Thursday, December 13
PHOTOGRAPHY: Impose Photo Show at Secret Project Robot
Brooklyn-based magazine-turned-website Impose is celebrating its tenth anniversary with an exhibit of photos from its history. Tonight's opening offers free cocktails and a performance by goth-disco trio Alan Watts (whose lineup includes a former Impose editor).
Secret Project Robot, 389 Melrose Street, Brooklyn. 8 p.m.
PANEL: Parallel Lines: Visual Art, CBGB, and Downtown Nightlife at the New Museum
Punk magazine founder John Holmstrom, Bush Tetras guitarist Pat Place, photographer Marcia Resnick, and Ramones illustrator Arturo Vega assemble to discuss the ways art and music intersected in '70s New York.
New Museum, 235 Bowery. 7 p.m. $8. Tickets here.
PARTY: #NYANCATCITY Opening at the Hole
This weekend-long festival aims to celebrate internet culture and its influence on the arts. Tonight's opening reception will be soundtracked by DJ George Constanza and followed by an after-party at Santos Party House.
The Hole, 312 Bowery. 7-10 p.m.
MUSIC: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs at Webster Hall
England's Orlando Higginbottom (above) changed his name to Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and released one of our fave albums of 2012: Trouble. We put him in our summer music issue, caught his fab live performance at SONAR in June, talked to him backstage and can confirm that -- besides being well dressed -- he's an all-around swell guy, too.
Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street, (212) 353-1600. 6 p.m. $20.
Friday, December 14
MUSIC: Occupy Sandy Benefit at Saint Vitus
Local art-grunge quartet The Men join hazy jangle-poppers Widowspeak, minimal synth-tickler Lust for Youth, and punk-inspired singer-songwriter Waxahatchee at Pitchfork's Occupy Sandy benefit.
Saint Vitus Bar, 1120 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn. 8 p.m. $12. Tickets here.
PARTY: Dick the Balls with Loads of Molly at Loft 594
If this party sounds like hot, sweaty chaos ... it's only because it will be hot, sweaty chaos. Hosted by provocative BK blog The Culture Whore along with Mark Dommu and the performance group Descent, the night is sure to impair some memories. The expected acts make up an indulgent buffet of talent, with performers like delicious rapper Cakes Da Killa; DJ sets courtesy of Breezy B, John Sokolowski and Jx Cannon; and art installations by up-and-coming talents.
Loft 594, 594 Bushwick Avenue, Second Floor. 10 p.m. $5
ART: Masterpieces: A Fact-Filled Coloring Book at ABC No Rio
When Curtis Cates found a discarded copy of this educational coloring book outside his Lower East Side apartment, he invited his artist friends to put their touches on the black-and-white reproductions within, which they did by means of crayons, collage and even needlepoint.
ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington Street, (212) 254-3697. 8-10 p.m.
Saturday, December 15
COMEDY: A Murray Little Christmas at (le) poisson rouge
The island of misfit toys is brought to life by the collection of colorful personalities at this variety show: cabaret stars and performance artists like Bridget Everett, Erin Markey and Carmine Covelli; the sultry NYC Burlesque Choir; and Mr. Showbiz himself, Murray Hill and his The Craig's List Quartet. Come one, come all, enjoy some Christmas carols and innuendo!
(le) poisson rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, (212) 505-3474. 7:30 p.m. $20-50. Tickets here.
FILM: Any Day Now at Sunshine Cinema
Any Day Now's plot may read like a sentimental family drama: a gay couple battles the legal system to care for an abandoned teen with Downs Syndrome in the 1970s. But with a spirited performance from Alan Cumming and the careful direction of Travis Fine, the moving film is elevated from heart-warming kitsch to something more palpable and gripping. Cumming will be present after tonight's screening for a Q & A.Landmark Sunshine Cinema, 143 East Houston Street, (212) 260-7289. 7:20 p.m. $13. Tickets here.
DANCING: Soul Clap & Dance-Off at Brooklyn Bowl
This special holiday installment of DJ Jonathan Toubin's monthly residency promises to highlight 45-rpm singles by James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones. Joining Toubin in the booth will be no-wave legend James Chance (author of the classic "Christmas with Satan"), who will curate a dance-off with a $100 prize.
Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, (718) 963-3369. 11:30 p.m. $7. Tickets here.
READING: Gigantic Launch Party at Public Assembly
This annual literary journal includes in its mission statement an aim to be "unlovely," which its founders explain thusly: "We will work hard to ensure you do not see the following words or phrases, or words or phrases like them: glimmer, shimmer, swaths, bleating, said flatly, beads of sweat, strange, tussle, clouded, glares, beamed, throbbed, grasped, lapis lazuli, gem, flew out of her hand." Tonight's party will feature (presumably unlovely) readings from the new fourth issue by Michael Kimball, Joe Wenderoth, and others as well as live music by Jonas Reinhardt.
Public Assembly, 70 North 6th Street, Brooklyn. 8:30 p.m. $12 (includes copy of magazine). Tickets here.
MUSIC: Silent Barn Public Meeting at Shea Stadium
Over the past year, as D.I.Y. venue Silent Barn has sought a new home, they've held a series of "public meetings" around Brooklyn to engage with the community in planning for the future. Now they've signed a lease for a new location, but the public meetings continue. Come to Shea Stadium tonight for a panel discussion on the economics of touring; stay for performances by So So Glos, Nonhorse, and the Beets.
Shea Stadium, 20 Meadow Street, Brooklyn. 8:30 p.m. $7
Sunday, December 16
FILM: Edward Scissorhands at Nitehawk Cinema
A boy with scissor hands is created by Vincent Price and lives as an outcast in suburbia. Sounds like Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands is a holiday classic to us! The director's films often flirt with Christmas cheer; Scissorhands is in fact framed as a Christmas story. Catch a screening today at Nitehawk, and pray for snow so you can spin around in it like Winona.Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, (718) 384-3980. 12 p.m. $11. Tickets here.
Today's your last chance to scope the goods at the fashion site's pop-up shop featuring brands like Ernest Alexander, Lulu Frost & George Frost and White + Warren. While you're stocking up on last-minute holiday gifts, take advantage of their braid bar and make-up stations and get gussied up before going out.
201 Mulberry St. 12-6 p.m.
SHOPPING: The Free Marketplace
Philadelphia-based avant soul/electro artist Suzi Analogue hosts this one-day only indoor shopping mecca featuring local vendors like Bed-Vyne, Feli Kiwi and Pipsqueak, a wellness lounge, children's play area and live performances from rapper Iampopula and rockers The Sunday Belts. Shoppers can also get nail art manicures from Ms. Analogue, who's bringing her high-concept nail art shop, Nail Tite, to the marketplace for the occasion.
905 Atlantic Ave., 2nd Floor, Brooklyn. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.