Rufus Wainwright is calling for a self-imposed blackout. The musician proposes that we all set our sundials to noon on June 21st to signal a group shut down of all electric lights, appliances and anything else that plugs in...for 12 hours. His hope is to call attention to global warming and energy conservation. In order to promote the day, called Blackout Sabbath, he'll be holding an intimate, acoustic, candlelit concert at the Angel Orensanz Foundation.......

We checked in with some folks recently for a little end of '07 "exit interview" before we enter a new year. Next up is Nick Kroll, actor, caveman and one of our favorite comedians of '07...and probably '08. What did you do last New Years Eve? What will you do this year? Last year i listened to a cab driver complain about how a girl pee'd in his cab. I don't know why i would......

FOOD: If you haven't been indulging enough this holiday season, have we got a sweet soiree for you. Chocoholics come together tonight to indulge in the finest goodies from around the world. Expect music, cocktails and a giant chocolate buffet. 6:30pm // Katra Lounge [247 Bowery] // $15 THEATER: The Irish Repertory Theatre has turned to Dublin native George Bernard Shaw’s comedy The Devil’s Disciple, which was his first financial success in 1897 after a......

Bowery Snags Some Big Bands For Small Shows Earlier this week, Interpol (who if you haven't noticed is suddenly on the verge of massive international superstardom) played a local, intimate show at Bowery Ballroom to a select group of friends, label people and fans lucky enough to snag tickets when they quietly went on sale last week. The show was excellent and the band certainly proved that they've got the chops to push it to......

Yes, yes...Last week was Volume 18. We had some counting...issues. Apologies. Human Giant's MTV Takeover A Success Not only did the Human Giant crew blow past their goal of one million page views well before the 24 hour mark that they were on the air, but for one day they returned MTV to its irreverent, enjoyable and, well, musical roots. The comedy trio aired videos we didn't think MTV still knew existed (Aphex Twin, Stone......

SPORTS: It's time to get in shape for a summer of dodgeball at McCarren Park Pool. What better way than with PartyDodgeballNYC? Get together one night a week for "socially competetive coed dodgeball, and partying that goes on at the bar afterwards." Sign up deadline for the 7-week season is today! Of course, for much less money you could just buy a dodgeball and head to the park. 7 to 10pm // PS 116 [33rd......

Austinist gets arty with an interactive guide to SXSW, loved some local art galleries and a new art exhibit and lamented the possible loss of "Friday Night Lights" production to New Mexico. Bostonist was happy they finally found an Anna Nicole Smith connection to their fair city and that an Apple Store was opening up. They were less happy that new rules have been established limiting underage shows and that their Governor spending a lot......

Spend Christmas with Rufus and Martha Wainwright as The Wainwright Family celebrates Christmas a little early at Carnegie Hall (on December 13th). The show is based around "The McGarrigle Christmas Hour", which took place in December 2005 with their mother Kate McGarrigle and aunt Anna McGarrigle. That evening featured traditional and contemporary holiday songs. The same show was touring this year, but due to an illness it has been cancelled, the Carnegie Hall show will......

The movie releases list this week is determined to put the conception that summer is only about the blockbuster to the test. There are documentaries, foreign films and small indies about local hot button issues that are all worth a viewing. This weekend should be all about escaping the humidity with a quality flick. To get the mass market dreck out of the way first: Adam Sandler gets a universal remote to speed up and......

Another week begins and it's time to start penciling in some shows. Tonight, The Concretes are back! The Scandinavian 8+ person band will be playing Bowery Ballroom. While over at Sin-e King of France, Less and Dawn Landes play a more intimate gig. Tuesday night Guillemots, Levy, The Marina play Bowery. The name Guillemots has been overwhelming our inbox lately, but we've yet to give it a good listen. From what we can tell they're......

On March 20th this year, the 3rd Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq, a group of artists will come together for the Bring 'em Home concert. Michael Stipe, Bright Eyes, Public Enemy frontman Chuck D, Rufus Wainwright, Steve Earle, Fischerspooner, Peaches and Devendra Banhart will join forces for the event which will benefit the Iraq War Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace. An event like this will of course include everyone's favorite......

"Last year Elton John declared that Rufus Wainwright was the greatest songwriter on the planet. Quite a profound statement from the king of pop himself. This was presumably based on hearing 2004's Want One, followed earlier this year by the groundbreaking opus, Want Two." Elly Roberts goes on to say that Wainwright's recent show at The Lowry was "An epic night, and a high watermark of a musician on top of his game, who......

Recently nominated for the the UK's Mercury Music Prize, NYC's Antony & The Johnsons released one of the most unique and captivating albums of 2005. "Antony , the ethereal voice of Antony and the Johnsons, sings like a Wim Wenders angel and—when necessary—can swear like a sailor" [Village Voice]. Last time Antony played Bowery Ballroom, he was joined on stage by Rufus Wainwright and Boy George, both of whom also appear on his album.......

Just a reminder incase you didn't see this post last month: Gothamist has missed far too many sold out shows to know that buying tickets ahead of time is imperative. In that vain, every other week or so we'll make it a point to update you with a list of shows we think may sell out. This way you can buy tickets ahead of time and avoid that last minute Craigslist surfing. Here is a......

There's all sorts of good stuff going on down at the Prospect Park Bandshell for Celebrate Brooklyn, but the one night you don't want to miss is Saturday, June 28th. That's when Hal Willner's Leonard Cohen Project comes to town with everyone who is cool in the world. Now it's not just that Gothamist has always been a huge Leonard Cohen groupie ever since back in College Days, or that the Bandshell is deep in......