Pencil This In

THEATER: P.S. 122’s Fall Season opens tonight with the U.S. premiere of “Tower of Babel” by Dutch artists Lidy Six and Robert Steijn. Running four nights only - for only 25 audience members at a time – the event is described as “a one-of-a kind, full immersion theatre experience”. Each audience member will be personally welcomed with tea and tucked into one of twenty-five individual beds (complete with nightstands). A live VJ and DJ will invoke a dreamlike atmosphere as twenty-five storytellers from around the world share their stories – from personal histories and secrets to myths and folktales – in their native tongues. The stated intent of “Tower of Babel” is to transcend language and “overcome barriers of ‘us and them’ while inventing a new vocabulary for understanding in real time.” The NYC cast includes graduate students, translators, tutors, writers, dancers, a spiritual healer, physical therapist, and a grandmother aged 78. Perhaps the best part is that for once you don’t have to feel guilty for dozing off at the theater.

“Tower of Babel” is a featured presentation in both the European Dream Festival www.europeandream.us and the Impact Festival www.impactfestival.org . Running time: Approximately 50 minutes; advance reservations strongly recommended. - John Del Signore

For schedule and tickets, click here // 150 First Avenue at 9th St

EVENT: Alec Appelbaum moderates a panel discussion presented by Art in Odd Places, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and The Public Space Research Group. Panelists include Bill Brown, Paul Carter, and Clarinda Mac Low, who will discuss imagining new public spaces in the city.

7pm // 14th Street Y Theatre [344 E 14th St] // Free

READING: At McNally Robinson tonight, a lesson in the writing life - acclaimed novelist Francine Prose (A Changed Man, Blue Angel ) will be reading from her latest book, Reading like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them. In the book, Prose talks about how the trick to writing is reading carefully, deliberately and slowly. And she proves that quality reading informs great writing by discussing subjects such as narration, character, and dialogue by excerpting and analyzing passages from writers like Denis Johnson, John le Carre, Z.Z. Packer, Chekhov, Melville, Flaubert and Babel. - Krissa Corbett Cavouras

7pm // McNally Robinson NYC [52 Prince St] // Free

MUSIC: Tonight Sondre Lerche, the Norwegian singer-songwriter-guitarist-bandleader and sometimes New York resident, plays Hiro Ballroom. Tickets still on sale, and he'll be there tomorrow night too!

7pm // Hiro Ballroom [363 West 16th St] // $22

COMEDY: With live music, sketches, music videos, special guests and glittery dance numbers, we can't think of a reason NOT to go to Sara Schaefer's Video Ga Ga show. Tonight's musical guest: The Undisputed Heavyweights. For now, check out the Video Ga Ga Blog.

9:30pm // UCB [307 W 26th St] // $5