Art Apple

bASS

What: Zakir Hussain at the Carnegie Hall, 57^th Street and Seventh Avenue, visit www.carnegiehall.org, $40-50 per ticket, student discount available.

Why: Because this tabla legend is known to blow the doors off any venue he plays at. Even if you don’t score tickets to the Zakir Hussain and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma duet that kicks off the concert series, be sure to check out one (or more) of the others.

When: April 26 – 29, for a beat worth putting on repeat.

***

What: Casey Shea and Wakey! Wakey! at Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street, visit www.mercuryloungenyc.com to buy tickets, $10.

Why: Add back-to-back performances by two of the city’s best musical acts to a great location, and you get a tuneful trifecta that’s guaranteed to have temperatures rising. For a preview, check out their Myspace pages at www.myspace.com/wakeywakeymusic, and www.myspace.com/caseyshea

When: April 30, 9:30 pm.

***

What: Participate in the annual Make Music New York event, click here to register, all five boroughs, New York City.

Why: Because you can be a hero (or even better, a rock star) just for one day. Pick the park, plaza, or pier you want to play at with your band, solo, or part of a “Mass Appeal” event, and the organizers will file all the required paperwork for you. No auditions. No charge. No fooling.

When: Right now. The event isn’t until June 21, 11 am to 10 pm, but registration ends today, April 24.

pAINT

What: “Picasso: Mosqueteros” Art Exhibit, the Gagosian Gallery, 522 West 21^st Street, visit www.gagosian.com

Why: Pulling from various private collections and public museums, and for the first time in over two decades, this exhibit focuses exclusively on the oeuvre of an aging Picasso.

When: You want to think inside the cube. Runs through June 6, 2009.

bOOT

What: Chuck Taylor All Star Pink Floyd Converse Sneaker, Zacky’s, 686 Broadway, Near Mercer Street, $50.

Why: Because this just-released Dark Side of the Moon shoe is the coolest Converse to boot. Stamped with the iconic prism and a heartbeat, this sneaker will ensure you don’t blend in like just another brick in the wall.

When: You Wish for New Gear.

This week in Mumbai: Matheran Getaway, Trikaya Restaurant, Base Camp Travel Store, IPL Cupcakes, and Sabyasachi borders.

New York Feasting

bACK TO BASICS

What: Enamel and steel two layer lunch box, Urban Outfitters, 628 Broadway, Soho, $28.

Why: Remember the steel, multi-tiered dabba your mum packed your lunch in? This pop-colored (it comes in blue and green or pink and orange) version carries all that nostalgia, along with a huge dollop of style.

When: You want to be the coolest kid in class.

***

What: Kulfi Pistachio Cardamom by the Adirondack Creamery, LifeThyme Natural Market, 410 Sixth Avenue, $5.35 for a pint.

Why: Because even after surviving the long, hard winter, this is one cold you want to catch. Despite its firangi appearance, Kulfi Pistachio Cardamom is the real thing – creamy, sweet, and just like home.

When: You’re looking for cheap chills.

pHEROMONES

What: Francine Sagan’s Aphrodisiacs Tasting: History, Myth and Fact, 92 Y, 92^nd Street and Lexington Avenue, click here to buy tickets, $40.

Why: Along with usual suspects —chocolate, oysters, and truffles — you get to sample racy recipes involving legendary aphrodisiacs including ginseng and Spanish fly, the libidinous effects of which cannot be explained on this R Rated blog. Need we say more?

When: A new dish is the order of the day (or night). The event isn’t until May 13, at 7 pm, but seats are extremely coveted, so sign up soon!

bROKE

What: Hane Sushi, 346 First Avenue at 20^th Street, call (212)598.9889, $4 for two beers, or $7 for two glasses of sake.

Why: Because the two-for-one drinks special makes this the perfect place to ride out the recession. Get the Asahi Super Dry beer and Chikurin Sake, along with side of edamame and fried dumplings, and you’ll still have enough left over to pay the rent (almost). The sushi’s not bad either.

When: It’s pouring buckets, and you haven’t saved up for a rainy day.

* * *

What: Baked By Melissa miniature cupcakes, 529 Broadway (Spring Street, b/t Mercer and Broadway), call (212)842.0220, $10 for a dozen.

Why: Who could have thought that such a big taste could come from something so tiny? Owner Melissa Bushell combines moist cake, flavorful centers and pretty toppings to create her super scrumptious cupcakes.

When: Right now, when you need to remember that the best things – apartments, salaries, and especially cupcakes – come in small packages.

This weekend in Mumbai: A Movable Feast, Mangii Cafe, Nutrition Workshop, Fresh Paneer and Monkey's Pick Green Tea.

Très Chick!

bABY

What: Eggling Plant Holders at www.elsewheres.com, $9.50.

Why: Because regardless of whether it came first, you want your egg to last. Crack open, water, and watch anything from a thyme plant to a chrysanthemum sprout out, and thrive through the summer.

When: You want to break your egg and keep it too.

* * *

What: Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno 2 series on www.sundancechannel.com/greenporno.

Why: After doing bugs, daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman and director Roberto Rossellini is back with round two of her eco shorts that showcase the reproductive habits of marine animals, eggs and all.

When: You want to do it like they do on the Discovery Channel. Started April 1.

pURSUIT

What: Murder at Museum of Natural History Scavenger Hunt, visit
www.watsonadventures.com, $38.50, including museum admission.

Why: You enjoy the thrill of the chase. Upgrade your Easter egg hunt to this cool, R Rated adventure, where you get to crack hieroglyphic codes and pursue serial killers and cursing mummies.

When: Saturday, April 11, 2:30 pm. Also watch out for the Ghosts of Greenwich Village Hunt on April 25, 6 pm.

bUNNY

What: Black Chiffon Floral Hairpiece, Club Monaco, $24.

Why: This year, ditch your Easter hat for this seriously pretty pin; not only will it make sure you stay unruffled, it will give your spring wardrobe a stylish head-start.

When: On good and bad hair days.

* * *

What: Good Enough to Eat Breakfast Class comes to your kitchen, call Carrie Levin at 212.496.0163, Ext. 3, price on request.

Why: Because after a three hour culinary course with GETE chef/owner Carrie Levin and Williams-Sonoma instructor John Ochse, you’ll be able to whip up your own Peter Paul Belgium Chocolate Pancakes, Pumpkin French Toast, and legendary biscuits with strawberry butter.

When: You want to resurrect the home-cooked Easter Brunch.

This Weekend in Mumbai: Handmade Baby Clothes, Hip Dining at Shiro, Easter Brioche Nest, and Animal Staplers.