person & live stream
$15 in person and live stream
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10746656
A queer drag callback to live performance by actual people (even if highly stylized) in front of other actual people. (This will also be performed at The Brick in July.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go in person, great fried chicken at Bobwhite Counter. At home, have a Jungle Bird: pour 1-1/2 oz. Jamaican or blackstrap Rum, 3/4 oz. Campari, 1-1/2 oz. pineapple juice, and 1/2 oz. each of lime juice and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
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Friday, June 18, 2021, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Pablo Giraudo Tango Quartet
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021
7:00 & 9:00 PM
Barbès in Person & Live Stream
376 Ninth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://www.pedrogiraudo.com/web/
Nuevo Tango that nods at the Viejo.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, you'll be drinking at the venue, obvs. Soak it up at local favorite Pasta Louise. At home, have an Argentina: pour 1 oz. each of Gin and dry Vermouth and 1/4 oz. each of Cointreau or other Triple Sec and Bènèdictine, with 1 dash each of orange bitters and Angostura bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
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Friday, June 18, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ETHEL and Friends: Balcony Bar from Home
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 (weekly)
5:00 PM
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Facebook
Free
https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-live-arts/ethel-online
The fab alt string quartet ETHEL brings its weekly recitals in the Met Balcony Bar home (theirs and yours). Expect old and new music, and surprise guests (from still more homes).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Amber Negroni: pour 1/2 oz. each of Gin and Braulio Amaro, and 1 oz. each of Lillet Blanc (with the usual preferred substitutions, especially Tempus Fugit Kino l'Áero d'Or) and lemon juice, with 3 dashes of Bitterman's Burlesque Bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
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Thursday, June 17, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Crystal Peñalosa: Chamorro Spiritual Futures
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/crystal-penalosa-chamorro-spiritual-futures/
A magical realist multimedia piece exploring the vicissitudes — you know, colonialism, war, the usual stuff White people impose on Brown people — of Crystal Peñalosa's Chammoro forebears in Guam and the Northern Marianas.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Bitter Mai Tai: pour 3/4 oz. Jamaican Rum, 1-1/2 oz. Campari, 1/2 oz. Curaçao, 1 oz. lime juice, and 3/4 oz. Orgeat into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.
-
Thursday, June 17, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Susie Ibarra: Fragility Etudes
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2021
7:30 PM
Asia Society Stream
YouTube
Free
https://asiasociety.org/triennial/events/fragility-etudes-0
More from Susie Ibarra, one of the most sheerly interesting percussionist/composers around. Here, she's accompanied by a stellar band of acoustic and electronic instrumentalists. This is a canned concert video — let's hope we'll soon be seeing the last of those — but at least the canner was Yuka Honda (who also plays), so we can expect some visual imagination to be at play.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Troublemaker: pour 1 oz. each of Gin and sweet Vermouth and 3/4 oz. each of lemon juice and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with a strawberry (should just be able to get the last ones) and a cucumber ring.
-
Thu, Jun 17, 2021, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jun 19, 2021, 8:00 PM
-
Thursday, June 17, 2021, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sanda Weigl
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021
7:00 & 9:00 PM
Barbès in Person & Live Stream
376 Ninth Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://www.barbesbrooklyn.com/events
There are "can a White man sing the blues?" issues with non-Gypsy performers of Gypsy music. But Romanian former child rock star Sanda Weigl's take on Balkan Gypsy music is good the way the early Stones were: the rhythms, while losing all subtlety (I said "good", not "as good"), become more incisive — and the ironic self-awareness Q is through the ceiling. Meaning, it's not anything like as good as the The Real Thing, but it has its compensations. In any event, Weigl has been making an honest woman of herself by jazzing up her style, making it almost into a Balkan Gypsy/jazz/cabaret fusion.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, you'll be drinking at the venue, obvs. Soak it up at Columbia in Park Slope. At home, have a glass of Palinca — like Slivovitz, but stronger.
-
Thu, Jun 17, 2021, 2:00 PM – Sat, Jun 19, 2021, 7:00 PM
Janessa Clark: Communion
DANCE
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 17 – 19, 2021
2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 & 6:00 PM
HERE
145 6th Avenue (entrance on Dominick Street), Hudson Square, Manhattan
Free-$200
https://ci.ovationtix.com/219/production/1048693
This is almost more interesting as a thought experiment than a performance event. Over the course of the Quarantine, HERE has been streaming remote video dance duets created by choreographer/film artist Janessa Clark from videos separately submitted by dancers in disparate locations. Now, to mark the end of the Quarantine, HERE is showing the last of the video duets Clark assembled on its Mainstage instead of streaming them. So you'll be part of a live audience — but you'll still be watching videos. This isn't an installation, as I understand it: it's a live mass viewing of a video. So the questions are: does this even make sense? Is the viewing of a video enhanced by the presence of other audience members? Is it enough that you get to get out of your apartment? Is this like a movie, where the size of the screen and the quality (or at least quantity) of the sound, superior to what you probably have at home, significantly enhance the experience? I guess you have to go to find out.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: L.A.-style Mexican at Lupe's East L.A. Kitchen.
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Thursday, June 17, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble: House Music
MUSIC
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 15 & 17, 2021 (semi-weekly)
10:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble Stream
Free
https://metropolisensemble.org/house-music
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Metropolis Ensemble showcases ace musicianassociated with its excellent self, or in any event friends of the ensemble, playing solo contemporary, classical, and newly commissioned pieces from home. Metropolis Ensemble has assured me that no musicians were woken early for these shows; they are (new) prerecordings prepared for this series.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Coffee.
-
Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Kronos Festival 2021
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 16 & 18, 2021
10:00 PM WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY
Kronos Quartet Live Stream
Free
https://kronosquartet.org/kronos-festival-2021/
We skeptical Easterners have two raps against the Kronos Quartet: (1) its wirey string tone (de gustibus non est disputandum); and (2) its very Californian it's-all-good eclecticism, which at least to us grumpy Easterners can seem to verge on indiscriminacy. Anyway, this Festival is clearly worth your time. No info yet on what this week's programs are.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Black Manhattan (I'm a chauvinist: so shoot me): pour 2 oz. Rye and 1 oz. Averna, with 1 dash each of Angostura and orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
-
Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
-
Wed, Jun 16, 2021, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jun 19, 2021, 8:00 PM
Downtown Urban Arts Festival
THEATER
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 16 – 19, 2021 (also JUNE 23 – 26)
7:00 PM
Abrons Art Center
466 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free (ticket required)
https://ci.ovationtix.com/209/production/1058843?performanceId=10748194
A festival proposing the creation of engaged, relevant forms of theater speaking to urban life. And they're not kidding around: among the playwrights featured this week are Mary Weems and reg e. gaines.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You can't do better in New York right now than the Basque at Ernesto's.
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Wed, Jun 16, 2021, 11:30 AM – Thu, Jun 17, 2021, 1:30 PM
Harlem Chamber Players: American Dreams
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 16 & 17, 2021
11:30 AM THURSDAY
12:00 PM FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY: Morningside Avenue btw. 114th Street & 115th Street, Harlem, Manhattan
THURSDAY: Jackie Robinson Park
85 Bradhurst Avenue, Harlem, Manhattan
Free
WEDNESDAY: https://www.harlemchamberplayers.org/event/american-dreams
THURSDAY: https://www.harlemchamberplayers.org/event/american-dreams-day-2
An excellent program. Among the composers featured in this string quartet recital are current List fave Trevor Weston, who takes his West Indian background and runs with it;* Carlos Simon, who writes eclectic but serious music of enormous potential popular appeal with a clear personal style; and George Walker, a "lost" (by whom, exactly?) 20th Century mainstream classical composer whose works weren't widely programmed — even after he won a Pulitzer — despite their being as well-crafted and appealing as anyone other contemporary's in the genre. Couldn't be because he was Black, right?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Wednesday, I'm sure Trevor Weston would want you to stroll over to Lolo's Seafood Shack, for Caribbean-style seafood that's supposed to have something to do with New England-style (but I wouldn't sweat that but would rather just enjoy it for its sheer deliciousness). Thursday, grab some of the beautifully fried fish at Famous Fish Market and take it into the Park to eat.
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Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sarah Thawer
MUSIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021
8:00 PM
Brooklyn Raga Massive Stream
Zoom
Free (registration required)
https://www.brooklynragamassive.org/events/sarah-thawer
Sarah Thawer is a terrific drummer who plays Carnatic/Hindustani, yes (that's why she's here) — but also jazz, Latin, funk, hip-hop, and lots else.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Hot in the Shade (RIP Diamond Reef) (at least for now): pour 1-1/2 oz. aged Rum, 1 oz. pineapple juice, and 1/2 oz. each of lime juice, and Orgeat into a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice. Dry shake. Pour into a tall glass 2/3 full of crushed ice. Stick in a straw. Float 1/2 oz. Bual Madeira on top. Top with more crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and some grated nutmeg.
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Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
International Contemporary Ensemble: Field Auras
MUSIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021
7:00 PM
TUES@7
International Contemporary Ensemble Stream
Free
https://www.iceorg.org/events/tues7-june15
The International Contemporary Ensemble's fabulous saxophonist, Ryan Muncy, teams up with composer Wojtek Blecharz and visual artist (and fashion designer!) Nico Navarro Rueda to explor queer identities and experiences during the Pandemic.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Daiquilroy: pour 2 oz. aged Rum, 1 oz. pineapple juice, and 1/2 oz. each of lime juice and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
-
Tue, Jun 15, 2021, 7:00 PM – Fri, Jun 18, 2021, 9:00 PM
-
Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble: House Music
MUSIC
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 15 & 17, 2021 (semi-weekly)
10:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble Stream
Free
https://metropolisensemble.org/house-music
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Metropolis Ensemble showcases ace musicianassociated with its excellent self, or in any event friends of the ensemble, playing solo contemporary, classical, and newly commissioned pieces from home. Metropolis Ensemble has assured me that no musicians were woken early for these shows; they are (new) prerecordings prepared for this series.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Coffee.
-
Tue, Jun 15, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 20, 2021, 4:30 PM
-
Monday, June 14, 2021, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 14 – JUNE 20, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
https://www.ellenreidsoundwalk.com/new-york-philharmonic
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train (see below). The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Monday, June 14, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Mary Prescott: Mother Me
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/mary-prescott-mother-me-2/
Mary Prescott explores her relationship with her mother and her own childlessness.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, try a Siamese Storm: pour 2 oz. golden Rum (Phraya by preference — but if you don't have any don't sweat it) and 1/2 oz. lime juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with Ginger Beer. Garnish with a lime twist.
-
Mon, Jun 14, 2021, 8:00 PM – Sun, Jun 20, 2021, 8:59 PM
Modulations
OPERA
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 14 – JUNE 20, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
8:00 PM (or on demand)
California Performing Arts/LA Opera
PROTOTYPE Festival Stream
$25
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/modulation/
A major event. A self-guided exploration of the efforts of 13 composers to deal with the various strands that wove together the past year. The composers include such List regulars as Mollly Joyce, Angélica Negrón, Paul Pinto, Raven Chacon, and Bora Yoon! This is how online presentations should be done.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: TGV: pour 2-1/4 oz. Blanco or Reposado Tequila, 1-1/2 oz. dry Vermouth, and 1/2 teaspoon of Grenadine into a tumbler over ice. Stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.
-
Monday, June 14, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
The Underground Cabaret
PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021 (continuing through JULY 17)
7:30 & 7:45 PM
DeKalb Stage, City Point
445 Albee Square West, Downtown, Brooklyn
$40 (just drinks — but you have to pay for the drinks and there's a minimum of two) & $135 (includes dinner)
https://www.anverentertainment.com/the-underground-cabaret
Special Juneteenth edition of this dinner and a neo-circus, neo-burlesque, neo-variety show.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Dinner is by Israeli chain Minzon.
-
Mon, Jun 14, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 20, 2021, 10:59 PM
Pamela Z & Geoff Sobelle: Times3 (Times x Times x Times)
OPERA / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 14 – 20, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
Starting 10:00 AM
PROTOTYPE Out of Bounds
PROTOTYPE Festival Onsite & Stream
Times Square, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/times-3/
A sonic journey through Times Square and its history that you can undertake live in Times Square or virtually at your computer. Created by two of this List's very favorites: magic soundscaper Pamela Z and physical theater magician Geoff Sobelle!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, try the wonderful Los Tacos No. 1 (bizarrely closed Saturdays, though). At home, this will take some advance preparation, but: Times Square. Combine 1-1/4 oz. Southern Comfort (yeah, you heard right), 1/4 oz. sweet Vermouth, and 1/2 oz. Grenadine in a glass or pitcher. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Pour into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne.
-
Mon, Jun 14, 2021, 7:00 AM – Sun, Jun 20, 2021, 7:00 PM
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 14 – JUNE 20, 2021 (ongoing)
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
https://here.org/shows/cairns/
One of the first shows you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White. The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
-
Mon, Jun 14, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 20, 2021, 10:00 PM
Stephanie Fleischmann, Christina Campanella & Mallory Catlett: The Visitation
PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 14 – 20, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
HERE Arts Center Presentation
Jackie Robinson Park
Between Edgecombe & Bradhurst Aves. & 145 – 155 Sts., Sugar Hill, Manhattan
Pay what you wish
https://here.org/shows/the-visitation/
Another sound walk (I LOVE these!), this one set to avant-pop you access through Soundcloud.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good beer, epic burgers at Harlem Public.
-
Sunday, June 13, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
-
Sunday, June 13, 2021, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Kronos Festival 2021
MUSIC
FRIDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 11 & 13, 2021 (also on JUNE 16 & 18)
10:00 PM FRIDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
Kronos Quartet Live Stream
Free
https://kronosquartet.org/kronos-festival-2021/
We skeptical Easterners have two raps against the Kronos Quartet: (1) its wirey string tone (de gustibus non est disputandum); and (2) its very Californian it's-all-good eclecticism, which at least to us grumpy Easterners can seem to verge on indiscriminacy. But you can't ignore a show, like Friday's, that features (among many many other things) new multi-media pieces by two composers this List just adores (both, one can't help noting, working in the East), Montreal's crazy-like-a-fox pop/classical surrealist Nicole Lizée and the fascinating arch-liminalist inti figgis-vizueta (the latter's piece performed by Andrew Yee — a real New York incursion!). The Sunday show is for kids, featuring things like music with animation — which makes it extremely attractive to hyper-immature superannuated adults like myself.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Friday, a Black Manhattan (I'm a chauvinist: so shoot me): pour 2 oz. Rye and 1 oz. Averna, with 1 dash each of Angostura and orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
-
Saturday, June 12, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
The Underground Cabaret
PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021 (continuing through JULY 17)
7:30 & 7:45 PM
DeKalb Stage, City Point
445 Albee Square West, Downtown, Brooklyn
$40 (just drinks — but you have to pay for the drinks and there's a minimum of two) & $135 (includes dinner)
https://www.anverentertainment.com/the-underground-cabaret
Dinner and a neo-circus, neo-burlesque, neo-variety show.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Dinner is by Israeli chain Minzon.
-
Saturday, June 12, 2021, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Lubdub Theater Company: The Uncle Geoff Magic Show
THEATER
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
7:30 & 9:00 PM
Magic in Plain Sight
Target Margin Theater
Doxsee Theater
232 52nd Street, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Free
https://www.targetmargin.org/magic/
Uncle Geoff has always liked to put together magic shows for his nieces and nephews on the West Coast. But this year he doesn't know when he'll be able to go home again.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Some of Sunset Park's best tacos at Rico's Tacos.
-
Saturday, June 12, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Brooklyn Art Song Society: New Voices
MUSIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
7:30 PM
Brooklyn Art Song Society Stream
$9.99
http://brooklynartsongsociety.org/new-voices-iii/
This program of new song-form vocal music features some personal favorite performers and composers. So please don't think I'm slighting the others when I note my very favorites: composers Daniel Felsenfeld, James Matheson, and Kurt Rohde (three composers who know how to write contemporary music with much immediate appeal). And Charlotte Mundy, one of the most compelling singers anywhere.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The first time I met James Matheson, whiskey was drunk (at least by me) to ill effect the next morning (at least for me). So, a Horse's Neck: snake a very loooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggggg lemon twist around the inside of a Collins glass. Add ice. Pour in 2 oz. Bourbon. Top with Ginger Ale. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
-
Friday, June 11, 2021, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Kronos Festival 2021
MUSIC
FRIDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 11 & 13, 2021 (also on JUNE 16 & 18)
10:00 PM FRIDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
Kronos Quartet Live Stream
Free
https://kronosquartet.org/kronos-festival-2021/
We skeptical Easterners have two raps against the Kronos Quartet: (1) its wirey string tone (de gustibus non est disputandum); and (2) its very Californian it's-all-good eclecticism, which at least to us grumpy Easterners can seem to verge on indiscriminacy. But you can't ignore a show, like Friday's, that features (among many many other things) new multi-media pieces by two composers this List just adores (both, one can't help noting, working in the East), Montreal's crazy-like-a-fox pop/classical surrealist Nicole Lizée and the fascinating arch-liminalist inti figgis-vizueta (the latter's piece performed by Andrew Yee — a real New York incursion!). The Sunday show is for kids, featuring things like music with animation — which makes it extremely attractive to hyper-immature superannuated adults like myself.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Friday, a Black Manhattan (I'm a chauvinist: so shoot me): pour 2 oz. Rye and 1 oz. Averna, with 1 dash each of Angostura and orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
-
Friday, June 11, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
GABI: Time Stops
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/gabi-time-stops/
Composer Gabrielle Herbst's songform project/entity GABI performs a new longform composition for voice, string quartet, and electronics.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming anddelicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Sugar Plum: pour 2 oz. Gin, 1 oz. Grapefruit Juice, and 1/2 oz. Grenadine into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
-
Friday, June 11, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Manning Jordan: Airwaves
THEATER
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021
8:00 PM
Wild Project
In Person & Live Stream
195 East 3rd Street, East Village, Manhattan
$10 in person & live stream
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10746017
Manning Jordan (a very funny person) takes you on a tour of satirical radio stations.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Minca has been doing really good ramen since before there was ramen on every block.
-
Fri, Jun 11, 2021, 6:00 PM – Sat, Jun 12, 2021, 7:00 PM
Mark Morris Dance Group: Mark Morris on the Plaza
DANCE
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 11 & 12, 2021
6:00 PM FRIDAY
4:00 & 6:00 PM SATURDAY
The Plaza at 300 Ashland
300 Ashland Place, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Free (registration required) ($12 donation requested)
https://markmorrisdancegroup.org/event/plaza-shows-brooklyn-ny-2021/
You don't need me to tell you why the Mark Morris Dance Group doing old Morris pieces on the plaza across the street from their headquarters is worth your time.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Nashville hot chicken at Peaches HotHouse.
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Friday, June 11, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ETHEL and Friends: Balcony Bar from Home
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 (weekly)
5:00 PM
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Facebook
Free
https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-live-arts/ethel-online
The fab alt string quartet ETHEL brings its weekly recitals in the Met Balcony Bar home (theirs and yours). Expect old and new music, and surprise guests (from still more homes).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Amber Negroni: pour 1/2 oz. each of Gin and Braulio Amaro, and 1 oz. each of Lillet Blanc (with the usual preferred substitutions, especially Tempus Fugit Kino l'Áero d'Or) and lemon juice, with 3 dashes of Bitterman's Burlesque Bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
-
Thursday, June 10, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ghost Ensemble Presents: Margaret Lancaster
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021
8:00 PM
Ghost Ensemble Stream
YouTube
Free ($5-$10 suggested donation)
https://www.facebook.com/events/240999684463718
Flautist Margaret Lancaster, a sensational live (or in this case, "live") performer, plays a program including such Listable luminaries as Lou Harrison and James Ilgenfritz.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Industry Sour: pour 1 oz. each of Fernet, green Chartreuse, lime juice, and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
-
Thursday, June 10, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Amirtha Kidambi's Elder Ones: New Monuments
MUSIC
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/amirtha-kidambis-elder-ones-new-monuments/
Amirtha Kidambi is someone whose music I listened to A LOT during Quarantine. Modern Indian fusion, I guess you'd call it. It takes you out of yourself — and you get the feeling it's taking Kidambi out of herself, too. This is her jazz fusion band (of a sort) — and they're just great.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Tamarind Margarita: rim a double rocks glass with salt. Pour 1-1/2 oz. Blanco Tequila and 1 oz. Cointreau or other Triple Sec, with 1/4 oz. Tamarind Paste (get it at Kalustyan's and then use it on pork ribs all summer), into a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice. Dry shake for a rather long time, until the paste is dissolved. Now pour in 2 oz. lime juice, and 1/2 oz. each of orange juice and Simple Syrup. Shake some more. Strain into the rimmed glass over ice.
-
Thu, Jun 10, 2021, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 12, 2021, 8:30 PM
Tess Dworman: Carl Soprano: The Day I Became a Minimalist
DANCE / PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 10 – 12, 2021
7:30 PM
Abrons Arts Center Live Stream
Zoom
$5-$20
https://www.abronsartscenter.org/program/tess-dworman-carl-soprano/
In collaboration with photographer Daniele Sarti, sorta choreographer sorta theater/performance artist Tess Dworman creates a "meta-TV show" that finds the intersection between Tony Soprano and Carl Andre.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Jack Rose: pour 2-1/2 oz. Laird's Bonded Apple Brandy, 3/4 oz. lemon juice, and 1/2 oz. Grenadine into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Thursday, June 10, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
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Wed, Jun 9, 2021, 8:00 PM – Sat, Jun 12, 2021, 9:00 PM
Persou
PERFORMANCE
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 9 – 12, 2021
8:00 PM
the cell
338 West 23rd Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$35-$70
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thecelltheatre/519624#
With Spring finally really springing, we celebrate with an attempted, not really recreation, but reflection of ceremonies worshipping Persephone at the Temple of Aphrodite in Paphos, Cyprus. (Wait I thought the main rites for Persephone and her mom Demeter were celebrated at Eleusis in Greece — and that the Temple of Aphrodite in Paphos was known for other things. Well, don't listen to me.) This particular version of the rite involves music, snacks (and they're actually good) (and so is the wine!) (this may be a first), and general immersive performance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I'm actually really crazy for the homestyle Palestinian at Qanoon right now — and not just because of world events.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Susie Ibarra feat. Claire Chase & Alex Peh: Talking Gong
MUSIC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/susie-ibarra-talking-gong-with-claire-chase-and-alex-peh/
Susie Ibarra, an incredibly interesting percussionist, performs with her Talking Gong ensemble — which, also incredibly, includes superflautist Claire Chase and Alex Peh on piano.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. (Last time I was at Roulette, the entire cast of the performance ended up joining me and the others in KOS's delightful backyard.) At home, try a Pancho Villa (named, just so you know, after the Filipino boxer, not the Mexican rebel): pour 1 oz. each of light Rum, Gin, and Apricot Brandy, and 1/4 oz. each of Cherry Brandy and pineapple juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fareeha Khan / Amanda Ariel Peggy Xeller / Amanda Goodman / Teresa Braun (Egregious Philbin) feat. Xavier Rice
PERFORMANCE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021
8:00 PM
2021: The Brick: A New Year
Brick Theater Live Stream
YouTube
Free
https://www.bricktheater.com/event/deepali-gupta-brendan-drake-hannah-kallenbach-with-xavier-rice/
Kind of like a return to the old (relatively) grown-up days of Out of an Abundance of Caution: a Brooklyn fringe variety show, featuring comedy, performance art, and drag.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Charo's Kick: pour 1-1/2 oz. Tequila, 1/2 oz. Mezcal, and 3/4 oz. each of lemon juice and Orgeat into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Joanna Mattrey feat. Dr. Graham Walker: POV: Simulation
OPERA / MUSIC
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 2021
8:00 PM
ISSUE Project Room Stream
Free
https://issueprojectroom.org/event/joanna-mattrey-pov-simulation-dr-graham-walker
The questing violinist Joanna Mattrey presents a remote digital "soundwalk" (I guess you can walk around your apartment if you want) featuring visuals generated from the vibrational patterns formed by Mattrey's soundscape.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Six Figure: pour 1-1/2 oz. Mezcal, 1-1/4 oz. Blanc Vermouth, and 1/4 oz. yellow Chartreuse, with 2 dashes of orange bitters, into a rocks glass over ice. Stir. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Wed, Jun 9, 2021, 7:00 PM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 9:30 PM
600 Highwaymen: A Thousand Ways (Part Two)
THEATER
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 9 – 13, 2021 (continuing through AUGUST 15)
7:00 & 8:30 PM WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY
1:30, 3:00, 5:30 & 8:30 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$35-$70
https://publictheater.org/productions/season/2021/a-thousands-ways2/
600 Highwaymen continue their exploration of connection, begun over the phone during the Quarantine. But this time, things being what they are, it's one-on-one in person. They encourage you to do the telephonic Part One first, if you haven't already..
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I'm very excited about the Shanghainese at CheLi.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Che Chen & Talice Lee: Alone Together
MUSIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/che-chen-talice-lee-alone-together/
Che Chen, master of weird invented electric string instruments, is half of the psych/drone/world/minimalist band 75 Dollar Bill, of which Your Compiler is an insane fan. He (Che Chen, not Your Compiler) has been holed up over the Quarantine with violinist/vocal-sound-maker/electronicist/fabric artisan Talice Lee, making for a closer (or at least more constant) collaboration than either of them probably ever expected. Here are the fruits.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. (Last time I was at Roulette, the entire cast of the performance ended up joining me and the others in KOS's delightful backyard.) At home, try a Million Dollar Cocktail: pour 2 oz. Gin, 1 oz. sweet Vermouth, 1/2 oz. pineapple juice, and 1 teaspoon Grenadine, with an egg white. into a cocktail shaker with NO ice. Dry shake. Add ice. Shake some more. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Deepali Gupta / Brendan Drake / Hannah Kallenbach feat. Xavier Rice
MUSIC / DANCE / PERFORMANCE
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2021
8:00 PM
2021: The Brick: A New Year
Brick Theater Live Stream
YouTube
Free
https://www.bricktheater.com/event/deepali-gupta-brendan-drake-hannah-kallenbach-with-xavier-rice/
Kind of like a return to the old (relatively) grown-up days of Out of an Abundance of Caution: a Brooklyn fringe variety show, featuring song, dance, and performance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Switchblade: pour 2 oz. Tequila, 1/2 oz. Crème de Cacao, 3/4 oz. lime juice, and 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Sprinkle in some cayenne pepper.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Neybuu
MUSIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2021
8:00 PM
Brooklyn Raga Massive Stream
Zoom
Free
https://www.brooklynragamassive.org/events/neybuu
Tabla-permeated electronic dance music: it's not a new thing, but it's usually pretty great. Chicago's Neybuu is a good exponent of the approach.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Goa: pour 1-1/2 oz. white Rum, 1 oz. Cointreau or other Triple Sec, 1-1/2 oz. orange juice, 1 oz. passionfruit juice, 1/2 oz. lime juice, with 1-1/2 tablespoons of sugar, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Pour into a Collins glass over ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
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Tue, Jun 8, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 4:30 PM
-
Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
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Monday, June 7, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Project-TAG feat. Hussein Smko: We are not a school
DANCE
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021
8:00 PM
2021: The Brick: A New Year
Brick Theater Live Stream
YouTube
Free
https://www.bricktheater.com/event/hussein-skmos-project-tag/
A multi-camera multi-sensory dance experience. (If they can arrange smell remotely, they'll have really done something new.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: El Guapo: pour 2 oz. Tequila and 3/4 oz. Simple Syrup, with 4 dashes of Cholula Hot Sauce and 6 lime chunks, into a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice. Muddle. Add ice. Shake. Dump it all into a rocks glass. Sprinkle in a little salt and pepper.
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Mon, Jun 7, 2021, 8:00 PM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 9:00 PM
Modulations
OPERA
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – JUNE 13, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
8:00 PM (or on demand)
California Performing Arts/LA Opera
PROTOTYPE Festival Stream
$25
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/modulation/
A major event. A self-guided exploration of the efforts of 13 composers to deal with the various strands that wove together the past year. The composers include such List regulars as Mollly Joyce, Angélica Negrón, Paul Pinto, Raven Chacon, and Bora Yoon! This is how online presentations should be done.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: TGV: pour 2-1/4 oz. Blanco or Reposado Tequila, 1-1/2 oz. dry Vermouth, and 1/2 teaspoon of Grenadine into a tumbler over ice. Stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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Monday, June 7, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Kyle Marshall: Stellar
DANCE
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021
5:00 PM
Baryshnikov Arts Center Stream
Free
https://bacnyc.org/performances/performance/kyle-marshall
Choreographer Kyle Marshall (who was red-hot until Quarantine gave him a chance to slow down) goes Afrofuturist!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Bitter Giuseppe: pour 2 oz. Cynar, 1 oz. sweet Vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula strongly preferred), and 1/4 oz. lemon juice, with 6 dashes of orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Monday, June 7, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Petr Kotík & Ostravská banda: Essential Changes
MUSIC
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021
3:00 PM
Ostravská Days Festival Live Stream
YouTube
Free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=751IjB6Susk
Live, from Prague at the Ostravská Days Festival, a tribute to the New York School and FLUXUS (Yoshi Wada RIP) which did so much to shape the musical landscape we now inhabit.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Czech Mate: pour 1 oz. each of white Rum and Becherovka, 1/4 oz. each of Orgeat and lime juice, and 3/4 oz. apple juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lime twist.
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Mon, Jun 7, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 11:00 PM
Boston Early Music Festival: Solace & Joy
MUSIC / OPERA
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – 13, 2021
Various times
Boston Early Music Festival Stream
$150 Festival pass
$10-$20 per show
https://bemf.org/purchase-tickets/
Just look at the line-up. If you like Baroque music, you know what to do.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Baroque: pour 1-1/2 oz. Jamaican Rum, 3/4 oz. each of Gin and lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon Maraschino liqueur, and 1/2 teaspoon Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Mon, Jun 7, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 11:00 AM
Pamela Z & Geoff Sobelle: Times3 (Times x Times x Times)
OPERA / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – 13, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
Starting 10:00 AM
PROTOTYPE Out of Bounds
PROTOTYPE Festival Onsite & Stream
Times Square, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/times-3/
A sonic journey through Times Square and its history that you can undertake live in Times Square or virtually at your computer. Created by two of this List's very favorites: magic soundscaper Pamela Z and physical theater magician Geoff Sobelle!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, try the wonderful Los Tacos No. 1 (bizarrely closed Saturdays, though). At home, this will take some advance preparation, but: Times Square. Combine 1-1/4 oz. Southern Comfort (yeah, you heard right), 1/4 oz. sweet Vermouth, and 1/2 oz. Grenadine in a glass or pitcher. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Pour into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne.
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Mon, Jun 7, 2021, 7:00 AM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 7:00 PM
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – JUNE 13, 2021 (ongoing)
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
https://here.org/shows/cairns/
Something you can actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White. The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Jun 7, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 10:00 PM
Stephanie Fleischmann, Christina Campanella & Mallory Catlett: The Visitation
PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – 13, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
HERE Arts Center Presentation
Jackie Robinson Park
Between Edgecombe & Bradhurst Aves. & 145 – 155 Sts., Sugar Hill, Manhattan
Pay what you wish
https://here.org/shows/the-visitation/
Another sound walk (I LOVE these!), this one set to avant-pop you access through Soundcloud.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good beer, epic burgers at Harlem Public.
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Mon, Jun 7, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 13, 2021, 1:00 AM
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – JUNE 13, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
https://www.ellenreidsoundwalk.com/new-york-philharmonic
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train (see below). The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Sunday, June 6, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Sunday, June 6, 2021, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
AUNTS: AUNTS goes public!
DANCE
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021
5:30 PM
Open Culture LIC Queens 49th Avenue
In front of the Chocolate Factory
5-49 49th Ave., Long Island City, Queens
Free
https://auntsisdance.com/event/aunts-open-culture/
Guerilla dance company AUNTS kick off their street series as part of the NYC Open Culture program.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Chiapan classic Casa Enrique is like right across the street.
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Sunday, June 6, 2021, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
-
Sunday, June 6, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
-
Sunday, June 6, 2021, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Petr Kotík & Ostravská banda: Essential Changes
MUSIC
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021
3:00 PM
Ostravská Days Festival Live Stream
YouTube
Free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=751IjB6Susk
Live, from Prague, a tribute to the New York School and FLUXUS (Yoshi Wada RIP) which did so much to shape the musical landscape we now inhabit.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Czech Mate: pour 1 oz. each of white Rum and Becherovka, 1/4 oz. each of Orgeat and lime juice, and 3/4 oz. apple juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lime twist.
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Sunday, June 6, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Bang on a Can Marathon of Song
MUSIC
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021
1:00 PM
Bang on a Can Live Stream
Free (donation requested)
https://live.bangonacan.org/june-2021-marathon/
Bang on a Can's online iterations of their Marathons have been some of the consistently best stuff of the Quarantine. This time they focus on vocal writing. As I've said time and again, if you have any sympathy at all for The Basic Esthetic Of This Newsletter, you can't even think about missing this: this List on a stick.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Chilcano (bet you can't drink just one): pour 2 oz. Pisco, 1/4 oz. lime juice, and 4-5 oz. ginger beer in a Highball glass over ice. Stir. Toss in the rind from the lime you pressed to make the juice.
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Saturday, June 5, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Matt Mehlan & Sonnenzimmer: Slow Dances
DANCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/matt-mehlan-sonnenzimmer-slow-dances/
A series of prompt cards create a chance score for, and choreography of, a dance piece.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Paper Plane: pour 3/4 oz. each of Bourbo, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Saturday, June 5, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tone Glow Presents
MUSIC
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021
8:00 PM
The Quarantine Concerts
Experimental Sound Studios Live Stream
Twitch
Free ($5 suggested donation)
https://ess.org/esscalendar/2021/6/5/tqc-tone-glow-presents
Experimental music from all over the world.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Water Lily: pour 3/4 oz. each of Gin, Cointreau or other Triple Sec, Crème de Violette, and lemon juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Express an orange twist into the drink and discard the rind.
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Saturday, June 5, 2021, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kaaron Briscoe: A Feeling of Great Happiness
THEATER
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021
5:00 & 7:00 PM
Magic in Plain Sight
Target Margin Theater
Doxsee Theater
232 52nd Street, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Free
https://www.targetmargin.org/magic/
Theatermaker Kaaron Briscoe promises us joy. Sounds pretty good. (You sit or stand on the sidewalk outside the Doxsee Theater and watch the performers immediately inside through the raised big garage door.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Charming Mexican at Tequilitas.
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Saturday, June 5, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Amir Vahab: Persian Songs of Love
MUSIC / DANCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021
5:00 PM
Persian Walled Garden, Untermyer Park & Gardens
945 North Broadway, Yonkers, Westchester
$50
https://www.untermyergardens.org/store/p419/Persian_Songs_of_Love.html
Persian classical song is something great. It seems to calmly spin and yet remain static. And it has really great Persian love poetry — think of Rumi — to set. (Of course, there's the added bonus that you can never quite tell if the object of love is human or divine.) There'll be Persian dance as well. In an incredibly beautiful (Persian-inspired) setting. With Persian snacks!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It's not particularly near the Untermyer Park & Gardens, but the place to eat in Yonkers is X20 Xavier's on the Hudson.
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Sat, Jun 5, 2021, 2:00 PM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 5:30 PM
Mark Morris Dance Group: Words, Fugue
DANCE
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 5 & 6, 2021 (also JUNE 12-13, 19-20 & 26-27)
2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM & 4:30 PM
New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Boulevard, Fordham, Bronx
$35; $32 students/seniors; $15 children agead 2-12; free children under age 2
https://markmorrisdancegroup.org/event/contemporary-dance-series-new-york-botanical-gardens/
The Mark Morris Dance Group dances around Yayoi Kusuma's Cosmic Nature installation. Mark Morris and Yoyoi Kusama: that's almost too much awesomeness for one experience.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Just go to Red Sauce Paradise Arthur Avenue and see what looks good.
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Sat, Jun 5, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 1:00 PM
Rashid Johnson: Red Stage
MUSIC / DANCE / PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 5 & 6, 2021
10:00 AM SATURDAY
12:00 PM SUNDAY
Creative Time
Astor Place Plaza, East Village, Manhattan
Free
https://creativetime.org/red-stage-rashid-johnson/opening-weekend-schedule/
Artist Rashid Johnson has designed a sculptural stage on the Astor Place Plaza, and this performing arts series continuing through the month "responds" to it. Saturday's program is Resurgence, with performances and presentations relating to the neighborhood and its history (going back to before the Europeans took it over), as well as its present. At 5:00 PM, things get dancy with an Opening Night Party. Sunday's program, The Portal, presented by the Queer art collective Papi Juice, features games as well as performance and music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: During, sandwiches so good you can hardly believe it at Foxface. After, Shanghainese at CheLi.
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Friday, June 4, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Okwui Okpokwasili
DANCE
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021
8:00 PM
Danspace Stream
Zoom
Free-$20
https://danspaceproject.org/calendar/okpokwasili-film-premiere/
The truly excellent Nigerian-American choreographer Okwui Okpokwasili's works never fail to move and provoke. This is a video piece she created with her frequent collaborator, the filmmaker Peter Born.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Gin in Nigeria's favorite cocktail, the Chapman, is optional — but not when I'm making it: put 2 slices each of lime and orange into a Highball glass. Pour in 3 tablespoons of Grenadine or Crème de Cassis (it's important that this goes in before the other liquids). Add ice. Pour in 1 oz. Gin and 4 oz. each of lemon/lime and orange sodas, with 3-4 dashes of Angostura bitters. Do NOT stir.
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Friday, June 4, 2021, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Monteverdi & Other Treasures from the Seicento
OPERA
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021
7:30 PM
Little Opera Theater Live Stream
$5-$50
https://www.musae.me/lotny/experiences/985/monteverdi-other
Monteverdi's Renaissance-into-Baroque chamber opera (unless it's a dramatic madrigal) (nobody calls it a cantata) Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda is always good to hear — and here it'll be presented in VR (if you have the equipment)! It'll be joined on this program by vocal pieces by Monteverdi's Venetian contemporaries Dario Castello (known only to Baroque maniacs like me — but well loved by those who know him) and Barbara Strozzi, who was about as good as any Italian Baroque composer you can name, but whose works were lost to history until recently for reasons you can guess.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Bittersweet Symphony: pour 1-1/2 oz. Gin and 3/4 oz. each of Punt e Mes and Aperol into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Fri, Jun 4, 2021, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 5, 2021, 8:45 PM
The Underground Cabaret
PERFORMANCE
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 4 & 5, 2021 (continuing through JULY 17)
7:30 & 7:45 PM
DeKalb Stage, City Point
445 Albee Square West, Downtown, Brooklyn
$40 (just drinks — but you have to pay for the drinks and there's a minimum of two) & $135 (includes dinner)
https://www.anverentertainment.com/the-underground-cabaret
Dinner and a neo-circus, neo-burlesque, neo-variety show.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Dinner is by Israeli chain Minzon.
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Friday, June 4, 2021, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Leslie Cuyjet: Blur
DANCE
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021
6:30 PM
Open Call
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Free
https://theshed.org/program/176-open-call-leslie-cuyjet
INSERT rant (which is NOT directed at Leslie Cuyjet). Dancer Leslie Cuyjet's choreography gets better and better: she's one of those people who've mastered the art of being both abstract and analytic on the on hand and emotionally piercing on the other.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Fun fake Southern food and drink at Porchlight.
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Friday, June 4, 2021, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ETHEL and Friends: Balcony Bar from Home
MUSIC
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 (weekly)
5:00 PM
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Facebook
Free
https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-live-arts/ethel-online
The fab alt string quartet ETHEL brings its weekly recitals in the Met Balcony Bar home (theirs and yours). Expect old and new music, and surprise guests (from still more homes).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Amber Negroni: pour 1/2 oz. each of Gin and Braulio Amaro, and 1 oz. each of Lillet Blanc (with the usual preferred substitutions, especially Tempus Fugit Kino l'Áero d'Or) and lemon juice, with 3 dashes of Bitterman's Burlesque Bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
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Thursday, June 3, 2021, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Eléonore Huisse: L'Arrière-Saison
PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021
9:00 PM
Pioneer Works Stream
Free (registration required)
https://pioneerworks.org/programs/live-broadcast-l-arriere-saison
When experimental musicians François J. Bonnet and Stephen O'Malley (he of Sunn O)))!) toured their hypnotic album Cylene (I'm listening to it as I type this!) in Switzerland during Before Times, filmmaker Eléonore Huisse came along. This is a tour film with a difference: it's not about the concerts, but about the environment surrounding them.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Self-Starter: rinse a chilled Martini glass or coupe with Absinthe. Pour 1-1/2 oz. Gin, 3/4 oz. Lillet Blanc (or, even better, Kina l'Aero d'Or or Cocchi Americano), and 1/4 oz. Apricot brandy into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into the rinsed glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Thursday, June 3, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Thu, Jun 3, 2021, 8:00 PM – Fri, Jun 4, 2021, 9:00 PM
Nia O. Witherspoon: CHRONICLE X
PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 3 & 4, 2021
8:00 PM
Open Call
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Free
https://theshed.org/program/123-open-call-nia-o-witherspoon
You can put on all the free shows by racial and sexual minorities you want, but it doesn't change the fact that you're acting as a band aid created to distract the populace from the fact that the development you're situated in was funded by a blatant misappropriation of public tax revenues for a semi-gated residence/playground for capital.* That rant is directed at the venue; I wish nothing but joy to the Queer Black multidiscplinary performance artist Nia O. Witherspoon on getting presented there, and expect this AR experience celebrating Black woman warriors to be great.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: At least Jose Andres is spending his ill-gotten Hudson Yard gains on worthy things (although, as always when people collaborate with the forces of evil, it's complicated) — and Spanish Diner is actually good.
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Thursday, June 3, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
John King & Brandon Collwes: Sonic Gathering United
MUSIC / DANCE
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/john-king-and-brandon-collwes-sonic-gathering-united/
Throughout the Quarantine, Downtown string giant John King and choreographer Brandon Collwes have teamed with other musicians and dancers for remote integrated music/movement presentations on Facebook. Now they're taking it live!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. At home, have a Darkside: pour 2-1/4 oz. Gin and 3/4 oz. Barolo Chinato, with 3 dashes of Peychaud's bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
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Thu, Jun 3, 2021, 6:45 PM – Sat, Jun 5, 2021, 9:45 PM
New York Philharmonic: Hymn to the City
MUSIC
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 3 – 5, 2021
6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15 & 8:45 PM
Death of Classical
Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$100
https://www.deathofclassical.com/angelshare/hymn-to-the-city
You know how there are some shows that you just know are going be lame, but you find yourself compelled to go anyway? Here, the New York Phil pays what will undoubtedly be an exceedingly earnest musical tribute to its native city. Various chamber ensembles made of Philharmonic players will be strewn throughout the Cemetery; you are led to them as part of a guided informative walk. Expect a lot to be made of Leonard Bernstein's grave. My advice is to really load up on the whiskey (they say it's free, but come on: tickets are 100 Fucking Dollars) at the tasting that precedes each performance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You deserve one of the Slovak-style fried dough-encased burgers at Korzo.
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Thu, Jun 3, 2021, 2:00 PM – Sat, Jun 5, 2021, 7:00 PM
Janessa Clark: Communion
DANCE
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 3 – 5, 2021 (through JUNE 19)
2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 & 6:00 PM
HERE
145 6th Avenue (entrance on Dominick Street), Hudson Square, Manhattan
Free-$200
https://ci.ovationtix.com/219/production/1048693
This is almost more interesting as a thought experiment than a performance event. Over the course of the Quarantine, HERE has been streaming remote video dance duets created by choreographer/film artist Janessa Clark from videos separately submitted by dancers in disparate locations. Now, to mark the end of the Quarantine, HERE is showing the last of the video duets Clark assembled on its Mainstage instead of streaming them. So you'll be part of a live audience — but you'll still be watching videos. This isn't an installation, as I understand it: it's a live mass viewing of a video. So the questions are: does this even make sense? Is the viewing of a video enhanced by the presence of other audience members? Is it enough that you get to get out of your apartment? Is this like a movie, where the size of the screen and the quality (or at least quantity) of the sound, superior to what you probably have at home, significantly enhance the experience? I guess you have to go to find out.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: L.A.-style Mexican at Lupe's East L.A. Kitchen.
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Thursday, June 3, 2021, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Metropolis Ensemble: House Music
MUSIC
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 1 & 3, 2021 (semi-weekly)
10:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble Stream
Free
https://metropolisensemble.org/house-music
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Metropolis Ensemble showcases ace musicianassociated with its excellent self, or in any event friends of the ensemble, playing solo contemporary, classical, and newly commissioned pieces from home. Metropolis Ensemble has assured me that no musicians were woken early for these shows; they are (new) prerecordings prepared for this series.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Coffee.
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Wed, Jun 2, 2021, 8:00 PM – Sat, Jun 5, 2021, 9:00 PM
Persou
PERFORMANCE
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 2 – 5, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 12)
8:00 PM
the cell
338 West 23rd Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$35-$70
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thecelltheatre/519624#
With Spring finally really springing, we celebrate with an attempted, not really recreation, but reflection of ceremonies worshipping Persephone at the Temple of Aphrodite in Paphos, Cyprus. (Wait I thought the main rites for Persephone and her mom Demeter were celebrated at Eleusis in Greece — and that the Temple of Aphrodite in Paphos was known for other things. Well, don't listen to me.) This particular version of the rite involves music, snacks (and they're actually good) (and so is the wine!) (this may be a first), and general immersive performance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I'm actually really crazy for the homestyle Palestinian at Qanoon right now — and not just because of world events.
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Wed, Jun 2, 2021, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 5, 2021, 8:30 PM
Andy Manjuck & Dorothy James: Bill's 44th
PERFORMANCE
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 2 – 5, 2021
7:30 PM
Dixon Place In Person & Live Stream
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$18-$34; $12 student/senior both in person and live stream
http://dixonplace.org/performances/unicorn-afterlife-05-05-2021/
Not just puppets, but middle-aged puppets!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go in person, great Haitian (and don't miss the cocktails!) at Rebèl. If you watch from home, Welterweight: pour 1-1/2 oz. white Rum and 3/4 oz. each of Amontillado Sherry and Aperol into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
C. Spencer Yeh
MUSIC
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2021
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 in person
Free live stream (donation requested)
https://roulette.org/event/c-spencer-yeh/
He does visual art. He composes. He improvises. He plays violin and electronics. He does noise. He does drones. Sometimes he even writes a song.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go to the venue, it'll be nice to walk around the corner to the welcoming and delicious Kind of Soul. (Last time I was at Roulette, last week, the entire cast of the performance ended up joining me and the others in KOS's delightful backyard.) At home, try a Sun Stealer: pour 2 oz. Gin, 3/4 oz. sweet Vermouth (Punt e Mes by preference), and 1/4 oz. each of white Crème de Cacao and Fernet, with 1 dash of orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Tue, Jun 1, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 4:30 PM
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Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Metropolis Ensemble: House Music
MUSIC
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 1 & 3, 2021 (semi-weekly)
10:00 AM
Metropolis Ensemble Stream
Free
https://metropolisensemble.org/house-music
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Metropolis Ensemble showcases ace musicianassociated with its excellent self, or in any event friends of the ensemble, playing solo contemporary, classical, and newly commissioned pieces from home. Metropolis Ensemble has assured me that no musicians were woken early for these shows; they are (new) prerecordings prepared for this series.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Coffee.
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Tue, Jun 1, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 4:30 PM
Ben Rubin & Brian House: Terminal Morraine
PERFORMANCE
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 1 – 6, 2021
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Woodland Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
150 Eastern Parkway, across the street from Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Advance ticket required: $18; $12 students and seniors; free children with attending adult; weekdays pay what you can
https://www.bbg.org/visit/event/ben_rubin_and_brian_house_terminal_moraine
A sound installation in the Walled Garden in BBG's new Woodland Garden, intended to purvey a sense of the geological contingency that created the terminal morraine ridge on which the Garden sits that clefts Brooklyn and reaches all the way out to Montauk. The morraine, a pile of rocks left by ice age glaciers at their furthest point of advance before changing climate caused their retreat, was created at a climatic inflection point — and now we're at another (this one, however, of our specie's own creation).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Burmese at Rangoon.
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Mon, May 31, 2021, 8:00 PM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 9:00 PM
Modulations
OPERA
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
8:00 PM (or on demand)
California Performing Arts / LA Opera
PROTOTYPE Festival Stream
$25
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/modulation/
A major event. A self-guided exploration of the efforts of 13 composers to deal with the various strands that wove together the past year. The composers include such List regulars as Mollly Joyce, Angélica Negrón, Paul Pinto, Raven Chacon, and Bora Yoon! This is how online presentations should be done.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: TGV: pour 2-1/4 oz. Blanco or Reposado Tequila, 1-1/2 oz. dry Vermouth, and 1/2 teaspoon of Grenadine into a tumbler over ice. Stir. Garnish with a lime wheel.
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Mon, May 31, 2021, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 11:00 PM
Pamela Z & Geoff Sobelle: Times3 (Times x Times x Times)
OPERA / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2021 (continuing through JUNE 30)
Starting 10:00 AM
PROTOTYPE Out of Bounds
PROTOTYPE Festival Onsite & Stream
Times Square, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
http://prototypefestival.org/shows/times-3/
A sonic journey through Times Square and its history that you can undertake live in Times Square or virtually at your computer. Created by two of this List's very favorites: magic soundscaper Pamela Z and physical theater magician Geoff Sobelle!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If you go, try the wonderful Los Tacos No. 1 (bizarrely closed Saturdays, though). At home, this will take some advance preparation, but: Times Square. Combine 1-1/4 oz. Southern Comfort (yeah, you heard right), 1/4 oz. sweet Vermouth, and 1/2 oz. Grenadine in a glass or pitcher. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Pour into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne.
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Mon, May 31, 2021, 7:00 AM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 7:00 PM
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2021 (ongoing)
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
https://here.org/shows/cairns/
Something you can actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White. The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, May 31, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 10:00 PM
Stephanie Fleischmann, Christina Campanella & Mallory Catlett: The Visitation
PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
HERE Arts Center Presentation
Jackie Robinson Park
Between Edgecombe & Bradhurst Aves. & 145 – 155 Sts., Sugar Hill, Manhattan
Pay what you wish
https://here.org/shows/the-visitation/
Another sound walk (I LOVE these!), this one set to avant-pop you access through Soundcloud.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good beer, epic burgers at Harlem Public.
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Mon, May 31, 2021, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 6, 2021, 1:00 AM
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MAY 31 – JUNE 6, 2021 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
https://www.ellenreidsoundwalk.com/new-york-philharmonic
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train (see below). The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
