Here are the highlighted events from our December events calendar, first published in the latest edition of The Lo-Down’s print magazine:
Fri. 5 – War Lesbian at Dixon Place: Catch this quirky, original musical from Kristine Haruna Lee (playwright) and Katie Hathaway (composer) based on the Inuit myth of the ravenous (and fingerless) goddess Sedna, who lives in a universe where Ellen DeGeneres is a demonic demigod and digging for truths can cause wars.
Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m., $16 adv./$20 door, 161A Chrystie St., dixonplace.org.
Also Fri. 5 – A Christmas Carol, Oy Hanukkha, Merry Kwanzaa at The Club at La MaMa: Bring the family to this adaptation of Dickens’ classic by the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre. Conceived with “Old World accents and New World inclusiveness,” the show features over 30 puppets by Milos Kasal and a live chorus. Czech, English, Hebrew & Swahili songs are performed a cappella by Judith Barnes and Hayden DeWitt.
For audiences ages 5–105, through Dec. 14, 74A E. 4th St., showtimes vary, $18/$10, http://lamama.org.
Weds. 10 – Joey Arias – Christmas With the Crawfords at Abrons Arts Center: The always entertaining Joey Arias teams up with San Francisco’s Artfull Circle Theatre in a hilarious parody of — and homage to — the “golden age” of Hollywood. Based on the infamous Christmas Eve radio broadcast from the Crawford family’s Brentwood mansion, the show promises that NYC’s Yuletide will be “ever so gay in this all-singing, all-dancing, holiday extravaganza.”
Through Dec. 27, 466 Grand St., showtimes vary, $45, abronsartscenter.org.
Weds. 10 – Eating Delancey at Tenement Talks: Share in the stories and see the compilation of gorgeous photographs of classic Jewish food, with profiles and recipes from eateries such as Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse, Russ & Daughters, Katz’s Delicatessen, Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery, and Ratner’s. Authors Aaron Rezny (photographer) and Jordan Schaps (creative director) will be joined by contributors to the book.
103 Orchard St., 6:30 p.m., free, tenement.org.
Weds. 10 – Art School Open House at Manny Cantor: The Educational Alliance Art School reopens this January in its newly renovated facility at Manny Cantor Center, offering classes for all ages and skill levels. Take a peek at the new studios, meet the instructors, & catch some art-making demos. Refreshments, giveaways and discounts on classes included.
6 to 8 p.m., 197 East Broadway, free, mannycantor.org.
Thurs. 11 – Open Pole at the New Museum: Choreographers Gerard & Kelly have taken over the 5th- floor gallery at the museum and invite the public to observe and participate in pole-dancing classes led by Shockra Studio instructors, who promise the sessions are held in a fun, rewarding and unintimidating atmosphere that welcomes “movers” of all levels.
“Open Pole” gatherings occur during “Pay-What-You-Wish” Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 22nd.
235 Bowery, free, newmusuem.org.
Weds. 17 – Justin Vivian Bond in Star of Light! An Evening of Bi-Polar Witchy Wonder at Joe’s Pub: Don’t miss the return of Mx. Bond’s idiosyncratic holiday show in which she promises to yell expectantly into the abyss, “When ya comin’ back, Baby Jesus?!?,” and to “light up the darkness with songs, spirits, sass and a slew of special surprises!”
Through Dec. 23, 25 Lafayette St. 9 p.m., $35, joespub.com.
Thurs. 25 – Klez for Kids & Synagogue Tours at the Museum at Eldridge Street: Grab the kids and head to the museum on Christmas Day for hourly synagogue tours and family-friendly scavenger hunts. At 1 p.m., sing, dance and learn Yiddish at the annual family concert. Clarinetist Greg Wall and his band Klezmerfest lead a musical tour of Eastern European Jewish culture, ending with a festive, audience-enacted shtetl wedding.
12 Eldridge St., $12 adults; $8 students/seniors; children under 3 free, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., eldridgestreet.org.
Tues. 30 – John Zorn’s End of the Year Improv Week at The Stone: Stop by the annual end-of-the- year benefit at The Stone featuring some of the most interesting improvisers in New York. John Zorn (sax) appears every night with a different lineup of musicians including Ikue Mori (electronics), James Moore (guitar), Adam Rudolph (percussion), Brian Chase (drums), Steve Bernstein (trumpet), Uri Caine (piano), Chuck Bettis (electronics) and many special guests. All proceeds go to help pay the rent.
Through Jan. 4, Ave. C at Second Street, 8 p.m., $25, thestonenyc.com.
Weds. 31 –Rainer Maria at Bowery Ballroom: Ring in the new year while dancing the night away with the tempestuous Brooklyn-based punk-emo/indie band, reuniting for the first time in eight years. The trio, Caithlin De Marrais, Kyle Fischer and William Kuehn, are joined on the bill by Maryland post-hardcore group Moss Icon.
6 Delancey St., 10 p.m., $30, boweryballroom.com.
