THEATER: Broadway’s best show, the critically acclaimed Passing Strange, is still open for business, though struggling to compete against the usual insipid pabulum like Legally Blonde. Producers of this phenomenal rock musical were dealt another blow this week when CBS refused to broadcast their performance in the Tony Awards preview show. (The number, “We Just Had Sex,” is a cheeky, PG-13 homage to free love.) So if you haven’t seen Passing Strange yet, for crying......

EVENT: It's another First Friday at The Bronx Museum, where there will be free beer, music and of course art. Tonight's a "New York City rock and roll extravaganza; a musical exploration of up and coming urban rock and roll superstars with The Bangers and Dragons of Zynth." Friday // 6 p.m. // Bronx Museum of Art [1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx] // Free MUSIC: Studio B is opening their controversial rooftop tonight with their (expensive)......

ART: The Bronx Museum of Art is getting on board the First Friday bandwagon. They'll be opening their doors every first Friday of the month for free, and add a little something extra each time. Tonight their theme is “Say it Loud! I’m Black & I’m Proud” in celebration of Black History Month. There will be a tribute to the late James Brown, and a showcase of independent artists paying tribute to black music. Friday......

Brazilian art is scorching hot this winter. Hopefully you made it to the Tropicalia exhibit at the Bronx Museum before it closed this past weekend. Next stop: Ruas de São Paulo, an exhibition on Brazilian street art that begins next month at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery. But, before that gets underway, there’s going to be a must-attend benefit art auction today, January 31, at 7-10 PM, at The Newspace (530 West 21st St., Chelsea) to......

Get ready to explore the city this weekend - it's open house new york time! There are various homes, parks, landmarks, studios, and more open for the public to visit and learn more. open house new york has programs, tours, and podcasts - learn more at the website. Here's a pick in each borough: - The new Bronx Museum of the Arts - Fort Totten in Queens - Alice Austen House Museum in Staten......

+ The New York Times' Michael Kimmelman calls the Whitney's Picasso show "a compare-and-contrast slide show." Ouch. + Meanwhile, The New York Sun explains why it took so long for the new Bronx Museum of Arts. + Flavorpill's Artkrush points us to MOMA's Project 83, the first solo US exhibition of Polish artist Monika Sosnowska's work. Clean architectural lines minus Ayn Rand utilitarianism. + Non-real estate whores, check out 101 Warren Street's rooftop, a 20,000......

- With friends like these: A Staten Island man did some reno work on the bathroom of a friend in Long Island - and installed a camera to watch her (ew ew ew) - Meg Ryan is adopting a Chinese baby - she's really getting into the spirit of celebrating Chinese New Year! - The NY Sun looks at Arquitectonica's addition to the Bronx Museum of the Arts - An elderly woman was killed......