Happenings for Week of December 18th

Monday, December 18th, 2006



Holiday Concert (H, M)
Celebrate the season with the joyous sound of holiday music in the museum’s Frank Lloyd Wright designed rotunda. Conductor George Steel leads the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble and the Vox Vocal Ensemble in what has become a beloved annual tradition, featuring holiday favorites alongside little-known gems.
@ Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 5th Avenue (at 89th Street)
6p
Free
For more information: guggenheim

Book Discussion: Work by Mitch Epstein (L)
While Mitch Epstein is widely acknowledged as one of the world's most distinguished art photographers, a complete survey of his work has never been published before. Work allows readers to trace the evolution of Epstein's entire career, following formal and thematic concerns that allow us to see how his aesthetics, his techniques and his politics have shifted and influenced one-another over time.
@ Strand Bookstore
828 Broadway (@ 13th Street)
7 - 8:30p
Free
For more information: strand



Andy Rooney discusses and signs his new book, Out of My Mind (E, L)
Every Sunday evening, millions of viewers tune in to 60 Minutes to hear Andy Rooney riff on everything from coffee percolators to the state of the union. Millions more read his weekly newspaper column. Why? Because Rooney tells it like it is.
But Rooney fans have never seen him quite like this. Andy Rooney is plain frustrated by what's going on in America and the world. Why can't Americans-let alone our president-speak English anymore? How do we expect to fight a terrorist enemy that we can't even locate? And when did capitalism go so terribly wrong? This book isn't all heady stuff, though.
@ Borders Books and Music
Time Warner Center
59th Street and Columbus Circle, 2nd floor
7 - 9p
Free
For more information: columbuscircle

Les Paul and his Trio play Midtown (M)
Les Paul, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, five-time Grammy Award winner, pioneer of the electric guitar and inventor of numerous recording tech-niques. Les says his greatest God-given gifts are perfect pitch, a love for music with the ability to learn it quickly, and the curiosity and persistence of an inventor who wants to know "how things tick".
@ Iridium Jazz Club
1650 Broadway (@ 51st Street)
8p, 10p
Cost: $35.00
For more information and to buy tickets: iridium

Tuesday, December 19th, 2006



Holiday Food Series - Traditions on the Table: "Kwanzaa Communion" (D/F, E, H)
Bestselling inspirational author Eric V. Copage
discusses treasured recipes from Africa, the Caribbean and America. Along the way, learn about African American culture, including the seven principles of Kwanzaa. He is the author of Fruits of the Harvest: Recipes to Celebrate Kwanzaa and Other Holidays and the Black Pearls series of books.
@ Central Library - Brooklyn
1 Grand Army Plaza (@ Eastern Parkway) - 2nd floor meeting room
7p
Free
For more information call: 718.230.2100

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (A, D)
When Leonide Massine choreographed Gaite Parisienne for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1938, he probably never imagined that the colorful female characters in a fashionable Parisian café would be danced by male primo ballerinas in size 12- pointe shoes. But the talented and technically masterful dancers including Margeaux Mundeyn, Ida Nevasayaneva and Yuriki Sakitumi of the Trockadero make this classic their own with the same aplomb, nuance and laugh-out-loud hilarity they pour into all of their lovingly recreated works.
PROGRAM A: Swan Lake, Esmeralda, Gaite Parisienne
@ Joyce Theater
175 Eighth Avenue (Between 18th and 19th Streets)
7:30p
Cost: $44
For more information and to buy tickets: joyce

Music for the Holidays (H, M)
West - Eastern Divan Orchestra
Young musicians from Israel, Arab countries of the Middle East, and Spain unite
for the holidays
@ Carnegie Hall
881 Seventh Avenue (@ 57th Street)
8p
Cost: $18 - 48
For more information and to buy tickets: carnegiehall

Wednesday, December 20th, 2006



10th Annual Holiday Toy Drive Party (H, P)
Benefit: Children’s Aid Society and Yorkville Common Pantry Soup Kitchen
@ Pink Elephant
527 West 27th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues)
6:30 - 9:30p
Cost: unwrapped toy or $20

Women of Tzadik Celebrate Hannukah (C, H, M)
Basya Schechter, Jewlia Eisenberg, and Ayelet Rose Gottlieb
An eclectic line-up of innovative, female performers will highlight the diversity of the Sephardic community and its musical traditions. In addition to sharing a home at the Tzadik record label, these artists share a vision for presenting rich Jewish music in a way that embraces and revives traditional styles while creating a new, modern sound.
@ Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
36 Battery Place (between 1st Place and West Street)
7p
Cost: $20
For more information and to buy tickets: mjhnyc



The Festival of Lights - Annual Chanukah Soiree (H, P)
@ 420
420 Amsterdam Avenue (@ 80th Street)
Ages: 20’s - 30’s, dietary laws observed
7p (free drinks 7-9p)
Cost: $25 members/$30 nonmembers, $36 at door
For more information and to sign up: jcc

Thursday, December 21st, 2006

The Pursuit of Happiness Exhibit (A, E)
This exhibit features ten New York-based artists: John Bowman, Diane Carr, Rebecca E. Chamberlain, Jonny Detiger, Vandana Jain, Tracy Nakayama, Alexander Reyna, Kent Rogowski, Carol Shadford, and Jennifer Sullivan. The Pursuit of Happiness explores representations of happiness in contemporary art as a question or proposition more than a definitive statement. Some works openly welcome this fleeting emotion into their iconography, while others harbor skepticism toward it by examining false notions of happiness in a consumer-driven society. Other artists use tropes of happiness as a formal launching point into other areas. Whether happiness is bright colors, pretty pictures, love, sex, food, or a state of being is debatable; it is clear that happiness is an imperative motivating factor in human behavior and therefore it is also a motivating factor in art.
@ Sarah Bowen Gallery
210 North Sixth Street, (between Driggs Avenue and Roebling Street), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free
For more information: sarahbowen

Ethel in the House (A, C, E)
Celebrate the winter solstice with Ethel and a very special evening of their site-specific concert piece In the House of Ethel. Designed for non-traditional, open spaces, the work is part musical installation, part theatrical event where members of the quartet move throughout the space encouraging the audience to do the same, allowing for myriad interpretations and sonic experiences. Incorporating original and improvised music the evening will feature the premiere of a new work by Marcelo Zarvos, a commission funded by the NEA.
@ Winter Garden - World Financial Center
The World Financial Center is bordered by West Street, the Hudson River, Vesey and Liberty Streets
7p
Free
For more information: worldfinancial

Hadassah Gross Unwrapped (A, H)
This Winter holiday season, light up your Menorah with Rebbetzin Hadassah Gross, as the flaming “First Lady of Judeo-Kitsch” (Heeb Magazine) presents a provocative unwrapping of ancient tales and tunes from the annals of Judeo mythology. With Brian Gelfand at the piano, enter the Rebbetzin’s salon and unwrap the real reason for the season!
@ Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette Street (between Astor Place and West 4th Street)
7:30p
Cost: $15
For more information and to buy tickets: joespub.com

Friday, December 22nd, 2006

Pauline Wiertz, Wunderkammer Exhibit (A, C)
Pauline Wiertz is inspired by the passionate traveler/collector from previous centuries who would bring home exotic treasures and jewels from far away places, including natural treasures such as shells, rocks, corals and animals as souvenirs. The collector would exhibit these treasures in the so called Wunderkammer, or chamber of wonders, in cabinets filled with curiosities.
@ Frederieke Taylor Gallery
535 West 22nd Street, 6th floor (between 10th and 11th Avenues)
Free
For more information: frederieke

Shabbat Dinner and Hanukah Celebration (D/F, H, R)
Singles in their 30s and 40s
@ Temple Emanu-El
Fifth Avenue @ 65th Street
5:15 - 6p Shabbat Services
6:30 - 9p Dinner in the Isaac Meyer Wise Hall (One East 65th Street)
Cost: $10 for non-Temple members & no charge for Temple members
For more information and to RSVP email: tesevents@aol.com
Please bring a new unwrapped gift for either a child or a teen that will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.



Holiday Caroling at the Seaport (H, M)
The annual illumination of thousands of twinkling white lights affixed to the 50-plus-foot Seaport Chorus Tree, caroling by The Big Apple Chorus and the arrival of New York City’s most acclaimed Santa (in his 18th season), are experiences not to be missed.
@ South Street Seaport
Fulton & South Streets, Pier 17
6p, 7p
Free
For more information: southstreetseaport



Dyker Heights and Evening Holiday Tour (H, S)
Combine a visit to the unique holiday decorations with gourmet treats in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
6:30p
Meet at Caffe Mona Lisa - 1476 86th Street (between Bay 8th Street and 15th Avenue)
Cost: $33
For more information and to sign up: nosh

Saturday, December 23rd, 2006

Light x Eight: The Hanukkah Project (A, C, H)
This exhibit marks the Jewish festival of lights with an exhibition of installations by eight emerging and mid-career artists. While the use of light and the number eight are certainly symbolic in this Jewish context, the specific way that light is used in each of these pieces extends the metaphor of celebration in surprising and unexpected ways. Light is a symbol of transformation in the story of Hanukkah: when an oil lamp miraculously burns for eight days, a desperate situation is changed into one of hope.
@ The Jewish Museum
1109 Fifth Avenue (at 92nd Street)
Free on Saturdays
For more information: jewishmuseum

Holiday Cocktail Party (H, P)
Singles, Ages: 40’s +
@ Shalel Lounge
65 1/2 West 70th Street (between Columbus and Central Park West), down the stairs
8p
Cost:
Option 1: $15 for members prepaid by 3pm on 12/23
Option 2: $20 cash at the door no RSVP necessary
Option 3: Bring an extra male (male/female, male/male) and you both get in for $20 cash at the door. You must arrive at the same time for the 2 for 1 price.
For more information and to sign up: peopleparty



3rd Annual Chanukah Party (H, P)
Singles, ages: 21 - 40
Columbus 72
246A Columbus Avenue (between 71st and 72nd Streets)
8p
COST: $10 cash at the door (no advance RSVP’s needed)
For more information: peopleparty

Annual Holiday Party and Charity Event (H, NP, P)
This year we are donating 100% of the Door Donations directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
@ Branch
226 East 54th Street (between 3rd and Lexington Avenues)
From 10pm To 4am
Suggested Donation of $10 with RSVP
For more information and to RSVP: david

Sunday, December 24th, 2006

Walking Tour: Deco Denizens of Midtown South (S)
A walk down the spine of Manhattan Island, from 44th to 24th streets. Major monuments visited include Shreve, Lamb & Harmon’s Empire State Building (still the world’s tallest Deco skyscraper), Raymond Hood’s American Radiator Building (his first NYC skyscraper), Harvey Wiley Corbett’s Metropolitan Life North Building (originally meant to rise 100 stories above Madison Square), and Ely Jacques Kahn’s 2 Park Avenue (his great multi-color marvel). We also take in several of Kahn’s garment district loft buildings and other off-the-beaten-track Deco Denizens of the side streets of Midtown South. Leader: Tony Robins, architectural historian.
2p
Cost: $15
Meet in front of the Film Center Building at 630 Ninth Ave. (east side of Ninth, between 44th and 45th Streets)
For more information and to sign up: mas



Christmas Services @ St. Pauls Chapel - Trinity Church (H, R)
4p, For more information: saintpaul

Christmas Services @ Riverside Church (H, R)
4p, 8p, For more information: riversidechurch

Christmas Services @ St. Peter’s Church (Lexington/54th Street) (H, R)
5p, 11p, For more information: saintpeters



Christmas Eve in Washington Square (H, M)
The Washington Square Association will be distributing songbooks to revelers Caroling sessions will be led by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet.
@ Washington Square Park - Meet at the Christmas Tree
5p
Free

Christmas Eve - Jewish Style (A, H)
Featuring NYC’s Top Jewish Standup Comedians
@ Comic Strip Live
1568 2nd Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets)
7:30, 9:30p
Cost: $15 cover and 2drink min per person
For more information or to make a reservation: comic

The Ball - The Nation’s Biggest Jewish Singles Event (H, P)
4 venues with free limousine service between parties
(Duvet, The Park, Hiro at the Maritime and Slate)
8p
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at door
For more information and to buy tickets: theball

A Burlesque's Christmas Eve Special: I'm Dreaming Of A White Elephant (D, H, M)
Wondering what to do with those awful presents your aunt gave you? Have some ugly candleholders lying around the house you want to get rid of? Bring them to the Christmas Eve special!! We'll be celebrating all the white elephants and misfit toys this Christmas Eve! Come out and celebrate with Darlinda Just Darlinda, and more of NYC's favorite burlesque performers. We'll leave you with visions of burlesque dancers, as well as a nifty White Elephant that you can re-gift to someone in your office.
@ Galapagos Art Space
70 North 6th Street, (between Kent and Wythe) Williamsburg, Bklyn
Doors at 9pm
Cost: $5 with present $8 without
For more information: galapagos

Christmas Services @ St. Johns the Divine
10:30p, For more information: stjohn

Monday, December 25th, 2006 (Christmas Day)

Christmas Services @ St. Pauls Chapel - Trinity Chuch (H, R)
10a, For more information: saintpauls

Christmas Services @ St. Johns the Divine (H, R)
10:30a, For more information: stjohn

Christmas Services @ St. Peters Church (Lexington/54th Street) (H, R)
11a, For more information: saintpeters



Chinese Food and a Movie on Christmas Day (C, D/F, H)
Will Ferrell Meets Charlie Kaufman (code: T-MM5FD04-01)
Chinese Food and a Movie on Christmas Day is an old Jewish custom. One problem you can’t bring Chinese food to the movie theater. Well, now you can! Makor reinvents this ritual with an afternoon of films from writer Charlie Kaufman and comedian Will Ferrell. Enjoy films on two giant screens along with all the Chinese food you can eat throughout the day
Screen 1:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 1:30pm
Being John Malkovich - 3:30pm
Screen 2:
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy - 1:30pm
Old School - 3:30pm
@ Makor - Steinhardt Building
30 West 67th Street (between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West)
Cost: $35 per person; $60 pair of tickets
For more information and to sign up: 92y

Walking Tour: Rockefeller Center: Art Deco Masterwork (S)
Rockefeller Center - New York’s urbane urban wonderland is full of surprising history, remarkable art and stunning architecture. Conceived as a new home for the Metropolitan Opera, but built instead as Radio City, Rockefeller Center is a private real estate venture that has evolved into the public square of Midtown Manhattan. Explore the past, present and future of this 1930s Art Deco monument. Leader: Tony Robins, architectural historian.
Meet at the SouthEast corner of Fifth Avenue and 49th Street
2p
Cost: $12
For more information and to sign up: mas

Key to Activities

A Art
C Cultural
D Dance
D/F Drink/Food
E Education
H Holiday
L Literature
M Music
NP Non-Profit
P Party
R Religious
S Sport