Shaun Rice

Lecture
Jeffrey's Meats of Essex Street Market w/Jeffrey Rhalter at LES Tenament Museum
108 Orchard St (at Broome St)
Lower East Side/Manhattan
(212) 982-8420
6:30PM

This famed meat market has been an Essex Street Market staple for 70 years (and an LES institution for nearly 90 years). Tonight, owner and butcher Jeffrey Ruhalter talks about the family business and how it has managed to stay in the neighborhood.

Comedy
Summer at Santos at Santos Party House
100 Lafayette St (at Walker St)
Tribeca/Manhattan
(212) 714-4646
7PM

Brendon Small, creator and voice actor of Adult Swim's Home Movies and Dethklok: Metalocalypse, headlines tonight's installment of the Adult Swim "Summer at Santos" series. Joining him is Paul Green's School of Rock.

Gay
The Tom Ragu Comedy Revue at the Stonewall Inn
53 Christopher St (at Seventh Ave S)
West Village/Manhattan
(212) 488-2705
7PM

Ragú hosts his weekly riot tonight, with comedic guests Lori Sommer, Ophira Eisenberg, Vicky Kuperman, Danny Leary, Jane Aquilina and Nick Cobb.

Theatre
Broadway in Bryant Park 2009 in Bryant Park
Sixth Ave (at 40th St)
Midtown West/Manhattan
(212) 768-4242
12:30PM

The Great White Way comes to Bryant Park for this annual summer series of weekly performances, sponsored by 106.7 Lite FM. Today, catch numbers from The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, In the Heights, Stomp and The Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree.

Opera & Classical
Cheltenham College Chamber Choir at St. Bartholomew's Church
109 E 50th St (b/t Park and Lexington Aves)
Midtown East/Manhattan
(212) 378-0248
12:30PM

A highly regarded English choir comes through town on its American maiden voyage: Conductor Alexander Ffinch will lead a cappella works by Di Lasso, Tallis, Phillips, Holst and Harris.

Exhibit
Mandela Day Installation at Vanderbilt Hall/Grand Central Terminal
42nd St (b/t Vandervilt and Lexington Aves)
Midtown East/Manhattan
(212) 340-2347
7:30AM-7:30PM

This exhibit, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, looks at the life of former South African president and civil-rights activist Nelson Mandela. The multimedia installation uses six words-act, listen, lead, unite, learn and speak-to explore Mandela's struggles against apartheid, and the ways in which society can act to end racism and other social injustices.

Film
The Age of Innocence at Peir/Summer on the Hudson Festival
W 70th St (at the Hudson River)
Manhattan
(212) 408-0219
7PM

Scorsese's magnificent film, taken from Edith Wharton's novel, is set in 1870s New York and centres on lawyer Newland Archer (Day-Lewis), whose plans to wed the impeccably connected Mary Welland (Rider) are upset by his love for her unconventional cousin, the Countess Olenska (Pfeiffer)

Books
Gay Talese at Barnes & Noble
150 E 86th St (at Lexington Ave)
Upper East Side/Manhattan
7PM

The seasoned New Journalist dips into his 1981 study Thy Neighbor's Wife, a recently republished book about the evolving sexual attitudes and practices of Americans.

Live Nude Elf reading at Bluestockings
172 Allen St (at Stanton St)
Lower East Side/Manhattan
(212) 777-6028
7PM

Downtown stalwart Reverend Jen reads from her new book, Live Nude Elf, about her life as a sex columnist for Nerve. Special guests include open-mike devotee Faceboy, who will read an essay, and Janeane Garofolo, who will perform stand-up.

Comedy
Big Terrific at Cameo
93 N 6th St (b/t Berry St and Wythe Ave)
Willamsburg/Brooklyn
(718) 388-8087
8PM

New-breed darlings of the alt scene Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate typically draw big names to their warm show in Williamsburg.

Exhibits
Racism: An American Family Value at the Center for Book Arts
28 W 27th St, 3rd Floor (b/t Broadway and Sixth Ave)
Gramercy/Manhattan
(212) 481-0295
10AM-6PM

This exhibit explores the pervasiveness of racism in society, and the ways in which progressive artists address it in their work. Artists on view include Lynn Yamamoto, Ken Gonzales-Day and Kara Walker.

Gay
Drip at Grace Hotel
125 W 45th St (b/t Broadway and Sixth Ave)
Midtown West/Manhattan
(212) 354-2323
9:30PM

Lee Chappell's pool party and cocktail lounge bring you DJ Jon Jon, visuals maestro Wetcircuit, cohost Shequida and the host himself. Just be sure to wear a swimsuit if you plan on taking a dip

Craigslist is often one of the first resources that people check when its time to start looking for a new apartment. Why? Well, the main reason (of course) is that it's free! You can also search right from you home computer - or when the boss isn't looking at work... but because it is so convenient and doesn't drain your pocketbooks, there are a few pitfalls you could land in. Here are some things to look for in a Craigslist ad that could save you a lot of time and trouble...

Be very careful of any No Fee rentals that offer an apartment within a house (as opposed to an apartment building). Remember that many of the posts on Craigslist come directly from homeowners who are not working with Realtors. The end result is a 'No Fee' apartment- but that 'no fee' could end up biting you in the end. Not working with a Realtor means that the landlord may not know or understand the regulations regarding renting out parts of a house - or may be doing so illegally. In order to rent out part of house in New York, the house has to be zoned as a Two Family Home. There are many houses in Queens built for two families- but that are zoned as a Single Family Home (meaning the owner is supposed to use the 2nd part of the house for other family members: mothers-in-law, children, etc - but cannot collect rent). Being zoned as a Two Family Home greatly increases the taxes that the owner has to pay...so many Single Family Homes are being rented illegally to tenants. Why do you care? Well, with an illegal lease (or just a 'verbal lease') - you can be thrown out at anytime without any legal repercussions. You are also not protected against unfair rent increases or given ANY other rights provided to New York tenants. If you decide to rent an apartment within a home from an owner - do your research and find out the zoning of the home from the county records.

It should be no surprise to you that there are many scam artists out there. The Craigslist housing ads are no exception. Be wary of too much email contact with your landlord - ask to speak to them via the phone. Don't fall for any of the scams that ask you to send money to the landlord who lives "out of the country." - believe me, anyone who is really 'out of the country' has someone here who is doing property management for them. Also remember that you don't know who you're talking to when making appointments to see apartments - do what I do as a Realtor: make a list of the apartments you are going to see and give that list to a friend check in with them after you are doing viewing (make sure someone knows where you are). If at all possible - don't view apartments alone...there's safety in numbers!

Pets are often a very touchy subject when it comes to apartment renting. ALWAYS ASK- no matter what the Criagslist Ad says. A 'Dogs Yes' ad may not be considering the fact that you have a 140lb Rottweiler -- on the other hand, a 'Pets No' ad may not mind your 15 year old de-clawed always asleep cat... Oh, and generally - no one cares if you have a hamster or a goldfish...so you should be ok on that front.

Take a close look at the fee section. 'No Fee' apartment ads often have...FEES. Mandatory credit checks, that for some reason cost $50, application fees, etc. Sometimes the landlord is requiring more than the standard 1 month security fee - this should also be listed here. If there is nothing listed - make sure to ASK when you talk with them in person. I once rented a place and found out the day of my lease signing/move in that I'd need 2 months security...and that was a sad day...

Photos are a wonderful thing - and really do speak a thousand words. But are they the right words. You have no way of telling if that picture was taken yesterday - or 10 years ago when the landlord bought the place himself. Never rent unseen - always make sure you have a way to verify that the picture accurately portrays the apartment. Ads without any pictures - you gotta ask yourself, what's wrong with it....

Murder Mystery Tour
Murder Mystery Night: An Interactive Theatrical Experience at the LES Tenement Museum
108 Orchard St (at Broome St)
Lower East Side/Manhattan
(212) 982-8420
6:30PM

Actor Carlo D'Amore leads this neighborhood tour-cum-murder-mystery-game through the Lower East Side. Participants will help solve a "murder," in which two siblings are found dead, using clues that involve spots around the 'hood.

Opera & Classical
Guitar in the Americas at the Americas Society
680 Park Ave (at 68th St)
Upper East Side/Manhattan
(212) 277-8359 *call for reservation*
7PM

Participants in this year's New York Guitar Seminar at Mannes (which begins on Wed 8), including Jorge Caballero, Duo Cantabile, Tibaguí Duo and Trio, Rene Izquierdo and Ana Ruth Bermúdez, offer a taste of things to come.

Health & Wellness
Spiritual Workshops at the Manhattan Center
311 W 34th St (b/t Eigth and Ninth Aves)
Midtown West/Manhattan
(212) 279-7740
Today-Thursday 10AM-Midnight

Sometimes, all you need is a good hug-and that's exactly what Amma, a world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, is offering. She's holding six free programs of inspiring talks, meditations, devotional singing, and the extraordinary experience of individually receiving her blessing through her healing embracing hug. Whether you believe in it or not, it's free, and hugs never hurt anyone!

Classes
Introduction To Aromatherapy at the New York Open Center
22 E 30th St (at Madison Ave)
Midtown East/Manhattan
(212) 219-2527
8PM-Midnight

You've probably heard of the term aromatherapy, but do you actually know how it works? Find out the basic principles and techniques at this interactive workshop. You'll learn how to start using essential oils safely while experimenting with a wide range of oils from around the world. Topics covered will include how the brain processes scents, how to use specific oils to address various ailments and how to incorporate the use of essential oils into holistic healing practices.

Latin Dancing Made Easy at the New York Open Center
22 E 30th St (at Madison Ave)
Midtown East/Manhattan
(212) 219-2527
6PM-Midnight

Dancing-especially exotic Latin dancing-can be tough if you have two left feet. But Carmen Robles Herrera, a practicing psychotherapist, says she can teach you how to do it and self-heal at the same time. Her unique approach, called the Dashimo Technique promises laughter and empowerment while dancing salsa, merengue, plena, bachata and other Latin dances. Self-concious? Don't worry about it; she creates a friendly, supportive and noncompetitive environment. You'll also work on relaxation and breathing techniques, visualizations and chakra balancing to further ensure well-being.

Exhibits
Fashion & Politics at The Museum at FIT
Seventh Ave (at 27th St)
Chelsea/Manhattan
(212) 217-4558
Noon-8PM

Proving that fashion is more than inconsequential fluff, this exhibit examines clothing's possibility to effect social change. The pieces on view represent a variety of designers (including Catherine Malandrino and Vivienne Tam) and show how patriotism plays out through clothing (paper dresses in favor of a particular presidential candidate, for example).

Motion pictures and television share a rich technological and artistic history in which scientists, inventors, artists and entrepreneurs have all played significant roles. The American Museum of the Moving Image is dedicated to educating the public about the art, history, technique and technology of film, television, video and digital media, offering visitors of all ages an opportunity to understand this history and its impact on our lives. Featuring almost 1,000 historical artifacts, thirteen computer-based interactive experiences, film and video presentations, and demonstrations of professional equipment, the Museum's exhibition Behind the Screen takes visitors through the process of producing, marketing, and exhibiting movie images.

Focusing on the jobs of many individuals whose collaborative effort results in a complete moving image product, Behind the Screen is a sophisticated look at the history and contemporary practice of film and television. The 14,000 square-foot exhibition was designed by Ali Hocek of AC Hocek Architects.

The Museum presents more than 300 programs annually, from silent films and Hollywood classics to digital art, television documentaries, and animation. All works are screened in their original formats. The 200-seat Riklis Theater is one of the most sophisticated and versatile screening facilities in the country. In conjunction with screening series, the Pinewood Dialogues offer an ongoing series of personal appearances by moving industry professionals. Approximately fifty guests participate each year in discussions and lectures.

American Museum of the Moving Image
35th Avenue at 36th Street
Astoria, NY
(718) 784-4520
http://www.movingimage.us/