Read the NYT Article on The Zipper's Closing

Above The Belt, an aerial showcase that I’ve helped Britt Nhi Sarah produce got it’s start in The Belt Theatre.  The Belt was a small cabaret space next to the Zipper Theatre and both were part of the venue known to most as The Zipper Factory.  Opened in 2001 it was home to such productions as “The Sensuous Woman” by Margaret Cho, “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,” “Jesus Is Magic” by Sarah Silverman, “Betty Rules” and Alan Cumming’s adaptation of Jean Genet’s “Elle.” The website is still live.  An eerie reminder of a great place.

Above The Belt started in the Belt space and moved next door when the Belt was turned over into the Tavern.  The grid and stage area remained and we staged what would become ourlast show to a packed house on December 18, 2009.  Suddenly, on January 14th 2009, the theatre abruptly closed.  No one saw it coming.  Not the managers, staff and least of all any of the acts including us. (Read the NYT article here)

Nine months later I was walking by coincidently enough with Britt Nhi.  We had just come from a nearby space where we were shopping the show and I noticed workers coming out pushing large demolition dumpsters.  I walked up and asked if the space was open.  They said yes and we walked in.  Below are photos of what we saw.  The entire space gutted.  Stripped clean down to the bone.  What was once one of the most unique theatre space I had ever seen in this country was now all but a memory.  I only wish I had as many photos of the place when it was alive.  I wish I knew where all of the well curated artifacts that littered the place are now.  And where did all the car seats go?  Warning, these photos may be shocking to some.

(p.s. If you have photos of theatre space, especially the lounge/bar area, please email them to me)

The Zipper Factory (2001- January 14, 2009)

The aerial show that I am producing with Britt Nhi Sarah has it’s second showcase this coming Sunday, October 12th, 7PM at The Zipper Factory.

Above the Belt is an aerial showcase that has been dazzling New York audiences for the past three years. It is committed to the city’s reputation as the most innovative stage on earth and every show is new and fresh with a constantly evolving line-up of the most essential aerial artists.

Learn more about Above The Belt at our website.

You can stay up to date with the show during our 2008 run.  You can join our mailing list, become a fan of our Facebook page, join our Flickr group and add some photos of your favorite aerial moments and subscribe to our Google calendar.

I teamed up with the amazing Britt Nhi Sarah to help her produce the new season of Above The Belt.  A monthly aerial showcase premiering Sunday, September 14th at The Zipper Factory.

Above the Belt is an aerial showcase that has been dazzling New York audiences for the past three years. It is committed to the city’s reputation as the most innovative stage on earth and every show is new and fresh with a constantly evolving line-up of the most essential aerial artists.

Producers Britt Nhi Sarah, Alexander Rea, and The Zipper Factory provide a platform to display the most current aerial art in the world, where artists from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia perform original work on traditional and new aerial apparatus.

Learn more about Above The Belt at our website.

You can stay up to date with the show during our 2008 run.  You can join our mailing list, become a fan of our Facebook page, join our Flickr group and add some photos of your favorite aerial moments and subscribe to our Google calendar.