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Art in NYC: Cindy Sherman at Mnuchin Gallery till June 10, 2017

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Art in NYC: Cindy Sherman at Mnuchin Gallery till June 10, 2017

Cindy Sherman: Once Upon a Time, 1981 – 2011

Art event in NYC: Cindy Sherman at Mnuchin Gallery till June 10, 2017
From Centerfolds series

As the title of this exhibition suggests, there is a tale behind each picture. The collection the photographs by the greatest portrait artist of our time on view at Mnuchin Gallery presents the works from three distinct periods in chronological order. In each of her works Sherman as always plays a dual role of the sole subject and the artist. In the words of R. Smith from the New York Times review of Cindy Sherman’s retrospective at MoMA in 2012, the artist can be seen as “consummate manipulator of space, scale, color and pattern textiles”.

The earliest images on view this time at Mnuchin Gallery are from Centerfolds series that had brought Sherman to fame in 1981. The theme of these pictures is in capturing pensive moments positioning the image of young woman as an erotic close up similar to what can be found in mens’ magazines.

Art in NYC: Cindy Sherman at Mnuchin Gallery till June 10, 2017
From Historical Portraits series

The History Portraits series , created from 1988 to 1990,  are staged images from the past. From afar they can be taken for the paintings belonging to the Renaissance or Neoclassical  periods hang at a provincial museum.  Sherman transforms herself into historical sitters, females and males, using elaborate props, costumes and framing.

The last period in the exhibition is from the Society Portraits series made from 2008. It tells the sorry tale of a desperate search of eternal youth so celebrated by today’s popular culture yet hard to shake off. Posed as society dames of our time, Sherman portraits mix the glamour with the excess of effort set against the backdrop of grand sites of  New York City. The New Yorker points to the fact that this exhibition at Mnuchin Gallery is spot on in terms of its location where the subjects of the Society Portraits “look right at home on the Upper East Side, amid the ladies who lunch”.

Art in NYC: Cindy Sherman at Mnuchin Gallery till June 10, 2017
From Society Portraits series

 

 

Venue: Mnuhcin Gallery, 45 East 78 Street, NY               

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am – 6pm 

Dates: till June 10, 2017

 

August 2017 Jazz Concert: Cyrille Aimee at (Le) Poisson Rouge

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August 2017 Jazz Concert: Cyrille Aimee at (Le) Poisson Rouge

French jazz-cabaret singer

August 2017 Jazz Concert: Cyrille Aimee at (Le) Poisson Rouge
Cyrille Aimee / image source lpr.com

Crisp and delicate voice, playful style, dizzying mix of jazz, soul and ethnic music from France to Brazil –  at the concert of this talented singer Cyrille Aimee you will hear them all.

Born in Fontainebleau, France and raised in the village of Samois-sur-Seine where a famous french gypsy jazz musician Django Reinhardt lived, Aimee had a chance to learn and experience jazz music from her school days. Aimee writes in her bio that with easy proximity to the place of the annual Django Reinhardt Festival held at Samois-sur-Seine attracting gypsy musicians from around the world, she was sneaking out from her bedroom to hear the musicians at the encampment. Her rebellious character can be heard in her singing and in her selection of the songs to perform.

In 2012 Aimee had won Sarah Vaughan Jazz Vocal Competition which invigorated her international career. Her singing can be described as mixing Sarah Vaughan in name and Michael Jackson in electronics. At her concerts she introduces the loop machine to the audience and delivers brilliant performance with it. “She is a one-woman rhythm machine” in the words of New York Times music critic S. Holden.  The AllAboutJazz calls her “the face of post-modernity”.

Check out Aimee’s website and youtube channel for the latest recordings and much more.

The informal setting at Le Poisson Rouge will make it a delightful musical experience with this amazing jazz singer!

To book tickets, click here.

Venue: (Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, NY             Date: August 16, 2017 

 

2017 Lincoln Center Festival: Taming of the Shrew by Bolshoi Ballet

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2017 Lincoln Center Festival: Taming of the Shrew by Bolshoi Ballet

Ballet in two acts by Jean-Christophe Maillot

2017 Lincoln Center Festival: Taming of the Shrew by Bolshoi Ballet
Image source: lincolncenter.org

Elegant and witty choreography, superb technique, a swirl of energy  – what else can one wish to see at the ballet performance? The fans of this colorful art genre will be absolutely delighted to see this smart staging of the classic tale of the battle of the sexes. Ballet de Monte-Carlo director-choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot masterly production of  W. Shakespeare play for the Bolshoi to the selected compositions by D. Shostakovich had won a strong acclaim from the time of its opening in 2014. The Telegraph review praised Maillot choreographic style as “an eclectic, high-octane and often witty fusion of classical and modern”.

Bolshoi Ballet dancers bring their well-known mastery to the high-speed love story. The Guardian review points to “mesmerizing” rendering of Katarina’s role by Ekaterina Krysanova and “hypnotic energy” of Vladislav Lantratov as Petruchio. The rest of the main characters and ballet cast are as articulate and infectious in telling the story as the principals. In the critics’ opinion the high-speed of the production is the only comment that can be made. The rest is just a sheer joy!

Tickets can be booked here.

 

Venue: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, NY                             Dates: July 26 – July 30, 2017

 

2017 Lincoln Center Festival: H’Sao Band Performance on July 28

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2017 Lincoln Center Festival: H’Sao Band Performance on July 28

A cappella performance mixing melodies from Chad with modern world soul and jazz

2017 Lincoln Center Festival: H'Sao Band Performance on July 28
H’Sao / image source lincolncenter.org

This amazing Montreal-based band was formed in 2001 when three brothers teamed up with their childhood friend to start performing. Using only their voice at first and adding musical instruments later the group caught the attention of the music fans and gained popularity in Montreal, Canada. H’Sao style can be described as Afro-fusion or Afro-jazz defined by authentic vocal harmonies, electrifying rhythm and stunning dance.

Masterly mixing a cappella singing from their native Chad with the new world gospels, soul and jazz music the group had established itself on the music scene. It travels around the world participating in the prominent musical festivals and events from New Zealand and Australia to Europe, Asia and Americas. Their lyrics are addressing the issues of social justice, love and peace.

H’Sao concert in NYC is part of the Nomadic Knights series of Lincoln Center Festival. More information about their albums can be found here.

 

Venue: Stanley Kaplan Penthouse, Lincoln Center, NY                                Date: July 28, at 8pm 

Beyond NYC: Daniil Trifonov, Piano at Caramoor in Katonah, NY

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Beyond NYC: Daniil Trifonov, Piano at Caramoor in Katonah, NY

Powerful program for Summer Chamber music lineup

Beyond NYC: Daniil Trifonov, Piano at Caramoor in Katonah, NY
Daniil Trifonov / image source caramoor.org

Daniil Trifonov, 26-year-old Russian pianist, is already well known to the audiences around the world for his amazing technique and poetic sensitivity in delivering the most challenging programs. The selection of works for this year Summer concert at Caramoor is exactly in that category.

Trifonov became an international sensation in 2011 when he won the first prize in the Tchaikovsky competition.  From that time on he is a regular at major concert halls with dedicated fans eagerly anticipating his every performance. And he never disappoints. The New Yorker magazine in its review of this year performance at Carnegie Hall notes that Trifonov “creates furor”.

In the program at Caramoor, Trifonov starts with Schumann including Kreisleriana; followed by a selection of Preludes and Fugues by Shostakovich and ending with  the movements from Stravinsky’s Petrushka. Expect a lot of energy and clarity in tone as these serious pieces require from a performer. Trifonov’s virtuosity and depth will delight you and make that night an affair to remember!

Click here to book tickets.

Venue: Caramoor Center for Music and Arts, Katonah, NY                                       Date: July 9, 5pm