The Performance Project @ University Settlement
As the downtown music venue genocide continues (RIP Tonic, Sin-e, CBGB and, most recently, Mo Pitkin’s), artists and presenters seem to be scrambling to find performance space alternatives. Last night, I caught the fabulous singer-songwriter Christina Courtin perform at University Settlement, a LES community center of sorts that provides vital social services like literacy classes, child day care and now live music. While the ambiance is a bit staid, the Settlement wins me over with its adventurous booking policy. Upcoming events include a performance by a Butoh dancer named Kathi von Koerber on Wednesday, November 8 and the excellent Brazilian dance band Forro in the Dark on Friday, November 30. The Settlement is one space that might actually survive the onslaught of LES restaur-preneurs and hoteliers. It’s been around since 1886.
Check out Rita Houston’s interviews with Christina Courtin (in which Christina does a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden” that could send Mick + co. packing for a retirement village in Florida) and Forro In the Dark in WFUV’s Audio Archives. Here’s some Thursday video love:
