» Book Events

Paul Simon: Paul Simon in a special One-on-One conversation

7:00 PM

Paul Simon
Paul Simon: Paul Simon in a special One-on-One conversation
Performing Arts

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Union Square
Union Square
33 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-253-0810

Brian Cogan: Encyclopedia of Punk Music

7:00 PM
Brian Cogan Author Event
Brian Cogan: Encyclopedia of Punk Music

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Park Slope
267 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
718-832-9066

Quincy Jones

7 PM
Quincy Jones: The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey, My Passions: Photos and Mementos from Q's Personal Collection
Biography

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Union Square
Union Square
33 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-253-0810

Jamie Oliver/ Author Event

7PM

Jamie Oliver/ Author Event
Jamie Oliver: Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life
Cookbooks

Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Union Square
Union Square
33 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
212-253-0810

Firefighters 2009 calendar signing event

7-9PM

Six words that will make those who love a man in a uniform happy..

NYC Firefighters 2009 calendar signing event
Hawaiian Tropic Zone, 729 Seventh Ave.,@49th Street.

Saturday Storytime with Elvira Lindo

12:00 noon

Special Saturday Storytime with Elvira Lindo, author of Manolito Four-Eyes (Marshall Cavendish)

McNally Jackson Books
52 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
212.274.1160

Elvira Lindo’s series about the adventures of bespectacled, talkative Manolito Four-Eyes is a children's classic in Spain, where it has inspired feature films and a TV series. Readings from the book in English and Spanish will be followed a conversation with Elvira Lindo.

TOY2R POP PUP STORE

6-11PM
dba
454 Dean Street

Brooklyn lifestyle boutique has teamed up with acclaimed Hong Kong based vinyl toy company TOY2R to create a 10 day pop-up shop to celebrate the release of latest toys from the renowned artist Frank Kozik.

There is a launch party tonight at the store (454 Dean Street, Brooklyn) and the store will be open from this Saturday (8th) until the following Sunday (16th).

Sir Roger Moore

12:30 PM

Sir Roger Moore: My Word is My Bond
Memoir

@ Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Fifth Ave
555 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-697-3048

Charles Seife

Science, Politics & the Press--A Discussion
07:00PM - 08:30PM

Strand Book Store
Located at the corner of 12th Street and Broadway.

Take the N R Q W 4 5 6 or L train to Union Square. Walk two blocks South to 12th street.

828 Broadway
(at 12th St.)
New York, NY. 10003-4805

212-473-1452

Charles Seife, the author of the award-winning Zero and the upcoming Sun in a Bottle: The Strange History of Fusion and the Science of Wishful Thinking, and professor of journalism at NYU, will speak with Michael D. Lemonick, a former writer for TIME magazine and author of The Georgian Star: How William and Caroline Herschel Revolutionized Our Understanding of the Cosmos. Charles and Mike will examine global warming, intelligent design, stem cell research and other areas where politics and science collide.

Unable to make the event? Pre-Order A Signed Copy.

SEE RIHANNA...

Rihanna Instore Signing

Come to the Virgin Megastore in Times Square to meet Rihanna at an Instore Singing and to celebrate the closing of the historic store with a bang. All those who plan to attend should buy Rihanna’s new CD, Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, in order to receive the wristband needed to attend this amazing event.
Location: Virgin Megastore Times Square – 1540 Broadway
When: 3-5 PM Thursday, June 19

David Belisle Book Event

6:00 PM

David Belisle, photographer of R.E.M: Hello (Chronicle) with Michael Stipe of R.E.M.

52 Prince St.
(b/t Lafayette & Mulberry)
New York, NY 10012
212.274.1160

note: this event is a signing only, not a reading. Only copies of the book purchased at McNally Robinson will be signed. Call (212) 274-1160 or click here to pre-order your copy of R.E.M: Hello from McNally Robinson.

Great Free Show...

Langhorne Slim @ Soundfix Records

To celebrate the release of his new album Langhorne Slim will be playing a free instore show at Soundfix records. The album is absolutely amazing and langhorne's live performances are awesome as well. So definitely don't miss out on a chance see him for free. It is going to be a great show!

@ Sound Fix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 7 PM
Cost: Free

Singer Sings...

Garrison Starr @ Borders Columbus Circle

Garrison Starr will be playing some songs from her new album today at the Borders in Columbus Circle. Should be an intimate look in to her new album for FREE!

@Border Columbus Circles
Location: 10 Columbus Circle (map)
Starts: 2 PM
Cost: Free

The Man of Nature....

The Discovery Channel’s Bear Grylls signs Man vs. Wild: Survival Techniques for the Most Dangerous Places on Earth @ Borders Wall St.

Come and meet the man of nature, Bear Grylls! He will signing copies of his new book about his Discovery Channel show. Should be NEAT!

@ Borders, Wall Street
Location: 100 Broadway (map)
Starts: 1 PM
Cost: Free

Indie Rock Instore Insanity...

Tokyo Police Club @ Sound Fix Records

If you missed out on getting tickets for their bowery shows and music hall show, then here is your last chance to see this absolutely off the hook indie rock band in concert! It is most definitely going to be packed so show up early and be ready for a high energy instore performance that will blow you on your ass and probably will probably get sound fix written up for noise violations.

@ Sound Fix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 8 PM
Cost: Free

One hot free show....

Regina Spektor @ Soundfix Records

Regina Spektor playing in a small record store? Can some one say absolutely amazing!? I think a whole lot of people will react that way! So I would say get ther early if you want to have to amazing experience! Make the trek out to Brooklyn during your lunch time to check her out!

@ Sound Fix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 12:30 PM
Cost: Free

Instore insanity..

Tape N Tapes @ Virgin Megastore

The boys from Minneapolis are back with a brand spankin' new album to follow up their stellar debut and today they will be trying out some of the new tunes for FREE in Union Square Virgin Megastore. Be sure to check out the show should be pretty awesome!

@ Virgin Megastore
Locatoin: Union Square South (map)
Starts: 7 PM
Cost:Free

Flirt Party

Flirt Party
09:00PM, FREE!
Not as lucky in love as you wanted this Valentines Day? Don’t worry -- join Babeland for an unforgettable night of post-Valentines day flirting. This is your chance to meet that special someone. We will be serving hors d’oeuvres and cocktails as you mingle to a live DJ at our sexy SoHo locale. A perfect start to any girl’s night out.

43 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 966-2120

Blood On The Wall

8pm

Blood on the Wall
FREE IN-STORE at Other Music

How to Please Your Man

8:00PM,
How to Please Your Man

Learn how to turn on your favorite guy! Babeland Sex Educators dispense solid advice about male erogenous zones, prostate pleasures, vibrating cock rings, and toys especially for him. Discover new tips and techniques, explore communication, and compare notes. $30

Toys In Babeland
94 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 375-1701
(212) 375-1706 Fax

TASCHEN Warehouse SALE

TASCHEN Warehouse SALE

Thousands of slightly damaged and display copies on sale at bargain basement prices, 50-75% off for 3 days only.

TASCHEN Store New York
January 18 - 20, 2008
Friday, Saturday 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 to 7:00 pm

BOYZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M.I.A. signs copies of her new CD, Kala @ Borders Columbus Circles

The globe-trotting critical darling makes an exclusive New York City stop at Borders. An international mesh of street style, wild rhythms and political bravado, Kala has inspired an even more cultish following amongst fans after making a splash with her debut, Arular. Scanning the far reaches of the globe for the beats and rhymes of Kala, M.I.A. is an artist that continues to evolve and stun with every slinky twist and bangin' turn.

@Border Columbus Circles
Location: 10 Columbus Circle (map)
Starts:3 PM
Cost: Free

Great band play great CD store!

The Fiery Furnaces and Tom Brousseu @ Soundfix Records

I love the idea of a CD store/bar/venue it's combines everything that I love in to one quick trip for great music, beer and CD prices. Today come and check out the amazingly quarky band the Fiery Furnaces. They put on an amazing show, so this is not to miss!

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 6 pm

Soundfix does it again....

Arthur & Yu @ Soundfix Records

Note to All Opening performers: After you are finished with your last song please say the name of your band once again before you leave the strange. It will definitely help with gaining a fan base especially when you get to open for a group like Iron and Wine.

Anyways with that said come and check out Arthur & Yu tonight at Soundfix records, I saw them last night open Iron and Wine and their endearing blend of indie pop left me breathless. They are just lucky I cared enough to walk to the merchandise table to actually find out the name of there band.

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Avenue (map)
Starts: 8 PM
Cost: Free

Brooklyn Hot band at the Fix

Takka Takka @ Soundfix Records

Tonight come and check out a free performance by Takka Takka. Their excellently quarky indie rock reminds me of the Talking Heads and sounds pretty excellent live. I got to see them play for a split second at the South Street Seaport show and it was pretty entertaining. Definitely check the performance and just soak in the good vibes from the Soundfix Lounge.

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Avenue (map)
Starts: 8 PM
Cost: Free

Crunchy Punk Riffs @ Sound Fix

Shock Cinema @ Sound Fix Records

Come check out Shock Cinema's crunchy punk riffed pop music that has Harp magazine saying "We were left gobsmacked by the trancelike, dubadelic vibe, equal parts postpunk and noir rock" It's Free show! How can you go wrong?

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 9 pm
Cost: FREEE!!!!!!!

In Store show galore!!...

White Rabbits & Patrick Cleandenim @ Sound Fix Records

Come and check out the White Rabbits blend of rock which has been labeled “honky-tonk calypso.” Not sure what that means, but it definitely sounds like a good time! Originally from Missouri, the White Rabbits have moved through this city like a clever magic trick. The show is free and Patrick Cleandenim will also be performing.

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 8 pm
Cost: FREEE!!!!!!!

Glasgow cutesy pop set to take over....

Camera Obscura @ Sound Fix Records

Tonight Camera Obscura's blend of wistful breezy pop will be filling Sound Fix records with some good vibes and some extremely catchy songs that you will be humming for weeks to come. Also performing will be the Tiny Viper. Not too shabby if you ask me?

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 7 pm
Cost: FREEE!!!!!!!

Brooklyn singer release party.....

Luke Temple @ Soundfix Records

Brooklyn native singer songwriter Luke Temple celebrates the release of his new CD tonight at Soundfix records. He will be performing some tracks from his new album, as well as selling copies of the new CD. Come and see why critics across the world have been critically praising Luke Temple's blend of folk rock.

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 3pm
Cost: FREEE!!!!!!!

Best day of instore performance EVER!!

Okkervil River, Simple Kid, Black Moth Rainbow, Cameron Hull and Nat Baldwin @ Soundfix Records

I was only told about the Okkervil River in store event in which they will be promoting their exceptional new album, The Stage Names, but when I checked out Soundfix records website I found out that there are performances from 3 on in to the night of an extremely eclectic array of bands. So the best thing to do is go at 3 pm check out the psychedelic music of Black Moth Rainbow, go get a couple beers at bar on Bedford, come back for Simple Kid at 6, get some food and come back for the Okkervil River, Cameron Hull and Nat Baldwin show. it will definitely for a pretty cheap jam packed day of free music!

@Soundfix Records
Location: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 3pm
Cost: FREEE!!!!!!!

Rising Star plays Borders show....

A Fine Frenzy @ Columbus Circle Borders

A Fine Frenzy is the music of 22 year-old Alison Sudol. Heavily influenced by classical music, Motown, Aretha Franklin, swing bands, Ella Fitzgerald but also melodic melancholia of new global British bands Aqualung, Radiohead, Coldplay and Keane, etc. Inspired, Alison to develop the sound of A Fine Frenzy - which is a blend hypnotic piano arrangements under classic American melody fused into irresistible, atmospheric songs with the power to reach around the world. Come and check out this brilliant musician today at Borders.

@Borders Columbus Circle
Location: on the 2nd floor of the Time Warner Center (map)
Starts: 3 PM
Cost: FREE!

History reimagined...

Justin Allen read from new book, Slaves of the Shinar: An Epic Fantasy of the Ancient World @ McNalley Robinson

New York writer Justin Allen’s fantastic novel Slaves of the Shinar features no wizardry, imagined technology or supernatural quests. Instead, it reimagines the ancient Middle East through the story of two men, a slave and a thief, seeking freedom in the midst of all-consuming war and fear of the gods. An advance copy of this first novel was snatched up on eBay weeks after its release; join us for an evening with rising star author Justin Allen and immerse yourself in a compelling other world.

@Teahouse@ McNally Robinson
Location: 52 Prince Street (map)
Starts: 7 PM
Cost: Free!

Great Austin Band @ Soundfix

The Lovely Sparrows @ Soundfix Records

Tonight Austin's own Lovely Sparrows will be performing a free live show in Soundfix records. I saw this band down at South By Southwest and their blend of Americana, Sufjan Stevens esc folk music is absolutely breaktaking in concert.

@Soundfix Records
Address: 110 Bedford Ave (map)
Starts: 8 PM
Cost: FREE!

The comedian that looks like a lesbian...

Patton Oswalt @ Sound Fix Records

The comedian best known in my mind for his skit about how he looks like a lesbian is back with a new comedy CD out now on Sub Pop Records called Lollipops and Werewolves . He will be performing his stand up routine live in Sound Fix Records be ready for Patton to to tackle such weighty topics as the war, the President, religion, drugs and George Lukas. Also be prepared to laugh your face off!

Sound Fix Records
110 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn NY 11211

Start Time: 8 PM
Cost: FREE

Fashion Recycled

Gitana Rosa Gallery continues to offer recycled fashion. They are pleased to present a new group of eco-fashion designed by Alisha Trimble, and reducing prices on hot sundresses. These summery styles will ready you for global warming, and care for our planet by using post-consumer recycled fabrics.

Invite friends and shop for a good cause.

Wednesday, July 11
@ Gitana Rosa Gallery
19 Hope Street, 1st Floor, No 7
Williamsburg, NY
5-9 PM
Refreshments will be served!

More info here.

Sex writers in the Teahouse

McNally Robinson presents ...
The Writers of Nerve.com
Nick Antosca, author of Fires (Impetus Press)
Tao Lin, author of Eeeee Eee Eeee and Bed (Melville House)
Nelly Reifler, author of See Through (Simon & Schuster
Rachel Sherman, author of The First Hurt (Open City Books)

Sex writing has gotten smarter, and online sex magazine Nerve.com, now boasts some of the most literary young authors on its roster. Tonight’s event features three writers for Nerve.com who have also recently published hot new books of their own. Nick Antosca’s first novel Fires, has been called "full of creeping menace and near-Apocalyptic lunacy…a blast to read" (Victor LaValle). Brooklyn-based author Tao Lin has two books, the novel Eeeee Eee Eeee and the short story collection Bed (Melville House), simultaneously published by Melville House, and has been described as "moving and necessary, not to mention frequently hilarious" (Miranda July). The L.A. Times calls Nelly Reifler’s short story collection See Through "Spring-loaded miniatures that flirt with the surreal edges of childhood and adolescence…You’re astonished at her daring, her craft and her flair for narrative mischief." And Rachel Sherman’s The First Hurt is "both wonderfully, deeply weird and unsettlingly familiar" (Judy Budnitz). Join us for a quirky, smart and sexy evening with the writers of Nerve.

All events are held in the Teahouse.

McNally Robinson Booksellers
52 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 274-1160

Book signing at B& N.....

Cynthia Rowley Reads from her book, Slim a Fantasy Memoir

Cynthia Rowley is an artist, designer, and author. Her fashion company has stores in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, the Hamptons, and Tokyo. She has dressed Scarlett Johannson, Rebecca Romijn, Anne Hathaway, Parker Posey, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Hilary Duff, and is one of the most recognized personalities in fashion. She lives in New York City. A Fantasy Memoir is a collection of stories that are part memoir and part fiction and accompanied by over 40 of her own original drawings. She will be Reading excerpts from her new book and signing copies.

When: June 28, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Where: Barnes & Noble Booksellers
675 6th Avenue (6th @ 22nd)
New York, NY 10010

212-727-1227

Sinead O’Connor signs Theology.

Noon:

Borders
Columbus Circle

Sinead O’Connor signs her new CD, Theology.
Theology presents the same songs recorded twice: stripped down (recorded in Dublin), and with a full band (recorded in London). A limited edition Borders exclusive package that includes an interview with Sinead will be available at the event.

Please note: Due to our limited time with Sinead O’Connor, only copies of Theology will be signed, and no photos can be taken.

Up Close and Personal with the Kings

Followills, we loved you more whence you were rednecks.

Sad to be shut out from Roseland at Tuesday night's Kings of Leon show? Don't be. The sound was terrible, the crowd was stagnant, and the WUNY crowd was longing for more back bar classics from Youth and Young Manhood - which we didn't get. However - there is hope!

Kings of Leon
Live at Apple Store SoHo
103 Prince Street
6:00pm - 7:00pm
FREE! Those wanting to attend can start lining up as early as they'd like. Apple says they're focusing on songs from Because of the Times, but I'd hope the Followills are kindly taking requests...

Book Fun on Lunch

12:30 PM

Carmen Electra book signing;
Bryant Park Reading Room,
42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

12:30 p.m.

"The Sopranos: The Book" book signing;
Borders Books and Music, 10 Columbus Circle.

Carmen Electra: How to be Sexy

12:30 PM

Carmen Electra: How to be Sexy
Barnes & Noble Booksellers

Fifth Ave
555 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017
212-697-3048

Other Music Ticket Give Away (Free Summer Shows)

From Other Music...

ABSOLUT WORLD TICKET GIVE-AWAY THIS SUNDAY

In anticipation of the launch of Absolut Vodka's first new advertising campaign in 27 years, In an Absolut World, Other Music, Giant Step & Absolut Vodka will be partnering this Sunday, May 20, 2007, to give away 100 pairs of tickets to some of this summer's hottest concerts.

We cannot announce the bands in advance, but venues include McCarren Pool, Central Park SummerStage, Keyspan Park, Highline Ballroom, Madison Square Garden, Roseland Ballroom and the Town Hall, and it's a great selection of many Other Music favorites and top sellers.

Some of these events are already sold out. Tickets will be distributed one pair per customer, first come, first served, starting at 12 noon this Sunday at the shop. You must be 21+ with government issued ID to participate.

SUNDAY, MAY 20 @ NOON
OTHER MUSIC: 15 E. 4th Street NYC

Greene Street Design

5-9PM

Design fair features Greene Street retailers;
Greene Street between Houston and Prince streets.

Digital Photography Photoshop Workshop

1 - 2pm, Monday, May 14th, 2007
Digital Photography Adobe Photoshop Pro-Workshop
Apple Store in Soho

103 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226-3126

Connecting your Apple TV with XtremeHD

6 - 7pm, Saturday, May 12, 2007
Connecting your Apple TV with XtremeHD
Apple Store in Soho

103 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226-3126

Chuck Pahlahniuk

7PM

Chuck Pahlahniuk and Irvine Casey
Barnes & Noble Union Square,
33 East 17th St. 212.253.0810.

Amy Sedaris

6-8PM

Amy Sedaris gives hospitality advice
at Bottlerocket (5 W 19th St btw 5th and 6th Ave, Manhattan)
free

Duchess of York, Trump of Donald

There is something I can not place my finger on that connects these
two in-store events.

1-2:30PM

Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson celebrates launch of new home fragrance line; Bath & Body Works Flagship Store, 441 Lexington Ave., at 44th Street.

4-6PM

Donald Trump launches line of delivery steaks through the Sharper Image catalog; Sharper Image store at Rockefeller Plaza, 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

Spooky

4PM

DJ Spooky @ Apple Store SoHo
103 Prince Street

Hear media artist Paul D. Miller, known as DJ Spooky, discuss his boundary defying work, Rebirth of a Nation, in which he deconstructs and remixes D.W. Griffith’s controversial 1915 silent film, The Birth of a Nation.

Rutger Hauer

7PM
Rutger Hauer @ Barnes & Noble Astor Place, 4 Astor Pl. 212.420.1322.

Mondine @ Apple Soho

4-5PM

Actor and filmmaker Matthew Modine as he screens four short films he conceived and directed: I Think I Thought, To Kill An American, Bicycle For a Day, and Love. Learn how Matthew used the Mac and Final Cut Studio to help bring these films to life.

Apple Store SoHo
SoHo Store Address

103 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226-3126

Model Signing

7PM
Paulina Porizkova @ Barnes & Noble Chelsea,
675 Sixth Ave. @ 21st St. 212.727.1227.

Sound Advice

8pm

Supreme Trading

Free Shear Genius

10AM-6PM

WHAT: Salon celebrates beautiful locks, blowouts and BRAVO's new hit show Cute curls, wild waves or straight and sleek. Free hairstyling for visitors to the Nexxus Shear Genius Salon. Relax before or after your complimentary hair session in the luxurious Allure lounge. Leave with a gift from Nexxus Salon Hair Care, Allure and BRAVO.

Time Warner Center, Columbus Circle Second Floor in front of Borders

Appointments available at the second floor reception desk; walk-ins also welcome

"Shear Genius" Nexxus Challenge winner - second episode airing on April 18th - on hand to dish about the behind-the-scenes of the new show § Nexxus celebrity stylist and Nexxus Challenge guest judge Roy Teeluck§ Ten top Nexxus stylists to mold, coif and consult

Now Strip!

8PM
How to Strip for Your Lover
@ Toys in Babeland
43 Mercer St
212-966-2120
$30

Unleash your inner sexpot! Toys in Babeland Sex Educator and Burlesque star Darlinda Just Darlinda teaches women (only) some saucy moves and striptease secrets tonight.

Mika In Store At Borders

4:00pm to 6:00pm
BORDERS – TIME WARNER CENTER
10 Columbus Circle

Mika will be performing and signing copies of his debut album "Life In Cartoon Motion"

Are You a PervArtist?

8PM
PervArtistry Party: Create a Card Celebration
@ Babeland
43 Mercer
212-966-2120
RSVP: click on PervArtistry Events

Are you the kind of person who always makes charades dirty, to the humor/discomfort of those around you? Tonight you can live the dream when you join the creators of PervArtistry, the dirty charades/pictionary game of your dreams. Enjoy a couple of drinks at the open bar, then come up with a term that you think should be included in the game for a special prize.

Design Thursdays

6-8PM
Design Thursdays
@ Design Within Reach Brooklyn Heights Studio
76 Montague Street
Free, RSVP
Wine will be served

The Design Within Reach (ha) design professionals and the experts at Pret-a-Habiter, a New York based interior design
firm, aim to make the interior design experience fun, easy and affordable. If you have an interior space in need of a modern make-over, then come enjoy an evening at DWR and get free design advice that will help give your home a new look. Or just drink some free wine and gawk at what some of you consider 'within reach'.

Beasts!

7PM
Beasts! Book Release Signing
@ Giant Robot NY
437 E Ninth St
212.674.GRNY

Ninety artists from the fields of rock posters, skate graphics, comics, children's books, fine art &c. have each chosen a classic mythological or folkloric creature to illustrate for Beasts!, a 200 page, full-color (plus Gold throughout) hardcover book from Fantagraphics Books. Snatch a sneak peak at the 100% awesome book before its March release at a party tonight at Giant Robot.

Absurdistan

7PM
The Writers Studio presents Gary Shteyngart
@ Housing Works Bookstore Café
126 Crosby St b/w Houston and Prince
212-334-3324

Gary Shteyngart appears at Housing Works to discuss his most recent novel, Absurdistan. Misha, son of the 1,238th-richest man in Russia, buys a passport in Absurdistan in an attempt to return to his beloved adopted home - the USA. Hilarity ensues. Absurdistan was a national bestseller, one of The New York Times Best Books of 2006, and named a best book of the year by Time Magazine and The Washington Post.

David LaChapelle

6-8PM
David LaChapelle Book Signing
@ Taschen
107 Greene St
212-226-2212
Free

Purveyors of fancy racy awesome coffee table art books Taschen host fashion photographer David LaChapelle this evening as he signs copies of his new Taschen release, Heaven to Hell. Go early, kids, and look pretty!

Man Gone Down

7PM
Michael Thomas, Man Gone Down
McNally Robinson Booksellers
@ 50 Prince St
212-274-116
Free

Brooklyn author Michael Thomas reads from his reviewer-slaying debut novel Man Gone Down at McNally Robinson Booksellers tonight. This story of the American Dream gone awry, about an unnamed black narrator struggling to come up with the money to keep his his family afloat, ultimately reveals the best and worst intentions of a supposedly integrated America.

Daniel Alarcón: Lost City Radio

7PM
Daniel Alarcón: Lost City Radio
@ McNally Robinson Booksellers
52 Prince St
212-274-1160

A favorite of The New Yorker, Harper's, Salon and others, Peruvian-American author Daniel Alarcón reads from his new novel Lost City Radio at McNally Robinson this evening. His newest work focuses on the tale of one woman's search for her "disappeared" husband in a nameless South American country as he reveals both the physical and the emotional casualties of war

Spin 600

6-11PM
Spin 600
@ Breil Milano
56 Crosby
Free

The idea is simple: participants have 600 seconds to spin whatevs - wax, ipod, laptop. Breil Milano, one of Italy's leading watch and jewelry brands, records all sessions and judges the winner. 1st prize is $5,000 and the chance to produce a compilation CD! The competition continues through Sunday, so swing by a couple nights to catch a different vibe each night. Check Spin 600's myspace to fill up the few remaining open slots!

Little Paintings

6:30-10PM
James Kochalka, Little Paintings
Giant Robot Gallery
437 East 9th Street b/w 1st Ave & Ave. A
212-674-GRNY (4769)

For this show, prolific indie cartoonist James Kochalka has made 150 acrylic 2" by 2" paintings on 3" by 3" paper. Subject matter will feature cats, monkeys, monsters, self-portraits of himself as an elf, and creatures "inspired by classic videogame characters like the ghosts in Pac-Man or the aliens in Galaxians or Galaga."

Wine and Whine with Dr Ruth

6–8PM
Eclectic Salon: Dr Ruth
@ Bottlerocket
5 W 19th St
Free

Get trashed and talk sex - it's like any other evening, really, except there's this cute old German woman and teeny tiny cups of free wine. Email her your question in advance here, or just get trashed and embarrass yourself by yelling it really loudly across the store.

Valentines: Stories

7PM
Olaf Olafsson, Valentines: Stories
@ Border's
10 Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center
212-823-9775
Free

With Valentines: Stories, Olaf Olafsson, acclaimed Icelandic author of Absolution and Executive Vice President of Time Warner, presents twelve stories of love and betrayal in stale middle-aged marriages that The New York Times Book Review called "soulful and thoughtful".

Do 'It' Yourself for Valentine's Day

8PM
DIY Valentine's Day for One
@ Altoids Curious and Original Chocolate Shoppe
@ 50 Bleecker St & 10th St
Free with RSVP

Chomp on a couple of limited-edition chocolate-covered Altoids and free coffee in what the company promises is a 'sanctuary from all romantic overatures' for the 'cupid-weary'. Okay. The shoppe is open from 12-8PM through the big VD, but drop by this evening for a little stich and bitch provided by the publishers of BUST magazine.

Oral Ambitions

8PM
Oral Ambitions: Fellatio
@ Toys in Babeland
43 Mercer Street
212-966-2120
$30

STOP BITING. Babeland Sex Educators will teach you everything they know about the joys and merits of fellatio. Learn the basics, or pick up the finer points of the great BJ so you can go out there and make some new friends!

Yoko Ono: Yes, I'm a Witch

2PM
Yoko Ono: Yes I'm A Witch
@ Borders Penn Plaza
33rd St and 7th Ave
212-244-1814

Yoko Ono will be signing copies of her new CD, Yes, I'm A Witch, at a crazy-packed Borders today. Yes, I'm a Witch features collaborations with The Flaming Lips, Cat Power, Antony, Spiritualized, Peaches, Le Tigre and many more.

Envisioning Global Change

7PM
Envisioning Global Change
@ Apple Store Soho
103 Prince Street

Harnessing the advanced graphics and processing power of the Mac, scientists at the American Museum of Natural Histor render 3D animations from their scientific observations to bring the evidence of global change directly to the general public.

Belinda Carlisle

5PM
Belinda Carlisle
@ Borders
10 Columbus Circle in Time Warner Center
212-823-9775

Former Go-Go and Playboy cover girl Belinda Carlisle will be signing copies of her new album of very-respectable classic french songs, Voila, this afternoon at Border's.

Barbara Ehrenreich

7PM
Barbara Ehrenreich
Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream
@ Barnes & Noble - 82nd & Broadway
2289 Broadway at W 82nd St
212-362-8835
Free

Barbara Ehrenreich became a bestselling author when she exposed the struggles of America's working poor in Nickle and Dimed. She discusses her attempt to do something similar for corporate culture in her novel Bait and Switch tonight at Barnes and Noble uptown.