[title]
Fri 26
NYC Beer Week 2016 at various locations and times; prices vary
Bottoms up at this 10-day, 400-event spectacle of suds, hosted by the New York City Brewers Guild and New York State Brewers Association. Highlights include WQXR's Classical Beer Jam, featuring live performances of works by quintessential New York composers such as George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein, and a Time Out New York–cosponsored tasting on February 27, with more than 150 casks (Port Jefferson Brewing's Shiznit IPA, Coney Island Brewing's Imperial Stout) you can vote on during an inaugural People's Choice awards ceremony.
You Like Me: An Evening of Classic Acceptance Speeches Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater; 9:30pm; $18 plus $12 minimum
Whet your wits for the Oscars at Rachel Shukert and Michael Schulman's evening of dramatic-reenactment entertainment, in which funny local celebrities read classic acceptance speeches from awards shows past. Participants this year include Cole Escola, Jenn Harris, Jeff Hiller, Jackie Hoffman, Myles Kane, Erin Markey, Emily McNamara, Michael Musto, the O'Debra Twins, Isaac Oliver, Molly Pope, Max Steele, Becky Yamamoto and Varsity Interpretive Dance Squad.
Pacific Northwest Ballet New York City Center; 7:30pm; $35–$125
The Seattle company, led by Peter Boal, returns to New York with a pair of programs. Check out David Dawson’s A Million Kisses to my Skin (Fri 26) and William Forsythe’s The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude and Crystal Pite’s Emergence (Sat 27).
Martyn + Special Guest Falty DL + Contakt Good Room; 10pm; $10–$20
Good Room hosts a night of genre-defying electronics with flying Dutchman Martyn. Critically acclaimed for his musical versatility, the 3024 label head—who has secured bookings at world-renowned clubs such as Concrete (Paris), fabric (London) and Berghain (Berlin)—is just as likely to showcase his gentler house vibes as he is to show off for the drum and bass veterans and serious technoheads. We're told a special guest is joining in the main room (update: the one and only Crystal Cowboy, Falty DL!), with support from TURRBOTAX® co-founder and Argot label artist Contakt. 1080p's Max McFerren, Sophia MA and Sheepshead keep things cozy in the Bad Room.
Christine Andreas: Café Society Feinstein’s/54 Below; 7pm; $50–$100 plus $25 minimum
Broadway leading lady Andreas could coast on her pure, silvery soprano, but she is also a strong storyteller who knows how to dip beneath the pretty surfaces. In her new show, she pays homage to the swellegant golden age of nightclub singing.
Sat 27
Shake Rattle & Roll Dueling Pianos The Cellar; 10pm; $20
Two piano men battle it out to prove which one is truly the master of all 88 keys with a playlist entirely decided by the audience. Whether you’re in the mood for some Billy Joel, Christina Aguilera or current chart toppers, these pianists are up for the challenge. But they’ll expect you to do your part by dancing and singing along.
Wasabassco’s House of Deveraux House of Yes; 8pm; $25, $40 VIP
Many NYC performers may claim to be glamazons, but none can touch Sydni Deveraux, the sequin-shaking burlesque bombshell with some of the longest legs in show business. The diva welcomes fellow veterans from the outrageous Wasabassco troupe, including twisted magicians, death-defying aerialists and fearless striptease pros. You won’t believe what comes out of the big top—whether it’s bad boy Chris Harder performing his straight-out-of-porno “Pizza Boy” act, or Evelyn Vinyl’s sultry “Mata Hari” number, they’re sure to make you mad with desire.
GAG! Metropolitan; 10pm; free
This long-running biweekly Billyburg party keeps the hipster boys and girls happy with DJ sets from residents Cameron and Zach and special guests.
The Orchid Show New York Botanical Garden; 10am; $10–$25
The New York Botanical Garden explodes into a tropical floral extravaganza for the 14th annual Orchid Show. Take in the thousands of blooms on display, and don't forget to make a pit stop by the Shop in the Garden for your very own orchid to take home.
The Kings of Karaoke Alligator Lounge; 11pm; free
This serenader’s heaven boasts an impressive song selection, with 13 years’ worth of tunes from previous Kings performers. So gargle some saltwater, and get that voice ready to belt along to your favorite hit. Or just grab a PBR and cheer on a friend. Don’t forget, one drink gets you a free pizza!
Sun 28
DanceAfrica BAM Howard Gilman Opera House; 7:30pm; $20
Toast to works from the second-largest continent in the world at this 39-year-old celebration. This year’s fete focuses on Senegal, with a slew of dance and music performances, arranged by new artistic director Abdel R. Salaam, as well as displays of African fashion, artwork and incredible film screenings.
Poetry in the Parlors Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum; 4:30pm; free-$10
Four Way Books presents poetry readings from two wordmasters: J. Mae Barizo, from her book, The Cumulus Effect, followed by Kamilah Aisha Moon and her work, She Has a Name.
Every Single Word: The Oscars Bowery Ballroom; 8pm; $15
Some of NYC’s sharpest, most incisive comedians, critics and writers—including Feminist Ryan Gosling creator Danielle Henderson and Welcome to Night Vale’s Dylan Marron—assemble to poke fun and call out the Academy, which came under fire as a racist institution for the second year in a row. All proceeds benefit the “Made in NY” P.A. training program, which provides film industry training for low-income New Yorkers. So, you can stand up to Hollywood without missing the bliss of seeing pretty people in fancy dresses and dashing tuxedos.
Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic Peoples Improve Theater; 8pm; $10
The creative minds behind Kapow-i GoGo bring you a Harry Potter parody of epic proportions. The gentle Hufflepuffs often live in the shadows of J.K. Rowling's universe, and this show follows the forgotten lives of the students sitting next to the hero. Wayne Hopkins was just a boy from New Mexico till he found out he was a wizard. Find out how he and other mediocre Puffs fare at the school of magic and magic.
Men’s Only Cuddle Party Buddha Body Yoga; 2pm; $27
Enter a safe environment where gentle contact is encouraged. Show up in your pajamas, get safety and boundaries training from cuddling facilitators, then test your limits and make new friends by getting close. You'll be able to relax, get intimate, and discover ways of touching without groping at this fascinating workshop.