Missed January’s exhausting theater festivals and still crave stuff to see? This week brings variety shows (as usual), erotic monologues, a black mass, durational dance, and more.
WEDNESDAY
(photo via Circus of Dreams / Facebook)
Circus of Dreams
At Bizarre Bushwick, 12 Jefferson Street, Bushwick. 9:30pm. $7-20 suggested donation. More info here.
This is one of the first weird variety shows I ever went to, and I haven’t looked back since. Circus of Dreams, an unpredictable and odd monthly variety show formerly hosted by Matthew Silver and now helmed by the vivacious Lindsee Lonesome (one-half of brash music group Marital Dispute), is both a strange wonderland and warm community of weirdo artists who consistently bring their wacky ideas to life in the typically welcoming and aptly-named Bizarre Bar. Sometimes you’ll see naked people. Sometimes you’ll get cake thrown on you. Sometimes both will happen. Either way, you certainly won’t be bored. And admittedly this week I’m working the door, so come say hi.
THURSDAY
(photo via Gabrielle Jensen / Facebook)
Haunted Matter Vol. 1: In Bodies
At The Silent Barn, 603 Bushwick Ave, Bushwick. 7:30pm. More info here.
This performance series explores the ghosts that lurk within the creative lives of both new and seasoned performance artists, dissecting what haunts artist’s bodies physically, personally, or abstractly. Seeing its first iteration means you’ll be getting in on the cutting edge. Soak it in. This show features musician and Harlem native Amy Léon, Bunny Michael, writer and historian Helen Hazelwood, Mia, visual and performance artist Parissah Lin, writer P Small, and a collaboration between dance artist Ellen Askonas and musician/writer Sally Decker.
FRIDAY
(Image via Lisa Gwillian & Ray Sweeten aka DataSpaceTime)
Make Mine Satan
At Microscope Gallery, 1329 Willoughby Avenue, Bushwick. 8pm. More info here.
We already gave you the lo-down on this “black mass” art event yesterday, but just to make sure you don’t miss out, here it is again. Helmed by drone music and pagan costuming, this performance portion, occurring in conjunction with Microscope’s Biblical/surveillance solo show Echelons, will welcome ten musicians and artists coming from every discipline imaginable (lasers, projections, cello, bells, and more) to improvise in an immersive and probably unsettling hourlong romp. Get ready for… a lot of stuff happening at once.
SATURDAY
(photo via La MaMa ETC)
Deep in a Dream of You
Continues through Feb. 7 at La MaMa, 74 East 4th Street, East Village. 10pm (Sunday at 6pm). Tickets are $18 ($13 for students/seniors) and can be purchased here.
Award-wining actor, musician, and performance artist David Cale has crafted an evening of monologues centered around the feeling of being “caught in the thrall of erotic obsession.” The show originally premiered at The Public Theater in 1993 and won a Bessie Award, and Cale is bringing excerpts of it back to celebrate the launch of his book, Shows. Cale performed an engaging monologue by Eric Bogosian at the recent PS122 benefit we covered, and now’s your chance to see him performing his own work.
SUNDAY
(photo via MoMA PS1)
GREATER NEW YORK presents Walter Dundervill, ARENA
At MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City. 3pm. More info here.
MoMA PS1 presents this three-hour durational immersive movement installation created by Walter Dundervill, featuring a slew of ensemble performers building up and breaking down various environments through dance. Don’t be scared by the three-hour time scare you, or the notion that the piece “spans various historical epochs.” Durational means you can come and go as you please. Plus, the costumes look awesome.