Avant-Garde-Arama is the longest running program at Performance Space New York. Featuring a mixed bill of performers, dancers, musicians, and filmmakers, each performing short acts on a single night, the much beloved program has offered less known artists first access to the theater and more experienced performers the opportunity to try out new work in front of a supportive, celebratory crowd. Legendary acts such as Spalding Gray, Karen Finley, Taylor Mac, DANCENOISE, Reggie Watts, Carmelita Tropicana, Alien Comic and hundreds more have presented their work here, some of them for the very first time. Curated by a committee of artists and organized by Salley May the program is a prime example of the communal effort that has kept our theater vibrant and alive throughout four decades. What better way to celebrate the opening of our new spaces with an expanded Avant-Garde-Arama taking place simultaneously on several stages welcoming everybody back to the anything-can-happen ethos at 150 First Avenue.
