From: "Jeff Stark" <jstark@nonsensenyc.com>
Subject: nonsensenyc: 7.30 to 8.5
Date: July 30th 2010

Friday, July 30
* Circus Gold Presents: Neighborhood Watch, Williamsburg * Bailout Theater Goes to Graceland, Manhattan * The Free Cookies Variety Show, Manhattan * Lucky Gallery, Brooklyn
* Basscatcher, Williamsburg
* The Songs of Lewis and Clark, and Other American Roots, Brooklyn * Antigone, Brooklyn
* Karnival of Kuriosities, Brooklyn

Saturday, July 31
* Life of Fire, Brooklyn
* FreaKKshow 3, Brooklyn
* Giant Rooftop Dance Party, Brooklyn
* The Galapagos Floating Kabarette, Brooklyn * The Coney Island Talent Show, Brooklyn * Pete's Mini Zine Fest, Williamsburg
* Mind-Full, Manhattan
* The HiChristina! Bikini Melt With Real Cheddar, Manhattan * Conscious Cycle on Roosevelt Island, Roosevelt Island * The Lost Circus
* Greenpoint's Human Chess-to-the-Death Match, Brooklyn * The Robert Moses Walk Project: Sunset Park Pool Tour, Brooklyn * Frolic, Manhattan
* Summer Rooftop Throwdown, Brooklyn

Sunday, August 1
* The First Massive Mad Hatter Tea Party, Manhattan * Hip Hop Subway Series, Manhattan
* The Secret City, Manhattan
* Superfreak, Williamsburg

Tuesday, August 3
* Poets and Writers Magazine Summer Party Featuring the Poetry Brothel, Manhattan

Wednesday, August 4
* Social Tees Animal Rescue Benefit Show, Manhattan * The Bushwick Book Club, Brooklyn

Thursday, August 5
* Hobby, Brooklyn

Wishlist
* Trivia Champs

Spectre
* Signal Interference 1 : Coerced Self-Censorship

Learning
* Lock picking

Help
* Cuchifritos: Gallery Assistant

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

Red
Fish
Smoking

XXXXX FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 XXXXX

Circus Gold Presents: Neighborhood Watch

Three-day event featuring art, movies, puppets, DJ dance party, music, raffle, games, kung fu, costume party, and more.

Event includes: films, daily games for prizes with raffle drawing, DJ Dojo drawing room/kung fu class, puppet DJ dance costume party, Bruce Lee Smoothies, and clothing and accessories.

Artists: Briar Bonifacio, JLaw, Zach McDonald, Patrick Griffen, David Perez, Stephen Fitzgerald, Kim Swift, Cherie Weaver, Hayden Dunham, Arden Fanning, Trinh Huynh, Elizabeth Huey, Joesph Phillips, Carly Rabalias, LaBrona, and more.

Live With Animals
210 Kent, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
6-11p; $suggested donation
Continues SATURDAY
circusgoldgmail.com
circusgold.com
For daily event schedule and to RVSP go to the circus gold page on facebook

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

Bailout Theater Goes to Graceland

Come to a special edition of Bailout Theater, featuring a borderline ridiculous alt, folk, glam, pop, celtic, blues, rock, show tune, calypso banjo live concert reinterpetation of Paul Simon's classic album Graceland, in it's entirety. Plus, even more, better dinner than usual, included.

If you have come to our regular, completely free Wednesday shows, then you know how it works. Tons of inexplicably excellent free food from John's Pizzeria, NoHo Deli, Hummus Place, and other local restaurants, along with dinners home made with fresh organic produce from our friends at Norwich Meadows farms and potluck desserts. Then, local artists running the gamut from solo comedy acts to 25-person choreographed dance debuts to public hootenannys to Shakespearean farces.

We're working on making this continue, still for free, only bigger and better and more often. With just a little bit of help from our faithful friends and patrons, this can happen. Check out some of the musicians who will be performing the album: Alex Mallett, John Cormier, Jonny B. Goodman, Eli Maniscalco, Becca Hasselbrook, Micah Bucey, Flannery Spring-Robinson, and Andrew Fox.

Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
7:30p dinner, 8p show; $20 suggested donation, nobody turned away 212 477 0351 x 28
infobailout-theater.org
bailout-theater.org/

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

The Free Cookies Variety Show

Hosted by Scott Alexander, who has met all of the performers while giving out homemade cookies from an inflatable couch at random times and locations.

Since last August I have been appearing at random times and locations with a large batch of homemade vegan cookies. I sit on an inflatable couch and offer them to people as they pass by. I announce my location via twitter/FreeCookiesNyc Facebook.com/FreeCookiesNyc Obviously many decline, but it does not hurt my feelings.

It has proven itself an incredibly efficient way to meet people. Greater still, is that the nature of the project does not lead to me simply promoting myself. I give attention, I get attention. Nobody is left out and there is no scene for Free Cookies. Unless of course, you consider curious and friendly people a demographic.

I am still giddy from all the attention I have received, but feel it is only fair to share it. So I’m hosting this variety show, which will feature many of the curious, friendly and talented people I have met. I will of course be baking plenty of free cookies too. Featuring: Scott Alexander (nonrepetitive pop), Alma the Seer (psychic), Ken Jespen (Comedy), Kita St. CyrDave Keating (multitalented), and more.

Suffolk Event Space
107 Suffolk, between Delancey and Rivington, Manhattan 9p doors, 10p show; $5 includes free cookies FreeCookiesNycgmail.com

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

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

Lucky Gallery

The final event for Lucky Gallery, the closing party for Lucky Gallery. This is a celebration of more than a year of Lucky exhibitions and events and includes musical performances by Yagil, Mighty Alpacas, Comadante Zero in collaboration with visual artist 0h10M1ke, and from Boston the Gondoliers and performance artist Heidi Jane. In between sets enjoy the sounds of DJ Spacey Sissick who will end the evening with sweaty dance party.

There will be special surprise performances throughout the evening. Beer and wine will be provided with special drink specials over the course of the night. Come and say goodbye, buy a Lucky Gallery T-shirt, and enjoy an evening of some of the best entertainment South Brooklyn in the tropics of Red Hook.

Lucky Gallery
176 Richards Street, Brooklyn
7p-midnight; $free
617 417 3899
LauraLuckyGallery.com
LuckyGallery.com

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

Urban Cabaret presents:

Basscatcher

West Coast meets East Coast in a World Fusion of bass. A sizzling mix of breaks and dubstep. Catch the Eastern-influenced waves with David Starfire, the Bhangra breaks/dubstep master, the habanero spicy Latin flavor from non other than El Papa Chango, the red, green and gold beats of Liondub, and Joro Boro's upbeat Baltic sounds. There's art and performers in a steampunk circus and tribal world colliding at the castle.

This show is a part of our Superfreak Weekend All Weekend Long Festival, attendees of Basscatcher will receive discounts on the full line up of parties this weekend.

RSVP for address and passcode
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
10p-4a; $15
thepartythatneverwas.com

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

TankerTunes No. 1 in the Folk Afloat Music presents:

The Songs of Lewis and Clark, and Other American Roots

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Sara Bouchard sings selections from her album Songs of Lewis and Clark, featuring lyrics taken from the journals of the 1804-1806 expedition up the Missouri river and across the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean. After a solo, Bouchard will be joined by the Union Street Preservation Society, a string band whose soulful vocal harmonies blend with down-home country picking on beloved blues, folk and gospel tunes, offering as a backdrop the recurrence of water, travel and landscape in the American folk tradition.

Aboard the Mary Whalen tanker ship
Pier 11, Atlantic Basin, Red Hook (pedestrian entrance at Pioneer and Conover), Brooklyn 8:45p; $10
tankertunelewisandclark.eventbrite.com
portsidenewyork.org/PortSideRedHookGuide.pdf

NOTE: This performance happens on the deck of a boat anchored in a very unusual part of Red Hook.

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

Antigone

A genderqueered act of resistance. Theater Transgression remixes gender, power, interactive video, wearable sculpture, gutter glamour and queer grandeur in an intergalactic explosion of color in post-apocalyptic Thebes. A superstar virtual chorus joins a cast of eight transgender and genderqueer actors to retell this tale of war, authoritarianism, defiance, and love.

House Of Yes
342 Maujer Street, near Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn L train to Grand Street Station
8p; $16 seats, $10 standing room
Continues SATURDAY

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

Karnival of Kuriosities

In the age of the glamorous cirque-style spectacle, anarchy and rebellion are often forgotten. The word carnival itself is associated with scantily-clad showgirls, while its roots in the “carnal” are neglected. This Friday, July 30, we bring you the meat and the mayhem that circus is made of. This disaster of a show will feature things that aren’t even possible. (Unfortunately we had to comply with House of Yes’ rules, and throw in a few scantily clad showgirls anyways just to keep ‘em happy.)

Starring: Albert Cadabra, Betty Bloomerz, Anya Sapozhnikova, Vermont Joy Parade.

House of Yes
342 Maujer Street, at Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn L train to Grand Street station
11p doors, 11:30p show; $10
houseofyes.org/events/karnival-of-kuriosities/

XXXXX SATURDAY, JULY 31 XXXXX

Life of Fire

TheDanger, 3rd Ward, Mister Saturday Night, Blk Market Membership and the Lady Circus are combining forces to build an urban landscape of sculpture lit by flames, riotous performance, and all-night DJs nestled within three cavernous warehouses in the heart of Brooklyn.

Arrive Early for the Egyptian Lover and Afrika Bambaataa (!) The forefathers of electro and hip-hop are playing the same stage for the first time. This epic pair will be setting off the night at 10p. Icons of music history and future, these men will amaze as they show a new generation of music selectors how it's done.

Stay All Night With: Mister Saturday Night with Justin Carter, Blk Market Membership with Taimur and Fahad, dj Fflood with dark funk-house fresh from the West Coast, local favorite Jesse Mann, a surprise appearance from the secret DJ, and the sunrise ceremony set from Zemi 17.

Before touring to Burning Man, the infamous Image Node is bringing a dome full of sight and sound featuring live ambient trip-hop by Autophage, experimental downtempo from Borne, Ezekiel Honig, FutureBen and DJ Tinseltown with visuals by the Housewives' Guide To Anatomy, Fuzzy Bastard plus special guests.

The daredevil beauties of the Lady Circus are orchestrating a Vermont invasion, including live brass, backwoods funk and the all girl jug band, Lady Tub, the mysteries of the Mickey Western Band, old-time folk from Anna Pardenik and the loud, gorgeous cacophony of the Vermont Joy Parade. Dozens of performers will climb through the crowds, the ruins, and the sculpture that inhabit them as lead by Xango Shola along with the fire mavens Sandhi Ferreira and Phoenix of Ashes. Master builder Rosanna Scimeca is creating a cathedral like entrance with an ornate steel, fire and sound installation featuring the famed Gamelatron, the worlds first full robotic Indonesian Gamelan. Ice sculptors Josh Kalin and David Sarussi will build a room of ice and flame live while Betty Brooklyn servers liquor drenched sundaes and ice cream dreams.

Beginning at 260 Meserole Street, Brooklyn. L train to Montrose Avenue station
7p-7a; $15 before 9:15p, $20 after
21 and over
lifeoffire.com

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

Kostume Kult presents:

FreaKKshow 3

Kostume Kult's FreaKKshow is a freakky fashiony event with 24 hours of music and artistic diversions where everyone's inner freaks are invited to come out and play. Its olde-school circus meet futuristic fabulousness where community members create a variety of sideshow attractions and other interactive performances. All absurd notions and divine inspirations are welcome. Come during the day for the music, barbecue and crafting and stay for madness that will follow. Decor theme is freakky carnivale, county fair, sideshow, busker style roving performance, gorilla theater ... anything goes.

Featuring a large of outdoor space and a well air conditioned interior, there will be multiple stages and space for a variety of concurrent activities. Freakky attractions, artistic creations, creative vending, and services:

Aphrodisiac chocolates, Dr. Adventure's Super Circus Sideshow and Cabinet of Wonders, Lollygoa's Dukky Katch Gaming, skee-ball, arcade shooing, Kiss N Boom by Michael White, Kannible Kafe Grill and Eatery, Meki's FreaKKshow Fun Bites and iScream, Stardust tarot readings, VJ Krunch (Kurt Ritta), Raconna Matata Belly Dancers, Hatha Bhakti Yoga and chanting by Jothy Jai Jackson (Jcubed), ShiZaru's Evolving Ema, Urban Jungle Healing, tantric workshop by Luba Evans, Target Assult by screaMachine, Metropickle Bobbing Booth, Tara Mcmanus' stilt walking and fire performance, Georgio the Human Carpet, the Amazing Amy Contortionist / Yoga Dancing, the Fire Within (Jasmine FireBird et al), David Katz's Mermaid Picture Pool, karaoke, balloon art and freakky fun games by Michael Cha, and silkscreening by Werk.

Plus roaming freak performance art, costumes, clowns, photographers, massage, hoopers, dancers, fire spinners and poi artist performances throughout the day and night. DJs playing Electro, House, Breaks, Dubstep, EDM, Funk, PsyTrance, Global Bass, Gypsy Funk, Fidget, Bassline, Gypsy Funk, Glam and much, much more.

DJs and musical performances by Tim the Enchanter, Barney Iller, Shakey, Dougie Styles, Cumba Mela, Joro Boro, Arrow Chrome, the Bass, Orion Keyser, Nebula, Tektite, Friar Tuck, Not a Drum Circle (Rhythmic Percussion Fusion by DJ Mic Rage and guests), Disco Monkeys, Morph's Saru, $mall Change, DJ Boris, Soroka, and MCs Christopher Hardwick and Jungle Jerry.

RSVP for address, Brooklyn
Noon until noon; $15 presale, $20 at the venue ShiZaru.zoegmail.com
kostumekult.com/events/freakkshow3/
facebook.com/event.php?eid=118346204877080

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

Giant Rooftop Dance Party

Five super secret special DJs spinning: deep house, minimal wave, dark disco, electro-funk, afropop, bass, bomboclat, ass claps, dub step, sock hop, true step, witch house, stevie nick's haus, DJ Screw, tropical fucking fantasy, bangra bangwave, rave wave, glitch bounze, hyphy, minimal baby.

260 Moore Street, Brooklyn
L train to Morgan station
9p; $5 until 10p, $10 after
facebook.com/event.php?eid=104152716305078&ref=ts

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

The Galapagos Floating Kabarette

The best in NYC’s underground cabaret. This week features the sexy sirens -- and full production numbers of -- Jenny Rocha and Her Painted Ladies, the sensual songstress and sinful stylings of Lady Scoutington, the woman who broke a thousand hearts in Moldova, Rita MenWeep and the man who brought a drunk porcupine to his high school reunion, Ambrose Martos. With special guest the Boylesque Boywonder a handsome man and a trapeze sensation. Galapagos has a 1600 square foot lake inside our building -- with island seating on the lake.

Galapagos
16 Main Street, Brooklyn
10p; $free to the first 25 guests, $5 after galapagosartspace.com

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

Thirsty Girl Productions presents:

The Coney Island Talent Show

A spectacle of sunshine and lollipops on the boardwalk. Coney Island’s talent and entertainment history runs deep. Since the late 1800s, live music, sideshows and burlesque shows have peppered the boardwalk to the midway, and enchanted the masses.

It is the perfect place for a talent show. Join Hostess Miss Saturn, the World Famous Bob, and the fanfare of legendary talent that has come out of Coney Island, by being a part of the first ever Coney Island Talent Show on the boardwalk.

Categories for this year’s talent contest are Best Drag Performance or Celebrity Impersonator, Circus Freaks and Sideshow Geeks (including all variety, novelty acts), Dance your Pants Off (including soloists, troupes, and step teams), Creative Kids 9-12years, and Sassy Seniors 60 and up. The sub category in each level is Best Costume so contestants are sure to add some pizzazz to their outfit for this Coney Island affair.

Featured performers include; comedian/musician, Jessica Delfino, Jelvis, the Jewish Elvis Impersonator, The Amazing Amy, a Yoga Dancing Contortionist, the Rhinestone Follies, a showgirl troupe from Brooklyn, the Minsky Sisters, a vaudeville tap dancing duo, 10 year old Carly Rose Sonencla, who sang in the opening ceremonies of last year ‘s US Open and 12 year old Phineas who juggles knives.

That’s just a taste of all the great performers ranging from sword swallowers and magicians to musicians and dancers. First prize in each category will receive a cash prize of $200, a season pass to participating Coney Island Amusements and an opportunity to perform live before a Brooklyn Cyclone’s Baseball Game, the 22nd Tattoo & Motorcycle Festival, or the 8th Annual New York Burlesque Festival.

Coney Island Boardwalk, between 10th and 12th streets, Brooklyn 4-8p; $free
thirstygirlproductions.com

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

Pete's Mini Zine Fest

A free event focused on the amazing zine scene we have here in NYC. Artists will be tabling. Support the zine community in your own backyard. Give a little love -- buy a little zine.

We have a fantastic line up, over 20 zinesters, graphic artists, photographers and bookmakers attending. Plus performances by local singers, bands, bookmaking demonstrations, and more.

Featuring: Esther K Smith, author/designer of How to Make Books, and music by Scott Magri, John Henry Olthoff, Rad Unicorn, and Sarah Y Sue Cochito.

Zines: We’ll Never Have Paris, The Hookah Girl, The La-La Theory, 24-Hour Zine, Found Magazine, Hoax Zine, Absent-Cause Zine, and more.

Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 3-7p; $free?
petescandystore.com

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

Mind-Full

We're here to bring about change. We've come from penthouses and alleyways, brownstones and brownbags. City slums and country roads. We are those tired of seeing our art and culture sucked up into the endless maw of plate-glass gallery districts and corporate commercialism. We feel that art belongs off the walls and onto the streets, out of the pockets of the powerful and back into the hearts and minds of those who make it possible: we, the people. We stand, backs strong and fists clenched, ready for each new dawn that awaits us in static glory, a crackling hope that promises that this day won't be like it's brethren, for each night is pregnant with new possibility. We thrive whence things should not thrive. We live atop concrete and steel, where only the strongest of roots survive. We live, we love, we learn atop broken bottles and cracked asphalt. We are the lifeblood of this dying city. We are the Alternative Arts Association and we are coming to fuck with your head.

Alternative Arts Association to present our seventh multimedia production. Presented as an exploration into the thoughts, memories, deviations ,and fleeting inspirations that fill our minds and flood our dreams. We will dive headfirst into a cross-section of the human mindscape through a variety of media including, but never limited to film, dance, theatre, graphic art and spoken word, birthed by the collective consciousness of Alternative Arts' talented young family of artists.

Artists featured in this show include Nikki Baksh of Dolls of Eden, Joshua Fahrner, Alison Garber, Drew Henkels of Drew and the Medicinal Pen, Jeff Hermanski, Andrew Keil of the Two Bloody Tampons, Kevin Lawler, Brian MacMillan, Pearl Marasigan of Halo-Halob Inc., Fernando Molina, Rebekah Nelson, Exile Ramirez, Irina Sarnatskaya, Alley Scott, and Lawrence Whiteside of Cinema Set Free. Dj sets and post show dance party provided by the world famous party starters the Two Bloody Tampons.

Nicu's Spoon Theater
38 West 38th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue, Manhattan 7p; $7
alternativearts.org

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

The HiChristina! Bikini Melt With Real Cheddar

At last, HiChristina finally brings together hot bikini clad dance party and delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. (I know, it's been way too long!).

Tonight we dance and wear our favorite summer ocean attire and eat grilled cheese sandwiches, all during such sideshows as: belly ice melting contest "how long can you last," sun gun tanning salon "uv free," foreman grill foreplay "low calorie and spicy hot," Move it! -- the made-up dance move exchange program "everyone's the new kid in class."

Dance the night away, watch and play with speedos and cheetos! All these perfect elements coalesce into the most magnificent cheese filled, bathing suit wearing, fake tanning night you've ever had, and no doubt will ever have. Featuring DJ Glitter Girls. Cardboard clothing okay too!

HiChristina
163 Eldridge Street, Manhattan
10p; $10 byob and boyc (cheese), Fritz and Christina will supply bread and everything else fritzandchristinagmail.com
HiChristina.com

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

Conscious Cycle on Roosevelt Island

Conscious Cycle is a filmed interactive art event that brings artists and community members together in an effort to explore, educate, and learn about Conscious living and life’s Cyclical nature.

Conscious Cycle consists of the following: We reclaim discarded wood, build a wall out of it and invite artists to paint the wall, one after the other, while being filmed for a time-lapse movie. Mural themes revolve around Consciousness and Cycles. Throughout the event DJs play music, dancers perform, internal artists like yogis and tai chi practitioners teach and demonstrate, artists collaborate, and community members are encouraged to interact with the materials and us.

Three years old, this 8th Conscious Cycle goes down on Roosevelt Island this Saturday and Sunday. It’ll be full of conscious good times, suitable for all ages and it’s free. Please join in and explore your creativity. Plus we like to dance and the music is always great, come get down to the sights and sounds.

Conscious Cycle has been creating their interactive art environment at Figment on Governors Island since 2008, and they are excited to bring their vibe to another island! Come join us for another live painting event this Saturday and Sunday. We'll have bucket and spray paint. You bring your specific supplies. Let's make more art.

Roosevelt Island
Right behind the F train stop
Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1
12-5p both days; $free
bit.ly/aO8rvP
bit.ly/8XiXwK

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

Gemini and Scorpio present:

The Lost Circus

Circus meets dark cabaret with a steampunk twist. The Circus is said to have started in ancient Egypt when the court entertainers of an immortal Pharaoh escaped their slavery under a midnight moon. They have traveled the globe for centuries, gathering talent from every great empire as the empire itself begins to crumble: Istanbul, Saint Petersburg, London, Berlin, and now they have made it across the sea.

At the stroke of midnight, discover a circus long lost. With music from times gone by or times that never were: dark string fusion by Brooklyn's own Copal and bohemian cabaret in 13 languages by Vagabond Opera -- our special guests from Portland, OR. And announcing our secret guest: circus composer Sxip Shirey, on his last night before he leaves NYC.

The circus unfolds to the bands and in between: mind-bending contortion by Jonathan Nosan, aerial dance by Madeline Hoak; tribal fusion bellydance by Lauren Robbiani and special guest Rio; fire & gorgeousness by Ali Luminescent; gypsy fortunetelling by Kai Altair; an original installation and performance by artist (and Minsky Sister) Kristen Rhea van Liew. A special dark performance by the latex queen herself, The Baroness. Beautiful costumed creatures perform feats of fire in the courtyard. Dusty circus visuals set the mood. DJ sophybot fascinates your ears with a renegade circus tent soundtrack. With your ever-dapper host, steampunk author G.D. Falksen. Fanciful body artistry by AMBodyArt. Photo-op custom art installation with works by Molly Crabapple and Kathleen Green.

Dress code (required): dark cabaret, traveling circus, steampunk Victorian, Edward Gorey, Tim Burton, Mad Max, City of Lost Children.

Littlefield
622 Degraw, Brooklyn
11:30p-4a; $15 with RSVP, $20 without
geminiandscorpio.com/events.html

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

Greenpoint's Human Chess-to-the-Death Match

Renowned Italian conceptual artist and two-time Milano Chess Invitational Champion Santo Tolone will face-off against locally lauded Douglas Paulson in Greenpoint's Human Chess-to-the-Death Match.

Please join these competitors on the sidelines, or better yet: on the battlefield. It will take nerves of steel to be one of the 32 pieces. This is not an exercise in standing still. There will be dance moves, cussing, war-cries, face painting, and many many secret tricks up your sleeves. (Those sleeves, drinks, and tricks will be provided.)

To participate in this cruel game of wits, please email ahead of time.

The School of the Future
Dougherty Park, Brooklyn
3p; $free
doug@douglaspaulson.com
douglaspaulson.com

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

The Robert Moses Walk Project: Sunset Park Pool Tour

A series of three tours and receptions hosted by interdisciplinary artist Chloë Bass. The tours will take visitors through the urban sculptural works of Robert Moses, exploring their unique situation as functional art. The walks will examine three locations, beginning with the Sunset Park Pool tour today.

Completed in 1936, The Sunset Park Pool is one a series of Works Progress Administration (WPA) public pools in New York City. Renovated in 1984, the pool (and surrounding facilities, which include a children's sprinkler area, a bathhouse and locker room, and a comfort station) is now home to the Brooklyn Swim Team.

This collaboration between the Robert Moses Walk Project and the Sunset Park Pool is a wonderful opportunity to explore familiar landscape through the lens of creative practice and endurance architecture.

Each tour will be followed by a private reception. Attendance is limited to 12.

The Robert Moses Walk Project is a yearlong exploration of the public works of Robert Moses. Over 50 walks of varying sizes and lengths have taken place as part of the project, all designed to encourage exploration and foster discussion concerning Moses' role in the reshaping of New York City.

Sunset Park Pool
RSVP for address
4p; $5
blakeuntitledwalkproject.org
Continues August 18 and September 26

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

Fesivus Presents:

Frolic

New York's premier annual outdoor electronic music event, returns for its ninth year on The Great Hill in Central Park with a new name. As always this is a free event. We do ask for support through donations to off-set the costs involved with doing this event. Proceeds from this event will go to help support NYC children's music education programs.

This is a pet and family friendly event. Featuring in the daytime MKL, Joeski, Stadenco, and Taimur and Fahad. Special opening performance by the Ale Ale Drummers

Great Hill in Central Park, Manhattan
3-8p; $free
frolic-nyc.com

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

The Party That Never Was... Presents:

Summer Rooftop Throwdown

E-Money hosts Hirothejap, WCKIDS, and the house's DJs for a full on throw down. Cool sounds downstairs and inside, and rooftop lounge. This event becomes the afterparty for everything at 6a and then the official Kostume Kult Freakshow after party at 10am Sunday morning.

RSVP for location
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$10 before 11p, $15 after
thepartythatneverwas.com

XXXXX SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 XXXXX

The Free Art Society presents:

The First Massive Mad Hatter Tea Party

The Free Art Society presents the first annual Massive Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Be our guest. Join us for a spectacular Free Art Society interactive performance at the loooooong 60 foot table in the center circle in Tompkins Square park.

There will be Tea, Delicacies, LIve music, Live Art, Games, Prizes, Surprises, and of course - more fun than you can possibly consume in one sitting. Don't forget your hat, and your ticket.

The Free Art Society, a pending non-profit organization, is a community of artists living, working, and creating in New York City. They free art from traditional white-walled spaces and bring it into contact with the general public. They aim to liberate their audience through the encouragement of mass self-expression and are wholeheartedly dedicated to developing a creative community and rallying artists of all kinds. FAS events are interactive, multi-media inspired, and encourage people of all ages and walks of life to come together and free themselves through creativity.

Tompkins Square Park
Avenue A and 7th Street, Manhattan
6p sharp;
freeartssocietygmail.com
FreeArtSociety.com

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

Kid Lucky presents:

Hip Hop Subway Series

OK everyone I am back in NYC and back for the season finale of the Hip Hop Subway Series. Oh yeah I have traveled all around Europe and have had some very dope times. But nothing makes me happier than being back where it all started NYC. Grey Matter has been doing an excellent job stateside and wow it has been some train ride for me. Well we are gonna start at Union Square and cipher there then we gonna walk to the PATH train a block away and check this: We are gonna take the PATH to Newark and head out to the Rock Steady Anniversary at Military Park which is nearby the PATH train. It is gonna be a party of epic proportions we will be ciphering like crazy.

Union Square, Manhattan
4p; $free (plus fares)
609 910 1842
beatboxerentgmail.com

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

The Secret City

Let's face it. It's been a brutal summer. Here in the city, the temps have been matched by the humidity, making for a heavy, sweaty couple of weeks.

Never fear! Our next service promises to lift your barometer and lower your mercury ... or something like that. We will celebrate those two great essentials of summer: Water and Light. We guarantee a refreshing time.

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.

Free childcare.

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

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

Superfreak

Sunday all day party. The official Freakshow afterparty. Featuring Morphous and Shizaru, Joro Boro, and your favorite house DJs, and others. This party comes at the end of a huge lineup of parties so expect a large crowd. Rooftop will be open, grilled veggies and seafood will be served and if it is blazing hot we will put up the swimming pool on the roof. We can do whatever we want to do and we want to have fun.

RSVP for address and passcode
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
10a-midnight; $20 without costume, $15 dressed to the nines (with rsvp and passcode), $10 coming from the Freakshow (with rsvp and passcode) thepartythatneverwas.com/

XXXXX MONDAY, AUGUST 2 XXXXX

Poets and Writers Magazine Summer Party Featuring the Poetry Brothel

Join us to celebrate Poets and Writers Magazine's Summer Issue aboard the Lightship Frying Pan, a salvaged historical boat docked at Pier 66 in Chelsea. Mingle with authors, editors, and agents from the July/August issue, participate in the book exchange, enter the raffle, and enjoy a bundle of literary cocktail specials. Once you're good and liquored up, the "whores" of The Poetry Brothel will be giving intimate readings below the deck amidst their band of fortune-tellers, body painters and gypsy musicians, who will also be offering their services.

Lightship Frying Pan
Pier 66 Maritime at West 26th Street and the Hudson River, Manhattan 6-9p; $free, cash bar
thepoetrybrothel.com

XXXXX TUESDAY, AUGUST 3 XXXXX

Social Tees Animal Rescue Benefit Show

Too often, animals born into this city are faced with a bleak life of either becoming a stray searching for food and safe shelter, or being neglected and abused by irresponsible owners. That’s why the Parkside Lounge is teaming up with animal rescue center and t-shirt designer Social Tees and local band Home to Henry to raise money and awareness for the Social Tees Animal Rescue Center. We’re throwing a huge benefit show for our furry friends, which will include special drink prices, two sets from Home to Henry, as well as sets from some of our musically talented staff members and other local musicians.

Social Tees is a New York City-based t-shirt company and animal rescue center. The Social Tees Animal Rescue Center is a no-kill, non-profit animal shelter that takes in animals from kill shelters and provides them with a safe haven and veterinary care until they are adopted by responsible owners. Last year alone, Social Tees placed over 3,000 abandoned animals into loving homes. In addition to the shelter, Social Tees also sell their t-shirts in stores across the country with all profits going to the animal shelter or to human rights groups.

Local band Home to Henry will headline the event with two extended sets. The Parkside’s Emily Richards will also be performing a special set with fellow musician Shane Smith.

Parkside Lounge
317 E. Houston Street, Manhattan
8p; $10 donation gets you the show and $2 pints of cheap light beer 212 673 6270
ParksideFun@gmail.com

***** Also on TUESDAY *****

The Bushwick Book Club

The Bushwick Book Club presents original songs in response to volume Q of the encyclopedia. There will be a barbecue and Q-inspired drink specials all night. Wear your best Q-inspired outfits. Participate in Q-activities. Listen to Q-inspired performers in an unprecedented night of possibly educational entertainment.

Goodbye Blue Monday
1087 Broadway, Brooklyn
J,M,Z to Myrtle or J to Kosciusco stations 8p; $free
718 453 6343

XXXXX THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 XXXXX

Hobby

Here's the information for this months Hobby event, our monthly gathering at Harvest HQ, where three fine citizen are invited to talk about their hobbies (this month, we'll even be throwing in a fourth speaker!). We'd be happy to get another mention on NonsenseNYC.

Our esteemed speakers for the upcoming hobby: Samara Strauss dabbles in many hobbies, and she’ll be talking about singing and giving you insight to the many musical adventures she’s had; Jennifer Brook will be discussing how she makes her own limoncello; Dan Selzer prints letterpress posters because cutting giant stacks of paper, setting wood type and scrubbing ink off her hands feels good; David Wolkin is a comic book aficionado.

Each speaker has five minutes to explain their particular recreational pursuit, followed by a five minute Q and A with the audience.

Harvest
187 Lafayette Street, 6th floor, Manhattan 7:30; $free
212 226 4160
getHarvest.com
getharvest.com/hobby

XXXXX UPCOMING XXXXX

• Flux Factory's Going Places Doing Stuff all summer
• Gemini & Scorpio present the Lost Circus, July 31
• Life of Fire, July 31
• 8th annual NYC Musical Saw Festival, August 7
• Tunnel Vision: A Film & Music Event in the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel, August 14

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/, garagepunknyc.com, and eardrumnyc.com. 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 *****

• Seeking Teams for the NYC Clash of the Trivia Champions: Are you a trivia genius? No, I mean a real trivia genius? Are you and your friends those annoying people at the back of the bar during trivia night who win every time and piss everyone else off? Make it happen: The Big Quiz Thing, NYC's Live Trivia Spectacular, presents its first ever New York City Clash of the Trivia Champions. We're looking of teams of four from throughout New York to compete in six rounds of the world's greatest live multimedia quiz show, for the chance at a tremendous prizes, including the grand $1,000 jackpot and a really sweet trophy (oh, and glory). It's all happening Monday, September 27, 2010 at The Highline Ballroom (431 West 16th Street off Ninth Avenue). It's $100 per team of four; more info and registration at bigquizthing.com.

***** SPACES *****

• August Sublet Available: $700 (plus utilities/garbage/internet) to sublet one room in an amazing loft for the month of August and possibly September. Room has a hand-built lofted bed with a double mattress. House has roof access, tall ceilings, big windows, full kitchen, gas stove, tiled bathtub, home stereo, no television, yes bikes, one loving puppy (please no more pets). We are artists and cooks and encourage crafts and projects! We are at Meserole and Leonard in Williamsburg, close to L, JMZ, and G trains. and really good tacos. Contact Heidi, tullmannator(at)gmail.com.
• Large sunny furnished two-bedroom apartment available for sublet August 15 or September 1. Rent is $1780 per month. My lovely pre-war apartment is going to be vacant for at least three months, potentially longer. The location is, well, perfect. One block from the Brooklyn Library, a couple blocks from Prospect Park, one block off Vanderbilt Avenue, close to B/Q/2/3 subway lines. The place is big, the layout is great for two people, with very separate rooms. I am also open to renting each room individually. Pets OK. Drop me a line at akawildman(at)gmail.com.
• August Sublet Available: Live/work art studio loft in Bushwick, Morgan L stop. $850 per month. 400 square feet well-lit professional live/work bedroom/artist's studio in huge 4000 square feet shared loft available to non-smoker August 3—September 30 (possibly longer). In close proximity to a health foods store, art materials, restaurants, laundry, coffeehouses, video rental, and vintage clothing boutiques. Professional and comfortable live/work environment. Stunning rooftop views. Near the Morgan L-train stop. Large lofted queen-sized bed. Six loftmates (aged 25 to 35, all designers/artists/film folk, international). The loft has a very private feel ... as the rooms are quite large and all mates here are professional artists. There's a large kitchen and a sun room/solarium for common use, not to mention a ping-pong table and art gallery vibe in the main space. The rooftop is enormous and available for use (parties, breakfast, chilling, art making). Two bathrooms with show ers. This is a perfect studio for an artist on the go as the studio's fully furnished. First, last, deposit, and utilities to move in. Please contact artloftbrooklyn(at)gmail.com with a short paragraph about yourself
• Fritz and I are looking for a special person/group to share our HiChristina space on Eldridge. It’s 650 square feet and $1195 including utilities and wireless internet. Looking for person(s) who would like to use it during the daytime and evenings (when we don't have HiC events, we could coordinate a schedule each month) for anything art-related. It would make a great gallery or pop-up shop, etc. We totally need the help on rent and it isn't always used during the day when it should be. Great feeling space, perfect location. Contact Christina, 347 495 5868, Rxapparel(at)gmail.com.
• Carroll Gardens Sublet. August 15-September 30. Sunny, colorful apartment with hardwood floors and a good cooking kitchen. One furnished bedroom available in a three-bedroom place. Share with a couple, two respectful grad students in their 30s who ride bikes and get out a lot. The free bedroom gets tons of light and there's plenty of storage and room to work on projects. The apartment comes with wireless internet, lots of tools, and paid utilities, including AC in your room. A block and a half from the Carroll Street F and G station. Rent is based on $900 per month and worth it. That means $450 for August and $900 for September upfront, with deposit. Includes utilities. Contact jstarknonsensenyc.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:

***** Signal Interference 1 : Coerced Self-Censorship *****

spectregroup.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/signal-interference/

Preface: Spectre is about ideas that should spread farther and faster; it is an amplification system. So it has been hard not to notice of late that something ominous has happened. Corporate interests have pushed through laws designed to make the expression of critical ideas seem too costly. They are doing it quietly, outside of actual courtrooms, and out of public view. Websites are financially intimidated into shutting down; book chapters get pulled before publication. Always interested in tactics, Spectre has established a public forum for monitoring the methods of this coerced self-censorship, called Signal Interference.

SSI No. 1: Speaking Freely About Food
"It would be difficult to conceive of any topic of discussion that could be of greater concern and interest to all Americans than the safety of the food that they eat," wrote District Judge Mary Lou Robinson in her unpublished order in Texas Beef Group v. Oprah Winfrey, a test-case for Texas' then-newly enacted food disparagement statute. In response to hearing about that Mad Cow disease is caused by feeding cows to cows during a live broadcast of her show, Oprah "disparaged" the beef industry, by saying "''It has just stopped me cold from eating another burger! I'm stopped!''

Angry cattle men sued. Oprah had to defend herself in an expensive libel action. It cost her $1 million, and significantly, she won. But she could afford to win. Currently in Texas and 12 other states, it is unlawful to say "disparaging" things about agricultural products. A list of these laws appears here:

cspinet.org/
foodspeak/laws/existlaw.htm

Since media crosses state lines so easily, these laws can be used to intimidate people anywhere in the country. The laws vary slightly from state to state, but all clearly violate the First Amendment of the Constitution; so far no court has been brave enough to step into the ring, take on agribusiness and declaratively say so.

Even though food disparagement cases rarely see the flourecsent lights of a courtroom -- or actually because of this -- the corporate interests responsible for getting these laws passed are quite confident that they are working. Animal Feed Industry Foundation (AFIA), a nonprofit trade group funded by Purina, Cargill, assorted chemical and pesticide companies, and various agriculture associations, engaged the help of a Washington D.C.-based lawfirm, drafted model legislation and sent it to each state legislature around the country to be lobbied into law. Steve Kupperud, AFIA executive, was frank about the legislation's goals: "I think that to the degree that the mere presence of these laws has caused activists to think twice, then these laws have already accomplished what they have set out to do." This means, as long as the laws are out there, and people are afraid of them, then they are "working" - that is, they are limiting what gets said about the safety and nutrition of f ood products in the US.

Looking for the chilling effects of these laws is no easy task, but enough anecdotes have emerged to suggest that it is fear of litigation that keeps critics of agribusiness practices quiet. In the words of David Bederman, an attorney involved in an unsuccessful facial challenge to a newly enacted statute in Georgia in 1995, "Food libel and agricultural disparagement statutes represent a legal attempt to insulate an economic sector from criticism and also reflect a curious mixture of interest-group politics and industry protectionism. In this respect, they may be strikingly successful in chilling the speech of anyone concerned about (the safety of) the food we eat. The freedom of speech, always precious, becomes ever more so as the agricultural industries use previously untried methods as varied as exotic pesticides, growth hormones, radiation, and genetic engineering on our food supply. Scientists and consumer advocates must be able to express their legitimate, even if u nproven, concerns. Food libel quells just that type of speech. At bottom, any restriction on speech about the quality and safety of our food is dangerous, unconstitutional, and undemocratic."

Food disparagement laws are potentially interfering with the public's receipt of information about outbreaks of contaminants such as E. coli, semolina, cyclospora and hepatitus in food, because the laws prompt health officials to wait for outbreaks to be proven, instead of issuing preemptive warnings, for fear of financial liability.

Spectre Group Project:
SSI is asking for help tracking down food disparagement intimidation efforts. We have collected some examples from a decade ago here:

spectregroup.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/signal-interference/

It is clear that threats like this continue to limit the public conversation about food product safety. We want to track this intimidation, and challenge it. Have you or someone you know received similar threats? We wish to collect evidence of threats to sue by using food disparagement laws. We will keep your confidence (some of us are nearly lawyers and understand this stuff). So please email your anecdotes and copies of written threats (as pdfs) to spectre.event.horizon.groupgmail.com -- or email for a real address to send photocopies.

[Spectre Signal Interference's primary researcher is Paula Z. Segal.]

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 weekly, with general recurring classes listed at the end on the first Friday of each month. 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 to libby(at)nonsensenyc.com.

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

Make a Bezel Eternity Ring

This two-weekend intensive jewelry workshop gives you the opportunity to create a beautiful ring made entirely of bezel set gems. This classical ring has bezel set stones all the way around the band, giving the designer freedom of choice for shape and color of gems; depending on the type of stone used, it can be very interesting. Learn the art of creating fine silver bezels, fusing and soldering, ring sizing, and bezel burnishing to set your gemstones. We will discuss techniques for the making of the ring in 22 karat Gold as well. Taught by Jill Hurant, fusing and granulation specialist. (Open benchtime Mondays 6-9p.) Liloveve
July 31, August 1, 7, 8
11a-5:30p; $350
Register: info(at)liloveve.com
718 388 2190
liloveve.com/classes/bezel-eternity-ring-fusing-fine-silver

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

Afro-Cuban Dance Intensive

Areytos Performance Works in collaboration with Metamovements offers an open-level Afro-Cuban workshop led by dancer, performer, and scholar Yesenia Selier. The four Saturdays of training will include an introduction to Afro-Cuban traditions (July 31; 2-5p), and a three-week intensive of her course entitled From Palo to Rumba (August 7, 14, 21; 2-4p). No dance skirts required; appropriate for all levels.

Harlem Dance Foundation
144 West 121 Street, basement level
4 Saturdays, July 31 (2-5p) and August 7, 14, 21 (2-4p) Whole package $90 (or pay for individual classes) oriselier(at)gmail.com
201-952-5508

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

The African Diaspora Dance and Drum Conference

Layla’s Dance & Drum and Bambara Drum & Dance Ensemble presents Queens’ Largest African dance conference on Saturday and Sunday. You will experience Ismael Kouyate, Mamady Sano, M’Bemba Bangoura, Justin Kafondo, Vado Diamondo, Mouminatou Camara, Biza Sompas, Jewel Love, Maguette Camara, and more. Live drumming galore.

Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning
16104 Jamaica Avenue; Jamaica, Queens
Saturday and Sunday
$12 per class; buy five or more classes for only $10 per class africandanceschedule.com

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

Wittgenstein’s Lectures on Mathematics

We’re meeting weekly to read aloud and discuss a lecture from Wittgenstein’s Lectures on Mathematics. These two-hour lectures were originally given in a series in 1939, and show the development of Wittgenstein’s thought on knowing and understanding, and the meaning of symbols as he is refining the ideas that would later appear in the philosophical investigations. This lecture series is of interest to any student of philosophy, but the mathematically inclined willespecially thrill at Turing’s sassy comebacks (faithfully captured in the notes) and Wittgenstein’s denunciations of Russell’s project in Principia Mathematica. This week we’ll be reading the Second Lecture; email the contact below for a copy of the Lecture if you can’t get the book in time.

Times Deli Cafe (upstairs); 158 W 44th Street (near Broadway) 3-5p; $free
nadaoneal(at)gmail.com
646-369-8098
tinyurl.com/mathlect

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

Debian Day

After 10 editions in nine different countries spanning four continents, and for the first time in the United States, the Debian project is holding their annual Debian Developer. DebConf includes Debian Day, when it opens its doors to the general public. Debian Day is open for everybody interested in free software. During this event, there will be a full day of talks on several subjects such as free software in government, design and free software, free software advocacy, and a string of talks about the Debian project and operating system. The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free and open operating system. This operating system that we have been creating is called Debian GNU/Linux, or simply Debian for short. Every year, DebConf allows new and existing Debian project participants from around the world to assemble, share knowledge and ideas, make collaborative contributions to Debian, build tighter community bonds and improve communication within the project.

Columbia University
Manhattan
10a-6:40p; $free
To register, email: debianday(at)debconf.org debconf10.debconf.org/debianday.xhtml

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

Herbs, Health, and Cooking

Preserving the abundance of your garden and the market while harvests are at their peak ensures that you’ll have optimal variety, nutrition, and a lower food carbon footprint come winter. Learn the best and safest ways to can, freeze, lacto-ferment, pickle, dry, salt, and otherwise preserve summer’s bounty. Enjoy homemade summer fruit jam and bright pickled carrots all year. Led by Leda Meredith.

Brooklyn Botanical Garden
900 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn
1-4p; $40 members, $45 nonmembers
bbg.org

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

The Summer Kitchen: Savory Cooking with Fruit

Tickle your taste buds and delight your guests by learning to use fruit at the height of the season in savory preparations. Join Chef Emily Peterson as she teaches you to reverse your expectations and helps you create a five-course dinner plate where fruit is the focal point.

To start, grilled peaches with balsamic vinegar reduction will reshape the way you think of this summer delight. For our main course, a grilled rack of lamb glazed with fig and red wine reduction and a roasted loin of pork wrapped around a savory fruit stuffing, perfect for any season. Those are served up with a sweet & spicy cous cous, studded with fresh fruit, and a refreshingly hot salsa of watermelon, pink grapefruit, and habanero peppers. We will be joined by an expert sommelier to help pair our odd couplings with a selection of wines that will round out a sweet and savory meal.

Astor Center: The Kitchen
399 Lafayette Street
Manhattan
$125; 6-9:30p
212-674-7501

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

5th Annual Ronald K. Brown Dance Workshop Series

Two evening classes Mondays through Thursdays, for two weeks, in Afro-Caribbean, African, hip-hop, Haitian, and contemporary dance. Culminates in a free master class with Ronald K. Brown on Saturday, August 14, 11a-1p, at Mark Morris.

Medgar Evers College Preparatory School 1186 Caroll Street, Brooklyn
single classes $15; full registration (16 classes) $210 indiratheone(at)yahoo.com

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

Gaga Dance

Peridance Capezio Center, in collaboration with Ohad Naharin, artistic director of Israel’s Bat Sheva Dance Company, is thrilled to announce ongoing Gaga classes offered in NYC exclusively at Peridance.

Gaga is a movement language developed by Ohad Naharin to help dancers and non-dancers alike reconnect to the way they move as individuals and humans. Gaga is a form of dance wherein emphasis is placed on sensations rather than positions to allow for a more experiential practice. In fact, Gaga practice does not use mirrors traditional to the dance studio. The technique emphasizes tension release, harnessing your imagination, finding your own passion for movement, and understanding the body as an intrinsic source of power and energy.

To fully experience Gaga, students are initially required to commit to a series of five Gaga classes, by purchasing a discounted $75 five-class-card Gaga series (valid for Gaga for a one-month period, no extension). Thereafter, students may participate in Gaga classes on a single-class basis.

Peridance
126 East 13th Street Manhattan
$75 for a five-class card
peridance.com/gaga.cfm

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

Lock Picking

I in no way condone breaking into other people's property, this class is strictly educational. We’ll make shims and practice using them on padlocks and we’ll go over how to make lock picks and practice using them on deadbolts. All shims and lock picks will be disposed after the class (possession of them is illegal in New York).

TBA
Park Slope, Brooklyn
7-9p; $37
leevonk(at)gmail.com
tinyurl.com/lockclass

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

Basic Silkscreen Workshop

You will learn all the screenprinting basics and leave with a nice metal frame exposed with two of your own images and a new 14-inch squeegee so you can continue making prints on textiles or paper at home. Make posters for your band. Make your own customized clothing. Do it with absolutely no expensive equipment. Do it in your kitchen. You will get full access to the BPL, as well as understanding of how to use our equipment and how we function as a community resource. We will tell you all we know. To register: Email with “workshop” in the subject line.

Bushwick Print Lab
1717 Troutman Street, no. 204, Ridgewood, Queens Three Tuesdays 6:30-9:30p, August 3, 10, and 17; $220 718 290 5245
info(at)bushwickprintlab.org
facebook.com/group.php?gid=65970631573&ref=ts

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

Burner Bootcamp

Trial class for an eight-session fun, intense, quick ‘n’ dirty, sweat-making, booty-shakin’, earth-quakin’ doozy of a workout class to prepare you for the Playa. Here’s some of the demanding desert duties you’ll be dealt: Shower Bag Tug of War, Porta Potty Squat, Dodge the Raver/ Hoopsie Daisy, and much more. Plus: Healthy eating tips and recipes; contests (Most Improved Camper, Most Committed Camper); certificate of completion; and gift baskets at the end. Led by Ted Branco, a certified personal trainer, group fitness teacher, and hoop dancer.

RSVP for address, West 41st Street, Manhattan 7-8p; $10 for trial class; $free trial class if you buy whole series facebook.com/event.php?eid=147403631936884 thefunnestbootcamp(at)gmail.com

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

Making Your Roof Cool -- NYC’s White Roof Painting Program

The Sierra Club is sponsoring this presentation by John Kolp, Sierra Club’s NYC Cool Roof Program coordinator. Most of the billion-plus square feet of roof surfaces in NYC are made of black tar paper. In hot summer months these black roofs will heat up to over 200 degrees. Buildings absorb most of this heat and slowly release it over night, contributing to the urban heat island effect. Roofs coated with highly reflective white paints reduce roof temperatures by 60 to 80 degrees. Columbia University researchers discovered a cool roof can reduce air-conditioning costs by 50 percent in a one-story building and 25 percent in a two-story building. Hear about options to support this program by volunteering to paint roofs, getting your building’s roof painted white, and finding nonprofit groups willing to paint their roofs with deeply discounted paint donated by the City. Refreshments will be provided.

Sierra Club Office,
1350 Broadway, Manhattan
6:30-9p
nyc.sierraclub.org/
jlkolp(at)yahoo.com

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

Evolver Energy Medicine: Chelation and Chakra Balancing

Join Evolver co-founder and Reiki masterJonathan Talat Phillips on an evening journey through the ancient art of energy healing. In this workshop, we will explore the foundational technique to Talat’s Chi Healing practice, “The Chelation.” This is a potent hands-on-healing process that enables the healer to: channel in energy through the hands; bringing healing frequencies to where energy has been depleted in the client; ground the client to the vibrations of the earth; balance the major chakras (energy centers) in the body; open up areas where energy has been blocked, stagnant, or stuck; and strengthen and cleanse the entire auric field. We will learn all the hand positions to this process, as well as how to open and close a healing session. Each person will have the opportunity to both give and receive a full chelation healing during this workshop, which means we will leave feeling refreshed, vibrant, and relaxed by the end of the workshop. If you can, bring a yoga mat to lie on for receiving the healing. Anyone can learn to heal with energy, and all levels are welcome. This workshop will provide a safe container for everyone, whether you are a beginner just starting out or an advanced practitioner honing your art.

7:30-9:30p; $15
125 South Second (top buzzer), Williamsburg talathealing.com

***** LEARNING: Also on WEDNESDAY *****

Fix It in Post: Do’s and Don’ts of Shooting in the Modern World

This course looks at modern technology and the trend to fix certain budgetary constraints in the cutting room. Discover the benefit of using CGI, color grading, and compositing with a critical eye: how to plan for a successful effects shot and when to go au naturale instead of relying on post production to save your production. Led by director/artist Ronni Thomas

Millennium Film Workshop
66 East Fourth Street
7-9:30p; $49
646-217-4165

***** LEARNING: Also on WEDNESDAY *****

There Is Nothing Less Passive Than the Act of Fleeing...

Momentum is gathering in New York as we respond to the Public School’s 13-day seminar “There is nothing less passive than the act of fleeing,” which took place in Berlin on July 4–18. Our upcoming 13-day (or so) seminar will take the form of an open reading group, where the texts discussed each day resonate with the site selected. There will be additions and substitutions to Berlin’s reading list as we see fit. Please join us as we sketch, scheme, and build new imaginaries with our global network of schools in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Brussels, Paris, San Juan, and Helsinki.

The Public School
177 Livingston
6:30p; $free
thepublicschool.org

***** LEARNING: Also on WEDNESDAY *****

Tree Care for your Garden and Street: Learn how to provide basic care for the trees in your garden and neighborhood in this interactive workshop. Take home a free tree care kit including a hose or bucket, trowel, weeder, cultivator, and gloves. Preregistration is required.

Bedford Stuyvesant Community Garden
94 Malcolm X Blvd, Brooklyn
6p; $10
Register: creynoso(at)nyrp.org
212-333-2552

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

Microcontrollers 101

Learn how to make digital brains for all your future electronics projects (robots, drones, automatic pet feeders, etc). Like previous class in this series, this will take place on a roof (if weather permits). You’ll learn and do hands on stuff, without too much theoretical crap. After this class you’ll have all the basic skills and knowledge needed to start working with your own microcontrollers.

TBA
Park Slope, Brooklyn
$30; 7-9p
tinyurl.com/microcontrollerclass

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

• September 11-12: Native American Drum Making Workshop with Vernon Foster at the The Children’s Aid Society. Manhattan. 917-686-4385. nyshamaniccircle(at)gmail.com

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: SOON*****

Cuchifritos: Gallery Assistant

Cuchifritos, a nonprofit gallery in the Lower East Side, is looking for a person to work in our gallery one day per week, from 11a-6p (opening or Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays only). Responsibilities include greeting visitors, answering questions, assisting with openings/installations/ mailings/ projects and maintaining the exhibition space. This unpaid position is a great opportunity to get experience working in the Lower East Side gallery scene. Gallery Assistant should be able to commit to working one day per week for a minimum of three months. Varying amounts of administration work depending on what the volunteer wants to do. Freelancers have been a great fit. If interested, please send a cover letter and resume.

20 Essex Street, Essex Street Market, Manhattan 212 420 9202
aaiaai-nyc.org
aai-nyc.org/cuchifritos

*****HELP: AUGUST *****

Save Our Gardens Events: Meet Up and Speak Out

All summer long, Time's Up will hold events to mobilize our communities to save our community gardens. We saved them once-we can do it again. Here's a list of upcoming events. Join us, spread the word, and invite everyone you know.

Proposed Rules Public Hearing/Rally: Let's rally around the hearing and let them know how we feel about saving our community gardens. Bring instruments and props -- be creative. Hearings August 10, 10:30a, and August 11 rally, 11a at Chelsea Rec center, 430 W. 25th Street, Manhattan.

Remember if you want to speak at this Public Hearing, send email by August 9 to Laura Velle, at Laura.LaVelleparks.nyc.gov and write, "I intend to make a statement at the August 10 Public Hearing on the Parks and HPD Rules for Community Gardens. Please add my name to the list of speakers."

*****HELP: AUGUST*****

Legros Cultural Arts, Inc.

LCA is hosting the Third Annual Multicultural Art and Crafts Festival at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in collaboration with the Queens Museum of Art. We are seeking volunteers to assist us with the event. We need help with setting up, art workshops, checking in artists and vendors and directing spectators. It's a fun-filled event that is great for art lovers. We anticipate over 300 spectators and can use all the help we can get. The event begins at 11a and ends at 6p. Volunteers can sign up for shifts.

New York City Building
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens
August 21, 9a-6p
bit.ly/9X49Vt
bit.ly/aIgAGl

*****HELP: SEPTEMBER*****

Sanctuary for Families: South Asian Dance Volunteer Teacher

New York's largest nonprofit agency dedicated exclusively to serving the needs of domestic violence victims, sex trafficking victims, and their children. We offer a comprehensive, interconnected range of services including crisis and transitional shelter, individual and group counseling, legal services, economic empowerment services, a mentoring program, and a specialized program for children who have witnessed or experienced abuse.

For the past two years, South Asian women receiving services at Sanctuary have participated in Re-Drawing Resistance. As part of this international program, Sanctuary's clients along with women from other organizations in Pakistan, India, and New York City, spent time creating artwork that allowed them to express their thoughts and experiences. Currently, Sanctuary is working to add dance as another artistic medium through which the women can express themselves. We are looking for a volunteer available this fall to lead a South Asian Dance workshop.

Location TBA
September 6-November 1
212 349 6009
bit.ly/9svHhJ
bit.ly/1AX8tQ

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