“Countdown to Yuri's Night”, an out of this world art orgy returns to DC (well, technically, across the bridge in Rossyln, VA) for a fourth year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first human space flight--–think of this event as an artistic spin on a high-science holiday. The event honors cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin with live music, a burlesque show, an art exhibition, a lunar dance party and much more.
Background: On April 12, 1961, Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin embarked on the historic first manned space flight. Every year around mid-April, Yuri's Night parties are held all around the world; it's like Cinco de Mayo for space.
As producer, Jared Davis remarks, “Countdown to Yuri's Night brings sexy back into the space dialogue. As artists, we are not bound by the physical (and safety) laws of space exploration, and we can therefore pose the questions much more freely than a more science-fact based approach. I believe that our potential as space explorers is measured only by our imagination...and imagination is what artists have in great supply."
It's 'Star-Trek-meets-The-Love-Boat' in an intergalactic burlesque show hosted by DC's brashest femcee Kittie Glitter as Captain Ballcrusher welcoming the Boylesque king of the universe for the first time, TIGGER! (Tigger! is New York's leading Boylesque star who has been performing and go-go dancing from Austria to Australia since 1992. He is the first-ever Mr. Exotic World and has been dubbed "the King of Boylesque.")
Also featured are five rising stars of burlesque and performance art: Candy Del Rio, Gigi Holliday, Rev. Valentine, Stella Sweet and Tony Apollo. Rounding out the flight crew is Andrew Wodzianki as Drink-Bot and Matt Grant as the ship's second in command.
Warming up the rocket boosters is the surf-rock band Atomic Mosquitoes. Countdown to Yuri's Night is pleased to welcome back these rockin' mutants who play infectious tunes sprinkled with the spacey sound of a Theremin. With songs like "Alien Round-up" and "Planet from Outer Space," the party could not blast off without them!
Countdown to Yuri's Night is over the moon to welcome world-renowned band Eastern Standard Time. Called one of DC's Best Bands by The Washington Post, this Jazzy Ska band has toured the universe...even traveling as far as Yuri's homeland: Mother Russia. E.S.T. is guaranteed to get your moonboots grooving.
When you are not dancing, or better yet, while you are dancing, check out the C2YN art exhibition on show in the MEZZ Gallery of Artisphere. This show is running until April 30th. Curated by Jared Davis, 18 local artists exhibit work centered on the theme of Man's journey into space, exploring both science-fact and science-fiction, these artists deliver unique perspectives on the cosmos: Chris Bishop (VA), Stephen Blickenstaff (MD), Scott Brooks (DC), Jared Davis (DC), Alan Defibaugh (TX), Dana Ellyn (DC), Elstabo (VA), Todd Gardner (VA), Linas Garsys (MD), Sherill Anne Gross (MD), Rob Hornung (MD), Emily Greene Liddle (MD), Rob Lindsay (VA), Dave Savage (CA), Matt Sesow (DC), Michael Enn Sirvet (DC), Steve Strawn (VA) and Andrew Wodzianski (DC).
The night's festivities also include a lunar dance party with Chief Boogie Officer DJ P.Vo, drink specials, a reduced-gravity chamber (moonbounce!), celestial costume contests, a SCI-FI movie, geeky giveaways from ThinkGeek, and a final frontier photo op.
MISSION CONTROL:
ABJ PRODUCTIONS (FOUNDER/PRODUCER)
ABJ productions is a subsidiary of Art By Jared and Jared himself. Jared is an artist and set designer who loves to party. He and Kate Taylor Davis produce off-beat, memorable art events around the DC-area. Most recently they co-produced, with Dutch Oven Burlesque, the very first Elvis' Birthday Fight Club (January 2011). This is their fourth Countdown to Yuri's Night. Learn more about Jared and upcoming events at www.artbyjared.com.
ABOUT ARTISPHERE (VENUE AND GALLERY)
Artisphere is a new breed of urban arts center that features four distinct performance venues, three visual art galleries, a 4,000 square foot ballroom, and a free Wi-Fi town square. With intimate co-located spaces and multiple programs occurring simultaneously, Artisphere was designed for people and art to collide. Artisphere's Mezz Gallery (host to C2YN Exhibit) promotes the work of artists and curators who live, work, study or have a studio in Arlington, VA, as well as artists from our Sister Cities program. The Mezz Gallery overlooks the ballroom, and contains tables and chairs for patrons to enjoy both the music and the art. Learn more at www.artisphere.com.
DUTCH OVEN BURLESQUE (CONTRIBUTING PRODUCER)
After a successful collaboration on Elvis' Birthday Fight Club, L'il Dutch is helping with the Countdown! Her company, Dutch Oven Burlesque, provides alternative, high-energy "salty sweet" entertainment - including the acclaimed Dutch Oven and Capital Tassels & Tease. Learn more about L'il Dutch and upcoming events at www.lildutch.com.
This is a 21+ event, Countdown to Yuri's Night, takes place Saturday, April 9, from 8 pm to 1:30 am, at Rosslyn's Artisphere. (1101 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington VA 22209). Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Visit www.outofthisworldparty.com for tickets, artist links and announcements.
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