Couples Tantra, Indigenous Roots, Black & Light Ball

This week you can reach your full Potencia at Jungle, tittilate your partner at Couples Tantra, dance All Night at Psylab, glow under the Kostume Kult and Disorient's Black Light, Return to Your Indegeneous Roots with CC Treadway, take an herb walk through Chinatown, celebrate spring's return with an Earth Spirit Walk, and "find the beautiful things that desperation brings."

Until next week,
Salma and Jonathan

=====Thursday, May 7=====

Get Felt Up

3rd Ward Springtime Social. 3rd Ward and Spacecraft Brooklyn have teamed up with STC Craft, Etsy.com and Bags for the People to host nights of crafting mayhem. Spring is in the air. Come to this crafty social mixer to celebrate the soon-to-come death of sweater-wearing, and the dawn of more parties, bbqs, picnics and frisky biz. We'll provide you with pre-felted, recycled sweaters and crafting tools, and instructions to make felted drink coasters and cozies. And, if you have the means, feel free to bring along your own pre-felted ugly Xmas sweaters. Attendees get a raffle ticket to win a copy of Betz White's Sewing Green and more from STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books, a gift certificate to Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, and other assorted surprises.

3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave BK; (718) 715-4961
(7p, $10 per person or $15 with a friend, free beer)
http://www.3rdward.com/craft-on-draught/

=====Friday, May 8=====

Potencia - A Brazilian Loft Party

Join eNoiz, X O Productions, Joann Jimenez and Jungle as they explore the sights and sounds of Brazil in a private loft space in Brooklyn. The drums are calling you, the music is awaiting to move you. Expect Samba, Forro, Batucada, Maracatu to Baile Funk plus soulful house, afrobeats, global grooves and world rhythms.

Jungle
286 Meserole St.
(10p - 5a, $15, $10 ww/rsvp to enoiznyc@gmail.com, $5 from 10 - 11p)
http://tinyurl.com/Potencia

=====Also on Friday=====

Psylab All Night Party

Psylab headlines an all-night live electronica rager! With shadow dancing by Zoe Wilder. Also featuring DJ Haitan, Damn Right! Digital Frontier & MJ Project. The party goes until 4 a.m. 18+

Sullivan Hall
241 Sullivan St.
(10p - 4a, $10)
http://sullivanhallnyc.com

=====Also on Friday=====

The 11th Hour Xcreening

Future Visions film and discussion series presents Leonardo DiCaprio's film documenting our man-made ecological disasters. 2nd Fridays of the month at The Gallery at John Holmes Haynes House, Community Church of NY, 28 East 35th Street, Manhattan.

Haynes House
Community Church of NY
28 East 35th St.
(7p - 9p, $5)
http://tristatefoodnotlawns.org/

=====Saturday, May 9=====

Seed Gallery and SAI Present: Art of Vision

The Society for the Art of Imagination UK/USA Seed Gallery USA Present Art of Vision curated by Olga Spiegel, Miguel Tio? & France Garrido. Opening reception is May 9th and the show closes on June 13. Art of Imagination: Works of imagination originate when artists express their awareness of some significant relationship with larger forces in an effort to reveal their secrets. This genre is called by many names - fantastic realism, surrealism and visionary art. Though all artists have a creative vision, the fantastic and highly imaginative artists of this group are of another realm. They have each created astounding works that reflect the theme of this exhibition in their own unique way. The society has chosen the title Art of Imagination? because it is the least restrictive, yet most unifying. Brigid Marlin, founder of this prestigious international organization and Ernst Fuchs, its honorary president, host exhibitions in London, Japan, Denmark and New York.Exhibiting international and local artists: Gizem Bacaz, Bhatboy, Ingeborg Bratman, Leonard Brett, Vincent Castiglia, Michel de St. Ouen, Val Dyshlov, Eike Erzmoneit, Alex Fishgoyt, Alphonse Ferrazza, Carolyn Frances, France Garrido, Guanlee, Daniel Hanequand, Martina Hoffman, Kaliptus, Mildred Kaye, Kristina Lazar, Shelagh Leech, Scott Lewis, Laurie Lipton, Brigid Marlin, James Mbuthia, Richard Montemurro, Jo Owens Murray, Elle Nicolai, Voytek Nowakowski, William Otto, Vladimir Ovtcharov, Daniela Ovtcharov, Maria Graha, Steven Peabody, Marnie Pitts, Frank Pudney, Jack Ray, Anthony Santella, Rick Simpson, Carol Spicuzza, Olga Spiegel, Maggie Stott, Ruth Terrill, Miguel Tio, Pamela Turczyn, Roberto Venosa, Keith Wigdor, Aleta Welling, and Nancy Wells.

Seed Gallery
239 Washington St.; (917) 607 - 4440
Newark, NJ
(2p- 6p, free)
http://www.newarkseed.com

=====Also on Saturday=====

Kostume Kult & Disorient Present Black and Light Ball 4

On Saturday, May 9th we welcome in a new era of psychedelia to NYC and the world. An annual high-tech sendoff of Truman Capote?s Black & White Ball, BLB is part masquerade, part love parade with any form of glowy finery acceptable for this night of art, dancing and full-on black-light. The style will be black light reactive, neon colors and luminescent white, things that glow, blink or leave trailssssssss retro chic, future geek or time travel. There will be a Psychedelic Styling Salon pre-party at the same venue from 8-10pm... Be prepared for body paint, costuming makeovers & cheap libations. DJs will be spinning electro house and groovy breaks until dawn. Chill upstairs, dancing down Music courtesy of Miko, Arrow-Chrome, Lee Mayjahs, Reda Briki, Mic Rage, $mall Change, John O'Connor, Justin Aubuchon. Galaxies by Greg Skolozdra, Electric Sheep by Spot, Mural by Jimsu, ariel performances by Archer, Disorient Black Light Body Cell, Kostume Kult accessory vending. This is a fundraiser for Burning Man camp projects.

Undisclosed Location - Info by presale only
Downtown Manhattan
Psychedelic Styling Salon pre-party (same venue) (8-10p)
10p - 5a, $25/$20 will sell out quickly)
Tix: http://www.kostumekult.com/events/BLB/

=====Also on Saturday=====

Cosm Full Moon Ceremony and Music with Alex and Allyson Grey

The Full Moon is a Sacred Mirror reflecting a greater light, as our soul reflects the greater light of God. A core element of the CoSM Experience, the Full Moon has been a time for the CoSM community to gather and reflect on the sacred nature of art, life, and the world's spiritual traditions and practices, celebrated with poetry, music, and prayer. Join Alex and Allyson Grey for an evening of wisdom, devotional chanting and prayer from all traditions.

CoSM @ East West Gallery
78 5th Ave.
(7 - 11p, $20)
http://www.cosm.org

=====Also on Saturday=====

Couples Tantra Massage with Anita De Francesco, M.A.

In tantra gentle touch seminars we learn the art of gentle touch and sensual massage and how both are different. Learn the difference between sensuality and sexuality and how to deepen this connection. Learn how to enjoy your sensual being. We will integrate elements of gentle touch, eye contact, undulation, body to body contact, and breath. We will explore anatomical mapping and body energy differences. Our focus will be on the opening and healing of the sacred (G) spot to bring about a deeper connection of presence and the heart. We will open to new erogenous zones, learn how to touch with love and how to stimulate foreplay this way. During the process an opening of the senses helps to release defensive behaviors and isolation. Share celebration with one another, harmonize your comfort zones. Take this day to be nurtured in the temple of love. Both men and women will receive massage but we will work with the female G spot healing and opening. Men will learn how to heal their partner. *There is nudity and hands on sacred area* Wear easy cloths to move in, bring blanket, mat, or cushion, water and snack. Workshop open to all, couples, singles.

44 Bethune St. Apt H215
(12p - 5p, $150 per couple) ; (310) 210 - 1464
rsvp & paypal: anita@kinepathics.com
www.kinepathics.com

=====Also Saturday=====

Earth Spirit Walk Honor the Return of Spring

Connect with the earth through shamanic ceremony and join us for a hike along the Palisades Ridgeline overlooking the Hudson River. Harmonize with the cycles, rhythms, and energies of the earth explore the wisdom, power and magic of nature. Treat yourself to an adventure in nature. Transcend the stresses of everyday life. Exercise your body and quiet your mind. Rejuvenate your spirit. Meet like-minded people. Explore shamanic ceremony and practices. Develop tools for relaxation and inner guidance. Join us at a powerspot on a plateau overlooking the magnificent Hudson River where we will participate in shamanic ceremony and meditative journeying to restore inner balance, deepen our connection with the natural world, enhance our intuitive awareness of the invisible, and elevate personal power for transformation and healing. Walk includes a short, steep hike. We will be taking breaks for teaching, sharing, and experiential exercises. Please bring water, a snack, and a journal. Registration required.

Location: Beautiful Rockland County, NY
(Directions to gathering provided on registration)
(1p - 5p, $50)
earthspirit@optonline.net
http://www.nyshamaniccircle.org

=====Also on Saturday=====

Crisis of Small Thinking: What Will It Take to Create a New Future?

Join us for...Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium Created by The Pachamama Alliance. The Symposium asks: Where are we going? and What can we do about it? While looking squarely at mounting global crises, the Symposium is primarily focused on creative possibility: How did we get here? What is possible? Where do we go from here? Join us as we take a look at some of our culture's unexamined assumptions and explore what we can do individually and together in community to create the future we truly want for our children - and their children. Come connect your "dream" with the energy and commitment of millions around the world. In three years, the Symposium has spread to 26 countries on 5 continents, as well as the U.N. Email contacts: nadya@storyspiral.com or jblaineleaf@gmail.com.

Gigapixel Creative
220 West 30th St (b/w 7th & 8th Ave), 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001
(9a - 1:30p, $20)
http://www.meetup.com/StorySpiral-NYC/calendar/9877053

=====Also on Saturday=====

A Seasonal Walking Tour of Chinatown Food and Herb Markets

Best-selling author Letha Hadady shares Chinatown?s wealth of natural health and beauty secrets in this enjoyable jaunt through narrow streets, bustling food markets and traditional herb shops. Letha?s Chinatown fall tour is a walking workshop that reveals how to find herbs for the prevention and treatment of colds and flu, chronic fatigue and seasonal depression, and to boost immunity and enhance sexual vitality. Come discover safe and effective Asian herbal remedies and learn how to prepare foods to keep you and your family strong, fit and vital throughout winter. We will meet at the Open Center for a brief introductory talk to discuss and demonstrate some traditional Chinese dietary and herbal principles, and Qi Gong health and meditative practices. During the tour, Letha will discuss the Chinese, Indian and Tibetan medical traditions and answer health questions. Note: Dinner afterwards is optional and not included in the price.

Letha Hadady and The New York Open Center
Please check the website for location, it is subject to change
(1p - 5p, $35)
http://www.opencenter.org/a-seasonal-walking-tour-of-chinatown-food-and-...

=====Also on Saturday=====

Kirtan Rabbi

Come to fourth program this Spring of our monthly fun-filled evenings of Hebrew call-and-response chanting. We will sing and dance, so bring your voices and dancing socks! This month, we are delighted to have Swami Ramananda of IYI at the Kirtan to offer satsang (teaching) and make Havdallah with us. We are excited that Kopali Organics will be offering prasad (energy-charged organic and fair trade superfood snacks) at the end of the Kirtan.

Integral Yoga Institute of New York
227 W13th St (btwn 7th & 8th Ave)
(8p - 10p, $15)
http://www.iyiny.org/workshops_events/kirtan_rabbi1

=====Also on Saturday=====

Dangerous...the beautiful things that desperation brings.

What's the craziest thing you've done for money? One truth to the long history of this city is that great stories are born of adverse circumstances. The collapse of Wall St. (as we knew it) has allowed a renaissance of libidinous adventure in the least likely places...Saturday May 9th, you are invited to join us in the reclamation of an abandoned strip club. We?ve cleaned out much of the debris congesting this five floor former pleasure palace and will re-infuse it with liquor, fire and a generous dose of the exquisitely out-of-control. RSVP's will be limited. Full details will be released in the days to come...

http://www.thedanger.com

=====Sunday, May 10=====

Returning to Our Indigenous Roots with CC Treadway

The system is crashing folks, for real. Who, what and where do you want to be when it all goes down? Earth will be going through many changes, your survival could be dependent on being in the right place at the right time. Knowing how to be there is entirely dependent on your ability to listen to the voice within, to the Divine and to Mother Earth. Heavily influenced by Indigenous wisdom and prophecy, Drunvalo Melchizedek , and teachings from my guides, this workshop is about receiving the vision that is you, trusting in trust itself, and moving into the center so you can take seriously your heart's call. To register contact healer@cctreadway.com. $25 deposit holds space, space is limited

Cap 21
18 West 18th St, 6th Fl
(1-6p, $97, $25 registration deposit)
http://www.cctreadway.com/events.html

=====Also on Sunday=====

Free Urban Gardening Class with The New York Permaculture Meetup Group

Come join Ke Xu (Suburban Backyard Gardener) and friends. In this class we will be going over the concepts of Guilds and Polycultures. We will also cover details about corn, Beans, and Tomatoes. Additionally, we will be answering any gardening related questions that people might have. Of the weather is inclement, we'll be in the Green House in the center of the Garden. Sponsored by Green Phoenix and Tri-State Food Not Lawns.

Who: Ke Xu
Open Road Community Garden
420 E 12th St
(3p, Free or $5 donation)
http://www.meetup.com/nycpermaculture/calendar/10327018/

=====Tuesday, May 12=====

Groundbreaking: Art Preview & Reception Fundraiser

Join us for an intimate reception with FIGMENT organizers and artists? and be the first to see the designs for the sculptures that will be part of FIGMENT's City of Dreams season-long sculpture exhibition, as well as some of our new minigolf holes for the City of Dreams mini-golf course! Original works by a number of FIGMENT artists will be premiered, and the evening will include a silent auction of the art and photography of FIGMENT artists. Dress: Cocktail Attire. All proceeds support FIGMENT which will draw 15,000 - 20,000 people for a free weekend-long participatory arts event.

The Robert Moss Theater 440 Studios
440 Lafayette St, 3rd Fl
(6p - 9p, Tickets from $50)
http://www.figmentnyc.org/groundbreaking

=====Also on Tuesday=====

Uncovering Your Soul Program

Using the insights of the Human Design System learn what you're in this life to do. Do you believe that you're in alignment with your soul purpose? If you believe you've found your soul purpose are you ready to deepen your alignment with it? This is a system that knows the nuances of who you are and what you are here for. It knows your strengths and weaknesses and it will all make complete sense to you. It?s just that you haven't heard it spelled out before. You can live truly on your path. There are 64 hexagrams in the Chinese I-Ching. Each one represents a personality strength or weakness. This system, using your birth data, knows which hexagrams represent you and which don't. They let you know the unique language of your soul.

Meta Center
214 West 29 St. 16th Fl. (btwn 7th & 8th Ave)
(7p - 9p, $30 Dr., $25 Adv.)
http://www.heartriver.org

=====Wednesday, May 13=====

The Seven Factors of Awakening with Sharon Salzberg

This event is sponsored by the Interdependence Project. The path of liberation laid out by the Buddha is not one of self-judgment, grasping, or acquisitiveness, but rather, one of balance. If we can bring our system into balance, it is believed, freedom, love and compassion will emerge. One essential way this balance is described is through the 7 factors of enlightenment: mindfulness, investigation, effort, raptness, calm, concentration and equanimity. This evening will emphasize practical means of developing and balancing these qualities.

302 Bowery @ Houston Lila Center
take F/V 6, R/W trains
7p - 9p, $20 or $10 students/unemployed/monthly IDP donors)

=====Thursday, May 14======

Jumping the Track: The "Eat, Pray, Love" Journey of a Woman Without a Book Deal

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the 2006 best seller Eat, Pray, Love wrote "If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared most of all to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself then truth will not be withheld from you." After 3 years of deep inner turmoil she did just that - funded by a generous book advance.

Ciao Stella
206 Sullivan St (b/w Bleecker and 3rd St)
(7p, $5)
RSVP http://www.meetup.com/StorySpiral-NYC/calendar/10231708/

))))Upcoming(((((

=====Friday, May 15=====

Alladin Project Presents The Path to the Orb Festival

Alladin project presents: The path to orb festival ?l Big ups for all the people that ware part of making our last event so beautiful the music was top notch, everyone was smiling all around thank you all for being there and making it special see you in our next gathering on Friday may 15th that will future few of the top artist on the glob The energy is risingfor ORB Festival 09 July 9-12 for Full Line up and info please visit: http://www.orbfestival.com. Featuring: X Dream Exclusive retro dj set G+records Germany; Antix; Sublex; Orbit; Between Devices. Electro Stage:Omer Barnea; Third Ear Syndrome; Mayor and more? 18 to enter 21 to drink with valid ID

Club Exit
149 Greenpoint Ave. BK
(10p - 6a, $25 adv, $30 door) 18+
http://www.alladinproject.net

=====Sunday, May 31=====

Evolver Town Hall: Beyond Survive - We Thrive!

Economic Recession, Energy Crisis, Global Warming? Okay, so what are we going to do about it? On Sunday, May 31, join a city-wide gathering of innovative individuals, local groups, nonprofits, government organizations, and local businesses who are transforming today?s challenges into visionary opportunities. Discover new ways we New Yorkers can re-imagine our beloved Big Apple, making it resilient, thriving, funky, healthy, and green. The event features workshops, panels, music, art, food, info tables, and more. Speakers will specifically address how you can make a direct impact in their area of expertise. Topics include: Renewable Energy & Efficiency, Green Jobs, Food Justice, Conscious Health and Living, Locally Supported Agriculture, Climate Change, diy art, Rooftop & Community Gardens, Media Activism, Resilient Neighborhoods & Communities, Local/Alternative Currency, and more. Each person will come away with the ideas, information, connections, and contacts they need for getting involved within the community. Be a part of the local solution. This event will celebrate the launch of Evolver.net, a social network for conscious collaboration, and mark the beginning of their off-line community, Evolver NYC. This is the first in a series of events to bring New York?s diverse tribes of transformation together to enact meaningful change. Join the Evolution!

Sponsored by Thrive NY and Evolver.net.

St. Marks Church in the Bowery
corner of 10th St. and 2nd Ave.
(1p, $5)
Evoler NYC
RSVP: EvolverTownHall@gmail.com
http://www.evolver.net/townhall

=====Now until May 16=====

Little Bits Exhibition

Come visit for a little bit of geeky fun. littleBits has a vision: to end the mysticism around engineering and electronics, to counter the black box product ideology of consumer electronics, and to fuel an explosion of creativity and innovation in artists, designers, kids and hobbyists. The release of littleBits Version 1 on April 30, 2009, was unique in that it is a growing library of circuit boards preassembled by tiny magnets the first of its kind. littleBits requires absolutely no programming, no prior knowledge and no hardware or software set-up. Just snap and play! littleBits is an open source project developed under a Creative Commons license by Ayah Bdeir, in collaboration with Axel Esquite, Jie Qi, Luma Shihab-Eldin, and Young Jin Chung.

Eyebeam
540 W. 21st St (btwn 10th & 11th Ave.)
Check website for exhibition hours
http://www.littlebits.cc

)))))Links(((((

Little Bits - A little bit of geeky fun. This video introduces littleBits, a growing library of preassembled circuitboards, made easy by tiny magnets!
http://www.littlebits.cc/

Here's a snipit from an upcoming documentary about community and pirate TV stations across the world. Pretty fascinating collection of stations doing wonderful work.
http://omgimon.tv/wordpress/

Now artists can have booklets of their work, printed on demand for a very reasonable price. Check out Nemo's place, it's really beautiful too.
http://www.R6xx.com