Featured, National - Thursday, November 19, 2009 16:09 - 14 Comments
UC Students Occupy UCLA Building to Protest Fee Increase (Updates)
In Westwood, Ca., hundreds of UC students have organized a TBNYU-esque occupation at UCLA, protesting the likely approval of UC fee increase — UC students don’t pay tuition, but “fees” — to help the state overcome its absurd deficit.
About 50 students have taken over building Campbell Hall, where they have chained the doors shut and are wearing intimidating bandanas. Naturally, hundreds more (representing various UC campuses) have joined them outside the building, with picket signs and even more bandanas. Hm, this all sounds so familiar.
The group (with no distinct name) has released an audio statement encouraging students “who work two or three jobs while going to school” or for parents who will lose “the prospect of affordable education” to join in on the protest. Their only demand asks that state leadership find “other alternatives” besides increasing UC fees.
City - Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:15 - 0 Comments
City Calendar: Dirty Projectors, Sonic Youth, Miss G Train, NYC Horror, Tim Burton, & More
THURSDAY
- Dirty Projectors @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Exploding Brooklyn rock band are playing at the Williamsburg Music Hall for the weekend. Oh yes, there will be hipster. - Miss G Train Pageant @ City Reliquary Museum (Brooklyn) — 7 p.m.
Kaela profiled the Miss G Train competition a few weeks ago, and now the pageant is finally ending. You’ll probably never take the G train in your life, so carpe diem. - NYC Horror Film Festival @ TriBeCa Cinema — through Sunday
Yesterday, we suggested that you go wet your pants and watch at least one of these horror films at TriBeCa Cinema. Just don’t hold us responsible if this actually happens. - Unlimited 88-cent Shot Night @ Doghouse Saloon — 8 – 11 p.m.
Yep, unlimited shots for 88 cents at a bar called Doghouse (sign up for deal online first). What state school do we go to again?
FRIDAY
City, Featured - Wednesday, November 18, 2009 12:00 - 3 Comments
NYC Tip: Fat Cat
Last week, the rest of the NYU Local staff decided that I was to be “the token bro.” Whether or not this label is true, I do happen to enjoy spending nights “bro-ing out,” which is why the West Village’s Fat Cat — an NYU student’s best shot at a real college hangout — seems appropriate. No, this doesn’t mean drunk yuppies watching the Jets game (there’s actually not one TV) or frat boys creeping around for sorority girls.
Instead, Fat Cat (Christopher St. & 7th Ave.) encourages bro-ing out in a simpler, more decent fashion. The premise is simple: one massive basement that serves as a pool hall, game room, jazz club, and trendy bar every night. Seriously, you would have to try to be bored here. Although you’ll feel like you’re violating a crucial bro code rule, any visitor quickly realizes that Fat Cat isn’t the ideal scene to get wasted at. Rather, spare the hangover and play some shuffleboard with a PBR, or enjoy some Scrabble with a glass of cheap wine. If you’re alone tonight, kick back on a couch and listen to the incredible live jazz, you loser.
City - Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:30 - 1 Comment
NYC Horror Film Festival Haunts Your Nightmares This Week
Tomorrow night, the NYC Horror Film Festival — “America’s largest and most recognized genre film festival focusing solely on Horror and Science Fiction” — kicks off with a party at BLVD (SoHo) at 9 p.m. Although you’re probably not geeky enough to attend said party, the festival itself seems worthwhile, especially if you were that kid in middle school who always insisted on watching The Exorcist at sleepovers.
This year’s Festival will be screening films and hosting panels entirely at the TriBeCa Cinemas until Sunday. The long list of films includes the likes of CannibAlien, Wheels of Death, and Zombies and Cigarettes — all of which sound appropriately absurd. Several awards will also be distributed throughout the week, including this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award given to horror producer William Lustig on Saturday.
Tickets for day programs (mostly a series of shorts) are only $16 and an all-access pass for the week is $160. The world is ending in 2012 — if that doesn’t scare you, go buy some tickets.
Image via Jim Connolly.
City - Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:15 - 1 Comment
Gov. Paterson Trails 59 Points for Democratic Primary, Asks for Your Pity
The NY Post reported yesterday that Gov. David Paterson is behind 59 percentage points (75-16 in a hypothetical election) to popular Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for next year’s gubernatorial election, according to a Siena poll. A 59-point deficit in a primary for an incumbent governor — I try to avoid cliche web lingo but, man, this is an epic fail.
Not only would Paterson get annihilated by Cuomo, but the poll also shows that the Accidental Governor trails “all potential major party candidates” for his current position. This means a Paterson Democratic ticket would likely lose to a Republican ticket including a candidate like, say, Rudy Giuliani (leads Paterson by 23 points), who’s also eyeing a seat in the Senate.
Featured, On Campus - Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:15 - 3 Comments
NYU Has Second Largest International Student Population In U.S. (Again)
The LA Times reported that NYU had the second most international students (6,761) in the country, according to the annual Open Doors survey released yesterday. Although NYU has been stuck at No. 2 for years, this year’s foreign population is a significant increase from 2008 (6,404).
But once again, NYU trails only USC, which has nearly 7,500 international students on campus. At least we beat Columbia (6,685), albeit by less than one hundred foreigners. Phew, that’s one crowded Bobst Lower Level from being No. 3.
The survey also notes that there are about 75,000 foreign students studying in the state of New York — an increase of 7.3% from 2008 — which is second only to California (again). The top three countries of origin for students are all Asian: India, China, and South Korea. Together, all three countries produce nearly 50% of all international students in the U.S. (and approximately 75% of late-night Bobst dwellers).
In case you haven’t passed Gould Plaza lately, 20.6% of foreign students are studying Business and Management. Engineering, Physical Science, Social Science and Computer Science round out the top five majors.
On Campus - Monday, November 16, 2009 8:45 - 1 Comment
Eliot Spitzer, Mark Zandi and Others Debate Obama’s Economic Policies Tonight at Skirball
In the second to last Intelligence Squared U.S. debate of the year, more high-profile panelists will be debating the motion “Obama’s economic policies are working effectively” at the Skirball Center from 6:45 – 8:30 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $12 for students ($45 for non-students).
Arguing for the motion is Moodys.com founder Mark Zandi with economists Steve Rattner and Lawrence Mishel. Their opposition will be professors James K. Galbraith and Allan H. Meltzer and, of course, former New York Governor cum blogger Eliot Spitzer (prostitutes will be denied entrance). As with all the other debates, ABC Correspondent John Donvan will be moderating.
The panelists will be debating various policies and proposals of the Obama administration, from health care reform to cap-and-trade, and their effect on the economy. Discussion will also ask if the recession is in fact over and how the President’s management guided the U.S. recovery.
Last month’s Intelligence Squared debate featured renowned journalists debating the necessity of “mainstream media,” with 68% of the audience ultimately voting against the motion. The next event (Dec. 1), the last of this season’s, will discuss the Mexican drug war and will include panelists such as Jorge Casteneda and Fareed Zakaria.
City - Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:30 - 0 Comments
City Calendar: Other Israel, Queens Int’l, Cool Kids, Will.I.Am, Billy Corgan, Metallica & More
THURSDAY
- Other Israel Film Festival @ Various theaters (Manhattan) — Through next Thursday
There’s several film festivals beginning this weekend, but this one seems the most compelling. Other Israel dedicates itself to screening films about Arab Israeli culture (the “Other Israel”). The festival lasts an entire week. Don’t miss out or you might become uncultured. - Queens International Film Festival @ Various theaters (Queens) — through Sunday
This festival screens films from around the globe, specifically those that relate to a particular community in New York. Apparently, there are some foreigners in this city. - 33rd Annual Margaret Mead Film and Video Festival @ Natural History Museum — through Sunday
Ah, I always wondered what “the longest-running, premiere showcase for international documentaries in the United States” was! - Andre Agassi Book Signing @ Barnes and Noble 5th Ave., Midtown — 12:30 p.m.
The sports nerd in me is geeking out over seeing tennis legend Andre Agassi promote his new autobiography, in which he admits to drug use and other debauchery. Tennis is cool, too. - Madewell Denim After Dark Party @ 486 Broadway, SoHo — 7 – 9 p.m.
A “Denim Party” with dancing, celebrity appearances, and a 20% sale on all jeans. This is a tween’s wet dream.
FRIDAY
- Goodie Mob + Slick Rick @ B.B. King’s — 11:30 p.m.
Goodie Mob is an older hip-hop/funk group (including Cee-Lo from Gnarls Barkley) reuniting for the older hip-hop/funk fans. That, of course, includes you. - Continue…
City - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 14:59 - 1 Comment
NYC Tip: Brooklyn Heights
We know you’re likely never at a loss for things to do in the city. Still, we thought we might help you procrastinate on your homework. Every Wednesday, we’ll be providing you with “NYC Tips,” suggestions on places to go, things to try, bars to black out at, and such. Thank us in the morning.
Before I begin recommending that you visit Brooklyn Heights sometime soon, I should probably inform you that I just moved into the neighborhood this semester. So far, I love it, and I don’t love many things that don’t involve ice cream.
BK Heights is right over the East River and squeezed between Downtown Brooklyn and DUMBO, which means it’s south of Williamsburg. And speaking of hipster towns, BK Heights — known as America’s first suburb — is anything but a trendy, vibrant hangout spot. Instead, the area forges something you don’t find too often in New York: a quaint, tourist-less village filled with brownstones and family-owned restaurants. It’s telling that I’m only one of many on my block with a Razor scooter.
City - Wednesday, November 11, 2009 10:30 - 2 Comments
Columbia Prof Punches Woman During Race Discussion
Yesterday, the NY Post reported that prominent Columbia professor Lionel McIntyre had been arrested on Monday for assaulting a female campus employee. Apparently, the two were at a bar discussing U.S. race relations (what else do you talk about in a Columbia bar?) when McIntyre saw the need to punch her in the eye. Ah, just when we thought it had been a bit too long since we’ve made fun of our neighbors uptown.
The Post also reports, “the professor, who is black, had been engaged in a fiery discussion about ‘white privilege’ with Davis, who is white, and another male regular, who is also white, Friday night at 10:30 when fists started flying, patrons said.”
After the sucker punch, McIntyre was escorted out. The next day, the woman went to her office with sunglasses, although it probably wasn’t too sunny that morning.
