Theater for the New City ready to take it to the streets with a new production

Photo by Lola Sáenz 

At the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. at 10th St., where their Street Theater Summer Tour begins tomorrow with a production of "Teacher! Teacher! or PS I Love You." 

Free performances will be outdoors citywide on weekends through Sept. 18 ... including locally: 

• Saturday, Aug. 6 @ 2 p.m. outside Theater for the New City on 10th Street 
• Saturday, Aug. 20 @ 2 p.m. at Abe Lebwohl Park outside St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery, 10th Street at Second Avenue. 
• Saturday, Aug. 27 @ 2 p.m. in Washington Square Park
• Sunday, Sept. 18 @ 2 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park 

Read more about the play here.

'Room With Stars' at Theater for the New City

"Room With Stars" is currently in production at Theater for the New City on First Avenue. 

This partly autobiographical play, written by Nina Howes and directed by longtime EV resident Elizabeth Ruf, "evokes the culture and music of the height of the Vietnam War era on the Lower East Side." 

Here's more:

Teenaged Samantha’s dreams of a scholarship to college are shattered when she's expelled from high school and locked up for her anti-war activities. Her hard-working mom is no help, and her Puerto Rican boyfriend actually wants to enlist. Samantha finds an ally in her boyfriend's fiery aunt, Angelina, a volunteer at the Catholic Worker. The playwright and the community-minded artistic team of "Room With Stars" hope to inspire new generations to speak out against the atrocities of war and all forms of injustice.

EVG contributor Steven caught an opening-weekend performance and gives it high marks...

The play runs through June 19, with showtimes Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. There's a 3 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Find more info here. 

Theater for the New City is at 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Photos courtesy of Andreas Weigelt

The 27th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is this weekend at Theater for the New City

Via the EVG inbox...

The 27th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is on for three full days this Memorial Day weekend, from Friday, May 27-Sunday, May 29, at Theater for the New City, with a wide array of free indoor and outdoor offerings that include theater, music, dance, video, film, poetry, cabaret, an art exhibition, and a youth program, along with food and vendors. 

Find the full list of activities here. 

Theater for the New City is at 155 First Ave. at 10th Street.

At a rehearsal for 'Hamlet in Harlem' at Theater for the New City

Tomorrow (April 7) sees the debut of "Hamlet in Harlem" for a 3-week-plus run at Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. at 10th Street.

The new play is written and directed by Alberto Ferreras. Here's a quick overview of the self-described "politically incorrect comedy that promises murder, mystery, offensive stereotypes and cultural appropriations."

"Hamlet in Harlem" is the story of an empathetic caucasian filmmaker Jason Harriman who dreams about producing an all-Latino version of Hamlet that takes place in "el Barrio." The only problem is that he doesn’t know much about Latinos, he doesn’t know much about Harlem, and he doesn’t know much about Hamlet either.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy stopped by the theater for rehearsal on Monday...

Ferreras is known for his award-winning novel "B as in Beauty" (Hachette 2009). He is the creator of "Habla," the long-running HBO documentary series about the U.S. Latino experience (2003-2022), and "Somos," a new video-installation about Latino identity commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution for the National Museum of American History.

You can catch the 70-minute play on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Find ticket info here. "Hamlet in Harlem" runs through April 24.

A group art show opens today at Theater for the New City

There's a new group show, dubbed "April Fools Not 4 School," in the gallery space at Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. near 10th Street. 

The show's opening, featuring "art, music and energy," takes place from 3-6 p.m. today (April 2, and sorry for the late notice — I only just received the info).

Don't fret! The work will be up all month in the gallery space, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Curated by Marcus Chae.

Go 'Crazy' at this group show at the Theater for the New City

Theater for the New City is hosting a new group show titled "Just Act Normal, That's Crazy Enough Already." 

The official opening is today (Saturday) from 2-6 p.m. in the theater's gallery, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street. 

The show is up through Jan. 3. The gallery is open during the week for viewing as well.

Thanks to Lola Sáenz for the flyer!

The Lower East Side Festival of the Arts returns for in-person events this weekend

The 26th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts takes place this weekend at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. at 10th Street... and it will be in-person after last year's virtual proceedings. 

Expect to find a mix of theater, music, dance, comedy, poetry, film and fine arts indoors and out on Friday through Sunday. You can check out the extensive offerings at the Theater's website. 

The events are all free of charge. Theater officials have also noted the following about admission:

[S]adly, we cannot be as uninhibited and laissez-faire with our audience as usual. So, we must let you know that you WILL BE ASKED TO SHOW US YOUR VACCINATION CARD or a NEGATIVE COVID TEST NO MORE THAN FIVE DAYS OLD, IN ORDER TO BE ADMITTED! There will be masking and social distancing, and we will adhere to the most recent rules promulgated by the CDC, State and New York City.

In addition, TNC's Lobby Art Gallery is displaying the work of local artists...

Thanks to Lola Sáenz for the photos. Lola also has a work on display in the art show.

A special performance and discussion tonight for the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts

The Theater for the New City's 25th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is taking place online this weekend.

A highlight to note this evening at 8:

A live concert of performances by David Amram, William Electric Black, Phoebe Legere, F. Murray Abraham, Penny Arcade, Austin Pendleton and Charles Busch.

Following their performances, these major LES artists will do a virtual "sit around" and discuss theater, politics and “where we go from here.”

Find the Vimeo link for this program here. And find the full program (PDF) here.

Time for the 24th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts at Theater for the New City

The Theater for the New City is presenting its 24th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts, the performance marathon in and around its space at 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street starting Friday at 6 p.m. ... and happening through Sunday.

Find the full rundown of performers and artists and times here.

Meanwhile, the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Exhibit continues... and the opening reception is tomorrow (Wednesday) night from 5:30 to 8.



The multidisciplinary art exhibit features painting, sculpture, photography, collage and mixed media... and it will be up at the Theater for the New City through June 30.

A 'Lucky 20' reminder: Group show opening reception tonight at the Theater for the New City Art Gallery

Tonight is the opening reception for "Lucky 20," a group show curated by East Village resident (and EVG contributor) Lola Sáenz at the Theater for the New City Art Gallery, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

The exhibit features works — paintings, sculpture, photography and mixed media — by artists who live or have worked in the East Village/Lower East Side. (The show includes photos by James Maher, who, for five-and-a-half-years, contributed the feature Out and About in the East Village to this site. We miss you James!)

The opening reception happens tonight (April 10!) from 5:30 to 8. And the gallery is open for viewing daily from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. through May 11.

Previously.

'Lucky 20' opens today at the Theater for the New City Art Gallery

EVG regular Lola Sáenz is curating a group show titled "Lucky 20" that opens today at the Theater for the New City Art Gallery, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

The exhibit features works — paintings, sculpture, photography and mixed media — by artists who live or have worked in the East Village/Lower East Side.

"Lucky 20" features art from the following: Blanka Amezkua, Marcus Carter, Kathy Creutzburg, Selear Duke, Klay-James Enos, Kris Enos, JT Gray, Blake Greene, James Maher, Alisa Muir, Kanako Nagayama, Rochelle Pashkin, Carolyn Ratcliffe, Irene Rodriguez, Daniel Root, Bonnie Rosenstock and Sáenz.

The opening reception is April 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. And the gallery is open for viewing daily from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Deconstruction at Theater for the New City; Homo Eruptus at Howl! Happening

A new group show opens this evening (5-8) at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Per the Facebook event page: "Deconstruction will deal with the use of construction signs and materials through a means of artistic expression."

The work will be on display through March 29.

-----



East Village-based artist Scooter LaForge has a new exhibition opening tomorrow evening (6-9) at Howl! Happening, 6 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Per the Howl! website:

Homo Eruptus [is] a new body of work by Scooter LaForge including large, mural-size paintings that mine the artist’s fertile inner emotional realm. Whether it’s expressed on the mammoth pictorial canvases on view at the gallery, or a t-shirt or cast-off article of clothing — Scooter paints with an earnestness that responds in the moment to what he sees and hears and feels about the world around him.

The show will remain up through March 13.

Halloween at the Theater for the New City

EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared a few of the new Halloween-themed murals up on the walls now at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. at 10th Street... tonight is the Theater's annual Village Halloween Costume Ball...













Aside from Lola, the artists who took part are Adriano Moraes, Al Waks, Barnaby Ruhe & Gallatin, Elliot Berke, Fran McGee, J. Kathleen White, Judy Sky, Marcus Glitteris, Rochelle Pashkin, Scot Terban, Micha Lazare, Richard Miller, Miles Angerson, Shonda Johnson, Monica Worlds, Elijah Martinez and NYU Gallatin School...

A special premiere at Theater for the New City

[Image via Facebook]

On Sunday afternoon at 2, Theater for the New City is unveiling a state-of-the-art, wheelchair-accessible elevator as part of the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts.

Via the EVG inbox:

The elevator will serve TNC’s fourth theater on the lower level as well as its costumes, props and mask collection, additional audience bathrooms and much used rehearsal room. It will also offer access to the theater’s archives...

TNC is billing this as a grand opening complete with ribbon cutting and champagne as the theater names the elevator The Gerald Rupp, after its largest individual donor, who will be present and take the first ride.

“The elevator will support disabled individuals and the frail elderly, as part of Theater for the New City’s push for complete diversity in audience, as well as, the stage,” Crystal Field, executive artistic director, said.

The first 50 attendees will be able to follow suit and everyone attending will get a chance to test out the elevator’s internal telephone.

Kitty Lunn, dancer, choreographer, director of Infinity Dance company for abled and disabled dancers will host the event. The Infinity Dance Company and Yip Harburg Foundation’s Rainbow troupe will perform.

Theater for the New City is at 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street. You can find the rundown for the 23rd annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts here. The programming starts tonight at 6.

Open Mic for Arts in Education Saturday night at the Theater for the New City

Saturday night at 9, Theater for the New City on First Avenue is hosting a Late Night Open Mic.

Admission is $10, and the proceeds go to fund the Theater for the New City's Arts in Education after-school program for middle-school students.

Here's a little more about the program:

Arts in Education engages a network of passionate and dedicated artists to teach after-school theater classes to underserved middle-school students in the Lower East Side and East Village, filling the critical void left by underfunded or nonexistent drama programs

Arts in Education is offered after-school, completely free, two days a week from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for 9 weeks in the Spring and Fall. Throughout the program kids engage in ensemble building games, improvisation exercises, text analysis, physical theater exercises, writing exercises, original choreography, character creation, playwriting and mask-making workshops. The students show off their skills and perform their self-written playlets and scenes as well as their own dance at our Culminating Event for friends and family.

"Our after school-theater program provides kids with a safe, inclusive, creative environment in which to express themselves together, instead of staring at a TV screen or being on the streets," East Village resident Danielle Hauser, the program's director, told me via email. "Our kids benefit together, learning to think creatively, be bold, collaborate, take chances and believe in our community."

Find more info at the Theater for the New City's website. The Theater is located at 155 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street.

Fun with this caterpillar/dinosaur

EVG contributor Derek Berg spotted this three-person creation yesterday... taking part (presumably) in the annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts on 10th Street...



Derek thought it was a caterpillar. I thought it was a dinosaur. In any event, they seemed to be having a nice time and no one wanted to ask them what they were supposed to be ... suggesting that it wasn't obvious to passersby...







The Festival continues this evening. Find details here.

​The 22nd annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is this weekend

​The Lower East Side Festival of the Arts begins this evening at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. at 10th Street. Here are some details via the EVG inbox...

The three-day downtown arts festival, whose theme this year is Art V Tyranny, seeks to show a lively downtown arts scene in an era when everything from funding cuts to technology, science and affordable housing puts pressure on the arts.

The festival includes hundreds of well-known and emerging artists ranging from theater to dance, music to movies, a street fair and art exhibit. This celebration collectively provides a showcase of downtown’s artistic diversity and energy, while seeking to “take up art” against a sea of troubles.

The theme of Art V. Tyranny, with the V as a kind of victory sign as well as a sign of resistance, seeks to shine a spotlight on the need for the arts for a healthy life and economy.

As part of the festival, TNC typically closes down 10th Street between First and Second avenues for a street festival filled with vendors.

Find details on specific programming here.

The 2016 Lower East Side Festival of the Arts is this weekend

Now in its 21st year... and, as always, the events take place at the Theater for the New City, 155 First Avenue between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street.

Head over to the Theater's website for a look at the numerous offerings tonight through Sunday.

And here's a highlights reel from last year's festival...



H/T Lola Sáenz

The Lower East Side Festival for the Arts continues this weekend

The 20th anniversary … At Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. at East 10th Street. Head to TNC's website here for more details.

Help Theater for the New City burn its mortgage on Saturday

From the EV Grieve inbox...

[Via Facebook]

A "BURN THE MORTGAGE" CELEBRATION!
Saturday, January 26th
5:00 to 7:00pm (free admission)

REJOYCE! THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY Has Paid Its Mortgage! $717,000 to $0!

Eats! Drinks! And Lots of Love! We want to Thank our Supporters! Champagne for everyone! And a Swinging Opening of a 40-year Retrospectacle: Theater for the New City, 40 Years of Struggle and Triumph!

Help us to put a Match to a 25-year old Mortgage, as we unveil our Donor Plaque.

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY Celebrates its 40th Year, and celebrates its future as The Cultural Center for the East Village and the Lower East Side — serving its neighborhood with Free and Low-Cost Theater, Art, Music, Poetry, Puppetry, Multimedia & Street Theater.

Performers and Speakers will include: F. Murray Abraham, Charles Busch, David Amram, Vinie Burrows, NYC Council Member Rosie Mendez, Louis Mofsie of the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, and some surprises. Reservations recommended.

RSVP and info here.

Theater for the New City bought their building at 155 First Ave. between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street with a $717,000 mortgage in 1987 ... they moved from the West Village to 156 Second Ave. in 1977...