Forget the paper or plastic debate. Fashion’s new bag lady, Dutch designer Susan Bijl, has created a trend that fits the standards of style as well as puts your ecological conscience at ease. Called the “New Shopping Bag,” and made of coated kite-grade nylon, these bags have reinvented the conventional look of the canvas tote bag touted by environmentalists to replace wasteful plastic shopping bags. Created in over 51 vibrant color combinations and coming in small and large sizes, they can easily be stashed inside larger bags. Already a hit in Japan, they are the ultimate modern statement for the new green movement.

Music, sports and fashion join together to raise educational awareness. The truth is scary: “The drop out rate in NYC is at a shocking all time high; 49% of New York City’s Public High School students do not graduate from high school. Everyday 500 students drop out of NYC high schools. New York State has the highest dropout rate for Black and Hispanic students of any state in the nation. Approximately 7,000 students will drop out of school per school day nation wide.” The Entertainers 4 Education Alliance has joined forces with HOT 97 and Catapult Online to present the 2nd annual “Stay-In-School Concert”. Today, on October 17th, at the Manhattan Center, join Lil Mama, Juelz Santana, Jason Fox, Rich Boy, New York Knicks star John Starks and hip-hop legend Rev. Run for an evening of music, sports and fashion. Hosted by MTV Personality DJ Cipha Sounds, watch as LOT 29 present their fall/winter fashion collection, led by LOT 29 spokeswoman and America’s Next Top model winner, Jaslene Gonzales. Have some fun, and make a difference… because as we all know, knowledge is power!

Peep in and experience the subtle and striking moments of human emotion at Harriet’s Alter Ego gallery space. The exhibit, ACCESS, is running from Oct. 14th through Nov. 14th, at the Brooklyn gallery. Showcasing the works of an array of both emerging and accomplished artists, like Atif Ateeq who brings new life by shedding light on the Muslim community in New York, in a post 9/11 world. Or submerge yourself in Celeste Holt-Walters’ detailed photography that finds beauty and complexity in the simplest of images. With fashion photographer and filmmaker, Kareem Black, as guest curator, ACCESS, opens up with a reception and panel discussion with the exhibiting artists on Oct. 14th @ 3 p.m.

Harriet’s Alter Ego
Located at 293 Flatbush Avenue between St. Marks and Prospect Pl.
Subway: 2, 3 to Bergen Street or B, Q to 7th Avenue. Bus: B41 or B65.

Prepare for a unique threesome of jazz, rock, and funk that will leave you wanting more. Soil & “Pimp”, a Japanese-based group of six, Shacho (agitator), Tabu Zombie (trumpet), Motoharu (sax), Josei (piano), Akita Goldman (bass) and Midoryn (drums), create a fast pace and often aggressive sound of what they call “death jazz”, which is anything but dead, pushing far pass the conventional limits of what jazz is often believed to be. Songs like “Crush” somehow find a way to effortlessly balance the soulful sounds of the piano, trumpet, and sax, against the drummer’s rock steady beat. All the Shacho’s raging screams remain perfectly aligned. Check them out during the BBC’s Electric Proms sessions on October 25th, when they’ll get down and funky with the UK’s own jazz sensation Jamie Cullum.

With blinking starry skies, plastic trees and a full concession stand, New Yorkers are provided with an unique experience: the drive-in. Seating six comfortably in a classic 1965 Ford Falcon convertible, DRV-IN, the innovative project by GrandOpening, lets you review the world of cinematic classics such as 1962’s “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” to 1999’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. With over four decades of movie classics, this lower east side theater will give you a chance to relive New York based films like “A Bronx Tale”, and “West Side Story” to cult classics like “The Color Purple” and “The Godfather”.

http://www.139norfolk.com/