After a six-year relationship with the Lower East Side, former New York Observer editor John Vorwald penned a letter to the Times announcing that his affair with the neighborhood has ended due to irreconcilable differences. Vorwald says he was attracted to the community because it reminded him of "a gracefully aging rocker, grizzled and sage" — but now the Lower East Side is running with a different crowd. more ›

No one likes to see another music venue shut down, but it's happening again, people. Grub Street declares, "We hear an off-Ludlow music venue with high ceilings, a mezzanine, a basement, and a capacity of 300 is trying to sell off the remaining eleven years of its $15,000-per-month lease. The tavern-club hybrid, once a destination among rocker-hipsters as well as the young glam set, comes equipped with cabaret and liquor licenses." This has to be Fat Baby or the Annex, but have either actually ever been a destination for rocker-hipsters? Maybe in a "we could see it being used as a generic backdrop in Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" or a "the cast of the Real World Brooklyn may have gone there" kind of way. Anyway, LES, take either as your sacrificial lamb, just keep your greedy paws off of Cake Shop. more ›

EVENT: BKLYN DESIGNS 2007 kicks off today. The design expo will not only provide the latest trends and lots of fabulous things for your home - but all day panel discussions, interviews and of course parties, after parties and much more. more ›

Some venues close and reopen in lower rent areas (like Luna Lounge) and some shut their doors forever (CBGB). Most recently, the Roxy called it quits and Sin-e and Tonic have announced their closings as well. Tonic was saved two years ago (we interviewed one of the owners at the time), and they have not yet announced why they're closing for good this time (they'll shut down in two weeks). As far as smaller downtown venues go, we're left with some less than ideal spaces: the Annex, the Delancey and Fat Baby - none of which have ever been a favorite to see a show at. Seems if Pianos, Cake Shop and the recently made-over Knitting Factory can manage to keep their doors open, they'll be the places to go (though the Todd P shows and their ever-changing venues are probably the best option in town). more ›

Metro reports that the city’s ban on dancing in bars, restaurants and certain clubs is legal, according to the state appeals court. The law was enacted in the prohibition era. The Gotham West Coast Swing Club filed a lawsuit regarding the city’s 80-year-old Cabaret Law stating it illegally infringed on their right of free expression. The appeals court stated that “recreational dancing is not a form of expression protected by the federal or state constitutions.” more ›

THEATER: Three time Obie winner and “titanic force” Mac Wellman has brought his Two September to The Flea Theater, which he co-founded a decade ago. The action takes place in various locations in China and Vietnam after the Japanese coup of March 9th, 1945. It is told through the eyes of blacklisted writer Josephine Herbst and the young Vietnamese revolutionary leader who becomes Ho Chi Minh. - John Del Signore more ›

Our favorite bouncy souled upbeat Austin rockers, Voxtrot, are back with a new release and a few shows in our fine city. And since we "like you, like you" we have two tickets for you to their Monday November 6th show at The Bowery Ballroom. more ›

READING: Head to the NYPL for the Borowitz Report On The Future - "in a totally improvised and spontaneous program, cybersatirist Andy Borowitz will answer the audience's questions about what the future holds for current events, pop culture, sports, business, and Paris Hilton, with the guarantee that he will be at least as accurate as the New York Post," runs the NYPL description. - Krissa Corbett Cavouras more ›

EVENT: Fat Baby is turning in to Craft Baby tonight, with a Make Workshop event that will teach you to reconstruct your boring 'ol clothes. You can als how to embroider, knit and crochet...your grams would be so proud of you. And don't forget to stop by the silk screen and iron-on station (byo-witticisms). more ›

THEATER: Though some might balk at an outdoor performance in this muggy, thunderstormy weather, The Drilling CompaNY's version of As You Like It, the next installment of Shakespeare in the Park(ing) Lot (directed by Jesse Ontiveros), is bound to exude enough cool to counteract the waves of heat rising from the asphalt. It also helps if you show up with your own chair so you don't have to exert yourself in a scuffle to nab one of the limited number available there. - Mallory Jensen more ›

EVENT: “Solstice in Times Square” is a celebration of the Summer Solstice which began at 7am, but you still have time to partake. The dawn til dusk event includes a “Mind Over Madness” yoga-thon and live music. Doing yoga in Times Square seems like it might be the worst idea ever, but if you're up for a challenge, go for it. more ›

Bands in New York need to be creative to stand out amongst the masses. A year ago we were on an Indie Night School panel discussing how to get your band reviewed and noticed. The general consensus was that a cd will quickly find it's way into a cd player if a friend has recommended the band. Word of mouth from people with similar music taste speaks volumes over, say, receiving fifteen emails from a band in one week promoting their shows. more ›

We hope you like change, because there's sure a lot of it when it comes to who's writing the music picks. Now, on to the picks...while we'll be down in Austin for SXSW this week, we aren't taking every band with us. There will be plenty to rock out to in the city, and as an added bonus, it's St. Patrick's Day this weekend...so your rock will be mixed with green beer. more ›

Valentine's day. We're on the fence. Getting flowers is nice, but we also like getting flowers on the 13th and 15th. Overall there is too much pressure put on the day, on singles and couples alike, and we hate when companies use it to wrangle up the former and pour lemon juice cocktails into their wounded, bleeding, unloved hearts (ahem, Fresh Direct). more ›

Hey, happy Chinese New Year, everyone! Time to drive out the old spirits of the past year and welcome the good spirits of the new year. The Chinese do this with explosions and fireworks; we'll do it rock-style, with extremely loud noises. Such as: more ›

New Feature Alert! In a city filled with music, bands and venues we sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed and underenthused. So here's the deal, we are going to write about one NYC band each week. We want to introduce you to some new music that we've heard, and we want you to introduce us to some new music as well (see end of post). We're all listening through cluttered ears, but that's only because we know there's something worth listening to out there. more ›

Damn, it's cold out there! Gothamist recently had a friend check weather.com before deciding whether to venture out of her home. News flash, folks: It's January! It's cold, finally! Put a coat on and let's rock: more ›

Whether you're celebrating Christmas or compiling Best of 2005 lists for your blog this weekend, if you're sticking around the city there will be plenty to do. And of course the subways are now back to take you where you need to go...it's a Chrismukkah miracle! more ›

Pickings this week are slimmer than last month's turkey. If your Christmukkah party schedule allows, give yourself an early present and forage for some rock and roll scraps. more ›

December 1: Ports and Madeira at Camaje more ›

“Scary” Music by Ensemble Pamplemousse (who we interviewed last year) on Mischief Night! more ›