Had to check, and unfortunately the answer is yes.
Because these events are co-hosted by CFI, we're bound by a CFI rule that prohibits meetups in private residences (liability reasons), and we're limited by what venues are willing to host us for free/cheap.
However, I'm in the process of securing a sizeable private venue that we'll be using for a lot of LW meetups in the future. I'll be having at least some performance-art meetups there, and inviting people from the Open Mic as an informal, non-CFI event. Those events will also be posted on LW.
(In the meantime, if you're in NY and are not already coming to our weekly Tuesday meetups, you can do that. Join our mailing list. We don't post these publicly because we don't choose topics far enough in advance, among other reasons. But there is always something happening on Tuesday).
Discussion article for the meetup : Rational-Humanist Open Mic, NYC September 5th
WHEN: 05 September 2012 07:00:00PM (-0400)
WHERE: 159 E Houston Street, New York, NY 10003
Last month was the first Open Mind Open Mic, a cultural event co-hosted by the Center for Inquiry. This is your opportunity to share performance art relating to rationality and human progress. Whether you want to perform or just listen, and whether you're experienced or just beginning, you're welcome to attend.
The first event went very successfully, with around 15 skeptics and rationalists showing (approximately an even mix of Less Wrong folk and CFI folk), plus another few people who wandered in from the bar. Including one "regular performer" who had been playing a gig upstairs, came down to see what we were about, and turned out to have a pretty awesome self-improvement themed song. It's a good opportunity to introduce rationality memes to wider audience.
We're building towards a larger event towards the end of year, incorporating the most popular performance art that accumulates at the Open Mic events.
The event is held in the basement of the National Underground. Ask the bartender if you're not sure where to go.
Discussion article for the meetup : Rational-Humanist Open Mic, NYC September 5th