2012 Whitney Biennial Opens Today!

Sculpture, painting, installations, and photography—as well as dance, theater, music, and film—will fill the galleries of the Whitney Museum of American Art in the latest edition of the Whitney Biennial. With a roster of artists at all points in their careers the Biennial provides a look at the current state of contemporary art in America. This is the seventy-sixth in the ongoing series of Biennials and Annuals presented by the Whitney since 1932, two years after the Museum was founded.

The 2012 Biennial takes over most of the Whitney from March 1 through May 27, with portions of the exhibition and some programs continuing through June 10. The participating artists were selected by Elisabeth Sussman, Curator/Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography at the Whitney, and Jay Sanders, a freelance curator and writer who has spent the past ten years working both in the gallery world and on independent curatorial projects. Sussman and Sanders co-curated the Biennial’s film program with Thomas Beard and Ed Halter, the co-founders of Light Industry, a venue for film and electronic art in Brooklyn.

The Whitney’s fourth-floor Emily Fisher Landau Galleries will become a dynamic 6,000-square-foot performance space for music, dance, theater, and other events. This is the first Whitney Biennial in which nearly a full floor of the Museum has been given over to a changing season of performances, events, and residencies.

Fashion's Night Out now Fashion's Night In...

Don't worry if you can't make it to NYC for Fashion's Night Out this year. Pop princess Alex Young’s recently launched fashion line “A Young Rose” will be a participating e-tailer this Fashion’s Night Out on September 8th. New this year, Fashion’s Night Out will include online retailers, allowing people who can’t make it out a chance to still participate in the stylish evening (you just have to supply your own champagne...) To celebrate Fashion’s Night Out, recording artist Alex Young will give away a FREE DOWNLOAD of her upcoming and never-before-heard single, “Don’t Play With Me” with any purchase from her online boutique on September 8th, 2011 – the day of Fashion’s Night Out. This hot, 70s sounding new track will definitely get you dancing and is Alex’s first single off her upcoming DIGITAL CAPSULE of songs to be released fall 2011.

Listen to “Don’t Play With Me”

Shop at “A Young Rose” Online Boutique

Central Park Conservancy ''Film Festival''

Not to be outdone by its tiny neighbor to the south Bryant Park, Central Park has movies too... And here it is a ''Film Festival''. Music will take center stage at the ninth annual Central Park Conservancy Film Festival, which brings free movies to the heart of Manhattan for five nights, Aug. 23-27. From rock to country, the films will celebrate great musicians and the best in popular music, with each night showcasing a different musical icon.

All screenings begin at 8:00 pm, rain or shine. Gates open to the public at 6:30 pm. Guest DJs play at 6:30 pm. All movies will be closed captioned. Bring a picnic! Please note that alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, video cameras, tape recorders or flash cameras are not allowed. All bags are subject to search. (Now I know why I haven't gone before... no wine allowed - but it is a good option if you are looking for a recession-friendly cheap and sober date.)

Little bit Country, Little bit Rock'n'Roll

Country singer Tim McGraw brought down the house last night in his sold-out show at New York's Beacon Theater. Spotted on Tim were some beautiful necklaces by Lazaro, as well as some one-of-a-kind Lazaro charms hanging on a large sterling silver safety pin through his jeans. Seems like Tim is taking a bit of city-slicker style away from his recent visit to NYC. Lazaro jewelry isn't just for men, their Soho showroom has an excellent selection of pieces for men and women in a variety of styles ranging from rock and roll, to bohemian chic, and bold statement pieces for those interested in Big Chunky Gems!