Damien DeRose, aka Peasant, tip-toed into our playlist last year just before playing Gothamist House at CMJ. Hailing from Doylestown, PA, his small town sound has been calmly floating around this city with more and more frequency -- enchanting everyone within earshot. This Thursday he's back to play the Brooklyn Vegan show at Pianos (tix). Exposure.mp3 - Peasant How did you come up with "Peasant" as your performing name? I just knew I didn't want......

Over the weekend, hundreds rallied for Pier 40's next transformation to be a park. This Thursday, the Hudson River Park Trust is meeting to discuss two existing bids for the pier located off Houston Street, but a more recent plan, from a group of local parents who hope their $120,000 study, has been gaining some recent momentum. Previously, the Related Companies had proposed an elaborate plan with a Cirque du Soleil theater and restaurants, while......

Stellastarr* are somewhat of a staple in the New York music scene. The Brooklynites are about to record their third full-length release this fall -- having steadily put out impressive tunes ever since Mischa Barton declared one of their first, My Coco, a favorite. One new track, The People, can be listened to here. This Thursday they'll be playing new and old tunes at the Highline Ballroom for a special event called The Kor Project.......

Solar One is New York City's first solar-powered “Green Energy, Arts, and Education Center,” leading the way in getting city dwellers to be a bit more environmentally responsible. They do this by not only reaching out to the community and educating through games and workshops, but also through some great events, green markets and more (they even have their Solar2 building coming soon, watch a video about it here). This Thursday they launch their summer......

The NY Sun has a report on the city's largest music festival in history. We mentioned Make Music New York back in April when it was all still being pulled together. This Thursday, it begins. Aaron Friedman has been at the center of it all, coordinating with city officials to put on over 560 performances in one day, in both real and makeshift venues throughout New York neighborhoods. See musicians on the Brooklyn Bridge, in......

Unless you are in Sonic Youth...you probably love the Pixies. At the very least, you loved the song Where Is My Mind? after hearing it in the movie Fight Club. This Thursday author Ben Sisario will be reading from his new book called "Doolittle," as part of the acclaimed 33 1/3 series. The book takes a look at the 1989 release of the Pixies sonic masterpiece of the same name, gaining insight from the band......

We hope you like change, because there's sure a lot of it when it comes to who's writing the music picks. Now, on to the picks...while we'll be down in Austin for SXSW this week, we aren't taking every band with us. There will be plenty to rock out to in the city, and as an added bonus, it's St. Patrick's Day this weekend...so your rock will be mixed with green beer. Tonight the Presets......

Todd Zuniga, Opium Magazine...

If you think that laughter is the best medicine, then the volunteers of the New York City Free Clinic have a dose for you. This Thursday, February 23rd, the Clinic is hosting "Stand-up For Healthcare Access," an evening of stand-up comedy and dinner to raise funds for the Clinic. Performing are nine of America's top comics including Colin Quinn, Greg Giraldo (of Comedy Central), and Greg Rogell (The Aristocrats, Half-Baked). The event takes place at......

It's the holidays, and we're pretty sure that most of you are still comatose on the couch suffering from either an eggnog overdose or a family overdose, pick your poison! But in case there are still five or six of you wondering what you'll do without a reading, here's your solution. Tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 28th, Harlem's famous Sugar Shack (2611 Fredrick Douglas Blvd. on the corner of 139th St.) is home to What's the......

This Thursday, World AIDS Day, sex education in New York's public schools will receive a politically charged facelift, the first major change to the curriculum in thirteen years. The major additions? Redesigned AIDS/HIV language and a better, more in-depth, discussion of the female condom. Fourth graders will now be told "HIV can be transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person. When you are older you will learn more," replacing the previous lesson which explained,......

This Thursday many bands will come together for The Gift of Noise Benefit that has been organized to help Kia Nowotne. Kia Nowotne was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer for the second time. Hours missed at work during the early stages of her treatment led to the loss of her job, compromising the status of her health insurance, and leaving Kia unable to support herself for the duration of her treatment. The music community was......

Sometimes there are things happening in this city that would (and could) only ever happen here, whether we like it or not. Thankfully we usually like it. The following are a few events taking place tomorrow that not only seem pretty cool, but somehow encompass why we love this city so much. First up is 1 More Time for the 9: "A gospel revival and art attack train party". From the people who brought you......

This Thursday, at exactly one minute past midnight, is the official release of the latest Beaujolais Nouveau wines. At this time, the million plus cases of Beaujolais Nouveau wine will begin their journey - from Beaujolais in the south of Burgundy to wine stores, bars and lushes throughout the world. This event, which occurs on the third Thursday of every November is accompanied by celebration, fanfare and drunken displays of pure excitement. Yeah, let’s pretend......

Girlynyc, Panty Blogger...

I was up all night because of a car alarm that wouldn't stop going off right outside my apartment. Short of egging the car out of frustration, what can I do? Seth, Cobble Hill Is there anything as ineffective as a car alarm in New York City? When's the last time you heard a car alarm go off and then saw dozens of concerned New Yorkers rushing to the scene in order to scare......