PICKS: Dead Zone, Sundays with Ana, Future Forms, Free Films at Knockdown
It's the end of summer, and you know what that means: an overwhelming number of openings, performances, events, talks, and screenings are just around the corner. September is effectively designed to destroy you in New York, as every gallery or venue collectively decides that it's ready to do its job again. I'm joking. Like 50% joking. Anyways, as we lead up to Event Hell Month, I wanted to share a few things going on this week with you. And all of them just so happen to be free to attend. Try to make it to all four to get yourself primed for a social event every ten fucking minutes next week.
This excellent group exhibition, curated by Portland's home school through unbag's Summer Sessions at SLEEPCENTER, features work by sidony o’neal, Pastiche Lumumba, Rafia Santana, and manuel arturo abreu. The artists included explore "black autodidacticism, the vernacular digital, and ontologies of disappearance." And while it's a little ahead on the calendar, an upcoming programming highlight on Friday, September 8th will have Los Angeles-based artist and writer Aria Dean presenting Notes on Blaccelerationism, a lecture organized by home school at Reed College that will be streamed at SLEEPCENTER beginning at 8pm. To visit the exhibition this week, email sleepcenterny@gmail.com to set up a viewing.
This semi-regular comedy show hosted by Julio Torres, Mary Houlihan, Sam Taggart, and Joe Rumrill is a must-see, not only for its consistently stellar lineups, but because it also happens in the showroom at an actual boutique watch company. This edition's lineup is completely insane and includes Kyle Mooney, Marie Faustin, Brett Davis, Joyelle Johnson, Zach Broussard!, Jess Lane, Jaqueline Novak, Sarah Tollemache, and apparently "more." As always, the show is free to attend with cheap ass beer for purchase.
The Big Lebowski at Knockdown Center
52-19 Flushing Ave, Maspeth, NY 11378
Friday, September 1st, Doors at 8:00pm, Film at 9:00pm
There's not really much to say here except that the Knockdown Center is showing The Big Lebowski on Friday night in their awesome backyard Ruins space. The movie is free. Bring some cash for frozen drinks and popcorn, and bring along blankets and lawn chairs for seating. To get yourself ready, make sure to watch The Big Lebowski: The Fucking Short Version that if I'm remembering correctly was a student's class project at PNCA a decade ago.
Ana Fabrega's outrageous monthly show at Starr Bar is back in September, and this time around the theme is Cowboy Hat Face (yes, like the emoji). The lineup looks great and includes Christi Chiello, Jes Tom, Dan Chamberlain, Clare O'Kane, Rae Sanni, and Aaron Jackson. Tech guru Frank Flaherty will be running audio and video, as well as spinning some tunes.