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Mon 11
See You in Hell! Union Hall; 8pm; $8
Comedians are plunged into purgatory for this hilarious set of performance challenges, at which they'll have to deliver stand-up while surviving grueling gauntlets from satanic hosts Doug Smith and Matt Wayne. Watch Chris Gethard, Katie Hannigan, Joe Pera and Chanel Ali tell jokes while doing yoga, arm-wrestling and rapping.
Open Flame Mood Ring; 8pm; free
Dust off the grim mood and bro culture of most open mics and head to this delightful queer comedy showcase, at which members of the community try out four-minute sets every Monday. Sam Campbell, Simone Leitner and Peter Valenti host.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in NYC this week
Tue 12
Rosé Wine and Cheese Class Murray’s Cheese; 6:30pm; free
As temperatures climb, you’ll want to swap those bold reds for light, refreshing whites and rosés. Find out how to pair the the juice of summer with fromage from around the world in this class.
Rooftop Cinema at Azul at Hotel Hugo; 7:30pm; free
Hit Hotel Hugo's open-air Cuban cantina to catch a free flick set against a picturesque city backdrop at this free weekly outdoor movie series. Films begin at sundown, but we recommend getting there a little early to grab a mojito and settle in for a prime view. Mon 18 features that most classic of underdog tales, Rocky.
Of Montreal Le Poisson Rouge; 8pm; $25, day of $30
Perhaps the foremost proponent of modern-day glam rock, this outfit from Athens, Georgia does predecessors such as Bowie and T. Rex proud, routinely serving heaping portions of sassy, eccentric art rock. Here, the nearly two-decade-old band—led by the always-flashy, always-amusing Kevin Barnes—hits town in support of its 2018 album White is Relic/Irrealis Mood.
Dirty Little Secrets Improv Show Niagara; 7:30pm; $6
If you're feeling too frightened to confess your darkest secrets and guiltiest sins to your friends and family, why not share them with a room of strangers? Divulge your worst to a talented crew of improvisors, and watch them spin a cathartic performance out of your life at this monthly show.
Sex and the City 20th Anniversary: Bradshaw Boys Live The Bell House; 8pm; $15
On their chipper podcast The Bradshaw Boys, three straight bros—Cory Cavin, Jon Sieber and Kevin James Doyle—watch and discuss the seminal Sex and the City. For this celebration of the show's 20th anniversary, they host a live reading of the pilot, featuring special guest performers and Magnolia Cupcakes. A portion of proceeds benefit the Cynthia Nixon for Governor campaign.
Breakout Artist Comedy Series: Natasha Vaynblat Carolines on Broadway; 7:30pm; $18
Gooney and gifted character comedian Natasha Vaynblat takes over Carolines for a night of wicked creations and subversive stand-up. Count on the prolific writer and performer to keep you on your toes at this exciting showcase.
Knite at Nite Club Cumming; 6pm; free
Enter an Amy Sedaris wet dream at Club Cumming's weekly knitting shindig. Homemaking empress Brini Maxwell and sweater-weather fantasy Josh Bennett give new-user-friendly advice and pro tips for all sorts of curious knitters, and welcome special guests to instruct on designs over drinks. Bring your needles or grab a kit—you're a part of the family now.
Wed 13
Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters + Sheryl Crow Forest Hills Stadium; 7pm; $54.25–$139.25
We last heard from Led Zeppelin when the band put out a snazzy, full-catalog reissue a couple years back, but don't get your hopes up for much else in the way of reunion shows or releases. You can, however, find leonine lead man Robert Plant on the road performing solo or alongside his current cross-cultural concern, the Sensational Space Shifters, following 2017's sensuous new solo album, Carry Fire.
The Decemberists + M. Ward Prospect Park Bandshell; 7pm; $45–$199
Portland, Oregon's Decemberists attract a nerdily passionate following thanks to their knowing (and, to some, pretentious) indie antiquarianism. It's an aesthetic the band all but abandoned on its latest, I'll Be Your Girl, calling in producer John Congleton and looking to Roxy Music, New Order and Depeche Mode for inspiration. It's a decidedly new direction for the 17-year-old band that should translate into an especially spirited show.
The Voidz Elsewhere; 8pm; $25
Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas plays with his other band, the Voidz, a group's that released two albums of unabashedly weird indie-rock. The crew settles in for a monthlong weekly residency at Elsewhere, with opening sets by rising indie bands including Surfbort, Dilly Dally and Priests
Black Guys Starr Bar; 8pm; free
David Agyekum and Tyler Richardson shut down Starr Bar once a month at this well-curated stand-up show. The June edition features Bobbi Elfie, Kenny Warren, Vanetta Schoefield, Ethan S.P., Albert Kirchner and Jeff Wesselschmidt.
X Plus One Caveat; 9pm; $7
Take part in a totally improvised 1940s-style sci-fi radio show, complete with war rockets, jet packs and plenty of blimps, courtesy of the X Plus One crew. Whether you're down for the square-jawed superheroes of the war years or just want to witness a thrilling old-school narrative come together live, you're in for a wild night.
Better Days Comedy Better Days; 9pm; free
Count on Pete DeAbreu to shut it down at this weekly Lower East Side gig, featuring DJ Juanyto spinning hip-hop and R&B. In addition to his wild Wednesday night gig, DeAbreu throws a lit Memorial Day party, featuring co-host Cipha Sounds, DJ Frei and a joyous after party. It's guaranteed that some very special guests will drop in for the special holiday event, so don't miss it.
Thu 14
Tribeca Drive-in Dinner and a Movie on Oculus Plaza Westfield World Trade Center; 7:30pm; free
Westfield World Trade Center returns with another edition of its summer series of alfresco movie nights in the Oculus Plaza. All of the flicks are chosen by the programmers of the Tribeca Film Fest (so you know they're good), plus there's live music and tasty food for purchase from Eataly, Choza Taqueria, Grom and more. The season kicks off with La La Land (Thu 14), Chef (Fri 15) and The Princess and the Frog (Sat 16).
Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2013 at various locations; $15
For its 29th edition, this annual fest has a two-pronged focus: the efforts of women around the globe to fight against oppression (twelve out of the fest's fifteen films are directed or co-directed by women) and the ways in which governments and corporations control the populace by regulating information. Don’t expect a lot of slapstick and car chases, in other words. All screenings are followed by in-depth Q&A's with filmmakers, film subjects and Human Rights Watch researchers.
Sunset on the Hudson Pier 45; 7pm; free
As the days get longer and the evenings get warmer, what better way to ease into the weekend than with free live music by the Hudson? On Thursday, June 14, head down to Pier 45 in Hudson River Park, lay down a picnic blanket on the grass and get set for an evening of classical music inspired by your favorite river. The Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra – a much-loved ensemble who’ve been performing in Lower Manhattan for over a decade – will serenade you and your friends with the ‘Hudson River Rhapsody’. Pair that with a beautiful sunset (and BYO snacks) and you’ve got yourself a chilled-out Thursday night to remember.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks + Holy Sons Music Hall of Williamsburg; 9pm; $30
As leader of the era-defining Pavement, Stephen Malkmus revolutionized ’90s rock with stoner-pop anthemry, decade-defining lazy-assedness and quirk-filled inside-jokery. With the Jicks he's continued to serve up addictive melodies and schizophrenic verbiage, most recently on 2014's Wig Out at Jagbags. The band released a sunny new single recently, which could mean a new album is coming down the pike. If so, count on hearing from it at this two-show outing.
Rify Royalty presents Miss Girl Narcbar; 8pm; free
The Standard East Village's always-packed RuPaul's Drag Race screening party is always stacked as well, with top-dollar alumni showing up to kiki with next-level diva Rify Royalty. Show up early for the 8pm episode, and stay late for performances and late night dancing starting at 10:30pm.