Pitchfork

When we think of The New Yorker, we think of hard-hitting investigative reporting, confusing cartoons, and that drawing of the snooty guy with spectacles and a top hat. We certainly don't think of ROCK AND MOTHERFUCKING ROLL. (Except when they run those funny pieces that try to explain Houston rap or reggaeton to rich white people.)

But next weekend, The New Yorker is all about the rock. Well, sort of. As part of their seventh annual New Yorker Festival, "a celebratory weekend of public discourse on arts and ideas" taking place October 6-8 at venues throughout the city, the magazine will host a series of musical events...and one sure-to-be-awkward dance party.

On Saturday, October 7, PJ Harvey will perform as well as chat with theatre critic Hilton Als at the Supper Club. Later that night, at that same venue, Randy Newman will talk with editor Susan Morrison, and at Newspace, the New Pornographers will hang out with James Surowiecki, the guy who does the Financial Page. So he and Carl Newman can trade stock tips. Down in Brooklyn, at the waterfront venue BargeMusic, Joanna Newsom will perform and talk shop with fellow "composers on the edge" Mason Bates, Corey Dargel, and Nico Muhly, as well as critic Alex Ross.

Unfortunately, all of those events are sold out already. (So is "What You Can Do With Boiling Water: Mario Batali Talks With Bill Buford". Sorry!) But don't despair, because "A New Yorker Dance Party Hosted by Sasha Frere-Jones, With Special Guest DJ Michael Mayer", taking place Friday, October 6 at T New York, is NOT sold out! Better scoop up those tix while you still can, folks, 'cause you know what they say...ain't no party like a New Yorker party, cuz a New Yorker party don't stop.