Those who work at the World Financial Center are in for a treat. All month long Zach Morris and Tom Pearson of Third Rail Projects will be presenting a new dance performance every workday during the lunch hour. The 5-10 minute performances will showcase the ordinary yet overlooked “undercurrents” of interpersonal “exchange”.

From the World Financial Center’s website:

“Each short dance will be a world unto itself but also accumulate meaning over the course of the month as the performances reveal the often veiled, but perpetually possible connections within the transitional spaces of the Winter Garden. Coupled with the performances are three art installations in displays located throughout the WFC that further explore hidden and improbable pairings.”

“Undercurrents & Exchange” also features choreography by Mariss Nielsen-Pincus and Tara O’Con with art installations by Zach Morris. It will be performed by Morris, Pearson, Nielsen-Pincus, and O’Con with Donna Ahmadi, Kris Bauman, Elizabeth Carena, Mayuna Shimizu, and other surprise guests.

“Undercurrents & Exchange” World Financial Center
February 2-27
Weekdays, 1:00-1:10 pm

WFC Winter Garden

Thanks to Rob Hollander for the heads up.

Ever since the economy has tanked, downtown activists have been especially fierce regarding housing issues. The ramifications of displacement are unquestionably dire and activists are doing everything they can to keep families in their homes. Recently, despite adverse efforts, the residents of 81 Bowery were evicted for unsafe conditions— a shallow reason, protestors believe, because it should fall on the landlord to institute repairs.

The CAAAV (Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence) has been seeking jurisprudence to allow displaced tenants back into their homes, and to enact legislation that will make it policy to have landlords remedy safety violations rather then to evict tenants in the first place. According to the CAAAV, the group has asked the Department of Buildings and Commissioner Robert LiMandr to meet with them, but they have repeatedly been refused. Continue Reading »

This year’s gala at The Plaza will honor legendary Essence Magazine editor emerita Susan Taylor and her husband, author Khephra Burns, with the organization’s Visionary Award. Noel Hankin, Senior Vice President of Moet Hennessy USA, will accept the corporate Leadership Award. Proceeds will benefit the esteemed Evidence Dance Company.

5th Annual Grace in Winter Gala
Tuesday, 2/3/9 @ 6PM
The Grand Ballroom at The Plaza
Fifth Avenue at Central Park South

Individual tickets are $1,000, $1,500, $2,000, $2,500.
Sponsorship packages are available at $10,000, $12,000, $15,000, $17,000, $20,000, $23,000, $25,000 and $50,000.

Councilwoman Anna Throne Holst and Town Justice Andrea Schiavoni.

While much of America watched with pleasure as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama swirled around the dance floor at one of the 10 parties they would attend that night, several hundred revelers at The Southampton Inn’s Inaugural Ball cheered with enthusiasm and rattled noisemakers. It could just as easily have been a New Year’s Eve party for all the joy this traditionally Republican town took in laying aside partisan politics and coming together in celebration of the dawning of a new era.

Gordon Herr, himself the newly elected Chairman of the Southampton Town Democratic Committee and Grania and Tip Brolin, organizers of the gala along with Dede Gotthelf Moan, owner of the Southampton Inn, warmly greeted the almost 300 black tie and begowned partiers who braved the ice and sub-freezing temperatures to be part of a historic celebration. Continue Reading »

Tekserve is hosting the third in their series of panel discussions on the future of music and the music industry. You won’t see any big names in their list of participants, but you will find working musicians who have been getting ahead in the business for years; they have all had to adapt as things have changed and may therefore have some fascinating insights to share. Harry Allen mediates the discussion with former Brand Nubian rapper Sadat X, Magnetic Fields drummer/pianist/manager Claudia Gonson, RCRD LBL co-founder Peter Rojas, and Beggars Group head of marketing Adam Farrell. The event is free but you must RSVP to attend. You should go.

The Future of Music 3
Thursday, 1/29/9 @ 8:30PM
Tekserve
119 West 23rd Street
212.929.3645
Click here to RSVP.