Best offbeat things to do in New York this week
Break the mold and try something different this week. Here are our top event picks for things to do that are unusual, quirky or just plain weird.
Tired of the same ol', same ol'? Daily grind got you down? Inject a little spontaneity into proceedings and do something you normally wouldn't. It could be an Off-Off Broadway show, perhaps some experimental theater, an unusual comedy night, an avant-garde gallery exhibit or a batshit-crazy party.
The Daily Show and Friends
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Emmy-winning Daily Show executive producer—and accomplished stand-up—Rory Albanese hosts this showcase featuring TDS performers and writers.
- Gotham Comedy Club 208 W 23rd St, between Seventh and Eighth Aves
- Tue May 21
The Armada Fania Club & Pop-Up Store
- Critics choice
- Free
The famed Latin music label Fania hosts this combination pop-up store and party in the heart of Bushwick. There will be plenty of Fania merchandise and records to be had, of course—including the new
Knockers Up! A Benefit for the Burlesque Hall of Fame
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
An alluring cast of New York burly-Q artists—including Legs Malone, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Creamy Stevens, Kita St. Cyr, Tiny D, Boo Boo Darlin’ and Ginger Twist—take the stage to raise much-needed
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Wed May 22
The Webutante Ball
- Critics choice
Attend this Internet Week soiree to drink and dance with editors, publishers and other Web professionals. DJ Frankenmack provides the tunes. Admission includes a three-hour open bar. Enter
Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector
- Price band: 1/4
This doc profiles a number of cinephiles who like collecting the best of the worst movies that exist on VHS. Filmmakers Dan Kinem and Levi Peretic (also the minds behind trash-loving outlets
- 92YTribeca 200 Hudson St, at Canal St, 10013
- Fri May 24
Alphabet City Squats and Gardens Tour
- Critics choice
Neighborhood activists lead this two-hour tour that takes you inside the East Village’s plentiful community gardens, as well as current and former squatter-occupied buildings.
- Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space 155 Ave C, between 9th and 10th Sts, 10009
- Sat May 25
Bicycle Fetish Day
- Critics choice
- Free
See how your cycle stacks up in contests for the Best Vintage, Commuter, Handmade, Small Wheel, Mutant and Ugly categories during Bicycle Fetish Day. Riders will perform BMX stunts, while
- City Reliquary Museum 370 Metropolitan Ave, at Havemeyer St
- Sat May 25
Greg Proops Is the Smartest Man in the World
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
This comic, whom the general public will remember for his pompadour and appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, utilizes a tart tongue and—indeed—a sharp intellect in his "Proopcast." Proops's
- The Bell House 149 7th St, between Second and Third Aves
- Sat May 25
Moon Launch Party
See solar-power-inspired art installations by Madagascar Institute, Iris Lahn and Anthony Castronovo, and hear music by dance-pop group Magic Man, rockers The Dough Rollers and synthy pop act Lapland
- Red Lotus Room 893 Bergen St, between Classon and Franklin Aves
- Sat May 25
Oh! You Pretty Things: The New Romantic Ball III
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Glittering strains of androgynous music once again waft their way through Le Poisson Rouge courtesy of Michael T, Benjamin Ickies, Twig the Wonderkid and Mandana. Tonight's edition once again salutes
- Le Poisson Rouge 158 Bleecker St, at Thompson St
- Sun Jun 2
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