1. The Stone
John Zorn’s spartan Alphabet City outpost provides a no-frills home for avant-garde music of all inclinations, programmed by different musicians each month. Ave C at 2nd St (no phone)
2. Issue Project Room at the Old American Can Factory
Issue’s current home is temporary, but avant-rockers, contemporary-classical players and electroacoustic improvisers have made the space a permanent destination.
232 3rd St at Third Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn (718-330-0313)
3. Roulette
Now housed in a comfortable, elegant Soho space, Jim Staley’s long-running venue keeps the downtown-music torch burning brightly.
20 Greene St between Canal and Grand Sts (212-219-8242)
4. Monkey Town
Four-wall video projections make Monkey Town’s back room a haven for multisensory stimulation.
58 North 3rd St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-384-1369)
5. Experimental Intermedia
Twice a year in March and December, composer and video artist Phill Niblock opens his loft to composers, sound artists and improvisers from around the world.
224 Centre St at Grand St, third floor (212-431-5127)
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