February 9-15

> Monday, February 9, 7pm

NY Writers Coalition Red and Black Benefit

VIP Seating - $100, included reserved seating and Open Bar from 7-8pm
General Admission - $25 Advance Purchase, $35 At the Door

The third annual Red and Black Benefit celebrates all the untold stories of love, loneliness, and loss. Featured readers are Staceyann Chin, Michael Cirelli, Nicky Dawidoff, Ben Greenman, Kathleen Horan, Joan Larkin and Patricia Smith. Funds raised from ticket sales to the Red and Black Benefit will benefit NYWC’s creative writing programs for at-risk youth, the homeless and formerly homeless, the incarcerated, LGBT homeless youth, seniors, residents of supportive housing, and countless others who aren’t heard from often enough in our society.

For tickets go to: www.nywriterscoalition.org

> Wednesday, February 11, 8pm

Shorty Awards

Honors the world's top Twitterers for their ability to write great content with 140 characters or less.

The best producers of short* content in 2008
*140 characters or less, on Twitter

Since the launch of the Shorty Awards in December, tens of thousands of Twitter users have nominated their favorite Twitterers in 26 official categories (such as news, humor and politics) and in more than 1,500 user-generated categories. The five most-nominated users in each of the 26 awards categories are now Shorty Awards finalists. The ceremony, at Galapagos Art Space will be the first gathering to bring top Twitter users together from all over the world.

T his event is being made possible thanks to Knight Foundation's support.

RSVP Here at http://shortyawards.com/awards-ceremony/

> Friday, February 13, 8pm, $25

Nerd Nite Speedating

$25 admission also includes entry to Nerd Nite

> Friday, February 13, 10pm, $7

Nerd Nite
(following nerd nite speed dating)

The program includes "Evil is Beard Deep: What Blackbeard and Bin Laden have in Common, How you can Tell Them Apart, and How that Could Save the World," a history lesson and demonstration of beat boxing (yes, Nerd Nite's continuing to add more A/V), and a surprise lecture.

Buy tickets here!

> Saturday, February 14, Door at 9pm, Show at 10pm, $10
Valentine's Day!

Larry Love of A3 (Alabama 3) & Friends
Featuring Brian Jackson and iCON

Larry Love is perhaps best known for HBO's The Sopranos theme song, 'Woke Up This Morning' by A3 (aka The Alabama 3). In NY promoting the 'Johnny Cash Remixed' project, Larry will be flying solo with nothing but an acoustic guitar and a voice like Howlin' Wolf gargling peanut butter and cigars. Later, Love will be putting in some time behind the decks for one of his legendary DJ sets as well as joining collaborators iCON for a few numbers. As frontman and creative force behind A3, Larry's blend of blues and grooves or 'SweetPrettyMuthafxxxxnCountryAcidHouseMusic' has won the band lifelong fans. www.alabama3.co.uk

Brian Jackson: The legend of Brian Jackson started in 1970 when the Brooklyn-born producer, composer, and musician Jackson began writing songs with another prodigy, 20-year-old poet Gil Scott-Heron. Widely regarded as one of the early architects of the neo-soul era, Brian Jackson's enduring sound is capturing the hearts and souls of yet another generation. Whether accompanied by his regular bassist Diallo and drummer Ismail or just by his lonely with a piano, his performances are always something special. www.myspace.com/itsyourworld

iCON: Arianne Schreiber is a unique talent; an erudite, honest and spikey lyricist and with a voice that recalls Debbie Harry and Nina Persson in their prime. She's collaborated with Steve Garrikk (Erreur Fatale), Larry Love (Alabama 3) and Mick Jones (The Clash) among others and her band members' past credits read like a who's who (The Fall, Blondie, Eddie Izzard and Tina Turner to name a few). You really don't want to miss them - Thou shalt not worship false iCons! www.myspace.com/iconlondon

Buy tickets here!

> Sunday, February 15, 7pm, by Invite Only

TransBeMan

Transformer Films presents a screening for friends, cast and crew of TransBeMan - a new feature film produced in DUMBO that is set for release Summer/Fall 2009.

TransBeMan is directed by Richard Kroehling and starring James Remar (Dexter, Cotton Club, The Warriors), Kevin Corrigan (The Departed, Superbad, Goodfellas) and Jane Kim (West 32nd St, Feel). The Executive Producer is Martine Rothblatt.

Completely shot in New York City, the film is a techno-thriller set in the near future about the creation of world's first post-human and a crime that shocks society.

Would You Die to Live Forever?
http://www.transformerfilms.tv