James Blood Ulmer

Guitarist, vocalist, and composer James Blood Ulmer hovers atop the pantheon of American music mavericks. Offering a frenetic concoction of free jazz and funk in the 70s, his latest recordings have found him singing the great American blues songbook in the widely acclaimed Memphis Blood: The Sun Sessions and No Escape From the Blues: The Electric Lady Sessions. In his new Birthright, Ulmer submerges himself into the depths of his own life’s experiences, forging fierce and holy music with vision and virtuosity.

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Venue: Metrotech, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

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3 Crazies 1 Movie

What do you get when you put Cher, Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci all in one film? The 90s teen angst filled drama, Mermaids. Flap your tail over to Brooklyn Bridge Park for a showing of the film and DJs from Halcyon giving you a little pre-show action.

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: DJ at 6pm, movie at sunset
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 Main Street, Brooklyn
Cost: Free

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DIY: The Aesthetics of Life

"Invisible NYC in collaboration with Metro Color Collision is pleased to present DIY: The Aesthetics of Life. Unlike other group shows, the artists here have created works directly pertaining to their lives as artists who choose to dissociate from corporate strongholds and make their own clothes, jewelry, stuffed animals or anything that turns unique art objects into a lifestyle and vice versa. Did they figure out the perfect existence to incorporate punk rock productivity and creative innovations? Their creative drive is entirely infused into their daily existence; for them, art is inextricably linked to life as creation is the sole means of survival. This exhibition hopes to convey not only their DIY aesthetics of self-reliance and self-sufficiency but also a philosophy carried on in the true spirit of modern anarchy."

Date: Thursday, August 4th (through September 3rd)
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Venue: InvisibleNYC (148 Orchard Street, between Stanton and Rivington)
Cost: Free

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The Tank Summer Art Show

Tonight is the opening reception for the Tank's summer art show, Works On Paper. It's "a group show presenting recent works by a dozen emerging and mid-career artists from the east coast. All of the work in the exhibition falls under the broad category of works on paper, but ranges greatly in media and style from watercolor to work with transparent tape. Featuring Stacey Alickman, Daniel Arcand, Martin Bland, Marietta Hoferer, Timothy Hull, R.B. Morris III, Elisa Nadzieja, Kathleen Padden, Mu Pan, Ilene Sunshine, Tae-Eun Yoo, John Zaso."

Date: Thursday, August 4th (show runs to Aug. 27)
Time: 6pm
Location: The Tank, 208 W. 37th
Cost: Free

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Drunk vs. Stoned 2

Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you dont... Drunk vs Stoned 2 is an art show but also more a "...psychological study than hedonistic manifesto, this year's installment surveys intensive ganja ruminations and impulsive booze-propelled outbursts through a multigenerational roundup of artists." Showing work will be R. Crumb, Mary Heilmann, Martin Kippenberger, Sarah Lucas, Paul Noble, Evan Holloway, Franz West, Monique Prieto, Dearraindrop, Nick Lowe, Rachel Harrison and Martin Creed. Tonight is the opening but the show will be up until September 7th. Rumor has it there there will off shoot events like Drunk vs Stoned soccer and a stoned drawing party, we will keep you posted on the details. [stolen from Flavorpill]

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 6pm - 8pm
Location: Gavin Brown's Enterprise, 436 W 15th St
Cost: Free

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Policy and Design for Housing Discussion

As we enter a new phase of housing development in New York City, what will the role of community-based development organizations, private sector developers and government play in the production of low and moderate-income housing? What can we learn from the work of the New York State Urban Development Corporation (1968–1975) and City and community-based development initiatives (1974–2005)? What role can and should the City and community-based development groups play in new private sector-focused housing development initiatives? All this and more will be discussed.

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm (reception at 5:45)
Venue: Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Place)
Cost: Free with RSVP

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Maximum Joy - Round 2

(click to enlarge)

Tonight is the second edition of Maximum Joy, a new monthly music colab. between Adidas and XLR8R. They are going to clear out the Adidas Originals store on Wooster Street from to make room for dancing, drinking and the sounds of DJ Ayres & Cosmo Baker from Southpaw's top-notch party The Rub providing their "kitchen sink" style of freestyle, mash ups, and hip house. Free drinks from Bacardi.

Roy Ayers remix of Biggies's Dead Wrong

Cosmo Baker remix of Ghostface's Walking into Darkness. [HOT!]

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Venue: Adidas Orignal Store (136 Wooster Street)
Cost: Free (bring flyer printout)

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Dreams

(click to enlarge)

A new collection of mixed media, art and accessories by design duo, BITTERSWEET. This is going to be an elaborate store installation by artists & designers, James O'Brien & Jenn Leong. This is what they have to say...

"As some of you may know or not, jenn leong and myself have teamed up to triumphantly slay another creative dragon, so upon mighty steeds we invite you to ride into battle at our side and bear witness as we defeat many foes, sing songs, drink drinks, and pronounce ourselves rulers of this fine land. Rumor has it there shall be many a fine
maiden serving up enough mead and spirits to quench even the mighty oden's great thirst. - james"

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Venue: River Fawn (11 Harrison Street btwn Hudson and Greenwich)
Cost: Free

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First Thursday

First Thursday is a casual meeting of graphic designers. Think of it as a crit for post-college grads who find themselves lacking valuable criticism in their workplace. All are welcome to come by and share work. Last time I was there it was very type designer heavy but I am not sure if it is still that way. This is the first week that the meeting has moved to Brooklyn.

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Iona Bar (180 Grand Street between Bedford & Driggs, Williamsburg)
Cost: Free

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RiverRocks: Funky Nation

"The sound and spirit of Louisiana come to the Hudson River with spectacular multicultural music experience. It will be one big party when Big Sam’s Funky Nation brings their unique brand of funk to NYC that won’t let you sit still. Los Hombres Calientes: Irvin Mayfield & Bill Summers continues this “Celebration of Louisiana Music” with a style that brings together the sounds of the Carribbean, South Africa and the backstreets of New Orleans. Wrapping up the evening: Jose Conde Y Ola Fresca"

Hear some tracks by Big Sam's Funky Nation
Listen to Lost Hombres Calientes; Vodou Hoodoo Babalu (real)

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 7:00pm (gates at 6:00pm)
Venue: Pier 54 (14th street and Hudson River)
Cost: Free

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BT Express

Brooklyn's own funk legends BT Express perform at South Street Seaport. Apparently, there is a BT (stands for Brooklyn Transit) Express day. Celebrate early (or late) this year.

Date: Thursday August 4th
Time: 7pm
Venue: South Street Seaport
Cost: Free

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Teachers Have it Easy Discussion

Dave Eggers, Ninive Clements Calegari, and Daniel Moulthrop will discuss their new book, Teachers Have It Easy: The Big Sacrifices and Small Salaries of America's Teachers tonight. There will be question and answer session and book signing afterwards.

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Used Book Cafe 126 Crosby Street
Cost: Free

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Patti Smith at Summerstage

Legendary punk priestess Patti Smith needs no introduction. Though this is only her third appearance at Rumsey Playfield—her first performance in 1993 was one of the highpoints of the festival’s history—the poet and rocker is a SummerStage favorite. Janet Thammill opens with spoken word backed by musical trio Moving Star.

Listen to Patti Smith's Stride of the Mind (quicktime)
Listen to Janet Thammill's My Macumba (M3U)

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Rumsey Playfield, Central Park
Cost: Free

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Third Thursday

Tonight is the third installment of the Thorough Thursday party. We are pretty excited about this one as they are bringin' through a FreeNYC favorite, Blockhead. (Really, Music By Cavelight is in heavy rotation on all of our itunes.) So swing by Village Underground for good music and some free beer from 9:30 to 10:30

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 9pm
Location: Village Underground
Cost: Free

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Misfits Night

1977 brings out all delicious things Misfits tonight. This is the punk that I grew up on and it is nice to see a bit of a revival in the wave of all of the west coast punk. Expect lots of old school punks and the people who love them. Open bar from 10 - 11.

Listen to Misfits 1 Million Years B.C. (mp3)

Date: Thursday, August 4th
Time: 10:00pm
Venue: 169 Bar (169 East Broadway)
Cost: Free with RSVP

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