Recent Shows: Chromeo and Raveonettes

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

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!!

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

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!

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!

I am going tonight!

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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!