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COOL THINGS TO DO
Feb 1
Zombie Escape; Bucket List Productions
Yeah, you thought you were tough until you stood in a room full of 11 other "daredevils" trying to break free from a bloodthirsty zombie attached to a (not-so-strong) chain in just one hour. THIS IS NOT A GAME. Okay, it is a game, but you get what we mean.
Feb 8
Thunderbird American Indian Dancers Dance Concert and Powwow; Theater for the New City
The oldest Native American dance company in New York celebrates its 51st anniversary this year with traditional songs and culture-rich storytelling.
Feb 14
Romance Under the Stars; American Museum of Natural History
It's the perfect combination of romance and nerdiness; champagne, a quartet and later, a presentation of the stars by astronomers Lydia Maria Petrosino and Ted Williams.
Feb 18
The Westminster Kennel Club 139th Annual Dog Show; Pier 92 and Madison Square Garden
We all know dogs are the best pets of all time. It's only natural they have an annual show of awesomeness this huge.
Feb 22
Lunar New Year Parade and Festival; Chinatown
The Year of the Sheep is here. Celebrate Chinese New Year with traditional lion and dragon dances and a colorful parade in Chinatown.
AWESOME THINGS TO SEE
Jan 31–Aug 31
"Wael Shawky, Cabaret Crusades"; MoMA PS1
Since 2010, this Egyptian artist has been working on a trio of videos recounting the history of the Crusades as seen through Arabic eyes. This show, which takes a literal look at how the strings of history are pulled, presents Shawky's trilogy in final form.
Feb 6
Jupiter Ascending opens in theaters
Postponed from last summer, the Wachowskis' new film, a sci-fi spectacular starring Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum, finally comes to the big screen.
Feb 6–May 4
"On Kawara—Silence"; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Time, as the saying goes, never sleeps, but over the course of his 40-year, conceptual artist On Kawara has managed in his way to stop the clock in his own way. This Guggenheim retrospective brings together this project project and more, illuminating one artist's deep commitment to seizing the day.
Feb 6
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water opens in theaters
This is the second movie to be made of the global kids' TV phenomenon. We're guessing it's for little children and fans (one and the same).
Feb 13
Fifty Shades of Grey opens in theaters
E.L. James's blockbusting novel finally comes to the screen courtesy of director Sam Taylor-Johnson, with Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in the leads. Whip-crack away!
Feb 14–Jan 1, 2016
"This Is for Everyone: Design Experiments for the Common Good"; Museum of Modern Art
This show about digital-age design presents objects from MoMA's collection—from fashion and furniture to computer software and hardware—focusing on bright ideas for better living that actually benefit the public.
Feb 20
Hot Tub Time Machine 2 opens in theaters
More tub-based time-traveling humor. This time, the gang has to go back in time to save a friend who's been shot, but they accidentally end up in the future.
Feb 20–May 24
"Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic"; Brooklyn Museum
Baroque meets hip-hop in the paintings of this African-American artist who uses Old Master techniques to capture portraits of his subjects (some of whom were recruited off the street).
Feb 20
Jane Got a Gun opens in theaters
Natalie Portman heads up this Western from Warrior director Gavin O'Connor. Joel Edgerton and Ewan McGregor offer support.
Feb 25–May 24
"2015 Triennial: Surround Audience"; New Museum of Contemporary Art
Now in its third edition since beginning in 2009, the New Museum's Triennial hasn't received the level of media attention of its nearest rival, the Whitney Biennial, though it's just as messy and attention-grabbing. This year's theme is "Surround Audience," which sounds a little threatening but is meant to conjure today's inescapable 24/7 culture.
TASTY PLACES TO EAT
Feb 6
Bitten: A Food Conversation; Scholastic Auditorium
Attend this all-day conference to pick the brains of gastro powerhouses as they discuss the future of food while filling up on complimentary breakfast and lunch from Cómodo and Colonia Verde.
Feb 7
Fourth Annual Eat, Drink & Bloody Mary Contest; L’Apicio
Sip on your favorite morning cocktail and choose your favorite as 18 of New York City’s favorite brunch spots (DBGB, the Smith) compete for the title of best Bloody Mary.
Feb 7
NYC Bowling, Build Your Own Burger & Beer Night Social; Frames Bowling Lounge
Build your own badass burger, chug a few beers, and make some new friends during this two-hour bowling bonanza in the VIP lanes.
Feb 21
2015 NYC Beer Week Opening Day Bash; The Altman Building
Taste and talk beer with the brewmasters behind 40 suds operations from all regions of New York State while sipping unlimited samples and noshing on booze-friendly snacks from local vendors.
Feb 16–Mar 6
NYC Restaurant Week 2015
It's your chance to dine for a steal at more than 300 eateries across Gotham during this three-week blowout featuring three-course lunches for $25 and dinners for $38.
ASTONISHING DANCE PERFORMANCES
Through Feb 3
43rd Dance on Camera; Multiple venues
This annual festival highlights a wealth of new dance films, along with a digital restoration of one of the best: Bob Fosse's All That Jazz.
Feb 10
Martha Graham Dance Company; Joyce Theater
The company's new season looks at Graham's influence as an American modernist, including a collaboration with architect Frank Gehry who creates projected images to interact with 1936's Steps in the Street.
Feb 11
Douglas Dunn & Dancers; BAM Fischer
Veteran choreographer Douglas Dunn explores the Greek goddess of shame in his new Aidos.
Feb 19
Dancers, Buildings and People in the Streets; Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery
Organized by Claudia La Rocco, this series explores points of intersection between New York City Ballet, Judson Dance Theater and Merce Cunningham.
Through Mar 1
New York City Ballet Winter 2015; David H. Koch Theater (at Lincoln Center)
The company heats things up with Justin Peck's latest set to Aaron Copland's Rodeo and hosts another round of its art series, with an installation by Dustin Yellin.
FANTASTIC SHOWS TO SEE
Feb 2
Fish in the Dark; Cort Theatre
Larry David makes his Broadway debut as a playwright and an actor in this darkly zany family comedy.
Feb 8
Verité; Claire Tow Theater
A woman exploits her life for a memoir in this biting satire by Nick Jones (Orange Is the New Black).
Feb 14
The Audience; Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Dame Helen Mirren gets upgraded to Queen (Elizabeth II, to be precise) in this decade-spanning piece.
Feb 24
Lives of the Saints; Primary Stages
Ace comic playwright David Ives (All in the Timing) returns to the short form with this new collection.
Feb 25
Brooklynite; Vineyard Theatre
This new musical mixes superheroes and the hipster borough to make a musical.
CONCERTS TO GO CRAZY AT
Feb 1
Sundays in the Panther Room: Anthony Collins + Ted Krisko + Velasco & Chavez + Joey Anderson; Output
Output’s free Sunday Funday series continues in the Panther Room, with Scissor and Thread’s Anthony Collins and Inimeg Recordings founder Joey Anderson highlighting this lineup.
Feb 4
Vessel + Container; The Wick
Triangle Recordings young talent Vessel visits from the U.K., joined by Container.
Feb 6
One Step Beyond: Todd Edwards + Beautiful Swimmers; American Museum of Natural History
An apt party name for house-music originator Mr. Edwards.
The Bunker: Magda + Mike Servito + Wrecked + BMG; Output
The Bunker continues to deliver lineups including only the best techno talent from around the world, this time with Magda headlining.
Feb 16
Theophilus London; Bowery Ballroom
The retro-styled Brooklyn R&B man gets you sweating with tunes from last year's aptly named, Kanye-produced Vibes.
Feb 18–19
Sharon Van Etten; Warsaw at the Polish National Home
Whaddya know: Former unassuming local alt-folkie and longtime Time Out New York fave Sharon Van Etten is now an international star. Welcome her home at these two Greenpoint gigs.
Feb 26
Swans + Xylouris White; Bowery Ballroom
Avant-rock mastermind Michael Gira brings bludgeon and beauty to the LES with his signature crew, Swans. Exotic drums-lute duo Xylouris White gets you in the mood.
Feb 26–27
Sleater-Kinney; Terminal 5
The year's buzziest reunion tour, in support of the year's buzziest comeback album, explodes into NYC. If you've got tix, guard ’em with your life.
Feb 28
Behemoth + Cannibal Corpse; Webster Hall
Remember when Guns ’N Roses and Metallica toured together back in ’92? Well, this is sort of like that. But for death metal.
INTERESTING AUTHOR EVENTS
Feb 6
Women of Letters; Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater
They’re women. They read letters. It’s a simple premise that produces poignant results. Beloved actress Molly Ringwald and others share “a letter to the thing that vanished.”
Feb 6
Brooklyn Poets Reading Series; BRIC House
The all-poetry quarterly series moves to a new venue but keeps all the essential awesomeness: three brilliant guests (Tom Sleigh, Jessica Greenbaum and Wendy Xu are on deck), plus drinks and post-reading dancing.
Feb 9
Franklin Park Reading Series; Franklin Park
Every month, we look forward to host Penina Roth’s impeccable reading lineup. Drop by tonight to see Man Booker Prize winner Peter Carey, debut novelists Laura Van Den Berg and Mark Doten and more impressive talent.
Feb 17
En Garde! Neil Gaiman and Daniel Handler; BAMCafé
Two of the greatest writers of our time talking about storytelling and pirates? Come on, what more could you want?
Feb 26
Elisa Albert: After Birth; Housing Works Bookstore Café
Think of it as literary birth control: Albert’s new novel about a young mother losing and looking for herself is that convincing and terrifying. And that good.
COMEDY SHOWS TO CHECK OUT
Feb 1
The Manning Brothers’ Super Bowl Party; UCB
Eli and Peyton have been forced to move their party to NYC after an opossum infestation, and you’re invited! Well, kinda. This comedy show sees the brothers (played by Ryan Haney and Joel Weidl) hosting their party and bickering over their annual chilli cook-off.
Feb 10
Rain Pryor; Carolines on Broadway
The daughter of Richard Pryor is best known as an award-winning jazz/blues vocalist, but now she’s following in her dad’s footsteps and stepping up on a whole different stage.
Feb 14
The Wonderful World of Boning: Sex Ed with a Sense of Humor; Union Hall
In case you need a little advice on the bedroom front, Lux Alptraum and her guests will dissect classic sex-ed videos for your amusement (and possibly education).
Feb 14–15
Jeff Ross; Carolines on Broadway
The Roastmaster General is coming to NYC to spread a little love around on Valentine’s Day. Did we say love? We meant sick burns.
Feb 22–Mar 28
Hold Onto Your Butts; Peoples Improv Theater
After making our list of the 10 best comedy shows of 2014, the show in which just two guys act out the entirety of Jurassic Park scene by scene (dinosaurs and all), returns for a 15-night run. We. Can’t. Wait.
WONDERFUL LGBT EVENTS
Feb 7
Mr. New York 2015 Escort of the Year Contest; Therapy
Austin Wolf, Killian James, Rocco Steele and other sexy adult entertainers compete for the chance to represent NYC in the Mr. International category at the 2015 Hookies in March.
Feb 14
Steve Grand; SubCulture
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with adorably earnest queer country artist Steve Grand, whose debut album, All American Boy, is out March 24.
Feb 20–21
Tammie Brown: Lip-Synch Suicide; Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café
Weird and wonderful RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Tammie Brown comes back to NYC with an all-new night of musical-comedy tomfoolery.
Feb 22
Church of Titillation: Pride in February; Times Scare
Burlesque beauties Mr. Gorgeous, Kitten La Rue, Tigger! And many more get into the Pride spirit four months early.
Feb 25
Kate Pierson; City Winery
After more than three decades in the B-52’s, rock & roll pioneer Kate Pierson has released her first solo album, Guitars and Microphones, which features collaborations with Sia and the Strokes’ Nick Valensi. She’ll perform songs from it (and maybe a few B-52’s classics) tonight.
ACE PLACES TO SHOP
Feb 1–8
Patricia Field V-day Sale
Treat yo’self to some discounted, personalized jewels thanks to Patricia Field’s Valentine’s Day sale. You might not have a beau to buy you a chunky, 14-carat collar necklace ($120, now $96). But come on, ladies, it’s not the 1920s anymore!
Feb 1–15
Swords Smith
Swords Smith is one of our favorite indie shops, and we heard word that the brand’s end-of-season sale is still going strong. Scoop up items like Venessa Arizaga hand-braided, gold chain bracelets ($55, now $44) and Saunder Roscoe shift dresses ($250, normally $385) while you still can.
Feb 2–28
Selen Design Pop-Up
Are you allergic to nickel or lead jewelry? Don’t fret—the Selen Design Pop-Up inside the Roger Smith Hotel offers budget-friendly, handcrafted baubles that are stylish and allergen-free.
Feb 4
Lululemon Run Club
On your mark, get set, run! Runners of all levels can meet fellow runners at the Lululemon (Broadway location) every Wednesday at 7pm for a challenging—but fun—jog.
Feb 12–19
Triumph Hotel’s PRIV Beauty Pop-Up
You might now have a front-row seat by the runway during Fashion Week, but you can still look like you stumbled off one. PRIV, the innovative on-demand beauty service, will be setting up shop in all six Triumph hotels throughout Fashion Week, offering complimentary mini massages, dry hairstyling, makeup consultations and mini manicures for a little NYFW-themed primping.