The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled by Lauren Cerand, that usually appears Mondays at 12:30pm and highlights the best of the week to come. Special favor is given to New York’s independent booksellers and venues, and low-cost and free events. Please send details to lauren [at] maudnewton.com by the Thursday prior to publication, with the date in the subject line.
MONDAY, 4.2: Brooklyn Independent screens El Inmigrante and The Job, “A satirical look at the plight of the day laborer in the United States.” 7PM, FREE.
TUESDAY, 4.3: At FIT, Ralph Rucci: The Art of Weightlessness: “The first American to show officially during Paris couture since Mainbocher in the 1930s, Rucci also designs ready-to-wear which features extraordinary dressmaking techniques and luxury textiles… An avid art collector and accomplished painter, Rucci often finds inspiration in paintings and sculpture. Pieces from his private collection — ancient Khymer sculpture, Japanese painted screens and bamboo baskets, Indian sculpture, and contemporary art by Francis Bacon and Cy Twomblyâ€â€as well as paintings by Rucci himself will be displayed near the garments that they inspired.” Through April 14. For another take on inspired design, stop by the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture to view “Bruno Mathsson: Architect and Designer, the first exhibition in the United States to examine the work of this leading figure of Swedish modernism.” Through June 10.
WEDNESDAY, 4.4: “The FSG Feminist Classics Series cordially invites you to the Memoirs of an Ex-Prom Queen 35th Anniversary Edition Book Party… A million-copy bestseller [and a] a feminist classic–the riveting tale of Sasha Davis, high school prom queen, divorcee, and mother struggling in vain to gain a sense of self outside of her relationship with men.” Or, as Cosmopolitan put it, “A vicious little gem of a novel.” Sweet. At Bluestockings, with refreshments. 7PM, FREE. Noted, FSG is having a hot month: see also, The Savage Detectives, How Sassy Changed My Life and my #1 poetic crush of the moment (sorry, Cruelest Month!), The Best Words in their Best Order.
THURSDAY, 4.5: “Each year, Meridian Magazine from the University of Virginia chooses fifty emerging poets selected from nominations by writing programs, literary magazines, and an open internet competition. These fresh talents are published in the yearly anthology Best New Poets. This evening at McNally Robinson features five of these best of America’s new poets, reading from their work in the anthology and discussing the world of contemporary poetry. Join us for an event celebrating the future of poetry.” 7PM, FREE.
FRIDAY, 4.6: DNA Presents Ellis Wood Dance: “ELLIS WOOD and her all-female company journey boldly to the edge of the earth with the premiere of Flat Affect… Her dancers were recently reviewed as ‘real women: sensual, sexy, provocative, tough as nails, fearless. They relish the physical – like modern day sorceresses who won’t take no for an answer.'” Say yes. 8PM, $20.
SATURDAY, 4.7: Opera lovers between 21 – 39 can join New York City Opera’s Big Deal program and get $30 tickets to many performances. La donna del lago explores “The age-old conflict between love and duty. Rossini captured it with luminous beauty in this dramatic and picturesque opera. Set in 16th-century Scotland, La donna del lago features one of the great Italian composer’s most dazzling heroines.” 8PM.
SUNDAY, 4.8: Says local fave Akashic Books, “Please join us in celebrating the launch of the first installment in our newest imprint, HOTEL ST. GEORGE PRESS: Author/ Playwright/ Solo Performer Aaron Petrovich performs an unforgettable selection from THE SESSION, the debut installment in the new AKASHIC BOOKS imprint, HOTEL ST. GEORGE PRESS at the CORNELIA ST. CAFE. Hotel St. George is the online literary and arts quarterly, curated by Alex Rose, David Willems, and Aaron Petrovich, featuring original fiction, films, installation art, music, soundscapes, spoken word, and secret histories, all occupying different, carefully designed rooms in the ever-expanding, virtual hotel.” 6PM, $6 admission good for one drink.