Photographs: Eric Harvey Brown

We’re not sure that real pirates would cruise through the streets of NYC on bikes for fun—they’d probably be too busy plundering and pillaging to learn how to cycle. But no matter: local environmental activists Time’s Up! organized a special pirate bike ride yesterday, in honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day. In additional to donning piratical costumes (with, yes, a few wenches), some folks tricked out their rides to actually look like pirate ships. We give that level of dedication a hearty arrrr!

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).

Photos by Eric Harvey Brown

Hundreds on wheels—mostly bikes but a few scooters and skates, too—rode in yesterday from the boroughs, New Jersey and Westchester for the 11th annual Blessing of the Bikes at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. The ceremony itself was one part interfaith blessing and one part cycling advocacy. The spiritual portion was officiated by Father Thomas Miller and included the recitation of Bible passages and sprinkling of holy water. Two members of the NYC Street Memorial Project reminded riders of the danger cyclists face by reading the names of 14 New Yorkers who lost their lives in 2008 and 2009. The ceremony ended on an upbeat note when riders were allowed to bike through the cathedral. Before the ceremony, we asked some bike-blessing virgins (plus a second-timer and the good Father himself) what the blessing means to them. Read more »

Photos by Eric Harvey Brown

On Friday, the Brooklyn Masonic Temple was overrun with the creative cats of the Brooklyn Bailout, including musical performers and DJs King Britt, Justin Carter, Zemi 17 and Derek Plaslaiko. Of course, the hottest fire and brimstone came from Reverend Billy, the Lady Circus, Chika Imagima and the partygoers themselves. Proof is in the pictures—and check out that glowy ice sculpture of the Brooklyn Bridge!

Photos by Eric Harvey Brown

Hundreds of eager pillow bearers descended upon Wall Street at 3pm today for Newmindspace’s New York City Pillow Fight 2009. It appears to have been quite a messy affair, despite the organizers’ plea for feather-free pillows only. (Like, pshhha!)