Cultural Calendar
8 Million Protagonists, 9th Space Theater, through November 17
8 Million Protagonists is presented by New York Writes Itself, a collective of scribes who listen attentively and watch carefully the streets of New York for the sparks of everyday life in the city. Scribes have the choice of writing a scene, quote, or character description. The material is then collected in to films, plays or musical pieces. This play, represents a city of 8 million, in which every one can be a protagonist. As their tagline says, “You can’t make this s*** up.”
K, Comma Joseph, UP Theater, through November 17
You’ve heard of The Trial by Franz Kafka Now the book goes live in the play K, Comma Joseph. The play, written by Kirby Fields, and presented by UP Theater Company, is a short treck from Washington Heights. "Dyed-in-the-wool and experienced theater people are attracted to [UP's] original, high-quality productions," says the MANHATTAN TIMES. This is a staff pick you don’t want to miss.
Come Close, Art Around The Bowery, 1969-1989, The New Museum, through January 6
Come Close, Art Around The Bowery, 1969-1989 is a new exhibit at the New Museum which looks at the haven of creativity that was the Bowery in the 70s and 80s. In the lofts of the Bowery, amidst crumbling buildings, drunkards, and an all around scenery of decay, artists created and collaborated. The work of the artists themselves reflected the Bowery scene, shaping the Bowery as the Bowery in turn shaped them. An added draw to this exhibition is the New Museum’s location—it sits on the Bowery itself, decades later, a modern escape from the surrounding, bustling, and lively Bowery of today. Curated by Ethan Swan, the exhibit is a collection of various media, asking the viewer to come closer and view what the Bowery had, and still has, to offer artistically.
Titus Andronicus, Sunday, December 2nd, Webster Hall.
Titus Andronicus, one of the best, most precocious (their last album was a Civil War concept album) rock bands to emerge from the swamps of Jersey in recent memory, return to NY on the strength of their latest, Local Business. Expect beery sing-alongs, shaggy riffs, beards, and all around rock n roll fueled good times.
Animal Collective, Wednesday, December 5th, Terminal 5.
The certifiably insane psychedelic trio from Baltimore comes to New York, touring off it’s latest, Animal Hz. That album represents a turn back to the experimental woodlands freak folk of their earlier albums, and somewhat away from the poppier Strawberry Jam and Merriweather Post Pavillion, but without losing total sight of what made the latters’ songs so compelling. Come for the colors, stay for the odd sensation of singing along to something you’re not sure is human sound.
