In Honor of Andy, NYC's Gershwin Hotel Kicks off "Factory Craze - A Week of Warhol" Feb. 19-23. FASHIONTRIBES POP CULTURE BLOG

To mark the twentieth anniversary of Warhol's death, The Gershwin Hotel & VH1are planning a mega tribute. “The Gershwin Hotel has the mandate to keep pop-culture art alive, filling every crevice of every floor with art,” says Suzanne Tremblay, owner of The Gershwin Hotel. “We therefore feel it is our obligation to appropriately celebrate the life of Andy Warhol.”

• Monday, February 19, 12:30 - 2:30 pm: An award ceremony honoring the Andy Warhol Superstars including Sally Kirkland, Ultra Violet, Billy Name, Geraldine Smith, Bibbe Hansen, Mary Woronov, Taylor Mead, Robert Heide, Ron Tavel, Ivy Nicholson, Christopher Makos, Holly Woodlawn, Danny Fields, Eric Anderson, David Croland, Harvey Tavel, Sterling Morrison and others. Following the opening ceremony, a week-long art exhibition entitled “Factory Days” opens, chronicling Andy Warhol’s life and artwork.

• Tuesday, February 20, 1-5 pm: Writers on Warhol authors book fair. Authors including Mary Woronov (Swimming Underground: My Years in the Warhol Factory), Ultra Violet (Famous for Fifteen Minutes) and Victor Bockris (Warhol: The Biography) will be on hand to talk about the Warhol era and sign their books. From 6-8 p.m. The New York Times’ John Leland will lead a panel discussion on the Warholian influence on publishing.  Panelists include Paper Magazine Editor-in-Chief Carlo McCormick, Kenneth Goldsmith (I’ll be your Mirror: The Selected Andy Warhol Interviews) and Glenn O’Brien, former editor of Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine.

• Wednesday, February 21:  Warhol & Film: From Underground to Above Ground 24 hour film festival. Highlights several of Warhol’s early underground films as well as later theatrical works.  Films scheduled include Vinyl, Warhol’s interpretation of Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange and the classic Chelsea Girls. In the evening, a panel of eminent filmmakers, Warhol film actors and film critics will discuss Warhol’s movies and their impact on the art of filmmaking.

• Thursday, February 22: The anniversary of the day the legendary artist died. The Gershwin Hotel& the Warhol Factory X Levi’s® collection will present an fashion show of the super premium denim which incorporates the look, feel and artwork of the Factory era.The Warhol Factory X Levi’s® collection - Warhol actually wore the 501s - couples imagery of the avant-garde artist’s famous artwork—such as his depictions of Marilyn Monroe—with the latest in denim design. Other Warhol-inspired fashions will be on display, including Seiko Watches, Royal Elastic Shoes, Robert Lee Morris Jewelry and Loop Bags.

• Friday, February 23: a Silver Factory Ball  featuring poetry readings by Taylor Mead, performances by violinist Walter Steding, performance - artist Penny Arcade and surprise musical guests.

For more info on The Gershwin, go to GershwinHotel.com.

- Lesley Scott

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