Location: Upper West Side, NYC
Film: New York African Film Fest
Show time: See website for schedule; Through May 31
Venue: Walter Reade Theater
Food: Rain
Drink: Prohibition
Miscellaneous: American Museum of Natural History

Marking its 18th year, the New York African Film Fest is a multi-venue celebration of African arts and culture featuring a gallery exhibition, fashion show, panel discussions and Q&A’s with directors and of course, great films from African directors. In the mood for pan-Asian food? Rain is a great bet, with it’s rather large Japanese themed wood paneled space, it has devised dishes like the Jungle Curry Wild Boar with kaffir lime, Thai eggplant, and Shanghai bok choy ($24). Prohibition harkens back to that 20s era full of illegal activity. Fortunately, the bar has an excellent drink menu including 12 different martinis. With pool tables in the back and exposed brick walls covered with paintings of people imbibing drinks, the theme may be prohibition but everyone is having too good a time to notice. If you have a little time to spare, go to the American Museum of Natural History and check out the exhibits “Sea Monsters,” “Cosmic Collisions,” and “Beyond UFOs.”