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Mar 23
David Byrne and Talking Heads; Carnegie Hall, Midtown West, 8pm. $48-$160, VIP $300-$10,000.
The big names lined up to fete David Byrne and Talking Heads include Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, hip-hop collective the Roots, Brazilian chanteuse Bebel Gilberto and ZZ Top guitar-slinger Billy Gibbons, just to name a few. Expect a once in a lifetime event, to say the least.
Behind the Scenes: Women in Hip-Hop; Apollo Theater, Harlem, 6:30pm. Free.
Hip-hop may be male dominated, but let's not forget the many strong women who've rocked the mike. In this panel, learn about the challenges female MCs have faced in the industry and the ways they've overcome them.
Britney Spears 101; Location disclosed after ticket purchase., 7:30pm. $20.
Join Spears scholars (yes, that's a thing) Rachel Goldberg and Suri Ratnatunga for a class on how to be more like Britney, with explanations of the journey, effects and true meaning of Spears's fame.
Poets Out Loud; Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus, Upper West Side, 7pm. Free.
Fordham University’s poetry community celebrates the publication of its latest prize-winning collections with their authors, Terrence Chiusano and Daneen Wardrop, alongside legend Charles Bernstein. A reception and book signing follow the readings.
Whiplash; Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Chelsea, 11pm. Free.
This wildly popular show, hosted by Leo Allen, is known for always featuring the city’s best up-and-coming comedians. But it’s the surprise special guests—Chris Rock, Louis C.K. and David Cross have appeared—who keep audiences hooked.
Manon; Metropolitan Opera House (at Lincoln Center), Upper West Side, 12:30pm. $27–$460.
Laurent Pelly's stark recent production of Massenet's grim story of young love is being revived as a vehicle for soprano Diana Damrau (who is giving her first performances of the title role at the Met). Vittorio Grigolo is her naive young lover Des Grieux. Emmanuel Villaume conducts.
Macy's Flower Show; Macy's, Herald Square, 10am. Free.
So, spring is still being indecisive, but the flowers aren't! "Art in Bloom" displays a beautiful arrangement of pop-art gardens, interactive 3D flowers, and contemporary and surrealist art, too. On the opening day, Martha Stewart will present the first of seven Bouquets of the Day.
Ask Me Another; The Bell House, Gowanus, 7:30pm. $25, advance $20.
Sure, we're all excited for special guests, Looking co stars Jonathan Groff and Raúl Castillo to reveal the inside scoop on the upcoming second-season finale: Will they get back together, or will they stay friends?
"Laurie Simmons: How We See"; The Jewish Museum, Upper East Side, 11am. $15.
Lena Dunham's mom puts the l'oeil into trompe l'oeil with her photos of fashion models whose closed eyelids are painted with images of eyes.
Mar 24
Friends Trivia; Poco Bar, East Village, 8pm. Free.
Go back to Greenwich Village to remember the best TV show about twentysomethings of the late 90s, and channel your best "unagi" during each of the five challenging rounds of trivia.
Mat Kearney + Parachute + Judah and the Lion; Best Buy Theater, Midtown West, 8pm. $29.50–$35.
Mat Kearney resembles a toned-down G. Love; mostly, he serves up pouty-mouthed singer-songwriter stuff. This year, he's just delivered his fifth album, Just Kids.
World of Extreme Happiness; Manhattan Theatre Club, Midtown West, 2pm. $85.
Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's black comedy The World of Extreme Happiness obeys that hectoring goddess: Its best moments roar with anger, which lets us overlook the few dramaturgically frustrating ones. See the play before it closes in just a few days.
Debbie Harry; Café Carlyle (in the Carlyle Hotel), Upper East Side, 8:45pm. Sold out ($100–$150, bar $45–$55, plus $75 minimum).
The Carlyle continues its diversification into boomer music with the venue debut of Blondie frontwoman and New York coolness icon Debbie Harry. Expect selections from Harry's solo work—if you can get tickets, which have been sold out for months.
Mar 25
Masters of Social Gastronomy Presents: The World's Weirdest Foods (Part I); Littlefield, Gowanus, 8pm. Free.
Tonight's discussion about the history of food explores the culinary wonders of the strangest and most expensive cuisine. Bird's-nest soup, anyone?
Affordable Art Fair; Metropolitan Pavillion, Chelsea, 7pm. $18, Senior and students $10, After dark $30, Private view $70.
For an $18 ticket, you can shop original paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures from more than 50 galleries, priced at $100 to $10,000. Now you can upgrade your flat without downgrading your wallet.
Action Bronson; Terminal 5, Midtown West, 8pm. $30.
Apparently the Queens native has also ripped a few pages from the pro-wrestling handbook, once body slamming a fan who jumped onstage uninvited. Expect Bronson to come out swinging to celebrate his major-label debut, Mr. Wonderful, out Mar 24.
Armitage Gone! Dance; American Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side, 8pm. $25–$35.
On the Nature of Things, choreographed by Karole Armitage, takes over the Museum of Natural History.
Ms. Lauryn Hill; The Cutting Room, Murray Hill, 8pm. Various prices.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been a decade and a half since Fugees alum Lauryn Hill’s universally revered neo-soulster debut collected 10 Grammy nominations. Now she's back, and grooving the stage once again.
Nurse Bettie Burlesque; Nurse Bettie, Lower East Side, 9:45pm. Free.
Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson hosts this night of burly-Q action at the intimate Nurse Bettie, which features both nightlife newbies and stars of the Gotham scene.
The How I Learned Series; Union Hall, Park Slope ,8pm. $10, advance $6.
Blaise Allysen Kearsley stuffs this hip, energetic evening of readings with writers, comics and bloggers, each of whom recounts a story tied to a specific lesson.
Ibeyi + Flo Morrissey; Music Hall of Williamsburg, Williamsburg, 8:30pm. Sold out.
On the heels of the new disc, the French-Cuban twin duo, inspired by folk songs of their father's Yoruban culture, turns up for a buzzy Brooklyn show with .
Mar 26
New York Spring Spectacular; Radio City Music Hall, Midtown West, 7:30pm. $25–$120.
Spring is in the air! Travel through NYC landmarks its a seasonal performance starring the Rockettes and featuring celebs like Broadway's Laura Benanti.
Spanking the Lower East Side; Nurse Bettie, Lower East Side, 9:45pm. Free.
This weekly get-together is produced by "Asian sexsation" Calamity Chang, and usually includes six or seven acts, as well as preshow go-go dancers. Prepare to get up close and personal in the small, intimate bar space.
Neil Diamond; Barclays Center, Prospect Heights, 8pm. $65–$175.
Though Diamond has left the sequined shirts behind, don't bet on a fully austere Neil: to completely purge Neil Diamond of kitsch would be to steal his soul.