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Mon 29
U.S. Open USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center; various times and prices
For two weeks each summer, New York becomes the capital of the tennis world as the sport's final Grand Slam thwacks its way into Queens. Watch stars play under the lights during the popular evening sessions.
The Fifth Element with Oh My Science! Videology Bar & Cinema; 9pm; $10
Think you know 23rd century New York? Join comedian and science pro Dan Silver for a viewing of this beloved sci-fi spectacle, followed by a discussion of the science behind bodily regeneration, multipasses, space cruise ships and Ruby Rhod's microphone stick. It's going to be super green!
Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival Lincoln Center; 8pm; free
Want to show up to the Metropolitan Opera like Cher in Moonstruck, but lack the cash? Fear not! Grab a date, and take in an epic onscreen opera performance at Lincoln Center’s Plaza Grounds, where the Met will present recent adaptations of Otello, Il Trovatore, Lucia de Lammermoor and other heartbreaking tragedies. The festival kicks off on Fri 26 with a screening of 1985’s Oscar-winning campfest Amadeus.
Cast and Loose Live! Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater; 9:30pm; $20
Based on the Tumblr created by actor and writer Lynne Marie Rosenberg, this show makes light of casting-call horror stories, from nudity requests to blatant misogyny. This edition attacks the racism of the entertainment industry, with cast members reading racist casting notices that use terms like "urban" and "seeking all ethnics." Some proceeds will benefit Kickstart Diversity.
Local H Rough Trade NYC; 8pm; $20
Local H has ably outlived the faceless grunge wave that spawned it, thanks in part to its sardonic edge. Live, the Illinois duo rocks with an intensity way out of proportion to its two-man status.
PopAction at Streb Lab for Action Mechanics; 6pm. $15, 10-class package $135
Elizabeth Streb and her company—the STREB Extreme Action Company—are the daredevils of the dance world, and the MacArthur-winning choreographer has made her own aesthetic out on the edge of what the human body can do. Her technique—an aggressive mixture of circus skills, modern dance, body awareness and something like boxing—teaches participants how to manifest her same power-packed grace; in her Williamsburg facility, her dancers teach you “low-flying” skills, fall without fear, and generally become your best superhero self.
PoetNY Open Mic & Bowery Slam Bowery Poetry Club; 6:30pm; $15
Bowery Poetry packs a doubleheader every Monday night, with the wild and unpredictable PoetNY Open Mic at 6:30, followed by the competitive, rowdy Bowery Slam. Whether you’re a weekly regular or just coming in for your annual poetry fix, you’ll be more than satisfied with the local talent and unexpected guests that this night brings.
Weekly Ping-Pong Tournament Salvation Taco; 6pm; free
Burn off the grimness of your Monday workday at this weekly Ping-Pong showdown, in which you can josh around the table or compete for special prizes from Salvation Taco. Between crushing sets, dig into dinner treats like spicy pork & beef meatballs with Manchego and beer battered fish tacos.
Tue 30
Comedy Show in a Pizza Shop Two Boots Williamsburg; 8pm; free
This show sets itself apart from the rest by featuring pizza from the beloved Two Boots and free draft beers from 8–8:30pm. Beyond the doughy goodness, you can enjoy solid sets from hosts David Piccolomini, Lucas Connolly and Jake Fromm, along with a wide range of guests like Myq Kaplan and Kerryn Feehan.
Dark Water Tuesdays Otto’s Shrunken Head; 8pm; free
Synth-heads, postpunks and ’80s addicts are welcome to grab a drink and move to the sounds of New Order, Severed Heads, the Human League and more at this weekly chill-out session. Drink specials and well-picked horror, sci-fi and anime flicks on the big screen will keep you hanging around way later than you expect.
Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; various times; $25
Live long and prosper during the Intrepid’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Star Trek. The museum is going all out, with it’s 12,000-square-feet exhibition that lets folks join the Starfleet Academy in the 26th century (dreams do come true). After orientation, cadets discover nine training zones that specialize in language—now’s the time to put your Klingon knowledge to the test—medicine, engineering, navigation and more. In addition to becoming an all-star commander, you can experience leap motion, projection mapping and holograms.
Wed 31
Erin Markey: Humping a Gatorade Bottle The Duplex; 9:30pm; $15, at the door $20, plus two-drink minimum
Off-kilter actor-singer Markey has spent the past few years making people uncomfortable with her marvy brand of fiercely committed humor. Her new Duplex show, directed by Elllie Heyman, dives back into the deep end.
Barley Making It The Creek and the Cave; 8pm; free
Meghan O’Malley, Erick Hellwig and Adrian Davidson invite comedians to Long Island City every week to try out their freshest material. Past guests have written for and appeared on Broad City, Master of None, The Daily Show and more.
The Sensible Show Annoyance Theatre; 7pm; $5
Head to the Annoyance Theatre on Wednesday nights for excellent stand-up by a rotating selection of comics, with hosting duties covered by the ever-prolific Josh Gondelman, Chris Duffy, Emma Willmann and Evan Kaufman.
Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater; 7:30pm; $15–$35
It’s an NYC rite of passage to watch hopeful performers rub the Tree of Hope and give their all to make Top Dog status. Whether the acts dazzle the crowd or are literally swept offstage by CP Lacey, they’re guaranteed to produce an unforgettable show. This season’s series of dance, music, comedy and performance showdowns builds up to November’s finals, at which one Super Top Dog wins $10,000 and eternal glory. Be good or begone!
Blunderbuss Comedy Show Sid Gold’s Request Room; 7:30pm; $5, at the door $10
Host Dylan Palladino and a host of comedians takes the Sid's stage for stand-up followed by drunk karaoke. This month's edition features Emma Willmann, Alexander Payne, Mike Coscarelli, Pedro Gonzalez and more.
Thu 1
NYC Unicycle Festival Governors Island; various times; free
Forgive the analogy, but unicycles are the Nickelback of the cycling world: misunderstood by many but cherished by a select few who love them more than anything else. Enjoy four-days of one-wheel madness including a 13-mile unicycle ride from the Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island, Battery Park to Central Park and a bunch of events that take place on Governors Island. There you’ll find races, freestyle competitions and even unicycle sports including basketball, hockey and even—not making this up—unicycle sumo wrestling.
Saw Her Stand Up There Q.E.D.; 7:30pm; $6
A lineup of outstanding all-female comedians take the stage, with hosts Caitlin McKee and Andrea Shapiro. If you want to give your own jokes a spin, show up at 7pm for the open mic. This week, V. Lince, Carolyn Bergier and Kara Buller take the Q.E.D. stage.
The Sparkle Zone Annoyance Theatre; 9pm; $5
Philip "Sparkle" Markle hosts this joyous variety hour, in which pairs of comics, cabaret artists and performers take the stage for cheerful sets.
Thug Passion The Creek and the Cave; 6pm; free
Hosts Shalewa Sharpe and Courtney Fearrington bring together a night of heavy drinking and raw, unpredictable open-mic stand-up sets, all in honor of Tupac.