Art Nerd New York’s Top Event Picks for the Week, 4/30-5/6
In a city where hundreds of interesting happenings occur each week, it can be hard to pick and choose your way to a fulfilling life. Art Nerd‘s philosophy is a combination of observation, participation, education and of course a dance party to create the ultimate well-rounded week. Jump ahead for ArtNerd founder Lori Zimmer’s top picks for 6sqft readers, beginning this evening.
This week, I recommend taking a magical vintage-inspired boat ride set to romantic music, or experiencing old New York with an exhibition at the historic Westbeth Artists Housing’s gallery. You can also gawk at the ill-fated Edie Sedgwick’s beauty as Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests take over Times Square, commemorate the life of urban activist—and Robert Moses nemesis—Jane Jacobs with over 200 free walking tours, or celebrate the vigor of the city with Michael Sorgatz’s paintings. Leave your comfort zone and head to New Jersey–zip into Newark for the Gateway Project’s ribbon cutting and party, or spend the day taking in the 1 million square feet of art space at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City.
The Gateway Project Ribbon Cutting & Inaugural Exhibition ↑
2 Gateway Center, Newark, New Jersey.
April 30th, 5:00-9:00pm
There are some great art-related things going on just across the Hudson, in Newark, NJ. The Gateway Project opens their new space tonight with a four-hour party (and nearby afterparty at Hotel Indigo who is offering discounted rates), and an exhibition including works by some of my favorite artists: Kara Walker, Nyugen Smith and Lunar New Year. Don’t be afraid to take the PATH train!
Michael Sorgatz, Selected Works ↑
chashama- Lobby Gallery, 1133 Avenue of the Americas
April 30th, 6:00-8:00pm
chashama is an incredible non-profit that connects artists and curators with affordable pop-up spaces to share their artwork. Tonight, the Lobby Gallery space celebrates the work of Michael Sorgatz, who captures the buzzing energy of the city in his abstract paintings.
Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests for May’s #Midnightmoment ↑
Times Square
May 1st-31st, 11:57-Midnight every night
I’m so into this month’s Times Square Advertising Coalition (TSAC) and Times Square Arts’ #Midnightmoment, which will use some of Andy Warhol’s rare Screen Tests to take over the screens in Times Square every night. Fixate on Edie Sedgwick, Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg, Lou Reed and more as they sat for Warhol in his Silver Factory, at a time of day when Times Square is actually tolerable. See a sampling of what will be shown here.
Jane’s Walk Weekend – 200+ Free Walking Tours ↑
May 1-3, Various hours
See the full schedule here
The Municipal Art Society’s annual weekend of tours inspired by Jane Jacobs’ legacy is back again and better than ever. This year there will be over 200 free walking free tours around the five boroughs available to the public, ranging from the paths frequented by New York’s real-life Mafiosos to learning about the gajillions of microbes that live in the Lower East Side. Every tour is led by urban enthusiasts and local experts who care deeply about their neighborhoods.
Moonlight & Music on the Hudson by Shanghai Mermaid ↑
The Clipper City Sailboat, Slip 2 near Battery Park
May 1st, 9:00-11:45pm
Nothing declares spring has sprung like a boat ride around Manhattan. This night may not be directly art-oriented, but it combines a few of my favorite things; artfully dressing (vintage costumes encouraged), live music, and admiring the architecture of Manhattan from the vantage point only being on a boat can give you. Do remember to dress the part, or else it’s no fun.
Correspondence : works inspired by letters and postcards written to Steve Clorfeine for over 50 years ↑
Westbeth Gallery, 55 Bethune Street
May 2nd, 6:00-8:00pm
Since 1970, The Westbeth Artists housing has been an affordable home to countless artists of the visual, musical and theatrical persuasion (including Merce Cunningham and Diane Arbus). The on-site gallery is hosting a very interesting group show tonight, in which resident Steve Clorfeine has asked 40 artists to create works based on 50 years of letters he has received. It’s worth it to just stop by a place that is actually trying to help artists in this city!
MANA Contemporary Open House ↑
888 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
May 3rd, 1-6pm
The massive Jersey City arts megaplex opens five new shows today in their million square foot space. The ever-expanding complex holds gallery space, artist studios, lecture space and workshops.
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Lori Zimmer is a writer, curator and founder of Art Nerd New York, an off-beat art history guide to the city. Follow her on Twitter @LoriZimmer.
