I can't go, but you should: a full day of FREE music courtesy of J.S. Bach and Symphony Space In my view the better programs are in the afternoon and evening but the lines will be longer. Check out the times of each performance . I've been before. It's wonderful. Daniel

The Fund-raiser Schmooze-Fest at Cipriani 23rd Street (at 5th Ave) is pricey but fun; features "the wire" creator David Simon, NYC Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito; California lawyer, activist donor Steve Phillips. As an activist-blogger you can get cut rate tickets. Bargain hard; DMI wants you to attend. How low will they go?. Call 646-274-5700. email: 2008benefit@drummajorinstitute.org

Get there early. Doors open at 6PM. Bring Picnic dinner. Music (from the Brooklyn Phil) fireworks (Grucci) special bridge lighting. If the weather is good, the place, in DUMBO, by the River under the Bridge is magic. Full details of this and more are here including the first free Friday Night movie on May 23rd -- Enchantment, a 2007 Disney confection. (with free popcorn)

The Theater for The New City, 155 1st Ave., presents the 13th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts . (scroll down for schedule)
Friday, May 23rd, 6pm - 1am
Saturday, May 24th, 10am - 1am 10am - 6pm - OUTSIDE ON E. 10th STREET - Cultural Fair, Performances, Food, Vendors!
2pm - 5pm - INSIDE - Performances for Kids and by Kids
Sunday, May 25th, 6pm - 1am

The Theater for The New City, 155 1st Ave., presents the 13th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts . (scroll down for schedule)
Friday, May 23rd, 6pm - 1am
Saturday, May 24th, 10am - 1am 10am - 6pm - OUTSIDE ON E. 10th STREET - Cultural Fair, Performances, Food, Vendors!
2pm - 5pm - INSIDE - Performances for Kids and by Kids
Sunday, May 25th, 6pm - 1am

The Theater for The New City, 155 1st Ave., presents the 13th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts . (scroll down for schedule)
Friday, May 23rd, 6pm - 1am
Saturday, May 24th, 10am - 1am 10am - 6pm - OUTSIDE ON E. 10th STREET - Cultural Fair, Performances, Food, Vendors!
2pm - 5pm - INSIDE - Performances for Kids and by Kids
Sunday, May 25th, 6pm - 1am

Manhattan's melange of culture is most mixed on the Lower East Side. Come visit the Loisada Festival this Sunday. I plan to get there in the late afternoon. Look for the table of CODA, the neighborhood's left political-social action group which will be between 8th & 9th Streets (on C obviously).

The Theater for The New City, 155 1st Ave., presents the 13th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts . (scroll down for schedule)
Friday, May 23rd, 6pm - 1am
Saturday, May 24th, 10am - 1am 10am - 6pm - OUTSIDE ON E. 10th STREET - Cultural Fair, Performances, Food, Vendors!
2pm - 5pm - INSIDE - Performances for Kids and by Kids
Sunday, May 25th, 6pm - 1am

Join us on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 as the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy hosts the latest installment of our 'Marketplace of Ideas' series featuring Sara Flocks, Co-Founder of Young Workers United.

In 2007, San Francisco became the first place in the nation to guarantee paid sick days to every person employed full- or part-time in the city. Sara Flocks and her organization, Young Workers United, led the successful effort to pass the law by ballot proposition. Under San Francisco’s law, employees may use the leave for personal illness or to care for a sick family member. The policy is projected to increase workplace productivity, decrease employee turnover and reduce the spread of disease. Following San Francisco’s first-in-the-nation policy, Washington D.C. also mandated paid sick leave in 2008 and Congress is considering a bill to establish a national paid sick leave policy.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008
8:00-10:00 a.m.
The Harvard Club

35 West 44th Street (bet. 5th & 6th Avenues)
light breakfast will be served

Space is limited. Admission is free. RSVP and registration are required.

United For Peace & Justice's fundraising 15-Mile bike ride through upper Manhattan "Pedal for Peace" pushes off at 11AM at Central Park North (110th Street) & Adam Clayton Powell Bl'vd; Registration at 10 AM. Register online on or site.