The Fathers of Punk, Iggy and the Stooges Photo courtesy of Peter Whitfield

Friday August 8

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Band: 88BoaDrum
Show time: 8:08 PM FREE
Venue: East River State Park
Food: Relish
Drink: Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Miscellaneous: Zebulon

Picking up where Japanese band, The Boredoms left off last year with 77BoaDrums, that saw 77 drummers perform together, Gang Gang Dance will have 88 drummers beat the skins this year in N.Y., while The Boredoms will perform the piece three hours later in L.A. Get FREE tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com or at Other Music and/or Sound Fix. Though Relish looks like a 50s diner, this restaurant offers up some gourmet treats for dinner. With influences from all over the globe, Relish features diner classics like burgers and onion rings, and step it up with the likes of Blackened Yellow Fin Tuna ($21). Williamsburg’s first beer garden, Radegast, has a beautiful all-wood interior, an enclosed outdoor backyard, and 12 German/Austrian beers on tap and more than 30 bottles. Another great bar in the area, Zebulon offers free live jazz and afrobeat. The drinks here are inexpensive, and I’ve never seen a bad show here.

Friday August 8

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Band: Iggy and the Stooges
Show time: 9:00 PM
Venue: Terminal 5
Food: Zip Burger
Drink: Subway Inn
Miscellaneous: Kinokuniya Bookstore

Though their newest album The Weirdness is in no league with their classic Funhouse, seeing Iggy and the Stooges has always been where it’s at. Iggy still writhes on stage like a wild animal, and though older they still sound raw. At Zip Burger they offer farm-raised, organic, and grass-fed meat and poultry, letting you build your own burger with plenty of gourmet toppings. The first time I went to Subway Inn I thought it was completely strange that there was a dive bar off Lexington Avenue, especially in this neck of the woods, but somehow it works. Born in the 30s, this bar has somehow remained, and thank god, as it’s easily the cheapest place in the area for a drink. For fans of Japanese pop-culture, Kinokuniya Bookstore has a large selection of Japanese themed books, videos, CDs, magazines, comics, and stationary.

Saturday August 9

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Band: Grizzly Bear + Violens
Show time: 9:00 PM
Venue: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Food: Chimu
Drink: Union Pool
Miscellaneous: Eks

One of the most eclectic and inventive bands out there today, Grizzly Bear play with part of the proceeds going to The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation flood relief. Joining them are Violens featuring former member of Lansing-Dreiden. With so much good food in Williamsburg, you should not forget about Chimu. A Peruvian steakhouse right next to Union Pool, the rotisserie chicken and every other dish I’ve had here is amazing, and it won’t break the bank! For drinks, Union Pool is still one of the best bars in town. If you’re single, it’s a goldmine for ass, the drinks aren’t pricey, and the DJs play an eclectic mix of ridiculously good music. Not exactly Pinkberry, yet just as expensive, Eks is Williamsburg’s answer to the yogurt fad currently popping up.

Saturday August 9

Location: Upper West Side, NYC
Band: Dulsori + Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey
Show time: 7:00 PM FREE
Venue: Damrosch Park
Food: Josie’s
Drink: Candle Bar
Miscellaneous: Emack & Bolio’s

Blending percussion and performance, Dulsori are a Korean troupe bringing their culture to you live. Joining them is Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey, one of the best NYC based percussion ensembles out there today. Josie’s offers dishes like Warm Macadamia-Crusted Natural Chicken Breast Dinner Salad ($17.75), several tofu and seitan specialty dishes and the Freshly Ground Char-Grilled Brandt Natural Beef Cheeseburger ($15.75), so everyone here will walk away happy. Comfortable and dimly lit, the Candle Bar has a pool table in the back and drink specials daily. For some of the best and most interesting ice cream in the city, Emack & Bolio’s offers eclectic flavors like Deep Purple Cow (Black Raspberry ice cream with white and dark chocolate chips and blueberries).

Sunday August 10

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Band: Langhorne Slim
Show time: 8:00 PM FREE
Venue: Sound Fix
Food: Wild Ginger Pan-Asian Vegan Café
Drink: Teddy’s Bar & Grill
Miscellaneous: Verb Café

Brooklyn folkie Langhorne Slim sounds like he came straight out of another time and place. His music has a touch of soul and blues combined with country that makes people dance. His live show is surprisingly high-energy. For vegetarians and those not in the mood for meat, Wild Ginger offers Pan-Asian cuisine in a relaxed earth-toned environment with a menu featuring veggies, tofu, seitan, and soy. The best thing about Teddy’s Bar is that it’s just got this great neighborhood vibe that’s warm and friendly, while also having a great menu of drinks and American bar food favorites like burgers, salads, sandwiches, and steak. A great place to get good coffee, take a seat, and watch the passing hipsters stroll by, Verb Café even has excellent sandwiches and baked goods to snack on before the show.