FreeNYC™ - NYC's Premier Guide to Quality Free and Cheap Events

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Cross Pollination

Liberated Matter and ASCAP bring this weekly series of unrelated live performances to pianos upstairs. This week its and indie rock and jazz double bill as The Monas and Taxi Taxi take the stage. More info on the bands below. 21+

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Round Up Music Showcase

The L magazine and Music Nation kick off their first monthly band showcase tonight with 4 exclectic sets from local risers Sad Little Stars, Muggabears, Goes Cube, and Frances. Set Times Below.

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Hazzards Tuesday Night Make-Out Party

The Hazzards are New York’s baddest ukulele band. "Their peppy, girly songs, including the hilarious, 'Gay Boyfriend,' are sweet and seemingly innocent, but we can just tell those two precious, uke-strumming gals in front are up to something." Tonight they hold down their monthly residency alongside support from The Handsome Public. Check out their newest video "Shut Up And Make Out" after the jump...

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NC-17 with BM Linx

I've been hammering BM Linx into your head for a minute now with their infectious dance party live show. This emerging electro rock trio sound like an amalagamation of all things 80's and british with just the right amount of Radio 4 thrown in for good measures. Catch them tonight for free with an open bar as a kicker.

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Sick Puppies

A couple weeks back we told you about a "Free Hugs" event in Union Square. Well, it seems that the band from their youTube video - Sick Puppies - just got signed and is having a video filming tonight. There'll perform live (of course) on the early end of the night and Blender Magazine provides some free drinks to get you going. Plus, there's always the the chance to be a speck in the crowd of a Fuse video in the near future. Video after the jump...

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Discolobos vs. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

1t's an all-out upstate party not to be missed tonight as Discolobos return to Galapagos with their blunted, sample driven, head noddin', 4 tuntable DJ party vibe. Also on the bill are FreeNYC favorites Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. If you've been slacking on checking out these boys then tonight free show is a great chance to work out the cold weather with their dubby, roots reggae live show. A collection of local DJs round out this bill making this my personal pick of the weekend!

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Badly Drawn Boy Upstairs at the Square

It always amazes me how the same act can sell out 5K seat concerts overseas and then come to the states and be relatively unknown. Take U.K. Singer/songwriter Badly Drawn Boy for example. Although he avoids the pop-influences of his contemporaries such as James Blunt and Damien Rice, tonight intimate, solo performance upstairs at Barnes & Noble would have a line around the block elsewhere. Yet here, you'll probably be able to grab a seat and listen to him celebrate his latest 'Born in the U.K.' (Astralwerks), alongside author Dana Spiotta, whose latest novel, Eat The Document (Scribner, 2006), was a National Book Award finalist. Journalist Katherine Lanpher hosts the program and there are a few audio clips below to get you in the mood.

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Critical Brass

What happens when a bunch of anarcho-punks, radical feminists, cantankerous visual artists, seasoned and burgeoning musicians, cutting-edge performance artists, rebel academics, and good time party folk join together under a common goal: to make great street music and spectacle utilizing the gods of brass, wind, percussion and dance? Find out when Hungry March Band talks to students from Stonehill College at The Change You Want to See Gallery and Convergence Stage...

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Pull Out Method

The Pull out Method is back again this week with 3 (yikes!) live sets, plus a DVD screening, plus DJ Dominique (Plant) holding it down on the tables between sets. Like Fannypack? Then check out Gang! on the early end of the night. They're "Philly's answer to Fannypack" (who knew Philly was so mad?) They are followed by The Gaskets and Shy Child.

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Moon Under Crooklyn 2

Moon over Crooklyn is back to invade Galapagos with a two room blowout. There's a who's who of knob twiddlers, laptop technicians, and all around crunked up beat makers. Dev79 is up from Philly with a barrage of future grime, CruncTesla brings the LES digital crunk, and even Mad EP is back in town who took laptop technique to a new level with his Not Afraid of Spider's Album (seriously, that Sh!t is in my top 10 for last year. Go buy it... NOW!) Even NYC Laptop Battle champ Velapene Screen is in the house. Two rooms, two open bars, this is a serious serious event, don't sleep. [NOTE: This is last years flyer, no new one yet, see below for this years full line up]

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The Good, The Bad, and The Queen instore!

The Good, The Bad, and the Queen play NYC tonight and I bet you don't have tickets (I don't). Well, here's your chance to catch TGTBATQ - the latest Damon Albarn supergroup featuring Clash bassist Paul Simonon, former Verve guitarist Simon Tong and Afrobeat pioneer drummer Tony Allen - in a much more intimate setting. The boys stop by the Apple store this afternoon for a very special acoustic set of woeful songs on the state of affairs in Britain today. Need a crash course in TGTBATQ? Check out the video below...

Posted by Chris at 2:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Meowskers

I try and find one live music event every day for y'all (and one open bar) in case you are just in the mood for experience (or - with the latter - in case your too broke to afford those PBRs). So unless your into improvised livetronic jam bands - where I'll be - then here's your spot tonight. Meowskers play along with Kendra Morris and Dante Cimadore at the is early showcase. These boys are a little bowie, a little blur, and a little of that 70's LES vibe). Plus, they shot their press photo at Pete's Candy Store for you W'Burg trivia nuts. Definitely beats listening to a jukebox for your after work happy hour.

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Fun with Thieves Like Us

Eamon Harkin is back at Studio B tonight with some of the best hipster dance bands this city has to offer. Thieves Like Us are playing and they are seriously jump-around-like-a-high-school-girl infectious. Enough so for me to lure you out to a $5 event. Holy Hail play as well. If you've got a-symmetrical hair then this is where its at.

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International Kelly LeBrock Birthday Invitational

When do you get to see 25 bands for free on a Saturday night in Manhattan? Not very often, and more specifically, when do you get invited to celebrate Kelly LeBrock's birthday with 25 bands and see a movie for free on a Saturday night in Manhattan? Well as you may have guessed, tonight is the night for the International Kelly LeBrock Birthday Invitational, a spectacle of musical abandon with 25 bands getting 10 minutes to pay tribute to Ms. LeBrock, complete with a midnight screening of Weird Science, as scored by Hells Hills. Some of the bands scheduled to appear are Say No to Architecture, Le Chaud-Lapin, Moffie and Jack Falcon. For a complete listing of bands click here.

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Shae Fiol with demax & the n9s

Forgo the bar madness tonight for a fine cocktail and the smokin' voice of Shae Fioltonight at the amazing BAM Café. "A Portland, Oregon native who now calls Brooklyn home, Shae Fiol draws inspiration from folk, jazz, and soul. Her captivating live performances put her warm, full-bodied voice front and center and often feature rhythmic guitar or piano backing. Opening act is demax & the n9s."

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TXT UL8TR with Shy Child

In 6 months or so, Shy Child is still going to playing some of the best live dance rock you've never heard. They will still not have enough hooks to make them the killers and will still be revered in dance floor ecstasy as the US pushes livetronic music forward. Catch them tonight before they ship off and become huge over seas at this new GBH party. Top notch DJs The Glass (Wool & Dominique) as well as the Pull Out Method hold it down all night.

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Scheinman-Scherr-Luntzel-Wollesen

For some reason, while indie rockers and jam bands have no problem coming up with new names for their side projects, Jazz musicians do. Take tonight's performance by four "bold new forces" in Jazz, for example. Join Jenny Scheinman (vocals/violin), Tony Scherr (vocals/guitar), Tim Luntzel (bass), and Kenny Wollesen (drums) tonight for a more refined option in your nightlife. Jenny Scheinman's take on the whole thing below...

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

OK Go at the Apple Store

Those treadmill riding, iPod working making rockers OK Go stop by the apple store today for a free concert. They'll be playing songs from the Grammy Award-winning band’s recent album and - hopefully - entertaining us all with their syncopated dance styles. This one will get packed so arrive early.

Posted by Chris at 6:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Blue Harvest at Bluegrass Tuesdays

While today's calendar is already jam packed, there are a couple last minute events that bear mentioning. The first is a new weekly I found over in Williamsburg called BlueGrass Tuesdays. As spring closes in, I get reminicent of that child hood in the south that I never had and Bluegrass is just the thing to remind me to slow down a bit and enjoy life. Blue Harvest performs live tonight and their bio is below. Cheap drinks (including $1 PBR) all night.

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Dujeous at MEANY Fest

Dujeous probably held the FreeNYC Myspace song longer then anyone else and for good reason. These boys are rooted deep in the live hip hop vibe but with NYC style and a flow reminiscent of J5 or golden era hip hop in general. Tonight they play for free alongsite Blestenation, Dave Crespo, John McGrew & the Sitbacks, TJ Jordan, Escapist Papers, and Eve's Fault as part of MEANY Fest 2007. Still not convinced, check out their Spilled Milk video or remix of Lily Allen's "Smile" below...

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Ukulele Cabaret

Leave it to NYC to have a sustainable Ukulele scene. There's even a ukulele disco at midnight. "Back from the land down-under, the Ukulele Cabaret returns to [NYC]. Come for the special 6pm Happy Happy Hour set for some good-ol' kiwi singalong - and more hijinks from Mike Belusci, Howie Leifer, Craig Chestler and Kelli Rae Powell.: Full line-up below.

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Nate Farrar at Magnetic Field

On Monday nights, Magnetic Field in Brooklyn showcases local talent for free- one band, one set, no cover. And as if the deal needed to be sweetened, mugs of beer are only $1. Tonight check out the bluesy acoustic stylings of Nate Farrar. Come early for Happy Hour- $3 beers til 8:00pm.

Posted by Lori at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Nublu Orchestra

The Nublu Orchestra is really a site to be seen. Tonight, over a dozen jazz and electronic musicians will pack themselves into the tiny Nublu space to create funky, jazzy, dubbed out space groove. The sound is a result of "structured improvisation" through conduction, a series of hand gestures developed by the Orchestra's director Butch Morris. This is next level jazz at its finest. Check the video below from their recent Joe's Pub performance.

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Bingo and Bands

What goes better with beer then Bingo! Tonight and every Tuesday, Pete's Candy Store has free bingo night. This is the only spot where the blue-haired grandmothers mingle with the blue-haired hipsters (okay, more hipsters but you get the idea). Winner's get insignificant prizes or bar tabs and game is followed by two sets of live music. Tonight features Fergus McCormick playing blue-grass inspired dylan-esque tunes and The Bees and The Birds with their "blend of indie folk, bluegrass and pop with slide guitar, banjo, and cute guy-girl tradeoffs. Like the illegitimate love child of Mates of State and Bright Eyes mixed with lemonade."

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

TXT UL8TR with iLash

Wool & Dominique - collectively The Glass - keep LES nightlife alive tonight with another TXTUL8TR. They spin electro techno dance rock all night and there's a live set from iLash. "....The thing about iLash, beyond how much fun they are to watch, is that they're writing better songs than almost any band in New York right now. Putting as much importance in having danceable music as delivering brilliantly witty lyrics, ilash's songs are immediately memorable. " [Christen Thomas for Tripwire.com]

Posted by Chris at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Nublu Orchestra

The Nublu Orchestra is really a site to be seen. Tonight, over a dozen jazz and electronic musicians will pack themselves into the tiny Nublu space to create funky, jazzy, dubbed out space groove. "Nublu Orchestra is made up of, but not limited to, musicians from many different camps: jazz, funk, pop, fusion, Brazilian, R&B, classical… but the music we make is none of these... If Nublu means anything it means “inclusive nature” (rather than exclusive). It means we will find the center of balance and cosmology no matter whom is in the band…" [Butch Morris. ] This is next level jazz at its finest. Check the video below from their recent Joe's Pub performance.

Posted by Chris at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Blonde Readhead at the Apple Store

Blonde Redhead need no introduction. This eerie, wispy, dissonant love-child of Sonic Youth and Shonen Knife has been pushing out some of the finest post-emo indie rock stateside for years. Tonight they invade the Apple store this evening in celebration of their new album, 23. The trio will play a very intimate live set so get on line early and expect packed crowds. Tracks from the new album below...

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Brazz Tree

"Inspired by traditional Eastern and Western compositions, Brazz Tree fuses Brad Hammond's percussive, riff-based guitar lines with Mazz Swift’s traditional fiddle tunes and soulful vocals. A marriage of Celtic, Indian, rock, and jazz influences, Brazz Tree offers a powerfully kinetic performance. 'A sublime, surprising, bristling and hearty stew of Irish lyricism, daredevil jazz aerobatics and punk rock moxie. [The Village Voice]'" Video below...

Posted by Chris at 10:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

WBAR-B-Q

Barnard College's WBAR radio hosts their annual outdoor BBQ jam. This year features nine bands (see below) including Brooklyn's own Oneida and Athens' Dark Meat. There's cheap food and cheap drinks to boot. (all ages, 2 IDs to drink)

Posted by Chris at 1:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Green Apple Festival Day 1 - Ozomatli

For its second straight year, the Green Apple Festival takes over NYC with 150 concerts and events in celebration of earth day and to "cultivate awareness of environmental issues through the unifying voice of music." Today is the first of three free concerts over the weekend with politically charge latin rockers Ozomatli. If your around Grand Central after work then this one is not to be missed. Full line-up and set times below.

Posted by Chris at 12:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Green Apple Festival Day 2 - Zero & Assembly of Dust

The Green Apple Festival's celebration of awareness through live music continues this afternoon with more free shows. If your a fan of the live, improvised music scene - and it seems I'm alone in this one these days - then this is where it's at today. Zero, State Radio, and Assembly of Dust (ex Strangefolk, Percy Hill, Moon Boot Lover and Groovechild) all descend upon Grand Central today to lay down a serious jam session. Line-up below.

Posted by Chris at 12:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Lower Eastside Girls Club

There are 3 Saturday's left in The Lower Eastside Girls Club Saturday performance series. Tonight catch HBO Def Poet Gabriela Garcia Medina, Neo-Soul Acoustic Jazz Singer Grace and R&B Funkstress Honey Larochelle. Should be an interesting show!

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Green Apple Festival Day 3 - Central Park Celebration

The Green Apple Festival's concludes today with a sunny concert on the hill in Central Park. The Laurie Berkner Band plays a live set followed by the family friendly dance party, Baby Loves Disco.

Posted by Chris at 12:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Free music at Goodbye Blue Monday

Come out and listen to some great music for free at one of Brooklyn's coolest rooms, Goodbye Blue Monday out in Bushwick for free tonight. With Cartright and Wax Museum Pandemonium driving up from Texas, Colette Columbirch jetting in from Japan and Brooklyn's Jack Falcon hopping a train, there is sure to be a band for everyone here. For more information, click here.

Posted by Jeff at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Spank Rock at Virgin Megastore

Those Baltimore/Philly ambassadors of hipster electro-crunk are at it again. This time, Spank Rock drop by the Virgin Megastore to convert unsuspecting tourists into booty-shaking midwesterners. Just a note, this one is everywhere online but not on the Virgin Mega site so you may want to call ahead.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Between the Trees

Between the Trees are on the cusp of greatness (or thats what their PR company tells me). They just drop a debut album of "indie rock branching into pop with soaring vocals and inspiring lyrics" and are slated to take the world by storm this summer with main stage slots on both the Bamboozle and Warped Tour this summer. Check this Orlando 5-piece tonight for free and judge for yourself.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

More MEANY Fest

MEANY Fest continues with 6 bands I've never heard of. But unless your band plays 12 minutes of instrumental dance music, chances are your off my radar these days. That said, if your a fan of EJ, Emil McGloin, John McGrew & The Sitbacks, Anja, The Sleeping Revolt, or Dick Nixon then you can catch them all for free tonight. Or if you just miss that hometown vibe of knocking a few back while some random rock band plays then this may be just your spot.

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Lightning Bolt & Sun Ra Arkestra on the Pratt Lawn

This is canceled due to weather and being rescheduled. Sorry all.

Posted by Chris at 6:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Apollo Heights at Rock and a Hard Place

Somewhere between funk, soul, afro punk, and shoegaze lie Brooklyn up-and-comers Apollo Heights. Maybe it's afro-gaze, maybe neo-soul but with influences as far and wide as Cutris Mayfield and The Jesus and Mary Chain you would expect suspect something spuratic but the result is a susinct, soulful wall of noise. Their joined tonight by three other bands (see below) and an open bar at the Rock and a Hard Place regular.

I can't find any Apollo Heights tracks for you but here's one from their previous band The Veldt (who are awesome)...

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Ukulele Cabaret

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The Beets @ RayHands Hatmaking Studio

Long live DIY shows! 4 bands 5 bucks. The Beets ("Their story truly is a punk version of the American Dream"), Kirsten Ketsjer ("These cute, quirky Danish people are only in town for the next month, so get it while it’s hot and state-side"), Le Rug ("A pop music exorcism. Ray Weiss (also from Hundred Dollar Elephant and The Medics) channels post-punk fire from somewhere mysterious inside of himself.") and The So So Glos ("THE SO SO GLOS are four musicians who are reclaiming the music scene by playing Rock and Roll that means something.") Come support the kids!

Posted by Lori at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

WFMU Free Music Series

WFMU kicks off the Free Music Series with a superpower lineup of artists that are highly revered by the NYC area freeform radio station. On the evening's menu will be live sets from The Major Stars, Jonathan Kane's February, Flaming Fire, and DJ/Ruptur (with accompanying video by Daniel Perlin). This event will be the kickoff for a multi-part series of WFMU-sponsored FREE live music events to be held in the city over the coming months.

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Blackkat Mayday '07

Old ravers rejoice! It's that time again! Time for Blackkat's 9th annual MayDay in Tompkins Square! Can you believe it, 9th year!?! Anyway, for those of you who didn't spend your old raver days in the park, Mayday has been brings super talented DJs to spin music for you as you dance the spring day away. This years line up includes live sets from Atomic Babies, Collin Strange, plus guest DJs Sascha, DJ Balls, Jason BK, Amok vs. Madaro and Chrome. There are always tons of people (including old school heads you haven't seen since like the Nasa reunion party), and tons of cops to go with 'em.

Check the extended entry for details on the after party!

UPDATE: THE LOCATION OF THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO UNION SQUARE!!!

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No Selector Sundays

This week, No Selector welcomes Chauncey Yearwood's band Soul Survivors. Chauncey is a member of The Pimps of Joytime and Escort and his new band - Soul Survivors - is dedicated to spreading the gospel of funk and soul throughout Brooklyn. Its also resident Jesse Mann's birthday, and he'll be "doing some nifty blending with the live band."

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East Coast Chamber Orchestra

"In 2001, a group of exciting young string players envisioned the creation of a conductor-less chamber orchestra, based upon democratic principles, whose focus is to be purely on music-making. This organic approach, passion, and commitment resulted in the creation of ECCO (East Coast Chamber Orchestra), which combines the strength and power of an orchestral ensemble with the personal, intimate nature of chamber music." Catch them tonight at the weekly Music Monday's series.

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Mannes Contemporary Music Festival

Check in with the New School's music department tonight as they host a number of free concerts open to the public, including two shows, one at 8 and another at 10:30 featuring their percussion ensemble. Think six marimbas going at the same time, Concerto for Shinobue (Japanese flute) and percussion, etc."The Mannes Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of James Preiss, is dedicated to performing both new and classic solo and ensemble works for percussion." For more information on the pieces being performed and the musicians, click here. For more information on the ongoing free performance series, click here.

Posted by Jeff at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

LES Girls Club Saturday Performance Series

Okay ladies, it's time to take a break from the sunshine, grab a cool beverage and check out some spoken word and music at the Lower East Side Girls Club:"Come and support your fellow woman-kind at the Lower Eastside Girls Club's Saturday Performance Series. This Saturday is the FINAL Saturday until we re-start in the fall, so let's go out with a bang!" Featuring TARA BETTS (poet), KAREN GIBSON ROC (poet) and musical act THE FEMM NAMELESS ("punk funk afrobeat"). Hosted & Curated by Caitlin Meissner.

Posted by Jeff at 3:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Secret Bravery Shows!

Good thing I left for work late this morning, else I would have missed this last minute event! Hot of their latest recording session, The Bravery are playing two secret, intimate shows tonight at Arlene's before hitting the road on their North American Tour. The first show is 5pm and all ages while the 9pm one is 21+. Expect crowds and don't sleep!

Posted by Chris at 5:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Umami has 2 Basses, like Cop Shoot Cop

I love Cop Shoot Cop. They were the hardest, rawest, most NYC thing to come out of the No Wave movement combining bass drenched minimalism, boredoms low fi, and east coast hard core sensiblitity. There was serious energy there. While Umami is nothing like Cop Shoot Cop, their also use two basses to drive home low rumbling beats but with a much sloppier garage style. Maybe that's your steeze. If so, check them out tonight. If not, go listen to more Cop Shoot Cop!

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Take your Mom to See Alison Balsom

“Free for All at Town Hall” is proud to present – at the second concert of its season – the young English trumpet-phenomenon Alison Balsom in her New York debut on Mother’s Day, May 13, with her own ensemble of players. Ticket info below.

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No Selector Sundays

No Selector Sundays is a collective of forward thinking local musicians involved with and inspired by DJ culture. The night was founded by accomplished musicians Guy Licata and Abe Sieferth, along with veteran NYC DJs Jesse Mann and Evan Baggs. Jesse and Evan continue to hold down the evening on a weekly basis, bringing in a healthy assortment of talented live musicians, along with some of the best DJs the city has to offer. The focus is on great music in all of its forms, culminating in a mish mash of funk, soul, afro, latin, jazz, house, broken beats, disco, electro, and assorted danceable breaks. This week DJ Morsy (Nanachill/The Good Foot) and resident Jesse Mann man the decks with an eclectic mix of beats to booty shake to while JACK, a live project headed up by percussionist Peter Barr, will be playing funk/soul jams on the "stage."

Posted by Chris at 9:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Push Play 3 with Young Lords and Dead Combo

"Baeble Music presents Push Play Episode 3, filming live performances by psycho-acid-country-rockers from NYC, Dead Combo, and the youngest outlaws of NYC, Young Lords. Guest DJs Jake (Smash It Up Sundays) and Brendan James (Smash It Up Sundays) will be ripping up the turn tables with rock n' roll, punk, power pop, krautrock, etc. Band bios below."

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Samfest

Come on over to Lost and Found in Greenpoint for a free show withTournament, Animandible, Emergency Party and The Beets. Did we mention free hotdogs?! Get into it.

Posted by Lori at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Mamapalooza Outdoor Extravaganza

The moms who rock are back in the park! In conjunction with the New York Parks Department, Mamapalooza returns to Riverside Park South. Celebrating all things maternal, this music and art filled afternoon of folk, rock and mom-inspired crafts and food is a gathering for all ages, celebrating mothers and the people who love them. Performers Include: TOT ROCK with Audra Rox, Liz Queler, Mom’s The Word, Holly Figueroa, Whit Hill and The Postcards, Hide from Cleo, Jane Getter Band, Ulali, Toshi Reagon, The Basals, Francesca Beghe, Octavia Harp, Carol Lester & The World Women, and Leave It Alone. The dancers of Stefanie Nelson And Jeannie Zusy will also perform.

Posted by Chris at 12:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Stereo Stereo Ticket Giveaway!

Contest is closed... but head on down anyway! All the details below...

Posted by Chris at 7:00 AM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Animal Collective at the Seaport!

You know summer is here when the free concerts start rolling out and South Street Seaport kick of their summer concert series in full force with NYC's own psychedelic freak folk rockers, Animal Collective. "From deliciously skewed ballads to ethereal soundscapes to frenetic rhythms, Animal Collective is constantly evolving, exploring the outer edges for new and exhilarating sounds." Also on the bill is art-rock collective Danielson. Alex XXXChange from Spankrock DJs to get the party started!

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Pipettes In-Store

Those polka-dotted princesses the The Pipettes travel across the pond tonight for a very special acoustic instore this afternoon. These girls combine the best elements of the "golden era" of music - calling to mind motown, sock hops, and my mother's big beehive hair cut from highschool - along with a bit of good old British mod to create a sound that's part classic part cutting edge. Funny, I was just reminiscing over Cali's Dance Hall Crashers yesterday - who use similar vocal harmonies. I'm not sure how things will translate to acoustic melodies but you can find out this afternoon. Monster Bobby performs as well.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Yohimbe Brothers

The Yohimbe Brothers bust on the scene in 2002 as once of the most abstract, jazz-fueled, afro-punk-dj-hip-hop-psycho-rock sounds to every come out of an unlikely but perfectly sensible collaboration. The Brothers consist of guitartist Vernon Reid (Living Color) and turntablist DJ Logic (Project Logic, Medeski, Martin & Wood). These founding members of the Black Rock Coalition combine African rhythms and spastic guitar rifs, with hip-hop beats and turntablism... Def. worth checking out.

Posted by Chris at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Fania at the Seaport

The Puerto Rican Day Parade is back in town this weekend and if you just can't wait for the festivities then you can get a jump-start tonight with this free outdoor show on the South Street Seaport Pier. Tonight is a celebration of salsa with "A Musical Tribute to the Legends of Fania" which my uneducated self has recently learned are pretty much the kinds of salsa. "The history of Fania is synonymous with the history of the music we now know as salsa. To talk about Fania is to talk about the birth, and subsequent explosion, of salsa music worldwide. What's more, it is synonymous with the biggest names in the world of salsa and the salsa of yesteryear whose musical legacy lives on through recordings now considered great classics in the genre." The event features the likes of "Larry Harlow, Adalberto Santiago and Yomo Toro [with] special appearances by Michael Stuart, Boyz del Barrio and Orchestra La Excelencia. " Beats the Ricky Martin and Daddy Yankee your going to hear during the parade proper.

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BM Linx at Brainwasher

Beat-driven electro rockers BMLinx play a special live set tonight at Brainwasher. "Residents DJ Wool and Dominique pump out the nu-rave, indie remixes, dance rock, robot rock, new wave and electro all night - for your discerning ears." No cover with RSVP.

Posted by Lori at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

JJ Grey & Mofro at the Big Apple BBQ!!!

The Big Apple BBQ is on again this weekend and this is one of my favorite annual events. Over a dozen pitmasters from around the country set up their rigs and cook up some of the tastiest pulled pork, ribs, brisket and just about anything else you can smoke. Make sure to check out Mitchell's Whole Hog, its off the hook.

But that's not all! JJ Grey and Mofro - purveyors of the finest country ghetto you've ever heard - are closing out the music stage. These Florida boys rip some serious roots music. They were amazing at Irving Plaza a few months back (download that show here) and will be even better with a handful of desert ribs and a cold Brooklyn Brew. The event is Saturday & Sunday, 12-6 and packs quite a crowd but this one is not to be missed!

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XYZ Affair

Powerpoppers The XYZ Affair play a free show tonight along with Chinese Happy at one of the coolest bars you've probably never been to in Williamsburg (after all, Union Pool so so near by!) The band says they sound like "Arena rock by music school kids" and thats not far from the truth so if you didn't get your fill of concerts this weekend then get on it.

Posted by Chris at 8:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

On the Low

The most excellent DJ Lindsey (Negroclash) helps kick off a new series of backyard sessions tonight. This is a new after-work weekly throughout the summer so stop by after you eat your Tuesday Tacos for dancing fun. $4 Margaritas and tap beer. Rocksmith Tokyo and Kilo Goods will be in the house bringing as many neon all over printed hoodies as your eyes can handle.

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Cartel at Hudson River Park

So, apparently Dr. Pepper is paying the band Cartel to live in a plastic bubble on the Hudson for almost a month. What?! They'll be "eating, sleeping and recording a new album in a see-through bubble on the Hudson River's Pier 54." Tonight they kick of the Hudson River Park's free concert series. I guess Dr. Pepper is letting the bubble boys out for the evening? Being that I did in fact go see David Blaine hanging off a crane in Times Square, I know I'll end up at this.

Posted by Lori at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Met in the Park, La Bohéme

UPDATE: as of 6:30 this was confirmed on... but its lookin rainy out there so no promises.

The Metropolitain Opera begin their tour of NYC parks tonight with a performance of La Bohème in Central Park. Over the next few weeks, they will perform alternating renditions of Puccini’s La Bohème, a timeless story of love among young artists in Paris, and Gounod’s Faust, an epic drama about an aged philosopher’s pact with the devil. in each of the boroughs (and NJ). This is a great chance to see one of the world's finest performances for free and outdoors! Full Schedule below.

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Booker T and the MGS w/ Sharon Jones

There are so many free shows this summer of amazing up and coming bands. But I'm most excited about 60s Soul legendsBooker T and the MGs at Rockefeller Park! Mix that with soul woman Sharon Jones, this is what dreams are made of, people!

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Met in the Park, Faust

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Mobius Collective

If I have to name drop to get you to see Mobius Collective tonight then I'll let you know that Taylor McFerrin is the beatboxing/keyboard player of the 6 piece post apocalyptic urban jazz ensemble. And if the words "post apocalyptic urban jazz" don't get you excited then how about the idea of a rhythmic fusion from afro-beat to hip-hop and all points beyond combined with horns, instrements and more. "In addition a D.J. and two percussionist join the cipher instigating dialog between Mc's and Bomba Dancer's responding to our Afro-Latin ancestral moments of now." Vids and sounds below...

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Met in the Park Bronx Style

The Metropolitain Opera continue their tour of NYC parks tonight with a performance of La Bohème in Central Park. Over the next few weeks, they will perform alternating renditions of Puccini’s La Bohème, a timeless story of love among young artists in Paris, and Gounod’s Faust, an epic drama about an aged philosopher’s pact with the devil. in each of the boroughs (and NJ). This is a great chance to see one of the world's finest performances for free and outdoors! Full Schedule below.

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Hip Hop Saved my Life

Some of my favorite local MCs unite for a hometown throw down tonight in the lovely, dingy Fontanas basement (and they told me no hip hop parties once!) Broke and Dome head up the event with the future apocalyptic rhymes and beats (joined by DJ Iron Lion) and then you've got Metermaids, Solos, 100dbs, and SoloS Unit rounding things out. DJ Halo spins in between.

Posted by Chris at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Moby & Kudu at Nublu Anniversary

People have been coming out in droves to hear Moby DJ so the chance to see him drop all your old school rave classics to 150 of your new, closest friends Nublu as part of their Anniversary Festival is a real treat. Plus, he's joined by two sets of LES electro rockers Kudu who are now also playing much larger venues. This place is going to pack up so get their early. Goes late. 21+

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Springtime Unamplified Acoustic BBQ

"An afternoon of folks playing songs lackadaisical-like. The park is right in the middle of the East River, the city and the river swirl serenely around you - you could throw rocks at the Midtown Skyline. And there's this ruined castle-like 1850's city smallpox hospital down there too (legendarily haunted). Take the F train all the way there (there's a "Roosevelt Island" stop), and bring your guitars & blankets & folding chairs & your beverages & your hibachis & charcoal & stuff to grill & whatnot. Performing (not in order) are: Necking, Katie Eastburn, the Goddamn Rattlesnake, Golden Ghost, Meneguar, the Woods, High Places, TK Webb, Skeletons & the Kings of All Cities, Aa aka BIG A little a, The Fugue, Vampire Weekend, Shellshag, Po Boy Johnson, Christy & Emily, The Ballet, Dirty Beauty Shoppe, & Shooting Spires. All Ages!

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The Honeydripper Allstar Band

"Iconoclastic indie film director John Sayles hosts this concert by the “house band” from his upcoming film Honeydripper, a story that captures the transitional moment from the Blues to Rock ‘n’ Roll."

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Poetic City with Taylor McFerrin

Taylor McFerrin has made it onto the site for two weeks in a row. That must mean I subconciously put some stock in this jazzy beatboxer. Tonight his 4-piece band performs between waterfront poetry reading by Chris Abani, Suji Kwock Kim, U Sam Oeur, Mark Strand, Franz Wright and other major poetic voices. McFerrin interview video below. All Ages.

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Met in the Park Queens Style

The Metropolitain Opera continue their tour of NYC parks tonight with a performance of La Bohème in Queens. This is a the last NYC show and a great chance to see one of the world's finest performances for free and outdoors! All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Grand National at the Apple Store

Grand National have been killing it in the UK for a minute now and there are starting to make serious waves stateside as well. This will probably be your last chance to catch the boys in this small a setting let along with a special acoustic set. This one will fill up.

Posted by Chris at 6:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Avaaz

Summary: Avaaz bring their unique blend of bhangra beats and live performances to the LES tonight. Each month, residents Bollygirl, Cenzo, and Dimm will be joined by globally inspired live performances. Tonight features special guests Bamboo Shoots DJing along with live performances from indie rocking to hip hop by Suspicious Brown, Koba, & Butterthief

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Bluegrass at The Bandshell

"When it comes to bluegrass, Ralph Stanley has no peers. The living legend, 'one of the most important country musicians in the world today,' (T Bone Burnett) has kept the flame alive for a half century—with grassroots help from folks like James Reams, the granddaddy of the local bluegrass scene."

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

East River Music Project w/

"The East River Music Project is a group of people dedicated to putting on free summer concerts of local music at the East River Amphitheater." And we here at FreeNYC applaud this! Four Saturday's through out the summer ERMP brings you free shows. Tonight they welcome Ex Models, S-S-S-Spectres, Hundred Eyes, and Mikey Bones. Band Bios below. All Ages.

EX MODELS
"Everybody loves lumping bands into genres. But the EX MODELS has effectively birthed a genre of its own with its Troubleman Unlimited debut: the band calls it "Fundustrial" -- a sort of blend between the mechanistic fury of bands like Cop Shoot Cop and Einstürzende Neubauten crossed with the chaos of punk rock and the cosmos of hard psych. ...Much of the duo's new material is not just the typical quiet lull drone thing that other bands fall upon, it's more like a noise freakout part that just goes on and on, repeatedly turning in on itself. Like a Steve Reich composition, Terry Riley piece or Oneida outing (whose drummer, Kid Millions lent his drum skills to the recording of the album and subsequent tape loops used in the duo's live shows)... rhythms cascade from within the repetitious mantras of guitars and drums, subtly shifting and mutating the song as it goes on."

S-S-S-SPECTRES
"A band of charlatans, magicians, mediums and scofflaws claiming to be "S-S-S-Spectres" surfaced in Brooklyn in early '05. Since then they have been frequenting the meaner night-time establishments throughout the New York Isles and beyond, conjuring up and putting questions to the spirits of "The Contortions," "Bush Tetras ," "The Fall" and "The Birthday Party." Some rubes taken in by their performance have also claimed to have felt the chilling touch of "Six Finger Satellite," "Erase Errata" and "Old Time Relijun"! Their spellcraft is simple enough: jerky percussion and skittish bass riding waves of gang vocals and chants amidst a squall of shrieks from a home-built 12-string guitar. Through photo-comparisons and tireless cross-checking, we are fairly certain their members have previously been implicated in incidents of unholy music and mischief in Providence, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and even Austin, TX! Today, these blackguards have united into one single-minded, seething mass, and they have been plying their trade along the coasts in company with the likes of Country Teasers, Magik Markers, Deerhunter, No Things, Meneguar, Cause Co-motion and assorted other fiends and groups. "

HUNDRED EYES
They played in London last year at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs-curated All Tomorrow's Parties, and boast members of the acclaimed Tall Boys. From a review of their set at ATP: "Another new NY band who are very much my thing actually, Hundred Eyes kick up a formidable sand-storm for a sparse crowd as the opening act upstairs. Deeply rooted in the more abrasive aspects of the No Wave tradition, this two boy / two girl gang fronted by a guy dressed as a Middle Eastern nomad and wrenching howling open string noise from a battered custom guitar are an instantly exciting prospect. Things begin in the same ballpark as the neurotic urban crush rocked by Theoretical Girls and The Static, with the singer delivering incomprehensible bursts of tourettes over frantic, dissonant unchording, but things start to get really special as the noise spreads out and begins breathing deep, finding it's way into the meditative headspace hinted at in the no wave dub of Sonic Youth's debut EP before escaping the clutches of the city altogether, slowly reconfiguring the sound of deconstructionist art-rock until it no longer speaks of subway trains, syringes and breakdowns but instead explodes outward into blinding hallucinatory desertscapes, as no talent punk approximations of Eastern modes crash down over scything sheets of white noise." ( http://stereosanctity.blogspot.com )

MIKEY BONES
Mikey Bones is an ensemble of musical geniuses from some of New York's most legendary bands, including Jah Division, Home, White Magic, and Oneida... They are newly formed as a sort of musical experiment, but they are promising to soon be one of the city's most elusive rock legends.

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Posted by Chris at 2:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

No Selector Sundays w/ Pimps of Joytime

No Selector Sundays is a collective of forward thinking local musicians involved with and inspired by DJ culture. The night was founded by accomplished musicians Guy Licata and Abe Sieferth, along with veteran NYC DJs Jesse Mann and Evan Baggs. Jesse and Evan continue to hold down the evening on a weekly basis, bringing in a healthy assortment of talented live musicians, along with some of the best DJs the city has to offer. The focus is on great music in all of its forms, culminating in a mish mash of funk, soul, afro, latin, jazz, house, broken beats, disco, electro, and assorted danceable breaks. This week they welcome live sets from that formitable New Orleans funk outfit, the Pimps of Joytime. This is a great chance to catch them in a small space so if you've been sleeping on this weekly then tonight's the night.

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Martha Wainwright at Songwriters' Night

"Martha Wainwright, Chris Thile (from Nickel Creek), Jim Campilongo, Ari Hest and The Bees come together for this unique concert of alums from The Living Room’s venerable stage. As one of NYC’s musical landmarks, the club has become a venue for the best and brightest singer/songwriters."

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

iLL-Literacy Sponsorship Party

NYC clothier and t-shirt smith Kiser brings groundbreaking spoken word collective iLL-Literacy to this small LES spot. These boys have been blowing of Def Comedy Jam, MTV, and more and are playing a series of datse thoughout the city but this is the only place to catch them for free! Duo Live join in the fun and DJ Ko-Hei holds down the in-betweens. Giveaways, drink specials, and more.

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Manu Chao (sort of)

No, there is not some mad rush of free tickets to this sold out show but seeing as today's a little light on events and I thought I'd tip you in. Go sit out side and listen to the whole show for free. Bring a blanket, some beers, maybe even dinner and hang with the hundreds who will surround the fence and enjoy the show. That's what we did last night and had a great time. After all, what's better on a hot summer night then some live music and a picnic in the park. In case your in the dark on this amazing musician... "Manu Chao helped begin the Latin Alternative movement, way back in the '80s - although it had no name then - and in his later work he cuts a cross-cultural swathe across styles and geographic boundaries." Hi energy, reggae infused, multi-lingual music all night! Live vid below.

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Blue Scholars

If a little midweek hip hop is your thing then this is the place to be as Rawkus Records celebrate the release of the newest joint from Blue Scholars. This is straight hip hop, not that LES eclectic variety, with Cause and DJ Yamez bringing support on the turntables. Check out the Blue Scholars newest video below.

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Coral

The LES' tiny Rockwood Music Hall is constantly showcasing a fresh breath of singer songwriter talent night after night (for free!) Tonight, bilingual songstress Coral takes the mic alongsite 6 other's in daily showcase. This Argentinian native draws influence from Joan Baez to the Rolling Stones. Video with some familiar shots of the LES below as well as a full line-up for the night.

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Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

I know that every musician from the 80s seems to be having a reunion or something, and it is getting annoying. However, I caught Joan Jett last summer at a few Warped Tours (don't ask...), and seriously she is as good as ever. Despite that brief period when she tried to make a comeback with that horrid bleached Susan Powter haircut, her voice is strong, the Black Hearts are tight, and not to sound totally lame, but she rocks. Oh yea, and its free.

Posted by Lori at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

ScientificLifestyle

So you've got that Mistress Barbara thing (below) if electronic music is your poison but what about some good old cali powerpop? ScientificLifestyle cross the country tonight to rock the dingy downstairs (that I love so much) of Fontanas. They've def got the Sol Cal spirit of an early No Doubt but also conqour up similarities to the mid 90s invasion of female led indie rock a la The Breeders or Hammerbox (have you bought the Hammerbox album yet? I lost mine and need a copy) with some more funked out grooves. Regardless, these four can hold their own and that says a lot for a band these days in our over-produced, under-touring music scene. Oh... "This Los Angeles based act defies categorization in the lackluster majority of electronic pop outfits that fails to deliver live. ScientificLifestyle’s performances exceed expectation in their action-packed shows that have everyone on their feet dancing to this undeniable brand of music." 21+

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Groove Collective at Celebrate Brooklyn

When I was a kid I used to pop in to NYC, hit 8th Street and thing everything I saw or picked up was the coolest in the world. One of the things I picked up was a flyer for Groove Collective presented by Giant Step (I think they had to be the first band on Giant Step or something). Several trips to the store in the pre-internet days and I had in my hands a CD of some of the sickest acid jazz (ok the only) I ever heard. 10+ years and several albums later, I am still rocking this eclectic ensemble on the regular. Combining elements of jazz, hip hop, salsa, and even trip hop, Groove Collective have been pushing the boundries of possibility for a minute now and its a treat to see them for $3, at sunset, in the park tonight. The equally talented Ravi Coltrane & Craig Harris open. All Ages.

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Ra-Ra-Riot

Syracuse-based Ra Ra Riot describes itself as "an amorphous blob that consists
of six highly dedicated individuals, each bringing her/his own experiences as both people and musicians to the metaphorical." The metaphorical aside, they rick like indie rockers... a little bit of Morrisey, a little bit of Talking Heads (maybe?), a little bit Clash... you know... good rock stuff. Local heroes Sam Champion are reason enough to go an Bikini Carwash Company join in.

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The Beets

OK, so The Beets are my friends. But they are a really good rock band and you should see them! I'm also excited more things are happening in Long Island City. The So So Glos and The Nuclears open up, come early.

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Afro Punk Festival Kickoff

"The Afro-Punk music series kicks off with two nights in BAMcafé that feature the next generation of singers, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists with something to say. Night one highlights the work of four distinct performers including ellul, a San Francisco-based band whose vocal harmonies are sweetly evocative yet somehow unsettling. Cutlery focuses on electronically-enhanced shoegazing, while Bear In Wolf Fur pairs a DIY approach to music-making with a strong appreciation for raw noise. Spinning between sets, Taylor McFerrin builds songs from scratch with synths, samples, vocals, and beatboxing." All Ages.

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The Stills at Celebrate Brooklyn

Last week was Canada day in Central Park and now it's Brooklyn's turn. Indie stalwarts The Stills invade the bandshell tonight with "a rush of shoegazer guitars and suave loverboy angst" all the way from Montréal. Malajube are also on the bill to give your fill of rock en Française and they are amazing with the obvious tip to Arcade Fire but much of their own thing going on. The Sam Roberts Band join in and I have no idea who they are.

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The Music Festivus

First off I love that the flyer for this has a picture of Kramer from Seinfeld on it. Ok, now that thats out of the way. The Music Festivus at Parkside offers a variety of live music including reggae, soul. afrobeat and funk. Sounds will be coming to you courtesy of Malabar, who will be playing an eclectic mix, including recreatations of the music of Peter Tosh, Toots, and Bob Marley. Plus, Alphabet City StreetCars, DJ Babatunde, and DJ Tahl.

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Afro Punk Festival Day 2

Night two of Afro-Punk at BAMcafé features another triple header that isn't afraid to get loud and funky. Bringing New Orleans heat to New York City cool, Mighty Fine riles things up with their "sweaty, garage soul," while Swivel's indie rock channels Radiohead at its electro-poppiest and gives R&B harmonies the attention they deserve. Meanwhile, neo-soul chanteuse Tiombe Lockhart's flamboyant live performances are all about giving the audience a good time with songs that cruise from ironic to whimsical to poetic. All Ages.

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Afro Punk Block Party

To celebrate Brooklyn's own DIY rebel spirit, the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership—in collaboration with BAM and Afro-Punk—will throw a massive block party and juried arts market featuring innovative performing and visual artists, fashion and jewelry designers, and craft artists selling an eclectic mix of art and merchandise. The event will also feature music by DJs Rich Medina and The Dustbin Brothers and a live set by No Surrender. All Ages.

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Magnetic Fields goes Local

Brooklyn's Magnetic Fields continues their local series tonight with one set from one band with one dollar beers. Tonight's band is The Farm League (video below) who've got that good post-punk vocal harmony power pop thing going on a la Nerf Herder. Sounds like the perfect happy hour.

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Mad. Sq. Music with Crooked Still

Madison Square Music kicks off tonight with some free bluegrass in the park. Get there early, set up a blanket, and hit the Shake Shack for some burgers and shakes while listening to the Bluegrass/Folk of Crooked Still. "Drawing on bluegrass, old-time and contemporary folk traditions, their innovative instrumentation of cello, banjo, bass and voice shatter preconceptions without sacrificing authenticity." As part of the 4th, Hill Countryu BBQ will be on site selling some fine Texas eats. All Ages.

Listen to Crooked Still's Little Sadie (mp3)
Listen to Crooked Still's Ain't No Grave (mp3)

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The Back CC's/ Rebel Night

After you're all BBQed out, head over to legendary venue Kenny's Castaways to check out some amazing Japanese punk bands. I caught the Back CC's last Saturday, and they really tore it up. Comprised of the kids that bring you Rebel Night at Otto's Shrunken Head (a Japanese 50's and 60's dance night complete with dance lessons- if you haven't gone yet you realllllly should), the band is as good as the tunes they each DJ. Greasers, skinheads and tiny Japanese girls alike were stomping about in blissful mayhem. And its FREE!

Posted by Lori at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Conservatory Stars Organ Festival: Cameron Carpenter

"Opening up Trinity Church’s 2nd Annual Organ Festival, acclaimed musician Cameron Carpenter performs works by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Grainger, Mozart, Dupre, Karg-Elert, Ellington, Reinhardt, Rodgers, and Carpenter, plus improvisation" at this lunch-time Wall Street event. All Ages.

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The Delfonics

City Parks Foundation kicks off their outdoor concert series tonight with The Delfonics. "The Delfonics were one of the first groups to feature the smoothed-out, orchestra-heavy soul that came to be known in as 'the Philly Sound.' Their 1968 debut included the single 'La-La (Means I Love You),' a huge hit that stood out from the rawer Stax/Volt records then ruling the charts. With original member William Hart still holding down the fort, the Delfonics provide a sweet reminder of those golden days of R&B when harmony was king." All Ages.

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Chromeo & Flosstradamus!

While FUN is throwing a very similar party this Friday, we're cheap, so I'll jump at this hip-hop hipster all star show tonight for free. Flosstradamus are back in town with their electro-mashed up mayhem, Chromeo perform live, and there is top notch support from 33Hz (live!) and DJs Alex English and Peter Makebish. Plus open bar! That's some serious dance party fun.. highly recommended! (note: there is a suggested $5 donation to CHARITY:WATER at the door and thats a good cause so give it up!) 21+

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R2R with Fujiya & Miyagi and Black Moth Super Rainbow

Tonight will be the dance show of the summer at River to River. "Brilliantly merging the best of disco, indie rock, and electronica with their own stream-of-consciousness lyrics, Fujiya & Miyagi give their infectious dance beats a sweet, melodic punch...Joining F&M is Black Moth Super Rainbow, a Pennsylvania band that has racked up comparisons to pre–arena-rock Pink Floyd meets Sesame Street. Full of atmosphere, soaring synthesizer rushes and bent phaser-blasts, it's the stuff of early-'80s PBS children's programming intros, damaged film strips and decaying VHS tapes. A fantastic soundtrack to sundown for this very special evening on the pier."

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REwind: A Cantata For Voice, Tape & Testimony / Richie Havens

A special night for Celebrate Brooklyn as "Cape Town composer Philip Miller's extraordinary international collaboration is based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings that led South Africa from apartheid to democracy. Opera superstar Sibongile Khumalo joins other South African soloists, a string octet, and a 100-voice chorus composed of Brooklyn's Total Praise Choir of Emanuel Baptist Church, the Williams College Choir, and a South African ex-patriot choir led by Lion King choirmaster Ron Kunene. The music blends seamlessly with samples of recorded TRC testimony and stunning projected images... The evening begins with an introduction by a very special surprise guest host and a performance by folk icon Richie Havens... His fiery, soulful singing and guitar style remains unique and ageless, and his willingness to lend his voice to numerous worthy causes through the decades has made him one of the most enduring musician-activists of his generation."

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Live Earth Live Broadcast

Led by Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth will use the global reach of music to engage people on a mass scale to combat our climate crisis. Concerts will be held in New York, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, Istanbul and Hamburg and will feature legendary music acts as like The Police, Genesis, Bon Jovi, UB40, Madonna, Beastie Boys, with the latest headliners like Kanye West, Smashing Pumpkins, Black Eyed Peas and Jack Johnson. It will bringing together more than 150 of the world’s top musicians for a 24 hour concert that will include short films. The theater at Lincoln Center will be showing the live world broadcast, free, all afternoon! We highly recommend this if you don't have tix for the Giant Stadium show. All Ages.

**And a special shout out from FreeNYC to the NYC event production team. Good Luck! And see ya in the office next week!**

Posted by Lindsay at 11:00 AM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Grandiose Block Party

At last years block party I got all psyched and then ended up in Taco Chulo eating brunch and drinking until like 5pm. Still, thats me and this is a great time if your in the Grand Street aread. Do a little shopping, hear some bands, have a drink, y'know... Saturday afternoon stuff... "Enjoy food, music and fun at this Williamsburg block party. Also on hand will be creative clothing and jewelry designers, artists, and other vendors showing a wide array of funky wares for sale. A portion of the block party proceeds will be donated to BARC and Rational Animal." Band Listing below... all ages.

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The Boredoms and their 77 Drums

Legendary Japanese iconcolasts Boredoms, a visionary band who has spent over twenty years pushing itself toward new frontiers, will stage the most extraordinary concert of their career on July 7, 2007. A once-in-a-lifetime performance featuring 77 drummers, and meant to be performed just once (on 7/7/07), BOREDOMS will create 77BOADRUM as a free show in the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park section of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Posted by Chris at 4:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Martin Creed

Sure, why not... Described as "something between Steve Reich and The Ramones," Martin Creed brings his absurdist take on minimal punk rock (aka no distortion and a tamborine) to the tiny live-music haunt of 169 Bar. Hey, if your looking for something new, this is it.

Posted by Chris at 10:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em

The 25th Annual MLK Jr. Concert series kicks off today with the best hip hop that 1990
has to offer. How about MC Hammer, Doug E. Fresh, MC Lyte, and Slick Rick all on one stage, outdoors, for free. Dust off your Karl Kani and Cross Colours (isn't that coming back yet), and head down to the park... All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Young People's Chorus of NYC

"Celebrating its 10th anniversary with the 2006-2007 season, the award-winning, multi-cultural ensemble will open the 2007 River to River Summer Stars series with its groundbreaking "Transient Glory" program featuring works composed for the children's chorus. The Young People's Chorus of New York City is dedicated to the performance of new works and has given the world premiere of more than 50 compositions. "Transient Glory," which is available on the Vital Records label, includes pieces by Mark Adamo, Dominick Argento, John Corigliano, David Del Tredici, Tod Machover, Michael Nyman, Bright Sheng, Sir John Tavener and Michael Torke. Reviewing the premiere of this program The New York Times wrote "While the general public is thought to resist contemporary concert music,Transient Glory breaks down some of those perceptual barriers." All Ages

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Adalberto Santiago - Puerto Rican Elvis

"At one time known as 'the Puerto Rican Elvis,' Adalberto Santiago has been a much loved figure in Latin music for over 40 years. He made his reputation as lead vocalist for Ray Baretto’s band, before joining salsa groundbreakers Tipica 73 and Los Kimbos. As a solo artist, he’s perfected an easy-going style and and nearly flawless technique, and has appeared as a guest on countless Latin music albums. Renowned for his facility in almost every style, Adalberto remains a huge concert draw." All Ages.

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Spoon at Rockefeller Park

I used to love these guys back in the day when they opened for Pavement. Spoon has shyed away from being strictly indie rock and has developed into a solid rock and roll band.

Posted by Lori at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Junior Reid Redux

In case you didn't get enough Junior Reid at Summerstage last weekend (or if you were out 'til 6am the night before and missed it), tonight is another chance to catch this reggae riser... "At the tender age of 14, Junior Reid emerged from the tough environs of 1970s Kingston to record his first single, the wise-beyond-his-years “Know Thyself.” Thus began a singing career which made him a champion of Jamaica’s ghetto youth, a vital member of reggae giants Black Uhuru and an international roots music superstar. Reid’s passionate singing style has been emulated and sampled, but never topped. Earlier this year, Reid was featured on a smash hit remix of 'That’s Why I’m Hot' by rapper MIMS."

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Dub Trio Release Party

Its always hard to write about a band I really like (in less than 100 words) so I'll just say this... Dub Trio draw influences from every corner of the musical spectrum. True to the term dub as a stripped-down art form, they not only reference the traditions of Lee "Scratch" Perry and Sly and Robbie, but also the work of The Clash, Bad Brains, and The Exploited. They've worked with everyone from Mike Patton (on the Peeping Tom Project) to Z-Trip to The Adam Deitch Project. Its a music deeply seeped in the diverse history of the dub artform yet created with a fresh, unique voice. Go see this show! Big congrats tonight as they celebrate their new album launch tonight with a free show (also featuring The Giraffes and The Exit) fueled by an open bar. 21+

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Courtney Love

Holy crap, Courtney Love and her new face are playing at Hiro for FREE? It's bound to be a spectacle, whether she's actually good, or shows up a mess. I was definitely a 14 year old Hole fan, this is worth checking out. Also, not so special drink specials (Two-4-One Vodka drinks 10pm-11pm,$8 Tiger-Beer-and-Whisky-Chaser-Combo, and $4 Sparks all night) which are actually not bad for Hiro. Get there early because they will likely let 10,000 people rsvp and only let in a fraction of them, much like the Boredoms on 7-7-07...

Posted by Lori at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Bandshell es en Fuego

"Alt-rock explosivo from Mexico City's ZOÉ meets a freakishly irresistible cocktail of electro, pop, dance, lounge, and loud sunglasses mixed by The Pinker Tones...a Barcelona DJ duo on the fast track to global domination. Throw in the melodious pop of Chetes, a recent transplant from Monterrey, and we are en fuego."

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A-Sides instore

Yeah its an instore and, yeah, they want to sell you a Helio phone but if your into Vagrant Records' A-Sides then its worth stopping by for a free show. "The A-Sides emerged in the fertile Philadelphia music scene in 2002 when the three founding members, Jon Barthmus (vocals, guitar, keys), Mike Fleming (bass, vocals) and Patrick Marsceill (drums, vocals), met in class at Drexel University. The band has toured and performed with bands like British Sea Power, The National, We Are Scientists and Man Man, to name just a few."

Posted by Chris at 12:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Harry Chapin: A Celebration

"This afternoon is the 2nd of 4 shows on Governer's Island celebrating folk music. Tonight, the famous musical Chapin Family comes together to celebrate and bring alive the music of the late Harry Chapin. Songs like 'Taxi,' 'Cats In The Cradle,' 'Mr. Tanner,' and 'Circle' are sung by those who know them best - Harry's original band and his amazing family." All Ages

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Café Tacuba at Summerstage

Today, a special treat as Café Tacuba hits up Summerstage. "Arguably the most successful groups to emerge from the “rock en español” movement, Café Tacuba formed in the late ‘80s in Mexico City. The band’s core has always been the guitars, bass and drums set-up of your typical rock ‘n roll outfit: it’s what Café Tabuca does with this set up that matters. Heavily influenced by the punk and alternative rock of The Clash, The Cure and The Smiths, the group also incorporates Mexican styles like norteño and ranchero, as well as hip-hop, electronica and even musique concret." They are joined this afternoon by Pacha Massive and La Sista.

Posted by Lindsay at 3:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Brooklyn Philharmonic Fills the Bandshell

"A genre-bending evening with the borough's world-class orchestra [Brooklyn Philharmonic], directed by the dynamic Michael Christie. Special guest soloist and composer Mark O'Connor, a violinist ... who has created a program that incorporates his country roots and features thrilling contributions from cellist Maya Beiser"

Posted by Lindsay at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

EL-P Frees Your Radio

I know, you're thinking "Urban Outfitters, for real?" but they have actually put together a pretty cool thing here. They have joined forces with Toyota Yaris and created a program to support and publicize the importance of non-commercial radio, properly titled, Free Yr Radio. Check out this map for a number of independent stations they'ed like you know know about across the country. Locally, they are hosting a free EL-P performance at Urban Oufitters in support of 88.7 WNHU. Space is limited, so get there early. And they say no admittance with out their printed invite.

Posted by Lindsay at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Robots Revenge

It's been awhile but it's time for another Asterisk party. Hip hop seems to be the name of the game tonight, with performances from Metermaids, Mon.Key.Pod, Domer, Broke MC, MC Squared and Zigmat. "Plus DJs Halo and Dichotomy will be slappin yer ass with funky jams till the cows turn into pumpkins." Oh, and its also the video premier for both Domer and Metermaids.

Posted by Lindsay at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Ponderosa Stomp - Lookout Brooklyn! at McCarren Pool

Summer is is full swing and what better way to shake off Saturday night's cobwebs than kickin it to free live music in a beautiful historic venue? Nothing, you're right. Tonight the pool diverts from their usual tight-black-jean-hipster-rock and instead delves into the words of classic soul, swamp funk, and good old southern fried blues for Ponderosa Stomp! Lookout Brooklyn. This is a smaller version of the massive annual event New Orleans event. Perfect lazy Sunday afternoon fair. Slated to appear are Roy Head, Bobby Patterson, Willy Tee, Tammi Lynn, Ray Sharpe (backed by The A-Bones), Tommy McClain (backed by Yo Lan Tengo). Also performing are Teenie Hodges, Scott Bomar, Willie Tee, Willy Hall. As always the Pool Parties are free, but you can RSVP here.

Posted by Jeff at 2:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Celebrate Brooklyn Celebrates Frank London's Yiddish Carnival

"For this concert of old- and new-school Jewish music, the luminary Frank London-who has played with everyone from John Zorn to They Might Be Giants and LL Cool J-will be joined by New York City's hottest and most diverse group of Yiddish musicians for a radical festival in the park. Performers include the Grammy award winning klezmer band, The Klezmatics; television and theater star Fyvush Finkel; a rare performance by legendary Yiddish rocker Wolf Krakowski; Cuban Jewish percussionist Roberto Rodriguez; Rolling Stone's #1 non-English group of 2006, Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars featuring Brazilian percussionists Maracatú New York; Yiddish divas Joanne Borts and Adrienne Cooper; and the Festival Latin Jewish Carnival Orchestra & Social Justice Sing."

Posted by Lindsay at 4:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Food Will Win the War, Free for FreeNYC Readers!

Don't be fooled by it's initial softness, there is a mystical complexity to the music of Food Will Win the War. They're "the Charlie Kaufman of Indie Rock. Their slightly quirky songs employ irregular meters, indefinite silences, and full four part vocal harmonies. Based out of the East Village, the band draws from influences such as Elliott Smith and Belle & Sebastian." The guys are going on hiatus for a while and playing their last show tonight. But we couldn't just let them say goodbye to our readers like that so we've hooked up free entry for FreeNYC readers. Just RSVP above and your there.

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Can I Get a Witness?

The 25th Annual MLK Jr. Concert series continues tonight with a good old Gospal infusion. Don Hammond, Byron Cage, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong all belt out the spirital goodness this evening. And seeing how I know nothing about any of these people, I'll let their bios do the talking (below). All ages.

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

New York Philharmonic in Van Cortland Park

Having just come off of seeing The Brooklyn Philharmonic play in Prospect Park this weekend, I am highly recommending this. If you are up in the Bronx this evening head over to Van Cortland Park to see the New York Philharmonic in the Park. The program for the evening consists of Berlioz: Le Corsaire Overture, Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6. If you haven't gotten to see any classical music this summer you have one more chance tomorrow when the Philharmonic is in Central Par.

Posted by Lindsay at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Oteil & The Peacemakers

How about a little Christian Swamp Funk for your Tuesday afternoon? Oteil Burbridge - founding member of the Aquarium Rescue Unit and now of the Allman Brothers Band – puts his bass to work for the Lord tonight with a bit of spirituality, funk, and southern soul. Oteil's bass work is first rate and its a treat to see him in such an intimate setting.

Posted by Chris at 6:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Marc Ribot

Marc Ribot is one of those names you hear all over the NYC avant music scene. From Tonic to The Stone, if there are people pushing the boundaries in a post-jazz NYC, Marc Ribot is there. Tonight, the guitar genius (and I don't use that lightly) "presents an evening showcasing three sides of his artistic breadth. He begins the show with a solo piece, followed by two of his ensembles, Spiritual Unity and Ceramic Dog." If you've never seen him play then now's your chance.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Black Moon and Sean Price Perform in Brooklyn

"Though they never achieved the crossover fame of fellow New Yorkers Biggie Smalls or Wu-Tang Clan, Black Moon gets the respect of all true hip-hop fans. Founding members of the Boot Camp Clik posse, the trio of Buckshot, 5 FT and DJ Evil Dee has released five albums of heavy-hitting East Coast rap, from 1993’s Enta da Stage to last year’s Alter The Chemistry. Fellow Boot Camp Clik artist Sean Price first proved his mettle as one half of ‘90s duo Heltah Skeltah (he was known as Ruck back then). One of the few hard-core rappers to display a self-deprecating sense of humor, Price dubbed himself “the brokest rapper you know” on his 2005 solo debut Monkey Bars. That probably isn’t a problem anymore: his critically acclaimed sophomore set Jesus Price Supastar reached #3 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart earlier this year."

Posted by Lindsay at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Jason Lindner / Rich Medina Rescheduled

Seems like everyone has a summer concert series and that's fine by me. Today its Stuyvesant Town's turn to bring live music to the masses with DJ Rich Medina and the Jason Lindner Big Band. Rich Medina you should know by now from reading FreeNYC. He's from that classic soul-funk-house-hop school of DJing a la Pete Rock or Jazzy Jeff. But jazz pianist Jason Lindner you may not and that's a shame. Lindner's unique style has been a fixture on the New York jazz scene since the mid-90's composing solo pieces as well as works for large orchestras. Between Marc Ribot yesterday and Jason Lindner today, its kind of Chris's favorite jazz week in NYC! Sounds on Site. All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 6:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Arrested Development

"Arrested Development has always gone against the grain. The group’s 1992 debut Three Years, Five Months and Two Days in the Life of... was message-driven and Afrocentric, the polar opposite of the nihilistic gangsta rap just starting to dominate hip-hop. And at a time when everyone was talking about 'East Coast vs. West Coast,' Arrested Development came from the South—and celebrated that fact in hits like 'Tennessee' and 'People Everyday.' Fifteen years later, the South is the center of hip-hop, and Arrested Development are back with a new album: Since The Last Time." Catch them in the park for free this evening. All Ages.

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Alloy Orchestra at the Bandshell with Morley

Tonight at the Prospect Park Bandshell the "Alloy Orchestra performs its gripping score to Blackmail (1929), Hitchcock's last and best silent film... Ease into the noir with the seductive charms of Morley, a 'jazz minded pop chanteuse, soul sister, cosmopolitan home girl from Jamaica Queens.' (NY Times)" I guess this pairing was supposed to have happened last summer, but had to be rescheduled to this season.

Posted by Lindsay at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Mobius Band and Pilobolus at Hiro

Not sure which to tout this one as... Its either a closing party with impromptu performances from dance troupe Pilobolus' Joyce Theatre run or a live set by new york's own artlectro rockers Mobius Band. I'm going with the latter since I'm a big fan dance bands that trade in the cheeky 80s reference and bubble gum lyrics for Sonic Youth-esque song styling (that and I know very little about dance troupes.) Anyway, listen to the song below and go have fun. 2 for 1 drinks from 10-11. 21+

Posted by Chris at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Bobby 'Blue' Bland at the Bandshell

The Prospect Park Bandshell is a good, relaxing way to spend your Friday night. "Half a century into a career in which his 'evocative vocal style has taken the blues out of the barroom and into the bedroom,' (Salon) Bobby 'Blue' Bland can still turn on your love light like nobody else—he's as untouchably authentic as ever." Joining him tonight is singer Catherine Russell "who takes on jazz balladry, bordello blues, dance hall swing, country, pop, and soul with equal élan."

Posted by Lindsay at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Beets! and more

Summer is for Long Island City! Tonight, New York's own The Beets headline with Frontier Ruckus from Michigan and acoustic band Rivers and Lakes.

Posted by Lori at 9:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Mo Pair and Craig Chin at Freddy's Backroom

If you're looking for a more mellow and low key night, but still wish to drown your sorrows in a lil booze and maybe even share some of that sorrow, I suggest you head over down to Freddy's Backroom. Tonight, Mo Pair and Craig Chin sing songs of "despair and redemption." They are both indie singer song writers, and I am exaggerating a bit, they aren't completely debie downer. It should be a fun chill way to spend your Friday night.

Posted by Lindsay at 9:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Annual Siren Music Festival

A whole day of free bands and DJs, Siren Fest, by Village Voice, is a New York summer staple. Let's hope it doesn't rain this year. Set to play are the legendary NEW YORK DOLLS, WE ARE SCIENTISTS, MATT AND KIM, THE BLACK LIPS, DR. DOG, NOISETTES, LAVENDER DIAMOND, THE DETROIT COBRAS, ELVIS PERKINS, THE TWILIGHT SAD and many more to be announced in July. DJs will be spinning all day long. I wonder if Coney Island will be bull dozed by then? Regardless, bring some sun block and your friends and enjoy the bevy of free New York summer events! Press release below.

*UPDATE: M.I.A., CURSIVE, WHITE RABBITS have all been added to the line up.*

Posted by Lori at 12:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Hal Willner Brings Doc Pomus to the Bandshell

A special treat this evening as Prospect Park Bandshell alum, Hal Willner returns with a new program. "Maverick music producer Hal Willner, whose off kilter genius for dreaming up multi-artist concept shows is unparalleled, returns to the Bandshell after epic explorations of Leonard Cohen (2003) and Neil Young (2004) to celebrate the words and music of the late great Williamsburg born songwriter Doc Pomus, author of classics like "Lonely Avenue" and "Youngblood." Willner's eclectic crowd of artists will range, as always, from the emerging to the iconic". As of now, the project will feature Project Featuring Lou Reed, Ben E. King, Howard Tate, Teddy Thompson, Shannon McNally, Steven Bernstein, Robin Holcomb, Joel Dorn, Mocean Worker, Peter Guralnick and more.

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The Brazilian Girls At Summerstage!

So many great summer concerts, and so little time! It really is impossible to make it to all of them, and I am sad to say I am going to miss one of FreeNYC's favorites, The Brazilian Girls at Summerstage today. The "globe-trotting vibe of their music [is] a playful mix of electronica, bossa nova, vintage French pop and rock. Their sophomore set, Talk To La Bomb, was released last year, and Spin magazine called it 'multicultural, cosmopolitan, intellectual dance music: Ibiza meets punk, dub goes tango, trance gets smart.'" Joining them will be another crowd pleaser, Cat Empire, as well as the "spontaneous, organic and ephemeral" marching band, Himalayas.

Posted by Lindsay at 3:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Boys II Men

The MLK Jr. Series continues to bring the biggest acts from my High School years. This week it's a night of smooth grooves with none other than Philly's own Boys II Men. "Boyz II Men, the most commercially successful R&B group of all time, is celebrating years of setting industry records in the 90's with smooth smash hits like 'End of the Road,' 'I'll Make Love to You,' and the collaboration with Mariah Carey, 'One Sweet Day.'" They are joined by American Idol's own Rubben Studdard.

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Luau Lounge World Night

Go-go dancers, live bands, and burlesque dancers take over this monthly tiki-jive at New York's best place to drink a singapore sling in a tiki mug. The Fisherman Tiki Trio bring marimba infused lounge-pop, there's a hawaiian band with dancers, and even "a string, a gourd, and a milk crate" playing "music of Zimbabwe." 21+

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Camp Lo at United Afterparty

Vapors Magazine brings a United Tradeshow afterparty in proper LES style. DJs Bobbito, Rich Medina, and Sucio Smash spin hip hop, afro-funk, and a bit of house while Camp Lo and Sputnik Brown give a live performance. Expect top notch music, fashions streetwear elite (and the people who love them) and lots of Air Force 1s.

Posted by Chris at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Escort and McBoing Boing

"Escort is a disco band that rarely gets to play in New York despite their residence here. It's probably because they're so damn big (twelve members... I think that officially make them a disco orchestra). Today they're playing on the lawn that sits in the middle of Stuy Town to a bunch of moms, dads, their kids and you. And it's free! McBoing Boing, who frequently spins the underground parties of New York, pulls out some boogie twelve inches to lead in." Escort x Muppets video below. All Ages [via New Release]

Posted by Chris at 6:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Johnny Pacheco, Latin Legend

Continuing my theory that this summer is all about salsa, the Seaport is take over - once again - tonight by latin legend Johnny Pacheco. "Johnny Pacheco has been at the center of the Latin music universe for decades" working with everyone from Celia Cruz and Tito Puente to David Byrne. He was at the center of the Fania All-Stars era in tropical music and even wrote the song "La Dicha Mia" performed by Celia Cruz in the film The Mambo Kings. All Ages.

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Sister Carol

One of the most successful female dancehall singers, Sister Carol made her name by refusing to conform to notions of what a women in reggae should be. With herthought-provoking “conscious” lyrics, her Afro-centric style and her undoubted vocal chops, Sister Carol became a star without having to sexy up her image. Hits like her cover of “Wild Thing” brought dancehall to a whole new audience. As for her concerts, the Village Voice once noted that “no other woman in dancehall can touch Sister Carol." All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Lovely Sparrows Live

I've been on a bit of a folk/anti-folk/americana kick as of late... getting myself out of the club and back into some lyrical honesty and roots rhythms. If you've been having the same itch lately, then def. stop by SoundFix as Austin's Lovely Sparrows will be performing for free tonight. They're a little Americana and a little folk a la the Wilco or Sufjan Stevens camp of music.

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are one of those bands that I will go see every time they play. Their "throw-back soul" vibe is straight up, feel good, fun music. For those of you unfamiliar, the Dap Kings have recently been moonlighting as Amy Winehouse's backup band and are as instrumental in her vintage sound as was Mr. Ronson. Of course, Ms. Winehouse has nothing on the soul queen herself, Sharon Jones. Now in her 50s this vocal powerhouse is as contemporary as ever. Tonight they play a sunset show in Battery Park that is not to be missed. All ages, ticket info below.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

BPM Celebrates with Spank Rock & Kudu

BPM Magazine's celebrates 11 years of dance music love tonight with (what else but a) proper dance party over at Hiro. And if you didn't get your fill of electro-trash-hipster-hop madness at the M.I.A. show last night then you can let it out this evening as Kudu perform live while Spank Rock's Devlin & Darko DJ. Don't forget to RSVP. 21+

Posted by Chris at 10:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Suicide at the Seaport... WHAT?!?

What? Just when I thought this summers crazy free show line up could not get any better Suicide have come out of the wood work to place a free show on the pier tonight. This is THE original punk-tronic duo, dropping dark, minimal haunting beats at CBGBs along side legendaries such as The Velvet Underground, The Ramones, and The Clash (a true testament to the openness of NYC's ears back then). See if 30 years has taken there toll tonight in a show not to be missed. Worthy press release below. All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Old's Cool B-Day Bash with New York Howl

Okay, I've been pushing these guys at your for months now, and tonight The New York Howl are back a my favorite free rock weekly, NY Underbelly. The Howl are awesome. They play some serious, honest music which says a lot considering most bands passing through NYC these days care more about their eye liner and matching ties and how they are going to get their demo to Vice then about making new, original music. It'll be one hell of a punk rock funked up hoe-down tonight not to be missed. Plus, its Jeremy from NY Underbelly's birthday (congrats, old boy) so you know we'll be celebrating in proper style!

Listen to The New York Howl on MySpace.

Posted by Chris at 9:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

East River Music Project

"The East River Music Project is a group of people dedicated to putting on free summer concerts of local music at the East River Amphitheater." And we here at FreeNYC applaud this! Four Saturday's through out the summer ERMP brings you free shows. Tonight they welcome Jennifer O'Conner, Lindsay Anderson, and The Rats. Band Bios below. All Ages.

Jennifer O’Connor
“Jennifer’s career began in Atlanta, where after college she joined Violet, a band compared to X and the Pixies. She started playing solo after quitting Violet and moving to NYC. Her influences are other artists with a fresh take on self-awareness, from Destroyer, Silver Jews, Aimee Mann, and Smog, to Dylan and Petty, as well as Jay Z, Kanye West, and Dizzee Rascal. Jennifer released her debut EP, Truth Love Work, in 2000. ‘Time Out’ wrote, “O’Connor is another Liz Phair or Elliott Smith waiting to happen. Her understated guitar-based songs lack the primping, preening and obviousness of Phair and the sad-sack whining of Smith. Rather, her matter-of-fact lyrics tell stories that us regular joes can relate to.” Her self-released, self-titled debut followed in 2002, and Red Panda released the acclaimed The Color And The Light in May 2005.”

Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Anderson is co-founder of the group L‘altra and has contributed her voice and talents to many other internationally acclaimed artists. She has played, recorded and toured with artists such as Edith Frost, Will Oldham/Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Telefon Tel Aviv, Slicker, and Pulseprogramming. Known for her soaring, intimate and honeyed vocals, Lindsay has departed from L‘altra to further explore the depth of this voice. Lindsay’s debut record (to be released in 2007) consists of simple songs with Lindsay’s signature layered melodies of wurlizer, rhodes and piano. She also takes up the guitar on multiple tracks which expands the songwriting styles on the album to include sweet pop, insightful folktales and powerful rockscapes. Ultimately, this record is a haunting, dark and redeeming journey displaying a personal and artistic growth for the artist.

The Rats
“THE RATS send their latest EP preview and it’s off the charts. Suicide vocals, ferocious guitars and great songs grab you by the hips and won’t let go. Rock-n-roll never dies, it just goes underground.” (NY Waste)

Collapse

Posted by Chris at 1:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Mixel Pixel Pool-Afterparty

Mixel Pixel are going to be real big one day. You know how you were all sick of watching Professor Murder play in basements with crappy soundsystems and then they blew up and are touring the globe? That's gonna be Mixel Pixel and their psychedelic indie-tronic blend. At the least, this will be their smallest show for a while so def. come out and watch these boys play after the pool and see what my hype is all about. Awesome Paper Rad video below.

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Morgan Heritage at MLK Series

The 25th Annual MLK Jr. Concert series continues tonight with Calypso night featuring The Mighty Sparrow and reggae risers Morgan Heritage. Morgan Heritage have a new(ish) track "Jamaica and Brooklyn" that I've been obsessed with most of the summer and if its any indication of the rest of their new material then this show is well worth the trip. All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Liz Durrett

Liz Durrett, I love your soft truth. You pull on my 16-year-old-girl heart strings with your soft melodies and quiet tales of heatbreak and hope. Liz is in town for a few shows this week, bringing her soft, Georgian melodies to the gritty city. Tonight's SoundFix show is favorite of the three. Their soft, welcoming back room plays well with these introspective melodies that bear similarity to contemporaries such as Meg Baird or Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Hey, it's Monday, and this is a nice way to ease into the week.

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Whodini Appears in Queens!

NYC's non-stop supply of summer concerts continues tonight with none other than Whodini! "Whodini was a major force on the early-80s rap scene, recording genre classics like “Friends” and “Freaks Come Out At Night.” The group’s debut Escape was one of the first hip-hop albums to go platinum, and for a while held the title of biggest selling rap album. Perhaps more importantly, Whodini was the first rap group to add an R&B flavor to their sound, thereby laying the groundwork for the New Jack Swing that would emerge a few years later."

Posted by Lindsay at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Just Jack

I got a Just Jack promo dropped on me like 2 hrs ago and am totally digging it. Still not sure where to put this so I'll let the press release do the talking. But check out the show tonight and sort it for yourself. "Giant Step presents Just Jack, who has been hailed on each side of the Atlantic for both his '[Jarvis] Cocker-esque skill for social analysis' (Mojo) and his ability to filter 'disco, house and electro... pitched between Jools Holland and the Ministry of Sound' (Uncut). 'An exquisitely poignant dance-pop requiem.' - Spin. 21+

Posted by Chris at 9:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Mavis Staple

"Celebrating her newest album release, We’ll Never Turn Back, soul legend Mavis Staples performs a special concert featuring updated ‘Freedom Songs’ of the Civil Rights Movement along with classic Staple Singers hits." All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 7:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Roy Ayers

Wow... Roy Ayers is a legend. He's been changing the face of music since the 1960's, beginning as a jazz vibraphonist and then expanding into R&B, fun lfunk, and disco. He is now considered to be an icon of modern music. At 64 years old, he is a man who is always looking decades ahead of his time. Many artists have sampled his music, and yet there’s still so much more to discover about Roy Ayers. And tonight, he plays a free show deep in Brooklyn. It's good to be a New Yorker some times.

Posted by Chris at 7:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Brave New World Repertory Theatre: Crossing Brooklyn Ferry

"The dynamic Brooklyn-based company [Brave New World] follows last summer's Bandshell production of 'The Great White Hope' with an adaptation of Walt Whitman's love song to the borough 'Crossing Brooklyn Ferry' that fuses poetry, projections, music, rap, and dance. Commissioned by Celebrate Brooklyn. Violinist/composer Jenny Scheinman 'has the street musician's trick of getting attention with the pure power of a single, perfect note. (NY Times) Her latest album, 12 Songs, includes the Whitman-inspired 'Song of the Open Road."

Posted by Chris at 8:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Lyricist Lounge in the Park

Prospect Park gets lit up tonight by "a night of consciousness-raising rap, with Boogie Down Productions co-founder KRS-ONE, 'hip-hop's Cassius Clay,' (Mics) LADYBUG MECCA of the seminal bebop hip-hop poets Digable Planets, and a selection of young talent from the open mic visionaries of the Lyricist Lounge." Also on the bill: Blitz, Beat Entertainment, & Turntable Anihilists. All Ages

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BM Linx at Rock and a Hard Place

So this makes 2 weeks in a row that one of my favorite local bands is playing at Rock and a Hard Place. Last week it was the NY Howl with their New Orleans gutter funk and tonight its BM Linx with their electro-rock proless. These boys are fresh out of the studio with a new fired up energy so hit that open bar and see what they've been working on. 21+.

NOTE: Last week the line was moving real slow to get in this place (it is owned by BLVD and they like to have those lines outside) so make sure you allow a little extra time to get in.

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In the Pocket with Antibalas

Giant Step and LMCC team up for the In The Pocket series throughout August. Hailed as your "summer day trip getaway." These events combine quality world music with a little afternoon getaway. "Bring a picnic and hop on the free ferry to the island off the island for some New World Music." This afternoon features local afro-beat superstars Antibalas and Ogans. "Brooklyn’s Antibalas expand the musical language of Afrobeat developed by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in late-‘60s Lagos, Nigeria, adding Latin, jazz, and classical elements to their funky mix. Ogans incorporate capoeira into their un-traditional Afro-Brazilian mix of music and dance." All Ages, directions below.

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Spam All Stars at Summerstage

"Spam Allstars include every type of instrument in their music, from timbales to turntables, creating an exhilarating mix of Latin music, R&B, funk, hip-hop, deep-down dub and spaced-out soul. The instigator of this acousti-electronic jam style is DJ Le Spam, a Miami-based turntablist of English-Venezuelan extraction. The group’s latest album, electrodomésticos, includes contributions from soul-funk legend Pee Wee Ellis." They are joined this afternoon by the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Tato Torres Y Yerbabuena.

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Kassav' & Bonga at the Bandshell

"The Paris-based French Antillian founding fathers of zouk—a driving mix of Caribbean rhythms, Franco-pop, and American funk—storm into Brooklyn en masse, blowing horns, banging drums, and whipping the crowd into a frenzied, hip-shaking mob with music that "sounds like the makings of a glorious carnival." (NY Times) Brooklynite Gaston Jean-Baptiste, aka BONGA, is a master traditional Haitian drummer and a high priest of voodoo."

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Blonde Redhead at the Pool

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Afro Reggae at Summerstage

"AfroReggae was formed in 1995 in the favela shanty-towns of Rio de Janeiro. Fusing many elements of Brazilian and international music past and present—including mangue beat, rap, samba-reggae, funk, raga, xaxado beats, drum ‘n’ bass, capoeira and candomblé—the 13 member group has established itself as one of Brazil’s most passionate and creative bands. AfroReggae has collaborated with artists like Arnaldo Antunes, Nando Reis and Caetano Veloso, and opened for the Rolling Stones at a 2006 Copacabana Beach concert for a crowd of over 2 million people. " Their performance tonight will preceed a screening of "Zuzu Angel, which tells the true story of a famous Brazilian fashion designer of the ‘70s, and her political awakening after the military regime kills her son." All Ages.

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Whitby Brass Band

One of Canada's oldest community Brass Bands, the Whitby Brass Band, bring 140 years of musical experience to the bandshell this afternoon for a genre-spanning live performance of swing, pop, broadway, and more this afternoon.

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Lauren Hill

Lauryn Hill's 1998 solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill showed this Fugee was a major vocal and lyrical force, blending rap, soul, reggae, and R&B into an undeniably powerful, and deeply personal style. As a writer, arranger, and producer, she also delivered several times over on her initial promise of multi-faceted talent. Songs like "Doo Wop (That Thing)," "Ex-Factor," and "Lost Ones" are profound and timeless classics. Chart burner Sean Kingston Opens. All ages.

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The Felice Brothers

The Felice Brothers are back in town after taking a long hiatus (since the fall I believe) and ready to win you over once again with their honest take on good old Americana. They've been compared to some of the great American songwriters such as Bob Dylan and Woodie Guthrie but their sound is as applicable to our time as it was there's. The Brothers are just off a European tour with David Grey and The Waterboys so tonight's the night to welcome them home. 21+

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Benzos Release Party

Its really refreshing to see the ultra-talented, local live-tronic Benzos release their new album with a live show tonight at über-hipster 205. I've watched these boys play jam-laden events (oh is that a naughty word on the music scene these days!) at North Six, Camp Bisco, and various other venues with contemporaries such as Philly's Brother's Past or Juan MacLean. And While there may not be enough hooks in their shoegaze indie meanderings for your average bar-goer, its nice to see the trendset get behind something that doesn't involve Justice's latest remix. Tonight is highly recommended as is their show at the Knit on Thursday on a proper system for a mere $8. 21+ tonight.

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Biz Markie and Lovebug Starski

How about some hip hop for your hump day. Tonight, Biz Markie and Lovebug Starski hold a free performance in Jackie Robinson Park. In case you have been living under a rock for years now, "A master free-style rhymer, Biz presented himself as a figure of fun while somehow maintaining his street cred...Biz’s opted to write from the point of view of an eighth grader, and on songs like “Just A Friend,” he delivered his hilarious raps in a tongue-twisting style or a loud, out-of-tune sing-song." And for course Lovebug Starski was there at the birth of hip-hop: some even claim he was the first to call it by that name. He was house DJ at the legendary club Disco Fever and manned the wheels of steel at Club Harlem World and Rennaisance as well...Lovebug Starski has never forgotten how to keep a party movin."

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Yerba Buena and Los Amigos Invisibles

"The perfect blend of music to compliment a beautiful summer night on the Hudson River! Come chill out to the Latin groove funk of Yerba Buena and the acid jazz of Los Amigos Invisibles. It is going to be a great night of music that is not to miss!" All Ages.

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Akim Funk Buddah

"It's like "Stomp", but instead of garbage can lids and broom sticks, these Lords of the Larynx use only their vocal chords... From the streets of Bali to Carnegie Hall, from meditative throat singing to high-energy Hip Hop rhymes, Akim Funk Buddha creates borderless performance art, fusing sounds and movements. An avid world traveler and self-described old-school B-boy MC, he is known for his holistic approach to Hip Hop, drawing from a full spectrum of cultural traditions and artistic disciplines." Part of the ongoing Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival. Video below... All Ages.

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The Rulers Back! Slick Rick in the Park

So maybe your up in the park for the above mentioned Harlem Hop... or maybe you don't get out of work until 6:00pm so your just getting there now. Whatever the case, there is no better reason to find yourself on 112th st today then for a free dose of Slick Rick and DJ Red Alert. Slick Rick brings his slow drawl, eye patch wearin' storytelling rhymes to the park for a free show today along side Boogie Down Productions' Kool DJ Red Alert. Expect packed crowds but who knows when they will deport Slick Rick again so you don't want to miss out.

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The Hold Steady at the Bandshell

"(The Hold Steady) are rock & roll's 21st Century saviors—and perfect headliners for a fist-pumping all-Brooklyn triple bill. THE BIG SLEEP churn out 'seducing-yet-disorienting bedroom-metal,' (Spin.com) while the gritty and soulful TEENAGE PRAYERS boast a front man, Tim Adams, whose vocals are a fascinating cross between a traditional R&B belter and Stephen Malkmus.' (Trouser Press) Friends of CB pre-concert reception supported by Betancourt & Associates Realty. (All Ages)

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B-52s - our very unofficial Daft Punk pre-party

So maybe you didn't get Daft Punk tickets tonight. Or maybe you've seen the Rapture so many times that you've memorized every rocker pose and waining lyric. Or maybe - like me - your fascinating that a 2000s dance superstar and 1980s dance superstar are both converging on that quiet beach town known as Coney Island today. Whatever the reason - pre-Daft Punk, alt-Daft Punk, or simply love for the slide whistle - the B-52s once again play their annual outdoor show tonight. Hit up the "Love Shack" before you dance the night away like a robot. All ages.

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Au Revoir Simone at the Seaport

Nice! I know nothing about Au Revoir Simone but they kind of sound like 80s-inspired synth-driven Shoegaze Laika which is okay by me. Check them out tonight and see for yourself... "The all-keyboard, all-female, Brooklyn-based Au Revoir Simone has spent the better part of the past year touring throughout Europe and Japan. The trio released its first full-length album, The Bird of Music, in May, features "a few straight pop songs, a few dreamy ones and some epic journeys... All about love of course," All Ages.

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In the Pocket with Sweet Micky

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East River Music Project with Meg Baird

"The East River Music Project is a group of people dedicated to putting on free summer concerts of local music at the East River Amphitheater." And we here at FreeNYC applaud this! Four Saturday's through out the summer ERMP brings you free shows. This weekend it's Vampire Weekend, Jonathan Kane's February, and Meg Baird who's retro-folk stylings have been on constant rotation in my studio as of late. Band Bios below. All Ages.

VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Acclaimed by the New York Times ("...something about their preppie, polyrhythmic sound feels fresh and funny and, weirdly, inevitable. Instead of borrowing from early Talking Heads albums...they're borrowing from Afro-pop, just as Talking Heads did on later albums. In retrospect it's a brilliantly well-timed approach") and John Darnielle ("They have awesome afrobeat-style guitar and an singer with a pretty sweet voice and, on the evidence of the songs on their Myspace, a natural gift for melody the likes of which you don't hear very often."), among others. Is it catchy? It's very catchy. Currently available is a three-song EP, plus a contribution to Stereogum's recent OK Computer tribute.

MEG BAIRD
May 2007 saw the release of Meg Baird's Dear Companion on Drag City. While Baird is primarily known for her work as a member of Philadelphia's acclaimed Espers, this solo work has been receiving its fair share of critical praise as well. "Each of Dear Companion's acoustic guitar-plus-voice songs feels as if it comes from another era, primarily the late-'60s heyday of British folk, with some '70 singer-songwriter touches thrown in for good measure. Whereas Baird's contemporaries...come across like a modern band simply appreciating the music of decades ago, Dear Companion genuinely sounds like a lost Fairport Convention recording." (Andrew Earles, The AV Club)

JONATHAN KANE'S FEBRUARY
I'll let the label bio speak for itself here: "Jonathan Kane is a Downtown NYC legend -- as co-founder of the no-wave behemoth Swans, and the rhythmic thunder behind the massed-guitar armies of Rhys Chatham and the rock excursions of La Monte Young -- and one of the hardest-hitting drummers on the planet. With his solo work, Kane summons Swans' concussive wallop, Chatham's dense guitar strata, and the perpetual propulsion of 70s krautrockers Neu, then steers it all head-on into... the blues." From having seen February (Kane's live band) myself, I can say that those comparisons are entirely accurate. Four guitars, one bass, and Kane on drums, playing music that draws from traditional blues and folk and runs it through a minimalist filter. To give you a sense of what this is like live, witness this live-at-WFMU performance:

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Summerstage Celebrates New Orleans

Its an afternoon of brass-fueled swamp funk this afternoon as Summerstage bring Galactic, The Golden Eagle Mardi Gras Indians, & Soul Rebel Brass Band to park for an afteroon of meaty, blues dancing. Each band carry that New Orleans tradition of of big band, live energy but most notable are the boys from Galactic who have infused elements of hip hop and electornica into their sound as of late. While there most likely won't be any MCs at this show, check out the track below for an example of what I am talking about. All Ages.

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Float Concerts with El Michels Affair, Chin Chin, and Budos Band

Long Island City's Socrates Sculpture Park brings concerts to their month long FLOAT exhibit this afternoon with three of my favorite local acts. The no-filler lineup features Budos Band, El Michels Affair, and Chin Chin each bringing their own take on modern funk and soul. This is a great alternative to the always-packed-and-sweaty dance party that is PS1 Warm up and highly recommended. All Ages

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Head Automatica at Robot Rock

Every Saturday, Highline Ballroom hosts Robot Rock. This week, Head Automatica are playing live at midnight with Vampires For Hire. Followed by dance party extravaganza with DJ sets from Head Automatica's Daryl Palumbo, Dimitry!!!, Nick Hook (from Men Women & Children) and Eli Escobar. It's worth checking out the space and hey, its free.

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Zap Mama at Summerstage

Since the early 1990’s, Zap Mama has reigned supreme as one of the premier groups in world music. And they’ve done this by largely ignoring the label of “world music.” Founded by Zaire native Marie Daulne, Zap Mama specializes in a form of evocative vocal technique that Daulne learned from the pygmy tribes of her homeland. At heart, the Zap Mama sound is based on the harmonic and percussive sounds that the five members make using nothing but their voices. Over the years, Daulne has added instrumentation and contemporary touches to the group’s style, and worked with people like Common, King Britt, Erykah Badu, Nelly Furtado and The Roots. Time magazine has noted "Marie Daulne and Zap Mama make music that sounds like a one woman multicultural movement, melding African percussion, American soul and European urbanity." Angelique Kidjo opens. All Ages.

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Junior Senior Instore

Denmark's own Junior Senior are getting big. I'm talking Fuji Rock Festival big. Their hit "Move your Feet" was an instant classic and now their back working the circuit in honor of a new, equally infectious album of party jams. And while they have a well worthy show coming up at the Highline Ballroom next month, this is most likely your last chance to catch they 80's inspired disco-rock in such an intimate place. This is the perfect McCarren Pool afterparty so don't sleep on this one. All Ages. Video Below.

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Anita Baker

Grammy Award winner, composer, producer, mother and all-around superstar Anita Baker takes the stage tonight in her first ever Brooklyn performance. This is much more intimate then her usual arena or amphitheatre tour so if your a fan of this queen of R&B then tonight's your night. All ages.

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Leela James at the Seaport

After collaborating with the likes of Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Rafael Saadiq and Robert Randolph, Leela James has made a name for herself in the R&B world. Inspired by Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Chaka Khan, and propelled by her floor-shaking voice, poetic lyrics, and indelible talent, she’s headed to the top. All Ages.

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Dwele

Detroit-based neo-soul sensation Dwele grew up on the music of Motown icons like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, and he marries their old school passion to an utterly contemporary feel. His sophomore album, Some Kinda..., was released in 2005, and it highlights this singer/producer/instrumentalist’s smokey charisma and melodic skill. All Ages.

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In the Pocket with Si*Sé & Toubab Krewe

Giant Step and LMCC team up for the In The Pocket series throughout August. Hailed as your "summer day trip getaway." These events combine quality world music with a little afternoon getaway. "Bring a picnic and hop on the free ferry to the island off the island for some New World Music." This afternoon features Si*Sé and personal favorites the Toubab Krewe. "With New York City’s diverse cultural mix as their model, singer/DJ Carol C. (Si*Sé) and programmer U.F. Low seamlessly work soul and Latin influences into their stylish dance grooves. Developing their unique sound after studying and performing with musical masters on extended trips to Africa, Asheville, North Carolina, quintet Toubab Krewe bridge East Coast and West African influences, blending Malian, American, and “Dirty South” influences." All Ages, directions below.

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Menage a Twang

Its summer time...and the living's easy. And nothing is easier listening than three cute girls in matching dresses playing smooth folksy country camp on a hot summer night. Menage a Twang reunite for an evening of easy breezy love. What a way to ring in the week.

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Classic Soul Night

The 25th Annual MLK Jr. Concert series closes out today with an evening of classic soul featuring the O'Jays and The Spinners. All Ages.

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Mick Moloney with Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks

Deeply ensconced in Irish roots, Mick Moloney has recorded and produced over 40 albums of traditional music. With a Ph.D. in folklore and folklife, he was awarded the National Heritage Award from the National Endowment for the Arts — the highest official honor a traditional artist can receive in the United States. Tonight he plays live along with Les Yeux Noirs who bring together Gypsy and Yiddish music with a nod to Manouche (French Gypsy) jazz violinists by combining violins, violoncello, accordion, electric guitar, cimbalom, and electronic samples in innovative, complementary ways. All Ages

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Luke Temple at Soundfix

Brooklyn's own Luke Temple just dropped his first album and has been getting praise across the board for his own blend of anti-folk melodies and american gothic lyricism. Hear what the hype is about first hand at tonight's intimate show. All Ages.

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The Delfonics

The Delfonics were one of the first groups to feature the smoothed-out, orchestra-heavy soul that came to be known as “the Philly Sound.” Their 1968 debut included the single “La-La (Means I Love You),” a huge hit that stood out from the rawer Stax/Volt records, then ruling the charts. With original member William Hart still holding down the fort, the Delfonics provide a sweet reminder of those golden days of R&B when harmony was king. All Ages

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Cassette

The Cassette crew are back at Galapagos with glitchy electro booty banging techno dance music all night long. Residents Jimmy Edgar, Machinedrum, Col Malveau, and Jungletalk drop beats all night while Addiquit and Gidgetsparks play live. Dance Party! 21+

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In the Pocket - Bhangra vs. Reggae

Giant Step and LMCC team up for the In The Pocket series throughout August. Hailed as your "summer day trip getaway." These events combine quality world music with a little afternoon getaway. "Bring a picnic and hop on the free ferry to the island off the island for some New World Music." This afternoon features DJs Rekha nd James Friedman in a bhangra vs. Trojan Records soundclash. "DJ Rekha’s long-running 'Basement Bhangra' party defines South Asian dance music, combining Bollywood and big bass—but on her dancefloor you don’t need a bindi to shake your booty! She’ll be featuring highlights from her forthcoming album, DJ Rekha Presents Basement Bhangra. Trojan Records has defined reggae since 1967, and to celebrate its 40th anniversary DJ James F!@#$%^ Friedman (Throne of Blood Records/Go Commando) will spin classic cuts from their catalog—including an old-school DJ 'soundclash' vs. DJ Rekha!" All Ages, directions below.

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La India

"Come join the sizzling sensation — the 'Princess of Salsa' La India — as she heats up Lincoln Center with “salsaton,” her term for a sound fusion of salsa and reggaeton music designed to keep your hips shaking and your feet moving. An integral part of growth of dance music in discos in the 1980s, La India crossed markets in the 1990s, becoming salsa’s darling diva and the heir apparent to continuing the genre’s legacy. Her songs are infectious, her voice passionate, and the beats compelling — a perfect combination for a hot summer night."

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Spencer Day w/ Yair Evnine

"With wit, immense charm, good looks and a voice that inspires comparison to Harry Connick Jr., it would be in poor judgment to miss the week long residency of Spencer Day at the Living Room on the Lower East Side. In his compositions you can hear the influence of Cole Porter, Paul Simon and Rufus Wainwright and the like. Critics have called Day "the male counterpart to Norah Jones" but at the same time keeping his musical style all his own, combining jazz, contemporary and folk/country genres. Spencer Day performs with a with longtime guitarist/cellist Yair Evnine all week long at Googie's Upstairs Lounge at the Living Room (Saturday's performance in the main hall). "

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Battles at the Seaport

The Seaport keeps summer free concerts alive with their final throw down tonight... an evening of avant math-rock-tronic fron NYC's own Battles. The band is made up from some pretty heavy hitters from my youth including ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier, ex-Don Caballero guitarist Ian Williams, ex-Lynx guitarist ave Konopka, and Tyondai Braxton. Now, everyone's gonna compare them to contemporaries Fantomas or even a down-and dirty version of early Marilyn Manson (without the theatrics and make-up) but these boys sound like good old LES before it was over-run with NYU post-grads. We're talking Cop Shoot Cop, Six Finger Satellite, and maybe some Jesus Lizard or Shudder to Think for good measure... highly recommended.

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Budos Band

So you missed the Budos Band the last two times we told you they were playing for free. Well, now they are riding the wave of Daptone lovin' and they're getting a lot of buzz. Fans of Sharon Jones, Antibalas, or El Michaels are going to love this one. Tonight may be your last time to catch them on the local for a while as they bring their "quintessential Staten Island Soul" to the tiny Lucky Cat. Sure its $5 bucks but thats like 50 cents per musician with the crew these cats are toting. 21+

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Blogger's Delight - Slap You in Public

Blogger's Delight is a new weekly series where your favorite blogs step out of the 'net and into the real live, breathing world, to currate a night of a music treats. This first even features Slap you in Public as they bring Adam Kesher (a band, not a guy) in from france for their US Debut. Snack and C'mish from Turntable lab, and David Bruno DJ.

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Music Night on the Hudson

"Tuesday is Music Night on the Hudson! Enjoy a variety of FREE live music performance while watching the sun set on the Hudson. This evening, the talented East West Trio will be performing a range of original compositions and interpretations of traditional Jazz standards with a modern edge. Lawn seating only. Bring your own picnic and make a night of it!"

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Slick Rick

So we get info on a lot of these more proper nightclub events and they rarely make it on the site because (1) I hate door drama and all that "you don't have enough girls with you" crap and (2) the club may be free but at $12 a drink I'd rather send you to see a killer band for $10 with $5 drinks. But, you all know my Slick Rick love - due mostly to his deportation during the golden era of my teenage years - so throw him on your bill and voila… FreeNYC acceptance. So close out fashion week with the wanna be fashionistas (all the real ones are back in LA by now) and catch a free set by Slick Rick. Dress sharp, bring girls, pregame, and don't forget to RSVP. No promises on how this one will turn out. 21+

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Ghost Hunter's Club

"Ghost Hunter's Club is a not for profit co-operative of musicians and other artists around the NY Metro and Long Island Area providing opportunitiesby which independent, experimental & esoteric musicians and artists can promote themselves, each other, and the independent, DIY community as a whole." Tonight they welcome a series of bands (see flyer) to a free show in Greenpoint.

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Bikes in the Kitchen & Black Label Bicycle Club

Here's one that will have the kids going nuts all night. Take live performances from Ninjasonik, Japanther, Team Robespiere, and Drunky Brewster... throw in some DJ madness from Rev. McFly and Stacher... mix it all up with the combined Bushwick mayhem that Bikes in the Kitchen AND Black Label Bicycle Club are famous for, and you've got one serious night of rock/dance party/whatever. And its all ages!

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The Shift

The Shift is one of the best random shows I ever caught in my life. Probably a year ago, I was stopping by Galapagos to drop off flyers and see what was going on when Spensor the soundman grabs me and is all "You've got to hear this." In the back room, The Shift were laying some of the deepest livetronic grooves I had ever seen. Swinging from deep house to trip hop to jazzy breaks in the same set The 6 members - led by the musical genious of Broklyns DJ Scottie B and lyrics by Subatomic Sound System's Rhianna - straight crushed it. Tonight you can catch tem dropping their "live electronic funk" at the intimate Lucky Cat. Highly recommended. Sounds below. 21+

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Cassorla CD Release Party

Yeah, this is my 10 spot. Where I break the rules of FreeNYC so you can hear great new music. This week it's Cassorla, the self title'd band from guitarist Ben Cassorla. Ben's worked with everyone from Slick Rick to Thelonious Monk's drummer Ben Riley over the years and is finally bringing his own sound forward. The result is a jazzy swing through the smoke filled parlors of 1920s harlem. Add the dirt of Krystle Warren's voice and we're talking some serious heat.

Listen to Cassorla's All I've Done For You

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Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band

There's something great about Sunday afternoon jazz.. It helps wind down the weekend and slow down the day. Outdoor jazz is even better and the SYOTOS Band is here to bring you just that. "Led by trombonist Chris Washburne, the SYOTOS band is an innovative mambo ensemble that incorporates Latin jazz and dance music into its bold sound." All Ages.

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The Hold Steady

The Hold Steady, Old '97's, & Illinois bring a little after work rock to the downtown crowd. All Ages.

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Blogger's Delight - Disconap

Blogger's Delight is a new weekly series where your favorite blogs step out of the 'net and into the real live, breathing world, to currate a night of a music treats. This week features the crew from Disconap along with a love performance by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

Posted by Chris at 9:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Havoc (Mobb Deep)

This one needs no introduction.. LiveNDirect and Nature Sounds celebrate Havoc of Mobb Deeps new album The Kush tonight with a free show. Stop by Fat Beats, A Life, or Supreme to get tickets and 200 more will be available at the door.

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Brooklynbretta Music Festival

We've seen a rise in Park Slope events as of late and it seems like non-Williamsburg, Brooklyn is starting to really show a presence here on FreeNYC. This afternoon, for example, Park Slope scooter shop Brooklynbretta is throwing an all day, outdoor, music festival with 8 bands includingTwice as Bright and The Exeter Popes. Check the flyer for full line-up.

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NewSong Finals

"The NewSong Contest International Finals showcases 12 finalists – seven from live regional rounds held across the continent, four from digital submissions to Sonicbids, and one selected from participants taking part in the 2007 NewSong Academy, an intensive workshop for performing songwriters. Each finalist will perform two original songs each, further reinforcing NewSong’s three-prong charter: to develop a supportive community among performers, songwriters and fans; identify the truly exceptional talent in this community; then work hand-in-hand with these artists to introduce their talents to a broader, international audience."

Posted by Chris at 4:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Takka Takka Record Release Show

I write like crap when it comes to honest musicians I really like. So I'll let Spin do the talking on this one: "Brooklyn's Takka Takka seem overly casual or even apologetic at first, but there's a sneaky intensity to the minimalist urban rock n' roll on this wonderful debut. Resisting cynicism and self-pity, wry frontman Gabriel Levine sings the way people talk, resembling a nicer Lou Reed as he offers moral support to self-conscious loners who get caught up in society's games, only to 'break under pressure.'"

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Showpaper Benefit

SHOWPAPER is a FREE bi-weekly print-only publication which aims to list and promote all ages DIY shows in the NYC and tri-state area. Tonight The Beets and Tournament play a show to benefit the publication. Come show support!

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Free Fun! Guns & Bombs!

Fun is Fun! Fun is more fun when its free so slide by on some corporate dollars tonight and dance like a hipster til 4am with a live performance from the awesome Guns & Bombs in their New York City (er... Brooklyn) debut. The Glimmers also DJ as well as residents Rok One (Bangers) and Eamon Harkin. Plus free Colt 45 to kick things off.

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Au Reviour Simone

I last wrote aboutAu Revoir Simone as sort of an obligatory posting back in August when they played the seaport. I knew nothing of their all-female-all-keyboard-all-the-time styling ack then but have since bought a CD (yes bought, and yes, a CD), and its been on heavy rotation in my studio ever since. Its heart felt, slightly candy coated, synth pop all day long but the girls pull it off with flying colours and with lyrics like "you make me want to measure stars in the back yard with a calculator and a ruler baby / I found a letter that discribes how the moonlight will lead me to a distant place that you will be" how can you go wrong. The crew over at Going.com do a solid today by setting the girls up at a free show so make sure you RSVP.

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Evil City Closing Party / Awards

NYC's gritty, local Evil City Film Festival wraps up tonight with an awards ceremony party, concert. On top of 13 awards being given out (that you can not win), The Giraffes play a live set and DJ Greg Poole - who used to run things with Dinesh in the world of NYC 2-step but is on the grime/dubstep tip now - spins. Plus, there ar $1 bud bottles all night so at the very least this is the cheapest place to drink in Times Square tonight. 21+

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Bad Mood Music

Sure... why not... how about some free "bad mood music for bedroom people who need to get out of the house." Find out what that means tonight as Die Haifische (from vienna and tel aviv), Harmony and Pollution (brooklyn), & Black Branches (nyc) all take the stage at Williamsburg's finest pass-the-hat music venue.

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The Cave Singers

Soundfix is like my long lost college roommate now that I have moved on from that phase of forced co-habitation in my life. Back in college and post college (I guess that puts me in post-post college?) I'd always have the please of living with people with excellent, diverse musical tastes that reached far beyond my familiar realms. I can thank these folks for introducing me to the likes of Manu Chao, Damien Jurado, Oliver Mtukudzi, Cesaria Evora and a host of other musicians far off my beaten path. Now I have Soundfix, who time and time again present me with these fantastic breaking bands with familiar sounds but unfamiliar names. Tonight is no exception as The Cave Singers play an intimate free show before their bigger performance at Mercury Lounge tomorrow. This is Lou Reed/Cowboy Junkies inspired American revival music at its finest.... heartfelt, honest, and haunted with all the possibilities ahead. Not to be missed.

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M.E.A.N.Y. Fest. 2007

It's an eclectic live show with something for everyone this evening as The New York Howl, Night Kills the Day, Batorats, and Wynn Walent all take the stage as part of MEANY Fest 2007. Come early for new music and stay late for a live set from The Howl and free Jack Daniels.

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Punk Rock Tuesdays

Give the dance jams and 90s hits a break and slug back a few $2 PBRs while listing to punk, hardcore, psychobilly, and ska. Punk Rock Tuesdays is all about cheap booze, trashy old movies, and some riotous music. They "also have burlesque troopes and local punk bands playing." 21+ (old flyer)

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Bloggers Delight: Devil in the Details

The Weekly Bloggers Delight goes more introspective this week with a triple bill of haunting female vocalists. Devil in the Details hosts and brings with the haunting guitar melodies and melodic female vocals of Chicago's Speck Mountain. Also on the bill are Brooklyn's own Ava Luna who blend Beck like productions with post-Portishead trip-hop sensibility. DJ SMC rounds out the bill. 21+

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Om Records Showcase

Om Records has been on a bit of a revival kick as of late, expanding beyond their foundation of impressive San Francisco house a la Miguel Migs and branching into the worlds of hip hop, tech house, and other assorted dancefloor goodies. Tonight they bring their west coast roster to the city for a massive 8 hour, 2 venue mix of live acts and DJs. Any one of these artists - from Colette to J Boogie - could easily headline the show so to get them all together, for free, is a real treat. High on my personal list are Zion I and The Grouch who drop their laid back hip hop over at the Lion's Den and Chuck Love who's twisted sub-bass fueled acid house has been on constant rotation as of late. Stellar line-up all around.

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Intimo Showcase

So you've got your house covered at Om and your hip hop covered at 205 tonight... but what about the electro kids? Well while Hiro is busy booking the hottest DJs from 2 years ago this week, Intimo brings the best electro acts of 2008 to the floor this evening. The obvious go-to on this one are The Loose Cannons who play there first live full band show in NYC in as long as I can remember. They're kind of like the Audio Bullies mixed with a Studio B party vibe. Its high energy dirty synths and party vocals all night long. There's also a special guest DJ late night that I've been promised will make me happy I stayed out after my bedtime on a school night. But as they won't tell me who it is, you'll just have to show up to find out. Home Video round out the bill. 21+

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Creme de la Imeem

Hyphy meets 80s as the Cool Kids take on 205 tonight for Urb's Hipster Hop CMJ Showcase. These guys are all over CMJ this week but this is def. one of the more high profile line-ups to catch their slung back rhymes and minimal beats. Also on the bill are Craze and Klever who both tout some of the most impressive turntablist skills around. Solid overall line-up.

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Vampire Suit

Years back... back back back back when I was in college, I met the most fantastic violinist. He was the type of musician who made the violin transcend - for me at least - beyond all the classical music stereotypes I had harbored into an ephemeral, personal space. Tonight, Skye Steele, is joined by an equally genius group of the young New York jazz elite as Vampire Suit. Best described as Balkan New Jazz, this quintet draws inspiration from various musical settings and cultures including jazz, rock, Balkan music and African music. Tonight is a great chance to see them for free at one of the better underground jazz spots in the city. Put best, "If Bram Stoker's imaginary Transylvania had a jazz scene, the music might sound something like this. (Jazz Review)" Highly Recommended.

Listen to Vampire Suit's Lullaby (mp3)

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Copycat

You've got mixes, remixes, covers, samples, everyone is stealing and borrowing and reinterpreting from one another, so why shouldn't there be a night dedicated to such unoriginal creativity. Copycat is a night of cover songs, remixes and all the hits with DJ Xerox and special guest DJ Dylan Nirvana. Plus, tonight they've got a live performance by Von Iva, all the way from San Fran. I'm told "if janis joplin had an electro band, they would be Von Iva" 21+

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See.M.J.

Happy Ending recruits all their finest and then brings in the cavalry for tonight's See.MJ party. On top of two floors of our favorite locals - Rev McFly, Dre Skull, Rezound, even honorary local Eliot Lipp - there live performances by The Pack, Vyle, and Hollywood Holt. This is like a carry over if you didn't get enough at 205 last night. Throw in an open bar to boot and your there. 21+

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Marco Benevento

Marco Benevento is one half of the Benevento-Russo duo and the keyboard player from the now defunkt Fat Mama. He plays hammond with more heart and soul then anyone I've seen in years and his style is a unique blend of jazz, r&b, gutterfunk, soul, traditional jam, and dissonant electro noice. Its rare to see a truely unique musician perform these days and he's got it. Tonight is a rare chance to see him perform for free in the tiny tiny Rockwood Music Hall along with a slew of other bands. If you prefer your music live for DJs, and you are into improvisation or keyboards, this is not to be missed! 21+

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The Viper Room NYC

Hollywood's Viper Room goes Bi-Coastal in honor of CMJ. Viper Room NYC will be taking over Fontana's both Friday night and Saturday night with different line ups at each. Tonight is looking like 9pm Liam & Me, 10pm Oliver Future, 11pm Low vs Diamond, 12am Le Rev, 12-4am DJ Ana Calderon of DIM MAK Records.

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The Savant Guard's CMJ Jam w/ Plastic Little

Another CMJ is finally coming to a close. Squeeze in one more show and call it a weekend!
The boys that bring you the Punkslope monthly celebrate the launch of their new 12" vinyl and digital-only label, The Savant Guard. Live performances from Foreign Islands, Plastic Little (you gotta check them out if you haven't already for real),Baller Banks, Ian Love, and Toro y Moi.
Celebrate with drink specials and give-aways. Party after the bands with DJs Razors (Siberia), Si Young (Plastic Little) and more.

Posted by Lori at 2:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

The Viper Room NYC

Hollywood's Viper Room goes Bi-Coastal in honor of CMJ. Viper Room NYC will be taking over Fontana's both Friday night and Saturday night with different line ups at each. Tonight is looking like 9pm Big Bang, 10pm Amanda Rogers, 11pm The Ringers, 12am Lady Sinatra, 1am The Mr. Move,
and 11 – 4am DJ Michael T and Theo of Rated X.

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Booty Basement

Benny Blanco's been getting crazy press lately for his Spankrock-partnered nod to 2 Live Crew, Banger's and Cash. Tonight's your chance to see if the producer can rock things live as he gets things going downstairs at the knit along with a barrage of local up and commers including the Nintendo fueld noice-indielectro of Anamanaguchi. A very diverse bill indeed. Perfect if your looking for something new.

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Avaaz

Avaaz continue their monthly blend of bhangra beats and live performances at Galapagos tonight. Each month, residents Bollygirl, Cenzo, and Dimm will be joined by globally inspired live performances. Tonight features live funk from Suspicious Brown, more rock inspired sets from Butterthief & Deadbeat Darling, and even some abstract rhymes from Pat Miscellaneous. Sound on their site. 21+

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Works of Borodin, Rubinstein, Stravinsky, Prokovieff and Tchaikovsky

Four artists celebrate the art of the transcription in an all Russian program of works by
Borodin, Rubinstein, Stravinsky, Prokovieff and Tchaikovsky. "Ian Finkel (the world's greatest xylophone player), his brother Elliot (the celebrated pianist), Joseph Rutkowski (a musician and educator) and their friend David Bakamjian (cellist and educator) will present [and play]." I will most likely still be sleeping off Saturday Night's party at 1:30 on Sunday, but if you are awake it may be worth checking out.

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Saturday Performance Series

This afternoon is another installment of The Lower Eastside Girls Club Saturday Performance Series. Now in its second year, the weekly series is open to the public, free-of-charge and featuring all-women line-ups of musicians, singer-songwriters, MC’s and poets. "This project is dedicated to upholding the Girls Club’s mission of offering free and innovative cultural programming to Girls Club members, connecting the Girls Club to the greater community, and supporting women in the arts."

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Celebration Instore

Two in stores in one week... we have some love for Other Music over here it seems.. This time around, its the good folks at Celebration who bring you an intimate free show before their bigger next month. "Celebration's sophomore release, The Modern Tribe on 4AD, has been one of the more interesting new albums this year, and while their live shows (and front-woman Katrina Ford) have been raved about on all the blogs, we're thinking that in the confines of our little shop they will really show their stuff."

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Larune & Suzan Hurtuk

Trade the turntables for an acoustic guitar tonight as Larune and Suzan Hurtuk play mellow tunes all night long. All I got for you on this one.

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Copycat

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Kate Nash In-Store Performance

This week must be the week of in-store performances (see tomorrow's Sia post). Today the London singer Kate Nash gives us a preview of her sold out show at Bowery Ballroom as she performs and signs albums at Virgin Megastore in Union Square. As always space is limited so show up early.

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Sia All Day

I am a huge fan of Sia! For those of you who don't know her, she is the vocalist you hear belting it out for Zero 7, as well as having put out a number of her own releases. Yesterday she released her third full length album, and today she is traveling around Manhattan in a pink tour bus to show off her vocal talents for free! Seriously, if you don't know who she is check her out today at one of the three in-stores performances listed above.

Posted by Lindsay at 12:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

3 instruments + 3 laptops

Concrescence - Brooklyn's premier group of soft-textured, livetronic musicians - presents a relaxed evening of live performances tonight at BoCoCa's Donna Da Vine Wine Bar. "Three improvising musicians with their instruments and their laptops acoustic cello, baritone guitar and voice, looped and manipulated by computers electronic and mouth-made beats alongside textures and grooves this is live, improvised electronic / acoustic music." Featuring Cosmo D & Greg Heffernan (cello + laptop), Ben Codec (voice / beats + laptop) & Bryannoll (guitar + laptop). 21+

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KT Tunstall at Apple

"Hailed as 'a folk-rock goddess' by Rolling Stone, KT Tunstall plays a provocative mix of heartfelt pop, rootsy electric blues, and left-ﬁeld alt-folk. Join her for a live performance of songs from her most recent album, Drastic Fantastics. Seating is limited, so please be sure to arrive early."

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The Twelve

In a 90-minute concert presentation "The Twelve begins where Jesus Christ Superstar leaves off. In this high-energy rock show, each one of Christ’s apostles is represented with a tribute to a different classic-rock icon such as: David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, U2, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin. Heading the cast is Rob Evan, lead singer of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and star of the Broadway shows Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables.

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Sugar on Top

End the weekend with some electro pop as DreamFox - who sort of sound like the sugar-coated, 8-bit freak folk soundtrack to a My Little Pony movie guest staring Jem and the Holograms - woo you with their retro future synths. Andy D also performs live but I can't find anything out about him. It is rumored however that he "fancies himself the anachronistic love child of Punky Brewster and Lee Van Cleef." DJs spin 80s and such to round it out. 21+

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The Skye Steele Quintet

FreeNYC's favorite violinist, Skye Steele, takes his quintet out for a quieter stroll tonight at Donna Da Vine's weekly live jazz event. They'll be playing two sets, sans drums for you to night while you relax and sip your nice tempranillo. "The Skye Steele Quintet has collected a menagerie of musical creatures from around the world and let them cross-breed to create a brood of exotic and enchanting new species only to be found in 21st-century Brooklyn. Erik Satie and John Coltrane discuss American politics, a Turkish wedding band ransacks Sesame Street, an olde Irish bard falls in love with a Persian princess, and much more. featuring Harel Shachal, Ben Cassorla, Mike Savino, John Hadfield and Satoshi Takeishi." 21+

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Copycat

You've got mixes, remixes, covers, samples, everyone is stealing and borrowing and reinterpreting from one another, so why shouldn't there be a night dedicated to such unoriginal creativity. Copycat is a night of cover songs, remixes and all the hits with DJ Xerox. Plus live sets tonight from Debbie Sassiver at 10pm and Melvis at 11pm playing Melvins songs matched with Elvis tunes.

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Macaque + Andy D

Goodbye Blue Monday was voted "Best Place to see Up and Coming Bands before They Embrace Their Own Hype" by the Village Voice this year. Tonight check out Andy D (at 11pm) and Macaque (at 12am) who have possibly already embraced their hype. It's free to get in but feel free to contribute to the bucket fund.

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BRC's Children of the Revolution

"The Black Rock Coalition presents a weekend residency titled “Revolution as a Work in Progress, Part II: Children of the Revolution.” The weekend will feature a mixed-generation of musicians, singers, and poets performing from a songbook of protest music from the last 25 years." Founded in 1985 by guitarist Vernon Reid, journalist Greg Tate and producer Konda Mason in reaction to the constrictions that the commercial music industry places on Black artists, the BRC is a collective of artists, writers, producers, publicists, activists and
music fans assembled to maximize exposure and provide resources for Black artists who defy convention. To date, the BRC is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to the complete creative freedom of Black artists.

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Smite (acoustic set)

Someone out there loves you Smite. Loves you enough to tell us about your acoustic show tonight at Laila. That's the type of initiative we like to see here at FreeNYC... "Charting the development of Smite is an exercise in futility - this conglomeration of bizarrely diverse personalities has mastered the art of lateral evolution. In their hands, love songs become political manifestos, analogue synths become guitars, and human voices become distress signals. According to their patented genealogy, rock begets hip-hop, which in turn begets electronica, which begets jazz, which begets heavy metal, and ultimately implodes upon itself and becomes rock again. If Smite didn't seem so bent on convincing listeners that they're madmen, they'd almost surely be considered geniuses." Also performing ar Matthew Peverly and DJ Spanky. Video below... 21+

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Jazz Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Be a part of our musical community as we vibrantly swing in the tradition of non-violence, inclusion, and unity inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — a man who brought hope and healing to all of America." At 1pm and 3pm catch The Gospel of Jazz with the Wycliffe Gordon Group Jazz at Lincoln Center's young lions of jazz, Middle School Jazz Academy, set the stage for a lively tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Then later on in the afternoon at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola the Jazz Tribute continues with Marc Cary and Friends plus very special guest Q-Tip!

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Bloggers Delight: La Decadanse style

Check out another installment of Bloggers Delight tonight as the crew from electro-dance blog La Decadanse takes on curatorial duties of this week's show. Montreal's Numéro make their NYC debut with a live set of electro-pop goodness while genre-bending NYC transplants Sports take on DJ duties. These (3) boys are making waves on the local scene as of late so this is one of the more laid back places to catch them spin. FreeNYC Favoirite Jess Jubilee rounds out the night. All Ages.

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Aesop Rock "Secret" Show

Let me ask you a question, if everyone knows about the MySpace Secret Shows, what makes them a secret??? Tonight Myspace presents Aesop Rock for free at Southpaw in Brooklyn! Joining him will be be Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz. Good news for all you little ones out there, the show is all ages! Since it is clearly not a secret and the entire city knows, you gotta show up way early and expect to stand in line a while if you hope to get in.

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Möbius Collective's Brooklyn Freestyle Sessions

Every Thursday Brooklyn based instrumentalist & MC's Mobius Collective and Taylor McFerrinas bring the studio to the stage with live Jazz/Funk/Afro-Dub Soul. DJ Misbehaviour serves it up between sets with special guest MCs and vocalist. There are a number of rotating guests who come through so each week you get something different but with the same vibe.

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Soul Cycle at BAM Café

Living in Brooklyn, one the things I definitely do not take advantage of enough is BAM Café. Sure I go there for the occasional movie and a play or two, but every Friday and Saturday night, BAM Café showcases renowned and emerging artists, featuring jazz, R&B, world beat, pop, and experimental music from Brooklyn and beyond. Tonight, the Brooklyn-based quartet Soul Cycle takes to the stage with their blend of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and funk. "Influenced by the early 1970s sound of Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Miles Davis, and James Brown, the group plays with a focus on rhythmic energy and a free-wheeling incorporation of a plethora of musical styles and moods, often within the same composition."

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Between a Rock and a Hard Place

This week Between A Rock And A Hard Place teams up with FreeIndie.com to bring you extended sets for 3 bands and a special Indie Rock Frat Party afterwards, with lots of dancing and drink specials. Between favorites, Fire Flies, headlines this week with Smyer's last day of residency and the newcomers the New Surreal opening the evening! Show up early for some open bar action and stay late for a dancing good time. DJ RekLES spins before and between set.

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Brooklyn County Fair

While we tend to use Galapagos for bangin' bass, dance floor shake ups and overall debauchery, there really are a variety of uses for the place. Today the Brooklyn County Fair takes over and celebrates country music. Come see the very talented Kamara Thomas and her band Larune, Rench makes their way from Wisconsin to play his own brand of trip-hop country. Lindy Loo, the Hillbilly Hostess, will take a set with her HoboCats. East River String Band opens up the show with some old-time blugrass, while the newly formed The Newton Gang play country covers. And new comers Frankenpine make their debut.

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Turntable Unplugged

Bridging the gap between DJing and live performance, Turntable Unplugged combines live vocals and instruments with raw beats and Djs spinning soul and funk rarities. It's sort of like a live remix jam session where guest recording artists perform new material and old favorites over a blend of live production remixes and live instrumentalists. DJ’s spin Soul & Funk rarities between performances. 21+

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The Vampire Weekend!

Their Bowery show may be sold out so this may be your last chance to see hometown heroes The Vampire Weekend for a while as they go globetrotting in honor of their debut album that drops today. Expect crowds. All Ages.

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Heart Beat - Plastic Little After Party

If you don't feel like droppin' fifteen big ones to see Plastic Little at Bowery tonight, you can at least hit up the after party for free. FreeNYC favorites, Project Jenny Project Jan will preform live. Plus special guest DJs MIKE B (LA/Banana Split) and DJ SI YOUNG (Philly/Plastic Little) along side residents Anthony 2 Tone Cochran, Mike Nouveau and Sean Fightcats (Ruff Club).

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Copycat

You've got mixes, remixes, covers, samples, everyone is stealing and borrowing and reinterpreting from one another, so why shouldn't there be a night dedicated to such unoriginal creativity. Copycat is a night of cover songs, remixes and all the hits with DJ Xerox. This week, two live sets one from Saint Hollywood and another from Whiskey and Whores. Their cover song set will include all songs about either whiskey, whores, or both.

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Doreen’s New Orleans Jazz

Trinity Church continues with its mid-day musical series, Concerts@One, this week with Doreen’s New Orleans Jazz taking center stage. Besides entertaining you while you go to town on that sandwich, they hope to educate the audience about the rich history and diverse culture of the city of New Orleans.

Posted by Lindsay at 1:00 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Mark Guiliana's THING + The Tyler Schwartz Group

"The Tyler Schwartz Group is a trio of unapologetically talented musicians in their lower twenties, who play at some of the hippest dance clubs in New York City. The TSG uses spontaneous hip-hop beats, fluid harmony, and melodies that make people fall in love faster, all combined at one, to provide an intimate musical and dancing experience that eclipses what most DJ's can accomplish from behind a booth. With that said, The TSG has no problem walking into a club almost exclusively inhabited by DJ's and playing smart, exciting, musically deep dance music for hours on end." Catch them tonight for free before their show at Secret Night of Science at Love. 21+

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Whitney Live: Dan Deacon!

"Fun, bold and unpredictable, Whitney Live showcases an eclectic variety of cutting-edge performers." And tonight they really step it up with Dan Deacon! "A high-energy electro-acoustic composer, Dan Deacon performs with Casio keyboard, computer, vocoder, signal generator, and other devices to process his voice and compositions. Influenced by Devo, Talking Heads and Scratch Orchestra, among others, his music takes experimental composition and electronic music off of the esoteric intellectual shelf, making it less formal and more fun." Site says "Space is Limited" and you best believe it.

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Dub is a Weapon

"After taking some time to regroup and work on some brand new material, Dub Is A Weapon will be returning to the stage this [tonight] at very cool Zebulon Cafe Concert in Brooklyn! We've got lots of reasons to celebrate this time around, as we booked this show to coincide with the birthdays of our saxophonist Maria Eisen and our favorite reggae selector, WKCR's own Carter Van Pelt. Opening the show this time will be The Sunsine Brothers, a great band from Australia that are in town working on a new record with Bosco Mann of Daptone Records fame." 21+

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Sugar on Top

End the weekend with some electro pop as DreamFox - who sort of sound like the sugar-coated, 8-bit freak folk soundtrack to a My Little Pony movie guest staring Jem and the Holograms - woo you with their retro future synths. Poingly also performs live and there is rumor of a danceoff. DJs spin 80s and such to round it out. 21+

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A Spike of Irish Flare

Forgo all the usual DJ fare tonight and kick back with some live Traditional Irish Music. W'Burg's Spike Hill (which serves some fantastic curried fries) has recently opened a music space and each Monday is dedicated to what the due best... a stepped up version of traditional Irish Pub Culture. Special guests each week. 21+

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Sonya Vallet and Los Prófugos Galácticos

"The best kept secret in town…that's what friends call her. When Baltimore native Sonya Vallet improvises in any style people wonder who she gets if from. The cross-cultured quadrilingual eldest of a musical family, she debuted at 17 in her father's quartet opening for jazz master Oscar Peterson as the only woman at the 1st Jazz Festival of Madrid. She worked and studied with the likes of gospel legend Donna Hightower, Brazilian genius Fernando Girão, Japanese diva Monday Michiru, world beat virtuoso Danny Heines, and jazz bass masters Ron Carter and Jimmy Haslip. Sonya has mused with her original poems and compositions to sculpt a unique repertoire for Los Prófugos Galácticos, her new collaboration with pianist Erik Deutsch. The ensemble explores world beat jazz with pop and electronic undertones (think Bebel Gilberto meets Portishead and Joni Mitchell.") 21+

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LIFT OFF! Remembering Thomas Chapin “Higher and Higher" Concert

A versatile multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and composer, in the 80s and 90s, Thomas Chapin led a trio performing his own music playing in New York City's downtown scene, and at festivals and clubs around the world. An outstanding composer of larger works as well, he sometimes augmented the trio with strings and horn ensembles. Tonight his memory is celerated with a free jazz concert with those who played with Thomas, plus film clips and guest speakers. All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 6:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Copycat: For Lovers Only (non lovers welcomed)

You've got mixes, remixes, covers, samples, everyone is stealing and borrowing and reinterpreting from one another, so why shouldn't there be a night dedicated to such unoriginal creativity. Copycat is a night of cover songs, remixes and all the hits with DJ Xerox. Tonight is a V-day edition of the 'Cat with free candy and early live performances from Madam Robot and the Lust Brigade and Kendra Morris. 21+

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Antifolk Fest

If you are looking for something a little different from the hip-hop-mash-up-electro-rock that you hear every night you go out, why not try something different. Tonight is the kick off for the winter Antifolk fest at the Sidewalk cafe in the East Village including more than 50 songwriters, musicians, bands, spoken word artists and other performers. Tonights line up includes Kenny Cambre, Andrew Duncan, Ben Krieger, Kelsey Bennett, Dan Costello, Art Sorority For Girls and Carl Creighton. More info on Antifolk after the jump.

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Tortured Soul, T.O.T.H. and Pimps of Joytime for Free!

Southpaw has lined up another free show for us Park Slopers tonight. Tortured Soul who plays live soulful, funky, house music takes to the stage and are joined by Turntables on the Hudson as well as Pimps of Joytime. And as excited as you are for this show so are about a bazillion other people, so we advise you show up early! Promises to be a good time!

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Yelle, Tepr, GrandMarnier, Kurt and Purple Crush at Hiro!

Literally five minutes after having a discussion with a friend about how we love Yelle this invite came into my mailbox... "French producer Tepr, is coming to Hiro to play a live set for us this Thursday. This guy has remixed Teenagers, Calvin Harris and a bunch of others... He'll be joined by Yelle's producer, GrandMarnier - who will also be spinning along with Kurt from Kap10Kurt. There will also be a midnight performance from Purple Crush. AND WE CAN ANNOUNCE THAT YELLE WILL BE PERFORMING A LIVE PERFORMANCE." Oh, plus free beer from 10pm to 11pm. This is a pretty stellar party guys, you may have skip Lost this week.

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The RZA at Studio B Tonight!

This Friday a special Fun performance as The RZA of Wu Tang Clan takes to the stage at Studio B. Also on preforming tonight are Team Facelift, the Stationary Set, Blood Red Sun, Murder Mystery Music, Paul Holmes and the Great Depression, plus resident DJs Rok One and Eamon Harkin with Synapse. Phew, that was a lot of names. Should be packed with both Fun and people tonight so don't forget to RSVP for your free entry.

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The Deepdown at Parkside Lounge

If you are looking for an alternative to DJ dance parties this weekend this may be a good choice. Tonight The Deepdown play a free show at The Parkside Lounge. As one of the up and comers in the NYC modern rock scene you can expect "lush rock sounds with its tendrils dripping reggae, funk and Latin jazz."

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Brooklyn Next: Soul Summit Music

"Soul Summit Music raises a ruckus in the final evening of Brooklyn Next at BAMcafé with deep exploits into the groove featuring special guest Danil Wright. Starting out as a prolific visual artist, it was only later in life that Wright discovered the magical things that can happen when her powerful alto is threaded through the folds of chest-thumping house beats."

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Nueva Colombia with Kosta

"Kosta blends Colombian folkloric rhythms such as cumbia, vallenato and champeta with salsa and rock. While the ensemble covers Latin American standards, its lead singer pens original compositions in the vein of nueva canción. Hailing from Barranquilla to Medellín to Los Angeles, the group seamlessly weaves traditional and modern sounds."

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Heart Beat With Kid Cudi and Nick Catchdubs

Kid Cudi brings his record release party to this week's installment of Heart Beat tonight with him performing live at midnight. Nick Catchdubs joins resident DJs Mike Nouveau, Sean Fightcats and Roxy Cottontail. Plus 2-for-1 drinks vodka drinks from 10pm to 11pm.

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What Great Outdoors?

In New York we think of subway rats and pigeons as New York City’s only wildlife but tonight Julliard's AXIOM Chamber Ensemble, conducted by Jeffrey Milarsky, introduces us to exotic avian life when they transport you to the great outdoors with a performance of Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles inspired by the majesty of Bryce Canyon in Utah. Messiaen was always fascinated by birdsong and during his 1972 trip to Utah, he discovered Bryce Canyon, famous for its unique geology, ancient trees and scenic views from the rim, an experience that shaped this work."

Concert is at 8 PM and FREE tickets are available at the Juilliard Box Office.

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Meg Baird

Meg Baird's show tonight is just the kick I needed to get that CD album back into rotation in my studio (goodbye Alison Krauss & Robert Plant) for those mellow midweek moments. And while Baird is primarily known for her work as a member of Philadelphia's acclaimed Espers, this solo work is equally brilliant and moving. "Each of Dear Companion's acoustic guitar-plus-voice songs feels as if it comes from another era, primarily the late-'60s heyday of British folk, with some '70 singer-songwriter touches thrown in for good measure. Whereas Baird's contemporaries...come across like a modern band simply appreciating the music of decades ago, Dear Companion genuinely sounds like a lost Fairport Convention recording." (Andrew Earles, The AV Club)

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New York Howl at Spike Hill

Forgo all the usual DJ fare tonight and kick back with some live music at W'Burg's Spike Hill (which serves some fantastic curried fries.) Tonight their recently-opened music space hosts one of our favorite local acts, The New York Howl perform their unique blend of southern gutter funk (at 11pm.) It's been a while since they've been on our radar and I'm glad to have them back! Radio America and The Pizzas also perform. 21+

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Greasy Sadie Hawkins Day Dance

"The Sadie Hawkins Day Dance was a fixture of the old LI'L ABNER comic strip. It was a chance in a leap year for all the single women of Dogpatch, U.S.A. to catch a bachelor in a foot race! Come [out tonight for] GREASY's Sadie Hawkins Day Dance. There will be a set of live rockin' roll from the Demands followed by '60s soul and garage rock from DJs Mic-lo and Jumpy. 21+

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Apollo Heights at Coco66

Before Apollo Heights waves bon voyage for their trip to SXSW, they will play a show in BK for your listening pleasure. Head over to Coco 66 for an evening of live music. Also taking to the stage tonight are Honeychild Coleman, Macaque, Micah Gaugh and DJ Bastard. Set times after the jump.

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Black Lips Instore

Here's another one of those "probably last chance to see these guys in such an intimate settings" shows for you... Atlanta's dirty psych-blues-rockers, The Black Lips, swing by NYC's best music store this evening for a free, intimate, instore before their Bowery show tonight. While usually live shows are know for their high-energy ruckus, it will be interesting to see what the boys do in such cramped corners. Highly Recommended.

Download Black Lips "Cold Hands" (mp3)

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Dig the Dig

"With one hand deep in roots rock and roll and live performances that lift you up and leave you ragged, The Dig are building a reputation as one of the best young bands in New York. (Onion)" They kick off a piano's residency in may but tonight they are playing a free teaser show so you can say that you saw them way back when. 21+

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The lliquid After Work Party

So this one is not the next big thing and its not the coolest indie-lectro DJ in the land but it is one really good time. I randomly wandered into Gonzalez y Gonzalez a few weeks back with a collegue to grab the seminal after work drink (and nachos) only to find this killer funk cover band, lliquid, playing in their massive back room. The vibe was great, the music spot on and the people were all getting down like mad. It's kind of like going to a fun-a$$ wedding every week. So if you need a pit stop on your way home and you work in that SoHo-NoHo area (and you can dance the salsa) then pop in. It's also a great place to pick up tourists as its loaded with them asking "what should we do tonight?"

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ElectroCat: A night of Electronic Cover Songs

In this special edition of the CopyCat regular, Dj Xerox spins all electronic cover versions and rocking remixes of all your favorite hits (rock, indie, old wave and new).
Plus, Maxx Klaxon does some live electronic cover action in the back room. $5 PBR and shot specials. 21+

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Methods Spring Release

Methods pulls out all the stops to usher in their Spring collection. Heltah Skelah, Jeru The Damaja and Jahdan Blakkamoore preform live, plus a whole slew of other DJs and emcees. And an hour of open bar certainly helps keeps the price down.

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Anti-Folk with Toby Goodshank

Here's one that somehow never makes it to the site... the Sidewalk Café. A staple of mine in the college days, Sidewalk Café has been supporting NYC's singer-songwriter scene for over a decade and - when you're friends are not dragging you there to see their friends play, you can catch some amazing intimate performances. Tonight is their antifolk night with special guest Moldy Peaches guitarist Toby Goodshank. Toby's solo work brings a unique musicianship to a genre where the instuments can often take a back seat to the lyricism.

Download Toby Goodshanks "What I learned There" (MP3)

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2 Year Anniversary of Drink At Work

Tonight we celebrate 730 days of drinking at work with the second anniversary of the Drink at Work Show. And to celebrate we're welcoming back some of the folks who made our very first night in the bowels of Siberia so special. Tom Shillue, God's Pottery, Mark Douglas, Bryan Olsen, and Sean Crespo from the first ever Drink at Work show share the stage with performances from Sara Schaeffer, Barry Rothbart and Daniel St. Germaine. There is no cover but there is a one drink minimum.

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Take a picture with Mr. Cheeks

"Come on out, get a picture with Mr. Cheeks, hear some great music, and party down." Catch a live set from Telepathe before they head out on tour with the Kills. Plus, DJ Oil and Shakeyface spin all night long. "And of course, the fabulous and fictional stuffed mascot Mr. Cheeks will be hosting, posing for pictures, and living large. The bar has tons of fun stuff to do. Skeeball, Guitar hero, various video games, comfy booths to hang out in, a great beer selection, and a booming soundsystem." 21+

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Wizard Rock Night

Wizard Rock returns to the Sidewalk Cafe tonight with a whole evening of Harry Potter inspired bands. Featuring live sets by Catchlove, The Moaning Myrtles, The Whomping Willows, & The Malfoys.

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Crooked Disco with Emynd & Bo Bliz, Stay High (live), DJ Huggs, Open Bar!

Date: Saturday, March 29th
Time: 10:00pm - 4:00am
Location: Galapagos Art Space (70 N 6th St, W'Burg)
Cost: $5 with RSVP
Open Bar: vodka, 10-11

Crooked Disco is back again this month and we're dropping straight daggers all night. We're bringing our boys Emynd & Bo Bliz (of the famed White Ts White Belts parties) up from Philly ato spin bangers all night. Taking the live duties is BK's own Stay High, a slammin electro-rager outfit that's been making moves lately and guaranteed to get you off you dancin', and fist pumping from the first drop. And make sure you get there early as Montreal's own DJ Huggs swings by to drop a special disco funk set for ya. Your equally lovable residents, DJ Morsy and DJ Kester, round out the night with disco and classic house jams early and breaks, miami bass, bassline, and electro until last call. As always, heavy bass sound, reinforced lighting and strobes, and an open bar to kick it off. 21+

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Cassettes Won't Listen In-store Tour

Brooklyn Industries presents the Cassettes Won’t Listen In-store tour... CWL will perform songs from their just released album Small-Time Machine. Entirely written, played and produced by Jason Drake, Small-Time Machine deals with many of the themes that touch us all, including: love, betrayal, hope, disappointment and the quest to find what's missing in each of our lives. Time's below.

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Olu Dara & The Natchezsippi Band

"Olu Dara is a multi-talented entertainer who has been performing since he was 8 years old. During the 1970s and '80s, he gained a reputation as a trumpet/cornet player who could handle all aspects of jazz. On the one hand he could perform with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1973-74), but he could also handle the demands of the free-flowing avant-garde style which formed the basis of the New York Loft scene of that period. Think of him as a modern equivalent of the itinerant traveling musician/historian of years past. As he puts it, 'I sing about women, food, and life in general.'"

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A Brouhaha at Juilliard

"Tonight the New Juilliard Ensemble led by Joel Sachs presents the world premiere of Juilliard composer Jude Vaclavik’s Bruha (2008), commissioned as a chamber orchestra work. Instead of composing for “sinfonietta” orchestra, Mr. Vaclavik created a work for 17 solo performers working in tandem instead of a homogenous ensemble work...
Also on the program is the U.S. premiere of Icelandic composer Snorri Sigfus Birgisson’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (2005-06) with Juilliard pianist Víkingur Ólafsson; the New York premiere of Italian composer Franco Donatoni’s Cloches (1988-89); the first public performance of German/American composer Ursula Mamlok’s Concertino (1984-89); and British composer Oliver Knussen’s Requiem – Songs for Sue (2006) with soprano Katherine Whyte." Tickets for the show are free and available at the Julliard box office until 6pm.

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Lime Wire Invades New York Underbelly

Looks like one of our favorite final night parties is getting taken over by Lime Wire tonight. I guess the invasion isn't too bad since they bring with them Cassettes Wont Listen and A Brief Smile. Oh, and an open bar from 9pm to 10pm.

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Secret Runway

I am not sure how you have a secret fashion show if everyone knows all the details, but none-the-less it happens tonight. Fashion Indie brings Brooklyn Royalty to Supreme Trading to show their latest collection. And if fashion shows don't float your boat 4 live bands, giveaways and drink specials.

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Those Darlins

Rockwood is sort of one of those under-appreciated venues here on FreeNYC... Its, tiny, free, and packed with great up and coming talent every night. It's also a great place to hear some really eclectic or unfamiliar sounds. Take tonight's show for example as Nashville rising stars Those Darlins swing into town for some fiery country music. "If history has taught us anything, it’s that punk rock and old-time country music have more in common than anyone would have ever suspected. Those Darlins illustrate this truism. [They] banded together over their love of The Carter Family’s deadpan, crazed music and bring an energy to live performance that recalls the antics of punk heroes such as The Cramps..."

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More of Those Darlins

More of Those Darlins for you tonight as the country trio play Sound Fix's Bourbon & Ginger Party tonight. They are joined by BK's own Jones Street Boys and the queens the of the folk circuit Aoife O'Donovan (Crooked Still) & Kristin Andreassen (Uncle Earl).

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MIke Doughty at B&N Union Square

At this afternoon's "Upstairs at the Square" at Barnes and Noble, FreeNYC favorite Mike Doughty performs songs from his new album Golden Delicious. "Golden Delicious is melodically rich and rhythmically dense, with Doughty's vocals giving the lyrics a syncopated pulse that adds another level of complexity to the overall sound." If you haven't gotten tickets to any of his recent NYC shows, this is a good way to check him out.

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Get Down in Dumbo

"MC Extra Cheese kicks ill-ass rhymes,rhythmic witticisms & just plain funky B.S. like no other! Joining him is the 5-pc. band The 9-inch Whales. Nappy G (Turntables On The Hudson) on turntables before, after, and during!" 21+

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Jacksonknife Show at The Apple Store

Our friends from the band Jacksonknife invite you to start your Saturday night off early with a special live performance at the Apple store in SoHo. The pop-sensible rock group is about to take the music world by storm with their debut EP, You Don't Know What You're Talking About. Drop in, check out the evil genius technology and listen to the band play.

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Slick Rick!!!

Wonderin' what to do with your Friday night? How about a free live show from Slick Rick!?! Plus, there are special performances from Ju Ju, Mr. Metaphor, Blitz the Ambassador, Rich Medina and Sputnik Brown. Admission is free if you RSVP but if you forget be prepared for the $15 price tag. Also, we recommend an early arrival for this one.

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Frank Hoier at the Sidewalk

The Sidewalk Café is always a good look if you're into anti-folk, neo-american songbook, or singer-songwriter stylings in general. For years, performers like Beck, The Moldy Peaches, and others have been breaking in there. It's always free with a 2 drink minimum but - lets be honest - it's friday and you're thirsty. Tonight is no exception as "Modern Folk/Blues post Beatles songwriter" Frank Hoier takes the stage early (10pm sharp) with his update of American folk music. Its a little bit revolutionary, a little bit front porch at sunset, and 100% heartfelt. He's followed by Feral Foster - an "American Songster with a sound similar to a downbound train gargling whiskey and gravel, with a fury that rivals most 5 piece bands" - and Peter Nevis and his "Avant Garde 1920's Bouzouki pop performed in dignified attire." Peep the links for sounds. 21+

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Regina Spektor at Soundfix

After you brunch today we advise you head over to Soundfix and check out Regina Spektor's free performance. Her whimsical voice paired with her piano playing make her a lovely treat for a sunny spring afternoon. Doors are 12:45 but given the popularity of past events (remember the line for Kimya Dawson?) we suggest you arrive early.

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Rhythm Road

So I am totally back on the jazz kick tonight. Fell into a couple great live shows this week and I am hooked again. Jazz is one of the greatest reasons to live in NYC. Unfortunately, its also quite a pricey ticket sometimes. Thankfully, the good folks of the Rhythm Road series are back in town again. The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad program presents selected professional jazz and urban music performers on concert tours to countries where there is limited exposure to live American culture. Prior to their departure to Egypt, Kosovo and many other destinations, these bands will perform in Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. This afternoon catch sets by Devin Phillips & New Orleans Straight Ahead at 1 and The Dana Leong Band (featuring FreeNYC faves Jason Lindner on keys and Baba Israel on vocals) at 3. First come first served and there is probably a $5 or $10 drink minimum.

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Antipop Consortium Instore

Legendary experimental hip-hop group Antipop Consortium are back together and tonight's your chance to catch Beans, High Priest, & M. Sayyid together in an intimate setting before they get all Pitchfork hyped and start running amok. These warp records lyrical pioneers are def. poised for some big things coming up so catch them tonight while you can. Limited Capacity. All Ages.

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Tokyo Police Club at Sound Fix

Canadian indie-rockers Tokyo Police Club are playing a bunch of shows and in-stores for promotion of their new album “Elephant Shell”. One of which is going to be at Sound Fix in Williamsburg. The show is at 8pm but the line is sure to start hours before hand, so be sure to show up early!

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The Ethnoeccentric String Trio at the Tea Lounge

"Born of collaboration between violinist Skye Steele, cellist Christopher Hoffman and guitarist Jay Vilnai, the trio's members draw on scrapbooks from their various travels in the New York music scene and around the world, and bring a globe-spanning variety of music into focus through the prism of the improvisational string trio. All three musicians have played with various world music and world-fusion ensembles, including Vilnai's Vampire Suit, the middle-eastern Anistar, Nation Beat, klezmer-punk band Midrash Mish Mosh, Balkan influences Paradox Trio and more. The trio plays tunes collected from all these experiences and original songs influenced by them. The chamber like ensemble allows for a new insight and different approach to thses timeless melodies. The diverse repertoire includes Bulgarian dances, Greek Rembetika, Brazilian forros, Bartok and more." More info here.

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Scurvy

Note corrected Date... Experimental/rock/jazz group Scurvy getting some legs and heading off on a Northeast tour. Tonight they bid a brief farewell to NNYC with a free show. Scurvy kind of sounds like the New York Howl playing at Tonic (RIP) or Zebulon so if that's your digs - or you want to do something new before celebrating the first warm night of summer, then this may be it. Sounds and such on their site. 21+.

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Free Jazz Fridays

The Jeff King Band winds down your workweek with a free jazz session tonight. "Jeff is an exciting tenor player who is capturing the jazz world with his fresh approach. He has studied with Frank Foster, Sonny Redd, Billy Mitchel." 21+

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Composers OutFront! with Ned McGowan

"Whether you think it’s inspired or just plain nuts that contrabass flutist/composer Ned McGowan wrote a piece made almost entirely from construction site noises, one thing is certain: it works—and works brilliantly. So do his other furiously fun and eclectic deconstructions of musical categories—coming to BAM as part of the American Composers Orchestra’s OutFront! series." Full details here.

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Electric Miles Ensemble

Here's another time-tested secret for you free-hunters out there. The New School's Performance Space is probably one of the best rooms to here free jazz in the city. Comprised of the jazz program's ex-pat's and rising stars, you'd pay some serious loot (plus drink minimum) to catch these cats at the likes of Sweet Rhythm or Smalls. Tonight a particularly sweet bill as noted keyboardist Adam Holzman's directs the Electric Miles Ensemble, an 8-piece collective dedicated to the late works of the musical genius (think Bitches Brew, On the Corner, and Tutu.) All Ages!

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DJ Who? - the Remix for the Orchestra

"Conductor Jeffrey Milarsky leads the Juilliard Orchestra in the School’s annual evening of new compositions by Juilliard student composers tonight. On the program is Jakub Ciupiński’s D.J. Guillaume, based on the art of remixing, as well as Nicholas Csicsko’s Upon the King, Michael Gilbertson’s Vigil, Reinaldo Moya’s Aurora Australis, and Armand Ranjbaran’s Flashpoint. Young composers, the Juilliard Orchestra, and five new works – this is the remix." Grab tickets from the Juilliard Box Office, located at 60 Lincoln Center Plaza. Box Office from 11 AM – 6 PM. The Juilliard Box Office is accessible by elevator, escalator, or stairs located on W. 65th Street near Amsterdam Avenue. All Ages

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Cheeky Bastard Artist Showcase

Those Cheeky Bastard guys are taking a break from their usual hipster-electro-ladden format this evening for a new artist showcase featuring Enon, Men, Children and Women, & Blonde Acid Cult. DJ's round out there night and there's an open bar to kick it of... 21+

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Groove is in the Art

"Merging classical craft and with the rhythmic energy of modern culture, the Juilliard Music Technology Center presents its eighth annual festival of electronic and interactive music, Beyond the Machine 8.0: The Art of the Groove, featuring works by current Juilliard composers, alumni, and guest composers. Drawing on themes ranging from robots and shamanism to culture clash and talk shows, these new electronic compositions include Jakub Ciupiński’s Elvex; Jeremiah Duarte Bills’ Incantation; Scott Johnson’s Americans); Ryan Francis’ Music for Strings; JacobTV’s Lipstick; and Ron Ford’s Salome First. Jeffrey Milarsky conducts Juilliard’s newest and just about busiest ensemble AXIOM in the evening of new compositions. All Ages

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The Hazzards’ Pizza Party Mega Premiere

Ukulele playing sweethearts, The Hazzards are having a bit of a pizza party show in honor of the new album. There'll be tunes for sure plus a free pizza with every drink at Williamsburg's favorite cheap dinner spot (or mine at least) 21+

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Brooklyn County Fair

While we tend to use Galapagos for bangin' bass, dance floor shake ups and overall debauchery, there really are a variety of uses for the place. Today the Brooklyn County Fair takes over and celebrates country music. Come see the likes of The Flanks (CD Release), The Newton Gang (EP release), Yarn, Jon Itkin, The Doc Marshalls, & Jamie Lun Smith and The Red Tail Hawk Band. 21+

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Spring Overlook Concert Series

For the rest of May, The Riverside Park teams up with the Manhattan School of Music and Columbia University to present free, afternoon concerts. This weekend features the Clumbia Woodwind Ensemble with director Andrew Pease performing early Italian music to John Phillips Sousa. All Ages.

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The Weber Brothers

"Imagine a band so indebted to the likes of Bob Dylan, the Band and Dr. John that their music comes off like the last 25 years never happened, straight-up rock devoid of pretense or any definable link to Cobain or Yorke, played by two young guys. That's the Weber Brothers. Sure, they cut their teeth backing up Ronnie Hawkins, but they find their own voice on Lost And Found, their second album." They play a free show tonight at Sidewalk Cafe.

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Danielia Cotton Release Party

It happens every year about this time, the sun breaks, I wander out of the clubs like some sort of cave creature, and I get back into that good old American Roots music. Nothing seems to say spring more (or spring time car commercial) than some good old guitar-laden singer-songwriter goodness beckenoning me to return to the outdoors. If you have similar musical meanderings then check out Danielia Cotton's release party tonight. She's a little bit rock, a little soul, and a little blues all wrapped in a nice neat package. Of course, if your into Danielia, be sure to check out Grace Potter and the Nocturnals who's a bit more Janis Joplin and a bit less Lenny Kravitz.

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Flosstradamus, Tigercity, Dopplehertz

Flosstradamus... Tigercity... Dopplehertz... Three seemingly-disconnected but talented acts come together tonight at Studio B for free. They're all worth it, let's see if they can come together and make a great night of it. 21+

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Whitney Radio: Subatomic Sound System Live

Here's a little mishmashed happy suprise of music and art for ya. Your favorite dubwise beat pioneers, the Subatomic Sound System will be recording a live performance at the Whitney Radio station while Water & Light project some crazy video. Plus, the museum is free on Friday afternoons. All Ages.

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Today Show Concert Series: B-52s

The B-52s show up on the FreeNYC listings at least once a year with a free show. This morning they bring their party vibe to the early risers in midtown. All Ages.

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An Evening of Arias with Leah Partridge and Norman Reinhardt

Soprano Leah Partridge and tenor Norman Reinhardt delight with arias from the popular to the obscure on a stunning Hudson River setting. "American soprano Leah Partridge has received consistent praise for her virtuosic technique and dramatic insight. She has made some of the great bel canto roles her own, and her career includes performances of the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor, Violetta in La Traviata, and Gilda in Rigoletto. In the 2007-08 season Leah Partridge made her Metropolitan Opera debut singing the First Niece in a new production of Britten’s Peter Grimes. A graduate of the Houston Grand Opera Studio, American tenor Norman Reinhardt has had a successful start to his career. Amongst others, Norman has worked with Patrick Summers playing Ernesto in Don Pasquale and has sung in Der Kaiser von Atlantis at the Ravinia Festival under the baton of James Conlon."

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Subphonik Wednesdays at Rose

Subphonik Music takes over Rose Wednesday nights and brings you live hip hop, soul, jazz and, plus they always throw a little freestyle jam session in there for good measure. Tonight the Beat Battle winner receives a free class at Dubspot! 21+

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Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet

Led by Abigail Washburn, the Sparrow Quartet is an all-star ensemble that presents a unique musical fusion of original songs that draw inspiration from traditional American music and classical forms, with an underlying influence of the Far East. Featuring banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck, along with violinist Casey Driessen and cellist Ben Sollee, the group has visited both China and Tibet as musical ambassadors, doing what mass media cannot in representing contemporary American culture. Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn and Spectratone International open. Ticket info below. All Ages.

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Wire kicks off the Seaport

Its summer in the city at that means free concerts at the Seaport. This evening they kick things off with Wire and Die! Die! Die! "Wire came to prominence in the late 70s during the cultural revolution of punk in the UK. Their art-school approach set them apart from brasher contemporaries, where they expanded the sonic boundaries of not just punk, but rock music in general. From R.E.M., the Cure and Guided by Voices to Minor Threat and Black Flag, from Blur and the birth of Britpop up until Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party, Wire’s influence has been one of most significant in the past 30 years." All Ages.

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Mafrika Music Festival

"In the dead of winter, when your neighbor is blasting reggae as if the puke-colored slush on the ground were just irie with him, no one would blink if you kicked down his door and put a boot through his subwoofer. But at the third annual Mafrika Music Festival, the multi-culti grooves and riddims just mean that summer is finally here. This year's lineup features Israeli art-rock band Pink Noise, Burkina Fasoan vocalist Mai Lingani, Nigerian ensemble Zozo Afrobeat, Afro-soul Bostonians the Superpowers, hip-hop/rock weirdos Apollo Heights, and many others. There's something for everyone, so kick the season off proper with an all-day bashment in Marcus Garvey Park." All Ages. [via flavorpill]

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Pogo in Togo

We're just gonna go with what we're told on this one but, come on, it's called Pogo in Togo... how can you go wrong? "Supersonic audiovisual dance party featuring music from the farthest reaches of time and space. International, cinematic and ecstatic. Happens monthly at Cake Shop... and other points 'round the town." With music by Alias Pail, Bradford Reed, Paraguay Lo Fi, & live videos by YrFriendMatthew. 21+

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Domingo Quiñones y orquesta

"Domingo Quiñones is considered to be one of the most complete singers in the contemporary salsa scene. His music is romantic with a natural swing of Caribbean salsa. In addition to being a well-rounded singer, he is also a composer, producer and actor."

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Sean T. Hanratty Presents: Theater of Fools

"Every first Wednesday of the month come see the greatest music show ever! Sean T. Hanratty Presents: Theater of Fools is a night of nonstop fun with live music, a multi-prize free raffle between sets and drink specials all night long. It¹s magical. Don¹t miss it... June will feature live music from Ursa Minor, Brook Pridemore, The Fools and Sean T. Hanratty.

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LES Band Crawl

Spend your afternoon today taking a tour of music venues on the lower east side. The LES Band Crawl stops at 1pm for Panther Tighter at Slipper Room (167 Orchard) or Dan Peluso at Le Lupanar (103 Essex). The second stop is at 2pm for Moe Isaac at Living Room (154 Ludlow) or Peter Hadar at Fat Baby (112 Rivington). And rounding at the day at 3:30 is Ghost Ghost & Misnomer(S) at Arlene’s Grocery (95 Stanton) and The Last Minet & Trajik Magic at Pianos (158 Ludlow). Don't forget to RSVP!

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Lovers & Dollars Release Party

Celebrate the release of the latest slice of "modern americana rock n roll" from Frank Hoier with The Weber Brothers tonight at their Red Hook release party. "Hoier has that rare gift of writing a song that sounds like it's been around
forever – that mystic, instantly-classic feel." (Eric Wolfson, Pop Headwound) Featuring sets by Feral Foster & Jessy Carolina, Frank Hoier & The Weber Brothers Band, and The Weber Brothers Band. Since this is Red Hook, directions to venue here.

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Katy Perry and Steve Madden

First Katy Perry got down with the good folks from Gsus for a launch party and now the Capital Records artist is singing away your Monday blues with an intimate show for Steve Madden... Clearly there's some big machine behind this girls. Maybe tonight is the night to find out what they hype is about while Stoli and Perrier Jouet wet your pallate with complimentary drinks. 21+

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Stars of Tomorrow

Tuesdays hit a high note with jazz and classical performances from Mannes College The New School for Music and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music on one of Hudson River Park's most beautiful piers by star students from around the city. Tonight the Mannes students play a selection of classical compositions while you watch the sunset. All Ages.

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Gnarles Barkley Instore

Early arrival is obviously suggested as that dynamic, Grammy Award Winning un-hip-hop duo, Gnarles Barkley, stop by for an intimate instore today to celebrate their new release, The Odd Couple. "Like its predecessor, the highly acclaimed St. Elsewhere, this album weds dark emotions with compelling beats." All Ages

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XYZ Affair

"Hailing from Brooklyn, NY The XYZ Affair makes epic power pop with theatrical vocals and instrumentation. It’s a sunny sound with rich, four-part harmonies and driving guitars. Their latest album, A Few More Published Studies is a consistently upbeat, multi-layered and melodic collection of progressive power pop." Tonight they play for free along with Action Painters after the Deathcab for Cutie show in the park. 18+

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The Tim Kuhl Group

Jazz is one of the great treasures of the this fine city we call home and - unfortunately - its also one of the more expensive. So when you get a shot to hear some on the cheap you should always jump at it. Like tonight's show with Izzy's drummer and composer Tim Kuhl. Kuhl's music moves from subtle to kinetic on a dime all with the right amount of swing. Go do something new, I promise there will be plenty of open bars tomorrow.

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Ed Palermo's Big Band at the Seaport

Now that the head is back down to relatively bearable, sitting on the pier and listening to some live jazz from Ed Palermo's Big Band perfoming the music of Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Cannonball Adderley, Neil Young, Duke Ellington and more seems like a nice treat. Jazz in the big band style is a site to behold, beyond the free-flowing intamacy you get from a trio or quartet, these larger ensambles - 15+ in this case - come with a unique power and intensity. Highly composed sections run remenicent of classical music yet the improvisational swing of jazz is still present. Tonight's a great chance to catch it sans the $25+ cover charge you'd usually pay. And if you like what you hear, make sure you check out the Mingus Big Band who play Tuesdays at the Iridium. It will blow you away. All Ages.

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Celebrate Brooklyn With Isaac Hayes

In case the weeks worth of 90º weather wasn't a clear enough sign of summer, the opening night of Celebrate Brooklyn should clear up any doubt. Isaac Hayes kicks off the park's 30th season with his signature sounds of Soul and R&B. Free shows continue all summer long. Check back soon for all the seasons listings.

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J & R Summerfest

A daily showcase of R&B legends and brand new soul artists, J & R Summerfest helps you unwind on your summer Fridays. Tonight's sow features Casely, The Dey, Yung Berg, Tiffany Evans, and Noel Gourdin. All Ages

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Wordless Music Series: A Sunny Day in Glasgow

The Wordless Music Series "is devited to the idea that the sound worlds of classical and contemporary instrumental music - in genres such as indie rock, free jazz, and electronic music - share more in common than conventional thinking might suggest." Tonight, they pair the Philly based brother/sister pop combo A Sunny Day in Glasgow against the American Contemporary Music Ensemble performing Ingram Marshall's Entrada and John Adams' Shaker Loops, for seven strings. Shake it up, see what happens. More here. Old image. All Ages.

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Summerstage Kickoff with Mavis Staple

Celebrate opening night of Summerstage with two women who cross the generations of gospel and soul. A member of the legendary Staple Singers, Mavis Staples has taken her roots in gospel and given them an uncanny boost of soul. Staples’ deep voice and spiritual resonance make her one of the most important singers to grace stages today. Stephanie McKay has resurrected true soul through bold songs like her flawless first single and title track, “Tell it Like It Is,” shows off her gutsy style and seamless voice. A child of the Bronx, she has contributed to projects with Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Tricky, and Roy Hargrove. All Ages.

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Vampire Weekend, Kid Sister and Born Ruffians at Summerstage!

One of the best things about summer in New York City is Central Park's Summerstage. Their opening weekend starts the summer out right, with performances this afternoon from New York Foursome Vampire Weekend, Canadian indie rock trio Born Ruffians and the first artist signed to A-Trak's own label, plus one of my recent faves, Kid Sister!

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I Love You Airlines

"Seminal East Village glam/pop trio I Love You Airlines... [have] been storming the East Village a few years now (with shows at The Mercury Lounge, Luna Lounge, Studio B, et al), and are waist deep in the Brooklyn underground playing parties like Rubulad, Glasslands, and The House of Yes." Tonight they rock Union Pool in the main space, immediately following the Stars Like Fleas CD release show. Some Free download links below. Ed Note: The Union Pool site says this show is $8 but the band says that its free after the CD release party. You may want to do some research if your real concerned 21+

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Victor Manuelle at Summerstage

"Victor Manuelle is Latin music royalty. The Puerto Rican-born sonero is considered salsa’s leading man. With the release of his new album, SOY, SummerStage will be his first US appearance where he will debut songs from this highly anticipated release. With seven Sony Music albums to his credit, Manuelle has appeared on the Grammys with Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan in a tribute to Latina diva Celia Cruz. Manuelle was also invited to the White House in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month." All Ages.

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Stars of Tomorrow

Tuesdays hit a high note with jazz and classical performances from Mannes College The New School for Music and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music on one of Hudson River Park's most beautiful piers by star students from around the city. Tonight the New School's Mimiaga Quartet play a selection of jazz and contemporary music. All Ages.

Posted by Chris at 6:30 PM | TrackBack | Email to a friend

Nicole Atkins and the Sea

NJ lovin' Nicole Atkins (from Neptune for all you tri-state transplants) plays nostalgic, soulful rock about the Jersey Shore (you know, the days before MTV set up shop every summer) with some sweeping, dark, undertones. Tonight she trades the atlantic for the East River with a free outdoor show in the LIC. Opening the night is Brooklyn's own Salt & Samovar who have more of a neo-americana songbook vibe with a little (just putting it out there) TV on the Radio thrown in. Definitely worth showing up early for. All ages weather permitting.

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Make Music Day New York

Today is the second Make Music Day where "for one day, public space throughout the five boroughs – sidewalks, parks, community gardens, and more – will become impromptu musical stages, dance floors, and social meeting points. Thousands of amateur musicians, in every genre, will be able to play on the sidewalks for the biggest crowds of their lives. Professional musicians will be able to attract new audiences, who will come out from under their headphones to hear unfamiliar groups risk-free." You can check out the full schedule here. All Ages!

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Salif Keita & Haale at Celebrate Brooklyn

Known as the “Golden Voice of Africa”, Salif Keita blends the traditional griot music of his own Mali with sounds from Guinea, the Ivory Coast, and Senegal, along with influences from Cuba, Spain, and Portugal. “Keita’s voice leaps out of every song with tender urgency.” (NY Times) Persian rock goddess Haale’s enchanting vocals soar over her band’s amplified rumble, which serves “as a reminder of the extent to which rock bands like the Doors and the Velvet Underground turned to the East for their hypnotic efforts.” More Info. All Ages.

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Yael Naim at Summerstage

One of the best things about summer in New York City is Central Park's Summerstage. Today's headliner is Paris-born, Israeli folk singer of Tunisian decent, Yael Naim. Wondering who Yael Naim is? Remember a few months back that infectious song for the MacBook Air? That was Yael Naim. The evening of French-based songwriters with subtle storytelling styles is rounded out by Piers Faccini and Herman Dune.

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Clinton Concert Series: Kelsey Jillette

"Monday is Music Night at the Hudson! Kelsey Jillette will be performing, playing classical jazz bearing modern & world music influences, drawing on styles from Latin traditional to country, pop to bebop. Bring your own picnic and make a night of it! Free kayaking is also available on site." All Ages.

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Stars of Tomorrow

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Live at the Gantries: Corina Bartra

Live at the Gantries brings together some of the city's great music maker's for sunset performances every Tuesday this summer. Tonight is their kickoff with Corina Bartra, "a vocalist-percussionist who has studied rhythms from around the world and incorporated various influences into her music. She is known for blending original jazz compositions with the rich, magical traditions of Afro-Peruvian and Brazilian music." All Ages.

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The Tuesday Party

The Tuesday Party weekly is back to cure those mid-week blues. There's an open bar at 10 and Dana Distortion spins rock and such for the masses all night long. Plus, going.com is on hand snapping pics so you can get a new myspace shot. Be sure to RSVP else there's a cover at the door. 21+

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Raul Midon

It’s rare that an artist arrives on the pop scene as fully loaded with musical potential as singer/composer Raul Midon. Straddling latin jazz and soul, “His style is a febrile amalgam of Stevie Wonder vocals, feel-good pop songwriting, sophisticated jazz harmonies and a ferociously aggressive way of playing acoustic guitar” raves The Washington Post. After years as backup vocalist for Enrique Iglesias and pop diva Shakira, Midón is out on his own with a syncopated, flamenco and jazz infused virtuosic approach to music. All Ages

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Orchestra Baobab

"Orchestra Baobab is a Senegalese Afro-Cuban band, and among the most important world music artists of today. Organized as a multi-ethnic, multi-national club band, their 2002 album "Specialist in All Styles" was produced by fellow Senegalese superstar Youssou N'dour." All Ages

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A Place to Bury Strangers at the Seaport

A Place to Bury Strangers "with their tension-wracked, Joy Division-meets-Ministry backdrop, tinnitus-inducing noise-pop start the summer off on the pier. Joining them will be the super bad ass 10 piece soul inferno know as King Kahn & the Shrines and Richard Fearless’s new band Black Acid." All Ages.

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Cold War Kids

Unleashing “cave-stomp drums, barroom piano and chiming post-punk guitars,” (Rolling Stone) Cold War Kids eschew preciousness for grit. Live, they’re all smoldering energy and raw power. Joining them are local favorites Elvis Perkins in Dearland with their dream-like folk rock “drenched in equal parts sunshine and cloudy grey skies,” (Drowned in Sound) and the tuneful but hard hitting Sam Champion, “an absolute force of nature.” (Sterogum) All Ages.

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East River Music Project

"The East River Music Project is a group of people dedicated to putting on free summer concerts of local music at the East River Amphitheater." And we here at FreeNYC applaud this! Today's line up includes Titus Andronicus, Obits, Emperor X, and Blood City. More info on that show and others here.

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West Africa Music Festival at Summerstage

West Africa shines at Summerstage this afterniin with a dynamic line-up featuring superstars from Mali, Senegal and Nigeria. Featuring performances by Ali Farka Touré, Fallou Dieng, Zozo Afrobeat, & DJ Sirak. More details below. All Ages.

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Crooklyn Dodgers Reunion Show

Brooklyn hip-hop history will be made as the open mic pioneers of Lyricist Lounge return the Bandshell to assemble for the first time the MCs and DJs responsible for the classic ‘90s singles Crooklyn Dodgers and Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers, soundtracks to the Spike Lee films Crooklyn and Clockers. Featuring O.C., Jeru the Damaja, Chubb Rock, EMC featuring Masta Ace, DJ Premier, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and hosted by Buckshot of Black Moon and Special Ed. All Ages.

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The Eternal Buzz Brass Band

"Propelled by an impressive assortment of local horn aces—drawn from the ranks of Antibalas, Steely Dan and other illustrious outfits—the Eternal Buzz Brass Band plays behind its Evolution disc. Drummer-composer Geoff Mann’s boisterous tunes are built for fun, and they don’t disappoint." 21+