We know, we know, New Year’s is over, and so is Patti Smith’s performance at Bowery Ballroom, where she played for three nights leading up to New Year’s Eve. But don’t be disappointed if you weren’t one of the lucky ones in the crowd; you can ring in the New Year with Ms. Smith here as many times as you’d like to refresh the page. But more importantly, and for those of us who enjoy actual real-live people meetings (what are those??), you can see her up close on Saturday at 92YTribeca’s intimate screening room, where she will present her biopic with director Steven Sebring, Dream of Life. The two will be present for a Q&A after the 7:30pm show, and will introduce the 10pm screening.
Dream of Life (from the title of her 1988 album) was created over 11 years in chronicling the singer’s life. But you’ll have to look elsewhere for stories about playing CBGB in the 70s, watching Robert Mapplethorpe get his nipple pierced, or hanging out with William S. Boroughs. The film, according to the New York Times review is “less like a documentary and more like an act of rapturous devotion.” You’ll find more instead about fading away from the top of the world to the quiet of Detroit domesticity, dealing with the death of loved ones, and reemerging on the scene after overcoming great loss (and with Bob Dylan, no less). True fans will appreciate the deviance from the typical rise and fall story of the music celebrity in favor of a lyrical stream-of-consciousness approach to capturing Smith’s raw, original style. Expect heartwarming footage from Smith’s parents, recent live performances, and tributes from the likes of Bono and Thom Yorke.
Michael Wolff on Rupert Murdoch: He Who Has the Most Toys
Michael Wolff and Rupert Murdoch
You’ve watched Rupert Murdoch build his media empire (those New York Post headlines don’t write themselves), speculated on his takeovers, and maybe even glimpsed at his family tree to see where you might fit for a piece of the family fortune (admit it). So if you had unprecedented access to the world’s most powerful media mogul, the man who everybody seems to be talking about, well, wouldn’t you share? Vanity Fair columnist Michael Wolff does that and then some in his new book, The Man Who Owns the News: Inside the Secret World of Rupert Murdoch. Read David Carr’s review in Sunday’s New York Timeshere.
Wolff, who spoke with the $70 billion man for several hours over several months, spills secrets about who Murdoch loathes (and fears!), who reads him email messages at night, and how life is like working for the media overlord. Writes Wolff: “Every second working for Murdoch is a second spent thinking about what Murdoch wants. He inhabits you.” Carr agrees to Murdoch’s seeming omnipresence: “Many before us have covered their eyes and waited for Rupert Murdoch to go away. Rupert Murdoch does not go away.” Okay, so maybe it’s not a bed time story.
Want to get in on the big media secret? Wolff tells all at 92YTribeca on Wednesday, January 14 at noon with the inside scoop on Murdoch as boss, family man, billionaire business man, and details on his Dow Jones takeover plus Yahoo! and Newsday plays.
Considered blasphemy to some almost 30 years ago, most people view Monty Python’s Life of Brian as a hysterical and clever satire on religion. It is regularly cited in the British press as one of the best comedy films of all time and New York Times film critic A.O. Scott recently lauded its timeless brilliance.
On Monday, 92YTribeca film fans got a sneak peek at Last Chance Harvey, a new urban romance starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, followed by a discussion with award-winning film writer Steve Ramos and Dustin Hoffman (pictured above) in our intimate screening room. Pretty cool stuff and he was on the Late Show with David Letterman later that night. Same clothes! Yeah, Dustin keeps it real.
We missed this earlier but check out Nate Hill’s review of the Casual Games talk at 92YTribeca with Eric Zimmerman of Gamelab on November 21:
Before going on a wonderful Thanksgiving adventure in Las Vegas I attended a great lecture by Eric Zimmerman of Gamelab at the 92YTribeca space. Eric is a funny guy; he was really entertaining to listen to. I haven’t read his book, but I am a fan of the co-author Katie Salen’s work, particularly Karaoke Ice, so now I’m definitely going to buy it (unless of course he wants to send a poor librarian a free copy...hint...)
Eric spoke to the audience about media literacy and all the other emerging literacies associated with the internet, gaming, and digital culture. A lot of it is stuff that I ramble on about regularly, about how public libraries need to be offering programming that helps patrons build new skillsets that are absolutely essential to being a productive member of contemporary society. I also know that it is the kind of thing ‘gaming in libraries’ champions like the Shifted Librarian talk about regularly...it was one of those situations where every time Eric said something I wanted to stand up and say “Yeah! You said it bud!” or “Preach on!”. What really made me happy was the fact that he showed us the Gamestar Mechanic beta, and no longer was all of this talktalktalk just theory. I was actually sitting there looking at a fun, inventive, remarkably simple interface for players to create rules and build their own games. Here’s a screenshot:
I hope public libraries will embrace Gamestar Mechanic. If beta testing and whatnot isn’t already going on with groups at public libraries, it should be. This is EXACTLY the kind of tool we need: no longer will librarians have to explain away why it is important to have kids playing Grand Theft Auto in library basements. This is a tool librarians can flaunt in front of critics.
What You Missed: Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler with Surprise Guest Janeane Garofalo
92YTribeca comedy-goers got a treat last night when Janeane Garofalo showed up to do a surprise set for Comedy Below Canal: Double Down Hearts with Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler. Though don’t kick yourself for missing it quite yet; rumor has it she may show up here again for next week’s Chanukomedy event, and she’ll be headlining on January 8 with Paul F. Tompkins. That seems to be the way it goes with comedy at 92YTribeca; you may remember Will Arnett’s appearance with Zach Galifianakis last week, and the element of surprise lingers with every show. Maybe that’s why Time Out New York picked us as the year’s “Best New Comedy Venue.”
Janeane charmed the crowd with her wry sense of humor and sometimes painfully funny realizations (upon learning someone in the crowd was born in the early 90s, she exclaimed, “I had two eating disorders and a drinking problem and you were just joining us!”). Kristen and Kurt presented a three-act play (interlaced with silly sketches) that worked in reverse chronological order, for a result that was very Memento meets Flight of the Conchords. In the course of one evening we lay witness to board breaking, suicide bombing turtles, ribbon dancing to accordion music, a reenactment of the (supposedly) first phone call (between Pocahontas and John Smith, naturally), and at one point, audience members competed to “Win a Date with Kristen!”
Kristen will make another appearance at 92YTribeca when she returns the favor and opens for Janeane Garofalo. She’ll be joined by Arrested Development’s David Cross, as well as other surprise guests. Who will it be this time? Be there to find out!
And be sure not to miss Chanukomedy on Christmas Eve. Why is this night different from all other nights, you ask? Well, we have a stellar line-up, with Joe Mande (Time Out New York just named him one of the year’s “Best New Stand-Ups”), Leo Allen (of the comedy duo Slovin & Allen, who appeared at 92YTribeca at the beginning of December), and Comedy Central faves Todd Levin, Amy Schumer and Rachel Feinstein. These chosen people of comedy sure put the Tribe in Tribeca.
Are we done? Not yet. Let’s close it out with two more pictures from last night.
In the first season of the popular HBO music comedy series Flight of the Conchords, the character of Bret is visited by three visions of David Bowie in Episode 6: first from the Ziggy Stardust-era, then as he appeared in the “Ashes to Ashes” music video and lastly, our favorite, as the role he played in the 1986 cult classic film Labyrinth which you can watch above. If you want to show your appreciation of Bowie in his full Labyrinth glory, check out the film sing-along we’re hosting in Tribeca on January 9.
And thrice as nice (are you counting along with us?), if you’re a big Flight of the Conchords fan, then you know their most obsessed fan on the show is played by comedian Kristen Schaal and she’ll be appearing at 92YTribeca on Thu, Dec 18 with Kurt Braunohler to present Double Down Hearts, a sordid tale of gambling, death and hair-lips, with a touch of phone sex. Known for their electric, on-stage chemistry and questionable relationship off-stage, Kurt and Kristen exhilarate, confuse and enlighten with this unique and surreal comedy hour. Yeah, just like Bowie in Labyrinth.
What You Missed: Zach Galifianakis with Surprise Guest Will Arnett
Zach Galifianakis leans on a piano (he tickles the ivory too) while Will Arnett goes hardball and asks, “Aside from your face and personality, what part of yourself do you hate the most?”
If you managed to score a ticket to the sold-out Zach Galifianakis show last night at 92YTribeca, you were treated to plenty of surprises. The biggest being that Will Arnett of Arrested Development fame and husband of Saturday Night Live‘s Amy Poehler showed up to “interview” Zach with questions like “What is the New York Times?” and “When did you start shaving - 8, 9 or 10 years old?” The audience also got a sneak peek of Zach’s latest installment of his online public access show—yes, such a thing exists!—Between Two Ferns, in which he interviews Mad Men’s John Hamm (aka Don Draper). He weaved his way through the audience for the “intimate” portion of the show, and at one point there was a trio of tuba players singing “Joy to the World.” Oh, and Justin Long, the Mac guy/Drew Barrymore ex, was in the audience.
Needless to say, you do not want to miss these upcoming comedy shows at 92YTribeca: Kristen Schaal (HBO’s Flight of the Conchords) and Kurt Braunohler present Double Down Hearts (Thu, Dec 18) and Chanukomedy with Nick Kroll, Todd Levin, Amy Schumer, Rachel Feinstein and Joe Mande (Wed, Dec 24). Comedy fans, take note, this is getting good.
Video: Kanye West talks Primo in advance of Peter Rosenberg’s “NoiseMakers” talk with DJ Premier at 92YTribeca on Dec 11.
Peter Rosenberg of Hot 97 kicks off his new “Noisemakers” series at 92YTribeca on Dec 11 with famed hip-hop artist and producer DJ Premier, one half of the legendary Gang Starr. They’ll sit down for a rare one-on-one interview about the life and influences of one of the most creative men in the music industry followed by a special musical tribute to Premier.
Jeff Rosenthal of the hip hop sketch comedy show, It’s The Real, tells us:
“You should definitely check out Peter Rosenberg’s talk with DJ Premier tomorrow night in Tribeca. I mean, besides the fact that he’s the leading authority on ‘real hip-hop’ in New York, Peter’s a genuine fan of Primo’s. Absolutely something to see in person.”
Five Continents/Five Films: Australia, The Sundowners (1960) with introductory remarks and post-viewing discussion led by Michael Zam who teaches screenwriting, film and theater at NYU
Evolution and Innovation in Modern American Art, organized by the Whitney Museum of America Art: Daytime and Evening
Wed, Dec 3
Chef’s Chat: Eating and Cooking “Green” with Jay Weinstein, environmentalist and author of The Ethical Gourmet: How to Enjoy Great Food that is Humanely Raised, Sustainable, Nonendangered, and That Replenishes the Earth
In this edition of the 92nd Street Y's Tell Me Why podcast, host Julian Fleisher talks with Elliott Sharp, key figure in the avant-garde and experimental music scene in New York City for over thirty years. As mentioned in our previous post with film maker Bert Shapiro, Sharp is coming to 92YTribeca on November 20 for an evening of performances and a screening of the documentary about him, Doing the Don't. For now, listen to the self-professed physics geek talk about his music, the famous people who have lived in his East Village apartment and his quick demonstration of Mongolian throat singing.
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92Y Q&A with Bert Shapiro: Film Maker, Doing the Don’t
On November 20, 92YTribeca will host Doing the Don’t: An Evening with Elliott Sharp & Friends. Sharp has been a key figure in the avant-garde and experimental music scene in New York City for over thirty years, releasing over sixty-five recordings ranging from blues, jazz, and orchestral music to noise, no wave rock, and techno music. In addition to live performances with regular collaborators, the night will feature a screening of selections from documentary film maker Bert Shapiro’s Doing the Don’t, which examines Sharp’s journey from a would-be scholar of the physics to one of the most internationally acclaimed composers of the modern avant-garde. Here’s our Q&A with Shapiro.
What’s your background?
Being born in Europe in the late 1920’s and transported here in the 1960’s has had its advantages. There has been a lot to see and my brain seems to have a vault that stores moving images. My formative years were spent in London factories and on a farm. I lived through scenes rich in detail and filled with characters that were left over from Dickens stories. The London Blitz created its own daily stories and visuals. Moving parts of slow moving machines fascinated; cogs on harvesting equipment, inking rollers on printing presses – all had a rhythm that later was to delight when I discovered Leger’s “Ballet Mecanique.” Working as an apprentice in a small printing factory was a grim experience. But I saw that there was a “story” played out every day. The pressmen and the women bookbinders had worked together for years - this was their factory family. Their lives were proscribed by long workdays and short nights. Humor was an essential part of their interaction. With a background of machine clatter, some murmured Cockney ditties, others sang funny songs and one man danced like Chaplin. As a Jew I was an outsider - I was an observer. I don’t think that I went to the cinema more than a dozen times before I was 16 - it had little interest for me. Music brought joy, and some of my friends were violin and piano students. We formed a society to help “undiscovered artists” make a debut performance. I found myself in halls and homes well outside of my background – I was a spectator in an environment that was more interesting than the movies.
What attracted you to the idea of making a movie of Elliott Sharp? Did you know him beforehand? Were you a fan of his music?
I have known of Elliott’s music for several years and knew him as one of the prominent survivors of the “Downtown Music scene.” When we started speaking I was intrigued by his background as a young political activist and his intense interest in science and mathematics and his life-changing transition to music. The tenacious determination to pursue his own sounds in the face of the commercial music marketplace was passionate, courageous, impractical and unreasonable. Elliott’s belief in his work is admirable - perhaps it would influence others? I also was interested in giving a “human face” to the often-parodied avant-garde musician. I had heard that Elliott had on one occasion described a piece that he was composing as a “room-clearer.” It was a story that needed to be told.
Though you work almost improvisationally (i.e., without a storyboard or plan of action), you must still do some sort of pre-shooting fact-finding. What research did you do for Doing the Don’t?
I film alone as much as possible because I am looking for the unrehearsed, spontaneous moment. This is made easier because there is no intimidating crew or truckloads of equipment. Having a crew and equipment has obvious rewards particularly when post-production problems loom up. But working alone is a luxury that I find irresistible. I carry a small camera wherever I go and use it as a notebook. Editing with no story-board, no plan of action is fun – just spread out the thousands of frames like a massive jigsaw and watch for those “telling” clips yelling for attention. Ride the story that starts to appear and be ready to cut it or run with it, it nags, it gnaws it exhausts, exhilarates and excites.
The research consisted first of listening to his music. Then importantly by interviewing his wife, other musicians and friends. Through these interviews I was able to get the pieces of the puzzle. The picture started to become clear when I began filming Elliott performing and conducting and seeing his musical interaction in live performance. Also I began to learn of the Elliott Sharp impressive international reputation that amazingly exceeded the USA acknowledgment of his talents.
Your Eye & Hand series attempts to capture “skills that may soon disappear in the high-tech production factories of the 21st century.” Are you making these films because you bemoan the loss of people who have these skills (e.g., wigmakers, cigar rollers) despite the relative lack of need for them anymore?
Preserving old skills may not be as important as trying to communicate the characteristics of the practitioners. There is the dignity expressed in the work and pride and good humor that needs to be preserved on film. This is what I am working to show in my Eye & Hand series.
Why did you move from the publishing industry to “very independent” filmmaking? Was there an allure to working in a visual and sound-based medium that attracted you?
After book publishing for more than 30 years it was time to get into my vault of images and memories and see if I could make sense of the accumulation. The technical challenges in making films were somewhat overcome, but my focus was on content with a continuing interest in passions.
With the explosion in amateur film making (due to cheaper digital video cameras, YouTube, Netflix DVD rentals, etc.), do you think your audience has developed a better, more educated appreciation to the art now that the “vocabulary” of film is so pervasive?
This is a transitional period analogous to the desktop publishing of several years ago and is driven by the fascination with technology, and its easy accessibility. The long-term value will be positive. Audiences will have easy access to personal and substantive films, made to professional standards. I remain a fascinated observer.
We know, we know, New Year’s is over, and so is Patti Smith’s performance at Bowery Ballroom, where she played for three nights leading up to New Year’s Eve. But don’t be disappointed if you weren’t one of the lucky ones in the crowd; you can ring in the New Year with Ms. Smith 
On November 20, 92YTribeca will host 
