RecessionGirl NYC

Low-Roller Fun

2009-06-08T09:18:00.003-04:00

One Dollar Plates on Restaurant Row

TONIGHT!

Tonight's annual “Taste of Times Square" offers RecessionGirls and other low-budget New Yorkers the rare opportunity to enjoy gastronomic masterpieces of Times Square's most-acclaimed restaurants....for only $1.00 a plate! Featuring local entertainment on three stages, classic New York street performances and free dancing lessons from Swing46, this outdoor food festival promises more than a delicious dinner!

WHEN: Monday, June 8, 2009 from 5pm-8:30pm

WHERE: West 46th Street between Broadway and Ninth Avenue, including historic Restaurant Row

ADMISSION: Free admission to the festivities

Daily Deal!

2009-06-05T09:44:00.003-04:00

It's national Donut Day!

Yes, the rumors are true - the recession will make you fatter. Get a free donut of your choice at any Dunkin Donuts today with the purchase of a drink. Check their site for a location nearest you.
https://www.dunkindonuts.com/

Low Roller Fun!

2009-06-04T22:10:00.003-04:00

Movies? Free? In New York? Yes, Seriously.

As always, Brooklyn Vegan brings something enlightening to RecessionGirl's table (which soon be a picnic blanket under the Brooklyn Bridge) with its exhaustive list of free summer movies throughout the city. For a full listing, check out http://http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/05/mostly_free_out.html#more.

RecessionGirl is most looking forward to Brooklyn Bridge Park's Movies With A View, one of the city's most spectaular outdoor film series nestled right at the feet of the Brooklyn Bridge. DJs from Brooklyn Radio kick off the evening, spinning tunes as the sun sets, while RICE sells delicious dinners onsite. The full summer lineup is:

July 9 Raising Arizona
July 16 The Maltese Falcon
July 23 Paper Moon
July 30 To Catch A Thief
August 6 The Return Of The Pink Panther
August 13 Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
August 20 Catch Me If You Can
August 27 Edward Scissorhands

Daily Deal!

2009-06-03T17:00:00.003-04:00

Today at all Au Bon Pain locations ...

Low-Roller Fun

2009-06-02T16:02:00.003-04:00

It's that time of the month again!

InDigest 1207 Reading Series

(http://www.indigestmag.com/events.htm)

Wednesday, June 3

Featuring the literary stylings of:
Angela Ball
Rodrigo Toscano's Collapsible Poetics Theater
Stephen Burt
Giao Buu

6pm doors 7pm reading
Free
Strictly 21+
This is a First-Come, Fully Seated event.

Angela Ball
Angela Ball is professor of English in the Center for Writers at the University of Southern Mississippi and poetry editor for Mississippi Review. She is the author of four previous poetry collections, including The Museum of the Revolution: 58 Exhibits, Possession, and Quartet, as well as two chapbooks. She is the recipient of grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the NEA, and is a former poet-in-residence at the University of Richmond. Her work has appeared in the New Yorker, Ploughshares, the New Republic, Poetry, and Best American Poetry 2001, among other publications.

Rodrigo Toscano
Rodrigo Toscano is the author of To Leveling Swerve (2005), Platform (2004), The Disparities (2002) and Partisans (1999). His poetry has appeared in Best American Poetry 2004, War and Peace (2004 & 2007), In the Criminal’s Cabinet: An anthology of poetry and fiction (2004), and in McSweeney’s “Poets Picking Poets.” His polyvocalic pieces, poetics plays, and body-movement poems, and radio pieces have been performed and broadcast widely. His work has been translated into French, German, Italian, and Catalonian. Toscano is originally from Southern California. He works in Manhattan at the Labor Institute, and lives in Brooklyn. His most recent collection, Collapsible Poetics Theater, won the 2008 National Poetry Series award.

Stephen Burt
Stephen Burt is Associate Professor of English at Harvard. He is the author of three collections of poetry, including Parallel Play (Graywolf, 2006); his book of writings on modern and contemporary poetry, Close Calls with Nonsense, was just released through Graywolf Press.

Giao Buu
Giao Buu goes by the name G. because there are too many vowels in his real name. He lives in Tremont with a roommate, a refrigerator, some really fat squirrels, and a box of honey bunches cereal that just won’t die. He works as a humorous greeting card writer/editor at American Greetings, and his best friend is Lucy, a dog of amazing amazingness who he believes is a superhero in her off-time. He has insanely wonderful parents and family who let him quit medical school to write, and baller friends who, well, ball, and who inspire everything he writes. G. likes to run, write, and watch any shows involving animals being awesome. He also loves to eat (bacon especially) and sleep (dreaming of bacon), and other activities that directly help him to live.

http://lepoissonrouge.com/events/view/121

Happy Hour of the Week

2009-06-02T11:03:00.004-04:00

Yuca Bar

(East Village 7th St/Ave A)

Any one who knows me, knows that the Yuca Bar is my favorite Sunday funday brunch spot. This week, I discovered there's more to Yuca than sunny sidewalk tables, sangria, and huevos rancheros.

Introducing: Loco Tuesdays!

In addition to it's weekday happy hour deals from 1-8pm, the Cocina Latina offers half-priced tapas until 8 pm on Tuesdays.

So try some Tacos De Pescado for $5 with your happy hour Yucajito today!

http://www.yucabarnyc.com/

(photo by Gavin Thomas)

The Recession: Why we secretly love it.

2009-06-02T09:07:00.002-04:00

The Recession is Over! How We Celebrating?

For who knows how long anymore "The Recession" has been our warm ratty security blanket. But "experts" are saying the joyride of sadness is over. Now what?

Jozen (Vibe), Melissa (Opinionistas), and Abiola (BET) advise.
http://gawker.com/5273218/

Free Chocolate!

2009-06-01T14:53:00.002-04:00

Who knew chocolate could be politically correct?

Apparently, Mars Snackfood US, maker of M&Ms, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way and other American favorites, does.

The company has launched the equivalent of a filibuster to draw attention to competitors that substitute vegetable oil for cocoa butter in their products.

So, what’s in it for you? One of the biggest chocolate giveaways in history.

Every Friday through the end of September, you stand a chance of getting a free chocolate bar or candy because of the Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act.

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2009/05/14/free-chocolate-every-friday-for-months.aspx

Daily Deal!

2009-05-28T11:19:00.003-04:00

Free Mojitos Today!
7pm-9pm
Nonna's Restaurant
520 Columbus Ave (at 85th St)
NY, NY
http://www.nonnarestaurant.com

Daily Deal!

2009-05-26T11:56:00.001-04:00

Today's Groupon: $25 Swedish Massage at GemVie ($62% Off $65 Value)

$25 gets you a $65 Groupon for a Swedish massage at GemVie MediSpa (that’s a 62% savings). Located at 24 East 36th St. in Midtown Manhattan, GemVie is your safe harbor for relaxation and rejuvenation in an increasingly stressful and demanding world. What better way to unwind than with a 30-minute Swedish massage designed to relieve tension and stress? At GemVie, a masseuse will combine long, gliding strokes and hearty kneading to ease soreness, soothe your nerves, and loosen muscles in your entire body. If you already live in a constant state of pure relaxation, today’s Groupon will make a wonderful gift for someone less fortunate than you.

After your rubdown, unwind further in the relaxation room or linger over gourmet coffee or juices on the garden terrace.

Read more: http://groupon.thepoint.com/new-york/

Lower Roller Fun- Weekend

2009-05-21T09:19:00.006-04:00

THE 14TH ANNUAL LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

"Can’t afford to spend your holiday weekend in some exotic clime this year? Nevermind! Laugh at the Depression with us by luxuriating in the Arts instead. Spend your Stay-cation saturating your senses, exercising your funny bone and going for an intellectual joy ride at the still free and more fabulous than ever, LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS. And if you’re a Tourist trapped by Up and Midtown Prices, break free with LES’s Free Breakout Entertainment and culture. It is what the Real New York has always really been about.

Join our literally hundreds of performers as they gather at Theater for the New City to gift you with their time and talent at our 14th Annual LES. As always, we will sing hosannas to the Lower East Side and East Village’s Artistic Past, dig its Present and sneak preview its Artistic Future.

Classical Theater, Yiddish Theater, Vaudeville, Burlesque and the nascent Silent Film Industry all flourished here. George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Yip Harburg, Eddie Cantor, the Adlers, Molly Pican, Charlie Parker, Eugene O’Neill, Garcia Lorca, Mark Twain, the list goes on and on. They all lived and created here at one time. Now, it’s our time to both remember them and continue their tradition by continuing to create."

Friday, May 22rd, 6pm - 1am
Saturday, May 23th, 10am - 1am
Sunday, May 24th, 5pm - 1am

FREE!!! FREE!!! FREE!!!

Visit http://theaterforthenewcity.net/les.htm for a complete schedule of events.

Fulton Stall Market
Date: Friday, May 22nd and Saturday, May 23rd
Time: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Location: Fulton Stall Market (South Street, between Fulton and Beekman Streets)
Cost: Free

A collection of local produce farmers, a Hudson Valley bakery, New York state wineries, plus a Garden State artisan cheesemaker and a fresh fish purveyor, are among the pioneering vendors slated to sell their goods in lower Manhattan when the Fulton Stall Market opens for the season on Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23.
The venture marks the return of an outdoor food market within the historic Seaport
District. Approximately a dozen vendors will occupy the 16 former fish stalls that line South Street between Fulton and Beekman Streets. Open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., the market will enable the public to purchase a wide variety of offerings ranging from seasonal fruits and vegetables, local fish and shellfish, handmade cheeses and organic breads, as well as cut flowers and potted plants. In addition, wines from various New York regions will be featured and available for sampling. Cooking demonstrations by local area chefs are being planned with a focus on pairing local foods with local wines. "New York City residents understand farmers' markets.

Recessionista Guide to a Swinging Summer 2009: Part IV

2009-05-19T11:11:00.003-04:00

Habana Outpost, NYC's first and only solar powered restaurant, will continue its outdoor movie screening tradition starting Sunday, May 10th. Movies screen in the outside courtyard every Sunday thru October and start at 8 pm. All movies are NYC-themed and free to the public.

• May 10 - The Warriors
• May 17 - Crooklyn
• May 24 - Coming To America
• May 31 - Krush Groove
• June 7 - Way of the Dragon
• June 14 - Salsa
• June 21 - Saturday Night Fever
• June 28 - Do The Right Thing
• July 5 - Jaws
• July 12 - Scarface
• July 19 - Drunken Master
• July 26 - Friday
• August 2 - Beat Street
• August 9 - Star Wars
• August 16 - School Daze
• August 23 - Purple Rain
• August 30 - See No Evil, Hear No Evil
• September 6 - Moonwalker
• September 13 - The Pest
• September 20 - Kings of New York
• September 27 - City of God
• October 4 - Flash Gordon
• October 11 - The Untouchables
• October 18 - Batman
• October 25 - Chucky: Child's Play

Habana Outpost 757 Fulton Street (corner of South Portland) Brooklyn, NY 11217

Low Roller Fun - Tonight!

2009-05-19T09:20:00.006-04:00

Great Evenings in the Great Hall at Cooper Union

Date: Tuesday, May 19th
Time: 6:30pm
Location: The Cooper Union,The Great Hall (7 E 7th St at 3rd Ave)
Cost: Free

Great Evenings in The Great Hall presents “Electoral Politics”—an exciting multi-media event and a rare opportunity for the public to see notable New Yorkers such as author, journalist and political pundit Fred Siegel, CUNY professor Frances Fox Piven along with other well-known actors and writers reenact the powerful words delivered by pioneering politicians on the historic Great Hall stage. A musical performance is also part of the program, which concludes with a montage that includes footage of President Obama’s address, then a Senator of Illinois, from Cooper Union’s Great Hall.

For 150 years, thousands have come to Cooper Union’s Great Hall to protest or promote political change in New York City and across the nation: from Theodore Roosevelt and Fiorello LaGuardia to, more recently, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Reliving some of those momentous times in American politics, Great Evenings in The Great Hall presents “Electoral Politics”—an exciting multi-media event and rare opportunity for the public to see notable New Yorkers such as author, journalist and political pundit Fred Siegel, CUNY professor Frances Fox Piven and other well-known actors and writers reenact portions of these pioneering Great Hall speeches (Tuesday, May 19th at 6:30 PM, Great Hall at The Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street b/w 3rd and 4th Aves.). Whether it is the overthrow of Boss Tweed and the notorious Tammany Hall Gang—or listening to Liz Abzug, daughter of Bella Abzug—a pioneering feminist who mobilized women into American politics, the Great Hall has and continues to be a catalyst for change and can be experienced live in "Electoral Politics." A musical performance and a montage of Great Hall political figures will be integrated throughout the evening’s festivities, concluding with footage of President Obama—then a Senator from Illinois—marking his presidential run for the White House with an illuminating speech in the Great Hall.

Since 1859, the Great Hall has been a preeminent stage for pioneering individuals whose views reshaped society. Each of the eight programs in the “Great Evenings in the Great Hall” year long series will focus on one area of protest, reform, or education to be reenacted by notable New York actors, writers and historians
-from FreeNYC

Cheap Eats

2009-05-18T09:57:00.004-04:00

(photo by Celia Chang/Findyourcraving.com)

If you happen to be one of those NYC gals who stores her sweaters in her oven, or you are too busy enjoying all of the free events in the city to cook, fear not. You can still eat well on the cheap.

The New York Times Magazine's Concierge has compiled a thorough list of cheap, but delicious, lunch and dinner options for self-proclaimed foodies.

Her highlights include a $4.25 bowl of pho at Nam Son in Chinatown; $5.25 goat paratha with mint chutney at Lassi in Greenwich Village; $4.25 hand-cut noodles and shrimp dumplings in broth or $4 roast duck with rice at Great New York Noodletown (a BYOB spot).

Be sure to check out the comments section for great meal deals in other boroughs.

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/the-concierge-eating-cheaply-but-well/

We're all in this thing together

2009-05-18T09:56:00.003-04:00

Hot in recession: Chocolate, running shoes, Spam
Other big sellers? Condoms, beer and guns. The perfect combo for a cheap & kinky night at home.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090517/ap_on_bi_ge/us_bucking_the_recession

Yes, we're getting very desperate

2009-05-14T15:36:00.001-04:00

Possibly the most genius cheapo beauty trick ever:

For those of you without the patience to watch, here’s the basic idea: Slip your almost-used-up lipglosses with the lids very tightly twisted on into a cup of hot water for several minutes. That's it! It's such a simple trick but it's actually really clever. You see, it makes the gloss that’s on the sides of the tube run down to the bottom where the wand can reach it. And it makes a big difference—one of her glosses that looked almost empty magically appears almost halfway full afterward!

Curb Alert!

2009-05-14T13:27:00.002-04:00

How is this stylish and well-kept couch being GIVEN AWAY? Because you have to get it down a 5th floor walkup. Skip that pricey yoga class tonight, and go get it in Chelsea. http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/zip/1170285597.html

Curb Alert!

2009-05-13T14:15:00.003-04:00

This adorable set of dishes all yours for FREE - just pick them up in cobble hill!
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/zip/1168789288.html

Recessionista Guide to a Swinging Summer 2009: Part III

2009-05-13T10:08:00.000-04:00

It's finally up! Recessiongirl's been checking the Bryant Park website since mid Jaunary in anticipation of the 2009 summer movie schedule. BP's summer movie series isn't just a free flick, it's a full-on event, complete with a 50 meter dash onto the green, picnic setups with full bars, and a 60 second synchronized group dance. And how perfect is this in recession times? If you're unemployed, you become the friend most in-demand ... having a mate at the park at 5pm on the dot is neccessary if your group wants a decent spot. Bring blankets, games, and plenty of food and drink - movies don't begin until sundown. Our fave pick of the 2009 season? Harold and Maude, on July 20th.

2009 Bryant Park Movie Schedule

June

Mon 15: The Sting

Mon 22: Breaking Away

Mon 29: Gold Diggers of 1933

July

Mon 6: Dog Day Afternoon

Mon 13: How Green Was My Valley

Mon 20:Harold and Maude

Mon 27:The Defiant Ones

August

Mon 3: Kramer vs. Kramer

Mon 10: The Magnificent Seven

Mon 17: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Happy Hour of the Week

2009-05-13T09:41:00.006-04:00

If you are looking for a cool glass of pinot grigio (or 2) to get you through the rest of the week, check out this cozy wine bar in the East Village, featuring great deals:

Live Music (no cover) every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Happy Hour, 2 for 1, daily until 8 pm

Mondays, 1/2 price bottles of wine all night long

http://www.10degreesbar.com/index.html

In addition to the great deals, this wine bar offers chill music, friendly bartenders, and a sofa that gives you an open air view of all of the random happenings on St. Mark's place!

Free Boogies

2009-05-12T20:38:00.005-04:00

You're starting to make your own soap like they did in the 1930s, so why not learn to dance like it's the 1930s? It's Dance Week in NYC, which means that two-left-footed partner of yours can no longer use hard economic times as an excuse for not taking those swing lessons you've been dying to try. Check out the website for a complete listing of free classes. Dance week runs thru May 17.

http://ndw-nyc.org/participating-studios

We're all in this thing together

2009-05-12T18:17:00.001-04:00

Recession Mass Exodus: From Brooklyn to ... Manhattan??

Real Estate
Manhattan Calling
By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM
Published: May 10, 2009
Great Recession prices are drawing even the most loyal outer-borough dwellers, from Hoboken to Astoria to the brownstone blocks off Prospect Park, back to Manhattan.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/realestate/10cov.html

We're all in this thing together

2009-05-10T12:32:00.005-04:00

As I sit at the window in my underwear smoking a cigarette, after yet again another lonely night, I couldn't help but wonder ...

Am I expected to foot half the bill on a first date?

Should I be ordering the house white, god forbid, instead of my usual dry martini?

Have dates to the falafel cart all of the sudden become acceptable?

A few New Yorkers weigh in on how the downturn in the economy has caused a downturn in our dating lives.

Dating in New York, Recession-Style

By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: May 10, 2009

http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=362404&f=22

Daily Deal

2009-05-08T11:40:00.003-04:00

Today is the last day to snag a great deal on a designer dress.

The Millennium Broadway Hotel is hosting a Designer's Sample Sale. While all sample sales are not necessarily recession-friendly, this one is offering Betsey Johnson (!) evening dresses at $75, day dresses at $50, and sportswear at $35!

Where: 145 W. 44th St., nr. Broadway, sixth floor

212-789-7546.

When: Today! 10-8

RG knows how she will be spending her lunch break today!

Low Roller Fun

2009-05-08T10:50:00.002-04:00

Penny Fridays

Date: Friday, May 8th

Time: 9:00pm - 10:00pm

Location: Ellis Bar (627 5th Ave, Park Slope)

Cost: Free!

Park Slope Ellis Bar helps out with the recession special tonight with 1¢ drinks tonight from 9-10. This week its penny tequilas, jackrabbits (?) and vodka shots. 21+

Date: Friday, May 8th

Time: 11:00pm

Location: Studio B (259 Banker Street between Calyer & Meserole)

Cost: Free with RSVP; $5 at the door

Open Bar: 2 for 1 well drinks and domestic beers 11:00pm - 12:00am

Usually the party Fixed has a price tag attached to it, but tonight they are opening up there doors for free! (Be sure to with RSVP though!) The line up features JG Wilkes (Optimo- Glasgow), and Tanlines (NYC- members of Professor Murder) Live, plus residents JDH & Dave P. And to wash away your thirst 2 for 1 well drinks and domestic beers from 11pm to midnight!

For more information, visit http://www.freenyc.net

Recessionista Guide to a Swingin' Summer 2009: Part II

2009-05-06T22:35:00.000-04:00

2009 Celebrate Brooklyn Schedule (Free Shows at Prospect Park Bandshell)

http://www.briconline.org/celebrate/

Monday, June 8 @ 8:00 P.M. David Byrne

Thursday, June 11 @ 7:30 P.M. Goran Bregovic & His Weddings

Friday, June 19 @ 7:30 P.M. David Rudder & Samantha Thornhill

Saturday, June 20 @ 7:30 P.M. La Nave De Los Monstruos

Thursday, June 25 @ 7:00 P.M. Femi Kuti & The Positive Force

Friday, June 26 @ 7:30 P.M. Blonde Redhead

Saturday, June 27 @ 7:00 P.M. Dr. Dog & These United States
Thursday, July 2 @ 7:00 P.M. Obie Juan Bermudez & Cucu Diamantes

Thursday, July 9 @ 8:00 P.M. Dance STREB: Invisible Forces

Friday, July 10 @ 7:30 P.M. Los Amigos Invisibles & Aterciopelados

Saturday, July @ 11, 4:00 P.M. They Might Be Giants

Thursday, July @ 16, 7:30 P.M. Kronos Quartet & Luminescent Orchestrii

Friday, July 17 @ 7:30 P.M. The Robert Cray Band & The Sweet Divines

Saturday, July 18 @ 2:00 P.M. King Sunny Ade & Freshly Ground
Thursday, July 23 @ 8:00 P.M. Dance Stephen Petronio Company

Friday, July 24 @ 7:30 P.M. Buckwheat Zydeco & The Holmes Brothers

Saturday, July 25 @ 7:30 P.M. Kailash Kher & Electro Morocco

Thursday, July 30 @ 7:30 P.M. Burning Spear & Naomi Shelton

Friday, July 31 @ 7:00 P.M. John Scofield & Christian Scott & Ivan

Saturday, August 1 @ 7:30 P.M. Dean And Britta & Crystal Stilts

Thursday, August 6 @ 7:30 P.M. EscortFriday, August 7 @7:00 P.M. Grace Potter And The Nocturnals & Deer Tick
Saturday, August 8 @ 7:00 P.M. Big Daddy Kane

Low Roller Fun - Tonight!

2009-05-06T11:58:00.002-04:00

Indigest 1207 Reading Series

Date: Wednesday, May 6th
Time: 7:00pm (6:00pm doors)
Location: Le Poisson Rouge, Gallery (158 Bleeker St.)
Cost: Free
At their monthly reading series, online literary magazine InDigest takes it's mission of creating a dialogue between and about the arts of the screen and into the bar. The series step apart from other readings in it's efforts to bring in musicians, artists, fiction and poetry into a literary cabaret where authors read their own work as well as the work of other influential authors. With drink specials, great readings, and a free party following every reading. Tonight's edition features Jennifer Knox. Bio below. 21+

Jennifer L. Knox was born in Lancaster, California—once crystal meth capitolof the nation, and home to Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and the Space Shuttle. She received her BA from the University of Iowa, and her MFA in poetry writing from New York University. She has taught poetry writing at Hunter College and New York University. Her books Drunk by Noon and A Gringo Like Me are both available fromthe Möthershipp that is Bloof Books. Her poems have appeared in Best American Poetry 1997, 2003 and 2006, Best American Erotic Poems, Great American Prose Poems: From Poet to Present, and Free Radicals: American Poets Before Their First Books.

Daily Deal

2009-05-06T08:09:00.001-04:00

FREE DRINK TONIGHT
at Hundson Terrace

Don't let the rain put a damper on your alcoholic tenancies. Send your name to info@hudsonterracenyc.com and you'll be treated to a free drink when you swing by Hudson Terrace tonight.
-from NYC daily deals

Low Roller Fun

2009-05-05T09:52:00.003-04:00

FREE SPA DAY TODAY!

Date: Tuesday, May 5th

Time: 12:00pm - 7:00pm

Location: Vada Spa (387 6th Avenue)

Cost: Free
"Ready to fall in love with a new spa? Come to SpaSally’s free spa party on Cinco de Mayo anytime between 12pm and 7pm and get free spa services. Yep, free, but only for one day. Choose one of the following free Laser Hair Removal for the Lip, Chin or Underarms, free Eyebrow or Lip wax Organic Pomegranate Martini Face Mask or Organic Strawberry Coconut Mask, free Mini Acupuncture, free Margarita Foot Scrub (Coconut/Lime or Papaya/Mango). During the spa party, all gift certificates are 30% off. And you also get 30% off any treatments you book during the party. (You don't have to get the treatment right then, just book it.) Free gift bag for the first 200 guests. No appointment necessary, just drop by."

-from free nyc

Bushwick Book Club Tonight!

Date: Tuesday May 5

Time: 8pm

Location: Goodbye Blue Monday [1087 Broadway, Brooklyn]

Cost: Free

Tonight the Bushwick Book Club returns with Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being. There will be food and drink inspired by the book, as well as songs from a handful of performers, including Corn Mo.

Free Pizza!

2009-05-04T10:23:00.003-04:00

Snapple is giving away 500 free slices to the first people who show up at the designated pizzeria of the day, beginning at 10:30 am.

Here are the spots for the 1st three days:

Monday

Spinelli Pizza

425 Seventh Avenue(between 33rd and 34th streets)

Tuesday

Famous Joe's Pizza

7 Carmine Street(between Bleecker Street and 6th Avenue)

Wednesday

Silver Spoon Diner

58-21 Junction Boulevard

Swap yer stuff!

2009-05-01T12:09:00.001-04:00

Saver's Swap, TODAY May 1, 3-6pm
One Saver's Junk is Another Saver's Treasure! It's true. Let's help people save their money AND the environment at the same time! We are helping reduce wasteful spending as well as waste in our world. Now that we have people in the café saving their money, let's help them grow those bills with an Orange Savings Account!

We're hosting a swap meet where consumers have an outlet to exchange their goods (i.e. electronics, apparel, books, costume jewelry & small home goods) for those of others, FREE OF CHARGE. No furniture or lingerie/undergarments allowed. Savers will also have the chance to leave left over items with ING DIRECT for donation to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Friday // 3 to 6 p.m. // ING DIRECT Café [968 3rd Ave]

Daily Deals

2009-04-30T16:31:00.008-04:00

If you're one of the few who can't understand the growing fro-yo phenomenon, here's your chance to get the "scoop" risk-free. Get a free cup of Red Mango's new frozen yogurt flavor Tagnomonium this Sat from 12pm-4pm. Click on this coupon to print it out.

Low Roller Fun - Tonight!

2009-04-30T13:53:00.002-04:00

Trade a canned good for free tapas, cupcakes, and cheap drinks!

Daily Deal

2009-04-30T10:25:00.000-04:00

31 Cent Scoop Day At Baskin Robbins
Tonight from 5PM - 10PM, Baskin Robbins will be serving up scoops of ice cream for 31 cents each. All proceeds benefit the National Volunteer Fire Council. Click here to find Baskin Robbins store locations near you. - from NYCdailydeals

Recessionista Guide to a Swingin' Summer in NYC: Part I

2009-04-29T21:06:00.006-04:00

Summer has arrived! Ok maybe not, but this past weekend found us in cut-offs in the park, obsessively planning our summer calenders. Luckily, New Yorkers have been enjoying a chock-full schedule of free summer events since long before the recession, and Recession Girl is here to make sure that being broke doesn’t keep you from even one second of fun. From concerts to movies under the stars, check here periodically as we update the blog with all these great events as soon as the schedules are out.

Brooklyn Bridge Movies with a View
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Movies With A View returns for its 10th Anniversary Season on Thursday, July 9, 2009. This summer, sidle up, nab a patch of grass and walk off with a night of fabulous entertainment without paying one red cent. Come down to the park to enjoy one of the city's premiere outdoor film series with an eclectic line-up of films and breathtaking views of the NYC waterfront. The films are chosen by an all-volunteer Film Committee and each feature is preceded by a short film. DJs from Brooklyn Radio kick off the evening, spinning tunes as the sun sets, while RICE sells delicious dinners onsite. Complimentary bike valet provided by the fine folks at Transportation Alternatives.

Thursday, July 9
Feature Film: Raising Arizona
Short: Ami Underground directed by D.W. Young
DJ: DJ DRM

Thursday, July
Feature Film: The Maltese Falcon
Short: Under the Rollercoaster directed by Lila Place
DJ: MonkOne

Thursday, July 23
Feature Film: Paper Moon
Short: The Coffee Bird directed by Bryan Brinkman
DJ: Tim "Love" Lee

Thursday, July 30
Feature Film: To Catch A Thief
Short: Icebox Blues directed by Jesse Ash
DJ: DJ Ayres

Thursday, August 6
Feature Film: The Return Of The Pink Panther (1975)
Short: It's Good to Be Green directed by Michael Garvey
DJ: Soulstatic

Thursday, August 13
Feature Film: Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
Short: Birdman of Brooklyn directed by JL Aronson
DJ: Nick Name

Thursday, August 20
Feature Film: Catch Me If You Can
Short: 6 a.m. directed by Carmen Vidal
DJ: DJ Emch

Thursday, August 27
Feature Film: Edward Scissorhands
Short: I Am Not Obsessed directed by Imani Dean
DJ: Oneman

Central Park Summerstage
While a few of these are benefit concerts and not free, not having the cash to make it happen doesn’t mean you should skip the show. Grab a blanket and a bottle of wine, and enjoy the sounds of your favorite artists from the lawn right outside the stage.
05/31/09 Reality Shock, Yaakov Chesed + more TBA (Salute To Israel) FREE
06/05/09 TV on the Radio, Dirty Projectors (Buy Tickets/Sold Out)
06/12/09 The New York Pops, with Josh Ritter FREE
06/13/09 Tye Tribbett & G.A. (Speculative) FREE
06/16/09 Indigo Girls, Matt Nathanson (Buy Tickets 03/27 @ noon)
06/17/09 Wally Lamb (Reading from “The Hour I First Believed”) FREE
06/20/09 The Sound Physician, SXNDRGS (Speculative) FREE
06/21/09 Fête de la Musique, (World Music Day) with Yannick Noah FREE
o6/25/09 311, Ziggy Marley (Presale: 04/14, Public Sale: 04/17)
06/28/09 Ledisi06/30/09 Explosions In The Sky (Buy Tickets)
07/05/09 Oumou Sangare, Les Nubians FREE
07/08/09 Juana Molina FREE
07/09/09 Matisyahu, Umphrey’s McGee (Presale: April 15-17, Password = LIGHT, Public Sale: April 17 - noon EST)
07/18/09 Dobet Gnahore FREE
07/24/09 Bettye Lavette FREE
08/01/09 M. Ward FREE
08/14/09 Morphoses (Dance) FREE
08/15/09 Morphoses (Dance) FREE
08/16/09 Ineptie (Speculative) FREE
08/29/09 Paul Van Dyk (Buy Tickets)

Silver Lining

2009-04-29T13:48:00.002-04:00

Looking for a silver lining to the recession, check out "Five Reasons To Love the Recession" in The Huffington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicole-williams/five-reasons-to-love-the_b_191820.html.

Daily Deals

2009-04-29T08:17:00.005-04:00

Free Chocolate Kisses!

From noon to 3pm today all three Jacques Torres Chocolate locations will be giving away chocolate champagne kisses for free. They are preparing 10,000 pieces for the occasion. Locations are listed below.

350 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014

(212) 414-2462

66 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 875-9772

285 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10023

(212) 787-3256

-from NYC Daily Deals

Free Drinks!
Try before you buy—the brand new Spring cocktail menu will served for free at Pranna (79 Madison Avenue, http://www.prannanyc.com/) restaurant tonight from 7-8 p.m., and then again from 10-11 p.m. Complimentary bar snacks, all inspired by street food encountered by chef Chai Trivedi’s motorbike tour through Southeast Asia, will also be served.

Recessionista Swindle of the Day

2009-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

How To Lower Your Rent

Three ways to negotiate a bargain.

By Cristina Velocci

- from Time Out New York

Strategy: Use your pay cut to your advantage.“People’s situations have changed. The rental market has changed, and landlords and management companies know it has,” says Beau Nova, a senior associate broker at Corcoran, who recommends honesty as the best policy. “If you’re making less money but you’re still working and paying your rent on time, the landlord may actually [lower your rent] because they’d rather not have you leave or default.” Dan Rosenthal was laid off last November, and when he couldn’t find someone to sublet his Garment District studio, he decided to come clean. The minute he fessed up, his landlord offered to knock $200 off per month. “I knew I was coming from a position of power because she needs somebody to pay the rent,” he says. “She didn’t want to lose me as a tenant.” However, depending on the type of building you live in, this approach could backfire. “Keep in mind,” Nova cautions, “depending on how much less you make, you may not even qualify for that apartment anymore.”

Strategy: Extend your lease—early.While you might not have as much negotiating power if you’re in the middle of a lease, you have more of an edge as you get closer to its end. “A lease is a binding contract, and the landlord has no reason to renegotiate,” says an Upper West Side landlord with 39 years’ experience and more than 250 tenants (who’s asked to remain anonymous lest all his own tenants start haggling). But make the call about two months before the lease ends and you could schmooze your way into a lower rate in exchange for a year or two’s extension. “Most landlords are amenable in this market to longer leases, because it lets them keep tenants they have a relationship with,” he says. Just be sure not to wait until the last minute. Give enough notice to show “that you’re looking to do this from a point of mutual respect” and not trying to pull a fast one.

Strategy: Play the economy card and just ask—many landlords now expect it.When it was time for Jen Winter, 24, to renew the lease on her “teeny tiny little studio” on the Upper West Side, she received a letter from her management company that opened the door to negotiation. “My rent didn’t increase but it didn’t decrease, which I was hoping it would, and it said something along the lines of, ‘If this doesn’t meet your needs, feel free to contact the leasing agent to discuss it,’?” she says. “I think they were prepared for everyone that they’re dealing with to try and negotiate.” Winter made the call, arguing that since rental rates have decreased, she could easily find a similar apartment for less—and had $100 per month knocked off with no push back. Although she’s happy to have received a discount at all, she would’ve liked a steeper one. “I wish I did more market research and made more comparisons,” she says. For those of you contemplating this strategy—even if it’s not so helpfully offered by your own management company—try sites like PadMapper and MyApartmentMap to see what similar apartments in your neighborhood are renting for.

Free Food (and Drink)!

2009-04-28T09:38:00.003-04:00

Free Wine!

After two decades on the Upper East side, Charlie Palmer’s restaurant Aureole (34 E 61st St) is moving in May to a new location at the Bank of America Tower at Bryant Park. To go out with a bang, the restaurant is offering a complimentary bottle of wine for every two diners who order the three course prix fixe dinner. The deal lasts through the end of May and is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

http://www.charliepalmer.com/Properties/Aureole/NY/

-from gothamist

Free Hummus, Salad, or Dessert!
Today or tomorrow, Hummus Kitchen (multiple Manahttan locations) is giving away free food to everyone who is their friend on Facebook. Patrons can choose from hummus, falafel, bureka, salad, tahini and more! Check out their Facebook page for the details.

-from NYC dailydeals

We're all in this thing together.

2009-04-27T20:45:00.002-04:00

The Money Diet: How much can you afford to lose?

How Much Less Can You Spend?
By Barbara Kiviat Sunday, Mar. 29, 2009

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1887670,00.html?iid=perma_share

Low (and Cultured) Roller Fun!

2009-04-27T13:41:00.009-04:00

First, Get Your Culture On....

The Broadway revival of August Wilson's masterpiece Joe Turner's Come and Gone has racked up rave reviews, with The Times's Ben Brantley calling it "positively airborne." Tonight African-American scholar Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. will moderate a symposium exploring "the literary, political and topical changes in the African American experience from 1911, the year in which Joe Turner’s Come and Gone is set, to the present day." Times op-ed columnist Bob Herbert, award winning author John Edgar Wideman and critically acclaimed playwright Tracey Scott Wilson are expected to take part in what's sure to be an incisive (and free!) discussion.
Time : 7 p.m.
Location: Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W 65th St
Cost: FREE!

Later, Get Your Beer and Ping Pong On!

Who doesn't love a little ping pong to start of the work week? The Bell House will have 4 tables set up for tournament style ping pong in their performance space. First come first serve for sign ups. The winner of this nights tournament will be flown to Vegas on Bud Light's dime to participate in the nationals and a chance to win $100,000 dollars. On top of that happy hour deal, aluminum pints of Bud & Bud Light will be $3 for the entire evening. So basically, everyone's a winner!

Time: 8 p.m. onwards
Location: The Bell House, 149 7th St, Gowanus, Brooklyn

Cost: FREE!

Dirt Cheap Brooklyn Eats!

2009-04-26T12:51:00.003-04:00

Gastronomy Studies the Relationship Between Culture and Food.....RecessionGirl studies the relationship between Brooklyn and Food.

Two more marvelously cheap and delicious options near downtown Brooklyn:

Joya Restaurant, 215 Court St, Brooklyn. After enjoying a most fantastic Thai dinner for two, RecessionGirl was tickled at a $20.00 bill. In New York? A $20 dinner? Only at Joya, Cobble Hill's neighborhood Thai restaurant. Rumor has it that the noodles are Joya's specialty.

Govinda's Lunch Club at Radha Govinda Hare Krishna Temple, 305 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn. Enjoy a dirt cheap vegetarian lunch in a sattvic ("mode of goodness") environment. Govinda modifies her menu each day but always prepares the best of Indian and continental style cuisine. Call (718) 855-6714 for the daily menu. Lunch served every Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Curb Alert!

2009-04-24T13:22:00.003-04:00

Free Trees!

Soon to be orphaned trees need loving adoptive home. Very healthy and much-loved Kentia palm (6 feet tall) and Banana tree (9 feet tall) are yours for the taking.

http://newyork.craigs list.org/mnh/zip/1138044917.html

Low Roller Fun- Earth Day!

2009-04-24T10:25:00.001-04:00

FREE EARTH DAY CONCERTS - GRAND CENTRAL STATION
In honor of preserving the earth we live on, and raising awareness of what citizens can do to improve the conditions of the earth, there will be booths with info and inspiring music through out the day. This Friday AND Saturday, EARTH FAIR features the following performances:

Friday:

12:20 -12:50 The Subliminals

1:10- 2:00 Gandalf Murphy

BREAK (Noise Ordinance) 2p-5p

5:00-5:30 Spiritchild and Mental Notes

5:45-6:30 Dar Williams

6:45-7:15 Maya Azucena

Saturday

Noon The Earthman Experience

1pm Pink Noise

1:45 TK Wonder

2:30 MetroSonics

3:15 Chris Barron & The Bandits

4:15 Judah Tribe

More Info: http://earthdayny.org/

Low Roller Fun - Weekend

2009-04-24T09:23:00.006-04:00

Friday
Why Leave Astoria? Bohemian Beer Garden Birthday Bash
Date: Friday, April 24th

Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm

Location: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave., Astoria)

Cost: Free

Open Bar: 3 kegs til kicked

It's so gorgeous of a day, even those of you not hailing from Queens may be enticed to make the trip east for the opening of the classic Astoria outdoor hangout, the Bohemian Beer Garden.
Whyleaveastoria.com celebrates their first birthday today along with Rizzo's Pizza (their 50th). In honor of the occasion, they will be slinging back free beers (three kegs worth) and giving away all the free pizza you can eat at Astoria's awesome Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. More info here.

-from freenyc

Cheap Laughs (and baked goods, too!)

Head to Karma Lounge TONIGHT to check out some of the city's best young comedians and you may find yourself snorting free cookies out your nose.

New Young Comedians @ Karma Lounge
Friday April 24
8 - 10 pm
Karma Lounge
51 1st Ave
New York, NY 10003
(212) 677-3160
$5 Cover. No Drink Min.

http://newyoungcomedians.com/

Sunday

BIKE RIDE & ART

The Queens Museum of Art wraps up its big Queens International biennial Sunday, which "addresses the relationship between 'internationalism' and 'multiculturalism' from a local standpoint." Judging by the work displayed on the museum's website, it looks quite compelling, but for some of us, the thought taking the subway to Flushing-Meadows on a beautiful Sunday is a deal breaker. Here's City Reliquary to the rescue: they're leading "a fun, free, and leisurely bicycle ride" from their Williamsburg museum to the one in Queens. The 6.5 mile Museum2Museum ride will roll from the City Reliquary through Billyburg, Long Island City, Elmhurst, Corona, and finally the promised land of Flushing-Meadows Corona Park.
Time: Sunday 2 p.m.

Location: The City Reliquary [370 Metropolitan Ave]

Cost: Free, but QMA has a suggested donation of $5

Take your parents to the bar - TONIGHT!

2009-04-23T10:08:00.004-04:00

Take Your Parents to the Bar Day
Date: Thursday, April 23rd
Time: Happy Hour
Location: SideBAR (118 East 15th Street)
Cost: Free
They birthed you, burped you, and wiped your ass. Now repay them by letting them hang out and drink with you. SideBAR is introducing a new tradition: Take Your Parents to the Bar Day. Anyone who brings their parents out will receive their first round free!!

Okay, okay, so SideBAR is not recessiongirl's favorite bar (except when she gets in one of those pick-up-a-douchie-banker-type mood, which she will admit, happens occasionally), but it's a recession, y'all! Let's put on a happy face, grab someone else's parents off the sidewalk if you need to, and go get those freebies.

Free Ben & Jerry's Day Today!

2009-04-22T10:49:00.002-04:00

Free Sundae Alert!

Jerry Greenfield (of Ben & Jerry) and Julius Walls (CEO of Greyston Bakery) are in town doing a campus tour of NYU and Columbia to talk to tomorrow's business leaders about social entrepreneurship. The Greyston Foundation donates all profits to local charities, including community gardens, affordable housing, job training and childcare programs. Which is all terrific! But let's talk about the sundaes: The idealistic duo will be serving free ice cream and brownie sundaes at the Whole Foods Tribeca TODAY from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., and then from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Bowery. Later they'll visit the campuses to inspire business students to start socially responsible companies that, hopefully, also give out free ice cream.

-from gothamist

Low Roller Jazzy Fun

2009-04-22T09:37:00.006-04:00

10th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival at BAM Cafe

BAM Cafe features free live music every Friday and Saturday night, offering tastes of rock, jazz, R&B, world music, pop, and other genres born in Brooklyn and beyond. This Friday and Saturday night, in celebration of 10 years of BAMcafé Live and as part of the 10th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival, the Cafe will host two Brooklyn-based bands emerging into the jazz world here and beyond. BAMcafé is located at 30 Lafayette Street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

The Renegade Band
Fri, Apr 24 at 9pm, Bar opens at 8pm
After 25 years, Brooklyn-based The Renegade Band has perfected their groove, combining R&B reggae with Calypso jazz, saturating the sounds with their personal Caribbean flavor and sharing the message of global pride, unity, and respect through the universal language of music.

The New Cookers
Sat, Apr 25 at 9pm, Bar opens at 8pm
A swinging hard bop jazz quintet—born out of the tradition of the late, great jazz genius Freddie Hubbard—The New Cookers are known for their driving rhythms and engaging performances, celebrating the original Brooklyn jazz music makers and adding their own sound to that rich legacy.

Low Roller Fun

2009-04-21T15:34:00.013-04:00

Meet the Filmmakers series
Presented free by Apple and indieWire

Apple Store, 103 Prince Street

To celebrate the spirit of independent film, Apple and indieWire are hosting dozens of free filmmaking events from April 22 to May 3, including a Meet the Filmmaker series. Each night of the festival a different filmmaker (or group of filmmakers) will give a talk, possibly lead a discussion, at the Apple Store’s cozy theatre located at 103 Prince Street. Below are a few features that particularly interested Recession Girl but check out the website for a full listing and other information about free events. Word on the street is that you should show up early.

Spike Lee The Emmy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated actor, writer, director, and producer speaks to us about Passing Strange, which brings the hit Broadway rock musical to the screen, and Kobe Doin’ Work, his documentary about Kobe Bryant. Both films screen at Tribeca. Wednesday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.

Natalie Portman Natalie Portman joins CEO Christine Aylward on the stage of the Apple Store, SoHo, to discuss their new web project — MakingOf — a site that promises to transform the way people view, enjoy, and participate in entertainment. Friday, April 24, 3:30 p.m.

Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna, and Carlos Cuarón Reuniting with his collaborators in Y Tu Mamá También, Cuarón wrote and directed Rudo y Cursi. The director’s first full-length film stars Bernal and Luna as brothers whose desire to excel as professional soccer players often finds them battling one another on and off the field. Monday, April 27, 5:00 p.m.

Eric Bana The actor (Black Hawk Down, Munich, The Other Boleyn Girl) makes his directorial debut in Love the Beast. The Tribeca documentary selection tells the story of Bana’s 25-year love affair with “the beast,” his Ford GT Falcon Coupe. It premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 29. Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 p.m.

We're All In This Thing Together

2009-04-21T14:44:00.006-04:00

You think you've fallen on hard times?

We have thing or two about hard times from Cadillac Man

Cadillac Man has been homeless on the streets of New York City for the past 16 years. Over that time he has recorded facts of his daily life in notebooks —those notebooks have been distilled into a memoir, Land of the Lost Souls. We’ll also be joined by Will Blythe an editor at Esquire who first published Cadillac Man’s writings. Cadillac Man will be reading, and Will Blythe will be introducing him at Housing Works Bookstore on Wednesday, April 22.

Date: Wednesday, April 22

Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Housing Works Bookstore, 126 Crosby Street
Cost: FREE!

Speaking of hard times and picking up the pieces, Housing Works is a non-profit fighting the twin crisises of HIV/AIDS and homelessness. It also operates a number of fantastic businesses, including an online auction and Recession Girl's favorite thrift stores in the city. These seven upscale thrift boutiques sell high-end vintage clothing, furniture and other treasures to bargain hunters and fashionistas alike....all at Recession Girl prices. A pioneer in Social Enterprise, Housing Works funds invaluable community and social justice work with these profits, including housing, harm reduction, health, case management and legal services for individuals living with HIV and AIDS. Check out the organization's website at http://www.housingworks.org/ for information and addresses but in the meantime, here's a taste of the items up for auction this week out of HW's Chelsea location:

Recession Relocation

2009-04-21T11:30:00.003-04:00

When it's time to move, get to moving.

While you may be wary of moving during these shaky economic times, now might be the right the time to snag a deal on an apartment in a neighborhood you didn't think you could afford.

The current recession is greatly affecting the NYC rental market. Many landlords are waiving or paying broker's fees and are even lowering rents to fill their apartments. One recession girl just signed a lease on an apartment in the East Village where the landlord paid the bulk of the broker's fee, and agreed to charge $250 less a month in rent than he was charging the current tenant.

If you are thinking about moving, check out this article: "Finding an Apartment in Manhattan During This Recession Has Never Been Easier" at http://www.prlog.org/10213982-finding-an-apartment-in-manhattan-during-this-recession-has-never-been-easier.html. It gives advice on finding a no-fee apartment rental and money-saving tips for apartment searching.

Once you find your new "steal" of an apartment (quotations added because it is still NYC, people), the fun stuff begins.

As RG introduced last week, the Brooklyn Flea has arrived! It has a plethora of fabulous goods for sale ranging from tasty cheese to antique furniture.

On opening day, RG fell in love with a pair of antique chairs that would be just perfect in her new apartment.

And thanks to her recession-minded best friend, we decided to forego the added expense of delivery, and carry them ourselves to her apartment. While we may have needed to rest on the chairs every couple of blocks or so, we saved the money of a cab or a delivery van and got a great workout!

And everyone passing us on the street assured us that they were worth the effort.

Iced Coffee Day!

2009-04-20T15:32:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow is Iced Coffee Day at Dunkin Donuts - 16 oz coffee for 50 cents all day! Ahhh, it's the little things isn't it?

Happy Hour of the Week

2009-04-20T13:01:00.003-04:00

If you're a hankering for a fancy drink but can't stomach the pretentious crowd, obnoxious neighborhood and prohibitive prices of the Gansevoort (and the like), you will probably find happiness at KeyBar, a Ukranian-themed hideout in the East Village. With 2 for 1 drinks EVERY DAY until 10, tasty martinis including passion fruit and lychee (that are good and strong), and $2.50 shots (must try: the Rolo - made from the candy!) this place goes above and beyond out notion of happy hour. Come here after work, or later in the night - a small but cozy space hosts the work of local artists and DJs spin euro beats post 11pm. A great place to host a party as well- the staff will reserve space for your group at no cost.

KeyBar

(866) 918-4535
432 E 13th St (at Between 1st Avenue and Avenue A)

New York, NY 10009

www.keybar.com

Low Roller Fun

2009-04-19T21:26:00.005-04:00

Human Rights Film Festival
Where: Columbia University's Teachers College, 122nd St and Amsterdam Avenue
When: All this week
Cost: Free Human Dignity in Diversity: Celebrating Human Rights: Film Festival
On behalf of the Society for International Education, the Association of Latin American Students, and the African Studies Working Group at Teachers College, we cordially invite you to:
"Human Dignity in Diversity: Celebrating Human Rights"Film Festival

Featuring:
China's Stolen Children - Monday, April 20, 7:00 pm, 305 Russell Hall
http://www.hbo.com/docs/docuseries/chinasstolenchildren/index.html
Crossing Arizona - Tuesday, April 21, 7:00 pm, 179 Grace Dodge Hall
http://www.crossingaz.com/
Enemies of Happiness - Wednesday, April 22, 7:00 pm, 305 Russell Hall
http://www.enemiesofhappiness.com/
Arna's Children - Thursday, April 23, 7:00 pm, 306 Russell Hall
http://www.arna.info/Arna/
War Dance - Friday, April 24, 7:00 pm, 306 Russell Hall
http://www.wardancethemovie.com/
All screenings will be held at Teachers College and are free and open to the public.

Recessionista Swindle of the Day

2009-04-19T19:36:00.004-04:00

As soon as it's warm enough for a spring jacket, young new yorkers begin their daydreams of warm summer nights, moving their bodies to the sounds of incredible musicians in city parks. That's part of why we live here, after all. Unfortunately, Central and Prospect Parks have to hold "benefit" concerts as the season begins to raise money for all those freebie gigs. Just too broke to pay to see some of your fave bands? Fret not. Grab your buds, a blanket, and some wine and partake in the oldest of city park pastimes - picnic. Arrive early to snag a spot right outside the gates and dance the night away free from the crowds. You may not be able to see the stage, but no one can complain "We paid to listen to the band, not you!" when you belt out your favorite lyrics! (what, that doesn't happen to you??)

Central Park Summerstage
http://www.summerstage.org/index1.aspx?BD=20575
TV on the Radio/Dirty Projectors
Friday June 5
6:30-10pm

Indigo Girls/Matt Nathanson
Tuesday, June 16
4:30-10pm

311/Ziggy Marley/The Expendables
Thursday, June 25
6-10pm

Expolsions in the Sky
Tuesday, June 30
5:30-10pm

Celebrate Brooklyn! At Prospect Park Bandshell
http://www.briconline.org/celebrate/benefits.asp
Jackson Brown
July 21
5:30 pm

MGMT
July 31
Doors at 5:30

Animal Collective
August 14th and 15th
5:30 pm

Are we all in this together??

2009-04-19T19:23:00.001-04:00

The Neighborhoods Of Post-Recession New York
By Hamilton Nolan
If NYC residents could hope for anything good to come out of this economic crisis, it would be this: the rollback of gentrification.

Low Roller Fun

2009-04-19T09:35:00.000-04:00

OUR HOUSE - Ushering spots open soon!

2009-04-17T14:39:00.002-04:00

Playwrights Horizons will begin accepting ushers for its new comedy OUR HOUSE in a week. If you are interested in one of the spots (two needed nightly) email MMenter@playwrightshorizons.org NOW to express interest - spots are coveted and after the intial assignment prospective ushers will be placed on a wait list.

May 15 - June 21, 2009 Mainstage Theater, Playwrights Horizons

The New York Premiere of a new play by Theresa Rebeck

FeaturingMorena Baccarin • Katie Kreisler Stephen Kunken • Mandy Siegfried • Jeremy Strong Haynes Thigpen • Christopher Evan Welc

It’s reality. Why shouldn’t it be news? A cocksure TV bigshot faced with dwindling ratings installs America’s favorite news anchor as host of a popular reality show. Meanwhile in Middle America, a houseful of roommates bicker over high-stakes real-world conflicts: Merv doesn’t clean the bathroom. Someone ate Alice’s yogurt. And the rent is long past due. Soon, as reality collides with reality TV, a sobering drama becomes sexy entertainment, and we're eyewitness to a crisis that holds the nation riveted.

http://www.playwrightshorizons.com/mainstage.asp

Low Roller Fun

2009-04-16T14:12:00.004-04:00

Recession Art Inagural Show

Just because you're broke doesn't mean your walls have to be bare.

The multimedia Recession Art Show showcases paintings, needlepoint and more. The opening reception includes a live set by Brooklyn Band Acrylics.

Where: Brooklyn Artists Gym, 3rd floor, Gowanus, Bklyn

When: From Fri April 17-23. Opening reception, Sat April 18, 6pm

FREE

Brooklyn Flea Opens This Weekend

2009-04-16T10:06:00.002-04:00

With hundreds of vendors, many new this year (and different at each location), both fleas are worth checking out. But beware of the "flea" name - this is not your midwestern grandmothers junk market. With 600 applicants for 200 spots, an actual curator selects the cream of the flea crop, which includes antique furniture priced in the Ks. What's a recession girl to do? Bargain, of course! And not to fear, there will be plenty of affordale options, as well as loads of inspiration for those summer DIY projects!

Secondhand Steals

2009-04-15T12:49:00.007-04:00

ThriftyGirl of the Week: Randi
Bisou Jeans Vest: $5
Leather Boots: $12
Discovered at:
Valley Restoration Development Corp
949 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10025
(212) 222-2600

Are you our next thriftygirlnyc? Send in photos of your sweet secondhand duds, along with where and for how much you got them, to recessiongirlnyc@gmail.com

BAM Cafe Live (and Free)

2009-04-15T11:11:00.004-04:00

Experience what the Village Voice calls an "ingenious musical evolution" this Saturday night at the BAM Cafe! Employing new music techniques and addressing community and cultural issues, blaKbüshe's progressive musicality and messaging has earned them fans in Brooklyn and beyond, while their provocative lyrics have made them one of today's most exciting urban groups. Bandleader, vocalist, songwriter, and bassist Shelley Nicole describes blaKbüshe's music as solaroc, a distinctive combination of rock, funk, and soul.
When: Sat, Apr 18 at 9pm (Bar opens at 8pm)
Where: 30 Lafayette Avenue (at Ashland Place), Brooklyn

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We're all in this thing together.

2009-04-14T21:24:00.002-04:00

Is the recession making you hot? You're not the only one.

Recession Fuels Readers’ Escapist Urges
By MOTOKO RICH
Published: April 8, 2009
At a time when booksellers are struggling to lure readers, strong sales of romance novels buoy a sluggish market.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/books/08roma.html

Free Stuff Swap

2009-04-14T10:00:00.003-04:00

Spring Cleaning? Don't Throw It Away—Bring it to the Freecycle™ NYC FreeMeet!

WHEN: Saturday, April 18, 2009, 11am-3pm

WHERE: JJ Byrne Park (dead end on 4th Street b/t 5th Ave and the Old Stone House in the park) Park Slope, Brooklyn

WHY: New Yorkers discard some 12,000 tons of waste each day, much of which is exported to landfills and incinerators in other states. Here's your chance to help reduce waste and keep our environment clean by finding new homes for your old stuff, and getting some things you can use in the process. Leftovers will be donated or recycled to every extent possible.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring unwanted clothing, housewares and other reusable items* to share or simply bring a tote bag to fill. Bring friends and family too! Got wire hangers? Bring 'em to the FreeMeet so we can hang clothes and recycle the hangers afterwards.

MORE INFO: www.RecycleThisNYC.org/freemeet

*please bring portable items only and log on to http://www.freecycle.org/ to give away furniture and other heavy stuff.

Curb Alert!

2009-04-14T08:56:00.007-04:00

Free Joe!
Date: Tuesday, April 14th

Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Location: All Oren's Locations

Cost: Free

A new study reveals that drinking coffee before a workout helps you feel less pain and suffer less soreness. So take advantage of a free cup of the good stuff to get you to the gym tonight. Or to happy hour, whichever! Oren's Daily Roast is giving out a bit of a tax break this afternoon with free small coffees at all of their 9 locations from 4 to 7pm.

Store Locations:
Upper East Side:

985 Lexington Avenue (@ 71st Street)

1144 Lexington Avenue (@ 79th St.)

1574 First Avenue (bet. 81st & 82nd Sts)
Midtown:

830 Third Avenue (@ 51st St.)

Grand Central Market (in Grand Central Terminal)

Grand Central Cafe (in Grand Central Terminal)
Upper West Side:

2882 Broadway (bet 112th & 113th Sts.)
Downtown:

434 Third Avenue (bet 30th & 31st Sts)

31 Waverly Place (bet. University & Greene Sts)

We're all in this thing together

2009-04-14T08:50:00.000-04:00

Sacrifice Your Sobriety, Not Your Money!Everyone knows that the only thing better than cheap stuff is free stuff--especially when it comes to stuff that can get you drunk (even if you have to drop a few bucks on something else to get your fix of booze). From a bottomless glass of boxed wine with dinner to free cosmos at the nail salon, these deals will help you get the most alcohol for your buck.

http://newyork.citysearch.com/list/66629

We've Got Work to Do - Ends Wednesday!!

2009-04-13T06:45:00.006-04:00

112 Greene Street in Soho was the original home of 112 Workshop, a raw space open between 1970 and 1980, offering exhibition space for installation and performance for the new generation of conceptual and performance artists who emerged as the Vietnam War and racism were ripping the country apart. When the economy tanked in the 1970s, taking with it most commercial infrastructive for experimental art, urban artists settled into 112 Greene Street to create their own marginal, bootstrap model. As the economy "struggles" today, NYC's best street and urban artists are doing the same, bringing112 Greene Street's spirit alive again...that while meeting President Obama's call to cultural action with their collection that adorns the space's brick walls, wood, glass, ceilings, floors, doors, and unpredictably, its walls. Curated by Royce Bannon & the Endless Love Crew and the Combine. Runs through April 16.

Yes, she said RELAX!

2009-04-13T06:35:00.003-04:00

As we reminded you a few weeks ago, Spa Week is a gift New York City gives to its tired and weak each year. The $50 spa treatment specials begin today and run until April 13-19, 2009.

For a list of participating spas, see http://www.spaweek.com/spas/New%20York

Happy Hour of the Week

2009-04-12T20:18:00.003-04:00

Where: Paladar, 161 Ludlow St between Houston and Stanton Sts (212-473-3535). Subway: F to Lower East Side–Second Ave.

Why: All drinks half off

When: Everyday from 4pm-7pm, weekends included

Finding a place that serves good, strong mojitos, caipirinhas and margaritas for $4.50 is a rarity in Mahattan. But on the weekends too? That's like finding an apartment with a full tub, or a pinkberry without a line of schoolgirls. Throw in free baskets of tortilla chips with black-and-white bean dip, and you just might find yourself drinking away those weekday blues all the way into Saturday. And you can!

Low Roller Fun

2009-04-12T20:03:00.008-04:00

10th Annual Central Brooklyn Jazz Festival

Part of BAM about Brooklyn "A Decade of Keeping Our Music Alive"
April 1 - 30
Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium (CBJC)
1958 Fulton Street, Suite 300 A,

Get ready to treat yourself to the most unforgettable concert experience one of New York ’s hottest entertainment destinations can offer. Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium will spoil you with its month long jazz festival designed to present the world of Jazz in all its sub categories. Brooklyn CBJC's 10th jubilee celebration of an American original art form will feature:
Opening Day Free Community Concert (April 1st), jazz drum legend Roy Haynes (April 4th), Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Dave Valentin (April 16th), Houston Person (April 17th), Jazz: The Women's View Point (April 18th), Melba Moore (April 18th), Ronnie Mathews/Freddie Hubbard Tribute (April 19th), Jazz & The Fine Arts concert, BAMcafe Live weekend (April 24/25), Youth Jazz Jamboree/Wellness Day (April 25th), educational symposiums, programming for senior citizens and individuals with development disabilities, jazz performances, and conferences in churches, restaurants, clubs, and cultural institutions throughout Brooklyn.
More Info: 718.569.1896
or visit http://www.centralbrooklynjazzconsortium.org/

*******************************************************************************
MORE FITNESS Health + Wellness Expo 2009
Join us in New York City on April 24-25, 2009, for the Health + Wellness Expo featuring activities and information designed to motivate and energize all attendees. Activities and information will include:

-- health screenings,
--nutritional information,
--expert panels,
--free samples,
--sweepstakes,
--fitness apparel,
--and MORE and FITNESS editor meet-and-greets.
Location: Altman Building135 W. 18th Street (6th & 7th Avenues) New York City

Hours: Friday, April 24, 12 p.m.-7 p.m.Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

**The Expo is free and open to the public.

We're all in this thing together

2009-04-09T13:52:00.002-04:00

Is the recession making you sick?

Recession Anxiety Seeps Into Everyday Lives
By PAM BELLUCK
Published: April 9, 2009
Experts see signs that stress is becoming more common as a result of the economic downturn.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/09/health/09stress.html

The lunchbox is the new clutch

2009-04-09T10:31:00.001-04:00

Recession girls need healthy, energy producing snacks to keep up with all the swindles and low rollin' fun available in NYC. One way to get your superfoods and save a little is to make your own trail mix. Instead of paying 6-7 bucks for a bag made with mostly peanuts and imitation m&m's you can buy all the ingredients separately and mix them yourself!
Here's the latest version I have experimented with:

1 20oz canister of mixed nuts (CVS sells a brand that has ZERO peanuts!)
1 bag of organic golden raisins from Trader Joe's
1 bag of organic (brown) raisins from Trader Joe's
1 bag of walnut halves and pieces (also from TJ's)
1 bag of dark chocolate m&m's (gotta get the antioxidants!)

Mix well with a large spoon in a big bowl. There should be enough gorp to fill at least 3 empty nut canisters, so it will last you for weeks...unless you share! Other variations have dark chocolate peanut m&m's, extra almonds, dried cherries or craisins, and even candied ginger.

Recession Gardens

2009-04-08T16:14:00.004-04:00

According to CNN, many Americans are turning to gardens as a way to reduce food bills amid recession. Mike Metallo, spokesman for the National Gardening Association, claims that
a $70 investment in a garden will yield $600 in produce for the year.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/04/01/recession.garden/index.html

And now that Spring is here everyone, including the Obamas, is planting a garden.

(Check out the Huffington Post to see which vegetables are "worth a fist bump": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-patricia-fitzgerald/obama-garden-watch-10-veg_b_183425.html)

However, if you are like RG and live in a NYC apartment, planting a garden in your backyard is not really an option. But many of us have access to rooftops where we can plant (vist: http://www.ehow.com/how_2096350_grow-rooftop-garden.html to learn how).

Other Recessionistas choose to participate in a community garden, where many people can grow enough veggies to sustain them throughout the summer. To find your nearest community garden accepting members, visit: greenguerillas.org

If you would like to buck the system and create a fire escape garden (which are technically illegal, and may incur a fine in some neighborhoods), visit:
http://brooklynbased.net/everything/fire-escape-of-dreams.

Recessionista Swindle of the Day

2009-04-08T14:22:00.002-04:00

Exercise is supposed to be a stress-reliever, not a stress-inducer. But forking over wads of cash every month for a gym membership is enough to make you spin – and not in the calorie-burning way. Fortunately, if you have health insurance, most plans are now encouraging gym membership by partially subsidizing your afternoon stroll on the elliptical. Insurance plans will give up to hundreds of dollars per year with proof that you’re sweating it out regularly. Check your plan’s website, or call the customer service number on your card and find out what you need to do to start collecting.

April Showers......

2009-04-08T11:30:00.003-04:00

Hanami: The Cherry Blossom Viewing Season
April 4- May 10

Hanami is the Japanese cultural tradition of viewing and cherishing each moment of the cherry blossom season, from the first buds, to the luminous blossoms, to the petals falling like pink snow. Visitors can enjoy a stroll under BBG's breathtaking collection of flowering cherries--the most anywhere outside of Japan--taste a special menu at the Terrace Café, and celebrate Sakura Matsuri, a two-day festival of Japanese culture for all ages on May 2 and 3.

Location
Brooklyn Botanic Garden (900 Washington Avenue) 11225

Cost

(RecessionGirl can fork out a tiny bit of cash to support this beautiful urban garden)
Adults $8; Seniors (65 and over) $4; Students 12+ with valid IDs $4; Children under 12 Free

Free Sex (talk)

2009-04-07T10:06:00.002-04:00

GENDER, SCIENCE, AND DEMOCRACY, a free event moderated by Dr. Rogério Pinto and in conversation with Dr. Bradley Lewis will be taking place this evening, Tuesday April 7th in room C05 of the Columbia University School of Social Work located at 1255 Amsterdam Ave. A light dinner will be served from 6:30 to 7:00, followed by a presentation and discussion from 7:00 to 8:30.

Starting with an exploration of the ways in science has influenced our cultural understandings of sex and gender, we will look at the ways in which science and "evidenced-based practice" can be both dangerous and potentially protective when working with vulnerable populations. Particular focus will be placed on the power dynamics involved between researcher and subject, social worker and client/community, and researcher and social worker.

Race, Sexuality, & Social Justice: A View of the Future through the Lens of A Public Sociologist
Date: Tuesday, April 7th
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus, Health Science Building, Room 119)
Cost: Free
"Dr. Battle is a Professor of Sociology and Public Health at the CUNY Graduate Center. He is a Fulbright Senior Specialist with a focus on race, sexuality, and social justice. He is a recent president of the Association of Black Sociologists and is actively involved in theAmerican Sociological Association. Recently, in partnership with the Social Science Research Council, he organized a national gathering of academics, activists, funders, and relevant stakeholders examining the intersections of race and sexuality." (from freenyc.net)

BYOB!

2009-04-06T14:02:00.002-04:00

Even when she’s broke, a girl’s gotta eat. And less face it, drink. Seems like the one little luxury people aren’t willing to give up in hard times is our little escape, alcohol. Luckily, when you hit up a BYOB, you can bring wine so cheap – like recession-proof Bare Foot from Trader Joe’s at $5 a pop – that a date or dinner party puts not much more of a dent on the wallet than staying in and being boring. Here is our list of fave BYOBs in NYC – many worth trekking to Brooklyn for!

Manhattan

Kuma Inn
113 Ludlow St., 2nd Floor (between Delancey & Rivington)
212.967.0909
Filipino-Thai small plates
www.kumainn.com
"What better than some Southeast Asian tapas, sake and Tsingtao, and a mellow environment on a dreary night?"

Angelica Kitchen
300 East 12th St. NY, NY
http://www.angelicakitchen.com/
“Serving fresh, organic, and sustainable vegetarian fare in style.”

Meskerem Ethiopian Cuisine
124 Macdougal St
New York, NY 10012-1247
Phone: (212) 777-8111
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/33070329/
“A perfect dinner spot if you need to have a conversation with someone -- not the typical NYC loud noises! Service is not speedy but reminiscent of service in Africa, so I think of it as genuine!”

A Café
French Caribbean
973 COLUMBUS AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10025
TEL: 212-222-2033
http://www.acafeny.com/

Cherin Sushi
Cheap, delicious rolls
6th Street (between 1st Ave and 2nd Ave)
212.388.1348
“Cheap, delicious rolls - Early bird special (before 8pm) buys 4 rolls for $12.95.”
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/cherin-sushi/

Cube 63 (LES)
63 Clinton St (between Rivington St & Stanton St)
212. 228.6751
Sushi
www.cube63.com
“The rolls were good, but overpriced. They seem to make up for the BYOB in the prices of their food.”

Ivo & Lulu
558 Broome St., nr. Varick St.
212.226.4399
French-Caribbean cheap eats
“Ivo and Lulu is the perfect dinner spot for you and your laid-back friends, the ones who don't mind waiting a little (or a lot) for your table, and are willing to crack open a beer on Broome Street until it's ready.”

Milon
93 First Avenue (between 5th & 6th streets)
212.228.4896
Little India
“The decor is fun, the staff entertaining (watching them compete for customers with the restaurant next door) and the food is great--tastes even better since it's so cheap. We come from Brooklyn just to go here.”

Poke
Sushi
343 E 85th St (between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
212.249.0569
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/poke-restaurant/
“This place is a gem on the UES.”

Tartine
French bistro
253 W. 11th St., at W 4th St.
212.229.2611
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/tartine/
“Best brunch in NYC! Get there early as the place is the size of a postage stamp.”

Brooklyn

Zaytoons
Middle Eastern
Two BYOB locations – Myrtle Ave and Smith Ave
http://www.zaytoonsrestaurant.com/

Abistro
154 Carlton Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11205 at Myrtle Ave (Ft. Greene). It's such a great restaurant.
French-Senegalese (owner & chef is Senegalese but classically trained in Paris)
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/abistro/
“The wait staff is so warm and inviting, you think you're with friends. I love this restaurant! It's perfect for brunch. It's like light soul food.”

Lucali
575 Henry Street, Carroll Street & 1st Place (Carroll Gardens)
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/lucali/
“Bring a bottle of wine and a six-pack and eat some amazing pizza!”

Ghang
Inexpensive Thai
204 Smith St Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 222-5598
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/ghang-thai/
“I know I will be acknowledged as soon as I walk in & the rest of the evening goes just as it should. Also, it is BYOB & there is no corkage fee, I cannot say enough about this place.”

Petite Crevette
144 Hicks St (at Between President Street and Union Street) Brooklyn, NY 11231 40.6841 -74.0021
http://brooklyn.citysearch.com/profile/44408646/brooklyn_ny/petite_crevette.html
“What you can expect is heartwarming charm, great seafood for an absolutely unbeatable price. There is no room for snotty, over-the-top, irrational personalities in Brooklyn.”

Olive Vine Cafe
Middle Eastern
441 Seventh Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215 (Park Slope)
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/olive-vine-cafe/
“Despite its imperfections, the quirks at this friendly spot make the dishes taste that much more homemade, successfully endearing it to the neighborhood.”

Free Movies

2009-04-06T11:39:00.001-04:00

SINK INTO MOVIES
at Le Poisson Rouge this and next Monday
(even as we may or may not be sinking deeper into this recession)

Poisson Rouge is running a new Monday Night (FREE!) Film Series : Deeper Into Movies - A Selective History of Art-House CinemaDeeper into Movies has embarked on a journey through the history of art-house cinema throughout the world. Screened on (Le) Poisson Rouge’s 12 foot cinema projection screen in LPR's main performance space, with an unparalleled Meyer surround-sound system, you will have the rare opportunity to sit comfortably, enjoy a cocktail and order gourmet tapas from our full menu while enjoying some of the silver screen’s greatest films. So this Monday, April6 and next, have a drink and some popcorn, stick around afterwards in LPR's gallery for a specialty cocktails and dig deeper into movies.

04.06.09: The Cinema of Cuisine
Big Night (Campbell Scott, 1996)

04.13.09: New York Double Feature
Do the Right Thing (Spike Lee, 1989)
Taxi Driver (Martin Scorsese, 1976)

Le Poisson Rouge is located at 158 Bleeker Street. Doors open at 8:30 pm, movies start at 9:00 pm

We're all in this thing together

2009-04-03T17:17:00.002-04:00

While even free drinks valued at $17 a pop isn't enough to convince RecessionGirl to endure the clientle that generally inhabit The Gansevoort's rooftop bar, tough times can certainly persuade us to employ a little harmless flirting at a chill east village dive. And with times this tough, everyone can be excused for digging a little low every once in awhile!

New York: Top 10 Places Where Dudes Will Buy You Drinks
http://tiny.cc/drlAj

Low Roller Fun

2009-04-03T09:36:00.007-04:00

Tonight

FOUND: Your perfect night out
Free Wine, Art, and a Photo Booth!
When: Friday, April 3rd
Time: Free drinks 9-11pm, fee waived on club entrance after 11
Where:530 W 28th St (b/w 10th and 11th Ave)
Cost: FREE
MUST rsvp to: photoboothsalon@gmail.com

***************************************************

LIPSTICK ECONOMY

Opens TONIGHT between 6 and 9 at the Thierry Goldberg Projects, in the Lower East Side at 5 Rivington Street. Runs from April 3 to May 3

RecessionGirl is thrilled to see Swetlana Heger's latest performance-based exhibition called Lipstick Economy. As an affordable indulgence for morale-sake, lipstick sales have been noted to increase in trying economic times, indicating that just a little goes a very long way to altering one's look....and ability to weather difficult times. Referencing Leonard Lauder's loose theory in consumer confidence called his "lipstick index," "Heger explores the aesthetics (cosmetic and experiential) of art and self." On the heels, pumps, and sensible flats of the spiraling economy, Heger sets the Thierry Goldberg Gallery alive with her multi-layered dialogue on the economy, gender, and consumerism.....all marked by lipstick traces.

Free Beer this weekend!

2009-04-02T14:26:00.002-04:00

Saturday & Sunday
Gowanus Yacht Club Opening Party
323 Smith St., Brooklyn, NY 11231 at President St. See Map Subway Directions

Recessionista Swindle of the Day

2009-04-01T17:55:00.005-04:00

Every NYC girl knows what it's like to have one of those days - nothing is going right, you're feeling ugly or got yelled at at work, and you need a little summin-summin to make you feel better NOW. Rather than waste $7 (and 2000 calories) at Cold Stone, or worse yet $45 on some headband at Zara, take a note from Recessiongirl's boss (even bosses have bad days!) and hit up a nearby thrift store. While the foundation thrift stores are often more high end (Arthritis foundation, etc.) the regular ole goodwills and salvation armys - especially in neighborhoods like the Upper East or West Side - behold hidden gems. Roll up your sleeves and burn off some of that bad energy, and you may just discover something fantastic, like these jcrew cords RG's boss picked up for under $5. You'll have something new to take home, and feel fantastic about your find.

Free Cupcakes!

2009-04-01T11:51:00.002-04:00

from craigslist:

Hi! I’m working on fulfilling a lifelong dream of opening my own baking business after recently losing my job. I’ve had my friends and family try my cupcakes and now I’m ready for some real world opinions! I live in Chelsea and would love to find a few foodies to give me some candid culinary feedback. Please call me if you’d like to try one and I’m happy to deliver in a limited area.

Thanks! Julia 805. 637. 0652

Stimulate Love

2009-04-01T11:16:00.008-04:00

GIVE YOURSELF AWAY!

What better way to build good karma - and a very free social life - than offering a piece of you to making our community a better place. Check out these volunteer opportunities and many more to come!

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of New York City http://www.bigsnyc.org/

The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City is to provide mentors to all children who need caring adult role models--special friends who can help expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures--changing their lives. We seek to train community organizations in every neighborhood, empowering them to establish their own mentoring programs. To learn more about the program, attend one of the training sessions (announced regularly on BBBS’ website). BBBS has a particularly strong need for male volunteers so RecessionGirls, get out there and recruit some of those wonderful RecessionGuys!!!!

New York Cares
http://www.newyorkcares.org/
New York Cares' mission is to unite and enable caring New Yorkers to help people in need and improve our city through volunteer service and creative giving. An excellent resource for volunteers who want a flexible schedule. After an initial meeting you receive monthly listings of places to volunteer, which include working with kids, the elderly, fixing up neighborhoods and more. You can regularly volunteer with the same group or try different activities. It's a good way to meet other volunteers, too.

Mayor’s Volunteer Action Center
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mvc/html/home/home.shtml
The Mayor’s Volunteer Center of New York City, a program of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, brings together individuals, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to connect people and facilitate meaningful volunteer opportunities that improve the quality of life in New York City. Its goal is to make every New Yorker a volunteer. Throughout the year, the Mayor’s Volunteer Center promotes and organizes thousands of volunteer opportunities in partnership with community organizations and nonprofits in all five boroughs.

Low Roller Fun: Tonight!!

2009-04-01T10:00:00.004-04:00

Literary Libations

Indigest Magazine Monthly Reading Series

Date: Wednesday, April 1st

Time: 7:00pm (6:00pm doors)

Location: Le Poisson Rouge, Gallery (158 Bleeker St.)

Cost: Free
At their monthly reading series, online literary magazine InDigest takes it's mission of creating a dialogue between and about the arts of the screen and into the bar. The series step apart from other readings in it's efforts to bring in musicians, artists, fiction and poetry into a literary cabaret where authors read their own work as well as the work of other influential authors. With drink specials, great readings, and a free party following every reading. Tonight's edition features authors Deb Olin Unferth. Bio below. 21+

Deb Olin Unferth grew up in Chicago, but hasn’t stayed put much since. A short list of her past mailing addresses would include apartments in Denver, Birmingham and New York City, along with a number of residences — some undeliverable — in Mexico and Central America. Her lifetime of continent-trotting influenced many of the stories in her first book, Minor Robberies, a collection of short shorts published by McSweeney’s as one part of a three-book box set, One Hundred and Forty-Five Stories in a Small Box (Dave Eggers and Sarah Manguso authored the other two books). Unferth lives in Lawrence, where she teaches creative writing at the University of Kansas.

What Do We Have to Lose?

2009-03-31T12:08:00.004-04:00

Last year, Recession Girl was shopping with her friend from Argentina. He was picking up a camera case at Circuit City for his dad. The camera case cost $100, which seemed a little pricey, but was comparable to other similar items, and had already been marked down. We just planned to pick it up and get out of the Saturday Circuit City madness. We called Senor Argentine to confirm that we were buying the right case and we told him the price. Immediately, he said, "Tell them, I'll pay $80." We slightly snickered at his wishful thinking. Not wanting to burst his bubble by telling him that's just not the way it works at a chain mega-store in NYC, we just paid the $100, but told Papi it was $80.

Apparently, we were wrong. Times have changed and we are moving back toward the negotiating market - even chain stores where you would never dream you had the power to talk down.

Check out this article about one man's search for savings—where (and how) he could haggle himself a pretty substantial deal (i.e. a magical $300 discount "in the system" that could be applied) - and brush up on those barter skills you haven't used since Spring Break '99 in Cancun:
http://nymag.com/guides/cheap-living/negotiate.

Recessionista Swindle of the Day

2009-03-30T17:16:00.003-04:00

Go Generic (from the NY times Published Nov 2, 2008)
We surveyed regular New Yorkers to find out their favorite no-name products.
ShopRite Ibuprofen, $4.99 (compared to Advil, $8.99)

“It has the same shape and coating as Advil, and I swear it works just as well.”

—Faye Timmer, 41, singer and music teacher
CVS Anti-Itch Cream, $7.99 (compared to Cortaid itch cream, $10.29)

“It stops the itching on my mosquito bites in less than a minute, and it doesn’t smell too bad. I keep it in my glove compartment.”—Chris Masefield, 35, Internet sales
Bravo Market’s Krasdale Ultra Laundry Detergent, $1.99 (compared to double-strength Tide, $10.99)

“I use it on the gym clothes I wear for my morning workout and then carry in my bag all day. If it didn’t work, I’d know.”—Max Christopher, 41, public research director
Hanes Boxer Shorts, $9 for Three (compared to Gap boxers, $21 for three)

Not really generic, but half the price of the Gap underwear he was buying. “They last just as long and don’t shrink. Every time I put them on, I’m shocked. They still fit!”

—Jim Beeks, 43, software sales
Duane Reade Nourishing Formula Nail-Polish Remover and cotton balls, $6.58 (compared to Cutex nail-polish remover and Johnson & Johnson cotton balls, $7.70)

“It’s the purple one. I don’t think it’s actually nourishing, it just gets the polish off. And the Duane Reade cotton balls are just as absorbent as Johnson & Johnson ones.”

—Katie Hellmuth, 31, Website developer
Duane Reade Naproxen Sodium, $5.69 (compared to Aleve, $7.99)
“I take it after playing tennis, and it relieves pain and stiffness just as well as Aleve. I’m happy as a clam at high tide.” —John McLean, 65, retired investment consultant

Annual Savings: $92.16(Assuming you restock all of the above three times.)

Recession? Oh, Relax!

2009-03-30T10:29:00.002-04:00

Spa Week is returning to NYC from April 13-19, 2009. While that may be weeks away, RecessionGirl's a planner, at least when it comes to all things spa! She's already penciled in a few discounted $50 treatments and suggests you do the same.

For a list of participating spas, see http://www.spaweek.com/spas/New%20York

Low Roller Fun: Tonight!!

2009-03-30T10:06:00.004-04:00

Cheesecake: The Exhibition

Date: Monday, March 30th

Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Location: Spur Tree (76 Orchard St btw Broome and Grand)

Cost: Free
The rough-edged work of emerging Brooklyn-based photographer JJ Ignotz hits the LES tonight for Cheesecake: The Exhibition. This recent cum laude photography graduate gets a little naughty while daring her viewers to look and then startles them when they do. "The images of partially-clad, provocatively-posed women are anxiety-inducing and addicting. They touch on themes of gender and rebellion, youth and adulthood, fetishism and exhibitionism–all rolled into a bizarre world of shag carpets, wood paneling, and loud wallpaper. The portfolio resembles the original pin-up, but falls short, leaving it to be most closely described as cheesecake. JJ’s portfolio consists of black and white silver gelatin prints on Forteza paper presented as single photographs as well as large scale collages. Prices range from $15 and up for limited edition prints."
The Cheesecake exhibition at Spur Tree is another Salon Ciel art experiment in an alternative venue. Salon Ciel is an exclusive, monthly exhibition series designed to promote and showcase the work of cutting edge, emerging photographers and visual artists. Salon Ciel is produced by David Rheingold and Andrew Stromberg, in conjunction with the organization’s Director of Operations and Curator, Lyndsey Beutin.

Writer/Reader Mingle & Book Swap

Date: Monday, March 30th

Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Location: Pacific Standard (82 4th Ave & St. Marks, Park Slope)

Cost: Free
The Desk Set team of librarians, archivists and bibliophiles have once again devised a party scheme to fulfill your needs. The writers and readers of this great city are invited to bring their old books, swap 'em for other people's books, and have a drink and/or a chat with like-minded folks and authors. Leftover books are donate to Books Through Bars. 21+

Low Roller Fun - Every Tuesday

2009-03-30T09:42:00.005-04:00

Again, if we can't laugh about it...and isn't everything funnier after a $1 BEERS? (yup, DOLLAR beers!)
Are you hankering for a good ol’ scandalous time? Sick of the recession? Wanna hear some real meat and bones comedy? Psycomic genius Todd Montesi is back presenting cheap booze and comedy for the masses! The UG's Comedy Show features both established and newbie comics in a chill lounge. Check out this week's lineup at that features dollar beers - yes, DOLLAR BEERS!!! - before the show from 7-8 pm!!

Date: Every Tuesday

Time: 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Location: Underground Lounge (613 2nd Ave. bet. 33rd and 34th st.)
Cost: Free

This week's lineup includes: Dan The Song Parody Man! (Howard Stern), Joe Dixon! (Atheist who doesn't believe in Al Sharpton), Mike Amato! (Carolines, Andy Kaufman Award Finalist), Mo Diggs! (Comix! regular, Comedy Central), Jeff Ragsdale! (Insane in da Membrane), Altai Kalachinow! (Hot young asian sensation nohomo), Brendan Fitzgibbons! (Road Rules: Iowa), Taiger! (MFN'BET), Erik Braunstein! (Jew!), Yam Sanders! (she'll be here this week), Todd Montesi! (G.O.A.T)

We're all in this thing together.

2009-03-29T20:12:00.001-04:00

Thank God we have the Onion to make us laugh in times like these:

Getting Randomly Picked To Make Half-Court Shots Now Best Way To Earn Living
WASHINGTON—A new study released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Tuesday confirmed that the most dependable source of income for American workers in the current economic climate is to win a novelty contest in which one must successfully shoot a basketball from half-court. "After factoring in the odds of your ticket number being called while attending a game, the median dollar value awarded, and the athletic ability of the average American citizen, and cross-referencing these data with employment forecasts and current job-security indices, we have determined that half-court shooting contests are currently the most effective way to support a family of four," the report read in part. "While this may seem like dire news, keep in mind that the consolation prize for missing the shot usually includes a food item from the concession stand." The report cited several other possible methods of securing a livelihood, including 50-50 raffles, lotto scratch-offs, and inventing YouTube.

The Lunchbox is the New Clutch

2009-03-27T12:46:00.005-04:00

Meet Clara, the original RecessionGirl and enjoy her Depression-era meals. She knew RecessionGirl's secrets before we knew RecessionGirl!

Low Roller Fun

2009-03-27T12:14:00.005-04:00

Saturday

Obama Generation and Youth Voices Uncensored
Date: Saturday, March 28th

Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location: New York Film Academy (100 East 17th Street)

Cost: Free
High school students, educators, and free speech advocates from around the city will gather at the New York Film Academy for Youth Voices Uncensored, an afternoon of film screenings and discussions about how youth media can address important social and political issues. "'Youth today are transforming our political landscape, and they are doing so largely through the world of film and new media,' said Brian Pickett, Youth Program Coordinator for the National Coalition Against Censorship and event organizer. 'As technology becomes easier to use and more widely accessible, we are seeing youth video production emerge as a significant way for young people to put a mark on their world.' Young people are finding that posting videos on Youtube, MySpace, and Facebook is an empowering and effective way to advocate for social change, Pickett noted." The 10 short films to be featured at Youth Voices Uncensored. A schedule of the films is available here.

Redbook Beauty Bash
Date: Saturday, March 28th

Time: 11:00am - 5:00pm

Location: Midtown Loft & Terrace (267 Fifth Ave at 29th Street, 11th Floor)

Cost: Free
"Redbook magazine is kicking off spring with a day of pampering at the Redbook Beauty Bash in New York City. Bring your friends and enjoy FREE spa treatments and indulgences from the experts at Spa Chicks on the Go, including mini manis, massages and more. Plus, sample the hottest beauty products, enjoy delicious refreshments and take home a goody bag filled with can't miss items."

Chelsea Brewery Tours
Date: Saturday, March 28th

Time: 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Location: Chelsea Brewery (Pier 59 at 18th st. on the West Side Highway)

Cost: Free
Ian The Chelsea Brewery Ambassador gives free tours of Manhattan's only active brewery this afternoon. Tours are every hour on the hour (sign up at the host desk, max 40 people per tour) and be sure to bring your ID for some free samples. Tour participants also receive $4 discount beer tickets so you can sip suds while discussing the wonders of yeast afterwards. 21+

Free Musical Theater TONIGHT

2009-03-27T11:54:00.001-04:00

Free tickets to see "SESSIONS - A New Musical" (Normally priced at $50.00) for Friday, March 27th at 8pm.
These tickets will go fast so please reply with a valid email and how many seats you would like (Limit 2 please). For more information on the show please visit www.sessionsthemusical.com.

For tickets, send an email to sessionstickets@aol.com giving us your full name, and how many tickets you would like (Limit 2 please). If you get a confirmation email, you are guaranteed seating.

The show starts at 8:00pm and if you get a confirmation email you can pick your tickets up at The Algonquin Theater Box Office located at 123 E. 24th St. (Between Park & Lexington) between 7:00 & 7:30 p.m. If you don't pick up your tickets before 7:30 it's possible that you will be asked to go on a wait list, so please try and make it by 7:30 to ensure your seats. thanks and enjoy the show!

Low Roller Fun - Mark Your Calenders

2009-03-26T17:22:00.006-04:00

FOUND: Your perfect night out

Free Wine, Art, and a Photo Booth!

When: Friday, April 3rd

Time: Free drinks 9-11pm, fee waived on club entrance after 11

Where:530 W 28th St (b/w 10th and 11th Ave)

Cost: FREE

MUST rsvp to: photoboothsalon@gmail.com

2009-03-26T16:05:00.001-04:00

Free Make up And Cosmetics

Reply to:sale-etdee-1092509564@craigslist.org?subject=Free%20Make%20up%20And%20Cosmetics

I got laid off from my job as a make up artist with channel so i have a tremendous amount of free samples at my house and full products that i need to get rid of. If your interested in anything, of coarse no charge email me asap! thanks

Free Haircut! Free Hair Products!

Reply to: sale-acnny-1092243849@craigslist.org
Expierenced Apprentice seeking hair models for cute short haircuts at Bumble&Bumble Salon located at 146 E. 56th STREET. If your open to taking off some length and want a change, or if you already have shorter hair and want to maintain it just EMAIL A PICTURE W/CONTACT INFO. Times are flexable. MONDAYS ARE THE ONLY DAYS AVAILABLE. ALL HAIRCUTS ARE FREE and come with FREE BUMBLE PRODUCTS.

Low Roller Fun

2009-03-26T10:39:00.004-04:00

Thurday

Work to Do: Gallery Opening
When: Opens Thursday Mar 26 (6–10pm)
Mar 27 – Apr 16
Daily (noon–6pm)
Where:112 Greene Street (112 Greene St)
Cost: Free
Soho's artistic heyday wasn't all that long ago, but thanks to the tourist-clogged streets and uber-fancy shops that sent many art-pushers to Chelsea and the artists to Bushwick and beyond, it seems like it took place on another planet. A big part of that long-gone world was 112 Workshop, which witnessed the creative births of Richard Serra, Laurie Anderson, and Chuck Close. This March, Royce Bannon and the Endless Love Crew are bringing the beat back to the storied Greene Street address. Their Work to Do show, inspired by the words of our new President, revives the legendary art space with the street-based work of graf writers like NohJ Coley and Kosbe.

Lower East Side Stories: Workplace Drama
Date: Thursday, March 26th
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Tenement Museum Shop (108 Orchard Street
Cost: Free
Four professional storytellers relate their favorite tales of life in the New York workforce. As always guests are invited to share their own three-minute stories of office romances, disastrous bosses, and life in a cube. Featured performers include Margot Leitman, DJ Hazard, Cyndi Freeman and Michele Carlo.

Free Article Writing Class
Date: Thursday, March 26th
Time: 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Barnes & Noble Greenwich Village (369 6th Ave)
Cost: Free
Pauline Millard, editor and writer for the Associated Press and instructor at Gotham Writers’ Workshop, shares tips on how write articles that grab a reader’s attention, in this introductory Article Writing course... Through short lectures and readings Ms. Millard will reveal how aspiring writers can go beyond the facts and explore the world in a personal and compelling way. Participants are encouraged to bring pen and paper to complete a short writing exercise designed to help them start their own piece of writing.

We're all in this thing together

2009-03-25T15:33:00.004-04:00

This morning, the MTA voted 12:1 to increase subways fare to $2.50/ride, $103 for unlimited monthly, and is severly cutting back on bus and train service. http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/mta-board-meets-to-vote-on-fare-hikes/?hp

Is this what we're in store for?

We Are All In This Thing Together

2009-03-24T13:33:00.012-04:00

When Economy Sours, Tootsie Rolls Soothe Souls

SO this is what's behind that new tummy pouch ....
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/nyregion/24candy.html?_r=1

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Living on Eggshells: Lessons From The Depression

Check out this article from the Huffington Post about why Grandma's habit of dipping her fingers in the shell to get every last drop of egg white after she cracked her eggs makes the best lemon meringue pie.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stinson-carter/living-on-eggshells_b_177812.html

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For more silver lining humor . . . Ask Dr. Recession!

If you are worried about wasting all of your anger being mad at AIG when they are just part of the problem....

Or, whether the new guy you just met who claims to have been "laid off" ever really had a job, Ask Dr. Recession at
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-marshall/ask-dr-recession_b_177789.html

Swap Yer Stuff

2009-03-23T22:32:00.006-04:00

One perk to not being able to afford Manhattan rent is that those long, packed train commutes lend themselves nicely to tuning out into a good book. I have gone through so many since moving to the Brooklyn (and taking that job in the Bronx!) that my miniscule apartment is overflowing, and my roommate is starting to get irked. Luckily, I discovered Bookins. An online book trading site, you create lists of books you want, and books you have and are willing to trade. When the site finds a book you want, the owner is sent your address, and your book shows up for free in a few days!. When someone wants your book, you print out a packing slip sent to you by the site and pay a set $4 postage fee. Every time you send a book, you earn points for future books. Just be aware, your (hopefully your ) mom’s Bridges of Madison County will not earn you the same amount of points as the newest (hopefully your little sister’s) Twilight. Not only is the service free, but it gives you free points when you sign up, so you get a book or two for free before you even send a thing.
http://www.bookins.com/

Other book trading sites:

Paper Back Swap: www.paperbackswap.com/index.php
Exclusively paperbacks, but cheaper postage as there is no set fee. Works pretty much the same way as bookins, but all books are treated equal. Two free books for listing your first ten.

Book Crossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/
This one’s a little more kooky: You leave a book anywhere, log it on the site, and watch it travel. This site is less organized and efficient, but is fun and community-minded. Also, the reader comments and reviews are more extensive: a good place to go if you want to find out more about a book, even if you don’t use the book sharing service.

Swap Tree: http://www.swaptree.com/
This site is for books, but lots of other stuff too. This site has you trade directly with one other user, for the price of postage. List the stuff you are willing to trade, and up pops all the stuff that others will trade you for it! A site to get all sorts of stuff you need. Clearly, the theme of this site (and this paragraph) is STUFF. Get it. For free. And get rid of some, too.

Rather than just consuming more and more, filling your apartment to the point where you can no longer have company out of embarrassment (and sheer lack of space), you’re cleaning off your shelves and making someone happy. You’re fostering a sense of community, and instead of just ditching the stuff in the can – you’re recycling!