A look (and listen) at emerging artists from São Paulo's independent music scene, a vibrant and exciting music community inside the vast metropolis.

Prayer isn't the only thing on the minds of nuns in New York City. Last week, a letter from the Vatican condemned the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, the organization that oversees most of the United States' nuns, for radical feminist ideas and pushing an agenda that backs the ordination of women.

New York's independent theater community has decided to nickel and dime their way to financial stability.

A collection of Hannukah lamps from four continents chosen by illustrator and author Maurice Sendak is on view now at the Jewish Museum. Check out images of the lamps here.

In New York, two galleries have turned their gaze to the work of the controversial Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Meanwhile, from his home in Beijing, the artist has received more than $800,000 in donations from supporters.

The celebration of contemporary African music, called Afrika21: The Showcase, is an unofficial CMJ Music Marathon showcase featuring DJ's and musicians from Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa.

The Portland band Radiation City brings its nostalgia-soaked tunes to the Living Room as part of the CMJ Music Festival.

Jonquil plays sunny major chords and skipping, multi-instrumental tracks from its album One Hundred Suns as part of the CMJ music conference on Tuesday.

Visitors and passerby to Grand Central Station can now take a look through a window in South Korea. For "Through My Window," the photographer Ahae took more than a million pictures through the window of his house, which overlooks an organic nature preserve in South Korea.

The Chicago-based band Blah Blah Blah brings its lovely hooks, retro-recorded tracks and Morrissey-esque sound to Arlene's Grocery on Wednesday night.

This season includes revivals (and revise-als), of "Porgy and Bess" and “Follies.” There's also a host of new, small theaters cropping up in the outer boroughs that are producing interesting work for theater lovers who aren't afraid of taking the subway out of Manhattan.

Fort Lean brings hipster irony and airy arrangements to Glasslands Wednesday night, in full acid-washed, mustachioed glory.

The "Bring to Light" festival, a free contemporary art festival that started in Paris 10 years ago under the name "Nuit Blanche," comes to Greenpoint on Saturday.

There's some tension and nostalgia hiding behind the hooks in the songs of this U.K. foursome. Download "Bad Feeling" here for free.

Elizaveta brings a fairy tale sensibility to the operatic DNA of her music. Catch her at Dominion tonight and download her remix of "Dreamers" for free here.

The "New Chapter" initiative lifts overdue fines for patrons under 18 at New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Library branches through October 31.

A new series of statues bring all four seasons at once to Madison Square Park.

Van Hunt brings his genre-defying tunes and husky falsetto to Southpaw on Wednesday. Download his funky, punky track "Eyes Like Pearls" for free here.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is back with a new album, Hysterical, after taking some time off after its sophomore album. The band plays the Bowery Ballroom Tuesday night. Download the track "Same Mistake" here.

A newly restored vintage carousel featuring hand-carved horses and chariots is set to make its debut in its new Brooklyn home overlooking the East River on Friday.