Upcoming Events:
chase manhattan plaza, between Liberty & Pine and Nassau & William St., 212-835-2789: May 17-Dine Around Downtown, the Alliance for Downtown New York presents the 8th annual event featuring tastes of 50 downtown restaurants, with samples ranging from $3-$5, live entertainment throughout the day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., call for information.
csv center, 107 Suffolk St., 212-420-9202: May 21 & 22-Open artist studios, 3 floors of artists studios will be open to the public for 2 days, Sat., noon-6 p.m., Sun., 2-6 p.m., free and open to all.
drive in studios, 443 W, 18th St., 212-645-2244: May 14-16-Design Week 2005, third annual premiere NYC design event serving as a showcase for international design companies, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, $10 suggested donation, rsvp to invite@designdowntown.com.
housing works bookstore cafe, 126 Crosby St., 212-334-3324: Early May-Monthly book sale, everything in the store will be marked down an additional 30%, Sat., noon-9 p.m., Sun., noon-7 p.m.
“matzo files” benefit, Mo Pitkin’s Restaurant, 34 Ave, A., matzofiles.org: May 25-First annual Benefit for the Matzo Files, a flat-file gallery representing 250 contemporary artists in a working matzo factory, featuring a silent art auction, food and other surprises, 6-9 p.m., $15-$20, mystery boxes available for $5 each.
millennium tribeca high school, 75 Broad St., 212-825-9008, x7502: May 17-A Taste of Millennium, second annual fund raising even to help the school library, music program and college office, featuring a silent auction and amazing food from dozens of Downtown restaurants, 7-9 p.m., $35 per person.
peking duck house, 28 Mott St., 917-348-3999: May 12-The Wine Century Club host a Bring Your Own Interesting Varietal Dinner, where each attendee brings a wine of a different specified grape variety, call for the details and for reservations, 7 p.m., $30 includes banquet style meal.
ramakrishnananda center, 96 Ave. B., 646-436-7010: Sat.-Festival of the Holy Names, live meditative music and chanting as an expression of spiritual devotion, 4 p.m., call ahead.
soho partnership, various locations in Soho, 212-274-0550, x15: June 4-The Summer Soho Stroll 2005, 7th annual neighborhood celebration a full day of food, fun, discounts and entertainment, various businesses in the neighborhood will be participating, call or go to sohonyc.org for a complete list, starts at 11 a.m. and runs all day, free.
spark cafe and art center, 161 W. 22nd St., 212-929-3381: May 15-The Speculative Fiction Fair, monthly literary fest featuring workshops, seminars, readings, 2 p.m., free.
town & Village Synagogue, 334 E. 14th St., 212-780-0800: May 12-Yom Ha’Atznaut Teen Festival, Israeli folk & hip hop dancing for Jewish teens from downtown Manhattan, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $10 including dinner.
the village Reform democratic club, Blue Note Cafe, 131 W. 3rd St., 212-995-0597: May 15-VRDC Twenty Second Anniversary Dinner, with Councilmember Alan J. Gerson, Jazz brunch & program, 2-6 p.m., $85 & up.
world financial center plaza, North Cove, 917-414-2004: May 14-Carnival on the Hudson, 1st ever COTH featuring a 45 Ft. ferris wheel, games, boat rides, performers, music, raffles, food, and a silent auction, open to the public from noon-5 p.m., admission is free, tickets for the rides, games and food will be sold at the event.
Neighborhood Hot Spots & Organizations:
collective unconscious, 279 Church St., 212-254-5277.
the kitchen, 512 W. 19th St., 212-255-5793.
lower manhattan cultural council, 120 Broadway, 212-219-9401.
salmagundi club, 47 Fifth Ave., 212-255-7740.
watson adventures, various locations, 212-726-1529: Scavenger hunts around the city.
