DON’T MISS!: THINK BIG
The Museum of Modern Art’s new Claes Oldenburg show is like a time machine that lets you off on the Lower East Side, circa early 1960s, in all its gritty, pre-Giuliani glory. Opening Sunday, it gives us a riot of everyday objects — oversized pants and pastries, cheeseburgers the size of comfy settees — sculpted out of plaster, chicken wire and burlap. And that’s just on the sixth floor: Splayed out in the second-floor atrium are Oldenburg’s “Mouse Museum,” a black, Mickey-shaped cave in which the artist played curator, placing plastic bananas, clothespins and other items under glass; and the adjoining “Ray Gun Wing,” containing only objects shaped at right angles. While Jackson Pollock and others worked in abstract drips and drabs,
Oldenburg’s work — so crude and concrete — makes a merry bit of realism. “I’m often asked, ‘Why do you make cheeseburgers?’ ” Oldenburg said the other day. “I don’t. I make art.” 11 W. 53rd St., moma.org.
— Barbara Hoffman
Tamara Beckwith
2 of 5
TAKE NOTE!: STRINGS ATTACHED
Eric Clapton is sliding into town — and he’s bringing about 30 of his closest guitar-playing pals with him. They’re here for Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, which raises money for the treatment center on Antigua that Clapton, an admitted recovering addict and alcoholic, founded. The lineups for shows tonight and tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden (both at 7:30) range from the blues of B.B. King and Buddy Guy to Keith Urban and Vince Gill’s country, plus Clapton contemporary Jeff Beck and kick-ass rockers the Allman Brothers.
The next generation is represented by the likes of Gary Clark Jr., who tells us how he got involved with Clapton, whom he had never met. “I got a letter from Eric a few years back. I was a little shocked by it all at the time.” A couple of musician friends had alerted Clapton to Clark’s work, “and he dug it,” says the Texas-based player.
“It’s such an honor to be playing with guys I’ve grown up admiring and listening to,” Clark adds.
Seventh Avenue at 32nd Street; crossroadsguitarfestival.com.
— Billy Heller
WireImage
3 of 5
WATCH IT!: MAD MEN
Former Looney Tunes animator Frank Tashlin’s motion-picture masterpiece, “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?’’ (1957), is a hilariously cartoonish send-up of Eisenhower-era pop culture. Tony Randall stars as a Madison Avenue advertising exec trying to recruit a Marilyn Monroe-ish sex bomb (Jayne Mansfield, re-creating her Broadway role) to endorse “Stay-Put’’ lipstick. Featuring Jayne’s real-life hubby, Mickey Hargitay, and a cameo by Groucho Marx, “Rock’’ will be shown in a new digital restoration for one week beginning today at Film Forum, at Houston and Varick streets. Info: filmforum.org.
— Lou Lumenick
20th Century Fox Licensing/Merch
4 of 5
CHECK IT OUT!: ALT MEETS LBD
Among the most ubiquitous of garments, the little black dress is getting its due on Monday night, courtesy of the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) and fashion arbiter André Leon Talley. Part of FIAF’s “The Power of Style” series, “Celebrating the Little Black Dress With André Leon Talley” will unfold the history of the LBD, from its early fabrications by renowned designers like Yves Saint Laurent, to its emergence as one of fashion’s most iconic looks. “We really wanted to focus on how style has moved beyond the wardrobe and become an expression of our lifestyles, an agent for social change and an inspiration for new business,” says series curator Melissa Ceria. After his talk, Vogue contributing editor Talley — the author of a new book on the famous frocks, simply titled “Little Black Dress” — will conduct a Q&A. 7 p.m. at 55 E. 59th St.; fiaf.org. Tickets, $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
— Leah Faye Cooper
5 of 5
STEP RIGHT UP!: WORKIN’ IT
Wendy Whelan’s 29-year career with New York City Ballet isn’t celebrated for stereotypical delicacy, but intensity. “I found this strange, ugly power that was a strong essence of my beauty,” she explains.
In “Restless Creature,” Whelan has asked four male contemporary choreographers to create duets with her. The finished product will be at The Joyce next year, but there’s a sneak preview this weekend at the Guggenheim, part of its Works & Process series. The show will be live-streamed on Sunday at 3 p.m. at ustream.tv/worksandprocess.
Inquisitive, intelligent and funny, Whelan laughs about being past an age where most ballerinas hang up their pointe shoes. “I’m old. Dinosaur old! But there’s something about a 45-year-old woman dancing with a young, hot, sexy guy — it’s a cougar night for me!”
Sunday at 3 and 7:30 p.m., and Monday at 7:30 p.m.; $35. 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 88th Street; 212-423-3587, worksandprocess.org.
— Leigh Witchel
