Casey Caldwell by Charles Ludeke; Claire Fleury by Alesia Exum; LACTIC by Thibault Théodore-Babin; TILLYandWILLIAM by Tilly D Wolfe (image via Vox Bizarre / Facebook)
WEDNESDAY
Wordspeak
Wednesday, December 7 at Vox Bizarre, 8 pm: FREE
Vox Bizarre is a new Ridgewood-based “store and workshop” pop-up devised by four design labels: Casey Caldwell, TILLYandWILLIAM, Claire Fleury, and LACTIC. Aside from all creating unconventional and intriguing attire and accessories, the common thread that unites these labels is that they are interested in shedding binary gender classifications within fashion and developing pieces that are inclusive to all body types. In addition to selling their wares, they’ve planned a variety of community-based events, such as performances, workshops, photoshoots, and more.
Tonight is Wordspeak, an “evening of wine and words.” A roster of over 10 queer performers, creators, and thinkers will be giving voice to what they have to say on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: linguistics, queer iconography, hamburgers, caffeine, veganism, and a classic topic in any sharing situation: sex. Included in the lineup are several of the designers showing work in the pop-up, including Claire Fleury and Tilly deWolfe of TILLYandWILLIAM,
THURSDAY
(image via Form Me / Facebook)
Form Me: Augmenting Dysphoria
Thursday, December 8 at WOW Café Theater, 9 pm (also on December 9 at 7 pm): $15
Many of you have heard of gender dysphoria, but how many will actually experience it? In this unique piece, “transnonbinary” artist Phoenix Sweeney utilizes components of both live performance and augmented reality, as well as audio and video elements, to simulate and manifest their experience of dysphoria. Nowadays bodies exist in the virtual realm as much as they do IRL, and there are particular positive and negative aspects of each of those existences, especially when your body and/or identity differs from the norm in some way. It only seems natural to explore both manifestations.
If this sounds like an intense way to begin an evening, the night will start with an open mic to create a sense of community and get everybody warmed up. For those experiencing financial uncertainty, the artist has indicated on the show’s Facebook event that no one will be turned away for lack of funds, and discount codes are available.
FRIDAY
(image via Abrons Arts Center)
Mytho? Lure of Wildness
Continues through December 22 at Abrons Arts Center, 8 pm (Sundays at 2 pm): $25
This world-premiere performance piece centers downtown artist Anna Kohler at its core as she delves into her own career, past achievements, and “mythology” as an artist. A dose of introspection is rarely seen without a framework to guide it with, and this is no exception. Kohler will be using the work of painter Henri Matisse and minimalist-spiritual French filmmaker Robert Bresson as a “springboard” to look into her own life and work, including the formative time she spent as a young model in France. The piece features not only live performance but also “aromas,” “three-dimensional sound,” and other heightened sensory elements, as to conjure up the large feeling of the world when you are young and everything is new.
SATURDAY
(image via Ars Nova / Facebook)
An Actors Christmas
Saturday, December 10 at Ars Nova, 8pm: $15Â
Ah, the holidays. A time for… acting? Not in the sense of Shakespeare, but you can’t deny that going home for the holidays usually warrants a bit of pretending, whether it’s grinning through gritted teeth when your far-off relative makes a tasteless comment or serves tasteless food, or even just flat-out lying about what you’ve been up to. Comedians Lorelei Ramirez and Christi Chiello understand, and they are coming to Hell’s Kitchen art space Ars Nova to bring you an “intensive ACTOR workshop on understanding the fundamental elements of holiday cheer.” And they won’t be doing it alone. Joining them will be fellow comedians and performers Lena Einbinder, Ikechukwu Ufomadu, Ana Fabrega, and Dan Chamberlain. Get ready to do some breathing exercises, because these are serious actors.
SUNDAY
(flyer via Fortunate Horse / Facebook)
Jo Firestone and Julio Torres Live
Sunday, December 11 at Throne Watches, 6:30pm: FREE
Two strange and delightful doses of comedy will be manifest within the confines of a Wythe Avenue watch showroom this Sunday, in the form of comedians Jo Firestone and Julio Torres. One is a frequent creator of silly interactive shows like pun competitions and an “inner beauty pageant,” the other is a self-professed “space prince” and was recently hired as an SNL writer. While most comedy shows have lineups consisting of more than two people, this modest pairing allows for each performer to do sets that are longer than the average, giving them more freedom to experiment, push boundaries, and probably be pretty weird. These two bring a special flavor to comedy, and are certainly ones to watch. So, why not watch them while also watching watches in a watch store? You may never get another opportunity to say “watch” so many different times and ways again.