The World Series

The World Series became less relevant to many on the east coast as the Yankees and Phillies went down to the underdogs from the west. But Texans, Californians and true baseball fans should enjoy The World Series which matches up The Texas Rangers, in their first ever WS appearance against the San Francisco Giants, who last made it the the World Series in 2002 (lost to the Angels) and last won the WS in 1954.

The World Series

Game 1 Texas at San Francisco Wed., Oct. 27 7:30pm
Game 2 Texas at San Francisco Thu., Oct. 28 7:30pm
Game 3 San Francisco at Texas Sat., Oct. 30 6:30pm
Game 4 San Francisco at Texas Sun., Oct. 31 8pm

Game 5* San Francisco at Texas Mon., Nov. 1 7:30pm
Game 6* Texas at San Francisco Wed., Nov. 3 7:30pm
Game 7* Texas at San Francisco Thu., Nov. 4 7:30pm

*if necessary

All times are Eastern Time.

For suggestions on where to watch the games,
visit the MurphGuide Directory of NYC Sports Bars:

NYC Beer Pong Meetup Group

The NYC Beer Pong Meetup Group is for people that enjoy playing beer pong in New York City. Founded in 2008 by our friend Timmy Malone, it hosts small gatherings of people that enjoy playing beer pong in New York City. Their meetups are casual events scheduled around existing beer pong nights. That way, you will be sure to have somebody to play against.

You can join their group by signing up for free at meetup.com/nybeerpong.
If you are not familiar with Meetup.com, here is a link with some information:
meetup.com/about/

Their next gathering is tonight at Mercury Bar...

Wednesday, October 20
Beer Pong Tournament
Free to join, you just have to sign up at the bar
or email info@mercurybareast.com
There will be t-shirt, gift certificates, and other giveaways,
plus the first pitcher of beer is free for each team.
registration starts 6pm
at:
Mercury Bar East
493 3rd Ave.
(Between 33rd & 34th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 683-2645
MercuryBarEast.com



For more bars that have beer pong, check out the MurphGuide Beer Pong page:
Murphguide.com/beerpong.htm
Just a reminder to please drink responsibly. But you already know that, right?

Baseball Playoffs: ALCS & NLCS

The Major League Baseball playoffs are down to the AL & NL championship series. Winners go to the World Series. Home town Yankees start Friday night vs. The Texas Rangers, while Philadelphia vs. San Francisco starts on Saturday.

Here are the schedules:
AL Championship Series:
New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers

Game 1 - Yankees at Rangers Friday, Oct. 15 - 8pm
Game 2 - Yankees at Rangers Saturday, Oct. 16 - 4pm
Game 3 - Rangers at Yankees Monday, Oct. 18 - 8pm
Game 4 - Rangers at Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 19 - 8pm

Game 5* - Rangers at Yankees Wednesday, Oct. 20 - 4pm
Game 6* - Yankees at Rangers Friday, Oct. 22 - 8pm
Game 7* - Yankees at Rangers Saturday, Oct. 23 - 8pm
* if necessary


NL Championship Series:
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants
Game 1 - Giants at Phillies Saturday, Oct. 16 - 7:30pm
Game 2 - Giants at Phillies Sunday, Oct. 17 - 8pm
Game 3 - Phillies at Giants Tuesday, Oct. 19 - 4pm
Game 4 - Phillies at Giants Wednesday, Oct. 20 - 7:30pm

Game 5* - Phillies at Giants Thursday, Oct. 21 - 7:30pm
Game 6* - Giants at Phillies Saturday, Oct. 23 - 3:30pm
Game 7* - Giants at Phillies Sunday, Oct. 24 - 7:30pm
*if necessary

All times are Eastern Time.

For suggestions on where to watch the games,
visit the MurphGuide Directory of NYC Sports Bars:
World Series begins on Wednesday, Oct. 27, and could go until November 4, if necessary.

Red, White & True Comedy Benefit

Wednesday, October 13
Red, White & True Comedy Benefit
Proceeds benefit Operation Proud Hearts
For military & vet families

Starring:
Eddie Brill
Ted Alexandro
Corey Kahaney
hosted by Karen Bergreen
$25 General Admission
Purchase tickets online
doors 7:30pm
showtime 8:30pm
at:
Gotham Comedy Club
34 W. 22nd St.
(between 5th & 6th Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 367-9000
Gothamcomedyclub.com


Operation Proud Hearts supports local active servicemen, women, veterans & their families through a variety of programs that include care packages, gift cards, & Daddy Dolls to military children missing their mom or dad deployed. ProudHearts.org


Below is a clip from Eddie Brill on Letterman. He is also the warm up act for the Lat Show's studio tapings.

The Long Run by Matt Long

Today is the release date for Matt Long's new book, The Long Run...
The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete
by Matt Long with Charles Butler.

Matt Long is an inspirational hero to many New Yorkers, including myself. Five years ago, he was seriously injured when he was struck and run over by a bus while riding his bicycle to work at the FDNY. Since then, he has battled back through painful trials & tribulations to compete in the NYC Marathon and the iron man triathlon.
But over-coming his personal obstacles was not enough. Now he wants to help others tackle their own personal challenges.
Matt is the founder of the I Will Foundation, which helps men, women, boys, and girls to pursue goals they previously thought were beyond their reach.

His new book, "The Long Run", is available at major bookstores, and on-line at Amazon.com

FTC disclosure: if you purchase "The Long Run" via this link, MurphGuide gets a small commission.

Links:
The Long Run (Amazon.com)
"A Second Life" by Charles Butler (Runner's World, March '09)
"The First Mile" by Matt Long w/Charles Butler (Runner's World, Oct. '10)
Re-cap of Book Launch Party, by Curtis Lanton (Diary of Third & Long)
Book review: The Long Run: (Lehigh Valley Running Scene)
Matt's charity foundation: IWillFoundation.com
Matt and his brothers are co-owners of the popular Murray Hill neighborhood bar, Third & Long:

Third & Long
523 Third Ave. (35th St.)
New York, NY
(212) 447-5711
ThirdandLongNYC.com





Below is an excerpt from "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel", featuring Matt Long. (Aired Nov. 24, 2009)

Pat Joyce Memorial Fund Benefit

It was just over a year ago that our friend Patrick Joyce tragically died while fighting a fire.
Today, his friends and family remember him in the first Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund Benefit.

Sunday, October 10
Pat Joyce Memorial Fund Benefit
Celebrate Pat's life the way in which he loved to celebrate: Drinking good wine with good food in good company. All proceeds will go to the Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund, which supports the Ronald McDonald House of NY and the Tree House program at the Bereavement Center of Westchester.

Live music by:
Screaming Broccoli, The Benjamins, Jameson's Revenge, Eileen Fogarty Band & 27 West
Tickets: $50 (purchase online)
2pm - 12am
at:
Social at Dunwoodie Golf Course
Wasylenko Lane
Yonkers, NY
(914) 375-3177
SocialDunwoodie.com

Bands that will be entertaining throughout the day:

Jameson's Revenge
Screaming Broccoli

The Benjamins

27 West
Eileen Fogarty Band

The Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund:
The Patrick Joyce Memorial Fund was created by his family to serve as a foundation to honor a life that should be emulated by all. Pat was a generous soul who selflessly gave of himself. The primary mission of the fund is to provide financial support to the worthy causes that Pat so greatly valued. Pat spent his life using all his time, energy and resources to make the world around him a better place than the way he found it.

You can help Pat's selfless spirit live by supporting this foundation, which aims to support The Ronald McDonald House of NY and the Treehouse at the Bereavement Center of Westchester. The Ronald McDonald House of New York, Inc. provides a temporary “home-away-from-home” for pediatric cancer patients and their families. The Treehouse offers grief support specifically designed for children whose parent or sibling has died, as well as a separate group for their surviving parent or guardian.

Links:
Pat Joyce Memorial Fund: PatJoyce.org
Facebook group: In Memory of Patrick Joyce
Pat Joyce Memorial Fund on twitter: @PJmemorialfund

6th Anniversary Celebration at Katwalk

Congratulations to our friends Mike and Charlie on the 6th anniversary at Katwalk...
Friday, October 8
Katwalk 6-Year Anniversary Celebration

$250 cash prize awarded to the sexy kitten of the night, as voted on by you.
On top of the free open bar, and bottle specials all night,
Katwalk will be awarding a $250 cash prize to the sexy kitten of the night, and when you pick her, she will get the prize on the spot.
Ladies, be sure to look your best because this time it really could pay off.
Table reservations are encouraged, call 212-594-9343 or RSVP here.
Open Bar 10-11pm
No cover charge
at:

Katwalk
2 W. 35th St.
(between 5th & 6th Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 594-9343
KatWalkNYC.com

MLB Playoffs: ALDS & NLDS

The Major League Baseball playoffs begins today with the American and National League Division Series (ALDS & NLDS). The ALDS starts it all off at 1:30pm, followed by and NLDS game at 5:30 and capped with The Yankees first ALDS game vs. the Minnesota Twins.

Here are the schedules:

ALDS: New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins

Game 1 Yankees @ Twins Wed Oct. 6 8:30pm
Game 2 Yankees @ Twins Thu Oct. 7 6pm



Game 3 Twins @ Yankees Sat Oct. 9 8:30pm
Game 4* Twins @ Yankees Sun Oct. 10 8pm
Game 5* Yankees@ Twins Tue Oct. 12 8:30pm



ALDS: Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Game 1 Rangers @ Rays Wed Oct. 6 1:30pm
Game 2 Rangers @ Rays Thu Oct. 7 2:30pm




Game 3 Rays @ Rangers Sat Oct. 9 5pm
Game 4* Rays @ Rangers Sun Oct. 10 1pm
Game 5* Rangers@ Rays Tue Oct. 12 5pm


NLDS: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds

Game 1 Reds @ Phillies Wed Oct. 6 5pm
Game 2 Reds @ Phillies Fri Oct. 8 6pm



Game 3 Phillies @ Reds Sun Oct. 10 7pm
Game 4* Phillies @ Reds Mon Oct. 11 5pm
Game 5* Reds @ Phillies Wed Oct. 13 6pm


NLDS: Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants

Game 1 ATL @ SF Thu Oct. 7 9:30pm
Game 2 ATL @ SF Fri Oct. 8 9:30pm



Game 3 SF @ ATL Sun Oct. 10 4:30pm
Game 4* SF @ ATL Mon Oct. 11 8:30pm
Game 5* ATL @ SF Wed Oct. 13 9:30pm



*if necessary
All times are Eastern Time.

For suggestions on where to watch the games,
visit the MurphGuide Directory of NYC Sports Bars:

AL Championship Series runs Oct. 15 - 23
NL Championship Series runs Oct. 16 - 24
World Series begins on Wednesday, Oct. 27, and could go until November 4, if necessary.

Spotlight Artist: Luka Bloom

Our next Spotlight Artist is renowned Irish singer and songwriter Luka Bloom. Luka will be performing two shows in New York in October, as part of his tour to support his latest release, "Dreams in America". Our friend Christopher Deignan at the NY Irish Center arranged this interview for us.

Luka Bloom:

photo by Giorgia Bertazzi

Are you touring solo, or will you have supporting musicians?
I am the band, me and my 3 guitars.

How is your 2010 tour going?
Swimmingly.

You used to live in NYC. What were some of your favorite bars or restaurants back then?
Oh dear, my favorite places to sing in were The Red Lion (not the coolest place on earth, but I had the most memorable shows there in the winter of 1987/1988); Continental Divide, Under Acme, until eventually I graduated to The Bottom Line and CBGB!

My favorite restaurant was Quantum Leap on West 3rd. Very simple veggie fare.

What do you see are some of the biggest differences between NYC of the late 80s/early 90s and today?
The obvious ones. Cleaner, easier to get around. Not as edgy... I loved it then, I loved it now. I don't do nostalgia; everything changes including New York, and me.

What are some of your favorite venues to perform?
I love performing everywhere. It's the best job imaginable, and sometimes the smelliest dives you don't want to be in, are the best shows.....go figure.

Musical influences:
The usual; Van, Miles, Bob...I'm a simple guy.

photo by Giorgia Bertazzi

Linkage:
Official site: LukaBloom.com
facebook: lukabloom
Myspace: lukabloom
Youtube: lukabloomvideos
Wikipedia: wikipedia.org/wiki/Luka_Bloom

Where can we buy your music?
LukaBloom.com (new record 'Dreams in America' from Compass Records.)
Tell us about your newest release, "Dreams in America".

It is a moment of gratitude for the records and shows since Riverside came out 20 years ago. We launched Riverside in Maxwell's in Hoboken in January 1990, and I've been rockin' ever since. This tour is about saying thank you for that time, and the CD contains tracks from all the years since. I recorded it in my living room over last Christmas.

Can you share a story or anecdote about performing live in New York?
I remember seeing a queue in the snow outside The Red Lion in January 1988 one Wednesday night, and I knew something was happening.

Any advice to someone just starting out?
Never give up; don't take yourself too seriously. Its none of your business what anyone thinks of you. Always love what you do. Just give of yourself and you will somehow be taken care of.

Thank you!

Cheers Sean

Luka Bloom appears twice in New York next week: Sunday, Oct. 3 at City Winery and Tuesday, Oct. 5 at the NY Irish Center.

Tuesday, October 5
New York Irish Center presents...
An Evening With Luka Bloom
Tickets are $42 each (no limit on individual purchases)
There is an 80 seat limit so book your ticket(s) early.

Tickets can be purchases ONLY via Credit Card or Paypal using the following link: Paypal.com
Doors open 7pm
Complimentary cocktail hour downstairs
(donations to the Center for cocktails hour are encouraged)
The downstairs area will also be open after the show for drinks
General admission seating, so arrive early
8pm showtime (No admittance to the show after 8pm)
at:




New York Irish Center
10-40 Jackson Ave.
Long Island City, Queens, NY
718 482-0909
NYIrish.org

also appearing this Sunday at City Winery...

Sunday, October 3, 2010
Luka Bloom
Tickets:
* Bar Stools $20
* Reserved Tables $30
* Reserved Best Tables $35
* VIP Tables $35
8pm
at:
City Winery
155 Varick St.
(bet. Spring & Vandam St.)
New York, 10013
(212) 608-0555
citywinery.com

Below is a clip from last year's appearance at City Winery, performing "Dreams in America".

The Fall Naked Painting Party at Gallery Bar

The Naked Painting Party is back for their fall event...
Wednesday, September 29
Social Exposure Media presents...
The Fall Naked Painting Party
Sally Golan of Social Exposure Media invites you to once again, leave your inhibitions at the door...along with your pants... and get body painted...while body painting your friends...or a stranger ( it's a good ice breaker.)

The Naked Painting Party is a group art collaboration supporting NYC artists and culture. This is the third in a series. They are holding one for every season, so the theme for the fall is The Metamorphosis. The party will feature live art installations, dance performances and contests.

Featured artists:
Liam Alexander - Live Installationist
Aeric Meredith-Goujin - Portraitist and Fashion Photographer
Hassan Kinley - Editor in Chief of Karin + Raoul Magazine
Elina Miettinen - American Ballet Theater
Chong Cha - Body Artist and Fashion Designer
Matt Mikas - 2nd Skin Artisan Body Painting
DJ Ebar - International DJ and Music Producer, Quarterlife Records, Central Park Recordings

Sally says, "yes, bare nudity is encouraged. No, it is not a demand. But good luck hanging out on the side lines." Note, this event will be photographed. Nick McGlynn's excellent website Random Night Out has some fun pictures from the previous ones in February and May. (Note, the pics may be NSFW, depending on where you work).

You don't have to get naked, but you wouldn't want to get paint on your clothes now, would you?
$20 at the door includes a one hour cocktail reception by Chairman's Reserve Rum.
Must RSVP in advance to save your door ticket.
RSVP via facebook
8pm - 2am
at:
Gallery Bar
120 Orchard St. (between Delancey & Rivington St.)
(212) 529-2266
New York, NY
GalleryBarNYC.com


There are some basic rules, just to keep things cool:
1. By entering the venue, you agree to photographs and live recording
2. Bring flip flops to protect your feet, no hard shoes on the plastic.
Only plastic cups will be served at the bar to avoid glass.
3. Secure coat check in effect, but leave your expensive stuff at home.
Social Exposure Media is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
4. Photos and videos are allowed. But please ask your subjects first.
5. No paint throwing
6. No painting on the walls
7. No hitting, splashing or unethical conduct

Grand Opening - The Three Monkeys

Congratulations to our friend Mike & Patrick McNamee on the opening of their brand new bar, The Three Monkeys:
Tuesday, September 28
Grand Opening Party
Open bar 7-8pm
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres 7:30 - 9:30pm

Free with RSVP:
RSVP@TheBlaqGroup.com
at:
The Three Monkeys
236 W. 54th St. (between Broadway & Eighth Ave.)
New York, NY
TheThreeMonkeysbar.com

The Three Monkeys has two levels, with a bar on each floor.
They have 36 different beers on tap, and every hour is happy hour:
$4 Draft beer
$5 Sangria
$5 Cocktails
$5 Monkey Punches

The Three Monkeys is the sister bar of another west side favorite:

The Mean Fiddler
266 W. 47th St.
(bet. Broadway & Eighth Ave.)
New York, NY
(212) 354-2950
TheMeanFiddlerNYC.com