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Experience Culture Shock this Spring in New York CityEdited by Siobhan Welch
MUSEUMS Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (2 East 91st Street, 212-849-8420, www.si.edu/ndm) Fashion in Colors examines 300 years of western fashion, concentrating on color as both a design element and expression of culture, spiritual and social attitudes of the times. On loan from the Kyoto Costume Institute, designs from Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and others will be on exhibit through March 26. P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center in Queens (22-25 Jackson Ave., 718-784-2084, www.ps1.org) presents Ricky Swallow, a selection of six recent works by the Australian artist, known for his sculptures based on pop iconography and shown at The Venice Biennale earlier this year. Through March 27. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Fifth Ave. at 82nd St., 212-879-5500, www.metmuseum.org) presents Robert Rauschenberg: Combines. The exhibition showcases the American modern artist’s three-dimensional works created between 1954 and 1964. Through April 2. The Yeshiva University Museum (15 West 16th Street, 212-294-8330, www.yumuseum.org) explores the influence and impact of Jewish Americans on the world of fashion in A Perfect Fit: The Garment Industry and American Jewry through April 2.
Flushing Town Hall (137-35 Northern Blvd., 718-463-7700, www.flushingtownhall.org) Eastern art takes over in Between Two Worlds: Reflections of Contemporary Chinese Art, an exploration of emerging styles, significant themes and the latest trends in Chinese sculpture, painting and other forms. Through April 9. The Noguchi Museum (9 - 01 33rd Road, Queens, 718-204-7088, www.noguchi.org) Chess takes center stage in The Imagery of Chess Revisited. In addition to works by Isamu Noguchi, the exhibition features original designs by artists such as Man Ray, Arshile Gorky and Yves Tanguy. Through April 16. The New Museum of Contemporary Art (556 W. 22 St., 212.219-1222, www.newmuseum.org) presents Andrea Zittel: Critical Spaces. Considered one of the most influential artists to emerge in the last 15 years, Zittel uses architecture and design to explore the psychological, biological and economic aspects of domestic and urban existence. Through April 29. Historic Richmond Town in Staten Island (441 Clarke Avenue, 718-351-1611, www.historicrichmondtown.org) celebrates its 150th anniversary this year with a number of special events. On April 9, the historic village opens its newest attraction, the Dunn’s Mill Exhibit which showcases the role of mills in early America. The Tavern Concert Series showcases American folk music each Saturday this spring through April 29. The Morgan Library (29 East 36th Street, 212-685-0610, www.morganlibrary.org ) reopens April 29 after being closed for three years while undergoing a $102 million renovation that will double the exhibition space. The new facility also features a new entrance, 280-seat performance hall, and new visitor amenities. The reopening will kick off with a week of special events including appearances by playwright Edward Albee, author Pete Hamill, baritone Thomas Hampson and poet Seamus Heaney. April 29. The National Academy Museum (1083 Fifth Avenue, 212-369-4880, www.nationalacademy.org) has two exhibits on display: For Spacious Skies focuses on the luminist phase of the Hudson River School, practiced principally during the 1850s-70s. The 18 paintings in this exhibition show panoramic landscape views that are recognized for their manipulation of natural light, rich atmospheres, and sweeping vistas. Treasures from Olana: Landscapes by Frederic Edwin Church showcases exquisite oils, watercolors, and drawings by one of America's most popular nineteenth-century Hudson River School landscape painters. Through April 30. The Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Avenue, 212-534-1672, www.mcny.org) offers two exhibits showcasing New York City: The Mythic City: Photographs of New York by Samuel H. Gottscho, 1925-1940 where more than 150 of Gottscho photographs create a portrait of New York as the quintessential modern metropolis with images of skylines, aerials, bridges, and signature skyscrapers, as well as commercial and residential building interiors. Through March 30. The High Style of Dorothy Draper, the first major exhibition of the legendary New York decorator’s life and career begins on May 2. The New York History Society (170 Central Park West, 212-873-3400, www.nyhistory.org) will showcase 40 original watercolors by bird enthusiast John James Audubon. The Birds of America exhibit includes Audubon’s extraordinary depiction of the elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker, and other rare birds. Through May 7. The Museum of Modern Art (11 W. 53rd St., 212-708-9400, www.moma.org) presents Edvard Munch: The Modern Life of the Soul, the first major retrospective devoted to the Norwegian painter’s work and held in an American museum in almost three decades. Through May 8. See more Munch at the Scandinavia House with Edvard Munch: Symbolism in Print, Highlights from the Museum of Modern Art. Celebrating the Norwegian painter’s innovative creative process, the exhibit brings together 25 of the Munch’s works that showcase his talent as a printmaker. Through May 13. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1071 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3500, www.guggenheim.org), pays tribute to the work of David Smith for the first time since 1969 with a rich retrospective featuring more than 120 seminal sculpture and important examples of the artist’s drawings and notebooks. David Smith: A Centennial will be on view through May 14. El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue, 212-831-7272, www.elmuseo.org) presents Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Early Impressions. This exhibition expands upon an original presentation in Puerto Rico which, for the first time, examined Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s early production starting during his university years in Puerto Rico during the late 1970s. Through May 21. The Frick Collection (One E. 70th St., 212-288-0700, www.frick.org), The final paintings of one of Spain’s most legendary artists will make their U.S. debut at in Goya’s Last Works. Through May 14. The Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway, 718-638-5000, www.brooklynmusuem.org) will be the first venue of the traveling exhibition William Wegman: Funney/Strange. The exhibit follows 40 years of the American artist’s work in all media and will run through May 28. Whitney Museum of American Art (945 Madison Avenue, 212-570-3676, www.whitney.org) Whitney Biennial 2006: Day for Night presents the work of some of the most creative contemporary artists in the world. This exhibition includes diverse works from nearly 200 artists, as well as a film series and seminars. Through May 28. The International Center of Photography examines photographic works from Africa in Snap Judgments: New Positions in Contemporary African Photography in the first major U.S. exhibition of its kind. More than 200 works offer an artistic response to the changes taking place in the economic, social and cultural life throughout Africa. Through May 28. The American Museum of Natural History (81st Street at Central Park West, 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org) invites visitors to explore the theory of evolution during Darwin. This in-depth exhibition documents the life and ideas of one of the most controversial and prolific thinkers of the 19th century, who forever transformed our perception of the origins of man. Through May 29. The Hayden Planetarium is home to the new space show, Cosmic Collisions, which opened March 18. Narrated by Robert Redford, this immersive theater experience takes visitors on a thrilling trip through space and time to explore hypersonic impacts that drive the continuing evolution of the universe. The Jewish Institute of Religion Museum at Hebrew Union College (1 West 4th Street, 212-824-2205, www.huc.edu/museums/ny) presents Justice Illuminated: The Art of Arthur Szyk, a political cartoonist whose works examine World War II, America, and the Jewish Response. Through April 28. Journey Through Jerusalem: The Art of Maty Grunberg: A career retrospective of paintings, sculptures and designs by renowned Israeli artist Maty Grunberg. Through June 30. The Ukrainian Museum (222 East 6th Street, 212-228-0110, www.ukrainianmuseum.org). Ukrainian art shines in the exhibit The Tree of Life, the Sun, the Goddess: Symbolic Motifs in Ukrainian Folk Art where more than one hundred objects are featured in the exhibit. Through September 2006. The Rubin Museum of Art (150 West 17th Street, 212-620-5000, www.rmanyc.org) Holy Madness: Portraits of Tantric Siddhas surveys the art and legends of some of the most colorful characters in South Asian and Himalayan civilization, a group of spiritually accomplished men and women called siddhas. These holy men and women are rendered in paintings, sculptures, and photographs drawn from museum and private collections worldwide. Through September 4. The Museum of Jewish Heritage (36 Battery Place, 646-437-4202, www.mjhnc.org) presents Bukharan Odyssey: Photographs by Zion Ozeri. The exhibit vividly documents the daily life and the subsequent emigration of the Bukharan Jews from Uzbekistan following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Through September 4. DANCE The New York City Ballet (20 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-870-5660, www.nycballet.com) opens its spring season with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Performances continue through June 25 and include presentations of “Mother Goose,” “An American in Paris” and composer retrospectives featuring Balanchine, Stravinsky and more. Opens April 25. Cedar Lake (547 West 26th S, 212-244-0015, www.cedarlakedance.com), a contemporary ballet company, will present the world premiere of Hammer, choreographed by Benoit-Swan Pouffer. Opens May 8 and runs through May 21. Alvin Ailey’s (405 West 55th Street, 212-405-9000, www.alvinailey.org) Ailey II company returns to New York after a 42-city U.S. tour. Ailey II will perform at the 1.2.3. Festival at the Joyce Theater featuring works by Scott Rink, Doug Varone, Camille A. Brown, Troy Powell, and classics choreographed by Alvin Ailey himself. April 26, 29, 30 and May 2-3. ENCORE PERFORMANCES The New York City Opera (New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, 63rd and Columbus, 212-870-5600, www.nycopera.com) Say bravo to upcoming productions including The Most Happy Fella, La Boheme, Don Giovanni and Carmen. The Metropolitan Opera (Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, 212-799-3100, www.metopera.org) continues to expand its repertory during the 2005-2006 season with the company premiere of Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa as well as new productions of Gounod's beloved Roméo et Juliette, Donizetti's comic Don Pasquale and more. The New York Philharmonic (10 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-875-5656, www.newyorkphilharmonic.org) presents award-winning cinema composer John Williams, along with special guest hosts Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. In a program of music from his unforgettable scores, Williams leads the Philharmonic in what will surely be a season highlight. April 24 and 26.
Jazz at Lincoln Center (Broadway and 60th St., 212-721-6500, www.jazzatlincolncenter.org) Overlooking Columbus Circle, the stunning Allen Room hosts Live Nation: An Acoustic Evening with Chris and Rich Robinson on April 14. At the Rose Theater, As of Now: Barry Harris and Regina Carter, part of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s As of Now series, pairs a jazz veteran with an ascending artist to premiere new compositions. April 7 and 8. Wynton Marsalis joins the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for New Orleans: Congo Square, featuring some of the best of New Orleans jazz. May 4 through May 6. 7th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival (718-8751016, www.centralbrooklynjazz.org) Jazz lovers will rejoice this spring where venues throughout Brooklyn will host jazz performances, including a tribute to Duke Ellington. March 29 through April 30. Musica Reginae (33-19 210th Street, 718-279-4842, www.musicareginae.org) presents Daniel Berman…Encore! A virtuoso pianist, Daniel Berman brings his masterful style and brilliant interpretations to Queens. The concert will feature music of the masters including Beethoven, Liszt, Mendelssohn and others. April 2. Symphony Space (2537 Broadway, 212-864-1414, www.symphonyspace.org) There’s plenty on tap this spring with music performances, literary readings, film screenings, dance recitals, and theatrical productions. Highlights include the four-hour Shakespeare tribute on April 23 in honor of the playwright’s birthday, and New Strategies with DJ Spooky, part of the Classical Reclassified series that explores how DJ culture influences contemporary composition on April 6. Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street, 212-997-1003, www.the-townhall-nyc.org).Broadway show stoppers from the past star in the Broadway by the Year series Songs from1956 musicals including My Fair Lady and the Most Happy Fella take center stage on April 3; 1968 favorites Hair and Zorba are featured May 1; the musicals of 1978 such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas are on June 19. The Museum of the Moving Image (35th Avenue at 36th Street, 718-784-4520, www.movingimage.us) showcases the films of Anna Wong in a seven -week series of films featuring this groundbreaking actress. Born in turn of the century Los Angeles, Wong embodied flapper chic while challenging traditional ideas of Chinese womanhood and finding stardom despite the racism of her time. ARTS & CULTURAL EVENTS Upper West Fest (www.upperwestfest.com) More than 25 cultural organizations from Manhattan’s Upper West Side will host the inaugural two-week festival celebrating the unique visual and performing arts institutions located from west 59th-116th Streets. The festival will feature more than 50 diverse performances highlighting the cultural gems of this vibrant neighborhood. April 28 through May 14, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosts its first ever Hanami, the Japanese cultural tradition of viewing and cherishing each moment of the entire cherry blossom season, in conjunction with the annual cherry blossom festival. Visitors are invited to view paintings by celebrated artist Mizue Sawano, who is famous for her exquisite depictions of cherry blossoms. April 8 to May 28. The 25th annual Sakura Matsuri Festival will feature more than 60 events and performances celebrating Japanese culture. April 29 and 30. The Tribeca Film Festival (212-321-7400, www.tribecafilmfestival.org). This year marks the 5th anniversary of the festival that began in 2002 as an effort to encourage business in Lower Manhattan and shine a spotlight on New York as the independent film capital of the world. In addition to film screenings, the festival includes the Tribeca Family Festival, panel discussions, concerts, art exhibits, the Tribeca Film Feast dining program and more. April 25 through May 7 In a landmark move, Robert Redford will bring an outpost of his legendary Sundance Film Festival to Brooklyn. In collaboration with the Brooklyn Academy of Music (30 Lafayette Avenue, 718-636-4100 www.bam.org), the Sundance Institute will host a series of film screenings, performances, panel discussions, and special events that bring the activities of Sundance Film Festival to New York audiences. Screenings will include the best new dramatic and documentary feature films from the January 2006 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The Brooklyn festival will be called Creative Latitude because Brooklyn and Park City sit at the same spot horizontally on the globe – 40.6 degrees north. May 11 to May 20. CULTURE FOR THE KIDS New York Botanical Garden (200th Street & Kazimiroff Boulevard, 718-817-8700, www.nybg.org). Kids of all ages are in for a sensory delight at the Chocolate and Vanilla Adventures exhibit at the Steere Discovery Center at the Children's Adventure Garden. Here kids can explore the world of vanilla and its favorite partner in deliciousness, chocolate. Through April 2. The New York Hall of Science (47-01 111th Street, 718-699-0005, www.nyscience.org) gets jazzed about the ‘60s during Far Out Science Month this April. The month-long event celebrating 1960s science is packed with groovy activities including a Hall of Mirrors and Light, a science theater show, paper airplane making, and a collection of popular toys from the decade. The New York Aquarium (West 8th Street @ Surf Avenue, 718-265-FISH, www.nyaquarium.com) Every Sunday in March storyteller Luann Adams captivates audiences with tales of walruses, seals, fish and other aquatic creatures. The aquarium honors Earth Day with the Wonder of Water event featuring special entertainment, storytelling and arts & crafts that teach kids about the ocean. April 22. Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Avenue, 718-735-4400, www.brooklynkids.org) Families can step back into the Wild West during Joshua’s Journey: A Black Cowboy Ride the Chisholm Trail, an exhibit that uses activities, artifacts and historical photographs to teach visitors about life on the trail through the eyes of 16-year-old cowboy Joshua Loper. Joshua’s Journey is the first children’s museum exhibit to feature authentic Western artifacts, including more than two dozen items from the collection of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Through May 14. |
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More than 17 million visitors visited New York City last
year to enjoy the many diverse cultural opportunities in the “Cultural Capital
of the World.” This spring there is even more reason to experience exceptional
museums, dance performances, spectacular musical and theater shows and more.
From the paintings of Edvard Munch to the creative compositions of John
Williams, and Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival, New York City promises
something memorable for everyone.
The Jewish Museum (1109 Fifth Ave., 212-423-3200,
Carnegie Hall (57th Street at 7th Avenue, 212-247-7800,