Volume 80, Number 7 | September 23 – 29, 2010
West and East Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho, Little Italy, Chinatown and Lower East Side, Since 1933
JUST DO ART! — The music, museums & theater edition
Compiled by Joseph Rearick & Scott Stiffler
TRAV S.D.’s LAST CHANCE SALOON
Each month, he either lays into or heaps praise upon what’s new on the Downtown theater scene. But can our own Trav S.D. deliver the quality product he so passionately advocates for? We’re betting on it — given that Mr. S.D. has been a mainstay of NYC fringe and freakazoid theater for what seems, and in fact is, forever. This time up, his twisted offering is “Trav S.D.’s Last Chance Saloon” — an unprecedented mix of classic and modern Vaudeville acts. Kicking it all off is S.D.’s new supergroup Children of the People (which includes several current and former members of the Electric Mess as well as Willy Nilly vets). Others on the crowded bill include the multi-talanted operatic chanteuse, clown and clarinetist Jenny Lee Mitchell as well as Lorinne Lambert (who’ll sing the old music hall favorite “Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay” and other chestnuts). Fri., Sept. 24, 9:30 p.m. at Dixon Place (161 Chrystie St., above Delancey). Tickets are $10. Visit www.dixonplace.org and www.travsd.wordpress.com.
NY VOICES FESTIVAL
This three-part fest, presented by Cooper Arts, recalls the glory days of Cooper Square — onetime home to the legendary jazz club The 5 Spot. Return to those thrilling days of yesteryear, as the Grammy-winning artists of New York Voices Festival (Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge, Kim Nazarian and Lauren Kinhan) perform jazz, Brazilian, R&B, classical and pop music. The concerts take place on Mondays: Sept., 27, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 — in the historic Great Hall at The Cooper Union Foundation Building (7 E. 7th St., btw. 3rd and 4th Aves) or in the Rose Auditorium at The Cooper Union (41 Cooper Square). For a complete schedule, visit www.cooper.edu. Advance tickets are $25 per show, $18 for students/seniors ($65/$45 for all three). To order, visit www.myticketsny.com or call 800-746-3119. Starting at 5 p.m., tickets will be available at the door for $30 on show days.
RELAUNCH: DROM 2.0
After three months of creative silence — during which the only sounds coming from its space emanated from the din of construction efforts — the East Village venue Drom reveals its badass makeover self to the world. Selim Sesler and the NY Gypsy All-Stars perform as part of the 6th Annual NY Gypsy Festival (which also serves as the official reboot of Drom). After this inaugural event, expect the music acts to reflect management’s new booking strategy programming that’s more accessible and more challenging, featuring international artists in the fields of pop, soul, jazz, roots and rock music). Fri., Sept. 24, 9 p.m. at Drom (85 Ave. A, btw. 5th & 6th Aves). For reservations and info, call 212-777-1156 or visit www.dromnyc.com.
GRAHAM & FROST
It’s theater about drama that happens in a place where people have dinner — but don’t go calling it dinner theater unless you’re prepared for a fight. “Graham & Frost” is the world premiere play featuring East Village triple threat restaurateur, actor and impresario Enrico Ciotti. Owner of V Bar, head of the Sullivan Project production company and featured actor in “Graham & Frost,” Enrico is further distinguished by the fact that he’s the guy in the black T-shirt in the photo we’re running! As for his play, it concerns the violent convergence of turf wars, urban displacement and cultural identity in an abandoned Italian restaurant at Graham Avenue and Frost Street in present-day Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This play is presented by The Sullivan Project in partnership with 1st Irish Theatre Festival. Through Oct. 3, at PS 122 (150 First Ave. at E. 9th St.). For tickets ($18), call 212-352-3101 and online at www.ps122.org.
MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN GANGSTER
From Al Capone to Al Pacino, the biggest names in American Gangster lore are all here. With an authentic speakeasy restored from the building’s 1920 décor and a special exhibit on the era of prohibition that gave rise to the American mafia, you’ll get the thrill of lawlessness without coming a crime. General Admission, $10. At 80 St. Mark’s Place. Call 800-603-5520.
MERCHANT’S HOUSE MUSEUM
If you like New York City’s beautiful pre-war homes, you’ll love this museum situated in a home built pre-Civil War. Preserved precisely as it stood when it was built in 1832, this is a unique portal to another time in the city’s history. Hailed as the only home of its kind remaining, this stop is brief and meaningful to any native Villager. Admission: $10. Mon, Thurs-Sun 12-5 p.m., at 29 E. Fourth St. Call 212-777-1089.
THE UKRAINIAN MUSEUM
Ukrainian immigrants have a long history in New York City, and this museum dedicates itself to their journey and the country’s heritage. Ruled under several crowns and host to a number of turbulent and interesting events, Ukraine is presented as a rich cultural source for Eastern Europe and the world. Admission: $8. Wed-Sun 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Ukrainian Museum (222 E. 6th St.).
