In celebration of their 40th Anniversary, The Kitchen is hosting a party that will be based on a memorable bday-bash-cum-fundraiser in June of 1981 at a Times Square Megaclub. “Dubbed Aluminum Nights, the marathon event saw a capacity audience of many hundreds — including, all seem to recall, Mick Jagger backstage — enjoy a diversified array of the downtown sounds being nurtured at the crossroads of The Kitchen’s music program. In 2011, as part of its 40th anniversary season, The Kitchen presents a distilled refraction of the Aluminum Music performed over that memorable weekend.” Site

The Vasulka archive has a pdf of the original event here, which is pretty impressive.

The 2011 ‘Aluminum Music’ event is described on the website:
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I’m confused about this program for a couple of reasons. The concept of “re-doing” a party from 1981 odd enough, but then quickly just becomes depressing. Especially because most of the artists I would want to see are not participating (compare the 4 page list on the Vasulka’s website to the description above). But also, some of these artists might suck really bad now. I love Bush Tetras, but I mostly like them for their musical and visual aesthetic–two things that can not ever be reproduced. So, it becomes sort of… nostalgic and banal. I’m going to give this a fair shot, but this has really never bode well for me in the past. And then you run the risk of remembering a less than perfect version of what is being re-hashed. Case in point: Wire. I saw them a few years ago when my friends opened up for them at Irving Plaza, and it was terrible. I can barely listen to them now. This is really no different. Of course there are exceptions like The Clean or The Raincoats.. and I’m not saying I wouldn’t go nuts for a Velvet Underground reunion.. but generally speaking, it doesn’t end well.

Also: wasn’t the spirit of the original ‘Aluminum Music’ party contemporary artists and musicians, which attracted the glitterati A-list celebs? What will this show attract? I understand to convey a sense of authenticity, it might be confusing to add young bands or artists, but it just seems really contradictory. I love the Kitchen, and think Nick Hallett is brilliant, but sort of confused about this one.