Ray Johnson News

San Francisco's elegant Four Seasons hotel, its ballroom transformed into a mesmerizing swirl of vibrant, electric colors, provided the dramatic setting for California Shakespeare Theater's 19th annual gala, Raise the Roof, on Saturday, March 15, 2014. Led by Gala Co-Chairs Jean Simpson and Maureen Knight, and Honorary Co-Chair Annette Bening, the event was the most successful in Cal Shakes history, grossing more than $688,500 and welcoming 330 attendees.

In the Province of Ontario, Canada lies a small hamlet named Bognor. It is situated in an idyllic setting amongst the hills a short distance from Owen Sound on the shores of Georgian Bay leading into Lake Huron.

Thursday, May 2, 2013, will mark one year since the release of the memoir Living With Sickle Cell Disease: The Struggle to Survive by Judy Gray Johnson. By publishing her life's story, Judy has distinguished herself as a master storyteller and tireless advocate for sickle cell disease patients.

B. Michael, the American couturier and ready-to-wear designer whose eponymous label is among the most coveted by stylish and accomplished women around the world, presented the Fall/Winter 2013 b Michael Couture Collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on the evening of Wednesday, February 13. The b Michael America Couture Collection for Fall/Winter 2013 is comprised of 32 opulent and modern looks, which the designer created to reflect the essence of our most magnificent sense of self. Flirting with imagination and extravagant notions of style, the Collection offers an array of textures ranging from silk satin and tapestry to chiffon and crocheted lace, with womanly silhouettes. The palette is rich with saturated jewel tones and textured black.

The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) announces the first West Coast survey exhibition of Gutai (1954-1972)-a significant avant-garde artist collective in postwar Japan whose overriding directive was: 'Do something no one's ever done before.'

Judy Gray Johnson, author of the memoir Living With Sickle Cell Disease: The Struggle to Survive, will read from and sign copies of her book during an event from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Sankofa Video, Books, and Cafe in Washington, D.C. She also will take questions from attendees.

The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) announces the first West Coast survey exhibition of Gutai (1954-1972)-a significant avant-garde artist collective in postwar Japan whose overriding directive was: 'Do something no one's ever done before.'

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will present a special exhibition highlighting the African works acquired by the New York avant-garde and its most influential patrons during the 1910s and 1920s. At the beginning of the 20th century, the appreciation of African artifacts in the West shifted dramatically from colonial trophies to modernist icons. Reflecting on New York's dynamism during the years that followed the 1913 Armory Show, African Art, New York, and the Avant-Garde brings together African art from the collections of many key individuals of the period, now dispersed throughout private and institutional collections. Showcasing more than 60 works from Africa and the Western avant-garde, the exhibition evokes the original context in which they were first experienced simultaneously nearly a century ago. Highlights of the exhibition are 36 wood sculptures from West and Central Africa; they will be presented alongside photographs, sculptures, and paintings by Alfred Stieglitz, Charles Sheeler, Pablo Picasso, Francis Picabia, Diego Rivera, Henri Matisse, and Constantin Brancusi.

The New Jersey Premiere of NEXT TO NORMAL will be presented with The Premier Theatre starting March 23rd at The Premier Room at The Berkley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ.

A free staged reading of Kevin Ray Johnson's The Unpredictable Times, which made its New York debut in January 2011 with a staged reading at The Directors Studio as well as a run at The Manhattan Repertory Theatre's 2011 Winterfest, will be presented in New York City in January.

Gallery 1: Tom Kotik, Tone and Gallery 2: Head Case, curated by Laurel Farrin John Dilg, Laurel Farrin, John Haskell, Ray Johnson (1927-1995), Jane Kent, Alex O'Neal, Julia Schwadron, Jonathan Seliger, James Siena, David Storey, Trevor Winkfield, Katarina Wong will be exhibited at the Lesley Heller Workspace on October 26 - November 27, 2011 with an Opening Reception on Wednesday, October 26, 6-8pm.

Gallery 1: Tom Kotik, Tone and Gallery 2: Head Case, curated by Laurel Farrin John Dilg, Laurel Farrin, John Haskell, Ray Johnson (1927-1995), Jane Kent, Alex O'Neal, Julia Schwadron, Jonathan Seliger, James Siena, David Storey, Trevor Winkfield, Katarina Wong will be exhibited at the Lesley Heller Workspace on October 26 - November 27, 2011 with an Opening Reception on Wednesday, October 26, 6-8pm.

Kevin Johnson's The Unpredictable Times, which made its New York debut in January with a staged reading at The Directors Company, will be a part of The Manhattan Repertory Theatre's 2011 Winterfest.

If Neil Simon were writing The Odd Couple in the 21st century, I suspect he'd write Oscar and Felix as gay men just coming out of the closet and make a lot of references about online dating, Twitter and Facebook, and the weekly poker game that is featured prominently during the onstage action would be - well, probably, it would still be a poker game (and to ensure that his characters sound hip, he would, of course, make some odd Sex and the City references, which would render it ridiculously un-hip).

Kevin Johnson's Coming of Age Drama THE UNPREDICTABLE TIMES will perform a Free Staged reading Open to The Public at The Directors Company - 311 West 43rd Street, Suite 409 Sunday January 16th at 3:00 PM.

The Winter, Manhattan Repertory Theatre will be presenting 32 new plays featuring some of this country's finest playwrights, actors and directors in a theatrical celebration of new work - MRT'S WINTERFEST 2011. Tickets are $20. For reservations call: (646) 329-6588. Manhattan Repertory Theatre is located at 303 W. 42nd St. Third floor.

Celebrated actress and two-time Tony Award-winner Frances Sternhagen will be joining the confluence of artists and audiences for Florida Stage's 5th Annual 1st Stage New Works Festival. Ms. Sternhagen will be featured in a staged reading of legendary playwright Israel Horovitz' new play Beverley on Saturday, February 5, 2011. On Friday, February 4, in place of the Festival's usual Keynote speech, Ms. Sternhagen will take part in what is being called 'A Conversation with Frances Sternhagen.' Florida Stage Producing Director Louis Tyrrell will conduct a public interview with Sternhagen on stage in the Persson Hall at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The Florida Stage 1st Stage New Works Festival takes place February 3-6, 2011. Tickets and packages for all Festival events are available online at www.floridastage.org or by calling the box office at (561) 585-3433.

Kevin Johnson's Coming of Age Drama THE UNPREDICTABLE TIMES will perform a Free Staged reading Open to The Public at The Directors Company - 311 West 43rd Street, Suite 409 Sunday January 16th at 3:00 PM.

The music of The King himself, Elvis Presley, is coming to the stage at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre when the area premiere of All Shook Up opens on Friday, April 9th at the theatre. A fast-paced, fun-loving musical romp, it's the perfect show to usher in the spring!