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COOL THINGS TO DO
Oct 3
Psycho …Entirely From Memory; Videology
Eight optimistic actors will recreate the Hitchcock classic, Psycho…from memory alone.
Oct 5
The First (and Probably Last) Annual New York Feline Film & Video Festival For Humans; Galapagos Art Space
It's a cat-tastic movie marathon featuring world "purr-mieres"...because cat-lovers demanded it. Cat power!
Oct 11
Mindy Kaling talks with Emily Nussbaum; Acura
Writer, executive producer and actress Mindy Kaling sits down to talk about how awesomely talented she is with The New Yorker's Emily Nussbaum.
Oct 16
Tinder Live; Knitting Factory
As if it weren't hilarious enough in real life, Tinder (the wildy popular dating app) gets mad exposed in this comedy show. If you're hoping for some swiping tips (no matter how ridiculous), this is the event for you.
Oct 25
The World of Ice and Fire with George R.R. Martin; 92nd St.
The creator of the extraordinarily popular book series discusses his new bestseller The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones.
Oct 31
Boo Yourself with Danny Tenaglia + Kasper Bjørke; Output
New York icon Danny Tenaglia serves up hard-knocking tech rhythms at Output's Halloween shindig.
Zombie Prom 2014; Littlefield
Dance your brains out at this sixth annual costume ball, hosted by nonprofit theater company Personal Space Theatrics.
The Official Haunted Mansion Party; Bowlmor Lanes
Believe it or not, there's a 90,000-square-foot nightclub with two full floors just dying for you to dance upon them.
Village Halloween Parade; Manhattan (Sixth Ave from Spring St to 16th St)
This ghoulish parade is known for its elaborate puppet creations, so get ready to be creeped the fuck out. Halloween, guys!
AWESOME THINGS TO SEE
Oct 3
Gone Girl opens in theaters
David Fincher's take on the best-selling mystery is a stylish knockout: sick, twisted and unexpectedly hilarious. A modern classic in our midst.
Oct 10–Jan 7
"ZERO: Countdown to Tomorrow, 1950s–60s"; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
This historical survey, the first of its type in the U.S., measures the postwar Zero group, which included artists from Europe, Japan, and North and South America.
Oct 10
Whiplash opens in theaters
This breathtaking story of the beyond-intense relationship between a young drummer (Miles Teller) and his ferocious musical mentor (J.K. Simmons) cleaned up at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, winning both the Grand Jury and Audience prizes.
Oct 17
Birdman opens in theaters
Michael Keaton riffs on his own past as Batman in this bonkers, Manhattan-set tale of a onetime blockbuster actor looking to resurrect his career by putting on a Broadway play.
Oct 20–Feb 16
"Cubism"; Metropolitan Museum of Art
These 80 paintings, collages, drawings, and sculpture from the Leonard A. Lauder Collection—all promised gifts to the Met—represents the first time they have been shown in public. The contributing artists comprise a mighty quartet of Braque, Gris, Léger and Picasso.
Oct 24
Force Majeure opens in theaters
It doesn’t sound funny—a family man on a ski vacation suffers a meltdown after an avalanche shakes his poise—but Ruben Östlund’s psychological drama builds, subtly, to a hilarious takedown of masculinity.
Oct 24–Mar 29
"Judith Scott—Bound and Unbound"; Brooklyn Museum
The work of Judith Scott (1943-2005)—a deaf and functionally mute person with Down Syndrome, who spent most of her life in institutions for the disabled—offers an amazing example of the creativity that comes from self-taught work.
Oct 25–Feb 8
"Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs"; Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
It was rather late in life that Henri Matisse (1869–1954) began to create one of his most extraordinary bodies of work. At this exhibit you'll get to see some of his best pieces, including the pure abstraction work he's known for.
Oct 29–Feb 2
"Chris Ofili: Night and Day"; New Museum
Chris Ofili is still remembered for the Brooklyn Museum's 1999 “Sensation” exhibition and the painting he included: a portrait of the Madonna, adorned with a ball of elephant dung. On view is the full gamut of the Afro-British artist's career, including paintings, drawings and sculpture, all of them revealing a lush aesthetic that draws on Ofili's African roots and his fascination with pop culture.
Oct 31
Nightcrawler opens in theaters
Writer-director Dan Gilroy's supercharged media drama, a viciously funny film, twins the sleazy hunt for shocking nightly news footage with the career ambitions of a closet psycho (Jake Gyllenhaal) who, naturally, rises to the top. A major portrait of a sick, insatiable appetite.
TASTY PLACES TO EAT
Oct 5
Brooklyn Local Craft Beer Festival; Brooklyn (420 Carroll St)
Gun Hill Brewing Co., Finback Brewery, Rockaway Brewing Company are just a few of the breweries coming together at this Brooklyn warehouse to showcase some of the best mid-sized local brews NYC has to offer.
Oct 17–19
2014 Korean Food Festival; Manhattan
Times Square gets kitted out in all things Korean during this three-day event filled with Korean food, drink and live performances—including tae kwon do.
Oct 18
NYC Wine and Food Event: Grand Tasting; Piers 92 and 94
Meet foodie celebs at this six-hour food-and-wine tasting event ample with culinary products, cooking demos and cookbook signings.
Oct 19
Pickle Day; various locations
Pickle eaters delight in this afternoon street-side LES celebration complete with a homemade pickling contest, picklers and food vendors—with DJs and live music to boot.
Oct 30
Edible Escape 2014; Metropolitan Pavilion
Tuck into international food and drink at this worldly foodie gathering with locals like Supper Counter, vino from Brooklyn Winery and dishes from abroad.
ASTONISHING DANCE PERFORMANCES
Oct 8–11
Jodi Melnick; BAM Fisher
The luminous Jodi Melnick explores the stories that accumulate in our bodies in Moment Marigold, a trio for three women—including herself—to music by Steven Reker of People Get Ready.
Oct 15–Oct 18
Jennifer Monson; New York Live Arts
Monson reprises her excellent Live Dancing Archive, in which she shares and explores her body's accrued knowledge from more than a decade of dance-based environmental research.
Oct 16–25
Dean Moss; the Kitchen
Moss explores the complicated legacy of white abolitionist John Brown in a production that includes video performances of a script commissioned from playwright Thomas Bradshaw.
Oct 18–19
New York City Ballet 2014; David H. Koch Theater (at Lincoln Center)
On October 18, the celebrated principal Wendy Whelan offers her farewell performance after 30 years. The finale for the series will be the following day.
Oct 22–Nov 2
American Ballet Theatre Fall 2014; David H. Koch Theater (at Lincoln Center)
The company returns to Lincoln Center with its fall season; highlights are the return of Twyla Tharp's Bach Partita and a new production of Raymonda Divertissements.
FANTASTIC SHOWS TO SEE
Oct 9
It's Only a Play; Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Terrence McNally's star-studded revival (Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Rupert Grint) aims for the funny bone on Broadway.
Oct 16
On the Town; Lyric Theatre
The beloved 1944 classic musical—about singing, dancing sailors on shore leave returns with a fresh young cast.
Oct 22
The Fortress of Solitude; Public Theater
Jonathan Lethem's coming-of-age Brooklyn tale becomes a hotly anticipated Off Broadway musical.
Oct 26
The Last Ship; Neil Simon Theatre
Will rock icon Sting's semi-autobiographical Broadway musical sail the high seas or spring a leak? We can't wait to find out.
Oct 30
The Real Thing; American Airlines Theatre
Tom Stoppard's sexy, witty and thought-provoking look at truth and fidelity gets revived with Ewan McGregor and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
CONCERTS TO GO CRAZY AT
Oct 4
Lykke Li; Radio City Music Hall
The shadowy Swedish songsmith plays cuts from her soul-baring latest, I Never Learn, which comes off like the modern-day counterpart to an immersive Phil Spector affair. Wallowing has rarely sounded so gorgeous.
Oct 4
Big Freedia + Le Chev (DJ set) + Friendly Ghost; Glasslands
The Queen of Bounce descends on Glasslands. Just how many wildly shaking asses can fit in the intimate venue? We're about to find out.
Oct 9, 17
Judas Priest + Steel Panther; Barclays Center
Metal fans across the globe shed a tear three summers ago when it seemed the juggernaut that is Judas Priest would be embarking on its final tour. But this month, they're back with a glam-metal performance.
Oct 11–12
Escape Music Fest; Pier 9, Brooklyn
Moby and Girl Talk headline at the inaugural edition of this two-day fest focusing on dance music, indie rock and electro.
Oct 14
Flying Lotus + Thundercat; Terminal 5
Since 2012’s excellent Until the Quiet Comes, Flying Lotus, reigning emperor of the forward-thinking L.A. electronica scene, has indeed been quiet—under that moniker, at least. Well, now he's back with fast-fingered fusion bassist Thundercat for a fuzzed-out electronically jazzy show.
Oct 24
First Aid Kit; Hammerstein Ballroom
First Aid Kit, the effortlessly affecting folk-pop duo of sweet-voiced Swedish sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg, hits town in support of its latest LP, Stay Gold (the follow-up to 2012’s lovely The Lion’s Roar).
Oct 27–28
Pallbearer + Tombs + Vattnet Viskar; Saint Vitus
Pallbearer, an epic and eerily uplifting Arkansas doom crew, hits town in the wake of its hotly anticipated second LP, Foundations of Burden. Also on board are local black-metal-infused riffsmiths Tombs and New Hampshire's punishing yet plaintive Vattnet Viskar.
INTERESTING AUTHOR EVENTS
Oct 7
A Night of Pen & Ink; Housing Works Bookstore Café
One of the best blog-to-book deals we’ve ever seen, Pen & Ink features the personal stories behind the ink alongside magnificent illustrations. Fete the publication with the book’s creators and some cool contributors, like Saeed Jones and Lori Petty.
Oct 15
Never Can Say Goodbye: Writers On Their Unshakeable Love for New York; Greenlight Bookstore
In response to Joan Didion’s classic essay on leaving New York, anthology editor Sari Botton and authors Alexander Chee, Anna Holmes, Phillip Lopate and Adelle Waldman share why their hearts will never, ever, ever abandon the city they love.
Oct 16
Academy of American Poets Chancellors Reading; NYU Skirball Center
Even in a literary haven like New York, it’s rare to see this much talent in one room; seize the chance to see Edward Hirsch, Anne Waldman, Claudia Rankine and more read their latest work.
Oct 20
Marilynne Robinson and Colm Tóibín; 92nd Street Y
No big deal, just a Pulitzer Prize winner chatting with one of Ireland's most celebrated authors. Robinson will be in town to launch Lila, and Tóibín, in turn, celebrates the release of Nora Webster.
Oct 26
The Poetry Brothel’s 7th Annual Masquerade Ball; The Back Room
Don your feathered mask and indulge in a night of tarot and palm readings, burlesque queens, music, live painters and performances by the resident “poetry whores.”
COMEDY SHOWS TO CHECK OUT
Oct 2–4
Judah Friedlander; Carolines on Broadway
The persona that made him a star of NBC's 30 Rock is even bigger and funnier on stage.
Oct 3–4
Godfrey; Gotham Comedy Club
This veteran club comic energetically fills rooms with laughter every night. Now see him headline one of the most popular clubs in the city.
Oct 6–9
Week at the Creek: Laurie Kilmartin;The Creek and the Cave
This stand up and writer for Conan presents her new show "45 Jokes About my Dead Dad and other fun times".
Oct 9
Aziz Ansari; Madison Square Garden
After quickly rising to the top, this young and talented actor and comic performs at one of the biggest venues of all.
Oct 9–12
Anthony Jeselnik; Carolines on Broadway
The quick-witted and lovable evil that is Jeselnik comes to the stage to perform his perfectly crafted dark jokes.
WONDERFUL LGBT EVENTS
Oct 2
Oktoberfist; the Cock
Time to get sleazy! Daniel Nardicio's annual autumn raunchfest returns to the East Village.
Oct 4
Willam: The MeWme Show; the Cutting Room
The subversively talented queen comes to NYC for a solo show, packed with gossip, song parodies and general bitchiness.
Oct 12
HustlaBall; Slake
Happy hookers and sundry sex workers celebrate themselves at this annual blowout.
Oct 22
Getting from the Then to Now: A Panel Discussion; Lesbian Herstory Archives
Learn about four decades of lesbian herstory at this panel discussion and slide show.
Oct 31
God Hates This Show: Shirley Phelps-Roper in Concert, Live from Hell; Joe's Pub at the Public Theater
John J. Caswell's brilliant satire of the Westboro Baptist Church, starring the ever-brilliant Erin Markey, is back for one night only.
ACE PLACES TO SHOP
Oct 11
SHWICK Market; Shwick Gallery
There’s a brand new market in Bushwick (minus the BU)— Flea fans can shop art, clothes, jewelry, accessories, home goods and tasty treats from over 100 vendors. Look out for makers such as Funk and Grace, Cromwell Jewelry, Finga Lickin Jamaica Jerk Spot and Daphine Polish, just to name a few.
Oct 12
Free Garment District Neighborhood Walking Tours; 7th Ave at 39th St
This 1-2 hour tour, led by Mike Kaback, teaches you the historic background of the fashion capital of the world. While on the tour, you may even wander into a private showroom, visit a sample sale or two and check out fabrics at Mood. Reserve a spot by emailing MikesNYCTours@yahoo.com.
Oct 17
& Other Stories opens; 575 Broadway
Shoe lovers and trend hunters will love H&M’s newest sister label, & Other Stories. The 6,400 square-foot space features a unique layout, including a dedicated shoe shop and apparel arranged by the most popular trends: minimalist, romantic vintage, sophisticated and model off duty.
Oct 20–26
Spa Week; locations available at spaweek.com
Desperate for a little R&R? Spa week to the rescue! Start booking your $50 services—from massages to facials—at some of the city’s finest spas such as Keihl’s Spa 1851, The Red Door and Joanna Vargas.
Early Oct
J.Crew opens in Williamsburg; 234 Wythe Ave
Upscale shopping is moving to Williamsburg! Brooklynites can shop from J.Crew’s classic, clean-cut wares, dazzling jewels and wool fedoras.