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Photograph: Courtesy Creative Commons/Flickr/Ralph Hockens

20 glorious things to do in NYC this week

Written by
Jennifer Picht
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Mon 25

Movement Research at the Judson Memorial Church; 8pm; free
Judson Church has a long and storied connection to modern dance, and Movement Research's series continues to place this holy spot at the forefront of the form. Peer artists select the program of experimental choreography, which tends to focus on works-in-progress rather than finished products.

The Exponential Festival at various locations; 2pm; prices vary
Brooklyn finally gets its own January theater fest with this new one, in venues all over the borough. The works constitute the best of BK, including some pieces that have been produced before—so if you missed Title:Point’s horror-comedy Biter (Every Time I Turn Around) or Eliz Bent's Toilet Fire, here’s your shot. The big news is the return of Jessica Jelliffe and Jason Craig, the duo behind Banana Bag & Bodice. After too many seasons away from New York, they're bringing LongYarn to the Bushwick Starr; this inclusion raises the fest to a higher power.

United Nude sale; 10am; free to attend
We’re obsessed with these super structural, funky kicks (and yes, you can actually walk in them). Women (sizes 5–11) can snatch up last season’s highlights and current styles at up to 70 percent off retail prices. Guys (sizes 7–13) will find a selection, too. Scoop up a pair of River pumps ($109, instead of $369), Riz slip-ons ($75, formerly $129) and Appollo wedges ($99, were $169) now. 

Practice! Trans-Pecos; 8pm; free
Zs saxist Sam Hillmer—who co-founded Trans-Pecos alongside local DIY magnate Todd P—leads the latest (free!) installment of his Practice! series with his ambient sax-drone project Diamondterrifier. Reviving the program after it went kaputz at its previous digs (Public Assembly and the now-defunct Williamsburg venue Zebulon), Hillmer pulls together a range of experimental, outsider sounds on these diverse lineups. This month, look out for subterranean noise artist James Place and ex-Das Racist hypeman DJ Dapwell (Jan 18) among a host of others.

B.Y.O.V. at the Garret East; 7pm; free
The only thing that could ruin a perfectly good night out other than spilling your drink on the cutie by the bar is a crappy DJ (especially one who is too pretentious to take requests). Luckily, the Garret lets you B.Y.O.V. (bring your own vinyl), so you can dance and groove to your favorite jams. 

“Splendor in the Grass: Kinesthetic Camping Ground” Museum of Sex; 10am; $15.25–$17.50
Enter an oasis of vivid sights, sounds and sensations as the campground becomes a nexus of adult discovery and play. Wander past campfires, live park rangers, a moving sky and other surreal activities in this immersive actualization of the phases of sexual stimulation. You’ll never think about camping the same way again.

Tue 26

Heavy 2 Trans-Pecos; 9pm; $7
Tired of hearing the same unz unz techno beats looped at the club? Expand your mind and transcend the musical boundaries of dance music with the second edition of NYC's newest monthly bass-music party, HEAVY. DJ Ripley (Dutty Artz), Anna Morgan (Junxion, Vitamin B) and a carefully curated list of guests take on the decks to deliver everything from Jersey club, dembow and Miami bass to UK garage kuduro and jungle. For free entry before 11pm, R.S.V.P. by emailing heavysoundsnyc@gmail.com.

The Big Quiz Thing Livestream Public; 8pm; $10
Show off your impressive stash of trivial knowledge, or your ability to come up with smart-alecky witticisms, at this live trivia game show. Hosted by quizmaster Noah Tarnow, the event includes audio and video puzzles. If you don’t know an answer, create a clever one for a potential Smart-Ass Point. The winning team receives nerdy bragging rights—and a cash jackpot! This special flashback version features some of this year's best (and most difficult) questions.

Gad Elmaleh Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater; 7pm; $25
You've probably never heard of Gad Elmaleh, but over in France he's a house-hold name. The Parisian stand-up is the country's most famous comedian—think Jerry Seinfeld in the ‘90s big. Elmaleh worked obsessively to translate his show to English and to perfect American-comedy timing for his stay in New York, and he doesn’t disappoint. 

“Fairy Tale Fashion” The Museum at FIT; noon; free
Cinderella's glass slipper was only the beginning. Immerse yourself in enchanted worlds where contemporary couture merges seamlessly with the imaginings of childhood. In vibrantly realized settings like "Castle," "Forest" and "Sea," you'll be able to see tales of Snow White, the Little Mermaid and more in fully realized runway majesty by designers including Thierry Mugler, Christian Louboutin and Manish Arora. You won't be able to choose which ruby slippers you'll want to take you home.

Trivia Tuesdays Brookfield Place Plaza; 6pm; Free
Secure a seat at Hudson Eats for its weekly quiz, with rounds dedicated to "On This Day in History," a rapid-fire "Name Threes" and a best-curated audio sequence. The vibe is laid-back and less "pubby" than most, but don't fret—wine, beer and sake are certainly available. Teams of no more than six can play for prizes (there's a winner after every round) in the form of gift cards from stores and eateries at Brookfield Place.  

Wed 27

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Madison Square Garden; 7:30pm; $73–$155
The Boss hits the road this time in support of The Ties That Bind: The River Collection, a box set that rounds up material surrounding his 1980 record, The River. Expect beer chugging and knee drops galore from the boss himself, and mass adoration and singalongs from the crowd at this guaranteed marathon show.

Neon Indian + Future Punk Music Hall of Williamsburg; 8pm; free
Texas expat Alan Palomo's 2011 collection as Neon Indian, Era Extraña, fine-tuned the sun-warped synth-pop that helped him break out alongside fellow chillwave stars Washed Out and Toro y Moi. But while the world soon left chillwave behind in the nostalgic past for which its artists constantly yearn, Neon Indian and his two compatriots turned out to have staying power which transgressed the genre's limitations. At this free show, he'll play from last year's, VEGA INTL Night School, which presented newly flourescent, loose-limbed electrofunk, with self-described "Post-Wave" crew Future Punx opening the night.

Risk! The Bell House; 8pm; $15
This storytelling show hosted by Kevin Allison (The State) has its tellers reveal true stories—the kind of jaw-droppers one wouldn't normally whip out during a dinner party—that vary in tone but are always surprising. Get ready for an earful from special guests A.D. Miles, Kurt Braunohler, Lauren Cook and Julie Halston. 

Branagh Theatre Live: The Winter’s Tale Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space; 1pm; $20–$24
For those of us who were unable to book it to London to see Judi Dench dominate as Paulina of Sicily in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, we have got the next best thing: an onscreen broadcast of the sold-out show. Stage shows altered for the screen can turn sloppy, but with directing duties in the hands of live musical maven Rob Ashford (The Sound of Music Live!) and modern-day Shakespeare spokesman Kenneth Branagh (Much Ado About Nothing, Thor), this screening is sure to sparkle.

Thu 28

Ask Roulette Housing Works Bookstore Cafe; 7pm; $8
WNYC radio producer Jody Avirgan hosts a live series in which audience members are invited to ask the panel of stand-ups and stars anything they like—but only if they answer a question first.  

New York Wild Film Festival The Explorers Club; 10am; $20–$160
See 13 films filmed with critters of all shapes and sizes at this annua film fest aimed at raising awareness for conservation efforts. Follow elephants across Africa in Soul of the Elephant, watch three friends climb a death-defying mountain in Meru and hear seals sing in the animated short Ain't No Fish.

Nightcap Riot Magick City; 7:45pm; $50
This all-in-one night out packs in a craft artisanal beverage tasting, a full theatrical production and a live concert all in one night. On top of that, you get a kombucha tutorial from Mombucha’s head brewer and every guest takes home a 10 oz. Mombucha bottle and kombucha starter kit.

Tarot Card Readings at Species by the Thousands; 6pm; $10
Map out your spiritual pathway for the coming year with a 10-minute consultation from an expert tarot card reader at this eclectic jewelry and apothecary shop. Then you'll truly  know whether or not to buy that winning Powerball ticket. 

Escape Games NYC; various times and prices
Immerse your team in a labyrinth game that tests your wit, strategy and cunning. In packages Outer Space and Detective Story, you'll have to solve puzzles and tests to find your way out of a mysterious room. Each private experience can host two- to six-player teams. Brace yourself.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Rink; 8am; Skate rental $15–$19
Bryant Park’s 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink is free and open late. Don’t get too excited—the admission may be gratis, but you’ll have to shell out $19 to rent skates (or BYO). Still, it’s a veritable winter wonderland: After your time on the ice, warm up at spacious rinkside restaurant Celsius. If you want to practice your lutzes and axels with ample spinning room, try visiting during off-peak hours.

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