Laughing Lotus is a yoga center with a twist. Opened in 2000 by partners Dana Flynn and Jasmine Tarkeshi; the Laughing Lotus is dedicated to “inspire devotion, and to celebrate community and spiritual life.”

It all began at a rooftop playground in New York City in the summer of 1999, a year after Dana and Jasmine met and realized their shared love for music, art, dance, transformation and yoga. Soon after Laughing Lotus was born. There are now two centers, one in San Francisco, and the other, right here in New York City.

One class known as Laughing Lotus’ signature experience is the Friday night jam, which was begun back in 2000 and designed for rebels and those who seek the truth. The jam begins at 10pm and continues until midnight, during which time the participants will experience deep fluid asana set to live music or DJ’s. To attain a true spiritual high the music includes phat beats and ancient, traditional mantras.

As the Laughing Lotus says, “All rebels are welcome.”

Located at 59 West 19th Street at Sixth Avenue. Call 212-414-2903 for more information.

On November 21st and 22nd youthful poets will read their works expressing “hurt and hope on their journey towards self.” The featured poets are Nia Allen, Aziza Barnes, Kedene McLeod, and Diamond Wynn. The poets are teamed with Writing Mentor Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai and Director/Choreographer Nicco Annan.

The unique hybrid performance is a creation of the partnership between New York Live Arts and Urban Word NYC whose goal is to support inner city youth in their artistic development. The project is now in its fourth year, and includes the input and participation of the spoken word artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai.

New York Live Arts was created in 2011 when the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company merged with the Dance Theater Workshop. It is housed at 219 West 19th Street, and led by the Executive Artistic Director Bill T. Jones and Artistic Director Carla Peterson. The CEO and Executive Director is Jean Davidson.

Sometimes called tragic poet, prankster or provocateur, you can now decide for yourself when you visit the Maurizio Cattelan exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum.

Cattelan Exhibit at the Guggenheim

Cattelan takes his inspiration from the full range of life’s offerings, such as popular culture, history, organized religion and a deep look at the self, which is both humorous and profound. Many have described Cattelan’s style as hyper-realistic, creating overly truthful sculptures whose purpose is to point out contradictions which occupy the very heart of contemporary society.

Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork will be showing from November 4, 2011 to January 22, 2012 at the Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue at 89th Street.