From: "Jeff Stark" <jstark@nonsensenyc.com>
Subject: nonsensenyc: 5.7 to 5.13
Date: May 7th 2010

Friday, May 7
* Performancy Forum at Surreal Estate, Brooklyn * Rubulad Presents: The New Now -- Time Travel in Technicolor, Brooklyn * West Virginia Solidarity Dance Party, Brooklyn * Reflecting the Stars Launch Party, Williamsburg * Burlesque at the Beach, Brooklyn
* First Friday Ride, Manhattan
* Nerd Nite, Brooklyn
* Future Archaeology, Williamsburg
* Time to Jack, Manhattan

Saturday, May 8
* Food Justice Summer Rooftop Delicious Dinner and Party, Brooklyn * Showpaper Benefit, Brooklyn
* Prom Night: Crafted by Black Apple, Williamsburg * Come as Your Mothers Are: HiChristina Crossing Dressing Party and Bearded Lady Pageant, Manhattan * Coney Island Circus Sideshow, Brooklyn * Pedal Power 2010, Manhattan
* Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, Manhattan

Sunday, May 9
* Shakey's Record Fair, Williamsburg
* Docs on Nukes: Nuclear Narrative through the Art of Film, Manhattan

Wednesday, May 12
* Kiss and Tell: Postpunk Anti-Prom (You Are Not Invited), Williamsburg

Thursday, May 13
The Fing Party, Manhattan

Wishlist
* Bear Costume

Spectre
* Monsanto-Resistant

Learning
* Balloon Twisting

Help
* Strike!

NOTE: For some navigation help, or an explanation for what this is all about, scroll all the way down to NONSENSE. You'll find snarky editorial comments and little bits of praise littered throughout this list. These nuggets are marked with all caps, like this: NOTE. Also, we make a lot of mistakes, especially with dates; you should always double check our work. And you can donate to this project at nonsensenyc.com/special.

XXXXX COVER ART XXXXX

Dandelion seeds stuck on wet paint.

XXXXX FRIDAY, MAY 7 XXXXX

Performancy Forum at Surreal Estate

The Performancy Forum is a bi-monthly, sincerely democratized night of performance. With a focus on experiments in music, performance art, theater, video, and the spoken word in many forms, the forum pulls together a diverse array of artists to share their work, from the legitimized white boxes of SoHo to the kitchens of restaurants in Bushwick, artists must engage in communal distribution of the sensible and re-construction from the ashes of dialectical destruction.

Performers: The SK Orchestra, Bryan Heyboer, John Mellilo, Gratuitous Art Films, Genevieve White, Audrey Blackburn, Tom Swirly, the Mona Dahls (Orly Bendavid), Parasite Singles, and PPL.

Surreal Estate
15 Thames Street, Brooklyn
L train to Morgan station
8-11p; $5 includes free beer
gratuitousartproductions.com

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Rubulad Presents: The New Now -- Time Travel in Technicolor

Bands: Les Sans Culouttes, Persephone’s Bees, and Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns. DJs: the Vintage DJ, Joro Boro, Dan Selzer, and Reagonomics and Gecko Jones. In the Cabaret Room: Shakey and !nclude present: Warper, omnidigital DJs and Biomorphic musicians featuring Marchthirtyseventh, DJ Shakey, !include, Making the Noise, ATTN:, Elijah B. Torn.

Plus: The Jared Whitham Show, Modern Dance Awareness Society, Hot F***in’ Tamales, Norm Francoeur’s Light Circus Extraordinaire, Vicious Delicious, Airbrush Body Painting by Malcolm Stuart, Dreams and Aspirations Vending Machine by Yung. In the Starlight Lounge: G. Scopitronic’s Non-Stop Film Fest. Period dress preferred.

You can help us continue to have a Rubulad in this space by being quiet coming and going, staying inside the space during the event and not pissing all over the sidewalk as soon as you get around the corner -- which, incidentally, does attract the police and they will write you a summons. The less our neighbors have to complain about, the more fun we can have.

Rubulad Home Base
338 Flushing Avenue, between Classon and Taaffee, Brooklyn G train to Classon station
B62 bus on Driggs
10p doors, 11p show; $10 in costume, before 11, or way late, $15 otherwise

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

West Virginia Solidarity Dance Party

Benefit to stop mountaintop removal. Join us for a crazy fun night of dancing for an awesome cause. Featuring: Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Agnostic Pray (NY anarcho-post punk), BrokeMC (political indie hip-hop), the Back C.C.'s (japanese garage punk), followed by a ridiculously sexy dance party featuring the one and only DJ Tristiecakes. Get ready to sweat. Cheap beer available from Beer Not Jails, an anti-prison collective microbrewery in Utica, NY.

All funds raised go to Climate Ground Zero, a non-violent direct action based organization working to stop Mountaintop Removal coal mining in West Virginia. Mountaintop removal uses high powered explosives to reach the coal inside mountains, demolishing extremely diverse ecosystems, poisoning drinking water and air, and destroying livelihoods.

Silent Barn
915 Wyckoff, Ridgewood, NY
7:30p door, 8p bands; $5-20 suggested
all ages

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Reflecting the Stars Launch Party

Astrology VS Astronomy, Cirque Clowns, Starry Beats by DJ Tarquin and D_Juice, Stars for Sale, Brazillians in tights, music by Tam Lin and Jack Dishel of Only Son, video presentation by the Windmill Factory. Proceeds go to wireless programmable solar powered prototype LED clusters for Reflecting the Stars, an interactive light installation to raise awareness for light pollution and teach energy conservation. Hundreds of solar powered LED clusters implanted on hundreds of decaying pier posts will illuminate at sunset, twinkling in various patterns, mirroring our lost starry sky.

The Windmill Factory (The Wedge, Fuerzabruta, Park Pork) 151 North 3rd Street No. 15, Brooklyn
8:01p-3:21a; $10 before 10p includes free drink, $20 after 10p includes free drink, or $10 if you make a wish in the door person's ear thewindmillfactory.com/reflecting_the_stars.html

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Burlesque at the Beach

Join the Great Fredini and special guest stars from the burlesque scene for America's Favorite Burlesque Game Show, This or That.

Coney Island USA
1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn
10p; $15

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

First Friday Ride

Celebrate non-polluting transportation with a new, spontaneous, monthly mass-ride creating fun, safe and sane streets. First Friday Ride is a new monthly celebration of pollution-free transportation, creating fun, safer streets for human beings! A fun and inclusive group bicycle ride through the streets of New York City at a leisurely pace. Route to be determined by participants. Participants are encouraged to stay close together for increased safety. Courteous behavior towards pedestrians and other road-users also encouraged. Bring lights and bells. No bike needed but highly recommended. Skaters or joggers will be joyfully accepted. Come with your love and creativity to spaces usually dominated by motor vehicles by dressing up, bringing music or snacks to share. A real fun way to build real community. Post-ride dinner at a delicious and affordable eatery.

Union Square North
17th Street and Broadway, Manhattan
7p; $free

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Nerd Nite

(Almost) Everything You Wanted to Know About the Large Hadron Collider, The History of Governors Island: 1624-2030, and How Reality TV Stars (and real animals) would fare with Natural Selection. Plus Quizo.

Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street, Brooklyn
F train to York station
7p Quizo, 8:30p Nerd Nite; $10-13

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

From FreeNYC:

Future Archaeology

Future Archaeology is a new artistic collaboration between Heather Dewey-Hagborg, Ellie Irons, Joseph Moore, Dan Phiffer, and Matthew Radune, investigating the cybernetic nature of ecosystems. The first work by Future Archeology is called Canopy Assemblage, a one night only viewing of a living/synthetic ecosystem. The raw space of Williamsburg’s old firehouse 212 will be transformed into a nebulous territory inhabited by a networked system of light and sound. Viewers will be invited to peer into this dark void from the street, experiencing a landscape that echoes a range of dynamic systems, from fireflies in the tree tops to the far flung constellations of deep space.

Engine 212 Firehouse
134 Wythe, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
7-10p; $free

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Time to Jack

We're back. This time downstairs with a better soundsystem/ general rave cave atmosphere. A celebration of Jackin' House music. Bodies sweating/dancing/jacking to some of the hottest dance music in the city. If you don't believe us, check out our new Time to Jack Mini-Mix (for stream/download on our myspace pages). Wear masks if you like; it adds to the hedonism of the evening. DJs: Electrocutioners, CouchFire.

Gallery Bar (downstairs)
120 Orchard Street, between Delancey and Rivington, Manhattan 11p-4a; $free
myspace.com/electrocutioners, facebook.com/electrocutioners

XXXXX SATURDAY, MAY 8 XXXXX

Food Justice Summer Rooftop Delicious Dinner and Party

A rooftop dinner party on Isabella's roof. There will be music, dinner, drinks, dope music, and good conversation and company. This is a fundraiser to send us to New Orleans for the Ycca Food Justice Summer (read below), so we are suggesting $15 dollars for each plate of food and one drink. Come with whatever you can give. It's going to be a great time.

Menu: Sweet cornmeal-condensed milk- flour- catfish dumplings and mixed vegetable dumplings; sweet rice and chili with fresh tomatoes, onions, callaloo, peppers, basil, much more.; fresh mixed berry pie for desert and fried plantain dumplings with subtle sugar glaze; special secret course that you will not know until you show up to eat; wine libations and bitter herbs.

What we're fundraising for: This summer, 500 college and high school students will travel to New Orleans in solidarity with Our School at Blair Grocery. The trip is a dynamic "crash course" in community organizing, sustainable urban farming, and youth leadership at a local and national level.

Our School at Blair Grocery is a home-school and urban farm in Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Our School was started in 2007 by a teacher named Nat Turner, who started tutoring some students from the neighborhood in the church headquarters of the People’s Organizing Committee. Our School was literally built from the “ground up-“ the Blair family donated the gutted building of their old grocery store and local contractors, electricians, and plumbers volunteered their time to get the building up and running. Today, the school sits next to one of the biggest urban farms in Louisiana which functions as community farm and outdoor classroom.

This summer, college students from all the CUNYS, NYU, New Schoool, Adelphi, Pitzer, Universit Of Arizona, Temple, Mount Holyoke, Philadelphia Community College, and high schools from all the boroughs of NYC will travel to New Orleans for the 2010 Food Justice Summer. The first week of the brigade, we will stay at Our School at Blair Grocery and work alongside residents, organizers, and students, learning urban farming tactics and engaging in the experiential food justice and bottom- up organizing curriculum.

Youth Coalition for Community Action is a youth led consensus based organization that is committed to creating transformative service-learning focused on building radical political analysis and engaging young people in urban farming, community organizing, education for liberation and all struggle towards justice.

277 Gold Street, at Tillary, on the roof, Brooklyn 8p-12:30a; $15

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Showpaper Benefit

A benefit for Showpaper on the roof of Silent Barn.

Paper Moon screening, hanging out with Sierra and Greta, Masculin Féminin screening, eating snacks with Sierra and Greta.

The Silent Barn Roof
915 Wycoff Avenue, at Hancock, Ridgewood, Queens L train to Halsey station, M train to Myrtle-Wycoff station 8p; $5-25 sliding scale
all ages

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Prom Night: Crafted by Black Apple

A 50s-style doo-wop/rockabilly party with live soulful vintage rock all night long. We're bringing out the disco balls, lights, banners, red party cups, slow dances, and there may even be a kissing booth. So bring your suit jackets, slacks, dresses, and your Ray-Bans, we're doing this proper. With Sonia's Party, Cheap Seats, the Rhodes, and Apollo Run.

Glasslands
289 Kent Avenue, between South 1st and 2nd streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11p; $10
glasslands.blogspot.com/

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Come as Your Mothers Are: HiChristina Crossing Dressing Party and Bearded Lady Pageant

To honor mothers everywhere HiChristina is throwing a cross-dressing pageant, dance party, and art-making gala right here. Don't worry if mom's out of town, grab one of her dresses or pantsuits, and come as she is. Sideshow performances include, cathartic old lady muggings (where the old ladies win), breast feeding from the marshmallow bra, and the love it and leave it fat shedding jazzercize workout. You may be the winner of: Best Old Lady Underwear, Most Petticoats, Best Swimsuit. Get a paint-on tan, or a scratch-n-sniff sunburn from our movie magic costume kit! Come as you are but better still, come as your mother. Beards provided for 'mothers' who want one.

At intermission we divide into groups and compete in the family style Teriyaki Jeopardy complete with buzzers and musical accompaniment.

HiChristina
163 Eldridge Street, between Rivington and Delancey, Manhattan 10p-12:30a; $10 (dressed as your mother), $20 (and we'll provide your costume), BYOB fritzandchristina@gmail.com
hichristina.com

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Coney Island Circus Sideshow

They're here, they're real and they're alive! With Donny Vomit, Heather Holliday, Serpentina, Angelica, Remy Vicious, and Scott Baker.

Coney Island USA
1208 Surf Ave.
1-8p; $7.50
Continuing throughout the summer

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Pedal Power 2010

The East Village Community Coalition is hosting the third annual Kids' Art Bike Parade. It is a celebration of the arts, bicycling, and sustainable street design. In addition to riding in the parade, folks may transform their bicycles into mobile works of art, join the learn-to-ride class (begins at 10a), take advantage of free bicycle tune-ups and benefit from free helmet fittings and giveaways.

Additionally, there will be live entertainment in Tompkins Square before the parade, and Rude Mechanical Orchestra will welcome parade participants back into the Park before the free raffle and post-ride refreshments.

Parade co-sponsors include Transportation Alternatives, Recycle-A-Bicycle, the Lower East Side Peoples' Mutual Housing Association, Bike New York and the NYC Department of Transportation.

Tompkins Square Park
Avenue A and 7th Street, Manhattan
10a-2p; $free
212 979 2344
lesbikeparadegmail.com
evccnyc.org/

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School

Dr. Sketchy's is a life drawing class turned cabaret extravaganza. Artists draw glamorous underground performers, compete in contests, and win booze and prizes. From its humble Brooklyn beginnings, it's spread to 100 cities on five continents- including London, Rome, Tokyo, Paris, Sao Paulo, and Melbourne.

Today, Dr. Sketchy's presents a tribute to the pop art of Kenny Scharf. Kenny will be there in person, drawing along with the crowd. Plus, prizes.

Slipper Room
167 Orchard Street, at Stanton, Manhattan 4-7p; $10 advance, $15 door
21 and over
drsketchy.com

XXXXX SUNDAY, MAY 9 XXXXX

Shakey's Record Fair

Two big rooms of records for sale. Dealers by invitation only. Digger DJs spin rarities all night. Door by Shakey's mom. Silk-screening while-you-wait by Bushwick Print Labs. Bring your own shirt, record bag, and slipmats and have them printed for $5.

Public Assembly
70 N. 6th Street, Williamburg, Brooklyn 7p-2a; $3
21 and over

***** Also on SUNDAY *****

Hibakusha Stories presents:

Docs on Nukes: Nuclear Narrative through the Art of Film

Hibakusha Stories and Maysles Cinema present Witness to Hiroshima and Atomic Mom, two documentaries portraying the personal stories of atomic bomb survivors (hibakusha). A panel discussion with Kathy Sloane and M.T. Silvia, filmmakers, and Kathleen Sullivan, PhD, Program Director of Hibakusha Stories follows. Bring your mom and your anti-nuclear family and friends.

An initiative that began in October of 2008 when Youth Arts New York was approached by the Peace Boat "Hibakusha Project" to bring survivors to New York City school children to tell their stories, Hibakusha Stories passes the legacy of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to a new generation, and empowers them with tools to build a world free of nuclear weapons.

Maysles Cinema
343 Malcolm X Boulevard, between 127th and 128th streets, Manhattan 5-7:30p; $10
lauraatomicmom.org
mayslesinstitute.org/index.html

XXXXX WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 XXXXX

Kiss and Tell: Postpunk Anti-Prom (You Are Not Invited)

With guest DJs Grant aka Insideout, Dan Selzer, Bethany Benzur. No Prom Pics by Seze. Kiss and Tell, a monthly party at Rose Live Music in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has been producing unique theme based events for over four years. Each month Kiss and Tell invites well known electronic music DJs eager to play a different kind of set, filled with music outside of the genres they are known for. Our DJs play italo, disco (classics and edits), party jams, electro, house, girl groups, gothypants, new wave, and post punk.

This month the ladies at Kiss & Tell are hosting their own party and skipping the prom. We invited two of our all time favorite Kiss & Tell DJs to play postpunk and other gems. Too bad you are not invited to our anti-prom. Wear something old, torn, and stolen. Black leather and safety pins. Neon, neon, neon. A nice Jonathan Richman suit. Big Gothy Robert Smith Hair. Thin ties. Cut up band T-shirts.

Rose Bar
345 Grand Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 8p-2a; $free, $5 rum and coke, $5 vegetarian pasta dinners

XXXXX THURSDAY, MAY 13 XXXXX

The F*ing Party

We’re launching some bullshit advertising thing, just so we can have a goddamn party. We would love it if you could come, dickweed. You could even bring some of your motherf*ng friends if you like.

We like dirty words, so we’re going to build the world’s largest motherfing list of the nastiest st you can think off, and then we’re going to make it available as a dynamic database, with an open API, for free-fifty-free, because that's how we fng roll. If you want to contribute, then bring a big list of dirty words on a thumbdrive or some st, and we'll give you an autographed Joan Bennet Ramsey tanktop, or 7 minutes of heaven with Faisal Shahzad. Or don’t. We don’t give a f*. We just want to dance.

Royale nyc
157 Avenue C, at 10th Street, Manhattan 7p-1a; $?
RSVP for details
kidsista.com/thefuckingparty

NOTE: We love swear words, and we used to print them all the f*ing time, then all the major email services pumped up their spam filters. So we censor now. It's embarrassing, but everyone uses Gmail and Yahoo and even Hotmail. If you want the swears, start weaning everyone from the so-called free email services.

XXXXX UPCOMING XXXXX

• Megapolis Audio Festival, Baltimore, May 14-16
• Opt-In presents Zero Day Exploits, May 15
• Underground Rebel Bingo Club, May 21
• 2009 Folly Day Alert, April 25
• RE/Mixed Media Festival 2010, May 30

XXXXX ONGOING XXXXX

Nonsense is too long. The great thing about the internet is that it doesn't really cost much to run long listings and exhaustive descriptions. It turns out that's ... exhausting. After several complaints and a little deliberation, we're trying a new format: On the first Friday of the month we will run updated ongoing listings in each section: events, learning, and help. Other weeks we're going for leaner, meaner sections. If you're desperate for something to do on an off-Tuesday night we suggest you either look back a few issues ago in your inbox, or poke through our online archives, which you can find under the subscribe page.

Also, a note about better rock shows. Nonsense does not straight list rock shows in New York unless they occur in tandem with puppet shows or jump rope tournaments or in subway tunnels or in graveyards. For listings of good shows, especially shows that feature independent bands at quality venues like Death by Audio and those booked by hard-working promoters like Todd P or Sleep When Dead, consult resources like ohmyrockness.com, brooklynvegan.com/, sleepwhendeadnyc.com/calendar/, or the lively New York Happenings listserve on Yahoo groups launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/nyhappenings/. For the most exhaustive list of underground shows at unusual venues, track down a copy of the extremely useful -- and handsome -- Showpaper.

XXXXX WISHLIST XXXXX

What have you been wishing for? Collaborators, grant monies, a new home? Please send brief listings to Alita at alitanonsensenyc.com. We only list available apartments, lofts, studios, and one-off rentals -- not spaces wanted.

***** ARTY STUFF *****

• Bear Costume Needed to Borrow: Size XXL, for a performance on the weekend of June 19. Will need to pick up night of June 18 or early June 19. Can pay stipend or barter in baked goods. Contact Gavin, gavin.heck(at)gmail.com.
• Sell or donate your used digital camera: I am the founder and managing director of Scandinavian Stories, a digital storytelling summer day camp for 12-15 year olds. We need digital cameras for our workshops. We have a small budget and would greatly appreciate if they were donated, but will also consider purchasing them for a reasonable price. We are only interested in cameras that are legally obtained and functioning. We can pick up in and around New York City. See our website: scandinavianstories.org. Contact info(at)scandinavianstories.org.

***** SPACES *****

• Great Small Works will be presenting the Ninth International Toy Theater Festival at St. Ann's Warehouse from May 29- June 14. We need housing for the many fascinating artists who will be coming from around the country and abroad to perform in this stupendous event. Do any of you have sofas or guest rooms that you would like to offer for a few days? If so - how many nights are you able to host someone? Do you have any date restrictions or preferences? How many people can you host? What are the sleeping arrangements for guests (bed, sofa, futon, room with door, living room)?Do you have any cats or dogs? Where are you located? Is there anything else that we should know? Contact erinkorr(at)mobileteaparty.org.
• Big sunny two-bedroom apartment available in Bushwick: June 1. The whole top floor of our two-family home is available. It's a large, sunny, beautiful railroad apartment in Bushwick with bonus small bedroom/office. Tall ceilings! Free WiFi, heat, water. So, so perfect for a couple, but it's great for roommates too. Close to L/M train at Myrtle-Wyckoff and the J train at Gates Ave. Contact libbylibbyhey(at)gmail.com.
• Grad student looking for a roommate for June 1: My really cool roommate is graduating. I'm looking for a laid back yet responsible roommate for June 1. We would be sharing a nice two-bedroom apartment in the beautiful Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. Both rooms have windows and closets and are spacious with room for queen beds, bookshelves, desk, etc. The apartment is close to many restaurants, cafes, bars, Fort Greene Park, Pratt Institute, and by the C and G trains. There are also laundry and bicycle facilities in the building. The rent is $850 per room (maybe a little lower if I can negotiate it) plus utilities. Contact wazhmah(at)gmail.com.
• Spacious, sunny, unfurnished room for rent in three-bedroom apartment. The apartment is located right between the L train and the JMZ (on Stanhope Street, between Myrtle and Knickerbocker). Take the L to Dekalb or the JMZ to Knickerbocker. The room for rent is available June first. The rent is a great price ($650), and has 18-foot ceilings with a skylight, and all new everything. The two other roommates are laid back and friendly, and the neighbors are really cool. Contact samschneider727(at)gmail.com
• Looking for two stable, employed, respectful roommates for a downtown Brooklyn or lower Manhattan apartment hunt. I'm 29, male, starting grad school in the fall, and need to lower my expenses. I am responsible, respectful and pretty quiet. I'm a non-smoker, and although I love'em, I can't have pets (allergies). I won't be home much, it's an intensive full-time MFA, and I will be working a lot. I'm targeting $600, 700 rent, with each our own bedroom (obviously?) ... please contact me with a brief note about yourself and we can arrange to meet to see if we make a good fit and start looking ASAP. Looking to move in June 1, latest August 1. Email me at stevendale21(at)aol.com.
• $600 Room Sublet available in Mott Haven, June-August. Amy and Lance, a couple, both grad students, have a sunny, floor-through, three-bedroom with a lovely bathtub, big kitchen, ceiling fans, comfy sofas, and lots of beautiful plants. We are looking for a person or couple to rent the large, bright, quiet, two-closet bedroom for June, July, and August, for $600 per month. You will have the apartment to yourself in July and most of August; Amy will be here in June. The room will be furnished. Queer friendly. The room comes with a CSA share, and possible access to a garden plot around the corner. We live in Mott Haven, right by the 3rd Avenue/138th Street stop on the 6 train, and also walking distance to the 4/5 and 2. We're about 25 minutes from Union Square. There is wireless access, free laundry in the building, and lots of big grocery stores really close. We need someone who can take care of the small black cat (who is no trouble at all) and water the plants while we're g one. You can also use our bikes. If you're interested, write amy.starecheski(at)gmail.com or lancethurner(at)gmail.com.

*A great artist space is available in Glasslands Gallery music and art venue for $450/month. The room would be ideal for a woodworker, sculptor, photographer or something of the sort, but let us know what you would like to use it for. The space is 14 by 20 and has high ceilings, no windows- but comes with a lofted storage space as well. It is located inside the venue.The address is 289 Kent Avenue between South 1st and 2nd streets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Please email abbey.glasslands(at)gmail.com for a showing, photos and more info.

XXXXX SPECTRE PRIORITY XXXXX

Before we had a name, the Spectre Event Horizon Group used to meet at a bar to commiserate and trade what our business friends like to call best practices. The group has expanded since then, but it remains focused on smartening the crowd mind. There are no subject limits; our favorite is the incredible sci-fi present, or anything that goes toward a better understanding of human behavior and our universe's ecology. Our simple intent is to connect good minds with as much quality mind-blowing information as we can freely locate and create a space for the informal trade of specialized investigative research, presented for the non-specialist.

The Spectre email list, which is a separate group from this column, is a moderated open forum. People are encouraged to join and to post. The list is compiled for Nonsense by J. Sinopoli. Contact us at spectre.event.horizon.group gmail com or spectregroup.org. Here's some of what came in this week:

***** Monsanto-Resistant *****

http://spectregroup.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/monsanto-resistant/

SuperWeeds
sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Monsanto_and_the_Roundup_Ready_Controversy nytimes.com/2010/05/04/business/energy-environment/04weed.html "Just as the heavy use of antibiotics contributed to the rise of drug-resistant supergerms, American farmers’ near-ubiquitous use of the weedkiller Roundup has led to the rapid growth of tenacious new superweeds. To fight them, farmers are being forced to spray fields with more toxic herbicides, pull weeds by hand and return to more labor-intensive methods like regular plowing. The first resistant species to pose a serious threat to agriculture was spotted in a Delaware soybean field in 2000. Since then, the problem has spread, with 10 resistant species in at least 22 states infesting millions of acres. “What we’re talking about here is Darwinian evolution in fast-forward,” Mike Owen, a weed scientist at Iowa State University, said."

Saving Seeds
npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125906838 npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122498255 "It's time to buy seed again, but hundreds of seed companies have gone under in the past two decades. Critics of the big agriculture biotech company Monsanto say its popular Roundup Ready technology is to blame for that. Roundup Ready is a line of gene-modified seeds that inoculate plants against a herbicide, Roundup, also made by Monsanto, that kills just about everything else. Ulrich says his seed costs shot up almost 50 percent last year. That's because farmers are contractually prohibited from saving seeds and planting them the following year. Farmers face lawsuits if they try to save and replant the genetically modified seed because they don't own the technology. More than 9 out of 10 soybean seeds carry the Roundup Ready trait. It's about the same for cotton and just a little lower for corn. Now Monsanto has invented something new, called Roundup Ready 2 Yield. It uses the gene as the original, just placed in a different spot in the genome. Monsanto says that boosts yie ld. Interesting timing: Monsanto's patent on Roundup Ready 1 expires in 2014 and with it, a revenue stream of maybe half a billion dollars a year in royalties. That's unless it can switch farmers over to Roundup Ready 2. Meanwhile, the end of the Roundup Ready patent will very likely give farmers a chance to do something they haven't for years: plant the seed they've harvested. "I don't care how good Roundup Ready 2 is; if you tell me I can save back my own seed, I'm going to plant my own seed," Ulrich says. The problem for guys like Ulrich will be finding seed that has just the Roundup Ready gene alone, one not stacked with other patented traits. After all, if he can’t find the seed in the first place, he can't grow it."

How to Make a Superweed
blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2010/05/04/how-to-make-a-superweed/ "In the ancient empire of Sumer 4500 years ago, farmers put sulfur on their crops. The Romans used pitch and grease. Europeans learned to extract chemicals from plants. In 1807, chemists isolated pyrethrum from an Armenian daisy. To stop the San Jose scale, they tried whale oil. They tried kerosene and water. One of the best treatments they found was a mix of lime and sulfur. After a few weeks of spraying, the San Jose scale would disappear. By 1900, however, the lime-sulfur cure was failing. An entomologist named A. L. Melander found some San Jose scales living happily under a thick crust of dried lime-sulfur spray. In the short term, Melander suggested that farmers switch to fuel oil to fight scales, but he warned that they would eventually become resistant to fuel oil as well. In fact, the best way to keep the scales from becoming entirely resistant to pesticides was, paradoxically, to do a bad job of applying those herbicides. By allowing some susceptible scales to surviv e, farmers would keep their susceptible genes in the scale population. “Thus we may make the strange assertion that the more faulty the spraying this year the easier it will be to control the scale the next year,” Melander predicted.

In 1970 a scientist at the Monsanto Corporation found a chemical that seemed to hold out great hope -- glyphosate, also known as Roundup. Glyphosate kills weeds by blocking the construction of amino acids that are essential for the survival of plants. It attacks enzymes that only plants use, with the result that it’s harmless to people, insects, and other animals. Roundup went on the market in 1974. In 1986, scientists engineered plants to be resistant to glyphosate, by inserting genes from bacteria that could produce amino acids even after a plant was sprayed with herbicides. In the 1990s Monsanto and other companies began to sell glyphosate-resistant corn, cotton, sugar beets, and many other crops. But after glyphosate-resistant crops had a few years to grow, farmers began to notice horseweed and morning glory and other weeds encroaching once more into their fields. What’s striking is how many different ways weeds have found to overcome the chemical. What makes the evol ution of Roundup resistance all the more dangerous is how it doesn’t respect species barriers. Scientists have found evidence that once one species evolves resistance, it can pass on those resistance genes to other species. They just interbreed, producing hybrids that can then breed with the vulnerable parent species. In a recent interview, Powles predicted that the Roundup resistance catastophe is just going to get worse, not just in the United States but everywhere where Roundup is used intensively. It’s not a hopeless situation, however. Farmers may be able to slow the spread of resistance by mixing up the kinds of seeds they use, even by fostering vulernable weeds in the way Melander suggested."

Clarence Thomas, Monsanto Lawyer
scotuswiki.com/index.php?title=Monsanto_Company_v.GeertsonSeed_Farms jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2010/04/supreme-court-hears-arguments-on_27.php current.com/news/92330224_conflict-of-interest-ex-monsanto-lawyer-clarence-thomas-to-hear-major-monsanto-case.htm "In Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms, No. 09-475, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case which could have an enormous effect on the future of the American food industry. This is Monsanto's third appeal of the case, and if they win a favorable ruling from the high court, a deregulated Monsanto may find itself in position to corner the markets of numerous U.S. crops, and to litigate conventional farmers into oblivion. Here's where it gets a bit dicier: from the years 1976 - 1979, Clarence Thomas worked as an attorney for Monsanto. Thomas apparently does not see this as a conflict of interest and has not recused himself. Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the United States, behind corn, soybeans, and wheat. Alfalfa is very easily cross-pollinated by bees and by wind. The plant is also perennial, meaning GMO plants could live on for years. "The way this spreads so far and wide, it will eliminate the conventional alfalfa industry," said Trask. "Monsanto w ill own the entire alfalfa industry.""

XXXXX LEARNING XXXXX

We look for the sort of classes you circled in college course catalogs but never managed to fit into your schedule. And we also look for the kind of things that no college could teach. Cheap and eclectic is the rule, though all rules get broken occasionally, and we especially love workshops, round-tables, and teachers who won't take your work out of your hands and show you how to do it right. One-time listings are categorized, with general recurring classes at the end. We thrive on your suggestions, so make sure to tell us about upcoming classes that you think are nifty-keen.

Learning is compiled and edited weekly by Libby Sentz. Send listing suggestions, announcements, and corrections to her at libby(at)nonsensenyc.com.

***** LEARNING: SATURDAY *****

Soldering Fundamentals

Want to show up on the Playa with a lot of blinky stuff that goes blink? It starts with a circuit board. Let shop manager Leif Krinkle show you the way. Learn how to join metallic surfaces through soldering with a really hot iron! Each student will go home with a circuit board and a blinky thing that goes blink.

Madagascar Institute
217 Butler Street, Brooklyn
3-5p; $40 members, $60 nonmembers
Register: eventbrite.com/event/643632121?ref=elink madagascarinstitute.com

***** LEARNING: Also on SATURDAY *****

Field of Play: Performance and Dharma Workshop

Academy Award–nominee Lindsay Crouse leads this unique workshop, which combines Buddhist principles with the art of acting. Acting is a spiritual profession. When in performance you stop asking “What can I get?” and start pursuing “What can I give?”, technique is put to the service of warmth, clarity replaces fear, and you are free to learn highest human practice: how to accept what’s in front of you and let life unfold.

The Three Jewels
61 Fourth Avenue, Floor 3, Manhattan
Saturday 4-6:30p and Monday, May 10, 7-9:30p $25 donation (no one turned away for lack of funds) lindsaycrouse.org/bio.html

***** LEARNING: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY *****

Water Casting

Water casting is the art of melting metal to its molten form and then pouring it into water. This shocks the metal, creating spontaneous forms and unusual shapes. In this workshop, students experiment with recycling metal, creating many different alloys, pouring metal into different liquids and over forms, and fabricating jewelry out of the water cast pieces. Old jewelry (gold and silver) can be cast into new and wondrous forms, and (optional) if you have any small diamonds already set in metal and wish to recycle them into a new piece, please bring them too. We will experiment with casting/soldering with diamonds. The water cast pieces can be made into earrings, pendants, and pins during the workshop. Extra materials will be provided. Led by Emilie Shapiro.

Liloveve Inc.
457 Grand Street, Brooklyn
Saturday and Sunday 11a-5:30p
$200; 15 percent Mother's Day discount, call 718 388 2190 liloveve.com

***** LEARNING: Also on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY *****

Foil Printing

Make your prints shine by combining foil with digital and traditional printmaking techniques. Learn how to digitally work on your images and quickly create masks and layers to use in building up complex images with foil. Bring old drawings and photographs to class to use as a starting point. Led by Ana Golici. Includes eight hours of free studio time.

The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts
323 West 39th Street, 3rd floor, Manhattan Saturday and Sunday 10:30a-2:30p
$160 members, $200 nonmembers
Register: rbpmw(at)efanyc.org
info(at)efa1.org

***** LEARNING: TUESDAY *****

Mask Making

From carnivale masqueraders to animal paraders, from Aztec gods to WWF wrestlers, masks have been used across cultures for ceremonies, celebrations, rituals, athletics, and protective purposes. This session will introduce mask-making and demonstrate the use of historical and cultural references for inspiration, research, and for learning about the functions, forms, and expressiveness of masks worldwide. Common mask bases around MFTA include: milk cartons, folding fans, ribbon spools, and cereal boxes. What other materials can conceal or reveal you? This workshop, led by Joy Suarez, is part of the Creative Infusion Workshop Series.

Materials for the Arts
33-00 Northern Boulevard, third floor, Long Island City, Queens 5-7:30p, $10
mfta.org

***** LEARNING: Also on TUESDAY *****

Free Balloon Twisting Class

Todd Neufeld believes everyone should have a chance to learn basic balloon sculpture. Here you go.

Fantasma Magic
421 Seventh Avenue, second floor, Manhattan 4-6p; $free
212 244 3633
freeballoonclasses.com

***** LEARNING: Also on TUESDAY *****

Exploring Pastels

Develop your understanding of color and composition using pastel, an opaque medium that allows layering and building of color much like oil paint. Integrate live plant material from the Garden into still-life portraits, and work outdoors when possible to capture the beauty of early spring. This class is suitable for all skill levels and incorporates basic drawing principles for the beginner. A supply list will be sent to you upon registration; all other materials are provided. enid braun

Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn
8 Tuesdays, 10:30a–1:30p
$210 member, $230 nonmember (includes materials) bbg.org

***** LEARNING: WEDNESDAY *****

The Cocktail Lab

Bartenders, cocktail waitresses, brand ambassadors, advanced amateurs: looking to expand your cocktail-making repertoire? Step behind the bar with mixologist Jonathan Pogash and craft your own original cocktails. After a quick primer on basic bar techniques, current cocktail trends, and the science behind perfect flavor combinations, you'll be let loose to create your own unique libations, using Jonathan’s guidance to perfect your technique. We will provide a cornucopia of spirits, mixers, fresh fruits, juices, herbs, and spices for your creations; plus, you’ll leave with a goodie bag that could make your head spin.

The Lounge at Astor Center
399 Lafayette Avenue, Manhattan
$65; 6:30-8:30p
astorcenternyc.com

***** LEARNING: THURSDAY *****

Beginning MIG Welding

Impress your friends, your older brother, and that cute bartender with your tough new skill. This three-hour introductory welding class will teach you the very basics of MIG welding and familiarize you with the tools you’ll need to finish a project–the grinder, the chop saw, etc. Bring leather gloves and eye protection, and wear heavy-duty all natural fibers–jeans and a long sleeve shirt. And no open toed shoes–boots are ideal. Polyester and nylon will melt onto your skin if hot molten metal drops onto them and ouch that hurts. You will get dirty.

Madagascar Institute
217 Butler Street, Brooklyn
7-10p; $35 members, $60 nonmembers
Register: eventbrite.com/event/663967946?ref=elink madagascarinstitute.com

***** LEARNING: Also on THURSDAY *****

Sewing: Level 1

Enroll in this class to learn the basics of sewing. You will learn how a sewing machine works, how to lay out and cut from a pattern, and how to sew a simple apron with two front pockets. With these techniques, you’ll be on your way to stitching up all kinds of projects. Check 3rdward.com for a list of materials. Led by Tracey Toole and Cathy Moore. Mention Nonsense NYC when you register (deadline May 8) for a 10 percent discount.

3rd Ward
573 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn
Three Thursdays, 7-10p
$135 members, $165 nonmembers, $5 materials 3rdward.com

***** LEARNING: UPCOMING *****

DIY Musical Electronics and the Drone Lab at Harvestworks. Manhattan. May 15 and 16, noon to 6p. $350 (includes $150 Drone Lab kit). casperelectronics.com or harvestworks.org

***** LEARNING: ONGOING *****

NOTE: The Ongoing section of LEARNING runs only on the first Friday of each month.

BODY
*Free West African Dance at Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy. Brooklyn. Saturdays through June 5 at 7:45-9:15a. $free. RSVP: arts(at)ifetayo.org * Free African dance classes with Sandella at Booker T. Washington Middle School gym. Manhattan. Fridays 6:30-8p. $free. 212-942-3566. (Class airs Wednesdays 2p on Time Warner Channel 56.) * Tao Yoga and Tsa Lung (The Shamanic Yoga of Zhang Zhung) led by Lama Ji at Surreal Estate. Brooklyn. Tao Yoga Saturdays at 10a; Tsa Lung Tuesdays at 5:30p. $donation. surrealestatenyc(at)gmail.com * Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu at Triskelion Arts. Brooklyn. Training is centered on jissen gata combat fighting. Membership is selective, but you may attend the first class free. Saturdays 5-7p, Sundays 2–4p. triskelionarts.org/events.htm#classesoffered * Afro-Haitian dance with Julio Jean at Ripley-Grier Studios. Manhattan. Saturdays 6-7:30p. $10. jeanjulio(at)gmail.com * Haitian, African, Afro-Caribbean, Samba dance and much more at the new Djoniba Dance and Drum Center. Manhattan. Daily, various times. $17. djoniba.com * Flirting with Burlesque at the School of Burlesque. Manhattan. Thursdays 7-8p. $15. schoolofburlesque.com * Tribal Fusion bellydance class with Fayzah at Battery Dance Studios. Manhattan. Tuesdays 5:30-7p. $20. dancespiral.com or fayzahfire(at)gmail.com * Contemporary dance, hip-hop, belly dance, and much more at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. Brooklyn. Various days and times. $10+. 718-636-696 * Congolese dance with Funmilayo at Resurgent Fitness, Brooklyn, Wednesdays 6:30-8p; at Boy's Harbor Conservatory, Manhattan, Thursdays 7:30-9p; and at Alvin Ailey Extension, Manhattan, Sundays 4:30-6p. $varies. fushadance(at)aol.com or krosebud14(at)hotmail.com * Open company class with Perceptions Contemporary Dance Company, intermediate/advanced. Brooklyn. Thursdays 5-6:15p. $12. RSVP at perceptionsdance.com. * Balkan folk dance at the Hungarian House. Manhattan. Wednesdays 6:30-8p; $12. nycfolkdance.org * Introduction to House Dance with Linda La Naija at Black River Dance. Harlem. Fridays 6-7:30p; $14. blackriverdance.com * The Art of the Samurai Sword with Raab Rashi at The Workman’s Circle/NYR Studios. Manhattan. Thursdays 6-7p; $free intro lesson, $15 beyond. swordclass.blogspot.com
* Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art and dance, with Capoeira Angola Quintal. Manhattan. Various days; $15. afrobrazilarts.org/newyorkcapoeira/index.htm * Parkour workshops. Manhattan. Sundays 4p; $15+. nyparkour.com * Aerial classes (silks, trapeze, lyra, pole dance, ballet) at the Sky Box at House of Yes. Brooklyn. Monday through Saturday; $15. theskybox.org/classes * Aerial yoga. Manhattan and Williamsburg. Various days; $20. aerialyoga.com * Group tightwire walking, foot-juggling, and more at Trapeze Loft. Williamsburg. Sundays 5-6p; $25. thetrapezeloft.com * Trampoline at Streb Lab for Action Mechanics. Brooklyn. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 7-8:30p; $25. streb.org/V2/school/adults.html * Co-ed nonsexual naked yoga. Manhattan. Various days; $?. groups.yahoo.com/group/coyoga/

BRAIN

• Free Hacker Helpline from Eric Singer of LEMUR (lemurbots.org) to answer your questions about projects, electronics, software, robotics, physical computing, Max/MSP, etc. For help, open Skype, add contact "hackerhelpline," and go to the Mood section to see dates and hours. e(at)ericsinger.com
• Free open craft/hack nights at NYC Resistor. Brooklyn. Thursdays 6-9p; $free. nycresistor.com/2008/11/22/open-craft-hack-nights-on-thursdays/
• Free math studies at the School of Mathematics, which cultivates a natural, stress-free environment where everyone can explore, study, and discover mathematics. Prior knowledge is not assumed. Brooklyn. Various days; $free. thewe.net/math
• Writing with constraints at the Writhings Society. Practice writing with arbitrary, sometimes mathematical, rules invented by the French group Oulipo and others; no experience necessary. Brooklyn. Wednesdays 6:30-8:30p; $5+. proteusgowanus.com
• Study Hall (a workplace for writers and thinkers) at Proteus Gowanus. Brooklyn. Mondays through Fridays, 10a-5p. $50 a month, includes free WiFi, free coffee, and free home-baked bread. proteusgowanus.com

HANDS

• Assorted artstar classes at the Madagascar Institute! Brooklyn. Various times; great prices. madagascarinstitute.com
• Free casual ladies bike repair workshop at Velo Brooklyn. Bushwick. Saturdays 4-6p; $free. marin.tockman(at)gmail.com
• Free Craft-On (fun with yarn, thread, and more) with Church of Craft. Brooklyn. Sundays at Etsy Labs and various weekdays at SpaceCraft; $free. churchofcraft.org/2008/10/01/welcome-nyc-crafters/
• Free bicycle repair classes at Time's Up! Manhattan and Brooklyn. Various days. $free. times-up.org/index.php?page=bike-co-op
• Free home-improvement classes, from tiling to drywall repair, at Home Depot stores. Saturdays and Sundays; $free. homeimproverclub.com/workshops.aspx?Type=3
• The Fixers Collective is a social experiment in improvisational fixing and mending. Participants bring their broken objects and put them on a large, common fixing table and share ideas and techniques for repairing, mending, enhancing, or repurposing the objects. Brooklyn. Thursdays 6-9p; $5. proteusgowanus.com/main/fixers-collective
• Figure drawing at Brooklyn Artists Gym. Mondays 6:30-9:30p and Saturdays 12-3p; $8-plus. brooklynartistsgym.com/events.html#workshops
• Guinean Rhythms drum class with Ibrahima Kolipe Camara at Chelsea Studios. Please bring a drum. Manhattan. Fridays, 6:30-7:30p. $15. kolipe81(at)yahoo.com; 646-897-2293
• Beading classes at Brooklyn Bead Box. Various days; $varies. brooklynbeadbox.com/classes.html
• Classes in the needle arts at Brooklyn General Store. Various days; $varies. brooklyngeneral.com/shop/classes/
• Knitting and spinning classes at the Yarn Tree. Various days; $varies. theyarntree.com/studio/classes/
• Mosaic workshops. Manhattan. Wednesdays 1-4p and 6-9p; $100 for four-class workshop. newyorkartworld.com/things/things-mosaic.html
• Wheel and handbuilding classes at La Mano Pottery. Manhattan. Various days; $300 for eight-week class. lamanopottery.com
• Studio Sundays: Intergenerational Programs at Museum of Arts & Design. Manhattan. Sundays 2-4p. $10 (includes admission and materials) 212-956-3535.madmuseum.org
• Females-only African drum class at Oduduwa Cultural Arts Center. Jamaica, Queens. Sundays 11a-noon. $10. balletintlafricans.com

GRAB BAG

• 3rd Ward offers multi- and interdisciplinary courses in visual art, technology, and fabrication. Various days; $varies. 3rdward.com/classes
• Gearilla!, a street theater workshop (on bikes). Various locations. Tuesdays 2p; $10-plus. monicahunken.com/classes.html
• Creative arts classes at Spoke the Hub. Brooklyn. Various days; $varies. spokethehub.org
• First aid for cats and dogs. Manhattan. Saturdays 10-2p; $65 (if purchased online). nyredcross.org/viewclass.php/prmCID/32/month/08/year/2009

XXXXX HELP XXXXX

It is a wonderful thing, to help. Helping strengthens communities and allows you to meet new friends. With that in mind, we look for one-day volunteer opportunities with no long-term commitment required. We want to be open to fresh ideas and think of help in a broad way. These listings could include anything from a large-scale day-long service project to a local theatre company that needs volunteers for load-in; from an artist looking for film extras to a community garden that needs a few extra hands. Our goal is simply to help groups or individuals that serve the greater good in small but significant ways. Unique and interesting job opportunities are acceptable fare for this section as well. Looking for ways to help out? Need volunteers to get your own community project off the ground? Know of any existing opportunities? Send your requests to Rob Voigt at robpastyvoigt(at)gmail.com.

***** HELP: SATURDAY *****

Van Cortlandt Weeding

Volunteers are needed to remove invasive plants and help plant native trees and shrubs on the Eastern side of the John Muir Trail in Van Cortlandt Park. Meet in front of the Woodlawn Playground. Enter the Park at Van Cortlandt Park East and Kepler Ave.

Van Cortlandt Park East, Bronx
10a

***** HELP: SATURDAY *****

The Maids

The Curious Frog Theatre Company needs folks to help break down the play the Maids after its May 8 closing. Duties will include carrying furniture up to 50 pounds and loading into a van; categorizing set pieces and props and objects into borrowed, storage, throw away areas; helping to throw things out in the proper areas; undoing temporary fixtures from walls, ceiling, floor, objects; cleaning up the loft space: sweeping, mopping, wiping with wet cloths, emptying garbage, cleaning the bathroom; and folding and putting away costume pieces.

We'll come up against a challenge or two -- we always do when emptying out a rented space for our shows. It would be wonderful to have folks who can help problem solve. Please be an individual who can not only contribute to the workload and duties, but to the fun, positive spirit of the day.

300 West 43rd Street, Manhattan
9-10:30p
bit.ly/c1vB3m

***** HELP: THURSDAY *****

Design on a Dime

Housing Works Thrift Shops’ sixth annual Design on a Dime fundraiser kicks off this Thursday with the Opening Night Reception at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Join us for New York City’s most popular interior design benefit event, where customers will enjoy exclusive preview shopping, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live entertainment. All sorts of volunteers are needed to make this event a success -- for more information, please visit our website.

bit.ly/dvOxiT

***** HELP: FRIDAY *****

Nutritionist Needed

Gilda’s Club of Northern New Jersey is looking for a nutritionist to provide workshops for adult women experiencing cancer for a Spa Day Event at our clubhouse. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

575 Main Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 10a-2:30p
bit.ly/d9rc1W

***** HELP: SOON *****

Game Day Announcer

The New York Predators football team needs a volunteer play by play announcer for our home games. We play during the summer and into the fall and play anywhere from six-12 home games. Whether you are a professional honing your craft or an aspiring game analyst, this will be a great fun experience.

nypredators.net
bit.ly/9YFL9K

***** HELP: UPCOMING ******

• May 15. Families First’s annual Spring Fling fundraiser is an outdoor block party on Baltic Street in the Cobble Hill section of downtown Brooklyn. The event is a little carnival geared toward families with children under the age of 7 or so. It will feature a petting zoo, a moon bounce, crafts and food tables, a rummage sale, refreshments, face painting, and games. We're looking for extra hands to help with preparation, booth set-up, ticket taking, table staffing, clean-up, etc. Volunteers must be able to stand for a couple of hours and some volunteers will be asked to do some light lifting. Families First is a a non-profit family center. For more information about our programs, visit our website at familiesfirstbrooklyn.org. bit.ly/97tYy4
• June 1-7. The World Science Festival. From June 2 to 6, the 2010 World Science Festival turns New York into a grand stage with science as the star, and we need tons of volunteers to make it happen. worldsciencefestival.com/get-involved/volunteer
• June 26. American Diabetes Association’s NYC Tour de Cure. The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether participants ride the 15 miles or 100 miles, they will travel a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer them on. Help the American Diabetes Association make this experience the best it can possibly be by volunteering - volunteers needed for route marking, set up, breakdown, working the rest stops and more. If interested, please fill out a volunteer form: bit.ly/8CNKZe

***** HELP: ONGOING (posted the first week of each month) *****

NEW

• Domes for Haiti. Help this grassroots org build geodesic domes. domesforhaiti.org
• Helping Hands for the Disabled. Volunteer for a special event, read to a blind person over the phone. 718-728-0868

SOCIAL

• Street Project: Serve at the University Soup Kitchen, Saturdays from 11:45a - 3:30p. streetproject.org/eventarchive.php
• St. John's Bread and Life: Help with the Soup Kitchen, Mobile Soup Kitchen, or Food Pantry. breadandlife.org/volunteer.htm
• GiveGoodGet Project: Recognize people doing good for their community. facebook.com/givegoodget
• GALLOP: Therapeutic riding program for individuals with diabilities. gallopnyc.org
• RightRides and SafeWalk: Late night rides -- help to increase safety in our communities. rightrides.org
• The Fortune Society: Volunteer to teach reading, writing and math to former prisoners and young people facing prison time. 212 691 7554 x250 or fortunesociety.org
• Samitarians: Volunteer for a suicide-prevention hotline. samaritansnyc.org/volunt.html
• The Rock Dove Project: Connects health care practitioners who offer cheap/free services with seekers of those services. rockdovecollective.org/project
• New York Cares: Attend an orientation to learn about volunteer opportunities. www.newyorkcares.org/volunteer
• Books Through Bars: Sends books to prisoners all over the country. Mondays and Thursdays 7:30-9:30p and Sundays 5-8p. abcnorio.org/affiliated/btb.html
• Food Not Bombs: Serves vegan food in Tompkins Square Park. Sundays 1p on. abcnorio.org/affiliated/fnb.html
• Volunteer Referral Center: Get your interests, skills, and schedule availability matched with a non-profit organization that needs your help, for free. volunteer-referral.org
• City Harvest: Help feed the homeless by volunteering at a special event. cityharvest.org
• Housing Works: Provides housing for individuals affected by HIV and AIDS. Volunteers of all types needed. housingworks.org
• New York Road Runners: Work with kids, help out at a race, and more. volunteers.nyrr.org
• Computers for Youth: Help this organization increase the educational resources available to low-income youth. cfy.org
• El Museo del Barrio: Help this Latino cultural institution with one of their many awesome events. bit.ly/4U1UG6, elmuseo.org
• National Language Service Corps: Use your language skills to help others. nlscorps.org

CREATIVE

• NY Street Opera: Non-profit musical theatre. Light administrative duties. cheron.g.cowan(at)gmail.com or nystreetopera.com
• NY Artists Unlimited: Brings theatre and art to under-served audiences. nyartists.org
• Stoked Mentoring: Mentor kids through skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding. infostoked.org
• 826NYC: Volunteer as a writing tutor for 826NYC.org

POLITICAL

• Transportation Alternatives: Biking, walking, and public transit advocacy. Office volunteers needed. elena(at)transalt.org or transalt.org
• lowercased democrats: Design a citywide public meeting house, support a petition drive. lowercased.org

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Project Safe Flight: Rescue disoriented and injured birds and help migratory birds. volunteernycaudubon.org
• Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition: Help with dog walking and cat petting. barcshelter.org
• Time's Up!: Direct-action environmental advocacy. times-up.org
• The New Jersey Tree Foundation: Help plant trees in Newark, events most Saturdays. newjerseytreefoundation.org

XXXXX NONSENSE XXXXX

nonsense nyc is a discriminating resource for independent art, weird events, strange happenings, unique parties, and senseless culture in new york city.

please remember that you are always free to pass nonsense nyc along to anyone who needs to see it, but you do not have permission to use any of the listings for your commercial publication. if you are receiving this list as a forward from someone else you can sign up for yourself at nonsensenyc.com/subscribe.

we now accept donations to cover the costs of producing this list, and suggest $5 a year from individual readers or $20 a year if we list your events. to be clear, this is not a traditional subscription, but a donation because you believe that independent artists should support other independent artists. if you've ever paid for a ticket to see your friend's band you know what we mean. you can make donations here: nonsensenyc.com/special/. and thank you.

XXXXX END XXXXX

Blinding with kindness.