ESSENTIAL EVENT // Our Picks For This Month's Performa 11 Performance Biennial

This week marks the start of Performa 11, the fourth edition of New York's internationally renowned visual performance art biennial. Running now through November 21, Performa will feature work by more than 100 contemporary artists at more than 50 arts institutions across the city.

We've rounded up our 10 Performa picks for the coming weeks (and provided all the info you'll need for each one.) Hit the jump to check out our recommendations, which run the gamut from beer brewing and skateboarding to Fluxus and James Franco.

Print Showing - Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama recreates his 1971 performance, in which he photocopies his work and assembles staple-bound photobooks based on viewers' input into the selection and sequence. Friday, November 4, 2-4pm & 6-9pm, Saturday November 5, 12-3pm & 5-8pm. $75.

Free Ride - Raphaël Zarka, a Paris-based artist, will present a project incorporating his research on the "geometry of skateboarding" and how it relates to modern sculpture. He'll also attempt to create the first ever cycloid skateboard ramp, inspired by Galileo. Saturday, November 5, 3-5pm at Performa Institute at the Performa Hub. Free. $10.

Fluxus Weekend - Fifty-two hours of Downtown creativity and goodness stemming from the influential Fluxus movement that emerged in the 1960s, ranging from actions and ideas to music, films and objects. Participants will include renowned Fluxus artists such as Alison Knowles, Jonas Mekas, Milan Knížák and Ben Vautier. Friday, November 11 through Sunday, November 13 at various venues.

Creative Networking Workshop - A workshop that will explore networks and networking as a creative medium. Focusing on the design of large scale networks, participants will collaborate and build their own intricate compositions. Saturday, November 12, 1-4pm at Performa Hub. $10.

Brew Day - Colorado artist Eric Steen brings together NYC home brew enthusiasts to brew beer, swap tips and sample each others' creations, highlighting and fostering the knowledge and creativity that goes into the hops-filled hobby. Saturday, November 12, 12-4pm at Performa Hub. Free.

Fluxus Cabaret - Renowned filmmaker Jonas Mekas presents a new film featuring Fluxus performances, anecdotes and more, including Nam June Paik in Times Square, Joseph Beuys singing and John Lennon, Yoko Ono and George Maciunas taking a trip up the Hudson River. Saturday, November 12, 6-7:30pm at Anthology Film Archives. $9.

Three Performances in Search of Tennessee - James Franco is everywhere! Franco and Laurel Nakadate will present a three-part project inspired by Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagarie, including a séance in which they'll attempt to communicate with Williams, auditions for the part of Laura by female actresses interacting with a life-size video projection of Franco, and auditions for the part of Tom by male actors. Sunday, November 13, 12-2pm at Abrons Art Center. $30.

Crazy English - Shanghai-based artist Zhou Xiaohu has invited Li Yang, a Chinese celebrity educator, to give English as performance. Yang runs Crazy English, a company that teaches English to huge groups of Chinese students in stadiums and other large spaces. Through the performance Xiaohu presents both a unique theatrical teaching method as well as the distorted effects of cultural imperialism. Saturday, November 19, 1-2pm & 4:30-5:30pm at Judson Memorial Church. Free with registration.

Otomo Yoshihide and Christian Marclay Turntable Duo - The two influential sound artists and turntablism pioneers come together for a rare and exciting live concert. Saturday, November 19, 8:30-9:30pm at Japan Society. $25.

That Morning Thing - This is only the fourth performance of composer Robert Ashley's legendary 1967 experimental opera That Morning Thing. Ashley himself has promised that this will be the definitive version. Saturday, November 19, 8-9pm, Sunday, November 20, 3-4:30pm & 8-9:30pm, Monday, November 21, 8-9:30pm at The Kitchen. $30.

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // The Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament Hits The Lower East Side Friday Night

Tomorrow, Friday, October 28 you'll have a chance to experience one of the most exciting digital design events on earth. The Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament will descend upon the Lower East Side's Angel Orensanz Foundation, pitting some of New York City's best designers against each other in a head-to-head, monitor-to-monitor onstage battle of CS5, vectors and pixels.

The Grand Prize winner in each of the tournament's three categories (2D Design, 3D Design and Motion/Animation) will advance to the Global Championship in March and face off against the winners of competitions held in cities across the globe, from San Francisco to Shanghai, Tokyo to Tel Aviv.

Even if you're not one of the few onstage competitors, you'll have a chance to show your skills in the "Design For Clean Water" audience design challenge, which will give you 15 minutes to sketch an inspiring graphic using an iPad and the Adobe Ideas app. Win and you'll have the chance to work on a campaign for the non-profit charity: water. If you're more inclined to just kick back and celebrate Halloween weekend while witnessing some amazing design, there will be an open bar from 7-8pm and beats by DJ Ayres, founder of legendary Brooklyn dance night The Rub.

For a taste of what you'll get to see Friday night, hit the jump for videos of 2D competitors' work for the tournament's qualifying round. Then grab your tickets. All 3rd Ward friends get a 20% discount with the code "3rdward".

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // Brooklyn Historical Society's "Historic Cocktails" with Regional Apple Alcohols

The Brooklyn Historical Society may be an organization in the midst of a massive renovation, but it keeps on trucking with fascinating talks, workshops and walking tours. One we feel obliged to direct your attention to will be hosted by historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman who has spent most of her career re-creating old recipes over a wood-burning stove. On October 20, she'll give you the rundown on the history of (and how to make your own) apple jack, apple brandy and hard cider. 

Sure, there'll be plenty of talking about this tantalizing booze, but you'll get to imbibe as well. Small groups will get hands-on instruction on whipping up some classic, apple-charged cocktails. Next step: Go home, make an apple pie, make some apple turnovers and impress all your friends with some artisinal, fall-themed drinks. 'Tis the season after all.

Admission for Lohman's event is $30 for members, $40 for non-members.

In related news, if hard cider whets your whistle, you're in luck--as we're officially part-way through Cider Week, sponsored by Glynwood, one of the premier organizations working to strengthen Hudson Valley farm communities.

Happy drinking, folks.

--Layla Schlack

BBOX RADIO // This Weekend: "Everything Good Times Always Party and Fundraiser"

DJ Ambush, shown here, will be spinning Sunday.

Last week we introduced you to BBOX Radio, the station operated out of a container in Dekalb Market. They have a Kickstarter page going and need $15,000 by October 19 to continue operating, so they're giving a big push in the form of--what else?--a party. 

If you're around this Sunday, October 16, from 3 to 7 p.m., head down to the market. From the sound of things, the party will be stacked: bands, DJs, firedancers, beer, and Cuzins Duzin's doughnuts. In between sets by bands Radio Armada, Steamboat Disasters, Elevator Rose, Princess Chelsea, Peter Swimm, and Intelligent Dancers, will be BBOX DJs on the 1's & 2's.

As if music, booze, doughnuts, and a good cause weren't enough, BBOX donors will also get "thank you" gifts such as original art, mixtapes, and even airtime. So go hang out and help keep your favorite freeform radio station alive.

--Layla Schlack

THIS WEEKEND // 10 Must-See Places During Open House New York

When we hear the phrase "open house" we don't usually get very excited. We imagine a shady real estate agent showing potential buyers around an empty condo. But when we heard about Open House New York, which is happening this weekend across the city—well, totally different story.

Now in its ninth year, Open House New York unlocks the doors to NYC buildings and other unique places that you normally wouldn't be able to set your foot in without special access. The festival aims to educate New Yorkers about all of the amazing architecture and design that the city holds but doesn't always show off.

We've picked our ten favorite locations to check out during Open House New York, which takes place Saturday, October 15, and Sunday October 16. Note that some open houses do require a reservation.

See our picks after the jump.

TWA Flight Center. Photo: pheezyTWA Flight Center - The original 1962 terminal for Transworld World Airlines, designed by expressionist architect Eero Saarinen. It won him an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal.

Roosevelt Island's AVAC System - This system transports garbage from the island's residential buildings through underground tunnels at 55 miles per hour, after which it is crushed, packaged and trucked away.

Grand Central Terminal - Architects Bill Conway and Kate Lemos McHale will talk about their award-winning 1998 restoration of the terminal. The Beaux-Arts masterpiece is "rich in history and rife with secrets."

Fresh KillsFresh Kills - Take a tour of one of the largest public works projects in the world, which is transforming the world's largest landfill into a park that will be 2.7 times the size of Central Park.

Eagle Street Rooftop Farm - Fresh local produce and a great view of the Manhattan skyline.

The High Line - Take a tour of the elevated park's third section, which isn't yet open to the public.

Nighthawk Cinema - Caliper Studio leads a tour of the four-story mixed-use building, which features Williamsburg's only first-run cinema and private roof decks.

Edward Hopper's studioEdward Hopper's Studio - The studio that the renowned American painter lived in from 1913 to 1967, including his original easel, desk, furnace and kitchenette.

Kings County Distillery - Take a tour of New York City's oldest operating whiskey distillery—the first since before Prohibition.

Kips Bay Towers - A rare chance to see the 3-acre private garden that sits between these towers, the first major NYC project by modern architecture master I.M. Pei.

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // The Creators Project Returns To NYC For A Two-Day Art, Music & Technology Festival

 

Back in the summer of 2010 The Creators Project launched its international series of art and music showcases right here in New York at Milk Studios. Now, after circling the globe for over a year, the project is coming back to the city for a massive two-day festival in DUMBO this Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16.

As to be expected, the fest will include tons of quality music, though we find ourselves more excited about the sure-to-be-amazing art installations on display. Through its Studio program, The Creator's Project has been helping develop and present new and innovative artwork at events around the world.

Hit to jump to check out a few of the spectacular pieces that you'll see this weekend.

An immersive sound installation by J. Spaceman and Jonathan Glazer - The frontman of Spiritualized and Spaceman 3 teamed up with the British director to create an epic interactive installation based around the Spiritualized track "Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating in Space."

United Visual Artists' audiovisual sculpture - The UK-based collective will present the largest interactive sculpture they've ever made, featuring a soundtrack by experimental electronic artist Scanner. This will be the final version of their installation, which debuted at Coachella and has traveled to São Paulo and Beijing.

Barney Clay's re-imagination of David Bowie's "Life on Mars" - The British director has turned outtakes and raw footage from the video for Bowie's "Life On Mars," shot by legendary photographer Mick Rock, into an amazing new contemporary work.

There will also be additional installations by artists from The Creators Project gallery, as well as interactive works by the winners of Art Hack Weekend, a collaboration with NYC art and technology center Eyebeam. One of those winners is 3rd Ward teacher Michael Zick Doherty, who helped create Free Fall High Score, an "antagonistic mobile device app" that dares you to drop your phone from the highest height possible.

RSVP for this weekend's festival and go check it DUMBO this weekend from noon to 10pm on Saturday, and noon to 8pm on Sunday.

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // This Weekend: The Red Hook International Film & Video Festival

 

This weekend the 4th annual Red Hook International Film And Video Festival is happening at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition. The festival will showcase over 20 short films, including many that focus on the culture and environs of NYC.

On Saturday you can see films such as "Lehigh Valley 79," a look at the man behind the 100-year-old barge that functions as Red Hook's Waterfront Museum, "Spirit Ship," a "haunting children's adventure" set in Red Hook, and  "George Trakas at the Waters Edge: Newtown Creek," a portrait of the artist and creek explorer who founded the Newtown Creek Nature Walk.

Sunday's showcase will include "Masstransiscope" and "Inspiring Spaces: 25 Years of Arts for Transit," two films about subway and transit art by Allison Prete, "To Be Seen," an exploration of NYC street art that features Swoon, Faile and The Wooster Collective, and "Nobody Can Predict The Moment of Revolution," a timely piece shot during the 5th and 6th days of Occupy Wall Street.

The festival runs from 1-6pm this Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16. And get this: not only is it free, but there will also be free popcorn and Red Hook's own Steve's Authentic Key Lime Pies!

Watch a few of the fest's films we're excited about after the jump.

"Lehigh Valley 79" - Directed by Flonia Telegrafi:

"Masstransiscope" - Directed by Allison Prete:

"George Trakas at the Water's Edge: Newtown Creek" - Produced by Urban Omnibus:

-- John Ruscher

ESSENTIAL EVENT // Drink N' Draw's Joel Morrison Hosts A Studio Salon Thursday Through Saturday

 

You've drank with him, you've drawn with him, now go see a great art salon at his studio.

This Thursday, October 13 through Saturday, October 15, Drink N' Draw coordinator Joel Morrison will be opening up his Williamsburg studio to host the second edition of NYC curator David Gibson's Studio Salon series, which presents group showcases in different artists' studios around the city. In addition to Morrison's own work, the show will also feature Elissa Levy, Andrea Champlin and Mary Murphy. Morrison gave us the scoop on the salon and his artwork.

"The body of work I'm showing involves the combining of two modernist styles—the use of the grid (think Mondrian) and the employment of more random textual collage compositions (think Rotella) in the hope that the outcome makes for an interesting combination of thoughtful precision and spontaneous chaos," Morrison says.

He's excited to show off his 500-square-foot studio, which he's renovated significantly over the past year, basically tearing everything down and rebuilding it anew. Morrison no stranger to such a project. He's built out multiple NYC lofts over the past ten years and even taught a Loft Building Workshop here at 3rd Ward. He's also looking forward to connecting with the other artists that Gibson has selected. "It's always nice to meet new artists that someone feels your work may have an affinity with," he says.

Check out the salon from 7-10pm on Thursday and Friday, October 14, and from 6-10pm on Saturday at Morrison's studio (76 Bayard Street, between Leonard and Lorimer). It's the second show in the series, and future editions are already scheduled for November, January and February.

Hit the jump to see more of Morrison's work and his studio.

-- John Ruscher