Happenings for Week of August 6th, 2007

Monday, August 6th, 2007

Travel Exhibit: Tourisme Montreal (C, E)
Lose the routine and find your Montréal getaway.
Imagine entering a space that plunges you into the sites and sounds of one of the world’s great cities, where you can escape your daily routine and live a virtual vacation. Through state-of-the-art technology, you’ll have an opportunity to explore this unique North American metropolis that mixes European flair with a North American vibe. The Montréal experience revolves around six distinct themes spotlighting the city’s creativity and effervescence in cuisine, arts & culture, architecture, shopping, outdoor activities, and nightlife. And visitors can also enter a contest for a chance to win one of three fabulous Montréal getaways!
@ Grand Central Terminal - Vanderbilt Hall
42nd Street (between Park Avenue and Vanderbilt)
Free
For more information: grandcentral




Lauryn Hill performs with Sean Kingston (A, C, M)
Her 1998 solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill showed this Fugee was a major vocal and lyrical force, blending rap, soul, reggae, and R&B into an undeniably powerful, and deeply personal style. Sean Kingston, a 17-year-old native of Jamaica, is not just a new face in popular music; he's accomplished the rare task of creating a new genre where rap, reggae, dancehall, pop, a touch of doo-wop and remarkable songwriting combine into something totally fresh.
@ Wingate Field
(between Winthrop Street and Brooklyn Avenue)
7:30p
Free
For more information: lauryn

Tuesday, August 7th, 2007

Book Discussion and Reading (L)
Waking with Enemies by Eric Jerome Dickey
Ten-time "New York Times" bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey sizzles in this rapid-fire sequel to "Sleeping with Strangers," which finds international hit man Gideon waking up with his past haunting him and danger knocking at his door. A heated encounter inside a London hotel room (where he was pursued by three very different women) leaves Gideon waking up to a world where theres no one to trust. Someone has taken out a hit on the hit man but who? The clock is ticking as Gideon tries to pin down the man who was sent to kill him a mysterious man with a broken nose who shadows his every move while also finding out who from his past might have ordered the hit. Could it be the man he left alive in Tampa, the woman who taught him to kill, the scorned woman he still desires, or some other unseen enemy? As the hunter becomes the hunted, Gideon will need to find his friends and his enemies to get out of the game alive.
@ Hue-Man Bookstore
2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd (between 124th and 125th Streets)
6p
Free
For more information: books



The Manhattans (A, C, M)
This group has had a remarkable 40-year career on the R&B scene. They evolved from a doo-wop group to soulful balladeers to smooth “quiet storm” singers, never losing their passionate, down-home feel. Perhaps most famous for their 1976 smash hit “Kiss and Say Goodbye,” The Manhattans have continued to record as recently as 2003, they heated things up with the beautiful ballad “Turn Out The Stars.”
Queensbridge Park
21st Street and Bridge Plaza at the East River
7 - 8:30p
Free
For more information: cityparks

Wine Tasting: South of the Border (D/F, E)
We’ll be tasting new wines from Chile and Argentina
@ Best Cellars
2246 Broadway (between 80th and 81st Streets)
$7
8p
For more information and to sign up call: 212.362.8730



Movie Screening: Gladiator (A, F)
In the final days of Marcus Aurelius' reign, the aging emperor angers his son Commodus by making it known that he wants Maximus, a fearsome and respected Roman general, to be his successor. Power-hungry Commodus kills his father and orders the death of Maximus. But the latter flees, only to discover that his wife and child have been murdered by Commodus. Captured, Maximus is forced into slavery, where he is sold to Proximo, a former gladiator who serves as both mentor and slavemaster. Maximus trains as a gladiator in the arena, where his fame grows. He goes to Rome, intent on avenging the murder of his wife and son by killing the new emperor Commodus. Maximus has learned that the one power stronger than that of the emperor is the will of the people, and he knows he can only attain his revenge by becoming the greatest hero in all the empire.
@ Pier 54 (between 14th Street and Hudson River)
Dusk (usually 8:30p)
Free
For more information: movies and hudsonriver

Wednesday, August 8th, 2007



Museum Exhibit: It Happened in Brooklyn (A, C, E)
This exhibit highlights key moments in our nation's history and how they played out in Brooklyn. Through artifacts from the Brooklyn Historical Society's permanent collection such as photographs, artworks, and documents, visitors will meet a diverse range of residents from Brooklyn's earliest Native American settlements, to the men and women who fought in the Revolutionary War on Brooklyn's shores, to the Brooklynites who worked to abolish slavery, immigrants from all over the world who made Brooklyn home, and the women who kept America going by working in the Brooklyn Navy Yard during World War II.
@ Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont Street (at Clinton Street)
$6
For more information: brooklyn

Gallery Opening and Artists Reception: Alain Dister, Elegy For the Summer of Love (A, C, E)
"When I first took some pictures in America, during the summer of 1966, I had no proper photographic education. After spending some time in Madagascar, I had bought an SLR Canon camera on my way back, with the intention of shooting landscapes. I was still drawing and painting, probably thinking I would photograph what I couldn't paint. When I landed in New York, I tried to focus more on people. The street action in the Village blew my mind. It was the beginning of a new era, with proto-hippies and older beatniks all over the place.
@ Envoy Gallery
131 Chrystie Street (between Delancey and Broome Streets)
6 - 8p
Free
For more information: envoy

Quizz Off (S)
Come on Down. Bring your friends and wrack your brains with six rounds of twenty questions. Test your mental mettle in areas of general knowledge, music, top tens, and visual identification. Give it a try, Smart Guy.
@ Petes Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street (@ Richardson Street)
7:30p
Free
For more information: petes

Thursday, August 9th, 2007



Happy Hour Cruise Around Manhattan (P, S)
Meet attractive and interesting Jewish singles as we enjoy the breathtaking sights of the Manhattan Skyline. We'll be cruising around this gorgeous harbor enjoying the sights and sounds of Manhattan by night. The cruise will take place on a luxurious 143 Foot Yacht. There will be a live DJ entertainment, 2 cash bars, dance floor, half-price snacks and more.
For Jewish singles in their 20s - 40s
South Street Seaport
6 - 8p, set sail at 6:30p
$27, Pre-Payment Required
For more information and to sign up: reallive

Black Crowes and North Mississippi Allstars come to Central Park (C, M)
Carrying on the glorious blues and boogie-based tradition of the Rolling Stones and The Faces, Black Crowes have been making raunchy rock and roll for the last 17 years. Front man Chris Robinson soulful shout evokes Rod Stewart and Steve Marriot, while the musicians led by Robinson’s guitarist brother Rich tear it up like it’s 1969. In true rock fashion, the band has had its share of “musical differences,” solo career attempts and tabloid drama (such as Robinson’s recent divorce from actress Kate Hudson), but at the end of the day Black Crowes still create one of the most exciting live shows in all pop music. The band is currently working on their first set of new material in six years. Founded in 1996, a musically and culturally rich time for modern Mississippi country blues, the North Mississippi Allstars are well known for their hill country blues-infused rock & roll sound.
@ Central Park Summerstage
Located at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.
6 - 10p
$45
For more information and to buy tickets: summer

Gallery Panel Discussion (A, C, D/F, E)
Theater of Cruelty: Towards an Aesthetics of Transgression
Analogously, contemporary art and its public seem to be suffering from their own particular strains of political and social indifference. This acquiescence undermines contemporary art's radical potential and is one of the many points of contention that the exhibition entitled Theater of Cruelty rubs up against.
@ White Box
525 West 26th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues)
Discussion 6:30 - 8p, followed by reception, 8 - 9:30p
Free
For more information: whitebox

Crowded House (C, M)
Crowded House formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1985 and first tasted global success with their massive 1987 hit "Don’t Dream It’s Over." They continued to have hits for a decade, including "Something So Strong," "Weather With You" and "It’s Only Natural."
@ Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway (between 74th and 75th Streets)
8p
$50 - 92
For more information and to buy tickets: beacon

Friday, August 10th, 2007

Concert: Kartik Seshadri Ensemble (C, M)
The 1960s were marked by an infusion of Eastern music, and the craze for World Music was born. Indian Ragas were especially influential. Sitar Virtuoso Kartik Seshadri is internationally acclaimed as one of India's outstanding musicians and the foremost disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar. He will be accompanied by accomplished tabla artist Abhijit Banerjee
@ Lincoln Center - South Plaza
Columbus Avenue (between 64th and 65th Streets)
6:30p
Free
For more information: lincolncenter



Out of My Mind (A)
Witness Marvin Novogrodksi and hypno-therapist, Doug Vogel in this soul-bearing and optimistic physchological-memoir. This show explores life’s struggles, the trappings of the mind and the methods used for personal growth. By exposing his own personal and family frailties, Marvin strikes a universal chord among his audience. One that shares in their struggles and realizations. With Doug on board, Marvin's actual therapist, the audience gets to observe the hypnosis in action. Scripted scenes are played out directly from therapy sessions. But there is no couch in this show. The performers are on their feet. Mixing in circus arts, magic, an oversized family photo album and a little song and dance, Out of my Mind surprises, enlightens, inspires and entertains. An overdose of honesty and bravery.
@ Cherry Lane Theater
38 Commerce Street (@ Bedford Street)
9:30p
$15
For more information and to buy tickets: marvin



Dance Performance: Pilobolus (D)
The ever-inventive Pilobolus always finds new ways to explore movement and human relationships, and they are just as curious as ever, in three dynamic programs.
Program: Borderless Innovation
For this summer, Co-Artistic Director Robby Barnett teams up with the world-renowned dance-theatre makers Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak from Israel to create a new full-company work. Who knows what new terrain this hybrid of Pilobolus/Pinto/Pollak will discover, what new ingenious images they will create, and what previously untold human connections will unfold?
@The Joyce Theater
175 8th Avenue (@ 19th Street)
8p
$44
For more information and to buy tickets: joyce

Saturday, August 11th, 2007



Skydiving (S)
Need we say more? It has been said that deliberately stepping out of a perfectly good plane while it is thousands of miles in the air is insanity. We beg to differ. Who wouldn’t want to plummet through the air at speeds up to 200 mph? We will take you for a thorough and safety-filled training before going up, up, up into the earth’s atmosphere. Divided into groups, each person will be secured to a certified skydiving instructor and fly high above the ground, attempting various maneuvers in the air as you feel comfortable. While waiting your turn on the ground, join others in a rousing game of volleyball, basketball, Frisbee, or dodgeball. You will dive from 14,000 feet, higher than any other skydiving group in the area. First, you will learn the essentials: safety and orientation video, gear fitting, and learn the positions you will take in the air, and safe landing position.
Meeting locatin: 73rd Street and Broadway
7:30am (arrive at 7:15am to sign in) - 6p
$225
For more information and to sign up: outdoorbound
Save $5 - after signing up email: info@outdoorbound.com and let them know you found out about trip from Laura’s List.



Sweet Mickey come to Governors Island (A, C, E, M)
A musical marvel born in Port-au-Prince, Sweet Micky has brought incredible energy, passion and sensitivity to the world of Haitian compas music, layering satire and sharp commentary over pulsating, infectious beats. Micky first began performing as a one man band in 1988 in the Casinoes in Haiti. He released his first hit "Ou La La" in 1988. Two years later Micky expanded the band to include a bass player and a percussionist and by the release of the album "I Don't Care" in 1994 Sweet Micky was a household name in Haitian communities at home and abroad. Sweet Micky is often referred to as the "Bad Boy" of Haitian music, but this description is music more appropriate in its American slang definition where "bad" means really, really good.
@ Governors Island
Colonels Row
1p
Free
For more information and ferry schedule: micky and govisland



Celebrate New Orleans: Soul to Soul III (A, C, M)
Galactic & special guests Donald Harrison Jr., Jon Cleary, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagle Mardi Gras Indians & Soul Rebel Brass Band
Our annual celebration of the Big Easy is a hot one this year, with jam band sounds and deep second-line voodoo. Hardcore punk veterans who fell in love with the music of New Orleans, guitarist Jeff Raines and bassist Robert Mercurio formed Galactic to express their newfound appreciation of Professor Longhair, The Meters, the Neville Brothers and Dr. John. The instrumentalists of Galactic have developed a meaty, bass-heavy mix of swamp funk, bluesy hard rock, electronics and improvisation which New York Times critic Jon Pareles praised as “some of the most danceable music on earth.” Galactic is currently finishing its next album, which includes a guest appearance by New Orleans legend Monk Boudreaux. For the members of the Soul Rebel Brass Band, “second line” jazz music is part of their make-up, almost as important as blood. But the band also likes modern hip-hop, and has managed to combine the two styles into an original sound that is contemporary while true to New Orleans traditions.
@ Central Park Summerstage
Located at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Enter the park at 69th Street and 5th Avenue on the east side or at 72nd Street and Central Park West on the west side.
3 - 7p
Free
For more information: summer



Come…Bowling (Code: T-MM5RT01-04) (S)
Hit the lanes for a night of bowling and mingling. Lane-side food and drink service available. Advance registration required.
@ Leisure Time Bowling (inside Port Authority)
625 8th Avenue (between 41st and 42nd)
9p
$25 (fee includes bowling and shoe rental)
For more information and to sign up: 92y

Sunday, August 12th, 2007

Nostalgia Train Excursions: Coney Island Caper (C, E, S)
This excursions offer a one-of-a kind opportunity to experience subway travel onboard the vintage rail fleet, usually on static display in the Transit Museum. Not to be missed are the bouncy wicker seating of yesteryear, sharing your experiences with fellow passengers, the Nostalgia Train 'wave' to bemused people on subway platforms as the vintage trains rolls by and the mid-trip destination. We will spend a summer day enjoying Coney Island's best. Take a guided tour through Stillwell Avenue Terminal and learn how solar power lights and cools the station. Stroll to the beach for a bite on the boardwalk, enjoy the classic Coney Island amusements or stay onboard for bonus train rides.
10 - 4p
$30
For more information, make reservations and find out meeting location call: 718.694.1867

Walking Tour: Central Park: The Big Back Yard of the City (E, S)
Olmsted and Vaux's first masterpiece of urban landscape design great cool lawns, densely-wooded ramble, and stirring vistas an impressive work of art.
Meeting Location: Fifth Avenue and 59th Street (at the General Sherman statue)
1p
$15
For more information and to sign up: tours

Bourbon Class (D/F, E)
Learn all about bourbon and a few bourbon cocktails.
@ LeNell’s
416 Van Brunt Street (between Coffey and Van Dyke Streets)
3 - 5p
$50, pre-registration required
For more information and to sign up call: 718.360.0838

Finian’s Rainbow (A, C)
Set against Harburg’s gospel, blues and Broadway songs, the plot of Finian’s Rainbow uncompromisingly explores contemporary themes of race and class. The more serious, politically inspired plot devices are juxtaposed against situations that are filled with fantasy and charm that will surely appeal to audiences of all ages. The eclectic cast of characters include: a racist white senator who is turned black so he can experience the pain he has inflicted on others, a mischievous, misguided leprechaun named Og, a woman who “speaks” through dances, a pair of lovers, Woody and Sharon, and Finian, the hopeless dreamer, who is responsible for setting this fantastical, entertaining and magnificent tale in motion.
@ City College of New York - Aaron Davis Hall
150 Convent Avenue (at West 135th Street)
3p
$10
For more information: harlem

Monday, August 13th, 2007

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival presents: Casablanca (C, F)
This timeless masterpiece of film takes place at Rick's Cafe Americaine, the gin joint where intrigue, romance, valor and compassion collide at the edge of Europe during WWII. Humphrey Bogart sticks his neck out for nobody, except beautiful Ingrid Bergman, the love who left him years ago in Paris.
@ Bryant Park Lawn
6th Avenue between 40th - 42nd Streets
5 - 11p
The films begin at sunset (between 8-9p)
Free
For more information: film

Key to Activities

A Art
C Cultural
D Dance
D/F Drink/Food
E Education
F Film
L Literature
M Music
NP Non-Profit
P Party
S Sport