We'll be back on the 16th, and don't plan to blog much. It's a vacation!

Here are some recommended events while we're gone. Remember not to spend so much money that you can't attend the Nurture Art event on June 4.

Benefits

• Smack Mellon Kentucky Derby party and benefit on May 5
• White Box benefit on May 8. You can view items online now.
• Soho Rep, one of my favorite theater companies, has a benefit on May 14 -- performances by Matt Dillon, Tim Blake Nelson, Joe Pantoliano, Meryl Streep, and Lili Taylor in short works.
• Exit Art 25th Anniversary benefit and art auction on May 3.

Theater

• We know half of the people involved in a new play titled God's Ear presented by the New Georges. We're going after we get back, but if you go soon you can get discount tickets. Go to SmartTix and use the code PRE10 to see it for $10 May 2-6.
• The Experimental Text Festival at Ontological looks fascinating, and includes visual artist's Jason D. Szalla's directorial debut: "Copy 8852 is an alcohol fueled, candy flavored transcribed, circum-conversation about River Phoenix, Pop Culture, and Contemporary Art. Anonymity will be the new celebrity. Now and then in the Viper Room a museum can be found . . ."