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.
MISS GERMAN-AMERICAN 2001
Candidates must be between 18 & 24-years-old w/German-American background, unmarried, reside in NY plus have a general knowledge of the German language. Winner will ride on a float during the annual German-American Steuben Parade; send short resume w/address, phone number & photograph by April 27 to: Inge Benzenberg, 1250 Highway 34, #5, Aberdeen, NJ 07747.
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 4/18
NATIONAL ORGAN & TISSUE DONOR AWARENESS WEEK
You are good for something. Enrollment at www.health.state.ny.us or 800-GIFT-4-NY.
POLYAMOROUS
Monthly meeting for people interested in long-term, committed, multi-partner relationships?all ages welcome; Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center, 208 W. 13th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-568-9102 or www.Poly-NYC.com; 8, call for price.
PUPPIES BEHIND BARS
Touching-as-hell program pairs inmates w/16-18 month old puppies, whom they train for guide-dog programs. See what the puppies have learned & please do not bring any dogs; Camp Friendship, 339 8th St. (betw 5th & 6th Aves.), Park Slope, 718-484-3903, ext.2640; 7:30, $5.
Thursday 4/19
ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR
Preview America's foremost booksellers' fair at Park Ave. Armory, Park Ave. (67th St.), 212-777-5218; 5-9, $25, incl. weekend adm. [cont. Fri. 12-8, Sat. 12-4 & Sun. 12-5, $12 or $25 for 3-day pass].
SOCIAL DISCUSSION
Dinner & socializing for bisexuals & their supporters; NY Spaces, 131 W. 72nd St. (betw. B'way & Columbus Ave.), 212-714-7714; 6-8, call for info.
TASTE OF THE LOWER EAST SIDE
Twenty-five downtown restaurants provide samples, incl. Boca Chica, Barrio, Oliva, Mexican Radio, La Tableau, Lansky Lounge & Grill, Tonic, Two Boots Pizzeria, Veselka & Rice. Money goes to Grand Street Settlement's youth programs; Angel Orensanz Foundation, 172 Norfolk St. (betw. Houston & Stanton Sts.), 212-674-1740, ext.208; 7-10 p.m., $75-$300.
Friday 4/20
INTERNATIONAL VINTAGE POSTER FAIR
Preview more than 1000 vintage, rare & original posters from 1890s-1980s?Wine Spectator is the sponsor; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 800-856-8069; 5-9, $30, incl. champagne preview & weekend adm. [repeats Sat. 10-7 & Sun. 11-6, $12].
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 4/21
GREAT AMERICAN MUTT SHOW
Categories incl. "Best Lap Dog" & "Best Kisser"?$25 to register your dog; Pier 92, 12th Ave. (betw. 52nd & 53rd Sts.), 212-327-3164; 10-4, $12, $6 kids for under 12.
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.
RECORD & CD COLLECTORS EXPO
Thousands of LPs, 45s, 78s, v-discs, books, posters & photos; Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.),973-773-6067; 10-4, $6.
Sunday 4/22
CRIME VICTIMS' CANDLELIGHT
In honor of National Victims' Rights Week, West End Collegiate Church pres. 16th annual vigil, 245 W. 77th St. (West End Ave.), 212-416-8839; 2:30, free.
ISRAELI FOLK DANCING
In the classic tradition, plus new dances; Bridge for Dance, 2726 B'way (104th St.), 212-620-0535; 8, $5.
Monday 4/23
CHARTING OUR COURSE HOME
Cocktails, dinner & space show to benefit The Jewish Community Center; The Frederick Phineas & Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth & Space at American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-580-0099; 7, $750.
FRIENDLY FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP
Weekly readings cater to moderate & advanced speakers, so don't try to roll up w/three years of high school French; 54 Carmine St. (betw. Bleecker & Bedford Sts.), 917-776-7723; 7:30, free.
NEW FLOWER MOON DRUMMING CIRCLE
Urban shaman Donna Henes leads ceremony at Mama Donna's Tea Garden & Healing Haven, call for Bklyn. location, 718-857-2247, res. req.; 7:30, $15.
Tuesday 4/24
ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER
Monthly meeting at MNN lasts for a challenging two hours; 537 W. 59th St. (Amsterdam & West End Aves.), 212-769-2457, res. req.; 7, free.
CHEF'S NIGHT OUT
"The Practical Magic Ball" is an evening of entertainment & food from some of NY's top restaurants, w/proceeds benefiting City Harvest; The Pierre, 5th Ave. (61st St.), 212-874-5457; 7, $200.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE
Beginners welcome, no partner needed, live music, wear soft-soled nonstreet shoes; Metropolitan Duane Church, 201 W. 13th St. (7th Ave.), 212-459-4080; 7, $10.