In 1970, Anthology Film Archives opened in downtown Manhattan as one of the first organizations dedicated to avant-garde cinema. This month, founding director and filmmaker Jonas Mekas will host a spring gala at Capitale, the downtown venue housed in the former Bowery Savings Bank. An auction led by Simon de Pury will raise money for a café and library, two yet-to-be-realized features from the original plan. Patti Smith is set to perform.

Below: Anthology Film Vault with Jonas Mekas. (Photo: Courtesy Anthology Film Archives)