30 things to do over Thanksgiving weekend
Discover plenty of things to do over Thanksgiving weekend, whether you're in the holiday spirit, or if you're more ho-ho-oh forget it.
Wed Nov 14 2012
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Things to do on Thanksgiving weekend if you want to flip the holiday spirit off
Hanksy, "Young Puns 2: Now with More Pun"
- Critics choice
- Free
New York street artist Hanksy mashes pop culture with bad dad humor in his second tongue-in-cheek solo exhibition at Krause Gallery. Initially noticed for reproducing Banksy pieces with Tom Hanks film references, in “Young Puns 2” the satirical sketcher takes aim at celebs such as Bruce Willis and Will Ferrell in a series of brand-new works. RECOMMENDED: Read our exclusive Hanksy interview.
- Krause Gallery 149 Orchard St, between Rivington and Stanton Sts
- Sun Dec 15
Joey Arias and Sherry Vine: Looking Back at the Future
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
A pair of gender-bending New York legends come together for their first full-length work together in more than a decade. Expect Sherry's wacky song parodies, Joey's flawless channeling of Billie Holliday and many more glittery, awe-inspiring treats.
- XL Nightclub, Cabaret & Lounge 512 W 42nd St, between Tenth and Eleventh Aves, 10036
- Until Sat Nov 24
Black Christmas
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Also called Silent Night, Evil Night, this model sorority-set slasher from the future director of Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 boasts some twisty plotting and a truly unexpected ending. No hints here; just know the cast includes Olivia Hussey (Romeo and Juliet), Margot Kidder (Sisters) and the omnipresent John Saxon.
- Nitehawk Cinema 136 Metropolitan Ave, between Berry St and Wythe Ave, 11249
- Until Sat Nov 24
R. Kelly
- Price band: 3/4
- Critics choice
It's been a typically productive year for Windy City soul enigma Robert Sylvester Kelly, what with his Soula Coaster memoir and a new installment of his campy-catnip video series Trapped in the Closet. Expect plenty of old-school showmanship here, as Kelly plays a pair of local dates in support of his new LP, the stubbornly charming, retro-styled Write Me Back. Warning: The star's current jaunt is dubbed the Single Ladies Tour, so things could get even steamier than you're expecting.
- The Theater at Madison Square Garden 4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Seventh Ave), between 31st and 33rd Sts
- Until Fri Nov 23
R. Kelly Night
- Critics choice
- Free
Crooner Robert Sylvester Kelly, one of the masters of the music video form, screens the next installment of his ongoing series—appropriately titled Trapped in the Closet: The Next Installment—on IFC at 9pm. First, catch up with the previous editions (spoiler: he gets out of the closet pretty quickly).
Room 69: The Hotel Chantelle Way
- Critics choice
- Free
The busy burlesque babe Calamity Chang is the host of this weekly parade of pulchritude on Hotel Chantelle's street-level floor, with her and her guests strutting their stuff as you tipple your cocktail.
- Hotel Chantelle 92 Ludlow St, between Broome and Delancey Sts, 10022
- Fri May 24 - Fri Jul 19
The Rub
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
DJs Ayres and Eleven toss their beloved long-running affair at Bell House, where they’ll play their usual high-grade mix of soul, hip-hop, dancehall, disco, house, rock and just about anything that’s got the funk. Tonight's costume-mandatory Halloween edition features a guest set from DJ-producer Scott Matelic.
- The Bell House 149 7th St, between Second and Third Aves
- Sat May 25
Tatzu Nishi, Discovering Columbus
- Critics choice
- Free
With the help of the Public Art Fund, the Japanese artist has built a living room atop the monument in Columbus Circle. The elevated platform gives New Yorkers a previously unseen view of Central Park and midtown, along with the opportunity to look the statue in the eye, recline on couches to watch TV and admire Nishi’s custom-designed wallpaper of American pop-culture icons. Tickets to climb six stories to this home away from home are free, but must be booked in advance. (Elevator access is available for those who require special assistance.) Register via publicartfund.org.
- Columbus Circle Central Park South, at Central Park West
- Until Sun Dec 2
Justin Vivian Bond
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Last year was a whirlwind for performance artist and gender activist Justin Vivian Bond. On the career side, Bond—who initially came to fame playing a boozy over-the-hill chanteuse in cabaret duo Kiki and Herb—published the memoir Tango: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels; mounted the art exhibition “The Fall of the House of Whimsy” at a Lower East Side gallery; and released a debut solo album, Dendrophile. Personally, things were more complicated, including a forced move when the artist’s longtime abode was razed, and an enlightening online feud with a New York magazine writer who referred to Bond as “he” in an article. Underneath the outré trappings and outrageous humor, Bond—who uses the pronoun V to reflect life as a trans person—is an individual of conviction and culture. This is reflected in a new self-released solo CD, Silver Wells, inspired by Joan Didion’s seminal ’70s novel about a self-destructive artist, Play It as It Lays. Bond’s voice isn’t beautiful; it’s raw, piercing and full of purpose. The songs, mostly covers with Thomas “Doveman” Bartlett’s piano the sole accompaniment, include many classics that sound little like their original incarnations. Brecht-Weill’s “Alabama Song” is raspy and chilling, while Joni Mitchell’s “Lesson in Survival” is grounded and introspective. Most memorable is Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ ’Bout a Revolution,” which loses its poppy quality and becomes an impassioned call to action. During a six-week Monday night engagement at r
- Joe's Pub at the Public Theater 425 Lafayette St, between Astor Pl and E 4th St
- Sun Dec 1
Hot Rabbit
- Critics choice
- Free
After a good run in the East Village, this top-notch shindig settles into the increasingly trendy West Village dive the Monster. Expect the same cute crowd and ever-changing local and international DJs.
- The Monster 80 Grove St , at Seventh Ave South
- Fri May 24 - Fri Jun 28
Gashole: Hole-o-Matic! The All-Request Random Pop Show with Michael Holland and Karen Mack
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
The duo known as Gashole resurrects the lost art of the medley in this all-request edition of its gleefully goofy, shamelessly entertaining neolounge act (with an emphasis on pop tunes from the ’70s and ’80s). Everybody has fun; everybody Wangs Chung.
- Don’t Tell Mama 343 W 46th St , between Eighth and Ninth Aves, 10036
- Sat Jan 26
Wasabassco at Bathtub Gin
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
- Free
Doc Wasabassco leads his parade of vaudevillians and burlesque beauties to this speakeasy-style boîte every Sunday. This evening of bump ’n’ grind action features lovely ladies Evelyn Vinyl, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche and Nasty Canasta, plus special guests. Go to wasabassco.com for more info.
- Bathtub Gin 132 Ninth Ave, between 18th and 19th Sts
- Sun May 19 - Sun Aug 11
Vandam Sundays
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
- Free
Susanne Bartsch and her clubland comrade Kenny Kenny take control of the eco-themed Greenhouse every Sunday. The evening features the usual crowd of nightlife freaks and phantasms preening and prancing to Jackie 60 headmaster Johnny Dynell. Downstairs, Desi Monster and Ladyfag hold court, with various spinners working the crowd.
- Greenhouse 150 Varick St, at Vandam St
- Sun May 19 - Sun Dec 15
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