The Abingdon Theatre Co. will award $1000 to an emerging playwright. Submit three copies of your work w/SASE to 432 W. 42nd St., 4th fl. NYC 10036 by June 1 or call 212-736-6604 for more info.
EMPIRE STATE POSTCARD COMPETITION
Do you have what it takes to design a postcard? Upstate, non-profit art group seeks submissions for cash prizes, try to avoid the women-bent-over-a-boardwalk motif. $20 entry fee & work should be sent to All Arts Matter, P.O. Box 513, Greenville, NY 12083 by Aug. 1; or call 518-966-4038 for more info.
FREE SHADE TREES
Join the National Arbor Day Foundation during the month of April & receive 10 free trees. Send $10 contrib. to Ten Free Dogwood Trees, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410 by April 30.
FUNNIEST GAY OR LESBIAN CONTEST
Annual competition seeks gay jokes during April & May at Stand-Up NY Comedy Club; call Bob at 212-877-4766 for more info.
MADCAT WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Fifth annual experimental film & video festival seeks submissions directed by women "that challenge the use of sound & image & explore notions of visual story-telling." All entries should be mailed to: MadCat Film Festival, 639 Steiner St. #C, San Francisco, CA, 94117 by April 30. For more info check out www.somaglow.com/madcat.
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
The International Library of Photography will award $60,000 in prizes. Contest is free, deadline is May 31; Send one photo in the category of people, travel, pets, children, sports, nature, action, humor, portraiture or other to: The International Library of Photography, #101-2611, 3600 Crondall Lane, Owings Mills, MD, 21117 or www.picture.com for info.
POETRY CONTEST
The International Library of Poetry will award $58,000 in prizes. Contest is free, deadline is April 30; Send one original poem, any style to The International Library of Poetry, #19910, 1 Poetry Plaza, Owings Mills, MD, 21117 or www.poetry.com for info.
YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS INC.
Sponsor of the annual Young Playwrights Festival seeks applications for Urban Retreat, the summer camp for playwrights ages 14-21. Week-long camp feat. lectures, workshops & discussions. Application deadline is May 1, for more info call 212-307-1140 or www.youngplaywrights.org
Wednesday 4/25
GREAT RIVER SWEEP
Wanna help rid the Hudson River of pollution, syringes, bodies, debris & stray cats? call 845-473-TIDE to volunteer through April 29.
SECRETARY'S DAY
Krispy Kreme awards the top 100 administrative assistants w/four dozen donuts. Anyone purchasing "Office Party Four Dozen Pack" today receives a free coffee mug; call the location nearest you for info.
SHARE OUR STRENGTH'S TASTE OF THE NATION
NYC restaurants & purveyors offer dishes & wine to fight hunger; Grand Hyatt New York, Grand Central Sta., 42nd St. (Vanderbilt Ave.), 800-955-TASTE; 7:30, $175-$275.
Thursday 4/26
IRVINGTON HOUSE GALA TAG SALE
Learn how to decorate like Park Ave. at thrift store prices during pre-owned antique, art & clothing sale; 1534 2nd Ave. (80th St.), 212-879-4555; 6-9, $50 for tickets.
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
Protest against Plan Columbia, the FTAA, Corporate Profiteers on a Day of Solidarity w/Indigenous Resistance; meet at 767 5th Ave. (58th St.), 212-966-4831; 11.
Friday 4/27
AUDITIONS
For Young Dancers in Repertory, Brooklyn's ensemble for teenage & pre-teen dancers; call 718-567-9620 to schedule an appointment [continues Sat.].
SINGLES UPBEAT SOIREE
Introductions, buffet, conversation & drinks in 10021, Manhattan's richest ZIP code; Penthouse at Sutton Pl. Suites, 300 E. 58th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 718-875-3878, res. req.; 9:30, $38 [repeats Sat.].
Saturday 4/28
DEFEND FREE SPEECH & LABOR RIGHTS
March across the Brooklyn Bridge & rally at WBAI; assemble at Borough Hall, Bklyn., 800-825-0055; 12, free.
FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
Biscuits & Bath Doggy Village, the five-story indoor playground, offers variety of events for pets. This weekend, Spaniels & Setters unite (Sat. 11-5); plus, "Sporting Life" (Sat. 11-5); 212-692-2323 for membership info; call for specifics.
LIBERTARIAN PARTY
2001 convention will elect state chair & other state officers, plus speakers Ray Mincone, author Dr. Donna Gaines, hiphoper Reginald Jone & others; Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 800-HOLIDAY; call for times, $40-$50.
SATURDAYS AT THE GUGGENHEIM
Take a look at upcoming exhibition while mingling w/other singles; Guggenheim Museum, 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), 212-415-5500; 5:45 $25.
Sunday 4/29
ISRAELI FOLK DANCING
In the classic tradition, plus new dances; Bridge for Dance, 2726 B'way (104th St.), 212-620-0535; 8, $5.
Monday 4/30
FRIENDLY FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP
Weekly readings cater to moderate & advanced speakers; 54 Carmine St. (betw. Bleecker & Bedford Sts.), 917-776-7723; 7:30, free.
Tuesday 5/1
LIFESAVERS FUNDRAISER DINNER
In honor of National Mental Health Month, the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention invites citizens, scientists, survivors & celebrities to raise money for suicide research & education programs; honorees incl. Larry King; Cipriani, 110 E. 42nd St. (betw. Park & 3rd Aves.), 888-333-AFSP; 6:30, $700 & up.