Black Francis @ Siren Fest 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

From New York City to Niagara Falls, N.Y., hundreds of gay and lesbian couples across the state began marrying on Sunday -- the first taking their vows just after midnight -- in the culmination of a long battle in the Legislature and a new milestone for gay rights advocates seeking to legalize same-sex marriage across the nation.

Outside the city clerk's office in Lower Manhattan, an orderly crowd had gathered in sweltering temperatures alongside metal police barriers hours before the doors opened around 8:45 a.m., prompting a cheer. At least one veil was in evidence. [NY Times]

today in NYC
* art show @ Saint Vitus
* Brasil Summerfest
* Erik Friedlander @ Barbes
* Cookies @ In Vino Winebar
* Jarrett Cherner @ The Stone
* Furthur @ PNC Bank Arts Center
* Inis Oirr @ The Manhattan Inn
* Contemporaneous @ The Stone
* Cracker, Wormburner @ Brooklyn Bowl
* Dry the River, Ambassadors @ The Rock Shop
* Black Francis, Reid Paley @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Cloud Control, Beige, Yvette @ Knitting Factory
* Columboid, Vaz, Mattress, Acid Kicks @ Bruar Falls
* Raw Nerve, White Load, Brain Slug @ The Acheron
* Ryan Sawyer, C. Spencer Yeh, Nate Wooley @ Zebulon
* Real Estate, Dent May, Andrew Cedermark @ Maxwell's
* Marcelo D2, Pitty, DJ Nuts @ Central Park Summerstage
* Swirlies, Psychedelic Horseshit @ Beekman Beer Garden
* Geordie Austen, Anna Lidell, David King @ Pete's Candy Store
* Stephane Wrembel Presents The Django Experiment @ Barbes
* Heartless Bastards, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Ramblers @ Mercury Lounge
* Death Grips, Bass Drum of Death, The Miracles Club, Night Manager (Rock Beach) @ Aviator Sports Complex
* Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob, Jay Rock, Mayday, Stevie Stone, JPK & Big Redd, NJC @ Starland Ballroom
* Magnetic Island, Amy Klein of Titus Andronicus, EULA, Jo Schornikow of The Shivers (Permanent Wave's Sound Wave To Benefit The International Women's Health Coalition) @ Death By Audio

Head to Beekman Beer Garden today for the free show by Psychedelic Horseshit and Swirlies.

What else?

"Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I've been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton. I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that, "The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law." I couldn't agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now." - Bruce Springsteen

Bruuuuuuuce! New Jersey legislature was supposed to vote on the issue Thursday, but that vote was controversially cancelled last night. The New York Senate disappointingly rejected a marriage bill for same sex couples earlier this month. For more on this issue, check out the Human Rights Campaign website.

In related news, The Boss was just honored by Obama. Video below...

Continue reading "Bruce Springsteen speaks out for for NJ gay marriage (which was was going to be voted on this week - now delayed)"

today in NYC
* Santos
* FREE STUFF
* Tom Petty @ MSG
* Sigur Ros @ MoMa
* Shakey's Record Fair
* Steely Dan @ Beacon Theatre
* The Ting Tings @ Apple Store
* Endless Boogie @ Mercury Lounge
* Evangelicals @ Bell @ Cake Shop
* The Futureheads @ Bowery Ballroom
* Nicole Atkins & the Sea @ Socrates
* My Brightest Diamond @ Blender Theater
* Mannequin Men & The Octagon @ Southpaw
* Dr. John & Adam Green @ Highline Ballroom
* Retribution Gospel Choir & Ida @ Union Hall
* Jim White & The Tien Brothers @ le Poisson Rouge
* Two Trans Am / Knyfe Hyts shows at Knitting Factory
* The Muslims, The So So Glos, and The Browns @ Market Hotel

The Futureheads are also playing Pianos tomorrow.

What else?