Announcing the 826NYC Art Show, 2008

Posted on May 07, 2008

We are very pleased to announce The 826NYC Art Show, our second auction of original work by contemporary artists to benefit 826NYC. The auction will take place at David Zwirner in Chelsea on Thursday, May 22 at 8pm, and will include new work by 21 contemporary artists, a limited edition set-of-postcards-as-catalog, and of course audio tours with commentary by 826NYC students. For all information, including previews of the work and registration materials, see the auction website.

826NYC Congratulates Martha Plimpton!

Posted on May 05, 2008

Martha Plimpton, 826NYC advisory board member, has been nominated for a Tony Award - Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play - for her performance in Caryl Churchill's 1982 play, Top Girls. Martha's recent theater credits include Shakespeare's Cymbeline and Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia.

Here is a photo of Martha hosting our June 2007 fundraiser, Tiny Smooshy Sunday on Fire!

A Benefit for 826NYC: Dungeons and Dragons (With Girls!)

Posted on April 16, 2008

826NYC hosts a Dungeons and Dragons Game Unlike Any Other to Raise Money for its Free Writing and Tutoring Programs for Children

Friday, May 9th, 7 to Midnight, at 826NYC (372 5th Avenue, Brooklyn)

That's right, fellas. Dungeons and Dragons isn't just for teenage boys anymore. We know you miss those late Friday nights in your parents' basement, with your friends, your Doritos-stained fingers and your lucky D20. And now that one thing that was missing from those perfect Friday nights wants to join the game: girls.

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS (WITH GIRLS!) is a benefit for the students of 826NYC. On May 9th, boys and girls alike will have the opportunity to send their heroic alter-egos into an uncharted dungeon in search of a lost crown. The characters you create will be pitted against monsters, traps, and each other in a contest to be the king (or queen) of an ancient fictitious kingdom (or queendom).

To join the game, all you need to do is visit http://www.826nyc.org/DnD to create your character, then start raising money to buy magic spells, weapons and items, to ensure that your dwarf, warrior, wizard, or thief comes home with the prize. And all the money you and your character raise will go to support the free writing programs at 826NYC.

Who: Anyone 21 or older

How: Go tohttp://www.826nyc.org/DnD and all will be explained (For the newcomers, trust us, it's very simple).

Check here for news, rules, and updates.

A Fish Does What?

Posted on March 25, 2008

Anonymous bloggers from drop-in tutoring have created a new website called Fish Slaps a Baby. The blog is updated weekly by a group of artists, songwriters, and wrestling experts, who are obsessed with Wrestlemania XXIV, Naruto, Connecticut, rocking hot dogs, and more.

When asked what message he'd like to send to his fans, one blogger requested, "Please comment every time you check out a post!" Trust us, the site is worth a visit.

826NYC on Transom

Posted on February 27, 2008

View image We're happy to announce that "Running From Myself," a radio piece produced here by our former student and intern Louis, is now being featured at Transom.org. The piece chronicles Louis's attempt to reconcile bad choices he's made in the past, and his struggle to determine if he's really changed for the better. Louis is a great storyteller, and the piece is a great listen, so check it out at: www.transom.org.

Blue Monday

Posted on February 11, 2008

Music lovers will be glad to know that 2008's most anxiously awaited album, Gotta Right to Sing the Blues, has finally been released. The album features the latest songs from such blues greats as Sad Spike C, Four Days of Mazes, Not Fair Beck, Scarred Knee Veeraswamy, Fractured Arden, and Test Hatin’ Christopher.

You'll feel the pain of losing a pet when Fractured Arden sings, "Put him in a shoebox when he died" in White Tree Frog. Also, just in time for Valentine's Day, check out Four Days of Mazes's sad tale of a love lost, The Sad, Sad Story of My Fake Life. Head over to the Writing Gallery to hear these tracks and more from this 826NYC exclusive.

Feeling Blue

Posted on February 04, 2008

Six blues musicians worked through Sunday afternoon to put the finishing touches on their upcoming album. Their sad, sad songs - from the likes of Scarred-Knee Veeraswamy and Test-Hatin' Christopher - will debut next week, during the last session of "Gotta Right to Sing the Blues."

Stay tuned to our Writing Gallery for samples from this limited-release CD. If you're lucky, you'll hear the sad story of the "No Face Fish Blues."

Cheaters DO Win

Posted on January 21, 2008

We're thrilled to announce that The Cheaters Cup is now in the possession of The Fightin' Caziques — Morgan Clendaniel and Gideon Friedman — the winners of 826NYC's Scrabble For Cheaters tournament. Their way with words and slick use of strategy (they lost their first round match and bought back in to the semi-finals via auction) propelled them to victory over all the other generous cheaters. Clendaniel and Friedman hold the title and the trophy until next year.

Thank you to all the cheaters. Your made-up words and your fundraising commitment are inspiring and appreciated. Start practicing for next year!

Deadline for Scrabble Team Signups

Posted on January 16, 2008

Your last chance for signing up to cheat in the Scrabble tournament of the decade ends tonight at midnight. So if you've been on the fence about joining in, now is your last chance to decide.

The good news is, donations will be accepted up until the date of the tournament, so you still have time to give your favorite team the edge they need. And, just in case any of the participants need a little motivation, this is what you'll be playing for.

Go ahead and drool--it's only a picture. If you want to drool on the real thing, you'll have to cheat your way to victory first.

For more information, go to the Scrabble for Cheaters site.

The Book of Other People Reading

Posted on January 06, 2008

On January 16th, 826NYC and Penguin Books present The Book of Other People: A Benefit Reading at Symphony Space. Zadie Smith hosts the event, which celebrates the US release of The Book of Other People, a collection of brand new stories by contemporary writers that benefits 826NYC. George Saunders and Vendela Vida will both read, along with very special guest Maggie Gyllenhaal!

Tickets are available online here, or by calling 212.864.5400.

All proceeds from the book and the event benefit 826NYC's free writing programs for children.