Arts & Entertainment

Click through for more photos from It Came From Brooklyn, and a review of They Might Be Giants, who played a benefit in town earlier this week. more ›

Halloween is almost upon us! Are you so excited about your slutty whatever costume? If you don't have plans yet, our picks are in our weekend newsletter, and the Daily News has some tips for tots on where to Trick or Treat — noting that city kids often get ripped off when it comes to procuring Halloween candy. more ›

This Sunday, not only is it time to fall back for Daylight Savings Time, it's the 40th ING NYC Marathon. An expected 40,000 runners will be ready to hit the roads from the start at the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in Staten Island and through the four other boroughs with about a million people cheering them on from the sidelines. more ›

Artist Stephen Wiltshire has been hard at work this week drawing the Manhattan skyline from memory over at Pratt. He only took a 20 minute helicopter ride prior to getting started, "during which time he impressed on his mind thousands of landmarks, great and small." He told the Brooklyn Paper: “My arm starts to hurt sometimes, but I push on.” more ›

Click on the film stills above for more on this week's releases, including This Is It, Gentlemen Broncos, the Boondock Saints sequel, Labor Day, Skin and more. more ›

The High Line seems like a lovely place to spend Halloween, no? Too bad for trick or treaters that it's shutting down early Saturday night. Curbed reports that the Parks Department announced: "Due to anticipated heavy event-related crowds in the neighborhood during the Village Halloween Parade, the High Line will be off-limits starting at 5 p.m." The guests of the Standard hotel will likely still be up to their old tricks, however. more ›

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A reader sent in the photo on the left earlier today, letting us know that Sad Panda is "at his usual spot Downtown." It's nice to see he hasn't totally sold out to the Spongebob Squarepants corporate machine. However, it's going to get cold soon, and we know that Sad Panda suffers from Seasonal Affected Disorder and loves to take vacations, so where do you think he'll go? Let us know your answers in Photoshop! There's an image for you to use after the jump. more ›

Answer: Some of them don't! Matthew Broderick's difficulty remembering lines during performances of Kenneth Lonergan's new play The Starry Messenger has, ahem, prompted a long article in the Times on the history and ethics of learning lines. The takeaway is that some actors, including the great Angela Lansbury, use earpieces to stay on cue. more ›

Purgatorio, the new multi-level erotic haunted house from the people behind exclusive raunch den The Box, is open for business for just a few more days, disappearing permanently into oblivion after Halloween. We've already shown you the necrophilia promo video, but here's a closer look at some of what your $39.99 will get you. A couple weeks ago we were all set to attend the opening party hosted by Perez Hilton, but at the last minute we couldn't make it up to Times Square. Family emergency. NOT because we were scared... of just about everything in that last sentence. more ›

The leaves have been turning, and falling, all over New York. You can still track the foliage here, or just get thee to a more nature-heavy nook in your borough (but make it quick). And don't forget to send us your photos or tag them 'gothamist' on Flickr! more ›

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This year (and last) the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade was scaled back after sponsors were hit with budget cuts and donations slowed down. As of October 12th only three floats were expected (down from the normal 20). more ›

The New York Public Library is pitting Philly and NYC against each other in this fantastic catalog of old baseball images they put online. They say: "The 2009 World Series brings together two cities uncommonly rich in baseball history. Some of the game's earliest years are chronicled in over 500 photographs, prints, drawings, caricatures, and printed illustrations donated in 1921 to the New York Public Library by early baseball player and sporting-goods tycoon A. G. Spalding (whose name to this day is printed across every ball used in the National League)." more ›

Did that New Jersey storefront on the Upper West Side get you across the Hudson to check out some foliage? The NY Times reports from the state's temporary Manhattan outpost (which is still up and running), saying that it's not about competition or stealing Manhattanites away (was that really ever a fear?). more ›

Did you know Frankenstein was a vegan? (Well, he was rather pale.) In Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic horror novel, the man made monster says, “I do not destroy the lamb and kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford my sufficient nourishment." What a compassionate guy! more ›

Hopefully Linus knows his way to the Intrepid, because there is a Great Pumpkin on deck right now. Sculptor Patrick Moser, who has multiple sclerosis and cannot use his right arm, will spend nearly five days transforming a 932-pound pumpkin into what he calls a “Grumpkin.” He scooped out the insides yesterday, and today through Friday the public is welcome to drop by, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and see him work on the carving. It will also be on display over the weekend. Can't wait to see it all lit up! Wonder how many candles that will take. more ›

If you hop on the 2/3 train, and go back in time about 116 years, you might find yourself in the above setting. Harlem Bespoke found this photo of 116th Street by Lenox Avenue taken in 1893. They say: "Yes, those are cows standing around an open watering hole. The middle class apartment buildings can be seen encroaching on the once pastoral setting. The farmer was probably one of the last ones to sell out." It's also possible that there's currently a luxury condo development called the Kalahari in this exact spot. Which only means one thing: poltergeist ghost cows! more ›

Another one to file under: "Just in time for Halloween." The Chelsea Hotel bloggers received a desperate cry for answers after a tourist spent three nights at the hotel, only to be menaced on her final evening by the ghost of Dylan Thomas! She was with her boyfriend, but he slept soundly through the sighting. She reports back from Room 114: more ›

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The Club Animals who give bouncy rides, deliver crack candy around town, and give us an overall uncomfortable feeling, are multiplying like Gremlins at a waterpark. Tonight the newest member will be giving away free butterfly kisses on the Union Square L platform from 9 to 10 p.m. We have also been alerted that free bouncy rides will take place from 8 to 9 p.m. in the same location, which makes us think that dolphin and bunny are one in the same! more ›

This map-cut of New York City is almost as insane as the skyline being drawn from memory right now. The four paper panels are each 3' x 4' and together show the city blocks, parks and other areas in 4 of the 5 boroughs (sorry Staten Island). It's one-of-a-kind, and the artist is selling it on Etsy for $550 (Paris is only $250). more ›

It's not even Halloween yet and Christmas has already popped up on Court Street in Brooklyn! Pardon Me For Asking has photos of the festive decor, have you seen any more around? Send us your photos of any over-the-top or way-too-early holiday decorations. We haven't spotted nearly enough haunted houses this year. more ›

Congratulations to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for housing not one, but two champion trees. 1010 Wins reports that "The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has named two trees at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden state champions — meaning they are the largest of their species on record in the state." The Kansas hawthorn is 31' tall, and the Carolina holly is a whopping 35' tall. Together they are the first two trees in New York City to receive the honor, and they were presented their awards today. more ›

Last year around this time, 61-year-old Tony Award nominee Terri White was sleeping on a bench in Washington Square Park, after being evicted from her apartment of 14 years. Now the stage veteran is back on Broadway in the new revival of Finian’s Rainbow. It's quite an uplifting story, and if you're one of those people who uniformly distrusts police, you may be interested to know that it was an NYPD beat cop who helped save White from the gutter. more ›

It's been just over 6 months since the Hipster Grifter, Kari Ferrell, was introduced to the masses. Happy belated anniversary everyone — remember, we're all in this together, and it isn't ending anytime soon. Bucky at Animal, Ferrell's pen pal while she's in jail, just received his latest correspondence from Salt Lake City... and it looks like she's coming back to NYC. more ›

Move over Tiffany! After Disney swooped in with precious princess bridal dresses a few years ago, now the house that Mickey built is offering diamond engagement rings inspired by the "Disney princesses," like Cinderella, Snow White, Prince Jasmine, and Belle. more ›

The Bronx Museum recently opened an exhibit featuring Bronx "artifacts" from 1971 to present day. Urban Archives: That Was Then This Is Now is "the first of a new, multi-year series of exhibitions that look at contemporary culture as a living archive.” This one was drawn primarily from personal collections of artists that have been working in and on the Bronx for decades, and "in their collections, the testimonies of long-time residents and occasional visitors coexist in the form of mementos, documentation, artwork and other sort of cultural artifacts." Check it out sometime between now and March 1st. more ›

Scarlett Johansson will make her Broadway debut in Arthur Miller's classic tragedy A View from the Bridge—not in Neil Simon's musical Promises, Promises (as previously rumored). Her co-star will be kick-ass actor Liev Schreiber, who'll play Eddie Carbone, a Brooklyn longshoreman obsessed with his 17-year-old niece Catherine, played by Scar-Jo. We can't foresee Schreiber having any trouble making that role convincing, but will the smoldering, soft-spoken starlet be able to translate her cinematic heat to the stage? More importantly, what will she be wearing? And if she's playing a 17-year-old, is it wrong to drool during the performance? (If so, we're in big trouble over Ghost World.) more ›

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As we mentioned yesterday, teams of whitewashers clashed with a postering company during the second New York Street Advertising Takeover. The takeover, convened by the Public Ad Campaign, aimed to to take back hundreds of advertising locations that "wild posting" company NPA has placed around the city. more ›

Amazing. 34-year-old British artist, Stephen Wiltshire, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, is currently taking residence at Pratt to do what he does best: draw. But not just draw; the artist is creating a detailed panorama of New York's skyline from memory, after only briefly visiting the city and taking it all in from a helicopter. He has done this around the world, 8 times in total, and says this is his finale. more ›

Click through to read about Kidrockers, Cruel Black Dove, Bridges & Powerlines, this year's Gothamist House, and a CMJ Fail at Brooklyn Bowl. more ›

New York artist Rob Pruitt just j'adores the Oscars. The red carpet, the flashing bulbs, the drawn-out speeches! But what's a conceptual artist to do when such award shows revolve around Hollywood A-listers? Create one for the art world, of course. This week's Talk of the Town places focus on Pruitt's vision, which will become a reality this Thursday as his First Annual Art Awards takes over the Guggenheim. more ›

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Yesterday afternoon the Martha Stewart dropped by the Brooklyn Flea, causing a commotion and getting vendors worked up into a tizzy. It was a good thing! Martha says she loves Brooklyn, and it seems like the feeling might be mutual... except for some who sneered, calling her entourage "fucking ridiculous." Can we just file "Martha Stewart is at my designer flea market" as a Hall o' Fame White Whine? more ›

While the humans get the big Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village on October 31, canines have a series of Halloween Parades to participate in. This past weekend, there dogs were decked out in elaborate costumes in both Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Take a look at these awesome costumes—our favorite is the Hulk Dog, if only because she endured getting dyed green! Update: We learned that Hulk Dog is an Olde English Bulldogge named Fanny—she got 2nd place for her costume. more ›

Over the past three years, we have slowly and steadily interviewed each of the four members of the trailblazing DC band Fugazi... except one: inimitable singer and guitarist Guy Picciotto. Today we complete the set, and we're going to have to find a new goal in life. (Counting Crows, maybe?) The chance to finally to speak with Picciotto arose because he's performing twice this week in NYC with Vic Chestnutt, whose haunting and heartfelt new album At the Cut features Picciotto. more ›

Today, scions of real estate developers Ivanka Trump and Observer publisher Jared Kushner are getting married in Bedminster, NJ. The NY Times includes the couple's nuptials in the Weddings & Celebrations section, but instead of the traditional "bride's name-then-groom's name" headline, it's "Ivanka Trump Weds Jared Kushner," playing it more like a news item. Because there's this mention of Kushner's dad: "The bridegroom’s father, who is a founder of his family’s real estate business, stepped down as the company’s chairman in 2004, owing to his legal problems, and has since resumed his title." more ›

A publicist for British musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber announced that the 61-year-old was diagnosed with prostate cancer, noting "the condition is in its very early stages. Andrew is now undergoing treatment and expects to be fully back at work before the end of the year." Back at work probably means back at work on his new Phantom of the Opera sequel, Love Never Dies, which is set in Coney Island, which he recently dissed by saying, "Of course, Coney Island today is nothing at all." Love Never Dies is expected to premiere on Broadway next November. more ›

Click on the film stills above for more on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which also include Antichrist, (Untitled), Astroboy, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant , Saw VI, Eulogy for a Vampire, Motherhood, Night and Day, Ong Bak 2: The Beginning, Rembrandt's J'Accuse, Wild River, The Lost Boys, and Life of Brian. more ›

As reported yesterday, superstar rapper/pot-enthusiast Lil Wayne pled guilty to gun possession charges in Manhattan Supreme Court, and is expected to serve most of 2010 behind bars in Rikers. The plea of "attempted possession" came as a surprise from Wayne, a dramatic turnaround after his attorneys spent the past two years arguing that police could not prove the gun found on his tour bus in July 2007 belonged to him. His defense lawyer, Stacey Richman, told MTV: "He opted to take the deal to take responsibility for the situation and I think it speaks of him that he's an individual with a strong constitution that he took that responsibility." more ›

Things are heating up in marathon running circles, or should we say slowing down? The New York Times reported that by allowing slower runners on the New York City Marathon route, the intensity of the debate over how quickly an able-bodied runner should finish the once-elite event is increasing. more ›

Gawker readers weigh in on Tracy Morgan's Barnes & Noble appearance, for his new book I Am The New Black. One says, "Wow. I wasn't expecting him to dance like a monkey, but neither was I expecting to leave the bookstore depressed... At one point, while talking about his father and his mother, he broke down crying," while another says, "I left feeling slightly inspired. He spoke at length about how we need to interact more as a community, that we need to get off the computer and stop listening to our iPods and interact with fellow New Yorkers." more ›

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We thought that using Craigslist to find someone to harass one's married lover's wife was bad, but Topless Robot offers up this NYC Craigslist ad. TR does warn with its headline that "The Most Awful Nerd in America Found," and that sensitive souls might be disturbed by it—plus "I don't think I'll ever be clean" again after reading it: "Need an amputee to complete my Halloween costume (Brooklyn)"... more ›

According to NotifyNYC: "On 10/23/09, between the hours of 11 AM-4 PM there will be a filming of a movie on West Street between Calyer and Oak Streets in Brooklyn. During the filming you may hear or see a SIMULATED explosion. FDNY will be on site as a precaution." If you happen to be nearby with a camera and want to share your pictures, send the to tips@gothamist.com or tag them "gothamist" on Flickr. more ›

FINALLY: Run-DMC is going to Broadway, people! Joseph Simmons (Run) and Darryl McDaniels (DMC) are cooperating with the estate of Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) to create a stage musical about themselves: Run-DMC, the hip-hop pioneers from Hollis. Maybe it's not so crazy? Run-DMC were hilarious master showmen, and we could see their larger-than life personas served well by a big, loud Broadway spectacle. On the other hand, the producer is Hollywood's Paula Wagner, known for her association with Tom Cruise and War of the Worlds, which gives us a not-so-fresh feeling. more ›

A few years ago, Charmin decided to take some empty retail space in Times Square and turn it into a destination for people to enjoy some of its toilet paper during the holidays. Now, Charmin is looking for this holiday season's workers, asking, "Do you enjoy going to the bathroom enough to earn $10,000?" more ›

Earlier this week NYMag reported on Ilya the manatee, "who traveled to Cape Cod this summer via New York Harbor," and ended up in New Jersey this past Friday. Ilya hasn't been spotted since, with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center unable to track her down. Today someone reported they saw the manatee off the coast of Bayonne, but the MMSC says the report came in 8 hours after the spotting, and Ilya is still nowhere to be found. more ›

While it may not be opening until the Spring of next year, the Limelight Marketplace invited us over today to take a look at the space as it transforms yet again. Photographer Katie Sokoler reports back that, "although it's just a bunch of mini stores, they don't want to be known as a mini mall! It's a market." The folks there also told her that it would be very family friendly (but no club kids), and "Saturdays it will feel like a carnival because they'll have clowns and mascots walking around." Terrifying! more ›

Our CMJ show (which we're co-hosting with the lovely people at Brooklyn Based) is TONIGHT at the Bell House [149 7th Street in Gowanus]. The show is FREE, and no CMJ badge is required. You can RSVP right here, and the details are below: more ›

Following the 40th anniversary of Jack Kerouac's death (which was yesterday), a fan of the author is speaking out again about the lack of recognition the beat gets in his one-time home borough of Queens. more ›

If Salman Rushdie is still upset his "unstable," "bucket of radioactive stress"-carrying ex has been complaining about him, at least he has the shoulder of Min Lieskovsky to cry on. Page Six calls the 26-year-old "Chinese/Hungarian Harvard grad" "stunning" and Gawker looks closely at her Elle Girl article, "How To Date a Male Model," which includes lines like, "I'm addicted to male models. I've dated six of the world's top models, as ranked by Models.com...My secret to dating male models is simple: Tell them they're smart." more ›

Trick or treat, it's chocolate Michael Jackson! That Cult that began around the late performer opened their first chapel "praising the life and teachings of Michael Jackson" in Brooklyn earlier this season, and now they're chocolatizing their leader. more ›

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Small Black seemed to just pop up out of nowhere and slap the music corner of the internet in the face this year, after silently toiling away in attics and basements recording their EP. Josh Kolenik and Ryan Heyner make up the duo, creating what they describe as "minimal Casio noise pop," and are joined by Juan Pieczanski and Jeff Curtin for live shows. By the end of this week they'll have had seven more of those live shows under their collective belt, all for CMJ. Tonight they're playing ours (at 10 p.m.) — more details here. more ›

We've been thoroughly enjoying Max Silvestri's rants and commentary over at the AV Club, and in his latest piece he takes on Regal Cinemas. The young lad is living the dream out in Williamsburg, just one 11 minute train ride from Union Square... and as such, from Regal Cinemas on Broadway and 13th. But before your face turns green with jealousy, Silvestri says: more ›

The Village Voice released its yearly Best of NYC 2009 list, just in time for all of you looking for ridiculously specific things like the best tattoo parlor straight out of "Cry Baby," the best mini-golf in Bushwick, or the best erotic bloodletting. Here are a couple of notables: more ›

If you see a giant V in the sky on Friday, fear not, it's just the big wigs in Hollywood trying to get you to watch a new television show about aliens. Reportedly "The network is mum on where and when the V's will strike, but such places as the Statue of Liberty are under consideration. The skywriting will be done multiple times a day at each site until the series launch." Yes, television people, it is a great idea to "secretly" send a small aircraft spouting out gas over major landmarks in New York City. more ›

While some Brooklynites are lobbying to get trees removed from their neighborhood, Canadian street artist Poster Child is planting them around the city. There's already a dwarf pine in a long-retired newspaper dispenser on Bedford Avenue, and now he's gone and planted another in a telephone booth in Astoria. Personally, we'd like to see an entire greenhouse in one of the four remaining enclosed booths (as long as no one's using them anymore, that is). Challenge. more ›

As mentioned in our newsletter this morning, the Guggenheim turns 50 today (and is celebrating with free admission). The Daily News looks back on the museum's past, with 50 facts about the building, which Robert Moses once described as "an inverted oatmeal dish." A few of our favorites:
• To design the museum, Wright created more than 700 sketches.
• As for the unusual look of the building, Wright proclaimed, "It's going to make the Metropolitan look like a Protestant barn."
• The building was named a landmark in 1990, one of the youngest ever to earn the distinction.

The latest Improv Everywhere mission brought the troupe to the Best Yet grocery store in Astoria, Queens to end fruit segregation... in musical form! more ›

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Many of you probably have that image of a youthful Farrah Fawcett in a red bathing suit engraved in your memory, but another iconic photograph was taken of her that decade. more ›

Last week, NBC dramatic warhorse Law & Order continued its "ripped from the headlines" mantra and filmed a crash at Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard at West 151st Street that resembled this past summer's Taconic State Parkway wrong-way crash that left eight people dead. In the Taconic incident, mother of two Diane Schuler was apparently drunk and high when she rammed her minivan—carrying her two children and three nieces—into a car carrying three adults, killing everyone, except Schuler's young son. The Post says the L&O crash features a "Chevy Astro minivan -- packed with kids -- north in the southbound lane of the boulevard, causing a fiery crash that leaves the minivan and another car burned to a crisp." more ›

While Hog Island used to be the family vacation spot for Tammany Hall politicians, after surfacing off the coast of the Rockaways in the mid-1800s, it was no match for Mother Nature. Ephemeral NY revisits the old destination spot, which "featured the usual late-19th century bathing facilities, pavilions, restaurants, and regular ferries," noting how by the late 1800s the sea swallowed it back up, whole! more ›

When news broke two weeks ago that Andrew Lloyd Webber had set his hotly-dreaded Phantom of the Opera sequel in Coney Island circa 1919, the AP quoted Webber saying, "[Coney Island] was the eighth wonder of the world. Think of Vegas and then triple it." But the wire service left out the best and most controversial part of that quote, and some Coney Island locals have been insulted a little bit. more ›

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As previously mentioned, the Empire State Building donned the official hippie color, Tie Dye, last night in honor of an upcoming Grateful Dead exhibit at the NY Historical Society. (A benefit with Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir will be held in the city tomorrow.) Some readers certainly came through with some fantastic photos of the lights last night — some including trippy photo tricks, and psychedelic Photoshopping. Enjoy! more ›

As we mentioned last week, the first annual Meet the Breed event—featuring 160 purebred breeds of dogs and 41 purebred breeds of cats—was held at the Javits Center. And people weren't able to walk a foot without in any direction without saying, "Awwww." Enjoy these photographs by Katie Sokoler. more ›

Doesn't anyone have HBO anymore? Writer Jonathan Ames has penned a new series for the network, called Bored to Death, and even he can't watch it! The show is set in Brooklyn, where Ames resides... and last night the author took to Twitter to find a tube to watch it on. Some kind strangers took him in, and aside from a few grammatical errors while Tweeting that Ames called himself out for, he seemed to enjoy the experience. Maybe next Sunday he'll bring you a bottle of vino and his wisdom on how to perfectly illuminate your living room to view his show. [via Animal] more ›

Are you ready to hear 16 hours of Beatles tunes live... on the ukulele? Well, you have over a month to get ready. This December 5th and 6th, a two-day benefit for Yoko Ono will take place, featuring 185 Songs (the entire Beatles catalog), 60 Singers, 40 Musicians and 16 Yokos. more ›

Last year residents of a Perry Street townhouse, one that is home to Carrie Bradshaw in a fictional world, put up a chain and a sign threatening away any fans taking photos on the stoop. Since fans allegedly are ignoring the sign, they have added a new one. This time around it's attached to a money drop box, and asks if you take a photo, to donate to a charity for orphaned animals. Hear that Carrie fans? For every photo you take, and dollar you don't donate, you are killing kittens and puppies. VanishingNY spotted the new system, and calls for a new tax in the city: a Tourist & Yunnie Nuisance Tax. more ›

Poster Child has finally brought a planter box to New York City! This dwarf pine is now planted outside of the Bedford Avenue L stop in Williamsburg; he explains his project: "If you are new to these FlyerPlanterboxes the idea is to take the empty & disused newspaper and flyer boxes that litter our sidewalks and put them to a better use than say trashcan or Space-Filler." And check out that newspaper dispenser, it's from The National, which debuted in January of 1990 and folded 18 months later. He notes, "this empty, useless box has somehow managed to consume valuable sidewalk space in New York for 16 odd years." more ›

Thirteen's new series profiling New Yorkers released a new video this week, this time traveling to 33rd and 9th to visit Carlos Sarabia's coffee cart. They say he "emigrated from Jalisco, Mexico to the United States, bringing his mother's breakfast torta recipe with him." He works from Mondays through Friday, starting at sun up — and says he'd like to own his own cafe, where he wouldn't have to confront the harsh weather in the winter. more ›

Lincoln Center Theater has terminated the contract of South Pacific stage manager Michael Brunner, after he was arraigned on Friday on a charge of unlawful surveillance. Brunner, 54, has admitted to using his iPhone to videotape one of the actresses in the hit revival. (Pervy spying? There's an app for that.) The actress, whose name is being withheld, discovered the iPod on a desk in her dressing room between acts, and said, "What the hell is this?" She then proceeded to finish the performance, and alerted theater personnel after the curtain call. more ›

If you were planning on ducking out of the office to watch Game 3 of the ALCS at a bar, you could go really hardcore by taking the train to the Bronx and watching the game at Yankee Stadium. After consulting with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., the Yankees are opening the Stadium Field Level and Great Hall to the public to watch the broadcast of the game in Anaheim, which has a start time of 4:13 p.m. (EST) with Andy Pettitte pitching for the Bronx Bombers and Jared Weaver starting for the Angels. more ›

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Oh you Bushwickians and your tent cities. The latest in neighborhood tent news comes by way of a Craigslist posting, written by some younger folk who possibly have Where the Wild Things Are fort envy: more ›

According to this Twitter update, farm animals are super in right now amongst the skinny jean set. The witness twote, "I just saw a hipster walking a sheep on Bedford Ave. So hot right now!" People, please take photos next time. more ›

Over the weekend, Pier 94 was the place to be for fans of comic books, science fiction, and other TV shows with the Big Apple Comic Con taking place. more ›

In honor of the New York Historical Society's upcoming Grateful Dead exhibition, the Empire State Building is going to be tie dye tomorrow. At press time, we were unable to confirm how in the world this was going to happen, short of dosing the entire city with acid and hoping everyone sees beautiful melting colors shining off the building. more ›

Was James Franco getting ready for his return to TV (he's got a General Hospital stint coming up) by appearing on Saturday Night Live? Of course, in the "What Up With That?" skit, about a BET show that answers the issues of today with soul, Franco didn't actually have any lines but he looked pretty good just being there. more ›

Thursday night was a milestone for anyone who ever came home to find their newly purchased parrot was not just pining for the fjords. The remaining five members of Monty Python gathered for a rare reunion in honor of the theatrical version of their new film, “Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)." The lengthier version will be showed over six nights next week on IFC, starting tomorrow night. John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam took the stage after the screening for a Q&A, with the late Graham Chapman represented by a large cardboard cutout. At least they didn't spill his ashes like they did at the Aspen Comedy Festival in 1998! more ›

Once again CMJ is upon us, and our show (which we're co-hosting with the lovely people at Brooklyn Based) is next Thursday, the 22nd at the Bell House [149 7th Street in Gowanus]. The show is FREE, and no CMJ badge is required. You can RSVP right here, and the details are below: more ›

If you like your relics served up with an extra dose of creepy, have we got the exhibit for you! One-man traveling sideshow, Father Thomas Michelet, is bringing the bones of St. Mary Magdalene to the Big Apple. Oh the things her bones will see! Can't you just picture those two out on the town, snapping photos and seeing the sights? Hopefully there will be time for a Broadway show. more ›

Ready for a three-story outdoor theater in Union Square? Well, the former Virgin megastore is transforming itself into just that on October 28th, when Marvel Comics takes over the outdoor wall to premiere its "Astonishing X-Men" motion comic on the building. more ›

Click on the film stills above for more details and reviews on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which also include Black Dynamite; Law Abiding Citizen; New York, I Love You; Food Beware; The Little Traitor; The Maid; Adela; Splendor in the Grass; Beetlejuice; and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. more ›

Earlier this week Ralph Lauren was accused of some over-the-top Photoshopping in their ads, and now it appears GQ has given Betty Draper a digital boob job. Mad Men's January Jones graces the magazine's November issue, and NYMag accuses them of "artificial enhancement by way of Photoshop." What do you think? We don't want to know what they'd do if Joan Holloway were on the cover! more ›

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For twelve years now the American Museum of Natural History has brought butterflies to Manhattan from all over the world. Last weekend their "Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter" exhibit opened (it will run through May 31st of next year), and we sent Katie Sokoler over to photograph the 500 vibrant creatures (monarchs, zebra longwings, and paper kites amongst them). What to expect: a 1,200-square-foot vivarium, a freestanding structure aflutter with activity, lamps simulating sunlight in the rain forest, recorded sounds of howler monkeys, parakeets and other animals. Get more details here. more ›

Tonight and Saturday night, the inimitable punk/avant-garde cabaret band Tiger Lillies return to St. Ann's Warehouse for two "Dark and Deviant" concerts, celebrating 20 years together as a band. The shows will highlight songs from the Lillies' award-winning show, Shockheaded Peter, along with numbers from their Grammy-nominated album The Gorey End , plus other deranged favorites spanning their extensive catalogue. Frontman Martyn Jacques, who plays accordion, trained himself as an opera singer with a castrati style while living above a strip club in London for seven years. Which explains a lot about this band! On his way to the airport in England, Jacques responded to some of our questions via e-mail. more ›

This weekend, the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association are joining forces at the Jacob Javits Center this weekend to allow the public to Meet the Breeds. There will be 160 purebred breeds of dogs and 41 purebred breeds of cats on the scene—"each in its own designated booth, decorated to reflect the heritage of the breed, its characteristics and unique attributes as a pet." We went to the press preview yesterday and got to meet some of the animals—they seem pretty excited about this weekend! more ›

Street naming became a point of controversy a couple of years ago; however, earlier this year Run-DMC got an intersection named after them in Queens, this week Where the Wild Things Are got a temporary street name... so now should the northeast corner of Central Park West and West 72nd Street be named for John Lennon? more ›

If you've ever lived in an older building in New York, you've probably wondered what was behind your walls (a secret room, perhaps!). Or maybe that's just us. Anyway, the Tenement Museum is readying their visitors center, and has just posted up some gorgeous photos of the process. When they renovated their 97 Orchard space, there was more in-depth archeological research done; the selective demolition at 103 Orchard Street includes the basement, ground, and second floors of the building — which dates back to the 1880s. Click through for some hot shots of ceiling timbers! Phantom staircases! Old playing cards! And much, much more. more ›

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Last night the final preview performance of the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie was halted for about 20 minutes when the electronically controlled set failed to clear during a scene change. The curtain fell, and star John Stamos came out to the footlights to stall for time. Fortunately for him, inimitable cut-up Don Rickles was in the audience cracking wise. "I'm too old for this," Rickles shouted from the orchestra section. And as the delay dragged on, Mister Warmth grew increasingly impatient, yelling, "I came here for a night, not a weekend!" Rickles also told that hippie Stamos to get a haircut. more ›

Director Spike Jonze, actress Catherine Keener and third grade students from P.S. 41 temporarily renamed the intersection of Greenwich Avenue and Christopher Street "Maurice Sendak Way" and "Wild Things Way" earlier this afternoon. Marketing is alive and well in Greenwich Village! The movie comes out this weekend, and the wild rumpus has already begun as it's Wild Things Week in the city. more ›

The people behind the Limelight Marketplace have released renderings of their future mall. They tell us "the storied 163-year-old venue in Manhattan’s Flatiron district is being transformed into a three-story shopper’s paradise." When it opens, expect to see jewelry, organic groceries, candy, art, home decor, a salon and a sneaker shop. Do not expect to see club kids, trannies and cocaine-coated floorboards. more ›

It seems Burning Angel (which is NSFW, so don't bother Googling) is inviting the Hipster Grifter, Kari Ferrell, over to shoot some scandalous photos once she's out from behind bars. Of course, seeing as how everyone has seen Ms. Ferrell naked by now, porn entrepreneur Joanna Angel has upped the ante, declaring: "I would love to fuck her on camera... I think we'd have a lot of fun." It's sure to be pure comedy porn gold. Meanwhile, Ferrell's cellmate is now looking for some attention as well. [via FreeWilliamsburg] more ›

Today NY1 anchor John Schiumo stole the Twitter spotlight from Pat Kiernan with a harrowing tale of taxi cab body odor. The good news is he lived to Tweet the tale, which is complete with burning eyes and a stinky receipt. As Seinfeld once said, "There should be a B.O. squad that patrols the city like a 'Smell Gestapo.' To sniff 'em out, strip 'em down, and wash them with a big, soapy brush..." [via Animal] more ›

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While the Jane Hotel undergoes some "minor physical adjustments" after their loving neighbors had them temporarily shut down, Eater reports that other local establishments are picking up the slack. Here's a list of where to go in the neighborhood til the Jane reopens, but the Rusty Knot is actually hosting the hotel until further notice. more ›

Call it a comeback. Following the announcement that Polaroid cameras and film would be gone forever and ever and never return; and following every hipster in town eating up the film on eBay to document their party nights ever-so-nostalgically; and following Urban Outfitters temporarily stocking them... Polaroid is returning! Cameras and film will be on sale by mid-2010, or you can try to buy this special kit on the 16th for the not-so-old-timey price of $430. more ›

As the NY Times noted, the artists are also bringing empty storefronts to life — something that's been happening in other boroughs as well. They explain these particular spaces were "donated or leased by building owners unable to rent or develop them." Starving artists are making out well during this recession with prime real estate! The benefit for developers? "The artist gets a gallery or studio, and the landlord gets a vibrant attraction that may deter crime and draw the next wave of paying tenants." more ›

Although Angela Chase would have loved it, it's not like Claire Danes ever seemed like much of an outer-borough girl — and NY Mag recently discovered just how Manhattan she really is. The actress told them, “I do love walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, I have to say." But after thinking about it realized she's never gotten much further than DUMBO. Her husband defended her, saying, "You’re speaking to the most politely pro-Manhattanite person that you’ve ever met, right here." They then referred to Prospect Park as "a big patch of grass somewhere there." more ›

If you've ever seen Warhol's Factory, it was likely in part through the lens of Nat Finkelstein, who documented much of that era and the characters who created it. The photographer died of pneumonia and emphysema on October 2nd at the age of 76, while at his home in Shandaken, New York. The NY Times notes that he was the house photographer at the Factory from 1964 to 1967, and "created spontaneous portraits not only of Factory regulars like Sedgwick and Gerard Malanga but also of the artists and celebrities who drifted in and out of the Warhol orbit." more ›

It's been a few weeks since we've checked in on the foliage situation, and after seeing these hidden patches of color at the NY Times, we got a little worried we might be missing out on the changes. So, we turned to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden horticulturists, who gave us these helpful tips if you can't make it out of town this season: more ›

A couple of months ago the scenesters behind the infamous Naked Ping Pong parties went legit and opened a beautiful 13,000 square foot table tennis emporium in a subterranean space on East 23rd Street, formerly occupied by Woolworths. Called SPiN New York, the approach is sort of like what Brooklyn Bowl is doing with bowling; taking a sport normally associated with basement-dwelling poindexters and recreating it in a funky nightclub context with a bar, restaurant, DJ. more ›

Travel + Leisure takes a look at the World's Ugliest Buildings, and somehow no New York structures made the list. Not even the Verizon Building. Though the New York magazine architecture critic may have an explanation; he tells them: “The ugliest buildings are the anonymous ones. Even if an experimental, high-profile building doesn’t quite deliver, at least the architect is trying something. A boring building is a warehouse in the middle of New Jersey.” more ›

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Step right up, this beauty could be yours. Owner Bernie Henry coated his four-story brownstone on Garfield Place with this Pepto-pink color just three years ago (about 47 years after he moved in). The retired tailor told the Daily News, "I'm 92. It's time to get rid of it. It's a lot of money to keep it up ... I'm going to buy a smaller house around the corner." He says his new home will not get the same color treatment; in fact, he tells the paper he never meant to paint this one in such a garish hue, saying: "They sent me the wrong paint. It was painted this color accidentally." more ›

One Greenpoint mom is riled up after coming face to face with evil corporate sponsorship at this past weekend's Pumpkin Fest in McCarren Park. She tells Miss Heather: more ›

The NY Times profiles a woman who is on day 350 of her 365 day project to read a book a day—and review it here. Nina Sankovitch, a former environmental lawyer, "was inspired, in part, by the need to make sense of her oldest sister’s death," sticks to books 250-300 pages long and reads whenever she can get a chance (such as while waiting to pick up her kids). She says, "I’ve always thought great literature is all one needs to read to understand human psychology, emotions, even history. For someone sitting around reading books, it’s been a really lively year." more ›

Surely this Halloween will bring every era of Michael Jackson back to life in costume form, but this Long Island City local has put up a scarecrow tribute to the late performer. Apparently he wears two gloves in the afterlife! more ›

It's common for boring female grownups to dress up as slutty nurses/schoolgirls/nuns or whatever on Halloween, but now pre-teens are mimicking their airhead elders, and there's a whole range of sexually provocative costumes on sale for pre-pubescent girls. The retail chain Party City is well-stocked with everything to make this Halloween a happy one for pedophiles, from a pirate costume for 8-year-olds dubbed the "High Seas Hottie" to a "Devil Grrrl" costume that comes with a red miniskirt, fishnets, a tiny pitchfork, and the sales pitch: "This grrrl devil likes to get things heating up!" It gets creepier... more ›

The website Revel in New York hosts a series of pretty great original videos introducing you to some of the city's more interesting and quirky characters... like the Pigeon Lady! more ›

Last night's episode of Mad Men was seriously lacking in Joan (whom the creators of said show better bring back) — but the real Joan, actress Christina Hendricks, was at Il Buco getting hitched to hubby, actor Geoffrey Arend. People reports back from the scene, but NBC explains why the Bond Street restaurant was chosen as a venue. more ›

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Over the weekend, we looked at just a few of the many OHNY sites: the Newtown Wastewater Treatment Plant, an MTA Substation, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Here's a gallery of some of our other favorites, submitted by Gothamist users. more ›

Will the Whitney Museum finally open a second location? An agreement between the museum and the city has been three years in the making, but the NY Times reports that they're forging ahead with plans to open a Renzo Piano-designed space at the entrance of the High Line; it will be six stories high and twice the size of their current location. more ›

Unsubstantiated! However, one Twitterer recently twote that she "Just found out cops in Williamsburg call hipsters marshmallows because we are white and soft." Whether or not this is true, we would like to recommend that everyone use "marshmallow" going forward — it is much less amorphous than the H word. more ›

Yesterday, the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation opened up its doors to bicyclists for Open House New York bike and bus tours. Here are just some of one reader's photographs from yesterday's tour of the shipbuilding yard-turned-industrial park (Steiner Studios is located there). more ›

There are so many Open House New York sites open this weekend, and so little time to see them all! So we picked two that seemed interesting: this MTA powerstation on 53rd Street (built in 1901 by Heins & Lafarge, with help from McKim, Mead and White,) and the Newtown Creek Water Treatment Plant (which we'll tour tomorrow morning.) We need your help to visit the rest: please send your on-location pictures to photos@gothamist.com or tag them "gothamist" on Flickr, and we'll put up a gallery tomorrow night. more ›

Last week, the zombies were out in full force for the opening of the Woody Harrelson zombie movie Zombieland. Apparently they didn't get enough, because they were in Union Square for another Zombie Crawl—obviously they are practicing for Halloween or just want to get some more mileage out of their costumes. more ›

The street artist Blu was commissioned to paint a mural on the Deitch Studios in Long Island City (44th drive at the water's edge)—and now he's got a timelapse video showing how he completed the work. more ›

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is being remembered for her diplomatic skills by brokering peace between Conan O'Brien and Newark mayor Cory Booker, who have had some sort of feud about Newark—O'Brien had joked, "The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey wants to set up a citywide program to improve residents' health. The health-care program would consist of a bus ticket out of Newark" and then it started a volley of threats (Booker put O'Brien on Newark Airport's no-fly list) and more jokes. more ›

Today would have marked John Lennon's 69th birthday, and surely the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park is seeing a lot of action for the occasion. However, one reader says that while the mosaic "is typically covered in flowers, adorned with trinkets and messages, and surrounded by people gathering to sing songs and pay tribute to the late Beatle. Early this morning, I found a lone salutation and a small army of the NYPD preparing for the onslaught of fans and tourists alike." more ›

Brah, Phish is returning to the Garden. Not Jones Beach, not some festival across the country... Manhattan. This December 2nd, 3rd and 4th, the band will descend upon this fair city, bringing with it a flood of hippie supernumeraries. This is great news for Phish fans, and possibly a warning for the rest of you to take a 3-day trip out of town. Tickets go on sale October 23rd, unless you wanna hold out for a miracle. more ›

Click on the film stills for more on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which also include An Education, The Damned United, Adventures of Power, Free Style, Good Hair, The Heretics, Peter and Vandy, Yes Men Fix the World, Lisztomania, Bronson, Paranormal Activity, Pretty in Pink, and Sixteen Candles, more ›

Pro tip for all you artists out there: make your work look exactly like a photograph and you will win cash prizes! The NY Times reports that 50-year-old Brooklyn painter Ran Ortner was awarded the grand prize of $250,000 last night at ArtPrize, a public competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. more ›

This Saturday, as part of Open House NY, the Green-Wood Historic Fund and Dance Theatre Etcetera will bring Angels & Accordions to the cemetery. "A site-specific, live music and dance performance that guides audience members through historic Green-Wood Cemetery’s rolling hills, highlighting its unparalleled collection of sculpture and monuments." Looks like the 30 dancers involved have been doing some practicing! To check it out in real life, head over there tomorrow at noon or 3:30 p.m. more ›

Spotted on Mott between Spring and Prince: a passive-aggressive note to a mysterious anti-pooper scooper! We just can't help but think this note could have been written better, though. It currently reads: "To person whose dog has taken a shit twice this week and you didn't pick it up. I'll be watching. If I catch you it won't go well for you." The threatening tone is there, but it doesn't seem to have that certain... je ne sais quoi. Next time maybe just try to sick the Sanitation Department on the Pooper-trator. more ›

Those tabloid bottom-feeders at the Daily News are so desperate for page views that they've been reduced to publishing a gratuitous photo spread documenting the release of the 2010 Hooters calender. It's far beneath Gothamist's dignity to link to such lowbrow frat-bait, but we have taken the time to gather some photos from the event—just so you can fully understand the shameless hucksterism that's gripped the Zuckerman organization. We've also got some barely SFW video below, too... for reference. more ›

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The Rockettes were out practicing their kicks yesterday, and other such fancy footwork at at St. Paul The Apostle Church. The Christmas Spectacular opens at Radio City on November 13th; buy a ticket before Jim Dolan kills them all off (actually, he won't)! more ›

Like awaiting the results of a biopsy, we've been dreading the release of further details about Andrew Lloyd Webber's plans to write a sequel to classy Broadway blockbuster The Phantom of the Opera. Webber announced his diabolical plan back in 2007, but suffered a setback when his new kitten destroyed all the music he'd written! But not even the selfless heroism of, um, cats can stop this maestro, and now he's announced quite the surprise. more ›

It's been a year since Tina Fey's spot-on version of Sarah Palin hit the small screen on Saturday Night Live, and now word is she's bringing it back this season... maybe. more ›

Apparently the residents of Boerum Hill got themselves some fancy sidewalk extensions to make the place more pedestrian-friendly (jealous, UWS?)—but then the added sidewalk added "a huge swatch of ugly gray to the neighborhood." Will people ever be happy? Anyway, to combat this problem the Boerum Hill Blog reports that artist Christina Kelly "has submitted plans to the city to plant native northeastern varieties of corn throughout Boerum Hill, where Native Americans used to grow corn. The first spot she has submitted is for the northwest corner of Smith and she expects the planters to be raised off the pavement in 5′ x 5′ planters." If approved the corn will be sprouting by next May; but won't this make the sidewalks less pedestrian-friendly again? more ›

After a campaign to get 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan to join Twitter, he has finally joined—"His rep confirmed to Gossip Cop that he signed up this morning." His Twitter handle: RealTracyMorgan. First Tweet: "Welcome To Tracy Morgans World..." Aw, yeah—maybe now he can Twitter about his fish tanks (like imagine the Tweets he would have sent when they caught fire!) and whatever else pops into his mind. more ›

Just when we were so happy to have Sad Panda back in our lives, reader Daniel Albanese sends us these photos of Spongebob Squarepants. Our first thought was, no big deal, it's not like this city isn't big enough for the two of these guys. However, prepare to have your minds blown here: Sad Panda and Spongebob Squarepants are one in the same. Right? more ›

Fuck me gently with a chainsaw, producers are still going through with a so-crazy-it-just-might-work plan to turn the '80s black comedy Heathers into a musical! According to Variety, they're aiming for a regional run next year, before premiering on Broadway in 2011. Kristen Bell from Gossip Girl has been participating in readings, but she hasn't yet committed to coming to Broadway. Blow this one Bell and it's keggers with kids all next year! more ›

Earlier this year we chatted with Dr. Zizmor, the "subway dermatologist," about the television ads he ran prior to taking his campaign underground and off-screen. Now he's gone and combined the two! Warning, this jingle will get stuck in your head. more ›

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Move over, Colonial Williamsburg; the tourists are now flocking to Brooklyn's 'Burg to see what all the fuss is about (what is the all fuss about again?). A tipster sends us this photo, saying, "This was a tour group that got off the subway at Driggs and North 7th. There was a person directing them and explaining where they were. The tour guide gave instructions to meet back at the subway entrance at a specific time and directed them to Bedford Avenue." Oh the things they must have seen! more ›

Park Slope stroller-pusher Peter Sarsgaard's first major film role was in Dead Man Walking, but he really caught everyone's eye in 1999 with Boys Don't Cry—ever since he's been reason enough to see pretty much anything from Garden State to Jarhead. Last season he made his Broadway debut in the critically-acclaimed production of The Seagull, which transferred from London. In it, he played the self-absorbed novelist Trigorin, who effortlessly seduces the wide-eyed Nina, portrayed by the arresting Carrie Mulligan. more ›

If you rise and shine to the sights and sounds of helicopters darting over Manhattan tomorrow: don't fret. We just got word that "a movie shoot will be taking place in the vicinity of 12th Avenue and 23rd Street in Manhattan from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m." and you should "expect to see filming activity in the area including helicopters making sharp turns and maneuvers." If only Air Force One gave this kind of warning. Send us photos if you see the action; and try to figure out which one of these movies currently filming here it might be... perhaps the mysterious Untitled! more ›

On Monday, Condé Nast trimmed the fat by folding four of their magazines: Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, Cookie, and Gourmet. Jon Stewart promptly followed that news with a pragmatic solution, consolidating those four titles into Jon Stewart's Pregnant Gourmet Bride. Surely there's an audience who would eat that up! Stewart himself says, "what's going to happen to those modern and/or elegant brides who enjoy high-end cuisine and who have or are having children?" more ›

Adding to the mix of venues and restaurants in the neighborhood, a new (gorgeous) space combining space focused on food has opened in Williamsburg. The Rising Tide is a new culinary and events loft that was built over the summer and is now open to the public. This is the same space that will soon be seen on IFC's Dinner with the Band (starring chef Sam Mason). "The Rising Tide is a unique production and events studio, located in a two story loft in Brooklyn." Measuring in at twelve-hundred square feet, if you aren't looking to film a show (because, you probably aren't), it can even host dinner parties for up to forty people. more ›

Recent Manhattanite Frances Bean broke the 140-character rule on Twitter (like mother, like daughter) and penned an open letter to Lindsay's lil' sis on Long Island, Ali Lohan. Add your own [sic]s: more ›

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Yesterday the Dreamland Bell was received at a welcoming ceremony at Brooklyn Borough Hall; after spending a few weeks at the Coney Island History Project, it will now be temporarily on display inside the Joralemon entrance for two weeks. The NY Times reports that "there are plans being discussed for a tour of other city buildings, including City Hall and the New York Aquarium." more ›

Last week the Public Art Fund’s new exhibition at City Hall Park (Peter Coffin’s Untitled Sculpture Silhouettes), was unveiled. Currently you'll be able to find 13 monumental silhouettes of iconic artworks around the park (and miniature versions inside City Hall's lobby), including variations on Rodin’s The Thinker, Picasso’s She Goat, Michelangelo’s David, and one of Sol LeWitt’s Incomplete Open Cubes. more ›

To be fair, she does have a much clearer speaking voice than the standard MTA announcements. more ›

Victoria's Secret held the New York portion of their National Model Search at Yankee Stadium this past Saturday, and the wanna-be Angels are now popping up all over the place. There were reportedly around 2,000 who showed up (some with wings)... but no word yet on who knocked it out of the park, or if A-Rod auditioned. more ›

Lars von Trier's provocative new film Antichrist has revolted film festival audiences around the world, prompting booing at Cannes, vomit in Toronto, and now seizures in New York, according to multiple reports. Is von Trier the new Mary Hart? Indiewire files this report from Friday night's New York Film Festival premiere: more ›

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Back in July the lovable Sad Panda went missing from his regular spot downtown, leaving the city traumatized by his sudden disappearance. But miracles do happen, people, and as of today he has returned! And it looks like he even got himself a new set of hands. more ›

As the Hipster Grifter, Kari Ferrell, sits behind bars penning notes to NYC bloggers, her story hit the small screen in an episode of Law & Order. The episode, which aired last Friday, featured a girl named Emma with lots of similarities to our lil' Korean Abdul-Jabbar. more ›

A friend of ours recently revealed that he decided to become a social studies teacher because of Sarah Vowell. And anyone who has read Assassination Vacation or The Wordy Shipmates will have no trouble understanding that sentiment. Vowell has a talent for reintroducing you to the kid you were when you did four separate book reports on Johnny Tremain, while also reminding you of what's so amusing about the current world we inhabit. Bring up Sarah Vowell to someone not as familiar with her and the conversation will always come back to that voice of hers, heard in years past on This American Life or in The Incredibles. more ›

At a price of thirty dollars for half an hour, the Venetian Gondola Tour sounds like it has an easy victory over the horse carriage rides as the best valued date Central Park has to offer: You can be serenaded with opera, you're not trailed by the scent of manure and you don't have to worry about a throng of commenters on this blog questioning your integrity. But with that price comes a risk—your seemingly peaceful trip around the lake and interactions inside the boat might be judged by the seemingly sweet postgrad manning your boat...on his blog. And worse than that, now that blog's been taken to the next level—the Sunday Times! more ›

Necrophilia's so hot right now. We're all super-stoked for the city's best pervy haunted nightclub—brought to you from the people behind the pervy disturbing nightclub The Box—to open October 15th, so check out this arguably SFW video to get a taste of what awaits you within this "erotic nightmare fantasyland created especially for Halloween season." more ›

As we mentioned, DJ AM/Adam Goldstein's reality series, Gone Too Far, will air on MTV even though the deejay died of an overdose last month. The show's premiere will air on October 12th (10 p.m.) and aims to help struggling addicts. His family gave full consent to the network, telling them, "Adam felt strongly that by doing this series he could help other addicts who were at a crisis point to get sober. Adam was fully aware that if it were not for his own sobriety he never would have achieved the level of success and happiness he had found. Helping people in their recovery was a huge part of Adam’s life..." more ›

The Jazz Age Lawn Party that was set to take place last weekend on Governors Island, actually took place this weekend, something we wish we had gotten the memo about. Katie Sokoler took the trip back in time to the '20s, however, and returned with some great photos. Visitors told the Daily News that the elegance of F. Scott and Zelda's day are lost in present times, and now events like this "evoke a world we wish we were a part of." more ›

The Putnam Trail in Van Cortlandt Park contains many rail remnants (including an old passenger platform) from the New York Central Railroad's Putnam Division, which began construction there in the 1870s. Amongst the historical artifacts that remain in the overgrown trail are 13 stones that were placed there prior to 1903 by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. He had quarries send him samples to help determine which weathered best, with the chosen one used as the building material for Grand Central Terminal. "In the end, the second southernmost stone, Indiana limestone, was chosen not for its durability but for its cheaper transportation cost across Vanderbilt's railways." Who knew we had our very own Stonehenge in the Bronx! more ›

Last week 2,000 invisible animal lovers came together in Cobble Hill to talk to walk their invisible dogs and simultaneously confuse onlookers. Now there's video so you can fully experience the reaction of the neighborhood locals: more ›

Yesterday recreationists and Medieval revelers congregated at Fort Tryon Park for the annual Medieval Festival, which was centered around a "medieval market town decorated with bright banners and processional flags." Amongst the performers, music, minstrels and unicorns, there were even modern day offerings to be found; you can't fool us Master Buntings Hut of Ye Fried Dough! more ›

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Yesterday was the Manhattan Bridge's centennial and the celebrations were capped off by fireworks. Check out these photographs from our readers. more ›

Upon the release of Amy Sohn's new book, Prospect Park West, some Park Slope locals lashed out on the author (who also resides there with her family); but then again it isn't all that difficult to get the Brownstone dwellers riled up. Sohn's fictional tale, at points, holds a mirror up to the neighborhood, drawing upon the real life happenings there; from celebrity couples to sexless marriages to swingers to stroller-pushers. Last week she told us a little bit about it all, and confirmed that blow job prowess is indeed a fairly accurate measure of one's self worth. more ›

It's hard to imagine a time that Sesame Street wasn't on the air, but here's the pitch video that was made to sell it to networks back in 1968 (it was altered in 1969 once a name was decided upon). Muppet Wiki describes it as such: "The film features Rowlf describing what the new show will be like to Kermit. Interspersed between the explanatory scenes are board room sequences, in which various Muppets try to come up with a name for the show. The reel is also marked by extensive use of the word 'groovy' and phrases like 'I'm hip.'" Dig it: more ›

For two hours a week, there's a museum off the BQE that opens its doors and fights for the preservation of Admiral's Row in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The NY Times reports on Scott Witter's cause, which is displayed on a sign in his museum; it reads: “Don’t let Pirate Mike steal our heritage.” more ›

Move over, Steve Wilkos. Brooklyn-boy-made-good Michael Mazzariello is the newest addition to in-your-face daytime TV with the recently premiered . East New York native "Judge Mazz," the former chief prosecutor for the Board of Ed, takes cases right at the scene of the crime, including within the five boroughs. more ›

Since founding in 1991, Big Dance Theater has been ebulliently blurring the traditional aesthetic boundaries between theater and dance, jumbling the two forms into often delightful yet esoteric performances. Their latest confection continues the tradition, but don't expect the term "theater" to include "narrative," at least not in any conventional sense. Called Comme Toujours Here I Stand, the hour-long piece is inspired by Agnès Varda's 1961 French New Wave film, Cléo From 5 to 7, which portrays, in real time, the life of a marginally talented pop singer waiting for the potentially dire results of a medical examination. more ›

This past Thursday the Animazing Gallery unveiled the world’s largest exhibition and sale of original illustrations and etchings from the collection of artist and author Maurice Sendak. The show is comprised of 200 pieces and will run through November 8th and coincides with a Sendak retrospective at the Morgan Library & Museum. more ›

Last week's season premiere of Saturday Night Live may have had America's Most Overhyped Sexpot Megan Fox as host, but this week's second episode ended up being the true Ladies Night, with divas in full force. Host Ryan Reynolds did that thing you do when your spouse is an even bigger star than you and brought along his wife (and soon-to-be Broadway actress) Scarlett Johansson, who reprised her role as a local saleswoman pitching "Chandeliers!" for dad Fred Armisen's Long Island business, that has now apparently expanded to porcelain fountains. more ›

As we mentioned in our GothamList newsletter (sign up here), there are bunch of fun things to do today. In Brooklyn, it's the Atlantic Antic Street Festival, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with food, music, belly dancing, food, ponies and inflatable rides. Over on the Lower East Side, between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., it's NYC International Pickle Day with demonstrations and plenty of pickles to sample—and you're encouraged to arrive in costume. Both are free! If you want to share your photos, tag them "gothamist" on Flickr or send them to photo@gothamist.com. more ›

Reefer madness is the new black! Marie Claire exposes what they call "stilleto stoners" in their latest issue. Yes, even the well-heeled like to puff on a little pot after a stressful day in this rough n' tumble town. Take 29-year-old corporate attorney "Jennifer" for instance, she's been running around for 12 hours in her Marc Jacobs pumps and at the end of the day "reaches for a plastic orange prescription bottle alongside a glass pipe and blue Bic lighter, just as the cleaning lady left them. She twists off the cap, pinches off a piece of the fragrant green bud inside, gingerly places it in the bowl of the pipe, and lights up. Over the next 30 minutes, she takes three deep drags, enough to drown out the noise whirring in her head." Soon enough she'll be popping pills to drown out the paranoid voices! more ›

It's not all Brownstones and haunted mansions in Brooklyn; a luxury condo called the Venetian has just been unveiled in all its hideousness! Brownstoner reports that the attempt at classical opulence, located in Gravesend, "looks a lot better in reality than we had expected." Be that is it may (is it?), this doesn't look at all like Brooklyn. But is it better than the "Williamsburg Grey" Karl Fischer creations? more ›

For the non-hardcore Marilyn Monroe fans, maybe you didn't know that the actress spent some time at NYC's Payne Whitney Hospital in 1961, just a year before her fatal overdose. That year her psychoanalyst, Marianne Kris, committed Monroe; "Knowing the star would never go to a psychiatric hospital on her own— Monroe was terrified of sanitariums because her mother lived in one for most of her life and her grandmother had died in one— Kris told her that she was going to a private hospital for some rest and relaxation." The ol' R&R bait and switch! more ›

As we previously noted, the annual weekend extravaganza known as Open House New York is nearly upon us. Taking place next weekend (October 10th and 11th), all of the tours available have now been posted online. While they're free, the most coveted ones have a limited amount of space and require reservations. Act now! more ›

Click on the film stills above for more on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which also include The Invention of Lying, Whip It, Zombieland, After the Storm, Afterschool, An American Journey: Revisiting Robert Frank’s "The Americans", Chelsea on the Rocks, More Than a Game, Where is Where?, The Wiz, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. more ›

The 6855-foot-long Manhattan Bridge is turning 100! With a newly reopened archway on the Brooklyn side, it's hardly looking like a centenarian, but the ol' girl's been through a lot, and has a fairly flawed history behind her. The construction for the bridge began in October of 1901, but wasn't open to traffic until December 31, 1909. Once it was put to use, Time Out notes it was realized that designer Leon Moisseiff "didn’t incorporate sufficient support, and placed the subway and streetcar lines on the outer edges of the roadway, putting too much strain on the deck." more ›

What happens when Don Draper leaves Madison Avenue for Sesame Street? He has non-alcohol-fueled emotions! Here he is with his team of sycophants feeling mad, sad and even happy. more ›

For whatever reason, Vice Magazine is totally in bed with director Spike Jonze, and last night they invited some people to an advance screening of Where the Wild Things Are. Before it started, we told a friend that we'd heard the film was "unwatchable" and, afterward, we heard a bewildered audience member gripe, "What the hell did I just watch?" But earlier our friend had declared, "I have faith in Spike Jonze," and he was absolutely right. We never doubted you Spike, and those suits at Warner Bros. can go play in traffic. more ›

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As part of Lincoln Center's extensive (and expensive) renovation, the beloved Revson fountain has been reimagined as well. Instead of the traditional low walled fountain, architects Diller, Scofido + Renfro created a "floating granite ring" around the water. From the press release: more ›

With the month in which we celebrate All Hallows Eve upon us, a bunch of New Yorkers got a head start on ringing in the arrival of October by making themselves up as zombies and descending upon the center of the city. The Zombie Walk was a promotional event sponsored by the new movie , the film that was apparently so intense to shoot that Woody Harrelson got a TMZ photographer confused with one of the zombies he had fought after it had wrapped. more ›

The 17-century Bowne house in Flushing, Queens is finally getting restored after ownership was transferred to the city; news that comes with much relief to Landmark nerds and historians (and anyone who hates to see beautiful old structures disintegrate in front of their very eyes). With $5 million from the city, state and private groups, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe announced the plan to restore it is moving "full speed ahead," according to the Daily News. more ›

The sneaky state of New Jersey has quietly made its way into a storefront on the Upper West Side; opening a pop-up tourism store on West 73rd and Columbus that is suspiciously devoid of Bon Jovi, the Boss, scrunchies and mall references. more ›

Can actor James Franco single-handedly save Soap Operas from their rapid demise? More importantly, even if he could, should he? Word on the street is that Franco (currently attending both NYU and Columbia) is temporarily moving to the fictional town of Port Charles, New York to be a "mysterious person" on daytime drama General Hospital. ABC has confirmed it, and there is speculation "that his story arc will be a few months long and that he'll do one day on the set each week, filming scenes for several episodes at once." Franco will be on small screens around the nation starting November 20th, and there's no use pretending you aren't going to set that DVR. more ›

Earlier this year we chatted with Rachel Maddow (MSNBC host, swine flu survivor and cocktail aficionado) about many things, including the search for the perfect pre-prohibition Scotch drink. At the time, she told us, "Scotch is used in very few cocktails, but when it is used, it can be very effective. So I'm very interested in trying to figure out what's beyond the Blood and Sand in terms of Scotch in cocktails." more ›

We're bringing Pencil This In to you earlier with our new newsletter, GothamList. Sign up below for the daily scoop on concerts, readings, performances, and other events, which will arrive in your inbox first thing every morning Monday through Friday. You can get today's newsletter when you sign up.

Sea Lions seem to be making all the headlines this year; this summer a baby one was born at the Bronx Zoo, and then the New York Aquarium started a new pricey Sea Lion program up for visitors. Now that the business world has been conquered, they're showing their creative side. more ›