The OPENING of the PS122 building after years of renovation proved to be worth the wait!
The two new spaces – Derek Lloyd stage and Neilma Sidney Theatre – were utilized for the OPENING NIGHT ‘Avant-Garde-Arama.’
Here are my images and video from the AGA Extravaganza on this night!
Opening the show in the Derek Lloyd Stage was Pat Oleszko and her beautiful inflatables.
The theater was packed for the AGA show in the Derek Lloyd theater.
Salley May and the ensemble players bust open the place with a great song and dance exorcism.
Performer list:
Mediums: Jacqueline Zahora, Pedro J. Rosado Jr.
Pure Evil: Salley May and Tony Stinkmetal
Kid Evil-Slayers: Louise May, Annabel Sexton-Daldry, Graham Greene, Lois Houck, and Logan Martinez.
Ghosts: Heidi Dorow, Laurie Berg, Agosto Machado, Nicky Paraiso, Annie Lanzillotto, Simba Yangala, Audrey Kindred, Jodi Bender, Sarah Trignano, Diana Y Greiner, Ed Boland, Jessie Weiner, Lizzie Donahue, Julian Fleisher, David Thorpe, and Sam Zalutsky
A critic is seated smack in the middle of a series of events he is meant to review, and people mistake each other for things they are not. A wild, vaudevillian comedy that investigates the critical impulse, from its most elegant to its most petty.
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“An artful and insightful work about our compulsion to inflict opinions on one another.
On May 1st and 2nd Abrons Arts Center hosted the ever so popular PS122 show Avant-Garde-Arama. Curated by Salley May and featuring numerous downtown performance artist. Friday night was hosted by Erin Markey and Penny Arcade and Sat night was hosted by Erin Markey and Carmelita Tropicana. The list of performers is as follows:
Friday night: Jennifer Miller & John Jasperse, Animals, niv Acosta, Theodora Skipitares, Rebecca Patek, The Ballez by Katy Pyle, Ismael Houston-Jones.
Sat night: John Fleck, Uzi Parnes and Ela Troyano, Half Straddle, Martha Wilson, Travis Chamberlain (for Jennifer Monsoon) Holly Hughes, Jack Ferver, Yin Yue Dance and the Institute for Psychogeographic Adventure.
This video is the OPENING sequence of both nights!
Here are some memorable images from both nights!
Salley May busts thru the “Social Reform” tissue and starts to cause havoc to society.
RCo-Hostesses Erin Markey and Penny Arcade start the show off right.
Representing ‘Movement Research’ – Jennifer Miller and John Jasperse in a dance duo.
Representing Dixon Place – ‘Animals’ performance group.
Representing PS122 – niv Acosta performed a ‘sing along’ with the audience.
Representing LaMama – Theodora Skipitares was projected on a video screen while 2 puppeteers performed on stage.
Representing BAX – The Ballez Dance duo with Katy Pyle
Representing Movement Research – Ishmael Houston-Jones dance a wonderful solo blindfolded.
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SATURDAY NIGHT
Carmelita Tropicana and Erin Markey hosted the Saturday night show with Salley May pitching in.
Representing LaMama – John Fleck performed a lovely solo with flashlight and courage.
Representing The Bushwick Starr – Emile Owens performed a solo on behalf of Half Straddle.
Representing Franklin Furnace – Martha Wilson performed as Tipper Gore.
Representing The New Museum – Travis Chamberlain (for Jennifer Monson) charmed the audience into moving in the theater.
Representing WOW – Holly Hughes performed a monolog.
Representing Abrons Arts Center – Jack Ferver with Reid Bartelme performed a ‘spoken word’ dance duo.
Representing Russell Projects – Yin Yue Dance company did a beautiful piece.
Also present in the show was:
Representing The Chocolate Factory – Rebecca Patek
Representing The Performing Garage/Wooster Group – The Institute for Psychogeographic Adventure
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Video of John Fleck, Yin Yue Dance, Half Straddle, Jack Ferver and Martha Wilson to coming soon!
The cast of character lineup for this show was terrific. Many downtown luminaries and friends.Pearse Redmond was the ‘Special Guest MC’ and introduced Nicky Paraiso
Host Nicky Paraiso starts the show off with a zealous rendition of the song “You’re A Big Girl Now”.
Salley May performed a new piece with a back up dance ensemble.
Salley May and her dance ensemble. Jennifer Miller, Mike Iveson Jr, Cathy Weis, Annie Lanzillotto, Simba Yangala (not in that order)
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Heather Litteer performs her piece “Lemonade” about the Pyramid Lounge.
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Ronald Peel and his backup musicians performs some nice Sam Cooke songs.
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Edgar Oliver reads from his poetry.
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Nicky Paraiso and Mike Iverson Jr. sing a song.
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Dance piece with Vicky Shick, Cathy Weis, Jennifer Miller, Jon Kinzel.
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Joseph Keckler sings with his unique voice.
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Return of the ‘LaMama Ding-Ding Chorus’.
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David Cale tells a delightful story about his youth.
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Curtain Call for ‘Springtime in Nickyland’.
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The night ended with an audience sing along of the song…
“There’s a Kind of Hush (All Over the World)”.
The Evening couldn’t have been possible without the help of the following LaMama personal:
Here is a video of the last Avant-Garde-Arama performance that was presented at that site.
Here is a compilation video I made from photographs and video I shot at the Friday, June 17th AGA. It has the stills from the show embedded in the video of the finale WRECKING BALL! It was a great show. Murray Hill hosted the evening. Very Funny! The following performers were on hand to add pizazz to the night’s festivities. Tom Murrin (the Alien Comic), Tigger, John Kelly, Lucy Sexton (the Factress), The Dazzle Dancers, Julie Atlas Muz, Hank and Cupcakes. The show finished with a accordion solo by Geo and everyone sang the Ethyl Eichelberger song ‘We Are Women Who Survive”.
In the basement was the Lori E. Seid cafe.
In this homage to the mood goddess Luna Macaroona on the occasion of the April Full Pink Moon, AUNTS presented a stellar lineup of performances and a touch of mayhem. The list was a ‘who’s who’ of the downtown performance scene. Hosted by Lucy Sexton.
Lucy Sexton hosted the Full Moon show with joy and pizazz which was evident on her face throughout the night.
LaMama’s ‘The Club’ program director Nicky Paraiso holds up the program for the festival and gets the show started.
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Opening this wonderful evening of performances was Antonio Ramos and his peculiar ‘barbie doll’ fantasy.
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Salley May and her ‘Pink Full Moon’ piece was wonderful. Pedro J. Rosado(L) on stage with Salley.
Pedro J. Rosado (on floor) Louis Belle Ethyl May, Salley May and Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry fight to the finish.
Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry, Salley May, Pedro J. Roasdo, Lucy Sexton,Alice Klugherz and Louise Belle Ethyl May take curtain call.
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Brooke O’Harra (at computer) and Sharon Hayes (standing) interpret a Tom Murrin performance using projection and monolog.
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Katy Pyle and Jules Skloot start their piece in the back of the theater above the audience.
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Stan Baker performs his ‘infamous’ and hilarious hilarious ‘Human TV’.
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Alice Klugherz performs a solo movement/monolog.
Alice Klugherz ends the piece in a stark, bold costume undulating to the floor.
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Periodically during the show Lucy Sexton would liven up the crowd with her charm.
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Rob Erickson (LUMBEROB) performed his “Tom’s Alien Flight School’ routine.
Utilizing electronic equipment and his voice LUMBEROB created an audio track that was brilliant.
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Heidi Dorow and Diana Y Greiner adorn mask and performed with Julian Fleisher as dj.
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Introducing the “Westchester Free Theater” was a lovely woman who had a lot to say about Theater.
The Westchester Free Theater company members danced and sang a song accompanied by a live music trio.
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Suddenly from the audience a voice (Chris Tanner) is heard singing a lovely song.
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After taking a short hit from his metal flask Biff Locamp (James Godwin) addresses the audience.
Jonathan Ames talks about his friend Tom Murrin and introduces the “Battle of the Sexes” boxing match.
In this corner – Introducing “The Impact Addict” – David Leslie
Another good try for both contestants as the match moves to the 2nd round.
Sonya gets her right fist into David’s gut as cigar yielding Galinsky spots the fighters while leaning on the wall.
Jonathan Ames holds up the winner Sonya’s arm.
Jonathan holds up David’s arm as he is a winner too!
After the boxing match David Leslie sits ringside with his adorable son Brooks looking startled.
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Enticing the audience to open their Luna Receptors, Lucy Sexton, Laurie Berg (AUNTS producer) and James Godwin celebrate a great night in honor of a great legend.
Still from video. Tom Murrin talking to the Luna Macaroona via his Luna phone.
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Stage Manager Lori E.Seid was so vital to making this great evening possible!
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More shows for the next two weeks! Make sure you come and celebrate by seeing one of these fun shows.
Last night was the first night of two ‘Avant-Garde-Arama‘ presented at the lovely Abrons Arts Center in the Lower East Side.
A Tribute to the late downtown luminary performance artist Tom Murrin, aka Alien Comic, in celebreation of his 28 years of performing in Avant-Garde-Arama.
Brave Nude World Study #1: Etude en Nude -Directed by Lulie Atlas Muz
Dynasty Handbag
Here are some images from the evenings festivities.
Salley May with Louise Belle Ethyl May and Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry.
CoHost Jonathan Ames does one of his ‘hairy calls’.
Dynasty Handbag cohosted the show with Jonathan Ames.
Starting off the “Brave Nude World Study” piece was Mat Fraser singing an amazingly beautiful song.
Julie Atlas Muiz on stage photographing the ‘Etude en Nude’ dancers.
Alice Klugherz performing on stage in a monolog followed by dance.
Dynasty Handbag had the audience in laughter with her wild dance improv.
Cornelius Loy mesmerized the audience with his therimin music and hypnotic stare.
David Leslie dances in a space suit as Tom looks on from the moon.
Avant-Garde-Arama curator Salley May host the ’40seondStreet’ segment of the show.
Audience member dances for himself with audience watching but not hearing the music.
James Godwin performs a ‘bunraku’ style puppet piece.
Elevator Repair Service curtain call after their play.
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Avant-Garde-Arama curator Salley May (with Louise Belle Ethyl May and Annabel Clare Sexton Daldry) and a host of other wonderful fans of Tom Murrin get together and dance to celebrate his legacy and performance work at "Avant-Garde-Arama'.
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Bringing together a cast of Felliniesque performers including Annie Lanzillotto and Heather Lewerenz was Salley May.
Salley May and Pedro J. Rosado Jr.
Another wild scene from the Salley May piece.
Salley May (with Heather Lewerenz) gathering up her lost possessions.
Summoning the spirit of Ellen Stewart (played by Agosto Machado) who spoke so kindly of the people continuing the work she started.
Tom Murrin (l) and cast from the Full Moon show celebrating the Finale of the show with candles and cupcakes
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COMMENTS
FULL MOON CREW HISTORY
BY
TOM MURRIN/ALIEN COMIC
I started doing shows every full moon in Seattle in 1974. These were comic ritual salutes to Luna Macaroona, the moon goddess, and over the years I’ve done them all over the world, at the entrance to the Star Ferry on Hong Kong, outside Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, and in a public park in Bombay, India. And I still do them wherever I happen to be.
In the early ‘80’s I met up with 4 women performers, all dance majors at Ohio University, Athens Ohio, who relocated to New York: Jo Andres, Mimi Goese, Anne Iobst and Lucy Sexton, and we did performances and workshops together. In the mid-80’s Annie and Mimi were living in an apartment on 14th St. near 6th Ave., and on full moon nights we would have performance parties for our friends. I’d do a full moon salute, Annie would organize a fashion show and we might all end up on the roof dancing in the moonlight. Our friend Bill Schaffner, a master technician and stage manager, came to one party and afterwards went to Mark Russell, the artistic director of P.S. 122, and asked him if we could do a full moon show at P.S. when it happened that the moon was full and the house was “dark”, or had no other show on. Mark said, “Sure,” and that was the birth of The Full Moon Crew.
Bill produced all of our shows at P.S. 122. At each show, over the next few years, the audience would sit in the middle of the room, at tables and chairs, beer was served, and we would set up our acts around the room. I’d go first and set the tone with a full moon salute to Luna, and introduce the others. We always had 2 guest acts as well, like Ethyl Eichelberger, John Kelly, or Steve & Mark (Steve Buscemi and Mark Boone, Jr.). So there would be 3 acts, an intermission, and 3 more acts. Mimi would do something frightening, like one night entering from outside the 2nd floor window. Jo would stage a visual magic show; with dance, music, movies, slides and flowing fabrics. And Annie & Lucy, who performed as DANCENOISE, would always close the show. Since they almost always ended their act naked, under a shower of stage blood, no one could follow that.
In the mid-‘90’s and after that, I continued doing Full Moon Shows, at various other venues, sometimes with members of the Full Moon Crew, but often with other performers on the downtown scene. I remember one a few years ago at Dixon Place where my guests were Jonathan Ames, who told stories, Julie Atlas Muz, who did a strip tease inside a huge white balloon, and Mangina (Patrick Bucklew) who wore a plastic bubble over his head which, for a second, became ignited. Luckily he survived with no injuries. Luna seems to watch over those who honor her special night.
Opening the show was a wonderful musical introduction by the Circus Amok Band.
While the band ‘warmed up’ the audience Jennifer Miller did some juggling.
The first act of the evening as LaMama’s wonderful Nicky Paraiso. 
Nicky Paraiso‘s exuberant demand that the audience joins in and sing along.
Monstah Black moved the show along ‘beautifully’ with a song and wardrobe.
Monstah Black sang and hypnotized the audience with this charm and smile.
Stinkmetal and May worked their ‘performance art’ magic.
Stinkmetal and May had a crowd of performers helping them get across their message.
Jennifer Monson performed a dance depicting a series of animals.
Michelle Matlock and Jennifer Miller pick a winner from the Raffle bucket.
Cathy Weis and assistant perform a surreal performance piece.
The fish shadow on the background added another dimension to the piece.
Machine Dazzle sang a song in the most elaborate costume and makeup. (accompanied by Viva de Concini -Not pictured here)
Jennifer Miller and Ashley Brockington share a moment during the raffle.
Bindlestiff Family Circus’ Keith Nelson performed two lovely balancing acts with glasses.
The STREB Extreme Action Repertory Company were attached and flying.
David Hamilton Thomson (Left) and Patricia Hoffbauer performed a hysterical sendup accompanied by kick-a** song.
Becca Blackwell performed a ‘stand-up’ routine like I had never seen before. So Funny!
Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir ended the show with a moving sermon & song.
Hanging out near the bar before the performance was 
