There are some important shows this week. It's your last chance ever to see Q and not U (@ Knitting Factory). Brian Jonestown Massacre (whose gear was stolen the other day) are at the very small Pianos. Steve Winwood is at the very small Bowery Ballroom. Yesterday Bon Jovi rocked the very small Nokia Theater. These shows all matter, but they're not the focus of this week's post . Instead, let's concentrate this week on Hurricane Katrina survivor benefits. more ›

Gothamist loves Clapton, we'll be going to check him out next Tuesday when he plays MSG. Last night, however, the guitar that Clapton bought in 1970 on a visit to Nashville was sold at auction for $959,500. On this same shopping trip in 1970 he purchased a total of six vintage Strats (with the going rate of about $300 a pop @ Nashville's Sho-Bud Shop). He gave one each to George Harrison, Pete Townshend and Steve Winwood. The remaining three were combined to create "Blackie", the auctioned guitar which Clapton played in the 70's and 80's (retiring it in 1985). more ›