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Your up-to-the-minute guide to New York City events, restaurants, bars, nightlife, ticket alerts, NSFW ephemera and cat photos.
Today's best book event: Sam Lipsyte
Fri Mar 12
A world where Sam Lipsyte is a respected novelist can't be all bad. His new novel, The Ask, seems to have it all: brutal humor, intelligence, an awe-inspiring style. But the book goes far beyond its shiny individual accomplishments: Lipsyte, a prankster with an old soul, gets at something dark and deep about how we live, think and work. He's easily one of the best writers working today, and you can see him read tonight. In addition to making you laugh, he might scare you. But you'll probably be the better for it.
Your perfect Friday: The Very Best, Dancing with Darcy and wild-eyed sea monsters
Fri Mar 12
Your perfect Friday has the same smirk on its face as Sam Lipsyte, pictured, who reads from his satire The Ask tonight. If you feel like his characters, trapped by your shortcomings but intelligent enough to recognize them, dance your limitations away to the Very Best at One Step Beyond or, if Regency England is more your scene, at Dancing with Darcy.
Or escape into a fantasy world of samurai warriors facing off against wild-eyed sea monsters and evil spiders at Japan Society's new exhibition, "Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters." Of course, you can always turn inwards and seek solace in your intelligence at The 3rd Annual Panorama Challenge, or work on your knowledge at Nerd Nite. Whatever you choose, your perfect Friday will make you feel better.
Free things to do today
Fri Mar 12
Own This CityBrooklyn Critical Mass
Members of the bike-group-cum-political-organization Critical Mass take to the Brooklyn streets for their monthly ride.
Sex & DatingK2 Lounge
Celebrate the end of the workweek at the Rubin Museum's happy-hour party, featuring cocktails and appetizers, live music, DJs, free tours and talks.
MusicBobby Previte's Diorama
Downtown drum veteran Bobby Previte stages a fascinating conceptual event, wherein he performs a unique improvised solo concert for one listener at a time. Reserve a specialized 15-minute appointment via diorama@bobbyprevite.com.
See all free things to do today
See more than 125 free things to do in NYC
Relax here: Fair Grounds Coffee House at Riverside Church
Thu Mar 11
In some neighborhoods, "community bonding" doesn't go much further than cutting someone in line at the MTA ticket machine. But at the historic Riverside Church (490 Riverside Dr between 120th and 122nd Sts; 212-870-6700, riversidechurchny.org), which held its first service in 1930, Fair Trade coffee and open-mike performances unite churchgoers and nonreligious Upper West Siders alike. The Fair Grounds Coffee House (8--9:30pm, room 10T; free), according to the event description, "is an opportunity for people in the NYC area to express their inner artist." And if you're not really the get-up-on-stage-and-go type, then no one will blame you for sitting back with a cup of joe and letting the evening take its own course. Note: Riverside Church asks that visitors bring their own mugs.
Image via riversidechurchny.org
Ticket window: Conan O'Brien at Radio City Music Hall
Thu Mar 11
The name of Conan O'Brien's just-announced live tour says it all, really: It's being billed as the Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour. The comedian is bringing his entire crew—including his perennial sidekick, Andy Richter, and the Max Weinberg Seven—with him for two dates at Radio City Music Hall on June 1 and 2, and promises music, comedy and "awkward hugs." We're firmly on Team Coco here and bought our tickets already; you should, too, because they'll likely sell out soon. You can get yours through Ticketmaster, or through TeamCoco.com.
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