By now you’ve probably
figured out you’re not in line for those tax refunds you thought you
were getting.Who knew gym memberships weren’t deductible? Anyway, duck
out from TurboTax for a second to contemplate how good we have it with
a panel of Eastern Bloc artists, the disorganized book fair of
anarchist lit and some homegrown talent including playwright Dan
Fishback and Gang Gang Dance’s Brian DeGraw.

YOU WILL EXPERIENCE SILENCE

April 10, Dixon Place, 258 Bowery (betw. E. Houston & Stanton Sts.), 212-219- 7581; 10, $15

Dan
Fishback manages to be both Jewish and gay, which honestly is not
really that much of an accomplishment. One might argue one is born into
both conditions.What is an accomplishment, however, is his latest play,
which follows two queer teenagers in ancient Israel during the Hanukkah
war as they wrestle with their lust for a good-looking Greek. But don’t
expect Hair circa whatever BC. Fishback’s work takes a good look at sexual ethics and political identity. And there’s less singing.

Bottom Line: The Middle East The Lower East Side Jewish Things =A Good Time

Dan Fishback (center) and pals.

 3rd Annual NYC Anarchist Book Fair

April 11, Judson Memorial Church, 239 Thompson St. (at W. 3rd St.), 212-477-0351; 11-8, Free

So
I’ll forgo the jokes when discussing organized anarchist events— How do
they know where to meet? To whom do they pay their dues?—to say that if
ever you wanted to pick up a Fuck Cars button and score a
Wobblies T-shirt, this is the place to do so.There are also panels and
movies and B.O. stink.That’s not quite fair: there may be body odor,
but there are also a lot of great ‘zines.

Bottom Line: While
not my chosen form of government, you’ve got to give it to anarchists.
With a crappy copier and a magic marker thay can create a pretty good
magazine. Maybe they should consult for the Times.

Sessions at Santos

April 14, Santos Party House, 100 Lafayette St. (betw. White & Walker Sts.), 212-584-5494; 11, $10

Former
Black Die (he was one of the Black Dice) Hisha Bharoocha takes over the
downstairs of Santos for a curated, weekly concert.Tonight Bharoocha
chooses Animal Collective producer Rusty Santos’ project The Present
and Brian DeGraw from Gang Gang Dance. In my experience, these are the
best events at Santos, but beware: though there is an 11 o’clock start
time, I’ve never seen it begin before half past midnight. Don’t expect
DJ Spencer Sweeney to start until three.

Bottom Line: Take
advantage of being unemployed to spend nearly all night listening to
mind-blowing soundscapes and drinking Santos’ special brew.

Communism Never Happened

April 9, New Museum Theater, 235 Bowery (at Prince Street), 212-219-1222; 7, $8

This
consonant heavy, vowel shy panel of young artists from the former
Eastern Bloc is held in conjunction with the new New Museum show The Generational: Younger Than Jesus. Like
the exhibit, which gathers 50 artists from 25 countries all born after
1976, the panel is focused on the new. Most of these artists have
distant or no memory of life under communism.This amnesia is
responsible, partially, for the ostnostalgie that permeates so much Eastern European artwork.

Bottom Line: I’d
expect a spirited discussion about how being expected to make art that
only responds to communism is simply tyranny once removed.

Nederlands Dans Theater II

April 9 -11, Joyce Theater, 175 8th Ave. (at W. 19th St.), 212-691-9740; 8, $35

If
you feel bad about paying high taxes, think of the Dutch! High taxes
sure, but so much social welfare. Even dancers are supported by the
state.That might be why NDTII, the baby company of NDTI, is so freaking
good.With work set on them by Jiri Kylián, one of the best modern
choreographers in the last half-century, NDTII makes a dancing argument for a welfare state.

Bottom Line: NDTII tends to be devoid of outward passion but their highly technical duets and ensemble pieces are nonetheless moving.