Jason Loui, owner and operater of Redemption Tattoo in Cambridge, is one of the unique voices in tattoo-inspired art today. Loui intermingles Japanese folklore and ghost stories into contemporary tattoo motifs to create a very unique voice. Tonight these styles come alive in the form of watercolor paintings. "The show presents both triptychs as well as large-scale individual paintings. An otherworldly, nightmarish landscape spills from each work while the subjective elements flow throughout the exhibit. A totem of images in one painting recalls the severed heads and venomous ghosts in another work. The overall effect is unsettling, but also delicately beautiful through Mr. Loui’s unique, contemporary take on the fragility of Japanese folklore and aesthetic." Continues through February 18th
Tracey Middler, Anna Gallof and Gabe Godin drop some of their latest arworks at this Avenue B gallery.. Continues through Dec. 23rd. Thats about all I know about this one.
Date: Thursday, December 1st Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm Location: Philip Alan Gallery (30 Avenue B between 2nd and 3rd) Cost: Free
This is the final installment of the Maximum Joy parties at the Adidas Store. They are pulling out all the stops for this one as electro-techno-freak-out king Carl Craig mans the tables and Bacardi provides the sauce. There is also a 25% discount on merch if y ou feel like getting some holiday shopping in. No RSVP, just print out the flyer and bring it with you.
Date: Thursday, December 1st Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: Adidas Originals Store (136 Wooster Street) Cost: Free (print out flyer)
Abe Lincoln Jr. is best none for all those cute little bird paste-ups that you see around the LES (or that I see at least). Tonight he has teamed up with Kid Robot to turn the Orchard Street Art Gallery into a virtual taco stand as a terribly creative and delicious art installation. "Showcasing both his vector work, a new series of his hand rendered pieces and 4 t-shirt designs for both men and women. 'Super Pendejo Meals' will be available while supplies last (complete with a veg or chicken taco and beer). Strictly limited edition, Abe’s art will be packaged in signed and numbered boxes commemorating the opening of Abe’s show and the opening of 'Taqueria Pendejo.'” The First 50 people get free toys from Kid Robot.
Date: Thursday, December 1st Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: Orchard Street Art Gallery (139 Orchard Street) Cost: Free
Time and time again Riviera hits us with great art shows. They are street without being full of graffiti and spray paint, contemporary but accessible, and always inspiring. Tonight signifies the opening of Tarred and Feathered, a group show featuring Kiersten Essenpreis,Anthony Macbain,Ted Mcgrath and Holly Stevenson. I don't know much about it - beyond the image above - but I can only assume more great stuff as usual. A must see if you are in Williamsburg tonight.
The editor and the writers of Letters from Young Activist take the stage tonight for a reading and question session. "In letters addressed to their parents, to past generations, to each other, to the youth of tomorrow and to their future selves, the authors articulate their vision for the world as they work towards racial, economic, gender, environmental and global justice. As the editors write in their introduction: 'From globalization to the war on terrorism and beyond, our generation is impelled to action in the midst of a rapidly changing and unique political moment…. Our challenge, and yours, is to live our lives in a way that does not make a mockery of our values.'"
Date: Thursday, December 1st Time: 7:00pm Location: CUNY Grad Center Room C198 (34th and 5th Avenue) Cost: Free
Rooftop Films, our favorite outdoor theatre, is teaming up with Kiehl's to bring some good holiday times your way tonight. Rooftop will invade the flahship store and present 5 holiday themed films (running time 45min). Then, you can enjoy free food and drink as well as free gifts from the Kiehl's crew afterwards to help you ward off dry hands this winter. Full info about the films on the Rooftom Film's Site.
Date: Wednesday, December 1st Time: 8:00pm Location: Kiehl's (109 3rd Ave at 13th Street) Cost: Free, but please RSVP
mmmm... nothing like lots of free Crunk energy drink and free vodka to get a crowd rowdy rowdy. And thats what this party is all about. IRAK NY brings some goodies to the goodie bags so make nice with the promoters and squeeze some tees out of them. Dj Sabo brings some latin-tinged miami booty bass to the floor while Minski Walker, DJ Dirrty, and Project Matt bring the dirty south crunk and screw beats the floor.
Date: Thursday, December 1st Time: 10:00pm Location: China 1 (50 Ave B at 4th Street) Cost: Free
Those people who have seen my closet know that when I say "I need new clothes" it really means I want new clothes. However for thousands of New Yorkers "I need a winter coat" really means I need a winter coat. For 17 years now New York cares has been running their annual coat drive every December. Today, for the thirs year in a row Kiss FM gets involved for the day and hosts the Kiss Cares Foundation Kids Coat Drive. Stop by Virgin Mega Store in Union Square from 6am to Midnight to drop off a winter coat that I know you dont really need. Check the extended entry for more details.
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 6am - Midnight Venue: Virgin Mega Store, 14th and Union Square Cost: Free
"You can drop off new, clean, or gently used winter coats, and donations at the KISS live Radio Marathon. This year KISS FM’s 'KISS Cares Kid’s Coat Drive' will benefit the 17th annual New York Cares Coat Drive which takes place December 1st to the 31st in New York. Coats will be distributed to struggling men, women, and children at New York City homeless shelters, community organizations, churches, and agencies serving seniors. The New York Cares Coat Drive is a lifeline for New York's neediest citizens during the cold winter months. In addition, the coat drive awards other local charitable organizations in the tri-state area with coats from this valuable community event."
Stay Gold Gallery big ups BK based artists with its newsest exhibition In Flux. "What does it mean to be in flux? The transformation is not complete: There is a piece of ourselves that grasps the past, a piece of ourselves that grapples with the present, and a piece of ourselves that glimpses the future. These segments of our emotional being churn inside of us while at the same time our rational thought tries to make sense of the chaos." These ideas will be conveyed through Haley Hara’s oil paintings, Miranda Hellman’s silk screens, the photography of Helena Petersen and Lara Robby, with the ideas fo love and loneliness exemplified through Jess Levey’s series of projected images of an online dating experience. The show will run thorugh January 8th, but tonight is the opening, so expect a crowd but probably some free beer to got with it.
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 7pm - 10pm Venue: Stay Gold Gallery, 451 Grand St. Brooklyn Cost: Free
Tonight is round two of Halcyon'sHard Times benefit. A $5 donation gets you an open Svedka vodka and a chance to buy some amazing $100 pieces of art donated by a variety of artists. The artist list is a well guarded secret at this point but I will tell you that there is a nice Dave Kinsey drawing hanging in my apartment as a result of this show. DJs Justin Strauss, Brennan Greene, and Qool DJ Marv provide the audio backdrop.
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm Location: Halcyon Gallery (57 Pearl Street, DUMBO) Cost: $5
"Whirling around like a dervish, I race past a horde of onrushing Times Square traffic at night. I dodge a turning taxicab and aim a camera. My instincts take over. To know too much will obstruct my work. I attempt to reveal the asymmetric architecture of lights hidden in the blazing signs of Broadway. I hardly notice honking horns, screaming sirens and throngs of tourists. I trust my intuitive vision to reveal what I cannot see."
Harvey Lloyd paints photographs... (not so) plain and (not so simple). 40 years of photographic experimentation have led to the creation of abstract canvases in both soft and hard color washes as he documents city streets, jazz musicians, and everyday life. Tonight is the opening of Breaking the Light, an exhibition on long, single exposure in urban settings. There is a party and live music afterwards... highly recommended as a fantastic alternative to the usual Friday bar hop.
"We'll bring the machine, the songs, and the free beer to get you loose. You bring the raging vocals, or at least some sweet moves. Crazy Rhythm DJs Dan Selzer and Mike Simonetti will keep the bodies moving between songs and Tedward returns to MC the event. Contestants will be judged by Pop-Up Shop personnel and the winner will take home two American Apparel pieces of choice. ALL party goers will receive a 10% discount on ALL clothing."
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 8:00pm - 12:00am Location: American Apparel Pop-Up Shop (140 W. Broadway between Thomas and Duane) Cost: Free
Bassbot...Blackkat...all the usual suspects are present on this one and they brought all their friends along to play music, including Spukkin Faceslip, Gotoxy, Madro, Kokopelli Katapillar, Eshin, Naked Slice, Big Ears / Dove / Fishstix Ragga Jungle Tag Team Set, Kinetic Junglist Movement, Madame Chao, Belial and Fuck The Clowns. Oh and also, they say its a 20 min walk from the Bedford L and the Marcy J/M/Z, but I don't think the walk is so bad. But if your wearing your lazy pants dont fret, 2 veggie oil powered buses will be available to provide FREE pick up and drop off.
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 10pm Venue: 349 Kent Ave, W'burg Cost: Free
It's a great treat to see Forro in the Dark play a free show on a Friday night. These boys have been packing FreeNYC favorite Nublu for years now with their infectious dance-inducing brazillian rhythms. Forro is the traditional dance music of northeastern Brazil. It provides styles of traditional Brazilian and African music and blends them into repeating, driving, hypnotic melodies. Better heard then explained, bandleader Mauro Refosco has been kind enought to drop us an MP3 (why don't more bands do this?) so you can check them out. And make sure you drop by their Wednesday weekly at Nublu for one of the best packed-and-sweaty dance parties of the week. Highly Recommended.
Listen to Forro in the Dark's Feira De Mangaio (mp3)
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 10:00pm Location:Zebulon (258 Wythe (between Metropolitain and North 3rd, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
So glad to have Cut back in town... stop by Lit tonight for Nick Catchdubs, Cowboy Mark, Blair and Dave Elliot spinning records and a lil free vodka and redbull action from 12 to 1.
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 11pm Venue: Lit, 93 2nd Ave Cost: Free
Well people, Friday is upon us, its time to get a lil rowdy. Stop by Fat Baby tonight for music from Levy, The Big Sleep and the End of the World downstairs and DJs Lil Tiger, Melody Nelson, J Good Times upstairs. But most importantly free Red Sripe from 9 to 10.
Date: Friday, December 2nd Time: 9pm Venue: Fat Baby, 112 Rivington Cost: Free
While George W. Bush may not believe in global warming, the rest of the world does. "From November 28th to December 9th representatives from 150 or more nations will be meeting at a Climate Conference in Montreal, Canada. The vast majority of those present will be signers of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. They will be discussing the latest developments with this deepening world crisis and what should be done about it...The representatives of the United States government, however, will be present working behind the scenes to try to block any positive action." Today is Stop Global Warming day and numerous organizations across the country have set up different events and discussions. For more information on how you can get involved visit United For Peace and The Climate Crisis Coalition.
"The Eighteenth Independent and Small Press Book Fair will take place on Saturday, December 3 (10am to 6pm) and Sunday, December 4 (11am to 5pm) at the Small Press Center, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, at 20 West 44th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues) in Manhattan. Admission to the Book Fair is free and open to the public, and offers a great opportunity to purchase holiday gifts...Over 100 independent presses will be exhibiting in person, including The New Press, Akashic Books, Gingko Press, Soft Skull Press, Manic D Press, and Seven Stories Press. We are also hosting a diverse array of programs on topics such as graphic novels, crime fiction, and literary blogging." Full line up after the fold.
Date: Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th Time: Sat. 10am - 6pm, Sun. 11am - 5pm Venue: Small Press Center, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, 20 West 44th Street Cost:
12:00 – An Illustrated Future: Graphic Art and Literature in the New Millenium
With Peter Kuper, Tania Del Rio and Paul Pope, moderated by Calvin Reid of Publishers Weekly and PW Comics Week. Some of the most well-regarded figures in comics discuss the sudden popularity of their genre, small and big press publishing, manga, and the growth of comics and graphic novels in the book market.
1:00 – The Politics of Culture: the Role of City Government in Local Culture
What role does local government play in supporting and nurturing its writers and artists? Exploring this question and related issues will be progressive City Council Member Letitia James from Brooklyn; civil liberties stalwart and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel; and Johnny Temple, publisher of Akashic Books and Chairman of the Brooklyn Literary Council. The discussion will be moderated by Brooklyn Rail editor Ted Hamm.
Also at 1:00:
Putting Your Passion into Print: Getting Your Book Published Successfully
A workshop on how to become a successfully published author, with nuts and bolts advice from literary agent Arielle Eckstut and writer David Henry Sterry, co-authors of the recently published Putting Your Passion into Print. During their ninety-minute session, they will demystify the publishing process and cover all publishing bases, including: how to write a book proposal; how to approach a potential literary agent; royalty payments; book publicity and marketing; and how to find a publisher, large and small.
2:00 – The Left Is Right: The Rise of the Independent Media
A panel with Bill Scher, Danny Schecter, Eric Alterman, and Dan Simon, moderated by Danny Goldberg.
A discussion of how indie media have grown in a corporate-dominated environment.
3:00 – D.O.A. Tomorrow: The Future of Crime Fiction
Brooklyn literary kingpin Tim McLoughlin joins fellow hot-shot authors Maggie Estep and Jason Starr in a discussion about fresh currents in dark criminal fiction.
Also at 3:00:
Tips on How to Get a Literary Agent and Publisher
Jeff Herman, a leading New York literary agent and author of the invaluable resource, and best-selling book, the Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents will provide advice on navigating the complex world of book publishing. During his workshop, he will provide expert guidance on such useful topics as how to pitch a book, prepare a winning query and proposal, negotiate a contract, and much more.
4:00 – An Interview with Luc Sante by Charlotte Abbott
Charlotte Abbot, Book News Editor at Publishers Weekly, will interview writer Luc Sante, author of Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York, The Factory of Facts, and Evidence, among other books. He was the recipient of a Whiting Writer's Award in 1989, a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1992-93, and in 1997, a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
5:00 – Is Blogging Dead?
Four of the freshest literary bloggers explore the evolving landscape of e-literary culture. Has blogging lost its sexy edge? Hear the perspectives of bloggers: Dennis Loy Johnson, Maud Newton, Ron Hogan, and Sarah Weinman.
Sunday, December 4:
12:00 – Lost and FOUND – A FOUND Magazine Presentation
With Jason Bitner and other staff from FOUND Magazine. The cult favorite FOUND Magazine began when a strange and humorous note was mistakenly left on the editor’s windshield. The magazine is a collection of found objects from all over the country, each of which shed some kind of light on an otherwise unknown life.
1:00 – The U.S. in Iraq: A Discussion on Interventionism
New York Times editor Barry Gewen will moderate an in-depth discussion on U.S. interventionism in general, and Iraq in particular, between The Nation magazine's Christian Parenti and Commentary magazine's Gary Rosen.
2:00 – Zines: Independent Publications in a Corporate Media World
A panel with Ayun Halliday, Eleanor Whitney, Lauren Jade Martin, and moderated by Jenna Freedman.
What exactly are zines, and how do you go about creating your own? Four local zinemakers describe their experiences creating zines, including content, design graphics, how to copy and distribute, and networking with other zinesters. Join us to learn more about these unique and important publications and the role they can play in building a vibrant independent publishing community.
3:00 – Open Mic with Reverend Jen and Friends
Self-proclaimed art star Reverend Jen hosts an open mic event with some of her downtown compatriots.
4:00 – Captured: A Look at Lower East Side Film
With Penny Arcade, Jeremiah Newton, and Amos Poe, moderated by Clayton Patterson. A discussion of the origins and heyday of DIY and transgressive film from the Lower East Side, with the people who shaped it.
With Readings from Small Press Authors on Both Days
I know at this point we have really pounded the idea of the Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday into your heads, but here is a refresher course. 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 in the afternoon (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 month check out the Burtynsky exhibit. Click here for the day's line up.
"Brad Nelson is a self-taught photographer hailing from the City of Angels. Brad began studying photography 14 years ago in a studio. Since then his work has graced the pages of Esquire, ESPN Magazine, Vapors Magazine, Time Out New York, and GQ."
"Propaganda 101 believes in creativity as a powerful political force, capable of combating the destruction and apathy so prevalent in the world today. Our First Saturdays, which take place at Brooklyn's Studio 459, aim to delight and awaken the senses of a numb society. These monthly gatherings are offered by the Propaganda 101 Family as an eager spark to encourage a broader urban cultural rennaisance. We work to challenge the status quo of not only federal and local politics, but the politics of the art world as well, by creating forums and spaces for writers, visual artists, musicians, and activists to express ideas, showcase talent, meet one another, network, and organize in their local communities and beyond."
Date: Saturday, December 3rd Time: 7:00pm Location: 459 Prospect Place, 3B (between Classon and Grand, Brooklyn) Cost: Free
Wow, it's been a minute since we posted a Triple Crown event, but this is a good one. Captain Planet, Caps&Jones and DRM of Bastard Jazz bring the music to Williamsburg tonight.
We love reggae, and you know what? We think you should love reggae too. Tonight join Tommy Bomb and Raul the Hooligan of the Double Barrel Sound System as they spin the best in reggae, rocksteady, ska and soul. Plus, they promise super cheap drinks!
Date: Saturday, December 3rd Time: 11pm Venue: The Fix, N. 11th and Bedfors, W'burg Cost: Free
"The Eighteenth Independent and Small Press Book Fair will take place on Saturday, December 3 (10am to 6pm) and Sunday, December 4 (11am to 5pm) at the Small Press Center, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, at 20 West 44th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues) in Manhattan. Admission to the Book Fair is free and open to the public, and offers a great opportunity to purchase holiday gifts...Over 100 independent presses will be exhibiting in person, including The New Press, Akashic Books, Gingko Press, Soft Skull Press, Manic D Press, and Seven Stories Press. We are also hosting a diverse array of programs on topics such as graphic novels, crime fiction, and literary blogging." Full line up after the fold.
Date: Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th Time: Sat. 10am - 6pm, Sun. 11am - 5pm Venue: Small Press Center, The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, 20 West 44th Street Cost:
12:00 – An Illustrated Future: Graphic Art and Literature in the New Millenium
With Peter Kuper, Tania Del Rio and Paul Pope, moderated by Calvin Reid of Publishers Weekly and PW Comics Week. Some of the most well-regarded figures in comics discuss the sudden popularity of their genre, small and big press publishing, manga, and the growth of comics and graphic novels in the book market.
1:00 – The Politics of Culture: the Role of City Government in Local Culture
What role does local government play in supporting and nurturing its writers and artists? Exploring this question and related issues will be progressive City Council Member Letitia James from Brooklyn; civil liberties stalwart and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel; and Johnny Temple, publisher of Akashic Books and Chairman of the Brooklyn Literary Council. The discussion will be moderated by Brooklyn Rail editor Ted Hamm.
Also at 1:00:
Putting Your Passion into Print: Getting Your Book Published Successfully
A workshop on how to become a successfully published author, with nuts and bolts advice from literary agent Arielle Eckstut and writer David Henry Sterry, co-authors of the recently published Putting Your Passion into Print. During their ninety-minute session, they will demystify the publishing process and cover all publishing bases, including: how to write a book proposal; how to approach a potential literary agent; royalty payments; book publicity and marketing; and how to find a publisher, large and small.
2:00 – The Left Is Right: The Rise of the Independent Media
A panel with Bill Scher, Danny Schecter, Eric Alterman, and Dan Simon, moderated by Danny Goldberg.
A discussion of how indie media have grown in a corporate-dominated environment.
3:00 – D.O.A. Tomorrow: The Future of Crime Fiction
Brooklyn literary kingpin Tim McLoughlin joins fellow hot-shot authors Maggie Estep and Jason Starr in a discussion about fresh currents in dark criminal fiction.
Also at 3:00:
Tips on How to Get a Literary Agent and Publisher
Jeff Herman, a leading New York literary agent and author of the invaluable resource, and best-selling book, the Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents will provide advice on navigating the complex world of book publishing. During his workshop, he will provide expert guidance on such useful topics as how to pitch a book, prepare a winning query and proposal, negotiate a contract, and much more.
4:00 – An Interview with Luc Sante by Charlotte Abbott
Charlotte Abbot, Book News Editor at Publishers Weekly, will interview writer Luc Sante, author of Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York, The Factory of Facts, and Evidence, among other books. He was the recipient of a Whiting Writer's Award in 1989, a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1992-93, and in 1997, a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
5:00 – Is Blogging Dead?
Four of the freshest literary bloggers explore the evolving landscape of e-literary culture. Has blogging lost its sexy edge? Hear the perspectives of bloggers: Dennis Loy Johnson, Maud Newton, Ron Hogan, and Sarah Weinman.
Sunday, December 4:
12:00 – Lost and FOUND – A FOUND Magazine Presentation
With Jason Bitner and other staff from FOUND Magazine. The cult favorite FOUND Magazine began when a strange and humorous note was mistakenly left on the editor’s windshield. The magazine is a collection of found objects from all over the country, each of which shed some kind of light on an otherwise unknown life.
1:00 – The U.S. in Iraq: A Discussion on Interventionism
New York Times editor Barry Gewen will moderate an in-depth discussion on U.S. interventionism in general, and Iraq in particular, between The Nation magazine's Christian Parenti and Commentary magazine's Gary Rosen.
2:00 – Zines: Independent Publications in a Corporate Media World
A panel with Ayun Halliday, Eleanor Whitney, Lauren Jade Martin, and moderated by Jenna Freedman.
What exactly are zines, and how do you go about creating your own? Four local zinemakers describe their experiences creating zines, including content, design graphics, how to copy and distribute, and networking with other zinesters. Join us to learn more about these unique and important publications and the role they can play in building a vibrant independent publishing community.
3:00 – Open Mic with Reverend Jen and Friends
Self-proclaimed art star Reverend Jen hosts an open mic event with some of her downtown compatriots.
4:00 – Captured: A Look at Lower East Side Film
With Penny Arcade, Jeremiah Newton, and Amos Poe, moderated by Clayton Patterson. A discussion of the origins and heyday of DIY and transgressive film from the Lower East Side, with the people who shaped it.
With Readings from Small Press Authors on Both Days
It's sunday... relax, go ice skating, get some obnoxious holiday shopping done. Do it all up at Bryant Park's Fêtes de Noël while you gawk at their giant tree. The ice skating is free (although skate rental is not) and the holiday shopping fair is up. Maybe you will meet a cute tourist?
Date: Sunday, November 4th Time: 3:00pm Location: Bryant Park (40th Street and 5th Ave) Cost: Free
I love junglist slang so this one is coming straight and direct... "Touching down on Sunday Dec. 4th, RJ-11 & Cheomap are proud to present: Bar][core. the first in a series of free monthly parties, every 1st sunday of the month. dedicated to some of the hardest mashed up and broken down beats on the face of the planet!!! The kick off starts us out with 3 heavy hitters, who will leave none standing, but have everyone screaming for more. END.USER, well known for his aggressive approach and unique take on drum n bass, is set to kick ass and take no names!!! AARON SPECTRE rinses out the blazin raggacore that will have the whole place thinkin that, babylon be on fiya!!! DIGIT216 cranks out some seriously evil breakcore, digital hardcore, metal, noise and just about anything else he can get his hands on to make sure that a full on riot ensues!!! So come down, drink up, tune in and burn out!!! There will be giveaways!!! Also, did I mention...IT'S FREE!!!"
Date: Sunday, December 4th Time: 9:00pm - 2:00am Location: Red & Black (135 North 5th Street, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
"Collaborative performance art team Los Super Elegantes returns to the Whitney at Altria for a record release and listening event for Tunga’s House Bar, the eclectic pop soundtrack to their Whitney Biennial 2004 performance. As musicians, playwrights and visual artists, Los Super Elegantes mix original music with live theatrical stage performances — engaging a range of venues and collaborating with fellow artists. This is part of Topic Magazine's Breakout Sessions: Using an 'open studio' format, the series provides rare access to artists’ visual inspirations ranging from works of fellow artists to elements of pop culture." [swiped from Gemini and Scorpio]
Columbia University's "Critical Lectures in American Foreign Policy" series continues tonight with "Oil and U.S. Foreign Policy - A Historical Perspective." David Painter, Associate Professor of History, at the Walsh School of Foreign Service of Gerogetown University approaches what is clearly one of the most important issues in global policitcs today. Get the facts and be an informed activist. Open to the public.
Date: Monday, December 5th Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm Location: Columbia University, Faculty House, President's Room, 2nd fl. 400 West 117th Street (between Amsterdam Ave and Morningside Drive) map Cost: Free, registration recommended
Activist, author, and hip hop historian (and ex-real world cast member!) Kevin Powell is dropping Hurricane Katrina Benefit / Holiday Party tonight. There will be music by D-Nice, and a live performance by Shannone Holt. No open bar, "dress to impress. casual chic or business attire."
Date: Monday, December 5th Time: 7:00pm - 12:00am Location: Crobar (530 West 28th Street, between 10th and 11th) Cost: Free with RSVP and perishable items (list after jump)
PLEASE bring CLEAN clothing donations, even if used. List of items needed: Holiday gifts for children and teens (toys, books and coloring books; EDUCATIONAL electronic games, etc.); bleach; mops; brooms; sleeping bags; shirts, blouses, t-shirts, jeans, Fall and light Winter coats, caps, skirts, dresses and socks in all sizes for males and females; washing detergent; Lysol; trash bags; toilet paper; paper towels; bed linen; towels and wash cloths; light bulbs; batteries; small radios; sealed vitamins and aspirin; giftcards; phonecards; cereal; canned goods; can openers; and ANY nonperishable food items.
Sometimes you drink at Sway just because its Monday night. Today you drink at Sway in celebration of Vinnie Ponte's Birthday and in celebration of the Recon/Nort Grand opening. Music will be brough to you by Smoke LES and Suge White.
Date: Monday, December 5th Time: 10pm - 4am Venue: Sway, 305 Spring Cost: Free
Ben Ruby plays that good old singer songwriter style music. Usually thats a big red flag in my world and brings of memories of being in high school with your guitar playing friend that the girls swooned over. But Ben plays a sort of Tom Waits, meets (lively) Damien Jurado in a country bar over a pint and a piano style that holds all the emotion without the sappy camp. Oh, he also plays piano mash-ups (mp3) which are awesome. Tonight he brings out his guitar stylings along with trombonist Dave Prager.
[As far as I can tell] Relax Star Vibe School is a salon style meetin of the minds for artists, musicians, and the people who love them to get together and do what New Yorker's do best... drink, dance, and network. There is live painting, DJing, listening parties, and more. If you go, let us know how it is. This is a weekly.
Date: Tuesday, December 6th Time: 6:00pm Location: M Bar (349 Broome Street between Bowery and Elizabeth) Cost: Free
Global Issues in Design & Visuality series continues today... "Impermanence may be the only permanent characteristic of the 21st century. New urban landscapes are rapidly evolving in response to tides of immigration; at the same time, new geographies are mapped everyday on the internet. How can we talk about these new cultures? This lecture examines the impulse toward sprawl as an aspect of American ideology, particularly in light of the new found political power of the exurbs whose votes were highly influential in the last Presidential election."
Date: Tuesday, December 6th Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm Location: Parsons, Tishman Auditorium (66 West 12th Street) Cost: Free
Deli Mag is one year old and so they are having a little party at Tonic tonight. The upstairs part costs $8 but downstairs is free. There will be performance by the Saw Lady from the subway, a photo exposition by Jeremy Wolf, NYC only music by DJ Oil, and free food.
Date: Tuesday, December 6th Time: 8:00pm Location: Subtonic (107 Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington) Cost: Free
Well ladies and not so gentle-men, I would like to inform you all that FreeNYC has yet another new writer on our team. Now here comes the confusing part... her name is also Lindsay, so we will have to think of a nickname for her. Anyway, we dont have her fully set up yet but we wanted to you to get a taste of what she will offer, so see her very first post below...
Tonight CBGB's gallery hosts a free birthday party for the Jenisfamous Spectacular that normally plays at Petes Candy Store every month. Featuring burlesque performances, live old music and comedy. There is also a hula hooping contest open to all, and prizes for best dressed '20 - '50s costumes. Art by Molly Crabapple from the illustrated Jenisfamous Portable Comedy Compendium, an art book available in 2006, will be on display in the gallery.
Date: Tuesday, December 6th Time: 8pm - 12am Venue: CB's Gallery, 313 Bowery, between 1st and 2nd st Cost: Free
Waajeed of the Platinum Pied Pipers is making a special DJ stop-off at the always packed Time Warp party tonight. Expect the more soulful end of hip hop along side Ge-ology's true school NYC fare. Highly Recommended.
Celebrate the War Resister League’s 2006 Peace Calendar - which is also a song book and music sampler - with wine, cheese, and a sing along featuring some of the songs with Pete Seeger, Bev Grant & the Brooklyn Women’s Chorus and Harmonic Insurgence. For more information, contact War Resisters League (212) 228-0450
Date: Wednesday, December 7th Time: 6:30pm Location: The Workmen’s Circle (45 East 33rd Street) Cost: Free
Stuff Magazine is having a little issue release party with flavor-of-the-month rockers The Subways. The Break-up also plays along with some sort of DJ representation from The Rub. Oh, and there is an undisclosed open bar for an undisclosed amount of time. Everyone else has this down as just a $10 concert on their sites so jump on that RSVP list now before they close it up.
Date: Wednesday, December 7th Time: 8:00pm - 1:00am Location: Northsix (66 N 6th Street, Williamsburg) Cost: Free with RSVP
This one is straight off the rumor mill... Spike TV and FHM are throwing down at swanky Bed tonight. I have been told that its all free (free food, free drink) but no one knows if there is an RSVP or anything. I recommend getting there early just in case and make up some BS story about how you got an email at work about it and it didn't say RSVP. No Promises.
Date: Wednesday, December 7th Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm Location: Bed (530 West 27th Street, 6th Floor) Cost: Free
The indy music listening party DGN contiues this month... this time at Mannahatta. High on the must-listen list is local Gothamist favorite Cloud Room but you may find a hidden jem in any of the other artists. Check the site for full band details and more info.
Every Wednesday The Ad Lib welcomes The Vet and this week joining the fun will be Ultragrrrl and Karen Plus One as Tarts of Pleasure. Rumor has it that beginning next week there will also be live bands. And most importantly, the words FreeNYC liks to hear best, free Aguila beer from 10 to 11 and $2 shots o' jack all night.
Date: Wednesday, December 7th Time: 10pm Venue: Sway, 305 Spring Cost: Free
Bang! returns this week after a brief hiatus with the same packed space, the same open bar from 10-11, and the same down and dirty crowd. Work through the bitter cold outside by finding a cute boy or girl to keep you warm (or sweaty).
Date: Wednesday, December 7th Time: 10:00pm Location: Chinese (50 Ave. B near 4th st.) Cost: Free
Just got this one late so RSVP and hope for the best. "Celebrating their performance at Madison Square Garden w/Depeche Mode. DJs: The Bravery, Justine D, Dave P." Open vodka bar from 10 - 12.
Date: Wednesday, December 7th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Location:Luke & Leroy (21 7th Ave at Leroy) Cost: Free with RSVP by noon
This is generally what happens when I get a new CD... 1) Struggle to get the plastic off and open case 2) Place CD into computer, copy into itunes and then ipod 3) Add the actual CD and case into the ever growing pile in my room never to be seen again. So it seems that Global Inheritance may have found an answer to this problem with TRASHed. Recycle your trash and get trashed with half priced drinks and some free merch...
"TRASHed is on the path to cure the problem of CD jewel case dumping. Old CD jewel cases can be recycled and reused. Keep CD Jewel Cases out of landfill by visiting the TRASHed Recycling Store on December 8th at Knitting Factory. Enjoy ½ price drinks from 5-7pm! Bring your old jewel cases (with our without CDs in them) and cash them in for cool merchandise courtesy of Kid Robot, Kangol, Logitech, Loomstate, Nike, Netflix, Midway, EA, New Line + more. Individuals who bring in the most jewel cases will get the coolest stuff."
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 5pm - 8pm Venue: Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street Cost: Free
All your favorite powerHouse book authors - including Martha Cooper, Jamel Shabazz, Tony Ward, and Peter Sutherland - will be on hand tonight signing copies of their books just in time for the perfect hipster holiday present. Free drinks on hand.
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Location: powerHouse Bookstore & Gallery (68 Charlton Street between Varick and Hudson) Cost: Free with RSVP
3 contemporary Japanese painters make their NYC debut at this group show. Yoshitaka Azuma, Yoriko Kita, and Sakiko Kurita each have a unique relationship with contemporary Japanese society. "Post-War Japan’s image of an infallible utopia of logic, now revealed as fiction, and the economic bubble period’s utopia of overheated, ephemeral hedonism, now collapsed, have left in their wake an alienated populace. In the midst of this, these artists express an unprecedented new generation of beauty through works that affirm subjective feeling." Continues through January 28th.
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location: PH Gallery (547 West 27th Street, 2nd Floor) Cost: Free
For the past 9 years, Michal Heiman has been teaching art and art criticism in various Israeli universities and schools. Tonight, she presents a collection of photographs that she has either taken or collected over those years. "Using these photographs as backdrop, Heiman incorporates text and her own portrait to create new meanings. The result is a fusion of past and present, word and image. These pictures address artistic, cultural, national and psychological issues. As a result, they lend themselves to multiple readings, encouraging the viewer to give free rein to his or her imagination."
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location:Andrea Meislin Gallery (526 West 26th Street, Suite 214 Cost: Free
Originally debuting at the Moscow Biennial in January, Russia 2 presents the cutting edge of avant-guard Russuan Art. These pieces approach many usually taboo topics such as Chechnya, religion, and the figure of the president. continues through January 11th. Special performances on the night of the 15th.
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location:White Box (525 West 26th) Cost: Free
In honor of a new magazine Go East who's design is to tempt to you visit the LES (like you are not already there 3 nights a week) some talented chefs have gotten together for a little tasting and cocktails. Enjoy tastings from The Stanton Social, Libation, Basso Est & Essex while you sip martinis and beer compliments of Heineken and Zyr Vodka. Tastings from 6-7:30pm, Open Bar 6-7pm. so get there early. Goody bags to the first 200.
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Location:Fat Baby (112 Rivington between Ludlow and Stanton) Cost: Free with RSVP
"Sweet action porn for girls mag is having a little release party in the new reading room at Burrow. Published and unpublished works will be read by an esteemed group of writers/publishers loosely connected by a couple of dirty magazines made right here in NY. Sweet Action Ale
by Sixpoint Craft Ales will also be on hand" (I think that means free, not sure though)
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 8:00pm Location: Burrow (31 Crosby St. between Broome & Grand) Cost: Free
"High School Lab Specialist by day, self-proclaimed dumpster diver by night; artist Stuart Ross presents Weapons of Mass Attraction at Astor Place Hair, a 7000 square-foot barber shop nestled in the heart of Manhattan. Ross creates his artwork out of literally, well, uh, garbage. An accomplished trash tracker, Ross represents an advanced welder and creative visionary – building masterpieces out of his findings. His ultimate show in December will consist of 6 rooms, all with a theme of their own; such as 'Sexual Chinatown' (showcasing old signage that means one thing in Chinese, and a sexier connotation in English) and 'Weapons of Mass Destruction.'" Continues through Saturday. Should be some sort of open wine according to myopenbar.com [paraphrased, quoted and stolen from press release]
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 9:00pm Location: Astor Place Hair (2 Astor Place at Broadway) Cost: Free with RSVP
This is a pretty heavy house night from the boys over at King Street Records and Hacienda. Also notable is DJ WOOL from FreeNYC Favorite The Glass will be spinning. Free drink to the first 50 people.
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Location: SOLAS / COAL (232 east 9th St. between 2nd and 3rd) Cost: Free
And the award for most un-p.c. party name of the week goes to...Kill Whitie! Tonight The Captain steers his ship across the river to Greenpoint and drop anchor at Club Hypnotique. Avenue D, Mr. Move and Tha Pumpsta will perform and The Captain, and Derierre will DJ. Cheap drinks and a snow machine, yippie!
Date: Thurday, December 8 Time: 11pm ??? Venue: Club Hynotique, 259 Banker Street & Meserole, Greenpoint Cost: Free with RSVP
Deee-Lite's Lady Miss Kier is back at it on the NYC nightlife scene again. Tonight she joins Larry Tee playing a combination of new wave house and "freaky mash-ups." As Miss Kier is in the house, I am sure there will be plenty of disco tunes as well. Free admission before midnight.
Date: Thursday, December 8th Time: 11:00pm Location: Duvet (45 W21 St. between 5th and 6th Aves.) Cost: Free before midnight with RSVP ($10 after with RSVP)
Join the likes of Polo Ralph Lauren, Zoo York, Miss Sixty, Rookie, Whiteboy, and more as they close out this years stock at 40-80% off and last years leftovers for $3-$10. Its the perfect time to get those expensive xmas presents for super cheap. DJs spin all day. A portion of the profits go to United Homeless Organization. No taxes till Dec. 18 with a print out of this post (I hope... it was supposed to be with an email). Continues through the 18th with new goods daily.
Date: Friday, December 9th Time: 12:00pm - 7:00pm Location: NYBrands (16w 36th Street) Cost: Free to attend
Check out stopmotion, installation, rotoscopation, chicken scratchation, and many other types of "ation" at this student showcase. This may get you motivated to work on that freelance project all weekend long.
Date: Friday, December 9th Time: 4:30pm - 7:00pm Location: NYU (721 Broadway, 8th Floor Animation Area - take the North elevators on the right as you enter) Cost: Free (bring ID for security man)
For all you graf lovin' people out there, this is the opening for you... Nic One Presents: "WHO'S N.Y.C.E." (New York City's Elite)
"is all about the pure unification with in the Aerosol (Graffiti)Culture. Giving the state of the way things are in New York we need to come together so we can deal with our real enemy. Politics always chooses us by that I mean we are always going to be the subject of full on hate towards what we do. From certain Public Officials and the NY Finest. Don't let us be Policed." This will be the first graffiti show at the Haven Gallery since the 80's. Holdin' it down for the writers will be 2FLY, BROKER, CERN, CEOS, CLYDE, COL, DEMER, EMA, FARGO, F.D.T. FUME, HOPS, HOST ONE, IMUNE, JNUB, LASK, LOU, MERES, NERO, NIC1, PART, REE, SASHA (SHR) JENKINS, SEK3, SENSE3, SETER, SNATCH, SONIC, STEM, TOPAZ, VENG, and ZIMAD. Tonight is the opening reception but the show runs through the 30th.
Date: Friday, December 9th Time: 6pm - 9pm Venue: Haven Gallery, 235 E. 141st St., Bronx Cost: Free Directions: Take the number 4 or 5 train to 138th St. Walk under the Metro North underpass two blocks up to RIDER Ave make a left and walk two blocks to 141st St.
In honor of Anthology Film Archives 35th Anniversay, Altoids is throwing three nights of free films. You can start lighing up for tickets at 4:30 each day and they are on a first come first served basis. Also, tonight at 6:30 is the opening cocktail reception and the first 75 guests will get a free 1 year Anthology membership (not valid for current members). I don't think there is an RSVP type thing and I am sure there will be some sort of free booze. Check the site for film titles and more info. Continues through Sunday.
Date: Friday, December 9th Time: 6:30pm (film tickets available at 4:30pm) Location: Anthology Film Archives (32 2nd Ave at 2nd Street) Cost: Free
Tristan Eaton - well known as Director of Toy Design for Kidrobot - drops some new canvases tonight at McCaig-Welles. Expect flat renditions of his illustative style, free Sierra Nevada beer, and a room packed full of Williamsburg hipsters. This may be a good show to catch over the weekend when the gallery is much less crowded (but with much less free beer)
Date: Friday, December 9th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: McCaig-Welles Gallery (129 Roebling St of Metropolitain, Suite B1, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
Last week it was Karaoke, this week it is ping pong. The American Apparel team continues to make their pop-up store known by enticing you with insane amounts of free PBR and a 10% discount tonight. If you are feeling adventurous, drop your name in the hat for a chance to be the ping-pong tourney champ. there will be DJs I am sure as well.
Date: Friday, December 9th Time: 8:00pm - 12:00am Location: American Apparel Pop-Up Shop (140 W. Broadway between Thomas and Duane) Cost: Free
One of my roommates is a studio engineer and has been working with this female vocalist Haale. So sometimes when he is poking around in the mini recording studio which he calls his bedroom, I get to eavesdrop on what he has been working on. The long of it is Haale and her band create "swirling, hypnotic, and exaltative experience onstage, weaving Persian melodies through a lush soundscape that pays homage to Sufi musical traditions and pschedelic rock. Though she sings mostly in Persian, the music speaks all languages, loudly, passionately, defiantly." The short of it is, she is playing a free show in the BAM Cafe tonight, and its definitely worth checking out.
Dude.. Devo Springsteen? What happened to all the tough hip-hop names? Anyway, celebrate this mixtape release (which is full of Kanye West's GOOD artists) with a 2 hour open bar at the too-hip-for-you Happy Valley. This place likes to hold the line so they look big so get there REAL early. Expect the good looking weekend hiphop crowd so bring ladies and shine up those all white limited edition kicks.
Date: Friday, December 9th Time: 10:00pm Location: Happy Valley (14 E. 27th btw 5th Ave and Madison) Cost: Free with RSVP
There is nothing I love more when my two favoirte cities join forces. Tonight Adam Sparkles from Philly's infamous Making Time Party sets up shop downstairs at Lit for Aktion. Plus Mike Simonetti will be upstairs. And to keep you looknig alive this evening, there will be free Redbull and Vodka from 12 to 1.
You know all those old cell phones and computers you have laying around... well, they have toxic chemicals in them. SO, rather than tossing htem in a dumpster in hopes that some diver will fish them out, bring them to the Lower East Side Ecology Center's electronics collection station. Computer parts, TVs, cell phones, all will be recycled and disposed of in an environmental manner.
Date: Saturday, December 10th Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm Location: PS321 (2nd Street and 7th Ave, Park Slope) Cost: Free
In the tradition of Zombicon and Lepricon, its time to don your santa suite, flask up your peppermint schnapps, and join the parade of santas as they romp, drink, and carol their way through the NYC streets. Exact details with be on the site the night before the event but you can download your carol book now and get ready.
This is another one of those "to post, or not post" sample sale events. Don't get me wrong, I'm a girl that loves a good sample sale, but the clothes are not exactly what you would call cheap. Ultimately though, the selling point here was free champagne all day long! So if you have a few bucks to spend, see below...
"Stop by Gigantic Brand located at 59 Franklin Street between Broadway and Lafayette for ONE day of 40% all Fall and Winter designers. Also with each purchase of 200.00 receive a free gift certificate worth 25.00! For a unique selection of music, art, accessories and hard to find designers such as Stephan Schneider, Zakee Shariff, Robert Normand, Madeline Press, Henrik Vibscov, Bruno Pieters, Woo Young Mi, Emma Cook and more… you can’t beat Gigantic Brand!"
Date: Saturday, December 10th Time: 11am - 7pm Venue: Gigantic Brand, 59 Franklin st btw Broadway and Lafayette Cost: Free to enter
Jewelry, vintage clothing, custom tees, crocheted items for sale. Music by DJ Moleculez, DJ Sabine, and DJ A-Sky. What else are you during the day? Drink specials too!
Date: Saturday, December 10, 2005 Time: 4:00pm - 10:00pm Location: 46 Grand Bar Lounge (46 Grand Street) Cost: Free
"Night Fisher is a compassionate, hard-nosed coming of age story about two high school friends growing up in Hawaii. The tale reveals the unsentimental portrait of that most awkward period between adolescence and adulthood, and the rarest of things - a mature depiction of immature lives. Their friendship is stretched to its breaking point when they get mixed up in a frivolous crime. The compelling storyline matched with Kikuo's striking artistry pushes this graphic novel as one not to miss this season." Johnson signs copies today at Giant Robot.
Date: Saturday, December 10th Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location: Giant Robot NY (437 East 9th Street) Cost: Free
FreeNYC.net is getting down with the Choimatic team once again for the final Curl of the season. DJs Moe Choi, EQ, Special Needs, Erminatti, and Jan Lo spin Bedford Rock, 88Tech, New Wave, Hip Hop, and Party Classics all night with an open vodka bar from 10-11. Most notable is an end of the year Choimatic exclusive set by Moe Choi who will be spinning all of his own remixes and exclusive tracks from the likes of DJ Krush, Ladybug Mecca (Digable Planets) and more. No RSVP, No Guest List, No Cover, No Hassles.
Date: Saturday, December 10th Time: 10:00pm Location: Morrisey Park (121 St. Marks near Avenue A) Cost: Free
House party is right. In that deep, funky, old school NYC house that keeps you dancing all night. This is one of the best spots to get down on the weekend without the mess, hassle, and door charge of the city's larger venues (and better music). Marlon D and Jellybean Benittez - who have been bringing deep house to NYC since the Paradise Garage and Studio 54 days - continue their aptly titled monthly. This monthly packs the Union Square Ballroom with people sweating from the rafter until sunrise.
Date: Saturday, December 10th Time: 10:00pm - 6:00am Location: Union Square Ballroom (27 Union Square West between 15th and 16th) Cost: Free before midnight, $10 after with printout of flyer
Skateboards...boys...Supreme Trading...boys..could I be anymore excited? Ok fine so I'm totally a skater groupie, but come on that ain't news to nobody. What is news though is that tonight is the premier of Brick and Mortar 3. Last year Brick and Mortar 2 premiered at the Autumn Bowl, this year they moved the party to Supreme Trading. Besides showing the film, the boys are bringing a mini ramp to S.T.'s court yard for a $1000 best trick contest. Additionally DJ Roni is spinning, and there will be product give aways.
"BM3 does a great job of capturing the skateboarding that regularly goes down in NYC while the rest of the city's residents sleep, work, shop and do whatever else they do on a daily basis," says 5boro Skateboards Founder and Owner Steve Rodriguez. "It provides a legit, inside look at NYC's skate community as documented by the locals, for the locals." Plus most importantly, I want to say congrats to FreeNYC's friend Justin White who compiled "the various submissions and, after countless hours of sifting and editing, White masterfully spliced together a true-to-life snap shot of the Big Apple's unique skateboarding culture and surrounding lifestyle."
Date: Saturday, December 10th Time: 10pm - 2am Venue: Supreme Trading Cost: Free, 213 N. 8th, W'burg
What happens when you combine The Slackers saxophonist Dave Hillyard with Worms rockabilly guitarist Simon Chardiet and put them on stage at a jazz club? Swing 'n' Bop is the answer but I have no idea what that means. Whatever it is, these two boys know there stuff and are sure to bring it. If you are looking for something different in jazz, nightlife, or just music in general then this may be the place to hear it. There is no cover but there is a two drink minimum.
Date: Saturday, December 10th Time: 10:00pm - 1:30am Location:Detour (249 East 13th Street) Cost: Free (2 drink minimum)
Sweet sweet tuba, the instument of that awkward kid in the band in high school. I can't think of a sweeter way to ring in the holidays then with the symphonic melodies of 300 tubas playing Christmas songs. This is one to take those in-town visitors to. If you are interested in being one of the 300, check the site for details.
Date: Sunday, December 11th Time: 3:30pm Location: Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink (50th Street and 5th... or around there) Cost: Free
A rotating cast of amazingly talented Brooklyn Musicians get together at this weekly party to reverse engineer dance music through live performance. This night has featured the likes of Guy Licata
(Bill Laswell, Apsci) Stu Brooks (Dub Trio, G Unit) Abe Seiferth (Alia/Droid) and Doctor Israel (ROIR records). Who knows what will happen tonight but it will most likely be worth a listen. DJ's spin in between sets at this always chill (although lately a little thugged out on the weekends) Brooklyn hot spot.
Date: Sunday, December 11th Time: 9:00pm Location: Bembe (6th and Berry, Williamsburg) Cost: Free
Concrescesnce is a combination of live acoustic instruments melding with electronic ones "that can slip into the back of your head or occupy your entire consciousness." A cop out comparison would be Sound Tribe Selector 9 but the diverse musicians here swing a much wider gambit from IDM to Folk. Music is coupled with live visual creating a great way to lay back and ease into the end of the weekend.
"Shoot Them in the Cornfields!, a drama set in 1958, is a first-person account on the most notorious, criminal prisons of the Soviet Union, Butirka, to which an aging, free-spirited Jewish woman and her husband, caught for employing the mentally retarded, under Nikita Krushchev’s oppressive, anti-intellectual reign, are banished for ten years. This reading of global resonance features Ina Rosenthal, Howard Atlee, Brett Dykes, Heather Massie and Alexei Kostalevsky. A reception and short Q&A will follow. [note: there is no mention of this event on the Drama site so you may want to call ahead - 212.944.0595 - to confirm.]
Date: Monday, December 12th Time: 7:30pm Location:Drama Book Shop (250 West 40th Street between 7th and 8th) Cost: Free
Robert Greenwald's Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price is a documentary look at the effect that Wal-Mart is having on small business and the living wage world wide. This is not a new battle but it is nice to see someone stand up and take the movement out of the hands of the easily avoided protesters and bring it onto the screen. Wal-Mart is trying desperately to stop this film from reaching the public so catch it now before the billions get it band. Screening is followed by a discussion with leading Wal-Mart critic Liza Featherstone, author of "Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Workers' Rights at Wal-Mart."
The Retail Mafia crew - hot off their Boost Mobile phone deal - launch their flagship shop in downtown Manhattan today (51 Hester St.). Expect their usual Monday night Sway party to be even more packed tonight as IRAK's King Solomon joins big time DJ Mark Ronson on the tuntables. Early arrival as always.
Date: Monday, December 12th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Location: Sway (305 Spring St. btwn Greenwich & Hudson) Cost: Free Open Bar: 10:00 - 11:30 (Red Stripe)
DJ Parag and Paul Daly (FIGO) and special guests join Death 'n' Taxes magazine to help NextAid raise money for children orphaned by AIDS in Africa tonight. There is no open bar but if you are going to drink, you might as well do it for a good cause.
Date: Monday, December 12th Time: 10:00pm Location:Beauty Bar (231 East 14th St between 2nd and 3rd Ave) Cost: Free
Not sure if you can find your way into this one or if its an "industry night" but if you want to go then I am sure you will find a Way... NY Moves magazine is having an issue release party in the style of the Roaring 20's. Don your best flapper dress or tuxedo, practice your Charlston and get ready for a night of fancy food, drink, dancing and prizes. To RSVP, you must email with name, your guests name, company affiliation, and phone number. They will email you the speakeasy password. Proper dress is optional.
Date: Tuesday, December 13th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: Land Rover (787 11th Ave, between 54th and 55th) Cost: Free with RSVP
I Heart - a fantastic Mott Street Boutique - is having a little holiday throwdown tonight at their store. There will be free Red Stripe, a live performance by Cause Co-Motion, nand DJ sets from Massimo and Max.
Date: Tuesday, December 13th Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: I Heart (262 Mott St.) Cost: Free Open Bar: Red Stripe from 7 until it runs out
So by blood I'm Jewish, but by practice I'm more like jew-ish. My question here is, is it wrong that I love christmas trees? When I was a kid I would kvetch about it and sometimes my parents would give in and buy me a "Hanukkah bush." Now, every year my roommate and I toy with the idea of getting a tree and then we realize our delinquent cats would tear that thing apart and decide against it. So finally someone has solved all of my holiday problems. Fix, on Bedford ave. in the 'burg, is getting a holiday tree in celebration of celebration of my very favorite holiday "Christmas-Saturnalia-Kwanza-Winter Solstice-Hanukkah. Bring your own ornament or better yet come and make one. We will have the tree, lights, tinsel and supplies for making ornaments. Carafes of Egg nog, Grog, and other festive holiday drink specials." Super fun Tuesday night activity!
Date: Tuesday, December 12th Time: 8pm Venue: Fix, 110 Bedford at N 11th Cost: Free
In the spirit of the Sunday night Share weeklies, DJ Shakey and Moldover are hosting Warper, a community digital performance and "jam session" dedicated to the use of Ableton Live software. In brief, Ableton Live is DJ/producer software that lets you multitrack samples and mix them live in real time. It has been changing the way big shots like Sasha DJ for the past few years by allowing them to built songs on the fly and mix between them seemlessly. Come out tonight and see what its all about as Shakeyface, Spinoza, Moldover, Honeychild Coleman, and Unjust drop some performances. The space will be divided into a main area where guests can groove to the music of the scheduled performers and a quieter area for laptop users to interact. In this area power strips and tables can be found and Q&A with visiting artists can take place. Bring your own gear.
Date: Tuesday, December 13th Time: 8:00pm - 2:00am Location: Botanica Bar (437 East Houston between Mott and Mulberry) Cost: Free
In a turn from their usual Bedford Rock sound, The Delancey is being taken over tonight with Miami Bass, Italo Electro, and Classic Hip-hop as DJ Derrierre takes over the upstairs floor. Downstairs - I can only assume - will be a series of bands. 2 for 1's from Midnight to 1am is the best deal you'll get here unless you can stomach $3 High Life's (which isn't really much of a deal).
Date: Tuesday, December 13th Time: 9:00pm Location: The Delancey (168 Dalancey Street between Clinton & Attorney) Cost: Free
So my friends, its holiday party time, and that means all of our favorite venues, weeklies, etc., throw christmukkah bashes. Tonight is Re:Up magazine's third annual holiday "formal" at one of our very favorite spots, Nublu. Tonight check out Kudu playing with Send and DJing will be Cocoa Cracker Brown (yay CCB!)with special guest Seis Ocho. Its five bucks to get in, but I promise you you'll have fun.
Feel like playing hooky from work today? Of course you do. Feel like being in the next LRG ad campaign? Of course you do. Feel like having free drinks all day in the presence of Swizz Beatz, Charlie Murphy, DJ Jazzy Jeff, GLC, and Johnny Nunez? You get the idea. "In an effort to stay true to its manifesto, underground inventive overground effective, L-R-G Clothing will host a trailblazing combination of campaign photo shoot and exclusive party titled 'The Color of the Season: 1st Annual Jive Turkey Jump Off.' The Color of the Season will feature live talents such as Swizz Beatz, Charlie Murphy, DJ Jazzy Jeff, GLC and Johnny Nunez with film crew Coodie & Chike behind the reel. Open bar provided by Bacardi and Heineken."
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 11:00am - 6:00pm Location: Bathhouse Studios (540 East 11th Street bet. A and B) Cost: Free with RSVP
Here is a last minute post for your after work pleasure...
Tonight join the Saved Gallery of Art and Craft and Refinery29 for an art opening with mulled wine, holiday cookies, music, and a little holiday shopping incentive (20% off at the store for the night).
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 6pm - 9pm Venue: Saved Gallery of Art and Craft, 82 Berry Street, W'burg Cost: Free
In an effort to never let us forget The Gates, Cristo and Jeanne-Claude return to Strand Bookstore to personalize copies of their newest book on the subject (limited run of 5000). "Christo & Jeanne-Claude will personalize books and give a short introduction to this newest work. Wine will be served. Christo & Jeanne-Claude will receive no income from the sale of the book." If you have an art lover, or a Gates lover, on your list then this may be the perfect present to pick up.
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Location:The Strand (828 Broadway at 12th St.) Cost: Free
"Unfortunately, the Buddha never taught a sutra called 'How to Practice Compassion in The Age of Multinational Capitalism.' No ancient Indian meditator tried to be mindful while sending a text message. No nun in a Tibetan monastery had to learn loving-kindness while being bombarded 24/7 by ads constructed to undermine her self-esteem. But if we want to understand the relevance of Buddhism here and now, then we have to learn how to do all of these things. "
Date: Wednesday, December 14th (and every Wednesday after) Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm Location: Lila Yoga and Dharma Center(302 Bowery at Houston, Buzzer #2) Cost: By donation
Not to be missed by any punk fans, rock photographer Bob Gruen discusses his new DVD “The New York Dolls – All Dolled Up.” The DVD is a documentary capturing the band in their early years and includes performances, TV shows and interviews over a three year period. Should be interesting as Gruen followed the band from early performances in NY and then on their tour of the west coast.
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 7:00pm Location: Borders Bookstore (10 Columbus Circle - 57th St. & 8th Ave) Cost: Free
Society For The Preservation Of Alcohol & Alcohol Traditions
Honetly, I dont know if I can put this any better myself, so I'll just let the folks over at The Onion explain...
"The monthly meeting of The Onion Society For The Preservation Of Alcohol & Alcohol Traditions has been set for Wednesday, December 14 at Common Ground on Avenue A in the East Village.This month, The Society pays tribute to Jameson Irish Whiskey. From 7 to 9 p.m., enjoy complimentary Jameson drinks courtesy of The Society. All you alcohol preservationinsts over the age of 21 are welcome. So are your friends."
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 7pm - 9pm Venue: Common Ground, 206 Avenue A Cost: Free with RSVP
Barcade, for those of you who have been never dared venture west of Bedford Ave in Williamsburg, is one of my favorite local jaunts (or jawns if you are from Philly.) They house over a dozen fine crafted micro-brews on tap along with a full bar and over a dozen classic video games (including Tapper, Punch Out, and the quarter eating Rampage). Tonight they are having a sort of air guitar video game fundraiser where you will have a chance to win an XBox 360 in a raffle and play Guitar Hero on a big screen. All proceeds from the raffle and contest go to The Children's Hospital of Montefiore in the Bronx, via the Child's Play Charity.
Date: Tuesday, December 13th Time: 8:00pm Location: Union Ave between Ainsle and Powers, Williamsburg Cost: Free
Swing by the American Apparel Pop Up Shop in Tribeca today and check out some of Cliktrax's favorite videos of the year on the big screen. Videos by Soulwax, The Kills, Hot Chip, be your own PET, LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk, and lots more! Most importantly, free Red Stripe from 8 til 10. Plus, music by DJ Jaclyn of the Bangers. All party people receive a 10% discount on all store items.
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 8pm - 10pm Venue: American Apparel, 140 W. Broadway Cost: Free
If there is one thing you can for sure about us FreeNYC folks is that we love us some reggae, dub, dancehall, etc. If these things interest you as well, check out the Dubtempo monthly party at Manhatta. Tonight for your listening pleasure resident DJs Chicus, Apeanaut, DRM, and Karl Injex bring you the sounds of Rockers, Dancehall, Roots, Deep Reggae and other Jamaican inspired grooves.
"JAH WISE/TIPPATONE SOUND alongside DEADLYDRAGONSOUND.com presents a night in decemeber called "One Love inna Holiday Styleeee". FREE RED STRIPE BEER FROM 10PM-11PM." [swiped from Windchill]
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Location: Happy Ending (302 broome street btwn Forsyth & Eldridge) Cost: Free Open Bar: Red Stripe from 10 - 11
[redacted] I take it back, I reach out to Urb and they get back to me. Still love that magazine... Philly kids Plastic Little are poised to barnstorm the NYC scene with their unique and infectious take on hip hop and will perform live tonight. To counter balance their pop-sensibility, FreeNYC favorite Blockhead is also on the bill to bring the future of leftist trip-hop in a live laptop set. Dempsey and DJ Jer 2 round out the night. NOTE: Joe's pub is probably the most unorganized venue in the city (besides the Anthology Film Archives) so please do not hate us if there is a giant crowd of 100 people outside and they start an hour and a half late. It makes the Joe's Pub kids think they are cool and that people like them. To bad they put together good events. [re: hater and frostbitten from my last attempt to roll though])
Listen to Plastic Little's Brooklyn (mp3)
Listen to Plastic Little's Hypnotiq (mp3)
Listen to some Blockhead on MySpace
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 11:00pm Location: Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette) Cost: Free with RSVP
Todd Sines, Tim Xavier, Kevin "Micromini" McHugh, and Samuel Kirkland man the sounds at what I can only assume is a techno party tonight. Open Vodka Bar from 11-12... So... if you have been reading down this whole page (and there is a lot of crap today so I don't think you did) then you will notice that this is the 2nd party at Happy Ending tonight... That means you can get 2 hrs of open bar, reggae on one floor and techno on the other, and create a seriously confused and inebriated night for yourself... enjoy!
Date: Wednesday, December 14th Time: 11:00pm - 4:00am Location: Happy Ending (302 broome street btwn Forsyth & Eldridge) Cost: Free Open Bar: Vodka from 10 - 11
The Whitest Kids NYC comedy troupe presents a collection of their favorite comedy sketches. There will also be brand new video pieces!
They have been previously noted by Time Out in the Best of 2004 for their comedy shows.
Today I came home from work, walked into my bedroom, took a look around, and was totally annoyed by the piles of stuff I have all over the place. While the piles of crap I have in my room have accumulated solely because I'm lazy and well frankly, too busy to clean, others have been accumulating their stuff in the name of art. The Accumulation Project "is both an experiment and a challenge. The idea is simple. Twenty-one selected accumulators (people) have chosen an accumulate (usually an object of some kind) to either acquire or produce over the course of one year. (Accumulation began September 1, 2005, and will continue until September 1, 2006.) The accumulates will be used as source material for two gallery exhibitions... The purpose of these two exhibitions is to compare the development and progress of each project, and to explore the role that time plays in them." Today is the opening of the first show and the 21 artists will have the first three months worth of their stuff.
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 11am - 5pm Venue: Lunarbase Gallery, 197 Grand Street, Williamsburg Cost: Free
From the time I was four 'til I was about sixteen I spent all of my time in the ballet studio. Specifically during this time of the year when I was constantly rehearing and preforming the Pennsylvania Ballet's version of The Nutcracker. So while I am totally a sucker for this. Today, The New York Theater Ballet preforms The Nutcracker at the World Financial Center. "The Sugar Plum Fairy, toy soldiers, the Mouse King and Clara come to life in this version of the timeless tale, The Nutcracker. This one-hour version is the perfect starter ballet, where even the littlest tykes feel the magic of the enchanted holiday production."
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 12:30pm Location: World Finacial Center, Winter Garden (click for map) Cost: Free
For this exhibit, 50 international artists have drafted proposals for a monument to the United States of America. "Freed from contextual, budgetary, or practical constraints, the proposals reflect each artist's ideas about the type of monument the people of the United States currently need or deserve. Their proposals may address particular values or ideals, group or individual histories, institutions or places. The nature of these hypothetical monuments, meanwhile, may be material or immaterial, permanent or ephemeral, practical or whimsical." The proposals will take the form of "drawings, diagrams, maquettes, photo collages, written descriptions, wall paintings, sculptural models, or other media." Sorry, no graphic.
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Location: White Columns (320 west 13th street.. entrance on horatio street between 8th avenue and hudson street) map Cost: Free
JD Sampson from Le Tigre is launching her new calendar JD's Lesbian Utopia with an installation and photography exhibit at Deitch that opens tonight. The project is an account of JD and friends road trip across Southern US, visiting lesbian campgrounds in search of a 'Lesbian Utopia.' The gallery exhibit includes a life size rainbow RV replicate of the one they traveled in, video footage, and collaborative works by Cass Bird, Lex Vaughn, Dusty Lombardo, and Sasha Anthome. Hollin Gammag and Lesbians on Ecstasy play live.
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Location: Deitch Projects (76 Grand Street between Wooster and Greene) Cost: Free
Rachel Stella, daughter of artist Frank Stella will be screening her latest work "The Body Image in Cristóbal Gabarrón’s Art: 1963-2005" for free tonight at the Chelsea Museum. A panel discussion will follow with both director and subject.
Date: Thursday, December 15th
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Chelsea Art Museum (556 West 22 Street at 11th Ave)
Cost: Free with RSVP
Any way you approach it, you can't go wrong with a thursday evening listening to authors and poets read their finest lesbian erotica. The Drunken! Careening! Writers! series is back at KGB tonight featuring the works of Eleen Myles, Anna Bishop, Skian McGuire and Zaedryn Meade.
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 7:00pm Location: KGB Bar (85 East 4th Street) Cost: Free
Nice and easy after work throw down with boys who have more pairs of shoes then the girls that they love (I mean, their dj is Dr. Dunks). Free booze (I assume) and more over at the new aNYthing store.
Tonight head down to the Lower East Side, Hester Street for the aNYthing block party! Should be fun as not many things beat free booze and the chance to do some shopping. Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm Location: aNYthing 51 Hester Street Cost: Free
Uh, sometimes things come through to us that I need to decode in order to decipher some sort of event out of, however this one speaks for itself...
"Mustaches for Kids, New York's favorite (and quite possibly only holiday-season mustache-growing charity concludes its follicular fundraiser with the 2005 Sweetest Stache Competition. This event is the jewel in the mustache crown -- a cross between a beauty pageant, costume ball, and police line-up.
For the past four weeks, participants ("Growers") have been raising money for the Children's Hospital of New Orleans by growing sweet, sweet mustaches. They have suffered indignities, climbed whisker mountains, and resisted the temptations of the razor. On December 15, our 40-plus Growers will assemble to participate in a grueling competition, which will include the all-important Beer Foam Retention Test, the How Does It Feel? tactile challenge, and several other rounds designed to identify the one man who will proudly wear the crown and sash of the Mustache King of New York. Our Growers will be judged by their peers, using scrupulously developed criteria and
mustache expertise." [swiped from NonsenseNYC]
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 8:00pm Venue:Fontana's, 105 Eldridge between Broome and Grand Cost: Free
So Santa makes a list and apprently so does the Bastard Jazz's Digging Deeper party. However their list is 12 names long and is made up of local DJs. Our boys DRM & Sema4 over are pulling out another heavy party full of fine key words like "dub vibes" and "latin jems." Tonight at Leopard Lounge check out TMonkOne, Sabo, $mall Change, Chris Annibell, DRM & Sema4, DJ Marihito, Paul Digs, Captain Planet, Chicus, Seis Ocho, and Apeanaut all spinning half hour sets. Plus an open bar from 10 til 11, and half price Coronas til 12. This is a good one kids, it's in an intimate spot and is a nice alternative to the scenster Thursday night mayhem.
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 9:00pm Location: Leopard Lounge (248 E. 5th Stat 2nd Ave) Cost: Free
Who's Ronnie? Who are these people? Who are these DJs? Best that I can figure is that they are the the swank NYC elite, come to celebrate with one another. Why would I ever want to hang out with them? Because they have a two hour open bar from 10 - 12 and passed food from 10 - 11. Come out tonight and get to know Ronnie and wish him a happy birthday.
Date: Thursday, December 15th Time: 10:00pm Location: Guest House and Home (542, 532 West 27th) Cost: Free with RSVP
"Children's Workshop School on East 12th Street is having a Holiday Arts and Crafts sale to benefit the school. The sale will have crafts, music cds, books, and fresh baked." Sometimes in NYC we forget that we are a part of an actual community. Go buy a cookie and support public schools!
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 8:30am - 3:00pm Location: Children's Workshop School (East 12th Street between A and B) Cost: Free
I'm not a big Howard fan as my freshman year roommate used to wake me up every day by laughing out loud to farting contests. He's a NJ state trooper now. "Howard's last day on terrestrial radio is Dec 16th. He's going to hit the streets and march up to the Sirius building. He's packing up all his crap and turning the event into a parade of wack packers and crazed fans. It will be a huge Stern Show event and you're all invited."
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: ??? (morning) Location: Howard Stern Building(40 West 57th St) Cost: Free
Its another free Friday down at the South Street Seaport. Visit the Museum galleries during special extended hours from 6-9 pm and enjoy some special events. I am personally down with the rum tasting but there is lots of family fun too. Full list of events after the jump.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm Location: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street Cost: Free
6 – 9pm: Family Fun! Join us for a cup of warm cider and a candle-making workshop. Light up your holidays with your own handmade scented candles!
6 – 9pm: Explore the presents of holidays past, with a visit to our exhibition Child's Play at the Seaport: Toys, Dolls and Games from the 19th and Early 20th Centuries.
6 and 7 pm: Singing Christmas Tree. Step outside our doors and enjoy carols performed by the world famous South Street Seaport Singing Christmas Tree. This annual tradition is presented by the South Street Seaport Marketplace.
7 pm: Warm your bones with a rum tasting and enjoy a special book talk as Ian William discusses his Rum: A Social and Sociable History of 1776.
Before taking the stage tonight at Pacha (see below) funky house legend will put 2 full hours in behind the decks at Satellite Records. There will be free Red Bull and Vodka on hand to get you dancing early. Where they are going to put everyone in the tiny store, I have no idea!
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Location: Satellite Records (259 Bowery) Cost: Free
"Free Guinness, Harp Lager, Molinari Sambuca and Fernet-Branca. If you don't get drunk here, then I'm useless. Lauren Gerrie, an Orange County native, brings her art to this East Village boutique. One piece involves seven different pairs of pants, ranging from vintage denim to khakis, illuminating the question of whether men dress to portray a specific identity, or if their identity informs their dress. Bring your friends, and engage them in this important debate whilst sipping Sambuca shots and twirling your hairs. It will be so classy and chic, yet charmingly eccentric. Just like you." [guest written by my long lost brother from a different mother, Seva from myopenbar.com]
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 7:30pm - 10:30pm Location: Famous Friends Boutique (616 East 9th Street between B & C) Cost: Free
indieWIRE present some of it’s favourite film bloggers they will discuss various aspects of film making and their blogging. Those confirmed so far include: Karina Longworth (Cinematical), Scott Macaulay (Filmmaker Magazine Blog) and Alison Willmore (IFC News). The event will be moderated by indieWIRE Editor in Chief (and blogger) Eugene Hernandez.
Date: Friday, Decmeber 16th Time: 7.30pm – 9.00pm Location: Apple Store Soho 103 Prince Street btw Mercer and Greene Cost: Free
It’s getting cold. So NY Press wants you to tromp around Park Slope is a drunken stupor as their first annual Brooklyn Bar Crawl commences. there will be prizes and drink specials along the way. And if you make it to Commonwealth (see bar list below the jump) there is free Original Sin cider for all. You need to RSVP by Thursday but it's probably just to build their email list.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 8:00pm Location: starts at Long Tan (196 Fifth Ave between Union and Berkley, Park Slope) Cost: Free with RSVP
Start your evening off by dropping by the XLR8R holiday party at APT. Hang out, have some free vodka or Red Stripe from 9 to 10 and listen to the sounds of DJ's Star Eyes and James F#&king Friedman. No RSVP and apparently no underware either, as after XLR8R shops out, Mr. Friedman drops anchor for his record release Go Commando.
So sometimes I get giddy about big DJ's. I am fascinated that there are no new ones (and people don't take the new guys that we love as seriously) but still... sometimes you just need to sweat it out on the dancefloor. And tonight is that night. Not one, but two great house legends take the floor at swanky Pacha tonight. Doc Martin bring the best in left coast funky house while Josh Wink bring that good old acid house funk. Mateo and Matmos hold down the opener (or closer?) with the sound of classic New York house. Go house Microgenres! Its all free before midnight on the guest list.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 10:00pm Location: Pacha (618 West 46th Street) Cost: Free with Guest List
By now we've hammered The Glass into your head enough. Their infectious dance-rock bring any standard issue night on the town into a beat driven frenzy that keeps the kids out well past their bedtime. Tonight they are celebrating the release of their mini album at Scenic with a free show. Get there early to get going with the open bar. Spencer Product and others hold down the tables at this hipster weekly.
Date: Friday, December 16th Time: 10:00pm Location:Scenic (25 Avenue B) Cost: Free
I'm guessing they had a launch party the first time around, but why not have another one this time around for Dirty Down? Tonight celebrate the return of Cut with their launch party. On deck tonight is Dack Attack, The Captain, Roy Dank and Star Eyes. And whats a launch party with no free drinks, so grab some free vodka from 12 to 1.
If you missed last weekends Santacon or can’t get enough of fancy dress pub-crawls this ones for you. It is basically the same thing as the Santacon but organized by a separate group, there is no hotline so arrive on time or miss out! Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: Meet at 11.00am leaving approx 11.45am Location: Meet at Katz's Deli, East Houston and Ludlow Street Cost: Free
LeNell's, our favorite liquor store that we are too lazy to go out to, is tempting us again this weekend with a mead tasting. For those of you who are not certified alcoholics wine lovers, mead is wine made with fermented honey. Come and become entranced by its sweet goodness while eating free sweet treats from Baked. Continues on Sunday.
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 12:00pm - 12:00am (12-9 on Sunday) Location: LeNell's Ltd (416 Van Brunt Street, Red Hook) Cost: Free
"Join BUST Magazine for a massive holiday shopping bonanza running all day (and all of the night) at the Warsaw in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, featuring crowds of crafters, cocktails, DJs, and dancing! Celebrity crafters/authors Brini Maxwell, Ayun Halliday, Jenny Hart, and more, will be on hand to sign copies of their books! Get jiggy with "Jingle Bells" and a gin and tonic as you browse through hundreds of handmade winter wares, from handbags and knitwear to ornaments, jewelry, and cards."
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 12:00pm - 12:00am Where:The Warsaw (261 Driggs Ave at Eckford, Greenpoint) Cost: Free
Join the Time's Up Bike Lane Clown Brigade as they invade the streets to take back the bike lanes of NYC. "The Clown Brigade will ticket motor vehicles in the bike lanes to draw attention to what the NYPD should be doing: enforcing laws that protect bicyclists, and in particular, ticketing motorists who violate Section 4-08(e), which explicitly prohibits stopping, standing and parking within, or otherwise obstructing, bike lanes. All in good fun. Keep city streets safe for everyone!"
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 2:00pm Location: Washington Square Park, Near Arch Cost: Free
If you are still in need of Christmas gifts head down to La Superette this Saturday or Sunday. La Superette is an art market where artists sell handmade gifts including light fixtures, stuffed animals and homemade clothes. In addition to the sale there will be live performances by PG Six, Chris Nelson, Watersports, Anti:Clockwise, Fire in the Kitchen, Rhizome, and Mighty Robot. Continues Sunday (1-6).
It's all about the throwback, Northern Soul style, at this monthly party. Motown, 60's grooves, and more grace the tables along with "groovy 1960's projections."
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Location:Rififi (332 East 11th between 1st and 2nd Aves) Cost: Free
In my family we manage to have Hanukkah and Christmas living peacfully under one roof. But tonight the two go head to head at Luke and Leroy for Holiday Hustle (part 3) CHRISTMAS Vs. HANUKKAH. On music duty will be Mini Bar, Christian Ablang, Trick E. Dick, Rumblestrip Jones, Ryan C. - The 27 year old virgin and Mike Rotchburns (Neil aka Santa). Open vodka bar from Santa/Hanukkah Harry from 12 to 1. And here is a bit from the fine establishment that is Luke and Leroy...
"NOTE: While you are destroying yourself at the bar all the profits will be going to the 7th Precinct’s Underprivileged Children's Christmas party - so drink up!!! Have a Safe and Happy Chrishanakwanzakah!"
Date: Saturday, December 17th Time: 11pm Location: Luke and Leroy, 21 7th Ave South Cost: Free
Tetine were my first introduction to the dirty brazillian sound of Funk Carioca (Rio Funk). Before the days of West Side Gang Bang, before all the Diplo lovin that was going on, these guys were breaking barriers on London radio. Tonight they return to pack SOB's to spin obscure underground post punk from the streets of Sao Paulo. I am expecting this to sound like the bastard child of a drunken affair between DJ Malboro and an early Clash Bootleg but you will just have to roll through to find out. Party starts late at 1:00am.
"St. Teresa of Avila in South Ozone Park, Queens is hosting a Crafts and Holiday Gift Festival to benefit the school. The festival... will have free crafts for children while their parents shop, fresh baked goods and a 50/50 raffle. We have a diverse mix of crafts and unique holiday gift items."
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm Location: St. Teresa of Avila (130th Street between 109th Avenue and 111th Avenue) Cost: Free
While I have no idea about this event, everyone I mention it to is totally excited about it or jealous that their work is not in it so I will simply quote flavorpill who have the drop on it... "Tisch School of the Arts' Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) features a small group of new-media misfits that shares genes with the tech-inspired artists at the MIT Media Lab and Parsons' Design and Technology program. Final projects are on display from a variety of ITP courses with intriguingly weird titles, such as "Designing for the Five Senses," "The World: Pixel by Pixel," and "Personal Expression and Wearable Technologies." Like all student shows, it can be a mixed bag, but there are enough brilliant ideas here to balance out any mediocre virtual-reality screensavers. (GD)" continues Monday from 5 - 9
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 2:00pm - 6:00pm Location: 721 Broadway at Waverly Place (4th Floor, South Elevators) Cost: Free, may need ID for security
This started in 1992 and has apparently become somewhat of a NY tradition. Composer Kline leads massive chorus of boom boxes through the streets of Greenwich Village in the 14th annual holiday presentation of "Unsilent Night." Participants bring their own Boom boxes and are given parts of the composition on cassettes. At the given signal, participants simultaneously press play following a pre-determined route to finish in Tompkins Square Park less than an hour and a mile later.
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 6:45pm Location: Meet under the arch at Washington Square Park Cost: Free with RSVP
Joe Ryan has made posters for rock acts such as Sonic Youth and TV on the Radio. Tonight he will be discussing his new book: "100 Posters, 134 Squirrels, a Decade of Hot Dogs, Large Mammals, and Independent Rock: The Handcrafted Art of Jay Ryan."
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 7:00pm Location: Lit (93 Second Ave Between 9th and 10th) Cost: Free
Tonight Mary Gaitskill reads from her new novel ‘Veronica.’ A recommended NYT read and described as a ‘mesmerizingly dark novel.’ She is most well known for writing the short story the ‘Secretary’ that the 2002 film was based on. Noria Jablonski reads from her collection 'Human Oddities.'
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm Location: KGB Bar (85 East 4th Street) Cost: Free
"Kayrock Screenprinting's annual holiday party, featuring the first our Black Sabbath records played loud. With mulled wine and sweet leaf. Unlike any other Christmas party[...] NOTE: Another fine holiday tradition. Expect dark Christmas trees topped with pentagrams. We like to bring brownies to share." [swiped from NonsenseNYC]
Date: Sunday, December 18th Time: 8pm Location: Monster Island building, Kent and Metropolitan (enter in the back), W'burg Cost: Free
Get yourself into the holiday spirit this evening by joining in as the St. Bart's Church attemps to break the world record for 'Largets Carol Service.' The project is in partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS so perhaps there will be some professional voices alongside the scores of holiday faithfuls.
Date: Monday, December 19th Time: 6:00pm Location: St. Bart's Church (Park Ave. between 50th & 51st St.) Cost: Free
Right about now your probably confused and saying to yourself "there have been way more than 3 Christmas', like about 2005 of them." And while I am not so sure what the "III" references (years of preformances maybe) I have been told that this is one to see...
"The tale of wandering ghosts looking for comfort during the holiday season. Live music (trumpet, violin, mandolin, trombone, and french horn) and choreography. [This] Williamsburg-based renegade theater troupe that will... remind you of the plays you used to put on in your parent's basement or garage. Here's what she has to say on the subject of Bonnie Pipkin: 'A good example of theater that doesn't suck, just completely 100 percent in no way sucks, which is kind of rare. No-budget, amateur, passionate, and poignant.'" [swiped from NonsenseNYC]
Date: Monday, December 19th Time: 9:30pm Location: Royal Oak, Union and Richardson, W'burg Cost: Free
It's Monday so it's time for your weekly pop in at Sway. Tonight pint sized graf sensation Claw (sweet Harry! piece BTW) joins here party promoting counterpart to bring Beau Parisi and Queen Majesty to the deck. This is a weekly throwdown for the party girls who run this town and the boys that love them. Expect dubrootsreggaedancehall from the queen and... well... I have no Idea for Beau. No cover but no open bar either.
Date: Monday, December 19th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Location: Sway (305 Spring St.) Cost: Free
Left coast lifestyle mag Anthem (which is amazing BTW), is teaming up with my favorite karaoke weekly to present a very special installment of the insanity that is Karaoke Killed the Cat. There will be massive giveaways including limited edition Anthem posters, magazines, and CDs. Come out and get your swag on while I serenade you with a tone-deaf rendition of Let it Be Me.
Free screening of the summer camp horror film, The Burning (1981). And if scary eighties movies don't get you there, maybe the $3 PBR all night long will lure you in.
Date: Monday, December 19th Time: 10pm Location: Rififi (332 11th St. bet. 1st and 2nd Ave.) Cost: Free with one drink min.
Usually we find big name corporate sponsorship really scary, and well, othertimes when they get creative and give a little back to the people, we kinda like it. Today at The Pond in Bryant Park the first hundred people that show up visablly wearing (your undies dont count!) blue, get free skate renatls courtesy of the big airline that has the word blue in their name.
Date: Tuesday, Decemeber 20th Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm Location: The Pond at Bryant Park, 41st Street & 6th Avenue Cost: Free
Challenging the “Charity Mentality”: Disability and the Media
Remember in the summer time when I was posting free movie screenings on a daily basis? Well I know its been a while, but here is a screening of a couple docs with some social consciousness. Tonight at the Lantern Free Film Screening: Disability and the Media check out two films, Fast and Reliable which documents the story of Dexter Benjamin, a NYC bike messenger with one leg and The Kids Are All Right a documentary about a renegade Jerry's Kid named Mike Ervin who was s Muscular Dystrophy Association poster child in the 1960s.
Date: Tuesday, December 20th Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm Location: 330 W 38th Street, btw 8th and 9th Ave., Suite 511 Cost: Free
Well kids, the strike is on! And while the walk over the bridge this morning wasn't all that bad, once the sun goes down it promises to be a bit more nippy. If you are looking for a way to warm up and have some strike fun, there is rumor of a big Critical Mass bike ride tonight. The ride is set to meet at 7pm in Union Square. Bike safe!
Date: Tuesday, December 20th Time: 7:00pm Location: Union Square, 14th and Broadway Cost: Free
Mo Pitkins continues to bring the free comedy shows to the plate. Chicks and Giggles, is an all female comedy show hosted by Laugh Factory's Carolyn Castiglia. Nice spot to laugh away the cold.
Date: Tuesday, December 20th Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm Location: Mo Pitkins (34 Avenue A) Cost: Free
Vic Ruggiero - band leader, singer, and keyboard player of the fine NYC ska outfit The Slackers - takes the stage tonight with his side project down at punk rock staple Niagara. While unfamiliar with this particular band, if you are into ska, The Slackers, or any of that rocksteady keyboard loving then this is not to be missed. Expect a mixed bag crowd to welcome this Brooklyn boy home. Highly Recommended!
In case you haven't noticed yet, we love Nublu. And in case you need something to do this evening, I suggest you head over in their direction. Tonight you will find Kudu and Send in their Tuesday night home, spinning this evening will be Ulysses from Scatalogics and Fa King Tosh from Codek. Now it does cost five bucks to get through the door but I promise you good music, at a good bar, with good people.
Date: Tuesday, December 20th Time: 9:00pm - 4:00am Location: Nublu, C between 3rd and 4th Cost: $5
Patrick Rood, the man behind Cut (and several other parties we love) mans the decks tonight is a very special DJ set along sided local hero Spencer Product at the Tuesday weekly We Bite. There will most likely be some sort of booze from 10-11. This is one of the weeklies that always delivers.
Date: Tuesday, December 20th Time: 10:00pm Location: Happy Ending (302 Broome Street betwen Eldridge & Forsyth) Cost: Free Open Bar: something, 10 - 11
This Wednesday, and every Wednesday until January 4th, The man made ice skating rink at Bryant park - known as The Pond - will host an evening of skating, meet and greet, youth hockey clinics, and autograph sessions with the NY Rangers and their alumni. Skate rental is available for a fee but skating is free.
Date: Wednesday, November 21rd Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm Location: Bryant Park (42nd between 5th and 6th) Cost: Free
American Apparel continues to woo you in to their store with the cheapest free beer possible. Win $50 worth of goods in the poloroid contest or just drink their free beer from 8-11. This is where I will be on my walk back home from work tonight.
Date: Wednesday, December 21st Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm Location: American Apparel, Williamsburg (104 North 6th between Berry and Wythe) Cost: Free Open Bar: PRB, 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Tonight if you can face the trek, DJs BP Fallon & Mojo will be putting on their Wednesday rock n roll party with live performances from Clara Venus, We are America, Fur Cups For Teeth, The Specimen and The Cool and Deadly.
Date: Wednesday, December 21st Time: 8.30pm Location: The Delancey, 168 Delancey Street at Clinton Cost: Free
Just as nightlife was starting to reach its winter time dip, and all of our favorite parties decided to start charging $5 at the door, Philth-y is here to shed some new sounds on the scene. This new party is bringing some more innovative DJs to the scene as well as some big UK hitters to smaller venues stateside.
Tonight's follow up brings Spank Rock back to the scene in NY. This Baltimore duo drop some serious breaks, mash ups, and general good time party music. Lets hope the L&L system can handle the low end and the upstairs floor can handle the crowd.
Listen to a sampler of Spank Rock's album, Viola (player)
Date: Wednesday, December 21st Time: 9:00pm Location: Luke and Leroy (21 Seventh Ave at Leroy) Cost: Free
The Pure Fire weekly is throwing their holiday party tonight. Features include: food, sweets, and bourbon eggnog. DJs include I-Sound, Jason Blackkat, and NRon. Styles include rap, grime, crunk, dancehall, breakcore, reggaeton, and jungle. Another good way to beat the miserable commute home.
Date: Wednesday, December 21st Time: 9:00pm - late Location: Tonic, Subtonic (107 Norfolk) Cost: Free
This party started as the great party I was not going to post due to the cover (and there is no reason to pay to get into 6's & 8's on a weekday). But then the Mass Appeal crew and took care of the door for you so here you go...
Join Mass Appeal as they celebrate the holidays with long time NYC hip-hop producers Marley Marl and Jer2. Expect hip hop classics from Ghetto Boys to Jay Z upstairs while the Dubtempo crew (featuring Chicus, DRM, and Tim Wagner) bring roots, reggae, future dub and dancehall to the basement (where I will be... throwing back free Red Stripe from 10-11). It all goes down for free with the secret password.
Date: Wednesday, December 21st Time: 10:00pm Location: 6's and 8's (205 Chrystie at Stanton) Cost: Free (say "Joanne Carolino" at the door) Open Bar: Red Stripe, 10:00pm - 11:00pm
Free Aguila beer from 10 - 11 and $2 shots of Jack all night are the draw at this Sway weekly. No word on the DJs tonight but they have had some good ones in the past.
Date: Wednesday, December 20th Time: 10:00pm Location: Sway (305 Spring St. btw Greenwich + Hudson St.) Cost: Free Open Bar: Aquila Beer, 10:00pm - 11:00pm
Housing Works - a minority-controlled, community-based, not-for-profit corporation providing housing, health care, advocacy, job training, and vital supportive services to homeless New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS - is hosting a little party tonight to get you into their thrift shop and spend some cash. The shop is full of old rock tees, vintage records and other treats to be discovered. Tonight's party will feature free snacks, a DJ, and free beer. This is a great pit stop on your long, cold walk home.
Date: Thursday, December 22nd Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm Location: Housing Works Thrift Shop (245 West 10th St) Cost: Free Open Bar: beer
From the aNYthing crew... "Walk, Skate, Bicycle, Flap Yer Wings, Or Take An Over-Priced Taxi.... Do Whatever You Have To Get Down To The LES & Get Yer Book Signed By Espo. Check The Website For The Exclusive Espo Drop! Plus, New Songs Added To Genre Now Radio! Check It, Check It! Official Tissue!"
Date: Thursday, December 22nd Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm Locaton: aNYthing (51 Hester St. btwn Ludlow & Essex) Cost: Free
This unconventional documentary from Ron Mann explores the concept that individuals can achieve monumental change by altering the most trivial aspects of their lives. The documentary follows actor Woody Harrelson and cast characters on a bus ride down California's Pacific Coast Highway to promote social change on a global level by opting to modify our current customary, often environmentally damaging actions.
Date: Thursday, Dec 22nd Time: 8.00 pm Location: Time's Up! Space, 49 E. Houston St. between Mott and Mulberry Cost: Free
Mark your calendars, open bar lovers, as it is not often the you find an alcohol as fine as Grey Goose being served up for free (trust me, we try and get sponsorship from them all the time). But that's the case tonight as Newlite Muzik (sic) launches their new Sorted party. As far as the music goes, it seems that DJ Shan Boogie will be holding it down with the soulful side of hip-hop.
Date: Thursday, December 22nd Time: 10:00pm Location: Mannahatta (316 Bowery at Bleeker) Cost: Free with RSVP Open Bar: Grey Goose, 10-11
Tonight Happy Ending hosts the Something Tight party where DJ's Timmy and Telfar serve it up with fierce gay dance hits.
Expect free pizza at 1am! It will be especially tasty if you take advantage of the 2-4-1 Wells and Beer 11.00pm till midnight.
Date: Thursday, December 22nd Time: 10:00pm Location: Happy Ending (302 Broome Street betwen Eldridge & Forsyth) Cost: Free
If you have been a FreeNYC reader for any short period of time I'm guessing you have read a post or two about TOTH (thats Turntable on the Hudson to those of you that are still green). The name is basically self explainatory. So as I'm writing this the temperature outside is 20 degrees, which is a bit too nippy for frigid qaters of the Hudson. So Nickodemus and Nappy G have packed up shop and taken up their winter home at Cielo. Tonight check out their five hour set of global, funk, jazz, dancefloor extravaganza.
Listen to Nickodemus' album Endangered Specieshere, oh and here.
Date: Thursday, December 22nd Time: 11pm - 4am Venue: Cielo, 18 Little West 12th Cost: Free
Book arts have always been my first design love. I don't care if they are letterpressed books of the 19th century, hand crafted journals, or a photocopied 'zine, there is something gripping about the marriage of a books tactile effect along with the contents paginated storytelling. Tonight is a rare chance to enjoy About Glamour's exhibition of hand crafted books, zines, prints and more. Check out some of the work on the site. Continues through the 29th
Date: Friday, December 23rd Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm Location: About Glamour (103 North 3rd St. between Berry & Wythe, Williamsbug) Cost: Free
Well kids the strike is over, its Christmas Eve Eve, and this year is almost out the door, so my advice to you is go out and celebrate the end of your 3 mile walks to work and the holidays with a bit of dancing and some free vodka. Tonight at West Side Gangbang at Luke And Leroy is King Solomon and DJ Jayceeoh. But don't let the flyer fool you, its $5 to get in, but hey its Friday and its been a long week!
Date: Friday, December 23rd Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Location: Luke & Leroy, 21 7th Ave. South Cost: $5 Open Bar: some kind of vodka 11 to 12
If your a true NYC local (i.e. hanging with your Brooklynite parents tomorrow night) or just staying in the city for the holidays, China 1 may be a good stomping ground for your Xmas eve. Christmas movies play all night, DJ Toshi spins hip-hop, rock, and funk, and $1 shots every hour help you forget all the money you spent on presents.
Date: Saturday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) Time: 6:00pm - 4:00am Location: China 1 Restaurant & Lounge (50 Avenue B @ 4th St.) Cost: Free ($5 optional donation goes to NY Neediest Cases Fund)
"Join us for a fun and leisurely ride to see the miracle mile of
Christmas Lights and decorations in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. The
spectacular displays draw 150,000 visitors a year who come from as
far away as Japan. So come prepared with bicycle bells ringing to the
tune of Jingle Bells. It's fun to ride in cold weather! Bring pocket
food and dress in layers. You might also want to bring a thermos of
cocoa or better. (But what could be better than cocoa?)" [from nonsense]
Date: Sunday, December 25th Time: 4:00pm (sharp) Location: City Hall (Southwest corner of Chambers and Centre Street, across from the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge) Cost: Free Note: or 4:45pm at 3rd Street and Prospect Park West in Brooklyn
Tonight DJ Rekha takes a slight deviation from the usual Basement Bhangra madness to bring us some "retro filmi disco grooves" with another installement of her Bollywood Disco party. Great way to work off that Christmas meal. 2-1 drinks after 10pm... Highly recommended!
Date: Sunday, December 25th Time: 8:00pm Locations: Sullivan Room (218 Sullivan Street) Cost: $5 before 9pm ($12 after)
Whenever I post events with DJs the likes of Frankie Bones, I have flashbacks to about 6 years ago, as a skinny short haired blonde girl in UFOs and a camo backpack. Ha, ok anyway... For all you local kids (or non-xmas-ers), once Christmas day comes to an end and you can't possibly hang with the fam anymore, you can always hit up another Family Affair. Stop by Drae & Chrislove's 4th annual Holiday Party, with DJs Frankie Bones, Joeski, Kech, Elle, Chris Love and Drae.
Date: Sunday, December 25th Time: 9pm Location: Slate, 54 West 21st Cost: Free
If you are not down with spending Christmas... well... celebrating Christmas. And if Chinese food and movies is not your idea of a good time then why not try on a little Israeli Hip-Hop tonight. Y-Love takes teh stage alongside DJ Equal, Jake Break, and DJ Handler as part of the Sephardic Music Festival. The boys from Modular Moods provide the back drop as Y-Love drops Talmudic rhymes in English, Arabic, Yiddish, and Hebrew.
Date: Sunday, December 25th Time: 9:30pm Location: Leopard Lounge (248 5th st. (at 2nd ave) Cost: Free
Well Christmas is has come and gone, you gave gifts, you've recieved gifts, and the family has all gone home, so why not go out and grab a drink. Its Monday night so that means its another round at Sway. Tonight is DJ EN-L and no cover!
Date: Monday, December 26th Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am Venue: Sway, 305 Spring St Cost: Free
DJ's Qool Marv,Chris Annibell (afrokinetic) & OBaH bring you the best in rock, soul, classic hiphop and world rhythms at this Monday weekly.
Date: Monday, December 26, 2005 Time: 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM Location: Sin Sin/The Leopard Lounge (248 E. 5th St. 5th St) Cost: Free
I'm going to stake ground here and say that Other Music is the city's best show for finding music the defies any sort of genre or category. So when the entire staff decides to take to the tables at APT tonight for their holiday bash, I can only assume that it is going to leave a good portion of the audience going "What is that? Who is that? Man, I need that record." Thankfully, the free drinks from 9-10 will help our brains lean back into APT's amazing soundsystem and simply enjoy the ride. Oh, and there is $5 rum punch for those of you who like to get boozy. This party run's til 4am but it's not like anyone is getting anything done at work this week.
Date: Tuesday, December 27th Time: 9:00pm - 4:00am Location: APT (419 West 13th Street) Cost: Free Open Bar: Vodka, 9:00pm - 10:00pm
Swiped this event flyer so I have no idea what's up but there is open bar from 9-10 if that's what you are looking for tonight. Oh damn, and one of my friends is the promoter... hmmm.... my guess is fake swank and you may want bring some girls but take a shot at it if you are game.
Date: Tuesday, December 27th Time: 9:00pm Location: One (1 Little West 12th) Cost: Free with RSVP Open Bar: Vodka, 9:00pm - 10:00pm
Here's a chance to see big time locals Aaron LaCrate and Mark Ronson in a small LES setting. Expect booty hip-hop, Baltimore Club and thugged out beats.
Date: Tuesday, December 27th Time: 10:00pm Location: Kingsize (Essex between Canal and Hester) Cost: Free
Free screening of Jeremy Marre’s documentary about the life and times of Bob Marley.
Date: Wednesday, December 28th Time: 7:00pm Location: International Student Center, Common Lounge (38 West 88th between Central Park West and Columbus Ave) Cost: Free, donations welcome
It's another weekly installment of Delancey rock staple Death Disco. The personal highlight of this night of free bands is an early set (8:15) by Cyberpunk tinged disco rocker's Naked Highway who kind of remind me of that night that Billy Idol did speed with KMFDM while listening to late Clash records. Oh, that never happened? Well if it did then this would be the result. Also on the bill are Lampa,Nemo,Moto:Rosa, and Four Volts.
Tonight is the final Bang over at No. 1 Chinese. Enjoy their usual open bar and sweaty goodness before the new year and a move to (standard issue) Beauty Bar.
Date: Wednesday, December 28th Time: 10:00pm Location:No. 1 Chinese (50 Ave B at 4th Street) Cost: Free Open Bar: Svedka, 10:00pm - 11:00pm
There are good and bad sides to this one. The good is you can get into this $13 event for five bucks, the bad is you gots to have a lot of time to kill. Tonight, check out Basement Bhangra at S.O.B.'s, it's the realease party for Bikram Singh's American Jugni, with DJ Rekha and DJ MS. To get in for cheap you've got to show up before 8pm, howevre there are benefits here, there are free mojitos from 7 to 8, and then some dance lessons at 9.
Date: Thursday, December 29th Time: Doors at 7:00pm, Show at 10:00pm Location: S.O.B.'s, 204 Varick Street Cost: $5 before 8:00pm
Another DJ dance party at The Delancey which has been the only venue hitting it hard this week. Link, Shanedaddy, dMarie & Instrinsic, DJ Microbes, Winter, Scantron, and Linzee all share duties on the tables with an open bar to kick it off.
Date: Friday, December 30th Time: 10:00pm Location: The Delancey (168 Rivington St btwn Clinton & Attorney) Cost: Free Open Bar: 10:00pm - 11:00pm
In case you your gonna miss their Brooklyn NYE House party, catch the Cut party one last time in '05. In their home at Lit, you've got J. Maz Dave Elliot DJing upstairs, and Star Eyes and Dack Attack downstairs. There is the 12 to 1 open vodka and Red Bull Bar you must remeber to ask the door guy (Nate) for the Spider Stamp.
We've thought long and hard on how to approach New Year's Eve. Obviously there are not going to be any great free parties with flowing champagne all night long (no matter how hard we tried to find one.) But we did want to give you some good alternatives to all of the $200 a night bank buster events that are going down. So below you will find our picks for good, affordable activities for the evening.
Also, this is a chance to say thank you to all of the readers (most of all), promoters, DJs, sponsors, and all around nightlife fiends who have helped us out over the year. This has been a great one for FreeNYC and 2006 promises to be even better. So thank you so much for your continued support and we'll see you in the new year! - Chris, publisher
The Body Temple NYE Party is a world celebration of the new year, literally. I'm not even exactly sure where to begin with this one, so how 'bout we start with music. "GlobeSonic Sound System DJs Fabian Alsultany and Derek Beres burning up the dance floor with their Lush, Electro-Epic, World-Beat Sauce Ushering in the Magic Carpet Ride to the Tantric Divine." Then there isthe swirling, hypnotic sounds of Haale (you may recall us writing about her a few weeks back)and The Body Temple drummers. Ok so pretty straight forward thus far, but here is where it begins to get tricky, how about a Tantric-Kabbalah, Shamanic Dance ritual? And if that's not enough what about an Aerial Dance & Cirque Nouveau by FireFlyDance. And in case it's still not enough, there is Dancefloor puppetry, Urban Gypsy Circus Body Painters, The Lovelixer Chill Lounge, The Live Cafe - featuring sensual food, elixers, and insane Raw Chocolate Decadence. Come on now, chocolate decadence! Madness I tell you, madness! The insanity comes with a price though, $35 in advance and $450 at the door.
Date: Saturday, December 31st Time: 8:00pm - 5:00am Location: Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Avenue (Corner of President St), Park Slope Cost: $35 in advance/$45 at the door
While I'm freezing my ass off on a mountain top, go shake yours with I <3 Baile Funk at The Ultimate Underground New Years Party. The theme of the night is basically shake your ass off, and providing the soundtrack for all of this shaking will be DJ Sujinho and Cassiano, The Bangers, Pappa Wheelie and DJ Handler. So the deal is its $40 in advance, $50 at the door, but there will be open bar from 10pm to 1am, so its not a bad deal and the music promises to be hot. Also, the first 100 ticket holders to show up get a free copy of the I <3 Baile Funk cd.
Date: Saturday, December 31st Time: 9:00pm - somepoint in 2006 Location: The Music Gallery, 49 Ann St. NYC, btw. Nassau & Wiliam Sts Cost: $40 in advance/$50 at the door
The Rub gets my award for the most fun party I have never been to. Seriously, I hear great things about their Saturday night parties at Southpaw, from the music to the people, its suppossed to be great. However we tend not to talk about it 'round these parts due to the $10 price tag, but I swear in 2006, I will get out there at some point. Anyway, if you want to get a head start on me, you may want to check out The Rub for your NYE. Tonight you got DJ Ayres, Cosmo Baker and DJ Eleven. And since its NYE there is a $25 cover, but there is a free chanpagne toast at midnight and everyone gets the newest Rub mixtape!
Learn more about The Rub here.
Listen to The Rub DJs here.
Date: Saturday, December 31st Time: 9:00pm - 4:00am Location: Southpaw, 125 5th Ave, Brooklyn Cost: $25, buy tix here
Crackers United (not a racist organization BTW) and 301w18th Loft have teamed up for a NYE fundraising party throwdown specially designed for the booze-hound in you. For $20 you get to party, drink unlimited alcohol and beer all night, enjoy a free champagne toast, and listen to a live set by Gwen Stefani meets the Killers glam-synth-punkers Valeze. United DJs round out the experience and all proceeds go to the Early September Baby Fund. This is an RSVP only deal and you can even pre-pay on the site. Good to have the loft parties back in town. If you are looking for that old school sweaty NYC vibe then this may be your spot of choice.
Winning the award for most original party is the Pierogi 2000 gallery who will be having an opening party for their Dewanatron show for New Year's Eve. "Leon Dewan and Brian Dewan are Dewanatron—a collaborative team who make hand-crafted, semi-automatic, electronic musical instruments. This exhibition will feature twelve wall mounted analog solid-state instruments that produce occasional electronic utterances at ever-shifting intervals of time. Also included in the show are parlor and concert instruments such as the Swarmatron and the Dual Primate Console. Visitors will be able to play the Coin-Op Melody Gin, an arcade instrument in which 25 cents buys the customer a four minute hands-on electronic music-making-odyssey with knobs and toggle switches." Sure there will be some sort of free booze.
Date: Sunday, December 31st Time: 9:00pm - 1:00am Location: Pierogi 2000 (177 north 9th street, Williamsburg) Cost: Free Open Bar: standard gallery fare
So check this out all... Free Brooklyn beer all night, Free champagne at midnight, free crunkjuice, free stuff from DefJux, Free music from King Fish, Free mixers (you bring the bottle) all in a sweet 5000ft. loft space. Killer option if you don't want to brave the 'burg.
Date: Sunday, December 31st Time: 9:00pm - 9:00am Location: 111 E. 12th St. B/W 3rd and 4th Ave. Cost: $30 Open bar: Brooklyn beer all night
No one writes about a complacent party better then they do. These guys throw the best (yes, you can battle with Rublaud for that title) old school style warehouse parties, street parties, and all out mayhem in the city so I will let them do the talking on this one. Click here for full info and invite...
To the Dreamers,
We've saved the best for last. You are invited to join us
for New Years Dream - blending a dose of music with a kiss of
liquor to wake the coming year. Imagine a hidden space just
beyond the broken streets of Dumbo Brooklyn - the expansive
studio of Complacent Nation, C-Spot Designs and the Brooklyn
Media Lab. Imagine a couple thousand square feet of
cinderblock fortress built into three areas of cozy nooks,
open dance-floors and massive light installations.
Escape the trap of the New Years party behemoth and
overpriced exercises in desperation. This event is about
gathering a few hundred of our closest friends and lovers
with champagne, mistletoe and the best music in Brooklyn.
Featuring Reverend Vince and the Love Choir playing
soul-shaking funk/gospel to dance away sin and sanctity as
we cheer in the New Year (reverendvince.com). Plus an
ass-shaking drum and piano duet by KiEthan with guest vocals
from Digitelle. Breaks, house, dub and techno by dj's John S.
of Spec4 with vocals by Rhiannon, Jason BK and Mad Aro of
990/Blackkat playing until sunrise.
This is about intrigue.
Marvel to wall-to-wall video projections by Luxz with
illbient beat mechanics from Dok, Tomster and Masa of Amoeba
Technology along with light installations by will (nation)
and installed art by Charlotte C.Spot and Ursula Wing. Find
cures for what ale's ya by Miss Elixer, a big cash bar, free
goodies for the good and naughty bits for the bad.
This is inexpensive.
There are many New Years events to choose from with many
different prices so we decided to do something wildly different.
This event is for the gutter glamorous and the creatively
inspired. This event is for you dreamers who are broke,
beautiful and deserving of more.
This event is about everything but money.
New Years Dream will be as thick, full and immersive as every
party we host, all for a lot less and all on New Years night.
This New Years Dream is yours for $2.99 if you got it, and
nothing if you don't. (Yes, New Years Eve for less than $3.)
The catch?
First, you and those you arrive with must bring 1 bottle of
champagne to pop, sip and share at the stroke of midnight.
The bottle can be cheap or extravagant, it's for you and your
posse. Second we have only a couple hundred invites available
and we are giving them out to the best and brightest.
One of the reasons I tend to flee the city on NYE is that there is soooo much nonsense, and not the good kind of nonsense, the annoying kind! Well leave it to DJ Synapse to do away with all the unneeded drama and throw a New Years party with out the INSANE cover charges and just kick it Willy B style. Tonight, DJ Synapse and friends will be at Red And Black all night, and rocking funk, soul reggae, hip hop, rock and everything in between. Definitely a good drama free way to begin '06.
Date: Saturday, December 31st Time: 9:30pm - some point into 2006 Location: Red And Black, 135 N. 5th, W'burg Cost: $10
AllDisco, the local weekly dance party that helped make Williamsburg... well... Williamsburg over this past year is calling it quits. This party got me through many a bored night staring at hipsters at Supreme Trading or watching midwest transplants makeout at Union Pool (side note: if you want to make out with midwest girls in studded belts, go to Union Pool and talk about how you love Wild Turkey). Thankfully, they are going out with a bang in the form of a farewell NYE party. AllDisco opts for a much more relaxed vibe where you can get down without all the usual drama. Dan Selzer and Jeremy Campbell spin a spaced out version of disco-meets-Bedford rock all night with a free champagne toast at midnight. And, of course, Capone's always has free pizza. So come wish a fond farewell to one of the best parties of 2005.
Ok, first of all, Brooklyn is certainly taking the cake for which side of the river to hang out on this New Years Eve, there are about eight billion parties. And Secondly, when this party came across our "desks" last week, we were a little unvlear if we should post or not, cause we weren't sure if this was like a private, friend only loft party type dealy or all out mayhem. But now it seems the whole world knows about, so you should too. And yes, I am guessing it will be all out mayhem from this brief description...
"Bare ankles. PDAcore. Screaming. Waving towels around your head like a helicopter. Pink polos. Gold chains. Dirty sneakers. Clean underwear. Anticking. Flame grills. Hookups. Breakdowns. Cockfights. Twatblocking. Counting down. Coming up. It's New Years Eve dudes. Do not pay money to run around when you can stay in Brooklyn and make out with strangers."
So join the boys from Cut for their loft party with DJ's The Captain, Star Eyes, Drop The Lime, Tha Pumpsta, and Andy Pry. Bring your own booze and bring your own friends.
Date: Saturday, December 31st Time: 10pm Location: 400 S. 2nd St. apt. 201, W'burg Cost: Free
Another Williamsburg loft party to ring in the new year. This one comes with more of a Techno & House music tinge but a $20 open bar all night makes it a sweet deal. DJs include Leo Lipsztein, Arvin Ajamian, Stephen Gamble, and Andre Vogt.
Date: Sunday, December 31st Time: ???? Location: 138 South 4th Street (between Bedford & Driggs, Williamsburg) Cost: $20 Open Bar: All night
Rublaud makes our new year's list because, well, they throw the best damn parties in Brooklyn (okay, you can fight with Complacent for that title but still). This is a "intergalactic maked ball" so a mask may be a good idea. But, then again, a mask is always a good idea on new years. Expect mayhem, live bands, rappers, a light circus, food, and DJs to the early morning.
Take to the streets with the Time's Up crew to ring in the new year with bike liberation. This is the 8th year for the ride up from Washington Square to Central Park's Belvedere Castle. Music and fireworks at the end, you provide your own food and drink.
Date: Sunday, December 31st Time: 10:30pm Location: Washington Square Park (at the arch) Cost: Free
Leave it to the crew over at Bushwick's Asterisk to bring a serious contendor to the battle for your NYE attendance. Tonight they are teaming up with RE:UP magazine to bring live performances by Kudu,Langhorne Slim, and Certainly, Sir to the main space along with DJ support from Roy Dank and Brennan Green, Six8, Kenosha & Ben Butler, and Cocoa Cracker Brown. Music styles for the night will run the gambit from rock to jazz to reggae to electro, keeping you on your toes until (!!!) 11am the next day. Free Brahma beer all night makes this quite affordable.
Date: Saturday, December 31st Time: 11:00pm - 11:00am Location: Asterisk Art Project (258 Johnson Ave, Bushwick) Cost: $15 with RSVP
It occured to us today that we have told you about cheap parties, great music and open bars, but um, we for got the NYE staple... Fireworks! Head over to Prospect Park for their 24th Annual Fireworks display. The night begins with Marty Markowitz holding
"his inauguration ceremony at Grand Army Plaza. Brooklyn’s Deja Blue 10-piece big band gets the party started at 11 p.m." and as soon as the clock Strikes midnight Grand Army Plaza will be lit up with lots and lots of pretty explosives, ha, I mean fireworks!
Date: Saturday, December 31st Time: 11pm Location: Prospect Park Grand Army Plaza, intersection of Flatbush Ave., Eastern Parkway and Prospect Park West Cost: Free
![3451_popup[1].0.jpg](http://www.freenyc.net/archives/images/3451_popup[1].0.jpg)
