Mike Bodge

Yesterday we let you know about a neat new website called NSKYC that tells you what the average color of the sky in New York is every five minutes. The site, which launched on the solstice Tuesday, was created by Mike Bodge, the creative director at Lolz LLC, whose work includes a number of New York City-inspired web projects. Trying to find that person you fell in love with on the subway? Bodge has you covered. Same goes if you're looking or a place to eat in Williamsburg. We chatted with Bodge this morning about his creations.

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Are you feeling a little gray today? Well, you have a right to be, because that is the average color of the city's sky right now, according to website NSKYC. The site updates every five minutes; we took the above screenshot at 11:55 a.m. NSKYC was created by Mike Bodge , who is also behind public transportation missed-connections site Subway Crush. Please, get blue soon, sky. [Gothamist]

Esther Zuckerman

On Astor Place, next to the Mud Coffee truck and across from the 6 train, it can be sometimes hard to hear the person next to you. But artist Jennie Booth wants you to "try to be an ear." That's the title of the piano Booth painted in swirling blues purples and greens, which was installed today in that very spot this afternoon as part of Sing for Hope's Pop-Up Pianos project.

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You know, we might actually go see this show if it were performed entirely by a cast of muppets. Maybe.
[Vulture]

This just in. . .

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
René Buch and Repertorio Español

BEST NEW AMERICAN PLAY
Kristoffer Diaz, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity
(includes $1,000 prize)

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​Boy, are parents mad about Snooki's recent appearance at Rutgers. Both about the concept of it, and the cost (almost $10,000 more than they pay in yearly tuition). And everyone else is freaked out by the fact that Shnickers was paid $2,000 more than what Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison is being given to speak at commencement. You know who remains totally nonplussed? Morrison herself. When you're the person who wrote Beloved and Sula, you've really got bigger things to worry about. More »

The Voice's own theatre critic, Michael Feingold, refused to jump the gun and see the Spider-Man musical before its official opening date. Many of his peers wrote scathing reviews based on preview shows, which he argues isn't exactly fair. We're going to be far more unfair; what follows is our review of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. (FULL DISCLOSURE: We have not seen Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark):

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Ellen Stewart at La MaMa in 1991 (Jonathan Slaff)

Ellen Stewart, 91, universally known as La Mama and acclaimed as one of the formidable figures who shaped the Off-Off-Broadway theater movement, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday night. The founder and guiding spirit of Café La MaMa, later known as La MaMa E.T.C. (standing for "Experimental Theatre Club"), she created a haven for innovative playwrights, directors, designers, and performers that has had permanent artistic effects worldwide. A homey, straightforward, no-nonsense woman, she was famous for the signature gesture by which, in the early years, she opened every La MaMa performance: ringing a cowbell and declaring, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to La MaMa, dedicated to the playwright and to all aspects of the theater."

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Paul Quitoriano

Whenever we tell people what we do for a living we always get the same thing: "You must know what's going on in the city all the time," and "You must get invited to the best events." Well, yes and yes. But recommending events every freaking day of the year to you eccentric New Yorkers is not as easy as it sounds. We go to great lengths to preview the funniest comedy shows, weirdest art exhibitions, and craziest parties, which means we do end up going out a lot, and if that means taking off our pants in public, then so be it. More »

Work from "Inside"

Having a solo art exhibition in New York is beyond major -- sometimes even a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But the particular artist, in this instance, whose work, featured in a show called "Inside," has its opening reception tonight, will not be able to attend because he's behind bars in a New Jersey prison (and has been for almost two years awaiting trial). Coincidentally, he's also getting arraigned today. Aside from not being able to take in accolades from art aficionados tonight, he has chosen to remain completely anonymous. More »