Documentaries often profile individuals or follow remote adventures. But The Tao of 9 Second Avenue takes an in-depth look at a building, as it transforms in tandem with the ever-evolving Lower East Side. In less than a century, the building has been a homeless shelter, church, community center for warring cabbies, arts hub, samba rehearsal space, Taoist temple, hip-hop party spot, kung-fu school, and ultimately a luxury-apartment complex. This screening at the New Museum, itself a symbol of the Bowery's changing face, is accompanied by appearances from performance artist Akim Funk Buddha and comedian Steve Ben Israel, who are both featured in the film.