Daily News from New York, New York • 370

Jt DAiLV NEWS 'fcs- -Sunday; Apiif 17, "1988 BSX 26 Bag aiao Culturally, too, Cathedral of St. John is divine NE OF THE MOST interesting cultural centers in town is in a church and is above 96th SL I "1 I I imuJ wiiiwwaftTrfr mat i aaMfitniiT Tii i It's the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, at 112th St and Amsterdam Ave. The cathedral has expanded its arts program. During the '87-'88 season, which ends in May, 140 events will have been presented.

The cathedral does not present the tried and true. The arts calendar is filled with unusual events embracing many cultures. Performances at the cathedral draw up to 3,000 people. One reason that the cathedral is involved in the arts is because of the influence of Dean James Morton. "He feels that creativity is a spiritual celebration," said Maria Elliot, assistant director of Cathedral Productions.

The dean's interest in the arts will be reflected at 8 p.m. April 25, when the Nagoya Odori Japanese Dance Company performs. The dean saw this company last year when he visited Japan. This is the first time the company has been to the U.S., and the cathedral performance is part of the group's nationwide tour. The Odori company includes 12 dancers, 15 musicians and 10 stagehands, who are on stage during the performance.

Odori is a dance form that is closely related to dramatic theater and uses popular Japanese themes and stories. Tickets for Nagoya Odori are $15-and $20. Upcoming events at the cathedral wil include: May 9-13 at 8 p.m.: "A Pillar of Cluds," an event by Iliroshi Saito, mi Nagoya Odori dancer CATHEDRAL of St. John the Divine, 112th St. and Amsterdam Ave.

May 20-21: Cathedral Choirs and Cathedral School presents "Noyes Fludde" by Benjamin Britten. May 22: A concert by the Russian Musical Arts Society of America will celebrate the Anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church. The group will sing the Cantata of John of Damascus and Russian Sacred Music. For ticket and schedule information: 662-2133. the third day, using traditional Japanese instruments.

Dancers Shasen Tachibama and Jujihiko Hamayan-agi will perform on the fourth day, and on the fifth day Masayo Tokura will dance. Admission is $10. Proceeds after expenses will be donated to AIDS research. May 7, 14, 27, 28 and 30: The Cathedral Free Concert Society presents a Bach festival with the Schubert Society Choir. Free.

who incorporates hand-dyed silk fabric in music and dance performances. This five-day artwork is inspired by the Bible story of Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt. On the first day, Saito will create the symbols of the Exodus liberation with light and fabric. Members of the Kanazwa-kan Buto-kan dance troupe will perform on the second day; Ushio Torikai, composer and musician, will play on year. The subway art has been created by Amir Bey, Elizabeth Grajales, Ed Herman, Suellen Johnson, Nina Kuo, Ginger Legato, Rachel Romero, Pamela Shoemaker and Mimi Smith.

The Theater Students Association at the Graduate School of City University has voted to present the Edwin Booth Award for Contributions to New York City Theater to the Ridiculous Theatrical Company. Everett Quinton will accept the award tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in the school's auditorium at 33 W. 42d St The event is free and open to the public. The'founder of the Ridiculous Theatrical Company was Charles Ludlam, who died last year.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the State of Israel, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergiu Comissiona, will play at 8 p.m. Thursday at Carnegie Hall. The concert will feature the rarely played Concerto in A Minor for String Quartet and Orchestra by Ludwig Spohr. For this concert, the renowned Guarnieri Quartet will be the guest artists. Tickets are $10-25.

The orchestra has not played in New York since 1976. The Mass Transit Street Theater is one of the most committed and innovative theater groups in the city. For 18 years, the group has written and performed work about labor, environmental and other social problems. The plays are written collaboratively by members of the company and performed for community and i 1 i four women: an abandoned single mother; a black actress trying to find work in the theater; a South Bronx schoolteacher, and a business executive. The four women share their stories in a production using film and music in a play created and performed by Robbin Beall, Sandra Berrios, Lynn Fisher, Skeeter Greene and Lynn Pyle.

Music is by Chriss White and film footage is by Roberta Cantow. Costumes were designed by Helene Steele and the musicians are Marisa McLeod and Leopoldo Fleming. "Connection" will be performed Thursday and Friday at Pregones Theater at Hostos Community College, 295 SL Ann's Ave. The production is being sponsored by the col-lege and Bannana Kelly, a community housing-rehabilitation organization. From May 6 to 8, the group will do "Connection" at the YMCA at 63d SL and Central Park WesL Lehan and Company will dance today at 3 p.m.

at the Nikolais-Louis Choreospace, 33 E. 18th SL Admission is $8. The program includes "Night Ski," which is performed in ski boots. Art makers will unveil "The Changing Face of SoHo," an installation in the Broadway-Lafayette subway station, at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

The installation will be on display for a If- -Vi 1 Mi if SANDRA Berrios (I.) and Skeeter Greene of Mass Transit Street Theater. labor organizations. The group is currently doing "Connection," about the experience of Sergiu Comissiona.