4/21/19 O&A NYC WHATS HAPPENING THIS WEEK: April 22 Through April 29, 2019

Happy Easter and Passover New Yorkers will be out and about in their Easter bonnets!  This week we have dance at Lincoln Center and R&B legends are at the legendary Apollo. Orchids are in bloom in The Bronx and a Creole Food Festival in lower Manhattan. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps, guaranteed to keep you Out and About.

 

 

 

Leonard Cohen: A Crack in Everything: The Jewish Museum (1109 5th Ave at 92nd St New York) April 12 – September 8, 2019. A world-renowned novelist, poet, and singer/songwriter who inspired generations of writers, musicians, and artists, Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) was an extraordinary poet of the imperfection of the human condition, giving voice to what it means to be fully alert to the complexities and desires of both body and soul. Featuring 12 artists and 18 musicians from 10 countries, this exhibition offers a deep and rich exploration of the beloved global icon through the lens of contemporary art.

Alicja Kwade, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art through October 27, a Polish artist who lives and works in Berlin is this year’s recipient of The Met’s annual commission to create an installation for the museum’s roof garden. These projects are perennial crowd-pleasers, as they add a touch of artistic enhancement to the rooftop’s spectacular views of Central Park and the Midtown skyline. Kwade’s approach seems tailor-made for the site, as it usually entails minimalist sculptural ensembles made of glass, stone and metal—materials that give her efforts a luxurious gloss. Kwade often plays perceptual tricks on the viewer as part of her overall interest in deconstructing the philosophical and scientific teachings we rely on to make sense of the world. At The Met, she reaches for the cosmos with a pair of pieces that evoke the Solar System.

Monumental Journey: The Daguerreotypes of Girault de Prangey at The Metropolitan Museum of Art through May 12, 2019. The work of Girault de Prangey (1804–1892), an artist, architectural historian, archaeologist and daguerreotypist, who spent three years capturing locales throughout Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Jerusalem between 1842 and 1845. During his journeys, he created some 1,000 plates, an amazing feat at a time when photography was a cumbersome practice.

FRIDA KAHLO: APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING at the Brooklyn Museum (through May 12). This is not exactly an exhibition of Kahlo’s art — it contains just 11 paintings, from compelling self-portraits to ghastly New Age kitsch — but an evocation of an artistic life through her elegant Oaxacan blouses and skirts, not to mention the corsets and spinal braces she wore after a crippling traffic accident. Do her outfits have the weight of art, or are they just so much biographical flimflam? Your answer may vary depending on your degree of Fridamania, but the woven shawls and color-saturated long skirts here, as well as gripping photographs of the artist by Carl Van Vechten, Imogen Cunningham, Manuel Álvarez Bravo and other great shutterbugs, suggest Kahlo’s real accomplishment was a Duchampian extension of her art far beyond the easel, into her home, her fashion and her public relationships. (Farago)

Birds Of Paradise (A group exhibition for women’s history month) Caribbean Literary and Cultural Center at the Flatbush Library, 22 Linden Boulevard (btw Flatbush & Bedford Avenue) Brooklyn, NY. Curated by Ava Tomlinson and featuring works by Pamella Allen, Sandra Ayana, Ramona Candy, Mary Chang, Sophia Domeville, Laura James, Gina Samson, Cheery Stewart Joseph, Ava Tomlinson and Valerie Williams. The exhibition runs through May 4. 

Nedjemankh and His Gilded Coffin at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Ever since Howard Carter uncovered the tomb of King Tut in 1922, people have been fascinated by Ancient Egyptian treasures. The Met recently acquired one such object—a gold-leafed covered coffin for a High Priest from Egypt’s Ptolemaic period. It’s on display, along with 70 other Egyptian artifacts from the Met’s collection.

Jean-Michel Basquiat Solo Exhibition: The Brant Foundation announced this week that it will present a solo exhibition of works by the late artist Jean- Michel Basquiat as the inaugural show on March 6 in its new East Village space in New York City. Located at 421 East 6th Street in a century-old, 16,000 square-foot building originally designed as a Con Ed substation, the show is free to the public, but you’ll need a ticket to get in. The show begins on March 6 and tickets can be reserved through May 12, but available dates and times could run out before the show closes on May 15.

ABT Studio Company at the Joyce Theater (April 24, 7:30 p.m.; April 25, 8 p.m.; through April 27). This group, directed by the former American Ballet Theater soloist Sascha Radetsky, acts as a bridge between ballet training and a professional career. Proof of its success is evident in the main company: Three-quarters of its dancers started out at ABT Studio. For its Joyce season, the group presents existing and new choreography with repertoire that includes George Balanchine’s Tarantella and excerpts from Don Quixote and Stanton Welch’s Clear, as well as five New York premieres. Doing the choreographic honors are Stefanie Batten Bland, Gemma Bond, Ma Cong, Claudia Schreier and Ethan Stiefel.

New York City Ballet at the David H. Koch Theater (April 23-25, 7:30 p.m.; through June 2). The spring season opens with a week of dances by current choreographers, and while some are unavoidably tedious — Mauro Bigonzetti’s Oltremare comes to mind — there are some treasures. As for the good? Justin Peck’s Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, set to Aaron Copland’s timeless score, and William Forsythe’s playful and exacting Herman Schmerman. And as for the great? Alexei Ratmansky never phones anything in at City Ballet, so it’s time to bask in a delightful pair: Pictures at an Exhibition and Concerto DSCH.

STREB at the Streb Lab for Action Mechanics, 51 N. 1st Street, perform weekends through May 12. The shows that STREB Extreme Action puts on at its Williamsburg headquarters (weekends through May 12) have a carnival atmosphere, and not just because eating and drinking are encouraged. Will the Action Heroes, as the intrepid dancer-acrobats are styled, collide as they hurl themselves off a trampoline? Will they get whacked by swinging cinder blocks or huge metal contraptions? Probably not, but they want you to cringe. Their newest machine is the Molinette, a giant bar that revolves like the blade of a windmill.

The 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival will take place in Lower Manhattan, Chelsea and special venues from Thursday, April 25th to Sunday, May 5th. Robert De Niro and Co.’s Tribeca Film Festival has long shown a spotlight on local indie features, documentaries, foreign films, the latest from big-name talent and the greatest from up-and-coming filmmakers. 

Wu-Tang “Of Mics and Men” (screening) at the Beacon Theater, April 25, 8pm. Throughout the history of hip-hop, no single group changed the game in the same way the Wu-Tang Clan did. In the early ’90s, a group of young rappers from Staten Island and Brooklyn joined forces to escape the poverty, violence, and oppression of their neighborhoods through music. Hot off the success of their single “Protect Ya Neck,” RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon da Chef, and Masta Killa “formed like Voltron” to release Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), a seminal album that redefined a genre and forever changed the economics of the industry.

Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men

Amazing Grace, the new documentary about Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul features never-aired footage of Franklin recording her legendary gospel album that’s been hidden for half a century.

Amazing Grace- Aretha Franklin

Jay-Z at Webster Hall April 26: In 2017, New York collectively mourned the temporary loss of the iconic East Village music venue Webster Hall. Luckily, the first artist set to grace the newly renovated stage when it reopens later this month does not disappoint. It’s NYC’s very own Jay-Z. The grammy award-winning, native New Yorker will perform a set entitled “B-Sides 2” on April 26. Jay’s special performance will feature deep cuts and, if we’re lucky, maybe even some unreleased tracks.

The O’Jays at the Apollo on April 27, 8pm, are touring history, a connection to an era and a sound that formed the soundtrack for the lives of several generations. The O’Jays are still hitting the road with the same electrifying energy they’ve had for over 50 years. In 1972, they scored their first number 1 and million-seller, “Backstabbers.” Subsequently, they succeeded with various chart-topping pop and R&B singles including “Love Train”, “Put Your Hands Together”, “For The Love of Money”, “I Love Music”, “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)”, “Livin’ For The Weekend” and“Use Ta Be My Girl.” This success propelled The O’Jays to be the first black vocal group to perform in arenas throughout America during the 70s and 80s.

Music of Motown for Kids- The Rock and Roll Playhouse (RRPHKIDS) at Industry City, 274 36th St., Brooklyn, a family concert series hosted at Industry City, allows kids to get down to songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history. This week, kids get their groove on the the music of Motown. 

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The Big Bang Theory: A Pop-Rock Musical Parody at Theater Center (210 W 50th St, New York) through May 26. World collide when a group of nerds and their lady friends are tested by a character from Star Trek in Karlan Judd’s raunchy musical spoof of the long-running sitcom. Tristan J. Shuler directs. 

Glenda Jackson as King Lear is in her own world as the maddening monarch of Shakespeare’s tragedy. The production at the Cort Theater runs through July 7, 2019.

Ain’t Too Proud follows The Temptations’ journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. Through friendship and betrayal amid the civil unrest that tore America apart, their moving and personal story still resonates five decades later.

Choir Boy, the Broadway premiere of Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney acclaimed drama at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre261 West 47th Street, centers on the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, which for a half a century has been dedicated to the education of strong, ethical black men. One talented student has been waiting for years to take his rightful place as the leader of the school’s legendary gospel choir. But can he make his way through the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key?

FrankieFridays is Brooklyn’s best kept  house music secret! The party takes place every Friday at The Happiness Lounge, 1458 St. Johns Place (bet. Utica Avenue and Rochester Avenue).  The party rocks the best dance classics and soulful house music masterfully mixed by New York City’s own DJ Frankie Paradise. The predominantly mature gay crowd are there to get down, and create a warm inviting atmosphere for all. Reasonably prices drinks and a small admission price (feels more like a donation) of $5 before midnight and $10 after makes this the don’t miss Friday night dance party. 

Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival on Fifth Avenue beginning at 10am. One of the best things to do for Easter  is stroll along Fifth Avenue during one of New York’s silliest processions: The Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival. NYC has a march entirely dedicated to outlandishly decorated hats. Before you sit down for a delicious Easter feast at one of the city’s best restaurants, hop to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to watch the show or promenade your own over-the-top bonnet. While you won’t see any floats at this parade, we think head-toppers in the shape of some of the best New York attractions (like the Coney Island Cyclone) certainly make up for it.

The 2nd Annual Creole Food Festival at the DL Rooftop Lounge, 95 Delancey Street, New York April 27, 2019 at 3pm– 8pm will continue the tradition of showcasing the best Creole chefs, cuisines and beverages from the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Asia and South America. Look to see and discover participating tourism boards, rising star chefs, beverage connoisseurs, bartenders providing signature NYCCFF drinks, sample dishes, cooking demos, and much more!

The New York Botanical Garden (2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx) The Orchid Show- Insider Your: Tuesdays–Fridays, February 26–April 26, 2019, 12:30 p.m.Expert guides await in the Conservatory’s Palm Dome to introduce you to the biology of the Orchidaceae, one of the largest and most diverse plant families on Earth, and provide highlights about current orchid research projects undertaken by NYBG scientists.

The New York Botanical Garden (2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx) The Orchid Show: Special Photographers’ Pass Friday, March 29; 8:30–10 a.m. Tuesday, April 16; 6:30–8:00 p.m.Register now to receive rare, photographers-only access to capture the exquisite beauty of The Orchid Show without casual visitors present. Bring your tripod (this is the only time we’ll allow them in the Conservatory!). Because you’ll be shooting with available light, please minimize gear—no backdrops or screens are permitted. Limited Space Available

The New York Botanical Garden- Orchid Evenings; The Energy and Nightlife of Singapore Come to the Bronx, March 23, 30 (SOLD OUT); April 5, 6, 12, 13 (SOLD OUT), 19, 20, 26, 27 7–10 p.m. (Entry Times at 7, 7:30, & 8 p.m.)New York City’s most spectacular evening outings exclusively for adults 21 and over are back, bringing the color and nightlife of Singapore with them. Step into one of the world’s greenest cultures as Supertrees come alive around you, exhilarating with a display of lights and orchids after dark in the Conservatory. Sip a Singapore Sling and purchase a bite to eat from the Bronx Night Market Pop-up while freestyle dancers and DJs perform throughout the night, and explore the kaleidoscope of orchid varieties from the “City in a Garden” and beyond. Ticket Information Non-Member $38 / Member $28 (Adults 21 and over)

We look forward to seeing you Out and About

About OutandAboutnycmag

Out & About NYC Magazine was founded to offer the arts and lifestyle enthusiast a fresh new look at New York City. We will showcase the established and the emerging, the traditional and the trendy. And we will do it with élan, and panache with a dash of fun.
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