Head to the B&N near Union Square tonight to see Stephen Colbert, in the flesh, reading from his new book, "I Am America (And So Can You!)," at 7pm. The event is free and tickets cannot be purchased in advance, so you can bet a bunch of comedy/political satire nerds are already lining up on 17th Street--if you can't get there early, don't count on getting in. More details at the complete event listing, or check the Hot List for more things to do.

(Photo courtesy of Colbert Nation)

Time is running out for you to take advantage of one of New York's premier outdoor party spaces before the season ends, and what better way to enjoy it--or anything, for that matter--than with free drinks at the Not For Tourists '08 release party tomorrow night at Spiegelworld. The party starts at 6pm and free guidebooks will be distributed until they run out of copies, which means you and your co-workers should make a bee-line for the South Street Seaport at 5:30pm on the dot and stay 'til the booze--I mean, uh, books--runs out.

Thanks to Sho Spaeth for the tip.
 

For more than three years, writer Anthony LaSala and photographer Seth Kushner covered every inch of their native Brooklyn, documenting the people, stories and places that make the borough what it is. Now they've released a book, "The Brooklynites," a collection of images, interviews and essays focusing on a cross-section of the population--from the famous (like Steve Buscemi, above) to the nameless. Since I suspect you don't care much about the names of the nameless, I'll list a few more of the famous ones: Matisyahu, Spike Lee, Steve Schirripa, Jonathan Lethem, and Rosie Perez. Specific local attractions are also featured, from Peter Luger to the Brooklyn Museum.

The point is, when books are released, parties are thrown, and usually they have boxed wine and cheese and other exotic delicacies. It just so happens that an artist's reception celebrating "The Brooklynites" is being held tomorrow night at the powerHouse Arena from 6pm to 9pm, where photographs from the book will be on display (in a show curated by LaSala) until September 30th. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will present the "official proclamation" at 8pm and free booze will be provided courtesy of Six Point Craft Ales. The event is hosted by Skeery Jones, Terence Winter, Pete Miser, and Liz Tuccillo and Michael Showalter--who is quite possible the coolest dude ever, and enough of a reason not to miss this one--and will feature music by J.Period and a live performance by Maya Azucena.

Refer to the flyer for additional details, and don't forget to RSVP. And if this event doesn't grab you, don't forget we have more where it came from on our Hot List.