Happy Wednesday, and congrats on making it through another week! This one felt particularly major, what with a historic transfer of power, a massive, worldwide display of resistance, a Nor’easter, and a fresh barrage of anxiety-producing tweets from The Joker, Bane, the leader of the free world.
Now that the sun is finally giving us a little love again, it’s a great day to get outside for a walk, run, or bike ride to clear your head. A few weeks ago, I spent an hour exploring Green-Wood Cemetery on a crisp afternoon and it’s something I heartily recommend to those who have never been. Pro tip: The gates to the main entrance close at 5pm sharp, and if you dawdle and assume there’s a couple of minutes of leeway, the guard will lock you in, even if he drives by on his way to lock up and fully sees you’re still there, at which point he will ignore your cries and disappear for 20 minutes while you wonder whether you can survive a subzero night in a graveyard full of fallen Revolutionary War soldiers. Never fear, though, he’ll eventually come back and release you (with a couple of stern words about following the rules) and maybe in the meantime you will have made friends with a couple visiting from Germany who were also trapped.
There are a ton of fun things to do this week in our incredible, indefatigable town, and we’ve gathered up some of our favorites for your scheduling consideration. Happy exploring!
Rob Cantrell hosts a new comedy night in Prospect Heights. Photo: Rob Cantrell
Thursday, January 26
On Thursday night, actor and comedian Rob Cantrell headlines the relatively new monthly comedy show at Prospect Heights’ Dean Street starting at 8pm. Tickets are just $8 each, and that includes sets from Liz Miele, Guitler Raphael, Seena Jon, Claudia Cogan, Trey Galyon, and Kenny de Forest. We hear that the restaurant turns out some pretty great Southern food, so come hungry.
More Swayze, please. Image: Syndicated
Friday, January 27
Among the many ways that 2016 was the crap gift that just wouldn’t stop giving, it was the year that we lost three titans of music: David Bowie, Prince and George Michael. On Friday night at 8:30pm, Cafe Dada and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music are hosting an In Memoriam Singalong to honor the lives, work, and enduring influence of the extraordinary trio.There will be lyric sheets, toasts, and great live music to help us gear up for 2017 and the challenges that lie ahead. In another nod to 80s nostalgia, Syndicated is hosting a Patrick Swayze film face-off, which means that two comedians will debate the relative merits of Road House and Point Break (um, no contest, IMO–Bodhi all the way!) and then the audience will vote on which movie will be screened. Tickets are $5 and the show starts at 10:15.
Saturday, January 28
This Saturday, you can herald the arrival of another fresh start, the Year of the Rooster, at Chinatown’s New Year’s Day Firecracker Ceremony in Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Bring a camera, because the annual festival features colorful lion dancers, firecrackers, vendors and drummers. The festivities start at noon, which gives you plenty of time to get into an awesome dim sum brunch beforehand.
Pig all the way out at Cochon 555 on Sunday. Photo: Cochon 555
Sunday, January 29
Carnivores can get their grub on in a major way at Sunday afternoon’s Cochon 555 pork extravaganza going on at the Weylin in Williamsburg. Started in 2008 as a way to educate people about heritage breed pigs, the event features five top chefs (in this case, from Saxon + Parole, Quality Eats, Olmsted, Birds & Bubbles, and Food & Wine), who are each given 300 pounds of responsibly-raised pork and complete creative license to come up with decadent, delicious dishes showcasing the bounty. Tickets are pricey at $125 a pop, but that covers a three-hour tasting experience, which includes wine, cocktails, artisanal charcuterie, farmhouse cheeses, and plates and plates of pork, so I’d bet it’s worth it. The party starts at 4pm. For a less aggressive hit to the wallet at $45, foodies can learn how to make onigiri, salted wakame salad, and egg-drop style soup in dashi broth at a special Japanese Homestyle Cooking Workshop taking place from 2-4pm at Court Street Collective.
Monday, February 30
Paul Auster, acclaimed novelist and NYC icon, is appearing at the 92nd Street Y on Monday night to talk about his latest novel, 4 3 2 1, which presents four alternative plot arcs about the same character and has received some glowing advance reviews (Look for one on BB early next week–the novel is incredibly good. –Ed.). There’s no time to dig into an epic 900-page read like February, which consists of cold, short days without a lot of holiday distractions, and this might just be the book to commit to this month. Tickets start at $15 and the event starts at 7:30pm.
Tuesday, January 31
On Tuesday, The Living Gallery is hosting a one-day-only pop-up art show featuring Carla Cubit’s artwork, posters, and photographs inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and NYC-area protests. The opening reception takes place from 7-10pm and will feature a live musical performances, a talk sponsored by the Museum of Impact, and a discussion with the artist herself. Attendance is free, and food and refreshments will be available.
Wednesday, February 1
Hip-hop star and rising alt-comedian Jean Grae has her own live talk show at Union Hall, The Show Show, and it returns this Wednesday with another panel of distinguished guests. For this installment, Grae welcomes the Kondabolu Brothers, DJ Donwill, Quelle Chris, Fernanda Meier, and Shannon Manning to share their perspectives on music, news, comedy, and the issues of the day. Tickets are available for $8 if you buy them in advance and the show starts at 8pm.
