Gothamist December Guide: 20 Merry Things To Do This Month In NYC

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is upon us, truly. December will (hopefully) bring that first beautiful dusting of snow, twinkling lights, family reunions, and at the end of it all a chance to start fresh with a brand new year. Between now and then there are plenty of concerts, theatrical performances, parties, and feasts to catch all across New York City. The worst of winter is still a long ways off, so let's bundle up and make some plans! There's still an entire month left in 2014, read on for suggestions on how to make it merry and bright.

<br/><br/>The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic">Most Wonderful Time of the Year</a> is upon us, truly. December will (hopefully) bring that first beautiful dusting of snow, twinkling lights, family reunions, and at the end of it all a chance to start fresh with a brand new year. Between now and then there are plenty of concerts, theatrical performances, parties, and feasts to catch all across New York City. The worst of winter is still a long ways off, so let's bundle up and make some plans! There's still an entire month left in 2014, read on for suggestions on how to make it merry and bright.

NEWDECGUIDEPREVIEW.jpg

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is upon us, truly. December will (hopefully) bring that first beautiful dusting of snow, twinkling lights, family reunions, and at the end of it all a chance to start fresh with a brand new year. Between now and then there are plenty of concerts, theatrical performances, parties, and feasts to catch all across New York City. The worst of winter is still a long ways off, so let's bundle up and make some plans! There's still an entire month left in 2014, read on for suggestions on how to make it merry and bright.

via Roey Ahram's flickr

In the last three years Sharon Jones has released two albums, played hundreds of tour dates, and, most importantly, beaten cancer. Now the queen of throwback funk and soul is returned to NYC. The Apollo Theater will host the Daptone Super Soul Revue for three nights this month, bringing not only Jones but her funky Daptone Records label mates Charles Bradley, Antibalas, Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens, The Budos Band, Menahan Street Band (and more) to 125th Street. Each of the three nights will feature a slightly different lineup, but you can count on Jones, Bradley, and their top-notch bands to raise the room to a boil. The entire weekend will also be recorded for an upcoming live album, so expect the roster to bring their very best.Thursday-Saturday, December 4th-6th, 8 p.m. // The Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th Street, Manhattan // Tickets $40-80

<br/><br/>In the last three years Sharon Jones has released two albums, played hundreds of tour dates, and, most importantly, beaten cancer. Now the queen of throwback funk and soul is returned to NYC. <a href="http://daptonerecords.com/daptone-super-soul-revue-apollo-theater/"><strong>The Apollo Theater will host the Daptone Super Soul Revue</strong></a> for three nights this month, bringing not only Jones but her funky Daptone Records label mates <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bbgHTdSPJ4">Charles Bradley</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMXlEqlnAIg">Antibalas</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsCEx9qKeDg">Naomi Shelton &amp; the Gospel Queens</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySwTAkvkINc">The Budos Band</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud_jP6U3fNI">Menahan Street Band</a> (and more) to 125th Street. Each of the three nights will feature a slightly different lineup, but you can count on Jones, Bradley, and their top-notch bands to raise the room to a boil. The entire weekend will also be recorded for an upcoming live album, so expect the roster to bring their very best.<br/><br/><em>Thursday-Saturday, December 4th-6th, 8 p.m. // <a href="https://www.apollotheater.org/">The Apollo Theater</a>, 253 W 125th Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/6/952031?camefrom=CFC_APOLLO_DAPTONES_LABEL">Tickets $40-80</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide2.jpg

In the last three years Sharon Jones has released two albums, played hundreds of tour dates, and, most importantly, beaten cancer. Now the queen of throwback funk and soul is returned to NYC. The Apollo Theater will host the Daptone Super Soul Revue for three nights this month, bringing not only Jones but her funky Daptone Records label mates Charles Bradley, Antibalas, Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens, The Budos Band, Menahan Street Band (and more) to 125th Street. Each of the three nights will feature a slightly different lineup, but you can count on Jones, Bradley, and their top-notch bands to raise the room to a boil. The entire weekend will also be recorded for an upcoming live album, so expect the roster to bring their very best.Thursday-Saturday, December 4th-6th, 8 p.m. // The Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th Street, Manhattan // Tickets $40-80

Gothamist

This year is the centennial of the American birth control movement, spearheaded by nurse/activist/badass/"absolute mistress of her own body" Margaret Sanger, who started the conversation about birth control amongst the corset-wearing crowd in 1914. In what will be a night of both celebration and continued discussion of womens' rights today, the Museum of the City of New York is hosting Women Rebels, a panel dedicated to Sanger, with contributors including biographer Ellen Chesler, SisterSong co-founder Loretta Ross and Sanger’s grandson Alex Sanger, who also serves as Chair of the International Planned Parenthood Council. The night will dig deep into Sanger's legacy, as well as the current moment, reflecting on how far we've come and how much is yet to be done for female health worldwide. What a different a century makes. Gird your loins. (Sandra Song)Thursday, December 4, 6:30 p.m. // Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Ave., Manhattan // Tickets Free for Members, Students/Seniors $12, GA $16

<br/><br/>This year is the centennial of the American birth control movement, spearheaded by nurse/activist/badass/"absolute mistress of her own body" Margaret Sanger, who started the conversation about birth control amongst the corset-wearing crowd in 1914. In what will be a night of both celebration and continued discussion of womens' rights today, <strong><a href="http://www.mcny.org/event/women-rebels-margaret-sanger-and-birth-control-movement-100-0">the Museum of the City of New York is hosting Women Rebels</a></strong>, a panel dedicated to Sanger, with contributors including biographer Ellen Chesler, <a href="http://www.sistersong.net/">SisterSong</a> co-founder Loretta Ross and Sanger’s grandson Alex Sanger, who also serves as Chair of the International Planned Parenthood Council. The night will dig deep into Sanger's legacy, as well as the current moment, reflecting on how far we've come and how much is yet to be done for female health worldwide. What a different a century makes. Gird your loins. <em>(Sandra Song)</em><br/><br/><em>Thursday, December 4, 6:30 p.m. // <a href="http://www.mcny.org/">Museum of the City of New York</a>, 1220 5th Ave., Manhattan // Tickets Free for Members, <a href="http://www.museumtix.com/tickets/ord_eventcat.aspx?vid=885&amp;pid=208151&amp;eid=3170123&amp;evd=12%2f4%2f2014&amp;evt=18%3a30%3a00">Students/Seniors $12, GA $16</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide3.png

This year is the centennial of the American birth control movement, spearheaded by nurse/activist/badass/"absolute mistress of her own body" Margaret Sanger, who started the conversation about birth control amongst the corset-wearing crowd in 1914. In what will be a night of both celebration and continued discussion of womens' rights today, the Museum of the City of New York is hosting Women Rebels, a panel dedicated to Sanger, with contributors including biographer Ellen Chesler, SisterSong co-founder Loretta Ross and Sanger’s grandson Alex Sanger, who also serves as Chair of the International Planned Parenthood Council. The night will dig deep into Sanger's legacy, as well as the current moment, reflecting on how far we've come and how much is yet to be done for female health worldwide. What a different a century makes. Gird your loins. (Sandra Song)Thursday, December 4, 6:30 p.m. // Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Ave., Manhattan // Tickets Free for Members, Students/Seniors $12, GA $16

photo via Wiki Commons

The recipe: two pretty young people, New York City, a countertop, and some BDSM. Kim Davies's Smoke has been raved about for months, both for its clever dialogue and lead actors' breathtaking sexual tension. Now the production has been extended at The Flea Theater and tickets will surely go fast. The story brings Julie (Madeleine Bundy) and John (Stephen Stout) together for a break amidst an apartment sex party, and the play revolves around their growing lust for each other. Bundy and Stout lob accusations back and forth plunge into each other's darkest yearnings. There's nudity, knives, and harsh humor on all fronts. Bring a date and prepare to walk away bothered. Thursday-Saturday, December 4th-6th & Sunday-Thursday, December 14th-18th // The Flea Theater, 41 White Street, Manhattan // Tickets $35

<br/><br/>The recipe: two pretty young people, New York City, a countertop, and some BDSM. Kim Davies's <strong><a href="http://www.theflea.org/show_detail.php?page_type=0&amp;show_id=152"><em>Smoke</em></a></strong> has been raved about for months, both for its clever dialogue and lead actors' breathtaking sexual tension. Now the production has been extended at The Flea Theater and tickets will surely go fast. The story brings Julie (Madeleine Bundy) and John (Stephen Stout) together for a break amidst an apartment sex party, and the play revolves around their growing lust for each other. Bundy and Stout lob accusations back and forth plunge into each other's darkest yearnings. There's nudity, knives, and harsh humor on all fronts. Bring a date and prepare to walk away bothered. <br/><br/><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WSzQlQRmdf0" width="640"></iframe><br/><br/><em>Thursday-Saturday, December 4th-6th &amp; Sunday-Thursday, December 14th-18th // <a href="http://www.theflea.org/page.php?page_type=1&amp;page_id=18">The Flea Theater,</a> 41 White Street, Manhattan // <a href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/937312">Tickets $35</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide4.jpg

The recipe: two pretty young people, New York City, a countertop, and some BDSM. Kim Davies's Smoke has been raved about for months, both for its clever dialogue and lead actors' breathtaking sexual tension. Now the production has been extended at The Flea Theater and tickets will surely go fast. The story brings Julie (Madeleine Bundy) and John (Stephen Stout) together for a break amidst an apartment sex party, and the play revolves around their growing lust for each other. Bundy and Stout lob accusations back and forth plunge into each other's darkest yearnings. There's nudity, knives, and harsh humor on all fronts. Bring a date and prepare to walk away bothered. Thursday-Saturday, December 4th-6th & Sunday-Thursday, December 14th-18th // The Flea Theater, 41 White Street, Manhattan // Tickets $35

Gothamist

If you miss Metro North's beloved bar cars, try rekindling the magic at the New York Botanical Garden's Bar Car Nights. As part of the Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show, several Friday and Saturday nights between now and mid-January will be exclusively 21+. While there isn’t a full-sized train you can drink on, admission does include ice sculpture carving demos, jazz at The Pine Tree Cafe, a fire and light show from Cirque de Light, and one beer, wine, or cocktail, all surrounded by the amazing immersive miniature train display. And again, no kids. Fridays December 5th & 19th and January 2nd & 9th, Saturdays December 6th & 20th and January 3rd & 10th, 7-10 p.m. // New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx // Tickets $35 ($25 for members)

<br/><br/>If you miss Metro North's <a href="”http://gothamist.com/2014/05/06/metro-north_kills_their_last_bar_ca.php”">beloved bar cars</a>, try rekindling the magic at the New York Botanical Garden's <strong><a href="”http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2014/holiday-train-show/bar-car-nights.php”">Bar Car Nights</a></strong>. As part of <a href="http://gothamist.com/2014/11/14/photos_videos_the_amazing_nybgs_hol.php#photo-1">the Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show</a>, several Friday and Saturday nights between now and mid-January will be exclusively 21+. While there isn’t a full-sized train you can drink on, admission does include ice sculpture carving demos, jazz at The Pine Tree Cafe, a fire and light show from Cirque de Light, and one beer, wine, or cocktail, all surrounded by the amazing immersive miniature train display. And again, no kids. <br/><br/><em>Fridays December 5th &amp; 19th and January 2nd &amp; 9th, Saturdays December 6th &amp; 20th and January 3rd &amp; 10th, 7-10 p.m. // <a href="”" http:="">New York Botanical Garden</a>, 2900 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx // <a href="”" http:="">Tickets $35 ($25 for members)</a></em>

120114barcarnight.jpg

If you miss Metro North's beloved bar cars, try rekindling the magic at the New York Botanical Garden's Bar Car Nights. As part of the Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show, several Friday and Saturday nights between now and mid-January will be exclusively 21+. While there isn’t a full-sized train you can drink on, admission does include ice sculpture carving demos, jazz at The Pine Tree Cafe, a fire and light show from Cirque de Light, and one beer, wine, or cocktail, all surrounded by the amazing immersive miniature train display. And again, no kids. Fridays December 5th & 19th and January 2nd & 9th, Saturdays December 6th & 20th and January 3rd & 10th, 7-10 p.m. // New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx // Tickets $35 ($25 for members)

(Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist)

December is a time for footwear function over fashion, and you should make haste in getting a proper pair of winter boots. Still, great shoes demand celebration, and the Brooklyn Museum is hosting a party dedicated to the best high heels ever made. For this month's installment of the museum's "Target First Saturdays" series, admission fees will be waived curator Lisa Small will be on hand to discuss the new Killer Heels exhibit, plus a screening of Julia Benasra's God Save My Shoes. If you're the dancing type you'll be able to kick up your heels as The Hot Sardines play their brand of hot New Orleans jazz live at the museum. And if high heels are low on your list of preferred kicks, a social club is scheduled to bring in experts from dapperQ to discuss and showcase some of leading trends in menswear for women and trans-identifying persons.Saturday, December 6th, 5 p.m.-11 p.m. // Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn // Free

<br/><br/>December is a time for footwear function over fashion, and you should <a href="http://gothamist.com/2014/02/10/will_sex_for_boots.php">make haste in getting a proper pair of winter boots</a>. Still, great shoes demand celebration, and <strong><a href="http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php">the Brooklyn Museum is hosting a party dedicated to the best high heels ever made</a></strong>. For this month's installment of the museum's "Target First Saturdays" series, admission fees will be waived curator Lisa Small will be on hand to discuss the new <a href="http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/heels/">Killer Heels exhibit</a>, plus a screening of Julia Benasra's <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAXTWhMilJc">God Save My Shoes</a></em>. If you're the dancing type you'll be able to kick up your heels as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4-XIKt-ADs">The Hot Sardines</a> play their brand of hot New Orleans jazz live at the museum. And if high heels are low on your list of preferred kicks, a social club is scheduled to bring in experts from <a href="http://www.dapperq.com/">dapperQ</a> to discuss and showcase some of leading trends in menswear for women and trans-identifying persons.<br/><br/><em>Saturday, December 6th, 5 p.m.-11 p.m. // <a href="http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/home.php">Brooklyn Museum</a>, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn // <a href="http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php">Free</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide5.jpg

December is a time for footwear function over fashion, and you should make haste in getting a proper pair of winter boots. Still, great shoes demand celebration, and the Brooklyn Museum is hosting a party dedicated to the best high heels ever made. For this month's installment of the museum's "Target First Saturdays" series, admission fees will be waived curator Lisa Small will be on hand to discuss the new Killer Heels exhibit, plus a screening of Julia Benasra's God Save My Shoes. If you're the dancing type you'll be able to kick up your heels as The Hot Sardines play their brand of hot New Orleans jazz live at the museum. And if high heels are low on your list of preferred kicks, a social club is scheduled to bring in experts from dapperQ to discuss and showcase some of leading trends in menswear for women and trans-identifying persons.Saturday, December 6th, 5 p.m.-11 p.m. // Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn // Free

The Hot Sardines (courtesy Brooklyn Museum)

Picture a charity event with a "to hell with it" vibe and you've got the fifth annual Brooklyn Rock Lottery. The premise is simple: 25 musicians are randomly sorted into 5 brand new bands that have 12 hours to write 3-5 new songs (with a one cover song-limit) that they'll perform at the end of the night. It's no amateur hour though, as these are all seasoned musicians and singers from buzz-bands like Parquet Courts, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Crocodile and the Fiery Furnaces. Plus, you can feel good despite the impending ear-ringing hangover, as all proceeds from the event will go toward the Harmony Program, which brings after-school music programs to underserved communities. (Sandra Song)Saturday, December 6th, 9 p.m. // Baby’s All Right, 146 Broadway Ave, Brooklyn // Tickets $15

<p>Picture a charity event with a "to hell with it" vibe and you've got the fifth annual <strong><a href="http://www.rocklottery.com/">Brooklyn Rock Lottery</a></strong>. The premise is simple: 25 musicians are randomly sorted into 5 brand new bands that have 12 hours to write 3-5 new songs (with a one cover song-limit) that they'll perform at the end of the night. It's no amateur hour though, as these are all seasoned musicians and singers from buzz-bands like Parquet Courts, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Crocodile and the Fiery Furnaces. Plus, you can feel good despite the impending ear-ringing hangover, as all proceeds from the event will go toward the <a href="http://harmonyprogram.org/">Harmony Program</a>, which brings after-school music programs to underserved communities. <em>(Sandra Song)</em><br/><br/><em>Saturday, December 6th, 9 p.m. // <a href="http://babysallright.com/">Baby’s All Right</a>, 146 Broadway Ave, Brooklyn //<a href="http://www.ticketfly.com/event/703663-rock-lottery-brooklyn/"> Tickets $15</a><em></em></em></p>

120114lottery.jpg

Picture a charity event with a "to hell with it" vibe and you've got the fifth annual Brooklyn Rock Lottery. The premise is simple: 25 musicians are randomly sorted into 5 brand new bands that have 12 hours to write 3-5 new songs (with a one cover song-limit) that they'll perform at the end of the night. It's no amateur hour though, as these are all seasoned musicians and singers from buzz-bands like Parquet Courts, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Crocodile and the Fiery Furnaces. Plus, you can feel good despite the impending ear-ringing hangover, as all proceeds from the event will go toward the Harmony Program, which brings after-school music programs to underserved communities. (Sandra Song)Saturday, December 6th, 9 p.m. // Baby’s All Right, 146 Broadway Ave, Brooklyn // Tickets $15

Gothamist

The holiday season most definitely can come without ribbons, tags, packages, boxes, or bags, but if you simply must express your love and affection through gifts once again this year, then take your hard-earned coin to the Artists and Fleas takeover at Chelsea Market. There, tucked snug beneath the High Line, you'll find bevy of locally designed and made goodies that range from Churoncalla's steam punk jewelry to Spectre & Co.'s ultra-modern menswear. The entire market will be festooned in holiday decorations and we can't deny that it feels good, deep down inside, to sip a cocoa and snag the perfect gift for whomever's on your list. Best of all, at the market you'll be supporting local and mostly-independent businesses that aren't putting giant bows on overpriced sedans. Entrance is at the corner of 10th Avenue and 15th Street.Runs daily through December, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. // Chelsea Market, 88 10th Ave at West 15th Street, Manhattan // Admittance Free

<br/><br/>The holiday season most definitely can <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqOOUJFv1n0">come without ribbons, tags, packages, boxes, or bags</a>, but if you simply <em>must</em> express your love and affection through gifts once again this year, then take your hard-earned coin to the <a href="http://www.artistsandfleas.com/chelsea/"><strong>Artists and Fleas takeover at Chelsea Market</strong></a>. There, tucked snug beneath the High Line, you'll find bevy of locally designed and made goodies that range from <a href="http://www.churoncalla.com/">Churoncalla</a>'s steam punk jewelry to <a href="http://www.shopspectre.com/">Spectre &amp; Co</a>.'s ultra-modern menswear. The entire market will be festooned in holiday decorations and we can't deny that it feels good, deep down inside, to sip a cocoa and snag the perfect gift for whomever's on your list. Best of all, at the market you'll be supporting local and mostly-independent businesses that aren't <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbXDVmlcl-s">putting giant bows on overpriced sedans</a>. Entrance is at the corner of 10th Avenue and 15th Street.<br/><br/><em>Runs daily through December, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. // <a href="http://www.chelseamarket.com/">Chelsea Market</a>, 88 10th Ave at West 15th Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.artistsandfleas.com/chelsea/">Admittance Free</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide8.jpg

The holiday season most definitely can come without ribbons, tags, packages, boxes, or bags, but if you simply must express your love and affection through gifts once again this year, then take your hard-earned coin to the Artists and Fleas takeover at Chelsea Market. There, tucked snug beneath the High Line, you'll find bevy of locally designed and made goodies that range from Churoncalla's steam punk jewelry to Spectre & Co.'s ultra-modern menswear. The entire market will be festooned in holiday decorations and we can't deny that it feels good, deep down inside, to sip a cocoa and snag the perfect gift for whomever's on your list. Best of all, at the market you'll be supporting local and mostly-independent businesses that aren't putting giant bows on overpriced sedans. Entrance is at the corner of 10th Avenue and 15th Street.Runs daily through December, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. // Chelsea Market, 88 10th Ave at West 15th Street, Manhattan // Admittance Free

via flickr

This month two MCs with deep New York connections will collide, and the results are bound to be astounding. Still coasting on the success of his excellent new LP Nobody's Smiling, Common plays Irving Plaza along with Jay Electronica. Common already owes much to Manhattan, having made his greatest record at Electric Lady Studios, and Jay Electronica, despite his new London residence, is stylistically as New York as they come. The show will be the grand finale of the duo's 8-show mini-tour, and should show both rappers at the height of their lyrical powers. Jay is known for teaming up with many a high-profile surprise guest, and he and Common both just dropped a fantastic remix together; expect some very special on-stage collaborations at this one. Get there early and nab a spot up front.Tuesday, December 9th, 7 p.m. // Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place, Manhattan // Tickets $48.50

<br/><br/>This month two MCs with deep New York connections will collide, and the results are bound to be astounding. Still coasting on the success of his excellent new LP <em>Nobody's Smiling</em>, <strong><a href="http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004D4604AF7F49?camefrom=ramya_8e1">Common plays Irving Plaza along with Jay Electronica</a></strong>. Common already owes much to Manhattan, having made <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Like_Water_for_Chocolate_(album)">his greatest record</a> at Electric Lady Studios, and Jay Electronica, despite his new London residence, is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lrVO3pPDP4">stylistically as New York as they come</a>. The show will be the grand finale of the duo's 8-show mini-tour, and should show both rappers at the height of their lyrical powers. Jay is known for teaming up with many a high-profile surprise guest, and he and Common both just dropped a fantastic remix together; expect some very special on-stage collaborations at this one. Get there early and nab a spot up front.<br/><br/><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/169207831&amp;color=ff5500" width="100%"></iframe><br/><br/><em>Tuesday, December 9th, 7 p.m. // <a href="http://venue.irvingplaza.com/">Irving Plaza</a>, 17 Irving Place, Manhattan // <a href="http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004D4604AF7F49?camefrom=ramya_8e1">Tickets $48.50</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide7.jpg

This month two MCs with deep New York connections will collide, and the results are bound to be astounding. Still coasting on the success of his excellent new LP Nobody's Smiling, Common plays Irving Plaza along with Jay Electronica. Common already owes much to Manhattan, having made his greatest record at Electric Lady Studios, and Jay Electronica, despite his new London residence, is stylistically as New York as they come. The show will be the grand finale of the duo's 8-show mini-tour, and should show both rappers at the height of their lyrical powers. Jay is known for teaming up with many a high-profile surprise guest, and he and Common both just dropped a fantastic remix together; expect some very special on-stage collaborations at this one. Get there early and nab a spot up front.Tuesday, December 9th, 7 p.m. // Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place, Manhattan // Tickets $48.50

Gothamist

When stuffing that third Russ & Daughters bagel into your mouth, remember that you're partaking in a food legacy that has united the Lower East Side since the early 20th century; the same Jewish cuisine that gives us knishes, blintzes, latkes and gefilte fish. On December 10th at the Tenement Museum the Eating Delancey book launch will celebrate just that. Authors Aaron Rezny and Jordan Schaps don't just take beautiful photos of all your favorite Yiddishkeit treats, but share recipes, community stories and historical photos about the community that was formed around them. Their new book profiles favorites like Katz's Deli, Yonah Shimmels and Sammy's Roumanian and tells how to make the perfect egg cream. The late Joan Rivers wrote the introduction, where she shared favorite jokes about a beloved part of her childhood; her father was a doctor whose patients often brought them home-cooked meals. "You know how they butcher kosher meat, right?" Rivers said. "The cows aren't slaughtered. They're nagged to death." The book also includes anecdotes from Bette Midler, Lou Reed and other LES notables. Attendees of the event will get 15% off the hardcover. (Shayla Love)Wednesday, December 10th, 6:30 p.m. // Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard Street at Delancey, Manhattan // Free

<br/><br/>When stuffing that third Russ &amp; Daughters bagel into your mouth, remember that you're partaking in a food legacy that has united the Lower East Side since the early 20th century; the same Jewish cuisine that gives us knishes, blintzes, latkes and gefilte fish. On December 10th at the Tenement Museum the <strong><em><a href="http://www.tenement.org/tenement-talks-details.php?id=826">Eating Delancey</a></em> book launch</strong> will celebrate just that. Authors Aaron Rezny and Jordan Schaps don't just take beautiful photos of all your favorite Yiddishkeit treats, but share recipes, community stories and historical photos about the community that was formed around them. Their new book profiles favorites like Katz's Deli, Yonah Shimmels and Sammy's Roumanian and tells how to make the perfect egg cream. <br/><br/>The late Joan Rivers wrote the introduction, where she shared favorite jokes about a beloved part of her childhood; her father was a doctor whose patients often brought them home-cooked meals. "You know how they butcher kosher meat, right?" Rivers said. "The cows aren't slaughtered. They're nagged to death." The book also includes anecdotes from Bette Midler, Lou Reed and other LES notables. Attendees of the event will get 15% off the hardcover. <em>(Shayla Love)</em><br/><br/><em>Wednesday, December 10th, 6:30 p.m. // <a href="http://www.tenement.org/">Tenement Museum</a>, 103 Orchard Street at Delancey, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.tenement.org/tenement-talks-details.php?id=826">Free</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide10.JPG

When stuffing that third Russ & Daughters bagel into your mouth, remember that you're partaking in a food legacy that has united the Lower East Side since the early 20th century; the same Jewish cuisine that gives us knishes, blintzes, latkes and gefilte fish. On December 10th at the Tenement Museum the Eating Delancey book launch will celebrate just that. Authors Aaron Rezny and Jordan Schaps don't just take beautiful photos of all your favorite Yiddishkeit treats, but share recipes, community stories and historical photos about the community that was formed around them. Their new book profiles favorites like Katz's Deli, Yonah Shimmels and Sammy's Roumanian and tells how to make the perfect egg cream. The late Joan Rivers wrote the introduction, where she shared favorite jokes about a beloved part of her childhood; her father was a doctor whose patients often brought them home-cooked meals. "You know how they butcher kosher meat, right?" Rivers said. "The cows aren't slaughtered. They're nagged to death." The book also includes anecdotes from Bette Midler, Lou Reed and other LES notables. Attendees of the event will get 15% off the hardcover. (Shayla Love)Wednesday, December 10th, 6:30 p.m. // Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard Street at Delancey, Manhattan // Free

via Vanishing New York

Warning: art-rock ahead. Gabriel Kahane's latest album The Ambassador has all the markings of high-concept indie rock, merging baroque chord progressions reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens with wordy storytelling a la The Decemberists. The album is a trail of scenes strung out across Los Angeles, with specific addresses serving as song titles and Kahane's sublimely-mixed strings, guitars, and electric pianos grounding the entire tale. Rolling Stone was nigh-ecstatic in their review , with good reason.Kahane will bring The Ambassador to BAM this month and is teaming up with Tony Award-winning director John Tiffany (Once) to create a show that blends theatre and concert into one. The outcome is set to be a fresh look at LA in all its weird, beautiful, and glittering deficiencies. Come prepared for odd time signatures, a gorgeous stage set, and heady drama.Wednesday-Saturday, December 10th-13th // BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St, Brooklyn // Tickets $20-45

<br/><br/>Warning: art-rock ahead. Gabriel Kahane's latest album <em>The Ambassador</em> has all the markings of high-concept indie rock, merging baroque chord progressions reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens with wordy storytelling a la The Decemberists. The album is a trail of scenes strung out across Los Angeles, with specific addresses serving as song titles and Kahane's sublimely-mixed strings, guitars, and electric pianos grounding the entire tale. <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gabriel-kahane-gives-touring-a-new-meaning-20140616">Rolling Stone was nigh-ecstatic in their review</a> , with good reason.<br/><br/><strong><a href="http://www.bam.org/music/2014/the-ambassador?gclid=CN6rvYeQnsICFU4V7Aod-1QAfQ">Kahane will bring <em>The Ambassador</em> to BAM</a></strong> this month and is teaming up with Tony Award-winning director John Tiffany (<em>Once</em>) to create a show that blends theatre and concert into one. The outcome is set to be a fresh look at LA in all its weird, beautiful, and glittering deficiencies. Come prepared for odd time signatures, a gorgeous stage set, and heady drama.<br/><br/><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JIHrqkckXgQ" width="640"></iframe><br/><br/><em>Wednesday-Saturday, December 10th-13th // <a href="http://www.bam.org/visit/buildings/harvey-lichtenstein-theater">BAM Harvey Theater</a>, 651 Fulton St, Brooklyn // <a href="http://commerce.bam.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=9104">Tickets $20-45</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide9.jpg

Warning: art-rock ahead. Gabriel Kahane's latest album The Ambassador has all the markings of high-concept indie rock, merging baroque chord progressions reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens with wordy storytelling a la The Decemberists. The album is a trail of scenes strung out across Los Angeles, with specific addresses serving as song titles and Kahane's sublimely-mixed strings, guitars, and electric pianos grounding the entire tale. Rolling Stone was nigh-ecstatic in their review , with good reason.Kahane will bring The Ambassador to BAM this month and is teaming up with Tony Award-winning director John Tiffany (Once) to create a show that blends theatre and concert into one. The outcome is set to be a fresh look at LA in all its weird, beautiful, and glittering deficiencies. Come prepared for odd time signatures, a gorgeous stage set, and heady drama.Wednesday-Saturday, December 10th-13th // BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St, Brooklyn // Tickets $20-45

via facebook

There’s no way to ignite that Christmas spirit better than seeing The Nutcracker, and if you’re looking for a place to take it in, BAM has you covered. American Ballet Theatre is presenting choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s production of Tchiakovsky's classic ballet in all of its colorful, magical, mystical Yuletide glory. Get your tickets fast, since this year marks the end of The Nutcracker's five-year engagement at BAM, and your last chance to see what the The New York Times praised as "a production like no other, made with complete theatrical authority from first to last." (Ben Jay)December 12th-21st, 7-10 p.m. // BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn // Tickets $20-195

<br/><br/>There’s no way to ignite that Christmas spirit better than seeing <strong><a href="http://www.bam.org/nutcracker">The Nutcracker</a></strong>, and if you’re looking for a place to take it in, BAM has you covered. American Ballet Theatre is presenting choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s production of Tchiakovsky's classic ballet in all of its colorful, magical, mystical Yuletide glory. Get your tickets fast, since this year marks the end of The Nutcracker's five-year engagement at BAM, and your last chance to see what the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/25/arts/dance/25abt.html?pagewanted=all&amp;_r=0">The New York Times praised</a> as "a production like no other, made with complete theatrical authority from first to last." <em>(Ben Jay)</em><br/><br/><em>December 12th-21st, 7-10 p.m. // <a href="http://www.bam.org/visit/venues/howard-gilman-opera-house">BAM Howard Gilman Opera House</a>, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn // <a href="http://commerce.bam.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=9371">Tickets $20-195</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide12.jpg

There’s no way to ignite that Christmas spirit better than seeing The Nutcracker, and if you’re looking for a place to take it in, BAM has you covered. American Ballet Theatre is presenting choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s production of Tchiakovsky's classic ballet in all of its colorful, magical, mystical Yuletide glory. Get your tickets fast, since this year marks the end of The Nutcracker's five-year engagement at BAM, and your last chance to see what the The New York Times praised as "a production like no other, made with complete theatrical authority from first to last." (Ben Jay)December 12th-21st, 7-10 p.m. // BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn // Tickets $20-195

via ABT Facebook

Fresh off his classy Lincoln Center retrospective, Pope of Trash John Waters is back onstage for his annual "A John Waters Christmas" show. Baltimore's finest cult filmmaker prides himself on "putting the X in Xmas," so things are bound to get a little filthy. Expect Waters to dish on the gifts he wishes people would get him for Christmas, unspool lurid tales from Christmases of years past, and rap holiday songs. If you're lucky, he might even tell you about "felching." Don your finest cha cha heels and prepare for a wild ride, but just don't bring him a pear basket, whatever you do. (Rebecca Fishbein) Saturday, December 13th, 8 p.m. // The Space at Westbury, 250 Post AvenueWestbury, NY // Tickets $35-$100

<br/><br/>Fresh off his classy <a href="http://gothamist.com/2014/08/27/john_waters_lincoln_center.php">Lincoln Center retrospective</a>, Pope of Trash John Waters is back onstage for his annual "<strong><a href="http://www.bowerypresents.com/event/513693-john-waters-christmas-westbury">A John Waters Christmas</a></strong>" show. Baltimore's finest cult filmmaker prides himself on "putting the X in Xmas," so things are bound to get a little filthy. Expect Waters to dish on the gifts he wishes people would get him for Christmas, unspool lurid tales from Christmases of years past, and rap holiday songs. If you're lucky, he might even tell you about "<a href="http://gothamist.com/2013/11/14/john_waters_interview_1.php">felching</a>." Don your finest cha cha heels and prepare for a wild ride, but just don't bring him a pear basket, whatever you do. <em>(Rebecca Fishbein)</em> <br/><br/><em>Saturday, December 13th, 8 p.m. // <a href="http://thespaceatwestbury.com/">The Space at Westbury</a>, 250 Post AvenueWestbury, NY // <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/The-Space-At-Westbury-tickets-Westbury/venue/1330">Tickets $35-$100</a></em>

120114DecGuide11.jpg

Fresh off his classy Lincoln Center retrospective, Pope of Trash John Waters is back onstage for his annual "A John Waters Christmas" show. Baltimore's finest cult filmmaker prides himself on "putting the X in Xmas," so things are bound to get a little filthy. Expect Waters to dish on the gifts he wishes people would get him for Christmas, unspool lurid tales from Christmases of years past, and rap holiday songs. If you're lucky, he might even tell you about "felching." Don your finest cha cha heels and prepare for a wild ride, but just don't bring him a pear basket, whatever you do. (Rebecca Fishbein) Saturday, December 13th, 8 p.m. // The Space at Westbury, 250 Post AvenueWestbury, NY // Tickets $35-$100

Gothamist

An interactive and moving piece of music by local composer Phil Kline, Unsilent Night is made anew each year for the frigid December air. Each participant gets one of four music tracks, in the form of an MP3, "CD" or "cassette" (how do we play those on our iPhones? Does scan it like a QR code?) and blasts it on their music amplifier of choice. Unsilent Night has become something of a seasonal tradition after it began back in 1992. It'll be taking place this year at the usual place: meet at the arch in Washington Square Park and plan to end up at Tompkins Square Park less than an hour later. To get involved, you can find out more and download the tracks from the Unsilent Night website. Kline also has a number of vintage boomboxes to share with audience members who want to act out their John Cusack Say Anything dreams. (Jessica Warriner)Saturday, December 13th, 7 p.m. // Washington Square Park, Manhattan // Free

<br/><br/>An interactive and moving piece of music by local composer Phil Kline, <strong><a href="http://newyork.unsilentnight.com/">Unsilent Night</a></strong> is made anew each year for the frigid December air. Each participant gets one of four music tracks, in the form of an MP3, "CD" or "cassette" (how do we play those on our iPhones? Does scan it like a QR code?) and blasts it on their music amplifier of choice. <br/><br/>Unsilent Night has become something of a seasonal tradition after it began back in 1992. It'll be taking place this year at the usual place: meet at the arch in Washington Square Park and plan to end up at Tompkins Square Park less than an hour later. To get involved, you can <a href="http://unsilentnight.com/participate.html">find out more and download the tracks from the Unsilent Night website</a>. Kline also has a number of vintage boomboxes to share with audience members who want to act out their John Cusack <em>Say Anything</em> dreams. <em>(Jessica Warriner)</em><br/><br/><em>Saturday, December 13th, 7 p.m. // Washington Square Park, Manhattan // <a href="http://newyork.unsilentnight.com/">Free</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide18.jpg

An interactive and moving piece of music by local composer Phil Kline, Unsilent Night is made anew each year for the frigid December air. Each participant gets one of four music tracks, in the form of an MP3, "CD" or "cassette" (how do we play those on our iPhones? Does scan it like a QR code?) and blasts it on their music amplifier of choice. Unsilent Night has become something of a seasonal tradition after it began back in 1992. It'll be taking place this year at the usual place: meet at the arch in Washington Square Park and plan to end up at Tompkins Square Park less than an hour later. To get involved, you can find out more and download the tracks from the Unsilent Night website. Kline also has a number of vintage boomboxes to share with audience members who want to act out their John Cusack Say Anything dreams. (Jessica Warriner)Saturday, December 13th, 7 p.m. // Washington Square Park, Manhattan // Free

via flickr

A truly miraculous use of potatoes due to their extra-crisp exterior and satisfying heft, latkes are definitely overlooked in the pantheon of deep-fried starches. So grease-guzzlers rejoice for the Sixth Annual Latke Festival, which will be bringing together some of NYC's finest food purveyors, including the likes of Veselka, Toloache and Dough, to show you how this incredible, edible Hanukkah favorite can be so much more than your typical applesauce/sour cream combination. Think yucca & sweet potato latkes, confited meats and lots of other gourmet trimmings. Sorry, Ore-Ida, but these fried (never frozen) taters are truly something divine. (Sandra Song)Monday, December 15th, 6:30 p.m. // Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W 18th St., Manhattan) // Tickets $60-100

<br/><br/>A truly miraculous use of potatoes due to their extra-crisp exterior and satisfying heft, latkes are definitely overlooked in the pantheon of deep-fried starches. So grease-guzzlers rejoice for the <strong><a href="http://www.greatperformances.com/the-dish/save-the-date-6th-annual-latke-festival/">Sixth Annual Latke Festival</a></strong>, which will be bringing together some of NYC's finest food purveyors, including the likes of Veselka, Toloache and Dough, to show you how this incredible, edible Hanukkah favorite can be so much more than your typical applesauce/sour cream combination. Think yucca &amp; sweet potato latkes, confited meats and lots of other gourmet trimmings. Sorry, Ore-Ida, but these fried (never frozen) taters are truly something divine. <em>(Sandra Song)</em><br/><br/><em>Monday, December 15th, 6:30 p.m. // <a href="http://www.metropolitanevents.com/">Metropolitan Pavilion</a> (125 W 18th St., Manhattan) // <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-latke-festival-tickets-12805293979">Tickets $60-100</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide13.jpg

A truly miraculous use of potatoes due to their extra-crisp exterior and satisfying heft, latkes are definitely overlooked in the pantheon of deep-fried starches. So grease-guzzlers rejoice for the Sixth Annual Latke Festival, which will be bringing together some of NYC's finest food purveyors, including the likes of Veselka, Toloache and Dough, to show you how this incredible, edible Hanukkah favorite can be so much more than your typical applesauce/sour cream combination. Think yucca & sweet potato latkes, confited meats and lots of other gourmet trimmings. Sorry, Ore-Ida, but these fried (never frozen) taters are truly something divine. (Sandra Song)Monday, December 15th, 6:30 p.m. // Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W 18th St., Manhattan) // Tickets $60-100

via facebook

While Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard are the best known auteurs from the French nouvelle vague (New Wave), writer-directer Eric Rohmer is the one who's inspired New York natives like Chris Rock and Noah Baumbach in their own films. Woody Allen has even been called the "American Rohmer", because the pair specialize in intimate, talky films about relationships. This month The Film Society of Lincoln Center is screening one of his Tales of the Four Seasons quartet of films, A Tale of Winter. The film is about a hairdresser, Felicie, who falls in love with Charles, a trainee chef, during a summer. They part, and she gives him her address. The wrong address, it turns out. Five years later, she has a four-year-old daughter and is juggling the affections of two suitors, while maintaining a lingering loyalty to Charles. For a special two week engagement, a new HD restoration will be screened at the Film Society, which calls it "one of [Rohmer’s] most graceful, mysterious, and emotionally overwhelming" films. Roger Ebert wrote, "Rohmer is both prolific and consistently enchanting. He is at once a realist (his characters behave as people actually do) and a practitioner of subtle magic realism, in the way hidden patterns, coincidences, misunderstandings, happy chances and fateful accidents befall his characters. There is a kind of comfort in his films, a gentle lulling through the rhythms of everyday life, and he finds great beauty in ordinary people and locations." (Jen Chung)Opens December 19, Film Society of Lincoln Center, West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.

<br/><br/>While Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard are the best known auteurs from the French nouvelle vague (New Wave), writer-directer Eric Rohmer is the one who's inspired New York natives like <a href="”http://www.avclub.com/article/chris-rock-remakes-eric-rohmer-with-ii-think-i-lov-102028”">Chris Rock</a> and <a href="“http://www.indiewire.com/article/greta-gerwig-on-her-and-noah-baumbachs-personal-connection-to-frances-ha-and-her-transition-to-directing”">Noah Baumbach</a> in their own films. Woody Allen has even been called the <a href="“http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/french_new_wave_director_eric_rohmer_dies”">"American Rohmer"</a>, because the pair specialize in intimate, talky films about relationships. This month The Film Society of Lincoln Center is screening one of his <em>Tales of the Four Seasons</em> quartet of films, <strong><em><a href="http://www.filmlinc.com/press/entry/a-tale-of-winter-returns-to-the-big-screen-in-a-new-hd-restoration-opens-de">A Tale of Winter</a></em></strong>. <br/><br/>The film is about a hairdresser, Felicie, who falls in love with Charles, a trainee chef, during a summer. They part, and she gives him her address. The wrong address, it turns out. Five years later, she has a four-year-old daughter and is juggling the affections of two suitors, while maintaining a lingering loyalty to Charles. For a special two week engagement, a new HD restoration will be screened at the Film Society, which calls it "one of [Rohmer’s] most graceful, mysterious, and emotionally overwhelming" films. <br/><br/><a href="“http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-a-tale-of-winter-1992”">Roger Ebert wrote</a>, "Rohmer is both prolific and consistently enchanting. He is at once a realist (his characters behave as people actually do) and a practitioner of subtle magic realism, in the way hidden patterns, coincidences, misunderstandings, happy chances and fateful accidents befall his characters. There is a kind of comfort in his films, a gentle lulling through the rhythms of everyday life, and he finds great beauty in ordinary people and locations." <em>(Jen Chung)</em><br/><br/><em>Opens December 19, <a href="“http://filmlinc.com”">Film Society of Lincoln Center</a>, West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.</em>

120114DecGuide14.jpg

While Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard are the best known auteurs from the French nouvelle vague (New Wave), writer-directer Eric Rohmer is the one who's inspired New York natives like Chris Rock and Noah Baumbach in their own films. Woody Allen has even been called the "American Rohmer", because the pair specialize in intimate, talky films about relationships. This month The Film Society of Lincoln Center is screening one of his Tales of the Four Seasons quartet of films, A Tale of Winter. The film is about a hairdresser, Felicie, who falls in love with Charles, a trainee chef, during a summer. They part, and she gives him her address. The wrong address, it turns out. Five years later, she has a four-year-old daughter and is juggling the affections of two suitors, while maintaining a lingering loyalty to Charles. For a special two week engagement, a new HD restoration will be screened at the Film Society, which calls it "one of [Rohmer’s] most graceful, mysterious, and emotionally overwhelming" films. Roger Ebert wrote, "Rohmer is both prolific and consistently enchanting. He is at once a realist (his characters behave as people actually do) and a practitioner of subtle magic realism, in the way hidden patterns, coincidences, misunderstandings, happy chances and fateful accidents befall his characters. There is a kind of comfort in his films, a gentle lulling through the rhythms of everyday life, and he finds great beauty in ordinary people and locations." (Jen Chung)Opens December 19, Film Society of Lincoln Center, West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.

caption goes here

The Ghost of Christmas Past is alive and well at Housing Works' Crosby Street location. Catch an array of performers and Dickens enthusiasts doing a live reading of A Christmas Carol in its entirety. The event, now in its fourth year, has some well-documented and dedicated enthusiasts, and during the reading Housing Works will knock 10% off the price of all its books and serve holiday specialities such as wine and hot cocoa. The marathon will begin at 1 p.m., and you may want to stake out a spot beforehand as tables are quick to fill up. (Valerie Heinmets)Saturday, December 20th, 1-4:40 p.m. // Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby Street, Manhattan // Free

<br/><br/>The Ghost of Christmas Past is alive and well at Housing Works' Crosby Street location. Catch an array of performers and Dickens enthusiasts doing <strong><a href="http://www.housingworks.org/events/detail/what-the-dickens-fifth-annual-a-christmas-carol-marathon-reading/">a live reading of <em>A Christmas Carol</em></a></strong> in its entirety. The event, now in its fourth year, has some <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/a-christmas-carol-marathon">well-documented</a> and dedicated enthusiasts, and during the reading Housing Works will knock 10% off the price of all its books and serve holiday specialities such as wine and hot cocoa. The marathon will begin at 1 p.m., and you may want to stake out a spot beforehand as tables are quick to fill up. <em>(Valerie Heinmets)</em><br/><br/><em>Saturday, December 20th, 1-4:40 p.m. // <a href="http://www.housingworks.org/events/category/bookstore-cafe-events/">Housing Works Bookstore Cafe</a>, 126 Crosby Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.housingworks.org/events/detail/what-the-dickens-fifth-annual-a-christmas-carol-marathon-reading/">Free</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide15.jpg

The Ghost of Christmas Past is alive and well at Housing Works' Crosby Street location. Catch an array of performers and Dickens enthusiasts doing a live reading of A Christmas Carol in its entirety. The event, now in its fourth year, has some well-documented and dedicated enthusiasts, and during the reading Housing Works will knock 10% off the price of all its books and serve holiday specialities such as wine and hot cocoa. The marathon will begin at 1 p.m., and you may want to stake out a spot beforehand as tables are quick to fill up. (Valerie Heinmets)Saturday, December 20th, 1-4:40 p.m. // Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby Street, Manhattan // Free

via Wiki Commons

An array of music and lights will fill all twelve magnificent stories of St. John the Divine for four nights to celebrate the ancient pagan tradition of the Winter Solstice in concert. Traditionally celebrated to mark the shortest day of the year and the beginning of new possibilities in the coming rotation around the sun, saxophonist Paul Winter's (yes, that's really his name) creation is a cross-cultural, multi-media experience that defies classification. Winter is a seven-time Grammy award-winning musician who organizes the show, currently in its 35th year. This year's extravaganza will highlight the music of Puerto Rico, featuring Danny Rivera, along with Puerto Rican bomba drummers and singers, and the 25 dancers and drummers of the Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. The Solstice itself falls on Sunday the 21st, but performances at the cathedral take place the preceding Thursday, Friday, and twice on Saturday. (Valerie Heinmets)Thursday & Friday, December 18th & 19th, 8 p.m., Saturday, December 20th, 2 & 7:30 p.m. // Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th Street, Manhattan // Tickets $35-90

<br/><br/>An array of music and lights will fill all twelve magnificent stories of St. John the Divine for four nights to celebrate the ancient pagan tradition of the <a href="http://solsticeconcert.com/#solstice-video">Winter Solstice in concert</a>. Traditionally celebrated to mark the shortest day of the year and the beginning of new possibilities in the coming rotation around the sun, saxophonist Paul Winter's (yes, that's really his name) creation is a cross-cultural, multi-media experience that defies classification. <br/><br/>Winter is a seven-time Grammy award-winning musician who organizes the show, currently in its 35th year. This year's extravaganza will highlight the music of Puerto Rico, featuring Danny Rivera, along with Puerto Rican bomba drummers and singers, and the 25 dancers and drummers of the Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. The Solstice itself falls on Sunday the 21st, but performances at the cathedral take place the preceding Thursday, Friday, and twice on Saturday. <em>(Valerie Heinmets)</em><br/><br/><em>Thursday &amp; Friday, December 18th &amp; 19th, 8 p.m., Saturday, December 20th, 2 &amp; 7:30 p.m. // <a href="http://www.stjohndivine.org/">Cathedral of Saint John the Divine</a>, 1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th Street, Manhattan // <a href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/939388">Tickets $35-90</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide16.jpg

An array of music and lights will fill all twelve magnificent stories of St. John the Divine for four nights to celebrate the ancient pagan tradition of the Winter Solstice in concert. Traditionally celebrated to mark the shortest day of the year and the beginning of new possibilities in the coming rotation around the sun, saxophonist Paul Winter's (yes, that's really his name) creation is a cross-cultural, multi-media experience that defies classification. Winter is a seven-time Grammy award-winning musician who organizes the show, currently in its 35th year. This year's extravaganza will highlight the music of Puerto Rico, featuring Danny Rivera, along with Puerto Rican bomba drummers and singers, and the 25 dancers and drummers of the Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. The Solstice itself falls on Sunday the 21st, but performances at the cathedral take place the preceding Thursday, Friday, and twice on Saturday. (Valerie Heinmets)Thursday & Friday, December 18th & 19th, 8 p.m., Saturday, December 20th, 2 & 7:30 p.m. // Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th Street, Manhattan // Tickets $35-90

via klingon65's flickr

Winter equals romantic comedy time, and at the end of this frosty December you can catch the Ernst Lubitsch classic The Shop Around The Corner at Film Forum. Screening daily from Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve, the 1940 flick spawned a couple of remakes over the years, including You've Got Mail. Set in a pre-war Budapest leather goods store, Miss Novak (Margaret Sullavan) is turned down for a job by Mr. Kralik (James Stewart), but she manages to sell an "unsaleable" Ochi Tchornya playing cigarette box right out from under his nose." Oh yes. Things just got real. Tension ensues, and it all comes to a head at the Christmas Eve dinner.As an extra festive bonus, if you catch one of the evening sessions (7pm and 9:15pm) on December 31, you'll score some free champagne. (Jessica Warriner)Thursday-Wednesday, December 25th-31st, multiple showtimes // Film Forum, 209 W Houston Street, Manhattan // Tickets $13

<br/><br/>Winter equals romantic comedy time, and at the end of this frosty December you can catch the Ernst Lubitsch classic <a href="http://filmforum.org/film/the-shop-around-the-corner-film-page"><strong><em>The Shop Around The Corner</em> at Film Forum</strong></a>. Screening daily from Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve, the 1940 flick spawned a couple of remakes over the years, including <em>You've Got Mail</em>. <br/><br/>Set in a pre-war Budapest leather goods store, Miss Novak (Margaret Sullavan) is turned down for a job by Mr. Kralik (James Stewart), but she manages to sell an "unsaleable" Ochi Tchornya playing cigarette box right out from under his nose." Oh yes. Things just got real. Tension ensues, and it all comes to a head at the Christmas Eve dinner.As an extra festive bonus, if you catch one of the evening sessions (7pm and 9:15pm) on December 31, you'll score some free champagne. <em>(Jessica Warriner)</em><br/><br/><em>Thursday-Wednesday, December 25th-31st, multiple showtimes // <a href="http://filmforum.org/">Film Forum</a>, 209 W Houston Street, Manhattan // <a href="http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/filmforum/movies?v=2454">Tickets $13</a><em></em></em>

120114DecGuide19.jpg

Winter equals romantic comedy time, and at the end of this frosty December you can catch the Ernst Lubitsch classic The Shop Around The Corner at Film Forum. Screening daily from Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve, the 1940 flick spawned a couple of remakes over the years, including You've Got Mail. Set in a pre-war Budapest leather goods store, Miss Novak (Margaret Sullavan) is turned down for a job by Mr. Kralik (James Stewart), but she manages to sell an "unsaleable" Ochi Tchornya playing cigarette box right out from under his nose." Oh yes. Things just got real. Tension ensues, and it all comes to a head at the Christmas Eve dinner.As an extra festive bonus, if you catch one of the evening sessions (7pm and 9:15pm) on December 31, you'll score some free champagne. (Jessica Warriner)Thursday-Wednesday, December 25th-31st, multiple showtimes // Film Forum, 209 W Houston Street, Manhattan // Tickets $13

Gothamist

In every art history course you took in college you studied nude figures, paintings and sculptures. The nude is "the longest such relationship in the Western Canon," said Jonthatn David Katz, the curator of "Classical Nudes and the Making of Queer History," a new show at the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art that will shake up the way you see Michelangelo. The collection asks the viewer to reexamine the classical nude with new eyes and see its form through a queer lens. The exhibit makes the argument that the nude forms of antiquity and the Renaissance are the first same-sex representations of the body, and seeing how those depictions evolved is crucial to queer identity today. The show is split up into four time periods: Antiquity and its Greek and Roman statues, the Renaissance and its homoerotic drawings and etchings, the 18th and 19th century, and Modern art. The eclectic mix of artists include Albrecht Durer, Michelangelo, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe and many more. The show runs until January 4th. (Shayla Love)Ongoing until January 4th; 12-6 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday;12-8 p.m. Thursday // Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art // Free Admission

<br/><br/>In every art history course you took in college you studied nude figures, paintings and sculptures. The nude is "the longest such relationship in the Western Canon," said Jonthatn David Katz, the curator of <a href="http://leslielohman.org/exhibitions/2014/classical-nude/classical-nude.html"><strong>"Classical Nudes and the Making of Queer History,"</strong></a> a new show at the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art that will shake up the way you see Michelangelo. <br/><br/>The collection asks the viewer to reexamine the classical nude with new eyes and see its form through a queer lens. The exhibit makes the argument that the nude forms of antiquity and the Renaissance are the first same-sex representations of the body, and seeing how those depictions evolved is crucial to queer identity today. The show is split up into four time periods: Antiquity and its Greek and Roman statues, the Renaissance and its homoerotic drawings and etchings, the 18th and 19th century, and Modern art. The eclectic mix of artists include Albrecht Durer, Michelangelo, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe and many more. The show runs until January 4th. <em>(Shayla Love)</em><br/><br/><em>Ongoing until January 4th; 12-6 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday;12-8 p.m. Thursday // <a href="http://leslielohman.org/">Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art</a><em> // Free Admission</em></em>

120114DecGuide20.jpg

In every art history course you took in college you studied nude figures, paintings and sculptures. The nude is "the longest such relationship in the Western Canon," said Jonthatn David Katz, the curator of "Classical Nudes and the Making of Queer History," a new show at the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art that will shake up the way you see Michelangelo. The collection asks the viewer to reexamine the classical nude with new eyes and see its form through a queer lens. The exhibit makes the argument that the nude forms of antiquity and the Renaissance are the first same-sex representations of the body, and seeing how those depictions evolved is crucial to queer identity today. The show is split up into four time periods: Antiquity and its Greek and Roman statues, the Renaissance and its homoerotic drawings and etchings, the 18th and 19th century, and Modern art. The eclectic mix of artists include Albrecht Durer, Michelangelo, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe and many more. The show runs until January 4th. (Shayla Love)Ongoing until January 4th; 12-6 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday;12-8 p.m. Thursday // Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art // Free Admission

Djuna Barnes, Reclining Nude

Pack a thermos, forget about Times Square, and get to Prospect Park for a midnight fireworks display to ring in 2015. Making some exuberant noise in what is arguably NYC's best park might be the best possible way to commence a new trip around the sun, and live music and hot refreshments will be on hand at Grand Army Plaza. Word is the best views of the skyward explosions are at Grand army Plaza, the park's West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. Festivities begin a little before midnight.Thursday, December 31st, 11 p.m.-12:30 p.m. // Prospect Park, Brooklyn // Free

<br/><br/>Pack a thermos, forget about Times Square, and get to <strong><a href="http://prospectpark.org/news-events/events/2014/12/31#new-years-eve-fireworks">Prospect Park for a midnight fireworks display</a></strong> to ring in 2015. Making some exuberant noise in what is arguably NYC's best park might be the best possible way to commence a new trip around the sun, and live music and hot refreshments will be on hand at Grand Army Plaza. Word is the best views of the skyward explosions are at Grand army Plaza, the park's West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. Festivities begin a little before midnight.<br/><br/><em>Thursday, December 31st, 11 p.m.-12:30 p.m. // <a href="http://prospectpark.org/news-events/events/2014/12/31#new-years-eve-fireworks">Prospect Park</a>, Brooklyn // Free<em></em></em>

120114DecGuide31.jpg

Pack a thermos, forget about Times Square, and get to Prospect Park for a midnight fireworks display to ring in 2015. Making some exuberant noise in what is arguably NYC's best park might be the best possible way to commence a new trip around the sun, and live music and hot refreshments will be on hand at Grand Army Plaza. Word is the best views of the skyward explosions are at Grand army Plaza, the park's West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and 9th Street. Festivities begin a little before midnight.Thursday, December 31st, 11 p.m.-12:30 p.m. // Prospect Park, Brooklyn // Free

via flickr