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COOL THINGS TO DO
Nov 1
Día de Muertos; St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery
Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders brings the traditional celebration of the Day of the Dead to New York. A great alternative for those of you who've had enough Halloween festivities.
Never Sleep Alone; Joe’s Pub
If you want to hook up and are willing to sit in a “singles section” to do it, then proudly march your stag self to Never Sleep Alone. Or, you can simply watch with your significant other as sexpert Dr. Alex Schiller makes matches on stage.
Nov 6–8
Exposed: Songs For Unseen Warhol Films; Peter Jay Sharp Building & BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
This combination of cinema and music matches 15 never-before-seen clips from Andy Warhol's film archive with live performances by Bradford Cox, Eleanor Friedberger, Tom Verlaine and others.
Nov 7–8
Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival; various locations
The fest has been going strong since 2008 an now it's back with even more EDM. That's a lot of djs.
Nov 14–Jan 11
GingerBread Lane; New York Hall of Science
This exhibit has won Guinness World Record for the biggest (edible!) gingerbread house of all time.
Nov 27
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; Manhattan
For the 88th year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will usher in the holiday season with familiar sights like giant balloons, high-kicking Rockettes and Santa’s sleigh, plus celebrity appearances.
Nov 30
The Wonderful World of Boning: Sex Ed with a Sense of Humor; Union Hall
This may be less awkward than your junior-high class, but there'll be just as much laughter.
AWESOME THINGS TO SEE
Nov 4–Feb 1
"El Greco in New York" vs "El Greco at The Frick Collection"; The Metropolitan Museum of Art + The Frick Collection
Observing the 400th Anniversary of the Old Master's death, the Met and the Frick are bringing out their respective holdings of his work for these concurrent exhibitions. The Hispanic Society of America is joining in by loaning its six El Greco masterpieces for The Met's show.
Nov 5–Feb 1
"Masterpieces from the Scottish National Gallery"; The Frick Collection
Masterpieces by Botticelli, Vélasquez, Watteau, Constable and Sargent travel from Edinburgh to the Upper East Side in this tour of painting treasures on loan from one of the world's most prestigious art institutions.
Nov 7
interstellar opens in theaters
The new sci-fi thinker from Christopher Nolan, interstellar, hits theaters. Our critic says it makes Gravity feel like a palate cleanser.
Nov 9–Feb 22
"Sturtevant: Double Trouble"; MoMA
When Sturtevant (1924–2014) first began to copy the work of her Pop Art betters in the 1960s, and claim it as her own, she was dismissed as an eccentric and crackpot. But the artist was simply carrying Pop Art to its logical conclusion, answering in the affirmative the following question: If the entire buffet of low culture was available for artistic appropriation, why not high-cultural artworks as well?
Nov 14
Foxcatcher opens in theaters
Steve Carell is utterly transformed into a psychopath in Foxcatcher, based on a true story of Olympic wrestlers, competitive zeal and out-of-control patriotism.
Nov 19–Mar 15
"Madame Cézanne"; The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met surveys 20 years of work by giant of Post-Impressionist painting, by focusing on compositions featuring his favorite model: His wife. The show is the first to examine this intimate aspect of Cézanne's career which until now has been largely overlooked by art historians.
Nov 21
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1 opens in theaters
We're not quite feeling Jennifer Lawrence fatigue yet, especially with her retuning to her signature role as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 1.
The Imitation Game opens in theaters
Buzz is strong for Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game, a WWII drama about real-life codebreaker Alan Turing, whose private life came into conflict with traditional notions of heroism.
Nov 22–Jan 4
Nicholas Nixon: Forty Years of The Brown Sisters; MoMA
Starting in 1974, the renowned photographer began to shoot a yearly group portrait of his wife and her three sisters, and over time the series has become a poignant chronicle of the effects of time's inexorable march on one small group of women standing in for all of us. All 40 prints are on view, newly reprinted as 20 inch by 24 inch enlargements.
Nov 28
The Babadook opens in theaters
Fine, so the strongest horror movie of the year comes out a month after Halloween. Jennifer Kent's The Babadook is still an absolute stunner.
TASTY PLACES TO EAT
Nov 7
Around the World in 80 Sips; Espace
This sixth annual tasting event indulges winos with light hors d’oeuvres, chocolate and wine from California, France, Italy, and more.
Nov 12
AFF in New York; Metropolitan Pavilion
Sample small plates from celebutoque chefs including Food Network's Alex Guarnaschelli, plus Franklin Becker (Little Beet), Josh Capon (Lure Fishbar, El Toro Blanco) and Paul Denamiel (Le Rviage) during a walk-around tasting benefiting the Armed Forces Foundation.
Nov 15
ment'or Young Chef Competition; International Culinary Center
Competition heats up as four young chefs compete while attendees watch and enjoy great food and wine at this acclaimed culinary arts school.
Nov 18
Third Annual Spirits of New York; The Shanty
Taste some of the best booze in the state and meet their makers with samples of local spirits including vodka, gin, shine, and Bourbon.
Nov 22
NYC Autumn Wine Festival; Broad Street Ballroom
Get boozy with over 200 vinos selected by Vintry Fine Wines along with light hors d’oeuvres and live jazz as this downtown celebration of all things wine.
ASTONISHING DANCE PERFORMANCES
Through Nov 9
Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca; Joyce Theatre
The flamenco queen returns to the Joyce with the tragedy of Sophocles' Antigone.
Nov 8–Dec 30
Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Radio City Music Hall
You'll get a kick out of this holiday stalwart, which—after more than eight decades—still features Santa, wooden soldiers and the leggy, spunky Rockettes.
Nov 12–15
Batsheva Dance Company; BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
Ohad Naharin returns to BAM with Sadeh21, a collaboratively developed movement study performed by 18 dancers that unfolds in 21 sections.
Nov 28–Jan 3
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker; David H. Koch Theater (at Lincoln Center)
New York City Ballet presents the 60th-anniversary season of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, a magical 1954 production set to Tchaikovsky's incredible score.
Through Dec 1
Xavier Le Roy; MoMA PS1
The 2014 Crossing the Line Festival celebrates the career of the always-intriguing French choreographer in Retrospective. Over two months, performers will continually present and transform Le Roy's often-gestural solos, targeting the audience's perception of time.
FANTASTIC SHOWS TO SEE
Nov 7
The Elephant Man; Booth Theatre
Bradley Cooper starts previews in The Elephant Man, playing the horribly deformed Joseph Merrick.
Nov 11
Lost Lake; Manhattan Theatre Club
Back in 2000, playwright David Auburn's Proof took Broadway by storm; now he's back with an intimate tale about two people in a cabin.
Nov 16
The River; Circle on the Square
Hugh Jackman returns to Broadway—not singing and dancing, but brooding and fishing in a mysterious new play by Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem).
Nov 17
Side Show; St. James Theatre
Cult musical Side Show, about gorgeous blond conjoined twins, tries its fortunes a second time on the Great White Way.
Nov 20
A Delicate Balance; John Golden Theatre
Easily one of Edward Albee's top five greatest plays, A Delicate Balance returns with a starry cast headed by Glenn Close.
CONCERTS TO GO CRAZY AT
Nov 4
BABYMETAL; Hammerstein Ballroom (at the Manhattan Center)
Over-the-top spectacle is part of metal's DNA, but when it comes to pure batshit bombast, BABYMETAL might just have everyone from Alice Cooper to Iron Maiden beat. This Japanese import's NYC debut ought to fulfill your yearly WTF quota and then some.
Nov 6
Stevie Wonder; Madison Square Garden
Stevie Wonder. Songs in the Key of Life. Madison Square Garden. Yeah, it's actually happening. Elder statesman of pop Wonder isn't usually the type to dwell on past glories, but hey, this time he is.
Nov 8
FKA twigs; Terminal 5
When considering London singer-songwriter FKA twigs (real name: Taliah Barnett), one word immediately comes to mind: spellbinding. Strap in for this NYC show, which comes on the heels of her debut record, LP1.
Nov 25, 26
Culture Club; Beacon Theatre
After years of confronting the typical pop-group problems—quibbling, intra-band romance, addiction, figuring out how to transition away from shoulder pads—Culture Club has reunited to play both coasts before next year's release of a brand-new album.
Nov 26–Dec 3
Bob Dylan and His Band; Prudential Center + Beacon Theatre
Bob Dylan—the most celebrated lyricist in pop-music history—may be more or less unintelligible onstage these days, but his current shows (a mixture of old and new, beloved and obscure) prove that the potency of his songs transcends the verbal realm.
INTERESTING AUTHOR EVENTS
Nov 1
Art & Monsters; WORD
We could not possibly love Eimear McBride and Jenny Offill’s recent books more (that would be A Girl Is a Half-Formed Thing and Dept. of Speculation, respectively), so grab this chance to see both brilliant authors in one room.
Nov 6
Women of Letters; Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater
The phenomenal Australian literary salon kicks off its New York offshoot, featuring original epistles written and read by Siri Hustvedt, Michelle Orange, Sasheer Zamata and more brilliant women.
Nov 13
Claudia Rankine in Conversation; New York University, Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House
Rankine has written one of the best, and most relevant, books of year, Citizen; she's a brilliant poet and social commentator—you do not want to miss her discussion of contemporary culture and race.
Nov 15
Leslie Jamison and Charles D’Ambrosio; Brooklyn Public Library, Dweck Center
Even if you’re not a big nonfiction reader, Jamison and D’Ambrosio’s keenly detailed essay collections will convince you to embrace the genre, and their conversation will undoubtedly be as perceptive as their books.
Nov 14–16
Moby Dick Marathon NYC; various locations
Don your striped shirt and practice your resounding, “Ahoy!” because our favorite biennial marathon reading is back, with three days of Melville, chowder and one great white whale.
COMEDY SHOWS TO CHECK OUT
Nov 5
Time Out New York Women of Comedy 2014; Le Poisson Rouge
Time Out New York brings together some of the country’s top female comics at our Women of Comedy 2014 show at the New York Comedy Festival. Sara Schaefer, Sasheer Zamata, Aparna Nancherla and many more will make you laugh till you cry, pee yourself or both.
Nov 6
This is Not Happening; Village Underground
Ari Shaffir’s legendary storytelling show, This Is Not Happening, comes back to NYC, featuring two guests guaranteed to turn the air blue for miles around: filth maestro Jim Norton and alt-cabaret behemoth Bridget Everett. You have been warned.
Nate Bargatze; Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
If the rest of the New York Comedy Festival’s dirty jokes have left you feeling a little grubby, bathe in the reviving waters of Nate Bargatze’s smart, mostly clean, profanity-free set. Then go get dirty all over again.
Nov 8
Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle; Gramercy Theatre
A guaranteed lively time, Roast Battle is a show hosted by Jeff Ross that pits two comics head to head in a rap-style insult battle. If you’re easily offended, you should probably forget you even read that sentence.
Nick Offerman Full Bush; Beacon Theatre
Parks and Recreation’s Ron Swanson, AKA Nick Offferman, heads to the stage with his home-made ukulele in this show delightfully titled Full Bush.
WONDERFUL LGBT EVENTS
Nov 1
All Saints Day; WRHS I; Location TBA
The Saint at Large (of Black Party fame) invades Brooklyn with an epic dance party deejayed by nd_baumecker, Peter Napoli, the Carry Nation and Wrecked.
Nov 4
Unitard: House of Tards; The Stonewall Inn
This is your last chance to catch Mike Albo, Nora Burns and David Ilku's caustically hilarious sketch show.
Nov 7
Dugout Fridays; Rockbar
Urban Bear's Robert Valin hosts this thowback party inspired by the late Dugout bar's notoriously cheap and taudry beer blasts. You can slurp canned brewskis for $3 all night long, just like in the ’90s!
Martha Graham Cracker: A History of Joe's Pub in Song; Joe's Pub at the Public Theater
Punkish drag belter Martha Graham Cracker delves into the archives of NYC's most storied venues for this brand new night of cabaret.
Nov 26
Eve; The Park
Whitney Day's annual Thanksgiving Eve blowouts have become a queer nightlife institution. This year, Ms. Day is joined on the decks by DJs Jessamess, M.O. and RosyQ, among others.
ACE PLACES TO SHOP
Nov 1
Artists & Fleas; 70 North 7th St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
It's has taken over the warehouse space next door and will be celebrating the new, supersize holiday market by opening with a Halloween-themed weekend. Free candy will be up for grabs plus the vendors will go all out for a costume contest, and special prizes will be awarded to particularly well-costumed shoppers.
Creeds Collective; 54 Crosby St between Broome and Spring Sts
It is a two-month holiday pop-up offering clothes, accessories, baubles and more. Plus, it will house a THANN beauty bar, a Primp & Polish nail-art bar and a photo booth. And you can fully justify your purchases because 10 percent of all net sales will be donated to Global Citizen advocating social change to end extreme poverty by 2030.
Nov 5
Topshop; 608 Fifth Ave at 49th St
Expect a range of trendy offerings plus exclusive items sold at this outpost only when the new Topshop opens on Fifth Avenue. FYI: This will be the British brand’s biggest outpost in the U.S.
Nov 17
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair; Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall
GCT turns into New York City’s finest indoor Holiday Fair, which features art, clothing, jewelry and home goods plus more men’s and American-made products this year than ever before.
Nov 27
Macy's on Thanksgiving; 151 W 34th St at Sixth Ave
Ready, set—shop! Promptly after the parade and your Thanksgiving meal, eager Black Friday shoppers should know that Macy’s will open its doors one day early (sucking two more hours out of the holiday than last year) by opening at 6pm.