Celebrate Brooklyn! Celebrate STREB!

The bar exam has taken me into a dark black hole of no posting FUN! But my twitter is doing well! www.twitter.com/facnyb

BUT I had to post about the below event as STREB seriously, seriously rocks my world. If I could run away and join anything, it would be them! Videos of this gravity-defying troupe here.

STREB: Invisible Forces
Prospect Park Bandshell
Thursday, July 9, 8:00 P.M.
Gates open at 7:00 P.M.

STREB, the seminal, Williamsburg-based acrobatic company, celebrates summer in Brooklyn with Invisible Forces, which combines the thrills of the circus and the velocity of the Indy 500 in one Action event. The show features STREB's new Action Platform, a 20-foot, rotating floor; the España Whizzing Gizmo; and the two-dimensional vertical pipe grid, Airlines. The result is a singular spectacle in which beautiful bodies engage with sexy hardware, exemplifying what The Village Voice recently said of the company: "Streb's unique movement art-kin to sport, circus, physics experiment, and hard labor-has reached a peak of theatricality and dare-all virtuosity."

All Celebrate Brooklyn! performances are free with a $3 suggested contribution.

For more information, click here.

Fourth of July Guide!

Love, TONY


Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks

WHEN
Sat 4, approx 9:20pm

WHAT
To commemorate Henry Hudson sailing into these parts 400 years ago, the annual extravaganza moves westward. Fireworks will be set off from six barges along the Hudson River between 24th and 50th Streets; the show will last about 26 minutes. The New York Pops will play an inspirational set, including “God Bless America” and "Proud Mary," which will be broadcast on NBC and 1010 WINS.

BEST VIEWING SPOTS
• The West Side Highway will be closed for spectators from 22nd to 59th Street starting at 4pm.
• Pier 54 (at 13th Street)
• Pier 84 (at 38th Street)
• Northbound lanes of 12th Avenue from 23rd to 59th Streets
• Dewitt Clinton Park at Eleventh Avenue between 52nd and 54th Streets

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Chelsea Brewing Company
Manhattan’s only waterfront microbrewery will offer a $150 open bar starting at 5pm, featuring a selection of its craft beers. The 24-foot ceilings and giant windows ensure you’ll be treated to an astronomic view of the fireworks—plus the Chelsea Piers Driving Range is just outside the door, and nothing’s more American than Big Bertha clubs. Pier 59, W 18th St at Eleventh Ave (212-336-6440, chelseabrewingco.com)

Hudson Terrace
Stuff your face for America—the magic words all you can eat and open bar justify the $125 price tag for the 7 to 10pm celebration, and the midtown location makes for some of the best seats on the island. 621 W 46th St between Eleventh and Twelfth Aves (212-315-9400, hudsonterracenyc.com)

Pier 66
The Frying Pan, a sunken Coast Guard ship turned bar, is one of the coolest (and thematically appropriate) vantage points to see the night’s aerial magic. While the barge itself will be closed to the public due to security concerns, the North River Historic Ship Society is throwing a private party on the roof of the attached Pier 66 from 7 to 10:30pm. The price is steep ($200), but it’s hard to get closer (or classier). Pier 66, Twelfth Ave at 26th St (212-989-6363, nrhss.org)

The Rusty Knot
Get things started around noon at this would-be dive bar, which features the Uncle Sam Special: 25¢ Busch beers served until 5pm. Think of it as an economic stimulus for your pockets and an alcoholic stimulus for your liver—though you may need to decamp to the street outside for the actual sparkle show.425 West St at 11th St (212-645-5668)—Zachary Feldman

WHAT TO DO AFTER
Get into the commemorative spirit at Landmark Tavern (626 Eleventh Ave at 46th St, 212-247-2562), an old-fashioned Irish saloon built in the late 1800s. At Holland Bar (532 Ninth Ave between 39th and 40th Sts, 212-502-4609), $3 beers will be served until 4am. Schmancy neighborhood fave HK Lounge (523 Ninth Ave at 39th St, 212-947-4208) is serving cheap post-fireworks fare until 1am. And what's more patriotic than the Hustler Club (641 W 51st St at Twelfth Ave, 212-247-2460)?

Summer Lovin!

THIS looks amazing! See you there ;)

Twitter it up! Booze Booze Booze

Ok, so I may now be slightly slightly addicted to twitter. I can't help it, bite sized information packaged for lightening fast study breaks? Gotta love it! I recently ran across

Coovents Happy Hour Twitter

who takes a twist on my free and cheap daily tweets and lets you know what drink specials are happening around the city AT THAT MOMENT. Here is his latest in case you are dying for a drink:

http://bit.ly/KXR4Q $1 off all drinks - Ragg's Pub - starting now!

Very, very cool.

I don't think you're ready for this belly! The Pink Teacup

Want to know the lunch deal packing the most food for the smallest amount of bucks in the whole wide city?

My friends, I think I have found it nestled in the tree lined streets of the west village.
It's The Pink Teacup!

I've had this southern soulfood place's pancakes (fluffy!) apple fritters (perfectly crispy!) and other fatty breakfast foods but I think I hit the motherload with this lunch deal. In fact, it's too amazing to believe I have to post the menu here myself:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Includes Soup & Salad
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fried Chicken Leg

Fried Pork Chop

Liver & Onions

Fried Chicken Wings (3)

Peppered Steak

Smothered Chicken Leg

Ham Hocks

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Choice of 2 Vegetables

Potato Salad

Blackeyed Peas-Corn

Rice & Gravy Yellow Squash

Collard Greens-String Beans

Okra Corn & Tomatoes
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Choice of Jello or Bread Pudding for Dessert

Just TRY and guess how much that is....

$7.50!!!!
PLUS I went with 8 friends and we sat down right away. PLUS the people are so friendly you'd swear you're at grandma's getting stuffed at the kitchen table again.

The lunch special runs M-F from 11-3. The restaurant is on 42 grove between bedford and bleecker (don't miss the pink door!)

Your tummy will thank me later.

Amazing Sale!

Hey guys!

So this awesome store, Samples for ecompassion, is having an awesome sale I just had to tell you all about. It's their garage sale weekend where nothing is over $40 and it's featuring designs by marc by marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenburg. I've gotten some seriously amazing deals at this store in the past and wanted to send it along.

PLUS this place just rocks my social justice world. For every transaction they make they plant a tree. All their bags are completely biodegradable AND they always donate a portion of their proceeds to an awesome Cause!

The Garage Sale lasts Fri-Sunday 12-7 (get there early for the best digs)
The store is located at 2 Great Jones Street btw Broadway and Lafayette.

I'll be away for the weekend but will be back bloggin on Monday!

XOXO

LA

Twittering!

I know I know, I've jumped on the bandwagon.

BUT if you follow free and cheap on twitter you'll get daily postings to links about free (mostly) and cheap (sometimes) happening THAT DAY in the city. Perfect for your boredom in this rainy weather.

Dig it here.

Opening Tonight! Twelfth Night!

There are few things more traditional to a NY summer than The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park. Two shows over the summer take place in the magnificence of the delecorte theater in central park and it's truly always a magical experience.

First up, technically opening tonight and running through July 12th, is 12th night. One of Shakespeare's comedies about a cross dressing woman and the faults of love and gender (how appropriate for gay pride week!) it's a fun show with an allstar cast. (Anne Hathaway for the general population, Raul Esparza, Julie White and Audra MacDonald for theater geeks like me.)

I went this past Tuesday and the show was lovely lovely lovely. Not stand out (read my post about romeo and juliet from a few years ago) but there are a ton of laughs and it's overall delightful. The rolling hillside side sets the scene perfectly and everyone holds up their parts quite well, the singing parts are a total delight and keep your ears peeled for a See You Next Tuesday joke! And honestly, I swoon just sitting in that theater under the stars with the castle in the background, you just can't beat it!

You can also bring anything you like to munch or drink upon in the theater (provided no glass bottles are there!) I highly recommend a nice spread of wine and cheese (Thanks Ben's friend Gerrit with nice eyes!) Shakespeare would appreciate.

So, you may be asking, but LA, how do I get to experience this wonder? Well my friends, there are three ways.

1) buy expensive tickets and become a member (ha! not free and cheap!)
2) wait in line

This is the traditional way folks. Every day when there is a show (Tue-Sunday, 8pm) hundreds upon hundreds are given out for free to those able and willing to wait for hours upon hours to be bestowed with a golden ticket into the gates. Tickets are given out at 1pm at both the delecorte theater (which I love because you get to wait in the park) a short five minute walk into the park from the 82nd street path entrance or at the public theater in greenwich village. I got there at 8 30 am on a Tuesday and was fine but once press picks up I would recommend getting there by 7am for weekends and 8am for weekdays to be safe. Brings blankets and cushions (they blocked off the grass so sadly Ben, my partner in crime, and my butts were quite sore) and food and drink. They have finally opened up a cafe for food but you can always order from the amazing Andy's, the guys guarding the line has the number!

NOTE: If you are waiting in line, people are CRAZY! You can't have friends join you, you can't really leave. Even if the people around you seem cool someone in the back once told on me because my friend showed up 1/2 hour I got there. So you never know

BUT you do get 2 tkts per person, so that is fun!

3. Virtual Line!

Stuck in work all day or can't muster the energy to wake up early? Here is the solution for you! Sign up, cross your fingers and if you win, you get a ticket!

Now go out and enjoy!!!!

PS. This picture isn't of the current set (no photos allowed!) but of the theater with the castle. It coincidentally also looks like it was taken right where I was sitting!

Highline update

Now you can hear free music at night from the renegade cabaret!

I want to be this lady when I grow up

On facebook too!

Jewels, free booze and food!

This was passed along to me via facebook. I admit, I like jewelry, but what I like even more is a free open bar!!! The details are below, email

info@mrmrdesigns.com with questions

Date:	Thursday, June 25, 2009
Time:	5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	3 Form Showroom
Street:	520 8th Ave., 20th Flr
City/Town:	New York, NY

3 Form, purveyors of gorgeous architectural panels, is graciously opening their doors to host a jewelry extravaganza.

The highlights:

1. A portion of the proceeds will go to charity.
2. Its is FULLY CATERED.
3. THERE IS OPEN BAR.
4. YES, I SAID OPEN BAR.
5. AND ITS FREE!!!


I will be presenting my jewelry (and there are some new pieces you haven’t seen yet, for those of you who came to the February party), along with 4 other designers.

Feel free to pass this invitation along to friends, family, colleagues, random strangers, etc...

If you can, please rsvp by June 23rd so I can give the caterers a head count.

Hope to see you all there!!

OBSESSED: High Line Park

Words cannot express how in love I am with the brand-spankin new High Line park running along an elevated railroad track from Gansevort to 20th street (and getting expanded this summer and in the future). Here are the reasons

1) It's in the sky! As you walk the paths you feel like you're discovering a magical hidden world. Peeking into broken windows, watching cars fly below you, with amazing views of the hudson, it's a whole new way to see the incredible NYC!

2) It's beyond gorgeous. I want to kiss all the architects and landscapers who designed this place. It is the perfect blend of modern twists and old school park fun. The sleek lines of the benches combined with flowers growing from the preserved tracks and lovely old school stones that remind me of the type I would find back home in MA

3) the sundeck chairs. brilliant! Though I am sure they will most always be snagged, I can't think of a better place to soak in the sun (well, besides grass and sand of course)

Just go already! It's nutso during the weekends now but on a weekday afternoon? Perfect!

This one picture is from their website but it doesn't capture the beauty. Go and take some of your own!

Free events for Summer interns

Just got this email from the fantastic listserve, drinking liberally! Sadly, I am no longer an intern (I'll actually be PAID starting in September, AMAZING) but for any of you progressive poor kids out there this looks like a pretty sweet deal:

Attention All Summer Interns!

Living Liberally will be having weekly events -- comedy, music, picnics, parties and more -- and we'll have special discounts and deals for people working for progressive organizations this summer. If you are an intern, know an intern, have an intern, email contact info to livingliberally@gmail.com to be added to a special summer list.

A listserve to get you in the know.

There are millions of listserves giving you the lowdown on everything to do in the city but lately I've been digging the male-focused "Urban Daddy". Aside from their often sexist images (which may be reason enough to boycott, but then I'd boycott practically everything in the city) they actually have a good range of interesting activities, restaurants, and shops in the city.

They don't specifically let you know about cheap events, however if you become a member you get "perks" which include discount codes at zipcar, massage packages, and free drinks. For example, if you head to the frying pan on Saturday the first 100 people to mention Urban Daddy at 3pm get a free round of Coronas.

Not bad, not bad at all.

Sign up here.

Mermaid Parade!

Probably one of the craziest parades in NYC, this hours long fest taking place on Coney island features hundreds and hundreds of mermaids and other sea-folk. Child mermaids, painted mermaids, naked mermaids, it's just amazing! If the weather clears up I will most definitely be there, see some pictures from a few years ago attached.

Hint: Bring water and food and sit down below the barriers to get a good spot. The parade lasts sooo long (more mermaids join every year!) so you may want to bring something to sit on as well. PLUS after the parade you can enjoy the crazy/beautiful shores of coney island beach.

Here are the details!

FREE wellness retreat! all weekend long!

Thanks to vital juice, a new health-focused listserve, this weekend you can get massages, workouts, food and drink all for FREE in Union Square. Thursday - Saturday of this weekend. All you need to do to get the free goodness is sign up for their listserve (and I'm on it and am already pleased with what they send out!) here are some of my favorite items:

Free Blackberry Massage
Hula Hoop Pilates
Guided nutritional tours through whole foods!

Get the whole sched here.

Bryant Park film fest!

Hello loves!

In case you're looking for outdoorsy old school classic NY fun this summer there's no better place than at the Bryant Park Film festival. Every Monday night great movies show at sundown, with amazing cartoons from back in the day featuring bugs bunny and the like before the show begins. Fair warning, it's one of the must-do events in NYC and the lawn opens at 5, I recommend getting there around that time if you want to grab a good spot. Just send one member from your group with a HUGE blanket to be there when the frenzy begins and you can join them later!

Here is the sched:

June

Mon15
The Sting

Mon22
Breaking Away

Mon29
Gold Diggers of 1933

July

Mon 6
Dog Day Afternoon

Mon 13
How Green Was My Valley

Mon 20
Harold and Maude

Mon 27
The Defiant Ones

August

Mon 3
Kramer vs. Kramer

Mon 10
The Magnificent Seven

Mon 17
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

My favorite $5 sandwiches.

This summer I am mainly, sadly, stuck in Bar review class during the week and often lunch is taken over a computer. Depressing, I know, BUT it has made me realize how much I love $5 sandwiches in the city. Here are my two favorite!

1) Tortas with chicken from "the taco truck"

Ok, this is NOT their real name but I never know what is. It's the best truck food I have ever had and the guys are adorable, always serving with a smile and trying to teach me more spanish words. It's a big white truck with a green awning and a flip down aluminum siding that you can eat on. They are usually on 6th ave between 4th- 8th street or 8th ave and 14th street (where I have seen them more lately over the summer). I will try and find a number for them to call because it is so SAD when you are craving their cheese-avacado-chicken filled goodness only to discover the truck is not there!

In fact, that happened to me this evening and so with only 6 dollars in my pocket I ventured off to find something else to eat and came upon the new Vietnamese sandwich place in the village

2) Baoguette

For five bucks (5.42 with tax, thank goodness for the extra dollar) I got a HUGE sandwich on deliciously crunchy on the outside fluffy on the inside bread stuffed with seasoned and sauced pork with everything a vietnamese sandwich should be (cool and crisp and tangy and delicious). Definitely one of the best I have had in the city. Definitely will be going back!

On their website it says Murray hill but their NEW location is in the west village at 120 Christopher between Bleeker and Bedford!

Now, back to evidence law....

This weekend = Mind boggling creative fun!

Here are two kick-ass looking, inspirational, community based crazy creative events happening this weekend:

Figment, an all out anything goes art fest on governor's island (which I'll have to do an entire post about sometime soon)

And Come Out and Play where hundreds of new, innovative games are taking place all over our city.

And, as promised, both are FREE!!! I only bring you guys the best, natch.

The Happiest Happy Hour

Where can you find Guinness for one (count em) ONE dollar in the city?

Greenwich Treehouse on Thursdays from 5-6 pm my friends! Their beat the clock special on Thursdays is amazing, all draft beers are

5-6pm = $1
6-7pm= $2
7-8pm= $3

Ummm, yea. It's AMAZING!

PS Plug: I host $3 trivia (winner takes all) at 7pm on Monday nights at the place when their usual happy hour ($3 drafts, $4 house drinks) is extended until 8pm. So come to that too!

The deets:

Greenwich Treehouse
46 Greenwich Ave

Free Pizza! All Week!

Courtesy of the amazing Marie Mark!

FREE Pizza in NYC!

Apparently the recession means that everyone is just giving stuff away! Snapple beverage company has decided to reward mid-morning pizza snackers with free slices starting at 10:30 each morning until the 500th person has been served. Here’s the free pizza schedule:

Monday, May 4
Spinelli Pizza
425 Seventh Avenue
New York NY
(b/n 33rd and 34th streets)

Tuesday, May 5
Famous Joe’s Pizza
7 Carmine Street
New York NY
(b/n Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue)

Wednesday, May 6
Silver Spoon Diner
58-21 Junction Boulevard
Queens NY

Thursday, May 7

My Little Pizza
114 Court Street
Brooklyn NY
(b/n Atlantic Avenue and State Street)

Friday, May 8
Mezza Lunna Pizza
98 Eighth Avenue
New York NY
(at 15th Street)

Mama Mia! Enjoye!

Back with a Vengeance!

I know how you've all missed me, you've cried nearly every day wondering what free and cheap things will be had in the city without Lauren around? Fear not, summer is nearly upon us (the best time for bargain hunters in this little place known as NYC) and my blog is BACK! (enter applause here)

Well, I've got some great activities lined up this week to apologize for my LOOONNNGGG overdue absence. This post features free everything, from beer to music, even a little foot rub, so enjoy!

FRIDAY, May 1st, Free Tequila Tastings!

• When:Fri 5/1 (6PM)
• Where: East Village Wine & Liquor
• Address: 183 STANTON STREET New York , NY Map
• Cost: FREE! --> Just go here and RSVP to attend

SATURDAY, May 2nd, Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores.

Just like it sounds, check here for deets: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

SUNDAY, MAY 3rd, Rockin Festival

Free beer? Live music? Crafty workshops? Bike giveaways? All in my new favorite borough of Brooklyn? (I'm behind I know)

Check it out!

TUESDAY, May 5th, Free Spa Services

From 12-7 at Vada Spa in the village get great free services, all day long. And if they are too booked, get a rain check for another day!


Seriously, SERIOUSLY, I heart NY.