EVENT: GRBG is helping in the celebration of the “Gangs of New York” Fall ’07 collection. Enjoy a photo exhibit of the fall look book shot in Coney Island, a screening of The Warriors and free Rum!
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EVENT: Tonight head uptown to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Beats, or more accurately, of Kerouac’s On the Road and Ginsberg's Howl. Join writers, scholars and more. The event will feature Laurie Anderson, Ann Charters, Joyce Johnson, Hettie Jones, Bill Morgan and recordings of Ginsberg. And if you haven't watched this video yet, do it now.
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SIGNING: Just a few days ago LL Cool J was out signing his book (which, is actually a workout book). Tonight 50 Cent will be at Borders Bookstore with two of his writers for the launch of, wait for it...G Unit books! Some titles: Death Before Dishonor, Baby Brother and The Ski Mask Way. Get there early!
Ringing in the New Year: Guide to New Years Eve
2007 is just around the corner, and we've got a little tip sheet on where to be when the clock strikes midnight.
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BBQ: The BBQ season has officially begun. Luckily, there's always an option for the non-carnivores in town. Today that option is the Annual Summer Vegan BBQ Extravaganza run by Books Through Bars. This organization is a volunteer group that donates reading material to prisoners all over the country. Not an organization geared towards drinking and reading in bars.
One Night with Knight
For some reason when things are "one night only" it makes us feel like they're more special. Sort of the opposite of a "one night stand". Either way, teen heart throb of our day, Jordan Knight, teams up with teen heart throb of those younger than us, Jeff Timmons, for a concert sure to make your inner teenager screech with delight. We think Timmons was in that band with Mr. Jessica Simpson, and we KNOW Jordan Knight was in New Kids on the Block (later to become NKOTB). We were more in to Donnie Wahlberg at the time, but Knight sure could hit those high notes.
The Pita's New Year's Eve Music Picks
What? No New Year's plans? Leaving it a bit late, no? Forget the overcrowded bars, the swarms of amateurs, the lame-o house parties. There are a ridiculous number of shows happening around town, some of which are worth your time and some of which not so much. Many of them are sold out, but it's highly possible you could score with the scalpers. Let's have a little look-see, shall we?
This Week's Music Picks
There are some important shows this week. It's your last chance ever to see Q and not U (@ Knitting Factory). Brian Jonestown Massacre (whose gear was stolen the other day) are at the very small Pianos. Steve Winwood is at the very small Bowery Ballroom. Yesterday Bon Jovi rocked the very small Nokia Theater. These shows all matter, but they're not the focus of this week's post . Instead, let's concentrate this week on Hurricane Katrina survivor benefits.
This Week's Music Picks
As soon as Bright Eyes (and the Faint) are finished hogging Webster Hall this week, former Conor Oberst label mate Rilo Kiley take over for a two day run. Former child actress Jenny Lewis leads this band of safe OC-ready indie pop-rockers. For a taste of Rilo, download MP3s of their entire Coachella performance. Portastatic and The Brunettes open both shows on Thursday and Friday.
This Week's Music Picks
We couldn't help but notice the abundance of talented white male rockers invading NYC this week. New and old and originating from various corners of the Earth, the white boys of rock n' roll are invading. Let us be your guide.
This Week's Music Picks
Built to Spill was one of the biggest indie rock bands of the 90's, and one of the biggest indie rock bands ever. Many thought they were gone forever, but they're not. Before their new album comes out this September, they'll entertain us at four recommended NYC shows: Irving, Irving, Irving, Southpaw. Also still making music: Weezer (you were eleven years younger when you first heard "Buddy Holly"). They have a new album out on Tuesday, and they're playing Roseland on Wednesday and Thursday.
Mayor B Officially Wants to be Reelected
The NY Times conducted some research on the Mayor, as well as his standing versus other mayoral hopefuls such as former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Manhattan Borough President Virigina Fields, and former Councilman Thomas Ognibene. The study says that 41% of registered voters view the Mayor favorably; while 41% sounds mediocre, that's a 10% increase from last summer. He does lead his opponents (see the NY Times graph here), but one Democratic strategist tells the Times that "Any incumbent starting off an election year with an approval rating under 50 and losing to an unnamed opponent by 22 points is in real trouble." To drive that point home, it seems that these numbers are closer to David Dinkin's pre-reelection numbers than Rudy Giuliani. Ouchy. Issues where voters are still on the fence with the Mayor are indeed education and the proposed Jets stadium on the West Side, which means Bloomberg will be working overtime to emphasize his strengths and appeal to voters that overhauling the education system will take time and he should be in office for that.

