Chelsea: Co. is hosting a fund-raising event to help the Japanese Red Cross. Today from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., half of all food sales will go to the cause, as will 100 percent of drink sales and gratuities (the staff will be volunteering for the night). [Grub Street]
East Village: In honor of National Poetry Month, the Academy of American Poets will host a “Poetry and Cocktail Slam” on April 12, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m at Back Forty. In addition to mixologists from Marlow & Sons, Savoy, and Vandaag, there will be renditions of poems from e.e. cummings, Charles Bukowski, Gertrude Stein, and others. Reservations are $55 (food and drink included) and can be made by calling 212-388-1990. [Grub Street]
The Singas Famous Pizza that moved to 94 Avenue C has closed for renovations and will open under new management. [EV Grieve]
Lower East Side: Lucky’s Famous Burgers opens up its doors today at 147 East Houston Street, near Eldridge Street. [Bowery Boogie]
Midtown: Baked by Melissa will open up shop on Seventh Avenue, between 38th and 39th Streets, sometime this spring. [Bowery Boogie]
