Friday, November 16BOOKS: Moby-Dick Marathon NYC
Have you always wanted to tackle the white whale that is Herman Melville's 1851 novel? Now's your chance to chase Moby-Dick around New York, with the likes of Paul Dano, Sarah Vowell, and Touré reading at three bookstores over three days.
WORD!, 126 Franklin Street, Brooklyn. 6 p.m. More information here.
SHOPPING: Capsule Neighborhood Network
International
men's trade show Capsule next touches down in New York in January, but
this weekend the organizers have set up a slew of sales at boutiques and
showrooms throughout Nolita, the Lower East Side, and East Village.
Those not in search of a winter wardrobe can take advantage of discounts
at bars and restaurants throughout the area.
Participating shops listed here.
COMEDY: Simon Amstell's "Numb" at Theatre 80
Simon Amstell, known in Britain for the TV shows Grandma's House and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, first brought his solo show "Numb" to Theatre 80 in a five-week run this summer. Now Amstell and his brand of Woody Allen-ish existential despair have returned for another week of shows. Sample joke: "If you live alone, and you don't make plans, here's what happens: you wake up, and it just gets darker."
Theatre 80, 80 St. Mark's Place, (212) 388-0388. 8 p.m. $26. Tickets available here.
Saturday, November 17BOOKS: SandyHatesBooks at powerHouse arena
Among Hurricane Sandy's many victims was the stock of DUMBO's independent bookstore and event space, powerHouse arena, who estimate losses in "several tens of thousands of dollars." Today's fundraiser will feature readings from Brooklyn's biggest literary stars, including Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan, National Book Award winner Jonathan Franzen, and Gossip Girl creator Cecily von Ziegesar.
powerHouse arena, 37 Main Street, Brooklyn. (718) 666-3049. 12 p.m. $10 (suggested). Full schedule here.
MUSIC: Occupy Sandy! Benefit at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity
One of the past couple weeks' many surprises has been the recent, redirected resurgence of Occupy Wall Street, under whose aegis volunteers have set up a medical center in the still-ailing Rockaways. Today's benefit will feature acoustic performances from Real Estate, Vampire Weekend, Devendra Banhart, Cass McCombs, and members of the Walkmen and Dirty Projectors.
St. Ann and the Holy Trinity, 157 Montague Street, Brooklyn. 12 p.m. Sold out.
MUSIC: inc. and Sky Ferreira at Steel Drums
Do androids dream of Aaliyah? If so, the soundtrack probably resembles the music of inc., two brothers who this week dropped the single "5 Days." Opener Sky Ferreira will be joined by Dev Hynes, producer of her recent EP Ghost.
Steel Drums, 35 Beadel Street, Brooklyn. 11 p.m. $15. Tickets available here.
Sunday, November 18FILM: The Birds at IFC Center
Anyone who watched HBO's Tippi Hedren biopic The Girl last month, and many who didn't, will want to see the role that launched that actress's partnership with Alfred Hitchcock. For the film's final scene, the director famously swapped out the mechanical birds he'd used for most of the film with live birds, which Hedren had to endure for five days.
IFC Center, 323 Sixth Avenue, (212) 924-7771. 11 a.m. $13.50. Tickets available here.
ART: Marilyn Dintenfass's "Drop Dead Gorgeous" Opens at Driscoll Babcock
Marilyn Dintenfass's richly-colored abstractions gently throb with a serenity at a remove from both angry expressionism and gaudy pop. Her latest show, inspired by the deadly Angel Trumpet flower, hints at the perils of seduction.
Driscoll Babcock Galleries, 525 West 25th Street. (212) 767-1852. 4 p.m.
Music: Chris Forsyth & Koen Holtkamp Duo at Shea Stadium
Earlier this year, guitarist Chris Forsyth and synth dude Koen Holtkamp (a.ka. Mountains) teamed up for the Early Astral LP, whose two seventeen-minute tracks ("Early Astral 1" and "Early Astral 2") shade from boogie to krautrock to ambient. Tonight the duo plays a benefit for Red Hook relief alongside Les Conversions and 75 Dollar Bill.
Shea Stadium, 20 Meadow Street, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. $8.