All Tomorrow's Party

On September 10th, a quiet, loft-lined stretch of Grand Street will host New York's first annual Art Parade, a wild procession of art, fashion and music. During this, the brainchild of art gallerist extraordinaire Jeffrey Deitch, the streets of Little Italy should overflow with artists parading toward Soho, both on foot and on floats. Creative types like As Four, Ryan McGinnis, Steve Powers, the Citizens Band and many of downtown's other eccentric talents will march along Grand from Lafayette to Wooster Street. After that, the artists will let their proverbial hair down and engage in a rocking block party. "The idea for the parade originated organically out of the direction of our gallery," explains Deitch. "It's the logical outgrowth of the kind of programs that we do." It was also envisioned as a way to kick off the art season and Fashion Week, which both begin that weekend. What particularly inspired Deitch, however, was a little something brought to you by yours truly: the Paper Project of 2001, a totally out-there fashion-music-art extravaganza that included a semi-nude revue by the Dazzle Dancers and a musical interlude on the theremin by As Four. Indeed, it is with a touch of nostalgia that Deitch recalls As Four's rooftop performance. "They put black stretch fabric over the air conditioning ducts. It was astonishing." He continues, "Art is a very flexible platform. There are lots of different things that can be included under the umbrella of art." Speaking of umbrellas, what happens, Jeffrey, if it rains? "Then it rains," he says.

The Art Parade will take place at the corner of Crosby and Grand at 4 p.m on Sept. 10.; the block party will continue afterward at Deitch Projects, 18 Wooster St.