This Week in the Voice

In his previous mayoral campaigns, Mike Bloomberg has cut deals with Randi Weingarten's teachers' union that have eased his way to victory. But they also also stiffed charter schools and thwarted any hope of a real turnaround in our school system. Wayne Barrett tells us why this could be -- and should be -- the year Bloomberg tells the union boss "no."

Among the small number of people who saw Bjork with the Dirty Projectors at Housing Works was Rob Harvilla. "I can count on one hand the number of shows I've attended that I actively wished were longer," he says. "This is one."

A lot of names have come up in the pension fund scandal that's roiling New York politics. Here's one you may not know -- Jack Jordan, a "placement agent" whose prior training was as a Housing Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president embroiled in various controversies and convicted of perjury. Oh, he also contributed lots to comptroller William Thompson's campaigns. Tom Robbins has the story.

Think a new pizzeria isn't a story? Kestè is "less pizza joint than pizza temple," says Sarah DiGregorio, with an oven made of volcanic stone from Sorrento. Robert Sietsema makes a guest appearance to explains that pizza comes from New York, not Naples.

Michael Musto mingles with the Tony Award nominees. Raùl Esparza declares, "I'm going to do the entire Judy-Liza oeuvre!" Gregory Jbara says "I love you, man. I'm proud of you," but he's not talking to Musto, who goes out and sees some shows and gets another dig in at Carrie Prejean and company.

Oh no, another all-star production of Waiting for Godot! But wait! Michael Feingold says it's good, and Nathan Lane's "frowsty, glum, pathetic Gogo is one of his best creations yet." The Philanthropist and 9 to 5 do less well.

Plus:

Film: J. Hoberman on Summer Hours, Aaron Hillis interviews Surveillance co-writer/director Jennifer Lynch and gives summer film picks, Robert Wilonsky on The Brothers Bloom, J. Hoberman on Being Jewish in France, Melissa Anderson on Jerichow.

Theatre: Alexis Soloski on The Merchant of Venice, The Office, Christmas is Miles Away, Richard III and summer theatre picks, Tom Sellar on Galileo.

Music: Mordechai Shinefield on Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown, Jayson Greene on Cam'ron, Stacey Anderson on Amadou & Mariam and summer music picks, Cristina Black on Passion Pit, Larry Blumenfeld at the 40th Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Food: Robert Sietsema on Harlem's A Taste of Seafood and summer food picks.

Art: Martha Schwendener on "The Pictures Generation, 1974-1984" at the Met, Dan GrahamRobert Schuster on Dan Graham at the Whitney and summer art picks.

Books: Zach Baron on James Hannaham's God Says No and the PEN World Voices Festival, Jed Lipinski interviews Lawrence Osbourne and gives summer book picks.

Free Will Astrology, Letters, Dan Savage, et alia.