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We have a super exciting weekend ahead of us! First of all, let me remind you of several events I’ve mentioned already– on Thursday The Raspberry Brothers are having a special early roasting of Garden State and Discovery is playing at Public Assembly. There are also various ongoing events like the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival; New York Classical Theatre’s wandering production of King Lear in Central Park, which I just reviewed and The NYC Food Film Festival (discussed in this post).
That said, please prepare yourself for difficult decisions.
Also on Thursday Schmami is the special guest DJ at Studio B’s Sunset Disco Rooftop BBQ with People Don’t Dance No More; get out there and prove them wrong!
Friday is a very special holiday in Sweden- Midsummer, a traditionally pagan holiday linked to the summer solstice and fertility rituals. So where should you celebrate your Swedish heritage, (or celebrate with some hot Swedes)? Party with the Swedish Consulate of course! They’re having a traditional Swedish Midsummer Celebration in Battery Park City:
Adults and children of all ages are welcome to help decorate the midsummer pole, make flower wreaths, play traditional games and dance to authentic fiddle music. Food stands will offer traditional delicacies from New York’s finest Swedish restaurants and food purveyors.
Keep your ears open for news of the equally traditional riotous afterparty!
Also on Friday you can help support Ground UP Productions and have a drink under the stars at their Rooftop Rendezvous! The posh event will be held on the Scholastic Center Rooftop Terrace and in the adjacent Greenhouse, both of which have enviable views of Soho. Get discount tickets HERE.
BAMcinemaFest is kicking off with screenings of new films at the BAM Rose Cinema. The New York Times wrote a blurb with their recommendations; I personally am quite intrigued by this trailer:
Saturday is the biggest event of the summer (at least if you’re a mermaid)- The Coney Island Mermaid Parade!! Words fail to describe the brilliance of this event, so here are some photos from past parades:
That is exactly the kind of madness that defines NYC!
Should you be looking for something more literally tasty there are also two amazing food-centric events happening on Saturday. First, you can witness a competition of gelatinous proportions at the Gowanus Studio Space; the great Jello-O Mold Competition will be judged on creativity, aesthetics, structural/sculptural ingenuity and edibility/culinary appeal. Can we achieve the jell-o art of times past?
If Jello-O isn’t hearty enough for you head over to 513 Henry St at Sackett in Carroll Gardens, where the Greenhorns are presenting the Goat Spit Summer Throwdown:
Join the Reverend Billy and the Greenhorns — a group of especially ambitious (and young!) farmers — in the previously abandoned Vermont Market & Pharmacy in Carroll Gardens for an afternoon of delectable treats and plenty of sustainable tips. Goat gets roasted on a bike-powered spit; you can fill up on greens, burgers, pickles, beer, and espresso, too. A rooftop gardening workshop coaxes your own latent green thumb, while a documentary on the Greenhorns also screens, perhaps serving as inspiration.
Sounds delicious!
On Sunday Central Park Summer Stage is embracing francophilia with a line-up that showcases the diversity of French contemporary music. I am particularly excited about Coralie Clément; watch this adorable music video and you will be too!
Also on Sunday you finally have another chance to check out Dare Dukes, who I called sexy ugly in a post ages ago. He’s also an excellent musician and songwriter and his show at The Living Room is certain to be the perfect way to wrap up your weekend!
Stay tuned for addtions!
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I am terribly sorry to have neglected you for so long! There are a number of exciting events in the next few days I want to pass along.
I have always been an advocate of NYC tap water but tonight an advocate with much more credibility will be speaking about our H2O:
Scott Chesman PhD will speak about the construction of City Water Tunnel No. 3 and the Moshulu Tunnel, which brings Croton water into the new filtering plant being built under Van Cortland Park; he has worked on both.
The lecture will be held at the Community Center at St. Jeans Baptiste at 7pm.
On Wednesday The Lance Drummonds Experience will be exploding on S.O.B.’s stage in the E. Village. His compositions have been called soulful and ambitious; he certainly looks soulful to me…
Lance Drummonds
Also on Wednesday you can be among the first to discover the new band The French Exit when they play at The Local 269. They’re already getting good buzz so get out to see them while you can still get close enough to introduce yourself!
Wednesday is also a big night for the Mixer Reading and Music Series; the line-up includes Chuck Klosterman, the New York Times bestselling author of ‘Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs.’ He will be reading alongside Rivka Galchen and Nick Flynn; the musical talent will be Datus. I love the combination of book readings and musical performances, especially in the context of a great little venue like Cakeshop– you can have your fiction and your vegan cupcake too!
On Thursday Discovery is playing at Public Assembly. I’ve mentioned them to you before; K and I fell in love with the singer New Year’s Eve at the Cameo Art Gallery. She’s quite the fireball so it’s sure to be a high energy show!
Also on Thursday the Raspberry Brothers are having a special early show; they’ll be blasting Garden State out of the water at 10pm at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas!
If you enjoyed the Media That Matters Film Festival, which I directed your attention to earlier this week, you should check out one of the films showing in the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival at the Walter Reade Theater. The festival, now in its 20th year, is presented by the Lincoln Center Film Society. Check out this trailer of one of the films, ‘Good Fortune,’ which explores how international efforts to alleviate poverty in Africa can sometimes cause the opposite effect:
I’ll be back with all sorts of fun for this weekend!
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“Summertime… and the livin’ is easy;” I can hear Billie Holiday crooning in my ear as I type those words. It is going to be a GREAT weekend everyone! I will be in Boston with G and his fellow BC Law grads but you have a delectable spread to choose from.
Tonight, at Public Assembly, enjoy burlesque and sideshow to the backbeat of live rock n roll!
Tonight you can party for a cause at the Bed Stuy Food Not Bombs Benefit:
Tonight is also opening night for a lovely new French film showing at BAM- Summer Hours (L’heure d’été), directed by Olivier Assayas and starring Juliette Binoche and Charles Berling, amongst others. You know I’m a huge francophile so I’m biased, but you can watch the trailer and decided for yourselves:
Also tonight, you can check out a very interesting musical experience at Joe’s Pub- Futurity, a Musical by the Lisps:
Futurity is an original indie-rock musical by Brooklyn-band The Lisps. A theatrically staged song cycle, Futurity tells the story of a Union soldier in the Civil War who is an aspiring science fiction writer. The work fuses traditional Americana, found text, experimental music, and The Lisps’ own brand of quirky co-ed pop.
This weekend is the last weekend you can see the Raspberry Brothers make fun of Snakes on a Plane at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas; when you need some AC and a nice reclining seat, not to mention a good laugh, check them out.
Saturday night go to your first great dance party of the summer- the Down and Derby at Studio B.
If soul is more your thing boogie down at the Five Spot Soul Food Supper Club:
If it’s a concert you want I highly recommend checking out Emanuel and the Fear at Mercury Lounge. You may remember my stellar review of their show at Crash Mansion. They were also mentioned by L Magazine as one of the 8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear. Don’t miss them!
On Saturday and Sunday you can challenge yourself as never before at the great Crawfish Boil for NOLA 2009! A ticket entitles you to:
4 crawfish pours (4-5lbs of crawfish per person) along with corn on the cob, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, garlic, sausage and spices served with unlimited beer and New Orleans Hurricanes!
Sounds like a challenge to me!
This weekend is also the New York Airshow at Jones’ Beach! Performers include the USAF Thunderbirds, the Warbirds Over Long Island and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds! Bring your sunscreen and enjoy the spectacle!
New York Airshow 2008
Sunday is the first Sunday Best event at the Brooklyn Yard:
Tacos, sangria, little kids running around, trees, water, and good, good music. Residents Doug Singer, Justin Carter, and Eamon Harkin are playing alongside soulful house maestro Quentin Harris all afternoon and evening.
Sunday night there’s another great show at Mercury Lounge (I hate them but they have the best shows!)- Brit Boras and the Cavalry! I told you how much I enjoyed their show at Spike Hill; now it’s your turn to be impressed.
And if you’re looking for a traditional BBQ (of sorts), I recommend Flatbush Farm for all your Memorial Day needs:
As Obama Nation observes Memorial Day, the Farm will offer a traditional American-style BBQ on our outdoor patio: grilled barn burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, shiskebabs, grilled hot dogs, chips and potato salad. Drink pourer Jason Roberts will serve up the new and refreshing BUMBLE TEA—Earl Grey infused vodka-based sweet tea!
Have an amazing weekend! See you next week!
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I hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Monday. I am in full LSAT study mode (or at least I should be) so I won’t be able to attend many events until after June 8th but I will certainly tell you all about them and hopefully live vicariously through you!
Tonight you have a choice between indie rock, a tribute to The Bed In and a night of neuroscience!
First, if you missed the Heliotropes concert I told you about last week you have another chance to check them out tonight. They’ll be playing at Public Assemblywith Ancient Sky and Beloved Rogue.
If the term The Bed In means something to you, you should undoubtedly be at the Gershwin Hotel tonight where Neke Carson and Michael Wiener will be presenting “Give Peace a Chance”:
Book launch benefit celebrating the 40th anniversary of John and Yoko’s historic Bed In. With a Give Peace a Song Cabaret. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of John and Yoko’s famous Bed-in for Peace 1969 in Montreal. Get a sneak preview of the photo exhibition that will open May 26 in Liverpool. Launch Joan Athey’s new book. Brooklyn-born photographer Gerry Deiter, on assignment for Life Magazine was the only photographer there the entire eight days. Special guests Guitar Legend Gary Lucas and composer Steven Lynch will be on hand to add to the proceedings plus more surprise quests. The Cabaret includes a presentation of Bed-in images, a reading from eye-witnesses to the recording of Give Peace A Chance, a special guest — writer Charles Childs (who worked with Alex Haley on Roots) presents excerpts from his unpublished interview with the couple. Climb into bed and talk peace like John and Yoko did. Local musicians rock the room with their favorite John Lennon songs. This is also a fundraiser for music writer Paul Williams. He sustained a head injury in 1995 while cycling and needs 24 hour care for the dementia that has recently manifested itself.
John & Yoko Bed In
Finally, at the Bell House tonight the Secret Science Club will be meeting to discuss recent developments in neuroscience on the topic of memory.
Dr. Arancio is a cellular neurobiologist at Columbia University’s Department of Pathology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain. In his lab at Columbia University, neuroscientist Ottavio Arancio explores the molecular mechanisms of memory formation.
Settle down in the comfy couches and learn about the workings of your brain (or at least the cells you didn’t kill with tequila last week).
On Wednesday you can satisfy all your local food/wine cravings in one place- Brooklyn Uncorked at the spectacular Brooklyn Academy of Music at 30 Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene. This lovely event is run by the trio of Edible Publications and features wine from local wineries including:
Baiting Hollow, Bedell/Corey Creek, Bouké, Bridge Vineyards, Brooklyn Oeneology, Castello di Borghese, Channing Daughters, Clovis Point, Diliberto, Grapes of Roth, Harbes, Lieb, Long Island Merlot Alliance, Macari, Old Field, Osprey’s Dominion, Palmer, Raphael, Roanoke, Sherwood House, Shinn, Sparkling Pointe, Waters Crest, Wölffer Estate
as well as food from:
Amy’s Cookies, Bodum, Bridge Winery, Buttermilk Channel, DiPalo’s, Fizzy Lizzy, Get Fresh, Great Performances, iCi, North Fork Potato Chips, NuNu Chocolates, Palo Santo, Plowshares Coffee, Rick’s Picks, SerendipiTea, Stonehome Wine Bar, The Farm on Adderley, The Smoke Joint, Vere Chocolate, Wine Cellar Sorbets
Get your tickets here!
Also on Wednesday, Wye Oak will be playing at Mercury Lounge along with the Pomegranates and Winter Gloves. Check out the video for Please Concrete:
B is a big fan of Wye Oak but he won’t be able to attend because he will be spinning at Hugs. I am pleased to announce that Sunday Singles was a big hit (it was written up in Gothamist amongst other lovely blogs) and Excess Energy is bringing you Love Machine:
On Thursday there will be a reception at the Brenda Taylor Gallery for their new exhibit- the Love Armor Project. Check out their website for the history, as far as I’m concerned this picture says it all:
Also on Thursday you can check out the second Puppet Playlist- Magnetic Fields at The Tank Theater.
Puppet Playlist takes talented puppeteers and brilliant musicians and slams them together into an evening of live theater to stir the senses. Our second Playlist will feature new works of puppetry set to a litany of love songs by The Magnetic Fields. Between sets, hear new interpretations of Magnetic Fields music — on cello, accordion, guitar and more. A chance to see some of New York’s most interesting puppet artists and musicians at play. Performers (and their work) have been seen all over New York and throughout the world, on, off- and off-off-Broadway, at Here Arts Center, Shakespeare in the Park, the Metropolitan Opera, FringeNYC, Lincoln Center, with Jim Henson Productions, and on both American and International TV (yes, that includes the Muppets). Featuring pieces by: Eric Wright, Melissa Creighton, Marta Mozelle MacRostie, Ithai Benjamin, Darragh Martin, Maja Rajenovich, and Mary Robinette Kowal and Jodi Eichelberger. Musical performers include: Hannah Temple, Matt Singer, Emily Hope, Anna Leuchtenberger, Jon Levin, Jo Williamson.
There are two shows but they will sell out so be sure to reserve here.
A few early weekend announcements…
Friday night, weather permitting, there will be telescope observation at the Columbia observatory. Regardless of cloudy skies there will be a lecture, The Good the Bad and the Ugly- Astronomy in the Media, by Jackie Faherty.
On Saturday I am already torn between three events (who knows what I’ll do when I discover even more!). First, there’s a roller derby match well worth seeing- Brooklyn Bombshells take on Manhattan Mayhem at the Hunter College Sportsplex. Check out this video from last season!
Also on Saturday Finger on the Pulse presents Louis La Roche, Justin Faust and Danger at Studio B. B is a major fan so I can guarantee this will be an awesome dance party!
Last but not least, The Wet Spots have a late show at Joe’s Pub. They are described as “vaudevillian, oversexed, and weirdly Canadian: think sex club by way of Monty Python.” I was deeply skeptical until I watched this video and now I’m kind of hooked:
Have a wonderful week and stay tuned for additions!
NOTE: The Big Red Apple is now TheBigRedApple.net
To view this post at its new location click HERE!
We have quite the week ahead of us and I hope you are rested and ready to take on some of these amazing events! Tonight Tom Shillue will perform his stand-up act at The Green Room. He makes me nostalgic for Seinfeld; check out this clip from his act:
Also tonight, at The Half King, there will be a book reading of the spicy variety; Evan Wright will read from his book ‘HELLA NATION: Looking for Happy Meals in Kandahar, Rocking the Side Pipe, Wingnut’s War against the GAP, and other Adventures with the Totally Lost Tribes of America.’
Evan Wright is the New York Times-bestselling author of Generation Kill, recently an HBO miniseries, for which he served as a writer and consulting producer. A contributing editor to Vanity Fair, he has also written for Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times, among numerous other publications. He is the recipient of two National Magazine Awards, and for Generation Kill he received a Los Angeles Times Book Award, a PEN Literary Award, a J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, and a General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., Award. He lives in Southern California.
On Tuesday experience the Urban Poetry Slam, starring Jaylee Aldee at the Bowery Poetry Club:
Known as the Teddy Bear with a razor blade under his tongue, Jaylee Alde is a young prolific poet who commands his audience with grit and grace. A bay area native and all around slam champion who combines classic verse with his truthful raw honesty. In St. Louis 2004 at the National Poetry Slam he placed 2nd in the Individual championships and as a member of the Berkeley Slam team placed in the top four teams in the nation. Jaylee is also a member of the Asian Bay Area collective Proletariat Bronze.
Also on Tuesday The Bell House hosts three fantastic bands for a night of awesome music; I predict that the chandeliers will be shaking by the end of the night. The bands are El May, Wye Oak and Crooked Fingers. Here’s the video for Crooked Fingers’ ‘New Drink for the Old Drunk’:
Also on Tuesday, if you know the right person to sleep with you might be able to get into The Dead Weather’s concert at The Bowery Ballroom:
The Dead Weather are a brand new rock outfit consisting of Dean Fertita, Jack Lawrence, Alison Mosshart and Jack White. The impetus for the band came when Mosshart’s band The Kills opened on a few US tour dates for The Raconteurs. Recognizing immediately the musical synergy between Mosshart, White and Lawrence, the trio devised a plot to record together during some down time in White’s own Third Man Recording Studio in Nashville where White enlisted the addition of erstwhile Raconteurs’ touring accomplice and Queens Of The Stone Age collaborator Dean Fertita. What was initially imagined as a one-off collaboration for a 7” single release turned into a full blown album project once the quartet switched on the recording tape. The Dead Weather’s menacing sounds were so electrifying that they couldn’t help but keep the tape rolling. In three weeks they had recorded a full length album, Horehound produced by Jack White, to be released on White’s Third Man Records in June. The album features the band’s explosive debut single, “Hang You Up From The Heavens”, which is currently available through iTunes, backed with a dirge driven cover of Gary Numan’s “Are Friends Electric?”
ALSO on Tuesday (I know, it’s very overwhelming), Hebrew School will have their Record Release Party at Public Assembly. David Griffin has reworked Hebrew School classics with an indie rock bent. I’m a fan of his previous work with Nous Non Plus (you may recall my rave review of their concert at Mercury Lounge), and I’m excited to see how cool he can make the songs of my childhood.
On Wednesday you have another chance to speed date with a soundtrack of music by The Smiths, at Black Rabbit. I posted their last speed dating event and sources tell me it was good fun.
Wednesday is also the first day of the Lincoln Center Film Society’s series ‘First Light: Satyajit Ray from the Apu Trilogy to the Calcutta Trilogy.’ Check out the NYTimes article to read more about this talented Indian director and the films that will be showing at The Walter Reade Theater through April 30th.
Satyajit Ray
A and I are going to see ‘Humor Abuse‘ at the City Center on Wednesday; it’s a play about a very unusual childhood- growing up at the circus. This is your last week to check it out so if you’re interested don’t wait for my review!
Lorenzo Pisoni in Humor Abuse
On Thursday Brit Boras and the Cavalry play at Pianos. I love her voice, it has all the intensity and breathy sexiness of Alanis Morisette, but she’s also backed up by a talented group of musicians playing instruments you don’t often see in rock concerts, like a cello. Check out the music video from ‘Cassandra’:
Stay tuned for more events!
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If you haven’t made plans yet for tonight here are two events worth considering…
NYC’s 8th Annual Juggling Festival hits Pratt this weekend; check out the show spectacular tonight or head over there tomorrow for juggling workshops and games!
You may remember me telling you about Gypsy-Bhangra-Balkan bacchanalia at the Banya Russian Steambaths, well, the crazy party people who brought you that party (and will soon be bringing it to you again), are hosting ‘Luminous Flux: Yuri’s Night‘ tonight at Galapagos. Gemini and Scorpio take bacchanalia quite seriously and this is sure to be a characteristically riotous event:
Gemini and Scorpio and Leo Kuelbs present a full weekend of eye-popping video art on the theme of flight, as explored through selected works, installations, live multimedia performances, and VJ sets. Luminous flux is the measure of perceived power of light. Over the course of this event, over 30 artists harness this power to present their unique interpretations of the theme, with works ranging from abstract to whimsical to challenging to dazzling. Kuelbs showcases video work in a unique 4-channel environment, a living gallery devoted to one artist at a time on four screens, all in one two-hour looped reel that will be shown on all three nights. G&S concoct their usual mix of live performance, circus, spectacle and dance party, this time revolving heavily around innovative video work.
Tomorrow is the first important social event of the spring season- the annual Gotham Girls Roller Derby Derbytaunt Ball. Head to Public Assembly dressed as your ‘best future perfect self’ to welcome the rookies in style!
I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I’ll be sure to tell you all about my recent adventures and this week’s events shortly!
NOTE: The Big Red Apple is now TheBigRedApple.net
To view this post at its new location click HERE!
There are two concerts worth considering tonight. First, get your fill of British electro-house at Webster Hall where Calvin Harris‘ tunes may not invoke deep thought, but will definitely get you dancing. The second is for all the hipsters out there- Blk Jks will be performing their ‘South African art rock’ at Union Hall.
Also tonight, discover a new kind of brothel- a Poetry Brothel at Madame X.
Here’s how it works: The poets play “whores,” visitors play “johns” (and are also encouraged to attend incognito!) but instead of physical intimacy, the poets offer the intimacy of their poetry by giving private, one-on-one readings in curtained-off areas. All of the resident “whores” are available for private readings at any time during the event (for a small fee). Of course, every good brothel needs a furtive “front” or cover business; ours is part saloon and part salon, offering a full bar (serving Le Tourment Vert absinthe all night!), blackjack table (played for prizes), tarot card readings, raffle tickets, live painting, one-on-one poetry consultations (bring your poems!), and live music, with performances from our poets, performers, and artists throughout the night. Each night “The Madame” will also introduce “the new girl,” a featured reader who will delight the whole cast and cast of customers with a very special public performance.
Poetry Brothel
Tomorrow go over to the Japan Society for their new exhibit- “Krazy! The Delirious World of Anime + Manga + Video Games.” Check out examples of these evolving art forms, such as this image:
“![Takashi Okazaki. Afro Samurai [film still]. STUDIO GONZO, 2007. © 2006 TAKASHI OKAZAKI, GONZO / SAMURAI PROJECT.](https://thebigredapple.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/manga-38_wide.jpg?w=490 "Takashi Okazaki. Afro Samurai [film still]. STUDIO GONZO, 2007. © 2006 TAKASHI OKAZAKI, GONZO / SAMURAI PROJECT.")
Saturday night you have the challenge of deciding between several events, each of which embrace completely different sub-cultures.
Takashi Okazaki. Afro Samurai
I will be attending a performance of the Young New Yorkers Chorus at Holy Trinity Church:
Young New Yorkers Chorus Event Poster
I’ll admit I’m a novice when it comes to Rachmaninoff but I’m confident that this will be a truly beautiful performance (I have a good reason for thinking so- I have a friend in the chorus whose voice I simply adore).
For a whole different sort of musical experience, check out Black Taxi at DROM; it will be a late-night, down-and-dirty, rock-and-roll-fueled benefit for Studio 42!
For a whole different sort of experience you can spectate or participate at the 2009 New York City Beard and Moustache Championships, held this year at Public Assembly. There will be prizes for full beards, patchy beards, goatees, moustaches and sideburns (and many more categories of facial hair). I attended the 2007 Championships and I can vouch for the absurdity and hilarity of this event.
Beard and Moustache Championship Participant
If that’s all just far too intimidating wander over to Union Pool for what just may be the best dance party you’ve been to all year- Budos Band will be throwing a ‘Voodoo Funk Party.’
Budos Band Event Poster
If you’re not too hung over for bagpipes on Sunday, check out the Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade; there will be the requisite music and all the shenanigans you’re expecting.
Also on Sunday revamp your wardrobe and support Housing Works by participating in a fantastic clothing swap at Sixth Ward:
Trade in a bag of your unwanted clothes for a chance to rummage through others’. Fashion students are on hand to help with fittings for your new outfits. Extras, bar tabs, and five-buck donations at the door go to Housing Works.
Enjoy your weekend and stay tuned for any additions I may come across!
The Big Red Apple 