Pencil This In

THEATER: If you want to avoid the first, hottest days of Fringe fever, a quieter alternative would be Mary Gage's Evensong, which she wrote after interviewing 6 senior citizens in Michigan. Using a sort of jazz composition style, with solos and chorus, Gage weaves their very different tales and bits of life wisdom together into one coherent thread that affirms how much their generation struggled on behalf of this country, motivated by a belief in it that would be smarmy if it weren't quite real.

Through Aug. 27, Mon. & Thurs.-Sat. 8pm, Sun. 3pm // TBG Arts Complex [312 W. 36th St, 3rd Fl] // Tickets via Theatermania

PARTY: Tonight celebrate the Finger on the Pulse (or as we like to call them, FOTP) one year anniversary! We think one year means you have to get them a paper gift, but you know what - they won't take your money. The party is free! Guest deejay Super Meego will help spin some tunes, and there's a free champagne toast at 1am!

Friday // Royal Oak [11th and Union, Williamsburg] // Free

MUSIC: Tonight catch Takka Takka at the Mercury Lounge, before the boys head off on tour this fall with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Also on the bill tonight is Illinois, who we caught - and enjoyed - down at SXSW this year. (Disclaimer: "we" manage Takka Takka!)

Friday // 9:30pm // Mercury Lounge [Houston @ Essex] // $10

The River to River Festival brings us the first-ever NewSong New York! contest at the South Street Seaport stage this weekend. Ten of the region’s top “undiscovered” singer-songwriters will perform their original material. The winner will advance to the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest International Finals, taking place August 26 in Shepherdstown, WV.

Saturday // 7pm // Pier 17 // Free

Great lineup at the pool this Sunday. Deerhoof, Beirut, Apollo Sunshine, The Harlem Shakes. And as usual there's the dodgeball. And the really amazing weather.

Sunday // 2pm // McCarren Park Pool, Brooklyn // Free