New York City Arts Events for Aug. 2–8, 2013
EXHIBITION
The Art of Prayer Beads in Asia
Rubin Museum of Art
Aug. 2–March 24, 2014
This exhibition focuses on aesthetic and ritual aspects of the prayers beads used in Buddhist traditions of Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Burma. As expressions of an individual’s practice, prayer beads often reflect the most personal in their form, additions, and embellishments. Among almost 80 sets of long and short strings of beads that are on view, some are made of various seeds, simple or carved wood, while other are made of ivory, bone, or human cranium. A special event on Aug. 7 will allow participants to create their own Tibetan prayer beads. ($65)
www.rmanyc.org; $5–$10
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MUSEUMS
Target First Saturdays
Brooklyn Museum
Aug. 3
At the Brooklyn Museum’s Target First Saturdays, visitors enjoy free programs of art and entertainment each month, from 5 to 11 p.m. This time, Casplash kicks off at 5 p.m. with a blend of calypso, soca, reggae, pop, funk, and R&B. A film set against the violent political landscape of 1970s Jamaica, “Better Mus’ Come,” is a love story as seen through the eyes of a young father and community leader. Gallery talks and dance workshops are peppered throughout the evening’s events.
www.brooklynmuseum.org; free
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FESTIVAL
Lincoln Center Out of Doors
In parks near Lincoln Center
Until Aug. 11
Lincoln Center’s big outdoor festival continues on Aug. 2 with New Orleans music and costumes from Maracatu Nação Estrela Brilhante and Nation Beat / Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles. On Aug. 3 at 12 p.m., La Casita will present Afropop and Afro-Cuban drumming. On Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. The S(e)OUL of Korea will treat audiences to traditional Korean dance and music, and on Aug. 8, No BS! Brass Band plays danceable jazz and pop on brass.
www.lincolncenter.org; free
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THEATER
King Richard III in the Parking Lot
Ludlow and Broome Streets, Manhattan
Aug. 1 to 17, Thursdays–Saturday, 8 p.m.
The Drilling Company will present Shakespeare’s tragedy of the crook-back king as the concluding production of the 2013 season of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. Hamilton Clancy, Artistic Director, will direct and Alessandro Colla will be featured as the king.
www.shakespeareintheparkinglot.com; free
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THEATER
The Tempest by NY Classical Theatre
Battery Park, in front of Castle Clinton
Until Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.
New York Classical Theatre creates and reinvigorates audiences for the theater by presenting free and accessible productions of popular classics and forgotten masterpieces in non-traditional public spaces throughout New York City. The Theatre will close out its run of The Tempest on Aug. 4 in Battery Park. Play by William Shakespeare, directed by Sean Hagerty.
www.newyorkclassical.org; free
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FESTIVAL
Harlem Week
Locations throughout Harlem
Until Aug. 24
What began in 1974 as a one-day tribute to Harlem has evolved into a month-long celebration of the community’s rich economic, political and cultural history. From children’s festivals to a college fair to the New York City Senior Citizens Day “Elders’ Jubilee,” there is a diverse range of events for residents of the neighborhood and beyond. Harlem Day is on Aug. 18 and the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run/Family Health Walk-A-Thon is on Aug. 24.
www.harlemweek.com; various pricing
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FINE ART
Eighteenth-Century Pastels
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Aug. 6–Dec. 29
The Metropolitan Museum acquired its first pastels in 1929. Since then, the museum has purchased and been bequeathed others by Italian, French, British, German, and Danish artists. Most are portraits, and they are exhibited here with two vivid seascapes by Pillement from a private collection. Pastels are made from powdery substances that are fragile and subject to fading, and are thus exhibited in very low light or rotated to ensure their long-term preservation.
www.metmuseum.org; $12–$25 suggested
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THEATER
King Kong at SummerStage
Various locations
Until Aug. 22
King Kong is part of the “This Is Hip-Hop” series, an overarching theme of the 2013 SummerStage festival that celebrates 40 years since the legendary Hip-Hop DJ Kool Herc first began to spin records in the recreation room of his Bronx building; isolating and mixing together breaks from different songs and forming the basis of what the world has come to know as Hip-Hop. The genre has come a long way since its humble beginnings and is one of the most pervasive cultural movements of this century. King Kong will be performing in Manhattan and the Bronx.
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