Cultural Reflections of a 20-Something in NYC

Williamsburg: The New Meatpacking District?

2010-04-29T20:49:00.001-04:00

According to NBC New York, Williamsburg is regarded as the new Meatpacking District in New York.

Somehow I like living in the dingier South Williamsburg area, away from the yuppification and allure to the bankers. Well, I don't mind bankers so much as the idea that Williamsburg is "the new Meatpacking District." No offense... just like my artsy neighborhood!

See the full NBC article here.

Brooklyn Parties this Weekend!

2010-04-23T18:55:00.000-04:00

Please see my new blog, Reviews and Reflections of a South Williamsburger, for details on parties this weekend in Williamsburg and Beyond!

NYC Celebrating Earth Day in Times Square, O-Kay?!

2010-04-22T11:53:00.002-04:00

Apparently there is an extended Earth Day celebration in Times Square today, in honor of Earth Day's 40th anniversary. Can you smell the irony in the air?

New York Celebrates Earth Day's 40th Anniversary in Times Square -- NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ --

Strange times we're in, indeed. Hmm, I may bike there today to check out the shenanigans. Oh, and did you know April is also bike month for NYC? Now that's a little more Earth Day friendly... See the info on the Transportation Alternatives website!

Brooklyn Blogs!

2010-04-22T11:52:00.002-04:00

In honor of my resurrection as a blogger, I thought I would feature some other Brooklyn blogs, from Williamsburg and beyond.

Some notable Williamsburg blogs:

Cultural Reflections of a 20-Something in NYC (shameless self-promotion)

Xx DJ SET at LPR!

2010-04-21T19:23:00.004-04:00

Yes, I am BACK! I was on a 6 month or so hiatus, but here I am. Miraculously, Blogger was able to recover my long since deleted blog. Kudos to you, Blogger.

So the Xx is having a DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge tomorrow, April 22!!

Tickets are only $10 in advance and $12 the day of the show. Le Posson Rouge is located at 158 Bleeker Street; their motto is "serving art and alcohol." This is sure to be a fun party!

Recent Shows: Chromeo and Raveonettes

2009-10-21T14:06:00.004-04:00

Below are some pics from last week's shows!

Chromeo:

And the Raveonettes:

And tonight I am going to the CMJ marathon at Bowery Ballroom, which will include headliners Fanfarlo, the Postelles, and Midnight Juggernauts.

Indie/Punk Times

2009-10-14T10:53:00.002-04:00

So yesterday night, after a teaching extravaganza of a day, I ended up at the new Knitting Factory, which is now in my neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And the best thing was that it happened to be Moisturizer's last show. (My friend wanted me to come, hearing that Moisturizer was legendary, while I hadn't ever heard buzz on them, except I had happened to catch them at Zebulon the other week!) I didn't even know what show I was going to see when I agreed to check out the Knitting Factory last night. So I just so happened to see Moisturizer twice, and each time was incredible: with their psychedelic/jazz/funk sound, they definitely imbue a certain sense of sexy magic into the evening.

And tonight I am going to see Punk Princess, an off-Broadway show about a blue-blooded Londoner girl who escapes to NYC to make it into the punk scene. Good times.

Marathon '33 at Webster Hall... If I Had the Disposable Income!!

2009-10-12T11:29:00.007-04:00

I would sooo be at this tonight if I had the disposable income... But I've already overspent to see Chromeo, The Punk Princess (off-Broadway show), and the Raveonettes this coming week....! Here's to enjoying the decadence of the city!

Celebrate the recession with
THE ORIGINAL REALITY SHOW:
MARATHON DANCING

ENJOY AN EXCITING STAGE SHOW
We're transforming Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street, into a 1930's dance hall for MARATHON '33 — a special presentation of a new stage show inspired by Miss June Havoc's 1963 play of the same title — for one night only on Monday, October 19, beginning at 6:30pm. Tomé Cousin and Peter Gregus will direct and choreograph a cast of more than twenty performers as they jitterbug and jive to the sounds of a bygone era.

Tony Award-winning Broadway Star
Karen Ziemba
will entertain with 30s era songs!

CLASSIC FUN FOOD OF THE TIME
In addition to the entertainment, we'll be serving the comfort foods of the era, and of today too,
including hot dogs, pretzels, peanuts, cotton candy and beer.

RAFFLES & DOOR PRIZES
Chances to win trips, jewelry, theatre tickets - including FINIAN'S RAINBOW and THE TOXIC AVENGER - and more,
along with other surprises will add to the evening's fun.

This Once-In-A-Lifetime, Theatrically Historical Event will honor Abingdon's Board Chairman Emeritus Margot London,
and our Special Guest of Honor Julie Harris,
who created the role of Jean Reed in the original Broadway production of
MARATHON '33.

The fun begins at 6:30pm with swing lessons taught by Myrna Caceres from The 92nd Street Y with the assistance of Fred Velde from the Workshop Theater. This will be followed by a featured duet by the Mark Stewart Dance Theatre. The stage show begins at 8:00pm, and will be followed by drinks and dancing into the wee hours. Vintage dress is optional.

Premium tickets at $250, including a Private VIP Reception,
are available by CLICKING HERE

or Balcony view tickets at $50 are available by CLICKING HERE

In Memoriam Show at Issue Prject Room for Suzanne Fiol

2009-10-09T11:52:00.005-04:00

This is incredibly sad. I worked with Suzanne and at Issue for a number of years. Suzanne was an amazing woman, beautiful inside and out, and she founded an incredible venue dedicated to emerging music and the arts. She will be profoundly missed, by many!

IN MEMORIAM of Issue Project Room founder and director Suzanne Fiol, who passed Monday.
in memoriam with love
Please honor her by supporting IPR.
FRIDAY OCT 9
Poetry to the Infinitive Powers
At 7pm -- The Way of the Word
Poetry Extravaganza curated by Bob Holman, Suzanne Fiol, and Kenneth Goldsmith

At 9:00pm -- These Are Powers Dance Party
performance by drum and trapeze duo Lone Wolf and Cub
The PREMIERE of our new video for "Candyman" off our forthcoming RVNG 12"
DANCE PARTYw/DJs Ryan Sawyer, Matt Radune and Jeremy Campbell
Video installations by Secret Project Robot

TAP performs live and will be joined by a horn section and Ryan Sawyer on congas!

The Garage @ (OA) Can Factory
232 3rd St. Brooklyn, NY 11215
$12, sorry this event is not all ages

As the date says, this is at Issue Project Room tonight.

Crooked Disco Tomorrow!

2009-10-02T12:40:00.003-04:00

First, I have to say that the Anti-Pop Consortium show was excellent - quality "nerd-rap" music styling... my friend and I even had our pictures taken by band promoters with their stickers when we walked in. (Who knows where these pics will end up, if anywhere...)

Then Thursday night I enjoyed the free music at Zebulon in Williamsburg and discovered the funk-soul band, The Moisturizers. Good stuff.

And now, for an evening with friends tonight, and hopefully tomorrow, Crooked Disco at Public Assembly (yes, also in Williamsburg!) It will be a Freaktoberfest celebration. Hmm...

Anti-Pop Consortium Tonight!

2009-09-29T16:11:00.001-04:00

I am going tonight!

GBH Events: Dollar Daze at Webster, Anti-Pop Consortium and More!

2009-09-25T10:44:00.003-04:00

I have to re-post this informative and exciting e-mail from the party-promoters at GBH.

BLACK DEVIL DISCO CLUB LIVE
Mike Simonetti (Italians Do It Better) DJs
$1 DRINKS & $1 ADMISSION B4 MIDNIGHT
Friday September 25 at Webster Hall

The legendary Black Devil Disco Club are coming to New York to play a live set for us. Our spines are tingling... these guys are not only the most mysterious and enigmatic electronic act in history, but their spooky electro disco sound is so essential, it feels like it is casting some weird voodoo spell over you.
Those italo disco basslines, and creeping synth lines, weird sound effects, amazing melodies... it's what you might imagine they play on a Saturday night in Beelzebub's brothel... take a listen
The Devil In Us //// Coach Me //// H Friend //// Open The Night

The excellent Mike Simonetti of Italians Do It Better will also be DJing.

And not to forget our resident Girls and Boys DJs: Alex English, Gavin Royce, Kids With Snakes and Rekles.

$1 DRINKS & $1 ADMISSION TIL 12 WITH RSVP: CLICK HERE

Webster Hall: 125 E11th St between 3rd & 4th Ave.s
Doors 10pm. 19+ w/I.D.
_________________________________________________________

Official Phoenix After Party
SVEDKA VODKA OPEN BAR 10-11
Tribeca Grand - Saturday Sept. 26

That's right... it's the Phoenix After Party... and DFA's Holy Ghost! will be DJing.

Plus Matt and Maia are back to rock the turntables (we'll be celebrating Matt Kaye's Birthday). Alex English will also be DJing.

Your hosts for the evening will be: The 66Sick Girls,and Aaron Kolfage.

And let's not forget the drinks speciasl:
$10 Sol and Jim Beam shot combo all night (Red Stripe and Jim Beam shots are both $6 if purchased separately).

PLUS SVEDKA VODKA OPEN BAR 1OPM-11PM

FREE WITH RSVP: CLICK HERE
When you arrive, tell the door person you are on the GBH Guest List.. Admission at doorperson's discretion.

Tribeca Grand: 2 Avenue of the Americas
Doors 10pm. 21+ w/I.D.
Admission at doorperson's discretion.
__________________________________________________________

ANTI-POP CONSORTIUM LIVE
Tuesday Sept 29 at Santos Party House

Legendary underground Hip-Hop renegades, Anti-Pop Consortium are back and they have a new album. This will be the release party for 'Fluorescent Black', with a live performance by the boys themselves plus CX Kidtronik and special guests.

$10 TICKETS AVAILABLE: CLICK HERE

Santos Party House: 96 Lafayette Street betwn Walker and White. Doors 7pm. 18+

Classes at 3rd Ward

2009-09-23T18:30:00.001-04:00

This is the kind of stuff I need to be doing more of. Productive creative fun.

Below, blurbs and info from 3rd Ward:

Well, Jesus's Last Supper had a weird ending but yours will have a happy one! (NO! Not that kind). This Saturday over 50 artists of all kinds convene for annual multi-media art feast, The Last Supper! Don't miss the chance to indulge all your senses with art, music, films and food.

Tonight, come out for everybody's favorite weekly staple Drink n' Draw and tomorrow join us & Brooklyn Royalty for the Indie Business Fair.

But don't let your body have all the fun. You brain wants to sign up for our class of the week!

1. The Last Supper: Music, Art, Film, Food Festival, September 26, THIS SATURDAY

2. Drink n' Draw, TONIGHT!

3. Indie Business Fair, September 24, THIS THURSDAY

4. Sweatshop Social, September 28

5. Class of the week: Intro to Final Cut Pro

####1. The 5th Annual Last Supper Festival, September 26, 6 p to 2 a, $15 or $10 w/ 3 cans of food, FREE for Members

An artistic feast for the senses that brings together over 50 short films, works of art, writings, culinary creations, edible installations, and up-and-coming bands & DJ's to celebrate the autumn harvest and discuss consumption. Created & curated by artist and architect Coralina Meyer, The Last Supper kindles the creative miasma infused by community interaction, and harvests the cornucopia of media in our own backyard.

Benefiting the Food Bank of New York City.

RSVP events@3rdward.com

For more information visit www.lambastic.com.

####2. Drink n' Draw, 8 to 10:30 p, $15/person or $10 w/ a friend, FREE for Members

Every Wednesday 3rd Ward indulges artists with a night of drawing the nude figure while drinking beer, eating snacks and chillin' to the good tunes of DJ Jedi Mind Orgasm (aka Adam Collison).

Please be prepared for a nice relaxing time and come with drawing supplies in hand. No previous drawing experience required to attend.

For more information visit http://www.3rdward.com/drink-n-draw/.

####3. Indie Business Fair, Thursday, September 24, 7 to 10 p, FREE admission, complimentary Colt 45 while it lasts

Ever had a really creative, fun idea for a new business that you were just dying to make a reality? Well, you're in luck, because there are already NYC-ers like you who are doing just that! Get inspired at the 2nd Indie Business Fair, which gathers 10 aspiring entrepreneurs and their brand new business plans in the same room for one evening only!

Sponsored by Brooklyn Royalty and 3rd Ward Edu, you can rock out to the beats of DJ Jeff Ramos, grab a drink with your friends and check out the newest independent businesses before anyone else. Plus there will be tons of demonstrations, free samples and giveaways!

####4. Sweatshop Social, September 28, 7 to 10 p, FREE

Made for food-shopping fashionistas and creative environmentalists alike, join non-profit organization, Bags for the People, in a night of custom cotton bag making. You bring the fun and the fabric; we'll provide the sewing machines, instruction, drinks, snacks and live music. 'Cause everybody knows plastic is passe.

RSVP events@3rdward.com

For more information visit http://bagsforthepeople.org/.

####5. Class of the week: Intro to Final Cut Pro, Sundays October 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2:30 to 5:30 p

Learn all the essentials necessary to start editing your own work and explore the world of digital video editing. This class will cover importing footage, the editing interface, and various tips and tricks.

http://www.3rdward.com/3rdwardclasses/intro-to-final-cut-pro.html

Or

Sign up for ANY of our more than 100 unique classes at www.3rdward.com/classes!

3rd Ward
195 Morgan Avenue
Brooklyn New York 11237
United States

San Gennaro Festival In Little Italy

2009-09-21T11:56:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I enjoyed the food fest and craziness that is the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy. And my friend even won an oversized Winnie the Pooh!

(cutting the coconuts, above!)

Oktoberfest!

2009-09-20T09:34:00.003-04:00

Even though I am not - at all - of German descent, I went and enjoyed Oktoberfest festivities yesterday, which first included a parade along 5th Ave and then an afternoon-long celebration in SummerStage at Central Park.

And even though I barely had a drink of beer, it was quite amusing to vicariously enjoy the drunken enjoyment of the festivities!

Pics of parade and festival below.

Check out the stacks of empty beer pitchers...

Groovaloo Tonight

2009-09-17T15:48:00.004-04:00

I am seeing Groovaloo tonight at the Joyce Theater; I can't wait!

A modern hip-hop dance show, it should be good!

PS: This is a show I recommend!! It is based on real-life stories of the dancers and b-boys, and it is a heartfelt, poetic, beautiful, soulful, and enjoyable show.

Little Boots Last Night at Bowery Ballroom!

2009-09-17T09:52:00.006-04:00

So I saw Little Boots last night at Bowery Ballroom, who I first saw during the CMJ music fest last fall before she was "big" (though I know the truth - she had a not insignificant cult following even then!).

Also, one of the opening bands, a French all-girl group called the Plasticines, was pretty awesome.

Below are some pics of the Plasticines, and following them, pics of Little Boots!

Little Boots! (below)

HOWL! Festival at Tompkins Square Park

2009-09-07T09:56:00.006-04:00

I checked out the HOWL! festival yesterday at Tompkins Square Park. Between the musical performance going inside the park, the painting happening on the periphery of the park, and the people-watching, it was a fun and fascinating way to spend my Sunday afternoon.

Some pictures below.

And, the art:

Weekend Loft Parties!

2009-09-04T19:48:00.002-04:00

I may very well have to check out one of these parties, tomorrow and Sunday!

This Saturday : September 5th
Winkel & Balktick Present: Stranded!

Explore a massive never-before-seen warehouse made magic by two dozen
artists, too many performers to mention and music acts continuing far past
dawn.  Highlights include the Gameletron within the Temple of Ephemeral
Light and live sets by ZXL, Miss Angelinga and Sistine Criminals.  Explore
this and dozens of other acts.

Details can be found at: http://www.wandbnyc.com/



_________________________


This Sunday : September 6th through Labor Day

A secret DJ throwdown dance party with some of New York Cities best dj's ,
up and coming visual artists and copious amounts of liquor mixing it up in
a high-end Manhattan loft.  Experience, dj's Toddy Terry, Alexander
Technique, Kimyon + MSG, Juan Gavaria, Drew Heffron, plus visual artists
Ross Brodar, KY, Tono and LostCitizen.

10pm 'till brunch
RSVP with the password "Danger" : cautionrsvp@gmail.com

Labor Day Events in NYC

2009-09-04T18:16:00.005-04:00

Okay, Labor Day, here I come!

I started off celebrating the weekend this afternoon in East River State Park, a waterfront park in my neighborhood (well, more like a 5-10 minute bike ride from my actual apartment). Definitely a local park I recommend!

And now, for the real festivities:

First, I have to share this tip I got from an UrbanDaddy email: The Queens County Farm Museum is having a Labor Day camp out. For $80, it is a cheap way to "get out of the city" while not actually having to travel far. I don't think it's likely I will actually make it to this, but it does sound pretty awesome!

Next, are these two parties promoted by GBH!

Also, this is happening tonight through Sunday - circus fun in Williamsburg!
(I learned of this from the Nonsense NYC email!)

Cirque This invites you to:

Cirque Off

Live on stage. Circus acts galore. From the hilarious to the beautiful to the
bizarre and all the way back again, and set to the amazing live music of the
Cirque This Band, we are bringing back the Cirque Off festival for a third year,
showcasing the talents of some of the finest emerging and established circus
artists from New York and Beyond. Cirque This sets the stage, while an amazing
roster of unusual and spectacular guests will dazzle you. (Not family friendly
and not for the faint of heart!)

Triskelion Arts Theater
118 North 11th Street, 3rd floor, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
8p; $12
Continues through SUNDAY
lauri@cirquethis.com
cirquethis.com

Half-Price NYC

2009-09-04T18:08:00.004-04:00

I am trying to finally buckle down and be more financially responsible, so I've been hitting up half-price deals like the half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays at Nita Nita, a tapas bar in Williamsburg. This deal was definitely worth it.

But then I also took advantage of Lifebooker this past week, a self-described essential "Source for Exclusive New York City Salon & New York City Spa Deals." While I did receive a facial for 50% off, I also ended up agreeing to an additional treatment and bought some exfoliation cream for what ended up being a rather whopping bill... NYC, I do love you - sometimes - but not your pollution or your excessive costs... !

Anyway, here's to finding cheap Labor Day weekend fun in the city!

$5 Music Shows!

2009-09-02T10:26:00.004-04:00

I think I must spend a significant percentage of my income on music shows.

Which is why I am that much more inclined to take advantage of Live Nation's deal with Citibank: $5 tickets for cardmembers to certain shows! Tonight there are $5 tickets available for the Pet Shop Boys. Now I just have to buy the tickets.. and find someone to go with!!

Oops - sale ended yesterday. And Craigslist is swarming with people looking for tickets.

The Bushwick Boat Party

2009-08-30T12:29:00.004-04:00

I decided to check out the Bushwick Boat Party last night. Located on an old boat anchored at an old canal in Bushwick, the party featured live bands, a swimming pool, and some very interesting sightseeing.

But I have to say, I am starting to feel old for this kind of party...

Michael Jackson Birthday Tribute Tonight!

2009-08-29T16:39:00.002-04:00

There is going to be a LARGE Michael Jackson tribute party in Prospect Park tonight, organized by filmmaker Spike Lee. Rain or shine, the event is planned to continue!

See Bloomberg article here, with the full details. OR visit the Prospect Park page here.

Event is from 12-5 in the Nethermead.

Back to Obscure Events and Venues!

2009-08-29T14:29:00.005-04:00

After my recent week of seeing Donna Summer and Britney Spears, I am returning to more obscure, under-the-radar events and venues.

First of all, I started off the night yesterday in a speakeasy, a low-lit cocktail bar, Apotheke, in Chinatown (at 9 Doyers St.) with very serious concoctions on the menu.

The bartenders all donned pharmaceutical jackets, and my two drinks were a Blood Orange Sour and a Lychee Three Way. They were absolutely delectable, as they well should have been, with a $15 price tag attached to each drink. The mixologists have a range of concoctions at the bar, and it is quite a pleasure to watch them do their mixing, which for my Blood Orange Sour included lighting a spice on fire before adding it to my magic potion. An underground venue definitely worth visiting! Citysearch features some similar recommendations. See a review of Apotheke from UrbanDaddy.

After that, I proceeded with my friend to China Chalet, a Chinese restaurant in the area that we heard was apparently having an underground party. Beautiful times.

Upcoming, an organization that calls itself the Outside Eye is having a dance party this Sunday, August 30:

The Organization of the Outside Eye invite you to a beguiling eve of surreal African funk,

Rocksteady, Boogaloo, Latin groove and Calypso with Saxophonist Chuck 'the Raven' Hancock of Murphys Law.

Hosted by Vick Valentino, Jason Kudo, Ghurron Briscoe, Matthew Radune, Kentaro Takahashi, Bersabeh Nikodimus

and Anastasia Kinigopoulo.

Wear your most surrealist attire.

All Night $5 Sangria & $5 Magic Hat

Located at BEast.

171 East Broadway & Rutgers, near Essex.

Take F train to East Broadway stop and your there.

Vick Valentino &

the Organization of the Outside Eye

www.theoutsideeye.org

http://www.theoutsideeye.org/upcoming_jamboree.htm

Donna Summer Tonight - FREE!

2009-08-27T13:32:00.004-04:00

UPDATE: I went to see Donna Summer - pictures and videos below!!

So I didn't make it to the last free Coney Island concert I had wanted to check out (with Blondie and Pat Benatar) but tonight I have another chance! Part of the Brooklyn Seaside Summer Concert Series, the show should begin at 7:30 pm. Limited chairs available.

Now I just have to get some work done and maybe make it a beach afternoon before the show!!

This Friday: Williamsburg Myopenbar Party!

2009-08-27T13:09:00.002-04:00

The below information is being promoted by myopenbar and Calexico, and features free Colt 45 as well as FREE Mexican food for several hours.

Party Peeps...
It IS that time of the year...No, not the "Uh-Oh, Oh-no I gotta go back to school and haven't scooped up a brand spankin new trapper keeper with an airbrushed wizard riding a unicorn," and also not the "Oh-Snap I'm going to the tradeshows with my line sheets printed on black & white kinko paper, and haven't booked my flight yet"
...this time of year IS when we blast the summer out with ROCK OUT WITH YOUR GUAC OUT !!!

This Friday, August 28th, we're taking it to Hope Lounge, with all guns firing...
(10 Hope St. Williamsburg Brooklyn Btw Roebling & Havemeyer)

This Event is to celebrate Calexico's Restaurant Opening, ( all the info+writeups on them www.calexicocart.com )
and it's gonna be EPIC ... the event starts at 7pm sharp with
2 HOURS OPEN BAR COLT 45 from 7pm - 9pm
and then it's time to eat, and it's gonna be festivus style..
3 HOURS FREE CALEXICO CALI MEX FOOD from 9-12
chew on that..literally:)

but that's nearly not the half...

This event is completly FREE
and we're going on from 7pm to 4am strong...

Coming with the Jalepeno Hot Sauce on the Turntables, we got
DJ SYNAPSE
DJ DEMIZE
DJ MILKMONEY

... toss in some free $hit from Methods NYC, Laureluxe, & Red Tape ...
Tees for the guys, Jewelry for the girls, and rolling papers for all...
the backyard patio, and thier BBQ will be open as well all night,l
Raised Fist Propaganda on the video/photos.

The Circus: Featuring Britney Spears

2009-08-25T09:27:00.004-04:00

Don't judge.

I went to see Britney Spears last night at Madison Square Garden, as part of her tour, "The Circus Featuring Btitney Spears." Knowing it would be a full-scale circus act, I decided I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see such an icon, as mixed as Britney's publicity has been.

Britney also plays tonight at tomorrow! And, I believe, owing to the recession, shows are not sold out. (See the Ticketmaster site here.)

So, to sum up the show: I was both more impressed and more disappointed than I had expected to be.

Britney had two openers, Kristinia DeBarge and Jordin Sparks. I didn't expect Britney to begin until 10 or so, though it was a Monday. The 20-minute countdown for Britney began at 8:40 pm; at 9 pm, the Circus began, but Britney's appearance, of course, was later, after the crowd had built up its anticipation even further.

Britney truly gave a strong performance, with stunning -- and scandalous -- outfits, stunts and dance moves. What impressed me was how confident and happy she appeared; of course, it is her job to give off that charismatic aura, but she sincerely appeared to be loving every minute of it. What disappointed me was that there were many circus interludes and her stage/performance time was only a fraction of her actual show. Surprised, no, but a little disappointed, yes.

Yes, it was definitely a circus. Which is not to say that it was appropriate for children; parents, next time, leave your kiddies at home when you watch a scandalous show such as Britney's!

Saturday - Sunday Afternoon: Outdoor Parties!

2009-08-23T13:08:00.005-04:00

So yesterday I skipped out on the Webster Hall party, as well as an underground Danger party and instead spent my evening at Karaoke Cave, a basement karaoke bar in Shanghai Square.

Karaoke Cave, located at 9 E. 13th St, is conveniently located in the Union Square area, and has recently undergone renovations and a name change. Somehow I passed a few hours in there without even realizing it! Definitely a place worth having a karaoke adventure at.

After that, I wandered around with new and old friends, the new friends (whose private party we crashed at the Karaoke Cave) leading the way to take us to a rooftop party in the vicinity. However, I ended up skipping out, biking to a pizzeria on Bleeker Street and then back home to Williamsburg.

TODAY, however, there are THREE outdoor parties, all of which I would LOVE to check out.

(and all of which are free!!)

These are:

The Pool Party at East River Park, Williamsburg, featuring Girl Talk (free!)

East River Park is located between N. 8th and N. 9th Streets in Williamsburg. Doors

at 2

The High on Life Rooftop Party at Highbar, 251 W. 48th St. at 8th Ave. This party is from 4-11 pm, free with GBH list.

AND:

3rd Ward's Bluegrass BBQ (RAIN OR SHINE), Sunday, August 23, 4 to 9 p, FREE Admission, FREE Colt 45 - 4 to 5 p, Cheap Eats & Drinks

3rd Ward is located at 195 Morgan Ave, Bushwick.

Hmm, it could be possible to at least mellowly enjoy 2 of the 3!!

Cruise, Music, Dancing... An Idyllic Hot Summer Night

2009-08-20T17:37:00.005-04:00

Okay, I admit it; I didn't make it to Tuesday's free events. Between the heat and my slowly-recovering bike incident scrapes, I have been a little lethargic lately.

BUT, last night I did have an adventure, and it was the kind of night I would definitely repeat again.

First, I went on a cruise on the Queen of Hearts, which has weekly cruises, Wed-Fri for only $10 (in advance, $15 at the door). It was a three-hour cruise, which set sail from Pier 40, on West Houston St. and the West Side Highway, and featured two floors of dancing, a buffet, live Brazilian dancers and spectacular views. Sadly, I didn't have my camera on-hand, and a phone camera did not produce such worthy results.

Check out the Fire on the Water Cruise site for information; every Wednesday is a regular Brazilian boat ride party, from 7-10 pm, and there are similar events Thursday and Friday. This cruise is part of the larger Affairs Afloat company, which calls boasts that it has "New York's Largest Sailing Night Clubs!"

After the cruise, I meandered on over to the West Village and saw live music at The Red Lion, at 151 Bleeker St. The Red Lion, which boasts of itself as being considered a "premier live music venue in the city" truly was; the cover was only $5 and was a steal for the fantastic funk and blues performances of the night. They also have live music acts 7 nights a week, apparently, from 7 pm - 10 pm and 10 pm - 1 am.

The band that I saw was Milo Z. , which proclaims, "Milo Z is to New York City what the Funky Meters are to New Orleans." Though NYC may not know it yet, Milo Z. really is a phenomenal band, with an energetic live performance featuring Milo Z. the frontman, a backup singer, a drummer and four saxophonists. Worth checking out!

In fact... check out the video clip below!

Free Events Tonight! - Regina Spektor & More

2009-08-18T16:29:00.002-04:00

The events below are from FreeNYC.

I may just make it to see Regina Spektor, who will be performing alongside Kurt Andersen. Should be interesting, as the last time I saw Regina Spektor perform was years ago, at Tonic back in the day before it got shut down, and the venue and experience weren't quite, shall we say, sanitized, as I expect from a performance at B & N.

Still, looks like a good time!

Regina Spektor and Kurt Andersen at Upstairs st the Square

Date: Tuesday, August 18th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Union Square Barnes & Noble (33 East 17th Street)
Cost: Free

Barnes & Noble’s acclaimed “Upstairs at the Square” series continues its celebration of three years of innovative and eclectic events with Regina Spektor and Kurt Andersen.Regina Spektor is a Soviet-born American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her last album Begin to Hope was a huge success and she released her latest album Far in June. Kurt Andersen is the author of the bestselling novels Heyday and Turn of the Century. He is also the host and co-creator of the public radio program Studio 360 and a contributor to Vanity Fair. He is here today to discuss his new book, Reset.

Posted by Lindsay at 7:00 PM | View This Article | Email to a friend

Love and Rockets Tribute Show

Date: Tuesday, August 18th
Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Ben Sherman Store (95 Spring St)
Cost: Free with RSVP

To celebrate the release of long time music legends, Love and Rockets, and their new tribute album, the Musebox and Swing House have put together an official tribute show tonight. The party features a live performance by  Frankenstein 3000, plus David Johansen (NY Dolls) and  other surprise guests expected to jam!!!   DJs Stabwalk (Sirius XM Radio) and Ultragrrl hold down the tables.

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | View This Article | Email to a friend

Dreaming of Fun... Like Webster Hall's Dollar Daze

2009-08-18T13:20:00.005-04:00

If my scratches from this past weekend's fall off my bike have healed significantly by this upcoming weekend, I may go to this:

Dollar drinks and dollar admission before midnight! (Apparently, admission is 19+, the dollar specials are only for those 21+). See the Webster Hall site here. Even a DJ set by Does It Offend You, Yeah? Will definitely be an interesting time.

But I may just have to dream about it and wait for another night for some dancing debauchery.

Mellow Sunday

2009-08-16T22:25:00.004-04:00

I am recovering from a minor bike accident, so I kept it mellow last night and today.

Today I enjoyed some wining and dining in not one, but two cafes in the East Village: Cafe Brama and the MudSpot.

Cafe Brama, on 2nd Ave. at 10th St., features a $10 brunch menu with $2 drinks (my $2 drink was a mimosa - yum!). Its evening menu looks quite delectable as well. My spinach and cheese crepes were phenomenal - seriously, incredible! It couldn't quite make my scratches go away, but it could certainly take my mind off things!

Even more special was the MudSpot, located at 307 East 9th St. Known for its Mud trucks around the city, the MudSpot is a very quaint cafe with a charming, hidden backyard they call the Secret Garden, a nickname that is fully deserved! My sangria and molten brownie with vanilla ice cream were delectable. Aparrently they have live events on Monday nights at the Mudspot cafe.

Last Night: Emiliana Torrini at Highline Ballroom

2009-08-15T10:36:00.003-04:00

On a whim last night, I decided to take myself - by that, I mean, bike - to Highline Ballroom to see Emiliana Torrini. Torrini, hailing from Iceland, has a wonderfully lilted singing voice and puts on a charming, moving show.

Her opener, Anya Marina, was equally captivating. I am still chiding myself for forgetting to stop by the merch table and pick up their latest albums there... Definitely music worth checking out!

Pics and videos from the show to come!

I also hope to see more shows at Highline in the future -- it's a lovely intimate venue to enjoy live music and other performances!

Free Comedy Over Free Music Last Night

2009-08-14T10:24:00.005-04:00

As much as I really, really wanted to see Blondie live last night, I wasn't quite prepared for the combination of the long subway rides and the crowds that were surely there - in masses and masses, out for the free show with legendary rock performers Blondie and Pat Benatar, along with the Donnas.

So I stayed semi-local and saw a free comedy show at the Nightingale Lounge, in the East Village.

Thursdays they offer free comedy -- which started out strong and generally very enjoyable, and slowly declined with each successive comedian. Anyway, it was free, so I can't say it wasn't worth it! Nightingale Lounge has a very relaxed, intimate set-up, with the small stage central, across from the bar and encircled by the audience.

I recommend checking out this lounge and seeing their Calendar of Events, which features nightly happenings, such as open-mics of all kinds, poetry readings, music jam sessions and dance parties.

This Weekend: "Intergalactic Planetary" Danger Parties

2009-08-13T15:49:00.007-04:00

Weekend Events Brought to You - and Me - by The Danger List.
Read on for information on these large underground parties and nights of summertime decadence.


From their e-mail.

The summer is slowly fading but our New York City nights are as warm
and wide-eyed as ever.  Thank you to the hundreds who adventured out to
our last event "Rights of Passage". It was your energy that carried the
party past dawn into the early afternoon light.  Because you've shown
such love and respect for the new location and the neighborhood, it
looks like we have a new home for many events to come.

Your moments of infamy have been captured here:
http://www.alexey-studio.com/rightsofpassage/

Below are three invites for this weekend.  The first is an outsized,
low-key house party of amazing music to raise funds for our camp at
Burning Man.  The second is not a Danger event, but another special
night on the hidden ferry.  The third invitation is... a story of
crime.

1 |_______________________

Friday : Intergalactic Planetary
This Friday you are invited to an all night house-party within a three
floor self-made mansion deep in the dark heart of Brooklyn.  Musicians
from around the world mix live energy with jump-up and dance dj’s,
aerial performance and unEarthly acts.  Money from this event goes to
fund an international tribe building a special project for Burning Man.

This Friday : August 14th
9pm to very late...
Bushwick, Brooklyn

This is a simple, cheap and easy house-party.  Bring your own beverages
and share with your new best friends.  Food and drink will be provided
for the early arrivals.

RSVP for the location at: http://www.africagalactica.com/

The Planetary:  Music from Across the Planet
If you haven't heard the exploding hip-hop sensation Bajah + The Dry
Eye Crew, this is your moment.  After packing the national stadium for
performances in their home country of Sierra Leone, African superstars
Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew are poised to conquer the global airwaves with
their unique sound, which blends the swagger and funk of hip-hop, the
passion and energy of dancehall, and the socially conscious vibe of
reggae. The group has generated so much buzz in the hip-hop world that
major stars including ?uestlove, the Roots, Talib Kweli, K'Naan, Res,
and El-P have contributed their vocal and/or production talents to
their upcoming release.

Plus music from Zimbabwe to Bali and everywhere in between from
Akim Funk Buddha, The Two Griots, dj's $mall Change, Sirak and Prolific
spinning into the late night.

The Intergalactic : Performance from Other Worlds
The Lady Circus performs overhead with aerial acts by Amanda Silaski,
Nikki Borodi, Katie Clancy and Elena Delgado along with spontaneous
floor performances and other acts of anti-gravity action. ://grove.nyc
provides photon bending art projections as Swiss Chris plays his
extragalactic light percussion show.

Kae Burke and Make Fun will be hosting a costume creation session on
the second floor for anyone heading west in need of new style for
adventures in Black Rock City.

Suggested donations for entry:
$10/Intergalactic (dress in your best extra-planetary formal wear)
$15/Earth-bound.

For the location and details, RSVP at:
http://www.africagalactica.com/


2 |_______________________
[ Note: The event detailed below is not a Danger party.  Many artists,
dj's and performers are coming together for a special fundraiser to
help pay for renovations and upkeep on the Bushwick Ferry Boat.  They
have a good thing going there and we are helping to spread the word. ]

Saturday : Volatility
Another all-night adventure on the infamous ferry boat docked on the
hidden East Kills Canal in Bushwick.  Music, drinks, sunrise, acts of
daring and moments of fire; this will be a gorgeous summer night.

These events have been incredible and this one will continue the fine
tradition. Featuring: Miho Hatori (of the Gorillaz/Cibo Matto) with her
band, New Optimism, Sistine Criminals, Bellringerzzzz with the Swedish
Meatballs.  With dj's:  Kimyon, Uproot Andy, Geko Jones, Feliz Cumbe,
Zack Shadetek, Blacky II, plus an array of other musical mischief
playing through dawn.

The adventure begins at: 
L train to Grand St.
$20 donation to get in, 21+ only


3 |_______________________
Sunday : Three Course Meal
A meal.  A drink.  An illicit location.

The second in our series of free renegade dinner parties happens this
Sunday. There are experiences in this city that are too precious to ask
permission for.  These we take without asking... and we never take them
for granted.

Details: http://www.thedanger.com


Invites will be distributed in person at the events detailed above.

____________________________________

TheDanger List
http://www.thedanger.com

BLONDIE - Playing FREE Tonight at Coney Island!

2009-08-13T10:15:00.008-04:00

And speaking of free things to do in the city, Blondie is playing for free tonight at Coney Island, along with Pat Benatar and The Donnas. The show starts at 7:30 pm... what time Blondie will go on is anyone's guess, but my hunch is probably closer to 10 pm or later...

The show will be at Asser Levy/Seaside Park -- address below:
West 5th Street and Surf Avenue
Coney Island/Brighton Beach
Brooklyn, New York 11206
Across from the New York Aquarium

The event is part of the Seaside Summer Concert Series, which provides a write-up on Blondie, Benatar an The Donnas as well.

Disclaimer from the Summer Concert Series website:
Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600.

I plan on being there!!

My Current TOP 10 Favorite Free Things in NYC (SUMMER Edition!)

2009-08-12T09:48:00.007-04:00

I have greatly depleted my funds in the past few months, as I work in education and have been traveling in Peru for most of the summer. So, I've been more money-conscious and looking out for the free/cheap way of life recently! Below is my current Top 10 List. Enjoy!

10) Using my neighbors' wi-fi networks. Free internet from the comfort of my home. All the better to read up on the latest cultural and news events, job hunt and update my blog! Alternatively, I enjoy hanging at the free wi-fi cafes in Williamsburg.

9) Myopenbar.com - free drinks, free events, free mingling, free people-watching! - There are seven open bars listed in NYC for tonight alone!

8) Museums. And galleries. Many are free or low-cost, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History, which both offer a suggested donation. See a more comprehensive list here.

7) Art gallery openings, such as this one. (Leo Kesting) Free art and complimentary drinks, maybe even snacks too! Also good for people-watching.

6) PARKs - especially the free events, such as Hudson River Park's RiverFlicks and RiverRocks. Tonight they are screening Sex and the City, and tomorrow Yeasayer and Amazing Baby are playing. Both are at Pier 54 (located at the West Side Highway and 14th St). See here for the full Hudson River Park events calendar. They even have free yoga!! Also see New York Magazine's list of free and cheap movies. (Lots of parks offer free film screenings!)

5) Speaking of yoga, I really need to go back to Yoga to the People, which offers free yoga classes every day, throughout the day. (Classes are by donation, and mat rental is $10 if you need one.) They now not only are in the East Village but also offer classes at studios on 27th St. and 38 St. (See directions here.)

4) Even more convenient exercise, and an animal-bonding time, is volunteer dog walking with BARC (Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition) Shelter. They need volunteers from 9-12 pm and 5-8 pm every day. It's a great excuse to stroll around McCarren Park! You also get to meet and play with some lovely pooches in need and maybe some interesting doggie-lovers in the beighborhood as well! (See volunteer info here.) They also need volunteers for the cat loft!

3) The GBH and Shaw Promotion parties. I am still an addict for NYC nightlife. Many events are free or cheap with RSVP (or if you simply know the party promoters' names or get to know the doormen). A lot of large acts play and/or DJ at these parties, and they have fantastic indie dance parties at swank, and not-so-swank, venues around the city.

2) The beach. See the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for a list of beaches.

1) And, I must admit, my favorite free activity: riding my bike around NYC! Just too convenient -- it's a great form of exercise, active commuting and sightseeing. And check it out: NYC is having its fair share of bike share demos -- maybe bike share in the city will one day become widespread here! And downtown Manhattan is offering free bike rentals, through September: http://www.downtownny.com/bikearound.

So who said living in NYC has to be expensive? Or that you need lots of money to enjoy the city?

See also NY Mag's "78 Days of Fun: The best concerts, outdoor events, and culture happenings of summer 2009."

Guggenheim "It Came from Brooklyn" concert series

2009-08-11T12:20:00.003-04:00

I have to share this Time Out New York highlight: the "It Came from Brooklyn" Guggenheim shows, which feature the Walkmen, High Places and the Brooklyn "Steppers" Marching Band. Looks promising!

Save the date, Friday, August 14! This is just the kick-off event; the series will run through the fall.

See the "It Came from Brooklyn" Guggenheim site here. And click here to buy tickets!

The event is in honor of the Guggenheim's 50th anniversary! Below info and picture from the Guggenheim website, http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/about-us/50th-anniversary/it-came-from-bk.

It Came from Brooklyn celebrates the Guggenheim’s 50th Anniversary by showcasing Brooklyn’s emerging and established talents in the fields of music and literature. Beginning on August 14 with headliners the Walkmen, the monthly concert series occurs through the fall and takes place in Frank Lloyd Wright’s famed rotunda from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., reinforcing its identity as a versatile, dynamic site for a variety of mutually invigorating art practices. Coproduced by Sam Brumbaugh, the series continues the recent tradition of acclaimed performances that have symbiotically activated the space: Marina Abramovic’s Seven Easy Pieces (2005), Cai Guo-Qiang’s collaboration with the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre (2008), and Meredith Monk’s Ascension Variations (2009).

With comedian Leo Allen serving as MC, the August 14 concert kicks off with a special performance by the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, followed by opening band High Places, whose warm optimism and intricately layered songs have been described as “short studies in escaping urban claustrophobia” (Mike Powell, Pitchfork). Later, the Walkmen will fill the rotunda with the hypnotic ebb and flow of ramshackle guitar and upright piano, with bursts of beautifully anguished songcraft. Novelist Colson Whitehead reads selections from Walt Whitman between performances.

The second It Came from Brooklyn is scheduled for September 25.

Join our mailing list to receive news on upcoming shows and events.

Special thanks to Christina Lee.

Artwork by Mike Paré, 2009

Cary Grant Week at BAM!

2009-08-10T22:40:00.002-04:00

I am a sucker for Cary Grant films, and it seems they are being featured at BAM. See here for a full schedule.

I missed the double-feature tonight, but Tuesday night is the film Topper, Wednesday features Rome Express, Thursday features Penny Serenade, and Friday features The Philadelphia Story.

Saturday presents multiple screenings of To Catch a Thief, while Sunday will present The Awful Truth.

And the Cary Grant films continue next week as well, thanks to BAM's repertory film program!

Sunday Night Swank

2009-08-03T15:20:00.003-04:00

Even after a muddy, musically soaked weekend at APW, I decided to meet my friend Sunday night for a prospective music and dancing adventure in the city. We met at Broadway East, a small restaurant and bar in the depths of Chinatown. (See dining reviews on Yelp.) The party is one that apparently changes venues for each event. While the party at Broadway East last night featured a relatively sparse crowd, it was a lively, hip group of cool cats who danced and jived to the jazz, soul and funk music of the night. The highlights: the candle-lit passageway to the bar, the outdoorsy feel of the venue, the exhuberance of the party-goers, and the live saxophone player to complement the DJ's tunes. The best fun I've had on a Sunday night in quite some time.

(above: my friend, and the seating above the bar and dance space))

When I find out the name of this party, I may share it... but then again, some of the best things are left better largely undiscovered to revel in their underground status.

APW: Muddy Times

2009-08-03T10:46:00.018-04:00

Funny that I chose to attend all 3 days of the APW music fest less than a week after returning from my two-month sojourn in Peru. How I longed for this music fest to break my fast from NYC shows and adventures, and how the fest was somehow very un-New York, offering rugged outdoorsy fun with a distinct hippie flair. A 3-day event at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ, with 3 different stages and different headliner acts for each night, the weather was less than favorable and yet the excitement of the festival prevailed over the inconveniences of rain and mud.

The event organizers were kind enough to honor Friday ticket-holders free entrance for the following days due to the inclement weather, while Saturday, a gloriously sunny day, was the embodiment of festival-goers' weather expectations, minus the puddles and mud. Sunday, another rainy day, offered the most disappointing start, in that entrance was delayed until the weather cleared up. All in all, it was a very saturated weekend.

Pictures below.

Friday, July 31:

(even though the Beastie Boys canceled...)

(above, the "Do Lab," featuring DJ's, dancing and mud-wrestling ...)

(above, lemonade stand knocked down because of the wind! Right before it started raining Friday).

(above, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

(above, Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

(above, count down for Jay-Z, who replaced the Beastie Boys as Friday's headliner)
(above, Jay-Z performing)

(above, some of the art installations at APW)

Saturday, August 1:

(above, the Cool Kids performing)

(above 3 pictures, St. Vincent performing - lovely!!)

Sunday, August 2:

(The Black Keys, performing, above pictures)
(MGMT, pictures above, and videos below)

A music festival inherently has its pros and cons. Of APW this year...

PRO'S: many music acts every day, wide open spaces, all-day event, outdoors, amazing view of NYC skyline, art installations

CON'S: sound quality not as good as indoor venues, short set times, Beastie Boys canceled (!), drinks and food very over-priced, overlapping set times between stages (a problem if there are two different bands playing at the same time that you're interested in seeing!)

Overall, it was worth it... but I am looking forward to more indoor shows and nightlife as well!

(See Metromix's reviews of the bands and 3 days at APW here)

Chasing the Rainy Day Blues Away - Spelling Bee This Monday!

2009-07-29T21:44:00.005-04:00

Ok - so, my plan is: Glasslands tomorrow, APW Fri-Sun, and.. Monday? SPELLING BEE! Pete's Candy Store, a bar in Williamsburg (off the Lorimer L stop, at 709 Lorimer St.) is hosting its twice-monthly spelling bee event this coming Monday!

So, for all those over-educated liberal arts grads like myself who at some point envisioned winning a spelling bee, or simply taking part in one, now is the chance! I have only been to a spelling bee at Pete's once before, years ago, but it was a riotously good time, and I made it through... two rounds? I anticipate some good competition!

Sign-up is at 7:00 pm and the bee starts at 7:30.

Also, as an added bonus, if it does not rain for a change, Pete's Candy Store has a lovely backyard!

This Thursday - Party at Glasslands

2009-07-29T10:49:00.001-04:00

Hmm, if I go out late Thursday night, I may go to this -- the featured event of myopenbar:

Camp Wanatachi Dance Party

well vodka, $6 cover / 10pm-11pm

Glasslands Gallery
289 Kent Avenue,
at South 1st
Williamsburg

Ah, summer camp. Such sweet memories! Donkey Lips. Psycho killers in hockey masks. That handsy, handsome counselor who liked to visit after lights out...

In honor of all that goodness, GlassLands is throwing a serious summer camp-themed blowout. Crazy-in-the-best-way Unicornicopia invites you and all your nostalgically horny friends to a dance party of epic proportions with music by DJs Caroline Polachek (of Chairlift), Machinedrum, Ben Bromley (of Fischerspooner) and Sam (Z's).

Live performances of "We All Need Jesus in Our Lives" and "Let's Ride Bareback," songs from a new musical about two 13 year-old girls who fall in love at a Christian summer camp, will keep you and the Holy Spirit jazzed big time. Summer camp classics – s'mores, friendship bracelets and hair wraps –and a strictly camp dress code.

Upcoming Shows!! APW and Erykah Badu

2009-07-28T11:49:00.006-04:00

NYC, I have missed you during my travels in Peru! (Although I already miss the jungles and mountains and overall lushness of Peru; to remedy it, I plan on taking myself later today to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, which has free admission on Tuesdays!

Beyond that, I am absolutely thrilled about this coming weekend, when I will be going to the All Points West Festival all three days, from Friday July 31 to Sunday, August 2.

AND, two days later, I will be seeing Erykah Badu! She is playing at the beach on Governors Island! (For tickets/show info, click here. And for info on Governors Island beach shows, click here!)

Ah, NYC, I have missed you.

Tribeca Grand Party This Saturday (GBH Hosts!)

2009-07-21T19:45:00.005-04:00

Aww, the good old days of the GBH parties... they are back!! And I will actually be in town to possibly enjoy one, especially as the line-up looks rather promising.

From the GBH website:

Terrible Records... Fixed... Daryl from Head Automatica DJs... Lemonade Live... Free Energy (DFA), Riton... JDH & Dave P... Nick Hook... Class Actress Live... Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear... and more
Tribeca Grand - Saturday July 25

It's going to be a bigger night than usual this Saturday, as the Fixed guys join us for a night of music so epic that it almost all didn't fit on the flyer.
We are really excited by Class Actress who will be playing live upstairs, and Lemonade, who will be playing live downstairs... (hopefully not at the same time)... and Riton (who is on Erol Alkan's record label) and Daryl Palumbo of Head Automatica who will be DJing... and then there is Nick Hook of Cubic Zirconia... Free Engergy (a new DFA signing, who will be playing live), Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, Ethan of Terrible Records, JDH and Dave P. of Fixed and of course, our own Alex English.

It will be like Coachella... but smaller... and more comfortable... with nicer bathrooms...

And let's not forget the drinks special:
$8 Red Stripe and Jim Beam shot combo all night (Red Stripe and Jim Beam shots are both $5 if purchased separately).

FREE WITH RSVP: CLICK HERE

Tribeca Grand: 2 Avenue of the Americas
Doors 10pm. 21+ w/I.D.

Last Days in Peru & Rooftop Films This Summer

2009-07-21T19:30:00.004-04:00

I RETURN this Friday to NYC!! It doesn´t seem quite real, as I have been in Peru for two months and am currently traipsing around Iquitos, gateway to the Amazon.

NYC seems especially unreal to me when compared to my day here so far, where I hired a motorboat, enjoyed the lush beauty of the Amazon, visited a local native community where the women go bare-breasted (and no, I didn´t ¨go native¨), and explored a mini-zoo where much local wildlife roamed freely and monkeys went horse-back riding on a dog. Anything is possible, but both realities seem a little fantastic, especially their co-existence.

ANYWAY, I received an e-mail requesting I publish thelatest events from Rooftop Films, so here they are (and I will even be in town the 25th!)

We have two great film screenings this weekend I thought you might be interested in! On Friday, July 24th Rooftop Films is screening a series of animated shorts in partnership with the Animation Block Party film festival, dedicated to exhibiting the world's best independent, professional and student animation. On Saturday, July 25th, Rooftop Films presents Stay The Same Never Change, celebrated video artist Laurel Nakadate's first feature-length film, a hilarious and horrifying work starring a series of teenage girls in their own rooms and clothes, in a world in which the banal becomes extreme and the normal is infused with a chronic and discomfiting strangeness.

Here is some more information about both screenings:

Animation Block Party:

Venue: On the lawn of Automotive High School
Address: 50 Bedford Ave. @ North 13th St. (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
Directions: L to Bedford Ave. or G to Nassau Ave.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Live music by Teengirl Fantasy, presented by Sound Fix Records
9:00PM: Film
10:30PM: Filmmaker Q & A
11:30PM-1:00AM: After-party: Open Bar at Matchless (557 Manhattan Ave. @
Driggs) Courtesy of Radeberger Pilsner
Tickets: $9 at the door or online
Presented in partnership with: 5 Gum ® , Cinereach, New York magazine,
City Council Member David Yassky & Automotive High School
Ticketing Link:
http://rooftopfilms.bside.com/2009/films/animationblockparty_rooftopfilms2009

No refunds. In the event of rain, the show will be indoors at the same
locations. Seating is first come, first served. Physical seats are
limited. This means you may not get a chair. You are welcome to bring a
blanket and picnic.

Stay The Same Never Change:

Venue: On the roof of the Old American Can Factory
Address: 232 3RD St. @ 3rd Ave. (Gowanus/ Park Slope, Brooklyn)
Directions: F/G to Carroll St. or M/R to Union Ave.
Rain: In the event of rain the show will be held indoors at the same location
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Live music by Stars Like Fleas presented by Sound Fix Records
9:00PM: Film
11:00PM–12:30AM: Reception in courtyard including free sangria courtesy of
Carlo Rossi sangria
Tickets: $9 at the door or online or $20 for the combo ticket which
includes admission to the outdoor performance by Michael Gira
Ticketing Link:
http://rooftopfilms.bside.com/2009/films/staythesameneverchange_rooftopfilms2009

Presented in partnership with: Cinereach, New York magazine, & XØ Projects

No refunds. In the event of rain, the show will be indoors at the same locations. Seating is first come, first served. Physical seats are limited. This means you may not get a chair. You are welcome to bring a blanket and picnic.

For more information about these events and others, please contact:

Danielle Kourtesis
Music and Outreach Manager, Rooftop Films
232 3rd St, #D101
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 417-7362

We appreciate your help!

Julia Friedman

NYC, I miss you but am traversing through Peru!

2009-06-26T13:36:00.003-04:00

My apologies for not updating my blog this summer, I am sure there are some AMAZING shows and such going on the city that never sleeps. Sadly, I am not there to experience it, until the end of July when I return.

For now, I am trekking and eating my way through Peru, and perhaps Ecuador as well...

Peaches at Webster Hall!

2009-05-17T21:41:00.007-04:00

So I am a little preoccupied currently with my very quickly approaching sojourn to South America, and thus I have been neglecting this blog of mine. I will probably not be updating my blog so frequently during the next two months; and if I do, it will be about the magic/mystery/mythology of Peru, and all my adventures & misadventures there.

So I have been packing the fun in before the upcoming departure date (May 21!!).

Peaches at Webster Hall last night, May 16, ROCKED! She fully delivered on all raunchy, musical promises made in her albums. Categorized on her Myspace page as Electro/Rock/Hip Hop, Peaches was simply fun: she was tough, yet vulnerable, and cheeky, yet clearly working for the love of the crowd.

Rooftop Films Opening Party This Weekend

2009-05-13T09:50:00.003-04:00

So, checking my e-mail this morning, I noticed the following listed on myopenbar:

Rooftop Films Opening Night afterparty
Radeberger Pilsner, $9 cover / 11:30pm-1am
Fontana's
105 Eldridge Street,
btw. Grand and Broome
Lower East Side
(212) 334-6740

Thank you, Pitchfork, for yet another tepid "Best New Music" call on Cymbals Eat Guitars – the band that's performing here tonight before the films. Oh, the hype.

The open bar isn't actually at the screening but at the afterparty, over at Fontana's. You might have to buy the ticket to the screening to get in on the booze, or pay $9 at the door.

Well, that's the after-party.

The Rooftop Films opening night actually begins, as the myopenbar listing metions, with live music by Cymbals Eat Guitars at 8:30.

See the Rooftop Films Listing:

FRIDAY, MAY 15
THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN BY SHORT FILMS
Opening Night ! Open Bar After Party!
We kick off our 13th year with short films that don’t take long to astonish, amaze and inspire.
CYMBALS EAT GUITARS
Venue: on the roof of the Open Road Rooftop
Address: 350 Grand Street @ Essex (Lower East Side, Manhattan)
8:00PM: Doors open
8:30PM: Sound Fix presents live music by Cymbals Eat Guitars.
9:00PM: Films
11:30PM - 1:00AM: Open Bar at Fontana’s (105 Eldridge St), courtesy of Radeberger beer
Tickets: $9 at the door or online at going.com

Also, note that in the event of rain, the show will be re-scheduled for Sunday... does that mean that this applies to the after party at Fontana's, or not...?

The Danger of Underground/Danger Parties

2009-05-10T09:56:00.004-04:00

So, last night there was going to be a huge take-over of a building in the Wall Street area, with the theme: "Beautiful things come out of desperate times." True enough, but not in the Financial District, apparently.

We arrived around 1 a.m. and the Danger party had already been shut down by the cops, who were blocking off the entire street from entry, unless you seemed to clearly live there. "It's a fire hazard," they said.

And were the people at the Danger party hoping it would open up again?? -- because despite the ability to send mass e-mails via even a regular cell phone these days, there as yet *hasn't* been any mass e-mail to the would-be party-goers of the party's shut-down. Not impressive.

I have to say, though, their party did sound well worth it; but next time, I won't try to attend underground debacles in such havens of convention, but rather try to stay in Brooklyn and seek out the abandoned warehouse parties closer to home, where they will be less likely to be shut down!!!

The Danger's original post follows... :sigh:, I wish it had really been able to live up to all of the hyped-up glory!

TheDanger, Lady Circus, Space Haus, UnderandAbove & DjProAudio present a
late night adventure enveloping five floors and a roof deck with saucy
antics, grace, music, beauty, humor, fanfare and scandal.

This Saturday, May 9th you are invited to explore...

Multiple floors of hip-hop to tech house to gypsy funk featuring: Alex
Dirttt of Halcyon, Adultnapper, dj Grimace, Zemi17, Jesse Mann, Vintage DJ
and the notorious Joro Boro.

The half-constructed space will be alive with roving bands, live acts,
strong drinks and dark corners infused by: The Lady Circus bringing
beautifully explicit acts accompanied by the gritty, whiskey-soaked songs
of the Stumblebum Brass Band and That Handsome Devil's infectious
rockabilly funk.

Plus the artistry of Jessi Klien and Zev Deans in the Bordello lounge, the
rooftop fire-arts of Pyrophorus Pixxie and video projections by Sebastian
Patane Masuelli.

$15 with RSVP at: http://www.thedanger.com/
(RSVPs close at midnight tonight.)
$20 for the uninitiated.

Doors open at 10pm : 21+ exclusively : Arrive early.

17 Rector St. between Trinity Place and the West Side Highway
Way-Down-Town Manhattan.

Take the: 1 or R train to Rector St, the 4 or 5 train to Wall St., The JMZ
train to Broad St or the A,C,2 or 3 to Fulton St and walk a bit.

This event has no official name and very few boundaries. Our goal here is
simple; to reinvigorate a forgotten corner of Manhattan with the passion
and promise it was built from. The space will be dark, a little decrepit
and exquisitely out-of-control.

But it wasn't as out out of control as planned!

This Sunday - Free Bikes at 3rd Ward Block Party!

2009-04-29T10:34:00.003-04:00

I hope this kind of thing becomes a regular event! I have yet to decide if I am going to sell my vintage Fuji bike, since I will be traveling out of the country for two months this summer... and kind of want a bike upgrade, anyway (though I have become a bit attached to my bike...!).

See the following, from myopenbar.com (listed because in addition to free booze, the offer is free bikes!). 3rd Ward's Green Bikes Birthday Block Party
Colt 45, no cover; free bike with membership / 2pm-8pm
3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave., btw. Meadow and Stagg St.
East Williamsburg
(718) 715-4961

For NYC Bike Month, 3rd Ward is offering a free bike with purchase of a membership. That trumps free booze (sorry, booze). To promote all that jazz, and celebrate their third anniversary, they're throwing a concert in the streets. Stagg St. will see action from: bands Wild Yaks, Aa, Pterodactyl, Afuche, and Lam, DJs Drew Heffron and Clay Franklin, bike competitions, bike films and demos, music videos, a photobooth, badminton, BBQ, drinks, live screen-printing, free workshops and the proverbial "more."

RSVP to events@3rdward.com. And ride your bike there, dodo.

-----------------------------------------
So I looked for the caveat. Well, how much is membership, and what does it entail besides a free bike?

From the 3rd Ward website: "JOIN Why you should join... 3rd Ward provides all the space and tools necessary for success without sacrificing creative freedom. Our members are the driving force behind what we do and why we do it. They enjoy a wide range of perks, designed to provide a complete creative experience, from start to finish.

NEW! Sign up for any annual membership and get a free bike!

Membership also includes access to health insurance, classes, a free subscription to Time Out New York, admission to 3rd Ward events, unlimited use of co-working space and access to a huge network of creative, active and successful professionals." To see more info, click on their membership page.

Membership starts at $39/month... and includes access to health insurance?! Hmm, I have to wonder exactly what that means... Good things can come true in Brooklyn!

Lily Allen NYC Show: Pictures and Videos

2009-04-24T14:28:00.005-04:00

The promised pictures and videos below.

Go Lily!

"Brooklynnovation": Poster Boy Party

2009-04-22T12:21:00.001-04:00

Funny, I just wrote about Poster Boy last month in my post, "Poster Boy and Sleep Deprivation Across the Nation". And now, Poster Boy is having an exhibition at 3rd Ward.

As described by 3rd Ward:
"Pomp & Circumstance celebrates in the heart of the art and culture movement in Brooklyn. Featuring salsa-makers, ad creators and mash-uppers as well as DJ's and drinks, come to the Spring Event showcasing the groundbreaking advertising cut and pastery of Poster Boy (but this time endorsed by the advertisers? Could this be?). Engage with the brands, artists and creators of a new class of tastemakers. Celebrate the diversity, creativity and innovation of the hottest borough in NYC. "

The event is April 24, 7 pm to midnight.

Also, myopenbar.com lists the event and rates it with the highest rating, 5 cups.

The event description on myopenbar: "I've been obsessed with Poster Boy on flickr for a while now, but the biggest thrill is spotting his stuff around town. At the 3rd Ward exhibition tonight, I'm hoping to spot him in person (yeah, I'm a lurker). Even New York Magazine reported on his recent shenanigans. Next thing you know he'll be more bank than Banksy.

RSVP to gallery@3rdward.com."

What's the open bar? Dogfish Head beer. No cover. Myopenbar lists the event as starting at 8, not the 7 listed by 3rd Ward. Hmm...

3rd Ward is located at:
195 Morgan Ave.,
btw. Meadow and Stagg St.
East Williamsburg
(718) 715-4961

Blogging About Culture: A Family Tradition?!

2009-04-22T10:58:00.000-04:00

It is a little strange to me that even my mom is blogging; and I even find her blog impressive, for a beginner. (Way to go, Mom!) Her blog, titled "Pittsburgh's Art, Dance, Films, Music & Theater" has a layout far clearer than mine (even if her latest link to the Russian film symposium cuts off the text on the left).

Lost and Found, NYC

2009-04-22T10:55:00.004-04:00

I have to say it has been a strange, jarring past two weeks. A strange, jarring past two days, especially.

So last weekend, I had my camera and my phone in my bag; I was carrying my bike down the stairs from my apartment, and my bag fell out of my basket. The consequences, I found: my computer was and is completely intact, my camera screen was broken. What’s a blogger to do without a camera??

Well, I did have my phone camera… and then I was off to prepare to go to the Down & Derby rollerskating party at Studio B in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Of course, during my preparations, my bottle of water spilled over all the belongings in my bag. And, for the night, my phone screen was also broken.

Miraculously, my phone was fine the next day; and I also was able to find an upgrade version of my camera on sale for $100 plus tax (cheaper than the cost of repair or the price of my original camera). Everything was looking up…

Then I saw Lily Allen perform at Roseland Ballroom on Monday, 4/20, armed with my new camera, my phone, and happy as a clam.

(Pictures and videos from the show coming soon… watch out for another post!)

Of course, I ended up losing my wallet… which must have fallen out of my bag… and I was freaked out and agonizing over my stupidity and losing all of my wallet’s contents. Another girl’s wallet turned up, which she gratefully retrieved, but the place cleared out - well before midnight - without a trace of my wallet. A staffer there gave me $10 for a cab ride, which I thankfully accepted (thank you!!).

And my cabbie, noticing I was upset, and wondering why my initial request to be driven to Williamsburg, Brooklyn changed to a request to be dropped off on 14th St, was similarly sympathetic: he offered me the extra ride back home free of charge. I returned home, exhausted and grateful for the kindness of strangers, only to find out that I had left my phone in the cab!

And then I found I had an e-mail from a girl who found my wallet, and who returned it to me, complete with all its contents — even the cash — the next day. The irony of losing a phone over a lost wallet, only to have the wallet returned. I swear I am not usually this ditzy.

But I have to say, it has been an interesting lesson/example in both the kindness of strangers and the maxim of “don’t trust anyone.” All in all, I guess I was pretty lucky: only my phone was lost, which I have insurance coverage for. The trials and tribulations of NYC life. I think it can be summed up pretty well by this poster I saw the other day, a rip-off of the “I heart NYC" t-shirt: "I can't afford to heart NYC."

(See my story also on LostFoundReturned.com!)

Danger Party This Friday

2009-04-15T10:45:00.004-04:00

It's an old-school underground party, brought to you by the Danger List (part of Complacent Nation), which collaborates with art and political collectives to create everything from politically-charged artistic parades to parties.

The parties basically all tell you, "forget about the bad times and consumerism, let's just unite to party." In this one, if you arrive early, and/or dress as a banker, you are eligible for a "stimulus package."

{Feel free to forward / post this invite. }

You are invited to: The Brooklyn Bailout

Everyone else seems to be getting theirs, now it's time
for your stimulus.  This is the party that pays you back
with a half dozen dj's, wild acts of abandon and low-down
dirty bands leading up to a late-night surprise that will
stimulate even the brokest amongst you. (Hint? See our site.)

Featuring:
Dirty gospel, to brilliant house to dark techno from:
King Britt, Justin Carter, Twilight Tone, Reverend Vince,
Derek Plaslaiko, Zemi 17, David Last & Yusuke Yamamoto
and more to be announced.

Plus, fire/ice and end-of-the-world performances by:
Reverend Billy, The Lady Circus, Josh Kalin, Chika
Imagima, Jessi Klien and more...

The best amongst you will win the ultimate Bailout Package:
a years supply of alcohol will be awarded to the "Baddest Banker".
Think naughty, clever or notoriously nihilist and dress/act the part.

All this will be nestled within the cavernous rooms and secret
niches of the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, a historic fortress of
hidden passageways and lost-world charm.

Full details will be released in the coming days.

http://www.thedanger.com

New York Times article apologizes to Williamsburg: "You are not as cool as you think"!

2009-04-08T19:39:00.005-04:00

Take that, oh blog of mine.

The New York Times article, "Mapping the Cultural Buzz: How Cool Is That?", discusses a new study whose research has sought to locate and measure "the geography of buzz."

The study was performed by the Association of American Geographers, which has located culture more around Times Square, Rockefeller Center, SoHo and so forth as much more heavily concentrated than in the so-called hipper neighborhoods of the Lower East Side and, yes, Williamsburg.

OK, but what kind of cultural "buzz" are they talking about? The article discusses the perspective of Ms. Currid, an assistant professor in the School of Policy, Planning and Development at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, who discusses "an economy of scale" in terms of the so-called significance and size of the cultural activity. Enough said.

I am not generally seeking a buzz from pop culture or mass media; culture to me is precisely largely located in what is independent, emergent, under the larger cultural radar, and so on. Yes, I like to keep my cultural activity local when I can. How can a study purport to delegitimize and dismiss this type of culture? This is not to say I didn't enjoy seeing Madonna or purposely try to avoid the MoMa or the Met; but smaller-scale cultural activity is significant in its own way! NYTimes writer Melena Ryzk agrees with me; as she said, the study did not in the end give the researchers a better idea of where to find culture. To quote her: "Rather, like pornography, you know it when you see it."

Daily Routines

2009-04-08T19:19:00.003-04:00

Following a bohemian lifestyle these days, I find myself with both the extraordinary pleasure and excruciating difficulty of organizing my time effectivley, and according to my own schedule. I teach two college courses -- at different colleges -- and do one-on-one tutoring work. All together, it doesn't pay much, and may or may not add up to or surpass the hours of a full-time job, but it is a rewarding and exhilirating lifestyle, albeit ocassionally stressful.

Except for the one college course I teach, I actually have both the freedom and the responsibility to schedule my work hours: when I am tutoring, when I am online working with students, when I am grading papers, and so on.

With this in mind, I did a Google search on writers' and artists' daily routines and came up with this: Daily Routines: "How writers, artists, and other interesting people organize their days." The blog is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of many different notable and unconventional thinkers and writers, and can even be searched by categories such as "Night Owls," "Procrastinators," "Exercisers" and such!

"You Need Poems"

2009-04-06T13:46:00.004-04:00

So in between the madness of my Friday night -- between the two different shows I saw -- I stopped to get a free poem written.

The poetess, above, on Beford Ave, asked me for a word to work around.

"Culture," I said

"And your name?" she asked.

"Rachel," I responded.

And the results:

culture for rachel

epicenter of life
is in the living of the
multiplicitous exchange
of counter crossed sub

hub pub hop to drop and dance

across any distance

the infusion of all
in all for all

we are the culture of culture.

(Typewritten on the back of a photograph of a world map)

by poemshopnyc.com

Double Trouble With Shows: the Presets and Bunny Rabbit

2009-04-05T12:30:00.008-04:00

Friday night was the perfect Springtime NYC evening jaunt, with two shows, free pizza, lots of dancing, and a free street poem written just for me. Oh, NYC in the Spring, I love you.

The Presets at Webster Hall this past Friday night actually went on at the given showtime, 8 pm, apparently! My friend and I arrived around 9, to a packed (though fast-moving) line to Webster Hall, and were promptly greeted by the Presets already playing mid-set.

While the Presets were enjoyable, the oppressive heat and crowds of Webster Hall detracted a bit from the show. I found myself fluctuating between thoroughly enjoying their industrial pop sound, the pulsating light show, and the very charismatic audience, to mellowly reflecting on how one's experience of a show's quality so subjectively depends on our own individual states at the time. Of course, the presence of someone in front of me checking his e-mail during the show didn't help matters, either...

Overall, the Presets were a fun time; but it was only setting the stage for the fun of the evening to come. After a stop at the Crocodile Lounge for free pizza, my friend and I proceeded to Glasslands in Williamsburg for another show.

The "Secret Faggot" party at Glasslands featured Bunny Rabbit, a Peaches-esque singer with a
wonderfully fun dance-arty vibe.

Presets TONIGHT - Webster Hall

2009-04-03T14:39:00.003-04:00

I am seeing the Presets tonight at Webster Hall. The show, although early (doors at 7, show starting at 8, supposedly?!?), is sold out and promises to pack a punch.

The Presets, which calls itself "Industrial/Psychedelic/Techno" on Myspace is what I consider a no-wave, electro-pop dance band. But whatever -- their songs, with incredibly catchy hooks, are delicious ear-candy!

They also have an after party tonight at Le Poisson Rouge.

APW Festival Madness: Summer 2009 Here We Come!

2009-04-02T09:39:00.004-04:00

It's a little mind-boggling for me that tickets are already on sale for this event that is not happening until the end of July to the beginning of August(!) Especially because for two months before this, I will be out of the country, traveling in Peru. And I'll just be getting back into the country the 25th of July... if everything goes as planned.

This is the 2nd annual All Points West (APW) Festival, and the producers promise a more "user-friendly" experience, with free use of the light rail, more ferry service, larger beer areas, more shaded areas, etc etc.

While I am not completely enthusiastic about this year's headliners - Beastie Boys, Tool and Coldplay - the lineups look strong for each day, and if it is half as fun as last year's festival, with a better set-up, this is a not-to-miss opportunity. The views from Liberty State Park are breathtaking, especially when provided as a backdrop to large, sprawling outdoor concerts.

Oh, and the presale starts today, Thursday April 2, at noon. Regular tickets on sale Friday at noon. Tickets are $89 for a one-day pass and, for a limited time, $200 for a 3-day pass, plus service fees for the tickets. I think a 3-day pass may be too good of a deal for me to pass up...

Tom Tom Magazine Party: Drumroll, Please...

2009-04-01T12:34:00.000-04:00

The Tom Tom Benefit party last night at Death By Audio was a throwback to a college house party, albeit one featuring female drummers and mostly female musicians.

Death By Audio, a warehouse-esque space with graffiti-drowned walls and typical sketchy dive-bar bathrooms, reminded me of the older, dirtier Glasslands.

With lots of live performances and cheap PBR, the night was a fun, frivolous time that hopefully proved to raise enough money to launch Tom Tom Magazine's first issue, which was the premise of the party. Well, the groups and the magazine-to-be have at least achieved more exposure... and perhaps, notoriety.

Pics to come!

The irony was that my favorite act was Bad Brilliance, who was neither a female nor a drummer, but made really good beats and performed in costume in a giant blood-orange suit and a balloon for hi head. Enough said.

Tom Tom Magazine Benefit Show

2009-03-29T22:17:00.003-04:00

My friend, Vicki Simon, is an editor at Tom Tom Magazine, a magazine in the making about female drummers. Tom Tom Magazine is having a benefit party this Tuesday, March 31, at Death By Audio. All proceeds go to printing the first issue.

Come out!

Tom Tom Magazine Benefit Show
@ Death By Audio (http://www.myspace.com/deathbyaudioshows)
49 South 2nd St @ Kent | Williamsburg, Brooklyn L-Bedford, G-Metropolitan
$5 -10 sliding scale
doors @ 8 pm (first band at 8:30)

Jacques Detergent - www.myspace.com/jacquesdetergent
Hand Jobs - www.myspace.com/handjobsounds
Ina! Ina! - www.myspace.com/inainabrooklyn
Bad Brilliance - www.myspace.com/badbrilliance
Tayisha Busay - www.myspace.com/tayishabusay

"Tom Tom Magazine is the portal for information about females that drum. Tom Tom’s purpose is to raise awareness about girl and women drummers from all over the world and to inspire females of all ages to drum. Tom Tom’s goal is to strengthen and build the community of otherwise fragmented female musicians and to create a network of musicians around the world. Tom Tom serves a unique purpose by catering exclusively to female drummers and providing them with important information and resources."

Featured Drummers: Allison Busch (Awesome Color, Red Dawn II), Alexandria Koehler (Vivian Girls), Frankie Madaline Rose (Crystal Stilts), LaFrae Sci (Jootzy Szaba), Marcia Hill (Antimagic), Molly Allis (Huff This), Katie Eastburn (I'm In You), Gina Marie Scardino (Ina! Ina!), Mindy Abovitz (Taigaa, More Teeth), Katy Otto (Trophy Wife, Helsinki), Andrya Ambro (Talk Normal)

Photographers: Jee Young Sim, Erin Nicole Brown, Jennifer Aschoff, Megan Hessenthaler,

Editors: Victoria Simon, Cathy Hsiao

Designer: Candice Ralph

Editor-in-Chief: Mindy Abovitz

Cut Copy Performance at Terminal 5

2009-03-22T21:46:00.005-04:00

Cut Copy's sold-out performance last night at Terminal 5 delivered on its electropop, disco-worthy promise of addictively poppy new wave grooviness.

Below, "Hearts on Fire" clip from Youtube (not official video):

During the performance, the Australian electro-pop group verbally encouraged the audience to have a good time and fostered their desired dance party extravaganza through their catchy hooks, bright flashing visuals and the sheer energy emanating from both the band and the crowd.

While I at first wanted to be on the 1st floor of the venue and in the thick of it all, the claustrophobia of not even being able to stand without rubbing against someone's arms or purse was soon cause for exploration to other levels of the venue. Did you know Terminal 5 has an Empanada Mama inside of it? Well, now you do. It also has bars on every level, balconies to see from above, and most appealing of all to me: more space to not only breathe but to dance on the upper levels.

Here are some pictures and a video taken from my phone. (Unfortunately, but not unsurprisingly, videos taken from my phone don't have the best sound quality!) If you like 80's music, electro-pop, new wave or pop music at all, this is definitely music to check out and to even break into a sweat over!

Sleep Deprivation Across The Nation and Poster Boy

2009-03-20T22:29:00.008-04:00

"Sleep Deprivation Across The Nation" -- I overheard it in the elevator, and this might just become a new favorite quote.

Perhaps I can ascribe my restlessness to seasonal flux, or to my imminent two-month sojourn to Peru, or perhaps to my juggling of low-paying teaching gigs... or most aptly to all of the above, and more.

Anyway, how apropos that in my restless meanderings my friend forwarded me info about a Poster Boy exhibit tomorrow.

The exhibit is in Williamsburg, at 17 Frost Gallery, on Frost Street between Union and Lorimer Streets. Poster Boy will be showing in a group exhibit with the Neo-Con New York Collective. It opens tomorrow, March 21, from 7-9 pm. More on Poster Boy below.

NY Magazine has an article, "How Poster Boy Turns Subway Ads Into Political Art", which explores Poster Boy's anti-mass-media message. The New York Times, meanwhile, published an article last month, "Poster Boy Is Caught, or Is It a Stand-In?", which discusses Poster Boy's assessment of the law: "there is a difference between what is [legally] right and what is just." This remix culture, which challenges traditional copyright issues, is a growing trend that has been embraced by such artists as Girl Talk and continues to push the boundaries of what is considered legally acceptable.

I plan on being there!

All-Age Venues

2009-03-11T20:16:00.002-04:00

Enjoy!

From http://toddpnyc.com/:

Pay-what-you-wish Museum Days!

2009-03-09T14:16:00.001-04:00

So my last post was about free/cheap events, and I didn't even mention the Target First Saturdays at BAM or the Fringe Art Festival... so here I am, trying to make up for it. Check this out:

Pay-what-you-wish Museum Days!

Rachel

Free Things This Weekend

2009-03-03T16:42:00.004-05:00

My thoughts are gravitating towards free or low-cost activities this weekend.

I am thinking perhaps a free show at the BAMcafé? This Friday, March 6, features the Dang-it Bobbys at 9 pm (with the bar opening at 8; and I presume it will pack a full crowd pretty quickly). The Dang-it Bobbys are a mix of blue-grass and folk, with other influences and a style all their own... And they hail from Brooklyn! Then on Saturday, March 7, at the BAMcafé is Sophia Ramos, McRad and The Dustbin Brothers. This also promises to be an eclectic evening, with punk-pop songs and edgy fun.

But I am also contemplating going to the dance party at Tribeca Grand on Saturday (March 7), promoted by GBH and free with RSVP. See the GBH flyer here. (The RSVP e-mail is tribecagrand@gbh.tv). This should be a fun night of dancing to electro-pop and checking out the scenesters... !

But finally, I think my priority is to have fun with my friends this weekend, when all is said and done. We'll see where that leads me!

Williamsburg Cafés/Bars!

2009-02-24T13:14:00.000-05:00

I have to say, even though sometimes I wish I lived in the city for the convenience of it, there are certain things that re-affirm for me the desirability of living in Brooklyn. And honestly, I think Brooklyn is the NYC borough most suited to me...

Besides it being generally more affordable (yes, even Williamsburg, still!), it is quite lovely to live in a neighborhood with independent cafes (many of which also double up as bars in the evening), without even a Starbuck's to be found (knock on wood...). Also, it is quite a perk that they all offer free wi-fi, without having to sign up or pay for T-Mobil or any other internet subscription/fee.

So here I am now at South 4th Bar and Café (located at S. 4th and Berry St.), and I am a little embarrassed and frankly disappointed that I have never been here before! While I enjoy Atlas Café (located at Grand St. and Havermeyer), it tends to pack a full house of hipsters at their laptops: great for people-watching, but not always for working in the most comfortable or focused environement. South 4th Bar and Café is refreshingly spacious, with only a handful of people here; and it promises to be a fun evening spot, with its full bar and bookshelf of games. So now, here I am procrastinating my teaching work to rave about it!

But while I am on the subject, I also enjoy Phoebe's Cafe, a very cute, cozy café by the Graham Ave. L stop (at 323 Graham Ave, between Ainslie and Devoe Streets). It is yet another free venue offering free wi-fi and affordable bites! Now, on to my work, to utilize this free wi-fi ...

In Honor of the Recession: "Brother Can You Spare Some Rent?" Party Friday

2009-02-23T21:52:00.006-05:00

It's too good not to pass on -- I had to share this. Press Release from the City Reliquary, a tiny Williamsburg non-profit museum that is hosting a spectacle of a party this Friday, February 27th!

BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE SOME RENT?

A Modern Day Depression-Era Fundraiser!

Friday February 27^th 7-11pm

Times are tough all around – rollercoaster stock markets, job losses by the hundreds of thousands, bipartisan bickering with no relief in sight. It’s even tougher for 501 (c) (3) non-profit Community Museums. So the City Reliquary is hosting a fundraiser to raise some of (last month’s!) rent. BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE SOME RENT? is a Modern Day Depression-Era Fundraiser held in our backroom and backyard. For a minimum $10 tax-deductible donation at the door, you can come and participate in scores of historical diversions and entertainments circa 1935. The City Reliquary is proud to present:

Pie the Landlord! That’s right – the City Reliquary will have our very own cigar-chomping, unshaven, smelly Landlord demanding our rent! Tell him where to shove it with a whipped cream pie in his face!
Madame LuLu LoLo, Fortune Teller Extraordinaire: She Sees All and Knows All and Your Fortune Might Help Pay Our Rent!
Hobo Photos a Go-Go: Take your picture in our hand painted carnival sign. Remember the Recession of ’09 with a photographic keepsake!
Depression-era movies: shown on the projector in the backyard. Laugh it up with Mae West, the Marx Brothers and James Cagney.
Oil drum fires: (and more modern propane heaters) to keep you warm while you chill in the cold. All fires will be regulated carefully by official FDNY supervision!
DIY Fingerless Gloves Table! Because nothing says Depression-chic than rockin’ a pair of fingerless gloves!
Prohibition-era Beer provided by the Brooklyn Brewery and Depression-era “Rum” Punch provided by the City Reliquary at contemporary-recession era prices.
DJ Stacher playing hits from the economically challenged 1930s (Harlem Jazz) and 1970s (early Rap); as well as Big Money tracks from the 1980s (disco) and 2000s (electro). Get down!

All entertainments and diversions will be priced at the Depression-friendly rates of $2-5 a pop. All proceeds go to help the City Reliquary pay (last month’s, and this one’s) rent.

*****

Located at 370 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, The City Reliquary Museum & Civic Organization provides a wide array of services to the community. As a certified 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, we are committed to serving the people of New York City – natives, newcomers, and passersby. Originally established as a window-front display only museum in 2002 at the corner of Grand and Havemeyer Sts, it moved into its present location in 2006 and is committed to plan and host public events, which provide neighbors and visitors with a place to meet, exchange ideas, and celebrate the diversity of our community.

The City Reliquary’s hours are: Saturday and Sunday: 12pm – 6pm. Admission to the museum is by suggested donation. For general information, please visit the Museum’s website www.cityreliquary.org or call 718. R U CIVIC.

Bedford Ave Shopping Mall?!

2009-02-23T11:49:00.004-05:00

I just thought it kind of amusing that now Bedford Ave. is closed of to cars on Saturdays to become a pedestrian shopping mall. How quasi-European for a neighborhood once so down-and-out!

Lastnightsparty

2009-02-22T22:08:00.005-05:00

Who knew? Once again I've found myself on Lastnightsparty.com: dancing with my friend!

The picture is part of photographer Bronques's album Downtown 81, a conglomeration of NYC scenes. The scene with my friend and myself is from Beauty Bar on a Thursday night, at a weekly dance party titled Boogaloo Shampoo. I even got a manicure there that night. I recommend it: only $1o for a manicure and a drink, and the manicurist is a lovely lady who is a pleasure to talk to and offers great nail color recommendations!

Re-Cap of Little Boots and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

2009-02-14T10:29:00.006-05:00

In brief: Little Boots' show last Friday (February 6) at Studio B was fabulous; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's show last night at BAM was not. The former show was over before I knew it and left me wanting more, while I actually walked out on last night's show before it was over.

Victoria Hesketh, the leading woman for Little Boots, is a phenomenal electro-pop singer who charms the audience with her melodic, clever vocals and engaging, magnetic presence. I couldn't say the same about Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

As reviewer August Brown of said of a past performance of hers in L.A., "The two-piece drums-and-electronics setup provided more than enough thwack and mood, and Boots is even better in front of adoring throngs than she is before her home webcam -- goofy, commanding and just as in love with her songs as we were." (from http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/02/live-review-lit.html)

Here are some pictures and videos from Little Boots' performance:

Little Boots and More

2009-02-05T12:12:00.004-05:00

I am not tiring of my blog; rather, I am tiring of winter in NYC... ah, the doldrums.

Well, this weekend will hopefully clear some of the cobwebs, as I am heading up to Studio B (up in the wilds of Greenpoint) to see Little Boots, a quirky electro-pop outfit from the UK that I discovered through the CMJ festival this fall.

Check out the Studio B calendar for event and ticket info. Show is Friday, February 6; doors are at 10 pm! Also, check out Little Boots' Myspace page. Yay Little Boots!

Meddle by Little Boots

More Little Boots music on iLike

For other weekend fun, I am thinking of checking out the "Sounds Like Brooklyn" music festival sponspored by BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).The festival goes on from February 6-14th; and the headliners are Beirut (sold out) and Clap your Hands Say Yeah (I am buying a ticket!).

Abandoned Brooklyn Tour!

2009-01-25T08:06:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of FreeNYC.net:

Abandoned Brooklyn

Date: Saturday, January 24th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: UnionDocs (322 Union Ave, W'burg)
Cost: Free

To kick off 2009, UnionDocs presents a photographic exploration of Brooklyn's industrial neighborhoods, abandoned airports, deserted train stations and empty powerhouses. Abandoned Brooklyn documents a transitional moment in Brooklyn’s history, as it moves from its industrial past towards a future that seems to be dominated by luxury apartment buildings and chain stores. This exhibit is curated by the documentary collaborative UnionDocs and kicks off a new season of their Documentary Bodega screening series. As part of the opening night event, there will also be a screening of the film Covered Tracks - a short documentary about an abandoned homeless city underneath Manhattan.

Lusting After the Raveonettes

2009-01-17T16:21:00.005-05:00

Yet another good show! The Raveonettes are one of the few bands I've seen lately who were better live than on their albums. Sample songs can be heard on their Myspace page; I had only been familiar with their most recent album, Lust Lust Lust, prior to the show last night at Webster Hall, and I maintain that this latest album is their best work to-date.

Videos below.

Upcoming Events This Week/Weekend

2009-01-14T11:10:00.006-05:00

To help myself stay organized and invite friends, stalkers and others who have chanced upon my blog, I am going to list events I plan/hope to attend tonight and in the coming days...

Wed, 1/14/09, Soulgasm, Dance Party, Sin Sin Bar, East Village
Wed, 1/14/09, Scout Tufankijan Book Launch Party for Yes We Can, a photo-book covering Obama's campaign, DUMBO
Thurs, 1/15/09, Handmade Music Night, Music-Making Party/Spectacle, Bushwick
Fri, 1/16/09, The Raveonettes, Music Show, East Village, Webster Hall
Sun, 1/18/09, Eight, Theater, PS 122, East Village
Monday, 1/19/09, 23rd Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., BAM, Brooklyn

Tonight, 1/14/09, Wed, I am going to Soulgasm at Sin Sin Lounge in the East Village, which will be playing funk, house, dub and more. Sin Sin is located at 248 E. 5th St, between 1st and 2nd Ave. It's free before 11 pm and $5 after!

Also, as listed on Myopenbar.com, this is happening tonight:

The Obama Campaign: Photos by Scout Tufankjian

artsy booze, no cover / 6pm-9pm

Powerhouse Arena
37 Main Street,
at Water Street
DUMBO
(718) 666-3049

Map It | Directions

Kick inauguration week off right, with a boozy Brooklyn book launch party for Scout Tufankjian's Yes We Can. Tufankjian was the only independent photographer to cover Obama's entire campaign, including the
period before his run was announced.

1/15/09, Thursday. I am intrigued by yet another event listed on Myopenbar.com:

Handmade Music Night

PBR, no cover / 7:30pm-10:30pm

3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave.,
btw. Meadow and Stagg St.
East Williamsburg
(718) 715-4961

Map It | Directions

Dorks, geeks and nerds (but not dweebs or doofuses) unite in this sprawling celebration of all things musical and electronic. 3rd Ward, crafty-bitch central Etsy.com, Make Magazine, and createdigitalmusic.com present this party-come-science fair featuring, among other things:

a theremin made from mannequin parts
"gestural controllers made with wood and 3-D printers"
"over-the-shoulder musical fashion with snakeskin and leather"
a "prepared" (i.e. f--ed-with) Nintendo System

And from the 3rd Ward website:

Handmade Music
7:30 - 10:30 pm & Every 3rd Thursday Going Forward!

Part party, part mixer, part Science Fair, and part performance, this is an informal chance for geeksters and the geek-curious to come together, relax, and discover new sounds. The evening is a gathering of inventors of new instruments & music technology. Featuring circuit-bent toys, custom software and patches, interactive digital & visual instruments, custom electronics, electricity-powered noisemakers, DIY robots and new acoustic instruments. And it's open to everyone from hard-core hackers & newcomers to music lovers who want to learn about the DIY music scene.

To sign up visit http://beepit.eventbrite.com/.

On Friday, 1/16/09, I am going to see The Raveonettes at Webster Hall.

And Sunday, 1/18/09, I am seeing the performance Eight at PS 122, a play about the intersecting lives of twenty-somethings in London.

Monday, 1/19/09, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day features a tribute to MLK, Jr. at BAM, starting at 10:30 am.

Instead of No Pants: Flavor-Tripping!

2009-01-10T13:28:00.006-05:00

It's too cold to try to find those shenanigans, though I expect it will attract quite a lot of attention. I can't even imagine not wearing pants (or at least tights) on a day like today. Thank goodness for publicity and the internet; it's guaranteed that footage of No Pants 2k9 will be available for viewing from the warmth of my apartment.

Instead of that, I think I am F_I_N_A_L_L_Y going to make it to a "flavor-tripping" party tonight, and I can't *wait*! Especially since I have decided as my New Year's resolution to cut back on drinking, this is the perfect Saturday night adventure, snow be damned.

There is even a blog devoted entirely to flavor-tripping parties: Flavor Tripping.

Post- event update: Don't get your expectations too high; I barely noticed a difference in food flavors from the so-called miracle fruit. The biggest difference is that it makes sour food taste more sweet than sour.

Upcoming Shenanigans: No Pants 2k9

2009-01-07T11:14:00.007-05:00

Unless you count riding my bike through Bushwick and getting called "mamacita" and "mi amor" by the passing Mexican bicyclists as a cultural activity, the past few days have been a bit absent of cultural activities for me. But I do see my biking and tutoring around Brooklyn to offer its own cultural insights.

Anyway, for some non-conventional cultural activities, I have gotten word of this event happening this Saturday, January 10th: No Pants 2k9, sponsored by Improv Everywhere and happening in cities throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

The concept is that everyone meet at a specified point, act like they don't know each other and claim that the mass pants-removing is entirely coincidental. This pants-free group then proceeds to ride the subway together sans pants, the whole time acting calm and oblivious that they are part of a larger sans-pants group. Unfortunately, Improv Everywhere asks that you both do NOT show up if you plan to be a spectator only and that you do not photograph the event. There will be photography of it, rest assured, though, from the Improv Everywhere crew as well as undercover and/or disregarding participants. Oh, and they ask that you not wear any underwear that is too controversial or offensive, like a thong: the point of the activity is to amuse NYC observers, not to offend or shock them.

From the Improv Everywhere website, a snapshot from a previous No Pants event:

FYI, it's not illegal to walk around in your underwear in NYC.

Details from website:

When: Saturday, January 10 at 3:00 PM, Sharp! (Over by around 5:30)
Where: Meet at Foley Square at the black sculpture/fountain. It’s near the Brooklyn Bridge 6 train stop, between Centre and Lafayette, just north of Duane. (Google Map)
Bring: A backpack and a metro card.
Do not bring: A camera (we’ll have several photographers on hand)
Wear: Normal winter clothes (hat, gloves, etc)
Facebook: You can RSVP to the Facebook Event
After Party: For those over 21, there will be an official No Pants after party at Sidebar, 15th Street and Irving Place. First drink is free if you arrive without pants.

Growing Up Here, Post-21...

2009-01-05T22:00:00.004-05:00

I feel like having yet another birthday and New Year's in NYC has brought me to closer, more openly familiar and developed terms with the city. That and it has also become embedded in me somehow, in my psychological and sociological make-up. I have the opportunity to be very serious intellectually and professionally, while still maintaining a sense of liberty and youth. Yet you haunt me, NYC, your habit of feeding vices and your reliance on money.

For now, my cultural tastes of the city are reigned in to smaller, more local activities, like bike-riding, potlucks with friends, and going to neighborhood bars with some extra draw, like the campfire at Union Pool...

Away from NYC!

2008-12-26T09:38:00.006-05:00

I am spending the "holidaze" in my hometown of Pittsburgh, dubbed "America's most livable city" by its official city website, Pghgov.com. A much quieter, quainter city than the Big Apple, it has nonetheless been an interesting time here so far.

An excursion downtown (the so-called cultural district of the city) on Christmas Eve made for a festive merry-making night at half the cost of NYC standards.

On Christmas itself, I walked around my neighborhood with my friend to see what would be open, looking in hopes of finding some brunch options. The neighborhood, Squirrel Hill, is predominantly Jewish, so we felt assured that we would encounter several open stores to explore. Lo and behold, the two open stores we found during our 20-minute walk: Starbuck's and Rite-Aid. After standing in the winding line at Starbuck's for 10 minutes and barely moving an inch ahead, we gave up and continued our search, to find that Rite-Aid was open all day on Christmas. Here we bought a dozen eggs, iced tea and other amenities; and upon check-out, we had a distinctly Pittsburgh experience wherein the cashier related a significant, summarized portion of her life story in explanation of why she didn't mind working during the afternoon on Christmas. Oh, Pittsburgh.

I also rode on the Pittsburgh Port Authority (the public transportation system) here on Christmas, which was surprisingly in use on this holiday. My favorite experience of the public transportation here was the light-rail system, the T, which is a two-car train that goes through downton Pittsburgh and neighborhoods south of the city. It is, frankly, adorable compared to NYC. That about sums up Pittsburgh. Most livabe city? I'm not sure about that, but it is laidback and a nice occasional getaway from NYC.

Meow Meow Cabaret

2008-12-22T10:27:00.004-05:00

I saw Meow Meow at Highline Ballroom yesterday. A cabaret singer tour-de-force, Meow Meow graced the stage with equal parts humor, sexiness, enchantment, bawdiness and political commentary.

She sang in French, German and English, and her repertoire included original songs as well as covers by such artists as Radiohead (she did a jarringly heartfelt, almost heart-breaking rendition of their song "Fake Plastic Trees") and Laurie Anderson.

Meow Meow's performance focused largely on economic issues; after her first song, she was stripped of her dress and jewelry and sang in her underwear, slip and tights. She went on to mock-complain that she could and should be performing on Broadway, but was left to perform at Highline Ballroom, in the middle of the old Meatpacking area, starving and under-appreciated.

Meow Meow performed a large portion of the show with a little girl she referred to as the orphan Isabel. "Much cheaper than adopting from China," she purred, leaving Isabel to sweep around the stage for comic effect. Yet Isabel, a girl of no more than 12 years of age, also exhibited a talented voice and some impressive tap-dancing skills. During quite a few of the songs, Isabel's innocent, youthful sound complemented Meow Meow's older, smokier, more sophisticated voice nicely.

The humor, the political commentary and the gorgeousness of the performance all combined for a spellbinding couple of hours with Meow Meow.

CSS and SSION at Webster Hall

2008-12-18T00:16:00.005-05:00

I saw the Wednesday evening, 12/17 show at Webster Hall, featuring CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) and the opening band SSION. See SSION's (pronounced "Shun") Myspace page for video clips. They are an over-the-top glam/punk/pop band that fit perfectly as the opener for CSS.

SSION below, and CSS clips follow.

CSS put on a good show, with the lead singer wearing a patterned full bodysuit. Unfortunately, I wasn't so impressed with their new songs, as taken as I am with the songs from their self-titled album, Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS). CSS pictures and videos below:

NYC Christmas Prep and Bright Bikes

2008-12-14T11:33:00.008-05:00

I missed Santacon last night. And despite all of my efforts, I was not able to get in touch with any of the participating Santas to at least observe their ruckus-making debauchery around the city. Well, at least I'll be able to find pictures of their "conference" online. (Here, in fact, is one flickr site that features 2008 NYC Santacon pictures.) And I had several other worthy causes that took precedent over Santacon. Yes, I did just day that.

I went to the Eyebeam workshops in Chelsea yesterday afternoon after a delicious brunch. There, I was able to observe and partake in strange and unusual workshops, where adults and children alike were busily engaged in their crafts and electronic projects. Workshops included snowglobe-making, Tickle-Me-Elmo reconstruction (minus the fur, a scary sight...!), and tranformation of standard bicyles into "bright bikes." I didn't have my actual bike with me, but I purchased a large strip of reflective vinyl (that tapes right onto the bike), which effectively makes your bike exude a glow-in-the-dark white light when under the glare of a bright light. This is exactly the kind of bicycle bling I need to stay visible when riding at night! Also, I enjoyed a long interlude at Eyebeam in the "video womb," a little installation room with full carpeting that offered a meditative, trance-like experience with live video projections from the fabric screen above.

Pictures of Eyebeam below:

(The "elves" at work making the re-furbished Tickle-Me-Elmos without fur)

(the Elmos without the fur, rolling around, psychotic robotic laugh machines)

(Yes, that's Elmo on top of the tree. At Eyebeam)

(a Bright Bike above; when not looking directly from the light source, the bike appears black; the vinyl tape makes it reflectively shine white!)

I gallery-hopped for a bit in Chelsea after the Eyebeam extravaganze. One interesting exhibit featured photography from China, with citizens wearing t-shirts with "Chinglish."
Oh, the United States, with our cultural and linguistic imperialism. Isn't it jarring how the political statement of this t-shirt clashes so much with the colorful image?

And, finally, to end on a positive (?) note: my night yesterday ended with a chocolate party. Being the (quasi-)vegetarian that I am, I didn't try the centerpiece chocolate of the evening:

Holiday Cheer - From Crafts to Santacon

2008-12-10T10:07:00.004-05:00

I am not sure where my Saturday will take me, but here are some holiday possibilities:

- The Secret Project Robot Gift on Grand holiday sale. This holiday craft fair from local designers will be held at Secret Project Robot, at 210 Kent Ave, at Metropolitan. Why is it called "grand" if it's on Metropolitan and not Grand St.? Touché. Their blog provides pictures of some of the wares and links to the designers who will be present. The event is going on from 11 am-7 pm.

Eyebeam, an arts organization in Chelsea, is hosting DIY holiday workshops from 1-6 pm Saturday, as well as a holiday bash starting at 6 pm. From their calendar:

December 13, 2008
Sat., Dec. 13, 1PM – workshops | 6PM: Holiday party

Cost: Free. Calling all makers, residents, fellows, and friends … If you haven’t yet experienced everyone’s favorite holiday gift-making event, here’s the scoop: For one day and one day only, Eyebeam becomes an all-ages, mutl-workshop electronic craft-making fair, with entertainment, decorations and plenty of holiday spirit.

I hear there is going to be a workshop where I can apply unobtrusive-looking stickers to my bike, which glow in the dark when a light shines on them. I may just have to bike over here...

And, last but not least, is Santacon: a so-called convention open to the public, starting at 10 am. The catch is that you must dress up in a Santa or holiday theme, come prepared with money, your ID and metrocard, and be ready for a holiday ruckus-making time with hundreds of other Santas. The secret meeting location will be announced Friday, December 12th at 10 pm. I would like to at least run into this mass Santa spectacle at some point on Saturday...

East Village Bar/Restautant: Death & Co.

2008-12-08T09:16:00.002-05:00

Now that the chill in the air has become a regular feature of NYC life, I find that I am more inclined towards cozy nights in lounges and at home than bar-hopping or trying to squeeze as many music shows as I can into my schedule.

That said, I wanted to highlight this bar/lounge/restaurant I came across as an under-the-radar gem in the East Village: Death and Company. The name of the place is a reference to the Volstead Act of 1919 and the Prohibition era, when, as Death & Co's website states, "It was thought that to drink alcohol was to live a life shadowed by death. It was thought by some that these were death and company."

As such, the lounge has sought to refine the perfect cocktail and has a menu with elaborate cocktail concoctions, as well as a wine list. They also have a delectable culinary menu.

The lounge does not permit photography, but I snapped a couple of pictures before realizing.

Pseudo-Hibernation and Partying in Bed-Stuy

2008-12-07T10:38:00.007-05:00

I'm not really hibernating. I rode my bike last night when it was half rain, half snow. I biked from Williamsburg to a party in Bed-Stuy. That's kind of the opposite of hibernation. But I have been less motivated to go to more costly, large-scale bashes lately.

I could have gone to BowieBall and had a decadent, costumed adventure in the Village. Instead, I chose to save some money, stay closer to home and get my biking on.

I have to say, after living in NYC for about 5 years, this is the first house I have been to here that really had a "co-op" community-living type of vibe. The house featured: at least 4-5 bathrooms, 5 floors including the basement, 12 people living together (did they all have their own rooms? I'm not sure), and a backyard with a campfire set-up. Yesterday evening, it also featured a live DJ, two separate rooms with dancing, a "kissing booth" and alcohol for purchase.

The entire house was shared by the people who lived there. I am not sure I actually even talked to anyone who lived there last night...

I only have a few pictures, as I did not want to be the one obnoxious person snapping flash photography in a room full of people I mostly didn't know. As it was, when I snapped a couple of pictures by the fire, some guy was confused by my flash and thought the fire was exploding or something. Good times.

(slogan by the "kissing booth")

Art After Dark at Guggenheim & The Rub

2008-12-02T08:56:00.006-05:00

I have been neglecting my blog lately... and I can't say that it's because I have been insanely busy hopping around the city doing and seeing things. I have just recently returned from a Thanksgiving break in the suburbs of Boston; now, after more than my share of feasting and ample family time, I am back in NYC and ready to jump back into the maze of the city!

I am considering going to Art After Dark: First Fridays at Guggenheim, to enjoy the one-a-month event when the museum is open late and features a music program. This Friday, the Guggenheim (located at 1071 5th Avenue, at 89th Street) features The Rub, a DJ collective from Brooklyn that spins hip-hop, disco, soul, funk, and more. I have a feeling I have danced to their mash-ups before...

So the Art After Dark event at the Guggenheim is from 9 pm-1 am and is $25 for non-members. I also have a feeling I once snuck into one of these events for free, not to give anyone any hints... !

The Rub plays again on Saturday at Southpaw, for free. This event is from 10 pm-4 am, and they recommend you get there early to avoid a long line!

Girl Talk Performance Footage

2008-11-18T14:08:00.008-05:00

I enjoyed seeing Girl Talk much more than I had expected to, actually. Originally skeptical of how someone who is sampling and layering music all on his laptop could put on a good performance, I was very soon dispelled of my skepticism to watch the dance party on stage while taking part in it myself to his very fun, danceable mixes.

Pictures and videos below.

Amjad at BAM -- 2008 Next Wave Festival

2008-11-14T11:06:00.003-05:00

I will be seeing the performance of Amjad tonight, a dance performance at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. The performance features the dance company La La La Human Steps and choreography by Édouard Lock.

In an interview with the Star, "La La La Takes Romantic Steps," Lock reveals, "Amjad is a name, applicable to both a man and a woman. It's a little wink to my own ethnic heritage." It is a ballet that deconstructs Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. The production is a contemporary interpretation of and response to these works that highlights the exoticism of the stories and problematizes such issues as gender, narrative and culture, all in a visually stunning production.

Tonight: Murder by Death and William Elliott Whitmore at Southpaw

2008-11-12T13:46:00.004-05:00

I am at least a little ashamed to admit that I have never before seen a show at Southpaw before. For what it's worth, I tried once before but was not ready to brave the lines on the particularly chilly night I attempted entry there.

Anyway, tonight, with doors at 7, features the musicians Murder By Death, William Elliott Whitmore, and J Roddy Walston & The Business. It should be a fun, folky, bluesy evening and is very reasonably-priced, at only $14 for the show cover.

I am particularly interested in seeing Williasm Elliott Whitmore and hearing his soulful blues songs performed live. Free songs are available for download at daytrotter.com.

Girl Talk: DJ? Artist? Musical Thief?

2008-11-06T12:11:00.007-05:00

I am seeing Girl Talk, whose real name is Gregg Gillis, next Saturday at Terminal 5 (whose shows, November 15th, 16th and 18th, are all sold out, but you can try to buy scalped tickets at the venue, located at 610 W 56th St, or from such sites as StubHub.com). As of now, I have three tickets and am still seeking the two lucky winners to go with me ... I am seeing Girl Talk with Prefuse 73, another experimental band with catchy hooks, on Saturday, Nov 15th.

So what exactly is Girl Talk's music? Gregg Gillis, in an interview with Aural States, says he first became interested in experimental music and, although he samples music much like a DJ would, considers his music much more of a "sound collage." He uses an audio program called Audio Mulch and his shows are simply him and his laptop, both of which apparently rock out pretty hard during a show. He is more interested in de-constructing and re-combining music than sampling the music as such, and especially leans towards mixes of hip-hop with rock and pop loops. Gillis describes his musical project as purely aesthetic rather than political and says he also simply wants to support pop music. This is exactly what he sees himself as doing: distilling the catchiest hooks and riffs of the tunes that he hears and then layering and sampling them to create his own songs, or "sound collages."

New York Times has an article, Steal This Hook? Girl Talk Flouts Copyright Law, which discusses the controversial, possibly illegal aspect of Gillis's work. His music, available at illegalart.net at a pay-what-you-want fee, has been pulled off of iTunes and other CD distributors' stocks because of its potential liability. Gillis, stating that his use of the clips falls under fair use license, has not yet been sued for his use of such short samples of songs. As the article explores, on the one hand, companies may not want to sue him in order to not look bad as well as not to set a precedent in Gillis's favor. He may or may not be technically legally able to use such samples, but that he so far has gotten away with doing so with relatively few repercussions is itself setting a precedent that tells copyright law that it is too restrictive on creativity and can, in effect, be loosely interpreted.

Gillis's music, through his Girl Talk project, is paving the way for creative license with the music of others, for better or for worse. His musical mash-ups are truly the conglomeration of diverse music samples, from bhangra to classic rock to contemporary hip-hop, creating a sound that is at once uniquely his and an appropriation of various musical genres and decades.

It should definitely be an interesting performance.

Halloween Masquerade Ball at Galapagos

2008-11-03T13:27:00.006-05:00

This was the first event I have attended at the re-located Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO. Having dropped by the venue only once previously, during the Art Under the Bridge festival this summer, I knew that it had a welcoming ambiance and an intimate set-up; but I had not yet spent an evening there.

The Halloween Masquerade Ball, a 1920's Victorian-era themed party, was ablaze with live jazz music, masked and costumed attendees and live performances. There was face painting available, providing an almost instant transformation to shimmering, retro, masked style. And, if you weren't sitting in one of the few booths or on the floor by the stage to watch the performance, you were most likely mingling by the entrance or the bar.

Although the Halloween Masquerade Ball did not have a particularly large turn-out, it provided an experience both mellow and exhilarating, providing ample opportunity for chatting, dancing, and sitting back to watch the performances.

See pictures below.

Also, Galapagos Art Space is right off the water; a walk less than half a block away yields amazing views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the water.

CMJ and Music Networks

2008-10-31T14:17:00.003-04:00

Just wanted to post a link to a Flavorwire post (the new blog from Flavorpill), entitled: "Idolator Is Wrong: Why a Music Conference Called CMJ Will Affect What You Listen To." Agreed.

Also, speaking of music and blogs: I recommend checking out the Hype Machine, which follows music blogs and provides an aggregate resource of mp3 listening samples and reviews. You can even find mp3s from music blogs to download, as well as lots of great insider tips on bands and songs you might be interested in based on your musical tastes. I will sure be checking it out more often!

Now, on to Halloween preprations.