By Tracy Zwick
The end of January is upon us, which moves us a little closer to spring, longer days, and warmer weather. Hurray! While we ride out these short-ish winter days, there’s plenty to occupy us on the UWS, including an exhibition at Columbia University of work by one of today’s leading Mexican-born artists, a promising indie film and a riveting foreign flick, and an opportunity to welcome Lunar New Year at Lincoln Center. Please add your suggestions for end-of-January weekend activities to the comments.
Let’s Weekend!
January 31 to February 2, 2025
Celebrate Lunar New Year!
Lunar New Year Celebration at Lincoln Center, Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, Free
Last week we noted the Met’s Lunar New Year celebration. This week you can mark the occasion even closer to home, right on the UWS at Lincoln Center’s Lunar New Year Celebration. It’s free and family-friendly, so drop in throughout the day and stay as long as you like. There’ll be arts and crafts stations and food vendors all day, storytime at 11 a.m., traditional Korean music and dance at 12:30 p.m., and a DJ set at 1:15 p.m. It’ll end in a traditional Lion Dance performance on Josie Robertson Plaza at 2 p.m.
See some art!
Rubén Ortiz-Torres at Wallach Art Gallery at Columbia University, Lenfest Center for the Arts, 615 West 129th Street, 6th Floor, Open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.; Free
This Mexican-born modernist’s first major solo exhibition in NYC opens at Columbia’s Wallach Gallery and includes some of his most recent works in a variety of media. They range from the painted hood of a decommissioned Tijuana police car to wall drawing, video work, photographs, ceramics, a tapestry flag, and richly decorated baseball gloves – the sport was Ortiz-Torres’s passion as a boy. One special mitt is rendered in crackled gold-glazed stoneware. Raised in Mexico City in the late ‘60s and ‘70s, Ortiz-Torres began his career there as a photographer, printmaker and painter. He’s been living and working in L.A. since 1990 and this show features works produced both in L.A. and in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he collaborated with local Mexican artists. If you’re feeling peckish, stop by Dear Mama on your way out. You’ll pass it on your way into the gallery on West 129th Street. I was tempted by their all-day breakfast offerings, soups and salads. They also offer specialty coffees and teas as well as desserts including a “Bronx Brownie” and Apple Strudel. Next time I’m in for an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie.
Go to the Movies!
“Three Birthdays” at New Plaza Cinema, Friday, January 31st at 6 p.m., 35 West 67th Street, Tickets are $15; and “I’m Still Here” at AMC Lincoln Square 13, 1998 Broadway; tickets around $23, showtimes here
New Plaza Cinema is hosting a special preview screening of “Three Birthdays,” a 2023 film by New York filmmaker Jane Weinstock, who, along with actors Josh Radnor, Annie Parisse and Nuala Cleary, will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening. Set in 1970, the film follows an idealistic academic couple and their 17-year-old daughter, who is determined to lose her virginity on her 17th birthday. On each of their birthdays, hopes are dashed and secrets revealed. Lena Dunham praised the film as “tender, wise and raw”.
While I haven’t seen “Three Birthdays,” I can personally recommend “I’m Still Here,” an extraordinary drama set in 1970s Brazil. Told in Portuguese with English subtitles, it explores the country’s history of forced disappearances under military rule through the lens of one family grappling with loss. Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres delivers a riveting performance as the family’s matriarch – a role that earned her a Best Actress nomination, only the second ever for a Brazilian actress (the first was her mother in 1999). With a gripping story and pulsing soundtrack, “I’m Still Here” is also nominated for Best Picture and Best International Feature.
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last Friday New Plaza Cinema showed a short documentary about how Westsider Rare and Used Books was saved. Carol Tannahauser and West Side Rag were mentioned. Made me smile, Awesome sauce!
Well written, Tracy Zwick.