Free Theater

The 52nd Street Project offers writing and acting programs to kids. The plays the kids write are performed by professional actors in New York, and, I have to say, it's some of the best theater out there. The shows are FREE and the productions are well produced. Get tickets here for the performances in April. After seeing the show you'll probably want to volunteer with them. You can get more information and an application here.

The 52nd Street Project Playmaking Shows Spring 2009

Can Do!
Plays on the Bright Side

The 52nd Street Project 2009 Spring Playmaking Shows

Featuring ten short plays by the kids of Playmaking
Performed by:
Eliza Baldi, Jeremy Beck, Reg E. Cathey, Jackie Chung,
Billy Crudup, Danyon Davis, Emily Dorsch, Steven Goldstein,
Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Patrice Johnson, Jordan Mahome,
Elizabeth Marvel, James McDaniel, Martha Plimpton,
Jeanine Serralles, Cynthia Vance & Elliot Villar

Directed by:
George Babiak, Michael Bernard, David Costabile,
Megan Cramer, Liz Flahive, Reg Flowers, Kathleen Foreman,
Sonia Manzano, Niegel Smith & Rebecca White


Music by:
Andrew Sherman

Friday, April 3 @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 4 @ 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 5 @ 3:00 p.m.

The Public Theater
The Anspacher Hall
425 Lafayette Street
between Fourth & Astor.

Admission
FREE

Reservations required:
212/642-5052

More Ways to Cut Costs

Yahoo.com has a good little list of ways to cut down on all the things we love that get us through the day. It's all the things you know, but a great reminder none-the-less. I'm stocking up on fruit and I'm only drinking coffee made in the office. Yesterday I heard on the news that you can save $1000.00 a year by making your own coffee. Wow.

Recession Blues? Stay Positive!

Do not watch the news. Just don't. Turn off MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, and any other so-called news program with talking heads screaming about recession / depression / apocalypse / the earth imploding any minute now if the Dow Jones drops one more point.

We know we're in crisis, ok? And, the best way to get out of this is not to listen to the cranks on the tube. Instead, take a deep breath, recognize that this, too, shall pass, put a smile on your face and a song in your heart, and add one or more of the following activities to your ever growing list of recession-friendly fun:

1. Spend more time in the park. Talk to people. Pet dogs, play with babies. I promise, one hour in the park will lift your spirits for the rest of the day.

2. Surround yourself with positive people and insist that you not talk about the recession for the whole day. Obvious, I know, but sometimes if you don't remind yourself it's really easy to get sucked in to negativity.

3. Join a church or other community group that's focused on positive thinking and community service.

4. Speaking of community service, what better way to contribute to society than to volunteer somewhere? Be a mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters or at the 52nd Street Project; volunteer at the Humane Society; find out what projects the city has going on; plant a garden.

5. Chant, meditate, do yoga. Clean out your physical and mental closet.

6. Think of your own ways to stay positive.