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Mon 15
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Piers 92/94; 8am; $15–$190
As fun as they are, puppy cams and viral videos can’t compare with real-life specimens as a cuteness delivery system. Coo over more than 3,000 dogs representing hundreds of breeds and varieties at the 140th annual caninefest, where dogs are judged across seven divisions (hound, toy, nonsporting, herding, sporting, working and terrier).
TRESemmé Runway Studios Spring Studios; 8am; free
Whether or not you have invitations to shows, TRESemmé wants you to look fierce for Fashion Week—like, just stumbled off the runway fierce. Grab your girlfriends and head to Spring Studios to watch exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from NYW and nab the latest hair styles and trends from the second they hit the catwalk. Complimentary java and charging stations will be available while you wait for an open chair, but you can book an appointment time at tresnyfw@edelman.com.
FTL Moda Runway Show Angel Orensanz Foundation Center; 6:30pm; free
Like us, designer platform FTL Moda believes that NYFW (and fashion overall) should be inclusive. At its runway show, The Revolution Continues, the brand highlights models that wouldn’t ordinarily be seen on a catwalk, like Madeline Stuart, who was born with Down syndrome, and Shaholly Ayers, who will walk without her prosthetic arm. FTL Moda always saves seats for the public, so you can preview designs from some of its labels, including Italy’s FuMo Bespoke and Paris’ Lulu et Gigi, on NYC’s most inspiring runway.
Cinema Under the Influence: Punch-Drunk Love The Astor Room; 4pm; $32
Celebrate one of the sweetest, most uncomfortable love stories in cinema at this party for movie buffs who like to get down. Cinema Under the Influence has assembled a lively night of pre-screening goodies, including a raffle of prizes from local businesses and a stacked drink and snack menu from the Astor Room. Grab a drink and enjoy Adam Sandler just before he took a nosedive.
Trivia Night at Mid-Manhattan Library; 6:30pm; free
Bring your best knowledge of music, movies, New York history, sports, literature, and all the marginalia in between for this weekly 30-question trivia night. Groups and individuals are welcome to bring their best knowledge to the game.
Tue 16
Uptown Showdown Leonard Nimoy Thailia at Symphony Space; 8pm; $15
Two teams of comics and comic writers face off in a debate competition meant to settle age-old arguments, such as whether pirates or ninjas would win in a brawl. As the performers take shots at each other and do untested material, the room gets charged (in the silliest way possible). The the subject matter may seem obscure, the guests have been anything but: faces like Janeane Garofalo, Kristen Schaal, Michael Showalter and Sasheer Zamata have gotten into the arguing spirit at past events.
8Players at various locations; 8pm; $75–$100
Camp classics like Death Becomes Her and sensually charged high school horror films mash up with old-school murder mystery games at this impeccable night of bedazzling DIY theatre. Register to participate in the "'90s Teen Horror" experience, show up in your pre-assigned character costume, and prepare to engage in a frightful showdown with seven strangers who will soon become chillingly familiar.
“Warhol by the Book” The Morgan Library & Museum; 10:30am; free with admission
Beyond reinventing celebrity and creating pop art and experimental films, Andy Warhol also designed book covers and commercial illustrations. Check out some of the provocative artist's most underrated works from before the Factory began.
Hot Chocolate Festival City Bakery; 7:30am; various prices
Regress to childhood with skillfully concocted mugs of hot chocolate courtesy of this downtown canteen. Owner-mastermind Maury Rubin will serve a different flavor of his intoxicating cocoa every day during February. The lineup won’t be announced until late January but previous year’s highlights included Earl Grey Tea hot chocolate, a delicate blend with notes of bergamot, and Sunken Treasure, an indulgent cup with submerged caramel coins and chocolate truffles.
Primp it up a notch at Triumph Hotels The Iroquois Hotel; 10am; free
If you want to look good in case a street-style shutterbug mistakes you for someone important (you’re important to us!), on-demand beauty service PRIV is teaming up with Triumph Hotels to offer free makeup touch-ups (for eyes, lips and brows) and mini manicures at all seven locations. Get there early—pampering is first-come, first-served.
Wed 17
NPR’s Ask Me Another The Bell house; 7:30pm; $20, advance $15
Attend a live taping of this NPR radio show hosted by comedian Ophira Eisenberg. A typical program features trivia, brainteasers, music from guitarist Jonathan Coulton and special guests.
Bartender Legion Botanic Lab; 8:30pm; $17, at the door $25
Celebrate the diverse spirits of Mexico at Panorama Mezcal's cocktail showdown, featuring five guest Gotham bartenders who go head-to-head and employ new agave-and-sugarcane-loaded booze in all-original cocktails. Sip inventive South of the Border elixirs crafted by the likes of Nate Serrano (the Daily), who spotlights Ancho Reyes rum, and Oscar Leon Bernal (Hecho en Dumbo), who uses Peloton de la Muerte mescal. Bernal is also set to spin a DJ set of Afro-Latino and tropical-bass jams during downtime, so feel free to groove along as the agave and rum soak in.
Amateur Night: Opening Night Apollo Theater; 7:30pm; $20
Amateur Night at the Apollo opens its 2016 season with a new round of musicians, singers and dancers vying for the title of Super Top Dog and a $10,000 prize. This season-opener features performances from R&B powerhouse Chrisette Michele.
Salty Brine: These Are the Contents of My Head The Red Room; 8pm; $15 plus two-drink minimum
Formerly a dingy theater, the Red Room has been transformed into a sexy, speakeasy-style lounge, with a copper bathtub in one corner and a stage in the other. It’s a great place to be on Wednesdays, when Salty Brine performs his weekly Spectacular Living Record Collection Cabaret. An outrageously talented singer-actor in the vein of Taylor Mac, Brine takes a different classic pop album in each show—from Joni Mitchell’s Blueto the Dirty Dancing soundtrack—and weaves its songs into funny, perceptive tapestries of storytelling.
My First Time: A Stand Up and Storytelling Show Q.E.D.; 9pm; $10
First times: we all had 'em. Some were better than others, but most make great comedy fodder. Hear host Angela Cobb and a slew of guest comics joke about the life milestone society's the most obsessed with at Astoria's intimate comedy club.
Thu 18
Australian Chamber Orchestra: “The Reef” 92Y; 7:30pm; $55, under 36 $25
Dive into new audiovisual depths with the Australian Chamber Orchestra is it presents a new multimedia spectacle. Artistic director and lead violin Richard Tognetti combines his love of music with his passion for surfing in this creation, which features an immersive film, shot on Australia's Ningaloo Reef, that captures sweeping underwater vistas and the delicate ecosystems housed within. For tonight's New York premiere, the ACO will perform a live score to the film, featuring everything from Beethoven to Alice in Chains.
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 slight of hand at this monthly celebration of the unknown.
Calypso St. Barth sample sale at Calypso Home; 11am; $$
Have a tropical vacay on the books? Grab island-ready duds up to 70 percent off to get pumped for a week of sun (or, at least, for spring), including Numala tops for $120 (were $395), Miguel Ases pink stone earrings for $40 (formerly $225) and Fireworks sparkle necklaces for $104 (instead of $395).
Tarot Readings at Species by the Thousands; 6pm; $10
Map out your spiritual pathway for the coming year with a 10-minute consultation from an expert tarot card reader at this eclectic jewelry and apothecary shop. Then you'll truly know whether or not to buy that winning Powerball ticket.
“Star Wars and the Power of Costume” Discovery Times Square; 10am; $27.50
Enter fan Valhalla and feast your eyes upon more than 70 impeccably preserved original costumes from the first two Star Wars trilogies, along with seven pieces from The Force Awakens. You’ll be able to see yourself reflected in Vader’s helmet, wish you were Naboo royalty when passing Queen Amidala’s regal gowns and cringe in disbelief at Princess Leia’s bikini. Just try to keep your arguments over midi-chlorian counts to a minimum.