ONE NIGHT ONLY AND THAT NIGHT IS TONIGHT

full disclosure: I work for Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and Icelandic artist Hrafnhildur Arnardottir a.k.a. Shoplifter receives studio space for this project as part of the LMCC space grant program in which I work, Swing Space.

That being said, I wouldn't be any less excited about this if I were a stranger off the street.  Shoplifter creates stunning sculptures out of, among other materials, human and synthetic hair (as seen on Björk on the cover of her Medulla album), and she is currently collaborating with wunderkind composer (okay, so he's like 26 or something, maybe no longer a "kind") Nico Muhly, who has arranged/composed/conducted for three of my favorite musicians: Björk, Antony and the Johnsons, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy.

Together, Shoplifter and Mr. Muhly are creating a performance for The Kitchen, March 7 and 8.  Only the 10pm performance on the 7th has tickets left, so ACT FAST if you want to see it, and I highly recommend you do.

Tonight (Thursday 2/28) at 6pm, LMCC is hosting a low-key little Open House at Shoppy's studio to preview the installation pieces she's been creating for next week's performance.  Nico will be there as well, along with violist Nadia Sirota -- they'll be demonstrating some of the music from the performance.  And there will be wine.  And snacks.  You should come if you can. Here are more details.

You can give Nico's music a listen here on the New Yorker's website; it's all quite good, of course, but I particularly recommend checking the "Keep In Touch" section, featuring vocals from Antony.

And as if all this wasn't enough to excite you, Nico and Shoppy are also working with Sam Amidon, who will be playing banjo and singing at next week's performance.  Sam, of course, is a brilliant musician in his own right, and lately I've been really digging his newest album, All Is Well.  Here are a couple gorgeous tracks from it.  (And if you missed my earlier post on his Head Over Heels cover, remedy that immediately.)

Sam Amidon - Saro
Sam Amidon - Fall On My Knees

Still not enough?  Okay fine. I'll give you more. Here's a clip of Sam performing in Paris with Nico on piano.

see you tonight?

>ben