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VOLUME 23, NUMBER 49
express THE NEWSPAPER OF LOWER MANHATTAN APRIL 20 - 26, 2011
School rezoning
distresses Downtown
community
BY ALINE REYNOLDS vice president of capital plan
Some Downtown young- management, presented
sters may soon have lengthy the data to NYS Assembly
bus rides to get to school Speaker Sheldon Silver’s
each day if the city goes School Overcrowding Task
ahead with its plan to rezone Force on Thurs., April 14.
the area south of 14th St. The April amendment to
The School Construction the 2010-14 Capital Plan
Authority, a branch of funds 1,301 new seats for
the NYC Department of Tribeca, the Village and
Education, announced Lower Manhattan West —
last week that it would be greater than the 725 addi-
funding new school seats tional seats needed in these
Downtown Express photo by John Bayles based on newly designated neighborhoods by 2014,
sub-districts, rather than according to the DOE. The
Spring is the season for hoops districts, for the first time.
This system would divide
SCA overprotected the
capacity needs of District
Drew Mihalik and Dave Monnat, both seniors at Pace University, took advantage of the weather last Thursday and Lower Manhattan into east Two, Bergin explained,
during a break between classes found their way to the basketball courts at West Thames Park. and west at Broadway. To because the area’s housing
the community’s angst, the sector is not growing as
new plan groups “Lower quickly as previously antici-
165 Church St. (bet. Chambers & Reade) Red Vintage — from The Q Collection
(212) 791-7394
2 April 20 - 26, 2011 downtown express
FR E E
DOW
Come join the party in the heart of Tribeca for a fun-filled family-friendly interactive
celebration! It’s a full day of entertainment and activities. Enjoy food and fun from
some of Tribeca’s world-class restaurants, merchants, and schools. Fly a kite, watch
a live performance, get creative with arts and crafts, dance to music, and put a smile
Tribeca locals dash
on your face — it’s all here in Tribeca.
Broadway performances, face painting, family films, storytelling… and so much more!
eatery’s live music hopes
A Tribeca restaurant’s petition to enliven staying open later,” said Lisa Schiller, anoth-
TR I B E CA /E S P N S PO RT S DAY its nightlife atmosphere was shot down at
a Community Board 1 meeting on Wed.,
er resident of 99 Reade St. who also gets
irritated by the noise.
Sponsored by Time Warner Cable®
April 13. The restaurant is already in violation of
N. Moore Street (Between Greenwich and West Streets) In an advisory role, C.B. 1’s Tribeca State law, according to Sewell’s husband,
ATTENTION SPORTS FANS! Kids of all ages can try their hand at a vast array of Committee voted unanimously to deny the Charlie Sewell. He said he regularly sees the
sports activities, games, and challenges at the 2011 Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day. Favorite owner of Sazon additional forms of night- restaurant’s windows open after 7 p.m. — a
New York athletes, mascots, and sports personalities will be on-site to engage kids in time entertainment. “Live music is essential breach of the restaurant’s liquor license
one-of-a-kind athletic fun. Shoot hoops, perfect your puck skills, or learn how to throw
to a Puerto Rican restaurant,” and will have — and hears loud music streaming from
the perfect pitch.... we’re taking sports to the street in Tribeca!
a make-or-break impact on the business, inside.
according to its attorney, Martin Mehler. “Y ou basically operated a discotheque
Live music, however, is prohibited by downstairs on a nightly basis,” Sewell said.
stipulations in the restaurant’s state-regu- Sazon’s owner, J.R. Morales, said in reply
lated liquor license, according to committee that he had hired a D.J. a few nights a week
member Jeff Ehrlich. to play oldies music on the bottom floor of
Several nearby residents cringed at the the venue.
mere thought of the proposals. The eaterie, concluded Peter Braus, chair
Amy Sewell, who lives at 99 Reade St., of the Tribeca Committee, would “have a
said she is often disturbed at night by rowdy bunch of work to do” before considering
patrons loitering on the street after they submitting an application with the owner’s
leave the restaurant. desired changes.
“We know you have intentions of being “I can’t see this committee considering
good neighbors, but it hasn’t worked,” she any additional dispensation of the restau-
said. “Even if you’re [only] open until 1 or 2 rant,” said Braus. “I don’t think we’d be
a.m., people stay on the street partying until acting in the best interest of the neighbor-
3 or 4 a.m. It’s a problem.” hood.”
“It’s horrifying that you’re thinking of — Aline Reynolds
D
Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour
OWNTOWN
DIGEST
countries as one Islamic state. After spending four years in
EDITORIAL PAGES . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 - 27
The annual TriBeCa Open Artist Studio Tour (TOAST) prison as an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience,
allows residents and interested parties to take a behind- he reversed his ideology and now promotes counter-extrem- CLASSIFIEDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27
the-scenes look at the work of some of Tribeca’s most ist views. He also seeks to challenge the popular opinion that
talented artists. Visitors will be take self-guided tours the West is out to destroy Islam.
through the artists’ studios, where they will have the During his appearance on Thurs., April 28 at the 9/11
C.B. 1
opportunity to speak directly to and purchase pieces from
the artists.
The four-day event will take place from Fri., April 29 to
Mon., May 2, in 36 different locations across Tribeca.
“We’re excited to offer a true glimpse behind the cur-
Memorial preview site (located at 20 Vesey St.), ut-Tahrir
will discuss his experience with the radicalization process
and the necessity for free societies to challenge erroneous
narratives and promote pluralism.
RSVP at national911memorial.org to reserve a seat.
M EE TING S
The upcoming week’s schedule of Community
tain that exposes where neighborhood artists create, what Otherwise, seats are available at the door on a first-come Board 1 committee meetings is below. Unless other-
inspires them and how they do what they do,” said Ruth first-serve basis. wise noted, all committee meetings are held at the
McLaughlin, treasurer of TOAST and a participating artist. board office, located at 49-51 Chambers St., room
“This is a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in an open 709 at 6 p.m.
artistic atmosphere of discussion and enlightenment.” Rotary Club campaigns to end Polio
Now in its 15th year, the tour is at its largest since its The Rotary Club of Wall Street New York invites the ON WED., APRIL 20: C.B. 1’s Waterfront
creation, with close to 100 artists participating this season. public to listen to Paul Katz, founder and CEO of entertain- Committee will meet.
For information on the event, and to view previews of ment and social awareness company Commit Media, who
the participating artists and download a tour map, visit will speak about the End Polio Now campaign. The Rotary ON THURS., APRIL 21: C.B. 1’s Quality of Life
toastartwalk.com Club is one of more than 30,000 clubs established globally to Committee will meet.
impact social change on a local and international level. The
event is part of a larger campaign by Rotary International to ON MON., APRIL 25: C.B. 1’s SLA Process
Confronting Islamist propaganda eradicate polio across the world. Review Task Force will meet.
A reformed ex-member of the Islamic group Hizb ut- “Rotary and its partners have reduced polio cases by 99
Tahrir will speak in Tribeca at an percent worldwide,” according to the organization’s website. ON TUE., APRIL 26: C.B. 1 will host its monthly
event called “The Front Lines of Counter Terrorism: “Thanks to Rotary, Polio remains endemic in just four coun- full board meeting at Claremont Preparatory School,
Confronting Islamist Extremist Propaganda.” tries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.” located at 41 Broad St.
Maajid Nawaz is a former high-ranking member of the Katz will speak at the Down Town Association, located
global political organization, which seeks to unite all Muslim at 60 Pine St.
POLICE BLOTTER
pm. Thurs., April 14.
A Full Service Salon Making Our Seek sexual predator An employee of Stella, 138 W. Broadway between
Neighbors Beautiful for 15 Years Police are looking for a man who sexually attacked two Thomas and Duane Streets, saw a man who entered the shop
women at knifepoint in the elevators of their buildings on at 12:40 p.m. Wed., April 13 fleeing from the place without
Welcomes the Tribeca
ca Film Festival the Lower East Side. The suspect, described as Hispanic, 17 paying for a blue cashmere throw valued at $1,245.
to 25 years old, between 5’8” and 5’10” with a dark com-
Call Now for Appt. plexion and heavy-set, followed his victims into elevators in
212-647-8588 the La Guardia Houses on Clinton Street, drew a knife and Stain scam
attacked them in stairwells, police said. The suspect attacked A visitor from Denmark told police that she was in Soho
155 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS his first victim, 19, at 7:30 a.m. last Jan. 18. His recent vic- on Sunday afternoon, April 17, when a stranger told her she
(Corner of Spring St.)
tim, 17, fought off the attack at 10 p.m. Thurs., April 14. had a stain on her jacket and led her to the outdoor café
www.spacesalon.net Anyone with information should phone crime stoppers at at Antique Garage, 41 Mercer St. near Broome to help her
(800) 577-TIPS (8477), go online at 222nypdcrimestoppers. clean up. Before she knew it, the stranger fled with her bag
com or text to 274637 (crimes) and enter TIP577. that she had just put on a chair. She lost Danish credit cards
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GHVLJQHGIRUHDFKJHQGHU Downtown Express photo by Aline Reynolds
P.S. 234 parent Tricia Joyce (right) challenges the Dept. of Education’s rezoning plan
and enrollment projections for Downtown.
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School rezoning distresses
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Downtown community
Continued from page 1 neighborhood – it’s not even in our com-
x 6PDOOHULQFLVLRQ munity board.”
x *HQGHUVSHFLILFGHVLJQ is slated to open in 2014; 476 seats in a new Elizabeth Rose, director of portfolio plan-
x 6XUJLFDOLQVWUXPHQWVFXVWRPL]HGIRUHDFK Downtown elementary school tentatively sited ning at the DOE, pointed out that the
at One Peck Slip; and 307 seats in I.S. 868. Department doesn’t consider community
SDWLHQWXVLQJDGYDQFHG05,WHFKQRORJ\ “We recognize the need for seats [and] board districts to be the boundary lines that
we’re trying to get them here as quickly as separate school zones.
we possibly can,” Bergin told the task force. Shino Tanikawa, a member of District
2IFRXUVHQRWDOOGHJHQHUDWLYHFRQGLWLRQVRIWKHNQHH The data compiled by Community Board Two’s Community Education Council,
UHTXLUHMRLQWUHSODFHPHQW3DWLHQWVZLWKRWKHUNQHH 1, “has validity just as ours has validity,” deemed the Department’s rezoning proposal
Bergin said. But while CB 1’s analysis looks “bogus.”
SUREOHPVWKDWZLOOEHQHILWIURPVXUJHU\PD\EHWUHDWHG at the total number of births in the board’s “There is no room north of Canal St. --
DUWKURVFRSLFDOO\7KHVHRSHUDWLRQVDUHSHUIRUPHGE\ district, the DOE’s analysis is based on P.S. 3 is full, and P.S. 41 has a wait list,” she
'U%U\NXVLQJDGYDQFHGGLJLWDOFDPHUDVPRQLWRUVDQG total number of births by ethnicity group said. “What they’re trying to do is fix over-
within various districts, she noted. And, crowding by rezoning, but rezoning does not
FXWWLQJHGJHPLFURVXUJLFDOWRROV6XUJHU\LVDFFRPSOLVKHG unlike CB1’s projections, which sets bound- create seats.”
WKURXJKWLQ\LQFLVLRQVOHVVWKDQPPLQOHQJWKDQG aries by the community board’s district, The task force was equally opposed
CB 1 overlaps the new subdistricts in the to the DOE’s enrollment numbers. The
SDWLHQWVFDQXVXDOO\ZDONRXWRIWKHKRVSLWDORQWKHVDPH Department’s analysis. Department, Greenleaf said, is contradicting
GD\ Task force members, however, find the itself by claiming to have enough space for
DOE’s rezoning plan to be illogical, and con- Downtown students when, at the same time,
siders its enrollment projections unfounded. it is putting twice as many school children
)RUDQDSSRLQWPHQWZLWK'U%U\N&KDLUPDQRIWKH Eric Greenleaf, a professor at the New into Spruce St. next fall, for example, than it
'HSDUWPHQWRI2UWKRSDHGLF6XUJHU\FDOO York University Stern School who has come has capacity for.
up with his own overcrowding data for “You’ve underprojected, not overproject-
Downtown, objects to the way that the DOE ed… I’m not clear where you see all this
2IIHULQJWKH)XOO6SHFWUXPRI2UWKRSDHGLF6HUYLFHV is splitting Lower Manhattan down the mid- space,” echoed Leonie Haimson, executive
dle. “It makes no sense at all,” he said, “espe- director of Class Size Matters, who found
cially given what’s happened Downtown in Bergin’s presentation difficult to understand.
the last 10 years.” Task force members are particularly
“9/11, if nothing else, drove the point concerned that the fate of Spruce St.’s
home to our parents that they want their middle school might be doomed due to a
kids close to home,” echoed Paul Hovitz, co- forthcoming seat shortage. The Beekman
chair of CB 1’s youth and education commit- Tower, Spruce’s permanent home, Task force
tee. “To have youngsters sitting on a school member Tricia Joyce noted, only has eigh-
bus in traffic, and spending what could be teen available classrooms.
*ROG6WUHHW1HZ<RUN1<Ň7HOHSKRQH
learning time in a school, is unacceptable.”
ZZZGRZQWRZQKRVSLWDORUJ
The Village, Hovitz noted, “is not in our Continued on page 7
downtown express April 20 - 26, 2011 7
Fighting to make
Lower Manhattan
the greatest place
to live, work, and
raise a family.
WE DO PASSPORT PHOTOS
the students train as actors, he said, “and after they leave The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University is in the second week of its five-week MFA repertory season
here, can do all kinds of different things.” They go on to during which this year’s graduating class performs plays and excerpts from plays in order to earn their degrees.
work in theater, film and television with credits that include
Broadway and off-Broadway, regional theater, long-running Actors Studio Drama School in 2000 to star in his first fea- Simba in “The Lion King” on Broadway. Another is a
television programs, big-budget Hollywood films and nation- ture film. His newest films are “The Hangover Part II” and Fulbright scholar from Ecuador. A Grammy award winner
al commercials. Some become teachers. “Limitless.” is in the class as are a woman with a chemistry degree, a
The most famous recent graduate is probably Bradley This year’s graduating class has 27 members. They have
Cooper, who had to skip his graduation ceremony from the interesting and diverse backgrounds. One played Young Continued on page 30
need to become part of the dialogue and solutions. emergency? However, the solution you thing that has shrunk was my own origi-
These issues will affect all of us living and working endorse seems worse than no solution nal faulty estimate of the physical size.
downtown, and the millions who visit. The countdown at all.
Downtown Express is published every week by is getting louder. E.M.T.s and paramedics will be asked Carl Weisbrod
Community Media LLC, 145 Sixth Ave., New
York, N.Y. 10013 (212) 229-1890. The entire to make a life-and-death judgment as to
contents of the newspaper, including advertising,
are copyrighted and no part may be reproduced
whether a patient needs real emergency
without the express permission of the publisher - treatment? Aren’t ambulances supposed
© 2010 Community Media LLC.
to get patients to where any condition — Letters policy
PUBLISHER’S LIABILITY FOR ERROR
The Publisher shall not be liable for slight SEND YOUR even something the crew doesn’t have the Downtown Express welcomes letters to
changes or typographical errors that do not
lessen the value of an advertisement. The resources to identify — can be treated? The Editor. They must include the writer’s
Letter to the Editor
publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions
in connection with an advertisement is strictly
The proposed “emergency room” will first and last name, a phone number for
limited to publication of the advertisement in any
subsequent issue.
then have to stabilize patients the ambu- confirmation purposes only, and any affil-
Member of the
NEWS@DOWNTOWNEXPRESS.COM lance crew might have been mistaken iation that relates directly to the letter’s
New York Press about so they can be taken elsewhere? subject matter. Letters should be less than
Association 145 SIXTH AVENUE, NYC, NY 10013 How much critical time will be lost with 300 words. Downtown Express reserves
Member of the the stopover? If I hit my head or have the right to edit letters for space, clarity,
National
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER chest pains, I don’t want to be taken to civility or libel reasons. Letters should
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FOR CONFIRMATION PURPOSES ONLY that. Better take him to a full-service com or can be mailed to 145 Sixth Ave.,
© 2010 Community Media, LLC emergency department.” N.Y., N.Y. 10013.
downtown express April 20 - 26, 2011 11
TALKING POINT
Facebook opens a window onto a lush, lost Egypt
BY PATRICIA FIELDSTEEL
NYONS, France — Growing up, I knew my father had 21
first cousins we’d never met. This would have meant I’d also
have numerous second cousins. For reasons too complicated for
this space, anyone named Fieldsteel has to be descended from
one of the younger seven siblings and mother of my paternal
grandfather. The father and six older siblings had a different,
long-forgotten, last name. So when I joined Facebook, I began
a Fieldsteel search.
First I found Adam, a mathematician and son of Ira, the judge
who presided over the John Lennon pot trial. We exchanged
e-mails, trying to fill in the blanks. After Ira died, Adam’s mom,
a psychoanalyst, located Ira’s late brother Harold’s two adult
children. (There’d been a feud, no one knows why, and none of
the original siblings and their offspring spoke.) Adam said Laura
(Fieldsteel) Behar was a gifted artist and exceptional human
being, as was her husband Ray.
Next I found her. We began a daily correspondence more
than two years ago. We’re the same age, have much in common
and grew up 12 miles apart, never knowing of each other’s exis-
Photo by Q. Sakamaki
tence. Ray Behar, Laura’s husband, was born in Cairo and lived
there until he was 10, when Nasser forced the family to flee to Egyptian boys passing the ruins of a house in a run-down section of Cairo in February shortly after Mubarak had
Paris and then Brooklyn. Ray and I and the other Behars became stepped down from Egypt’s presidency.
FB “friends,” with an occasional note back and forth. Laura had medames, the national dish of Egypt — slow-cooked fava beans less isolated and more cosmopolitan than many European and
mentioned how much she’d enjoyed hearing her late in-laws’ mashed with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and scallions, served other Middle Eastern Jews who remained within their own
recollections of Egypt. She’d talk about Ray’s family, their luxu- with hard-boiled eggs and pickled turnips. Men with large silver communities and were subject to persecution, pogroms and the
riant former life and brutal forced departure with Egypt’s other urns would pour tamarind juice, and Ray’s all-time favorite, Holocaust. Egypt remained a haven.
75,000 to 80,000 Jews. sugar-cane juice. Lunch and dinner could be kobeba (cracked Ray’s father was in the printing business. He learned the
Then the Egyptian “Facebook Revolution” began. I followed wheat mixed with beef); moussaka; shakshuka (eggs in tomato trade from a German engineer who blindfolded him, making
it avidly and naturally thought of my cousin-in-law Ray. He sauce with yellow sheep’s milk kashaval cheese); or Ray’s favor- him disassemble and reassemble the machines until he knew
began sending me e-mails titled “Fractured Memories” about ite, spaghetti with kofta. For dessert there were delicate pastries: them perfectly. An uncle worked for a large pharmaceutical
his childhood. Like many Egyptian Jews, Ray’s family were melt-in-your mouth ghorayebah, a butter cookie that goes back company, and other family members were in the cotton and
Sephardim, forced to flee Spain during the Inquisition. His thousands of years, or maybe loukoumades, deep-fried honey- paper industries.
mother, also Sephardic, was born in Lebanon. Ray, his siblings, cinnamon dough balls. And in the background, as the family ate, If there was anti-Semitism, as a child Ray wasn’t aware of
father and grandparents were born in Egypt. His paternal great- the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages and ever-present scent of it. The family mingled freely with Arab friends, sharing holidays
great-grandfather came from Turkey, where many expelled jasmine that “sweetened everything.” and special occasions. Ray spoke, read and wrote fluent Arabic.
Spanish Jews also settled. The family spoke French among Weekends, the Behars would go to the legendary Mena The hate that came later, Ray says in retrospect, was “a political
themselves, Arabic to the servants and knew basic biblical (syna- House (now a luxurious hotel) in Giza overlooking the pyra- weapon used by Nasser to galvanize power.” One day his father
gogue) Hebrew. Ray’s father spoke Italian, English, Spanish and mids. Originally built in 1869 when the Suez Canal opened, it came home and sat in one of the living-room chairs, his hand
a little Greek as well. Ray went to the Lycée Français in Cairo was a Khedive hunting lodge, later converted to a magnificent across his face. Ray found out later his business partner, who
until their final year, when he attended Hebrew school. His hotel. The Mena House catered to royalty, the international “jet was Egyptian, had forced him out of the company, seizing his
descriptions of his Egyptian childhood are dreamlike and lush. set,” writers, movie stars and world leaders, such as Roosevelt, father’s share. His dad was powerless to do anything because he
“There is a reason why Egypt is called the ‘land of the eter- Montgomery, Chiang-Kai-shek, Carter, Begin and Sadat. In 1890, was Jewish. Suddenly, he was broke.
nal smile,’ ” he said. “I didn’t know that growing up, but I felt it opened the first hotel swimming pool in Egypt. Ray loved to It was 1956. All Jews with assets were forced to leave the
it. Egypt for me was a magical place where time stood still. I swim there and explore while his parents were with their friends. country overnight. Ray’s family had a little more time because
remember waking to the sound of the call to prayer ‘Allahu He would walk over to the pyramids — there were no restric- they had no money. Nasser’s government used the Sinai cam-
Akbar’ from the nearby mosque, and looking out of our balcony tions then. paign as an excuse to expel 25,000 Egyptian Jews, forcing
to a clear blue sky with eagles gliding in the rising heat.” “There was hardly anyone there,” he recalled. “I would play them to sign over all their property as a “donation” to the state.
The family lived in an apartment building that also housed among the stones and once I climbed all the way to the top [of Another 1,000 were sent to detention camps or prison. In
non-Egyptians from France, Greece, Italy, Great Britain and the Great Pyramid of Cheops]. There was a rebar someone had November, the Minister of Religious Affairs signed a proclama-
Germany. His grandmother ran the family with an “iron fist,” put there, and I remember holding on to it as I looked over the tion to be read aloud in all mosques declaring all Jews to be
supervising the three servants, going to market and cooking. horizon, feeling this incredible rush as the wind, rising along the enemies of the state and evil Zionists.
Mornings were cool and crisp; the apartment brimming with the sides, seemed to lift me upwards.” The process of eliminating Egypt’s 80,000 Jews that had
aromas of toast, eggs and the Turkish coffee — “strong enough Summers he and his sister would spend with his aunt and begun with the creation of the Jewish state in 1948 accelerated.
to take the enamel off a car” — that she boiled in a copper pot. cousins at their small beach house on stilts in Alexandria. Jews were each permitted one suitcase with clothing and items
Ray and his nanny would stroll together along the banks of “I had great freedom for a little guy, exploring the beaches, of no monetary value, plus a small amount of cash: Thirty-four
the Nile, with its immaculately tended gardens, trees and privet rock caves and stone piers on my own,” he said. “During the thousand left for Israel; the rest scattered mainly to America,
mazes where he would play. 1956 [Suez Canal] War we had to paper our windows and make Canada, France and Brazil. Ray, his siblings and parents boarded
“I was also aware of the throngs of people riding the trams, sure the lights were out during air raids.” a Greek ship to Marseilles, taking a train to Paris, where most
the hustle and bustle of people going to work, smoking hookahs The Behars, except for Ray’s Aunt Vicky who kept kosher, of the family had fled.
in the cafes and playing backgammon,” he recalled. Old Cairo weren’t particularly observant except for Passover and Yom “We were given a temporary home lent to us by a Jewish
was an overflowing bazaar of nationalities and religions; exotic Kippur. Ray accompanied her often to the Great Synagogue of woman, a kind soul, who let us live in her studio,” he told me.
spices, foods, flowers and plants; colors, patterns and sounds all Cairo, HaShamayim (the Heavens). Built in the 19th century, “She was an artist and the studio was quite large. We eventually
weaving an opulent tapestry with threads stretching back to one the synagogue’s origins go back to Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon moved to a hotel with two rooms [in a working-class neighbor-
of the most ancient, sophisticated civilizations on earth. (Maimonides), the world-renowned 12th century scholar, physi- hood]. What to me was a marvelous adventure was for my
The family’s home cuisine — Egyptian, Spanish, Italian, cian, healer and leader of the Egyptian Jewish community, which parents a tragedy.”
Sephardic, Turkish and Greek — reflected the richness of Egypt dates back to approximately 1,800 B.C., making it the world’s In Paris, his dad, who had owned a company and had always
before Nasser and his ilk expelled the country’s “foreign unde- oldest outside Israel.
sirables.” At lunchtime, vendors with coal-filled carts prepared The climate was one of tolerance and acceptance. Jews Continued on page 13
grilled durra, a type of sorghum known as Egyptian corn, and ful mingled with the other cultures, often intermarrying, and were
12 April 20 - 26, 2011 downtown express
S EAPORT R EPORT
BY JANEL BLADOW female bartender at Meade’s (Peck Slip & is free, Tuesday, May 3, 7:30 pm, at BMCC participate in the event, contact Sarah
Crowds are back on weekends enjoying Water St.), was back behind the bar Monday Theater II, 199 Chambers St. Sheahan, ssheahan@naminyc.org.
a stroll around the neighborhood, like the night wearing a “stylish” piece of footwear.
rest of us, undoubtedly looking forward Week before last some knucklehead speared WOOF AND (ALMOST) READY… After SLURPING SUCCESS… The first South
to the warmer, sunnier weather to come. her foot with a bar stool late one night at testing by several local four-footed experts, St. Oyster Saloon fundraiser sold out well
But some couldn’t wait. A mere glimpse of Keg 229 and smashed her big toe so badly The East River Waterfront dog run has gone ahead of the party last Saturday night. The
sunshine and blue skies and the outdoor she lost the nail. Yuck! She told SR that back to the drawing board for some tweak- hot ticket event raised more than $25,000.
tables at Acqua are filled with chilly fresh even though she’s still hobbling, she’s glad ing. Seems the hills designed for dogs to That means with the 2011 season opener on
air enthusiasts. to be back. Big Foot Bootie and all. Feel climb proved too slippery a slope. The Parks Sunday, May 1, the weekly New Amsterdam
better Katie. Department has been anticipating opening Market on South St. will continue through
SPOTLIGHT… The Celebrity Apprentice the park since January. But now build- December. Stop by South St. between Fulton
segment that taped in the Seaport aired last OUR CHORUS GIRL… Ellen McDonald ers expect to have the puppy playground and Peck Slip and tell the vendors SR sent ya!
week. The “box” built on Pier 17 by the guys of Southbridge Towers tells SR that she’s between Maiden Lane and Wall St. open by
for Australian Gold sunscreen played well with thrilled to be a member of the Downtown May 31. Part of the $150 million renovation SMOKIN’… Cigar Landing relocated to
tourists and fans, and the Peking was prominent Chorus. “I’m having a blast,” she says. of the waterfront from Battery Park to the a new storefront last week. Stop by 150
in the background. But viewers really couldn’t “I’ve learned how to be part of an ensemble Lower East Side, the run is a 4,300-square- Beekman St. for a stogie and some hot talk.
tell that the winning women’s team was at the and get my voice to blend.” Singing with foot oval with a doghouse, a sculpted tree
Seaport. What a shame. the group has opened this retired teacher trunk and, in warmer months, a water fea- DO WE, REALLY?... Last week’s
to all kinds of new experiences, including ture for furry fun. Downtown Express detailed how entrepre-
SPRING SALES… Floral prints and lace one only a few can say: “I never thought neur Sundeep Bhan wants to “nickname”
and pastels on the shelves — a sure sign I would sing in Carnegie Hall. But there I FLEET FOOTED… Come out and sup- downtown “SoMa” for Southern Manhattan.
spring is in the stores. The Gap has peach am in the photo!” See Ellen and the rest port thousands of walkers from nearly Really? Do we really need another cutesy
sweaters and soft scarves, Ann Taylor is cel- of the group at the Borough of Manhattan 80 communities around the country as slang name for the Financial District (FiDi)?
ebrating the dress and the racks at Kara are Community College Spring concert, “Simple they walk to raise money and awareness Has our need for acronyms for everything
full of sexy, lacy sheer tops. Gifts.” They’ll perform Shaker-style choral about mental illness. The 5K NAMIWalks gotten out of hand? SoMa? Really? It
pieces by Mack Wilberg, musical director of NYC event kicks off at 10 a.m., Saturday, sounds like a sleeping pill from a Woody
OUCH!... Kathleen Joyce, our favorite the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The concert May 7, on Piers 16 & 17. If you want to Allen movie.
trinity church
Broadway at Wall Street
trinitywallstreet.org | 212.602.0800
Image detail: Enclosed Field With Rising Sun in Saint-Remy, Vincent van Gogh, 1889 · Getty Images
14 April 20 - 26, 2011 downtown express
P. 16 P. 17 P. 20
16 April 20 - 26, 2011 downtown express
example, the audience encounters Bonilla’s ing (and especially tap-dancing) are only some Ashley Turizo (The Image of My Perception).
conflicted view of her neighborhood and life of the everyday activities at hand. This film
in general — which has been shaped by the provides a fascinating portrait of a family Chambers Streets). In contrast to last year, ing The Fuzzy Lemons and Hot Peas N’
acts of violence she has witnessed in her envi- existing on the other side of the law, while when road repairs forced organizers to modify Butter). Local restaurants and merchants will
ronment. The documentary “Growing Food addressing some of the corruption, poverty, the overall set up last, this edition will truly be offer samples of their fare, ranging from gour-
Justice in Brooklyn” (by Stevenson Catul, and environmental devastation found in the back on the street. met treats to simple refreshments.
Christian Filus, Alfonso Francois Gonzalez, coal mining culture of West Virginia. The Street Fair is produced by Peter As the Festival also serves as a fundrais-
Jerry Joseph and Luishka Roberts), makes a For the first time, the TFF will Downing — whose time spent on Broadway as er, various local schools will organize activi-
case for the necessary creation of new healthy debut NYFEST, on April 23. The city’s first an actor and stage manager has allowed him to, ties, such as Taekwondo lessons or hairspray
food options in some Brooklyn communities, Film and Entertainment Soccer Tournament as he acknowledges, “build relationships over painting, to help the cause. “This Festival was
where obesity rates are high and fast food pre- will allow New York youth to interact with the years with theatrical press and marketing founded as a response to the tragic events of
dominates. In a film that could serve as an celebrities and industry professionals from the reps who recognize the great opportunity that 9/11,” explained Downing. “The key to the
interesting companion piece to the acclaimed worlds of film, music, sports and entertain- the Family Festival provides for exposure and mission of our founders was to support the
“Waiting for Superman,” “Isa’s Final Draft” ment. Soccer legend Pelé will kick off the promotion for family-friendly shows.” local community and help drive people back
(by Jesus Villalba, Kadiatou Diallo, Nataly game with a coin toss. For info, visit www. This year, stages will highlight special seg- Downtown. Nothing serves this objective bet-
Garzon and Rayhan Islam), follows the path nyfest.org. ments from Broadway shows and emerging ter than to offer free public events in and for
of Isabella — a promising student who dreams On April 30, the Tribeca Family Festival talents from the neighborhood. The New the neighborhood.”
of attending college. When her guidance coun- Street Fair puts on “the ultimate street fair York Philharmonic’s Credit Suisse Very Young
selor discovers that she is an undocumented and family celebration” by showcasing a vari- Composers will present original works cre- For more info on family-friendly films,
resident, Isabella and her family are forced ety of activities and performances (10am- ated by young musicians. Popular family- events and activities, visit www.tribecafilm.
to face unimaginable challenges. 6pm, Greenwich Street from Hubert to friendly bands will also perform (includ- com.
downtown express April 20 - 26, 2011 17
TFF programmer David Kwok: Ready to roll with the unpredictable punches of brick
mers said, and illustrate the power of social
media. (“Flowers of Evil,” for example,
terms of how we’ll watch and mortal festivals in an increasingly digital age.
demonstrates how citizens can coordinate
“It’s a good way for us to kind of come of human nature,” she said. social uprisings — and staying tuned to them
movies,” he said. back in our 10th year and remind everybody Terranova was previously a film buyer remotely — via YouTube and Twitter.)
that this is where we started,” said Kwok. for The Weinstein Company and Miramax. The festival’s new distribution division,
In order to streamline the line-up, the “As a programmer, you have to use more of the programmers assured, is not solely a
programmers decided to consolidate the a fine-tooth comb in the process — you have profit-making venture. “I think it comes
In its 10th season, the festival will pres- films into fewer sections this year, accord- first eyes on it, and no one already validated more from filmmakers [who wish] to give
ent more than 500 screenings of feature ing to type — Spotlight, Viewpoints, it for you,” she said of her new position. other filmmakers another platform,” said
films, documentaries and shorts. Last year, World Documentary Feature Competition, Curating the festival, she added, has refined Terranova. “As a purely financial model,
the festival stretched its tentacles into the World Narrative Feature Competition and her palette and deepened her appreciation of who knows if it’ll survive.”
digital realm by introducing a selection of Cinemania. “We really want to celebrate the global cinema. “We wanted to figure out how we could
films to cable and Internet viewers who can’t films and filmmaking and didn’t want to put The programmers don’t have a set agenda extend this outside of 12 days, to expand
attend a live screening or who simply prefer [as many] lines between them,” explained when choosing the films for the festival the idea of what a festival can do,” Kwok
watching movies at home. Kwok. — rather, they notice recurring themes fol- explained.
But will the festival’s manifold expan- The festival booklet was significantly pared lowing the decisions. This year, the team The digital venture, he noted, is still a
sions spoil the local, neighborhood vibe it down in 2008, when the curators slashed the discovered that many of the movies are work in progress. “We want to see how
once championed? Has the initial aim of title count from nearly 200 to less than 100 about subordinates contending with insti- people react to it,” said Kwok, “and see
helping out a shattered community been movies in an effort to make the program tutions (“Semper Fi: Always Faithful” what works and what doesn’t.” As they do
forgotten? more manageable for both the staff and the recounts individual marines’ struggle for each year, the programmers will convene at
“The community is first and foremost one viewers. “I think it makes the program more justice against the Marine Corps; and “Black the end of the festival to discuss how things
of the most important things of the festival,” concise and approachable,” said Terranova. Butterflies” tells the story of South African went.
said Terranova. “As you grow, there are other But it makes the programmers’ job more chal- poet Ingrid Jonker, who bravely protests Irrespective of the distribution service’s
aspects that are important. But [9/11] is still lenging, forcing the team to be more selective against Apartheid in her personal, expres- success, Kwok and his team are intent on
a part of who we are. I don’t think that’ll ever when judging the more-than 5,600 submis- sive verse). Several other films feature musi- keeping the brick and mortar festival not
change.” In an effort to serve Downtown sions this year in just six months. cal icons, such as Ozzy Osbourne, Harry only alive but developing and thriving.
residents, Terranova and her team are kick- “The program has to be molded in such Belafonte and the Kings of Leon. “I don’t think demand of the festival itself
starting the 10th season with a free public a way that we’re picking the strongest mov- The festival is offering four films on vid- will change,” he said. “There’s nothing you
screening, at the World Financial Center, of ies possible available to us at this time. eo-on-demand this year, and 24 others with can really do to replicate the experience of
Cameron Crowe’s documentary “The Union” It’s tough to make those decisions,” said timed virtual screenings on the Internet. going to the cinema with festival-goers.”
— about the collaboration of legendary musi- Terranova, acknowledging — and perhaps The movies chosen for cable TV and the “If there were an unlimited amount of
cians Elton John and Leon Russell in produc- comforted by – the imperfect nature of the Internet target a different audience than do
ing the 2010 album of that name. task. “Sometimes, you miss things. It’s part those shown at the venues, the program- Continued on page 23
downtown express April 20 - 26, 2011 21
ATTENTION:
Commercial Property Owners, Commercial Tenants
and Residents of Lower Manhattan
Hot cakes: Hector Morales (left) Roberto Farias can’t quite go the distance, in the
55 Broad Street (Between Exchange Place & Beaver Street) tepid homo boxing flick “My Last Round.”
sistent rainfall.
Continued from page 18 Steeped in decay and seemingly cursed by
The meeting is open to the public and all an endless stretch of overcast days and stormy
registered members are eligible to vote nights, director Julio Jorquera’s Chile is an ugly/
MY LAST ROUND beautiful world where everything from the
87 minutes. sputtering cars to the peeling wallpaper to the
120 Broadway, Suite 3340 Screenwriter and Director: Julio Jorquera. scuffed-up mirrors are on their last legs. Add to
New York, NY 10271 In Spanish, with English subtitles. that list two very damaged people.
Middle-aged Octavio is a closeted boxing
(212) 566-6700 Sun., Apr. 24, 5:30pm & Tues., Apr. 26, champ who has the admiration of those in
www.DowntownNY.com 10:30pm, at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea his small town. Young, sad-eyed and recently
(260 W. 23rd St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves). Fri., unemployed dishwasher Hugo throws some
Apr. 29, 6pm, at AMC Loews Village 7 (66 subtle flirtations Octavio’s way — but when the
Third Ave. at 11th St.). pudgy pugilist acts on them while the two take
For tickets ($16 evenings/weekends; $8 a wizz during a rainswept camping trip, Hugo
matinees), purchase at the Box Office or call rebuffs the advances he seemingly invited.
646-502-5296 or visit www.tribecafilm.com. Eventually, the two get together and take
the bus to the capital city of Santiago — with
REVIEW BY SCOTT STIFFLER Octavio working as a barber and (literally)
As even the most casual observer will tell directionless Hugo finding employment driv-
you, there’s nothing remotely sexy, or sexual, or ing the delivery truck for a pet shop. It’s not
homosexy, about boxing. Two muscular, sweaty long before Octavio succumbs to the siren
brutes wailing on each other while a man in a call of the boxing ring once more. Also hap-
white shirt and a bow tie periodically separates pening in short order is Hugo’s naïve flirta-
)L]T\)LWTM[KMV\IVL8MLQI\ZQK7XP\PITUWTWOa them when the holding becomes too prolonged
and intense? No, sir, admirers of the male form
tions with a clueless girl at work who thinks
the clumsy kiss he pulled back from on
4I[MZ>Q[QWV+WZZMK\QWV +I\IZIK\;]ZOMZa_Q\P8ZMUQ]U1UXTIV\[ will find nothing to lick their lips over within the Lookout Point means they’re going steady.
state-sanctioned confines of a boxing ring. Newsflash, Jenny: That double bed he shares
+WV\IK\4MV[M[ +WUXZMPMV[Q^M-aM+IZM Too much polite restraint regarding the sexy with Octavio in their cramped apartment?
gay elephant in the room is what makes the It’s not just a space-saving strategy.
competent but tepid queer boxing flick “My Well, if you can’t see where this one is
Last Round” such a letdown. It’s like the shock going, you’ll probably think those seizures
and hurt you experience when you’ve shelled Octavio hides from all concerned are just
Board Certified Ophthalmologist out half your paycheck for dining, dancing, going to level off. Savvy queer moviegoers
Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Mt. Sinai Hospital popcorn and a movie only to be rebuffed by a will soon tire of the predictable plot and thor-
complete and total lack of delivery on certain oughly unempowering narrative arc. That’s too
implied promises. It’s not fair. bad; because there are things to admire here,
Although there’s some skin on display, very mostly found in the moody cinematography
Board Certified Ophthalmologist few are likely to get all hot — but many will and the economy of scale employed by both
surely be bothered — by the sheer magnitude lead actors. Nothing except perceived betrayal
Clinical Instructor, Mt. Sinai Hosptial
of lost potential and roads not taken (nar- seems to justify reactions that surpass the rais-
ratively speaking). What should have been a ing of eyebrows. But that stoicism in the face of
queer “Rocky” worth cheering for turns out to an increasingly hopeless love story has an odd
!5]ZZIa;\ZMM\ be a polite stab at merging the classic narrative cumulative effect. As the film lurches towards
6M_AWZS6A of a boxer in search of one last victory with
an equally classic tale of forbidden love that
its utterly predictable ending, the feelings
you’re hooked on are too little, too late — but
___\ZQJMKIMaMKIZMKWU! triumphs over adversity. they nevertheless catch you on the chin like a
So move over, Ang “Brokeback Mountain” cruel and unexpected southpaw punch. Spoiler
Lee. There’s a new director whose melo- Alert, boxing fans: Ring scenes are few and far
%RRNDQDSSRLQWPHQWRQOLQH )UHH$OO/DVHU/$6,.6FUHHQLQJV dramatic tale of doomed gay romance and between and bereft of any erotic appeal. The
homophobic violence and peace achieved only first truly great queer boxer’s love story has
0RVWLQVXUDQFHSODQVDFFHSWHG on the other side of the grave is set to take yet to be made — at least on film. Swishy
America by storm — or at the very least, per- Spielbergs, are you listening?
downtown express April 20 - 26, 2011 23
SUMMER CAMP
Call for more info!
biz kids
ny Conservatory training
commercials
television
theater
Film
pierStudios: Pier 40 West Houston @ West
Monday-Friday 9:30-3:30
On camera, Mask, Mime, Movement,
ny
A Strong Voice July 5-August 12
Professional Training for Young Actors
Monday-Friday 9:30-3:30
Including: Audition Technique
Clown, Lecoq, Grotowski
Commedia, Shakespeare
$100.00 VIP
A marriage of Online Radio & TV VIP Entitles you to Unlimited Drinks,
"FUN- Raiser" Appetizers, Dinner
and Private Area Entertainment
ACTIVITIES
stars. Join Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppets, who
come to New York City to launch their Broadway musical, “Man-
hattan Melodies,” but soon realize it’s not as easy as they thought.
Cleverly directed by Frank Oz — and featuring Dabney Coleman,
Joan Rivers, Elliott Gould, Liza Minnelli, and Gregory Hines —
EASTER FUN FEST AT TRINITY CHURCH Hop down to “The Muppets Take Manhattan” is brimming with cuteness and
Historic Trinity Church on Easter Sunday for (pardon the pun) an THE ASSASSINS fun for all ages! Stop by before the show to participate in activi-
egg-citing afternoon of egg hunts and other family fun at Trinity CHASE PINOCCHIO ties like face-painting, Muppet-themed trivia, sing-alongs, and
Church. Expect candy-filled eggs, prizes, and a photo opportunity This modern, multimedia adaptation of fuzzy surprise guests. Sat., April 23. Tribeca Drive-in opens at 6pm;
with the Easter Bunny, along with games, crafts, a puppet parade Carlo Collodi’s classic tale “The Adventures pre-show activities begin at 6:30pm; and film screenings begin at
and music. Older children can test their detective skills in a super of Pinocchio” features video projections, 8:15pm. At World Financial Center Plaza (220 Vesey St.). Admis-
scavenger hunt that goes on throughout afternoon. Sun., April confetti cannons, falling snow, long-nosed sion: Free.
24, 12:30pm-3pm at Trinity Church (Broadway & Wall St.). The masks, surround sound and psychedelic
egg hunt, for children under 6 years old, begins at 12:30pm in the original music. Presented by Immediate DOWNTOWN GIANTS YOUTH PROGRAM The Downtown
South Churchyard. Sign up for the hunt near the Root sculpture in Medium and the Clemente Soto Velez Giants Youth Football Program has opened registration for their
front of the church. In the North Churchyard, from 12:30pm, there Cultural Center, “The Assassins Chase summer camps and fall tackle football season. The program
will be events for kids 6 years and older (among then, that afore- Pinocchio” turns the Disney’s version of includes divisions for all ages; peanut division (5-9), junior pee
mentioned scavenger hunt and bunny photo op). FREE. For more the tale on its head by revisiting original Photo by Maki Takenouchi wee (10 and 11), junior midget (12 and under, max weight) and
info, call 212-602-0800 or visit trinitywallstreet.org. story details such as a mischievous young Liz Vacco as the Beautiful Blue Fairy midget division (14 and under). A cheerleading program is also
Pinocchio, an asthmatic shark and other with the Blue Hair. available. To register, visit DowntownGiants.com.
MANHATTAN CHILDREN’S THEATER MCT is upping the ante elements unknown to modern audiences.
in their presentation of “The Completed Works of the Brothers Performances run from April 29-May 14. Thurs./Fri., 8pm; Sat., 3pm & 7pm and Suns, SNOW WHITE This modern adaptation of the classic tale is
Grimm (Abridged).” When four actors attempt to tell every single 3pm. At the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center (107 Suffolk St.). Tickets ($20 for presented by a cast of professional actors and up-and-coming
story from the expansive collection of classic tales in only one adults; $10 for kids) are half price for Sunday matinees. To purchase, visit theatermania. performers trained at the New Acting Company. Fris., 7pm, Sats.,
hour, you’ll literally get more for than you bargained for — with com and immediatemedium.org. 3pm and 7pm (no 3pm matinee on May 7), and Suns, 1pm and
inventive presentations of favorites like “Sleeping Beauty,” “Tom 5pm. April 15 through May 15. At the Phillip Coltoff Center (219
Thumb,” “Snow White” and “Cinderella.” April 23–May 30. Sat./ Sullivan St.) For tickets ($18, $20 at the door), call 212-868-4444
Sun., 12pm and 2pm. At Manhattan’s Children Theater (52 White songwriter and author of the “Fire Truck!” song (a YouTube hit for At the Metropolitan Playhouse Theater (220 E. 4th St., btw. Aves. or visit smarttix.com. Recommended for children ages 4 and up
St. btw. Broadway & Church). For tickets ($20, $50 for premium quite some time now). Good friend Leah Wells will join Ulz, for an A and B). For reservations ($12, $10 for children 12 and under), call (infants will not be admitted).
seats), call 212-352-3101 or visit theatermania.com. intimate family music program that will be the perfect start to your 212-995-5302 or visit metropolitanplayhouse.org. For more info,
weekend. Every seat is front and center, and there’s plenty of room visit ivanulz.com. KARMA KIDS YOGA Karma Kids Yoga Studio offers classes
A PLAYDATE WITH IVAN Join Ivan Ulz — children’s singer/ for dancing and moving. At 11am, every Sat./Sun. through May 22. that gets kids stretching — in group sessions for every age (from
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION The Battery Park City Library helps babies of 6 weeks to teens). Their fun exercises promote physi-
celebrate Earth Day with a workshop that will help your children cal strength and flexibility, and are especially helpful for children’s
bring out their inner tree hugger. Kids will create their very own developing bodies. Kids will build concentration and focus through
dream catcher using recycled materials such as plastic container breathing and visualization exercises. Parents can choose from a
tops, yarn and thread — all provided for free. Recommended for number of rates (including drop-in prices and special bundle pack-
children ages 4-10. At 3:30pm, Fri., April 22. At the Battery Park ages). At 104 W. 14th St. (btw. 6th and 7th Aves.). For rates and
City Library (175 North End Ave.) schedule, call 646-638-1444 or visit karmakidsyoga.com.
TIRBECA FAMILY FESTIVAL STREET FAIR The Tribeca Film BRING YOUR OWN KID Every Sunday at 11am, 92YTribeca’s
Festival is back again — and with family-friendly happenings like B.Y.O.K. (Bring Your Own Kid) series features live performances
this street fair, you and your kids won’t miss out on the fun. This by children’s bands and entertainers. Recommended for ages 6
free event features tons of activities and special performances. and under. At 92YTribeca (200 Hudson St.) For tickets ($15, free for
Partake in fundraising activities from taekwondo lessons to hair- children under 2), call 212-601-1000 or visit 92YTribeca.org.
spray painting; create life-size bubbles in the Bubble Garden; and
get creative in the Arts & Crafts Pavillions. Sat., April 30, 10am– EARTH CELEBRATIONS PUPPET & COSTUME WORK-
6pm. For those looking for some big screen action, there are two SHOPS As concerns about global warming and the environ-
free film screenings. “The Second Day” (a documentary about ment continue to mount, Earth Celebrations is hoping to use art
9/11 through a child’s eyes) at 2:30pm; and “NKO” (a lively anima- to address some of these issues. In several workshops, both teens
tion film) 4pm. Screenings will be shown at BMCC TribecaPac (199
Chambers St). Lines begin 30 minutes prior to the start of each Continued on page 25
Sketching a crime scene, as part of the “Junior Police Academy Spring Recess
Drop-Off Program.”
YOUTH
ACTIVITIES
Continued from page 24
are designed to get kids reading, thinking, talking, creating and
moving. The Scholastic Store is located at 557 Broadway (btw. Sunday, April 24, 12:30-3pm
Prince & Spring). Store hours are Mon.-Sat., 10am-7pm, and Sun.,
and adults will draw inspiration from the diverse marine species 11am-6pm. For info about store events, call 212-343-6166. Visit
Trinity Churchyard, Broadway at Wall Street
and habitats of the Hudson River to create costumes and giant scholastic.com.
puppets for the upcoming Hudson River Pageant. Costume work-
shops with artist Soule Golden: Weds., 6-9pm. Puppet workshops POETS HOUSE The Poets House “Tiny Poets Time” program
Come celebrate Easter with egg and
with artist Lucrecia Novoa: Sats., 12-4pm. Admission: Free. At the offers children ages 1-3 and their parents a chance to enter the
Church Street School for Music and Art (74 Warren St.), through world of rhyme — through readings, group activities and interac-
scavenger hunts, a puppet parade, a visit
May 18. The Hudson River Pageant takes place May 21. tive performances. Thursdays at 10am (at 10 River Terrace and
Murray St.). Call 212-431-7920 or visit poetshouse.org.
from the easter bunny
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS Explore painting, col-
lage and sculpture through self-guided arts projects. Open art FAMILY HOUR EVENT AT STRAND Every Thursday at 3:30pm, ...plus lots of other family fun.
stations are ongoing throughout the afternoon — giving children the Strand Book Store hosts family hour — where staff members
the opportunity to experiment with materials such as paint, clay, read their favorite books and lead kids and their caregivers in
fabric, paper and found objects. “Art Within Reach: from the WPA themed activities. The Strand Book Store is located at 828 Broad-
to the Present” — on display through June 5 — is an intergenera- way (near 12th St). Store hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30am-10:30pm, and
tional exhibit connecting the artistic and intellectual dots between Sun., 11am-10:30pm. For info, call 212-473-1452 or visit strand-
those who grew up in NYC during the Great Depression and those books.com.
who are growing up in the city today. Museum hours: Wed.-Sun.,
12-5pm; Thurs., 12-6pm (Pay as You Wish, from 4-6pm). Admis- WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR EVENT LISTED IN THE
sion: $10. At the Children’s Museum of the Arts (182 Lafayette St. DOWNTOWN EXPRESS? Listing requests may be sent to
btw. Broome & Grand). Call 212-274-0986 or visit cmany.org. For scott@downtownexpress.com. Please provide the date, time,
group tours, call 212-274-0986, ext. 31. location, price and a description of the event. Information may also
be mailed to 145 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013- trinitywallstreet.org | 212.602.0800
SATURDAY AFTERNOONS AT THE SCHOLASTIC 1548. Requests must be received at least three weeks before the
STORE Every Saturday at 3pm, Scholastic’s in-store activities event. Questions? Call 646-452-2497.
26 April 20 - 26, 2011 downtown express
EDWARD II
The WOW Café Theatre presents this
visionary all-female version of playwright
Christopher Marlowe’s equally unconven-
tional “Edward II” — a historical fictional
account of King Edward II’s fall from grace
(caused in no small part by his failure to
court popular support by butching it up
and otherwise playing down his sexual
preferences). Masks, interpretive dance and
heightened theatricality are used to take
you on a journey of power, privilege and
forbidden desires. Your journey to into
Edward II’s heart of darkness will help oth-
ers provide a light at the end of the tunnel
for queer and homeless youth. The proceeds
will benefit Chelsea Now’s favorite cause:
The Ali Forney Center(see page 19 for
more info on AFC). Visit aliforneycenter.
org, Edward-ii.tumblr.com and wowcafe.
org. April 21-23 and April 28-30, at 8pm.
At WOW Café Theatre (59-61 E. 4th St.). Photo courtesy of Anthology Film Archives
Tickets ($20) available at the door ($15 Anthology Film Archives founder Jonas Mekas, circa 1984.
pre-sale online at fabnyc.orb). Student and
senior discounts available at the door. custom-made “Anthology Film Archives” mances continue. For tickets ($40 general
ANTHOLOGY FILM ARCHIVES 2011 wines and DVD sales of the Maysles film admission; table seats with light dinner &
EARTH DAY BENEFIT: BROADWAY FILM PRESERVATION HONORS “The Gates” happens. At 9pm, perfor- wine, $200), visit citywinery.com.
RECYCLED & 40TH ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT
Unlike the last few months of “Spiderman” CONCERT
Need a Locksmith?
performances, the fat trimmed off of some Check out the name of that event…what
Broadway experiences shouldn’t wind up in a mouthful! But do what Anthology Film
landfills. Compost heaps, perhaps. But land- Archives does for 40 years, and we’ll gladly
fills? What kind of monster (or investor; or publish the name of your event in caps and
producer) would throw out a perfectly good bold print. Proceeds from this benefit will
song? Earth Day gets the musical theatre support Anthology’s operations, film pres-
muffin treatment, in this imaginative fund- ervation work and capital improvements.
raising concert comprised of songs cut from If you admire the Anthologies mission
musicals that shouldn’t go to waste. Proceeds (preserve, study and exhibition film and
from the event go to benefit the nonprofit At video, with a particular focus on indepen-
Hand Theater Company. Their mission, to dent, experimental and avant-garde cin-
produce original work using environmental- ema), then you’ll also have a soft spot for
ly conscious means, is the perfect cause for the night’s honorees. Performances, music
Earth Day (and the other 364). Concertgoers and tributes will cast a deserving (although,
can expect to hear songs cut from old growth we suppose, not harsh) klieg light on film-
classics like “Hair” and “Chicago,” plus maker Albert Maysles; Vlada Petric (found-
more obscure musicals such as “Betty Boop” ing director of the Harvard Film Archive);
and “Working.” The free range and fresh film scholar Tony Pipolo; Technicolor; and
cast includes Sean Bradford (“The Lion the Library of Congress (for creating the Gates & Welding Repair – Revolving & Automatic Doors
King”), Gideon Glick (“Spiderman: Turn National Film Registry). Featured perform- Hollow Metal & Kalamein Doors - Cement Door Frames
Off The Dark”) and Kate Pazakis (“South ers and speakers include Harmony Korine,
Rixon Floor Closers - Architectural Hardware - Magnetic Locks
Pacific”). Mon., April 25, 7pm & 9:30pm. At Marina Abramovic, Richard Barone and
Joe’s Pub (located in The Public Theater at Transgendered Jesus.
Key pads - Card Access Systems - Electric Strikes
425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place). Tickets are April 27, at City Winery (155 Varick Dead Bolts – Master Keying Systems
$30 in advance, $35 at the door, subject to St.). Proving you should never be late Intercom Systems - Panic / Exit Devices
availability. A limited number of $60 tickets, for an event, even in NYC, Anthology
which include preferred table seating and a says the schedule will be as follows:
poster autographed by the cast, are avail- Doors open at 7pm. Performances start
able. To purchase, call 212-967-7555 or visit at 7:30pm. At 8pm,the Presentation of
joespubcom. Also visit athandtheatre.com Honors begins. At 8:45pm the Auction of
646-525-8111
28 April 20 - 26, 2011 downtown express
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Resources for Human Development, Inc. Neither Do We! - Metro Baptist Church
(RHD) (www.rhd.org) is seeking a full-time 11am Sundays - 410 W. 40 St.
Program Director for a new Housing and www.mbcnyc.org
Drug & Alcohol Treatment program for 18
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30 April 20 - 26, 2011 downtown express