For Mr. L.E.S. 2006, a crown of Buds
By Orli Van Mourik
Saint Reverend Jen Miller, founder of the Mr. Lower East Side Pageant, has been known to call the contest “the thinking woman’s Chippendales.” But it might be more accurately described as the night thinking women take off their thinking caps and rediscover the Bacchanalian joys of dancing, screaming, and drinking until they puke.

La MaMa, laboratory for experimental theater, turns 45
By Wickham Boyle
It takes quite a while for something that began in a basement as a wild experiment to achieve the status of venerable institution: 45 years, in the case of La MaMa Experimental Theater Club.

The late Johnny Ellis, still a fixture on Village jazz scene
By Lee Metcalf
Many seasoned New York Jazz fans will remember the late drummer/composer Johnny Ellis, a fixture on the ‘80s and ‘90s Village scene, whose inexhaustible spirit and commitment to individual expression typified what it means to be a jazz musician.

Koch on film
By Ed Koch
“Flags of Our Fathers” (+) This film, directed by Clint Eastwood, tells the story of the U.S. Marines who captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese during World War II.
“Running With Scissors” (-) The dysfunctional families depicted in this film are among the worst I have seen on screen.

Get your spook on
From conventional haunted houses to ghost walking tours, there is plenty to fear this Halloween

Ballet’s heavyweights return to City Center
By Susan Yung
American Ballet Theater kicked off its three-week fall season at City Center on Oct. 19 with a premiere by Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo, titled “Glow – Stop,” set to music by Mozart and Philip Glass. Like his commission for New York City Ballet’s Diamond Project last spring, Elo’s new ballet displayed a fascination with speed and virtuosity.