Hello all! First of all, my apologies to Andy who seems to have really missed his writers. I was gone from New York and from the country, with often limited internet access and even more limited access to theater, dance and music events. In any case, I am back. This is a short blog to let you know what I will be doing this weekend, hoping my plans will inspire yours.

Tonight (Thursday, Sept. 11): I will head over to the Ontological Hysteric Theater to see The Brainum Bros. & Sons Theatrical Outfit’s The 2 Sisters; or Douglas Mery, Next to Nothing (8pm). From the website: “ridiculous humor and chilling horror ride roughshod over traditional apocalyptic storytelling. Two clairvoyant sisters have journeyed into the wilderness in search of their long lost mother; instead they find a man without a future, perform brain surgery, and reveal the contents of their underwear drawer”.

Friday, Sept. 12: Going to The Stone to participate in “a night of music and madness” in support for this great venue. John Zorn will play the sax, joined by Ikue Mori (laptop) Sylvie Courvoisier (piano) and “many special guests”. There’s a cover charge of $20 (2 sessions: 8,10pm).

Saturday, Sept. 13: I look forward to seeing Reid Farrington’s Passion Project at PS122 (9pm). This critically acclaimed installation has already shown at 3LD this summer, and promises to be an exciting combination of video and live performance.

That’s all for now. As a reminder, the World Music Institute has some great music events coming up. I am looking forward to the Whirling Dervishes of Damascus with Sheikh Hamza Shakkur & Ensemble Al-Kindi, coming up on September 21. All of their events take place at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts. (If you are a NYU student, tickets are only $12.)

Also, Bill T. Jones will be at BAM with A Quarreling Pair (follow the link to see a extracts from the performance), Sept. 30 and Oct. 2-4. Bill T. Jones is one of the sexiest and most exciting American contemporary dance choreographers. He has put together a diverse company, with dancers from all over the world, and his work can be both moving and exhilarating. I highly recommend going to see his work, especially if you have not been exposed to contemporary dance before.