The East Village Series

Performance Space New York (formerly Performance Space 122), led by Jenny Schlenzka, presents the East Village Series, which resituates the institution in its new, Deborah Berke Partners-designed spaces, in the building and neighborhood where the organization was founded.

The East Village Series introduces a semi-annual mode of themed programming, further expanding Performance Space New York’s ideal of interdisciplinarity and hybridity—not only the blurring of genres within works, but also the juxtaposition of different artistic positions. Through their placement within the larger themed series, performances, exhibitions, readings, talks and screenings enter into a vital dialogue.

The inaugural series brings together works by Performance Space New York veterans and newcomers alike, with programming that looks toward a neighborhood’s history as a guide to its future:

Welcome to Lenapehoking (February 17) kicks off the East Village Series, acknowledging the Lenape people as the first inhabitants of what is now called New York City. Organized by the Lenape Center.

An expanded, free edition of the institution’s longest-running series Avant-Garde-Arama, taking place on several stages simultaneously to celebrate our homecoming (February 18).

A tribute to the late punk novelist Kathy Acker. Co-curated by Bjarne Melgaard, the exhibit Kathy Acker: Who Wants to Be Human All the Time (March 8–April 8) features works from an array of artists alongside Blue Tape, the hour-long, highly charged truth-and-sex tape made by Acker and Alan Sondheim in 1974. “In the beginning there was a young girl…,” organized by Tina Satter, features performances and readings by artists spanning multiple disciplines (March 25). A screening, “boyfriend, brother, sister, money, amusement, and father,” organized by Matias Viegener, comprises clips of Acker reading, performing and being interviewed (April 7). Another wide range of luminaries participate in a marathon reading of Acker’s notorious novel Blood and Guts In High School, organized by Sarah Schulman (April 8).

New commissions from Yve Laris Cohen (March 8–11), who continues his investigation of performance as it responds to architecture, with a site-specific work for the new large theater, and Sarah Michelson (April 27–May 5), a defining presence at Performance Space 122 since 2001.

A revival of choreographer Ishmael Houston-Jones, composer-guitarist Chris Cochrane, and poet/novelist Dennis Cooper’s THEM, which, in response to the AIDS epidemic, depicted the ways men could be with men, and made its debut at Performance Space 122 in 1986 (June 21–30).

A skate park presented by BRUJAS—the feminist art collective with a passion for radical politics, streetwear, and skateboarding—and built by industrial designer Jonathan Olivares, in Performance Space New York’s retrofitted theater (May 24–June 9).

The U.S. premiere screening of “high priestess of death goth” (The Guardian) Diamanda Galás’ film Schrei 27, based on a work she first developed for radio, and ultimately performed at Performance Space 122 in 1996 (March 30). 

Artist/curator Tiona Nekkia McClodden’s CLUB (May 3–26), a performative installation that transforms the space into a club, and transforms a club into a work of sculpture, with sound installations, lighting, video, objects, and ephemera referencing legendary Lower East Side clubs.

The return of Penny Arcade’s Bitch! Dyke! Faghag! Whore! (May 11–19), a performance that, in its 1990 premiere at Performance Space 122, asserted the importance of political art.

A Kiki Ball, a contemporary version of a vogue ball, thrown by the Alliance for Positive Change, one of Performance Space New York’s neighbors in 122 Community Center (June 16). (All profits will go to the Alliance for Positive Change).

A theatrical runway show by fashion label Women’s History Museum, which is largely inspired by the vintage and consignment shops of the East Village. (March 23).

As the organization welcomes the public with the 2018 Coil Festival (January 10–February 4, 2018), it has updated its name, to Performance Space New York, communicating its ambition to represent, and be inclusive of, all of New York, while honoring the institution’s singular history.

Today Performance Space New York also announces five additions to its Board of Directors—visual artist Kerstin Brätsch; choreographer Ishmael Houston-Jones; Opening Ceremony and Kenzo Paris creative director Humberto Leon; Poppy Pulitzer; and artist, singer/songwriter, and producer Michael Stipe—and its 2018 Gala, honoring Eileen Myles on April 14.

Performance Space New York’s new logo and Identity was created by acclaimed artist, Sarah Ortmeyer. The identity is executed in collaboration with graphic designer Erin Knutson.