Last night Kanye West played that "secret" free show, which ended up being at the gorgeous Williamsburg Savings Bank in Brooklyn (the event was hosted by Heineken). Check out some video below, along with the new long-awaited video for his song "Monster" (seriously worth watching, in all its cannibalistic, beheaded, torture porn glory). But first, let's talk about the Kanye + MK gossip, which is that Kanye West, while in New York City celebrating his 34th birthday, hooked up with Mary-Kate Olson. Oh, Kanye. more ›

The Brooklyn Flea scored some prime real estate for the winter season; NYMag reports that starting January 9th the market is moving into some nice warm digs at One Hanson Place, aka the Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower (last year they were in DUMBO). They note that the Fort Greene space is perfect for the Flea, and co-founder Eric Demby says, "It's a really amazing space that hasn't been open to the public for a really long time. I think it's one of the most beautiful and historic interior spaces in Brooklyn." They'll be operating there through March, with 100 vendors, including food vendors whose goods Demby hopes guests will be able to enjoy inside the vault. more ›

Williamsburg missed a crucial stage of gentrification; the phase where gay people were supposed to pioneer a neighborhood before the young hipsters could supplant them. The social hop-scotching has left gay people out in the cold in Billyburg, unwelcome in what should be a pioneer ghetto. The nightlife reflects the less-than-edgy environment that marginalized NYers try to seek out.

“There’s like one go-go boy, what is that?” grumbled Matthew Kane, a scruffy 22-year-old photo agent. Still, he gazed at the sweaty man and reported, “He’s relatively hot, like hipster hot — you know, vaguely alternative and imperfect.” That description could also apply to Sugarland, where nearly everyone was under 30, weighed less than 160 pounds and wore a V-neck T-shirt and about three days of beard. more ›

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a pedestrian struck on Coney Island Ave. in Brooklyn, a bank robbery on Maiden Ln. and Gold St. in Manhattan, and an amputation at The Public School on Bristol St. in Brooklyn. Get ready for a possible porn release of Amy Fisher, thanks to her boyfriend. He handed over video of the pair to a porn producer during a fight and before the pair reconciled. Neighborhood resistance to the... more ›

Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a white powder incident at 25 Beaver St. in Manhattan, report of a large crowd gathered at the center of the south side of the George Washington Bridge's upper level, and an explosion in the basement of a building at 77th St. and Lexington Ave. in Manhattan. Dedicated bike paths and fences separating them from traffic can only do so much when a cab driver really wants to take... more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a double shooting on Webster Ave. in the Bronx, fatal person under a 4 train at 125th St. and Lexington Ave. in Manhattan, and a pedestrian struck at East 17th St. and Ave. I in Brooklyn.
• Conspiracy theorist/media activist Alex Jones was arrested Saturday night while addressing a crowd with a bullhorn in front of the Fox News studio in Manhattan. Jones is the head of a group who believes that the U.S. government planned the 9/11 attacks.
• The City shut down three adjacent and illegal hostels operating out of single resident occupancy buildings. The owners were charging $50 to $150 a night for rooms to European visitors, who would keep the legitimate permanent residents up at night with their revelry.
• Neighbors get restive over the absence of the four-faced clock atop the Williamsburg Savings Bank in Brooklyn, even if it did often give the wrong time.
• Have you finalized a divorce recently and are unsure what to do with that wedding ring? How about a nice miniature casket to symbolize your dead marriage.
• The city has launched a website called 9/11 Health to track the health effects of exposure to the World Trade Center site following its collapse. It also has links to health providers, financial aid providers, social services, and environmental groups.
• Streetsblog looks at what auto organization AAA has to say about pedestrian safety.
• Hotel Chelsea déjà vu: longtime haven for artists, The Breslin Hotel on Broadway near 28th St. is being converted to a luxury hotel.

Squad 18 Firehouse, by NewYorkDailyPhoto. more ›