From: "Jeff Stark" <jstark@nonsensenyc.com>
Subject: nonsensenyc: 5.18 to 5.24
Date: May 18th 2012

Friday, May 18
* Ende Tymes Festival, Brooklyn
* Burlesque Hall of Fame, Manhattan
* #FF, Williamsburg
* Judy Sails Away, Mahattan
* Pink Lightning: A Gay Speed Dating Night for Boys, Brooklyn * Assdance Film Festival 2012, Manhattan * HK Studio Tour: May 2012, Manhattan
* Madness De Mayo, Brooklyn

Saturday, May 19
* The Swimsuit Edition, Brooklyn
* Sensewalk No. 1: Everything Is New, Brooklyn * Boatel Opening, Brooklyn
* St. Michael's Cemetery's Annual Outdoor Scott Joplin Memorial and Traditional Jazz Concert and Barbecue, Brooklyn * Walking Through Human Voice, Long Island City * Down in the Ground (D.I.G.), Brooklyn * Pony, Williamsburg
* Aeolian Ride Kids Rockaway, Brooklyn
* Lungfull Magazine’s Night of 1,000 Mistakes, Manhattan * Unnamed Broadway Musical: The Musical, Final Performance, Manhattan * 30th Birthday Party, Brooklyn
* Nomads in Time , Williamsburg
* The Third Annual Interactive Show, Manhattan * Brooklyn Bike Jumble, Brooklyn

Sunday, May 20
* Flappers and Philosophers, Bronx
* Cavemen and Cavewomen Protest, Queens * The Secret City: Memory, Manhattan

Monday, May 21
* Cornucopia Stromberg, Williamsburg

Tuesday, May 22
* Pillow Talk, Williamsburg

Wednesday, May 23
* Nervescape, Manhattan
* The Prince Sing-Along, Brooklyn

Thursday, May 24
* Dave Hill's Tasteful Nudes Book Release: A Night of Mayhem and Classy Literature, Brooklyn * The Faux Aerial and Variety Show, Brooklyn * Petroleum Paradox Art Exhibition Opening, Manhattan

Wishlist
* Theater in Your House

All That We've Met
* Ayen Tran

Learning
* We Need a New Editor

Help
* Yes, Really, It's True

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. You can donate to this project at nonsensenyc.com/special.

Also: We make a lot of mistakes, especially with dates; you should always double check our work before you go out.

XXXXX COVER ART XXXXX

Pink milk truck in Bed-Sty.

XXXXX FRIDAY, MAY 18 XXXXX

Ende Tymes Festival

The Ende Tymes Festival is a celebration of noise, experimental music, film, and video art. Presented over the course of four nights at two venues in Brooklyn and Queens, this second-annual event presents over 50 artists working with street-level, avant-garde technology.

This is a crazy, super-intense schedule. Check the website for the complete listing.

Secret Project Robot
389 Melrose Street, Brooklyn
L train to Jefferson station
6p-12a; $10 donation per night, $20 for 3 nights at Outpost Continue through SUNDAY
halfnormal.com/endetymes/

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

Burlesque Hall of Fame

The shining stars of burlesque have come together to raise funds for the Burlesque Hall of Fame -- a nonprofit organization and the only burlesque museum on the planet.

Every June, hundreds of burlesque performers converge upon Las Vegas for the annual Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend, including the living legends of burlesque -- women who performed in the original burlesque movement and now wish to share their knowledge with the new guard. Many of these living legends have special needs, or lack the funds to get to Vegas for the annual event. This fundraiser will help cover the travel costs of several living legends of burlesque, ensures the museum’s continued existence, and will allow for new additions to the museum’s current attractions.

Performances by Jo Boobs, Amber Ray, Ruby Valentine, Gin Minsky, Minnie Tonka, Jezebel Express, Gemini Rising, Creamed Stu, Delilah, Tansy, Bettina May, The New York Burlesque Choir, Rhinestone Follies, Grace Gotham, and, all the way from Finland, Lou Lou D’Vil. Hosted by Coney Island Sideshow Star Ray Valenz and Gameshow Speakeasy’s Neil O’Fortune.

Plus, a fabulous silent auction featuring special gifts and goodies from Peek Brooklyn Hosiery, Naked Girls Reading, Shelly the Singing Siren, Champagne Riot, Dirty Martini and the New Burlesque, Coup De Grace, Rhinestone Follies, and the Burlesque Hall of Fame. Vintage and vintage-inspired attire is encouraged

Triad Theatre
158 W 72nd Street, Manhattan
9p; $20 online, $25 at the door, plus two-drink minimum

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

Top8friends and Longclothing present

#FF

Re:activate, Re:engage, Re:spring. With House, juke, trance, breakbeats, j-dance, k-pop, jungle, vogue beats, acid, tribal, booty, hardcore, bass, techno, euro dance, tropical, dancehall, and ultra pop.

Live: Hotsugar and Masoncking. DJs: 6teen6witch6, Lilinternet, Jermainejagger, Dan2600, Averyloudnoyes, and Top8friends. BFFs: Thesupersuper, Alis Pelleschi, Mollysoda, Claireypears, and Amycakesdd. Visual effects: 6ghoast9, Rxturn3r, Iamstoney.

285 Kent, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
midnight; $5
21 and over to drink
officialbff.com
facebook.com/events/344313815627716/344337968958634/

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

Judy Sails Away

We're pleased to invite you to Judy's first ever boat party. Have they come to you, too -- dolphins in dreams? Have you clung to their muscular backs while they swim you to the depths of the sky? Have you, too, luxuriated in their quartz castles? Tonight, we go together. In the sea of possibility, between the legs of Mx. Liberty, lies a secret entrance to that dimension of finned faggots. By midnight sharp, we'll board our boat and, led by the transcendent songs sung by our trans dimensional marine allies, leave the crumbling concrete for that strange destination. DJs Beluhka and Benjamin Haber (who turns 30 en voyage), with guest DJ Manhate will guide us through the swift channel as we wiggle with the light on the water. Cruising around Manhattan Island, hosts Icky Mikki and Gabriel Babriel will summon the depths and offer the gifts of Mykki Blanco, Cher, and other very special surprise guests. Dress to impress dolphriends and octopussies with your best VH1 Divas 2098 meets interstellar underwater looks. As you might expect, space on a boat bound for trans dimensional marine party paradise is both limited and very desirable so be sure to secure your tickets.

Cabana Boat
East 23rd Street and FDR Drive, Manhattan midnight sharp; $15
brownpapertickets.com/event/245052

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

Pink Lightning: A Gay Speed Dating Night for Boys

Pink Lightning, catering to the broke Brooklyn homo. Swing by for games, trivia and an open bar from 7-8. Drink specials to follow the open bar. Maybe you'll even get lucky. It's like Grindr, but in real life.

Broomies
921 Broadway, Brooklyn
7a–10p; $free
events.brokelyn.com/event/view/XvhJ31V7w6g=/pink-lightning-a-gay-speed-dating-night-for-boy

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

Assdance Film Festival 2012

Celebrating films that fell through the cracks. Founded by Lower East Side filmmakers and artists Courtney Fathom Sell, Reverend Jen, Robert Prichard, and Tom Tenney, Assdance Film Festival is a celebration of unwanted cinema: a collection of short films rejected by other film festivals. In fact, the onlyrequirement for getting into Assdance is a rejection letter from another festival. The title of the festival derives from the production company founded by Sell and Reverend Jen under the name ASS Studios (Art Star Scene Studios), the most underfunded motion picture studio in history. Fittingly, Assdance will conclude with a launch party for ASS Studios' first-ever DVD (available everywhere May 22nd, from MVD) along with an awards ceremony wherein actual celebrities (including comedians Janeane Garofalo and Christian Finnegan) will bestow awards such as "best titties" and "most boom mic shots." Assdance will also feature literary events and live music! Be sure to rest up be cause there is gonna be a whole lot of art packed into less than a week. The official Assdance schedule is listed below.

This opening night extravaganza will feature more hilarious and at times, sad movies than you can shake a dick at. Films by arts stars, Angry Bob, Tanya O'Debra, Mickey Smith and Rachel Amodeo are some of the highlights. See website for complete festival listings.

Various locations; tonight at Bowery Poetry Club 308 Bowery, Manhattan
10p; $6
Festival continues various times and locations through May 22 212 614 0505
reverendjen.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/assdance-film-festival/

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

HK Studio Tour: May 2012

The Fourth Annual Hell’s Kitchen Artist Studio Tour is a free event where dozens of artists open their homes, galleries, and studios for a self guided tour. Participating artists include individuals with well established and honored careers, as well as emerging artists, and all mediums will be represented: including painting, sculpture, photography, theater, dance, and much more.

Information and tour maps will be available online a few days in advance of the event. Before the festival, printed versions will be available at participating artists studios and businesses.

With an opening party tonight: 10 hours, three floors, 10 spaces, 10 ring circus, and four real theaters.

Clinton House
300 West 46th Street, Manhattan
6p-4a; $free
artistsinthekitchen.org

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

Madness De Mayo

Glass Bandits Theater Company invites you to get down, in a Fiesta Way with Madness De Mayo. Support our Upcoming Project Under Milk Wood by scooting on over to our Fund-Rager. A night-long celebration of all things south of the border. Drinking. Dancing. Bands. Drag queen. Drinking. All at one low cost. Open bar included with admission. With Thorgy Thor, your hostess. Featuring Swear and Shake, Old City Music, These Animals, and the Communication Corporation.

House of Yes
342 Maujer Street, Brooklyn
L train to Grand station
9p-2a; $20 advance, $25-30 door
gbtheater.com
brownpapertickets.com/event/244983

XXXXX SATURDAY, MAY 19 XXXXX

The Swimsuit Edition

A submerged musical instrument concert. Painting an aqueous splash of sound the Swimsuit Edition combines submerged musical instruments interacting with the eccentric properties of water. Including Stephanie Richards on underwater trumpets and compositions, Andrew Munsey on waterphone and percussion, Miguel Frasconi on glass instruments and collaborations of amplified underwater textures with Eric Lindley, the Swimsuit Edition will drench you with experimental textures of water, metal, and glass. The Swimsuit Edition is part one of a two-part concert series with Stephanie Richards. Watch for part two this fall. The Swimsuit Edition is part of Water Week at DAC.

Dumbo Arts Center
111 Front Street, Brooklyn
8p; $10 door
stephrichards.com/

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

Sensewalk No. 1: Everything Is New

For the first of the four Sensewalks, participants will gather in Prospect Park to investigate the five basic senses -- hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching -- teasing their particular properties apart through anatomical and experiential exercises and then watching how they interact, compete, rise, and fall to construct a magical and wondrous reality. Miguel will then lead these new bodies on a trip through the Prospect Park Greenmarket. Be ready to roll in the grass. This walk holds 16 people. All abilities welcome.

Walk starts at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn noon; $20
elastic-city.org/walks/sensewalk-1-everything-new

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

Boatel Opening

The Boatel is an interactive art and sound installation that takes place on the docks of Marina 59, under the planes taking off from JFK airport and five blocks from Rockaway Beach. Twenty three artists from NYC and abroad are meticulously crafting a world out of the flotsam & jetsam of Jamaica Bay. A cluster of reclaimed/rebuilt docks + junk boats create worlds within worlds, an hour from the city and a thousand miles away from reality.

Artists: Kelie Bowman, Tory Censits and Arielle Avenia, Chassy Cleland, Serra Victoria Bothwell Fels and Vanessa Cronan (Rabid Hands), Grisha Enikolopov and Simon Arizpe, Alana Fitzgerald (Magic Pictures), Lilah Horwitz and Nick Olson, Jordan Johnson, Stephen McLeod (VSVSVS), Laura McMillian, Stephanie Mezynski and Robyn Hasty, Andie Olive, Jason Sinopoli and Mayra Cimet, Noah Sparks, Pete Elwell, Porter Fox, Sara Mayti, Orien McNeill, Angie Kang, Catherine Yeager, and Noel Malloy. With special guest DJ, barbeque, performances and open bar.

59-14 Beach Channel Drive, Brooklyn
3-8p; $free
marina59.com/boatel.html

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

St. Michael's Cemetery's Annual Outdoor Scott Joplin Memorial and Traditional Jazz Concert and Barbecue

Old time American popular vernacular music and songs of the early 1900s. Featuring Dan Levinson and His Canary Cottage Dance Orchestra with Molly Ryan and the Victrolian Vaudeville Barber Shop Quartette.

7202 Astoria Boulevard, East Elmhurst, Queens 2p; $free
facebook.com/events/160283677431669/

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

Walking Through Human Voice

A participatory performance by Jerome Porsperger. On a voluntary basis, guest will be invited to put on a white mask and move silently and slowly in the space by simply looking at each other while in the meantime the artist sings a capella with laments baroque songs using a voice that approach the high voice of an angel.

Local Project Art Space
45-10 Davis Street, Long Island City, Queens 7p; $free
718 361 5851
localproject.org

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

Down in the Ground (D.I.G.)

I am thrilled to invite you to Down in the Ground (D.I.G), a dance and interactive installation created by Liza Wade Green, Will Orzo, Emily Rea, and Ligia Teixeira in collaboration with the subterranean workers of NYC: the Local 147 Sandhogs, MTA Engineers, DEP Wastewater workers, and FDNY Explosives Experts.

Since January, my collaborators and I have been uncovering the invisible infrastructure of New York City and developing relationships with workers who spend their lives underground. From the MTA's new construction projects to Water Tunnel No. 3, NYC extends far below the sidewalk and it's the people who create and maintain this hidden world that helped us to develop this work which includes a dance performance (featuring many NYC Sandhogs) and an interactive sound and video installation.

Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Visitors Center 329 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn
7p; $free?
wellwaternyc.tumblr.com/events

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

Pony

North Brooklyn's hip-hop dance party. DJs Dan and Dana. Visual projections by photographer Daniel Arnold.

Public Assembly
70 North 6 Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11p-4a; $free
21 and over

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

Aeolian Ride Kids Rockaway

It's time to get huge: The first Aeolian Kids Ride. This is a free event. There are a limited number of costumes and sizes. Signing up gives you priority to wear an inflatable costume, but you must arrive on time. Let's get puffy.

Starts at Jacob Riis Bathhouse, travels along the boardwalk Gateway National Recreation Area, Brooklyn 11a-noon sharp; $free
aeolian-ride.info

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

Lungfull Magazine’s Night of 1,000 Mistakes

I wanted to let you know about, our annual literary gala. This year we will be celebrating the 20th issue of our annual anthology and many established and emerging writers.

Lungfull magazine is an annual anthology of terrible mistakes -- a compilation of contemporary writing in which we print the rough drafts alongside the final versions so the reader can see the creative process as it happens. And, going on the assumption that mistakes will continue to happen, the cover is entirely waterproof -- perfect for reading while inebriated or in the shower or both. Despite our irreverent tone we strive for intellectual rigor and aesthetic experimentation bringing together a host of emerging and established writers from across myriad literary traditions. In the past we have published work by John Ashbery, Alice Notley, Eileen Myles, Allen Ginsberg and many others.

The three-part night will be comprised of a reading, a party and a raucous auction to help raise funds to keep the journal going.

Zinc Bar
82 West 3rd Street, Manhattan
6p; $10-20 sliding scale
lungfull.org

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

Unnamed Broadway Musical: The Musical, Final Performance

Video artist Kara Hearn is mounting a barebones, experimentally cast production that uses an orphan-themed Broadway musical as its point of departure. Inspired by the experience of watching or listening to orphan-themed musicals as a child and projecting oneself into the starring role, the project is designed to serve a group of adults who never had the chance to fulfill this dream on stage. The casting of each part was based more on the willingness and need of the performers than on singing, dancing ability, or appearance.

Under the direction of Sarah Cameron Sunde in collaboration with Assistant Director Trent Anderson, Choreographer Pia Monique Murray and Composer Christopher Berg, the team will have the absurd task, that is, the creative challenge of generating a new musical that fulfills the performers' sincere desire to be in a famous orphan musical without them actually being in one of the famous orphan musicals.

The eight cast members were drawn to the project for a variety of reasons. Doug had an audition to be in Oliver when he was 11 but backed out at the last minute from stage fright. Angela is an adoptee and an orphan who has a complicated relationship with orphan-themed musicals. Katherine was consistently overlooked for starring roles because of her race. Brian is a performer who loves musicals but who doesn't sing well. Michael was drawn to performing arts as a child but was steered by his parents into an engineering high school instead. This is his first time performing.

This impractical project is taking place over five weeks at EFA Project Space in Manhattan. The project will exist as an ongoing live performance (rehearsals are open to the public) and in its final form as a 30 to 45 minute video documenting the process of putting on the production, from auditions to opening night. There is a final performance tonight. Q and A and cast party to follow.

EFA Project Space
323 W. 39 Street, second floor, between 8th and 9th avenues, Manhattan 7p; $free

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

30th Birthday Party

I'm having my 30th birthday party this Saturday if you could include it in this week's email, that would mean a lot to me. The best dance party of the spring is here. Celebrate three birthdays of three great individuals. Free giveaways, free champagne toast. Classic NYC characters all for free, with Sal P from the legendary NYC band Liquid Liquid, Native Racket. Hosted by Ricky Powell.

Brooklyn Fireproof
119 Ingraham Street, Brooklyn
L train to Morgan station
9p; $?

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

Nomads in Time

A fundraiser for GypsyTransTemporalis. Come spend an evening at ye olde House of Collection, enjoy great entertainment and help raise funds for the Figment NYC debut of GypsyTransTemporalis, a troupe of time traveling nomads.

Featuring: The rousing regale of Not Waving But Drowning, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Faey Kitsune, Miss Amber Ray, and Eric Schmalenberger. Festivity services provided by Guncle Aaron, Paige, and Ahnika. Please dress in your favorite finest Multi-Temproal Gypsy attire, practical pocketed getup, Patchwork Princess, Woodland faery, Mad Max, Ragamuffin, Chaiwalla, Tibetan Pilgrim, Pirate, Victoriana, Jules Verne, Bedouin, Metropolis, Pre-1750 Savannah Sailor, Alchemist, Tinkerer, and Temporal Delirium.

RSVP for location, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 9p-1a; $20
GypsyTransTemporalis]at]gmail.com

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

NYC Resistor presents:

The Third Annual Interactive Show

The Interactive Show is one part art show, one part hacker party, all parts awesome. Hackers from around the region show off their cool interactive projects with beats and beers provided. This year's theme is Physical meets Digital. Killer music lineup will keep you bouncing while you play with DJs Friar Tuck (Disorient, Brooklyn), Victory Kitty and some fresh chiptunes from Eric Skiff. Join us for a blinking good time.

NYC Resistor
87 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn
9p-3a; $20 (drinks included)
facebook.com/events/134464296677997/

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

Brooklyn Bike Jumble

The Jumble, a bicycle flea market, will be held at JJ Byrne/Washington Park. Pick up affordable new and used bikes as well new and used accessories and parts at the Jumble.

336 3rd Street, Brooklyn.
10a-4p; $free
nybikejumble.com

XXXXX SUNDAY, MAY 20 XXXXX

Winkel and Balktick and No Longer Empty present:

Flappers and Philosophers

A journey into the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his coterie of colorful characters. Indulge in the company of upper crust aristocrats, nouveau riche playboys, daring bootleggers, bohemian artist-types, and kickline-ready chorus girls.

Our venue is the Andrew Freedman Home, an enormous Italian palazzo-style villa completed in 1924. Freedman, a Tammany Hall operator and financier, built it as a retirement palace for wealthy socialites who had fallen on hard times.

We will begin our celebration upon the limestone terrace and verdant lawn with croquet, bocce, bandstands, and champagne. In the evening, the doors will be thrown open and we will continue our gallivanting within the recently restored billiards room, book-lined library, and grand ballroom.

Our musical host, Ms. Juliette Campbell of Shanghai Mermaid and Red Lotus Room, will present piano standards from Drew Nugent, and danceable hot jazz from the Baby Soda Jazz Band and the Midnight Society, phonographic pleasures from Michael Cummella, and newfangled swinghouse with Julie Covello (DJ Shakey).

Field Marshall Gaylen Hamilton will oversee the day’s bocce, croquet, badminton, and the evening’s games of chance. Victuals provided by the venerable Bistrotruck. This event is generously co-presented with No Longer Empty, whose This Side of Paradise art exhibition and program series at the Andrew Freedman Home is open now through June 5.

Since 1985, The Andrew Freedman Home has been owned and operated by the Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council, a nonprofit social service organization devoted to serving the families, youth and seniors of the Bronx. All guests must attend in fancy or costume attire.

Andrew Freedman Home
1125 Grand Concourse, at 166th Street, Bronx 3-11p, with a period dance lesson and complimentary beer at 3p; $15 advance, $20 door 21 and over
info]at]wandbnyc.com
wandbnyc.com
facebook.com/events/346717562044468

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

Cavemen and Cavewomen Protest

A group of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Rabbis and their followers are expected to hold a massive rally inside of Citi Field in an effort to speak Against the Scourge of Technology, specifically targeting the use of the Internet. We of Motherfuckery.org, NYCAnonymous, and friends are outraged at this demonstration.

So, we are a community of cavepersons who value the sanctity of our simple and wholesome lives. Our lives are based on key human values like hitting food with clubs and worshiping and/or fearing the unknown in nature. This group of Ultra-Orthodox Jews cannot expect us to take them seriously while they are using such advanced technology as hats, fire, shoes, and wheels. We do however applaud their decision forbidding women to attend this event because the event is deemed to be so important.

Our small, but noble community invites you to join us as we position ourselves outside the event in animal hides with signs decrying the continued use of their advanced and dangerous technologies. We hope to educate influential rabbis within the rally so that they might live a more pure and ethical life.

What to bring: You should be a caveperson if you are coming to this event. So, come in costume, bring caveperson props and signs written in cavespeak. Remember, we are protesting them for being too new and advanced.

Meet by the apple statue near the stairs that lead to the 7 train Citi Field, Queens.
4-8p, or whenever it gets boring
motherfuckery.org/caveman/

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

The Secret City: Memory

Every May we celebrate memory, the provenance of art. And, this Sunday's line up is lovely: Oliver Ogden will share some new photographs with us; Jeremy Bass will play the melancholy strains of Satie on guitar; Samita Sinha will sing classical Indian music for us; Michael Barakiva is bringing homemade hummus; a game to jog the memory; and there will be story about how memory pulls us along to all sorts of forgotten places. Always: free childcare.

Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, between Rivington and Delancey, Brooklyn 11:30a; $10
thesecretcity.org/

XXXXX MONDAY, MAY 21 XXXXX

Cornucopia Stromberg

Michelle Levy Explains the Origin of Cornucopia Stromberg. Tonight I welcome you into the mystical world. Cornucopia Stromberg is an apparition of a benevolent floating head-- the head of the real human Matthew Stromberg.

For years I have been asked what is Cornucopia Stromberg? Who is Cornucopia Stromberg? Why and how does he/it exist? I will finally explore these questions with you in the form of what promises to be an unforgettable multi-media presentation that culminates in a bizarre and inspiring spectacle. Music by Anne Hege and Roddy Schrock

Spectacle Theater
124 South 3rd, near Bedford, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 8p and 9:30p; $5

XXXXX TUESDAY, MAY 22 XXXXX

Pillow Talk

A show for people who hate comedy. Pillow Talk is a free, live, monthly variety talk show brought to you by Ariel's Guide to Successful Living. After they perform, guests are interviewed over home baked vegan cookies and milk. May guests: Emily Heller, Sheng Wang, and musical guest Aoka Futura.

Cameo Gallery
93 North 6th Street, in the back of the Lovin' Cup Cafe, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 7:30p; $free

XXXXX WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 XXXXX

Nervescape

The Clocktower Gallery presents Nervescape, a site-specific exhibition by Icelandic artist Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir, aka Shoplifter. Shoplifter’s sculptures, drawings, and installations explore themes of vanity, beauty, and beastly mythology, as well as notions of obsession and fetish. In the Clocktower’s Upper Gallery, Shoplifter makes use of a large existing metal structure as the skeleton for an organic, enveloping installation that is both a landscape and a beast, activating the space and engulfing the viewer in its cavernous entrails.

Mythology from Shoplifter’s upbringing in Iceland serves as an abstract inspiration for Nervescape, along with the idyllic landscape of American painting, and notions of fairytale drama. The installation will be the site for opening performances, inviting viewers to dwell in the artist’s imaginary world of paradoxical impressions such as beauty and horror, nature and the supernatural. Icelandic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Kría Brekkan will inhabit the work through an opening performance and through an elusive, environmental soundscape which will evolve over the course of the exhibition.

The Clocktower Gallery’s dynamic schedule of performances will continue alongside Shoplifter’s exhibition, with artists including Pat Spadine, Matt Ostrowski, Casper Electronics, Pictureplane and Mary Mattingly, Serra Victoria Bothwell Fels, Cibelle, and Widowspeak.

Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir, aka Shoplifter is an Icelandic artist based in New York. She makes sculptures, drawings, and installations with various materials and found objects that take on themes relating to vanity, self-image, fashion, beauty, and popular myths, often touching on notions that come close to obsession or fetish. Her body of work as a whole exists in the gray area between visual art, performance, and design and has been shown and published in many countries and numerous publications.

Clocktower Gallery and Radio
108 Leonard Street, 13th floor, Manhattan Noon-5p; $free
212 233 1096
info]at]artonair.org
artonair.org

***** Also on WEDNESDAY *****

The Prince Sing-Along

To show our love for all things Prince, his holiness the Purple One, we're dedicating the next Sing-Along to his music video and film genius. Come early for a pre-show of hilarious and rare Prince related clips from TV, movies, interviews, live concerts, parodies from shows like Chappelle's Show, and more to get everyone in the appropriately sexy mood.

And just because we love Prince so much we'll be throwing contests inspired by the man himself including a Prince Costume Contest and a Sexy Dance Off for prizes including free drinks and tickets to upcoming shows.

Union Hall
702 Union Street, Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn 8-8:30p; $8
718 638 4400
unionhallny.com/calendar.php

XXXXX THURSDAY, MAY 24 XXXXX

Dave Hill's Tasteful Nudes Book Release: A Night of Mayhem and Classy Literature

Comedian/writer/musician/man-about-town Dave Hill tears the world of literature a new one with Tasteful Nudes, his very first collection of essays, which will be unleashed on an unsuspecting public May 22 via St. Martin's Press, the popular book company. On May 24, Dave will be showing up at the Bell House, where his cousin works, for a night of mayhem that will include performances from some of NYC's most incredible comedians and musicians and also Dave, who totally does both of those things so good it's weird. Dave's book will be for sale and he will sign the f]at]#k out of that thing for you. The night will also feature author David Rakoff interviewing Dave, explosives, lowrider cars, Little Michael Jackson, and several other things that most people can't even handle. Also, as the night wears on, Dave will probably try to make out with you. Okay, that about covers it. You've been warned.

Bell House
149 7th Street, Brooklyn
8p; $10 advance, $12
ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4480475&pl=bellpl

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

The Sky Box at House of Yes presents:

The Faux Aerial and Variety Show

Join us for a glamorous evening of worshipping the disguise, sleight of hand, the blackout right in the nick of time, opulence made of plastic, glitter and spray paint, the make-believe and the pretend. As the true illusionists that we are, we gladly take full responsibility for every farce, cheat, and lie that we present to our spectators. We lie with a pure heart and for all the right reasons, because that is how real magic happens.

Starring the masters of the faux, the 100 percent gloriously fake and fabulous all-stars of New York's circus, cabaret, and theater: Lady Circus, the Great Dubini, the Rachel Kline Ensemble, Una Minmagh, Ivory Fox, Francis Stallings, Trixie Little, Maia Ramnath, Tyler Duboys, and Megan Hornaday. Risking their lives in the air and ripping their clothes off piece by piece, these all-stars will almost make you forget that it's lies, all lies. Hosted by Whiskey Business (posing as MC Kae Burke). Come hungry, plenty of fake meat by its Veggie Time to go around.

House of Yes Theater
342 Maujer Street, Brooklyn
L train to Grand St Station
8p doors, 9p show; $11 dressed boring, $10 dressed as a fraud

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

Women's Caucus for Art presents:

Petroleum Paradox Art Exhibition Opening

An exhibition hosted by Denise Bibro Fine Art and the Women's Caucus for Art, showcasing works that stir emotions, discussion and debate about our petroleum-dependent world with works that address the impact of collecting, processing and delivering fossil fuel on the environment; global warming; the power of big oil companies to control countries and governments; and life forms that were the origins of fossil fuel. This exhibit seeks to raise awareness of the imminent danger of uncontrolled climate change, caused by an excessive dependency on fossil fuels. This exhibition manifests the artists response to the Petroleum Paradox and what is happening in our oil dependent society and world.

The mission of the Women's Caucus for Art is to create community through art, education, and social activism. We are committed to recognizing the contributions of women in the arts, providing leadership opportunities and professional development, expanding networking and exhibition opportunities, supporting local, national, and global art activism and advocating for equity in the arts for all.

Denise Bibro Fine Art
529 West 20th Street, 4W, Manhattan
6-8p; $free
212 647 7030
denisebibrofineart.com/home

XXXXX UPCOMING XXXXX

• Eighth Annual Bicycle Fetish Day, May 26
• The Ascent, June 14-16

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. Just to read it. So, on the first Friday of the month 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 alita]at]nonsensenyc.com. We only list available apartments, lofts, studios, and one-off rentals -- not spaces wanted.

***** SPACES *****

*Host Live Theater in Your Home: English theater group MORA needs your NYC kitchen to stage a site-specific hour-long show. Each performance will be intimate, individual, and immersive. See: crumbletheplay.wordpress.com

XXXXX ALL THAT WE'VE MET XXXXX

All That We've Met is Pauline Pechin's series of interviews with artists, underground influencers, and people with interesting stories. You can email her here: pauline.pechin(at)gmail.com

This week: Curator A'yen Tran

What are the ins and outs of running a nightclub when you’re 14?

"I think the hardest thing about the nightclub when I was 14 was doing security."

Read the complete interview on Sunday at allthatwevemet.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 favorites are 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 spectrevision.net.

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 KD Derr. Send listing suggestions to learning(at)nonsensenyc.com.

NOTE: Nonsense is looking for an editor for the Learning section. This is a volunteer position that is not without reward. You'll be helping your fellow readers learn about all kinds of classes all over the city. Plus you will get take over the prestigious learning(at)nonsensenyc.com email address. This email address has low traffic with a high volume of really awesome classes that you find out about first. This does not guarantee but minimizes the instances of classes being sold out before you sign up. You should be detail oriented, punctual, and it helps if you know what a serial comma is. We'd love a one-year commitment. Still interested? Please email jstark]at]nonsensenyc with Learning Editor in the subject line.

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 KD Derr. Send listing suggestions to learning(at)nonsensenyc.com.

EDITOR WANTED: Nonsensenyc is looking for an editor for the learning section. This is a volunteer position that is not without reward. You will get take over the prestigious learning(at)nonsensenyc.com email address. This email address has low traffic with a high volume of really awesome classes that you find out about first. This does not guarantee but minimizes the instances of classes being at capacity before you sign up. If you are interested about finding out more email learning(at)nonsensenyc with Editor in the subject line.

***** LEARNING: FRIDAY *****

Creative Writing Workshops

Join us for NYWC Day, a day of free workshops in all five boroughs of New York City. Workshops will take place day and night. NYWC creates writing communities where no one ever thought they could exist, so on May 18 we will spin that idea in a fun new direction, and hold workshops in surprising and iconic NYC spots.

New York Writers Coalition
Various times and locations; $free
nywriterscoalition.org/2012/03/23/celebrate-10-years-of-nywc-by-taking-a-free-creative-writing-workshop-nywc-day-may-18/

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

People Who Talk With Birds: Siberian Shamans in the Future Past

Siberian shamans are time-travelers and shape-shifters, moving across worlds and forms in the course of ceremonial healing and divination rituals. Through sensory mediation, Miller tracks their migrations and transformations between polarities of human-not human, animal-not animal, spirit-nature, living-not living, and past-future. Based on 20 years of Miller’s archival and field research, this multimedia presentation includes descriptions, interviews, oral testimony, images, film, and multichannel sounds from the first ethnographic wax-cylinder recordings to contemporary montage.

Proteus Gowanus
543 Union Street, Brooklyn
7p; $5
proteusgowanus.org

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

The Secret Life of Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms were first brought into the public consciousness in the late 1950s after R. Gordon Wasson discovered the ceremonial mushroom rituals of the Mazatec Indians in Mexico and published his findings in Life magazine. Huautla de Jimenez, the largest town in the Sierra Mazateca, was made famous amongst spiritual seekers, resulting in a hippie invasion to the remote mountain town that lasted over a decade. Today, mushrooms are still commonly used for healing, and have become a very public symbol of Huautla’s pride in their culture. The Secret Life of Mushrooms features interviews with anthropologist and author of The Devil’s Book of Culture, Ben Feinberg, local curandera Ines Cortes Rodriguez, Mazatec ritual specialist Edward Abse, and a wide variety of local historians, musicians, and business owners, as journalist Dan Glass investigates the long term cultural effects that outsiders have had on the small mountain town in the last 50 years.

Morbid Anatomy
543 Unions Street, Brooklyn
8p; $5
Observatoryroom.org

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

Clown Improv Partnering Jam Sessions

Lead by experienced teacher/performers, John Leo and Andy Sapora, the class will be an opportunity to work closely with other performers, develop partnering trust and rhythms, and most of all, just get up on your feet and do stuff.

Tiny Dangerous Fun
Joria Productions
260 West 36 Street, third floor, Manhattan 7-9p; $25 door, $20 advance
tinydangerousfun.com/workshops

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

Reclaiming Vacant Land for Community Use

In conjunction with Flux Factory’s Hanging Gardens exhibition in June, we’ll present Reclaiming Vacant Land for Community Use with Paula Z. Segal of 596 Acres. The 596 Acres project focuses on identifying vacant City-owned property and working with communities on coalition building, political action, and ultimately, influencing the City to turn over control of this property for use as gardens and open spaces. Learn how to find that special lot in your life and where to go from there.

Flux Factory
39-31 29th Street, Queens
June 20, 7-9p; $Free
fluxfactory.org

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

Boost Your Social Media Presence

Social media allows artists and arts organizations unparalleled opportunities to grow their audience base, media exposure, and earned revenue. The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is one organization that has used an expanding social media strategy to grow from a small volunteer-led venue to a thriving arts center with partnerships across the city. This workshop will draw on their experience to share practical techniques and long-term strategies that can help boost your social media presence and expand the reach and impact of your brand, while minimizing your PR and marketing expenses. The workshop is appropriate for newcomers to social networking as well as arts professionals with several years of social media marketing experience.

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council
125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor, Manhattan
May 30, 6:30-8p; $Free with RSVP
LMCC.org

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

Foraging in Urban Parks: Eat For Free

This walking workshop will take a guided tour of the urban forest with forager, committed locavore, and botanist, Leda Meredith. Leda will be showing us how to identify edibles in the urban terrain. Learn about the plants you can pick and eat straight from your urban environment.

Autonomous Organization
Cage
83 Hester Street, Manhattan
May 27th, 2p; $Donation tools or money

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 MeeO at meeo(at)nonsensenyc.com.

***** HELP: NOW *****

Nonsense NYC Learning Editor

Take over compiling and editing the learning section for nonsense. This is the perfect position for the intellectually curious. This volunteer position is a one-or two-hour weekly commitment that comes with an email address that is already subscribed to many fascinating lists. We're looking for a 1-year commitment from a person with a tuned attention to detail.

jstark]at]nonsensenyc.com

***** HELP: NOW *****

Time’s Up Archive

We are approaching the end of our 3-month stay in an exciting space in the Lower East Side where we have been archiving Time's Up history 10 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have less than a month left in this space, and tons more work to do. We would like to make a final push to archive thousands of documents, photos and videos before we move out of the space. We are looking for anyone who can help for even an hour or two, anytime in the next three weeks. No skills needed. If you have photo management experience, that is great, but not necessary. We will be scanning articles, renaming video clips, backing up footage, and going through the footage to ensure they are filed correctly. This is a rare chance to view historic documents and footage, help preserve the rich history of activism in NYC, and keep the movement vibrant long into the future.

Please e-mail me with any times you are available and I will put you in touch with our project manager.
timesupvolunteer3]at]gmail.com

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

Beam Camp

Beam Camp is an overnight summer program in Strafford, New Hampshire, where kids 7-17 learn to make their ideas happen through fine and manual arts, technology, and collaboration. Every session campers collaborate on a spectacular Beam Project and engage with our full-time and visiting staff of professional architects, videographers, builders, engineers, designers, and makers of all kinds. They swim, hike, play games, and enjoy 750 acres of mountain, forests, and lakes, while transforming ideas into artifacts and personal achievement into community success. We're looking for some great counselors to join us this summer.

beamcamp.com/staff-application/

XXXXX NONSENSE XXXXX

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

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

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

XXXXX END XXXXX

Broadcasting in mono.