BY TRAV S.D.  |  Over the course of her long career, Mink Stole has been associated with many shocking projects. But the big shock about her new CD, “Do Re Mink,” is how tasteful it is. After all, her frequent collaborator John Waters wrote the book on bad taste — literally (it’s called “Shock Value: read more here »

BY SCOTT STIFFLER  |  Currently living in Manila, Filipino photographer Niccolo Cosme says that although his city was spared from the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan, “We started to feel its impact day by day. We have never seen anything of this magnitude, where communities, towns and provinces were washed out. We found ourselves in volunteer read more here »

BY REV. JEN (rev-jen.com)  |  This month’s column is all about leaving one’s comfort zone, trying new things — and, of course, utilizing funemployment until the inevitable, tragic day when one becomes reemployed. Herein, as usual, I will share tips on how to have fun in the “city that never sleeps” even when said city is read more here »

Self-portrait sale will benefit charity BY SCOTT STIFFLER  |  Is it possible that our favorite good time gal in green has entered her Blue Period? If so, there’s no need for mood-stabilizing meds, dispensed by a shirtless bartender pouring from a spoutless bottle. Not, at least, during the early evening hours of the first Friday read more here »

THIRD STREET MUSIC SCHOOL’S HOLIDAY CONCERT Located on in the heart of the East Village, Third Street Music School Settlement’s early childhood programs are good for the soul — but not exactly inexpensive to maintain, or provide (more than 75% of students receive financial aid or participate in tuition-free instruction and low-cost enrichment programs). Founded read more here »

BY TRAV S.D.  |   Frank Fay was copied, but not liked “Of all the great vaudevillians, I admired Frank the most.”—James Cagney Almost all of the great comedians spoke with reverence about Frank Fay (1891-1961). He originated the stand-up comedy style we associate with Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and David read more here »

  BY JIM CARUSO  (jim-caruso.com)  |  I  love spending the holidays in New York City — but between the over-blown seasonal spectaculars, the inclement weather and throngs of gaping tourists, a Manhattan Christmas can sometimes be overwhelming. In concocting this list of December must-sees, I’ve noticed that my choices are all masterpieces of simplicity — emphasizing read more here »

PENNY JONES & CO. PUPPETS: MOTHER GOOSE TALES No storm is super enough to pull the strings of Penny Jones and Co. Puppets. “When our season was hitting its stride,” recalls Jones, “We got nine feet of water in the basement, no electricity, heat, water, elevator, stove, telephone, Internet, laundry. We had to cancel all read more here »

BY OPHIRA EISENBERG  |  Ten years ago when my friend told me that I should listen to his podcast, I have to admit I was pretty skeptical about the entire medium. I remember saying, “So let me get this straight — you plugged a microphone into your computer and talked about what was on your read more here »