IDEASMYTH’S GOOD IDEAS…FOR CULTURAL ADVENTURES 7/31-8/7/14

Thursday July 31

Improv Performance with Colson Whitehead and Reggie Watts
6:30PM, FREE Admission
The Drawing Center
http://bit.ly/WBx3xq

Six-time author Colson Whitehead joins forces with TV personality, comedian and musician Reggie Watts for comical commentary on select images found in The Drawing Center’s Viewing Program artist registry.

Friday August 1

Gender Benders: In and Out Screening
10AM, $25 Admission
92nd Street Y
http://bit.ly/UBoCjZ

The 92nd Street Y’s Gender Benders films series presents In and Out, a romantic comedy classic directed by Frank Oz, the voice of both Miss Piggy and Yoda. The film, while hilarious and lighthearted, explores what society thinks it means to be masculine vs. the protagonist’s view of his own sexuality. Actor Mark Ethan Toporek will introduce the film as well as monitor a post-screening discussion.

Saturday August 2

The Wassaic Project Summer Exhibition & Festival
12PM, FREE Admission
The Maxon Mills, Wassaic, NY
http://bit.ly/1kmtxBz

For a weekend of border-busting art in every medium imaginable, don’t miss the Wassaic Project’s annual festival. Whether coming for the day or camping onsite for the whole weekend (the festival begins Friday night and ends Sunday afternoon), enjoy a site-sensitive, never-to-be-seen-again compilation of live music, dance performances, film screenings and art exhibits from hundreds of local multi-disciplinary artists.

Sunday August 3

Studio Sunday: Animation Workshop
2PM, FREE Admission w/ Museum Entry
Museum of Arts and Design
http://bit.ly/ULbyZ4

The Museum of Arts and Design will begin the afternoon with artist educators Manuel Acevedo and Leigh Wells introducing patrons to the exhibit NYC Makers: The Mad Biennial which highlights the creativity found across the five boroughs. By the workshop’s close, guests will have collaborated on their own stop-motion animation film inspired by the same exhibit.

Monday August 4

Book Discussion: Finding Ourselves at the Movies
6:30PM, FREE Admission
NYPL Mid-Manhattan Branch
http://on.nypl.org/1n32S7q

Yale Professor of Law Paul W. Kahn knows that Plato’s readership is steadily going down as the years go by, and he argues that in order for philosophy to keep society engaged, it must be present in our most popular medium, film. His book Finding Ourselves at the Movies: Philosophy for a New Generation outlines the ways in which mainstream movies can foster a discussion regarding traditionally philosophical themes like love, death and faith. Kahn will be at the Mid-Manhattan Library to discuss Hollywood favorites like Forrest Gump, The Matrix and Avatar and how they contribute to classic philosophy.

Tuesday August 5

Meet James Cameron: Deepsea Challenge 3D
5PM, FREE Admission
Apple Store, SoHo
http://bit.ly/1kmv6zq

James Cameron is out to make history yet again, this time with director and storyboard artist John Bruno (who worked with Cameron on Titanic and Avatar, among other projects). Their new National Geographic film, Deepsea Challenge 3D, documents the duo’s expedition to the deepest part of the ocean, the first solo voyage ever of its kind, in the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible. Cameron and Bruno will both be at the Apple Store to converse with guests about both the technical difficulties of deepsea filming as well as the underwater odyssey itself.

Wednesday August 6

Uptown Bounce: THROWBACK
6-9PM, FREE Admission
104th & 5th
http://bit.ly/1s37Bfm

Migrate between El Museo del Barrio and the Museum of the City of New York to celebrate the music, dance and photography of the 1980’s. Both museums will feature art workshops and gallery talks, but you can also feel free to simply sip on a refreshing summer drink while listening to the throwback stylings of DJ Grandmaster Caz.

Thursday August 7

The Book of Jezebel Discussion
6PM, FREE Admission
Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St
http://bit.ly/1pqjyKq

You’ve heard of the website Jezebel.com and its literary counterpart, The Book of Jezebel. Now is your chance to hear from the founder and author, Anna Holmes, in person along with two other Jezebel employees Dodai Stewart and Tracie Egan Morrisey as they discuss the site, the book and the outreach they’ve obtained through both.

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