Ella Fitzgerald

Everybody needs to stop complaining about Chan Marshall. If I hear another person talk about how she has smoothed over the rough edges that made her so great and eradicated all the warts-and-all charm from her repertoire, I'm going to spit.

Just a year ago, after releasing the strongest album by far of her career, Ms. Marshall, or Cat Power as she's known, cancelled a tour due to a breakdown. Plenty reacted with smug I-coulda-called-it satisfaction given her reputation for stagefright and worse. Then, a few months later, Ms. Marshall emerged stronger, leaner, and meaner than ever, and has since been treating audiences (ever larger, ever more thrilled audiences) to some of the best performances of her life. One review of her new album actually praised her former "paranoid-but-pretty" style in contrast to the strength and poise she now exhibits. You'd think people wanted this woman dead.  read more »

Tonight, Lolita Jackson, the mayor's community affairs liason in Manhattan, celebrates her birthday by singing at the Knitting Factory at 7 pm. Think of a Republican Ella Fitzgerald.

Tomorrow, Jonathan Tasini releases his economic plan at the Kittay House Senior Center in the Bronx.

The Empire State Development Corporation holds a public hearing on the Atlantic Yards plan at the New York City College of Technology.

Scott Stringer helps sort and fill backpacks for homeless children at the Javits Convention Center.

—Nicole Brydson

When I first walked into Nagomi at 8 o’clock one evening a few weeks ago, all the tables were  read more »

When I first walked into Nagomi at 8 o’clock one evening a few weeks ago, all the tables were empt  read more »

The Great Gatsby is the great American modern novel-the book that expressed more vividly than any ot  read more »