Compiled by scott stiffler
THE PINK ROOM: DAVID LYNCH BURLESQUE
We can’t say where, exactly, that Downtown gal who goes by the (stage?) name Franny Fluffer hails from — but it must be a place where the birds sing a pretty song, and there’s always music in the air. Oz, maybe, as imagined by David Lynch and Mark Frost. Their dark and trippy TV show asked the soap opera-friendly question “Who Killed Laura Palmer?” — and it’s a safe bet that the little girl who’d morph into Franny Fluffer was inspired by the damaged beauty of “Twin Peaks.” Ms. Fluffer and friends do their tribute thing, with the ongoing series “David Lynch Burlesque.” Last month’s premiere installment sold out fast, so get your tickets, like, NOW for the March 30 edition. “Special Agent” Bastard Keith hosts. Performances by Amelia Bareparts, Foxy Vermouth, Franny Fluffer, Gemini Rising, Madame Rosebud, Miss Rose (from Philadelphia) and go-go dancing by Doctor Flux PhD. Wed., March 30, 9:30pm, at Parkside Lounge (317 E. Houston St. at Attorney). $10 cover, two-drink minimum. Ages 21+ only, please — it is, after all, a burlesque show. Visit frannyfluffer.com. Twitter: twitter.com/frannyfluffer. Facebook: facebook.com/frannyfluffer.
CONCERT FOR JAPAN
The “Concert for Japan” offers 12 Hours of music and special activities — all for the benefit of Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Proceeds and tax-deductible contributions made on site will go to organizations that directly help victims recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan on March 11. Composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and NY-based Japanese female-led bands Hard Nips, The Suzan, Echostream and Me & Mars are among those who will perform. The benefit will also offer many events and activities originally slated as part of “j-CATION: Beyond Cute” — the second annual daylong open house festival previously announced for Sat., April 9. Those activities include making origami cranes and washi lanterns for good wishes and recovery, basic Japanese language lessons and unlimited access to “Bye Bye Kitty!!! Between Heaven & Hell in Contemporary Japanese Art” — Japan Society’s current gallery exhibition.
Sat., April 9 from 11am-11pm at Japan Society (333 E.47th St. btw. First& Second Aves.) All proceeds go to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Can’t make it to this event? Japan Society will give half of all ticket and admission sales made through June 30 from all events to the fund. To donate to the fund, go to japansociety.org/earthquake — or a check to Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street, New York, New York 10017; Attn: Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Checks should be made payable to Japan Society and indicate “Japan Earthquake Relief Fund” on the check. For a full roster of performers, and a schedule, call 212-832-1155 or visit japansociety.org/concertforjapan
PRE-PASSOVER NOSH & STROLL
It’s Jewish history made so real, you can taste it — and they mean that! See, and taste (and maybe feel and hear) for yourself, when you attend the “Pre-Passover Nosh & Stroll.” Journey into the kishkes of the old Jewish Lower East Side. In preparation for the holiday, this fun neighborhood walking tour offers a sampling of Passover treats, including chocolate-covered matzoh, freshly ground horseradish, pickles and Passover schnapps. The tour begins at the Museum at Eldridge Street/Eldridge Street Synagogue, at 12 Eldridge Street (between Canal and Division Streets). Sun., April 10; tours at 11am & 2pm. Space is limited, and reservations are required. For tickets ($15), call 212-219-0888, x205.
BENEFIT:
CHURCH STREET SCHOOL FOR MUSIC AND ART PRESENTS:
“DANCE! FUNK LATIN SOUL PARTY” Church Street School for Music and Art — the only nonprofit community music and art school in Lower Manhattan — is coming up on its third decade of music and arts education. But like all worthy creative (not to mention nonprofit) enterprises, its good deeds require a considerable amount of green to make the engine run. Help keep that engine humming by attending their 4 Annual DANCE! event (whose proceeds will support Church Street School’s innovative programs). Spinning by DJ/musician René Lopez; dance lessons by Frankie Martinez of Abakua Dance — and hosted by Andrew W.K. (Artist Chair). Boogie, booze and shake your groove thing — and bid on arts & music items available at the silent auction. Wed., April 13, 7-10:30pm. At the fabulous Santos Party House (96 Lafayette St.). To purchase tickets, call 212-571-7290 or visit churchstreetschool.org.
BR & TIMEBOMB
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center’s Tribeca Spotlight series welcomes BR & Timebomb. Formed in 2002 when Hip-Hop artist BR cultivated the seven-piece band Timebomb, the collective just released “Time Is Now”— their second LP. Currently composing new material while they tour the East Coast, you can preview their sound (before catching them live) by accessing the full-length album “Believe in Something” on iTunes or CDBaby. Their blend of R&B, rock, reggae, funk, soul, jazz and classical has been compared to Earth, Wind & Fire as well as Outcast and The Roots. Timebomb, for the record (or LP?) features Olivia Martinez (violin/viola), Jibrail Nor (drums), Shanelle D. Jenkins (trumpet), Karnage (lead guitar) and Stacy Beatty, Jr. (bass). Fri., April 8, 8pm. For tickets ($15), call 212-220-1460 or visit tribecapac.org. Also visit brandtimebomb.com
CANTORS: A FAITH IN SONG
It takes three: Miller, Herstik, and Mizrahi (left to right).
THE THREE CANTORS
Three of the world’s greatest cantors — Alberto Mizrahi, Benzion Miller and Naftali Herstik — will perform the program from their acclaimed PBS special (recorded at the historic Portuguese synagogue in Amsterdam). Their wide-ranging Jewish repertoire includes music from Broadway, Yiddish folk songs, Sephardic melodies and liturgical selections. “Sunrise, Sunset,” “Mayn Yiddishe Mama” and “Tumbalalaika” are among the selections. The cantors will be joined by a choir and orchestra. Sun., April 10, 3pm. At the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust (36 Battery Place). For tickets ($35; $25 for members), call 646-437-4202 or visit mjhnyc.org.
CONCERT TO BENEFIT JAPAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
Abrons Arts Center presents. John Zorn hosts. The lineup includes performances by Norah Jones, Jesse Harris, and Thurston Moore. An early and late show will feature two different sets by Ikue Mori and John Zorn, Vinicius Cantuária, Masada String Trio, Buke and Gass, Erik Friedlander and Sylvie Courvoisier, JACK Quartet, Elysian Fields, and many more. Surprise guest artists are to be announced. Normally, this would be reason enough to show up — but on top of that, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to support Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund. “The tragedy and devastation is really overwhelming,” says John Zorn — who is organizing the proceedings and will host the evening. “I’ve always felt a strong personal connection to Japan, and I’m just glad to be able to do my part to help. It should be an amazing night.” Fri., April 8. 6:30pm and 9:30pm shows. At Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand St. at Pitt). $35 Balcony seating; $50 Orchestra seating. Tickets available at abronsartscenter.org and theatermania.com.
