Volume 78 - Number 46 / April 22 -28, 2009
West and East Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho, Little Italy, Chinatown and Lower East Side, Since 1933

The A-List

Compiled by sarah norris
sarah@thevillager.com

Exhibit

Photo by Fiona Gardner
Peggy Byrne: Miss Subways, March–April 1952, 2007

MEET MISS SUBWAYS
Artist Fiona Garnder and writer Amy Zimmer wondered what ever happened to the over 200 young glamour gals who were crowned “Miss Subways.” From 1941 through 1976, winners of this annual NYC beauty pageant had their head shots and aspirations displayed on placards that ran in subway cars. Many of the victors were African, Asian, and Latina Americans — years ahead of society’s multicultural curve. After tracking down ten winners, Gardner and Zimmer compiled this exhibit (part of their ongoing Miss Subways series). Gardner’s photos rediscover the sash-clad women as they are today. Zimmer’s interview text elicits their reflections on the contest’s impact and the paths their lives took. Through May 30 at Rush Arts Gallery, 526 west 26th street suite 311. Call 212-691-9552 or visit www.rushartsgallery.org and fionagardner.com.

Film

Photo by Gabriel Noble
Priscilla Diaz (a.k.a. “P-Star”), from “P-Star Rising”

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL
Now in its eighth year, the Tribeca Film Festival’s prolific screening schedule compels it to seek out venues beyond its namesake neighborhood. That’s good news for Village people — who can watch films whose scope is global while, physically, staying local. This year, the vast majority of TFF selections are to be found at AMC Village VII (66 Third Avenue, at 11th Street). From April 22 through May 3, the 7-screen Village cinema is hosting everything from some of the festival’s World Documentary Competition entries to edgy “Midnight” movies that unspool considerably earlier than the witching hour. Evening and weekend screenings are $15; matinees and late night screenings, $8; discount ticket packages available. For a complete schedule of films (in the Village and elsewhere), visit www.tribecafilm.com .and download the 2009 Film Guide (on the left side towards the bottom of the home page, in the green square; you’ll know it when you see it).

Dance

Photo by Ryan Jensen

Leanne Schmidt and Company

NEWSTEPS
Chen Dance Center presents Newsteps, a two-part choreographer’s series created to support and showcase the work of emerging, innovative, risk-taking choreographers. Part I, will feature premieres from Lisa Crawford, Hsiao-Wei Hsieh & Hsiao-Ting Hsieh, Mana Kawamura, Leanne Schmidt and Company, and GoGoVertigoat Dance Project. Part I: Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25. Part II is performed April 23-May 2. All performances at 7:30p.m.; $12; $10 for students/seniors. At Chen Dance Center, 70 Mulberry Street (corner of Mulberry & Bayard), 2nd floor. Reservations required. Call 212-349-0126 or visit www.ChenDanceCenter.org.

Music

Frontman E. Bland

SOULCENTRIC
Take a splash of jazz, add a pinch of funk, temper with a dash of gospel and stir liberally with soul. The result? SOULCENTRIC, a band fronted by E. Bland — whose solid mission statement is to bring their own spin on uncategorizable world music to the masses — or at least as many folks as can fit into the “Hottest Bar in the Triangle Below Canal” without courting a visit from the fire marshal. Saturday, April 25, 11:30p.m.; $10. At Uncle Mike’s, 57 Murray Street. Visit www.myspace.com/unclemikestribeca.

Art

Image courtesy of Jon Rappleye and Jeff Bailey Gallery, New York

Serene in Spring’s Treacherous Cradle, 2009

FORGOTTEN PLANET
For the third time, Jeff Baily Gallery hosts a solo exhibition of Jon Rappleye’s work. The new drawings and scultptures of “Forgotten Planet” thrust viewers into an otherworldly chalk white landscape where animals brave rising water, barren trees, snowcapped mountains and exploding volcanoes. Sometimes serene but often in distress, Rappleye’s strange, hybrid creatures inhabit an utterly unique environment that’s as much grim reality as it is whimsical fantasy. Through May 23, at Jeff Bailey Gallery, 511 W. 25h Street (10th/11th Avenues). Call 212-989-1056 or visit www.baileygallery.com.