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Read our previous issues ARTS
By Michael Boynton Fans of New York’s vibrant cabaret scene—as well as anyone who cares about the revitalization of Downtown, May 30 is shaping up to be a night to remember. Emcee Richard Skipper (celebrated solo performer from “An Evening with Carol Channing”) along with some of New York’s rising stars will grace the aptly named “Carol’s ArtsVan Benefit.” The gala event and silent auction is a benefit for DowntownNYC!’s new ArtsVan, a mobile ticket and information booth to hit the streets of Downtown in early summer. Specifically, the money raised will be used for permits, licenses, legal filings, and renovations for a mobile ticket booth to bring tourists and locals to arts events, theater and music shows Downtown. Think of it as an alternative TKTS booth on wheels. According to Jonathan Slaff, Chairman of DowntownNYC!, the vehicle will be turned into a “mobile hospitality center and ticketing truck. The goal of Downtown NYC! is to re-outfit one or more surplus location vehicles (from the film industry) to create a moveable, multi-purpose facility. The ArtsVan will supply everything from maps and directions to rush tickets and the latest announcements. With the loss of the TKTS at the World Trade Center, getting tickets and general information about Downtown theater has become a problem. Proposals for setting up another TKTS booth at places such as the South Street Seaport or Bowling Green were suggested and/or realized, but no location has drawn the crowds and become a destination like the one inside the World Trade Center. Formed in 2001 at the Cherry Lane Theater, Downtown NYC! is a volunteer coalition of theater companies, performing artists, galleries, museums, restaurants, and businesses. Fiscally sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Downtown NYC! was established to generate goodwill, boost business ,and rally the spirits of those who work and live downtown. Along those lines, most of the performers for this week’s benefit quickly joined the show feeling strongly about the good intentions of the event. The 200-seat Soho Playhouse, under Managing Director Dana Matthow, will be donating the space and staff for the benefit. The benefit itself is yet another generous act of altruism: Slaff called up Richard Skipper (AKA Carol Channing) for an endorsement for ArtsVan and Skipper offered to organize the entire benefit instead. DowntownNYC! anticipates they’ll have an ArtsVan on the road—both downtown and at various summertime cultural events to garner recognition and publicity. “I would love to see the ArtsVan in the Gay Pride Parade,” adds Slaff, “I would really, really love it.” About the upcoming benefit, Slaff says, “There will be surprises.” The show’s roster of currently confirmed performers include such notables as the aforementioned Richard Skipper (as the lovely Ms. Channing, of course), Risa Benson, Kelly Briggs and Jerry Christakos (with John MacMahon, pianist), Mychelle Colleary, Mary Foster Conklin, Scott Coulter and Audrey Lavine, Brandon Cuttrell, John De Marco, Natalie Douglas, David Gurland, Lorinda Lisitza, Dana Lorge, Sue Matsuki, Susan Neuffer, Melissa O’Connell, Rick Skye (as Liza Minnelli) and Pam Tate… all under the musical direction of Doyle Newmyer. It promises to be fabulous evening of glitter and song… if you’re into that sort of thing. And frankly, who isn’t? If you can’t make it to the benefit but would like to help DowntownNYC! get on their feet, donations can be made with a credit card on their website www.downtownNYC.info. If sending a check, make it payable to the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, indicating “for Downtown NYC!” on the memo line, and mail to: Downtown NYC!, 55 Perry St., #1M, New York, NY 10014. Donations are fully tax deductible |
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