The Weekend Shortlist November 30 to December 2
Friday November 30
Location: Union Square, NYC
Music: X
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones
A Los Angeles punk band from the late 70s who truly influenced many artists who came after them, X is led by Exene Cervenka with a kickass band behind her. This is as close as you’re going to get to real punk! Also on board and equally worth seeing live is Reverend Horton Heat. If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! The Village Pourhouse looks like a neighborhood bar to watch sports but is actually has three more rooms, where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes and Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.
Friday November 30
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Music: Men Without Hats
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Brooklyn Bowl
Food: Blue Ribbon
Drink: Brooklyn Bowl
Miscellaneous: Bowling at Brooklyn Bowl
Canadian New Wave group Men Without Hats were one of those 80s bands considered a one hit wonder with “The Safety Dance†but also had a hit with “Pop Goes the World.†So whether you want to relive your childhood or get a taste for some real 80s music, this one should be some retro-fun! For dinner, check out Blue Ribbon, part of the highly rated eateries in the city, you’ll find southern fare including fried chicken and BBQ, some crazy shakes & floats, and more. For drinks, just walk about 20 feet to the bar where they offer nine draft beers from Brooklyn. Finally, and most obvious, there’s 16 lanes of bowling. While the wait is generally long, where else can you throw a strike and see a great band at the same time?
Saturday December 1
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Music: Dinosaur Jr.
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Terminal 5
Food: Eatery
Drink: Valhalla
Miscellaneous: Central Park
One of grunge music’s godfathers who are still putting out kickass music that guitarists cream over, Dinosaur Jr. celebrate the 25th anniversary of “You’re Living All Over Me.” Also on board is the amazing singer/songwriter Kurt Vile. 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!
Saturday December 1
Location: Soho, NYC
Art: Miami Makeover: Almost Anything for Beauty
Show time: See website for schedule
Venue: The Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art
Food: Nha Trang
Drink: Naked Lunch
Miscellaneous: La Esquina
Miami Makeover: Almost Anything for Beauty is a collaborative exhibit featuring the work of Aline Kominsky-Crumb and Dominique Sapel. Enthralled by the cultural standards of accepted beauty and what some women are willing to do to achieve it, Kominsky-Crumb and Sapel set out to entirely re-imagine their body image. Donning new outfits, wigs, jewelry, nails, makeup and padding in just the right places, the two artists remade themselves in the image of a modern Miami woman. One of the best affordable Vietnamese restaurants in the city, Nha Trang is right near the downtown courthouse, making it a high volume place. Despite that, the food is great and the Pho (rice noodle soup) dishes are $5 and under. Named after William S. Burroughs novel, Naked Lunch is a cool and comfortable bar where local artists usually gather. No shooting up though! One of the best taqueria’s in the city, the Mexican food at La Esquina is authentic and to die for. While tacos will set you back $3, plates are in the $6 to $7.25 range.
Sunday December 2
Location: East Village, NYC
Art: Come Closer: Art Around the Bowery, 1969–1989
Show time: See website for schedule; Through January 6, 2013
Venue: New Museum of Contemporary Art
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones
The exhibition Come Closer: Art Around the Bowery, 1969–1989 features original artwork, ephemera, and performance documentation by over fifteen artists who lived and worked on or near the Bowery in New York. Artists include Barbara Ess, Coleen Fitzgibbon, Keith Haring, John Holmstrom, Curt Hoppe, Colette Lumiere, Marc H. Miller, Adrian Piper, Adam Purple, Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone, Marcia Resnick, Bettie Ringma, Christy Rupp, Arleen Schloss, Charles Simonds, Eve Sonneman, Billy Sullivan, Paul Tschinkel, Anton van Dalen, Arturo Vega, Robin Winters, and Martin Wong. If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! What looks like a neighborhood bar to watch sports, The Village Pourhouse actually has three more rooms, where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes and Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.