Behave Yourself

We welcome back the Adirondack Theatre Festival to the summer scene, and their world-premiere comedy by Leslie Ayvazian, Behave Yourself. Ayvazian presented an earlier version of this, titled Bad Cat, at ATF last summer as a staged reading. Now it’s a full-bodied comedy that explores “issues of romance, secrecy, and power when a suburban couple start trying on new roles in their relationship with the help of a friendly dominatrix”—see photo—“a whip, and some nosy neighbors.”

Metroland has long been a fan of Ayvazian’s work; as Kathy Ceceri wrote of her one-woman ATF show High Dive in July 2005, “Ayvazian is a great storyteller, one of those people who can fill the littlest incident with suspense, drama and humor.”

Adirondack Theatre Festival’s production of Behave Yourself open Wednesday (June 27) at 8 PM at the Charles R. Wood Theater (207 Glen St., Glens Falls), and continue through July 7. Tickets are $28. For reservations and complete showtime information, visit www.atfestival.org or call 798-7479.

Cesaria Evora

Long before Madonna tried and failed twice to hire Cesaria Evora to sing at private parties, Evora was a local legend in her home Cape Verde islands (off the West African coast) for her mastery of “morna,” the local music known for its poignant evocation of “love, longing, beauty and loss.”

It wasn’t until the late 1980s, though, when Evora was in her mid-40s, that a Cape Verdian exile in Europe helped Evora come to the world’s attention. Now, the “Barefoot Diva”—who earned this nickname for obvious reasons—is renowned in world-music circles. And she’s coming to Albany this Wednesday, so all who revere world and/or roots music should definitely take note.

Cesaria Evora will perform Wednesday (June 27) at 7:30 PM at the Egg (Empire State Plaza, Albany). Tickets are $28. Call the box office at 473-1845 for reservations and information.

Threads of Wiawaka

“Wiawaka” is derived from an Abenaki word meaning “the great spirit of woman”; Wiawaka Holiday House, a 60-acre property on the eastern shore of Lake George, has been nurturing that spirit since it was founded during the Progressive Era as a retreat for the female textile workers of Troy and Cohoes who otherwise could not afford such vacations. It continues today in much the same tradition, offering a haven for women from across the country of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Threads of Wiawaka, a benefit fashion show that will spotlight New York state women fashion and jewelry designers and boutique owners, will take place Monday at the Hall of Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park. The honored guest will be state First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer, and U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand will share her remarks. The program also will include lunch, a video presentation, a poetry reading, a silent auction and, of course, the fashion show. Proceeds will benefit Wiawaka Holiday House and its programs.

Threads of Wiawaka will take place Monday (June 25) from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Hall of Springs (Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs). Tickets are $75; for reservations, contact Katie Haviland at 274-6881 or khaviland@nycap.rr.com.