Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Bryant park dances and movie nights

Bryant Park Presents—the official title for the alfresco art series with over 50 free events at Bryant Park—kicks off on May 4 with a massive Opening Night Ball.

You already know that Bryant Park offers incredible free outdoor activities and entertainment, but the dance series (hosted and produced by Talia Castro-Pozo) is certainly one of the most enjoyable ways to loosen up during your workweek grind.

Folks (all-ages) can get into the groove every Wednesday night (6pm) and learn dance genres such as swing, tango and salsa from local instructors. Then, at 7pm, live bands perform the appropriate tunes, so you can test your new moves on the dance floor.
Check their web site:
http://www.bryantpark.org/

HBO Bryant Park
Summer Film Festival
Presented by Bank of America
Monday, June 20, 2016 to August 22nd
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
5:00pm – 11:00pm | Lawn
http://www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/filmfestival.html

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Scicafe at the museum

SCICAFE

Just Can't Get Enough: Addiction and the Brain

Wednesday, May 4 | Doors open at 6:30 pm, Program begins at 7 pm

Psychiatrist Edmund Griffin explains how epidemiology, cocaine-addicted rats, and molecular neuroscience all help to shed light on one of society’s most troubling questions: Why is it that some people just can’t get enough?

Friday, April 15, 2016

Best Free Art galleries and museums in NYC

Great article by Time out:
Looking for some free art, culture vultures? Thought so. Which is why we found a bunch of gratis art shows at galleries and museums in NYC that won’t cost you a cent. Visit well-known institutions like the Pace Gallery and David Zwirner and still have money in your pocket for lunch at one of the best restaurants in NYC.

The Propeller Group, “The Living Need Light, The Dead Need Music”
This three-person multi-mdeia collective consists of two Vietnamese artists—Tuan Andrew Nguyen; Phunam—and one American—Matt Lucero—who divide their time between Los Angeles and Ho Chi Minh City. Their work often touches upon the history and culture of Southeast Asia, most especially Vietnam and its transformation over the 40 years since the end of America’s military intervention. This show includes a video delving into Vietnamese funeral customs as well sculptural blocks of ballistic gelatin, each trapping the collision of bullets fired from either end by the the signature rifles of the Vietnam War: The American M-16 and the Russian-supplied AK-47 used by the Vietcong and NVA.


James Cohan Gallery , Lower East Side Friday April 15 2016

Raoul De Keyser, “Drift”
Raoul De Keyser (1930–2012) was a Belgian painter noted for his deep engagement with the medium, expressed as subtle, highly nuanced works that flavored abstract compositions with hints of representational detail—especially evocations of landscape. He often worked on a small or modest scale, wrapping his canvases and works on paper in a veil of intimacy that invited the viewer’s careful study. The show here is organized around a group of paintings, collectively known as “The Last Wall,” that were the last completed before his death. They’re joined by a selection of works dating from the 1990s on.

David Zwirner , Chelsea Until Saturday April 23 2016

Tim Hawkinson, “Counterclockwise”
This show spans 20 years of work by this Los Angeles artist whose metier is creating elaborately mechanized sculptures and installations. They’ve included a stadium-size bagpipe and a school desk equipped with a contraption that continuously pens the artist’s signature on slips of paper as they get spat out on the floor. Hawkinson often engages in a kind of self-portraiture based on his body and its dynamics: One piece features a large color photo of is face, in which his mouth and eyes have been hinged, allowing them to change expression through the movement of computer-actuated cables. Eccentric and exacting, Hawkinson’s art is the product of one of the most idiosyncratic artistic minds working today.


Pace Gallery , Chelsea Until Saturday April 23 2016
Hedda Sterne, “Machines 1947-1951”
Sterne, a native of Romania, was one of the few female artists associated with Abstract Expressionism, and her involvement in the movement was significant enough to merit her inclusion in the famous group photo, “The Irascibles,” which appeared in the January 15, 1951 edition of Life magazine. She was the only woman pictured among a company of male artists that included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko and others. Like many of them, she was initially inspired by Surrealism, with her work taking a pronounced abstract tack once she moved from Europe to New York in 1941. The series of paintings here—collectively known as “Machines”—date from the late 1940s and were prompted by her delight with the dynamism of her adopted city. The works undoubtedly reflect that enthusiasm with spirited all-over compositions evoking engine parts, city streets and household appliances.

READ MORE
Van Doren Waxter , Lenox Hill Until Friday April 29 2016
Alexis Rockman, “Bioluminescence”
Alexis Rockman, “Bioluminescence”
Rockman, who has said his work was inspired by childhood visits to the American Museum of Natural History, emerged in the 1980s with fantastical paintings of flora and fauna, often portrayed in post-apocalyptic setting, limned in a style that married dire ecological warnings with magic realism. His career has included work for Hollywood, most notably the concept drawings he created for Ang Lee’s film of Life of Pi. His latest show plunges into the briny deep with images of bioluminescent sea creatures lighting up gouaches on black paper.


Carolina Nitsch Project Room , Chelsea Until Saturday April 30 2016
Serge Poliakoff

Serge Poliakoff (1900–1969) was a Russian emigre who fled his homeland after the Bolshevik Revolution and eventually settled in Paris. An abstract painter known for jigsaw puzzle compositions of irregular blocks of color and surface effects filling the picture plane, he was part of the postwar revival of the School of Paris. Needless to say, he was barely known on this side of the Atlantic, and even struggled for a while to make ends meet, where he supported a family by playing Russian folk music in Parisian nightclubs. Recognition finally came during the last 20 years of his life, and his work kicked into high gear. This show is his first in the U.S. in decades, and offers proof that the development of abstraction in the postwar era was far richer and more varied than conventional history allows.

Cheim & Read , Chelsea Until Saturday April 30 2016
Eugene Von Bruenchenhein, “King of Lesser Lands”
Even for an outsider artist, the work of Eugene Von Bruenchenhein was strange. It wandered among several mediums, including painting, drawings, ceramics and sculptures. Oddest of all were Von Bruenchenhein's erotic pin-ups photos of his wife, Marie, who was ten years his junior. Those images, plus psychedelic botanical studies, ritual objects made of chicken bones and other works, were all part of an elaborate fantasy life the artist shared with his spouse, who often posed for him naked, wearing crowns and other headgear fashioned by her husband. He also wrote poetry, much of it, like his art devoted to Marie. Von Bruenchenhein's richly imagined world (over which he annointed himself king) contrasted sharply with the small, ramshackle house in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he lived with Marie, and also belied his ordinary existence working the night shift in a local bakery. As with many figures of self-taught art, Von Bruenchenhein’s work was discovered only after his death in 1983—a body of work that bears witness to a passionate relationship between lovers that was also a form of performance art.

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Andrew Edlin Gallery , Chelsea Until Sunday May 8 2016
“Charles Bukowski & Walter Robinson: There’s A Bluebird In My Heart”
“Charles Bukowski & Walter Robinson: There’s A Bluebird In My Heart”
Known as the “laureate of American lowlife, Charles Bukowski is represented in this show by a framed printed copy of his poem, “The Bluebird,” a meditation on the manly art of suppressing your vulnerability—allegorized in Bukowski’s words as “a bluebird in my heart,” kept locked within himself him by alcohol and cigarettes. Both vices figure prominently in accompanying paintings by veteran artist Walter Robinson, whose work immortalizes life's necessities, guilty pleasures and agents of dependency—from Jack Daniel's and White Castle sliders to prescription meds and stacks of cash—rendered in a style recalling 1950s paperbacks covers. The hardboiled sensibility and dark irony of both artists is evenly matched here.

Owen James Gallery , Greenpoint Until Saturday May 14 2016

“GuĂ°mundur Thoroddsen: Dismantled Spirits”
This Icelandic artist’s focuses on the deracination of male privilege by the forces of social change. His sculptures and works on paper ironically harken back to the phallocentric universe of Norse gods and mythological figures, represented here as men with long beards, who fight, preen, defecate and otherwise call attention to themselves within flat, empty spaces that often include images of dildos lording over the proceedings. The spirits of the poor saps running around Thoroddsen’s compositions are indeed being dismantled per the show’s title.

Asya Geisberg Gallery , Chelsea Until Saturday May 14 2016

“David Hammons: Five Decades”
David Hammons is one of the most important American artists today, though you wouldn’t necessarily know it. An artist of his stature would have been recognized by now in major museum surveys, but as one of the first African-American artists to have emerged in the context of ’60s Conceptualism, he has always remained elusive and apart from the largely white art world as matter of strategy. Not that he’s unknown or hasn’t received significant exposure, but this must-see look back at his 50-year career really belongs at MoMA or the Whitney. The fact that it isn’t is the artist’s own choice, but since it’s being mounted in a gallery venue, it does have the virtue of being free.


Mnuchin Gallery , Upper East Side Until Friday May 27 2016

Monday, April 11, 2016

Free April events in NYC

Tonight Monday 11


The Back Room tonight w Brooklyn Swings (830p free lesson!) and the mighty swinging Sam Raderman, Curtis Nowosad, George DeLancey, Michael Hashim, Charlie Caranicas! stop in for a dance! (and you do need that drink before submitting your taxes!)
https://www.facebook.com/events/235569993453849/
Back Room Speakeasy
6:15pm: critic and author jacqueline rose (women in dark times) gives a lecture on feminism and the abomination of violence, touching on psychoanalysis and the work of hannah arendt and melanie klein. columbia university’s heyman center for the humanities (morningside heights), free. >>

6:15pm: the neuroscience and history series at columbia university’s heyman center for the humanities presents a talk on how mirrors have been used to capture the mind in science and medicine by professor of history at princeton university katja guenther. free. >>

6:30pm doors, 7pm show: rock trio the subways plays a free show at rough trade (williamsburg). >>

6:45pm doors, 7:30pm show (monthly): ute lemper and the jasper quartet perform the work of kurt weill at tonight’s installment of the music mondays concert series. the advent lutheran church/broadway united church of christ (uws), free
Taste of the Terminal Grand Central, Vanderbilt Hall; 11am to 4pm;
Enjoy free tastings from select Grand Central shops and restaurants every Monday in April at Vanderbilt Hall. Like Murray's Cheese, Li-Lac Chocolate and Juice Press, offering bites

AN EVENING WITH JULIE TAYMOR
Award-Winning Director Of Broadway Shows & Operas
Broadway fans, take note! Julie Taymor is arguably one of the most celebrated directors working today (ever heard of a little thing called The Lion King? Or the movie Frida?). She has created a unique niche for herself by using puppetry, mime, and silk aerials, not just in The Lion King but also in productions like The Amazing Spider Man and The Magic Flute. Be inspired by her trail-blazing career and creative process at this rare talk.

Side Ponytail Over the Eight; 7pm;
Carolyn Busa used to call her monthly stand-up show "Williamsburg's cutest," but now that it's two-years old and weekly at Over the Eight, Side Ponytail has become a reliable night for solid sets and surprise stars. Check out sets from guests like Josh Gondelman, Carmen Lynch and Corinne Fisher at this Monday night staple.

The Drunk Spelling Bee The Creek and the Cave; 10pm; free
Spell Mississippi without slurring a letter during this boozy event hosted by comics Jake Flores and Blake Midgette. The walking dictionary will get a P-R-I-Z-E, but everyone's technically a winner—it's a free comedy show, dammit!

Tuesday 4/12 8:30am: the co-founders of stowaway cosmetics host a light breakfast and discussion about disruptive retail. cosmetic samples will be on hand to try. lmhq (financial district), free (rsvp). >>

4/12: 12pm-8pm: ben + jerry’s free cone day! enjoy some free ice cream at participating locations. >>

4/12 2-5pm: 2-5pm: grab a free iced coffee or iced tea from participating au bon pain locations. >>

4/12 4pm: steve martin and edie brickell discuss their musical collaborations with producer peter asher and play a few tunes. barnes + noble (86th + lexington ave), wristbands for entry will be distributed with cd purchase.

4/12 7pm: actor david duchovny presents his new novel, bucky f*cking dent, at barnes + noble (union square). wristbands for entry will be distributed with book purchase starting at 9am.

Trivia Tuesdays Brookfield Place Plaza; 6pm; free
Secure a seat at Hudson Eats for its weekly quiz, with rounds dedicated to "On This Day in History," a rapid-fire "Name Threes" and a best-curated audio sequence. The vibe is laid-back and less "pubby" than most, but don't fret—wine, beer and sake are certainly available. Teams of no more than six can play for prizes (there's a winner after every round) in the form of gift cards from stores and eateries at Brookfield Place.


“Magnum Photos: New Blood” exhibit Milk Gallery; 10am; free
Celebrate the work of Magnum Photos’ new nominees—Matt Black, Carolyn Drake, Sohrab Hura, Lorenzo Meloni, Max Pinckers and Newsha Tavakolian—during a temporary showcase comprising frozen-in-time shots taken everywhere from California’s Central Valley to the streets of Tehran. You may be inspired to pick up a camera yourself.


Queer Art Organics Dixon Place; 7:30pm; free
Local performance poet Aimee Herman welcomes some of the city's loveliest LGBTQ writers and performers to try out their latest work at this monthly showcase. This month's edition features stirring readings from Trae Durica, John J. Trause and Charlotte Marchant.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Newsfeed! science and art things to do today in NYC

Great newsfeed!
http://www.theskimm.com/?r=f4466fa2


4/7 11:30am-7pm: roll deep at this full-day conference and exhibit on immersive technologies in data, arts, education, science and journalism. baruch performing arts center (kips bay),

4/7 5-7pm (thru 4/8): sva’s mfa computer art department presents open studios of graduating students, including video, animation, audio, interactive installations and physical computing. >

4/7 6pm: put your brain to work at tonight’s ‘know science’ talk, where dr. natalia freund ponders the chances of achieving hiv eradication and an aids-free world. new york public library (kips bay), >>

4/7 6-9pm: tst collective + kiehl’s launch party: check out the style collective’s spring collection and pamper yourself with a complimentary mini-facial (appointments start at noon, call ahead to schedule), treats, and refreshments. kiehl’s hell’s kitchen, free. >>

4/7 6-9pm (monthly): art galleries stay open late for special events and opening receptions during the dumbo first thursday gallery walk. a highlight this month includes the opening of one if by land, two if by sea at the made in ny media center, accompanied by a video projection on the wall next to the archway under the manhattan bridge. free. >>



4/7 6:30pm doors, 7:30pm show: black hole blues and other songs from outer space author and astrophysicist janna levin recounts the obsessions, aspirations, and trials of the scientists who embarked on the arduous, fifty-year endeavor to capture gravitational waves. a musical performance based on the sounds of space follows. pioneer works (red hook), free (rsvp). >>

4/7 7pm: famous mother + son duo gloria vanderbilt and anderson cooper discuss their new memoir, the rainbow comes and goes: a mother and her son on life, love, and loss at barnes + noble (union square). wristbands for admission with purchase of the book will be distributed starting at 9am. >>

4/7 7pm: how games move us author and gaming scholar katherine isbister explores the design techniques that evoke strong emotions for players. nyu game center (downtown brooklyn), free (rsvp). >>


4/7 7pm doors, 7:30pm show (monthly): at the take two storytelling show, folks take a true story and tell two versions—one the way it actually happened, the other where they rewind time to make it all turn out differently. this month’s guests include vanessa valerio (singling, party of two), eli reiter (two-time moth storyslam winner, long story long), and sandy marx (7-time moth storyslam winner). hosted by elana lancaster and harvey katz. c’mon everybody (bed stuy), free. >>



4/7 7:30pm: friends of mozart presents singers from the caramoor young artist program, a concert of classics by haydn, mozart, and beethoven. christ + saint stephen’s episcopal church (uws), free. >>

4/7 8pm (monthly): trivia night gets a throwback makeover with match game nyc, a game-show-turned-bar-affair where participants (i.e. you) compete to match answers to fill-in-the-blank questions with a rotating cast of ‘celebrity’ guests. hosted by chris calogero and tiffany leigh. sidewalk cafe (east village), free admission, one drink or food item minimum. >>

4/7 8pm (monthly): the pacific stand-up comedy show returns with performances by judah friedlander(30 rock), zach sims (the meltdown), travisirvine (viceland), chelsea hood (carte blanche comedy), and george gordon. hosted by matt koff (daily show writer) and meghan o’neill (hbo’s animals). pacific standard (park slope/gowanus), free (one drink or food item minimum). >>



4/7-14: the annual kino! festival of german films returns to cinema village (east village) and other locations. various prices. >>

ticket deals

rsvp for free tickets to a preview screening of mother’s day, starring jennifer aniston, kate hudson, julia roberts, and jason sudeikis on 4/26 at amc lowes lincoln square. limited number available. first-come, first-served admission. >>

by skint!