The Next Big Thing is the sound and fury of our noise-polluted city. And even if you think there's nothing you can do about it, we'll at least think about how you might. But before you get down on the thump-thump SUVs cruising the neighborhood, meet Kenny Muhammad, a one-man beatbox who proves all you need sometimes is yourself. And as if THAT's not enough, we'll give you tips on how to cast spells with ingredients you pick up at exotic locales like Gristede's.

What's the next big thing?
Photographer/artist/teacher/performer/not-mother Flash Rosenberg
Bicyclist Glen Goldstein

The hum, the buzz, the honk
Noise. It's everywhere and there's more of it and we're going deaf and will you keep it down already? Next Big Thing Producer Curtis Fox on the right to make noise and the pleasures of peace and quiet in New York City.

Mayor to New York: Keep it down out there
It's a quality of life issue from the 1940s. Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, from the WNYC archives.

The Human Orchestra
Kenny Muhammad: A one-man beatbox spreading the love. E-mail him at humanorchestra@hotmail.com. Produced by Jule Gardner.

"The Sea in Spring"
New Japanese shakuhachi music from James Nyoraku Schlefer, known in New York for his annual winter solstice concerts. His is also the music of the MIR space station; fortunately, it didn't crash into the ocean with the rest of it. For more information, go to James Nyoraku Schlefer's website.

Five Sounds Find an Author
The winners are here! The winners are here! And so is Next Big Thing contest judge Jesse Green.

Bubble, Bubble, Toil and ... Oregano?
Lexa Rosean, author of "The Supermarket Sorceress," rummages around Host Dean Olsher's cupboards for the proper spells. Produced by Jad Abumrad.

Wau-Wau Voom
They like to take you to a stripper bar, swing from the trapeze and sing dirty songs. Writer and filmmaker Jennifer Callahan asks the question: Who are the Wau Wau Sisters? Find out for yourself at Galapagos in Williamsburg. They perform there Monday nights at 10 p.m.

"Woman in the Bar"
Lucy. Who says we have to love her? Created and performed by Mary Purdy, from her one-woman show, "Purdy Woman."

WNYC archives id: 8973