What a drag!
Friday, March 5: We all like listening in on other people’s conversations, especially if they are fabulous drag queens. So that’s why we love “A Life in Three Acts,” a new play about Bette — born Peter — Bourne, a British actor turned Gay Liberation Front activist in the 1970s. The story is told through an intimate conversation between Bourne’s friends, which is half the fun.
8 pm. St. Ann’s Warehouse [38 Water St. at Dock Street in DUMBO, (718) 254-8779]. Tickets are $35-55.
Get arty
Saturday, March 6: Today is the day for art lovers. The Brooklyn Museum will have its monthly “First Saturdays” freebie, which features special programs and fiscally sane access to the great new Egyptian art show that our critic loved. But if you want something edgier, all of Bushwick has been given over to the Bushwick SITE Festival, an interdisciplinary art show.
5 pm–midnight. First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum [200 Eastern Pkwy. at Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights, (718) 638-5000]. Free; 1–6 pm. Bushwick SITE Fest. Visit
www.artsinbushwick.wordpress.com for full location list. All day pass is $10.
Thank the Academy
Sunday, March 7: Why just sit at home alone watching the Oscars and waste all your witty commentary by tweeting your six followers? Instead, head to the Bell House, where comedians Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate will offer their running commentary during the commercial breaks. They’ll break down everything from the outfits to the production numbers to the winners. And you’ll have a better seat than Jack Nicholson.
8 pm. Oscar night at The Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643-6510].
12 from Tenn
Thursday, March 11: Everyone knows “Streetcar Named Desire,” but its author, Tennessee Williams was a prolific playwright whose lesser works can be just as satisfying. Case in point, Target Margin Theater will kick off a three-week exploration called “The Unknown Williams,” including tonight’s show, “This is a Peaceable Kingdom.”
7:30 pm. “The Unknown Willams” at The Bushwick Starr (207 Starr St. between Wyckoff and Irving avenues in Bushwick). Tickets are $12. For info, visit
www.thebushwickstarr.org.
Acting up
Friday, March 12: Two good options for tonight: Sam Lipsyte (pictured) will read from his riotous novel “The Ask” at BookCourt, but our love of theater and conflict will send us to the International Film New York “monologue slam” at the Kumble Theater. Who can resist watching actors chew up scenery — in competition with each other!
7 pm. Sam Lipsyte at BookCourt [163 Court St. between Pacific and Dean streets in Cobble Hill, (718) 875-3677]. Free; 7:30 pm. Monologue slam at the Kumble Theater at Long Island University [DeKalb and Flatbush avenues, (718) 488-1624]. Tickets are $20.