From: "Jeff Stark" <jstark@nonsensenyc.com>
Subject: nonsensenyc: 8.21 to 8.27
Date: August 21st 2009

Friday, August 21
* Coney Island Cyclone Ride
* HiChristina Slumber Party, Williamsburg * Fund the Wedge, Williamsburg
* BurritoStock 2009, Brooklyn
* Circle Rules Football Street Series, Manhattan

Saturday, August 22
* The We'll Never Have Paris Variety Show No. 3, Williamsburg * SummerSoul, Brooklyn
* Hacia Afuera, Manhattan
* Remix Barbecue Shiai
* Tsirkus Fotografika, Brookyn
* Breast Friends Forever, Manhattan

Sunday, August 23
* Carlos Alvarez 1980 - 2009, Williamsburg * Bullettrun, Manhattan
* 3rd Ward Bluegrass Barbecue, Brooklyn

Tuesday, August 25
* The Giant Instrument Jam, Queens

Wednesday, August 26
* Brain Drain, Williamsburg

Thursday, August 27
* Move! Manhattan

Ongoing
* Same as last week

Wishlist
* Same as last week

Learning
* Sex and dating for men

Help
* Same as last week

NOTE: For some navigation help, or an explanation for what this is all about, scroll all the way down to NONSENSE. You'll find snarky editorial comments and little bits of praise littered throughout this list. These nuggets are marked with all caps, like this: NOTE. Also, we make a lot of mistakes, especially with dates; you should always double check our work. And you can donate to this project at nonsensenyc.com/special.

XXXXX COVER ART XXXXX

Intermodal double stacks rushing at 4am.

XXXXX FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 XXXXX

Coney Island Cyclone Ride

The Cyclone Ride goes to Coney Island Amusement Park (Brooklyn) from Manhattan. We should get there just in time for the fireworks. This is a casual ride at a relaxed pace.

Bring locks as we plan to lock up and ride the rides. Bring money for food and amusements, and a swimsuit if you plan to hit the waves. We usually spend about an hour and a half in the park, on the beach (and in the water), on the boardwalk, at Nathan's, and everyone has a great time. Some people return on the subway, and others ride back at a faster pace.

Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan 7p; $free

Carroll Street Bridge, between Nevins and Bond, Brooklyn 7:25p; $free

69th Street Pier, Shore Parkway Bike Path Entrance, Brooklyn 7:50p; $free
times-up.org/index.php?page=cyclone-ride

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

HiChristina Slumber Party

HiChristina invites you to our first ever slumber party. Join in the shenanigans as we Re-enact Our Recent Dreams -- an interactive performance of fluffy clumps and play-dough. Lie back and learn if it's better to sleep every three days or every three hours with Ask-a-Neuroscientist. Then jump straight up for Stop Drop and Roll, a guided pyrotechnic party by Piccolino (Fritz Donnelly). Pillow Fight the gentle but unbeatable Puppet Lady Rosie. Join in on the fun as we all drink real milk and eat real cookies. But that's not all. Come to have your dreams analyzed by Oprah's favorite psychic impersonator Sylvia Brown. What does it all mean? It means the best slippers wins a prize! And why should I go to a place that sounds so insane. I'll tell you why, because all your friends will be here. A night of magicistical adventure. Show up in pajamas and write us if you'd like us to reserve a pillow for you:

HiChristina
623 Grand Street, at Leonard, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 10p-3a, 10:30p show; $10 donation, BYOB rxapparel@gmail.com
hichristina.com

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Fund the Wedge

Final fundraiser for the Wedge, three days before we go to Burning Man. Over half the price of the first event and twice the entertainment. Multiple Loft spaces with great beats, burlesque, circus, the cast of Fuerzabruta, acrobats, massage stations, aerial performances, video installations, buy me a Wedgie booth, an art silent auction, the Wedginator, and a raffle for hundreds of dollars in prizes.

The Wedge is a 30-foot tall, 24-foot wide, 72-foot long massive grassy ramp angled to the sky. Part aerial performance center, fun house, art gallery, sound stage, 60 foot sliding board, plush lounge, and panoramic lookout. It will be one of the largest and most interactive structures to premiere at the 2009 Burningman Arts Festival. In one week over 49,000 people will climb its slope and from there it will tour International Arts Festivals.

This unprecedented structure births a unique collaboration between over 35 emerging artists, six performance based companies, and five leading visionaries with international performance and creation credits from Cirque du Soleil, Dragone, Fuerzabruta, De la Guarda, Pilobolus, The MET, Broadway, The 2008 Olympics, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Madonna, David Letterman, The Oscars, various Television Shows and Feature Films.

Windmill Factory
155 North 3rd Street, NO. 15, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 9:17p-4a; $10 advance, $15 door includes one free beer windmillfactory@gmail.com
freewedgie.com

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

BurritoStock 2009

A bike buddy and all around great guy, Gabe Allen (winner of the Most Excellent Bike award at Bike Fetish Day a few years back for his blue-and-yellow custom Maietta with the beer opener on the seat tube) was recently T-boned by a car while on vacation in SF. Since Thursday he's been in the ICU out there. So, naturally, a bunch of his friends over here are organizing a party to raise cash to send to his parents and girlfriend to help defray their expenses while they wait for him to recover. With bands, DJs, bike short films, raffles, dancing, beer, fun, et cetera.

The Wreck Room
940 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn
7p onward; $donations

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Circle Rules Football Street Series

The biggest Circle Rules Football event. Ever. At the NYC fringe Festival. With performances by the Hey! and the Scott Riehs Alien Dance Team, Manhattan Samba, the Nepperhan Drum Corps, DJ Funktron, and more. Tonight: Legends of Circle Rules vs Rookie All-Stars

The Pit, Sara D. Roosevelt Park, at Broome Street, between Forsyth and Chrystie, Manhattan 6p; $free
Continues SUNDAY and FRIDAY and SATURDAY AUGUST 28-29 fringenyc.org/About/Alfresco.asp

XXXXX SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 XXXXX

The We'll Never Have Paris Variety Show No. 3

Comedy, music, improv, dance, mad libs charades, and something called Bacon Panty. Audience participation encouraged.

Hi Christina
632 Grand, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
8-11p; $10 includes free raffle ticket, BYOB hichristina.com

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Brooklyn Sanctuary presents:

SummerSoul

The roof is on fire and the house brims with light. Join us in celebrating summertime in the cool night breeze with local Burning Man performers, acroyoga demonstrations and instruction, silk trapeze performances and open silks, body painting and henna by donation, raw food snacks, BYO refreshments to share, DJs and a sunrise meditation led by Jester Jaimi.

Brooklyn Sanctuary
778 Bergen Street, top bell, Brooklyn
$10 before midnight, $15 after

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Hacia Afuera

Taking back our streets through the arts. Free outdoor art and music festival (rain or shine) celebrating food, music, performance, and public art. The festival will take place in Spanish Harlem�s streets and public community spaces and is being produced in partnership with local arts and social justice organizations.

Art by: Zoila Minaya, Ale Bara and China Yon, Dan Cordani, Roberto De Jesus, Michael De Feo, Cacy Forgenie, Carlos Martinez, Louis Nieves, Heather O�Brien, Sarah Olson, Tara Parsons, Adrian Viajero Roman, and Alex White Mazzarella. With live painting by Manny Vega and Dan Cordani. Mural by David Hernaiz. Live Performance by: Los Sabrosos Del Barrio, Erika Banks, Ben Carroll, Lily Vasquez, Cassanova Brown. With music by DJ Cut Bird.

Plus: open mic with the infamous Louis Zwiebel, storytelling by Bobby Gonzalez, mural-making, Graffiti Demo, video screenings, yoga, belly dancing, creative workshops (percussion, scrapbook, t-shirt making, knitting, arts and crafts for kids) and Esperanza Del Barrio street vendors.

Lexington Avenue and 104th Street, Manhattan Noon-5p; $free
Continues through SUNDAY
212 348 7044
info@artforchange.org
artforchange.org

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Remix Dojo presents the first-ever:

Remix Barbecue Shiai

Come out and watch grapplers and Sambo players from NYCS and Remix Dojo in an explosive Sambo and No-Gi grappling exhibition. Plus, of course, live hip-hop, DJs, beer, and barbecue. Live performance by Murdertronics. Featuring DJs: Praveen, Cmish.

210 Cook Street Rooftop
2-7p; $free with RSVP
shiai.rsvp@gmail.com

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Tsirkus Fotografika

Tsirkus will be plying its own brand of vintage photo stylings in their portable vintage studio.

Dreamland Gala
450 Union Street, Brooklyn
9p-midnight; $10 gets you a keepsake silver stock portrait in a protective folder, made right then and there, proceeds benefit Tsirkus Fotografika tsirkus.org

***** Also on SATURDAY *****

Breast Friends Forever

A benefit for breast cancer. Breast Friends Forever is an evening of comedy, hip hop, and film. Each comic will perform a solo set and then later in the show debut a brand new rap song. There will be raffles and prizes throughout the night, delicious food, drink specials and a dance off.

The show will star downtown celeb's such as Diane O'Debra, Victor Varnado, Eliza Skinner, Liam McEneaney, Killy Dwyer, Shappy Seasholtz, Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz, Rev Jen Miller and many, many, more. Don't miss this amazing night of kooky characters and laughter galore.

Bowery Poetry Club
308 Bowery, Manhattan
6-9:30p; $pay what you can

XXXXX SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 XXXXX

Carlos Alvarez 1980 - 2009

A benefit and celebration of life. Carlos Alvarez was one of a kind. New York Night Train�s favorite dancer hands-down was also one heck of a guy and died last week at the age of 29 -- far too soon. Carlos didn�t drink, smoke, do drugs, eat meat, etc. He was a New York nightlife fixture for over a decade, during which his ecstatic personality and wild electric dancing was awe-inspiring, providing a much needed spark to what could have otherwise been a relatively ho-hum dance party scene. Our city and our dance parties will never be the same without him. The door money all goes to pay Carlos� funeral expenses. And don�t worry, this won�t be a somber affair -- all of Carlos� favorite friends and DJs will be on hand and Carlos would�ve wanted us to stomp and slide and hoot and howl deep into the morning -- and that�s exactly what we�re gonna do. Join us in celebrating this remarkable person.

DJ Fine Wine, Steve Pestana, Jumpy, J.Stacher, Jimmy T / Das Booty, and more DJing sets of Carlos's favorites and soul classics, after which there'll be some memorial speaking and remembering and a multimedia show. Then Mr. Jonathan Toubin (New YorkNight Train) kicks the party into high gear at midnight. Hope to see you there.

Glasslands
289 Kent Avenue, between South 1st and 2nd streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyln 8-late; $8 admission goes to Carlos's people and further donations welcome but not required one person's online memorial, with lots of comments: meliferasmusings.blogspot.com/2009/08/rip-carlos-alvarez.html

NOTE: We didn't know Carlos, but people we care about did, and it's clear that not knowing him was our loss. This is what happened: He was dancing and then he wasn't. He was vegan and straight edge and sober. He had a heart attack. These things happen. And they are terrible and what do you do. You get together with your friends and you dance. And you invite anyone who knew Carlos to dance too. And other people who love the same things -- dancing, gardens, very good people -- they can come too. His friends say he would have wanted that. And you dance and you wear a hole in the concrete floor and maybe it makes you feel better and maybe it doesn't. But you do it because that's what you do.

***** Also on SUNDAY *****

Bullettrun

Live parkour performance and film showing.

The show incorporates parkour, an art form that many have seen on youtube, but few have ever witnessed in person, much less on stage. The show is part of the Fringe Festival and the first ever fringe show to feature parkour. Performers (some with international experience) will prove that any obstacle can be overcome.

Parkour is a discipline that has spread from France to the US and has been gaining a steady following in recent years. More similar to a martial art than to a sport, parkour is focused on moving from one point to another as smoothly, efficiently and quickly as possible using just the abilities of the human body. It is grounded in the philosophical premise that any obstacle, physical or mental, can be surpassed.

The collaborative, multimedia parkour performance group Bullettrun brings the exciting world of parkour from the streets to the stage. Choreographer and video maker Nadia Lesy blends live performances with video of traceurs running wild through the city.

Our Lady of Pompeii School
240 Bleecker Street, between Leroy and Carmine, Manhattan 6:30-7:30p; $free
bullettrun.com/
mingum.blogspot.com/2009/08/parkour-at-fringe-festival.html

***** Also on SUNDAY *****

3rd Ward Bluegrass Barbecue

Join us for an afternoon of bluegrass music and barbecue. Featuring chef Jeremy Spector and local bluegrass bands Melody Allegra and Friends, the Strung Out String Band, Jefferson Hamer and Stephanie Coleman, and Free Advice. Bluegrass musicians come armed and ready to play. At 8 p we'll turn the stage over to an open blugrass jam hosted by Melody Allegra. We'll also have apple bobbing, horseshoes, and everybody's favorite: the photobooth. Plus, our friends from the Band of Bicycles will be on hand with bike blended libations and song. Whether you're a musician or you just like to have fun, throw on your overalls and head to 3rd Ward!

3rd Ward
195 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn
4-9p; $free, with free malted beverage 4-5p RSVP events@3rdward.com
3rdward.com/events

XXXXX TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 XXXXX

The Giant Instrument Jam

A public, mobile, build-it-yourself, musical art event. Throughout the end of August find the Giant Instrument Jam on various sidewalks and street corners throughout Queens. You are invited to come help build the instrument, jam on the instrument, or bring your own home-made instrument to play along with everyone. In a project that engages residential communities in the arts, sponsored by the Queens Council on the Arts and others, art group Free Style Arts Association is setting up giant build-able instruments in public locations and coaxing people walking by to add to the sculptures and join in the musical jam session.

Sunnyside, 46th Street at Queens Blvd., Queens 7 train to 46 Street station
4�7p; $free
Continues WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY in other locations 646-288-8291
John@FREESTYLEART.ORG
freestyleart.org

XXXXX WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 XXXXX

Brain Drain

A night of zombie mayhem and true nerd trivia. It's Your Brain.

Featuring a Cabin in the Woods by Greg LoProto, a short, intimate production of a new play concerning human relations in a zombie apocalypse. Also True Nerd Trivia. Every question requires insider knowledge of Comics, RPGs, Fantasy Literature, Warhammer, Sci-Fi movies, and so on. Categories include fantasy geography, fantasy biology, and fantasy sports. Prizes include drinks, candy, nerd pride, and the resentment of your peers. Consider it a chance for Faromir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality.

Royal Oak Lounge
594 Union Avenue, at North 11th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn 8p; $10 all donations will go towards Figment Theatre's upcoming fall production of Original One-Act Plays about classic movie monsters figmenttheatre.com

XXXXX THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 XXXXX

Lowbrow Society for the Arts presents:

Move!

A wearable art gallery and celebration on a subway train. Keep it moving with the Lowbrow Society for the Arts, as we bring art from the static white walls down into the New York transit system.

Enter the train to be surrounded by a vast array of photography, illustration, multimedia work, recycled fashion design, superhero armor, and more -- all hung from humans as we present our body of work. Featured artists will include: Pak-Kei Mak, Carey Baldwin, Lucia Rollow, Gwynn Galitzer, Hannah Herr, Anoush Dehkordi, Laura Sheedy, Brigitte Noel-Golde, Irina Sarnetskaya, Mr. Rainbo, Tatiana Hernandez, Sinead McCarthy, Najva Sol, and Lenora Jayne.

While perusing the improvisational gallery, participants can listen to the sweet sounds of Ruby Ruby Ruse and enjoy complimentary juice and snacks served by the delightful MTA Service Specialists. Gallery-goers can also venture to the adjacent subway car for jazzy live music provided by Natti Vogel and The Nostalgia Specials. Become a walking work of art with the in-car face-painter, or enjoy the acrobatic tricks of Ania Love and Brandy Michelle.

Move! is about experimenting with the use of public space, playing with the traditional means of how people view art, and ultimately bringing a bit of magic to an unsuspecting rider's daily journey. This event is true to the philosophy of the Lowbrow Society for the Arts - getting art out of the traditional settings to the public sphere, where it is both accessible and fun. Move! is a one-time event.

Meet in front of the New Museum
235 Bowery, Manhattan
9p sharp; $free plus Metrocard
LowbrowSociety@gmail.com
myspace.com/lowbrowsocietyforthearts

XXXXX UPCOMING XXXXX

• Food Justice Revival, August 28
• Stranded 2009, September 5

XXXXX ONGOING XXXXX

• Better Rock Shows. Nonsense does not straight list rock shows in New York unless they occur in tandem with puppet shows or jump rope tournaments or in subway tunnels or in graveyards. For listings of good shows, especially shows that feature independent bands at quality venues like Death by Audio and those booked by hard-working promoters like Todd P or Sleep When Dead, consult resources like ohmyrockness.com, brooklynvegan.com/, sleepwhendeadnyc.com/calendar/, or the lively New York Happenings listserve on Yahoo groups launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/nyhappenings/. For the most exhaustive list of underground shows at unusual venues, track down a copy of the extremely useful -- and handsome -- Showpaper.

***** ONGOING: FRIDAYS *****

• Burlesque at the Beach. August 21: Pinchbottom Presents: A Day on the Boardwalk, A Night at the Sideshow. 10p; $15. Sideshows by the Seashore, corner of Surf Avenue and West 12th Street, Brooklyn. coneyisland.com/
• Sal Principato Teaches You to Cook, at his apartment (the address of which we'll leave undisclosed at the moment), time depends on when you're available; $15. Just email Sal at salvatpaol.com to set up a time and a date. http://salvatp.com/ NOTE: This listing comes from the excellent New Release list. Sign up for it here: newreleasenewyork.net.
• Manhattan Critical Mass. Union Square, 17th Street and Broadway, Manhattan. Last FRIDAY of the month. 7p; $free.
• Brooklyn Critical Mass. Grand Army Plaza entrance to Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Second FRIDAY of the month. 7p; $free.

***** ONGOING: SATURDAYS *****

• Floating Cabaret. Trapeze, burlesque, song, dance. Hosted by Olga and Bjorn. Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main Street, Brooklyn. 10p doors, $10. 718 222 8500. galapagosartspace.com.
• Coney Island Film Society. August 22: Dracua. 8:30p; $3-5, free popcorn. Sideshows by the Seashore, corner of Surf Avenue and West 12th Street, Brooklyn. coneyisland.com/
• Night Kayaking Tours, Manhattan and Brooklyn. Explore: Coney Island submarine, creepy Governors Island, gross Gowanus Canal, and money-making Manhattan. Website: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddrw24x5_167dxdpf3d9
• Rock and Roll 101. Watch music documentaries projected on the wall. St. Jerome's, 155 Rivington, between Clinton and Suffolk, Manhattan. 4-9p; $free.
• Barefoot Boogie: No shooze no booze. The Boogie is a not-for-profit alcohol-free event that happens every second and fourth SATURDAY of the month. Insight Meditation Center, 28 West 27th Street, 10th floor, buzzer No. 27. 8:30p-12:30a. barefootboogie.org

***** ONGOING: SUNDAYS *****

• Coney Island Ask the Experts. August 23: Uncle Monsterface. 4p; $5. Coney Island Museum, 1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn. coneyisland.com
• CrazyTown / Locoville. Odd open mike hosted by Steph Sabelli. Weirdoes welcome and encouraged. Under St. Marks Theater, 94 St. Marks, at First Avenue, Manhattan. 9p sign up-1a; $free.
• Grub. A cheap, simple dinner for strangers and co-conspirators. Rubulad home base, 338 Flushing, at Classon, Brooklyn. G train to Flushing or Classon stations, J,M,Z to Marcy, B61 bus to Flushing. First and third SUNDAYS, 6:30p doors, 7p dinner; $pay what you want, and bring your own booze. suckapants.com/grub.html
• Church of Craft, group crafting. Etsy Labs, 325 Gold Street, third floor, Brooklyn. 2-6p; $free. churchofcraft.org/
• NYC Bike Polo. No experience needed. We'll show you how to play. We have mallets and balls; bring your bicycle. 1:30-5p-ish (or later if it's really nice out); $free. Sara D. Roosevelt Park, Broome between Chrystie and Forsyth, Manhattan. groups.myspace.com/NYCBIKEPOLO

***** ONGOING: MONDAYS *****

• Glasslands Gallery Game Night. All ages, free food, free beer 8-9p, live music, and bingo. The Glasslands Gallery, 289 Kent Avenue, between South 1st and 2nd streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 8p; $free. glasslands.blogspot.com/ and myspace.com/theglasslands
• Free movie screenings. Double feature, with free popcorn. The Lovin Cup, 93 N. 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 9p; $free. myspace.com/movienightqueen
• Aerial Open Work Out. Come play in 29 feet of vertical fun. Use our silks, lyras, and trapezes, or rig your own. 8-10p; $15, Sky Box, 342 Maujer Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, L train to Grand Street. 585 507 1770. RSVP to skybox.info@gmail.com
• Williamsburg Spelling Bee, compete for bar tab at a real adult spelling bee, every other MONDAY, 7:30p; free, Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn. petescandystore.com
• The Big Quiz Thing. NYC's live trivia spectacular. Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery, at Spring, Manhattan. Two Mondays a month. 7p doors; $7, $200 grand prize.
• Show and Tell. Each performer gets seven minutes. Writing contest and Beer Walk for free beer. Hosted by the O'Debra Twins. Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, Manhattan. MONDAYS 10p; $3. Monday, January 31: The heavy and strange Thank You For Not Screaming open.

***** ONGOING: WEDNESDAYS *****

• Drink N Draw. Art. Nudity. Beer. We provide the beer and the model, you bring your drawing tools of choice. 3rd Ward, 195 Morgan, Brooklyn. Second and fourth WEDNESDAYS 8-10.30p; $15, or $20 for two. afenton3rdward.com, 3rdward.com/.

***** ONGOING: THURSDAYS *****

• The Lower East Side Community Choir, a non-auditioned choir that believes that everyone can sing and that singing together in harmony with others is essential for personal and community health and vitality. Our repertoire is eclectic. If you love a cappella music and want to be able to join a drop-in gathering of like minded people, then this is for you. Lower East Side Girls Club, 56 East 1st Street, Manhattan. 7-9p; $donations. ubuntuchoirs.net/locator_United_States.php
• Private Ear Audio Theatre: Radio Plays. 8:30p; $?. Brooklyn Lyceum. privateear.org
• $mall �hange and House of Yes present: No Parking on the Dancefloor. Next party: July 30. A party bringing it back to dancing. Basically we do not have any kind of dogma or judgment. Do what feels comfortable to you and be respectful to those around ya, that's basically all we ask. Different DJs every time. House of Yes, 342 Maujer, near Morgan, Brooklyn. Every third THURSDAY, 9ish-midnightish (starts/ends early); $5-10 suggested donation. NOTE: This event is every third Thursday, not every Thursday. Also, sometimes they cancel the event for some reason or another. You should check first: smallchange666@gmail.com
• Carmine Street Jugglers. All levels welcome to practice juggling and related arts. 7:30-9:45p. Club is free, but building requires NYC Parks and Recreation membership ($0-$75 per year). http://jugglenyc.com/clubs.html
• Rocky Sullivan's Pub Quiz, with Quizmaster Scott M.X. Turner. 8:30p; $free admission, potable prizes. Rocky Sulivan's, 34 Van Dyke Street, Brooklyn. rockysullivans.com/quiz.html

XXXXX WISHLIST XXXXX

What have you been wishing for? Collaborators, grant monies, a new home? Please send brief listings to Alita at alitanonsensenyc.com. We only list available apartments, lofts, studios, and one-off rentals -- not spaces wanted.

***** ARTY STUFF *****

• Nonsense NYC celebrates 10 years in New York this October and we want your help. To kick off the weekend, we're organizing a poster show at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn. The goal is to start dreaming up what the hell we -- all of us, including you -- are going to do for the next 10 years. We want anyone who's ever listed an event on Nonsense (or wanted to) to be a part of this project. Give us a flyer, a poster, or a listing about your group, your project, or your event. To be clear, the posters should be for things that you want to do in the next 10 years, so you'll be creating posters for the shows, parties, and performances that you want to attend. Dream big. Dream small. Tell us about your cookie parties and your airships, your finger puppet operas and your mayoral re-election. Let's not live in the past. Let's live now and look the future square in the eye. It's going to be great. Email us if you want more details or to confirm that you'll get together a graphic. As always: jstark@nonsensenyc.com
• Flux Factory is soliciting proposals for participation in next month's official Flux Factory FundRager, "I'm on a Boat (and So Can You). Nearly a year after losing our home, Flux Factory is on the cusp of having a totally awesome new space again. We're getting ready to throw a big event to help fund construction on our new building. Our new fort isn't ready for a big party yet, so the party will be on a 140 foot, three-story boat docked discretely in the heart of industrial Brooklyn. Yes, that boat. Come share your talents with our community and be a part of something magical. We are seeking performers, sculptures, activities, installations, decorators, game leaders, and volunteers for setup, take down logistics, door, and backrubs. If you want to contribute creatively to Flux's next party, we'd love for you to fill out one of the above forms. We're looking to book DJs for two dance zones, acts on two stages, fire performers, burlesque, acts that can happen compactly in o ne of three small bizarre rooms, roaming performers, performers to sit on top of platforms in a stairwell, face painters, fortune tellers, performance art, and the truly uncategorizable. We're definitely looking for more traditional performers, but prefer multimedia extravaganzas, jump-rope competitions, utter chaos, and total weirdos doing stuff we've never imagined. http://tinyurl.com/imontheboat, http://tinyurl.com/fluxhelp, http://www.fluxfactory.org, shalin@fluxfactory.org
• Media Makers! Transportation Alternatives, NYC's leading advocates for cycling, announces the Biking Rules PSA Competition. Submit PSAs (moving or still images) with creative messages cyclists can follow for Rules of the Road and/or Why Biking Rules to encourage new and old riders alike to get out and ride. Grand Prize is $4,000 cash, and other prizes include a free Kona Bike, a consumer camera, and tons of cycling gear. Deadline to enter is August 31. Go to bikingrules.org/psa to submit and learn more about the competition.

***** SPACES *****

• We're two wordsy college grads in our early-mid 20s, looking for someone to replace our roommate, who's moving out in September. He occupied the entire basement floor of the place, which consists of one enormous bedroom and an adjoining half-bath. One person can live down there for $1,000 per month, or two folks can split it for $500 a piece, which is a steal, given that we also have: a backyard that belongs to our apartment only, laundry facilities on the premises, and a weekly CSA farm share that gives us organic, local vegetables (this has been paid for already; it'd be free for you). We live three blocks away from the Franklin Avenue stop of the 4/5 and 2/3 trains, in the Crown Heights/Prospect Heights area. Our lease is up in June, so this would be a nine-month sublet -- if you love the space, you're welcome to sign onto the lease in June and stay longer. Because it's a sublet, the room will be fully furnished until March, when our roommate gets back from London and wi ll need his stuff. We'd prefer veg-friendly, queer-friendly folk, as we're both some combination of those things, but carnivorous straights are welcome as long as they're welcoming. Contact mal.hellman(at)gmail.com.
• Two Rooms available in Williamsburg for one-year rental. One is for September 1, $900 per month, and other room in the upstairs apartment is available October 1, same price. These are shares in three-bedroom apartments. Put down one month deposit, and pay rent on first of month, no fees. Graham Avenue stop on L train. Looking for someone with a full time job/school, no pets (sorry), non-smoker. Share with creative, friendly, hard working independent house-mates, one gal, one guy. We like to do our own thing with occasional hang outs or backyard barbecues with friends. General atmosphere is relaxed, fun, no dramas. Room has big window, hardwood floors, white walls, high ceilings. Some furniture is available for use, (no charge), bed, desk, chair, book shelf. Wireless internet is only $5 per month. Share bathroom, kitchen, common area with couch, TV, DVD. Kitchen has all appliances, fully stocked, plenty of shelf space for you. We are clean but not freaks. Location is sweet. Close to restaurants, cafes, bars, McCarren Park etc. Quiet block, easy, safe location. Spacious backyard with trees and grass and barbcue. Great for film screenings too. Please give a little self-description including dates, longer is preferred. Contact: sagebrushfire(at)hotmail.com.
• Sunny little room in Greenpoint: Open house this Saturday, August 15. Room available has a big window, sunny, private but quite small, so best for someone who is away at work or school much of day, yet wants to return to a nice relaxed home. Also, better if you don't have a ton of stuff or much if any furniture, for that matter. Room is furnished or partly furnished, as you desire. Need a considerate person with good communication skills and always pays bills on time ... but also someone interested in the world around you, with opinions about life and actively involved in things that make you feel alive. $750 per month (wifi and all utilities included) / first and last month rent for move-in. Open house Saturday, August 15, 11a-6p. Contact Andrea for address: 718 344 0787 and/or email for more info and to tell me about yourself and your ideal length of stay, a.rollefson(at)yahoo.com.
• Huge room in huge apartment, 10 minutes to Brooklyn College, 25 minutes to Manhattan on B/Q/F trains (Kings highway stop) in Midwood, Brooklyn, a very safe, calm and boring area). Available September 1st for a low-key, calm, peaceful roommate. Six month minimum stay or longer. I'm 29, artistic and intellectual, and have lived in this apartment for six years. The bedroom is 200 square feet in itself, huge rectangular room with five bright windows. Brownish earth stone-like tile floor, ceiling fan and light, and air conditioner. Have never had heating complaints either. There is also an extra sewing/art/studio room that you may use -- I am never in there anyway. It's small, and I have fabric and a linen closet stored in there. There's a big table and some sewing machines too. You can use it to study or as an office, or whatever. Apartment itself is huge (1700 square feet) and very well set up for the total of three people who live here, including myself (dishwasher, two refri gerators, water cooler, etc). Contact thevolutionoflove(at)live.com.

XXXXX SPECTRE PRIORITY XXXXX

Before we had a name, the Spectre Event Horizon Group used to meet at a bar to commiserate about the news and trade what our business friends call best practices. The group has expanded since then, but it remains premised on smartening the crowd mind. There are no subject limits; our favorite is our sci-fi present, and we like anything that goes toward a better understanding of human behavior and ecology. Our basic idea is to connect minds with mind-blowing information and create a space for the informal trade of specialized investigative research, presented for the non-specialist.

The Spectre email list, which is a separate group from this column, is a moderated open forum. People are encouraged to join and to post. This section is compiled for Nonsense by J. Sinopoli. Contact us at spectre.event.horizon.groupgmail.com or spectregroup.org.

XXXXX LEARNING XXXXX

We look for the sort of classes you circled in college course catalogs but never managed to fit into your schedule. And we also look for the kind of things that no college could teach. Cheap and eclectic is the rule, though all rules get broken occasionally, and we especially love workshops, round-tables, and teachers who won't take your work out of your hands and show you how to do it right. One-time listings are categorized, with general recurring classes at the end. We thrive on your suggestions, so make sure to tell us about upcoming classes that you think are nifty-keen.

Learning is compiled and edited weekly by Libby Sentz. Send listings, announcements, and corrections to her at libbysentz(at)me.com.

NOTE: This is an abbreviated list, as we had not planned to publish this week.

***** LEARNING: TUESDAY *****

Ultimate Self-Confidence With the World Famous Bob

Bob is offering her celebrated self-confidence workshop to encourage women to take larger steps toward who they ultimately want to be -- onstage and off. Nothing is hotter or more powerful than self-confidence. Come ready for real work as you will be exposed and your body fears will be challenged. Then you will prevail.

School of Burlesque
Room 4A
167 Orchard Street, Manhattan
7-9p; $25 (plus $5 materials fee)
schoolofburlesque.com

***** LEARNING: WEDNESDAY *****

Mime 101

Night School presents Beginning Pantomime with Jeff Seal. Learn the basics of pantomime blanche or white-faced illusion-based mime. These skills are useful for any performer, from improvisers to aerialists.

House of Yes
342 Maujer Street, Brooklyn
9-11p; $5-$15, sliding scale.
houseofyes.org

***** LEARNING: THURSDAY *****

This Ain't Your High School Sex Ed Class

Sex Ed comes to this week's Night School. Four sexy New York City women will answer questions that weren't in your textbooks:

To bite or not to bite, how to get in the back door, why oral is a must and why you are not doing it right (even if you think you are ...), the fine art of flirtation, and lots more. Plus informative videos, exercises, and information about not just sex but dating. There will be an open cooler of beer. 21-plus only, geared toward men. (Women may attend, but the perspective of the class will be for men.)

House of Yes
342 Maujer Street, Brooklyn
9-11:30p; $5-$25, sliding scale.
houseofyes.org

***** LEARNING: THURSDAY *****

Free Humor Writing Class

One-hour humor writing workshop with Kimberlee Auerbach, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop.

Barnes & Noble, Greenwich Village
396 Avenue of the Americas, Manhattan
7:30-8:30p; $free
writingclasses.com/CommunityEvents/index.php/index.php

***** LEARNING: UPCOMING *****

Drawing From Chaos, 3rd Ward (held off-site). Mention Nonsense NYC when you register (deadline August 27) for a 10 percent discount on this class. September 1; 3rdward.com

***** LEARNING: ONGOING *****

BODY

• Sunset qi gong overlooking the Hudson and the Palisades at Fort Tryon Park (enter at Fort Washington Avenue, walk north along the promenade, up steps to Linden Terrace). Manhattan. Mondays (through September 14) 6:30-7:30p; $free.nycparks.org/parks/forttryonpark/
• Open tai chi at Bryant Park's Fountain Terrace, 42nd Street and 6th Avenue. Manhattan. Tuesdays and Thursdays rain or shine (through October 8) 7:30-8:30a; $free. bryantpark.org
• Yoga in the park with Laughing Lotus at 10th Avenue and 15th Street. Manhattan. Wednesdays (through September 2) 7-8p; $free. laughinglotus.com
• Self-defense at St. Mark's Church. Manhattan. Wednesdays 7:30-8:30p; $free. mkdkarate.com/classes.html
• Trampoline at Streb Lab for Action Mechanics. Brooklyn. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 7-8:30p; $25. streb.org/V2/school/adults.html
• Balkan folk dance at the Hungarian House. Manhattan. Wednesdays 6:30-8p; $12. nycfolkdance.org
• Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu at Triskelion Arts. Brooklyn. Training is centered on jissen gata combat fighting. Membership is selective, but you may attend the first class without paying dues. Saturdays 5-7p, Sundays 2�4p. triskelionarts.org/events.htm#classesoffered
• Group tightwire walking and foot juggling workshop at Trapeze Loft. Williamsburg. Sundays 5-6p; $25. thetrapezeloft.com
• Power Vinyasa with Hosh Yoga in McCarren Park. Manhattan. Saturdays 3p; $donation. hoshyoga.org/schedule.html
• Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art and dance, with Capoeira Angola Quintal. Manhattan. Various days; $15. afrobrazilarts.org/newyorkcapoeira/index.htm
• Co-ed nonsexual naked yoga. Manhattan. Various days; $?. groups.yahoo.com/group/coyoga/
• Kayaking on the Hudson River. Slots are 20 minutes, but kayakers may go more than once. Manhattan. Weather permitting, Saturdays and Sundays (through Oct. 11) 10a-5p; $free. nycgovparks.org/parks/riversideparksouth/events/166151
• Parkour workshops. Manhattan. Sundays 4p; $15+. nyparkour.com
• Canoeing and kayaking in Hallets Cove. Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City. Weather permitting, Sundays (through October 25) 1p; $free. licboathouse.org
• Aerial yoga. Manhattan and Williamsburg. Various days; $20. aerialyoga.com

BRAIN

• Math studies at the School of Mathematics, which cultivates a natural, stress-free environment where everyone can explore, study, and discover mathematics. Prior knowledge is not assumed. Brooklyn. Various days; $free. thewe.net/math
• Writing with constraints at the Writhings Society. Practice writing with arbitrary, sometimes mathematical, rules invented by the French group Oulipo and others; no experience necessary. Brooklyn. Wednesdays 6:30-8:30p; $5+. proteusgowanus.com
• Open craft/hack nights at NYC Resistor. Brooklyn. Thursdays 6-9p; $free. nycresistor.com/2008/11/22/open-craft-hack-nights-on-thursdays/

HANDS

• Knitting for beginners by Gotta Knit! in Bryant Park, Upper Terrace. Mahattan. Tuesdays 1:30-3p. $free. Pre-register: 212-989-3030.
• The Fixers Collective is a social experiment in improvisational fixing and mending. Participants bring their broken objects and put them on a large, common fixing table and share ideas and techniques for repairing, mending, enhancing, or repurposing the objects. Brooklyn. Thursdays 6-9p; $5. proteusgowanus.com/main/fixers-collective
• Craft-On (fun with yarn, thread, and more) with Church of Craft. Brooklyn. Various days; $free. churchofcraft.org/2008/10/01/welcome-nyc-crafters/
• Freegan Bike Workshop: Learn how to turn found bike parts into working bicycles and build your own bike. Brooklyn. Wednesdays and Saturdays; $free. 123communityspace.org/event
• Beading classes at Brooklyn Bead Box. Various days; $varies. brooklynbeadbox.com/classes.html
• Classes in the needle arts at Brooklyn General Store. Various days; $varies. brooklyngeneral.com/classes.htm
• Knitting and spinning classes at the Yarn Tree. Various days; $varies. theyarntree.com/studio/classes/
• Mosaic workshops. Manhattan. Wednesdays 1-4p and 6-9p; $100 for four-class workshop. newyorkartworld.com/things/things-mosaic.html
• Figure drawing at Brooklyn Artists Gym. Mondays 6:30-9p and Saturdays 12-3p; $8+. brooklynartistsgym.com/events.html#workshops
• Project Film School's film-theory freeschool with a weekly screening series and online resources. Brooklyn. Sunday nights; $free. projectfilmschool.org
• Screenprinting at 123 Printshop. Brooklyn. Fridays 5-8p and Saturdays 3-5p; $3+. 123communityspace.org/program/screenprinting-workshop-50
• Bicycle repair classes at Time's Up! Manhattan and Brooklyn. Various days. $free. times-up.org/index.php?page=bike-co-op
• Home-improvement classes, from tiling to drywall repair, at Home Depot stores. Saturdays and Sundays; $free. homeimproverclub.com/workshops.aspx?Type=3

GRAB BAG

• Night School at House of Yes. A different workshop each week on everything from whistling to wine tasting. Email kaeburke(at)gmail.com if you are interested in hosting your own workshop. Brooklyn. Wednesdays 9p; $varies. houseofyes.org/events/
• 3rd Ward offers multi- and interdisciplinary courses in visual art, technology, and fabrication. Various days; $varies. 3rdward.com/classes
• Gearilla!, a street theater workshop (on bikes). Various locations. Tuesdays 2p; $10+. monicahunken.com/classes.html
• Didgeridoo classes in Prospect Park for music, meditation, and healing. Saturdays; $10. didgeproject.com
• Creative arts classes at Spoke the Hub. Brooklyn. Various days; $varies. spokethehub.org
• First aid for cats and dogs. Manhattan. Saturdays 10-2p; $65 (if purchased online). nyredcross.org/viewclass.php/prmCID/32/month/08/year/2009

XXXXX HELP XXXXX

Ever taken part in an old-fashioned barn raising? We never have, but we think it would be kind of cool -- all those neighbors in funny hats and overalls coming together to pound nails, stand up walls, and raise the collective roof. In that spirit, we look for one-day volunteer opportunities with no long-term commitments required. Our goal is to help groups or individuals that serve the greater good in small but significant ways, avoiding mega-nonprofits and people just looking for free labor. Know of any existing opportunities? Looking for ways to help out? Or need volunteers to get your own community project off the ground? Send your requests to Joanie Schaffer at schafferificgmail.com.

***** HELP: UPCOMING *****

• Brooklyn Animal Action is a non-profit in the works looking to do animal rescue work in Brooklyn...the papers are being filed with the lawyer and it's close to being a done deal. Now we are looking for someone who would be willing to donate a little time and help us create a logo. Most of our work is with cats, simply because there are so many homeless cats in Brooklyn, but we don't rule out helping dogs, rabbits, or other animals in need. We do a lot of trap-neuter-return work as well as find foster and permanent homes for all of the kittens and friendly adult cats we come across. Our goal is to find homes for as many as we can, and for those we can't, we aim to at least improve the quality of their lives by providing them with medical care - neutering and spaying, vaccinations, etc, � and work to keep the population down. If any of you are artists and have an idea for an image, or if you know anyone who might be interested, it would be greatly appreciated (and I'm sure we could find a way to plug you/your business in our newsletters/at fundraisers, etc.)
• August 20-September 22: The Age of Stupid team seek 5 New York based interns for one month packing out US screenings, promoting Age of Stupid, pulling off the biggest and greenest film premiere and helping to avert runaway climate change. We will be working out of our temporary New York Office in Chelsea. On September 21 and 22, The Age of Stupid Global Premiere will launch the film in over 40 countries and in 400 cinemas across the US. We are planning the biggest and greenest film event the world has ever seen, with the aim of catapulting climate change right into the centre of the public consciousness in the last few months leading up to the crucial Copenhagen summit this December, when all our futures will be decided. At the heart of the event will be a solar powered cinema screening in New York. This is going to be a massive event and we need your help to do it. Please send your CV to internageofstupid.net (subject line: "NEW YORK INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: YOUR NAME") along with an answer to the following question in 300 words or less: 'I want the internship because?'. Please make it clear which internship you are applying for. Applications must be in by midnight on Sunday, August 9. Find out more at: ageofstupid.net, notstupid.org
• August 30: The Inaugural 150th Street Ultimate Block Party and Arts Fest. We are currently seeking entertainers from all walks of life/genres, grassroots organizations to host educational and/or interactive booths, workshop organizers, prized for our raffle, artists for art installations, DJs, performance artists, dance ensembles, volunteers, etc. The Hybrid Movement Company, a fiscally sponsored organization, will be hosting the Arts Fest for our community, families, friends, and neighbors in the vicinity of 150th Street between Amsterdam and Broadway on Sunday, August 30. The block party provides a forum for neighbors and community members to get to know one another with the goal of strengthening neighborhood spirit and encouraging residents to look after the neighborhood, in addition to providing a family-oriented festive environment to celebrate the connectivity of community members, all while promoting the well-being of our environment. We welcome your participation. Contact thehybridmovementcompanygmail.com or 775 450 2484.
• November 12. Set up help for the NephCure Foundation. Help is needed for the NephCure Foundation's 2009 New York Countdown to a Cure. Ten volunteers are needed to help with set-up for this charity event. Volunteers should arrive at 1p to begin set-up and will be fed. Countdown to a Cure will be held at the Citi Field Caesars Club in Flushing, Queens. Over 800 guests are expected. The reception-style dinner will begin at 6:30p. All proceeds benefit the NephCure Foundation, the only organization committed to finding a cause and cure for two devastating kidney diseases, Nephrotic Syndrome and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Minimum age 15. Please contact Miriam Long at mlongnephcure.org for more information. volunteermatch.org/search/opp572855.jsp

***** HELP: ONGOING *****

• Help Seniors Hungry to E-mail. City Hall Senior Center has a computer lab with six computers but no instructor. If you have a solid handle on computer skills (you don't need to be a whiz, although that's a plus) and want to work with seniors, we need you. Our seniors are eager to learn the basics of internet navigation and email use. You will teach a weekly class of seniors in the early afternoon. You can even develop the class into a program with intermediate and advanced classes if you want. This is a great opportunity to develop your teaching skills and make a difference too. Comfort with and knowledge of basic computer uses, desire to work with seniors and teaching experience are a plus. volunteermatch.org/search/opp573589.jsp
• Food Servers of St. John's Bread and Life. We are in need of groups that would be interested in helping out in our Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry. Minimum age 21. 795 Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn. volunteermatch.org/search/opp572876.jsp
• Looking for volunteers to do light administrative duties for non-profit outreach opera/musical theater group based in Washington Heights and Inwood. Most of the duties can be performed at home on your own computer. This is a great prospect for some one pursuing a degree in artistic administration. Looking for someone who can volunteer 5-10 hours a month. Again, just looking for someone to perform light administrative duties. For more info, contact cheron.g.cowangmail.com or visit nystreetopera.com.
• The GiveGoodGet Project is looking for "Good Deed Ambassadors" to take to the streets and find people doing good for their community! GiveGoodGet is a brand new project, still in its pilot stage, with the purpose of acknowledging good Samaritans for their contributions to making their neighborhoods stronger, friendlier places to live. We need outgoing, dedicated volunteers to identify and interview Samaritans on the streets, and award them with a small token of appreciation. To top off the fact that this is a great way to spread positive energy around the city and meet great people, all Good Deed Ambassadors will be compensated for their time (15/hr)! Interested? Please email marliewilsonstreetattack.com with your contact information, resume, and reason why you want to get involved.
• Reverend Billy Talen of the Church of Life After Shopping is the Green Party candidate for Mayor of NYC. The election is November 3 and we're looking for volunteers to help us between now and the election. Come share your fabulous talents with us, whatever they may be. We have a new headquarters at 250 Lafayette (between Prince and Spring) in lovely SoHo. Whether you're a poet, an artist, an organizer, or just willing to do odd jobs around HQ, like run errands or stuff envelopes, we'd love to have you working with us. To get involved, go to our web site and sign up on the volunteer page, stop by HQ, or come to our weekly meeting for new volunteers on Wednesdays from 7-9p in HQ. Right now we're especially in need of web savvy folks who know Drupal - we need Drupal administrators and Drupal themers to help with our web site. VoteRevBilly.org.
• Lit Drift: �Storytelling in the 21 Century� Seeks creative folks. I'm looking for bloggers, marketers, event organizers, and tech people to help out on our new blog dedicated to highlighting innovations in storytelling, with the ultimate goal to celebrate the art and craft of storytelling (in all its forms) by serving as a storyteller's resource and community. Lit Drift will start out as a blog, and eventually grow into an offline headquarters and creative space. But in the meantime, it's just a blog, so no one is getting paid until the site starts generating serious traffic and revenue. All I am looking for is a few passionate, creative people to pitch in for a few hours each week from the comfort of their own homes, and maybe get together every once in a while to discuss how the site is doing, where it's going, and schmooze over a beer or two (or ten). Please get in touch if you're interested at julialitdrift.com and tell me about yourself. litdrift.com.
• We can always use help in our office during regular business hours. There are a range of projects that volunteers can help with, some examples: press clippings, a Google Maps project (related to Community Boards and Council Districts), lending a hand in our events closet re-organization, general data entry projects and much more. Volunteers are welcome to come in for short or longer shifts, as often as you want. Please feel free to call or email Elena (volunteer and membership outreach coordinator) with any questions or to set up a time to come by and help out. elenatransalt.org 646 873 6036
• GALLOP, a New York City-based nonprofit corporation offers therapeutic riding lessons to individuals with disabilites at the historic Kensington Stables in the East Windsor Terrace section of Brooklyn, near Prospect Park. Staffed by a riding instructor certified by NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) and a supported by licensed physical therapists, as well as a dedicated and experienced group of volunteers, the program offers a safe and supportive environment in which an individual can reap the many benefits of therapeutic riding. GALLOP is always in need of volunteers to help out with our program in any way. No horse experience is necessary, but it does help. We provide all the training you will need. We need people to help out at the stable with the horses and riders during lessons. Also, we have tons of "behind the scenes", such as office work, fundraising, grant writing, etc. Visit gallopnyc.org.
• SafeWalk is a free service to increase safety in our communities. From 11p Friday to 2a Saturday, we organize volunteers to take your call, bike to your location, and walk you to a destination within a 10-15 block radius. Our area of service currently includes Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bedford Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and downtown Brooklyn. Interested in becoming a volunteer? Contact safewalknycgmail.com or visit rightrides.org/templates/volunteer.php?page=vol_service.
• More than a barn, we're raising the mother of all meeting houses. New Yorkers deserve the basic democratic right�enjoyed by most other Americans and in most of the country's big cities�to have a direct say in our city's future and the laws we live by. (Just think: we could actually make dancing legal again.) The right of citizens to propose and vote on laws is fundamental to democratic government around the country. Some of NYC's lowercase democrats aim to win it and bring it into the 21st century. Join in designing the meeting house (i.e. writing the needed amendments to our city's charter), help grow the November '09 - June '10 petitioning drive, or find out more at lowercased.org.
• The Fortune Society is looking for volunteers to teach reading, writing and math to former prisoners and young people facing prison time. Contact 212 691 7554 x250 or visit fortunesociety.org.
• NY Artists Unlimited is a 25 year old, multicultural nonprofit that takes professional theatre and art to under-served audiences. Volunteers/ interns are used in all areas: administration, office work, design, graphics, technical, fundraising & development, PR/marketing, creative areas, and more. We are soon moving back into our renovated East Village arts center and need help in design, planning & development, fundraising, PR/marketing. In the summer, we present the International CringeFest, which includes the Bad Plays, Bad Musicals, and Bad Films Festivals. All proceeds go to support our work with under-served audiences. Class credit is available for college interns. Come join us in an artistic, supportive environment where noble deeds are being done and great creativity is taking place. No pay, but snacks, beverages, occasionally lunch available. Visit the website for further info: www.NYartists.orgVisit the website for further info: NYartists.org or contact Nyartunlt[a t]aol.com.
• The Rock Dove Project focuses on connecting health care practitioners who offer cheap/free services with seekers of those services. rockdovecollective.org/project
• Mentor kids through skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding at Stoked Mentoring. Contact infostoked.org
• Rescue disoriented and injured birds and ultimately help migratory birds make it to their destinations as a Project Safe Flight Volunteer. volunteernycaudubon.org
• Volunteer with Books Through Bars, an affiliated project of ABC No Rio that sends books to prisoners all over the country. Books Through Bars meets Mondays and Thursdays 7:30-9:30p and Sundays 5-8p at the NYC AIDS Housing Network, 80-A Fourth Ave, Brooklyn. abcnorio.org/affiliated/btb.html
• Help feed the homeless by volunteering at a City Harvest special event. cityharvest.org
• Volunteer as a writing tutor for kids at 826NYC. 826NYC.org
• Dog walking and Cat Petting at the Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition. barcshelter.org

XXXXX NONSENSE XXXXX

nonsense nyc is a discriminating resource for independent art, weird events, strange happenings, unique parties, and senseless culture in new york city.

please remember that you are always free to pass nonsense nyc along to anyone who needs to see it, but you do not have permission to use any of the listings for your commercial publication. if you are receiving this list as a forward from someone else you can sign up for yourself at nonsensenyc.com/subscribe.

we now accept donations to cover the costs of producing this list, and suggest $5 a year from individual readers or $20 a year if we list your events. to be clear, this is not a traditional subscription, but a donation because you believe that independent artists should support other independent artists. if you've ever paid for a ticket to see your friend's band you know what we mean. you can make donations here: nonsensenyc.com/special/. and thank you.

XXXXX END XXXXX

Hiding in bushes, making down payments on dues.