Drums Along The Hudson celebrates the spirit of the drum that is the heart, culture and tradition of the Native American people. The event features a powerful get-together of mesmerizing drumming from around the world and includes intertribal social dances like the Round Dance, the Iroquois Smoke dance, and the jingle dance. International foods, Native American crafts and artwork will be for sale.
Shad Fest celebrates the annual return of spawning shad to the Hudson River. Shad Planking demonstrations by Chris Letts of the Hudson River Foundation and free tastings are featured. "Planking " is a Native American cooking method taught to the Europen settlers. Shad, considered a delicacy, are the only fish that the D.E.C. permits to be commercially caught from the Hudson River because their life cycle allows them to remain PCB-free and, therefore, safe to eat.
Admission is free. Enter the park at Indian Road and 218th Street, three blocks west of Broadway.
Date: Sunday, May 1st
Time: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Venue: Inwood Hill Park - Enter at Indian Road and 218 Street.
Cost: Free
I have been to this event for the past four or five years and I can honestly say that its the best way to kick off the summer. Sadly I will not be able to amke it this year, so I expect you all to go to the 19th annual Mayday celebration in Tompkins Square Park and report back to me on all the fun I have missed. If you have never been, here are a few things you need to know. A, there are always a slew of great DJs (this years line up hasn't been posted yet but in the past they have included Afrika Bamabaataa, DJ Red Alert, Frankie Bones, Lenny Dee, Carlos Soulslinger). B, expect a big semi-rowdy crowd as its one of the first days everyone has left their houses for the summer, and come on now, how oftern do you get to dance with hundreds of people in a park. And C, don't be scared away by the heavy police presence (please see previous statement if you need an explination), generally if you leave them alone, they leave you alone.
For more information check out Blackkat If you want to get involed the folks over there say "We are currently soliciting Circus performers, artists, performers, vendors, political organizations, body-painters, acrobats, clowns, break-dancers, etc. to take parthttp in the festivities. We are also looking for volunteers that can help with promotions, flyering, set up, take down, fundraising and other organizational aspects of this event. Lets make this event belong to everyone!"
**Here is an update about this event...Due to some issues with permits from the Parks Department, there will not be a stage this year, and they may have less equipment than normal, but the show WILL go on! This years line up will include MC Baba Isreal (Live Hip Hop) The Kin (Live Rock Band)DJ Chrome (Drum-n-bass), plus performances by Missy Galore, Groovehoops, and others.**
The Free for All series brings classical music to Town Hall on a first come first serve basis. The series continues tonight with classical piano from Peter Serkin. Check the website for the full calendar. More details below the fold.
Date: Sunday, May 1st
Time: 5:00pm (tickets available at noon)
Venue: Town Hall (123 West 43rd between 6th and 7th)
Cost: Free
If you love attending live performances of classical music but find that your finances are a little tight these days, you'll be glad to know about a series of free concerts in New York City's historic Town Hall. Free For All At Town Hall is designed to bring a diverse audience of New Yorkers and visitors to the city into contact with the superlative artistry of some of classical music's most celebrated performers. With the aim of reaching many new listeners with world-class classical music performances, tickets for all Free For All events are available at no charge to the public at the Town Hall Box Office on the day of the concert starting at noon. Assigned seats are distributed on a "first-come, first-served" basis (two ticket maximum per person). Upcoming concerts are:
Mezzosoprano Anne-Sofie von Otter with pianist Bengt Forsberg will launch the 2005 series on April 17, pianist Peter Serkin performs on May 1, and pianist André Watts appears on May 29. The Opus One Piano Quartet will perform on June 19 and percussionist Evelyn Glennie will close out the series with an exciting solo program on June 26.
Another chance to see the latest from The Muppets for free. Contemporary teenager Dorothy (Grammy Award-winner Ashanti) joins the Scarecrow (Kermit the Frog), the Tin Thing (Gonzo), and the Cowardly Lion (Fozzie Bear) to fight off the Wicked Witch (Miss Piggy) as they journey to the showbiz capital of Oz in the hopes that the Wizard (Jeffrey Tambor) will make her a star! Also featuring Queen Latifah, David Alan Grier and Quentin Tarantino as himself! Admission granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is very limited, so arrive early. Part of the Tribeca Film Festival.
Date: Sunday, May 1st
Time: 6:00pm
Venue: Scholastic Auditorium (557 Broadway Between Prince & Spring Streets)
Cost: Free
Not quite, but at least you can get some free law advise. The Legal Referral Service of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and the New York County Lawyers' Association will hold a series of free legal information fairs the first week of May, in observance of National Law Day.
That week, volunteer attorneys will travel to Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx. Each location will offer residents an opportunity to consult with an experienced lawyer free of charge. Community leaders and representatives from local bar associations and other agencies will also be on hand. Residents can obtain guidance on many legal matters, including landlord/tenant disputes, wills & trusts, workers compensation, matrimonial, criminal law, immigration law, employment discrimination, small business issues, victim services, consumer law, and more.
A tent will go up outside local court houses the day of each fair to provide residents with convenient access to volunteer lawyers. For the benefit of local residents who may be in need of free legal advice, the Association is asking your news organization to kindly post the following schedule of fair locations on your community calendar:
The Nublu NextMondays series is consistantly bring new things to the live stage. Last month we watched big pump redefine percussion with digital, organic, and vocal rhythms. Before that the Epochs graced the stage for all of February. May brings us Lawrence 'Butch' Morris conducting the Nublu Orchestra.
A cornet player by trade, Morris invented Conduction, a system of physical movements that transcend the traditional role of conductor. He leads ensembles through improvisations that often take the form of complete songs, coaxing out themes, controlling dynamics, layering rhythms, and adding and subtracting instruments.
Butch’s relationship with the Nublu Orchestra is a special one. While he often uses Conduction with traditional classical and jazz ensembles, the Nublu musicians are as varied in style as the eclectic nights at the little living room venue on Avenue C. Among the players are Sylvia Gordon and Deantoni Parks of the electro-breakbeat outfit Kudu; Didi Gutman, Aaron Johnston, and Jesse Murphy of dance-tronica Brazilian Girls; Kenny Wollesen, who has worked with John Zorn, Love Trio, and Tom Waits; the avant-garde trumpet player Graham Haynes; minimal techno DJ, Hardedge; and Ilhan Ersahin, the leader of Wax Poetic, I Led Three Lives, and Love Trio. The result of the varied musical styles of the improvisers is unpredictable, weaving in and out of dub, left-field jazz, funk, and electronics. Continues every Monday this month.
Date: Monday, May 2nd Time: 9:30pm Venue: Nublu (62 Avenue C between 4th and 5th) Cost: $5
Mike Doughty, how I love him, let me count the ways! One, he was the lead singer for this band Soul Coughing. Two, he went to the same college as I did. Three, after the band split, he realesed this solo album, Skitish, that I could not live without. Four, he sings songs about fire tucks. Five, ok well thats enough of that, but thought you'd like to know that he is doing an in store performance and album signing tonight at Tower Records on West 4th.
Date: Tuesday, May 3rd Time: 6:30pm Loctation: Tower Records, Broadway and West 4th Cost: Free
Its Dorkbot time again. Time for that lovable geek-out featuring all things electric that we could only dream about. Tonight features video painting, interactive video, and a discussion on the yellow arrow campaign. If you are into New Media then this is not to be missed.
Date: Wednesday, May 4th Time: 7:00pm Venue:Location One (26 Greene Street between Canal and Grand) Cost: Free
Crackerfarm [is] an artist collective comprised of photographers Mike Beyer and Lindsey Rome. Crackerfarm's photography is a strange brew, a kind of self-reflective ethnography that evokes Jack Kerouac's "On the Road". Like Sal Paradise's strong desire to see and be on the road, Crackerfarm thirsts for this way of life. Their photographs read like a thinly fictionalized autobiography, filled with a cast made of friends, relatives and strangers encountered in their travels, at times permeated by photographs of each other. [swiped from Windchill]
Date: Wednesday, May 4th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Gramercy Post (220 East 23rd Street, Suite 800) Cost: Free
While Tedious Limbs does actually sound like a description of my legs after my weekend at Coachella, it is really the name of the show up at Deitch this week. Yes, we are a day late and a dollar short on this one, as it started on Tuesday, but please see my previous statement for my excuse. But look, you have until Saturday to see "a collection of the most cutting-edge, underground video art being produced today. Organized by three of the artists themselves-- Devin Flynn, Takeshi Murata, and Kendra Gaeta-- this exhibition includes eye-popping visual disruptions that delve deep into a psychedelic symbiosis of the auditory and the visual."
Bob Partington exhibits at the Triple 5 Soul stores for the next few months. Catch the "opening" tonight as DJ Language spins. Flyer looks like there might be some free Bacardi as well.
Date: Friday, May 5th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Triple 5 Soul Brooklyn (145 Bedford Ave at N. 9th) Cost: Free with RSVP
Here's a chance to catch Prince Paul in a very intimate setting... the Knit Tap Bar. Giveaways from Bathgate Mixtapes, Brooklyn Brewery, and Halycon T's
Date: Thursday, May 5th Time: 9:00pm Venue: Knitting Factory Tap Bar (74 Leonard Street) Cost: Free
"The apartment building behind the apartment building. Also: bands, sculpture, videos, roaches vs. the rats giant puppet Fight We have secured an abandoned building in LES. The place is classic. From R.I.P. to letting it rip, 5 times over. You supply the electricity. Bring a flashlight. Rooftop access. It's gonna be grimy. $2 beers."
Date: Thursday, May 5th Time: 10:00pm Venue: LES Laracuente Foundation (124 Ridge Street between Rivington and Stanton) Cost: Free
Parker's International Art Market with performance by Le Fa She
Parker's Box is delighted to announce its fifth anniversary, and in the true spirit of this celebration we have invited a houseful of guests (artists, galleries, art publications, activists and nonprofits) to participate in a three-day art "market" event that turns the tables on galleries representing artists, in order to have a number of artists "represent" their galleries through specific projects presented together under the same conditions and in similar spaces. Local psychedelic troupe Le Fa She present a drum ceremony at 8p. Continues through Sunday
Date: Friday, May 6th Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Parker's Box (139 Grand Street, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
On select Friday evenings the Whitney presents SoundCheck, a series of live music and literary events by some of downtown's most adventurous talent. Cocktails and snacks are available for purchase, and all exhibitions are open for viewing.
Marc Anthony Thompson (aka Chocolate Genius) and Stuart Matthewman appear together in an evening of electronic wizardry and sonic mayhem as they deconstruct and essentialize songs from the Chocolate Genius Inc. catalogue. Thompson has released four critically acclaimed solo albums, scored several films, and collaborated with many different artists, including Marc Ribot, Meshell N’degcello, Roger Guenevere Smith, Cibo Matto, Medeski, Martin and Wood, the Roots and Philip Glass. He has recorded the songs of a wide range of artists and eras -from Marvin Gaye¹s, “Ain¹t That Peculiar” (from the Oscar nominated film American Splendor), The Beatles, “Julia” (I Am Sam), Harold Arlen (Stormy Weather: The Harold Arlen Story) “Days” (from the CBS show Crossing Jordan). His latest album will be released on Commotion Records in the summer of 2005.
Date: Friday, May 6th Time: 7:00pm Venue: Whitney Museum of Art (945 Madison Ave at 75th Street) Cost: Free with Admission (pay-what-you-wish)
Filipino artist Louie Cordero meets Filipino American artist Jordin Isip in the temple of doom. Louie's paintings are saturated with Philippine pop culture, American sci-fi, monster and pulp images, twisted piles of feces, Catholic religious iconography and large servings of indigenous food.
Jordin's iconic figures are poised in symbolic interaction. Anthropomorphic beings like monkeymen grasping nunchakus, mask wearing spotted beasts, and Philippine Ifugao rice gods are the protagonists inhabiting the landscape of his narrative. The two artists are in a dialogue connected by an ancient tribal bloodline.
Date: Friday, May 6 Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Riviera (103 Metropolitan Ave. at Wythe Ave.) Cost: Free
Check out Copycat at Rififi tonight, for well, uh, some copycat antics. There will be cover songs, remixes and "do-overs." Plus catch an acoustic set by the band Group 7. There are cheap booze specials most of the night too. Ahhh, Friday night, how I love you!
Date: Friday, May 6th Time: 9pm Location: Rififi, 332 East 11th Cost: Free
Obviously not as good as getting into the show (anyone have an extra ticket for me?) but close. Leftfield hip-hop master Prefuse73 - who is at NorthSix tonight and Bowery tomorrow - spins at this afterparty featuring free Red Stripe from 10 - 11.
Date: Friday, May 6th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Happy Ending (302 Broome between Forsyth & Eldridge) Cost: Free
Oliver and Domie from A Touch of Class invade this up and coming weekly party. Expecet Italo, electro, and other digital rhythms. With residents Cowboy Mark & Dirty Jean.
Date: Friday May 6, 2005 Time: 11:00pm Venue: Luke and Leroy (21 7th Ave South at Leroy) Cost: Free
Jim Hanley's Universe will be participating in the 4th Annual FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Come on down and get your free comics. It is the perfect time to introduce friends and family to your favorite super-heroes, action / adventure comics and autobiographical / slice of life stories. Everyone is sure to find a comic they will enjoy!
A number of other local comic book stores will be participating as well. Additonally, Virgin Mega Store will be giving away specially created comics from the band the Gorillaz.
Date: Saturday, May 7th
Venue: Jim Hanley's Universe (4 West 33rd Street), Virgin Mega Store (Times Square and Union Square), and various other locations
Cost: Free
If you cross over the East River, living in the shadows of other more popular and well known art museums, you will find the Brooklyn Museum. With 560,000 square feet on its side, and minus the heavy foot traffic that most Manhattan Museums tend to get from tourists, this museum has a lot going for it. Every first Saturday of the month admission is free (thanks to big name corporate sponsorship, but we dont have to talk about that), and there are a slew of events for the whole fam. This week check out the Jean-Michel Basquiat retrospective of more than 90 paintings and works on paper. Additionally, check out "Audio Graffiti," paint your own Japanese scroll, and hear DJ Sintalentos spin soul, funk and hip hop to close out the day (here is a full line up of evernts).
Join m*A*m*A, an NYC grassroots collective of mothers, as we celebrate the real meaning of Mother's Day with our third annual festival, Mamas Rising Up!). Skip the cards and the flowers and come celebrate radical, real and revolutionary mamas. This year's lineup includes:
Katherine Arnoldi, author of The Amazing "True" Story of a Teenage Mom, The Green Circus, Amina Munoz-Ali, poet and mother of a reservist, Mama Spirit and the Soul Sistahs, mother/daughter vocalists, Priscilla Grim, spoken word artist, Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Desiree Ong, poet, Tristan Regnaudot, from Choices in Childbirth, Tahira Faune, Gaelic vocalist, Faith Groenwald, activist with mothers in prison, a representative of Friends of the Birth Center, plus breakdancing, facepainting, and other activities for children. This is a kid and family friendly event.
Date: Saturday, May 7th Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm Venue: Spoken Words Cafe, (226 4th Ave. at Union Street, Park Slope) Cost: Free
Not that we here at FreeNYC advocate the recreational use of marijuana (I mean, afterall, my mom reads this website!) but today is the NYC Global Marijuana March/Rally. Expect a parade, a rally with bands, and lots of conversations about pot (smoking it, legalizing it, medicinal use, etc.) The walk begins at Broadway and Houston and finishes at Battery Park. A word of warning my friends, there will most likely be a heavy police presence for such an event, so proceed accordingly.
Date: Saturday, May 7th Time: 2:30pm - 6:30pm Locatation: B'way and Houston to Battery Park Cost: Free
Today is the Kentucky Derby and this is how we recommend you spend it. BBQ, Bluegrass, Bourbon, Mint Julips, and Derby hats. Add some special FreeNYC homemade Derby Pie and you've got your day made. OTB is right around the corner on Graham and Metropolitain if you feel the itch to make a bet.
Date: Saturday, May 7th Time: 4:00pm Venue:Pete's Candy Store (709 Lorimer Street, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
If you can't find the FreeNYC kids this Saturday there is a good chance they will be looking at art most of the day. I am currently formulating a plan which involves a stop off at the Brooklyn Museum followed by hitting up the opening of the new Barry McGee show, One More Thing, at the Deitch Gallery. "The vitality and chaos of the street are always present in Barry McGee’s exhibitions. The visitor is greeted by over turned trucks, over flowing dumpsters, and dozens of discarded Thunderbird and Night Train bottles. Animated drawings flickering on piles of television sets surrounded by hundreds of geometrically painted panels create a cacophonic environment." Tonight is the opening reception, but the show runs until August 13th.
Date: Saturday, May 7th Time: 6pm - 9pm Location: Deitch Gallery, 18 Wooster St Cost: Free
Three novelists will be enclosed within three individual habitats designed and constructed by three teams of architect and artists. For 30 days, this will be their reality. Nightly, they will dine together (courtesy of a revolving cast of chefs). Public readings of the novels-in-progress will be held every Saturday evening. There will also be public viewing hours during the week. On June 4, each writer will emerge from his or her habitat, having completed a novel.
The opening for Novel is something more than your average art opening. There will be time from 7-9 to view, enter, and explore the habitats created by our three artist/architects. At 9p the novelists will enter their habitats for the first time, bringing with them the personal items, books, supplies, etc., that will serve them over the next month. For the next hour, their initial acclimation to their new homes will be a public event. And then the experiment begins. Please join us for this very special event.
Writers include Laurie Stone, Ranbir Sidhu, and Grant Bailie. Architect and artists include Salazar Davis Architects, Tricky Ink, and Ian Montgomery.
Date: Saturday, May 7th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Flux Factory (click for directions) Cost: Free
In case you forgot today is Mother's Day (so stop playing on the internet and go call your mama). If you are at a loss on what to do with Mom, or are too poor for Mother's Day brunch, take her to Prosepct Park. Today is suppossed to be about 70 degrees and sunny, a perfect day for free pedle boat rides on the lake.
Date: Sunday, May 8th Time: 12pm - 5pm Location: Prospect Park Cost: Free
The name says it all. Bring something to barbecue and some charcoal if you've got it. A grill would be cool, but we'll have a few. More folks will be added as they say yes, will be real laid back in general.
An afternoon of folks playing songs lackadaisical-like. With Currituck County, Joel Saladino from Narchictect, Brad Shanks from Blood on the Wall, Zeke Healy from the Boggs, Puttin' on the Ritz, This Invitation, Alice Cohen from the Vels, Necking, Trevor Healy, Benji Cossa, Mike Wexler, Greenpot Bluepot, Miguel Mendez, and more to be announced. Organized by Tianna Kennedy, BJ Rubin, and Todd Patrick.
The Prospect Park Peninsula juts out into Prospect Lake, providing one of the most isolated and inviting places to enjoy the Park's beautiful terrain and the Lake's varied shoreline. A trail leads you to the tip of the Peninsula, revealing a vista of the Lake's far shore and Duck Island, which you can observe from a rustic pavilion practically enclosed by water. The Peninsula attracts a variety of waterfowl, including geese, cormorants and mallards that stop to feed along the shoreline. It is located on the northern edge of the Lake, and is near the Lullwater and Pedal Boat rentals at Wollman Rink."
Date: Sunday, May 8th Time:The Prospect Park Peninsula
(F train to Fort Hamilton station, Q train to Prospect Park station) Time: 2:00pm Cost: Free
Super 8 film at its best with specials on Bloody Marys. Super 8 new (artists who will be there) and vintage (think excerpts from Taxi Driver and old cartoons) to the soulful tunes of whatever ends up on the turntables, is voiced over live, or played on the upright piano. Open screening as well so bring some super 8 film.
Date: Sunday, May 8th Time: 6:30pm Venue: Lucky Cat (245 Grand Street between Driggs & Roebling, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
So here we have good music at a good bar with good people! Its Sunday night and this is the perfect way to get out and get moving in a super chill environment. "Spinning a variety of progressive dance music from Afro-Beat to Broken Beat (Bruk) and all that variety found in between...Our mission is simply to bring together people of different backgrounds who share the desire to surround themselves with GOOD MUSIC and GOOD PEOPLE." When your Mothers Day celebration has concluded swing by Bembe to cap off your day (hey, even bring moms with you!)
Date: Sunday, May 8th Time: 8pm - 2am Location: Bembe, South 6th and Berry W'burg Cost: Free
Spelling bee, at Pete's Candy Store. There is nothing better then spelling words and getting free drinks! Plus, the winner gets a highly coveted spot in the finals!
Date: Monday, May 9th Time: Sign up begins at 7pm Location: Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer W'burg Cost: Free
If you can't swing the $5 to go to Nublu tonight - our favorite cure for the Monday blues - then head over to this free party at Sway. Its a great chance to see local hero Mark Ronson spin without having to set foot in Table 50. DJ Lindsay is also on hand to step the night up another notch. Free drinks from 10 - 11:30.
Date: Monday, May 9th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Sway (305 Spring Street between Greenwich and Hudson) Cost: Free
Okay, maybe I am the only one who conjures up images of a giant blue cartoon character upon hearing the mention of this band, but they killed it at Coachella last week so who cares. Their album was just released so they are playing an obligatory gig at Virgin Mega today to swoon you into buying it. Come check it out because you probably slept on tickets for their Webster Hall show and its probably sold out already. [found via NewRelease]
Date: Tuesday, May 10th Time: 6:00pm Venue: Virgin Megastore USQ (52 East 14th at Broadway) Cost: Free
Nine large-scale, oil-on-canvas paintings from 2002-2005 will be on exhibit, including portraits of the artists Lynda Benglis, Inka Essenhigh, and Andres Serrano; choreographer Merce Cunningham; Close's family friend, Herb Kramer; and three self-portraits rendered in both black and white and color. A full-color catalogue with a text by Robert Rosenblum will accompany this exhibition. This is a great chance to see some of Close's work without the crowd and tourists of the MOMA.
Date: Tuesday, May 10th Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: PaceWildenstein (534 west 25th Street) Cost: Free
Kofie Stewart, AKA KofieRoughDraftsman, drop one of the hottest pieces at the Rock The Coat auction last fall. Since then, he has fallen off the east coast map and was doing a bunch of stuff on the west coast. Now he is back with a collection of recently selected works that exhibit his unique voice in the rhelm of street art. Not to be missed.
Date: Tuesday, May 10th
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Venue: Double Penny Studios (66 West 39th Street, 4th Floor East)
Cost: Free, but please RSVP
A Brooklyn puppet show featuring "all the news thats fit to mock." Hosts Tim Lagasse & Jim Napolitano will be filming the first episode of their new web series The Rag live tonight featuring The Elementals and a screening of Sammy & Sofa; a massive puppet film with little, tiny puppets. There will even be some crazy contraption know as the Puppetron 4200se that will "instantly transform [you] into a kick as puppet."
Date: Tuesday, May 10th
Time: 7:00pm doors, 8:00pm event
Venue: Southpaw (125 Fifth Ave, Park Slope)
Cost: Free
Swank it up at Table 50 tonight for the release party of DJ Premier & Mr. Thing's newest Kings of Hip Hop. DJ Eli and Max Glazer will be spinning for support but the main focus is Premiers live set tonight. RSVP for guaranteed admission but there is no cover.
In the same spirit as Philly's First Fridays, on the Second Wednesday of each month over twenty galleries in TriBeCa open their doors for a veritable "art crawl." Click here for a map.
Bang tops most weekly parties by up'ing the ante on open bars to a full 2 hrs. This week features DJ JonJon Battles alongside the usual mayhem. Free drinks from 10:00pm - Midnight
Date: Wednesday, May 11th
Time: 10:00pm
Venue: No. 1 Chinese (50 Avenue B at 4th Street)
Cost: Free
Rogan Jeans, the long desired denim brand, starts their sample sale today. Get your cool new denim at slashed prices. Runs though the 22nd. 10:00-7:00 on the Weekdays and 11:00-6:00 on the weekends.
Date: Thursday, May 12th Time: 10:00am Venue: 91 Franklin Street Cost: Free Entry
Joseph Ari Aloi (aka JK5) is a tattoo artist, a sculpter, a figurine maker, and tonight, the guy with the opening at Kid Robot. Art and toys, you can't go wrong.
Date: Thursday, May 12th Time: 6pm - 8pm Location: Kid Robot, 126 prince St. Cost: Free
This is the first of a series of monthly meetings for NYC photobloggers to network. Finally, you can put a face to those photos you stare at every day. Expect talk of Flickr, TypePad, and all other geeky blog things that we love.
Date: Thursday, May 12th Time: 6:30 Venue: The Magician (118 Rivington Street) Cost: Free
We've been sleeping on this one for a while but Breakdown, the "broken dance party" is one of the more interesting things going on in electronic music these days. Criterion, Dolly, and Drop the Lime play break core, broken dub, jungle and rap (which are probably also broken) downstairs at Tonic every Thursday.
Its time for another Pay To Cum party and this time its at one of my all time favorites, Sweet and Vicious. Providing you with music is DJ Lindsey and Count Pork Chopulus (this may be one of the best names ever). And what would a night be with out a little free Red Stripe.
Date: Thursday, May 12th Time: 10pm, free drinks at 11 Location: Sweet and Vicious, 5 Spring St Cost: Free
Just stop by Wendys and say "Yo Bitch! Gimmie my Free Frosty!" Okay, maybe not like that but "May I please have a free frosty" will probably due. Continues all weekend.
Date: Friday, May 13th Time: All Day Venue: Wendy's Cost: Free
But no matter how much we care, we take no responsibility for what may go down on Friday the 13th, especially if you swing by Luke and Leroy. Enabler and The Crucial Get Down have flown their friend DJ Mooner in from Germany to join resident DJs Cowboy Mark and Dirty Jean. Tonight's party comes with a few notes "This Friday, we're getting zombie-fied again. In honor of Mooner's obssession with cars and the Grand Prix, we're gonna have a special Death Race and get killed. We'll be in our best pit crew & car race get-ups and you should be too." Like I said, we take no responsibility here if you get "zombie-fied."
Date: Friday, May 13th Time: 10pm Location: Luke and Leroy Cost: Free
If the usual Friday night NYC scene of schmoozing and talking about business over a $300 bottle of Vodka (or a $2 PBR) is not on your list tonight, check out this party at Otto's featuring a couple of bands singing songs about all sorts of punk rock things (think tatoos, girls, zombies). here's the line-up:
10: Slaughterhouse Four - punk rock band that write songs about girls, zombies, alcohol and other things that will ruin your life.
11: Worldwar IX - Old school punk band with the energy of 10,000 Men (...or Women)
I have gotten approximately 1,436 emails this week that contain the words "Bicycle Film Festival". Now unfortunatly, like most film festivals, it costs money. If you want more info though, click here. Otherwise, for the rest of us there are a bunch of events happening over the weekend associated with it that don't cost a thing.
Tonight's festival after party will be at LES hot spot Eleven. Now normally I try to avoided super packed bars like the plague, but tonight one of my very favorite DJs, Blockhead, is spinning so that policy may got right out the window. Also provinding you with music will be Small Change, Pork Chop and Ted Shred. And there is some free beer at 10.
Date: Friday, May 13th Time: 10pm Location: Eleven, Orchard and Rivington Cost: Free (you may need to mention the film fest to be comp-ed)
Featuring performances by DJ Rob Swift and D.O.A (Vocal Percussionist, feat. in the movie "Scratch") along with: The Addicts (all 4 members live on stage), DJ Complex, DJ Demize, DJ Marcus, DJ Rugged One (performing live on 4 turntables with keyboards and effects)
Date: Friday, May 13th Time: 10:00pm Venue: M1-5 (52 Walker St. btw. Church & Broadway) Cost: Free
LICCA has coordinated a series of events highlighting the diverse and dynamic Long Island City art scene. Fisher Landau Center for Art will offer tours. PS1 will have artists in its Greater New York 2005 show guiding tours as well as live perfomances. The Museum of the Moving Image will screen Porgy and Bess. SculptureCenter debuts Make It Now: New Sculpture in New York on Sunday afternoon and Socrates Sculpture Park will hold opening receptions for Sport and Open Space. The Noguchi Museum will also offer a concert with renowned Shakuhachi player Ralph Samuelson.
The Summer in LongIsCity Information Center will act as headquarters for the weekend, offering bike rentals, maps, and info. The shuttle between the Asia Society in Manhattan (725 Park Ave at 70th St) and the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City will run free of charge during this weekend if you are scared of the G train. Continues Sunday. All events may not be free.
Date: Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th Time: All Day Venue: LongIsCity Information Center (Court Square on Jackson Avenue, Long Island City) Cost: Free
"THE MUSTER IS A PUBLIC ART EVENT IN WHICH ARTIST ALLISON SMITH invokes the aesthetic vernacular of the American Civil War battle reenactment as a stage set for a polyphonic marshalling of voices in her artistic and intellectual communities. The Muster takes form in a creative encampment on the Fort Jay marching grounds of Governors Island, in which fifty enlisted participants fashion uniforms, build campsites, and declare their causes publicly to an audience of spectators. Smith creates a literal platform, complete with banners and flags, to identify the creative minds in her midst and to celebrate what they are fighting for. Smith directs but does not script the event, so that its outcome is only revealed at the Muster itself." See site for full info.
Date: Saturday, May 14th Time: 12:00pm - 5:00pm Venue: Governer's Island (click for directions) Cost: Free
Doodle Down: A Transatlantic Scrawl is a doodle off from both sides of the Atlantic featuring over twenty artisits. Using fancy pants scanners and a little thing called the internet, the scribble will cross the pond in order to be viewed by both sides. The exchange will go on for about four hours. While the live action can be viewed Saturday afternoon, the work will be up for the next three weekends.
Date: Saturday, May 14th Time: 1pm Location: Orchard Gallery, Orchard between Delancy and Rivington Cost: Free
If you have recovered from last nights after party, today you can take part in the Bicycle Film Fest Bike Parade. The ride begins at Madison Square Park and riders are encouraged to ride ALL SORTS of bikes. Decorate your bikes, decorate yourselves, ride alone, ride with a team, whatever you and your lil bike riding heart desire!
Date: Saturday, May 14th Time: 1pm Location: Madison Square Park, 23rd Street and 5th Avenue Cost: Free
Tonight the festival after party is moved to Delancy Bar. I have no word just yet on who is spinning except that there will be "great dj's" so who knows what that means. Plus, what party would be complete with out some free beer starting at 9.
Date: Saturday, May 14th Time: 9pm Location: Delancy Bar Cost: Free (you may have to mention the festival to be comp-ed)
Boxcar race. Strap on your racing goggles. And get ready for a crazy race down Brooklyn's steepest hill. Build anything with three or more wheels. Everything else goes, from box cars equipped with cream pie launchers, to four wheeled extinct animals. Be creative. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the race, the best box car, and the complete failures. Sabotage teams are more then welcomed to participate.
Date: Saturday, May 14th Time: 3:00pm Venue: Race starts on Columbia Heights and Cranberry and ends at Old Fulton street, Brooklyn Cost: Free
Its time for another hedonistic celebration of springtime. "Think: costumes and performers and sculpture made of fire, sound systems and roving bands" in an epic street party. Meet up in Manhattan and then travel as a group out to and undisclosed location in Brooklyn for an all night throwdown. Bring your imagination, good energy, and everything you need for the night. If you've got a sense of adventure, this is the place to be.
Date: Saturday, May 14th Time: 6:27 (sharp!) Venue: Chrystie Street and Houston Street (small park) Cost: Free?
Goldspot is back to bring the best in Grime to the people of NYC. Tonight they fly over BBC's DJ Cameo along with Crazy Titch and J2K on mic. Local heros Dinesh, Greg Poole, and Eddiestats - with a special reggaeton set - help set summer off right.
Date: Saturday, May 14th
Time: 10:30pm
Venue: Crash Mansion (199 Bowery)
Cost: $5 Before 1 AM, $8 after
Hopefully a lot of you will be doing the AIDS walk today, but if not, you should get brave the L train and head over to Williamsburg. Twenty galleries will open their doors (as well as twenty restaurants, but that costs money so we won't mention that part) for a lovely afternoon in Brooklyn. If you have never walked through these galleries before this would be a great day to check them out. You should be able to get a gallery map from the website.
Date: Sunday, May 15th Time: All afternoon Location: Various galleries and restaurants in Williamsburg Cost: Galleries are free
Bike decorating workshop. Too embarrassed to tow your date on the handlebars of that ugly old wallflower of a whip? It doesn't have to be that way. Ride your shame to the south end of Thompkins Square Park and we will pinstripe you, accessorize you (with the best glam we can find in the garbage), and otherwise provide you with the tools to get that bam pow. We will provide materials but you are more than welcome to bring your own and share techniques. [found via NonsenseNYC]
Date: Sunday, May 15th Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm Venue: Thompkins Square Park, South End (Avenue A and 7th Street) Cost: Free
I have this problem where instead of calling this bar by it's proper name, Supreme Trading, I end up calling it Trading Spaces. And now with this show, Living Spaces, going on there, I should just call it Extreme Home Make Over and be done with it.
"LIVING SPACES 2005 have amassed an exciting collection of innovative and distinctive works for the home from over 30 designers...The iPod, the Eames lounge chair, and the Tiffany lamp are among the highlights of American design. They are held up to the rest of the world as if to say, "Look, we can do it too"...Living Spaces 2005 will again attempt to remove contemporary American design from the shadows and celebrate that which makes it great."
This show is one of nine events going on in Williamsburg as part of the design project Joint Ventures (it actually began this past weekend but we were late on finding out about it). So tonight you got the Living Spaces show and the after party of the whole event. I have a feeling this will make me feel my home needs a serious face lift.
Date: Monday, May 16th Time: 9pm - 2am Location: Supreme Trading, N. 8th and Driggs Cost: Free
So it seems at this point, I am doing the pilates not so much to be healthy, but to combat ALL of the food I consume on a daily basis. Today on your lunch break check out Dine Around Downtown. About 50 well known restaurants set up shop and serve signature menu items for $3 to $5 a plate. Yum! For a skinny girl, I sure do like food a lot.
Date: Tuesday, May 17th Time: 11am - 3pm Location: Chase Manhattan Plaza, between Liberty & Pine and Nassau & William Streets Cost: Admission is free; food is $3 - $5
Sensual and voluptuous movement expressed through aggressive motion is the vehicle for this highly cerebral work Hemispheres. Set to an original score by Anthony Davis, it has been performed only once before in New York since its 1983 premiere. Open rehersals from 12:30 - 2:00
Put on your best Star Wars costume and go catch a free screening of the original Star Wars - "A New Hope." Seating is first come, first serve. Fans in costumes will receive the best seats.
Date: Tuesday, May 17th
Time: 9:30PM
Venue: Ars Nova Theater (511 W. 54th St at 10th Ave)
Cost: Free
If you are looking to hit the dance music hard tonight, check out a rare state-sided appearance by Lottie. Here mix of house and tech is sure to keep you guessing and moving all night
Date: Wednesday, May 18th Time: 9:00pm Venue: Le Souk (47 Avenue B between 3rd and 4th) Cost: Free
"Summer’s right around the corner so it’s time to abandon all those lame places you’ve been going to all winter to get wasted. It’s time for something new, something fresh and something freaky…and free. Loreley is a very special bar and you’ll be special too after you come get assed on free Jever Bier (it’s yum) and then make it clap until an ungodly hour with the doubly dirty guy and i. Sound good? Good. Then come to the first episode (and it WILL be an episode) of Touching Cotton. Or don’t. We don’t care.
w/ DJs Dirty Dirty Dietz and smc. Plus, it’s the afterparty for the Boom Bip/Mice Parade show at Knitting Factory, so all you’re homepeoples will be there. FREE Jever Pilsner Bier from 10-11pm"
Date: Wednesday, May 18th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Loreley (7 Rivington at Bowery) Cost: Free
Personally, I am a big fan of the DJ, but being an equal oppritunity writer, I figured I'd write this up for you guys. Tonight at Hang The DJ, besides the NYC indie rock band, The Picture, there will also be "gorgeous dancers" and (my favorite part) tequila specials.
Date: Wednesday, May 18th Time: 11pm Location: 17, 37 west 17th Cost: Free
Ummmmm.... yeah.... "As part of the Queens Museum of Art’s upcoming exhibition Down the Garden Path: The Artist’s Garden After Modernism, join us for a kick-off hoe-down on Thursday, May 19, from 6:15 to 7:30 pm, as artist Brian Tolle and Diana Balmori Landscape will careen around a two-acre grassy expanse of the Queens Botanical Garden doing doughnuts in a red 1991 Chevy pickup truck covered with flower decals. Not once. Not twice. But again and again and again. “What?” and “why?” you ask." Answer after the fold. As part of the launch of Skid Rows, country music, bbq and “down home” refreshments will be served.
Date: Thursday, May 19th Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm Venue:Queens Botanical Gardens (43-50 Main Street, Queens) Cost: Free
Employing a revolutionary new method of farming called direct sowing, Tolle and Balmori will plant an unusual flower garden—and work of public art—in New York City. Entitled Skid Rows, the hybrid performance and earthwork has been commissioned by the Queens Museum of Art as part of a large-scale survey of contemporary artist gardens, Down the Garden Path: The Artist’s Garden After Modernism, on view in the museum’s galleries and in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from June 26 through October 9, 2005.
In the Skid Rows performance, Tolle and Balmori will “draw” a flower garden, with the 1991 Chevy Silverado sowing seeds that will blossom into a dizzying trail of red poppies and yellow tickweed in time for the Down the Garden Path opening on June 26.
The final form of the garden derives from the loops and tire tracks laid down randomly by the drivers of the truck, with the seeds being planted in the actual tracks that the truck leaves behind. The overall pattern of Skid Rows will be visible from the air to airplane passengers flying into and out of LaGuardia Airport, while park-goers will be able to savor its colorful blooms and subtle, varied layering from vantage points within the Queens Botanical Garden.
“By ‘drawing’ this complex linear garden, Diana and I are updating a traditional kind of garden called a parterre de broderie, whose intricate geometrical patterns were borrowed from embroidery, hence the name,” says Tolle, an artist best-known for the celebrated Irish Hunger Memorial in New York’s Battery Park City (2002). “So you could say we’re doing a French garden, only American-style, with a pickup truck,” he continues.
“With Skid Rows, Brian and I are trying to find a different interpretation of what a garden can be and how its pieces work together,” explains Balmori, a leading advocate of urban sustainability in New York City. “And, sure, we are making the work entertaining—and in the service of an environmentally healthy new method of horticulture but mainly as a mode of artistic expression. The fact that we are using the new method of direct sowing instead of plowing because it preserves the structure of the soil is like the use of a new material or process, one, which allows you to give new form. In this case very thin “drawing” lines (i.e. planting). ”
Says Valerie Smith, Director of Exhibitions, Queens Museum of Art, “Skid Rows is a meditation on the garden, the act of drawing and the use of public space, created by two original thinkers who are major influences in their fields.”
Tolle and Balmori’s previous collaborations have included a proposal for a green solution to pedestrian and vehicular traffic for the Queens Plaza subway station and a waterfront reclamation project for a polluted area of Chicago’s public beaches. In both cases, the goal was to realize a public space that would be both aesthetically pleasing and sustainable.
"Bruce Morris, the owner of 5C Café is still a jazz genius. For thirty years he’s been living in the East Village, entrenched in the scene—running his own venue, going to see shows, hanging out with players. Tonight he’s sharing some more knowledge with the kids. He’s put together a listening session of the Gato Barbieri and Louis Hayes’ first recordings as bandleaders. Argentinian alto sax player, Barbieri, was known for his incredibly emotive playing as well as his vocal cheerleading of other musicians during recording sessions. Drummer Louis Hayes was known mostly as a sideman, backing up Cannonball Addderly, John Coltrane, and Freddie Hubbard. This will be very cool thing for those who know very little about jazz (me) as well as the scholars out there. Bruce will give us a history on the record for a couple moments, and then we’ll sit and just listen.
a couple notes. Bruce agreed to do this for free, so if you come, buy a coffee or something. (Their food is really good, too. All organic and raw.) Also, this is a proper listening session, so while the music is playing, silence is requested." [found via New Release]
Date: Thursday, May 19th Time: 7:45pm - 9:00pm Venue: 5C Café (68 Ave C at 5th St) Cost: Free
DJ's Nickodemus & Mariano, two of the best house DJ's in the city, play a slamming Friday night party at the Frying Pan each which. If you've got a few extra dollars, its always worth checking out. Tonight, however, is an excellent chance to catch them on the free as they spin their monthly residencey at Cielo. Expect funky, tribal infused, house that will keep you stepping straight to the office on Friday.
Date: Thursday, May 19th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Venue: Cielo (18 Little West 12th Street between Washington St & 9th Ave) Cost: Free
Ah Mindspray, an old favorite of FreeNYC. I haven't mentioned it in a while so I thought it may be time for a refresher. Good kids, good vibe, good hip hop, all at Asterisk. Definitely reccomended for a good Thursday night.
Date: Thursday, May 19th Time: 10pm Location: Asterisk (258 Johnson Ave) Cost: $1 w/Flyer, $3 w/o
Tonight, in honor of their upcoming show this weekend, addVICE is throwing the pre-party for Hot Hot Heat and The Blue Van at Happy Ending. DJ sets from Dustin (Hot Hot Heat), The Blue Van, Spencer Product (We Bite), Elhaam Yavari (addVICE), and some free Sparks (if you're into that).
Helping People's Closets One Sample Sale at a Time
Ok how do I put this... my wardrobe needs tend to out weigh the supplies in my walet. To combat this problem, I have amazing friends who love to dress me in peices from their clothing companies, and well, then there is my favorite thing about NYC, sample sales, and more specifically, the Triple Five Soul Sample Sale. Now there aint nothing in there thats free 'cept walking through the door. But it's a great way to get awesome clothing for not so much money!
Date: Friday, May 20th to Sunday June 5th Time: 10am - 6pm Location: 15 West 24th
Third Annual Coasties vs. Fixies Criterium Smackdown!
Who will emerge victorious? Will a fixie prove the superiority of his/her bike handling skills? Will a coastie spank the attitude out of all fixie comers? Come join us for the Third Annual NYC Coasties vs. Fixies Criterium Smackdown and find out! NO GEARS! Bring your coaster-braked, 1 speed machine and/or your fixed gear bike for an evening of gut-wrenching fun! Main event is a 3-lap race around the northern loop of the Park, starting and ending in the 102nd Street transverse. Prizes! Special guests! Skid competition! Come see what you’re made of. Please wear a helmet so we don’t end up seeing what you’re made of. Pre-registration is preferred, which you accomplish by e-mailing your particulars to: Dr. Hans Noodleman, Research Director The Institute of Primitive Cycling Technology
Date: Friday, May 20th
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Central Park - East end of 102nd Street Transverse (Manhattan)
Cost: Free
We hit this party so hard last week that we thought we'd give them an honorary follow-up. If you are looking for that no-hassle get down and dance vibe then this is your spot for Friday night. Laid back and top notch music. This weeks its BMG from Interdimensial Transmissions spinning all variations of electro along with local remix king Tommie Sunshine. Highly recommended if you've never been. Now if someone would just tone down those Red Bull and Vodka prices...
Date: Friday, May 20th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Luke and Leroy (7th Ave at Leroy) Cost: Free
The moms who rock are back in the park! In conjunction with the New York Parks Department, Mamapalooza returns to Riverside Park South. Celebrating all things maternal, this music and art filled afternoon of folk, rock and mom-inspired crafts and food is a gathering for all ages, celebrating mothers and the people who love them. Performers Include: Housewives on Prozac, BETTY, Motherlode Trio, Jenny Bruce, Momsense, Candy Band, Liz Queler, Jane Getter, and more!
Date: Saturday, May 21st Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm Venue: Riverside Park South (Hudson River at W. 68th or W. 72nd Streets) Cost: Free
The SONYA studio stroll "is a free, self-guided walking tour through the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bed-Stuy. Strollers can visit among 47 artist studios and galleries showcasing the work of over 100 artists!"
Date: Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Location: Sonya, 1110 Fulton Street
Cost: Free
You know summer is around the corner when the first of the outdoor free concert series listings comes up. The ERMP have been going strong for a few years now bringing bands to a great ampitheatre on the LES. The kick off features four bands we've never heard - cause co-motion!, greenpot bluepot, parts & labor, the evens - but who cares because it is sunny and outdoors!
Date: Saturday, May 21st Time: 2:00pm - 6:00pm (1:30 doors) Venue: East River Ampitheatre (check site for directions) Cost: Free
3rd Annual Wooster Collective Street Art Walking Tour
The Wooster Collective know street art. Their website is a go-to worlwide on what's going down right now and what you will be hearing about in the future. So who better to be your faithful guide the the overwhelming world of public art in NYC. Today and Sunday they lead a walking tour through the LES to view works by some of the newest, hottest names on the scene as well as some great legents. Expect works form Twist, Faile, Bast, London Police, Revs, and others. Official release after the Fold. Continues Sunday.
Date: Saturday, May 21st - repeats Sunday Time: 2:00pm Venue: Meet at Orchard Street Art Gallery (139 Orchard Street) Cost: Free
"So next weekend, on both Saturday May 21nd and on Sunday May 22nd, we will be holding our 3rd Annual Wooster Collective Street Art Walking Tour through Soho, Nolita, and New York's Lower East Side. The tour will be the same on both days. And it's free.
So here's the deal - We're not really all that good at saying no to people. And because of this, there's a good chance that there will be a ton of people coming on both days. The problem is that we've received so many emails requesting spots on the tour that we've lost track of them. So if you've sent us an email about joining the walking tour then consider yourself included. The only thing is - don't get upset if it's really crowded. We're gonna do our best to make it work. We've asked some of our friends to pitch in and act as guides along with Sara and I.
A lot of people have asked for a map of the route, so we've posted it above. This year's route includes pieces from a wide range of artists including The London Police, Faile, Bast, Swoon, Shepard Fairey, Mike Giant, Tats Cru, Skewville, Space Invader, and many more. In addition, you'll see work from some of the true legends of graf and street art including Cost and Revs, and Barry McGee. There's also an original work by the twins, Os Gemeos and a few Banksy rats lurking around.
So, like all of these things we really have no idea how many people are gonna show up. The first year we thought 10 people would show up (eight of them being our friends) and 75 people showed up. The second year, we thought 75 people would show up and 150 people came. This year... we have no idea. At the very worst, it'll be a great opportunity to meet people who share an interest in street art. How bad can that be?"
* New and collaborative works from Mathmatiks Lifestyle & Design and the notorious New Jersey graff crew, M.A.Y.H.E.M.
* Live Painting on roofdeck by M.A.Y.H.E.M. throughout the night
* World Premiere screening of graff documentary, "The Art of Storytelling" at sundown
* Music by DJ 416, DJ Poignant & Navy8
* Ronin Catering with a rotating line of chefs presenting on the hour
Original works by: ANSVANANDA / BLEEK / CHIP7 / DALEK / DARREN ROWLAND / DASH S. / ENUE / EYE / G. Ursitti / GORDON S. / HoZi / J. Esmilla /JERSEY JOE / Joseph Whiteley / Joshua Blank/ KEMOS / Kevin Bradshaw / MET/ NACE/ NAVY 8 / NEWA / OKAE / Phist One/ REP1 / Worldwide (TEKLE) / WILL THE THRILL / ZEPHYR
"This place is amazing. It’s an art-collective/living space that’s in an old schoolhouse. There’s a beautiful rooftop, where the band Send (www.sendband.com) will create non-intrusive ambience while painters paint and you chat. There’s a garden, and there’ll be two bars. In the dance studio downstairs Kenosha, Cocoa, and Shuga Milk will follow your mood with their music. But beyond the attractions, there’s you and your friends. Swing by. It’s an open invite." [via New Release]
Date: Saturday, May 21st Time: 10:00pm Venue: 330 Ellery (Directions below the fold) Cost: Free
Easy. JM to Flushing Ave. Walk away from Manhattan on Broadway until you reach Ellery (about four blocks). Take a left. It’s number 330 on the right.
Adventure. L to Montrose. Two blocks west on Montrose, and take a left on Graham Ave. After a few blocks, take a left on Broadway (after Johnson Ave). Walk four blocks, and take a left on Ellery. It’s number 330 on the right.
Car Service/Cab from Manhattan. First exit off the Williamsburg Bridge. Left on Broadway. Continue about two miles on Broadway until you cross Flushing, Sumner, and Fayette. The next block will be Ellery. Take a left. It’s number 330 on the right.
What are you doing this today? How 'bout you walk the 2nd annual Wedding March across the Brooklyn Bridge to demand the right for same-sex couples to marry. Meet downtown in the Thomas Paine Park and walk to City Hall, cross the Brooklyn Bridge and end up in Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn all in the name of love.
Date: Sunday, May 22 Time: 11am Location: Thomas Paine Park, Worth St. & Lafayette St Cost: Free
The Roundtable Ensemble invites you to a series of live theater readings where professional actors will read both time-honored and modern plays. Tonights reading features "Silence" by Moira Buffini. Inspired by true events, this prize-winning comedy takes us over the brink of a new millennium, revealing the power of words ... and their absence. Staged reading directed by Suzanne Agins for The Roundtable Ensemble.
Date: Friday, May 27th Time: 12:00pm Venue: The Educational Alliance (344 East 14th Street) Cost: Free
Downtown For Democracy helps us do something we rarely get to do...take part in the democratic process. This weekend you will be able to directly speak with all of the Democrats who are running for Mayor of our fine city. I tihnk this may be one of those speak now or forever hold your peace type situations.
Date: Sunday, May 22 Time: 5pm - 7p, Location: Wonderland, 14 East 27th Cost: Free
With his new album coming out today, one of my favorite hip hop artists, Common, will be doing a free in-store performance and record signing at Tower Records in the village! Yay Common!
Date: Tuesday, May 24th Time: 6pm Location: Tower Records, West 4th and B'way Cost: Free
Another free screening over at Apt. This week its Dianna Ross in the remake classic "The Wiz." No Cover and free popcorn ($3 beers, $5 vodka drinks). Dress in red, gold, or green suggested.
Date: Tuesday, May24th Time: doors at 7:00pm Venue: Apt (419 west 13th Street) Cost: Free (but please RSVP)
This is a last minute Wednesday entry but with free pizza and free beer, how can you say no?...
"Faith is playing this Wednesday May 25 - 8 pm at the Brooklyn Brewery. We are helping to kick off Bike for SCORES - the new bike ride benefiting New York SCORES which is an organization that sponsors soccer and poetry after-school programs for kids (good cause, right)? Admission is FREE, there will be free beer, free pizza, and great raffle prizes (including a bicylce)!"
live music from 3 great bands
7:00 - Phoetica - - great rapper/poet/singer from Philadelphia.
8:00 - Faith - www.faithny.com - you know us, right?
9:00 - KID CASANOVA - www.kidcasanova.com - exciting, electrifying, tuneful rock n rollers
Date: Wednesday, May 25 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th street, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
The Riviera presents the first solo show by photographer Laura Hanifin, Val and other places, a collection of landscapes taken in North America to the South Pacific rim (May 25th - June 5th, 2005). These pictures explore a detached first wonderment of seeing the world. It is a slow, quiet grifting moment. It is un-slickness refined and the every day ordinary which is celebrated here. This emotional vision explores engagement and absence of the human condition, captures at times beauty and humor so common, so subtle and understated, it is almost invisible to some that hurry by.
Date: Wednesday, May 25th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Riviera (103 Metropolitan Avenue at Wythe, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
Frank 151, that little hip hop book you know and love, celebrates rock in their latest issue. Tonight Jus Ske and Uncle Mike help keep the energy up at their release party
Date: Wednesday, May 25th Time: 10:00pm - 2:00am Venue: Don Hill's (511 Greewich Street at Spring Cost: Free with RSVP
Okay, now we HAVE to have a FreeNYC party - something we have talked about forever - if a shoe get to have its own party! Consider his a "coming out of the box" party for the new KSL 1's. Free booze from 11pm - 12am
Date: Wednesday, May 25th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Uncle Mings (225 Avenue B, 2nd floor between 13th and 14th) Cost: Free
This week seems to be all about bands in record shops. In honor of their new record, the Gorillaz conspirators Damon Albarn, Danger Mouse and Jamie Hewlett, will be in Virgin signing albums and playing music in the DJ booth.
Date: Thursday, May 26th Time: 1pm Location: Virgin Union Square Cost: Free
No, not that BTS. We're talking the new movie Bomb The System. I got a chance to catch this over a year ago in a sweaty 100º+ tent at Coachella and it was almost as hot as the movie itself. Without going into details, its nice to see someone portray the artistic aspect of graf on film as well as the trial and tribulations of making it in this city. Get their early as this event - like any thing with the keywords hip-hop, graffiti, free drinks, and DJ - is sure to be packed.
Date: Thursday, May 26th
Time: 7:00pm (doors at 6:30)
Venue: Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick below Canal)
Cost: Free with RSVP
Jamie Hewlett, the artist who created Gorillaz will be at Kid Robot today signing and what not. FREE STUFF!
Date: Thursday, May 26th Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm Venue: Kidrobot (126 Prince at Wooster) Cost: Free
This email came across my desk this morning with this disclaimer on it "Your eyes will be pan seared from complete skateboarding mayhem... Be there or get maimed...not a joke." So it looks like to prevent being "maimed," I will be FORCED to go watch the premier of the new DVS video and hang out with cute skateboarders ALL freaking night. Damn It!
Date: Thursday, May 26th Time: 9pm Location: Delancy Bar, 168 Delancy Cost: Free
DJ Heather, if you are into Chicago house, is a great treat to have in town. This week she is flown in for the BPM monthly at Cielo. Expect beautiful people and a crowd that parties late.
Date: Thursday, May 26th
Time: 10:00pm
Venue: Cielo (18 Little West 12th Street)
Cost: Free with RSVP
Ok people its that time of year again where FreeNYC posts all sorts of outdoor events. To start off we have the Today Show Concert series. Basically they bring big name acts to Rockefeller Plaza super early in the morning. Now if you want the full schedule, you can click that link above, but I plan on using some descresion in which ones I post ('casue really, it's hard for me to have to write about bands like Backstreet Boys). Anyway, this morning the Today Show brings you Def Leppard and Bryan Adams.
Date: Friday, May 27th Time: 7am Location: Rockefeller Plaza Cost: Free
Style Sessions takes place through out this weekend. There is a lot involved in this one so I think it's best I just use their words...
"Style Sessions began in 2002 as an event to promote the surf style of skateboarding, and strengthen the riding community. This year, the Style Sessions Art Exhibit at Milk Gallery in New York City includes the Skateboard Art Collection. The Style Sessions Art Exhibit is open to the public from May 26th through June 3rd. Proceeds from art sales benefit Boarding for Breast Cancer.
This year's Style Sessions Competition takes place throughout the duration of the exhibit. Skaters and photographers compete for "Best Rider" and "Best Photo" at a series of free-ride sessions throughout New York City."
The Style Sessions link above will give you details on all the skating events this weekend.
Date: Friday, May 27th - June 3rd Location: Milk Gallery, 450 West 14th Cost: Free
For the tenth year, a score of stars and over 100 performing arts organizations, independent artists, poets, puppeteers and film makers will join forces May 27 to 29 in the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts (LES), in and around Theater for the New City at First Avenue and East Tenth Street. The festival will be three days of theater and theater-related events, from Friday, May 27 to Sunday, May 29 employing two theater spaces at TNC plus the block of East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues. On Saturday, May 28 there will be a day-long, block-long outdoor carnival of musical attractions and a community arts fair with food and crafts vendors. The list of attractions includes artists presently residing on the Lower East Side, arts groups performing there, prominent writers and artists whose work has dealt directly with the Lower East Side experience and plays written especially for this festival. Check website for full details.
Date: Friday, May 27th Time: 6:00pm - 1:00am Venue: Lower East Side, Various Locations Cost: Varies
THIS EVENT WAS POSTPONED FROM YESTERDAY TO TODAY. WHEN WAS LAST OVER THERE THEY WERE HANGING VIDEO SCREENS AND THERE WAS SOME SORT OF PLOT TO BUILD A SKATE RAMP...
Sliding off Surfaces is a combination photo/video exhibition featuring works by Sem Rubio Chico and Torsten Frank. Its sponsored by Lodown Magazine so you know it will be good. Plus its another excuse for our favorite staff writer Lindsay to hang out at Supreme Trading
Date: Thursday, May 26th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Venue: Supreme Trading, Gallery (213 North 8th, Williamsburg) Cost: Free with RSVP
Stay Gold Gallery draws the curtain once again for its third annual group show and open studios. Pooling its diverse force of eight together into one multimedia exhibition, the hidden collective behind the Stay Gold Gallery celebrates its creative independence. Since Stay Gold's inception in 2003, the Stay Gold collective has dedicated itself to innovation, excellence, and diversity. Now the very organizers that shape emerging art scenes set an eclectic stage for their own truth seeking minds.
Date: Friday, May 27th Time: 7:00PM - 10:00PM Venue: Stay Gold Gallery (451 Grand Street, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
This party has been going on weekly for a while now but tonight - in addition to the usual free drinks from 9 to 10 - they are giving out passes to see Stacy Peralta's"Lords of Dogtown." Plus this is an excuse to start an hour early on our commitment to drink for free all night long on Fridays.
Date: Friday, May 27th
Time: 9:00pm (free with RSVP until 11:00pm)
Venue: Crash Mansion (199 Bowery at Spring)
Cost: Free with RSVP
Once upon a time in NYC (okay, this past winter) there was a party called Bangers & Mash that the FreeNYC crew simply would not miss. We were thrilled that grime had come to New York and took total advantage of it. Sure, we got a little rowdy, probably a bit out of hand, but we never hurt no one. So we don't think it was our fault that the party stopped but we were sad to see it go.
But now Vito Fun, Drop The Lime, and the rest of the crew are back with a new party, Ass & Titties. Expect a more extended range of crunked up breaks from Miami Bass to Drill and Bass but the same great vibe and drunken FreeNYC gang foolery.
Date: Friday, May 27th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Rothko (116 Suffolk at Rivington) Cost: Free
KAI of Chris & Kai, the duo that brought you the "Gone to heaven" track featured on Sasha and Digweed's Essential mix - check out their sound here - teams up with RAJI K, former resident DJ of techno super club Womb, Tokyo to kick things off with a bang in the main room of Crobar. Free admission (with RSVP) before midnight and free drinks from 10:00-11:30. Great way to get your early drink on this weekend. "Proper attire please!"
Date: Friday, May 27th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Crobar Cost: Free with RSVP
By now you know the Cut party. Great music, free drinks, etc. etc. We are really excited this week because - on top of bringing legend Junior Sanchez to the tables - they've locked in Low Budget for the evening. While Diplo - Low Budget's partner in crime as Hollertronix - has been getting lots of play lately due to all the M.I.A. press (and we love Diplo over here as well) its a treat to hear LB drop the housier side of the duo's legendary sets. Expect dancing all night long. A highly recommended precursor to your nightcap at Rothko. Free Red Stripe from 10:00 - 11:00
Another great free Friday party. 3 floors of Hip-Hop, Art, and electronic beats along with free beer from 10 - 11. Make sure to check out Large Professor if you are there.
Date: Friday, May 27th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Delancey Cost: Free (168 Delancey and Clinton)
So the only thing the FreeNYC kids love as much as a good day of snowboarding on a snowy mountain in the winter, is a warm summer day of bumming around on the beach, swiming in the ocean (and attempting to learn to surf half as well as we can snowboard). That being said we are real excited that Memorial Day weekend also marks opening day of the beachs in NYC. There are 14 miles of public beach here that are open everyday from now until Labor Day Weekend. Yay beach time!!!
Date: May 28th 'til September 5th Time: 10am - 6pm daily Location: All local beaches Cost: Free
For the tenth year, a score of stars and over 100 performing arts organizations, independent artists, poets, puppeteers and film makers will join forces May 27 to 29 in the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts (LES), in and around Theater for the New City at First Avenue and East Tenth Street. The festival will be three days of theater and theater-related events, from Friday, May 27 to Sunday, May 29 employing two theater spaces at TNC plus the block of East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues. On Saturday, May 28 there will be a day-long, block-long outdoor carnival of musical attractions and a community arts fair with food and crafts vendors. The list of attractions includes artists presently residing on the Lower East Side, arts groups performing there, prominent writers and artists whose work has dealt directly with the Lower East Side experience and plays written especially for this festival. Check website for full details.
Date: Saturday, May 28th Time: 10:00am - 1:00am Venue: Lower East Side, Various Locations Cost: Varies
BIKE FETISH DAY - A street fair for your bicycle! An all day bike fest featuring a wheelie contest, pin the mustache on the rider, freeze tag, a raffle, a bike parade, live music and good food. Check the site for full info.
Date: Saturday May 28th Time: 12:00pm - 6:00 PM Venue: City Reliquary (Havemeyer Street between Grand & Hope Streets, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
With a focus on dance and culture in the African diaspora, this street fair is certain to have more spunk than your typical socks-and-mozzarepas affair. In addition to the outdoor performances, more than 250 vendors will be on hand, selling African art, jewelry, clothing, books and furniture. continues all week. Check site for full details.
Date: Saturday, May 28th Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm Venue: Lafayette Ave between Ashland and Rockwell Pls, Fort Greene Cost: Free
Dress high and drink low at the Tribeca Grand tonight. Free PBR from 10:00 - 11:00 while JDH and Dave P spin bangin' dance music all night. Special performance from Glass Candy (from Portland) at Midnight.
Date: Saturday, May 28th Time: 10:00pm Venue: Tribeca Grand (2 Ave of Americas) Cost: Free with RSVP
Led by Camerounean guitarist and vocalist Martino Atangana, this group heats up a mix of African musical styles, including “juju” from Nigeria, “soukous” from Congo, “bikutsi” and “makossa” from Cameroun, “high life” from Ghana, and more. Mr. Atangana has recorded and performed with Paul Simon, Jean-Luc Ponty, Manu Dibango and a host of other important African band leaders. Full info.
Date: Sunday, May 29th Time: 4:00pm Venue: Central Park, The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (110th St. between Fifth & Lenox Avenues) Cost: Free
The Free for All series brings classical music to Town Hall on a first come first serve basis. The series continues tonight with classical piano from André Watts. Check the website for the full calendar. More details below the fold.
Date: Sunday, May 29th
Time: 5:00pm (tickets available at noon)
Venue: Town Hall (123 West 43rd between 6th and 7th)
Cost: Free
If you love attending live performances of classical music but find that your finances are a little tight these days, you'll be glad to know about a series of free concerts in New York City's historic Town Hall. Free For All At Town Hall is designed to bring a diverse audience of New Yorkers and visitors to the city into contact with the superlative artistry of some of classical music's most celebrated performers. With the aim of reaching many new listeners with world-class classical music performances, tickets for all Free For All events are available at no charge to the public at the Town Hall Box Office on the day of the concert starting at noon. Assigned seats are distributed on a "first-come, first-served" basis (two ticket maximum per person). Upcoming concerts are:
Mezzosoprano Anne-Sofie von Otter with pianist Bengt Forsberg will launch the 2005 series on April 17, pianist Peter Serkin performs on May 1, and pianist André Watts appears on May 29. The Opus One Piano Quartet will perform on June 19 and percussionist Evelyn Glennie will close out the series with an exciting solo program on June 26.
FreeNYC had a major computer crash over the weekend (we think we caught something from NONSENSE) so I am just going to put a bunch of these up right quick for you. RSVP and all other info should be on the flyer.
