The Observer takes a look back at the old days of 18 West 11th Street. The townhouse between 5th and 6th Avenues in Greenwich Village has a sordid history involving the Weatherman organization; "On March 6, 1970, five members of the radical Weather Underground accidentally detonated dynamite at a makeshift bomb factory in the basement. The bombs were, according to rumors, destined for a military compound in New Jersey and for Butler Library at Columbia University." The explosions leveled the townhouse and killed three group members. Meanwhile "residents of the neighboring building, including actor Dustin Hoffman and his family, never returned to their homes." These days, the stigma attached has warn off, one realtor selling a nearby townhouse noted, “They don’t care about a building’s history...They just care if it’s pretty.” Not everyone thinks the reconstructed No. 18 is pretty, however, one passerby said, “It doesn’t fit in the face of the neighborhood at all. That forceful geometric shape is too modern in a bad way.” [Photo cred.] more ›

MUSIC: Courtney Love makes her return to the New York stage tonight for a little birthday celebration show at Hiro Ballroom. The rocker turned 43 on Monday of this week, and there's only one way to see if she's acting her age! Last time she got a little crazy at a suprise show at Plaid, and when she turned 40 she took a trip to Bellevue. more ›

MOVIE: By now you've all seen, memorized and lived your own version of neurotic New York love story Annie Hall, the classic Woody Allen film that's stood the test of time. But have you seen it under the open night sky? Didn't think so. Get there early for a seat. Get there even earlier for knitting lessons! more ›

READINGS: Russell Simmons has written a self-help book and will be at Border's today promoting it (okay, now all of this recent noise he's making makes more sense)! It's called "Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success." None of the laws include any of these three words. more ›

MUSIC: Five O'Clock Heroes, The Octagon and Ford & Fitzroy play Mercury Lounge tonight. In an odd turn of events we're most excited for the opener, Ford & Fitzroy - who played our Movable Hype show in February (video here). more ›

MUSIC: Of course we suggest you come hang out with us tonight at our 4th Birthday Party, and 11th Movable Hype show. The show starts at 7:30pm, here are the details and some mp3s: more ›

Ford & Fitzroy are a fairly recent creation, and we hear their live show is "the kind of show that makes you want to see unknown bands more often. Surprising, strange and wonderful at the same time, it made you feel like the insider on something special." With a review like that, and two tracks floating around that we can't stop listening to, we couldn't be more psyched to see this band at our Movable Hype show this Thursday. Join us, and be one of the first in on the secret. more ›

Our 11th Movable Hype show, and also our 4th Birthday, is coming up this Thursday! You can buy tickets here, and we suggest coming early. There will be gift bags (first come, first served), and a select amount will have special treats from clothier Le Tigre! Those will go fast, kids. more ›

Last Friday we announced that White Rabbits are playing our next Movable Hype show. Now we'd like to introduce you to another band playing the show: Ford & Fitzroy. more ›

Unlike last week, New Yorkers are treated to just nine new releases including three big titles ( -- about the late Arthur Kane, a member of the seminal NYC glam-meets-punk rock group New York Dolls. Elsewhere … more ›

- The woes of Global Dimming more ›

Recent production sightings here in Gotham (reg required for full size pics) have drummed up a renewed buzz about the upcoming film, The Weather Man. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the film stars Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine. Cage plays a divorced Chicago weatherman who is offered a job on a network morning show in New York. Before leaving he attempts to make peace with his ex-wife and kids. The movie is described as being in the vein of "American Beauty" and "About Schmidt". Having recently wrapped up filming in Chicago, the production has moved to the right, into Manhattan. more ›