Photographs: Eric Harvey Brown and Laura Yan

You might imagine a more somber attitude at last night’s Fourth Annual Carnivorous Nights Taxidermy Contest at the Bell House, considering that it is a competition for the most marvelous preserved dead creature, real or imagined, but the packed venue and enthusiastic crowd (ranging from hipsters and curious nerds to morbid taxidermists) made the mood anything but depressing. Entries included a bedazzled synthetic-diamond dog head, a delicate Victorian automaton bird that chirped and moved,  and deformed mermaid and lobster babies created from a taxidermist’s own skin. Some taxidermy practitioners might frown upon modern interpretations of this ancient art, but few can argue against the beauty of a dazzling chandelier that incorporates goat skulls. And the contestants were characters themselves, with anecdotes and back stories that turned each piece into something even more compelling. It’s enough to make any audience member want to start trying her hand at skinning, stuffing and mounting her first doe. Maybe.—Laura Yan

Photographs: Eric Harvey Brown

Chocolate salsa, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate-chip cookies and other delectable confections were consumed at the Brooklyn Chocolate Experiment, which took place last night at the Bell House. Take a gander at some of the creations (including what looks like a chocolate-infused burger), and try not to drool all over your keyboard.

Photographs: Heami Lee

Children of the ’80s know that when it comes to classic video games, few were as fun to play as Super Mario Bros. (particularly the second installment, with all the fire-breathing dinosaurs and hovering Princesses). Nintendo seems to agree, as the game company has given the characters another upgrade, this time for the Wii; the latest version of Mario and Luigi’s adventures, Super Mario Bros. Wii, was released yesterday. To celebrate, the Nintendo Store set up a pop-up museum devoted to all things Mario—including old-school game cartridges and memoribilia.

Bill Gates is what, a bajillionaire now? (Actually, according to a recent Forbes article, he’s merely a billionaire. Well, then.) But he’s also a nice super-rich dude: Each year, he gives away tons of money through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which supports funding for health care, education and poverty (among other things). He’ll chat about his philanthropic endeavors and more at the 92nd Street Y on November 11 with The Economist’s Matthew Bishop, himself no stranger to charity (his newest book is called Philanthrocapitalism—apparently, the two concepts can mesh successfully).

Tickets to the event are on sale now (go to 92y.org to grab ’em), but will likely sell out. If you can’t shell out $50, no worries: We’ve got you covered. Simply e-mail ownthiscity@timeoutny.com by Tuesday evening, and tell us why you want to see the richest man in America speak; you could win two tickets to the event. (Just don’t try to ask him for money once you’re there. That would be totally uncool.)

Costume by Kristin Costa. Model: Patrick Harrington.

The rain and rerouted F trains didn’t seem to stop enthusiasts and the curious alike from attending Steampunk II on Saturday. Put on by the Brooklyn Indie Market, the event showcased close to 20 vendors under a packed leakproof tent. Stepping into the crowded tent was like traveling back to the Victorian 19th century. Women wore corsets and petticoats accessorized with little cocked hats, while men donned tweed waistcoats and knickerbockers. And, true to the Steampunk culture, there was a certain whimsical, gothic vibe: Vendors sold aviator goggles, pocket watches and rings made from typewriter letters.

Kristina Frost and Aparna Dasgupta were dressed for the occasion and excited to be surrounded by fellow buffs. “I’m really excited for the after-party [at the Way Station],” Dasgupta said. “It will be fun to meet people with such a specific similar interest in a more social setting.”

“It’s so nice to know that people still care enough about history to create something new and interesting out of it,” Frost added. “It’s a pity this event is only once a year.”—Aynsley Karp

Photograph: Chae Kihn

Birkin bags and six-foot-tall models packed the New York Public Library’s South Court auditorium Tuesday evening to see Vogue’s creative director, Grace Coddington, make a rare appearance (“I’m nervous in public,” she says) at an event organized by the Conservators of the New York Public Library. Here’s what we learned. Read more »

Photograph: Joyce Culver/92nd Street Y

Where is women’s fashion headed? If you ask award-winning Washington Post journalist Robin Givhan, planted in D.C. on the Michelle Obama beat, the answer is in a “democratic” direction. Isaac Mizrahi, who was dressed for comfort (“I wore this because it was the only thing that fit”), claimed “fetishistic,” while Ashley Olsen offered a somewhat predictable answer,  “exciting.” Mizrahi, whose introductory notes included his upcoming QVC retail show,  peppered the panel with food-fashion analogies. His natural sass also provided the most entertainment, as when he pointed out the obvious paradox when Olsen claimed that she wears what’s comfortable—while donning seven-inch platform stilettos.

Other highlights: the panel noting the First Lady’s First Cleavage and First Thigh;  a collective vetoing of Hammer pants and the ’80s as a fashion trend; and a discussion of why sports aren’t considered frivolous but fashion is.—Laura Yan

Photographs: Taylor Derwin

Hordes of Victorian-inspired dandies and dolled-up partyers flocked to Dances of Vice: The Importance of Being Wilde on Saturday for a glittery tribute to Oscar Wilde. The witty writer’s influence on glam rock isn’t a new concept (hello, Velvet Goldmine!), and this party did the “godfather of glam” justice, with live music by Michael T & the Vanities and a special dance performance by Company XIV.

Photographs: Jolie Ruben

New York is full of Where the Wild Things Are love, so much so that an entire week has been devoted to events celebrating Maurice Sendak’s 1963 children’s classic. In addition to museum exhibits about the tome (including a series of sketches from the book’s creation at the Morgan Library), two streets in Greenwich Village have been temporarily renamed for Sendak and his book. Wild Things director Spike Jonze and actress Catherine Keener were on hand for the dedication.

Read on for our recap of the special celebrity reading of the book, hosted by the New York Public Library, on Tuesday.

Read more »

Proof that you can still have a good time even if you’re totally skint: Broke-Ass Stuart’s Fuck the Recession Party on Thursday featured free bouncy rides from Club Animals, contortionists and burlesque performers, and free sex advice (among many other offerings)—and all for a mere $5. We caught up with Mr. Broke-Ass himself, who explained why he wants the world to have fun on the cheap.

Today would have been John Lennon’s 69th birthday (and it is the birthday of his youngest son, Sean). In honor of the former Beatle’s life, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC is offering free admission to the museum both today and tomorrow. Now’s the perfect time to check out its current special exhibit, “John Lennon: The New York City Years,” which was created by his widow, Yoko Ono. Plus, if you stop by today at 1pm, Lennon’s immigration lawyer, Leon Wildes, will be talking about his fight to get John a green card in the ’70s. (Not an easy process, apparently.)

Photograph: Courtesy Rizzoli Books

Think your leather jacket is rebellious, or that Levi 501s are boring? Well, think again, says Keanan Duffty. Last night the British musician-turned–fashion designer led a panel discussion at the Fashion Institute of Technology based on his latest book, Rebel Rebel: Anti-Style, about how iconoclastic fashion starts in counter culture, and over time trickles into the mainstream. The panelists offered some advice on adding a bit of rebellion to your wardrobe:

(1) Know your audience. “Choose who you want to upset,” said Simon Collins, dean of fashion at Parsons The New School of Design—and then dress in a way that they will find shocking.
(2) Think subtle. Minor tweaks can make all the difference, advised stylist Rebecca Weinberg. ”It’s not just a hat, but the way you wear the hat.”
(3) Don’t buy rebellion. Simply putting on a leather jacket does not make you a rebel; it’s about the attitude that you put with it. “One man’s rebellion,” said Collins, “is another man’s shopping-mall outfit.”

Photographs: Taylor Derwin

Dance parties in museums are all the rage—see the popularity of P.S.1’s Warm Up, K2 Lounge at the Rubin Museum, One Step Beyond at the American Museum of Natural History.… You get the idea. The Museum of Modern Art already hosts PopRally events and has launched a new party, MoMA MiXX, on Saturday. The inaugural danceathon featured sets from artists and DJs, including Eamon Harkin and Hercules and Love Affair; the museum’s art served as the inspiration for their picks. Keep an eye on MoMA’s website for a downloadable version of the night’s mixes.

This just in: Dreamland Orchestra leader Michael Arenella sent out this missive earlier this morning:

“Due to the unfortunate weather we have made a last minute decision to postpone today’s Lawn Party.  The good news is that we are rescheduling for next Sunday, October 4th.

Please stay tuned, more details coming soon.

Warm regards,
Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra”

So if you were planning on heading to Governors Island today, uh, don’t. But there are still plenty of things to do (indoors!) on this rainy Sunday—including a Muslim punk art show and hilarious comedy at Joe’s Pub.

Photographs: Eric Harvey Brown

Dozens of hirsute men (and women!) showed off creative facial hair at the Second Annual Coney Island Beard and Moustache Competition, which took place at Sideshows by the Seashore. Competitors were awarded prizes in a variety of categories, including Best in Show, Best Styled Beard (which TONY photog Eric Harvey Brown took home) and, for the ladies, Best Female Fake Beard or ‘Stache. Nonwhiskered folks were also treated to a performance by some of Coney’s own Sideshow acts, including the creatively mustached Donny Vomit, and special guest Jennifer Miller the Bearded Lady (of political clown troupe Circus Amok).

The World Trade Center site in 2008

Today marks the opening of the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site, which is the first part of the 9/11 Memorial (formerly the National September 11 Memorial and Museum) to open to the public. The preview site, which is located at 20 Vesey Street, will feature information on and renderings of the museum itself (which is scheduled to open in 2011), as well as real-time images of the construction at the World Trade Center site. Visitors can also share their stories about 9/11 in a special recording booth, which will take three-minute snippets that will become part of one of the museum’s opening exhibits.

A press conference is scheduled for 10am; check back here later for a full photo gallery and interviews from the site.

9/11 Memorial Preview Site, 20 Vesey St at Church St (national911memorial.org). Mon–Wed, Fri, Sat 10am–7pm; Thu 10am–9pm; Sun 10am–6pm. Free.

Photographs: David Rosenzweig

On Saturday, Michael Alan hosted a superhero/supervillain-themed edition of his Draw-a-Thon Theater event, which combines live figure-drawing and performance art. Nudity was encouraged (and as such, some of these photos are NSFW).

Photograph: Henry Diltz

The 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair is almost upon us—the enormous rock festival took place August 15–17, 1969—and there are no shortage of ways to mark the occasion. Tonight, Morrison Hotel Gallery (313 Bowery between E 2nd and 3rd Sts; 212-677-2253, morrisonhotelgallery.com; 5–10pm) hosts an opening-night party for a new exhibit featuring photographs by official Woodstock photographer Henry Diltz, as well as other shutterbugs. The photos on view include Diltz’s iconic shot of Jimi Hendrix (pictured) as he played the fest’s final set. The rock photographer recently spoke with TONY and reminisced, “It was just electrifying when Hendrix took the stage and played ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ with all the sound effects, and his solo slicing through the air and echoing off the surrounding hills. It was just a riveting moment.” Diltz and Woodstock organizer Michael Lang will be in attendance and will sign copies of the new 600-page tome The Woodstock Experience, featuring contributions from both.

Not enough Woodstock for you? Then tune in to WFUV-FM 90.7, beginning Friday, August 14 ,at 2pm—the station will premiere a new special, “Woodstock 40 Years On,” featuring exclusive interviews with’60s rockers (and Woodstock performers) like Grace Slick, Richie Havens and Arlo Guthrie. FUV DJ Pete Fornatale will also chat about his new book, Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock at 4:45pm. And Ang Lee’s new film, Taking Woodstock, starring Demetri Martin and Liev Schreiber (and based on the book by Elliot Tiber), is in theaters August 28.

Still not enough? Okay, you crazy hippie. We also found a bunch of ways to experience ’60s culture in NYC—including a performance by a Beatles cover band, and vintage stores with tons of ’60s duds. Far out, man.

Photographs: Joshua Blank

On Saturday, thousands gathered in Central Park for a massive (free!) dance party featuring Berlin’s electro whiz Boys Noize (a.k.a. Alexander Ridha), as well as Drop the Lime (who runs the electronic music label Trouble & Bass) and Canyons, who were there in support of their “Fire Eyes” 12-inch.

Photographs: Dave Sanders

In preparation for its special anniversary festival on Saturday, August 15, the anachronists behind Dances of Vice held a special Neo-Victorian brunch party on Saturday. Goth-cabaret musician Voltaire played tunes, while steampunk designers Berit NYC and Purevile debuted Victorian-inspired clothing and accessories. Costumes, of course, were required, and ran the gamut from 18th-century day dresses to elaborate steampunk-inspired outfits with masks and more.