Friday December 16
Location: Upper West Side, NYC
Music: The National Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Beacon Theater
Food: Hummus Place
Drink: Jake’s Dilemmal
Miscellaneous: Alice’s Tea Cup
Indie-rock band The National have been putting out critically acclaimed albums since 2005’s Alligator and this year’s High Violet does not disappoint either. They are definitely worth checking out live. Cheap yet not too heavy, Hummus Place serves up surprisingly great hummus in the uptown version of their original downtown location. More a game room for adults than a sports bar, Jake’s Dilemmal offers more than 50 beers to choose from while you can play pool, video games, or foosball. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Alice’s Tea Cup is as much for adults as it is for kids. Get one of a vast assortment of teas flown in from around the world here or a gorgeously designed slice of cake.
Friday December 16
Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn
Bands: One Ring Zero
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Barbes
Food: El Viejo Yayo
Drink: Buttermilk Bar
Miscellaneous: The Chocolate Room
Led by Michael Hearst and Joshua Camp, One Ring Zero, blends accordions, Theremins, and lyrics contributed by some of literature’s best contemporary authors (Jonathan Lethem, Margaret Atwood, Paul Auster, Dave Eggers, A.M. Homes, Rick Moody, Neil Gaiman, and Denis Johnson) to make music that has both a South American and out of the galaxy flavor. Keeping the night going with Latin flavor, try El Viejo Yayo for dinner. This gorgeous and warm restaurant has an elegant dining room and an affordable menu offering Dominican/Latin cuisine. The outside of Buttermilk Bar may look non-descript, but looks are deceiving . . . just not in this case, as this low-key watering hole is where you can grab a cheap drink in a friendly atmosphere, while playing a board game or two. With a near insane menu of chocolates from coffee and tea to delectable dessert, and even beer, The Chocolate Room is a great way to end the night on a high note.
Saturday December 17
Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn
Music: The Harry Potter Yule Ball Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Bell House
Food: El Viejo Yayo
Drink: Buttermilk Bar
Miscellaneous: The Chocolate Room
Harry and the Potters bring their annual Yule Ball to Brooklyn! It’s a night for wizards and muggles of all ages to revel in the magic and cheer of the holiday season. Performers include Harry & The Potters, Draco & The Malfoys, Potter Puppet Pals, Big Digits, MC Kreacher, and The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt! Keeping the night going, try El Viejo Yayo for dinner. This gorgeous and warm restaurant has an elegant dining room and an affordable menu offering Dominican/Latin cuisine. The outside of Buttermilk Bar may look non-descript, but looks are deceiving . . . just not in this case, as this low-key watering hole is where you can grab a cheap drink in a friendly atmosphere, while playing a board game or two. With a near insane menu of chocolates from coffee and tea to delectable dessert, and even beer, The The Chocolate Room is a great way to end the night on a high note.
Saturday December 17
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Art: Diego Rivera: Murals for the Museum of Modern Art
Show time: See website for schedule; Through May 14, 2012
Venue: Town Hall
Venue: MOMA
Food: Eatery
Drink: Valhalla
Miscellaneous: Central Park
Diego Rivera: Murals for the Museum of Modern Art takes a look back at Diego Rivera, who was the subject of MoMA’s second monographic exhibition (the first was Henri Matisse), which set new attendance records in its five-week run from December 22, 1931, to January 27, 1932. This exhibition will bring together key works made for Rivera’s 1931 exhibition, presenting them at MoMA for the first time in nearly 80 years. Nearby and delicious, Eatery offers a new American menu that’s asian influenced. Try the Red Curry Chicken Breast over roti pancake, with baby carrots and red curry coconut sauce ($16.95). Valhalla’s minimalist space is chill, letting the 24 brands of beer from all over the world on tap be the main attraction at this bar. While its warm out, waste a little time walking through Central Park, relax, and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. Just watch your step. The working horses tend to leave surprises behind them!
Sunday December 18
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Theater: Venus in Fur
Show time: See website for schedule; Through January 23, 2012
Venue: Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Food: Sullivan Street Bakery
Drink: Rudy’s Bar & Grill
Miscellaneous: The Shops at Columbus Circle
Based on Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s erotic novel, Venus in Fur makes its Broadway debut at MTC. Vanda (Nina Arianda) is a preternaturally talented young actress determined to land the lead in Thomas’ (Hugh Dancy) new play based on the classic erotic novel, Venus in Fur. Her emotionally charged audition for the gifted but demanding playwright/director becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. Arguably one of the top bread makers on the east coast, and good to get gourmet pizza’s and sandwiches, Sullivan Street Bakery makes exquisite food using ingredients you’d see on the Food Network! More bar than grill, Rudy’s Bar & Grill is like going back to college, minus the books. The beer is cheap and by “grill,†they mean free popcorn and hot dogs. If you have trouble finding the bar, just look for the 6 foot tall fiberglass pig standing outside! To get out of the cold and see what an upper-class mall is like, stop by The Shops at Columbus Circle. Expensive restaurants like MASA and shops like Williams Sonoma are fun to browse through to see how the other half lives.
