Just Do Art!

COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER

SAINT MISBEHAVIN’: THE WAVY GRAVY MOVIE
Those who aren’t children of the 60s may not know the name “Wavy Gravy.” Heck, they might not even remember his namesake Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor (retired in 2001). The documentary “Saint Misbehavin’ ” is a cool, breezy way for the uninitiated to learn about — and come to appreciate — the Woodstock emcee, peace activist, shameless jester and aging hippie. After spending 88 minutes cruising the highlights of his life, you’ll understand why Gravy’s still fighting the good fight and turning folks on to the notion that humor and compassion are the best ways to get through the day and sleep well at night. Archival footage from the counterculture movement — juxtaposed with contemporary testimonials from the era’s surviving participants —  are what makes the film click and tick. Directed by Michelle Esrick. Unrated. December 8-14, at the IFC Center (323 Sixth Ave., at W. Third St.). For screening times, call 212-924-7771 or visit www.ifccenter.com. Wavy Gravy & director Michelle Esrick will appear, in person, Dec. 9 — at the 6:25pm & 8:30pm screenings.

18TH ANNUAL AFRICAN DIASPORA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Through Dec. 14, this film fest presents an eclectic mix of foreign, independent, classic and urban films representing the global Black experience — through an extraordinary range of subjects and artistic approaches.

Sun., Dec. 12 at 4pm & 8:30pm — and at 8pm on Tues., Dec. 14, it’s the NY premier of Yousry Nasrallah’s “Scheherazade, Tell me Story.” A box office hit in Egypt, the plot concerns a female talk show host researches and discusses women’s stories that reveal the human condition of women in Egypt. Sun., Dec. 12 at 6:45pm and Tues., Dec. 14 at 6pm, it’s “Josephine Baker, Black Diva in a White Man’s World.” Both “Baker” and “Scheherazade” screen at the Symphony Space Thalia Theatre (2537 Broadway, at 95th St.).

Fri., Dec. 10, 6pm it’s the panel discussion “A Conversation with Ingrid Sinclair.” At 8pm, same venue, a panel of independent African American Filmmakers asks “Is making a film easier today?” — and on Sat., Dec. 11, 2pm, it’s a “Subtitled Cinema Panel Discussion.” The panel series concludes Sat., Dec. 11, 4pm, with the topic “The Future of African Film Distribution in the US.” For a complete schedule and list of venues, visit www.AfricanDiasporaDVD.com, www.AfricanFilm.com and www.NYADIFF.org. Follow NYADIFF at: www.twitter.com/NYADFF.

CITY WINERY
Every Sunday, the Klezmer Brunch Series pairs top tier musicians with top tier lox and bagels. At 155 Varick St. at Vandam. Call 212-608-0555 or, for a full schedule of upcoming events, visit www.citywinery.com.

HOUSING WORKS BOOKSTORE CAFÉ
Proceeds pay for Housing Works’ services for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. Housing Works Bookstore Café is located at 126 Crosby St. For info, call 212-966-0466, x1104 or visit www.housingworksbookstore.org.

POETS HOUSE
Their Battery Park City home has a 50,000-volume poetry library, a children’s room, a multimedia archive, a programming hall and a reading room. Most events are $10, $7 for students/seniors and free to Poets House members. At 10 River Terrace, at Murray St. Call 212-431-7920 or visit www.poetshouse.org.

THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
At this unique museum, a series of contemplative exhibits and talks educate and enlighten people of all backgrounds — by giving them a glimpse of Jewish life before, during and after the Holocaust. On view through Sept., 2011: “The Morgenthaus: A Legacy of Service” and through Feb. 27, “Project Mah Jongg.” At the Museum of Jewish Heritage (at Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place). For general museum info, call 646-437-4200. For ticket info, 646-437-4202. Hours: Sun.-Tues. and Thurs.: 10am to 5:45pm. Wed., 10am to 8pm. Fri.: 10am to 3pm. Eve of Jewish Holidays: 10am to 3pm. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.mjhnyc.org.

ST. BRIGID SCHOOL FLEA MARKET FUNDRAISER
Yeah, as if YOU need another excuse to shop around this time of year. But it never hurts to have a really GOOD reason, right? Do that shopping with a clean conscious and a clear agenda, at the St. Brigid School Fleamarket Fundraiser. Proceeds from vendors who rent tables will go to St. Brigid. The vendors get to keep all of their profits, and you get to keep some of their stuff. So shop in the comfort of St. Brigid’s warm basement as you buy clothes, books, electronics, jewelry, art, crafts and furniture (food and beverages, also available for purchase, will give you the necessary stamina). Sat., Dec. 11, 9am to 5:30pm, at the St. Brigid School (185 E. 7th St., corner of Ave. B). For info, visit www.stbrigidschoolny.com

PENNY JONES & CO. PUPPETS
Penny Jones & Co. Puppets present their own friendly, funny take on two classic tales. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” tells the familiar tale of an apprentice whose attempts to have others do his work results in predictable chaos when he tries magic instead of muscle. “The Fisherman & the Genie” has a humble fisherman catching a genie who grants a wish that soon finds the fisherman and his wife missing their frugal, simple life. There will also be a participatory Whale Game — in keeping with the nautical theme! Sun., Dec. 12, 11am & 1pm at the Westbeth Community Room (155 Bank St. btw. Washington and West Sts.). For tickets ($5), call 212-924-0525. Visit www.pennypuppets.org.

YOUNG ARTISTS’ CONCERT TO SUPPORT DOWNTOWN ART
What better way to follow up your charitable visit to the St. Brigid School Fleamarket Fundraiser (see previous listing) than to enjoy a concert the very next day that will help support the coming Downtown Art season (tied to the history of the Lower East Side)? The “2nd Annual Young Artists’ Concert to support Downtown Art” is performed by members of the company, under the leadership of Music Director Mike Hickey. Proceeds will fund Downtown Art’s season of arts programming with youth. Sun., Dec. 12, 4pm at University of the Streets (130 Ave. A; entrance on E. 7th St.). Tickets: For adults, $30. For students & seniors, $25. For reservations, visit www.downtownart.org/final_pages/tickets_final.

RABBIT A LA BERLIN and LOSS
If there’s such a thing as a ‘humorous metaphor for the East German Experience,” it’s to be found at Film Forum. That’s where “Rabbit A La Berlin” is currently screening (one of two films on a bill exploring the post-war German experience).

“Rabbit” is a 50-minute documentary short which recalls a very different take on the unexpected consequences of The Berlin Wall. Built in 1961, the “wall” was actually two walls with a “death zone” in between. A handful of rabbits were trapped in this geographical, and political, wilderness. For the next three decades, they multiplied like, well, rabbits. Told in the style of a nature documentary, the film shows us life from a rabbit’s point of view — which becomes an amusing but potent metaphor for the lives of postwar East Germans.

The companion film — “Loss” — is a much more sober examination of German angst. It  uses Sigmund Freud’s definition of mourning (which says loss of fatherland and freedom is just as traumatic as the loss of a loved one) to explore how 20th century German history (and the loss of Germany’s Jewish population) has influenced its citizens’ speech and thought patterns.

Through Dec. 21, at Film Forum (209 W. Houston St., west of Sixth Ave.). For screening times, call the box office at 212-727-8110 or visit www.filmforum.org.

Would You Like to See Your Event listed?
Listing requests may be sent to scott@thevillager.com. Please provide the date, time, location, price and a description of the event (at least three weeks in advance of the event date). Information may also be mailed to 145 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-1548. Requests must be received three weeks before the event is to be published. Questions? Call 646-452-2497.