nonsensenyc: 5.21 to 5.27

From: "Jeff Stark" <jstark@nonsensenyc.com>
Subject: nonsensenyc: 5.21 to 5.27
Date: May 21st 2010

Friday, May 21
* Dance Your Brass Off, Brooklyn
* The Underground Rebel Bingo Club, Brooklyn * A Question of Domain Posted, Brooklyn * Loew’s Movie Palace: The 70s on the Big Screen, Jersey City * Quietcolor's Magic Wedding, Williamsburg * Rooftop Party, Brooklyn
* Second Annual Brooklyn Folk Festival, Brooklyn * Brooklyn's Gonna Bounce, Brooklyn
* Hot It Up, Brooklyn
* Pillow Talk, Williamsburg

Saturday, May 22
* Hoodstock, Brooklyn
* 3rd Ward's Annual Birthday Barbecue, Brooklyn * AVAC Memories, Roosevelt Isalnd
* Sixth Annual Bicycle Fetish Day 2010, Williamsburg * Desire Group Art Show, Brooklyn
* Minor Swing: A Tribute to Django Reinhardt, Manhattan * Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School With Dante Posh, Manhattan * Hudson River Pageant, Manhattan
* Sliding Down Maslow's Pyramid (Two Stage Party and Event), Brooklyn * Petri Space, Brooklyn
* Dance Dance Library Revolution: A Books Through Bars Benefit, Brooklyn * Welling Court Mural Project, Queens
* HiChristina's Five Minute Lecture Series, Manhattan * Thunder Gumbo episode VIII: Bollywood Glitz, Williamsburg * New York City's Annual Dance Parade, Manhattan * Resonanda, Brooklyn

Sunday, May 23
* Third Annual Doggie Pedal Parade, Manhattan * The Secret City, Manhattan
* Lick This, Williamsburg
* The Great NYC Bridgeathalon, Queens
* Astoria-to-Roosevelt Island Infrastructure Tour and NYC Garbage Gallery Talk, Roosevelt Island * From New York to Jo'Burg Benefit Party for Housing Is a Human Right, Manhattan

Thursday, May 27
* Nowhere Magazine Launch Party, Manhattan * Maelstrom Fiestival, Brooklyn

Wishlist
* Visitors in South Dakota

Spectre
* God-Like

Learning
* No Sew Costumes

Help
* Drums

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

Moppet hair.

XXXXX FRIDAY, MAY 21 XXXXX

Dance Your Brass Off

A Benefit Party for Great Small Works Theater. Summer's here and it's time to sweat. A Classic DUMBO Warehouse Dance Party with Hungry March Band, Slavic Soul Party!, Spanglish Fly, and Debo Band as well as DJs and surprise performances, hosted by the inestimable Jenny Romaine. One of the most beautiful spaces in Brooklyn, St. Ann's Warehouse, will be decked out by the artists that bring you the Toy Theater Festival, Great Small Works, and bouncing to the brass-infused beats of these amazing bands. Soju Vodka Drink Specials, draught beer, wine, song, and dance.

St. Ann's Warehouse
38 Water St., Brooklyn
10p; $15 advance, $20 door, free drink with advance purchase

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

The Underground Rebel Bingo Club

The Underground Rebel Bingo Club is a visually spectacular experience involving music, DJs, drama, tension, love, hate, sick prizes, and rebel bingo. Every week, thousands of people addicted to the illicit thrill of Rebel Bingo descend on secret venues around the UK to be part of a revolution. They drink and to dance and draw on each other listening to amazing DJs - and win hardcore prizes playing the most dangerous form of all the bingos -- rebel bingo.

The rules of the Underground Rebel Bingo Club are simple: No Boring People, No Old People, No Wankers. If you don’t like loud music, shouting and dancing don’t come. It's so much fun. It's so fucking silly. So we thought we would come and play in New York.

Secret Location, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
10p-4a; $10 advance, $15 door
rebelbingo.com

NOTE: Not sure about that "no old people" thing, and British people can be forgiven for using "wankers" we suppose, but everything else seems in order.

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

Evidence and PIMA artists presents:

A Question of Domain Posted

Stephan Moore and I are involved in this very exciting project on May 21, which is a culmination of our residency at Brooklyn College with artists from the PIMA program. Our goal: to create a series of new art works in response to the massive shift in the Brooklyn Atlantic Yards neighborhood, which will soon be transformed forever through a very large and controversial development project.

We would like to invite you to join us at this exciting event. It's free.

Barclay's is upon us: ground has been broken in Atlantic Yards. Freddy's is no more. Even Daniel Goldstein has sold his apartment. What's left to do or say? The sidewalk's closed, the foundation's getting laid, and the Brooklyn skyline is about to get changed forever.

But before we pull out the Nets gear and do our best to get pumped for the stadium, come eat, drink, and make merry as we explore the site one last time. Part elegy, part revenge fantasy, and part rock opera, A Question of Domain is a roving art adventure in celebration and lamentation of the Atlantic Yards.

Meetup: Playground at Bergen and 6th Avenue, Brooklyn 6:30p; $free, including drinks and snacks marcwowcool.com

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

Loew’s Movie Palace: The 70s on the Big Screen

A not-for-profit arts center in a historic movie palace. Tonight: Taxi Driver 8p. Saturday 6:15p: Blazing Saddles. Saturday 8:40p: Saturday Night Fever.

What’s Special About Seeing a Move at the Loew’s? The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre is one of America’s grandest surviving Movie Palaces. We show movies the way they were meant to be seen: in a grandly ornate setting -- on our big 50 feet wide screen. The Loew’s runs reel-to-reel, not platter, projection, which often allows us to screen an archival or studio vault print that is the best available copy of a movie title.

The Loew's Jersey Theatre
54 Journal Square, Jersey City
PATH train to Journal Square
loewsjerseygmail.com
loewsjersey.org

NOTE: We listed this incorrectly last week. Sorry about the error.

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

Quietcolor's Magic Wedding

Presented by Fruitsential. Five bands, magic shows, actual wedding. Your presence is cordially requested to witness the official union of Miss Katie Kristine Darling and David Randall Sherman. You may think you know the drill, you've been to weddings before, but we guarantee you'll never be a part of one as magical as this. Live bands and magicians will entrance and engage you while love and refreshments abound. Your attendance makes you a member of the wedding party, as we go all-out to send away the happy couple in truly sensational and jovial fashion.

Monster Island Basement will be transformed into the ultimate wedding reception featuring live performances kicked off by QC house band the Prenups, followed by Sunglasses, Carnivores, Swimming In Speakers, and Project Jenny/Project Jan ensuring that the dance party runs deep into the night. In between acts, professional magicians and charasmatic emcee Eric Walton will keep us enchanted until the grand marriage. Following the ceremony by an actual ordained minister, Project Jenny/Project Jan will blast us through dancing till the A.M.. Admire the wedding decor, enjoy drinks with the happy couple, and bring all your friends to partake in holy matrimonial fun.

Monster Island Basement
128 River Street, at Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 8p; $10
All ages
quietcolor.com

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

Rooftop Party

Hot views, cold drinks, and live tunes. With Brooklyn's rootsy Roosevelt Dime, New Orleans own Meschiya Lake and dem L'il Big Horns, and No Small Money Brass Band and special friends. Cheap drinks available all night long. Swing dancing under the stars, drinking and saying things you don't mean, and brass band booty shake.

170 Tillary Street, Brooklyn
Q train to DeKalb station, A train to Jay Street station 10p-midnight; $free

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

Second Annual Brooklyn Folk Festival

Three days of music, workshops, and jams.

Check website for complete schedule.

Jalopy Theatre
315 Columbia Street, Brooklyn
7:30p-1a; $15 per day for the main stage, workshops included or $40 for all three days, $5 per day for afternoon outdoor stage Continues various times through SUNDAY
347 834 3028
downhomeradiohotmail.com
downhomeradioshow.com/brooklyn-folk-fest jalopy.biz

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

Brooklyn's Gonna Bounce

From bigfreedia.com:Big Freedia is an accomplished Bounce rapper who lives in New Orleans and performs six or more times a week in various venues throughout the city.

Bounce is an original urban music rising up from the intimate and fun-loving nature of the housing projects which dominate the city’s street culture. Sissy Bounce is the informal name for a derivative of Bounce that has risen to prominence in recent years and features explicitly gay and cross-dressing musicians and themes. Big Freedia is at the forefront of this movement and has had several New Orleans hit singles.

DJ Dirtyfinger says: The last time Big Freedia was in town every crowd she played in front of, from club kids in Manhattan, designer folks at a fashion show, to that rowdy Brooklyn party with Spank Rock, was completely captivated by her instructional ass shaking raps. No one can resist Freedia's powers of ass motivation. Women, and men who had never seen a bounce show in their lives ended up face down, ass up losing their breath, bouncing on stage with everyone else enchanted by the sounds. Live New Orleans bounce is an unstoppable party train of bouncing butts. Don't miss this."

With DJs Roofeeo (The Death Set), Rusty Lazer. Live Murdertronics, Dirtyfinger with BloodDrums, and Big Freedia (New Orleans Bounce). Brought to you by Candy Rain, Bikes In the Kitchen, Drtyfnger, and Superchief.tv.

Coco 66
66 Greenpoint Avenue, between Franklin and West, Brooklyn 9p; $8
21 and over
718 389 7392
coco66.com/

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

Hot It Up

Spring is here so Hot It Up with the best beat-slingers in NYC. Seriously heavy line-up this month. Cumbia, funk, breaks, and a live percussion crew. Featuring Cosmo Baker, Michna aka Egg Foo Young, the Cumba Mela Crew, DJ Stylus, and Peter Barr on percussion.

Littlefield
622 Degraw Street, between 3rd and 4th avenues, Brooklyn 10p doors; $5 with RSVP
brooklynwonderlandgmail.com or before midnight, $8 afterward 21 and over
littlefieldnyc.com/event-detail/?id=9399

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

Pillow Talk

A monthly live late night variety talk show. It's free, the drinks are cheap, and the performers are amazing.

This month featuring comedian Jeff Seal, man about town Jason Black, and performance legend/supermodel/brass pole enthusiast Erin Markey.

170 North 4th Street, between Bedford and Driggs, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 9p; $?

XXXXX SATURDAY, MAY 22 XXXXX

Hoodstock

Hoodstock is a street party that has taken over some of the tuffest neighborhoods in Oakland with 1,000 people mayhemish street parties with live bands, mcs and djs. In a 3000 square foot warehouse in Brooklyn were going to try and capture a tiny part of that magic with a line-up of Brooklyn, Oakland and New Orleans grimiest. Guaranteed redonkulous. Dance-Rage.

DJs Dirtyfinger (Black Label), Miggy Stardust, Hansome Neto, C-Lo (Bikes in the kitchen), Rusty Lazer. With Japanther, Ninjasonik, Cerebral Ballzy, Big Freedia (New Orleans Bounce), Tha Pessimist, and MC Beme.

Brought to you by Miggy Stardust, Bikes In the Kitchen, Drtyfnger, Candy Rain, and Superchief.tv.

407 Willoughby, Brooklyn
7p doors, 8p show; $10
18 and over

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

3rd Ward's Annual Birthday Barbecue

3rd Ward turns four this May. To celebrate we're flooding our space, inside and out, with live music, cheap barbecue and summer drinks, art, crafts, screen-printing (bring your tees), free workshops, and synchronized biking.

Featuring live music from Pink Noise, Stumblebum Brass Band, Hank and Cupcakes, Naked Hearts, DJ Drew Heffron, and DJ Sirlinda, and a VJ battle from Moviehouse. Also, enjoy bike blended libations from the Band of Bicycles, and more.

Plus, this marks the first anniversary of our Free Bikes program. Local bike organizations will join us with treats, tune-ups and competitions.

195 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn
2p; $free
RSVP events 3rdward.com
3rdward.com/events

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

AVAC Memories

A short piece of musical theater that tells the story of five pieces of household waste who are tossed into a Roosevelt Island garbage can and, together, go on a thrilling journey through the AVAC sanitation system. As they are dropped down garbage chutes, sucked through pneumatic tubes, crunched in a compactor and shipped off to the dump in a garbage barge, our grimy heroes learn some valuable lessons about friendship, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Performed live, followed by Q and A with the creators. Written by Frederick Alden Terry (music) and John Herin (lyrics), and directed by Dev Bondarin, with musical direction by Remy Kurs, featuring Jennifer Blood, Jason Collins, Steven Eng, Sevan Greene, and Jaygee Macagupay. In conjunction with the exhibition Fast Trash: Roosevelt Island's Pneumatic Tubes and the Future of Cities.

Gallery RIVAA
527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island
5p; $free
F train to Roosevelt Island station
fasttrash.org

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

Sixth Annual Bicycle Fetish Day 2010

A block party for your bicycle. There will be Bike Contests, an Alley-Cat Race, Bicycle Advocacy Info Tables, BMX Trix, local artists, Vintage Bikes, BBQ, LIVE Music, Souvenirs, and more.

Havemeyer Street, between Grand and Hope streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyn noon-6p; $free
cityreliquary.org/

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

Desire Group Art Show

A wildly talented and eclectic group of artists come together to give their unique and thought provoking perspectives on desire. We will converge upon a swanky red suite in the Chelsea Hotel and transform it into a luscious rich jungle of art. We will fill every crevice in the space with a wide array of art, even the bathtub will host an installation. Expect to be moved, dazzled, inspired, and in awe by what they present to you at this show. The work will be informed by the artists' unique and diverse set of influences and backgrounds spanning taxidermy, sculpture, fashion, film, architecture, photography, installation, performance art, and graphic design.

There is limited space capacity in the suite. If you arrive and there is a large group in the space, you may have to wait for a few minutes in the lobby until the space clears.

The Chelsea Hotel, Suite 1024
222 West 23rd Street, Manhattan
11a-7p; $free.
212 243 3700
DesireGroupShowgmail.com
desiregroupshow.blogspot.com/

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

Minor Swing: A Tribute to Django Reinhardt

Dances of Vice pays homage to legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt with New York's most revered gypsy swing quartet, LES Hot Club, featuring special guest jazz violinist Jonathan Russell and celebrated chanteuse-accordionist Marni Rice.

To complete this special concert, famed tap mavens of the Minsky Sisters and burlesque beauty Perle Noire will deliver a taste of the sensuality and decadence from the twilight years of Paris, a beacon of creative and artistic freedom in the 1920s and 30s that earned the city the title City of Light.

The Pussycat Lounge
96 Greenwich Street, Manhattan
8:30p; $15
21 and over

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

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School With Dante Posh

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 the beautiful Dante Posh in our final session at the Slipper Room. Plus prizes.

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

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

Hudson River Pageant

An ecological parade and performance art event to restore the Hudson River species and habitats and address climate change in New York City. The Hudson River Pageant is an ecological parade and performance art event featuring a magnificent parade of giant 15-foot puppets, spectacular river species costumes, and 13 site specific performances. Music, dance, performances, songs, and poetry, including an oyster planting, live fish release, river cleansing, and a boat dance , highlight the river, and its' species, habitats, and issues. Performances are presented at the various piers and significant sites along the parade route.

Check website for complete details.

Downtown section of the Hudson River Park between the World Financial Center and Gansevoort, Manhattan 1-5p; $free
mailearthcelebrations.com
earthcelebrations.com

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

Sliding Down Maslow's Pyramid (Two Stage Party and Event)

Join us for a experimental 12 hour journey in fulfilling our needs. We will start at the top of Maslow's pyramid, strap on our downhill skis and let gravity take us down.

We'll start the journey with creativity, morality, spontaneity, lack of prejudice and more intimate community. Join artists Irina Sarnetskaya, Jayel Draco, Corrinne Hall in creating your own collaborative painting. Fill your hunger needs with the backyard barbecue including free hotdogs or bring your own meat or vegetables to stand beside legendary grill master, Seth Wright. Gander at a masterpiece being created live on human canvases by the incredible Chelas Montanye. Lyndsey Karr (Progressive Arts Network) will be doing unconventional installation performance art that will cater to intimate sharing. The last time we experienced her work, we ended up sitting in the bathroom talking for 20 minutes about things we've never shared with anyone, while she was de-robed, covered in words, and standing in the bathtub. Let your eyes be fulfilled by photography work of Nathan Hjelmhaug (CT), Prints by Wes Jones (PNF), Aaron Maurer and more. We love the excitement of finding a a beauti ful art piece and feeling like we can afford to take it home so there will be pieces starting as low as $20. Add to your sense of self worth by getting a professional hair cut by Mistress of the House, Miss Margaret. Memories will flood back from the Church of Pop throwback alter put together by the Supreme Diva of The Church of Pop who will be in full regalia and high spirits while celebrating her birthday.

We will then transition into the lower pyramid by increasing our self confidence with an hour and a half of free beer. Prima Primo will calls upon the powers of the universe to share stories of strength and courage with their electro visual musical performance. You can become the art with body and face painting by both Chelas and Abbey Weg and reflect the next day on your self actualizing progress, with lightning clicks from Nelson Chen (PNF) and his photobooth. Emma will be showcasing her favorite feel good band from her music critique website, Guilt Free Pleasures. Strive for achievement during the late night freakout dance contest. Modern Dance piece by Mary Madsen. As we slip further down the pyramid women may initiate their needs by handing their free kisses to the person of their choice. Late night, we'll pull out some pillow pools to give you the time and comfort to pursue any of the foundational needs you may haven't obtained yet.

Page Not Found is a 2000 square foot apartment, with a garden, used as constantly transforming space to encourage strong social interaction by experimenting with collaboration, art, food, film and music.

RSVP for address, Brooklyn
J,M,Z trains to Myrtle/Broadway stations 5-9p Top, 9p-5a Bottom; $free (top), $15 (bottom), includes free cheap beer 9-10:30p pagenotfoundspace gmail.com

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

Petri Space

Bushwick's favorite singing extra-terrestrials are looking forward to having a big party on your face. We have such wonderful guests. Take a gander: Murderfist (ECNY, Sketchfest NYC), Johnny McNulty (UCB, contributor to the Onion, awesome all around bad-ass), Pony Party (improv to make you cry), Shai and his band (beautiful music), and more. Dance party after. Cheap booze as always.

The Petri Space
114 Forrest Street, buzzer no. 15, apartment 4C, Brooklyn L train to Morgan station
9p doors; $free

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

Dance Dance Library Revolution: A Books Through Bars Benefit

Books Through Bars moved, and we're having a party to get us back on our feet. It features awesome librarians and excellent music, so you'd best be there.

The Desk Set (a group of young librarians who throw dope parties to raise money for organizations promoting literacy) are hosting a party at Enid's in Greenpoint to pay for the postage we need to get back to sending books to people incarcerated all across America. DJs Mr. Jonathan Toubin from New York Night Train, Fine Wine from WFMU, Megan Awesome, Jimmy T, and Jason Andrews will be spinning for the right cause.

After our old space was damaged by fire, Books Through Bars moved to our new home in Freebird Bookstore, and we've built up a big backlog of packages that need sending and letters that need replies. 100 percent of contributions go to either postage or packing supplies, but we're a bit behind and need plenty of help.

So, now you know what your Saturday holds: dancing, drinks and librarians. With the Desk Set.

Enid's
560 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn
10p-4a; $suggested donation

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

Welling Court Mural Project

The community is hosting an authentic NYC street party for the event. If you plan on joining the celebration, come on down with your favorite food, beverage, or street party fixings to share.

Welling Court Artists include: Alice Mizrachi, Beast, Chris Mendoza, Chris Stain, Celso, Cern, Cey Adams, CR, Cycle, Dan Witz, Darkclouds, Daryll Peirce, Don Leicht, Ellis G, Free5, Gaia, Garrison and Alison Buxton, Greg Lamarche, JMR, John Fekner, Lady Pink, Leon Reid, Matt Siren, M-City, Michael De Feo, Mr. Kiji, Pablo Power, Peripheral Media Projects, R. Nicholas Kuszyk, Remi/Rough, Ron English, Royce Bannon, Sofia Maldonado, Stormie Mills, Sweet Toof, Swoon, TooFly, Tristan Eaton, and Veng RWK.

The project represents a great pairing of individuals and groups interested in making their communities and the world a more engaged and creative place. Members of the Welling Court neighborhood in Queens wanted to beautify their neighborhood walls and enliven their surroundings and Brooklyn's Ad Hoc Art, an arts organization known for supporting and expanding the accessibility of street art to the masses in NYC and throughout the world, was an perfect fit.

Ad Hoc's vision was to showcase the diverse and rich history of artists driven by their passion for expression and dreams for a better world. The project's roster represents over 50 years of the expansive and diverse history of street art, bringing together artists whose productivity spans from pre/graffiti legends to the latest movers and shakers. While a strong New York City contingency represents the city's legacy as a bubbling brew of public expression, international players reflect the global impact of the movement that burst from the Big Apple.

The project begins at the intersection of Welling Court, 30th Avenue and 12th Street and extends north along 30th Avenue and then east along Main Avenue, across the street from the Two Coves Community Garden. The street of Welling Court is a beautiful reminder to the rich diversity that exists within New York City. The block is a melting pot representing people of African American, Greek, Peruvian, Ecuadoran, Mexican, Brazilian, Chinese, Korean, Indian, and Italian origin, to name a few.

Welling Court Mural Project
11-98 Welling Court, Queens
N,W trains to 30th Avenue station and walk 10 blocks 4-10p; $free
adhocart.org

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

HiChristina's Five Minute Lecture Series

Do you need a little mental stimulation on a Saturday night? Or just something more to talk about at parties? Rumble down to HiChristina like a giant thunder cloud and hear curiosity-arousing lectures from our distinguished and silly faculty including: Dr. Please and How to Get Your Way Nicely, Officer Rob (in a special session of Ask a Policeman), Seduction in Five Small Gestures, Taylor's Trip to the Fairy Convention, Anthony Sisco’s Butt Nonverbal Reasoning Test, Cybil Lake playing Cybil Lake from the Cybil Lake Show, A Carboard Bridge Between Two Apartment Buildings, and much much more. The discussion is moderated by our own Christina Ewald. We're also accepting three spontaneous lectures on the themes Buried Treasure Maps, or What I Pretended to Be, or Yogels, so if something's on your mind, or you're ready for a good old fashion time ... then spray that banaca (psst, psst), take out a couple of those hair curlers, and come on down to HiChristina. Oh! And the three int ermissions are almost as good as the main show: partner dance to L*O*V*E Sparkle, experience the brand new and never before tried at home Feel-a-Vision, and cap the night with an ever-popular game of Stack-It-Up.

HiChristina!
163 Eldridge Street, between Rivington and Delancey, Manhattan 10p; $10 BYOB
RSVP to reserve a spot rxapparel-at-gmail.com hichristina.com

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

Thunder Gumbo episode VIII: Bollywood Glitz

After the uprising on Dr. Moreau’s Holiday Island, Dr. Adventure narrowly escaped imprisonment from the mutant manimals. He crafted a small raft using bamboo and the hides of his slain guards, and sailed West. As luck would have it, he was rescued by Bollywood Superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s mega-yacht. They cordially invited the sunburned Dr. on board and partied all the way to Bombay. The Doc was clearly in need of a celebration, so he convinced Amitabh to let us party on a palatial Bollywood film set- conveniently located in the heart of Williamsburg. A veritable pantheon of Indian celebrities shall be attending, therefore an RSVP will be required to attend this party.

Expect banging Bhangra and subcontinental sounds by DJ Sonu, Joro Boro, Geko Jones, DJ Shakey, DJ Barney Iller, and Thunder Gumbo resident DJ Morphous. And will you be pleased to meet: Sitar and tabla players, a Bollywood film set, onsite technical support call center, authentic peasant toilet, sacred cows, blue body painting, and more.

Costume suggestions: Bollywood glitterati, Hindu gods, sacred cows, British imperialists, yogi’s, fakirs, Indian pop stars, royalty, untouchables.

RSVP for address
L,G trains to Lorimer,Metropolitan station 10p, with 10-11p free Indian buffet; $10 in costume, $15 in Western clothes ThunderGumbo gmail.com
ThunderGumbo.com

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

New York City's Annual Dance Parade

Dance down Broadway with 6478 Dancers, 164 Dance Organizations, 65 Unique Styles. This Saturday, May 22, 2010 thousands dancers will converge on the streets of New York City showcasing 65 forms of dance in a free outdoor dance parade and festival.

We will boogie our way down Broadway, hula, swing and Irish step our way past Union Square and into University Place. At Eighth Street we will Salsa, Tango and Waltz East into Saint Marks Street. Our House, Techno and Disco floats will have afternoon shoppers wiggling as they watch us get down in the heart of the East Village. A straight shot from there brings us to DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park. At DanceFest we will come together and celebrate watching free dance performances, be able to take free dance lessons and enjoy a Dance Party.

Our mission is to promote dance as an expressive and unifying art form by showcasing all forms of dance, educating the general public about the opportunity to experience dance and celebrate the diversity of dance.

Followed by Dance Fest in Tompkins Square Park and a variety of after-parties.

Parade starts at 21st Street and 5th Avenue, Manhattan 1p; $free
danceparade.org

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

Killing the Buddha magazine presents:

Resonanda

It's me from Killing the Buddha again -- I sent you a press release about this last week, I believe, but I just thought I'd double check to see if you think you'll be listing this event on Nonsense; it seems to me like something that your readers would be interested in..

Killing the Buddha magazine presents Resonanda, Brown University’s experimental medieval music ensemble, in its premiere Brooklyn performance under the towering ceilings and exquisite stained-glass windows of the recently-renovated St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Expect: Medieval Iberian anthems full of passion for the Virgin Mary, homoerotic verses in Hebrew and Arabic, and a few scandalous escapades by men and women of the cloth; the resonant acoustics of one of Brooklyn's largest and most beautiful Catholic churches, located in Prospect Heights; and free Killing the Buddha pencils and books for sale (cf. Matthew 21:12–17).

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
856 Pacific Street, Brooklyn
7:30–9:30p; $donations
killingthebuddha.com/ktblog/medieval-iberian-music-resounds-in-brooklyn/

XXXXX SUNDAY, MAY 23 XXXXX

Third Annual Doggie Pedal Parade

Bring your dog and bicycle to the third annual Doggie Pedal Parade. We will ride our dogs in baskets and trailers, listen to doggie tunes playing on the music bike, and end at Washington Square Park for a party complete with snacks and drinks for all. The ride will highlight bicycles adapted to transport pets as well as the benefits of adopting homeless animals.

Even if you don't have a dog you are still encouraged to come on the ride or join the Safety Pooch Patrol to help escort the ride.

Meet at Tompkins Square Park Dog Run
Avenue A and 9th Street, Manhattan
2p; $free
times-up.org/index.php?page=doggie-pedal-parade

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

The Secret City

Hello dumpling. I'm thrilled to invite you to the next gathering of The Secret City. Our theme will be Memory, "the mother of all wisdom." The Secret City is a community of artists and other conscious, creative people. We gather to celebrate, cogitate, ruminate and meditate on the nature of art-making and the creative spirit. Part cabaret, part art-church, part salon, each service has a different theme and features live performance, presentation and original work.

Memory is a slippery thing. Every spring at the Secret City, we try to get a hold of it, just in time for Memorial Day, but it's not easy; time passes and things move, recollections fade, and even certainties are called into question. Join us as we celebrate memory: in song, art, conversation and word. And let's see what comes from applying our attention to this most mysterious thing. As Samuel Johnson said, "The true art of memory, is the art of attention."

Theatrelab
137 West 14th Street, between 6th and 7th avenues, Manhattan 11:30a; $10 but no one turned away for lack of funds.

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

Lick This

A Benefit for Sparky’s Wheel of Tesla. In 1893, Nikola Tesla debuted polyphase electrical power, revolutionizing the safety and efficiency of electrical transmission. We’re going to completely disregard his advancements, and encourage you to come get your cheap thrills with the help of some arcane electrical equipment and pretty lab assistants.

So dust off your mad scientist finery, and don your tinfoil hat. Get a shot and a shock, a ride in the electric chair, or visit the battery licking station. Proceeds will go to building Sparky’s Wheel of Tesla., an interactive installation that will be part of Figment’s season long sculpture garden on Governor’s Island.

East River Bar
97 South 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 6-11p; $5
figmentproject.org/2010/long-term-exhibitions/figment-sculpture-garden/

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

The Great NYC Bridgeathalon

Come ride your bicycle across four East River Bridges (and one East River Creek) in one day. NY’s First Family of Tour Guides will bring you across the Queensboro, Pulaski, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge with mini-lectures before crossing each bridge. Celebrate Bike Month NYC and these fine engineering masterpieces by bike, then raise a toast to bicycling and bridges in NYC at the Patriot Saloon in Lower Manhattan at the end of our ride.

Meet at the Manhattan side of the Queensboro Bridge Bike Lane, North Path, Queens 11a-3p; $5 suggested donation

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

Astoria-to-Roosevelt Island Infrastructure Tour and NYC Garbage Gallery Talk

Walking tour with Richard Melnick, President of the Greater Astoria Historical Society, focusing on East River infrastructure, starts at Socrates Sculpture Park at 11a and ends at the Fast Trash Exhibit at Gallery RIVAA. Followed by a discussion with Michael Heimbinder, Executive Director of HabitatMap, on the logistics of moving trash in New York City, answering the questions: How does garbage move? Who moves it? Where does it move to?

Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main Street, Roosevelt Island F Train to Roosevelt Island station
11a; $free
fasttrash.org

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

From New York to Jo'Burg Benefit Party for Housing Is a Human Right

Join us at New York's newest South African bar and restaurant for a lazy Sunday night of good people, cheap drinks, and exclusive sounds from Housing is a Human Right.

This summer Housing is a Human Right goes international. We take our unique process of media making to South Africa to document and build with the Landless People's Movement. Later this year we will launch a multimedia series that will include stories from New York, New Orleans, Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa, along with an all new exhibit in Queens. Come out and raise a glass to social change from New York to Jo'burg. We will screen a never before seen multimedia video along with photos celebrating 1 year of Movement Building Media.

Also, silent auction items including Fela. on Broadway Tickets, Exclusive Roots Live Concert in Cuba Recording, BAM Dance Africa Tickets, Dinners at Brooklyn's finest restaurants and more. Featuring DJ OJA, spinning classics and original sounds from New York to Jo'Burg.

Bunny Chow Bar and Lounge
74 Orchard Street, Manhattan
7-11p; $15
rachel housingisahumanright.org

XXXXX THURSDAY, MAY 27 XXXXX

Nowhere Magazine Launch Party

Live jazz from 7-11 in a re-imagined 1930s airport lounge with travel writing and other tales by Bill Berkson, Larry Fagin, and Paul Violi. A launch party for Nowhere. We're decorating the place like a 1930s airport lounge, complete with vintage stewardesses and live jazz all night. It's going to be marvelous.

Walker Stage
56 Walker Street, Manhattan
7p-midnight, open bar 7-8; $10 at the door.

***** Also on THURSDAY *****

Maelstrom Fiestival

Maelström-a Belgium-based publisher, artist, agent of ideas and propeller of acts-has organized an annual fiestival of poetry, theater, visual art and music in Brussels. This May, for the first time ever, maelström will ignite the cultural skies of New York City with a three-day creative party featuring such renowned artists as Jerome Rothenberg, Nicole Peyrafitte, Pierre Joris, and Dwayne Morgan, as well an international palette of phenomenal emerging artists.

The Invisible Dog Art Center
51 Bergen Street, at Smith Street, Brooklyn 7p; $free
Continues through SATURDAY
theinvisibledog.ny gmail.com
theinvisibledog.org

XXXXX UPCOMING XXXXX

• RE/Mixed Media Festival 2010, May 30
• Splendor in the Green: Fundraiser for Build it Green and Solar One, June 12
• Lumen, June 26

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 *****

• The Times Square Alliance seeks letters of interest from arts organizations and artists to present contemporary art projects and events in and around Times Square. Applicants can propose a single project or series for anytime between September 2010 and December 2012. Artists are encouraged to propose projects that address the unique nature and rich history of Times Square. Organizations, curators and artists are encouraged to consider how their projects will change or affect the space during the presentation and how the 350,000 people here every day will interact with the presentation. Public spaces to consider as locations for art projects and events include the new Broadway plazas and Duffy Square. Through its Public Art Program, the Times Square Alliance brings temporary high-quality, cutting-edge art and performance to Times Square, so that it is known globally as a place where ordinary people encounter authentic, ever-changing urban art in multiple forms and media. Let ters of Interest are due on July 15 and should not exceed 500 words. Organization history or artist resume plus five images of relevant past work should be attached, along with an image list of titled and descriptions. See: timessquarenyc.org/arts/opencall.htm
• Now accepting applications for the Third Performancy Forum: A democratized performance event that takes place at the live/work arts and activism collective, Surreal Estate. With a focus on experiments in music, performance art, theater, video, and literary performance, the forum pulls together a diverse array of artists to share their work, drink wine, and meet one another. Contact panoplylab(at)gmail.com with a brief description of who you are and what you do and links to video or audio files that might help us understand. If we are not full, you will be given a time slot between five and thirty minutes long. The next Performancy Forum (two slots open) will be on June 4 at 8p, the following one will be on July 2.
• NURTUREart is pleased to announce a call for entries for Unrealized: Conceptual Bushwick as part of the 2010 Bushwick Open Studios. All proposals accepted! NURTUREart is looking for artists or grandiose thinkers that work or reside in the area of Bushwick to submit ideas or proposals for a project/work of art that has not yet been realized because of temporal, monetary, physical, legal, or ethical constraints. There is no limitation on length or content of ideas (anything from a couple of words to a full proposal), but it must fit on 8.5 by 11 sheets of paper. All of the proposals received will be displayed in the gallery during the Bushwick Open Studios. Ideas can be emailed at any time or dropped off at the gallery up to the day of the opening. Ideas that have been emailed will appear on a blog that will launch June 4th.¬† No idea will be turned away, but we reserve the right to reformat if necessary. We ask that the ideas be as outlandish and creative as the artist wo uld like. Since we are not facilitating the actualization of any of these projects, we want you to have fun making the proposals. Ideas sent in emails must be sent as word documents or in PDF format, with the artist's name, email, mailing address, and any other personal information in the body of the email. Contact rachel(at)nurtureart.org.
• I'm a DIY Artist who curates art galleries, live music shows, film screenings, installations, etc. Feel free to check out my blog and see what I was up to for the past six years in NYC. I moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota this May, and If you're a traveling artist/musician on I-90 and passing through Rapid City, South Dakota, you're in my neighborhood. Send me a line, I'd creative collaborate/street promote/show/book you because that's who I am and what I love doing. I'd also consider hosting no amp DIY type shows at my house -- I live in a yurt in Keystone, SD -- as well as cook a warm meal for good traveling souls. P.S. I moved here to film and write about my experience intertwined with the story of my grandmother's life on the Standing Rock Reservation. If you're interested in being notified of the work as it evolves, email me! See: chelake.blogspot.com. Contact Sarah Riley chelake(at)gmail.com.

***** MONEY *****

• Help Mr. Okra get a new truck, the event is over but donations are accepted: wwoz.org/new+orleans+community/benefit+concert+mr+okra+thurs+may+20
• Hollaback, a women's safety advocacy project: kickstarter.com/projects/hollaback/hollaback
• Rude Mechanical Orchestra, an activist punk marching band, is taking its show back on the road to attend the US Social Forum this June in Detroit. We have a few weeks to raise about $4,000 to get our big green band into our big green veggie waste oil-powered bus, along with some awesome NYC rabble rousers. Follow the link to use PayPal: bit.ly/bHUwNm.

***** SPACES *****

• Enjoy your stay in this fortress. Choose your own adventure. We will build a bridge, escape hatch, dome home, etc. Do you have a telescope? Can you talk backwards in slow motion? Bedford/ Nostrand Stop on the G. Greatest neighborhood here. Men with black suits and big hats everywhere. Picturesque bell tower framed with overgrown trees and vines, nature out of control, private rooftop garden. This is a three-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a two-story walkup. There is plenty storage space. One bathroom with bath tub. Most importantly, the large, lush, natural common spaces will make you go crazy. Outdoor and indoor gardens. The room that is available is medium-sized with hardwood floor, window, and heat. Rent is $666.66 each month (Rent for entire apartment is $2000 and we split equally three ways) Deposit = $666.66 ($1333.32 to move in) We are Chunklundt, a two-woman artist group. Please contact us at ebentley9(at)gmail.com. NOTE: This email was wrong last week; if yo u emailed, please contact them again.
• Sunny Top Floor of Private Home Available July 1.The whole top floor of our two-family home in Bushwick is available July 1 for $1,450. Sunny, beautiful two-bedroom railroad apartment in Bushwick with bonus small bedroom/office. Tall ceilings. Free WiFi, heat, water, gas. It's good for roommates (you don't have to walk thru each other's rooms), but it's perfect for a couple. Close to Myrtle-Wyckoff L/M train, Gates J. Contact libby(at)nonsensenyc.com
• We've got a nice big room coming available in our apartment in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It's a huge five-bedroom apartment, the room can fit a queen bed with plenty of space for a dresser, desk, etc. There are two big full bathrooms, a large furnished living room with a plasma TV and bay windows, a huge eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors, and a bunch of fireplaces that don't work but look pretty freaking cool. If you've never been by, it's on the corner of Dekalb and Carlton Avenue smack in the middle of an amazing neighborhood and one block from Fort Greene Park. Rent will be about $850/month, available June 1. Contact Seth, sethparis(at)gmail.com.
• Summer Sublet Available for June through August. Rent is $800 permonth plus $50 utilities, including wireless internet. Grad student/media maker looking for a kid-friendly, queer-friendly, safe, responsible roommate to share my two and a half bedroom apartment in Crown Heights -- on a small street near the 2,3,4,5, Franklin Avenue subway. The room is about 10 by 12 feet, has lots of light and a large closet. And it's available in June. In terms of the kid-friendly part, my eleven-year-old son stays with me quite a bit over the summer. The Central Library, Prospect Park, laundromat and decent food shopping are all close by, including the Grand Army Plaza farmers market. Contact fivel.rothberg(at)gmail.com or 215 990 4442.
• Three-bedroom garden apartment for summer sublet in Williamsburg. Fully furnished and lovingly decorated, at South 4th between Bedford and Driggs. We have been in our lovely apartment for over three years, and we are dancers, musicians and artists. The garden and patio is huge and so perfect in the warm weather. We are preferably looking for a group of female housemates to live in this special place. Dimensions of the available bedrooms are each around ten by twelve, all rooms have windows and exposed brick, some open to the garden and one has a decorative fireplace. Shared areas are also fully furnished, exposed brick, wifi, dvd-player, bathtub, and great water pressure. We like to keep it pretty clean. Move-in early July and stay at least through August or the fall, or we can talk about a month-to-month agreement that covers a longer period of time. Contact thegirlz(at)suspiciouspackage.info.
• Windsor Terrace/Park Slope Sublet from June 15-August. Best deal in Brooklyn. $550 per month, including utilities. Super safe neighborhood - 15th Street, Prospect Park stop on the F. 24-hour delis nearby; one block away from Prospect Park. Room is nine by ten feet, with a window and closet. No pets allowed. One other roommate -me, 28. Contact bakaitis(at)gmail.com.
• Art/Writing/Freelance office/studio space available in East Williamsburg. We need a new space mate. This place is a steal. Roomy, sunny, fully equipped with kitchen, AC, internet, weekly cleaners, hardwood floors, slop sink, even showers. Only $280 per month (that's everything), month to month. Whole space is about 680 square feet, shared among five of us. Each person has enough room for a big desk or table, some extra storage, and plenty of breathing room. We are friendly but relatively quiet, so it's a good place to get work done. At Meserole and Bushwick, two blocks from the Montrose L. Secure building, great neighborhood, good people. Email calla.cofield gmail.com.

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:

***** God-Like *****

http://spectregroup.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/god-like/

Scientists Create Synthetic Organism
npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127010591&ft=1&f=1001 online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703559004575256470152341984.html "Scientists for the first time have created a synthetic cell, completely controlled by man-made genetic instructions. Created at a cost of $40 million, this experimental one-cell organism, which can reproduce, opens the way to the manipulation of life on a previously unattainable scale. Several companies are already seeking to take advantage of the new field, called synthetic biology, which combines chemistry, computer science, molecular biology, genetics and cell biology to breed industrial life forms that can secrete fuels, vaccines or other commercial products. Synthetic Genomics Inc., a company founded by Dr. Venter, provided $30 million to fund the experiments and owns the intellectual-property rights to the cell-creation techniques. The company has a $600 million contract with Exxon Mobil Corp. to design algae that can capture carbon dioxide and make fuel. To make the synthetic cell, a team of 25 researchers at labs in Rockville, Md., and San Diego, led by bioengineer D aniel Gibson and Mr. Venter, essentially turned computer code into a new life form. They started with a species of bacteria called Mycoplasma capricolum and, by replacing its genome with one they wrote themselves, turned it into a customized variant of a second existing species, called Mycoplasma mycoides, they reported. To begin, they wrote out the creature's entire genetic code as a digital computer file, documenting more than one million base pairs of DNA in a biochemical alphabet of adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine. They edited that file, adding new code, and then sent that electronic data to a DNA sequencing company called Blue Heron Bio in Bothell, Wash., where it was transformed into hundreds of small pieces of chemical DNA. To assemble the strips of DNA, the researchers said they took advantage of the natural capacities of yeast and other bacteria to meld genes and chromosomes in order to stitch those short sequences into ever-longer fragments until they had assembled the complete genome, as the entire set of an organism's genetic instructions is called. They transplanted that master set of genes into an emptied cell, where it converted the cell into a different species. The scientists didn't give the new organism its own species name, but they did give its synthetic genome an official version number, Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0. To set this novel bacterium -- and all its descendants -- apart from any natural creation, Dr. Venter and his colleagues wrote their names into its chemical DNA code, along with three apt quotations from James Joyce and others. These genetic watermarks will, eventually, allow the researchers to assert ownership of the cells. "You have to have a way of tracking it," said Stanford ethicist Mildred Cho, who has studied the issues posed by the creation of such organisms."

'Booting Up' Cells
youtube.com/watch?v=WbNumLzNk
youtube.com/watch#!v=dvBV2qnSZwo
youtube.com/watch?v=nKZ-GjSaqgo
edge.org/3rd_culture/age_of_wonder10/age_of_wonder_index.html

No Gods No Masters
guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/andrewbrown/2010/may/20/craig-venter-life-god "Craig Venter's production of an entirely artificial bacterium marks another triumph of the only major scientific programme driven from the beginning by explicit atheism. Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA, was a militant atheist, who refused to accept a job at a newly founded Cambridge college if it had a chapel, and who invented molecular biology partly to prove there was nothing special or mystical about life: it was just the behaviour of complex chemicals acting in accordance with the normal laws of nature. Now Venter says he has built a living bacterium from nothing but chemicals and code: "Our cell has been totally derived from four bottles of chemicals", he says. In fact, it was grown using yeast as an intermediary, but to the molecular biologist, organisms are just another kind of apparatus. It looks like the complete triumph of the materialist program. Atheists of the Dawkins type will take it as practical proof that there is no need to hypothes ise God at all: we can make life without any miracles, and there's no need to imagine a creator. Descending from these rarefied speculations, there's a much lower and more urgent sense in which Venter will disturb theologians and atheists alike. The man who can make life can also give humans apparently godlike powers. "We are as gods and might as well get good at it" said the Californian visionary Stewart Brand 40 years ago; and Venter's techniques should make it possible to engineer bacteria to do almost anything we can imagine, from cleaning up the oceans to supplying us with energy. The bacteria found in nature can work like the philosophers" stone, transforming almost any substance into anything. The trouble with gods, as the Greek philosophers observed, is that they were not any morally better than humans, just more powerful."

First Self-Replicating Synthetic
jcvi.org/cms/research/projects/first
jcvi.org/cms/research/projects/first-self-replicating-synthetic-bacterial-cell/overview/ jcvi.org/cms/fileadmin/site/research/projects/first-self-replicating-bact-cell/fact-sheet1.pdf sciencemag.org/cgi/rapidpdf/science.1190719v1.pdf

Previously on Spectre _ Pan-Fried T-Rex with Apricot Mint Chutney Glaze spectregroup.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/pan-fried-t-rex-with-apricot-mint-chutney-glaze/ Algae to Oil - Hacking Nature (for Salvation and Profit) spectregroup.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/hacking-nature-for-salvation-and-profit/

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 *****

Puppets Intensive

Bring a storybook character to life, prep for a performance, or make yourself a sidekick. Whether a teeny finger puppet or a gargantuan multi-person contraption, puppets are an effective way to encourage expression, realize characters, and delight audiences and classrooms alike. This class will run through all sorts of construction methods to best develop your puppet’s personalty: shadow, stick, sock, cone, marionette, and two person puppets from all over the world. Led by Joy Suarez.

Materials for the Arts
33-00 Northern Boulevard, third floor, Long Island City, Queens 10a-4p; $32
mfta.org

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

Community Garden Compost Demo Sites Biking Tour

Join the NYC Compost Project for an easy bike tour of five community garden Compost Demo Sites in the East Village and Lower East Side. Compost Demo Sites are locations (community gardens, parks, schools, and institutions) with exemplary composting operations that are committed to teaching New Yorkers about the benefits of composting. These sites have been formally recognized by the NYC Compost Project and provide in-the-field expertise on how to compost and/or better your existing composting program. Registration is required, just bring your bike, helmet, and water bottle.

Meet at Union Square
17th Street and Union Square East, Manhattan 11a-1p; $free
info@lesecologycenter.org

***** LEARNING: SUNDAY *****

The Responsible Carnivore: Hands-On Cooking with Sustainable Meat

Chef Emily Peterson shows how to make sustainable choices in the meat department and techniques for preserving the farm-based flavor. Taste grass-finished steak hot off the grill, rare breed pork from happy pigs, and roasted chicken raised the way nature intended. We will discuss special cooking concerns and why it initially seems that "good" meat is so much more expensive. (It isn't.) You'll return to the meat department an educated buyer and even better cook.

Our sustainable menu will include Crostini di Fegatini (Chicken Paté on Toast), Spicy Asian-style Pork in Butter Lettuce Purses, Chef Emily's Secret Family Recipe Lemon Chicken, and Grilled Marinated Hangar Steaks with Fresh Herb Chimmichurri. Plus a resident wine expert will lead you on a tasting tour of some organic, biodynamic, and natural wine pairings for your culinary creations.

Astor Center
399 Lafayette Avenue, Manhattan
$125; noon-4p
astorcenternyc.com

***** LEARNING: Also on SUNDAY *****

African Dance

It's the Second Annual Minisink Ole-Fashioned African Dance Class, in tribute to musician James Cherry. Following a 1:30p "Meet, greet, and Connect," Dr. Chuck Davis will lead a master dance class at 3p.

Minisink Townhouse
646 Lenox Avenue, Manhattan
1:30-5p; $donation
646-554-7692

***** LEARNING: Also on SUNDAY *****

The Business of Burlesque

The New York School of Burlesque presents pointers on how to fill out a festival application with NY Burlesque Festival producer Angie Pontani. Learn what will catch the eye of producers and make your application stand out from hundreds of others. In this class, we will discuss clear ways to answer questions, what types of act to apply with, tips on your video submission, and your still photo submissions plus you'll learn the top mistakes people make when filling out the applications. Also, Jo Weldon will provide Angie with a brief commentary on how the judges at the Miss Exotic World/Burlesque Hall of Fame pageant talk about their concerns and reactions before and after the pageant.

School of Burlesque
440 Lafayette Street, Manhattan
4-5:30p; $25
schoolofburlesque.com

***** LEARNING: MONDAY *****

Brooklyn Boot Camp

The strong and knowledgeable trainer Makeda Voletta strategically uses the natural terrain in hilly Fort Greene Park to maximize the effect of her strength and conditioning exercises in this 15-session boot camp for men and women (ages 14 and up). Measurements and body compositiion will be taken to measure progress over the three-week period. Proper technique, form, and breathing will be emphasized. The workouts will intensify each week and there will be various drills in which you will be expected to work as a team. This will be a high-intensity workout with short rest periods. There will be drills for speed, strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, power, balance, and agility. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, May 24 through June 11.

Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
Choose from three time slots: 6:15-7:15a; 7:30-8:30a; noon-1p; $180 for 15 sessions queenmakedab(at)aol.com
makedavoletta(at)eliteartandscience.com

***** LEARNING: Also on MONDAY *****

Forum Theater Techniques

In celebration of its 20th year, the Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory (TOPLAB) is teaming up with the Brecht Forum present the techniques of Forum Theater. Facilitated by Julian Boal and TOPLAB facilitators, the runs three days in a row starting Monday. (There will be a second chance to take the workshop May 27–29, same times.) Participants will learn exercises, games, and improvised Forum Theater scene work from the Theater of the Oppressed repertory, developed by the late Brazilian director, popular educator, and Workers Party activist Augusto Boal. You'll be asked to tell a true story about an incident of oppression that happened to you, and where your attempt to challenge and correct the situation was ineffective. A skit presenting that problem is then improvised and presented. Then the audience discusses the protagonist's attempt to resolve the oppressive situation, and the scene is performed once more. This time, audience members are urged to stop the action, come on stage to replace an original actor, and enact their own ideas of how to correct the situation. The goal is not to find an ideal solution, but to invent new ways of confronting oppression. Wednesday night, workshop members will present a performance of Forum Theater, open to the general public.

Brecht Forum
451 West Street, Manhattan
10a-4:30p Monday-Wednesday; $375
You must apply to enroll: brechtforum.org/julian/application

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

No-Sew Costumes

Want to be a king or a peasant? An Arabian princess or a ballerina? Keep your sewing machine in the closet, and try MFTA's no-sew techniques for creating high quality costumes for stage or the classroom. We’ll explore how different fabrics, various draping techniques, and strategic cuts can transform basic structures, like the tunic, into costumes for the washerwoman or Victorian lady. It’s remarkable what you can create with a good pair of fabric scissors and a well-stocked glue gun.

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

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

Liberation Ecology: Making Sustainability Matter

Rafter Sass explains how we can liberate communities while protecting ecosystems. There is an emerging paradigm that builds on the connections between healthy, empowered communities and diverse, resilient ecosystems. Come join us for an evening of presentation and facilitated discussion, as we explore how to strategically connect our own work with this emerging movement.

The Commons Brooklyn
388 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
6:30p; suggested donation $5
eliaolik(at)gmail.com

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

Beginning MIG Welding with Hans

The class that made Madagascar Institute famous. 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. MIG welding is the handy hot glue, do-all kind of welding, the primary kind of welding used in making train cars, art, cranes, etc. All sorts of people have come through Madagascar Institute knowing nothing about a shop and have become capable metal workers, get your start here. Bring leather gloves and eye protection, and wear heavy-duty all natural fibers–in other words, 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: madagascarinstitute.com

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

Tai Chi Chuan I at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn. Five Fridays starting May 28, 11a-noon. bbg.org.

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 *****

Computer Instruction for Job Seekers

Sweetwise Partners is seeking volunteers to assist motivated low-income individuals to improve their computer skills. You will work one on one on a laptop with a job-seeker to help them develop basic computer skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

300 Madison Avenue, Manhattan
9:30a-noon
bit.ly/bRKHqu

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

Hudson River Cleanup

Join Friends of Hudson River Park in our efforts to help care for the more than 400 acres of water in Hudson River Park's Estuarine Sanctuary. The Clean Sanctuary Campaign has been created to remove debris from the river, as floatables and flotsam arrive daily with the tide. We will provide skimmers, telescoping hook poles, trash bags and gloves.

Sturdy footwear with deep treads, and long pants are required. Dress for weather as the clean-up will take place outside in the Park. Volunteers must pre-register by emailing the address below.

Pier 54
West Side Highway, south of 14th Street 9-11a
bit.ly/bjlgNf
volunteer(at)fohrp.org

***** HELP: SUNDAY *****

Central Park Clowning

Foundation Fighting Blindness needs a clown to entertain children at our next charity walk being held at the Central Park Band Shell. Balloon shapes, face painting, card tricks, juggling, and so on.

Bandshell at 72nd Street, Manhattan
8a-noon
bit.ly/bkbGAy

***** HELP: SUNDAY *****

Drums Along the Hudson

The Eigth annual Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival will be once again held at Inwood Hill Park. The event is co-sponsored by the NYC Parks Department. The day includes multicultural dancers and musicians, storytelling tent, environmental tent and a pow wow circle with Native American dancers and drummers. We will need volunteers at several sites within the park. Volunteers will need to greet the public, hand out programs, sell non-alcoholic beverages and Lotus merchandise, monitor the storytelling tent area, monitor the environmental tent area, assist with the multiculutral performers in the dressing room tent and at the stage area. Vounteers will also help in the pow wow circle. Volunteers are also needed to hlep set up the various areas in the morning and some will be asked to help with the breakdown at the end of the day.

Inwood Hill Park
218th Street and Seaman Avenue, Manhattan 8a-7p
bit.ly/9WxwAY

***** HELP: MONDAY *****

Pantry Day

Come help The Nourishing Kitchen of NYC with Pantry Day. We need teams of volunteers to work on both packing the food and distributing it to our clients, and outreach work including putting up and handing out fliers in the local community to get the word out. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Kitchen.

281 Pleasant Ave at 115th Street, Manhattan 3-5p
(646) 524-7627
bit.ly/awFCDL

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

The Living Pavilion

We are looking for crew members to help build the City of Dreams Pavilion on Governors Island starting next week. This is a very exciting new part of Figment that scales up the idea of participatory sculpture to the architectural scale. It is a living structure made out of plants and milk crates that was selected by jury out of 50 entries.

We need help planting and assembling. No experience is necessary. It's a big job and time is short, so your help is critical. Construction is happening on the Island during daytime weekday hours. This is a very good opportunity for someone unemployed or otherwise with free time on their hands to be part of a project with a lot of cultural currency that's already gotten tons of press. Plus we can spend some time in the sun together on a quiet island making something cool happen, and that is going to be fun. Please be in touch if you’re interested.

Daniela, daniela.morell(at)gmail.com
bit.ly/dDdpOk

***** HELP: deadline JUNE 1 *****

Logo Design

The 4th Street Food Co-op comprises a community of people who care about food and its production. The completely vegetarian member-run food co-op (the only one in Manhattan) offers healthy, high-quality and ethically-produced food. Fresh produce, bulk and packaged goods and many locally produced items (produce, grains, beans) are available for purchase to the public. Products are organic or better, and we avoid buying from transnational corporations. As a non-profit co-op, we can offer some of the most competitive prices in the area.

We’re having a design competition for a new logo for the co-op. Anyone may submit a logo, and multiple submissions/variations are permitted. E-mail for a design brief with all the details. The winner gets $250 cash or the equivalent in membership dues.

social(at)4thstreetfoodcoop.org
bit.ly/9BCzKr

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

• 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 5. Pudding Wrestling. We’re looking for men/women that are relatively fit, who don't mind wearing a bathing suit, and that would like to volunteer to wrestle in a Pudding Wrestling event to be held at a local venue on June 5. All proceeds will be going towards the gulf-oil cleanup - the only overhead will be the cost of the pudding. If you don't mind getting covered in pudding, having fun and enjoy entertaining a bunch of people, please email me and let me know if you are interested. There will be prizes for the winners. bit.ly/9uRie5
• June 18-27. BoCoCa Arts Festival. Volunteers needed for the box office, postering, venue managing, and more. There will be a mandatory training session prior to the festival, and you get free access to all festival shows and our lifetime gratitude. bococaartsfestival.com/InKindSupport.php
• 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

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Between a long month and a longer night.