The Stranger

I once caused a ruckus on Slog by typing the phrase "pro-graffiti." Sweet Jesus, you'd think I'd said I was "pro-rape." Artists like GHOST are why I'm pro. GHOST was one of the originals, in late 1970s, pre-Giuliani New York, painting all those trains belonging to the NYC subway. And while the days of sneaking into train yards are gone forever (replaced by legal big-money pieces, commissioned by legit big-money corporate sponsors), GHOST remains one talented sonofabitch. (BLVD Gallery, 2316 Second Ave, 448-8767. 1–6 pm, through May 3.) by Kelly O

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

In the last year, Susan Robb has filled a park with a solar-powered field of enormous, black, rippling worms made of garbage bags (Toobs) and devised a plan to provide Alaskan polar bears with a raft made of oil barrels (which won't melt as the globe warms). Now, the first Stranger Genius Award winner in visual art has a gallery show of new photography and installations—including a campfire powered by the shit of her dealer, Scott Lawrimore. (Lawrimore Project, 831 Airport Way S, 501-1231. 10 am­–5:30 pm, free.) by Jen Graves

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

Western Bridge's group show from now through the summer is made up of "major installations and small cool gestures," according to director Eric Fredericksen. It sounds like an adventure course, with installations including space-eating balloons by Martin Creed, a hanging periscope by Eli Hansen and Oscar Tuazon, a bounce house by Mungo Thomson, a large tunnel by Andreas Zybach, and Jeppe Hein's little hole in the wall with air blowing through it. All that's missing is us. (Western Bridge, 3412 Fourth Ave S, 838-7444. Noon–6 pm, free.) by Jen Graves

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

Last spring brought the first-ever Stranger Gong Show, a mind-blowing night of rubber chickens, dancing girls, elastic nostrils, rabbit comics, and blissed-out crowds. What'll this year bring? God only knows. Any and all interested performers can sign up the night of the show at Chop Suey (acts must run between 30 seconds and 4 minutes) to compete for a variety of goodies and $100 cash! All hosted by some jerk called me. (Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, www.thestranger.com/gongshow. Talent signup starts at 7 pm, show at 9 pm, free, 21+.) by David Schmader

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

A droll comedy about a widowed English professor (Dennis Quaid), his hypercompetent Young Republican daughter (Ellen Page), and his underemployed adopted brother (Thomas Haden Church), Smart People lulls you with cliché—the professor is of the absentminded variety—and then sideswipes you with plot twists, sly jokes, and truly brilliant delivery. I'd quote an Ellen Page line about tax write-offs right here if it weren't utterly unfunny on paper. Smart People is just a funny, sturdy, touching movie about the way grief keeps on rippling. (See Movie Times.) by Annie Wagner

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

With her bestselling Stiff, Mary Roach wrote an intelligent, understandable, and, most importantly, hilarious book about the art and science of death. In her newest book, Bonk, Roach discusses the art and science of fucking. She introduces the reader to a penis surgeon who talks like Yoda, a meeting of sex-machine aficionados, and the difficulties of scientifically observing the cervix during heavy intercourse. It can be said, without hyperbole, that she's the world's funniest science writer. (Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 652-4255. 7:30 pm, $5.) by Paul Constant

Link  |  Post Comment (0)