Weds. 1.14
By Molly Sheridan
Weds. and Thurs., Jan. 14 & 15 Silent Film/Live Music: The Bill Frisell Trio with Kenny Wollesen and Tony Scherr World Financial Center Winter Garden, 212-945-2600, 7, free.
Fri., Jan. 16 Present Music presents The Lodger World Financial Center Winter Garden, 212-945-2600, 7, free.
I'm a movie junkie. I'm also an insomniac, which helps me out time-wise. I won't even get into what Netflix has done to my "why go out when you can stay in" concept of a social life now that it's getting colder. Growing up in Ohio, I watched all the classics and musicals with grandma, cried through the dramas with mom, caught the Saturday afternoon action flicks with dad, and dragged friends to the drive-in on summer nights. In college, I became a foreign and art house snob. I thought I knew movies. Then I moved to New York.
My favorite discovery turned out to be the really old stuff. I've never had the desire to dress up as a medieval maid and hunt up a prince at some Renaissance festival, but I do have a handle on the desire to live in another decade for a while. I'd be more likely to choose the 1930s if given the chance, and somehow sitting in a dark theater watching Claudette Colbert give Clark Gable a hard time and a little leg is a good way for me to get into character for a couple of hours.
Despite my interest in the pre-code era, I never paid much attention to movie life before talkies. Until a few years ago, the only silent film I had ever seen was a PBS presentation of Fritz Lang's Metropolis with a not very memorable synthesized soundtrack. Then one night at Galapagos in Williamsburg, I caught a couple of Laurel and Hardy films and other shorts with live music accompaniment. Some of the films dated back to 1917. For weeks I talked about it to anyone who hinted even minor interest.
I wanted to see more, but I didn't run across another screening until a whole year later. If there's a regular venue for this kind of film, I haven't found it. I guess that's why I got rather giddy when I found out that three nights of silent films have been planned at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden this week. Not only that, but the music to go with the show will be new and live and presented by prime talent.
Guitarist Bill Frisell, a big name on the jazz and new music scene (and, I have to add, a really nice guy), has penned new soundtracks to four silent classics that will be screened on Wednesday and Thursday. Frisell will be joined by Kenny Wollesen on drums and Tony Scherr on bass for this presentation, which serves to open the New York Guitar Festival, running through Feb. 3.
Though I've never seen any of them available at the video store, the selected films sound pretty fantastic. Of the Bells (1926) has been restored and re-edited by Bill Morrison from a nitrate print and features stars Lionel Barrymore and Boris Karloff in a tale of murder and guilt. A new Frisell score will also accompany the 1935 Japanese comedy Bombshell Bride, which follows the classic script-rich guy, poor guy and a lovely lady in between. Reaching really far back, two films by Georges Méliès-A Trip to the Moon (1902) and The Impossible Voyage (1904)-are also planned.
If you've caught the bug at this point, you can come back on Friday to hear the Milwaukee-based Present Music ensemble perform Joby Talbot's new score to Alfred Hitchcock's silent 1926 thriller The Lodger. This movie follows the hunt for the Avenger, a serial killer targeting the young women of London. The film has an "innocent man wrongly accused" plot line and what sounds like some impressive camera techniques considering when it was made. Plus, you can try and spot Hitchcock in the first of his famed cameo appearances.
As an extra bonus, if you've just received your holiday credit card bill, be comforted-all of these performances are free.
The Unicorns Cynics may scoff at the Unicorns. But what the cynics don't know is, in addition to being magical, beautiful creatures, the Unicorns are also a couple of dudes out of Montreal who released an alarmingly precious album in 2003 called Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? "Serious rock fans" may find the Unicorns' sugary keyboards, sing-songy death references and just-wanna-eat-'em-up-cute vocal affectations cloying, but then again, "serious rock fans" are a bunch of assholes. With Amber Smith and Vaz. Southpaw, 125 5th Ave. (betw. Sterling & St. Johns Pls.), Brooklyn, 718-230-0236, 9, $8.
Thurs. 1.15
A Model for Matisse In 1941, an ailing Henri Matisse, recovering from surgery for an intestinal obstruction, was recuperating at his home in Nice. The great French painter, one of the towering figures of 20th- century art, required constant medical attention, and sought to hire a young and pretty nurse to keep him company. A nursing student and aspiring artist named Monique Bourgeois answered his ad, and a lifelong friendship was born. She served as model for many of Matisse's paintings and drawings from the early 1940s.
Matisse and Bourgeois were fast friends, and even when he no longer required a nurse, the two remained in touch. The two were separated by the tides of World War II, but found themselves in close contact again a few years later when Bourgeois, who had entered a convent and was now known as Sister Jacques-Marie, was stationed in Vence, a small town not far from Nice. Matisse, inspired by a sketch of a stained-glass window that Jacques-Marie showed him, decided that he would design a chapel for the Dominican convent in Vence. After some negotiating with the unwilling Dominicans, permission was granted, and work began on one of the most involved projects of Matisse's career.
Barbara Freed's engaging documentary was inspired by her translating Sister Jacques-Marie's book, an account of her friendship with Matisse. A Model for Matisse similarly consists almost entirely of her reminiscences. The elderly nun is an ideal interview subject, forthright and honest, and her repeated physical gesture, a grin followed by a shrug of the shoulders, is a winningly charming acceptance of the world's foibles and imperfections.
Matisse and Sister Jacques-Marie exchanged a flurry of letters over her becoming a nun, with the artist expressing the belief that he was serving God best by creating beauty. Vence's Chapel of the Rosary, built between 1947 and 1951, was the highest expression of this sensibility, placing Matisse's art within a religious framework. A Model for Matisse treats us to an in-depth study of Matisse's work on the Vence chapel, from the way the blue, green, and yellow of the stained-glass windows created a reddish glow, to the about-face of the artist on the mural he designed for the Stations of the Cross, substituting a simple grouping of stick-figure portraits for the more carefully rendered depictions he had initially sketched. This picture of the artist at work is compelling enough that one wishes there were a bit more of it. I also could have done without the cheesy Pepe le Peu voice employed for Matisse's quotes, which was unnecessary and annoying.
A Model for Matisse is saved from the A&E documentary hell toward which it leans by the engaging presence of Sister Jacques-Marie, and by its insightful portrait of Matisse's interior life. That said, it would have been nice to get a fuller picture of just why the chapel in Vence was important as a landmark in modern art, and in Matisse's career, rather than just taking it on faith.
Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Park & Madison Aves.), 212-355-6160, 7, $5.
-Saul Austerlitz
Vintage Sacks If there's one thing Oliver Sacks has plenty of, it's zany anecdotes about crazy people and their wacked-out neurological problems. Surgeons with Tourette's, catatonics, patients who confuse smells and colors. He's seen it all in his decades of practice, and he's not only entertained us by telling these stories-he's also made us all feel a little better about our own pathetic quirks and neuroses. His latest book is a kind of "greatest hits," some of which he'll be reading aloud tonight. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810, 7, free.
First RNC Demo And so it begins. Sponsored by the Stalinoid protest peeps at ANSWER, today kicks off a year's worth of preemptive street warfare against the Republican National Convention. A loosely knit coalition of un-Stalinoid activists, community organizations, unions and clergy will be gathering outside Madison Square Garden in a taste of what is to come. (32nd St. & 7th Ave.) 212-633-6646, 4:30, free.
Mini Writers Conference The conference's name suggests there'll be a cardboard sign outside the Small Press Center that reads, "Must be shorter than 48 inches to attend." In fact, aspiring writers of all heights are encouraged to attend the conference (and pay its $60 door charge), where professionals from the city's leading literary agencies and publishing companies will offer advice on how to sell your work. 20 W. 44th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-764-7021, 6:30, $60.
African Underground Nomadic Wax productions presents African Underground, the first ever African hip-hop showcase to unite MCs from all over Africa with MCs from Brooklyn, Harlem and Chicago. Featured artists include Shiffai, "legendary MC from Dakar, Senegal"; The Dug Out, "NYC's premier hip-hop kingpins"; Dola, "Tanzania's old-school legend," who rocks crowds with Swahili rhymes; Nemiss, "Chicago's number-one female MC, recently relocated to Brooklyn"; Chosan, "hailing from the ghettos of war-torn Sierra Leone"; and Legacy Star, a new flavor on NYC's hip-hop menu. Hosted by renowned hip-hop/spoken-word poet Toni Blackman, author of Inner-Course and the official U.S. hip-hop ambassador under the Clinton administration. Prepare to hear polyglot rhymes in English, French and many African languages. Not your average show. The Five Spot Soul Food Supper Club, 459 Myrtle Ave. (betw. Washington & Waverly Aves.), Brkln, 718-852-0202, 9, $10.
FRI. 1.16
2004 Winter Antiques Show You need more stuff, and lots of stuff-neat, old stuff-will be on display at the 7th Regiment Armory today. Some rare items as well as some commonplace things will be on sale. Many of the items presented by the 74 exhibitors will be cold, Victorian and pricey; some of it will be warm, art deco and cheap. We're especially interested in anything on weathered parchment. And Revolutionary-era muskets. Proceeds on the sold stuff will benefit the East Side House Settlement. 643 Park Ave. (67th St.), 718-292-7392, 12, $16 [through 1/25].
Zombi 2 Released as Zombie in the U.S., Lucio Fulci's 1979 gut-munching epic was released in Italy as Zombi 2 (after some last-minute scenes were added) in order to cash in on the success of the previous year's Dawn of the Dead, which in Italy had been called Zombi. Fulci, never the most subtle of directors, still gave audiences what they wanted-lots of south-seas islanders in pancake makeup gnawing on raw chicken entrails. And who would win in an undersea battle between a zombie and a shark? Watch and see! Landmark Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-330-8182, 12 a.m., $10.
SAT. 1.17
Rilo Kiley Acoustic (Blake & Jenny) Think of Rilo Kiley's happy, razor-sharp couple, Blake Sennet and Jenny Lewis, as a chilled-out, lovey-dovey version of Quasi. Or conversely, think of Quasi's Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss as a squeaky, aggressive take on Rilo's relaxed passion-take your pick. Either way, the handsome front-folk of Kiley (both in terms of their apple-rosey looks and their deliciously distinct tune-smithing) make their Saddle Creek parentage proud with witty, highly emotive lyrics as bold and open as their prairie-country music with an occasional jolt of frank, funky sexuality just to make certain you're awake. Think John Ford when you think of songs like "With Arms Outstretched," a paean to the promises of land and love. The lushly arranged The Execution of All Things was one of 2002's best albums: shimmery, glitter-country chamber pop that revealed a maturity of playing and writing that never sacrificed their inner innocent. Now heading toward their sixth year of existence, the Kiley kids hopefully show no sign of woe or weariness once reduced-as they will be for this showcase-from a quartet to a duo. So dang cute.
Knitting Factory, Main Performance Space, 74 Leonard St. 212-219-3006, 9, $12.
- A.D. Amorosi
Urban Park Rangers Winter Survival Workshop Do you fear nature? What would happen if you got stuck on the wrong side of the Hudson, in the cold and surrounded by trees and other living things? If you answered "yes" and "death" to the above questions, then this class is for you. Held in the wilds of Staten Island and run by the Urban Park Rangers, this one-day seminar will give you the survival skills that could one day save your life, yet probably won't. High Rock Park, 200 Nevada Avenue, (Rockland Ave.), Staten Island, 718-667-6042, 12, free.
After Hours with Erick Morillo Can't sleep? After-hours sessions have started their return to the city that has problems doing so. Working the decks for zombie nation this morn is the subliminal Erick Morillo, whose deep, groovy house will take you past dreamland well into Sunday afternoon. Although Discotheque draws a cologne-soaked following during the night, the waxed-chest set should be driving back to Long Island by the time you show up. Bada-bing. Discotheque, 17 W. 19th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.),212-352-9999, 5 a.m., $25.
Mission of Burma Nineteen years ago Mission of Burma, certainly among the loudest of the art-punk bands, broke up because all the raucousness had cost Roger Miller his hearing. He continued to play around with various side projects, but they were always a lot, you know, mellower, than MoB. So what the hell happened? Some miracle cure? Or did they maybe just need the money? Who knows? Who cares? Mission of Burma is yet one more reason why the 80s didn't suck nearly so bad as some people say they did. And 20 years ago, they put on one hell of a live show. Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl. (15th St.), 212-777-6800, 8, $30, $25 adv.
Sun. 1.18
Belly Dancing This one's for the ladies. Learn to swivel that pelvis in a way that will hypnotize and tantalize men, boys and lesbians of all ages. The workshop starts with a full-body stretch, outlines the seven parts of the body that belly dancers use and then runs through the basic steps. When it's over, you'll have everything you need to know to mesmerize that bloated, bejeweled sultan in your life. Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), res. req. 212-352-9910, 4:30, $15.
Modern Snack Bar Finally, an all-night rock party that isn't just for scenester kids. Filter 14 kicks off its Modern Snack Bar rock night with the haunting, jittery electro-pop of Neulander (featuring Adam Peters, formerly of Echo & the Bunnymen) and the gloriously grimy classic rock of NYC veterans Grand Mal, who've encountered more bad shit than you. But the kids can come too, given that one of the guest DJs is Miss Modernage, who's still sort of a downtown icon even if she almost never goes outside and her blog is, um, retired. 432 W. 14th St. (Washington St.), 212-366-5680, 9, $10, $5 before 10.
Sick of it All Aren't Sundays great? Church in the morning and Sex and the City at night. And today's gonna be the best Sunday ever, because you can fill the gap by catching Sick of It All at CBGB. The OG hardcore/metal ensemble can still crush and burn like an adrenaline-fueled force of nature. With Sub Zero, Vision, Charge, Step 2 Far, Skizonation. 315 Bowery (Bleecker St.),212-982-4052, 4, $10.
Mon. 1.19
Making Fun of Burt Reynolds Everyone in showbiz, it seems, has a Burt Reynolds story or five to tell. Even that banjo-picking inbred kid from Deliverance was bad-mouthing him recently (says he was rude and made fun of people he knew nothing about). Tonight Cause Celeb's weekly celebration of the celebrity tell-all hones in on the mustachioed star of Cannonball Run by culling Burt tales from his famous friends and enemies-Mike Douglas, Tammy Wynette, Marilu Henner, bitter ex Loni Anderson, Judy Carne and even the arrogant wife-beating Maaco pitchman himself! Fez/Time Cafe, 380 Lafayette St. (Great Jones St.), 212-533-2680, 7:30, $10.
The Swirlies My Bloody Valentine aren't touring, recording or doing much of anything anytime soon; and come to think of it, weren't even that great to begin with. So why not go see another early- 90s indie rock band, one without the baggage? The Swirlies have been churning out subdued melodies over near-dissonant guitar maelstroms for over a decade now and still look damn good doing it. Expect megalomaniac bandleader Damon Tutunjian to turn his guitar up way louder than everything else, including his own vocals. With Mazarin, Carlsonics and Snuff Project. Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (Betw. B'way & Church St.), 212-219-3132, 8, $10, $8 adv.
Tues. 1.20
Phil Kline's Zippo Songs Composer Phil Kline's new band hits Joe's Pub for an evening of Kline's "Zippo Songs," a cycle based on poems GIs etched on their Zippo lighters while fighting in Vietnam. Running an emotional gamut from anxiety to ferocity, from long-distance desire to helpless despair, the Zippo lyrics pose an astonishing picture of a turbulent, unresolved chapter in U.S. history.
"To me these poems are like snapshots," says Kline. "Of all the stuff I've ever heard about Vietnam, this is the most direct, concise, right down to it. The mixed-up feelings of betrayal, disillusion and confusion combined with youthful high spirits-these guys are horny, they want to get high, sometimes they turn their energy into being a killing machine. I was blown away by how much of that was compressed into tiny little poems loaded with meaning."
"Zippo Songs: Airs of War and Lunacy" is out on CD from Cantaloupe Music. "We Came Because" drifts in mournful suspense; "If I Had a Farm" has a punk surge (Kline was in the art band Del-Byzanteens with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch) and in "My Dead Ass" they're backed by a crack band, with the composer on guitar, Theo Bleckmann's limpid vocals, violin by Todd Reynolds of the string quartet Ethel (Kline's quartet The Blue Room is on Ethel's CD) and spare punctuation by David Cossin's hand percussion and xylophone.
Kline instigated the holiday season boombox parade he calls "Unsilent Nights" 11 years ago in Greenwich Village, and the event continues in cities around the world. He played in Glenn Branca's massed guitar ensembles, and composed the soundtrack to photographer Nan Goldin's "Ballad of Sexual Dependency."
Kline's included several songs on the new CD with inadvertent lyrics of Donald Rumsfeld-that's right, some of the more notorious and revealing pronouncements by our secretary of defense.
"I think it's really important right now that formal artists like Phil are performing with really pertinent messages," says Bill Bragin, director of Joe's Pub.
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St. (betw. E. 4th & Astor Pl.), 212-539-8778, 7:30, $15.
-Alan Lockwood
The Loveable Ken Burns Ken Burns, the man who can make a 16-hour PBS series out of almost anything (as long as it's sponsor-friendly) tonight discusses documentaries with faux-deep sports-broadcasting personality Bob Costas. Topics may include jazz, baseball and the Civil War. Be warned: The bearded Mr. Burns has a voice like Michael Jackson and a childlike, dreamy manner. And make sure to ask about his close, personal relationship with Branford Marsalis. 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500, 8, $25.
Gordon Parks Photojournalist, writer, filmmaker, composer, musician and the director of Shaft talks with Avery Brooks about his long and varied career tonight at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 212-570-3949; 6, $25.
Contributors: Adam Bulger, Jim Knipfel, Ilya Malinsky, Dan Martino, Lisa Poliak, Will Sherlin, Andy Wang and Alexander Zaitchik.