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Fri 4
Prints Gone Wild Littlefield; 6pm; free
Brooklyn-based Cannonball Press returns with its tenth annual "printacular" fair as part of New York Fine Art Print Week. Some of the best printmakers from all over the U.S.—like Chicago's Hoofprint Workshop and Maine company Pickwick Independent Press—will be there with their very best graphic art, and get this: everything is $50-and-under. Go forth and buy, friends.
Print Fair Park Avenue Armory; noon; general admission $20
Take down your old dorm-room posters, and hang some real art on your walls. This annual fair features a wide range of prints at varying price points, from 16th-century Baroque pieces to contemporary work straight out of NYC. If you never make it to the city’s galleries, you can make up for your lost time at this fest.
PoetryFest Irish Arts Center; 8pm; $0–$35
The Irish Arts center presents its eighth annual fest celebrating top poets from Ireland and the U.S. The event features readings, storytelling, book signings and conversations with esteemed wordsmiths, including John McAuliffe, Jericho Brown, Colette Bryce, Tom French and many more. Don't miss the opening night on Fri 4, which features appearances from novelist Zadie Smith, the Pogues bassist Cait O’Riordain and actor Peter Halpin.
House of Love: Dance Party & Sensual Experience House of Yes; 10pm; $30–$35
Cast your inhibitions aside as you enter this psychedelic, sensually stimulating fun house. Within moments of walking in, you’ll be invited into secret rooms, BDSM dungeons, pop-up massage booths and blindfolded adventures. While the DJs bring the house down with synth beats, dancers of all genders strip onstage, jump into bubble baths and twirl down aerial installations. The party encourages free love, but affirmative consent is required. Costumes are also mandatory, so get creative.
Night Market Loft Party Soho Lofts; 7pm; $55–$65
The Asian Mentoring Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters hosts its fourth annual fundraiser, featuring tasty eats like 1950’s-style Hong Kong egg waffles (a.k.a. gai dàn jai) from Wowfulls, bánh mì sandwiches from JoJu and decadent sweets from Baked by WingSie, plus vendors including Miss Bunny Mischief and Lolë, a magician, raffle prizes and tunes from DJ Roli Rho. If that's not enough to get you in the door, the open bar ought to do the trick.
Tegan and Sara Theater at Madison Square Garden; 7pm; $30.50–$76
Canadian twins Tegan and Sara descend on the the Theater at MSG with their winning brand of indie pop—all layered vocals and tempered angst. The duo has skewed a bit more mainstream recently, but it's difficult to stay mad when we're having so much fun dancing to "Boyfriend."
Sat 5
Comic Arts Brooklyn Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church; 11am; free
Indie comic fans head to Brooklyn for this annual Valhalla, which features a sprawling book, zine and comics fair and a packed day of creator panels. Check out talks from Adrian Tomine, Richard McGuire, Charles Burns, Dame Darcy and more.
Wasabassco’s 12th Anniversary Red Carpet Gala The Bell House; 8pm; $20, reserved seating $25, VIP $35
NYC’s most legendary burlesque troupe throws a tassel-twirling birthday bash, featuring performances by Dangrrr Doll, Nasty Canasta and other stars.
Reggae Retro 1st Saturdays Party Littlefield; 11am; $15–$20
Since 2002, Reggae Retro has delivered authentic, crowd-pleasing reggae jams to Brooklyn’s die-hard fans. Head to Littlefield to hear classics by Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and more. DJs Jace and Silence keep the beats rolling late into the night.
Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza; 8am; free
Complete a perfect day around Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Library with some weekend shopping at this well-stocked outdoor market. You'll be able to try wines and spirits from a rotating assortment of breweries and distillers like Standard Cider Company, Hudson Valley Distillers and more; buy wild-caught seafood from Seatuck Fish Company; and stack up on cheeses, spices and pastries from local bakeries and farms. Not a bad way to start your Saturday.
Fall Forest Weekend New York Botanical Garden; 11am; $20
Experience the colors of the season in the New York Botanical Garden's Thain Family Forest, a 50-acre thicket that boasts sweet gums, whose star-shaped leaves turn red and purple as autumn progresses, and tulip trees and hickories that display vivid golden yellows. During this annual series, gratis guided tours will point out seasonal foliage and birds, as well as offer free canoe trips, courtesy of the Bronx River Alliance. While you'll also see arborists demonstrating how to scale trunks, sign up in advance for a Recreational Tree Climbing class ($135, members $122) to try it yourself.
Sneaker Con Javits Center; noon; $25, weekend pass $40
Christmas is around the corner, so you deserve a pair of sneakers as a gift. And another pair for Hanukkah. Buy dope kicks at this massive expo, make sure your shoes are the real deal at the authentication booth and even sell your own high-tops at the trading pit. Bring cash and a lot of self-control.
Bhangra Bash Madison Square Tavern; 9:30pm; $10, at the door $15
Get down to Top 40, Bollywood and high-speed bhangra hits at this joyous dance party.
Sun 6
New York City Marathon at various locations; 9:40am; free to watch
More than 40,000 marathoners hotfoot it (or puff, pant and stagger) through all five boroughs over a 26.2-mile course. Stake out a lively spot—we recommend along Fourth Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn; First Avenue between 60th and 96th Streets in Manhattan; or Central Park South near the finish line—to cheer on the passing throngs.
SPAMTACULAR! A Meaty, All Men Benefit for the Legends of Burlesque Slipper Room; 8pm; $20, reserved seating $30
The city’s most darling (and daring) male burlesque dancers unite to raise money in support of their burlesque predecessors, and to make those coins, they give you an unforgettable show. Witness outrageous, bodacious performances from Chris Harder, Mr. Gorgeous, Fancy Feast and more at this mesmerizing event.