A New Year 2014

And so that Gregorian calendar on the wall has rolled around again to where it finds itself that end of the year Anno Domini 2014 in North America to where all of those end of the year retrospective articles start popping up and all of those over priced end of the year parties start appearing. And then there's that Auld Lang Syne song that plays on the radio and television over and over that also finds itself posted above. And it is also that year of the horse according to that Chinese zodiac sign calendar.  And so with this end of another Anno Domini year, finds itself Jeff Stark's nonsensenyc: 12.27 to New Year's Day‏ list of these really cool happenings and underground and above ground parties that find themselves in and around that city of New York for this before and after New Years Day week. And that email list subscription that found itself in that email inbox reads something like as follows. Happy New Year 2014.

#2014

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

Edith Lovejoy Pierce
 

X, Jeff Stark and the Nonsense NYC staff

XXXXX FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 XXXXX

Head On: 2003 vs. 2013

The end of 2013 is fast approaching, and we're furiously reviewing the songs that came out over the last year to find our favorites. We decided that we'd like to put 2013 to the test. Was it that good of a year for music? Ok, we dug that Daft Punk record, and the return of Justin Timberlake, and Chvrches. And a lot of good indie things came out by the likes of Classixx, Holy Ghost!, Duke Dumont, Young Galaxy, Vampire Weekend, Cut Copy, the Arcade Fire, etc. But what if we compared it to the best songs from, say, 10 years ago? The more we looked back, 2003 was a killer year for music. Not only was pop radio actually pretty damn good with the likes of Outkast, Beyonce, Fanny Pack, and even the Darkness, but there were plenty of good underground hits we loved by the likes of Junior Senior, Goldfrapp, and Head On champion LCD Soundsystem.

So we're doing what any good Head On DJ would do: we're pitting 2013 against 2003 in a no-holds-barred cage match. Anno a anno. Resident DJ Brian Blackout and guest DJ Fucci will do battle, and you'll help us pick a winner. Are all those old people who say music keeps getting worse right? Or was 2003 just a really great year? Help us decide (by dancing). With resident DJ Brian Blackout (representing 2013) and guest DJ Fucci (representing 2003). Two DJs enter, one DJ leaves.

Bell House

149 7th Street, Brooklyn

10p-late; $free

facebook.com/HeadOnParty

***** Also on FRIDAY *****

Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction: NYC Championship Edition

Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction is a comedy show (and podcast) held every month at the Nerdist Theater in Los Angeles, created and hosted by Bryan Cook. Each show features 10 comics, writing and performing Erotic Fan Fiction pieces, based on their whims or audience suggestions. It's really stupid. This month CEFF is thrilled to host its first-ever NYC Championship Edition, featuring all past NYC winners.

Union Hall

702 Union Street, Brooklyn

7:30p doors, 8p show; $10

21 and over

XXXXX SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 XXXXX

Telekron Communication's presents:

Great American International Ugly Holiday Sweater Dance Party

Come out and rock your ugliest holiday sweater (sweater not required). Free drink and mystery prize goes to the ugliest sweater. Banging audio by Banginclude, Deejay Chaotic, Bigears, Madaro, Mamajuana, Rtype , Driver, Joe Safari, and Roger That. Programmed visuals on three Screens by the Sperm Whale.

La Sala, back room of Cantina Royal

58 North 3rd Street, Brooklyn

10p-4a; $10 all night includes free draft slider before midnight

facebook.com/events/220985414750950

XXXXX SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 XXXXX

Magic at Coney: The Sunday Matinee

Magical Promotions, together with Coney Island USA, presents an afternoon of fun and wonder for the entire family. "Magic at Coney!!!" is a magical variety show highlighting a vast array of magicians; featuring illusionists, escape artists, mentalists and close-up magicians from around the world.

With Master of Ceremonies Gary Dreifus, plus escape artist Thomas Solomon, magician Omar Olusion, and mind reader Torkova.

Sideshows by the Seashore

208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn

$12 adults, $8 for children under 12

coneyislandusa.com

***** Also on SUNDAY *****

Comedy at Katz's

A monthlong series of pop-up comedy shows featuring the best NYC comedians (and free beer) at Katz's Deli. This Sunday's show features Rob Cantrell, Josh Gondelman, Phil Hanley, Joe Zimmerman, Chesley Calloway, and RG Daniels. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

Katz's

203 East Houston Street, Manhattan

7p; $5 includes free beer

facebook.com/events/200094376843839/

XXXXX MONDAY, DECEMBER 30 XXXXX

Chaos Cooking: Taste Tripping

A participatory taste-tripping cooking extravaganza commandeering an entire East Village Restaurant. It's time to give our taste buds a psychedelic flavor experience they will never forget. From the depths of West Africa comes Synsepalum dulcificum, also known as the miracle fruit. When you eat this berry it causes sour foods (such as lemons and limes) to taste sweet. This effect is due to miraculin. Please join the Chaos Cooking Community for a very special event where we confuse our mouths and laugh at the results while enjoying endless food, drinks, and conversation. Everyone brings the ingredients for one dish and then cooks together in one space. All recipes must be finished and space returned to original condition by the end of the event, while everyone is socializing, enjoying drinks and eating tasty dishes. Each berry lasts one-two hours. There will be three berries available per person. We will have real berries, not tablets.

Guidelines: Everyone must prepare something; no exceptions. Everyone must pitch in to help restore the space to its original condition, without being asked. Try not to lose any fingers.

Location revealed with tickets, Manhattan

6-10p; $11 early bird, $18 otherwise

tastetripping2.eventbrite.com

***** Also on MONDAY *****

The Salon: New Year's Eve Eve

Some say New Year's Eve is amateur night; that's because all the dames and dapper gents know the real party is the night before at the Salon, what we like to call New Year's Eve Eve.

For our sixth annual extravaganza we return to the beautiful and historic Players Club to continue the tradition with a spectacular lineup of more than 40 performers, including five bands, on three floors for your lounging and dancing pleasure.

After a hiatus of more than four years, we are thrilled to return to the historic Players Club. This beautiful private club on Grammercy Park is a snap shot of old New York, whose members included luminaries such as Bogart, Bacall, and Sinatra. The Club was home to the Salon in 2008. Prohibition Productions is elated to be part of a new era at the Players as it enters its 125th anniversary.

Live music by George Gee Swing Orchestra featuring vocalist John Dokes, Queen Esther and the Hot Five, Ron Sunshine and band, Gelber and Manning, and Svetlana and the Delancey Five. More music by Dj VaVaVoon, DJ Mac on the antique phonograph, and Benjamin Ickies.

Performances and more with the Minsky Sisters, classic burlesque by Legs Malone, Calamity Chang, go-go dancers and stage kittens Sydney Sunrise and Miss Kacie Marie. Master of ceremonies and emcee extraordinaire Dandy Wellington, Dave Cremin's amazing magical card tricks, and free beginner swing dance lesson on main dance floor from by Arturo Perez.

The Players Club

16 Gramercy Park South, Manhattan

7p doors, 7p-1a; $30 advance, $35 door

21 and over

thesalon.biz

***** Also on MONDAY *****

Bridging Bushwick: Potluck and Performances

Our goal is simple: Get to know your neighbor. Potluck: Bring a dish that represents you and your culture. Performance by ELM (local youth group).

The Living Gallery

1094 Broadway, Brooklyn

8-10p; $free

BridgingBushwick]at]gmail.com

XXXXX NEW YEAR'S EVE XXXXX

Rubulad presents:

Cheap and Dirty New Year's Ball

With live music by Les Sans Coulottes, Batala NYC, and Morricone Youth. And your DJs Shakey, Ol' Stark, and friends. In the cabaret room: Terry Dame's Science Music Roadshow, Viva, and Mary-Go-Round. Plus G. Scopitronic's Non-Stop Film Fest, Modern Dance Awareness Society, Visionary Visuals by the Sperm Whale, Light Circus Extraordinaire by Norm Francoeur, and Midnight Champagne Bunny Toast. Dress cheap and/or dirty.

893 Bergen Street, between Franklin and Classon, Brooklyn

9p doors, 10p show; $20, $10 before 10p or way, way late

facebook.com/events/563715397037398/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&source=1

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Gemini and Scorpio presents:

The Bootleggers' Ball

The contraband has been ordered, authorities paid off, and performers lined up for a New Year's Eve speakeasy ball in a 19th century church with soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, and a wraparound balcony. Expect the intimacy of a daring cabaret mixed with the intrigue of a vintage costumed ball, expansiveness of a warehouse dance party, excitement of live swing, a splash of fine cocktails, and just a dash of illicit adventure and unpredictable moments.

Dance till 1a to live big band swing by the 13-piece Hot Shim Sham Orchestra, followed by infectious electro-swing grooves by underground favorite DJ Barney Iller until late. Glamorous burlesque by Kat MonDieu and Apathy Angel, performed with the band. Daring aerial by Ivory Fox. Old-time strongman and sideshow stunts by Adam Realman. Hosted by dashing magician Nelson Lugo. Fabulous face and body painting by Painteresse Elysabeth. 2014 divinations by gifted psychics. Vintage photo booth. Absinthe and other mind-altering potions by The House of St Eve. Easy beginner swing dance class at 9:30p by Brooklyn Swings. Champagne flows free 9-10p. Dress code: depression glamour, evening ball on the Titanic, hobo formal, desperation derring-do. No casual attire.

Irondale Center

85 South Oxford, Brooklyn

9p-5a; $40-60, $30 after midnight, $20 after 2a

21 and over

geminiandscorpio.com/events.html

thebootleggersball.brownpapertickets.com/

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Time's Up 16th Annual New Years Eve Bike Ride and Afterparty

Start the year off right -- on your bike or skates. Come celebrate New Year's Eve in the great outdoors. We'll be riding up to Belvedere Castle in the middle of Central Park for the best (and free) New Year's Eve dance party in town -- with fireworks. Dress festive, don't forget your noisemakers and party favors, and bring food and drink to share. Meet up for the ride, or just meet us at 11:45p at Belvedere Castle.

Meet at Washington Square Park

5 Avenue and 8th Street, Manhattan

10p; $free

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Bathsalts, Dungeon, and Secret Project Robot present:

NYE 2014 Dance and Drag Party

Champagne hosts. Midnight countdown. Cheap bar. Stay in Brooklyn. Free love. With DJs Schwarz, Stallone the Reducer, Dungeon, and Cartel. Shows by Macy Rodman (evil priestess of Bathsalts) and friends Amber Alert, Severely Mame, Stevie Zar, and Moon Baby.

Secret Project Robot Art Experiment

389 Melrose Street, Brooklyn

10p-4a; $10

facebook.com/events/430130430422473/

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Mister New Year's Eve

Into 2014 we go. Not quite what Isaac Asimov predicted, but pretty darn close. (Google it!) Here's how we'll be celebrating -- in Mister Saturday Night style:

There's a set number of tickets, so it'll be intimate, with enough room to dance without crazy lines for drinks and such. We'll stock the bar with bubbly and deck 12-turn-13 in black and white, so we ask you to deck yourself out in all black and/or white, too. You don't have to wear a tux (although you certainly can) -- just whatever's comfortable.

Festivities start at 9p for ticketed folks, and the ball drops in an easy-going way, so it doesn't feel forced. If you're celebrating midnight elsewhere, doors open for non-ticket holders at 2a, space permitted.

12-turn-13

172 Classon Avenue, Brooklyn

9p–5a; $40 advance, $25 after 2a, space permitted

residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?547225&p=friends

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

New Years 2: Galaxy Quest

Four years ago, Neil Fridd and I joined forces to organize an all night, time-travelling NYE party with countdowns every hour and bands performing live from their favorite eras. This year, to celebrate the year anniversary of the Silent Barn's new location, we're organizing a space-travelling party.

New Years 1 ended in the future, with aliens taking us up and away, so this sequel begins there. We will transform the venue into a spaceship, and travel every hour to a different planet, landing back on earth light years after we left.

Expect an installation by Title: Point in the Center For Strategic Art and Agriculture, a ship captain to guide us through the strange musical lifeforms, lots of guest DJ friends, possibly a hot tub out in the yard, champagne toasts, and us all eating breakfast together in the morning.

With the Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Unstoppable Death Machines, Rich Aucoin, My Body, and Heeney.

Silent Barn

603 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn

9p; $10

all ages

facebook.com/events/610297299007806/?notif_t=plan_user_invited

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Bang On Presents New Year's Eve 2014: Time and Space

Our journey through Time and Space begins in a gargantuan 60,000 square-foot former steel factory with 45-foot high ceilings. We have a massive door and coat check team ready to expedite your entry. We recommend early arrival as there is generally a large rush from 10:30p-12:30a.

With two main stages of electronic music, custom lighting, and stage design. Featuring illuminated art installations, circus performers flying overhead, Burning Man Art Cars (including Thunder Gumbo), themed lounge areas, food trucks, funky clothing vendors, body painting by Kirxworx Dupuis and Bodyworx.me and much much more. Our midnight countdown will feature a rocket launch and aerial performance you won't want to miss.

Time stage: Pete Fraser, Rambo Springsteen, Sleepy and Boo, Damian Lazarus, Bob Moses, Behrouz, the Golden Pony, and Gino Santos. Space Stage: The Magick Report, Wildlight, Sean Glass, Deniz Koyu, Polish Ambassador, Space Jesus, and Kellam.

699 Scholes, at the corner of Onderonk, Brooklyn

9p-6a; $60-70

facebook.com/events/230020700514053/

brownpapertickets.com/event/GinoSantos/496002

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Unicorn Meat NYC’s 2014 The Wander Event

A uniquely experiential event with cosmopolitan inspired art installations featuring heavyweight dubstep producer Rusko and world-class circus performance. Unicorn Meat NYC’s secret warehouse location will lend itself to a creative backdrop of aural and visual grandeur. Our clandestine venue features spacious area of music and art to explore with nine hours of nonstop music, high end sound and lighting production, and large-scale country/city-based art installations. Also supporting Rusko will be a number of West Coast style bass music producers David Starfire, KiloWatts, and Skytree.

77 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn

L train to Morgan station

9p-6a; $60-75

facebook.com/events/552188494856099/

unicornmeatnyc.com

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

New Years Eve's Masquerade Ball

Ladies and gentlemen, Midnight Disco Society cordially invites you to our New Years Eve's Masquerade Ball. Join us on the dance floor as we welcome 2014 in true Venetian fashion. Music by Midnight Disco Society. Masks and formal attire encouraged but not mandatory (we will have masks at the venue to distribute).

Radio Bushwick

22 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn

9p; $10 doors

917 893 8935

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Deep Trouble New Years Eve

We'll prep the vibe with cocktails at 7p. Of course, before all the revelry, it's good to start with a solid foundation: nourishment. At 8p, we'll start things off with the last supper of 2013: A four-course dinner presented by Body Actualized and Intuitive Catering, soundtracked by Deep Trouble. All ingredients sourced from Beyond Organic Farmers at Union Square Farmer's Market. After that, dance vibrations begin with Deep Trouble DJs at 10p. Midnight champagne toast. And roll from there with guest DJ Tom Noble. Late dance vibrations by Deep Trouble. Visuals by Alice Cohen and Ivy Meadows.

Body Actualized Center

143 Troutman Street, Brooklyn

7p; $45 dinner and dance, $20 just the dance

eventbrite.com/e/deep-trouble-new-years-eve-at-body-actualized-tickets-9760200021

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

New Year Carnival at Wherehouse

Hue-Mans Don't Race is a group of angels/ aliens/ guides who have been sent by the universe to save Hue-manity. We shed the light in which hue-mans find their hue. Providing palette space for colors to be dipped/ blessed in hue causing a color trail to stain and sustain the grounds of life. This space we call Fred's Warehouse is our holy canvas where all who dance in are blessed with the light of magic. Here the human race are transformed to Hue-Mans That Don't Race. After descending from our happening, the hue will follow you to shine others with light causing a domino effect of color.

Activities: spray paint open wall, swings, tarot reading, body painting, light tricks, parachute, private teepees, and spontaneous improv. Performance and visual art: aerial/contortion stunts, bellydancing, visual array projections, orbing and hooping, living a painting creation, and interactive sand mandala. DJs and Live bands: Rumblefilthskin, Songsten, Beechwood, Dub Caps, Ex Astra, Okestura, Cartomancy, and Dead Hounds.

210 Paterson Plank Road, Union City, NJ

9p-6a; $10

facebook.com/events/557871147633439/?ref=br_tf

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Le Chat Noir Masquerade Ball

For one night only, We'd like to invite you on a special journey. From the cobblestone streets of Montmartre at the turn of 20th century Paris through the back roads of old Europe in a little gypsy caravan, and out into the assorted corners of the world. The night will have it all - glorious vaudeville and world music DJs, a gypsy-cabaret live band and gorgeous burlesque dancers, dancing and merry times. Jubilant, whimsical and deranged, life is a cabaret, my friends -- celebrate it with us on New Year's Eve. Costumes strongly encouraged. With Amour Obscur live, DJ Spinach, DJ Earthian, and burlesque dancers.

Drom

85 Avenue A, Brooklyn

8p doors, 9p show; $30-50

dromnyc.com/events/2921/new-years-eve-at-drom-le-chat-noir-masquerade-ball#.Urd0Do3g6mG

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

Pratt Steam Whistles

makezine.com/2008/03/04/steam-whistles-pratt-inst/

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

4ShortDudes presents:

Notorious NYE

A LGBTQ New Year's Eve event. Let's start this year off cute: Dancing, cruising, and boozing. Your hosts: Topher Gross, Nicky Cutler, Jo Collura, and Rocco Katastrophe. Plus DJ Jo Collura, with special guest DJs J Lamar Wright and Abdullah Saeed. Photos all night by Grace Chu.

Loki Lounge

304 5th Avenue, at 2nd Street, Brooklyn

10p; $15 pre-sale, $20 at the door

notoriousnye.brownpapertickets.com/

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S EVE *****

The Vinyl Countdown

Celebrate the New Year by digging through the crates. It's New Years Eve and you want to go out, but you really want to find a place with no lines, no outrageous cover, no disgustingly drunk people, and great music. Celebrate the New Year by digging through the crates. With a Undakova performances, resolution board, rooftop, vinyl madness, and soul train line.

Alphabet City Sanctuary

638 East Sixth Street, between Avenue B and C, Manhattan

8p doors, 10p performances, 1a soul train; $20, or $free with RSVP

facebook.com/events/444779732288490/

XXXXX NEW YEAR'S DAY XXXXX

The 40th Annual New Year's Day Marathon Reading

There are three things to consider when the New Year’s Day Poetry Marathon sweeps you into its gracefully uncouth embrace -- what it is, what it was, and who you will be when it’s over. An untamed gathering of the heart’s secret, wild nobility -- over 140 poets together revealing not just that a better life could exist, but that it already does, sexy and wise, rancorous and sweet, big hearted and mad as hell. The Marathon measures its success through insurrectionist reframings of the universe, an in-it-together courage that crafts a community out of the riot of lineages and traditions we all emerge from. This collective effort also helps fund as many as 85 additional events every year. It’s our largest fundraiser of the year, and arguably the most inspired ongoing literary event in the city.

This is the 40th anniversary of the New Year’s Day Poetry Marathon. We have a lot of bonuses in the works to commemorate the occasion: Sean Cole, independent producer for public radio, will emcee the 7-10p hours of the event; there will be a raffle for desirable items from the Poetry Project’s collection; plus we’ll reveal a series of three special edition Project tote bags made by three different design students at Parsons. They did great work for this.

131 East 10th Street, Manhattan

2p-midnight; $20

brownpapertickets.com/event/521827

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S DAY *****

Coney Island Circus Sideshow

They're here, they're real, they're alive, and you can see them performing on New Year's Day after the Polar Bear Swim. The World Famous Coney Island Circus Sideshow will perform continuously at Sideshows by the Seashore.

New Year's Day cast: Ray Valenz, Princess Pat, Rush Aaron Hicks, Adam Realman, Scott Baker, and Betty Bloomerz.

Sideshows by the Seashore

208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn

2-6p; $10 adults, $5 kids

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S DAY *****

Coney Island Polar Bear Club Annual New Year’s Day Swim

Bring warm clothes, surf boots or old sneakers, towels, and definitely bring your camera. The NYC Parks Department provides changing facilities on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue.

Assemble on the Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island

1p sharp; $20 suggested donation to Camp Sunshine

polarbearclub.org

***** Also on NEW YEAR'S DAY *****

HiChristina Fifth Annual Love Corners

New Year's Eve is so celebrated, but what happens the next day? HiChristina has the answer, with the youngest New Year's Day tradition. Wake up sometime in the afternoon (say 3p), put on something red (a hat or fingernail polish or scarf or something), walk outside to a sunny street corner, and project love. There you have it. That's what HiChristina's 5th Annual Love Corners is all about. This year it's the corner of 23rd and Broadway in Manhattan on the sunny side of the street, at 3:30p.

Not only are you projecting love, so are people in from Uzebekistan to Auckland. Love corners is simultaneous and worldwide (like the internet). Unlike the internet it's a person-to-person connection all the way. Stand still. Take a deep breath.  Relax.  Open your eyes. And boom: Projecting Love. You'll know your compatriots by the red they wear. Stay on the corner for a bit.  Feel it.  Hold hands.

Last year someone showed up with 100 red balloons, and the year before there was a giant panda suit and a homemade electronic instrument!  You never know what the new year brings. Afterwards, grab a cup of tea or stroll in the park with your newfound friends. If you or someone takes a picture or video send it to us.

23rd and Broadway, sunny side of the street, Manhattan

3:30-4:30p; $free

fritzandchristina]at]gmail.com or thehichristina on instagram

 

nonsense nyc is a discriminating resource for independent art, weird events, strange happenings, unique parties, and senseless culture in new york city.