Let’s turn to a topic I imagine every renter has a well thought-out and unbiased opinion on: How much should your landlord be able to raise your rent?

Not much, I’m sure you’re thinking. The economy’s tanked, your salary’s stagnant and isn’t the housing market worse than it’s been in years? No one can reasonably expect you to pay much, if any, more in rent. Right?

Of course, the landlords have a different opinion. You might have heard a little something about the rising cost of oil, a commodity that not only runs your car, but very likely also heats your building. Property owners in the city are claiming up to 40% increases in their operating costs over the past several years, while rents have only gone up about 20%. So a larger increase might just be justified.

I ain’t no economist, so I can’t pretend to know what would really be “fair.” That’s why we have the NYC Rent Guidelines Board, a lovely committee that holds a raucous meeting to discuss and vote on the authorized rent increases for the more than one million Rent Stabilized apartments in NYC. They met last week, the results are in and…

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This past Thursday, Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson’s “New York City Waterfalls” installation finally debuted. While there are a number of Circle Line boat tours operating on the East River, you can also see all four waterfalls from land in Brooklyn, if you’re willing to do a little walking. After the storms settled this past weekend, I set out on my own tour.

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Summer in the art world is all about letting go: galleries tend towards group shows and shows by artists that are a little bit crazier, a little bit more free, a bit more relaxed than they normally show.

True to form, Deitch Projects is opening two shows on the 28th-the Brazilian identical twins Os Gemeos in their main space on Wooster and a look at current conceptual abstract art in “Constraction” curated by Kathy Grayson on Grand Street.

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This week started on a down note with the death of comedy legend George Carlin. Lots of mournful posts out there, but I don’t think anyone should be mourning. In fact, Carlin would probably give a 15 minute rant on the hero worship that people are bestowing on him post mortem. He never wanted to be someone to look up to; he just wanted to tell the truth. Instead of being sad about it, why not instead go out, live life, and be an honest human?

Okay, back to the comedy.

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What is the most successful movie studio of all-time? Is it Warner Brothers with its classic dramas dating back to Casablanca. 20th Century Fox with its string of blockbuster summer spectaculars? Paramount and its legion of big-time studio stars? MGM and its classic archive of musicals? Nope. Not them or Universal or RKO or Miramax or even Disney. The one studio that has a better track record than all of them combined? It’s Pixar, the little animation studio that can’t miss.

This independent company essentially invented 3D computer animation and since turning that art into a full-fledged entertainment studio, has put together the greatest run in Hollywood history. They’ve created 8 feature-length animated films since 1995 and when it comes to both box office and critical success, they nailed them all. Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monster’s Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, and Ratatouille. They are a perfect 8-for-8.

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This week I found myself in a slightly less familiar part of town: the east side. Yeah, I’m one of those kids who lives and works on the west side, and audibly groans when friends want to hang out on the opposite side of town. Of course, exceptions are made for good happy hour specials and a sloppy brunch.

My venture on the crosstown bus proved worthy when I arrived to Madison Square Park (23rd Street & Broadway) on Wednesday to meet two old friends I hadn’t seen in a while. We reunited to hear Raul Midon, a blind soul/pop guitarist we’ve followed for years.

I discovered Midon at Joe’s Pub about five years ago. He recently received a glowing review from the New York Times for his JVC Jazz Festival performance, and described as “…a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.” Check out his tour schedule at www.raulmidon.com - he’s incredible.

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Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2008 - Photo by: “javicon” via flickr

More photos available via RandomNightOut.com

There are so many events this week that we couldn’t list them on the main page! After the jump, everything from Gay Pride to tech events.

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Rock Band For Wii came out on June 22. To see what the hubbub was all about, some of the neighborbees (Doug, Kat, Adam, Dash, Jaime, and Rob The Bouncer) got together to try it out. Much fun was had, but our musical talent… could probably use a little help.

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Fat man sitting on a little stool
Takes the money from my hand while his eyes take a walk all over you
Hands me the ticket smiles and whispers good luck

Cuddle up angel cuddle up my little dove
We’ll ride down baby into this tunnel of love

In the heart of Queens, snuggled in between an old Irish pub and an antique “free detergent on Tuesday” laundromat, there is a tunnel of love . I have seen the light and it is glorious.

Quaint
46-10 Skillman Ave
Sunnyside, Queens 11104
(917) 779-9220

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It’s scheduled to be another big week for New York art. It’s also scheduled to be another big week for romance, smoochin’ and lovin’ you down, girl. So get on your party hats, put on your dancing shoes, and then take them both off, because you’re going to some art exhibits. Honestly, why would you put on dancing shoes and party hats to go to an art gallery? I can’t take you anywhere. Sometimes I don’t even know why I try.

Follow the jump for all the ups and downs about what you’ll need to know.

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