Cool Events Today, Wed, May 19th!
1. Beer Tasting at George Keeley
Come to George Keeley (Amsterdam between 83rd and 84th) tonight for a Captain Lawrence beer tasting event. Enjoy a variety of Captain Lawrence beers while Captain Lawrence and Manhattan Beer representatives stay on-hand to discuss the beer, the brewing process, and to answer any questions. Some of the beers representing Captain Lawrence Brewing Company include Captain Lawrence Reserve Imperial IPA, with lots of American hops producing a classic citrus and pine aroma; Captain Lawrence Espresso Stout, brewed with coffee beans from the Black Cow Coffee Company; and Captains Kolsch, a medium-bodied, very pale beer with slightly assertive bitterness. To make it even better, just know that George Keeley’s is one of our favorite local bar spots with plenty of seating, warm cosy atmosphere, and what a great beer selection! ENJOY! (and we know you will
Time: 6:00 pm
George Keeley
485 Amsterdam (between 83rd and 84th)
2. Dinner and Great Time at Bailout Theatre
Bailout Theater is a twice-monthly night of free dinner and entertainment. There is no catch – no mysterious fruit punch, no proselytizing, not even a suggested donation. Just a place for people to hang out that isn’t their home, that isn’t their workplace and where they don’t have to pay five big ones for a cup of coffee to sit down. We have free dinner and desserts provided as always by friendly Village restaurants (John’s Pizza and more) and potluck enthusiasts. At 8pm, old favorite Alex Mallett (everybody just loved him last time he was around!) returns with banjo tunes, new and old. Then, funnyman writer Isaac Oliver and friends present solo comedic shorts for the second half of the evening. Alex Mallett will be playing his third set at Bailout Theater this week and, given his previous reception, we’ll let him speak for himself.
Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: Free!!!
http://bailout-theater.org
3. Grudge Match at Marfa Music
Grudge Match: Music vs. Comedy
Come witness the madness as Grudge Match returns to Marfa at Lucky Cheng’s! Comedians and musicians battle it out for your hearts! Winners go home with the trophy and the glory while the losers are taken out back and shamed, and somehow have to face themselves in the morning. Featuring music by Joe Yoga, Pat Hull and Mr. Marbar along with comedy by John Murdock, Fraser Young and Molly Knefel. However, you have to be 21 and over to get in . Oh yeah, did we mention the FREE CHIPS and SALSA???
MARFA MUSIC
24 1st Ave (at 2nd St)
Official Site
Time: 8:00pm
Cost: Free!!!
8¢ Cinnabon Cup Cakes & Sketches of (in)justice Today!
8¢ Cinnabon Cup Cakes at Penn Station Today!!!
Hello Columbus Circle Hostel Guests! Who’s got a sweet tooth today? Well, with this miserable kind of weather outside today we are excused from any bad habits that giving in to should makes us feel bad on a “normal”. Whatever helps us keep the spirits up, right? So check this out: Cinnabon is at it again, slinging their new cupcakes (full sized this time) for a mere 8¢ to the first 888 folks to stop by today from from 11am to 8pm! Just be sure to grab the coupon and swing by Penn Station for free, sugary goodness.
The cupcakes are available in four delicious flavors:
- Cinnacake Classic: A tribute to Cinnabon’s world-famous Classic Roll – moist, vanilla cake infused with Cinnabon’s Makara Cinnamon, topped with their signature cream cheese frosting and MakaraCinnamon
- Chocolate Passion: Moist, decadent chocolate cake topped with rich, chocolate buttercream frosting (I’m drooling as we speak)
- Vanilla Bliss: Moist, divinely vanilla cake topped with luscious, vanilla buttercream frosting
- 24-Carrot Cake: Moist, perfectly-spiced carrot cake with a hint of pineapple and coconut, topped with Cinnabon’s signature cream cheese frosting and orange sugar sprinkles…
5/18 11AM – 8PM – first 888 customers!
Coupon: www.8coupons.com/discounts/cinnabon-new-york-10119#13801
CINNABON at Penn Station
1 Penn Plaza
Sketches of (in)justice
On a different note, after you satisfy your munchies and brighten up the afternoon with the cupcakes, head back to the Upper West Side to Gelabert Studios Gallery on 86th St for another great experience. Sketches of (in)justice brings into sharp focus the Kafkaesque nature of the Russian legal system as illustrated through the ongoing prosecution of the its most well-known political prisoner Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Following successful exhibitions in Moscow, Brussels, London and Paris, the courtroom drawings of Sketches of (in)justice comes to the United States to encourage discussion of Russia’s neglected rule of law, trampled property rights and human rights violations.
At the champagne opening reception, winning artists and competition organizer will be on hand to discuss their motivation behind expressing the Khodorkovsky trial through art and how the trial has influenced Russia’s perception of itself. Artists include Davina Garrido (caricature), Iya Ozerova (courtroom sketch), Vika Lomasko (illustration/comic strip), Alexey Ermolaev (illustration/comic strip) and Galima Akhmetzyanova (courtroom sketch) and Sergey Kuznetsov, the organizer of “Drawing the Court.”
http://risuemsud.ru/en/
GELABERT STUDIOS GALLERY
255 W 86th St bet Broadway & West End Ave
Official Site
Date: Tue, May 18th
Time: 5:00pm
Cost: Free!!!
“RUBICON” Film Shoot Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18, in the UWS!
“RUBICON” filming in the UWS Tomorrow!
AMC’s newest drama, Rubicon, will be filming tomorrow in the vicinity of Central Park West between 68th and 70th and 69th between Central Park West and Columbus. The show is a conspiracy thriller starring James Badge Dale (The Pacific, The Departed), Lili Taylor and Miranda Richardson and centers around an analyst at a New York City think-tank who is thrown into a story about the government where nothing is as it appears to be (never is!) and on top of all, discovering a vast global conspiracy! Amazing, what an original plot. According to Joel Stillerman, AMC’s head of original programming, Rubicon will begin to reveal “a secret society that pulls the strings on the world political stage.” AMC’s ordered 12 episodes of the series so far (how much do you want to bet it’ll NOT survive one season?)
Anyway, we like to keep you posted on interesting events taking place in our neighborhood and we think it’s always fun to hang out at movie shooting locations so we decided to share that bit with you. Perhaps you’ll be interested? Should you decide to check it out, take pictures and autographs so we can hang some up by the front desk.
AIDS Walk New York 2010
AIDS Walk New York 2010
If you were hanging out around Columbus Circle yesterday, surely you noticed the crowds taking part in the marathon! Wow, the beautiful weather we got to enjoy also contributed to the commendable turnout of the event. According to initial estimates, 45,000 people showed up in Central Park on Sunday for the successful 25th Annual AIDS Walk New York, marking a quarter century of AIDS activism as well as raising funds for tri-state area AIDS service organizations.
The walk, benefiting among others the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) was a 10-kilometer route that started and ended in Central Park. The route went through the west side of the park to exit at 110th, when it headed west to Riverside Park, downtown along the Hudson River, and across the Upper West Side at 85th. Indeed, the impressive, huge and enthusiastic crowd had reason to celebrate – the event generated over $5.7 million in funds towards fighting HIV and AIDS. That’s great, CONGRATULATIONS!
To add more splendor to the event, well-known names from Governor Paterson to Leslie Jordan (My Trip Down the Pink Carpet, Will and Grace), Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), and Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk) also helped commemorate the event at the post-walk reception. All in all, a big pat on the back to participants for helping such a great cause! GREAT JOB EVERYBODY!!!
Free Events Today on the UWS!
Looking for some fun today in New York? Well, look no more because Columbus Circle Hostel is bringing you a whole list of exciting things and ideas to fill your free time! Check out our suggestions and see if you can squeeze some of them in your busy schedule . And make sure to check back in with the front desk later and let us know how it went! ENJOY!
1. Author Event & Signing at Barnes & Noble
: Jenny Han: It’s Not Summer Without You
In Jenny Han’s follow-up to The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly finds out what comes after falling in love. This event is in correlation with the Calhoun Bookfair. Come out to support this amazing author and fantastic school.
Thursday May 13, 2010 4:30 PM
Barnes & Noble
Lincoln Triangle
1972 Broadway
212-595-6859
www.bn.com
2. LPA Cinema Screening Series
: Orpheus by Jean Cocteau
Orpheus (1949, 86 min.) Directed by Jean Cocteau, starring Jean Marais and Maria Casarés. This film is the central part of Cocteau’s Orphic Trilogy, which consists of The Blood of a Poet (1930), Orpheus (1949) and Testament of Orpheus (1960). Set in contemporary Paris, the movie is a variation of the classic Greek myth of Orpheus. Themes of the film include the contrast between reality and illusion, between dreams and the waking world. The film also deals with the poet’s preoccupation with death and immortality. The Princess (who is Death) is attracted to Orpheus, and he is attracted to her. The film also centers upon the relationship of Orpheus and Eurydice, and the importance of their commitment to each other. Orpheus and Eurydice are each distracted by the illusion of falling in love with others who do not really exist. They return to everyday reality to realize the importance of the love which they feel for each other. The movie is shown as part of the series Orpheus in Film.
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
Bruno Walter Auditorium
Amsterdam Level
6:00 PM
www.nypl.org
3. Social Hour: How to Sketch Central Park
With a natural beauty that inspires, Central Park is any artist’s haven and heaven! Whether you are novice with a new sketchpad or a seasoned artist, consider attending the “How to Sketch Central Park” seminar at 6:30 this evening.
For an hour and a half, the natural science illustrator, Anne Yen, will lead the group through the ins and outs of sketching Central Park. Learn to use your observational skills and the secrets of watercolors. The session will feature an art exhibit, demonstrations and even one-on-one training opportunities.
The event is sponsored by the Central Park Conservancy and is taking place at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center. Most importantly, it is open to all skills levels and will provide the necessary materials 
Sweet! So let’s grab a blanket and have some fun while drawing in the park!
For more information, please call (212) 860-1370.
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park
6:30 PM-8:00 PM
www.centralpark.com/events/
4. A Taste of Shakespeare at Lincoln Center!
A Taste of Shakespeare!
Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival
The celebrated Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival offers Atrium audiences a sample of its wares prior to its June opening at the Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison, NY. This evening features some of the Bard’s villainous tales of betrayal from Troilus and Cressida, his comic battle of the sexes in Taming of the Shrew, and a cutting edge “ad-rap-tation” of The Comedy of Errors in a hip-hop style Bomb-itty of Errors. Oh boy, this is going to be more than fantastic and it’s definitely a MUST-GO-TO event tonight!!!!
Target Free Thursdays
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
61 West 62nd Street
8:30 PM
www.new.lincolncenter.org
Kayak on the Hudson
Welcome Columbus Circle Hostel Guests and all of you interested in fun spring & summer activities in New York City! Surely, you’ll be happy to learn that kayaking on the Hudson is back! YAY! Once again, we can jump in that kayak and paddle down the Hudson on the Upper West Side! What an exciting and fun thing to do on a Saturday afternoon, right? Most weekends throughout the summer, Riverside Park South offers a FREE instructional kayaking session on the Hudson River. Simply come to the dock at 72nd Street to join the Downtown Boathouse as they teach those who are new to kayaking – remember safety first! Also, don’t forget to wear a bathing suit and/or shorts and a t-shirt, and know how to swim… The free paddles are weather permitting however. Fell free to check back in with www.riversideparkfund.org for their calendar of events! ENJOY and don’t get too wet!!!
Kayaking on the Hudson
FIRST ONE KICKS OFF THIS SUNDAY!
May 16, 2010
10:00 AM–05:00 PM
72nd St. & the Hudson River
kayaking also planned for the following weekend – both Saturday and Sunday, May 22 and 23, 2010
Street Fairs, Arts and Entertainment on the UWS
Street Fairs, Arts and Entertainment in Upper West Side
“Manhattan Valley Family Days”
A Community Celebration
Free Family Entertainment and Fun Activities for All Ages!!!
Art, music, dance, bike lessons, area info, textile and computer recycling and so much more!
On Amsterdam Avenue between W. 106-W. 110 Sts.
Sunday, May 16, 11am-5pm
Taino Nation Dancers
Pilates and Dance Classes
Bike Lessons
Bike Safety
Bike and Skateboard Lanes
Karate Lessons [by Hiraldo's Karate School]
Dominoes
Laughing Yoga [with Chander Malik of Indian Cafe and Roti Roll]
Tai Chi and Yoga
Health and Wellness [with Veronica Winsch]
Therapeutic Drum Circle
Art Lessons [by Marie Paul, Franciscan Center]
Art Project [by Angelo Romano]
Kids Art Mural
Box City for Kids
Chalk Art
Pipe Cleaner Sculptures
Face Painting
Cultural Heritage Crossword Puzzle Party
Pottery Demo [by Mugi Pottery]
Knitting and Crochet Demo [Yarntopia]
Pet Health
Pet Therapy
Neighborhood Vision Mural
”What A Neighborhood” Creates Song Lines for West Side Streets
Pigeon Flock Flight Demo [by Victor Casiano]
Live Music Performances
Sunday, May 23, 11am-5pm
Taino Nation Dancers
Ballet Hispanico
Ascension Fairies Bike Lessons
Bike Safety
Bike and Skateboard Lanes
Karate Lessons [Hiraldo's Karate School]
Dominoes
Laughing Yoga [Chander Malik of Indian Cafe and Roti Roll]
Tai Chi and Yoga
Health and Wellness [with Veronica Winsch]
Therapeutic Drum Circle
Art Project [with Angelo Romano]
Kids Art Mural
Box City for Kids Pipe Cleaner Sculptures
Face Painting [Michael Albert and W. 107 St. Block Association]
Cultural Heritage Crossword Puzzle Party
Pottery Demo [by Mugi Pottery]
Knitting and Crochet Demo [Yarntopia]
Pet Therapy [Morningside Village]
Neighborhood Vision Mural
“What A Neighborhood” Creates Song Lines for West Side Streets
Plant Repotting
Live Music Performances
Saturday, May 15 – SPRING FAIR
Teacher dunking booth, karaoke, food, flea market, more;
W. 97th S (between Amsterdam & Columbus Avenues)
12 noon-5pm.
For info 212-222-8008
Friday, May 21 – SPRING FAIR
Inflatable rides, food, music, children’s bands, face-painting;
Bloomingdale School Yard
150 W. 105th St
3pm-7pm.
For info 646-395-0990
Thursday, May 27
CONCERT by the Jamie Begian Big Band playing a blend of jazz and funk; El Taller Latino
2710 Broadway
Starts at 8pm
$15
For info 212-665-9460 or www.tallerlatino.org
Also, if you still haven’t had the chance to do so, keep an eye on the events organized by some of favorite local spots – most of them are FREE and all places are very cool and friendly!
- Crepes on Columbus
990 Col. Ave & W. 109 St
For info 212-222-0259 or www.crepesoncolumbus.com.
- L’ exquisitus
153 Manhattan Avenue @ W. 107 Street.
For info 212-280-1145 or www.lexquisituscafe.com
WiFi café and lounge;
open 7 days a week.
- Mehu Gallery
21 W. 100 Street.
Tue-Fri 12-7pm; Sat-Sun 12-6pm.
For info 212-222-3334 or mehugallery@aol.com
- Miss Mamie’s Spoonbread Too
W. 110 St. between. Columbus & Manhattan Avenues.
For info 212-866-6205 or www.spoonbreadinc.com
- SIP
998 Amsterdam Avenue.
For info 212-316-2747 or www.sipbar.com
Live DJs nightly;
live jazz Sats.;
new art exhibits 1st & 3rd Wed.;
open mic, 4th Sun,;
“Acoustic Soul Lounge” 3rd Sun. 8pm;
SIP LIT–literary readings and free tapas bar, every last Wed., 8pm.
Free WiFi.
- Village Pourhouse
982-988 Amsterdam Avenue.
For info 212-979-2337 or www.pourhousenyc.com
Trivia Weds., 8pm.
- West Side Arts Coalition
W. 96 Street & Broadway, Center Mall.
Weds. 6-8pm, Sat. & Sun. 12-6-pm.
For info 212-316-6024 or www.wsacny.org.
Exhibits: Spring Forward now thru 5/2
- Whole Foods Jazz Legend Series
808 Columbus Avenue & W. 97 Street
Fridays 5pm-7pm
Free 5/14, 28
Local jazz legend Jimmy Norman, a frequent performer at Mikell’s.
- Zanny’s Café
W. 108 Street & Columbus Avenue.
For schedule 212-316-6849 or www.zannyscafe.com
Movie Night Wednesdays.
Self Magazine “Workout in the Park” and Central Park SummerStage Lineup!
Central Park SummerStage Lineup Announced!!!
Welcome Columbus Circle Hostel Guests and every New Yorker looking forward to hear some awesome FREE music this summer in NYC! Sit back and relax because we’re bringing you tons of exciting news today.
Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield, namely home of the SummerStage (mid-park near 69th), recently started to gear up the outdoor venue for a lineup of music and entertainment this summer. Crews have been working on getting the stage ready and another proof that the lineup is about to kick off soon is that the SummerStage 2010 schedule went live this week. Boy, have you guys also been waiting for that as much as we have over here at CC Hostel?
Apart from the Rumsey events like this Saturday’s Self Magazine “Workout in the Park”, a series of FREE shows is also set to start in a few weeks. Tomorrow, for example, women get the chance to come to Central Park to experience electrifying workouts, indulgent beauty and style consultations, gourmet delights and more. The event takes place from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and includes a series of fun exercise classes like Cardio Tai Box, Urban Rebounding (using mini trampolines), and Fat Burning Pilates. The feature of the New York City event is a Yogalosophy class by celebrity yoga trainer Mandy Ingber. So go ahead ladies, head out to Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield after breakfast tomorrow (near 69th) and learn the favorite yoga moves of some of Mandy’s celebrity clients like Jennifer Aniston .Who knows, maybe you’ll stumble upon one or two celebrities in the park – they looove working out there! The $20 ticket price includes admission to any of the classes, beauty and nutrition consultations, pampering, giveaways, and a one-year subscription to Self Magazine now that’s a great deal, wouldn’t you agree?!
The official season of free SummerStage shows begins on June 1st with Melody Gardot and the New York Pops, and continues through September 26th with “A Celebration of Gypsy Music from Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Romania.”
In addition to the lineup of free shows, a series of benefit concerts is scheduled as well, each of them put on to support the free shows throughout the year.
Take a look below and you’ll see that this year’s schedule seems extremely promising and several great concerts should be highlighted already!So, the first “rock” show happens at Central Park on Saturday, June 5th with Living Colour, Ebony Bones!, Pillow Theory and CX KiDTRONiK. Baaba Maal, who just played at Irving Plaza, will be at Central Park too on Monday, June 14th. The Tinariwen show on Saturday, June 26th also features Syrian beat & mikeman Omar Souleyman. Gil Scott-Heron plays there in June and Marcus Garvey Park in August.
But hey, there’s way more to come! We’ll enjoy the sounds by El Guincho, Bostich and Fussible and others in Central Park on July 7th. The reggae legend Jimmy Cliff will play on Sunday, July 11th. Raphael Saadiq performs there Saturday, July 17 at 3pm. The Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba/Fool’s Gold show on Sunday, July 25th will also feature “West African electronica” band Burkina Electric – we can’t wait to see that!
On Wednesday, July 21st, there’ll be a Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and Friends Central Park gig hosted by Lewis Black with John Oliver, Rob Riggle, Wyatt Cenac, Adam Lowitt and Rory Albanese.
There’s also music from St. Vincent, Tune-Yards and Basia Bulat on August 1st at Central Park. The xx play with Jack Penate and Chairlift on August 8th. At the same spot whereas Public Enemy play an August 15th day show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Fear of A Black Planet, and the Specials play on August 22nd with Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears and $mall ¢hange.
But let’s not forget that the SummerStage doesn’t mean great music and concerts at Central Park! The festival is spread around the city and the borough-wide shows take off with Jay Electronica in Red Hook Park on June 1st. Also at that park is Dan Deacon on Tuesday, June 15th. White Rabbits play East River Park on August 12th.
There’s lots of great jazz too: McCoy Tyner plays with Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding and Francisco Mela as part of the CareFusion Jazz Festival on June 23rd. He also plays in the Charlie Parker Jazz Fest, which comes at the end of the summer with an incredible lineup. McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Scott, Jason Moran and the Bandwagon and Revive da Live play during the day at Marcus Garvey on Saturday, August 28th. Then the next day, James Moody, Catherine Russell, Vijay Iyer and The JD Allen Trio play at Tompkins Square Park.
One more thing we over here at CCH are particularly excited about is that the park benefit shows include John Butler Trio (sweet! they’re from Australia as you may know and Ashleigh, everybody’s favorite front desk staff member, the one and only sexy blonde is as a matter of fact from Down Under and State Radio on June 15th (tickets on sale already!), The Flaming Lips on July 26th, The Black Keys (YAY!) with the Morning Benders on July 27th and 28th, Hot Chip/Hercules & Love Affair/Holy Ghost on August 4th, Govt’ Mule on August 11th, and one of the four Pavement shows September 21-24. Not to mention the fact that there’s a “Songbook of Simon & Garfunkel” benefit on June 8th!!!
WOW, what a great summer we are going to enjoy here in New York City!!!
Click here for a complete lineup of Central Park’s SummerStage,
or check out more info on the SummerStage press release or Brooklyn Vegan.
Tuesday, June 1st: Melody Gardot and The New York Pops
Saturday, June 5th: Living Colour, Ebony Bones!, Pillow Theory and CX KiDTRONiK: 25th Anniv. of Black Rock Coalition
Sunday, June 6th: Los Van Van, Jose Conde and A DJ Tribute to Fania Records with DJ Bobbito, DJ Laylo and DJ SAKE-1
Tuesday, June 8th: Benefit Show: The 25th Anniversary SummerStage Gala
Saturday, June 12th: The 8th Annual Cine Fest Petrobras Brasil Screening Oscar Niemeyer – Life Is A Breath of Air Live Performances from Maria Gadu and Os Paralamas Do Sucesso
Monday, June 14th: Baaba Maal and Playing for Change
Tuesday, June 15th: Benefit Show: John Butler Trio and State Radio
Saturday, June 19th: NYCPride Rally featuring Me’shell Ndegeocello, Martha Wash NY Gay Men’s Chorus, Vickie Shaw, Billie Myers and Bruce Vilanch
Sunday, June 20th: Salif Keita, Tabou Combo and Lo’Jo
Wednesday, June 23rd: George Wein’s Carefusion Jazz Festival: McCoy Tyner Quartet with Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding and Francisco Mela The Stanley Clarke Band with Hiromi
Saturday, June 26th: Tinariwen, Omar Souleyman and Toubab Krewe
Sunday, June 27th: Gil Scott-Heron
Tuesday, June 29th: Definitely Poetry: Daniel Bernard Roumain with Emeline Michel, Erol Josué and the poets of Cave Canem
Wednesday, June 30th: Nuyorican Poets Cafe
Saturday, July 3rd: Istanbulive II: The Sounds of Turkey with Kenan Dogulu, mor ve otesi and Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions with Burhan Ocal and Tulug Tirpan, Sukriye Tutkun and DJ Salih Saka
Wednesday, July 7th: Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich and Fussible, El Guincho and Anita Tijoux
Saturday, July 10th: Profitas, Maldita Vecindad and The Pinker Tones
Sunday, July 11th: Jimmy Cliff, Trevor Hall and Victor Démé
Saturday, July 17th: Raphael Saadiq
Sunday, July 18th: Family Day featuring Ralph’s World, Bethany and Rufus and Cirquetacular
Wednesday, July 21st: Comedy Central Park The Daily Show and Friends Hosted by Lewis Black with John Oliver, Rob Riggle, Wyatt Cenac, Adam Lowitt and Rory Albanese
Friday, July 23rd and Saturday, July 24th: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Sunday, July 25th: Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba, Burkina Electric, Fool’s Gold and DJ Frank of Voodoo Funk
Monday, July 26th: Benefit Show: The Flaming Lips
Tuesday, July 27th and Wednesday, July 28th: Benefit Shows: The Black Keys and The Morning Benders
Saturday, July 31st: Jovanotti, Los Amigos Invisibles and Natalie Lafourcade
Sunday, August 1st: St. Vincent, tUnE-yArDs and Basia Bulat
Wednesday, August 4th: Benefit Show: Hot Chip, Hercules and Love Affair and Holy Ghost!
Saturday, August 7th: The Clark Sisters & Kierra Kiki Sheard
Sunday, August 8th: The xx, Chairlift and Jack Peñate
Tuesday, August 10th: Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Dancin’ Downtown Concert Winners
Wednesday, August 11th: Benefit Show: Gov’t Mule
Saturday, August 14th: Bachata Fest featuring Andy Andy, Luis Miguel de la Amargue, Elvis Martinez and Alexandria
Sunday, August 15th: Public Enemy with 7th Octave and Blitz the Ambassador
Saturday, August 21st: Chrisette Michele, Mario and Tamia
Sunday, August 22nd: The Specials – 30th Anniversary Tour with Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears and $mall ¢hange
Tuesday, September 21st: Benefit Show: Pavement
Sunday, September 26th: The Black Sea Roma Festival featuring Mahala Rai Banda, Técsöi Banda Selim Sesler & The NY Gypsy All-Stars and The Yuri Yunakov Ensemble
FREE or CHEAP Invitations to Cool UWS Events Today!
Hi there CCH Guests, Upper Westsiders and anybody who happens to be looking for something to do today in our lovely, still sun-soaked neighborhood in New York! We have some interesting outing options for you for today and the rest of the evening so read up and see what you’re in the mood for and make the most of this beautiful weather!
1. Predicting Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions: Annual IRIS Lecture
Stephen Malone of the Department of Earth and Space Science, University of Washington, will discuss state-of-the-art technology being used to predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The lecture will be introduced by Edmond Mathez, Museum curator in the department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 
Museum of Natural History’s Linder Theater
5 West 81st Street
6:30 p.m.
$10.
2. Monster Throwdown: Vampires, Werewolves & Alcott
Pulitzer Prize-winning Louisa May Alcott biographer John Matteson (Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father) sits down with authors Lynn Messina (Little Vampire Women) and Porter Grand (Little Women and Werewolves) to discuss the process of reimagining a beloved American classic…with monsters. The discussion will explore their mash-ups of Alcott’s classic, Little Women. Both authors will address the challenges they faced reworking the text. Alcott’s own work, published under various pseudonyms, included many sensational elements such as spies, murderers, drug addicts and mummies, and Matteson will explore, among other things, whether inserting vampires and werewolves into the beloved story would be truly anathema to the author.A book-signing will follow.
At Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street
7 p.m.
$10.
3. Juilliard William Petschek Piano Debut Recital Award
The Petschek Piano Debut Recital Award was established through the generosity of the William Petschek Charitable Trust to assist in launching the careers of young pianists.
Alice Tully Hall
1941 Broadway
7 p.m.
$15 and $20.
4. Ina Salts: Body Type 2: More Typographic Tattoos
Graphic designer Ina Saltz brings us her latest collection of photos and personal stories behind tattoos that prominently feature text. Tattoo lovers, typophiles, and those who appreciate the power of the printed word will be stirred and inspired.
Lincoln Square Barnes and Noble
Lincoln Triangle
1972 Broadway
7:30 p.m.
FREE!
5. A Check-Room Romance
Words and Drawings: Ben Katchor
Music: Mark Mulcahy
In this new musical tragicomedy, one man’s casual obsession with the architecture and culture of coat checkrooms ensnares him in a desperate struggle between employment agents, maitre ‘d’s, lovesick podiatrists, low-budget contractors, and paraphilic playboys. A Check-Room Romance is the third theater collaboration between cartoonist Ben Katchor (Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer, and The Jew of New York) and composer Mark Mulcahy (Miracle Legion), following The Rosenbach Company, and The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island, and features musicians and singers surrounded by Katchor’s projected drawings and animations.
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets
8:30 p.m.
FREE!
Cinco De Mayo w/ Craftermath at The Dining Room!
CRAFTERMATH presents an LES alternative to Cinco De Mayo mayhem in a hybrid boutique/bar!
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with CRAFTERMATH at The Dining Room!
Hi there Columbus Circle Hostel Visitors and all you beautiful New Yorkers! If you’re looking for a fun, alternative way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (yeah, it’s actually today!) we have an interesting invitation for you for this evening. Join CRAFTERMATH Creatives at the Dressing Room tonight at 7 pm in the Lower East Side.
We’ve blogged about these guys before but we’ll give you another scoop to refresh your memory. They actually sell punk crafts & unusual art at The Dressing Room. This amazing little store features emerging designers & vintage goods, clothing exchange/charity donation. Not only is their artwork affordable, but even more importantly the proceeds from sales are donated to charity and your purchases come with drinks (yes, you got that right). Happy Hour is a real deal plus they have a permanent $ 5 beer & whiskey combo. In addition, you’ll get to see a collage of films by a special guest filmmaker on the gold-framed movie screen. JESSICA DELFINO will share a new song, perhaps on an uncommon instrument (as she usually does). This time it’s is a “flower & fauna theme”: you’ll browse through some new wearable flowers in unusual mediums, and some tattoo-butterfly themed art, in addition to their regular jewelry, paintings, comics, mini-shrines, etc.
We’re really hoping you’ll be able to check out the CRAFTERMATH event today because exciting & unusual fun times are awaiting! You’ll also hang out with some interesting individuals while there – CRAFTERMATH ALWAYS ATTRACTS Weird (but friendly) creative types who enjoy cheap craft-shopping, fashion, art, drinks, music and film. Doesn’t it sound like fun?
The Dressing Room
7 – 9 pm
75 A Orchard Street (btwn Broome & Grand Streets)
Lower East Side, NYC
Wednesday, May 5th
FREE!!!
So, like we said, it is in fact Cinco De Mayo today and we’d also like to share some perhaps interesting info about this Mexican holiday – we were actually surprised to learn some it, too! Here, in America it’s all the day that Mexicans and Mexican-Americans go out in droves to celebrate, with major cities commemorating the day and Mexican restaurants offering special margarita deals, right? But it actually turns out that May 5th is not big of a deal in Mexico and it certainly is not the biggest day on its national holiday calendar! Despite popular misconception in the US, today is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Instead, it marks the anniversary of the 1862 Battle of Puebla when the Mexican Army defeated the French. Should you compare it to September 16th, the day Mexico really commemorates its independence, or Easter week, or even upcoming Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo is practically a non-event.
The holiday found its way to the United States in the 1950s and 60s, during the civil rights movement when Hispanic activists were attempting to foster goodwill between both nations and cultures. It was also only in the 1980s that marketers saw the holiday as a commercial opportunity to make a buck. Believe us when we say (and we DID actually ask some natives!) that a lot of Mexicans here don’t even know what it is we’re all so happily celebrating and commemorating – some of them don’t even know why the French had invaded Mexico in the first place… As a result, May 5th has turned into a “Mexican pride day” in America – similarly to the Irish and St. Patrick’s Day. We are more than happy just going about this as another great (and don’t get us wrong – delicious, too!) excuse to guilt-free indulge ourselves in crunchy tacos, tortilla chips, guacamole while sipping on frozen Margaritas or Tequila shots! And since it’s such a gorgeous weather in New York today these drinks and chips are going to taste particularly delectable . ENJOY!!!