Lost City

Most people, myself included, move to NYC based largely on a perception of the city developed from portrayals in books, on TV, and in movies, supplemented by a few brief visits. The first time I visited was about 1993, when things hadn't calmed down as much as the present. One could still buy drugs on the streets of the East Village, for example. But to those out there thinking of making the move, consider this:

And for those in “Weimar” and the other shows, the sexy, risqué material feels like a throwback to an earlier New York, before the new Times Square and the newer, posher Lower East Side.

“You want to remind people why we all moved here in the first place,” said Mike Jackson, a bassist who performs with the Citizens Band and in “Weimar.” “No one moved here from their hometown, U.S.A., to go to the Disney store.”

Which pretty much sums up where we are now. The problem is that the Disney store is pretty much what you will find. If you are a frat boy majoring in business administration, and your parents are willing to help out with the rent, this is probably your best destination. If you're looking for something edgier, probably not. Out there in Bushwick somewhere maybe, but forget Manhattan. It will probably be fun again after the crash, partying in the ruins of the unsold condos. I'd wait for that though.