offManhattan

Merrill Garbus—the one woman powerhouse behind tUnEyArDs–spent the last month preparing for her sold out Sounds Like Brooklyn show this weekend, a European tour this month, and an upcoming spring tour with experimental band, Xiu Xiu. She’s a human tuner whose vocal fretwork of soulful howls has the spontaneous tenets of imaginative artists like Kaki King, Jamie Lidell, and Animal Collective. The Oakland-based performer discusses how she feels about being the industry’s current D.I.Y star, what she intends to do with her music muscle, and why her voice is the instrument she plays best.

What: Sounds Like Brooklyn Music Festival

Where: BAM, BAMcafé, and 13 other Brooklyn venues

When: Jan 29, 30; Feb 4-6

Cost: Varies, Free for some locations.

Why: Over the next two weekends, the musically devoted can sample from a wish list of 60+ bands who are waiting for you to be part of their cult following.

While some of New York’s best graffiti spots may be hidden or inaccessible, aficionados can still find a variety of artwork, including throw-ups, murals, stencils and wheatpastes, just a short subway ride from Union Square.

Queens is king tonight at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center as 43 arts organizations and 17 indie artists are honored with nearly a quarter of a million dollars by the Queens Community Arts Fund (QCAF). The QCAF is an award presented by Queens Council on the Arts from a handful of benefactors—New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, and the JP Morgan Chase Arts Foundation Regrants Program—whose generosity ensures that this borough’s creative voice is heard.

What: Tabla Rasa Gallery fundraiser for Haitian disaster relief

Where: Sunset Park, Brooklyn

When: Saturday, January 23, 1-4:30p.m.

Why: Before the earthquake in Haiti becomes old news and its state of emergency status lessens, along with reporting from the ground, take this opportunity to give—perhaps a second or third time—in exchange for some striking local artwork.

Searching for a broader way to lend a hand to the devastated Haitian population, and feeling “helpless beyond words,” Tabla Rasa directors Joseph and Audrey Anastasi reached out to Brooklyn’s thriving art community for creative donations.

The responses are still pouring in, and over 100 works (including “Ayiti cheri” pictured) are expected at Saturday’s event.

Cost: The event is free and open to the public. Anyone writing a $75 check directly to one of the designated charities, be it Doctors Without Borders or Oxfam, can select an artwork 11″ x 14″ or smaller. Those giving $150 can select from any of the donated pieces. 100% of the donations will go to the cause.

How to get there: Take the yellow line’s southbound R Train to 45^th St., walk to 48^th St., turn right and walk down to #224. (Table Rasa, 224 48 St., Brooklyn, 917.880.8337, for more information about the event, visit www.TablaRasaGallery.com)

What: “Hollywood In the Heights” Film Premiere/Centennial Celebration on behalf of Brooklyn Heights Association

Where: St Francis College, Founder’s Hall, Brooklyn

When: Wednesday, January 20th, 7p.m.

Why: Before Brooklyn Heights became known as a second hand fashion destination and the home of the annual, well attended Brooklyn Book Festival, its historic streets lined with row houses, mansions, and brownstones were the backdrop for legendary movies that put the neighborhood on the map.

When it’s pouring rain this Sunday, there’s a good chance you’ll be sitting snug inside by a stage where one of hip hop’s pioneers will be performing. You may know Mos Def from his Def Poetry slams, Blackstar album, and big screen roles, now here’s an opportunity to get to know him up close. Jill Newman Productions brings the talented trailblazer to the Highline Ballroom on January 17th at 11:30p.m. Is this a good way to spend MLK weekend? We say, most definitely.

How to get there: Highline is accessible via 14th Street A, C, E trains. (431 West 16th St., 212. 414.5994) Visit the venue’s site for ticket information.

1) Follow us on Twitter and tweet this message (if you already follow us, just tweet!):

“Win two tickets to Mos Def at Highline Ballroom this Sunday. Just follow @offManhattan and retweet! http://bit.ly/FREEtix”

OR

2) Sign up for our email list. (If you’re already a subscriber, you are automatically entered for a chance to win the giveaway.)

You can do both to be entered twice, and tweet once a day to be entered multiple times and increase your chance of winning. Deadline is January 15th at 11:59pm EST – a winner will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck!

Keeping with our holiday spirit, we are giving away a pair of tickets (two-day passes) to the 2010 NYC Winter Jazz Fest, held on Friday, January 8th and Saturday the 9th at four West Village locations. Get your fill of jazz with over 50 artists playing in two days (see the schedule below, after the break).

1) Follow us on Twitter and tweet this message (if you already follow us, just tweet!):

“Enter to win a pair of tickets to NYC Winter Jazz Fest. Just follow @offManhattan and retweet! http://bit.ly/nycjazz”

OR

2) Sign up for our email list:

You can do both to be entered twice, and tweet once a day to be entered multiple times and increase your chance of winning. Deadline is December 25th at 12am EST – winners will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck!