Thursday, January 10
ART: Christopher K. Ho at Forever & Today
This solo show takes the cheeky title "Privileged White People" as homage to the politically-correct '90s, represented by facing portraits of Bill Clinton and James van der Beek. The show also collects memorabilia from Ho's mythical liberal arts enclave, Trout College.
Forever & Today, 141 Division Street. Opening reception tonight 6-8 p.m. Through February 17.
BOOKS: George Saunders at Greenlight
George Saunders's new short-story collection, Tenth of December, finds the literary titan inhabiting slightly cracked suburban minds, fighting back sentimentality with jagged prose.
Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. 7:30 p.m. Free.
MUSIC: Hospitality at Bowery Ballroom
The three bands on this bill -- Hospitality, Teen, and Household -- eschew distortion, instead drawing energy from the complex melodic counterpoint between clean guitar lines and light female vocals.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street. 8 p.m. $15. 18+
Friday, January 11
BOOKS: Best of Punk Magazine Launch at Powerhouse
With their late-'70s 'zine, John Holmstrom and Legs McNeil to popularize the eponymous four-letter word and to associate it with the music of cover stars like Lou Reed, Blondie and the Ramones (for whom Holmstrom later drew the cover of Road to Ruin). Tonight, Holmstrom celebrates a new anthology with drinks and live music.
Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main Street, Brooklyn, (718) 666-3049. 6-8 p.m. $15 admission goes to book purchase.
PARTY: GHET20G0TH1K at Santos Party House
GHET20G0TH1K will be bringing its signature, rapid party madness with a Black & White evening, featuring DJs like Venus X and $hayne to bring the beats while you are dancing in your best look. Color-coordinated attire preferred.Santos Party House, 96 Lafayette Street, (212) 584-5492. 10:30 p.m. $15 (tickets here). 21+
PARTY: Night Slugs at Steel Drums
This long-running London bass and house rave and label hops over to New York, with DJ sets by four Night Slugs acts: owners L-vis 1990 and Bok Bok as well as Girl Unit and stateside representative Kingdom. Thunderhouse video will take care of the visuals.
Steel Drums, 35 Beadel Street, Brooklyn. 11 p.m. $11 advance (purchase here), $15 at door.
PARTY: Blackout Friday at This 'n' That
Dynamic rap provocateur Cakes Da Killa will be performing material from his upcoming EP at Williamsburg's new dive-y and dance-y gay bar. More info here.This 'n' That, 108 North 6th Street. Doors at 9 p.m., performances at 11 p.m.
Saturday, January 12
MUSIC: Mystical Weapons at Big Sky Works
Sean Lennon and Deerhoof's Greg Saunier just recorded an album of instrumental improvisations that could easily be misstaken for the out-there late-'60s jazz of Eric Dolphy and the Tony Williams Lifetime. Miles Robbins opens for them tonight.
Big Sky Works, 29 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn. 9 p.m. $10 advance (purchase here), $15 at the door.
FILM: Kidlat Tahimik at Anthology Film Archives
The Filipino director's scheduled New York appearance was cancelled by Hurricane Sandy, but the accompanying retrospective has been rescheduled for this weekend. His first two features, Perfumed Nightmare (1977) and Turumba (1981) screen back-to-back this evening. Both poke fun at the clash between Filipino traditions and foreign capital.
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, (212) 505-5181. $10.
Perfumed Nightmare: 6 p.m., 93 minutes, 16 mm. Turumba: 8 p.m., 95 minutes, 16 mm.
ART: Quilted/Comfort - TELFAR at New York Gallery
The unorthodox presentation of Telfar's Fall/Winter 2013 Ready-to-Wear collection features white prototype garments displayed as "sculptural furniture" as well as a video game in which visitors can preview the clothes in different colors.
New York Gallery, Film Center Building, 630 9th Avenue, Suite 308. Opening reception tonight 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, January 13
ART: Snout to Tail at JTT Gallery
Only the second fashion-as-art gallery opening this weekend, this group show comprises clothing by Anna Sophia Berger, trompe-l'œil wallpaper by Zak Kitnick, and 2-D sculpture by Sean Paul.
JTT Gallery, 170a Suffolk Street. Opening reception tonight 6-8 p.m. Through February 17.
DRINKS: GIRLS Premiere Party at Professor Thom's
East Village sports bar Professor Thom's will be hosting a screening for the premiere of GIRLS, featuring free jello shots for the first person to identify any restaurants or bars on the show, as well as free jello shots for all if Lena Dunham gets naked. So if you think you know struggle, come join!
Professor Thom's, 219 Second Avenue, (212) 260-9480. 7 p.m.
MUSIC: Globalfest at Webster Hall
Now in its tenth anniversary, this world music showcase lets you see twelve acts on three stages with one ticket. This year's iteration includes New Orleans second line from the Stooges Brass Band, Spanish flamenco-rock from La Shica, and Zimbabwean folk by Oliver Mtukudzi.
Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street, (212) 353-1600. 7 p.m. $40. Tickets here.