by Jonathan Leeder
This Thursday, I will be at MSG taking in the sweet sounds of Eric Clapton and his old compadre Steve Winwood. Don’t hate, appreciate. It’s a pretty steep ticket though, and they went very quick, and I’ll admit that I’m not footing the bill.
If I weren’t fortunate to be a holder of one of these golden tickets, I’d probably find myself at The Mercury Lounge where Brooklyn’s Tigercity will be playing their guitar driven electro-pop, and Via Audio is sharing the bill.
On Friday, The States will be at Pianos. These guys found each other through a craigslist posting calling for the formation of a “Brain-Punk” band.
Ana Egge will be doing her mellow folkie thing at The Living Room. Bring some Red-Bull.
Saturday night finds Steve Urban and The Carnival Parade Presents at 169 bar on E. Broadway. Steve is a renaissance man who formed The Carnival Parade to not only include Artist Development, Promotions & Booking but also expand it’s operations into an Independent Record Label. They will donate 50% of all proceeds to non - profit organizations tackling the difficult social and environmental issues of our time.
If the work week or Friday eve escapades kicked your butt and you need to stay in, have no fear! A little band named Wilco will be performing on Saturday Night Live. Enjoy the sweet sounds of Jeff Tweedy from the comfort of your living room. Or better yet, set your DVR to record it so you can go out, then >>FF through the train wreck that has become that show and get to the good stuff.
On Sunday, don’t let the “meh” of Illinois take away from an otherwise super solid lineup at the Bowery Ballroom. The stacked bill has Say Hi, Meowskers, and The Postelles, who more then makeup for the shortcomings of Illinois who will hopefully be opening the event and quickly getting the heck out of the way. Fingers crossed.

By Jonathan Leeder

On Friday night at The Bowery Ballroom is Black Mountain and Bon Iver. Black Mountain sounds like they were heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin and The Velvet Underground, but don’t sound like a throwback band either. Bon Iver is French for “good winter” and is the labour of love of Justin Vernon, who lived alone in a cabin for three months conjuring up the music played in this outfit.

Or for a smaller, more intimate gig, head over to the Bowery Poetry Club to check out Captain Coconut.

On Saturday night Mission on Mars will be going down at Mehanata, which is located at 113 Ludlow. This music mixes live breakbeat rhythms, Indian sitar melodies, space-jazz guitar, middle eastern drones, into a funk chilled crater of moon walking beats.

Back at the Mercury Lounge there is a diverse bill featuring Atlas Sound, White Rainbow, Valet, and Bradford Cox. This is a shmorgasborg of music, with something for everyone.

Also at The Bowery Ballroom on Saturday is Dublin’s indie-alternative act Stand, opening with Lower East Sider PT Walkley.

Closing out the weekend at The Bowery Ballroom is Welsh rocker’s Super Furry Animals. These guys have been around since the early 90’s and that seems to be a feat in this day and age. Although they are probably playing smaller venues then they used to they have continues to push themselves in new directions and take chances and that is really what it’s all about, no? Supporting will be Times New Viking.

Stay warm and think warm thoughts.

[ February 26, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Public Hearing for comments on agency responses provided to Community Board priorities
(6:30pm-7:00pm)
 

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 6:30pm

PS 20 - 166 Essex Street, (E Houston & Stanton Sts)

[ February 21, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 6:30pm 

Community Board 3 Office, 59 East 4th Street

[ February 28, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Thursday, February 28 - 6:30pm — Community Board 3 Office - 59 East 4th Street § Manhattan Borough President’s Office, Code of Conduct for community boards’ office staff

[ February 25, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Monday, February 25 - 6:30pm — Theater for the New City - 155 First Avenue (btwn E 9th & 10th Sts)
 

§               Findings of Visual Arts Forum/Town Hall

[ February 20, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Wednesday, February 20 - 6:30pm — University Settlement at Houston Street Center, Double Classroom - 273 Bowery

197 Plan Task Force
1.             Discussion of development of Seward Park Urban Renewal Area
Subcommittee to the 197 Plan Task Force
§               Continued discussion of rezoning proposal for Bowery from 9th St to Canal

197 Plan Task Force (continued)
2.             Update on DCP zoning […]

[ February 19, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Tuesday, February 19 - 6:30pm — Project Renewal, Kenton Hall - 333 Bowery (btwn E 2nd & 3rd Sts)

1.             Community Center signage for east side of Avalon Chrystie building

2.             Council Member Mendez: legislation to protect low-income seniors from eviction & foreclosure

3.             421a application for 38 Delancey St

4.             CB3 position regarding LES BID use of two […]

[ February 14, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Thursday, February 14 - 6:30pm — Village View, Community Room - 175 East 4th Street (btwn 1st Ave & Ave A)

1.             Presentation by the Mayor’s Office and Public Art Fund of East River Waterfall public art project

2.             Parks Dept, proposed design for reconstruction of: 1) Rutgers Slip, 2) Catherine Slip, 3) Montgomery Slip

Street Fair Applications
3.             […]

[ February 13, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Wednesday, February 13 - 6:30pm — University Settlement at Houston Street Center, Double Classroom - 273 Bowery

Public Safety/Sanitation

1.             Installation of relocated Public Pay Telephone at 51 Astor Pl & 46 3rd Ave

2.             Proposed NYPD Permit Requirement for Air Toxic Monitoring (proposed by Council Member Vallone)

3.             Vote for CB3 to become a member of East Side […]

[ February 12, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Tuesday, February 12 - 6:30pm — University Settlement, Library - 184 Eldridge Street (btwn Rivington & Delancey Sts)

Human Services
§               No Items

Youth
§               Presentation regarding Dept of Youth & Community Development services in CB3

[ February 11, 2008; 7:00 pm; ] Monday, February 11 - 7:00pm — Casa Victoria - 308 East 8th Street (btwn Aves B & C)
Please note that bicycles, rollerskates/rollerblades, pets are not allowed into building

Environmental Subcommittee (7:00pm)
§               Planning Meeting/Town Hall on Environment
Con Ed Settlement Fund Subcommittee (8:15pm)
§               Review LES Ecology Center Proposal

[ February 11, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Monday, February 11 - 6:30pm — JASA/Green Residence - 200 East 5th Street at Bowery

1.             Need for DCA night enforcement funding and/or flextime

2.             Discussion of CB3 policies that should be clarified for notification

Renewal with Complaint History
3.             La Gaule, 188 Orchard St (rw)

4.             Elephant, 58 E 1st St (op)

5.             No Malice Palace, 197 E 3rd St  […]

by Pat Arnow
At the Chinese New Year’s parade, lots of people came out despite blustery weather. The floats and bands came up Mott and over on Grand Street.

Several people, old and young, wore Mickey-Mouse-type ears for the year of the rat. One little girl was the cutest rat of all. But what were the rabbits doing here? Because they’re rodents, too? There were also princesses and even a troupe of Mexican dancers. One of my favorite characters was the dour guy with his smile face wand.

by Jonathan Leeder
This Thursday evening at The Delancey is electronia rockers Cassettes Won’t Listen. They will be performing a handful of shows in the NYC area before making the trek down to Austin for the SWSX festival next month.
Also, over at The Living Room is Alberta Cross. This is an alternative folk rock act from London. Their music sounds like the softer side of Led Zeppelin.
On Friday night indie rocker’s Rolla will be performing at Arlene’s Grocery. Led by a femal vocalist and coming out of music hotbeat Bridgeport Connecticut, look out for this band on the rise.
At the Bowery Poetry Club will be jugband The Powder Kegs. These younguns still show respect to the high lonesome sound.
A very special show will take place on Saturday night at The Abrons Art Center. Cyro Baptista and his band Beat The Donkey will be celebrating a ten year anniversary with very special guests. Cyro is a Latin percussion master that has performed with everyone from Paul Simon, to Trey Anastasio, to Yoyo Ma.
On Sunday night mellow folkie’s Run On Sentence will be upstairs at Pianos. These 3 guys are touring the eastcoast spreading their mostly acoustic sound and laid back ditties. Make sure to toss them a few bucks for the free show, they can use it.

Thursday at The Bowery Ballroom Afro-beat mon Toumani Diabate. Also at the 205 club, thats located at 205 Chrystie St., is Eliot Lipp. He blends electro-downtempo grooves in a techno setting.

On Friday night at Pianos, check out rock and funk combo Parker House and Theory. Over at the Mercury Lounge is the New York buzz band The Felice Brothers.

Saturday night at Crash Mansion on the Bowery is the hip-hop rock band with a smidge of jazz called Emergency Service. Or over at 169 Bar is hippie rockers The Carnival Parade who will be joined by Steve Urban.

Sunday night is The Super Bowl and you ought to be watching that if you love freedom and hate evil doers.