I've mentioned before that the beginning of my summer is marked by the annual FIGMENT Festival on Governors Island.  In June, I take the ferry over and marvel at the views, the fields, the art and the serenity of it all.  At that time I swear I will find excuses to make frequent trips back to the island.  And by the end of summer, I decide that at least I made it out once.

Well, now I have the perfect excuse to return.  On August 2nd, there will be an opening for the Living Pavilliion Exhibition on the island.  Erected for the FIGMENT festival, this sustainable structure offers shade and a gathering place for visitors.  The opening will showcase the design and construction process. 

One of my photos will be used as part of the exhibit.  It's quite thrilling.

If you haven't been Governors Island, take the opportunity.  You can find out more about the event here.

I have been slightly vampire obsessed lately.  Something in the stars must have aligned because as I'm watching season five of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (it's what I watch when I can't sleep), Stephenie Meyer released a new installment in the Twilight Saga (not to mention the movie, which I plan to see), Netflix sent me the second season of True Blood and Dusk rolls into to town. 

So I'm embracing it whole-heartedly.  I could provide a list of reasons why vampire drama is popular right now, but instead I'll give you the best one: it's fun.

And what is Dusk? I'll let them tell you:

Dusk: Improvised Tween Erotica, a show by and for adults, lets audiences luxuriate in the rich, guilty pleasure of vampires, werewolves, and deeply conflicted adolescent sexuality.

It's in NYC this weekend after showing in Austin and Chicago.  If you're in the area and are a fan of vampire drama, improv theater, or are just curious, I highly suggest you check it out.

You can see Dusk this weekend at the Tank Theater (354 West 45th Street)

Friday July 9th at 7:30pm
Saturday July 10th at 7:30pm
Sunday July 11th at 7:30pm

For more information and trailers, check out the Dusk website.

On Friday, June 25th, death will come knocking on the door of Williamsburg’s Fresthetic, with the opening of Cake, Chris RWK, Veng, Luna Park, and Becki Fuller’s show “Death Warmed Over”.  Through their paintings and photography, each artist has embarked on an exploration into the many nuances to be found in the meaning of ‘death’ and have incorporated their unique interpretations into their art.  For some, death is found in the decay & destruction what was once fresh and new or in the struggles with the demons that plague and sometimes consume us.  For others it can be found in cultural practices, such as the festivities of Halloween, the spiritual relationship between the Native American warrior and their prey, or taking a closer look at life in Mexico, a country who’s intimacy with death permeates their culture.

The show runs from June 25th - July 30th, with an opening reception on Friday, June 25th from 7-10pm.  There will be an art scavenger hunt, live painting in the back yard, and while we may be morbid, we aren’t cheap, so the drinks are on us!  So, come shake your bones to the musical styling’s of our favorite DJ Royce Bannon and have a time so good that it will haunt your memory for years to come!

“Death Warmed Over”
Paintings by Chris RWK, Veng, and Cake
Photography by Luna Park & Becki Fuller

Opening Reception
Friday, June 25th, 2010
7-10pm

Fresthetic
560 Grand Street
Brooklyn NY, 11211
(between Lorimer St & Union Ave)
Trains: L,G, M & J

It's June, the official beginning of summer.  With it comes warmer weather and the easy-breezy attitude that people adopt during the season.  Over the past three years, for me at least, the beginning of summer is marked by the annual Figment Festival on Governors Island.

This free art event converts the small island into a wonderland of art and sculpture.  Removed from the chaos of the city, the island possess a sense of other-worldliness.  The island itself is inviting with park areas, lanes for bikes and fantastic views of the city.  Because the event is free (and vending is kept to a minimum), you can wander without a care - taking in the sights and sounds. 

You can see my photos from the 2010 Figment festival here.

I've tried to fight it for about a year now.  But I'm now ready to admit that my love of the Twilight books makes me no less a person.  They're fun and engrossing, kind of a Harry Potter meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  And though I'm no longer a 16 year old, I can relate to the feelings of alienation and insecurity experienced by the main character.

There I said, and I do feel better.

The fun things is that I know I'm not alone enjoying the saga.  As evidenced by the email I received from my good friend Lauren:

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past couple years, or you're acquainted with absolutely no girls between the ages of 9 and 14, you know there's a new, shall we say, popular vampire franchise dominating the prepubescent fantasy lives of our younger friends and neighbors. Although its name is escaping us right this second, we're pretty sure it has something to do with a time of day. Hmm, what's that name again?

Oh well, no matter, we're not here to talk about that thing, we're here to talk about our thing, Gnap! Theater Projects' upcoming fall show, Dusk: Improvised Tween Erotica, a loving parody/homage of said other new popular vampire franchise. In the style of previous Gnap! loving parody/homages, expect smart comedy, incisive storytelling, and highly attractive people never consummating their most molten passions.

We're pretty sure this is the perfect show for people to come see on Halloween, and we're pretty sure that our show goes up right before that other series has a new movie coming out. Not that we even pay attention to those guys.

If you're in Austin, why not get in a good gothic laugh?

Gnap! Theater Projects
Fridays and Saturdays, October 23rd through November 21st, at 8 PM    
$10 general admission, $5 for students; tickets available at http://dusk.eventbrite.com/
Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Road, Austin, TX 78722
 http://www.gnaptheater.org