In 2004, Mark Russell resigned from his position as Artistic Director of P.S. 122 after more than two decades spent developing the theater into a mecca for wildly adventurous performance art. And he hasn't looked back; in addition to serving as Artistic Director for Portland's Time Based Art Festival, Russell has remained a major force in New York with his Under the Radar Festival, now in its fourth year and headquartered at the Public Theater. The event draws performers and audiences from around the world for what has arguably become the most exciting theater festival in New York City, a town lousy with them. Russell's impeccable taste is integral to Under the Radar's success; as Eric Bogosian – who got his start at P.S. 122 in the 80s – puts it: "Russell is a genius at finding the awkward new stuff, the gems and diamonds no one's noticed yet. If the 'artist is the antenna of the race,' then Mark is the antenna of the antenna." more ›

This May filmmaker/musician/actress/performing artist/writer Miranda July is going to unleash her book, "No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories", upon the world. She'll have several events lined up in New York, one with her biggest fan - David Byrne. more ›

-- Don't f-ck with a Park Slope mommy, because Park Slope mommies don't play. more ›

Spalding Gray, who committed suicide in 2004, was a beloved fixture of the downtown theatre scene. He cofounded the Wooster Group in 1977 and turned extraordinarily personal monologue performances into a hypnotizing experience for audiences. One of these, Swimming to Cambodia, became a movie filmed by Jonathan Demme and released in 1987, and it propelled his fame beyond the experimental off-Broadway scene (it’s also just been reissued as a book). But it was his friends and fans from that world who have missed him most, and they’re giving a tribute to him tonight at the Union Square Barnes & Noble, at 7pm. Eric Bogosian, Bob Holman, Reno, Roger Rosenblatt and Kate Valk will read from Gray’s work in this free event. If you ever saw Gray perform, or if you just have enjoyed the innovative avant-garde theatre that he nurtured and refined, you should definitely catch what will undoubtedly be both a sad and loving appreciation. more ›

The program is hosted by Katherine Lanpher, who also co-hosts "The Al Franken Show" on Air America. In the continuing series she will entertain authors, singer-songwriters and artists in an evening of conversation and performance. more ›

Andy Horwitz, P.S.122 more ›

The trailer for Val Kilmer's new film, Wonderland, is up at the Movie Box, and watching it reminded Gothamist of Boogie Nights and Auto Focus. Of course, Boogie Nights is not surprising, as BN was based loosely around the legend of John Holmes, while Wonderland is about porn star John Holmes and his involvement with the Wonderland Gang and their murders. At any rate, the gritty, seamy side of Los Angeles vibe looks intriguing (Val Kilmer as John Holmes, means Val ass), as does a crazy-haired Dylan McDermott. Kate Bosworth plays Holmes' 15 year-old girlfriend and Lisa Kudrow his wife, and Eric Bogosian looks really eerie as Eddie Nash, the drug dealer plots the robbery that set the murders in motion. Wonderland will open in limited release on September 26 (which can be a special date to some). [Via Movie City News] more ›