Drag for a good cause: Homecoming Queens light up Gibney

Homecoming Queens,
a benefit for New York's Harvey Milk High School,
featured drag performers
such as members of Haus of Umpteen Corpses
with Ragamuffin (second from right)
(photo: Eric Berey)

Kalandra Bankhead
(photo: Chris Barley)

Homecoming Queens--a drag showcase presented at Gibney Dance: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center this past Wednesday--was a first for Gibney and fantastic fun. The brisk-paced program was hosted by Gibney Dance's 2016 boo-koo Artist in Residence, Ashley R.T. Yergens, who knows how to introduce just the right degree of looseness and absurdity. And it was supported by an excellent technical team, directed by Asami Morita, particularly nifty with lighting the intimate studio setting. We could almost imagine we were in a cabaret.

Highlights included Vic Sin, preternaturally limber and definitively regal in beard and mien; Ragamuffin (Jesse Forte White), powerful in energy and gaze, surprising us with Anne Carson's words on tragedy, rage and grief; the ebullient and warped lady bedbug (Kelindah Schuster) and her...er...was that a crocodile puppet?; transmasculine K.James in his perfect, smoking-hot tribute to the late George Michael, and lots of imaginative extra-extra from The Dauphine of Bushwick (Tyler Ashley), The Haus of Umpteen Corpses (Angelica Sundae, MEGABABE and Mini Horrorwitz) and Kalandra Bankhead.

A good time was had by all, and I certainly hope it raised a good amount of cash for its beneficiary, New York's Harvey Milk High School, founded in 1985 and dedicated to respect, safety, nurturance and excellence for all students.

Homecoming Queens is closed. For information on future events at Gibney Dance, click here.


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Welcome 2017 with poetry!

Dance artist Yoshiko Chuma
(photo: Jacob Burckhardt)

43rd Annual 

New Year’s Day 

Marathon Benefit Reading for

The Poetry Project

Sunday, January 1, 2017

3pm to 2am

St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery

150 poets, musicians, dancers, and other artists

celebrate The Poetry Project's 50th anniversary!

Above: poet Pamela Sneed
(photo: Jacob Burckhardt)
Below: singer/performance artist Justin Vivian Bond
(photo: Ted Roeder)

Featuring the reading’s founder Anne Waldman, 75 Dollar Bill, Penny Arcade, Justin Vivian Bond, Yoshiko Chuma, Andrei Codrescu, Grace Dunham, Douglas Dunn, Andrew Durbin, John Giorno, Che Gossett, Adjua Gargi Nzinga Greaves, M. Lamar, Jonas Mekas, Thurston Moore, Tracie Morris, Eileen Myles, Edgar Oliver, Tommy Pico, Yvonne Rainer, Reno, Sarah Schulman, Elliott Sharp, Pamela Sneed, Tammy Faye Starlight, Nurit Tilles, Lynne Tillman, Edwin Torres, Rachel Trachtenburg, Hannif Willis-Abdurraqib, Martha Wilson, John Yau, and many more.

Full lineup of performers: poetryproject.org.

Admission: 
$20 (in advance)
$25/$20 students/seniors (at the door)

Advance tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2717668

Food and refreshments will be available. Seating is available on a first come, first-served basis. The Poetry Project is wheelchair-accessible with assistance and advance notice; please call 212-674-0910 for more information.

The Poetry Project
St. Mark’s Church
131 East 10th Street (2nd Avenue), Manhattan
(map/directions)

If you like what you're reading,

subscribe to InfiniteBody!

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Topaz Arts and Bliss on Bliss rally support for the Philippines, November 30

Join Us Nov 30 to Support Typhoon Relief

TOPAZ ARTS, Inc. and Bliss on Bliss Art Projects co-present:

Sting, Estelle Parsons and Michael Feingold celebrate with La MaMa

Sting and a Non-Selfie Crowd
Taking a Shot at the Guests at La MaMa's Annual Benefit

by Lizzie Simon, The Wall Street Journal, November 22, 2013

Music artists gather tomorrow in benefit for Dave Valentin

Latin jazz flutist Dave Valentin

Bob Baldwin & Friends: Music for Dave

A Benefit for Dave Valentin

Tarrytown Music Hall

Thursday, November 7 

7:30pm

featuring Bob Baldwin, Bobby Sanabria, Robby Ameen, Lincoln Goines, Dave Samuels, Bill OConnell, Mayra Casales and many more

Fellow musicians and artists will donate their time, talent and resources to perform a fundraiser for the Grammy Award winning artist. Net proceeds will benefit the Bronx, NY native and said proceeds will assist in medical bill payments and basic living needs as Valentin has not worked any musical performances since suffering from a stroke on March 3, 2012.

On March 3, 2012, Latin Jazz Flutist and Grammy Award Winner, Mr. Dave Valentin, suffered a stroke that has limited his ability to perform his beloved instrument. The native New Yorker has been in physical therapy since that tragic day. There is a chance that he may be able to wow his audiences on stage worldwide again, but not before he's the beneficiary of some more critical physical therapy.

In the interim, his medical bills have climbing been through the roof. Dave Valentin has insufficient medical insurance to cover the enormous bills surrounding his stroke.

Joining the party are:

Bill O'Connell (Piano)
Lincoln Goines (Bass)
Robby Ameen (Drums)
Ragan Whiteside (Flute)
Gilberto "Pulpo" Colon (Piano)
Bob Baldwin (Piano/Keyboards)
Chieli Minucci (Guitar)
Dave Samuels (Vibes)
Mayra Casales (Percussion)
Eddie Montalvo (Percussion)
Bobby Sanabria (Drums/Percussion)
Richie Morales (Percussion)

Tarrytown Music Hall
13 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY
(directions)

TICKET INFORMATION

Yvonne Rainer trashes Abramovic plan

Yvonne Rainer Denounces Marina Abramovic's Planned MOCA Gala Performance as "Grotesque"
by Julia Halperin, ARTINFO, November 11, 2011

Full text of Rainer letter

Out of isolation: Black gay men and depression

Benefit for You Are Not Alone hosted by Project DBGM

Saturday, November 19

Award-winning journalist and founder of Project DBGM (Depressed Black Gay Men) Antoine Craigwell together with a team are hosting a benefit I’m Not Alone @ The Table to raise additional funds and public awareness for the completion of his upcoming documentary, You Are Not Alone, which focuses on the struggles and suffering in silence of Black gay men dealing with depression. 

According to the American Association of Suicidology, between the '80s to early '90s, the rate of suicide among Black men ages 15-24 increased 83 percent. Although the rate dropped to 67 percent, it is still the third leading cause of death among young Black men, and 4.3 times higher than Black women. 

“We are shattering the taboo, that unspoken rule with protective roots in Black history, which says ‘you don't talk your business to strangers’.” say Craigwell. “That silence which ignores the hurts, abuses, and betrayals Black gay men experience, contributes to their downward spiral into depression and we want to let folks know they are not alone at the table.”

Antoine Craigwell

The program will include nationally-renowned comedienne Tammy Peay as the evening’s MC along with DJs Fred Pierce and Cameron Fitzpatrick on the 1’s & 2’s. The evening will feature wine tastings, networking, a cocktail bar, special performances and a silent auction of items from several businesses and individuals including: Kate Clinton, The Jeremy Kyle Show, Charly Dominguez, Lawrence Graham-Brown, Jon Lucas, and many others. Kaz Mitchell, Circle of Voices, Inc. is leading the auction.  To contribute or donate items the auction, please contact Kaz Mitchell here.

Doors open 7pm

Program begins 7:30pm

Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture

53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn

(directions)

Get tickets (available only online)

More information on Project DBGM

It's The Field's Silver Jubilee and...

...you're invited!

Thursday, November 10

The Field's SILVER JUBILEE

6:30-8:30pm VIP Revelry
8:30-11pm Silver & Jubilee Guests
festive attire

Jubilee Hosts
Steve Gross, Virginia Johnson, Daniel Alexander Jones, Eileen Kelly,
Tere O'Connor and Elizabeth Streb

Experience a labyrinth of intimate performances by...

Obie-Award winning Chris Wells/Secret City (VIP performance)
Cynthia Hopkins  *  David Parker and The Bang Group  *  Katie Down  *  Pontus Lidberg  *  Nu Dance Theater  *  Kathy Wasik  *  kahlil almustafa  *  Oskar Mann

VIP Quartet
$1,000 VIP Quartet
reserved seating for four

6:30-11pm
VIP performances begin
at 6:45
Champagne toast
hors d'oeuvres
& open bar

RSVP November 1st

VIP Ticket
$250 VIP Ticket
one ticket

6:30-11pm
VIP performances begin
at 6:45
Champagne toast
hors d'oeuvres
& open bar

RSVP November 1st

Silver Guest
$75 advance
$100 door

8:30-11pm
Performances
DJ & dancing
One drink ticket
Five door prize entries

Jubilee Guest
$35 advance
$50 door

8:30-11pm
Performances
DJ & dancing

To purchase tickets, click here.

For more information on The Field, click here.

Space on White
81 White Street (between Broadway and Lafayette Street), Manhattan
(directions)

La MaMa loves Japan

On Monday, April 25 (7:30pm), La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club will present A Prayer For Japan, to benefit relief efforts in Japan.

Click here for complete program details.

Free admission.
Reservations not required.

In the La MaMa tradition, the hat will be passed to help support Japan’s relief efforts. All donations from the evening will go to Make The Heaven, a Japanese NGO in Japan working with the Japan Me group, a non-profit organization that is providing ongoing relief for victims in the area of Ishinomaki. Japan Me transports supplies to the disaster area and delivers these needed supplies directly to victims. In addition, the group places victims with volunteers across the country; and transports aid workers to the affected areas for rescue missions.

La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre
66 East 4th Street, 2nd Floor (between Bowery and Second Avenue), Manhattan
(directions)

Joffrey School benefit for Japan and New Zealand

The Joffrey Ballet School presents two performances of dance, music and film to benefit the victims of the earthquakes of Japan and New Zealand.

Saturday, April 16 (8pm)
Sunday, April 17 (7pm)

Suggested Donation: $10
Reservations/Information: the Joffrey Ballet School, 212-254-8520

The evenings will feature:

• dancers from the Joffrey Ballet School Choreographic Workshop

• animation by Lev Polyakov

• new music by Allan Greene

• live music by Joshua Davis, PJ Robers, Juliana Boehm, Miho Nozawa and others

Charitable contributions will be evenly distributed between the Japan Society and the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Joffrey Ballet School
434 Avenue of the Americas (at 9th Street), Manhattan
(directions)

"What to Read if You're Poor" benefits writing collective

The Wooster Group will host "What to Read if You're Poor"--a panel discussion on literacy and poverty to benefit the Brooklyn-based writing collective Still Waters in a Storm.

Saturday, September 11, 7pm

The Performance Garage

33 Wooster Street (between Grand and Broome Streets), Manhattan

Panelists include world-renowned authors Peter Carey (Parrot and Olivier in America), Peter Hedges (The Heights), Richard Price (Lush Life), Adrian Nicole LeBlanc (Random Family) and Russell Banks (The Reserve), and a young writer from the Brooklyn collective.

Moderator: Kate Valk of The Wooster Group

The panel will be followed by drinks and conversation.

Suggested donation: $20, but any amount will be gratefully accepted. All proceeds will benefit Still Waters in a Storm.

For more information, or to make reservations, call 646-579-5025, or email stephenhaff@gmail.com. Donations by cash or check will be accepted at the door.

Still Waters in a Storm is a grassroots, storefront reading and writing collective in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Still Waters brings together Bushwick neighborhood residents of all ages (presently ages 5 to 56) to read, write, and listen to each other in what Richard Price calls an atmosphere of "agendaless empathy².

The celebrated writers in "What to Read if You're Poor" have each traveled to Bushwick and participated in the main activities of Still Waters: taking turns composing, reading aloud, and responding to what they hear in specific but non-judgmental ways. Through this process, they have been able to guide and inspire the Bushwick writers, person by person. In advance of each visit, the group read at least one of the guest author's books, which are expert models for their own writing and opportunities to imagine other people's inner lives, an important exercise in the practice of compassion.

Still Waters also offers individual, remedial literacy instruction for all levels and ages. All activities and services are free. Still Waters now includes upwards of 50 people and has been growing weekly since moving into a new, permanent home in May, a sanctuary for thought and peaceful self-expression, right there on the street in Bushwick.

Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts: with love for Haiti

An announcement from writer Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts 

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Some of you know that I'd planned to go to Haiti in January 2010 to begin research for my next book. Slow-to-arrive funds delayed the trip, then the earthquake happened.

In the immediate aftermath, horrified at the disaster, the idea of writing a book seemed besides the point, to put it mildly. The old question put forth by Hölderlin summarized the feeling: "And what are poets for in a desolate time?"

Here is one attempt at an answer. Along with a small army of folks in two cities, I'm coordinating fundraisers to benefit two grassroots organizations that have been doing important work in Haiti since long before the earthquake and with whom I'd hoped to work during my research. SOIL Haiti focuses on ecological sanitation, working alongside communities to create composting toilets that remove dangerous pathogens from the water supply and provide

nutrient rich compost to farmers. Since the earthquake, SOIL Haiti has been working in Port-au-Prince along with OXFAM and the Haitian government to implement environmentally sound sanitation strategies urgently needed to serve the 1 million+ people living in tent cities since the disaster.

Seeds for Haiti works in concert with Mouvman Peyizan Papay (Peasant Movement of Papay), to support farmers in Haiti's Central Plateau in achieving social justice and asserting food sovereignty. With the reverse migration from the city back to the countryside since the earthquake, their work is even more urgent. Recently farmers of MPP made headlines when they promised to burn any seeds donated by Monsanto, a gift-horse of seeds that will not

reproduce and are laced with pesticides, thus subjecting farmers already facing a state of emergency to the vicious cycle of industrial agriculture.

This July in New Orleans (where I'm living at the moment instead of traveling in Haiti) and in Harlem, we'll raise voices, funds and spirits with a marathon bilingual reading of "Cahier d'un retour au pays natal" ("Notebook of a Return to My Native Land") the epic work by Martinican poet and statesman Aimé Césaire. Césaire was one who had an answer for Hölderlin. Some of you were there in 2008 for the inaugural public reading of this poem, co-produced with Brent Edwards, as an anti-colonial Bastille Day celebration to honor the recent passing of Césaire. If you were there, you remember the magic raised

up by 11 men and women reading in French and English, a literary

reading-as-ritual that we did not dream of or even know was possible.

If you live in New Orleans (or have people in New Orleans) the date to save is Saturday, July 10. We'll gather at GRIS GRIS LAB, a wonderful art/healing/ community center.

If you live in New York City (or have people in NYC), the date to save is Thursday, July 15. The fantastic Harlem Afrobeat bar THE SHRINE has agreed to open their wonderful space to us for a second round.

Many people have already joined in to make these benefit readings a reality. I hope you'll come gather round the fire of Césaire's poetry in the name of rebuilding Haiti.

Please spread the word. Full details to come. Stay tuned for updates on Facebook at:

TheFreedwomensBureau

with lots of good wishes,

Sharifa

Tappers to benefit Haiti

Hoofing For Haiti 

100% of the proceeds will go to YELE HAITI and PARTNERS IN HEALTH.

WHAT: A night of Tap Dance, Music, & Text
WHEN: Thursday, February 4 (8pm)
WHERE: Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce Street, Manhattan
TICKETS: $20 - Smartix

Featuring:

Garrett Bantom
DeWitt Fleming
Karida Griffith
Frank Harts
Chikako Iwahori
Lisa La Touche
Ted Louis Levy
Michela Marino-Lerman
Tony Mayes
Andrew Nemr
Claudia Rahardjanoto
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards
and more!