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 ›

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 ›

After allegedly urinating off the balcony onto concertgoers at a Grateful Dead tribute band show Friday night, Jersey City Councilman Steven Lipski (pictured) was arrested—not hailed as a hero—and charged with assault. Now he's come forward to announce that he's quitting drinking, although he still insists it wasn't a golden shower of unlimited devotion but simply an accidentally spilled beer. Employees at the D.C. club disagree and maintain they spotted Lipski in the act of micturition and called the cops. more ›

The Dark Star Orchestra paid tribute to the Grateful Dead Friday night at Washington DC's 9:30 Club with a set of covers originally by the legendary band. Jersey City Councilman Steve Lipski then did his part to pay tribute to the band onstage by urinating off a balcony onto the crowd below during their set. He was arrested and charged with simple assault. A source from the club told the Daily News, "We've dealt with this man before. He's never peed on anybody, but he gets really belligerent and drunk." Lipski has been a councilman in Jersey City since 2001. more ›

The death rattle can still be heard in Queens, but everyone is quick to capitalize on the demise of Shea Stadium. Following the city's lead, NY artist Michael Shea (real name) has created quite a hybrid t-shirt, crossing the Mets logo with the Grateful Dead skull. Why? Because people will pay for it, for at least another few weeks, or until the MLB shuts down sales. more ›

TONY blog has a report on the most endangered sites in the world. The World Monuments Fund released its 2008 list yesterday, which is packed with far off places. more ›

We're at the home stretch! Sunday was a bit of a quieter day for us, but by no means did the music disappoint. The plan was to make it a short day and get back to civilization that night, but due to some travel miscalculations we ended up sticking around till they kicked us out. Very glad we did. more ›

Bring back the Tompkins Square Park band shell! more ›

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. more ›

Do you truly appreciate this city? more ›

The Observer looks at the similar yet opposing philosophies of Apple and Tekserve today. With Apple encroaching on two new spaces, including one in the Flatiron district near Tekserve's store, the question becomes "Is there room for both entities in this town?" Writer Rebecca Dana explains the Tekserve essence:

Tekserve has always been a workshop and meeting place for the old generation of Macheads. The store has been doing repairs on Mac products since well before it was cool to own them. And so: When a writer from the Village finally decides to make the switch from a typewriter to a Mac, he goes to Tekserve. When an Upper West Side 13-year-old wants her first iPod mini, or a 28-year-old from Williamsburg wants to upgrade his laptop, they go to Apple...Any way you slice it, Apple’s modern store fronts and well-groomed staff will soon be siphoning business away from Mr. Lerner’s store, which doubles as an old Mac warehouse, kitsch factory, and meeting place for artists, Communists and surviving fans of the Grateful Dead.

More about the 1964-65 World's Fair. And go to Corona Park and pretend you're in your very own rap video - just bring the fish eye lens. more ›