Salt & Samovar are a Brooklyn band that sound more like they're just visiting here from Upstate...or a Coen brothers film. Their live shows are described as "pentecostal revival-like performances that evoke the musical and spiritual heirlooms of a cherished American past." A simpler and simply transporting sound that'll have you pining for the past. Come check out their revival-rock this Friday at Mercury Lounge -- get your tickets here. Where did your band name......

With Thanksgiving just moments away, literary events in New York have gone into standby mode. Nonetheless, there are few things happening this week and a few things to keep your eyes on for next week. And, as a little gift to you from the city, it's all free! Happy Thanksgiving. Over Thanksgiving Thursday and Black Friday, if shopping isn't exactly your thing, tune into KCRW online to hear "Mean Streets USA: A Collection of Short......

Jon Setzen, Designer...

The NY magazine piece about Elvis Mitchell's departure from the Times, the one Gawker hinted at last week, is online It's an interesting look at Mitchell's enterprise as film critic, professor, social butterfly, media personality, and black journalist. If you're into film criticism, you'll find it a good read, as it marks a fascinating turn of events from five years ago, when Mitchell and newly promoted chief movie critic, A.O. Scott, were first annointed -......

For all you kiddies going to see Bill Murray's talk at BAM tonight, Gothamist wants to let you know this isn't the first time that Bill Murray has chatted with Times film critic Elvis Mitchell. If anyone watched Mitchell's old IFC program, Independent Focus, where he would interview directors and actors (watch David Lynch smoke like a chimney...see John Sayles make Elvis Mitchell cringe!), you might remember an episode with Jim Jarmusch and Bill Murray,......