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October 26
South of the U.S. Border Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church; 2, 7pm; $10–$25
Take a musical jaunt past the Rio Grande with this program of classical music from Central and South American composers. Think deep, resonant Argentinian melodies and light, danceworthy rhythms and beats from Brazil.
Popesical SoHo Playhouse; 7pm; $18
It's your final chance to catch this musical theater send-up of the Catholic Church, complete with the most unusual docket of cardinals ever seen onstage or onscreen: a Jewish one, a Chinese Buddhist one, redneck and Jersey floosies and the requisite repressed gay Irishman. (You didn't think this was gonna be PC, did you?)
Case Scaglione conducts the Juilliard Orchestra Alice Tully Hall (at Lincoln Center); 7:30pm; $30
If you're feeling classy, toss on your top hat and tails (okay, maybe just a tie and jacket) and head down to see former NY Philharmonic maestro Case Scaglione direct these insanely talented musicians-in-training through works by Haydn and Penderecki.
Havasi Symphonic Concert Carnegie Hall; 8pm; $12.50–$100
Bombastic Hungarian pianist Balázs Havasi clearly knows how to get to Carnegie Hall. Hopefully the structural engineers do too, because his explosive, keyboard-pounding show—complete with shredding guitarists and a gospel choir—just might bring down the house.
Monday Night Magic Players Theatre; 8pm; $37.50, day of show $42.50, premium tickets $69.50–$79.50
It's a special Halloween show spectacular at this night of magic, with performances from magicians RJ Lewis, David Oliver and Steven Brundage—the latter of who purportedly once fooled the likes of Penn and Teller themselves. Think you can keep from being fooled?
October 27
Inspirations Miller Theatre (at Columbia University); 6pm; free
Enjoy a bit of contemporary music at this installment of adventurous musical group Ensemble Signal at this Columbia institution's NY Pop-up! series, featuring everything from pieces by György Kurtág and Helmut Lachenmann to solo vocal performances featuring text by the poet Rilke.
Drew Barrymore in conversation with Jill Schwartzman Barnes & Noble Union Square; 7pm; entry with book purchase
If you don't know who Drew Barrymore is by now, there's a good chance you're suffering from some sort of retroactive amnesia. Get caught up by seeing her discuss her new memoir, Wildflower, where she talks about growing up as a child actress in a famous family.
Unbound: Gloria Steinem BAM Harvey Theatre, Brooklyn; 7:30pm; $25, including book purchase $45
Steinem's been fighting for women's rights since the ’60s; see her talk about her grassroots days in the feminism world when she discusses her new memoir, My Life on the Road, about traveling the country to help make change.
Deep-er-ness Union Hall, Brooklyn; 8pm; $10
Comedians get heavy at this combination stand-up show and interview session, with comics discussing intense topics such as religion and mental illness before sitting down to be interviewed by host Joe Zimmerman.
Tory Lanez Baby's All Right, Brooklyn; 8pm; $17–$20
This Canadian singer/rapper/songwriter may get compared to the likes of Drake and the Weeknd, but he's his own man through and through, with a style all his own. Catch him now, so when he's playing MSG five years from now, you can tell your friends you saw him in Billyburg.
October 28
Carrie Brownstein in conversation with Gaby Hoffmann Barnes & Noble Union Square; 7pm; entry with book purchase
She's one third of Sleater-Kinney, one half of Portlandia and one…oneth of the author of Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl, her new memoir about growing up in the Pacific Northwest. Check Brownstein out as she reads from and speaks about the book with Girls and Transparent star Hoffmann.
The Drums + Froth Baby's All Right, Brooklyn; 7:30, 9:30pm; $20, at the door $25
Living somewhere in the space between mod and punk, Brooklyn band the Drums' members are known to dress in throwback clothes and dance their tails off during shows. Also making an appearance: the dream-pop goth act Froth.
Angela Di Carlo: A.D.D. Cabaret Sid Gold's Request Room; 8pm; $10
Di Carlo is better known for her starring role in the Mad Men–spoofing musical comedy series The Mad World of Miss Hathaway, but you can also see her belt out a wide variety of songs—some original, some dirty—at her monthly cabaret show in Chelsea.
Big K.R.I.T. Highline Ballroom; 8pm; $25
This Mississippi-grown rapper and producer takes pride in his roots, but he's certainly not opposed to crossing the Mason-Dixon line while touring to support his latest album, 2014's wonderfully named Cadillactica.
The Ride Inspector's Nightmare Coney Island USA, Brooklyn; Oct 28–Nov 1, 8pm; $15
You don't have to navigate the crowds and madness of Coney Island on Halloween weekend if you want to have your pants scared clean off at this interactive show, which depicts the drug-addled nightmares of an old man in gory, gruesome fashion; performances start on Wednesday night. Consider it a great way to kick off Halloweekend.
The How I Learned Series Union Hall, Brooklyn; 8pm; $6, at the door $10
Intimidatingly named host Blaise Allysen Kearsley holds court over this monthly series, in which writers, bloggers, comics and other smart people tell stories connected to a central theme. This week's installment: "How I Learned Everything is a Lie." Gulp.
Gary Clark Jr Terminal 5; Oct 28, 30 8pm; $37.50, at the door $38
This bluesy rock & roller has worked or played with everyone from the Foo Fighters to the Rolling Stones to B.B. King; he's even performed at the White House. Now you can see him rock Hell's Kitchen with his Texas charm for two nights.
Salty Brine: Givin' Up Your Heart The Red Room; 8pm; $15 plus two-drink minimum
Actor/writer/singer Salty Brine and four of his friends work their way through college heartache and heartbreak in this cabaret, built around the songs of Adele's now-classic album 21. It's your last chance to see the show, so if it's been on your list, now's the time to go.
Born Ruffians + Young Rival Bowery Ballroom; 9pm; $16, at the door $18
New Wave–esque Canadian trio Born Ruffians brings the fresh, catchy hooks and melodies from their latest album, RUFF, to the Lower East Side; opening act Young Rivals has been touring with them for years, so they're probably pretty nice guys, too.
October 29
The Ded Sullivan Show Times Scare; 7pm; $25 plus two-drink minimum
It's classic variety show entertainment meets the macabre underworld in this tongue-in-cheek send-up. Among the acts the host, zombified Ed Sullivan, has on tap: an undead version of of Harry Belafonte's "Zombie Jamboree" and a ukelele number from the girl from The Ring.
The Blood Ball The Box; 8pm; $250–$500
Yeah, that's a whole bunch of greenbacks for a Halloween party, but think of it this way: It's in support of a good cause (the proceeds go to help find bone marrow donors for cancer patients), and it gives you a chance to kick off the costume party weekend early and not feel guilty in the slightest.
Schtick or Treat Knitting Factory, Brooklyn; 8pm; $12
It's a comedian's dream come true: dress up like his or her favorite comedy inspiration, then perform as that person. Or at least, we assume that's a comedian's dream come true. Either way, it sounds pretty fun.
Youth Lagoon + Moon King Webster Hall; 8pm; $20
Known to his family as 26-year-old Trevor Powers, Youth Lagoon's interesting blend of sensitivity, distance and pop-catchiness is likely to entice everyone into the indie rock scene. See him play with Toronto pop duo (and Spiral Beach alumni) Moon King.
Army of Darkness Videology, Brooklyn; 9pm; free
Sam Raimi's cult zombie-fighting classic (hey, Ash was killing the undead way before Rick and the gang from The Walking Dead) is coming back as a TV show on Halloween night, but you can catch up with the latest installment in the epic saga with an alcohol-lubricated screening.
BK Horror Club Throne Watches, Brooklyn; 9pm; $10
For the Halloween edition of this Williamsburg watch emporium's horror movie screening series, they're holding a costume contest and airing the Wes Craven classic Scream. There'll be popcorn, beer, music…and even discounts on some products, if all that terror makes you feel like shopping.