The Smart Set is a weekly feature, compiled and posted by Lauren Cerand, that usually appears Mondays at 12:30 pm, and highlights the best of the week to come. Special favor is given to New York’s independent booksellers and venues, and low-cost and free events. Please send details to Ms. Cerand at lauren [at] maudnewton.com by the Thursday prior to publication. Due to the volume of submissions, events cannot be considered unless the date appears in the subject line of your message.
MON, JUN 22: Sez Jonny Diamond: “I will be hosting the last semifinal round of the L Magazine’s Search for Pocket Fiction: Literary Upstart. That’s right, very short fiction on the longest night of the year: TOO MUCH FUN… As further enticement, I propose that you chase away the Monday blues with dollar beers provided by Connecticut’s own brewery, Thomas Hooker.” At the Slipper Room. 7PM, FREE. At The Tank, “‘Just Working On My Novel’ aims to achieve different goals from the traditional ‘open mic’ model, with crowd interaction, community, and self-lacerating, raucous, drunken fun placed at the forefront. The night’s few rules specify that reading from previous published pieces is strictly forbidden, and each night will feature an author as guest of honor, such as Monday evening’s Atlanta-based Zachary Steele, whose debut speculative fiction/fantasy novel Anointed (Mercury Retrograde Press, 2009) has been called ‘a mix of raucous fun and deep questions’ by Publishers Weekly. Most importantly, admission is free and drinks are cheap.” Later on, Spinnerette, Brody Dalle’s (ex-Distillers) new outfit, plays Bowery Ballroom with Band of Skulls.
TUE, JUN 23: Galapagos Art Space (now in DUMBO) hosts the BOMB Magazine party: “Come party with the BOMB staff and contributors to Issue 108 and celebrate 28 years of legendary interviews between artists, writers, filmmakers & musicians. Cabaret performances and aerialists, compliments of Galapagos Art Space!” 8PM, FREE. (On Thursday, return to Galapagos to write your fondest wish on a balloon with young Polish artist Agnes Janich.) Also, the U.S. Poets in Mexico Series presents David Wojciechowski & Bob Holman, hosted by Sheila Lanham, in the M’Finda Kalunga Community Garden on Rivington Street (Christie/Forsythe Streets). 7PM, FREE.
WED, JUN 24: Contributors to Ariel Gore’s Portland Queer: Tales of the Rose City gather at Bluestockings to celebrate its publication. 7PM, FREE. (Return on Friday for a discussion of Masha Tupitsyn’s new City Lights anthology, Life as We Show It, which asks the question: “Movies have become a primary experience for viewing the world, but what kind of movies are our lives?”)
THU, JUN 25: Contributors to Delhi Noir fete the latest edition in Akashic‘s hit series at Idlewild Books. 7PM, FREE: rsvp to events@idlewildbooks.com. Additionally, Yanira Castro & Company and PS 122 present an ongoing series of dance performances at the Gershwin Hotel: “DARK HORSE/BLACK FOREST is an intense love story presented in the most intimate space: a bathroom. The lobby bathroom of The Gershwin Hotel will be transformed by an installation of flourescents, mirrors, and video screens for this exclusive boutique performance. The audience is privy to an emotional and private exchange between a couple that evolves into a formal, sensual dance.” The piece also has a companion Twitter component scripted by writer Rozalia Jovanovic. Through June 28.
FRI, JUN 26: “Sounds Like PAPER 2009 at the South Street Seaport with Kid Cudi, Chester French, and DJ sets by Les Savy Fav and more!” 5:30pm-9:30pm, FREE. And celebrated auteur Werner Herzog will appear at McNally Jackson. 7PM, FREE. Plus, ABC No Rio hosts COMMON SPACES 09, an open house highlighting its various programs. 7PM, FREE.
SAT, JUN 27: Small’s Jazz Club hosts an open-mic poetry series. 5PM, $6. “Brooklyn avant-doom juggernaut” Bloody Panda plays Santo’s Party House. 7PM, $15.
SUN, JUN 28: I really, really wanna see “Leandro Erlich: Swimming Pool” at PS1: “When approached from the first floor, visitors are confronted with a surreal scene: people, fully clothed, can be seen standing, walking, and breathing beneath the surface of the water. It is only when visitors enter the Duplex gallery from the basement that they recognize that the pool is empty…”
AN APPEAL TO READERS: I just finished Rob Walker’s Buying In, and then immediately read Slanted and Enchanted: The Evolution of Indie Culture after that, and I’m looking for another conceptual overview of DIY or counterculture topics that speaks to evolving patterns of communication and cultural distribution now. Any recommendations? Please let me know! Not into: “social media,” business or Malcolm Gladwell-type books, more like Dance of Days.