Volume 79, Number 14 | September 9 - 15, 2009
West and East Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho, Little Italy, Chinatown and Lower East Side, Since 1933

The A-List

Compiled by Scott Stiffler, Scott@thevillager.com

Talks

Photo by Juliana Thomas
April, 2009: Marina Squerciati as abolitionist Anna Dickinson

GREAT EVENINGS IN THE GREAT HALL
The Cooper Union’s performance series “Great Evenings in the Great Hall” kicks off its fall roster with “Workers’ Rights.” Tony nominee Maria Tucci leads the cast as they recreate the stirring words of radicals and reformers (including Clara Lemlich, Mother Jones and Andrew Carnegie) who made their mark during the defining decades of the American labor movement. Historic photographs and period music from the NYC Labor Chorus complement the powerful oration. Free; Thurs, Sept 17, 6:30 p.m. at Cooper Union, Great Hall (7 East 7th St, btwn 3rd and 4th Aves). For info, 212-353-4195 or www.cooper.edu.

GROOVALOO
If watching “Groovaloo” is as much fun as saying it three times fast, you’re in for a very good time. Find out for sure when some (or all?) of the The Groovaloos (an innovative 25-member L.A.-based dance crew) kick off the Joyce Theater season. The Groovaloos’ performance fuses hip hop and freestyle dance with spoken word poetry, and music — all used to tell the tale of how the cast realized their hopes and dreams by shaking their groove things. Sept 15-27 at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Ave, at 19th St). Tickets: $59; $35; $19; $10. Tues–Wed, 7:30 p.m.; Thurs–Fri, 8 p.m.; Sat, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Call 212-242-0800 or online at www.Joyce.org; visit www.groovaloo.com

Events

Photo by Clayton Cotterrell
Don’t even think of going Dutch: free bike rentals.

HARBOR DAY
400 years after Henry Hudson’s historic journey of discovery, NY400 Week gets its Dutch pride on with a slew of activities which won’t cost you a dime. Harbor Day spans six major waterfront sites: The Battery, Battery Park City, Hudson River Park, Governors Island, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Snug Harbor. Spectators, linked to each location by boat rides and free bike rentals, can view a flotilla of historic Dutch sailing vessels, consume lots of you-know-whats at the Oyster Festival, or simply make like Henry H. and take in the still spectacular view of the Hudson. Sun, Sept 13. For a complete list of activities, visit www.ny400.org or www.nycgo.com/harborday.

Music

Photo by Drew. S. Harris
Gay Marshall: from Morales to Grizabella to Piaf

GAY MARSHALL
Unabashed Francophile Gay Marshall auditioned for the part of Morales during the original run of “A Chorus Line” — with a number from famed French songbird Edith Piaf. She got the part. Later, she’d play Grizabella in the original Paris production of Cats. Now, Marshall reprises her acclaimed Piaf concert (“Queen of Heart”) — which shatters the popular perception of Piaf as a tragic figure by accentuating her joyous, mischievous side. All that, plus Marshall translated many of the songs herself (about half are in English). Sept 15, 22, 29 at 7 p.m. and Oct 1, 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd St.). $25 cover, 2 drink minimum. For reservations call 212-206-0440. Visit www.gaymarshall.com.

Benefit

Photo courtesy of the Village Alliance
From 2008’s event. You can’t eat just one. . .so why even try?

TASTE OF THE VILLAGE
The Village Alliance wants you to help celebrate the completion of phase two of Washington Park’s restoration — while raising funds for park maintenance. How? By eating food from Village restaurants, drinking wine from Long Island vineyards and being merry with the people of all ages, talents and interests who frequent one of American’s ultimate urban parks. The seventh annual “Taste of the Village Benefit for Washington Park” lets you sample edibles from the neighborhood, while providing the opportunity to work it off with a walk in the park. September 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Washington Square Park. $40. Call 212-777-2173 or visit www.villagealliance.org.