BOOKS
You do not want to come up against Ken Bloom in a theater category during a trivia game. The man who chronicles the highs and lows of the Great White Way has just released another book: “Show and Tell: The New Book of Broadway Anecdotes.” He’ll discuss it with theater critic Peter Filichia at the Drama Book Shop, followed by a signing. The audience will have the chance to come up and share their own favorite theater memories. Free, Oct. 13, 5 p.m., 250 W. 40th St. FOOD
New York Wine and Food Festival
The Food Network and the Cooking Channel team up to benefit No Kid Hungry and the Food Bank of New York City with the largest food fest in NYC. Returning this year with over 100 events, this event boasts access to over 500 chefs, specialists and food-entertainment celebrities, as well as hundreds of bites and beverages from the city’s best restaurants and gourmands from around the world. The highlight is the Grand Tasting expo, which is held on Saturday and Sunday. Oct. 13-16, Multiple locations, $10-$500 LITERATURE
In its eighth year of spine-tingling terror, this fest fleshes out the old-fashioned thrills of radio theater with nightmarish stories from one of horror’s greatest masterminds. RadioTheatre is renowned for their stage shows using talented voice actors, original scores and awesome sound effects. This year offers eight stories, including “The Call of Cthulu,” “The Unnameable,” “The Lurking Fear” and “The Beast in the Cave.” Tickets are likely to sell out. $30, Oct. 13-30, Kraine Theatre, 85 E. Fourth St. CABARET
For one last night, midnight at Joe’s Pub belongs to modern cabaret group Pants Velour. Their performance combines hip-hop, rap and soul stylings with theatrical and visual arts elements. Interspersed between hot numbers like “Got to Lose” and “Trapeze,” the group also shares anecdotes (ranging from silly to intellectual) and performs short sketches for an all-around cabaret centered on their original live music. $15, Oct. 14, midnight, Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. DRINKS
Drink your way through over 150 beers, ciders and meads provided by 75 breweries (many of them local) at one of three sessions over the course of two days at the NYC Craft Beer Festival. Home brewers can also check out the latest tech, attend seminars and play games while meeting the masters behind your favorite brews. There’s live entertainment and, for the first time this year, a pavilion dedicated to spirits. VIPs get access to the Speakeasy Bar. $45-$85, Oct. 14-15, Lexington Avenue Armory, 68 Lexington Ave. FILM
Explore films that make you think, learn, feel and grow through the Imagine Science Film Festival. This year’s theme of “Light” will be explored in shorts, features and documentaries that can range from fully creative to utterly objective. All films are eligible to compete for prizes, but the real winners are those getting their eyes and minds opened with the explosive imagery and data presented in over 83 flicks from 23 countries, including 45 premieres. Prices vary, Oct. 14-21, multiple locations THEATER
Coney Island is all about the strange and unusual all year round, so you can expect great things from the beachside Brooklyn crew come Halloween. This year, the presidential election gets a zombie makeover with spooky wax figures and a maybe-crazy nightwatchman who might appear during your tour to offer his unbidden insights. All tickets are $15 except the Opening Night Benefit on Friday, which is $50. Oct. 14-31, Sideshows at the Seashore, 1208 Surf Ave. SEASONAL
But if you have neither the funds, time or driver’s license to go apple-picking, Hudson Valley comes to you at Applefest. Back for its second year, the festival brings 6,000 of the best apples from the region to Pier A Harbor House in Battery Park City this Saturday. Choose from six varieties of apples, plus apple-themed food and drink vendors (with a full range of ciders, from sparkling to hot). Add in some games and a bluegrass band, and you’ve got a perfect fall afternoon in the country without leaving the city. Admission to Applefest is free, just pay for whatever looks delicious. Oct. 15, noon to 9 p.m., 22 Battery Place FOOD
Queens International Night Market
The Saturday night fair of street foods is back for the month of October, and after a soggy relaunch last weekend this one’s looking much better. About 40 food stalls (with nothing costing over $6) as well as artists, vendors and performers will bring a world of culture to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Free, Oct. 15, 6 p.m.-midnight RAMEN
The Japan Block Fair is now Japan Fes, and the annual food-centric celebration of all things Land of the Rising Sun is bringing back its ramen contest after four long years. It was worth the wait: 12 shops, including two from Japan, are bringing all types of ramen from shoyu to tantanmen for $5 per bowl. Attendees vote for their top choices, which also enters them for a chance to win a trip to Japan (to try even more, of course). The fest will also have Japanese street food, vendors and more. If you can’t make it on Sunday, there’s another tasting event being held all day Monday featuring bowls of ramen from nearly all of the participating shops. Free entry, Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Broadway b/w 92nd and 94th streets,Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 4 W. 43rd St. THEATER
‘How to Write a Musical That Works’
How does a musical go from an amazing idea to Broadway? Theater Resources Unlimited hosts three workshops to teach all you aspiring Lin-Manuel Mirandas the ropes, with the first part kicking off Sunday. While directors, producers and theater pros discuss the creation process, 10 writing groups will work on concepts to present to the audience. You’ll have the chance to watch the workshop, participate in discussions, enjoy refreshments and give vital feedback on the results. $55, Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Nola Studios, 250 W. 54th St., 11th Floor BOOKS
“Parks and Rec” star Nick Offerman is making an appearance next Tuesday in Williamsburg (which, we feel, would make him somewhat of a disappointment to Ron Swanson). He’ll be signing his latest book at Artists & Fleas, “Good Clean Fun,” which continues his trademark guidance on manhood and how to handle your woodworking tools. Tickets include a hardcover and an Artists & Fleas tote bag. $38, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m., 70 N. Seventh St., Brooklyn FOOD
‘Where’s the Beef: Wagyu Fact & Fiction’ What do you really know about that fancy beef you’re splurging on? You can boost your confidence with this class led by Dr. Daniel Botsman at the Japan Society. Not only will you learn the answer to important questions (If “wagyu” is “Japanese cattle,” then what is “American wagyu”?) you’ll also enjoy a tasting of the thin, marbled, melt-on-your-tongue meat flown straight from Japan. $19, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m., Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St.
Murderous presidents, Nick Offerman at a craft festival and more things to do in NYC
Norman Blake
