Date: February 15th 2008

Friday, February 15
* Cupid's Rejects, Williamsburg
* Make-Out Party, Long Island City
* Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, Duh
* The Vagina Monologues and Beyond, Manhattan
* Notes From Underground, Williamsburg
* Pinchbottom Explains How to Sex, Manhattan

Saturday, February 16
* Rubulad presents: The Birds and the Bees, Brooklyn
* New York Night Train's Soul Clap Dance Off, Williamsburg
* Rated X: Veronica Varlow with the Switch, Manhattan

Sunday, February 17
* Brass Bands, Williamsburg

Tuesday, February 19
* YouTube Tuesdays, Williamsburg

Wednesday, February 20
* Where Have You Been? Manhattan

Thursday, February 21
* The Raw and the Cooked, Manhattan
* New York City Chinatown Garbage Tour, Manhattan

Upcoming
* Grassroots Media Conference

Ongoing
* Don Juan

Wishlist
* Same places

Learning
* Microcontrollers

Help
* Waiters Needed

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


Junebug turbine.


XXXXX FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 XXXXX


Hungry March Band presents:

Cupid's Rejects

An après soirée to recover, recoup, and recouple. Throw your heart on the floor and take love off the shelf. Pranks and riotous debauchery of mythological proportions (over 40 performers) are guaranteed at this anti-Valentine bash. We aim to dissolve the overly commercialized holiday, laden with unrealistic expectations, with a soirée to puncture your heart and lead you to willingly commit acts of absurdity.

Hosted by NYC's Kingpin of vocal perversity, ZeroBoy will lead us into lechery. There will be two scorching sets by the irresistible Hungry March Band to seduce you to dance in ecstatic frenzy. This Ambitious Orchestra brings us an ephemeral orgy of lascivious spunk. Delectable treats from the HMB's illicit Pleasure Society and Second Line. We finish with a bang of fierceness from I Love You Airlines.

There will be vouchers redeemable for indulgences, sybarites and buffoonery. The Pleasure Society will host a crafty table where you lust monkeys can create etchings and prose for that sugar mama, chum, paramour, dandy, frenemy, flame or momentary object of infatuation.

We encourage you to: Make your own version of anti-Valentine cards to express your sentiments; be they passionate, rude, adoring, dirty, sweet or nasty. Surprise us. Wear your wild party vixen finest to express your heart's desire.

Glasslands Gallery
289 Kent Avenue, between South 1st and South 2nd Streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
8p-4a; $10
718 599 1450
brookebaxter.com/glasslandsgallery/


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


Make-Out Party

A benefit for Flux Factory, your favorite little non-profit arts collective in Queens. Dancing to follow till the wee hours of the morning courtesy DJ Clockwork from HiFi-Live.com. Undress to Impress.

Performances by: Strawberry Cream Puff, Johnathon Bitchman, Goddess Perlman, Crystal Chandelier, Dixieland Delight, the Gigaman, and MC Dove Daily. Games, prizes. Consensual kissing only. Queer friendly.


Flux Factory
38-38 43rd Street, between Northern and Queens Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens
9p bar, 10p red hot burlesque; $5, all proceeds to benefit Flux Factory
21 and over
fluxfactory.org/directions


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


Williamsburg Fashion Weekend

Come support the second installment of this biannual event which continues to give opportunities to new and intriguing designers to show in a neutral environment and the encouragement to do unorthodox presentations. Live music, makeovers by Swoon Magazine. With Mandate of Heaven, Sovereign Beck, King Gurvy. Saturday: SDN, French Me.

Monster Island
210 Kent Avenue, at Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
7-10p; $free
Continues SATURDAY


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


The Vagina Monologues and Beyond

A version of the Vagina Monologues like you've never seen before, featuring Busby Berkeley-style dance numbers, a giant vagina, monologues you've never heard before, and the Rude Mechanical Orchestra. Presentation of original monologues written by Columbia students.

Please join us for an experimental, queer response to and presentation of the most popular piece of feminist theater ever, Eve Ensler's the Vagina Monologues taking place at Columbia University, where we ask the question, What is it all about?

The show is a benefit for the local anti-domestic violence organization Day One.

Columbia University's Roone Arledge Auditorium in Alfred Lerner Hall
115th Street and Broadway, Manhattan
7:30p doors and dinner, 8p show; $7-12
dayoneny.org.
ovationtix.com/trs/pr/31111


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


Notes From Underground

I'm an actor, and am involved now in a show that I think you'd be interested in. It's, yes, an adaptation of Dostoevsky's novel. It's at The Brick Theater in Williamsburg (which more and more is turning into the spiritual heir to Nada, the Piano Store, and other late, lamented lower east side theaters, but I digress) and is actually a revival; it ran for four months during the summer of 1999 in a sub-basement on 2nd Avenue.

It's staged in a tiny room at the back of the theater and lit only by candlelight controlled by Underground Man himself. Limited and uncomfortable seating is the tagline the director is using and he isn't kidding; I think we seat about 18 and even then mostly on piles of books and broken crates. It's intense. Funny, odd, intense.

Brick Theater
575 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg Brooklyn
L train to Lorimer station, G train to Metropolitan station
Continues THURSDAY-SATURDAY through March 22
8p; $15 tickets
212 352 3101
Theatermania.com
bricktheater.com/notesfromunderground/


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


Pinchbottom Explains How to Sex

Live seminar poised to improve Valentine's weekend boinking.

Hey there, chum -- why so sad? Did your Valentines Day plans not quite work out the way you wanted? Were your efforts to sex rebuffed by the person of your dreams? Or perhaps you and your partner attempted to sex and failed? Well, friend, never fear: your coition-related troubles will be put to bed when you attend The Pinchbottom Institute's Groundbreaking Live Seminar: How to Sex (a do-it yourself guide.)

How to Sex (a do-it-yourself guide) covers every aspect of intercourse in a series of 10 easy burlesque-based lessons, all presented live on stage. From choosing the best partner or equipment -- to accurately undressing -- to correctly putting the right thing in, around, or on the other thing -- to cleaning up afterward, the ins and outs of this difficult and confusing task are examined in explicit detail.

Let the sexy experts of The Pinchbottom Institute for the Sex gently guide you through the simple steps necessary to make you -- yes, you! -- a whiz at How to Sex. Led by Doctor Nasty Canasta and Professor Jonny Porkpie (who, as a married couple, have sexed together several times), the seminar also features sex-educational burlesque and variety acts from Anita Cookie, Bastard Keith, Clams Casino, Delirium Tremens, Jo Boobs, Little Brooklyn, Naughtia Nice, Scott Rayow, Schaffer the Darklord, and special guest from Seattle, Heidi Von Haught of the Von Foxies, who will demonstrate the West Coast methods of sexing. Combined, our courteous and professional staff has over 180 years of training in both sex and making other people want to sex.

Collective:Unconscious
279 Church Street, Manhattan
10p; $15
Continues SATURDAY
212 352 3101
pinchbottom.com/tickets


XXXXX SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 XXXXX


Rubulad presents: The Birds and the Bees

A V-Day soiree. Featuring live music by Amie Amis, Gaijin a Go-Go, and Moi? With your MC, the amazing Zero Boy, and DJ Kris Anton. Plus DJs Ursula 1000, the Vintage DJ, Li'l Shalimar, and Hamish Anderson.

In the cabaret room Adira Amram, Secretary featuring Big Boss, Ryan Power, Shanimal, and DJs Greything, Jason BK. In the Starlight Lounge: G. Scopitronic's Non-Stop Film Fest, Yummy Dub Pies and Hot Cider. Plus Norm Francoeur's Light Circus, chow by Vicious Delicious, sweets by Brownie Points, ViewMaster Slide Show in the Big Bird by Yung Oh Le Page. Dress: birds, bees, to please or tease.

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

Rubulad Home Base
338 Flushing Avenue, between Classon and Taffee, Brooklyn
B61 bus to Fluushing, G train to Classon station
10p doors, 11p show; $10 before 11, in costume, or way late, $15 otherwise
21 and over please
chris[at]spill.net


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


New York Night Train's Soul Clap Dance Off

DJ Jonathan Toubin will be busting some serious soul, funk, maximum r&b, girl group classics, novelties, and obscurities. We are offering half of the door money to the winner of the 1a contest (you?). Prizes for second and third place winners as well. Past winners have won as much as $200 bucks. Fabulous celebrity guest judges: Masha and Melissa-Anne of the Bangs, Zack Lipez of Fresh Kills, Lefty and Ray from Stalkers. Show up early to sign up; we only allow 20 contestants.

GlassLands Gallery
289 Kent Avenue, between South 1st and South 2nd streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Midnight doors, 1a dance off, free beer midnight-1a; $3
myspace.com/theglasslands


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


Michael T. and Theo present:

Rated X: Veronica Varlow with the Switch

Join us for a night of delirium, debauchery, and a dose of faerie magick. The Switch will be premiering their debut music video, starring burlesque goddess Veronica Varlow as the Dark Faerie Queen. Brand new live burlesque performance by the impossibly sexy Veronica, and mini-set by the Switch.

Don Hills
511 Greenwich, at Spring Street, Manhattan
11p doors; $5-10


XXXXX SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 XXXXX


Brass Bands

Veveritse, What Cheer? Brigade, Slavic Soul Party, and DJ Joroboro.

Union Pool
484 Union Avenue, at Meeker, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
8p; $10
myspace.com/unionpool
myspace.com/whatcheerbrigade


XXXXX TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 XXXXX


From NY Happenings:

YouTube Tuesdays

A six-hour, no cover laugh-riot where patrons request their favorite viral and music videos shown on the big screen.

It started quite by accident in December 2007. Video artist Bamiam (aka B.A. Miale), was premiering her latest music video at cozy dive bar, Cyn Lounge. The thing is, the video was only two and a half minutes long. With a packed bar and her projector hooked up, she felt the need to continue providing the eye-candy and began playing random videos off YouTube. What happened next is a beautiful thing. People began yelling out requests. Some were hilarious comedy shorts and animations. Many were music videos you rarely even see on VH1 Classic.

Gino the Guinea!

James Brown on Wheel Of Fortune!

The Replacements' Bastards Of Young!

Fat kid falls and gets hurt!

Six hours later, the bar was still packed, full of uproarious laughter. Folks were even dancing around and shouting along to music videos. Most of these clips are usually watched alone, confined within the walls of a cubicle, but these videos are much more entertaining in good company, when your boss isn't lurking around the corner -- and the cheap drinks don't hurt either.

Cyn Lounge
216 Bedford Avenue, at North 5th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 10p; $free

NOTE: OK journalists, have at it. Doomsayers too.


XXXXX WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 XXXXX


Where Have You Been?

Stories about travel and far-away places. New Yorkers go all over the world but the city has a way of swallowing their homecomings. Orbit the earth and your friends just ask if you missed the pizza. This homespun live talk show offers a chance for travelers to tell stories, to bring the world home and share it with the rest of us -- travelers as well as those of us who don't get out much.

Tonight features interviews with three intrepids: Jef Wolfy Scharf investigates the toilets of Europe, Ida Benedetto and Tim Kantz work with fair trade coffee farmers in Western Guatemala, and Anastasia Andino palled around with a monkey in Thailand. Bonus: slides from a pauper's cemetery in New Orleans.

Interviews by Jeff Stark. Gorgeous slideshows tightly edited and mercifully short.

Bluestockings Bookstore
172 Allen Street, Manhattan
7-8:30p; $5 suggested donation
bluestockings.com/
wherehaveyoubeen.wordpress.com


XXXXX THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 XXXXX


The Raw and the Cooked

The Raw and the Cooked is a monthly forum for interdisciplinary improvisation including music, dance, video mixed-media. Each performance features raw, improvised performance by electronic and acoustic musicians and dancers. Cooked work focuses on the role of indeterminacy within choreographed and composed performance. Known for its lively and adventurous and atmosphere for performer and audience member alike, the Raw and the Cooked is quickly growing as a meeting ground for experimental, cross-genre collaboration. Past participants have included members of Brooklyn band Symbol, Ohio performance group Ensemble 46, and Tisch Dance.

The Tank at Collective: Unconscious
279 Church Street, between Franklin and White, Manhattan
9:30p; $5
All ages


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


New York City Chinatown Garbage Tour

Did you know you could make art out of dead animals? I am going to show you how to collect dead animals from the garbage in Chinatown to make your own personal taxidermy. This is the first NYC Chinatown Garbage Taxidermy Tour. You will learn how to dig in the garbage for dead animals. You can make art out of these animals. I've found everything from sharks to frogs to plain old unidentifiable crap. Sometimes I find nothing interesting, but that is what makes it fun. You never know. RSVP is appreciated but not required.

Southeast Corner of Canal Street and Lafayette Street, Manhattan
9p rain or shine; $free
stoproadkill.org


XXXXX UPCOMING XXXXX


* NYC Grassroots Media Conference, March 2


XXXXX ONGOING XXXXX


* 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 ones that feature independent bands at quality venues like Asterisk and those booked by hard-working promoters like Todd P or the Rats of Nimh, consult resources like ohmyrockness.com, brooklynvegan.com/, sleepwhendeadnyc.com/calendar/, or the lively New York Happenings listserve on Yahoo groups launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/nyhappenings/. For the most exhaustive list of underground shows at unusual venues, track down a copy of the extremely useful -- and handsome -- Showpaper.


***** ONGOING: FRIDAYS *****


* The National Theater of the United States presents: Moliere's Don Juan. The NTUSA's first execution of a classical text. Chocolate Factory, 5-49 49th Avenue, Long Island City, Queens. 8p; $15. Continues THURSDAYS through SUNDAYS through March 1. chocolatefactorytheater.org/e_ntusa.html

* Brooklyn Critical Mass. Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Second FRIDAY of the month. 7p; $free.


***** ONGOING: SATURDAYS *****


* Rock & Roll 101. Watch music documentaries projected on the wall while you sip on $3 bloody marys, $2 wells, and $2 beers. Features have included Live at Pompeii (Pink Floyd), Instrument (Fugazi), and Jean-Luc Godard's Sympathy For the Devil (Rolling Stones). St. Jerome's, 155 Rivington, between Clinton and Suffolk, Manhattan. 4-9p; $free.

* Barefoot Boogie: No shooze no booze. The Boogie is a not-for-profit alcohol-free event that happens every second and fourth Saturday of the month. Insight Meditation Center, 28 West 27th Street, 10th floor, buzzer No. 27. 8:30p-12:30a. barefootboogie.org


***** ONGOING: SUNDAYS *****


* Grub, a cheap, simple dinner for strangers and co-conspirators. Rubulad home base, 338 Flushing, at Classon, Brooklyn. G train to Flushing or Classon stations, J,M,Z to Marcy, B61 bus to Flushing. First and third SUNDAYS, 6:30p doors, 7p dinner; $pay what you want, and bring your own booze. suckapants.com/grub.html

* Free movie screenings. Double feature, with free popcorn. Hugs, 108 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 7p; $free. myspace.com/movienightqueen

* Church of Craft, group crafting. February 3, once monthly, 2-6p; $free. Etsy Labs! 325 Gold Street, 6th floor, Brooklyn.

* NYC Bike Polo. No experience needed. We'll show you how to play. We have mallets and balls; bring your bicycle. 1:30-5p-ish (or later if it's really nice out); $free. Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Broome between Chrystie and Forsyth, Manhattan. groups.myspace.com/NYCBIKEPOLO

* Surveillance Camera Outdoor Walking Tours. Last SUNDAY of the month, 2p; $free. Various locations. notbored.org/scowt.html


***** ONGOING: MONDAYS *****


* Tom Swirly's Psych-o-delic Cirqueus, a monstrously strange avant-garde musical talk show with variety acts, weirdness, and sensation. Cave Canem, 24 First Avenue, Manhattan. 8-11:30p; $5.

* Williamsburg Spelling Bee, compete for bar tab at a real adult spelling bee, every other MONDAY, 7:30p; free, Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn. petescandystore.com

* Keyboard Karaoke, sing your favorite songs with Joe at the Piano. MONDAYS, 10p; $?. The Lucky Cat, 245 Grand Street, between Driggs and Roebling, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. theluckycat.com/

* Smut, erotic performance, readings, and discussion. MONDAYS 8p; $5. Galapagos, 70 North 6th Street, between Wythe and Kent, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 718 782 5188, galapagosartspace.com/events.html.

* The Big Quiz Thing. NYC's live trivia spectacular. Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery, at Spring, Manhattan. Two Mondays a month. 7p doors; $7, $200 grand prize.

* Show and Tell. Each performer gets seven minutes. Writing contest and Beer Walk for free beer. Hosted by the O'Debra Twins. Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, Manhattan. MONDAYS 10p; $3. Monday, January 31: The heavy and strange Thank You For Not Screaming open.


***** ONGOING: TUESDAYS *****


* Make Fun. The House of Yes invites you to come sew, glue, paint, and create in our public workspace. We provide sewing machines, free fabric, glue, scissors, and a variety of random materials to help you make customized costumes, clothes, curtains, puppets, pants, pillows, masks, hats, giant stuffed animals, sequined bras, spandex unitards, capes, table covers, and anything else. (If you don't know how to sew, we can teach you.) Bring food, drink, materials, half-finished projects and inspiration. House of Yes, 19-49 Troutman Street, at Flushing Ave and Metropolitan, Brooklyn. L train to the Jefferson station. 8p-2a; $5-10. 585 217 7209, kaeburke[at]gmail.com

* Diorama Lodge. Liquor-fueled art and crafts. Bring your own box and supplies to contribute to the communal pot. Freddy's Back Room, 485 Dean Street at 6th Avenue, Brooklyn. Once a month, December 4, 8p; $free. friendster.com/dioramalodge

* Sidewalk Performance Space. A place where people can get together as an artistic community and workshop, perform, write, learn, network, and become exposed to new ideas. 7:30-9p; $free.
917.573.7838 or jibberishjay[at]gmail.com


***** ONGOING: WEDNESDAYS *****


* Stitch and Bitch. Crafting happy hour. Bring the gossip. Southside Speakeasy, 245 South 1st Street, between Roebling and Havemeyer, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 6p-9p; $free, cheap shots and cocktails. shilo.byrd[at]gmail.com


***** ONGOING: THURSDAYS *****


* Rocky Sullivan's Pub Quiz, with Quizmaster Scott M.X. Turner. 8:30p; $free admission, potable prizes. Rocky Sulivan's, 34 Van Dyke Street, Brooklyn. rockysullivans.com/quiz.html

* Nerd Nite, sciencey lectures, like the Discovery Channel with beer. Angels and Kings, 500 East 11th Street, between Avenues A and B, Manhattan. First Thursday of the month, 7p; $free with two-drink minimum.
nerdnite.com

* Free Movie Night at the Flying Saucer Cafe. 8:30p; $free. 494 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn.

* Unisex Salon, three floors of live performance, visual art, video, installation, and new music. Once a month; check website for exact dates. 10p doors, 11.30 show; $5 before 11, $10 after, or $5 with rsvp to unisexsalon[at]scenedowntown.com. The Delancey, 168 Delancey Street, Manhattan

* Starshine Burlesque. Rififi, 332 East 11th Street, between First and Second avenues, Manhattan. THURSDAYS, 10p-ish; $10-15. starshineburlesque.com.


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 *****


* Bushwick room for rent, $800 plus utilities, available now. Large room (13 by 15 with two windows and small closet) for rent in duplex, also comes with separate small room (7 by 7 with a window) for office, workspace, storage, whatever. three-story duplex on residential street in Bushwick, a block and a half from the Myrtle J,M,Z trains and a 10-minute walk from the Morgan L station. Close to supermarket, laundromats, a gym, and a short walk from bars and coffee shops. We have the top two floors, and there is a living room with houseplants and a nice sunny kitchen. We share the backyard with our awesome downstairs neighbors and a cool guy who works out of the garage building bike frames. We are a couple in our 20s. We both work 9 to 5s (her in a small natural foods store in Manhattan, him in carpentry and landscaping). We have a big dog (18 months) and a small cat and lots of plants. We have been living in this house for a couple years. We like barbeques and drinking and me
ssing around with bikes. We're open to the idea of having another dog if it gets along with ours, but prolly no more cats. Contact Jared and Bahiyyih, jared.lodge[at]gmail.com, 978 857 4080.

* Roommate needed: availability: immediately, lease or sublet. Rent: $960, security deposit: one month's rent. Bedroom floor space: 15 by 35; ceiling: 8 feet. Half bath. The apartment has three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, living room, kitchen, concrete backyard. Maspeth and Kingsland (Williamsburg), 2.5 blocks to the Graham L. Freshly painted last week. Contact Aaron at northguineahills[at]gmail.com

* We've got one opening for someone, preferably a guy, for March 1. The UnionDocs Residency Program (UDRP) combines an excellent cooperative living situation with an opportunity for immersion in independent cultural production. It's a structure for working together, for a curatorial and creative practice that engages social and political issues. It's an environment meant to foster both critical discussion and strong community. Six carefully selected people live together in a historic building at a great location and collaborate to produce a festival-quality documentary arts series in the first floor screening room. Led by a founding UnionDocs member, they work directly with directors, producers, and artists bringing new films, exhibitions, lectures, concerts and workshops to local audiences, and publishing original content online. See more info and apply here: uniondocs.org/udrpapplication/.


XXXXX LEARNING XXXXX


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

Learning is compiled and edited every week by Joanie Schaffer. Send listings and announcements to her at schafferific[at]gmail.com.


***** LEARNING: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 *****


Binding a Classic Hardcover Book

Learn to make a classic clothbound hardcover book. The flatback case opens flat and is suited to a slim volume of poetry or a hefty dictionary to a tiny miniature book or a really big book. For beginners, building a flatback case is a good introduction to hand bookbinding fundamentals. Those with more experience will review and refine skills to gain confidence in one of the standard structures of bookbinding. Bind a book any size you wish, either blank or bring prepared signatures. Preregistration required.

The Center for Book Arts
28 West 27th Street (3rd floor), Manhattan
10a-4p on February 16 and 17; $260 nonmembers, $245 members
centerforbookarts.org/newsite/classes/
212 481 0295


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


Microcontroller Progamming for Artists: Introduction to the Arduino System, Level 2

Have you ever wanted to build a robot or an interactive art installation? Have you ever wondered how LEDs, sensors and motors work? Through collaborative exercises and the development of a final project you will learn how to program and prototype with an Arduino microcontroller (http://arduino.cc). This class is geared towards beginners, and no prior knowledge of electronics or programming is required. This class will demonstrate programming and electronics basics through hands-on microcontroller projects. You will learn digital and analog input and output techniques for controlling motors and interpreting sensors, as well as the programming skills necessary to use these components effectively. By the end of Level 1, students will have a firm understanding of how microcontrollers, sensors and actuators work and how to utilize these tools in their own creative projects. Past students who have taken the original course have been eager to keep going and learn more about the Ardu
ino. Therefore, we are now offering a consecutive Level 2 course. In Level 2, we will go beyond basic functionality and deeper into the Arduino programming language. We will also explore advanced concepts in interface, motion and display based on student interest. Preregistration required.

LemurPlex
461 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn
12-4:30p; $300
lemurbots.org/classes.html
718 576 1066


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


Free Media Workshop

Eyebeam Production Fellows and student residents with MediaShed will teach you how to recycle media and technology garbage into useful electronics, and share your creations on the Gearbox toolkit website. Preregistration required.

Eyebeam
540 W. 21 Street, Manhattan
1-6:30p; $free
http://tinyurl.com/24vtn2
212 937 6580


***** LEARNING: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 *****


Build a Bag Workshop

The Build a Bag workshop is a 3-hour project based class geared toward the beginning sewer. No experience is necessary. After choosing your own interior and exterior fabrics you will cut, pin, interface and machine sew your own lined cotton tote bag. Wine and chocolate to celebrate at the end. Preregistration required.

Flirt Brooklyn, Inc.
93 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn
6:30-9:30p; $95
flirt-brooklyn.com
718 852 2889


***** LEARNING: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 *****


Electronics Through Circuit Bending

This informal workshop will cover the basics of electronics (components, their functions, soldering and schematic reading) through the magic of hacking electronic children's toys into mutant instruments. Circuit Bending, pioneeered by Reed Ghazala in the late sixties, is the practice of opening simple, low volage electronic devices - usually children's toys which make sound - and purposefully short circuiting them to create controlled malfunctions. With a little electronics background and practice, it is easy to take your Frankentoy from fun experiment to Performance Ready Noise Monster. Add custom pots, buttons, patch matrices, or even continuous touch controllers for less cash than you spend daily on lunch. All the while, you'll learn what a capacitor does, what resistance really is, and some of the finer points of soldering (pun intended). If theres time, we'll also touch on custom case mods. Participants are encouraged to bring their own toy to bend (theres plenty of info
on the web regarding which devices work the best) or to arrive with a pre-bent toy to show off or to continue working on. If you're too busy to get your own toy shopping done, just pay the small equipment fee and we'll have one ready for you. Preregistration required.

3rd Ward
195 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn
7-10p on February 20 and 27; $free (with optional $20 materials fee)
3rdwardbrooklyn.org/classes/sculpture-fabrication
718 715 4961


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


* Windowsill Gardening Series–Terrariums, February 23.
wavehill.org/events/event_1100.html

* How to Make A Photograph Album, February 23-24.
centerforbookarts.org

* DIY Multimedia Workshop for Artists, February 24.
mixedmsg.com/DIY


XXXXX HELP XXXXX


Ever taken part in an old-fashioned barn raising? We never have, but we think it would be kind of cool-all those neighbors in funny hats and overalls coming together to pound nails, stand up walls and raise the collective roof. In that spirit, we look for one-day volunteer opportunities with no long-term commitments required. Our goal is to help groups or individuals that serve the greater good in small but significant ways, avoiding mega-nonprofits and people just looking for free labor. Know of any existing opportunities? Looking for ways to help out? Or need volunteers to get your own community project off the ground? Send your requests to Joanie Schaffer at schafferific[at]gmail.com.


***** HELP: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 *****


Serving Restaurant-style Meals

Volunteers at the University Soup Kitchen, Street Project's longest running activity, serve meals to men and women of all ages in a respectful "restaurant-style" environment. Soup Kitchen is a great, fun way for busy people to lend a hand to the community while meeting other young professionals in the city. Volunteers are needed at the Soup Kitchen for several upcoming Saturdays. Space can be limited (six to eight people per session), so please sign up online if you're able to volunteer. Please arrive at 11:45a for a quick orientation/job assignment, and then please courteously stay until clean-up is finished. You must be 18 to volunteer. And please let us know as soon as you know you can't make a day you've committed for.

Church of the Nativity
44 Second Avenue, Manhattan
11:45a-3:30p
streetproject.org/eventdisplay.php?eid=887


***** HELP: Also on SATURDAY *****


February Clothing Donation Day

On Saturday February 16th, we'll be helping out Dress for Success at its Manhattan location. We will be meeting and greeting clothing donors, providing tax receipts, and sorting donations to select only the best for Dress for Success clients. These events fill up quickly, so register soon.

Dress for Success
32 East 31st Street (7th Floor), Manhattan
10:45a-3p
streetproject.org/eventdisplay.php?eid=874


***** HELP: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 *****


2008 NYC Anarchist Bookfair Organization Meeting

Please come to our next organizing meeting. We'll be adding details to our exciting new website; considering applications for exhibitors as well as panels, workshops and skillshares; and planning art, outreach and other vital matters. We need organizers and volunteers to help us with completing context for our fabulous website; outreach (flyering, postering, ads, etc); logistics (scheduling around the day of the bookfair); film festival; cabaret; panels; workshops; skillshares; art; etc.

ABC No Rio
156 Rivington Street (first floor)
7p; $free
anarchistbookfair.net/volunteering.php


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


* Looking for Summer Staff: Beam Camp is looking for Artists and Builders as Teacher/Counselors. Beam is a summer camp for the fine and manual arts where each summer campers aged 7-16 collaborate on a spectacular project. Our mission is to help kids explore what it means to make things with their own hands and brains and how that kind of creativity is relevant and applicable to everything in their lives. They transform plan into action, idea into artifact, and personal achievement into community success. We're looking for artists, carpenters, musicians, engineers, designers, and big thinkers (20 and over) who can join us for 5 weeks (7/14 - 8/19) in beautiful Strafford, New Hampshire. If you'd like to explore becoming a Beamer, tell us why and send your resume to brian[at]beamcamp.com. beamcamp.com.

*Chinatown Film Festival. CFF is on the verge of exploding into one of the most exciting festivals ever. In October 2008, the festival will hit the metropolitan with a bang, but we need your help. The CFF is looking for highly motivated, highly organized individuals who are able to commit and dedicate their time and effort. Our staff is more than happy to teach you everything you need to know about a film festival. You will become an integral part of the festival. You will share in this unique experience, and will have the opportunity to see how films are made and ho an international festival operates, as well as a chance to learn some of the inner workings of the industry and meet some very interesting people. Community leaders, politicians, media, filmmakers, entertainers, and of course the stars themselves will all be present. If you are interested in being part of the CFF, please contact our Human Resource Department for more information. Contacts Jose[at]cff2008.org or G
ene[at]cff2008.org for more details. cff2008.org/joomla/index.php.

* Glasslands Intern. We need help. It would be 2-3 weekday afternoons and some evenings. Responsibilities do not include brushing Derek's hair, getting beer and girls for used-to-be women, mending Jeff's torn shirts and pants, telling Rolyn and Brooke they look beautiful today or helping Aaron and Nick build their space travel machine. If you or anyone you know is interested have them email us here. It will be fun and educational. theglassland[at]gmail.com.

* Looking for new interns/volunteers. Looking for people who love independent music, do-it-yourself ethics, own a laptop and aren't working another serious job or internship already. Looking for 15-20 hours per week and at least a three month commitment. I will sign off on course credit and give preference to students who can get credit. If you're interested, send me a short email describing why you're qualified, why you're interested and your understanding of what it is I/we do. Include a resume, formal or informal, and send it all back to todd[at]toddpnyc.com with "Intern/Volunteer" in the subject line.

* Showpaper is looking for new interns/volunteers. Looking for 15-20 hours per week and at least a three month commitment - especially people with copy editing, layout, fundraising, or grant writing experience. They're also looking for distribution help in New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, upstate and the five boroughs - particularly distribution people with access to a vehicle. If you're interested, send me a short email describing why you're qualified, why you're interested and your understanding of what it is I/we do. Include a resume, formal or informal, and send it all back to showpape[at]gmail.com with "Intern/Volunteer" in the subject line.


***** HELP: ONGOING *****


* The Fortune Society is looking for volunteers to teach reading, writing and math to former prisoners and young people facing prison time. 212 691 7554 or jkefalas[at]fortunesociety.org

* Serve in the Community Kitchen. You will be the waiters and waitresses in our very welcoming facility. Our community kitchen is set up more like a cafe than a traditional soup kitchen. We can seat only 24 people at one time. This helps us create a real feeling of community. We will ask you to bring plates of food, drinks and desserts to our guests. Also, we ask your help in cleaning tables so we can seat more guests and occasionally working in the kitchen or washing dishes. The most important part of your job will be to be hospitable. We are looking for volunteers with great smiles who are willing to spend some time in conversation with our guests. You will meet some incredible people. Our kitchen and dining room can often be chaotic because of fast turnover rates. We invite anyone over 12 or over to come and serve with us. Please wear closed toe shoes, so that your toes are safe. I also suggest wearing clothes you are not sentimentally attached to, as you may get dirty. Co
ntact Taina Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator, for more details 718 220 4892 x12.

* Food Pantry Assistance. Assist in the delivery, packaging, and unloading food from the truck. Volunteers must be in good physical condition. Select one or more aspects, two to three hours each: unloading one day per month (usually in the morning (10a-12p)), packaging (usually in the evening (7-10p)) or delivery to client one to two days (usually morning). This opportunity is sponsored by: Jackson Heights-Elmhurst Kehillah, Inc. Contact Ben Akselrod, Executive Director, for additional details 718 457 4591.

* We are in the process of reviving the Building Bridges On Line web site and could use help, on an on-going basis. We need someone who can volunteer for five to 10 hours a week to help develop and maintain the site. Knowledge of web programming is required as you would be working with an experienced professional webmaster. Some experience in graphics would be helpful. Contact knash[at]igc.org for further details.

* NY Artists Unlimited is a 24-year-old, multicultural nonprofit that takes professional theater to under-served audiences. Volunteers/ interns are used in all areas: administration, office work, design, graphics, technical, fund raising, PR/marketing, creative areas, and more. Visit the website for further info: NYartists.org or contact Nyartunlt[at]aol.com.

* The Rock Dove Project focuses on connecting health care practitioners who offer cheap/free services with seekers of those services. rockdovecollective.org/project

* Mentor kids through skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding at Stoked Mentoring. 917 262 3217 or email: info[at]stokedmentoring.org

* Rescue disoriented and injured birds and ultimately help migratory birds make it to their destinations as a Project Safe Flight Volunteer. volunteer[at]nycaudubon.org

* Action Against Hunger volunteer night 6-8p every first and third Tuesday night of the month. actionagainsthunger.org

*Mentor a child beginning this fall. The commitment is just one hour a week of mentoring at a school, foster care agency or community center. Training is provided to all mentors. mentoringusa.org

* Volunteer with Books Through Bars, an affiliated project of ABC No Rio that sends books to prisoners all over the country. Books Through Bars meets every Tuesday 7-9p and every Sunday 5-8p at ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington Street, Manhattan

* Explore the city with kids through the Urban Adventures program. streetproject.org

* Help feed the homeless by volunteering at a City Harvest special event. cityharvest.org

* Volunteer as a writing tutor for kids at 826NYC. 826NYC.org

* Dog walking and Cat Petting at the Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition. barcshelter.org


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Burning down your motherfucking FEMA trailer.