[title]
Mon 17
NPR’s Ask Me Another The Bell House; 7:30pm; $20, at the door $25
Stranger Things’ resident police babe David Harbour and Hamilton’s Javier Muñoz take the hot seat in this live edition of the NPR quiz show.
Teeth and a Bratwurst Videology Bar & Cinema; 9:15pm; $18
Revisit Teeth, the beloved mid-aughts cult favorite about a religious teenager with superpowered genetalia, at this pre-Halloween fan viewing. As Dawn comes into the possibilities of her anatomical weapon against male aggressors, you can bite into a bratwurst and enjoy the gory goodness onscreen.
Regina Spektor The Town Hall; 8pm; $65, at the door $75
Thanks to the ascent of women such as Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles and Christina Perri, the female quirk-pop field is a lot more crowded now than it was when Regina Spektor broke through with “Fidelity,” her oft-licensed semihit, in 2006. Yet one needn’t proceed too deeply into Spektor’s latest to remember what an idiosyncratic talent she remains: On Remember Us to Life (released on September 30), the NYC songstress returns to form.
Tue 18
The Prose Bowl Pete’s Candy Store; 6:30pm; free
Ready to share your writing with someone other than your roommate? Bring some flash fiction—up to 1,000 words—to this writer’s arena, where you get less than five minutes to share your work with a panel of local comedians and writers. You’ll get a critique, and the final two writers will face off in a tweet-length lightning round. The night’s winner receives a free drink, obscure prizes like a Big Lebowski puzzle, and eternal glory among the city’s literati.
CucTalk This n’ That (TNT); 8pm; free
Droll drag queen and cabaret musician Hamm Samwich brings her dry humor to TNT every first and third Tuesday of the month. She welcomes comedians, queens and entertainment buddies to speak on politics, pop culture and other issues of the moment and takes to the piano whenever it suits her.
Gilmore Girls Trivia Poco Bar; 8pm; free
Need an excuse to rewatch Gilmore Girls before its return in November? Study up on culs de sac, fried Thanksgiving turkeys and the middling men of Rory Gilmore, because you need every bit of minutia you know to win. Gather a team of four fast-talking buddies and show off your smarts like you’re trying to impress Richard and Emily at Friday-night dinner.
Golden Lady Burlesque Sid Gold’s Request Room; 8pm; $5–$20
Host Essence Revealed welcomes strip-teasing pros to the stage for a boozy night of dancing and singing by the piano.
TinyRhino: Halloween Littlefield; 8pm; $10
Six playwrights write short pieces in tribute to the candy, the horror movies and the insane costumes that make Halloween great, and you have to drink every time they hit upon a pre-assigned narrative cue.
Little Cinema: Donnie Darko House of Yes; 7pm; $15–$100
Spend an evening with a young, disenchanted Jake Gyllenhaal and his creepy soothsaying rabbit friend Frank at this immersive multimedia event. Richard Kelly's 2001 mind-bending cult classic gets remixed with sonic and visual offerings from Geoff Gersh–led music collective Black Lodge, production company Modern Gypsies Productions and audio-visual artist CHNNLS. As if the movie itself weren't enough to warp your sense of time and space.
The New York Cabaret Convention 2016 Rose Theater (at Frederick P. Rose Hall); 6pm; $35.50–$110.50
The Mabel Mercer Foundation's 27th annual cabaret fest brings together some of the genre’s top artists to celebrate the Great American Songbook.
Chris Gethard: Career Suicide Lynn Redgrave Theater; 4:30pm; $55
Stand-up, sketch and improv performer Gethard, beloved as Broad City’s Todd, stars in a one-man comedy that covers suicide, alcoholism and other dark themes with charm and curiosity. Judd Apatow is among the producers of the show, which is directed by Kimberly Senior.
Missed Connections Kraine Theater; 9pm; $20
Posts from Craigslist's notorious Missed Connections section (bad grammar and all) are the inspiration for this twice-monthly comedy show featuring a rotating cast.
Road to the White House: Trump vs. Hillary Peoples Improv Theater; 9:30pm; $5
Master impersonator David Carl and "Elaine Stritch: Still Here" star Jay Malsky face off in a series of surreal mock debates scheduled in the days leading up to the real TV showdowns. This absurdist parody of the current political proceedings may help ease your anxiety in response to topics like private email servers, "the cyber" and immigration—or at least give you a little much-needed comic relief.
Wed 19
LezzerTag Bowlmor Chelsea Piers; 8pm; $12–$20
If you're tired of standing around a bar, take your game to the next level with this monthly Girl Social event, which welcomes women to bowl, play pool and face off in lazer tag at the Bowlmor Chelsea Piers. Better bring it: you never know how cute your next opponent may be.
Carole J. Bufford: Roar! The Music of the Jazz Age Feinstein’s/54 Below; 9:30pm; $30–$65, plus $25 minimum
Bufford is one of cabaret's brightest rising stars, with a distinctive, bluesy voice and a flair for the theatrical. Her new set, devoted to songs from the years of flappers and speakeasies, features tunes associated with such period divas as Sophie Tucker, Ethel Waters, Helen Morgan and Bessie Smith.
Comedians You Should Know The Gutter Bowling Alley and Bar; 9pm; $5
The Gutter hosts this weekly showcase of familiar local names who are about to make it big. Check out acts like Nore Davis, Liza Treyger, Michelle Wolf, Jeff Steinbrunner, Mike Liebovitz and Sasheer Zamata at this new stand-up series.
The Bridge of Murdery Heights Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre; 9:30pm; $5
Set in the 1800s, this spooky—and very funny—yarn follows three sisters as they frantically try to find husbands at Lord Darkcastle's ball. Could it really be any scarier than online dating?
Thu 20
NYC Food Film Festival AMC Empire 25; 7pm; $75–$95
Feast your eyes—and belly—at this tenth annual fest showcasing more than 20 gastro-minded flicks and serving up those same dishes seen on screen. Opening night revisits the best films from the fest's ten years and offers treats from Amanda Cohen’s Dirt Candy, The Brooklyn Star, Max & Mina’s Ice Cream and more. Fri 21 explores the flavors of Louisiana with films like How the Taste of Louisiana was Born and eats including Louisiana black pot gumbo and boucherie; the Food Porn Party commences on Sat 22, featuring an after party with food-burlesque performances; Sun 23 touches down in Japan, welcoming Brooklyn’s own Ramen Master, Chef Keizo Shimamoto, and takoyaki authority Chef Karl Palma. One thing's for sure, this will be the tastiest film fest you've ever attended.
Amazeballs: An Experimental Magic and Comedy Show The Creek and the Cave; 10pm; free
Open your brain to mind reader Eric Dittelman (America’s Got Talent) and some of the best magicians in town. Comics try out new material while also working on their sleight of hand at this monthly celebration of the unknown.
Tamara’s Tarot Variety Show Peoples Improv Theater; 9pm; $5
If you’ve ever wanted your fortune read by comedians, you’re in luck! Show up at 8pm for a free tarot card reading (first-come, first-served), then stick around for a variety hour that fosters community, creativity and trying to figure out your future from a pack of cards. The September LGBTQ show features improv and divinations from host Tamara Young and Ronny Pascale, singing by Drew Angus and stand-up from Victor Tomas.