Friday September 18

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: Small Black
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Bruar Falls
Food: The Lodge
Drink: Hope Lounge
Miscellaneous: The City Reliquary

Long Island duo Small Black make lo-fi casio keyboard driven synth-pop. Joining them are Ramona Falls featuring Mems from Menomeno, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, and Apothacary Hymns. For dinner, The Lodge, with décor reminiscent of a log cabin and a menu coming from the same forest, serves comfort food in a warm and inviting setting. For drinks, Hope Lounge is a great stop. Exposed brick and earth tones mingle and the outdoor patio is big. The drink list is deep with beers from all over the world and tonight, expect a DJ to spin classic party jams. You may or may not have noticed The City Reliquary, a small storefront museum that shows artifacts of NYC, including a flashlight collection, but this place is definitely interesting to check out.

Friday September 18

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Bands: Of Montreal + Janelle Monae Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Terminal 5
Food: Zip Burger
Drink: Subway Inn
Miscellaneous: Kinokuniya Bookstore

Indie rock act Of Montreal have been experimenting wirth sound for a while now and have a new album coming out soon called False Priest that will most likely see their awesome music develop further. Joining them is fellow Georgian Janelle Monae who’s also great at taking chances with vocals over electronic dance beats. 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 and most colorful 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 September 19

Location: West Village, NYC
Bands: A Hawk and a Hacksaw + Damon and Naomi
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: (Le) Poisson Rouge
Food: Koo Sushi
Drink: Blind Tiger Ale House
Miscellaneous: Peanut Butter & Co.

With influences gathered from American folk, eastern European and Balkan traditions, A Hawk and a Hacksaw whose two main members are Jeremy Barnes (former drummer for Neutral Milk Hotel and Bablicon) and violinist Heather Trost make music that takes chances. Joining them are Damon and Naomi, formerly of Galaxie 500 who have put out albums through Sup Pop and other labels together since 1992. They celebrate the release of their album The Sub Pop Years and their DVD 1001 Nights. A little known sushi joint, Koo Sushi offers affordable and fantastic fish with an impressive number of specialty rolls. For a bar that looks like any other, Blind Tiger Ale House offers an impressive number of beers including draught, bottled, cask and one called Louise’s Bloody Beer. Try it if you dare! If you’re in the mood for some comfort food, Peanut Butter & Co., offers some PB heavy hitters like the Elvis, a PB, banana, and bacon sandwich that tastes better than it sounds.

Saturday September 19

Location: West Village, NYC
Theater: Othello
Show time: See website for performance schedule
Venue: Skirball Center
Food: Tortilla Flats
Drink: White Horse Tavern
Miscellaneous: Magnolia Bakery

Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello gets a redo with John Ortiz and Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Othello and Iago. For dinner, check out Tortilla Flats. The food is Mexican and delicious, but it’s the insanity within (bingo and hula-hoop nights) that is the real calling for this place. For drinks afterwards, hit the White Horse Tavern , a great bar and the old haunting grounds for Dylan Thomas. If you somehow have time before all of this, stop by Magnolia Bakery for some of the best tasting cupcakes in the city.

Sunday September 20

Location: Lower East Side, NYC
Band: Thursday Get Tickets Here
Show time: 6 PM
Venue: Bowery Ballroom
Food: The Stanton Social
Drink: The Magician
Miscellaneous: The Pink Pony

New Brunswick, New Jersey natives Thursday are post hardcore and screamo pioneers with five albums under their belt. Their newest album Common Existence on Epitaph blends their past with electronic elements that really take their hardcore roots to a more melodic destination. Joining them are Fall of Troy, Young Widows, Moving Mountains, and Kiss Kiss. For dinner, The Stanton Social has earned a reputation for being a beautifully designed restaurant/lounge while serving up some delicious multi-ethnic cuisine. For drinks, a favorite of mine is The Magician, this bar’s chill atmosphere just may be the cure for a well-earned night of rocking. A great way to end the night? Stop by The Pink Pony. This boho café has been serving French food and coffee since the 80s and has a relaxing vibe. It’s as punk as that neighborhood gets nowadays.

Friday September 11


Location: Upper East Side, NYC
Bands: NY Gypsy Festival
Show time: 8 PM; Through September 26
Venue: Hungarian House
Food: Barking Dog Luncheonette
Drink: The Auction House
Miscellaneous: Uptown Lounge

In its fifth year, the NY Gypsy Festival, running from September 11th to the 26th will show off some of the most talented and inventive musicians helping to preserve this centuries old style of music as well as those helping to take it into the next century. This show features Zlatne Uste who’s repertoire spans throughout the genre of Balkan music while Luminescent Orchestrii blends Romanian gypsy, punk, tango and much more. If you love dogs, not hot dogs but real doggies, then you’ll really love the Barking Dog Luncheonette, as the décor features everything with a dog on it. The food, is your regular diner fare with plenty of burger, sandwich, and hot plate options. Grab a drink and feel like you were transported to the late 1800’s at The Auction House. With ornamental red velvet couches, exposed brick walls, and vintage chandeliers, this hidden gem of a bar is cozy. Beautifully designed, Uptown Lounge is a bar and restaurant serving American fare like Apple Peppercorn Pork Chops ($18), while being big enough to stick around afterwards for drinks.

Friday September 11

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Art: Plan B
Show time: Thurs – Mon: noon to 6 PM; Through October 24
Venue: NURTUREart Gallery
Food: Bonita
Drink: Savalas
Miscellaneous: Fabiane’s Café & Pastry Shop

What originated as a survey that circulated among emerging artists in NYC on their response to the current economic climate, turned into the exhibition Plan B, which takes a look at society’s growing skepticism and the re-evaluation of existing social and economic norms. Featured works by artists include Double A Projects, F.E.A.S.T., K.I.D.S. and Secret School, Jess Levey, OurGoods, Lynne Pidel, Mark Stafford and Tattfoo Tan. If you’re in the zone for Mexican, Bonita is a great place. Serving the standard fare, try the mouth-watering chicken burrito and Mexican corn on the cob, wrapped in cheese with a hint of spice for that extra kick. If you’re looking to dance afterwards, Savalas has both great DJs and drink specials on top of delivering on the fun factor. Fabiane’s Café & Pastry Shop is a great little cafe in the heart of Williamsburg that’s great for not too late night people watching. Try one of their fantastic desserts or sip coffee and stare at the passing hipsters.

Saturday September 12

Location: Tribeca, NYC
Bands: Contramano
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: 92Y Tribeca
Food: Pakistan Tea House
Drink: Mocca Lounge
Miscellaneous: Chinatown Ice Cream Factory

Argentine trio Contramano blend punk, pop, electronic and chamber music to make fun and interesting music that will have you dancing in no time at this recession themed dance party. Joining them are Diego Garcia and Linfinity. Nearby, Pakistan Tea House is a buffet style Indian restaurant where you can choose between chicken, meat, fish and vegetables. It’s affordable and very good. For drinks, check out Mocca Lounge. With a funky interior and a menu of Italian inspired fare, it’s also a bar with a large list of coffees with or without alcohol, beers, and frozen shots. Smack dab in the heart of Chinatown, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory makes gourmet ice cream flavors like Black Sesame, Ginger, Durian, and more exotic flavors like Taro and Wasabi. Don’t worry, they have the go-to’s like Vanilla, fruits, and chocolate flavors too.

Saturday September 12

Location: Coney Island, Brooklyn
Event: Parachute: the Coney Island Performance Festival
Show time: 6:30 PM
Venue: New York Aquarium
Alien Stingers Exhibit (Surf Avenue at West 8th Street)
Food: Nathan’s Famous
Drink: Ruby's Old Tyme Bar and Grill
Miscellaneous: Brooklyn Cyclones

Celebrating literature and performance, Parachute: the Coney Island Performance Festival is a two day word fest featuring the best of Brooklyn artists who have books out as well as poetry workshops so you can perfect the art with the pro’s. While you may not be Kobayashi, eating a hot dog, a corn dog, or even cheese fries at Nathan’s Famous goes back several generations. Expect long lines, but it’ll be worth it! Not just a tradition but an institution on the boardwalk, Ruby's Old Tyme Bar and Grill is a great dive bar for cheap drinks and watching local drunks belt out Rat Pack songs. Even if this minor league Mets team isn’t playing a baseball game, The Brooklyn Cyclones stadium is worth the short walk over on the boardwalk to check out it’s size and beauty.

Sunday September 13

Location: East Village, NYC
Film: Suspiria
Show time: 7:30 & 9:30 PM
Venue: Anthology Film Archives
Food: Pukk
Drink: The Magician
Miscellaneous: Mason Dixon

Italian horror film Suspiria, directed by the legendary Dario Argento in 1977 tells the tale of an American ballet dancer who arrives at a dance academy in Europe only to find that the people who run it are part of a coven led by a centuries old witch kept alive by satanic rituals and black magic. Pukk serves up some delicious vegetarian Thai food. With a futuristic design, plastic and green tint everywhere, the menu offers everything from Pad Thai to Spicy Watercress Duck, only the duck, like all meat here, is made of vegetarian soy. A chill bar to go for a drink and not be bothered with loud, annoying drunks is The Magician. This place, which has no visible name, is across the street from Welcome to the Johnsons. With a southern theme, the draw at Mason Dixon is being one of only two bars in NYC with a mechanical bull. For $10 you can ride it. Expect to be thrown off in 5 seconds, if you can stay on that long!

Friday September 4

Location: East Village, NYC
Event: Howl! Festival
Show time: See website for performance schedule
Venue: Tompkins Square Park
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones

Celebrating music, poetry, art, and dance on the Lower East Side, the Howl! Festival takes three stages and the whole weekend to showcase the talent that NYC has to offer. If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! What looks like a neighborhood bar to watch sports actually has three more rooms. The Village Pourhouse is where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes and Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.

Friday September 4

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Bands: Battles + !!! Get Tickets Here
Show time: 7 PM
Venue: Terminal 5
Food: Pig N’ Whistle
Drink: The Irish Rogue
Miscellaneous: Island Burgers & Shakes

Warp Records celebrates 20 years on this earth putting out some of the most innovative electronic music. Performing are some of the labels best in experimental rock outfit Battles and dance-punk band !!!. For great Irish food, one of my faves is Pig N’ Whistle in midtown. Serving traditional Irish fare like Steak and Kidney Pie as well as American. A great Irish pub in Hells Kitchen, The Irish Rogue has live music and sports playing on TVs, so you know this bar will be a party all day. If Irish food ain’t your thing, then head over to Island Burgers & Shakes as the menu is stacked two pages deep of some of the most intense burgers and chicken sandwiches on the island of Manhattan.

Saturday September 5

Location: East Harlem, NYC
Bands: Electric Zoo Festival
Show time: 11 AM; To buy tickets go to the website
Venue: Randall’s Island
Food Amy Ruth’s
Drink Harlem Lanes
Miscellaneous Stop 125

Celebrating electronic music’s best, the Electric Zoo Festival features the likes of Deadmau5, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Ferry Corsten, Francois K, Kaskade, Danny Tenaglia, Tiga, Richie Hawtin, and many more greats performing on four stages tonight and tomorrow. While you’re up in Harlem, head over to Amy Ruth’s for some of the best fried chicken around. A MUST TRY is the fried or smothered Chicken & Waffles named The Rev. Al Sharpton ($9.50). It’s out of this world! A complex housing 24 bowling lanes, mini arcade, and a gourmet café, Harlem Lanes also has a sports bar with 24 plasma screen TVs. At Stop 125 you’d think the outdoor Tiki Bar would be the main attraction, but it’s the food that many come for. Offering dinner entree’s as well as small tapas style appetizers like the much-loved Chorizo With Caramelized Figs sautéed in its own juices (sm $6.95, lg $12.95), Stop 125 takes American cuisine and spices it up with the international flair that NYC, and especially Harlem are known for.

Saturday September 5

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: Phosphorescent Get Tickets Here
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Food: Bonita
Drink: Savalas
Miscellaneous: Fabiane’s Café & Pastry Shop

If you’ve never heard Phosphorescent, AKA Matthew Houk, think the perfect amount of country to the right amount of folk and you’ve got some beautiful little songs that echo a genre of legends including Willie Nelson, whom he thoroughly covers on his album To Willie. If you’re in the zone for Mexican, Bonita is a great place. Serving the standard fare, try the mouth-watering chicken burrito and Mexican corn on the cob, wrapped in cheese with a hint of spice for that extra kick. If you’re looking to dance afterwards, Savalas has both great DJs and drink specials on top of delivering on the fun factor. Fabiane’s Café & Pastry Shop is a great little cafe in the heart of Williamsburg that’s great for not too late night people watching. Try one of their fantastic desserts or sip coffee and stare at the passing hipsters.

Sunday September 6

Richard Avedon
Veruschka, dress by Kimberly, New York, January 1967
© 2009 The Richard Avedon Foundation














Location: Midtown West, NYC
Photo: Avedon Fashion, 1944–2000
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: International Center of Photography
Food: Zip Burger
Drink: Subway Inn
Miscellaneous: Kinokuniya Bookstore

Richard Avedon changed the way fashion photography was approached and done by injecting emotion and movement into an emotionless style up to that point. This exhibition, one of the largest to date of his work, looks at his long career, with vintage photos, contact sheets, magazine layouts, and more in Avedon Fashion, 1944–2000. 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.

Friday August 28

Location: Lower East Side, NYC
Bands: French Miami
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Death By Audio
Food: San Loco
Drink: Max Fish
Miscellaneous: Sugar Sweet Sunshine

With angular guitars and synth backed vocals, French Miami make math rock you can dance to by way of San Francisco, not Miami like their name suggests. At San Loco, the Mexican food is inexpensive, you can get a heaping amount of nachos for as little as $3.75, and telling by the heavy traffic, the place is doing just fine. What I like about Max Fish is that it’s a local bar for local artists. It’s walls play host monthly for art exhibitions, there’s a pool table in the back, and drinks aren’t pricey, like many new bars springing up in this neighborhood. For one of the best cupcakes in the city, Sugar Sweet Sunshine has 10 varieties, on top of cakes. Try the Sexy Red Velvet or the Bob, a yellow cupcake with chocolate almond buttercream.

Friday August 28

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: The Damnwells Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Mercury Lounge
Food: SEA
Drink: Zablozki’s
Miscellaneous: Academy Records

Poppy, folky alt rock with a hint of country, The Damnwells will be performing and promoting their new DVD Golden Days, a documentary about the band. Joining them are Dawn Landes and Colin Smith. Before that, a great restaurant on the same block is SEA. Asian inspired from the décor to the food, this huge and gorgeous space serves up a mostly Thai menu from massaman curries to house specialties like Red SEA Duck (Half duck in red vinaigrette-tomato gravy sauce served with stir-fried mixed veggies), SEA is inexpensive and visually impressive for Brooklyn. With an increasing amount of new bars on the block, Zablozki’s is a standout that’s cozy, mostly mahogany, and has great drinks specials. A great stop off if you’re early is Academy Records. One of the biggest vinyl shops in NYC, if you are a vinyl fan, you will be blown away.

Saturday August 29

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Event: 9th Annual Rumblers Kustom Kills & Hot Rod Thrills
Show time: Car show: 10 AM, Bands: 3 PM; FREE
Venue: Union Pool
Food: Chimu
Drink: Union Pool
Miscellaneous: Eks

Check out Kustom Kills, a car show hosted by the Rumblers Car Club and featuring rockabilly and punk bands like Rehab For Quitters, Tombstone Brawlers, Homeward Bound, Memphis Morticians, Sasquatch and the Sick-A-Billys, and Turbo A.C.'s. 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 plus there’s a taco truck outside in case you get the munchies. Not exactly Pinkberry, yet just as expensive, Eks is Williamsburg’s answer to the yogurt fad currently popping up.

Saturday August 29

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Bands: Q-Tip Presents: Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson Get Tickets Here
Show time: 10 PM
Venue: Nokia Theater Times Square
Food: Yoshinoya Beef Bowl
Drink: Rudy's Bar and Grill
Miscellaneous: Peking Duck House

The King of Pop is dead and though he weirdly enough still isn’t buried yet, we’re still gonna celebrate the man who put out Thriller and Bad and all sorts of great music and Q-Tip is leading the charge as he hosts Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson. Expect to hear some never before heard remixes and plenty of video footage with a guest appearance by Mark Ronson. Making fast food healthy, Yoshinoya serves bowls of rice, vegetables, and your choice of beef, teriyaki chicken, veggie, or a combo of meats. Super cheap, it’s a favorite spot of mine in midtown. A great dive, Rudy's Bar and Grill serves up cheap beer by the pint or by the pitcher, and as for the grilling, that includes free hot dogs and popcorn! Though slightly on the expensive side, if you’re in the mood for duck and are a couple or in a group of four or more, Peking Duck House makes some of the best duck you will ever likely have.

Sunday August 30

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros Get Tickets Here
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Food: Dumont Burger
Drink: Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Miscellaneous: Verb Cafe

You may or may not have heard of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros yet but part spaghetti western part Arcade Fire and part psychedelic, this band has really hit on something spectacular and from what I hear, their live performance is just as amazing as their album. With one of the best burgers in Williamsburg, Dumont Burger offers theirs with gourmet toppings, sandwiches, salads, and their amazing mac & cheese. So you consider yourself a beer connoisseur and like to party. You can do all that and eat at Radegast Hall & Biergarten. The Austrian/German menu perfectly compliments the 12 beers on tap and more than 30 German and Austrian bottles at this large beer hall. One of the oldest and best hipster hangout coffee shops, The Verb Cafe offers up excellent coffee and baked goods, a boho vibe, and big windows to watch the days pass while collecting unemployment!

Friday August 21









Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Film: Double Dirty Dancing Get Tickets Here
Show time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Monkey Town
Food: SEA
Drink: Zablozki’s
Accessory: Academy Records

Monkey Town seems to have this great end of the summer tradition called Double Dirty Dancing where they show the Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey classic Dirty Dancing on one of their four giant walls. Playing on one of the other ones is the Bollywood version of the film from 2006 called Holiday which will also play simultaneously. Nobody puts baby in a corner! Sorry, had to say that. Before that, a great restaurant on the same block is SEA. Asian inspired from the décor to the food, this huge and gorgeous space serves up a mostly Thai menu from massaman curries to house specialties like Red SEA Duck (Half duck in red vinaigrette-tomato gravy sauce served with stir-fried mixed veggies), SEA is inexpensive and visually impressive for Brooklyn. With an increasing amount of new bars on the block, Zablozki’s is a standout that’s cozy, mostly mahogany, and has great drinks specials. A great stop off if you’re early is Academy Records. One of the biggest vinyl shops in NYC, if you are a vinyl fan, you will be blown away.

Friday August 21

Location: Chelsea, NYC
Art: Sexy and the City
Show time: Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm; Through August 28th
Venue: Yossi Milo Gallery
Food: Better Burger
Drink: Passerby
Miscellaneous: ‘sNice

In Sexy and the City, a group of photographers take a look at the sexuality of people in NYC in photographs spanning from 1940 to the present in landmark locations all puckered up. Hormone and antibiotic free, Better Burger focuses on serving a fresh and healthier alternative to the grease burger you can get anywhere. With a tiled floor that lights up, other than that, Passerby is a non-descript bar, which is why it’s a place artists flock to for a cocktail without being disturbed. While not the best named coffee shop, ‘sNice is a nice and quiet coffee house offering vegetarian sandwiches and baked goods, while being a large enough space to spread your legs out and not worry about stealing another seat from someone.

Saturday August 22

Location: East Village, NYC
Bands: Venn Diagrams + Clay McLeod Chapman Get Tickets Here
Show time: 7 PM
Venue: Joe's Pub
Food: Oyama
Drink: Grassroots Tavern
Miscellaneous: Mudd Cafe

The Venn Diagrams are a duo made up of Jeffrey Marsh and Rick Sorkin who write music in the style of the great American songbook but the twist is that they blur the lines of gender while dipping their torso’s into German cabaret, blurring more than one line, making for inventive live performances that need to be seen as much as heard. Joining them is Clay McLeod Chapman, who presents some of his short stories in the style of the New South. Think somewhere between Truman Capote, David Sedaris, and Carson McCullers, yet just as imaginative and uncomfortable. With sushi that’s 50 percent off all the time, you might think, “Something’s wrong with that?” but the fish is good and the rolls are inventive, making Oyama one of the best low-priced sushi joints in the city. Though St. Marks all of a sudden lost its charm, Grassroots Tavern hasn’t. This large dive bar has cheap drinks, darts in the back, and old men behind the bar, things a good dive bar should have. Excellent coffee served in a big mug and a healthy menu of food coupled with a year round enclosed outdoor backyard patio make Mudd Cafe place a great little coffee shop in the area.

Saturday August 22

Location: Lower East Side, NYC
Bands: Nine Inch Nails
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Bowery Ballroom
Food: Paladar
Drink: Welcome to the Johnsons
Miscellaneous: Economy Candy

So this is it. After 21 years of making industrial music that we sang along to throughout college and high school Trent Reznor is calling it quits performing as Nine Inch Nails live and this is one of his last few shows. If you’re lucky enough to get in, enjoy it for the last time? Joining him are openers The Horrors who are pretty badass themselves. Paladar, whose celebrity chef, Aarón Sanchez is from the Food Network show “Melting Pot,” delivers a Pan-Latino concept taking traditional Spanish fare and adding deliciously executed gourmet twists. Feeling retro? Then Welcome to the Johnsons is the place for you. It’s like being in your uncles wreck room from the 70s. With all wood paneled walls, plastic covered couches, and a Pac Man machine, this bar is out for a good time. Stop by Economy Candy and get a small taste of what it might be like to walk through Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, minus the hijinks, as there’s all sorts of candy everywhere. A real NY landmark, it’s been around since 1937.

Sunday August 23

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: Girl Talk
Show time: 2 PM; FREE
Venue: East River State Park
Food: Relish
Drink: Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Miscellaneous: Zebulon

Girl Talk isn’t a band it’s actually one guy named Greg Michael Gillis who is a master of the mashup. His new self-titled album is being sold as pay what you like and it’s a trip. Joining him are Max Tundra and Wiz Khalifa. 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 Hall & Biergarten, 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.

Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn
Bands: Islands Get Tickets Here
Show time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Bell House
Food: El Viejo Yayo
Drink: Buttermilk Bar
Miscellaneous: The Chocolate Room

Montreal’s the Islands are back and key original member Jamie Thompson has returned giving their new upcoming album Vapours that extra golden touch that made us swoon over their music. Joining them are Das Racist and Radical Dads. Keeping the night going, try El Viejo Yayo for dinner. This gorgeous and warm restaurant has an elegant dining room and an affordable menu offering Dominican/Latin cuisine. The outside of Buttermilk Bar may look non-descript, but looks are deceiving . . . just not in this case, as this low-key watering hole is where you can grab a cheap drink in a friendly atmosphere, while playing a board game or two. With a near insane menu of chocolates from coffee and tea to delectable dessert, and even beer, The The Chocolate Room is a great way to end the night on a high note.

Friday August 14

Location: Lower East Side, NYC
Music: The Warlocks Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Bowery Ballroom
Food: San Loco
Drink: Max Fish
Miscellaneous: Sugar Sweet Sunshine

Psychedelic rock outfit The Warlocks have a great album out in The Mirror Explodes which spans multiple genres and offers up a wall of psychedelic sound that will put you in a trance. San Loco serves inexpensive Mexican food. You can get a heaping amount of nachos for as little as $3.75, and telling by the heavy traffic, the place is doing just fine. What I like about Max Fish is that it’s a local bar for local artists. It’s walls play host monthly for art exhibitions, there’s a pool table in the back, and drinks aren’t pricey, like many new bars springing up in this neighborhood. For one of the best cupcakes in the city, Sugar Sweet Sunshine has 10 varieties, on top of cakes. Try the Sexy Red Velvet or the Bob, a yellow cupcake with chocolate almond buttercream.

Friday August 14

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Film: Rooftop Films
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Automotive High School (on the lawn)
Food: Relish
Drink: Radegast Hall & Biergarten
Miscellaneous: Zebulon

Rooftop Films presents Home Movies, short films about moments in time. Also performing are The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players. Though Relish looks like a 50s diner or an even larger version of an L train car, 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 Hall & Biergarten, 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 before.

Saturday August 15

Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn
Music: Animal Collective Get Tickets Here
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: Prospect Park Bandshell
Food: Press 195
Drink: Union Hall
Miscellaneous: O’Connor’s

These Baltimore natives who live in New York City now have been putting out some of the most interesting indie rock over the last few years, whether it’s as their solo projects like Panda Bear or Terrestrial Tones, but when they combine as their main unit Animal Collective is really where they shine. The theme at Press 195 is pressed comfort food. A sandwich shop with quite the menu, they offer 30 types of delicious sandwiches like the turkey and fontina cheese sandwich with a cranberry and roasted pear chutney on ciabatta ($7.75). While Union Hall looks like a cabin at a ski resort with a fireplace, stone walls, comfy couches, and inexpensive drinks, you may want to stick around rather than barhop. A low-key bar in this hood, O’Connor’s is a hole in the wall where you can grab a cheap drink and watch the game on their TV, just like your grandpa sitting next to you!

Saturday August 15

Location: Gramercy Park, NYC
Band: Marduk Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Gramercy Theater
Food: Kelley & Ping Gramercy
Drink: Rodeo Bar
Miscellaneous: City Bakery

Swedish band Marduk play straight up black metal and give Cartoon Network band Dethklok a run for their money on being one of the darkest bands out there. Their newest album Wormwood will be released shortly but regardless, expect some heavy music to go down. For dinner, Kelley & Ping Gramercy’s Gramercy location offers a taste of the food stalls from all over Asia including noodles, curries, and of course street food like pad Thai. The food is delish! Though honky tonk doesn’t spell R-O-C-K, the Rodeo Bar offers both. With the bar itself being an old horse trailer and the bartender offering up 10 kinds of margarita's, this place is white trash awesome! For some of the best bakery goods and hot chocolate in the city, stop at City Bakery and indulge in delectable morsels. Expect to pay for every delicious cent of em’ cause they ain’t cheap, but they’re worth it!

Sunday August 16

Location: West Village, NYC
Theater: Puppetry of the Penis
Show time: See website; Through August 30
Venue: Bleecker Street Theater
Food: Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar
Drink: Village Tavern
Miscellaneous: Bleeker Bob’s

Not your ordinary night out at the theatre, Puppetry of the Penis is described as “genital origami” and was created by Simon Morley in 1996 as an art calendar. Since then, it has been turned into a stage performance having been shown in 14 countries, including previously in the U.S. For an eclectic menu that mixes upscale and down-home food, Blue Ribbon Downing Street Bar, a wine bar and restaurant, offers lighter fare including foie gras, cheese plates, caviar, and steak tartare. The Village Tavern is a really comfortable neighborhood bar that’s great for catching sports games or just chilling for a drink, which is what I prefer to do when I’m in the vicinity. Also in the area is Bleeker Bob’s. It’s one of the oldest independent record stores in NYC and the selection is deep. The place looks a mess, but the staff is surprisingly friendly and extremely knowledgeable about what they have.

Friday August 7

Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Art: The Exhibition with Kaki King
Show time: 7 PM
Venue: Littlefield Gallery
Food: El Viejo Yayo
Drink: Buttermilk Bar
Miscellaneous: The Chocolate Room

Indie singer/songwriter and guitar virtuoso Kaki King created this exhibition which includes 16 artists and a few of her random fans who have taken guitars and created visual pieces based on one of her songs. Wear your Sunday’s best cause this will be videotaped for posterity plus Kaki will be performing at 9 PM. Keeping the night going, try El Viejo Yayo for dinner. This gorgeous and warm restaurant has an elegant dining room and an affordable menu offering Dominican/Latin cuisine. The outside of Buttermilk Bar may look non-descript, but looks are deceiving . . . just not in this case, as this low-key watering hole is where you can grab a cheap drink in a friendly atmosphere, while playing a board game or two. With a near insane menu of chocolates from coffee and tea to delectable dessert, and even beer, The Chocolate Room is a great way to end the night on a high note.

Friday August 7

Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Bands: Deer Tick
Show time: 6 PM; FREE
Venue: Prospect Park Bandshell
Food: Press 195
Drink: The Gate
Miscellaneous: Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co.

With a growling voiced lead singer and some great country-tinged indie rock, Deer Tick make music that Hank Williams would be proud of. Joining them are Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jones Street Station. Taking the pressed sandwich to the gourmet level, Press 195 offers 30 kinds of hot pressed sandwiches that make this place hard to get tired of. One of the more social bars in Park Slope, The Gate is a great bar with a wide selection of local beers on tap and an outdoor patio overlooking the park. If time permits, you must, and I mean MUST go to the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co., a non-profit organization that helps kids with their writing, that’s fronted by a store selling super powers.

Saturday August 8

Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn
Bands: Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival!
Show time: 4 PM
Venue: The Old American Can Factory
Food: Press 195
Drink: Union Hall
Miscellaneous: O’Connor’s

Celebrate the state of electronic music at the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival! with a great lineup of acts including The Juan Maclean, Young Love, 33hz, Shy Child, Designer Drugs, BELL, Jupiter One, plenty of top DJs and plenty of surprises. The theme at Press 195 is pressed comfort food. A sandwich shop with quite the menu, they offer 30 types of delicious sandwiches like the turkey and fontina cheese sandwich with a cranberry and roasted pear chutney on ciabatta ($7.75). While Union Hall looks like a cabin at a ski resort with a fireplace, stone walls, comfy couches, and inexpensive drinks, you may want to stick around rather than barhop. A low-key bar in this hood, O’Connor’s is a hole in the wall where you can grab a cheap drink and watch the game on their TV, just like your grandpa sitting next to you!

Saturday August 8

Location: Upper East Side, NYC
Event: Gotham Girls Get Tickets Here
Show time: 6:30 PM
Venue: Hunter College
Food: Brother Jimmy’s Bait Shack
Drink: BB&R
Miscellaneous: Dylan's Candy Bar

Get ready to watch some rock-em sock-em action as the Gotham Girls roller derby league take over Hunter College. Its the mighty Bronx Gridlock Vs Manhattan Mayhem and with players named Fisti Cuffs and Surly Temple, there’s bound to be some bumps and bruises. If you’ve got a craving for barbeque, check out Brother Jimmy’s Bait Shack as the ribs, chicken, beef, and pork are all smothered in some amazing BBQ sauce. BB&R, which stands for Blonde, Brunette, and a Redhead is the brainchild of three best friends. What they’ve created is something between a neighborhood bar and a lounge with leather seats in the front and a pool table, photo booth, and video games in the back. Looking more like it came out of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Dylan's Candy Bar is a colorful place to get lollipops, licorice, and all things sugary. Don’t go crazy though, or your sweet tooth might melt here!

Sunday August 9

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: SUNDAY FUNDay
Show time: 2 PM
Venue: Legion
Food: La Locanda
Drink: Enid’s
Miscellaneous: Royal Oak

Come out and see some great bands, eat free BBQ, and for $20, you can drink all you want from 7-9 PM to support the Toy Box Theater at SUNDAY FUNDay. The Legion hosts an excellent lineup of bands including The Beatards, Susu, Freshkills, Naked Hearts, Bel Air, and Rumanian Buck, with DJ sets by Soul Imperial One of the last vestige’s of real Brooklyn in this hipster neighborhood, La Locanda serves simple Italian dishes like Chicken Parmigiana and pasta, but don’t be fooled, the food here is excellent, affordable and the vibe is homey. A good place to drink and talk nearby, Enid’s has cheap beer, a friendly atmosphere, and even food. Another good place for drinks if you feel like bar-hopping, Royal Oak offers a dark and sexy vibe, where excellent DJs play old-school R&B and 80s metal all mixed up like Britney Spears!

Friday July 31

Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn
Bands: The Mekons + The Horse’s Ha Get Tickets Here
Show time: 9 PM
Venue: The Bell House
Food: Press 195
Drink: Union Hall
Miscellaneous: O’Connor’s

Late 70’s rockers The Mekons have never really stopped touring and recording, making them one of the longest running acts of the first wave of British punk rock bands. They have a new album coming out so fans rejoice and expect to hear their hits and new material. Openers The Horse’s Ha play a gorgeous blend of jazz and folk music that must be heard. Great stuff here! The theme at Press 195 is pressed comfort food. A sandwich shop with quite the menu, they offer 30 types of delicious sandwiches like the turkey and fontina cheese sandwich with a cranberry and roasted pear chutney on ciabatta ($7.75). While Union Hall looks like a cabin at a ski resort with a fireplace, stone walls, comfy couches, and inexpensive drinks, you may want to stick around rather than barhop. A low-key bar in this hood, O’Connor’s is a hole in the wall where you can grab a cheap drink and watch the game on their TV, just like your grandpa sitting next to you!

Friday July 31

Location: Financial District, NYC
Bands: River to River Festival Presents: Polvo
Show time: 8 PM; FREE
Venue: South Stree Seaport
Food: Burritoville
Drink: Jeremy’s Ale House
Miscellaneous: Century 21

One of the founders of what is known today as math rock, Polvo were together from 1990 to 1998 putting out some great indie noise-rock albums and recently got back together and will put out an album in September. Tonight you can see how it all began for FREE. While most people buy hot dogs and grab a beer at expensive restaurants in the Seaport mall, you’ll be smart and head over to Burritoville for inexpensive and delicious California inspired burritos, all under $10. For drinks, Jeremy’s Ale House has a lively crowd and a beer list that will get you a pint for $5 and under. If you get down to the financial district early, check out Century 21. They won’t try to sell you some property, but they have some great designer clothing on the cheap, plus the place is huge to roam.

Saturday August 1

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Bands: M. Ward + Mike Watt & Nels Cline
Show time: 7 PM: FREE
Venue: Central Park Summerstage
Food: Zip Burger
Drink: Subway Inn
Miscellaneous: Kinokuniya Bookstore

Folky M. Ward has been making big waves since his 2006 hit album Post War and his recent collaboration with actress Zooey Deschanel for their album She & Him as well as working with a host of others, so find out what all the fuss is about for FREE at Summerstage. Mike Watt & Nels Cline will also be performing but it’s unclear if they will playing separate or together, possibly as The Black Gang. 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 1

Location: Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Bands: Dean and Britta + Crystal Stilts
Show time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Prospect Park Bandshell
Food: Press 195
Drink: The Gate
Miscellaneous: The Chocolate Room

Join electro-pop music act Dean and Britta as they play music live to Andy Warhol’s screen tests featuring people who had visited his studio like Lou Reed, Dennis Hopper, Nico, Edie Sedgwick, and nine others. Each four minute silent film will be projected behind the band. It’s like a good old fashioned freak-out! Plus Crystal Stilts open. Taking the pressed sandwich to the gourmet level, Press 195 offers 30 kinds of hot pressed sandwiches that make this place hard to get tired of. One of the more social bars in Park Slope, The Gate is a great bar with a wide selection of local beers on tap and an outdoor patio overlooking the park. A great little dessert and coffee shop, The Chocolate Room has a menu filled with everything made with some form of chocolate. Try the hot chocolate, you won’t regret it.

Sunday August 2

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: Deerhunter + No Age + Dan Deacon
Show time: 2 PM
Venue: Williamsburg Waterfront
Food: SEA
Drink: Zablozki’s
Miscellaneous: Hugs

The Williamsburg Waterfront FREE shows are owning Sundays this summer with another winning performance as Deerhunter, No Age, and Dan Deacon take the stage at this large and gorgeous space. Let’s just hope it doesn’t rain like it did for last week’s concert! Just as much fun as any show and just as big a venue, SEA is one BIG Thai restaurant. Big enough to have a pool surrounded by tables as a giant Buddha stands above it. Luckily, the food is really great. Offering traditional Pad Thai ($7) to more involved dishes like the Mummy Fish ($14). On N6th, a street full of bars and restaurants, Zablozki’s is the local bar of the bunch, with a pool table and a friendly atmosphere and 12 beers on tap. What looks like some dark basement with tables and some couches, Hugs will end up being a dance party with an awkward blend of music genres that you will grow to love quickly.