Daphne Rubin-Vega takes Center Stage

Daphne Rubin-Vega’s solo show, FUQ’s: Frequently Unanswered Questions, is a rock and roll infused odyssey about the bonds of a family separated not just by the Gulf of the Caribbean but an even wider gulf–unspoken love and longing–and the loneliness of being the last one standing. (More here)

Tonight and Thursday, 8pm

Women Center Stage
presented by Culture Project
at The Living Theatre
21 Clinton Street (at East Houston), Manhattan
(directions)
866-811-4111 (ticketing)

Emergency assistance requested by Culture Project

Here's an appeal from Allan Buchman, Founding Artistic Director of Culture Project:

Dear Friend of Culture Project,

Culture Project has experienced the urban office equivalent of a flash flood and we urgently need your support for our recovery efforts!

On Wednesday, February 13, Culture Project staff arrived at 55 Mercer Street to find that a pipe on an upper floor had burst during the night unleashing a torrent of water throughout our theater and offices. All our computers were destroyed, as well as the floors in our office and backstage, and phone, lighting, sound, projection and production equipment. Culture Project staff have rallied to respond this crisis and to challenges that could never have been anticipated. As a result, we missed only one performance of our current production of BETRAYED, and our offices have been returned to a nearly workable space.

Our unexpected, out-of-pocket costs are over $100,000. I ask you to please consider making a special gift to Culture Project at this time. Your gift, in any amount, will help to ensure smooth operations during this time, but a gift of $50, $100 or even $500 will make a significant impact.

An insurance settlement is forthcoming, but it will take some time and there are some very real costs that cannot be quantified on a claim form.

At the time of this crisis, we were fully engaged in our efforts to capitalize on the extraordinary reviews and audience response to BETRAYED, and to build the momentum necessary to sustain its success. Funds that were budgeted for advertising and promotion had to be spent on the replacement and repair of necessary equipment, and staff time that would have been devoted to creative development has been diverted to focus on insurance claims, equipment research and general efforts to restore order.

Your support at this time would help us to regain the majority of our momentum and to refocus our efforts on BETRAYED. We cannot lose any more time in our campaign to create awareness of the difficult questions this play raises about the war in Iraq, the interactions and relationships between Iraqi citizens and U.S. Military personnel, and what is being left in the wake of an occupation that is entering its fifth year.

Please go to Culture Project or call 212-925-1806 to make a special credit card gift to Culture Project to help mitigate the effects of the flood.

You can also mail a check to:

Culture Project

55 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10013
Attention: Development

With your support, Culture Project will continue to thrive as a theater and gathering place, bringing together acclaimed artists, writers and influencers, and actively engaging with our local community.

All the best,

Allan Buchman
Founding Artistic Director

Carol Gilligan & Gabrielle Roth: On Joy & Pleasure

Culture Project presents Carol Gilligan & Gabrielle Roth: On Joy & Pleasure as part of its Women Center Stage series. Dancer Gabrielle Roth and psychologist Carol Gilligan will converse about Gilligan's The Birth of Pleasure and Roth's explorations into ecstatic dance. Monday, July 9, 7pm. At Culture Project, 55 Mercer Street, Manhattan. Call 212-352-3101 or click here.

Keo Woolford in "I Land"

A dancer friend of mine tells me she thinks Keo Woolford (of the autobiographical one-man show, I Land) is a John Leguizamo wannabe. I can see some of that, but the brilliantly talented Woolford has far more charm and opens a window onto an experience and perspective that is less familiar to us. My friend and I agree on one thing: It would be great to see more of his dancing.

The 90-minute piece, directed by Roberta Uno, runs through Sunday at The Culture Project. It traces the ups and downs of Woolford's youth in Hawaii and touches on his development as a student and performer of the ancient, authentic hula--a sacred dance of dignity and focused power.

Woolford's acting is a full-bodied affair--storytelling amplified by body language and gesture--nonstop movement, really--including choreography by Robert Cazimero (hula) and Rokafella (hip hop). It spans the range of human emotions, and when it is funny, it is very funny indeed.

Let's hope that Woolford will return to New York soon. In the meantime, if you'd like to try to catch this show, click on The Culture Project or Ma-Yi Theatre.

(c)2007 Eva Yaa Asantewaa