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Other Festivals
WTF?! Festival '09
- Details
- Parent Category: Other Festivals
- Category: Theater
- Published on Friday, 30 October 2009 02:34
- Written by Lynne E Shannon
Presented by The Actors' Gang from October 13 to December 19, 2009 at The Actors' Gang at the Ivy Substation (9070 Venice Boulevard, in Culver City), WTF?! Festival '09 is a new event best described by its founder and curator, Academy Award winning actor Tim Robbins. As Robbins explains, "The name of this festival came to me after a recent board meeting where I was told that due to the economic downswing and recent reduction in donations that we can no 
longer afford to produce theater. I was told it would be less expensive to do nothing. We’re not very good at doing nothing.
So in the spirit of rebellion and our history of survival, we are going to produce three plays, host great artists and authors, screen free documentaries, have open forums for Veterans, have live music nights with great songwriters, present poetry and dance, screen ridiculously funny movies, host talkbacks with directors and try to raise enough money to survive this crap economy.
We are offering a wide variety of events that will fire up new audiences, help them to discover The Gang, and support our community outreach."
Leading the screenings is Sir! No Sir!, the award-winning documentary about the long suppressed story of the GI movement to end the war in Vietnam. A Q&A follows with filmmaker David Zeiger.
Also screening is a new documentary, William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe, by Emily and Sarah Kunstler about their father, the late radical civil rights lawyer who fought for civil rights and represented such controversial clients as the famed Chicago 8 activists and members of the American Indian Movement. Followed by Q&A with filmmaker Emily Kunstler.
Another strong statement is made with The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends, about the US soldiers as they struggle to come to terms with their experience when returning home from Iraq. There will be a Q&A with filmmaker Patricia Foulkrod along with veterans of the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict.
Also screening is Embedded Live (2004), the controversial play that satirizes neocons and the mainstream media 
at the start of the Iraq war. Written and directed by Tim Robbins, this film captures the last performances at the Public Theater in New York.
But there is also lighter fare, with Jesus is Magic, by comedienne Sarah Silverman, who will be on hand for a Q&A afterwards. Also screening is The Aristocrats, the film that showcased 100 superstar comedians telling the same very dirty joke. Paul Provenza, who directed the film, will be present for the Q&A with some special guests.
In addition, Jammin' in New York, George Carlin's groundbreaking HBO special, will be screened, followed by Q&A and reading of George Carlin's soon-to-be released memoir, Last Words, by his daughter, Kelly Carlin-McCall.
The festival also features some live shows, including:
The Need to Know: A Veteran's Journey from Fear to Freedom, a one-woman show written and performed by April Fitzsimmons, a former Air Force Intelligence Analyst. Her award-winning solo performance tells the story of her pr
ogression from warrior to peace activist. A Veterans' Forum will follow.
All Cake, No File, a Johnny Cash prison tribute cooking show-concert. Celebrity Chef Jewell Rae (Gilkerson) Jeffers, the host of Tastes Like Home live cooking show, will bake Jailbreak cakes every night, backed up by With a Bible and a Gun, a band specializing in the songs of Johnny Cash.
Other live music acts feature Tenacious D, Jackson Browne, Jenny Lewis and Gillian Welch, and Serj Tankian, among others.
In addition, there will be poetry readings, a puppet production, and live readings hosted by Pen American. The festival will end with a performance of Christmas carols by Vox Femina, a choral ensemble--following which, everyone present will be encouraged to join them in going caroling throughout Culver City.
For details, ticket prices and a complete schedule,
call the Actors' Gang box office at (310) 838-4264 or
go to www.wtffestival.theactorsgang.com
WTF?! Festival '09
The Actors' Gang at the Ivy Substation
9070 Venice Boulevard, in Culver City, LA
October 13 to December 19, 2009
2nd National Asian American Theater Festival
- Details
- Parent Category: Other Festivals
- Category: Theater
- Published on Friday, 25 September 2009 11:59
- Written by FFTraveler Staff
The Second National Asian American Theater Festival, presented by CAATA (Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists), will run October 13 - 18, 2009, at both Theater for the New City (1st Ave between 9th and 10th Streets) and the Julia Miles Theater (424 West 55th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).
"NAATF celebrates and affirms Asian American theater artists, their significant contributions to the national cultural landscape, and the dynamic innovations they bring to the field," says Mia Katigbak, one of the organizers along with Lloyd Suh.
Presented will be new works by Kristina Wong, Alice Tuan, Soo-Jin Lee, Sheetal Gandhi, and Shishir Kurup, and readings of new plays from Ma-Yi Theater Company's Writers Lab. The National Asian American Theater Company is proud to present its new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, and Pan Asian Repertory Theater performs its new musical, Imelda.
The Festival will feature performances of:
Sharif Don't Like It, Shishir Kurup's play about the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's post-9/11 treatment of people of Asian and Middle Eastern descent.
A new dance/theatre piece by Sheetal Gandhi, Bahu-Beti-Biwi (Daughter-in-Law, Daughter, Wife), about the lives of contemporary women in Northern India, is set to ancient songs performed by women from that region.
Also presented with the Festival is Labfest III, readings of new plays presented by the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, the resident company of Asian American Playwrights with the Obie Award-winning Ma-Yi Theater Company. Labfest is curated by the authors of recently acclaimed Off-Broadway plays, Qui Nguyen (Soul Samurai) and Lloyd Suh (American Hwangap) and will be presented at Theater for the New City from Oct. 6 - 17, 2009.
Imelda, a new musical about Imelda Marcos, is presented by the Obie Award-winning Pan Asian Repertory Theater, Tisa Chang artistic producing director, in association with East West Players. Written by Sachi Oyama, Nathan Wang and Aaron Coleman, Imelda is about the former First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, spanning the years from Philippine Independence in the 1940's to the Marcos' fall from grace in the 1980's. Tim Dang directs. The musical is running at the Julia Miles Theater from Sept. 22 - Oct. 18, 2009.
Anton Chekhov's The Seagull is presented by the Obie Award-winning National Asian American Theater Company (NAATCO), directed by Gia Forakis. The production will pay particular attention to Chekhov's subtitle: "A Comedy in 4 Acts." Commedia, clowning, slapstick, farcical, presentational, Symbolist, anything naturalistic -- the production will serve the human comedy so masterfully achieved by Chekhov in his characterization of despair and the
will to live despite this condition. This production will be presented at Theater for the New City from Sept. 26 - Oct. 18, 2009.
Also included in the Festival is an umbrella presentation, 20th Century Performance in the 21st Century: The Future of Asian American Theatre, a variety of performance art and interactive panels, that examine Asian American theatre past and present. These offerings are presented by Asian Pacific Americans C*ntemporary Unilateral Neo-Theater (APAC*NT), a collective of playwrights and directors including Kristina Wong (Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), Alice Tuan (Ajax [por nobody]), Katie Pearl (Nita & Zita) and Hatnim Lee.
For additional information about Imelda, visit www.panasianrep.org
For additional information about Labfest III, visit www.ma-yitheatre.org
For additional information about The Seagull, visit www.naatco.org
For genral information, please call 646-522-0931 or visit www.naatf.or
The Second National Asian American Theater Festival
October 13-18, 2009
Theater for the New City
1st Ave between 9th and 10th St.
the Julia Miles Theater
424 West 55th St.
between 9th and 10th Avenues
New York, NY
Glitter and Glamour in Gotham--NY Burlesque Festival
- Details
- Parent Category: Other Festivals
- Category: Theater
- Published on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 23:09
- Written by FFTraveler Staff
In the last decade, burlesque has risen like a phoenix from the ashes, proving to be a style of entertainment that is flourishing and here to stay. From Gypsy's resurrection on Broadway to burlesque scenes on the hit television show Gossip Girl, the bump n' grind has shimmied its way back into popular culture! 
Helping to lead this colorful charge is The Annual New York Burlesque Festival, now teasing its way into its 7th year. It is the largest burlesque event in the world, and has attracted sold-out crowds since its beginning in 2002. Festival producers, Thirsty Girl Pontani Sisters Productions deliver four nights of glitter and glamour in Gotham, with over 50 eye-popping performances from the world's leading burlesque and variety entertainers at four of NYC's hottest nightclubs. In addition to tassels and tail feathers, this year's festival offers live music, international DJ's, variety and circus performers.
ON Thursday, October 1st, 2009, wet your whistle for pleasure at the Teaser Party with Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School and us. Dr. Sketchy’s will host a burlesque tableau vivant, where you can try your hand at drawing one their stunning burlesque models, or just watch artists create. Then, delight in an evening hosted by The World Famous *BOB*, and sprinkled with performances by Tatah Dujour (Key West, FL), Trixie Little, (Baltimore), Lola Van Dyke (Sweden), Jonny Porkpie (NYC), and many more! Also, live music by The Two Man Gentleman Band (NYC), and DJ Mikey Palms. Then rub elbows with the stars of the show, exclusive members of the media and sponsors of the event at Public Assembly in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Friday, October 2nd the games begin with the Premiere Party at Brooklyn's Indie hot spot, The Bell House. The notorious and scandalous party, hosted by Scotty the Blue Bunny, features over 20 burlesque beauties from the weekend's cavalcade of stars. Highlight performances includes:
Miss Delirium Tremens (NYC), Broadway Brassy (NYC), Tonicat La Miez (Germany), The Amazing Knicker Kittens (Sweden), Brown Girls Burlesque (NYC), Iva Handful (Seattle), Little Brooklyn (NYC), Harvest Moon (NYC), Gigi La Femme (NYC), and DJ Momotaro (NYC).
ON Saturday, October 3rd rev your engines for arousal at the Saturday Spectacular where la crème de la crème of the most eclectic burlesque performers are showcased. Staged at BB Kings on 42nd Street, where the king of comedy Murray Hill hosts over 30 international burlesque bombshells who promise to deliver for a night of top-notched performances.
This star-studded line up includes Angie Pontani (NYC), The Glamazons (NYC), Lux La Croix (LA), Tigger! (NYC), Dirty Martini (NYC), Gravity Plays Favorites (St. Louis), Hot Toddy (Chicago), Jo Boobs (NYC), Anna Fur Laxis (UK), Violet Eva (Japan), Renea’ La Roux (Georgia) and The World Famous Pontani Sisters (NYC), DJ Hitman Hearn (London) and live music by Fisherman Xylophonic Orchestra and Brian Newman, among others.
On Sunday, October 4th the festival goes out with one last tassel twirl at Manhattan's Le Poisson Rouge Nightclub for The Golden Pastie Awards and Burlesque Early Bird Dinner. Join the performers at this Oscar styled celebration, full of hi-jinx provided by hostess Miss Astrid, “the true Weimer fraulein”, and offers live performances and an awards ceremony honoring the world’s finest burlesque performers with a double D sized Golden Pastie. Stellar performances by Darlinda Just Darlinda (NYC), Pinchbottom Burlesque (NYC), Miss Orchid Mei (Denver), Daiquiri Dusk (Scotland), Helen Pontani (NYC), and Dulce De Leche.
The 7th Annual New York Burlesque Festival
October 1st-4th, 2009
various locations
2009 New York Comedy Festival
- Details
- Parent Category: Other Festivals
- Category: Theater
- Published on Monday, 21 September 2009 10:37
- Written by Jill Avery
The 2009 New York Comedy Festival issued a press release that listed additional shows, more venues, discussion panels, and even a stand-up competition. While “time zones” and “latitude” were never my strong suit, I assume that maybe some people in Australia still haven’t heard the news. That being said, these events are going to retroactively blow your mind.
First on the agenda are the new events, which range from speakers to comedians to improv. There will be three discussion panels at the Paley Center for Media, featuring the writers of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, the writers of The Colbert Report, and the producers of The Simpsons, 30 Rock, Saturday Night Live, and The Daily Show.
As if that weren’t enough, three shows have been announced for the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, and Mario Cantone will appear for a special engagement at Carolines on Broadway. To read more about the shows and revel in their wacky titles, go to…a different part of this website. Specifically, the “By Event” section.
Still reading, Sir Reads-a-Lot? Huh, Wordy von Sentences? Well you’re in luck, because there’s more. The NYCF has partnered with the People’s Choice Awards to bring you “NY’s Funniest Stand-Up,” a competition for the best up-and-coming and lesser-known comics around. Artists can enter by submitting a three-minute video to the PCA site between September 21st and October 7th. On October 9th, three finalists will be listed and a winner will be chosen based on fan votes. To compete, participate, or critique, click on this blue link. Did you catch that? If not, here it is again.
