Agenda Newsletter - June 20, 2007

Photographer sets up world as he sees it
The Levant

Untitled Document

James Casebere; Sean Kelly; Closes June 23; More info
Although he’s not the exhibition circuit’s most well-known artist, James Casebere may be the best setup photographer working anywhere—and his recent pictures of towns, mosques, and amphitheaters are some of his most impressive yet. Casebere constructs almost monochrome, table-size models, bathes them in a blanched-out light, then shoots them. These bombed-out Middle Eastern temples and quiet hilltop villages radiate a somber, stately stillness, and speak of war in ways that are both intimate and profound.

Rapper finally hits pay dirt
Big Spender His ‘03 debut, Philadelphia Freeway, hasn’t even gone gold yet—we doubt he has “$30 mil in the bank” or a “villa in Tahiti” as he claims here—but this track from Freeway’s forthcoming second album sure sounds platinum, and not just because it features an inspired Jay-Z. Producer Dame Grease reimagines a seventies Broadway cast recording as a relentless club banger while Free throws down hard and catchy rhymes; label boss Jay simply basks in the shine. Freeway feat. Jay-Z
Listen »

Stars read incendiary new material
At War: American Playwrights Respond to Iraq Unlike most benefits, the inaugural reading in the Fire Department’s Salon Series offers genuine bang for your buck: Theatrical stars—Michael Cerveris, Julianna Margulies, David Strathairn, and more—will debut material weaving together many viewpoints on Iraq from Jose Rivera and the writers of The Exonerated. With food, drink, and a lively panel featuring activist guest speakers, it’s still half the price of an Off Broadway ticket. Just don’t forget the dinner jacket. The National Arts Club
June 25
6:30 p.m.
$35
Tickets »

Get inside Serra
Richard Serra: Five 16mm Films Like Jerry Saltz said: Richard Serra’s sculptures are “a combination of cave walls, the circus’s coming to town, fortresses, flowers, and a force of nature.” We visited this landmark show ourselves, and yep–cave walls, flowers, it’s all there. Starting tonight, see five short, intimate films shot by Serra in the sixties and seventies that demonstrate just how these steely forces of nature came about. All the better to appreciate the glorious things themselves. Premiere screening
MoMA
5:30 p.m.
$6–$10
Sculpture
review »
More info »

A pioneering gay novelist ages gracefully
Edmund White This polite, impeccably dressed man-about-town happens to be an amazing writer, too. Bask in his urbane presence as he reads from Chaos: A Novella and Other Stories, a prelude to what’s expected to be his masterpiece, Hotel de Dream, a novel about Stephen Crane. With any luck, he’ll discuss that and read from the collection’s strongest story, “Record Time,” in which a 13-year-old opera fan spins his wheels in a small town. Barnes & Noble
33 E. 17th St.
7 p.m.
More info »
Buy it »

Wow your Happy Feet fans
Savion Glover We’re betting that if your child was entertained by Happy Feet—you did take her to see Happy Feet, didn’t you?—she’ll be blown away when she witnesses Mumbles’s motion-capture choreographer live and onstage. Meanwhile, if you’ve got a kid who’s into dance, be it hip-hop or ballet, don’t miss this chance to introduce her to the star as he performs in a show that evokes Bring in ’da Noise more than cartoon choreography. Joyce Theater
Through July 14
$44
More
dance »
Tickets »

June 20, 2007

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