WED Wed. 9/17 Richard III Take Wing and Soar ...
Richard III
Take Wing and Soar is a women-led arts organization that supports grassroots theater productions. Tonight?or any night through Sunday, Sept. 21?come to their staging of Richard III, as set in contemporary, war-torn Africa. American Theater of Actors, 314 W. 54th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-868-4444, 8, $15/$12 st./s.c.
Iraq War Forum, Part I
Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute and Quetelet Professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs will speak at Global Consequenses of The Iraqi War: Part I followed by comments from Professor Rosalind Morris, Anthropology and the Institute for Research on Women and Gender Professor Richard Parker, Sociomedical Science. The event will be chaired by Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History. Columbia University Law School, Jerome Greene Hall #104-106, W. 116th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 718-243-2761, 6, free.
Thurs. 9/18
(Nob)Odyssey
"Cyclops, you ask me for my famous name. I will tell you then/Nobody is my name. My mother and father call me/Nobody, as do all the others who are my companions." With those words, Odysseus tricks Cyclops and frees himself. With (Nob)Odyssey, his retelling of this pivotal scene, environmental artist and linguistic sculptor Dr. Iannis Michalou(di)s offers an examination of the complexities of the human experience with an ensemble of 14 dancers and several actors, as choreographed by Harry Mavromichalis from Cyprus. Michalou(di)s is currently a research affiliate at MIT, developing techniques to sculpt silica aerogel, a material resembling frozen smoke that's also the lightest solid material in the world. Expect this production to resemble one of his aerogel sculptures: mythic, beautiful, defying simple explanation. La Mama, 74A E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-475-7710, 7:30, $20.
Edison Woods
The other night, digging out an extra blanket for the bed, we realized with a jolt that fall is creeping in. While we hold out for an Indian summer, we think Edison Woods' CD release show at Knitting Factory Tap Bar might ease the transition between seasons. This Brooklyn low-fi band's latest release, 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, evokes both late-summer afternoons and crisp autumn evenings, and frontwoman Julia Frodahl's vocals blend like good clover honey with the songs' violin, cello and piano arrangements. With Winter Blanket, John Guilt and Norfolk & Western. 74 Leonard St. (betw. B'way & Church St.), 212-219-3006, 8, $6.
Erika Lopez and Judy McGuire
Have you ever been to eccentric ladyland? After a night of foul-mouthed transgessive fun with Erika Lopez and our very own Dategirl, Judy McGuire, you will have been. Author and former burden to the state Erika Lopez will be performing her spoken-word jag Nothing Left but the Smell: A Republican on Welfare and Judy's debuting her Bad Sex: A memoir in play format. The very air will be electrified with estrogen. WOW Cafe Theater, 59 E. 4th st. (betw. Bowery & 2nd Ave.), 212-777-4280, 8, $10.
Bob Mould
After seeing him play the same solo set over and over for five years, we grew skeptical of Bob Mould, otherwise known as one-third of Hüsker Dü. Zen Arcade was a long time ago, we thought, and though he's influenced a generation of modern bands, Mould was clearly tired. Then, he started experimenting, and our optimism?if not youthful enthusiasm?returned. Tonight, he's playing in a sold-out Maxwell's, so hit Craig's List, catch an early PATH train, hit a bar and enjoy an old-fashioned smoke and a drink before the show. 1039 Washington St. (11th St.), 201-653-1703, 9, $15.
FRI. 9/19
Mean Streets
Scorsese's first true masterpiece, Mean Streets, is a gritty, blood-drenched study of devout Catholic and small-time hood Harvey Keitel trying to find redemption and salvation in Little Italy. Not helping him along much is De Niro's Johnny Boy, who really, really hates mailboxes and looks cool as hell strutting in slow motion against "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 800-555-TELL, 12 a.m., $10, $6.50 s.c.
Al Franken
We'll report on SNL alum and liberal mirthmaker Al Franken's booksigning, but you decide if you're gonna go. Please don't sue us, Mr. O'Reilly. Oh, that's right, you can't. Fox not only lost their suit against Al Franken and Penguin Putnam over the use of their trademark, "fair and balanced," but the judge even suggested they could lose the trademark entirely. Franken will no doubt mention this during his reading this afternoon. Not everyone can groove on Franken's smug style, but we'll forgive him almost anything for his cameo in Trading Places. Borders, 100 E. B'way (Allen St.), 212-964-1988, 12:30, free.
Chama Benefit
The malling of NYC continues unabated. We recommend you support what little personality remains. CHAMA is one of those rare places that seem to be from a planet besides McEarth. Part sci-fi teahouse, part music venue, part psychedelic treefort, every New Yorker should visit at least once. Tonight is a benefit to keep it from becoming the latest Kinko's/Duane Reade/Dunkin Donuts/Starbucks. Entertainment includes musicians, animation and Zeroboy, who's sort of like the world's loudest mime. Umbrella House, 21 Ave. C (betw. 2nd & 3rd Sts.), 646-654-6472, 8, $5-20.
Sat. 9/20
Hall of Meteorites
Space rock rules. The Arthur Ross Hall of Meteorites reopens today following a technological makeover. Expect meteor-ific graphics panels, computer animations and meteors to share the spotlight with celebrity meteor Ahnighito, the massive hunk of space rock discovered by the Peary Expedition in 1894. Do not expect a glowing green chunk of Kryptonite that will cripple Superman. Mr. Luthor, we're looking at you for a reason. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5100, 10-5:45, $12, $9 st./s.c., $7 child.
Neil Gaiman
The Sandman comic book series was called "a comic book for intellectuals" by Norman Mailer, who wrote The Naked and the Dead and is therefore an authority on the subject. Creator Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods had a man traveling around with discarded legends of our nation preparing to wage war with the "new gods" of technology and media and sex and? Well, Sandman fans love it. Gaiman is back doing The Sandman Endless Nights, a 160-page hardcover return to the pantheon. Today, he talks about it as part of the five-day New York Is Book Country literary extravaganza that's holding 12 blocks of 5th Ave. hostage. The Auditorium at Equitable Tower 787 7th Ave., (betw. 51st & 52nd Sts.), 212-627-7373, 11 a.m, $20.
Guild & Greyshkul
Founded by the young, lovely, ambitious and talented Anya Kielar, Sara VanDerBeek and Johannes VanDerBeek, the fresh new SoHo gallery/artists' studio Guild & Greyshkul's first exhibition opens today. "From Here On" consists of the works of six artists focusing on deconstructing and reworking the motions of daily life. Join them at the opening reception, but beware, their creativity may be infectious?you may feel the urge to go home and make something. 22 Wooster St. (betw. Grand & Canal Sts.), 212-625-9224, 7, free.
Reigning Sound
There's no color scheme, no bad haircuts, and no girls in the band. The three members of Reigning Sound are really the most regular guys to hit the stage since the early days of Guided by Voices, and you'd never suspect that Time Bomb High School is the sole brilliant garage-pop album to recently emerge from that stillborn genre. Left on his own, Greg Cartwright would probably be adored as a sensitive power-pop lad with an uncanny ear for melody, but that would be embarrassing. Instead, his band helps upgrade the songs into crafty, solid rock genius. Maxwell's, 1039 Washington St. (11th St.), 201-653-1703, 8, $10.
SUN. 9/21
Tom Waits
Don't expect to hear "Gin-Soaked Boy," as Waits' first New York appearance since 1999 comes in the form of a benefit for peace, healing and the Dalai Lama (who also happens to be in town?see 9/23). Probably won't see much of Waits, anyway, given that the concert also features Hamza El Din, Philip Glass, the Gyuto Tantric Choir, Nawang Khechog, the Kronos Quartet, R. Carlos Nakai, Anoushka Shankar and Foday Musa Suso?together with Richard Gere and His Holiness. Avery Fisher Hall, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza (B'way & 64th St.), 212-721-6500, 7, $35-$75 with special patron tickets available for $250.
David Lynch Night
For fans of the creepy, lurid vibe within the movies and television shows of David Lynch, this is the night to become one with your darker side. Lynch movies (including Eraserhead) will be played on the video screen while DJ Windham Earle plays appropriate soundtrack music. And by appropriate, we do mean eerily and terminally fucked up. There'll be a trivia competition and cherry pie to boot, in a bar that strangely resembles a certain Black Lodge. Totem, 505 E.12th St. (betw. Aves. A & B), 212-228-3868, 7, free.
Mon 9/22
Cursive
Omaha-based tweek-rock band Cursive's website describes their new album, The Ugly Organ, as "an operetta of sexual and emotional confusion and conflict set to a musical backdrop that mirrors and expresses the entire range of emotions involved." Miraculously, it doesn't suck! They'll be playing selections from that record and their back catalog tonight. Cursive's music is a bizarre mix of noise for noise's sake and expert songwriting. You and your tight-t-shirt-wearing nerd buddies should have a great time. Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery & Chrystie St.), 212-533-2111, 8:30, $14.
Today, New York says "Hello Dalai!" And smiles smug with pleasure at its ability to make awful puns. Kundun's in town, and we've been needing his brand of burgundy robe-swaddled tranquility for some time. The Dalai Lama has enjoyed a pop-culture explosion over the last decade proving that the smilin' Tibetan's peaceful vibe isn't just for Buddhists. Rumor has it there's a Free Tibet with every purchase over $5. Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-840-2824, 9:30 a.m., $70.
Iraq War Forum, Part II
They could have called it the Global Consequences of the Iraq War: Part II Electric Bugaloo, but they made the right choice and left well enough alone. Joseph Stiglitz, professor of economics and finance will speak, (About globalization? Perhaps.) followed by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Avalon Foundation Professor in Humanities, and Anders Stephanson, James P. Shenton Professor of History. Columbia University Law School, Jerome Greene Hall #104-106, W. 116th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 718-243-2761, 6, free.
Contributors: CXB, Adam Bulger, Kate Crane, James Griffith, Jim Knipfel, Dan Migdal, Dennis Tyhacz, Alexander Zaitchik