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New Sounds Live at the Winter Garden

Following on the heels of November 2002's celebrated reopening of the World Financial Center, New Sounds Live, hosted and curated by WNYC's John Schaefer, returns to host four nights of silent films set to innovative and energetic scores by the Alloy Orchestra, January 21-24. The screenings, which begin at 7pm and will be taped for future broadcast on WNYC, constitute part of the recently revived arts series at the Winter Garden, the glass-encased centerpiece of the World Financial Center at 220 Vesey Street. All performances are free.

Famed for its "rack of junk," the Alloy Orchestra is arguably the finest modern-day purveyor of silent movie scores in this country. For over a decade the Cambridge-based band has conquered legions of fans with its kinetic, percussion-heavy accompaniment to films as varied as Nosferatu, Steamboat Bill, Jr. and Man with a Movie Camera. Using both traditional synthesizers and drums as well as an outrageous assemblage of peculiar objects (horseshoes, air-conditioner ducts, trunk springs, an out-of-tune zither, plumbing pipes), the band brings new life to classics frequently overlooked by '90s film audiences.

Consisting of Boston rock and improv scene veterans Ken Winokur and Terry Donahue (both formerly members of the Concussion Ensemble), as well as Roger Miller (best known as Mission of Burma's frontman), Alloy strives to be both inventive and respectful of its source material. Below is a complete schedule for the band's Winter Garden performances. Admission is free, but arrive early, as seats go fast!


Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 7pm
South (England) 1919

Based on Frank Hurley's story about Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition, the amazing tale of English explorers attempting to cross the South polar ice cap. Incredible documentary footage of one of the most unbelievable stories of human courage. Living on the Antarctic ice, without shelter, for more than a year, these 27 men braved the harshest conditions on Earth, and survived. 35mm (88 min.) More about South

Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 7pm
The Arbuckle/Keaton Shorts (US)

Three shorts in all; The Bell Boy (1918), Back Stage (1919), The Garage (1920). The masterful Fatty Arbuckle directed and starred in these gems, accompanied by a youthful Buster Keaton in his first screen performances. In his heyday, Arbuckle was second only to Chaplin in popularity as a screen comedian. Although he was completely vindicated by the courts, Arbuckle's brilliant career was ruined in the early 1920's by the infamous Virginia Rappe murder trials. Used as a scapegoat for the scandal-ridden movie industry, he was blacklisted and died a broken man at the age of 46. Alloy premiered their live performance at the Film Society of Lincoln Center on Thanksgiving weekend, 2001. 35mm (77 min.) More about the Keaton/Arbuckle shorts

Thursday, January 23, 2003 at 7pm
Nosferatu - A Symphony of Horror. by F.W. Murnau (Germany), 1922

The Greatest Vampire movie of all time! Shot in the Carpathian mountains of Transylvania and in Germany, this has been an audience and critical favorite ever since its debut. This exquisite new print reveals the creepy genius of this masterpiece for the first time in a decade. Master director F.W. Murnau has bequeathed us the mother of all nightmares. 35mm (85 min.) More about Nosferatu

Friday, January 24, 2003 at 7pm
Steamboat Bill Jr. (US), 1927

One of the funniest and most amazing films of the silent era, Steamboat Bill has amused audiences for generations. Buster Keaton plays the scrawny son of a bruising steamboat captain. Try as he might, Bill Jr. can do nothing right. The climax is the completely surreal storm sequence where a house falls around Busters shoulders, leaving him unscathed. A perfect vehicle for Alloy's humor and energy. Beautifully restored new prints let you see this film as it was originally intended. 35mm (67 min.) More about Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Related Information:

World Financial Center Web site
More about the restoration of the Winter Garden