LEIGHANN LORD WITH BLACK WOMEN IN COMEDY
Tribeca Spotlight’s “The Next Voice You Hear” series books only thinkers and performers who deserve to be a “next big thing.” This time up, quadruple threat (smart, sexy, savvy, funny) Leighann Lord hosts and headlines a night of stand-up. Lord, who won the NYC Black Comedy Award for “The Most Thought Provoking Black Female Comic,” will be joined by other vanguard black female comedians including Abbi Crutchfield, Rhonda Hansome and Angela Scott. Sat., Feb. 19, 8pm, at the Borough of Manhattan Community College/Tribeca Performing Arts Center (199 Chambers St.). For tickets ($15), call 212-220-1460 or visit tribecapac.org. For all things Leighann, go to www.veryfunnylady.com.
THEATER: A WORLD APART
Leading a monastic life doesn’t necessarily free you from the pitfalls of the human condition. In “A World Apart,” Mother Augustina doubts her ability to lead her nuns into the future, given that she’s been contemplating a return to the outside world. In walks Father Byrne, who’s wondering if he can do more for that world if he ventures beyond cloistered walls. While sharing their doubts, both become seduced by what’s outside and what’s inside. This tough nut is written by multi-disciplinary theatre artist Susan Mosakowski (co-artistic director, with Matthew Maguire, of Creation Production Company). Wed. through Sat., at 7pm. Through Feb. 26, at The Flea Theater (41 White St. btw. Broadway & Church). For tickets ($18), call 212-352-3101 or visit theatermania.com. Also visit theflea.org and creationproduction.org.
DADDY’S BLACK AND JEWISH
Black? Jewish? It’s enough to make a gal go “Oy!” No word on whether or not Lian Amaris will invoke that iconic Yiddish expression; but her upbringing just might inspire some new slang to add to the lexicon. Amaris, who was raised in a Kosher Jewish household by a black father and a feminist mother, was given the greatest gift a performance artist could hope for — an identity inspired by gender-play, racial ambiguity, mental illness and cultural tensions. That’s more than enough ground to cover in one show. That show, “Daddy’s Black and Jewish,” brings it all home through a hybrid of monologue, music, Brechtian storytelling and visual language wrapped in a comfortable but confining blanket of pop culture neuroses. Feb. 23-26, 7pm, at Nuyorican Poets Cafe (236 E. 3rd St. btw. Aves. B & C.) Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. To order, call 212-780-9386 or visit nuyorican.org.
CITY WINERY
Every Sunday, the Klezmer Brunch Series pairs top tier musicians with top tier lox and bagels (10am-2pm, with music from 11-noon and 1pm-2pm). $10 music fee. At 155 Varick St. at Vandam. Call 212-608-0555 or, for a full schedule of events, visit citywinery.com. Once a month before Klezmer Brunch, “Rebbe’s Table” gives you food for thought before you actually begin to chow down. Rabbi Dan Ain holds court with an eclectic group of artists and thinkers, tackling the hard questions in an easygoing manner. Sun., Feb. 27, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning composer David Lang and Rabbi Ain explore the relationship between music and religion. $15 (includes coffee, juice and music cover charge).
THE PINK ROOM: DAVID LYNCH BURLESQUE
Over two decades after she washed up on the shore and created the most frenzied buzz since TV audiences tried to figure out who shot J.R., the death of Laura Palmer still resonates. “The Pink Room: David Lynch Burlesque” takes place on the eve of Palmer’s death — and serves as a reminder of how the unblemished oddity of “Twin Peaks” inspired innovation and challenged our notion of what the old idiot box was capable of. It also, as it turns out, put its stamp of beauty and damage on the current generation of Downtown artists. The inaugural edition of burlesque performer, singer and producer Franny Flüffer Nütter’s new “Pink Room” series is all about the world of Dale Cooper, the Log Lady, and owls that are not what they seem. Future installments will delve into other aspects of Lynch’s influential output. On our wish list — the equally strange “Peaks” follow-up “On the Air.” This time around, though, the proceedings are hosted by Bastard Keith. The featured performers include Amelia Bareparts, Calamity Chang, Franny Fluffer, Gemini Rising, Grace Gotham, Tansy Tan Dora — and go-go dancing by Foxy Vermouth. Wed., Feb. 23, 9:30pm at the Parkside Lounge (317 E. Houston St. btw. Aves. B & C). Cover: $10. Visit parksidelounge.net and frannyfluffer.net.
