PODCAST
Tell Me Something I Don’t Know
The head freak of Freakonomics, Stephen J. Dubner, brings his live game show podcast Tell Me Something I Don’t Know to Joe’s Pub for three nights, offering his signature mix of conversational nerdisms and insightful humor as he tackles topics that guests spring on him onstage. Each evening has an early and late performance featuring rotating special guests, including Gail Simmons (Top Chef), Jemele Hill (ESPN’s SportsCenter) and Alex Wagner of CBS News. Oct. 5-7, 6:30 & 9:30 p.m., Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Ave., $25, joespub.com
OKTOBERFEST
Crisp fall days are always an inviting time to spend the afternoon strolling under the Manhattan Bridge, but that’s doubly true when the archway is transformed into a pop-up beer hall for two days for DUMBO’s Oktoberfest! Returning for its second year, the party once again includes two days of live music (including the Polka Brothers and Street Beat Brass) and family crafts, plus traditional German brats and pretzels–not to mention, of course, all the beer. Oct. 6-7, DUMBO, Water St. between Anchorage Place and Adams St., free, dumbo.is
COMEDY
Opening: West Side Comedy Club
Just what we all need right now: a few good laughs. The West Side Comedy Club opens its doors Friday for comedy-starved Upper West Siders, with two strong rosters featuring talent from Comedy Central, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Comedy Underground. Weekly themed shows include an all-female lineup on Mondays, a pro and amateur mix on Tuesdays, and Warm-Up Wednesdays. Opens Oct. 6, West Side Comedy Club, 201 W. 75th St., prices vary, westsidecomedyclub.com
CHOCOLATE
Halloween is a few weeks away, so until then there’s four days of the Big Chocolate Show. Satisfy your cravings (at least for a few days) with not only enough samples for even the naughtiest sweet tooth, but also cooking demos, panels, book signings and tasting classes. (Wait, you’re not supposed to just peel off the foil and gobble it down?) There are also one-off special events, like Friday Date Night, pairing chocolate and cocktails. Sign us up! Oct. 6-9, The Terminal Stores, 269 11th Ave., $45-$60, bigchocolateshow.com
PETS
People and property suffer from brutal storm seasons, but Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria also displaced plenty of pets, too. That’s why 35 of New York’s animal shelters have come together to take part in Strut Your Mutt, which is both an adoption event and a fundraiser for rescue organizations that help save the lives of furry friends during crises and then find them new homes. You can even register your own pet for the parade to raise awareness and support. Oct. 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Hudson River Park’s Pier 26, free, strutyourmutt.org
SHOPPING
This Sunday, NYC Handmade Collective (formerly Etsy NY) joins forces with Grand Bazaar (the Upper West Side’s weekly market that raises money for local schools) to host a themed collection of more than 40 vendors showing off their handmade wares perfect for the new season. Items for purchase will range from stationery and skin care to jewelry and home decor, plus the artisanal foods and collectible art that visitors can expect each week at the eclectic stalls. Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Grand Bazaar, 100 W. 77th St., free, grandbazaarnyc.org
CULTURE
African Restaurant Week Festival
Traverse Africa’s diverse flavor landscape in one afternoon at Taste of Africa’s New York African Restaurant Week Festival. Over 25 vendors will offer samples from across the continent, plus live cooking demos, fashion and culture exhibitors, and DJs. All attendees walk away with freebies; a portion of proceeds go to City Harvest and Vocal New York. Oct. 8, 12:30-7 p.m., Industry City, 274 36th St., Brooklyn, $10-$80, nyarw.com
BROADWAY
Some of the biggest names on Broadway ditch their scripts to sing from the heart at Elsie Fest. This year’s music festival is headlined by Alan Cumming, Lea Michele and Darren Criss, plus tons more performances going on all day in Central Park. Singing along is encouraged — and if you need some liquid courage, there will be wine. Oct. 8, 2-10 p.m., Summerstage in Central Park at 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue, $59.99, elsiefest.com
FOODIE
Chocolate and Beer Pairing Party & Book Release
“Bean-to-bar” is the “farm-to-table” slogan equivalent for chocolate, and Megan Giller details the latest craze for organic sweets in her new book, “Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: America’s Craft Chocolate Revolution,” which gets a delectable kick-off party at Threes Brewing on Monday. Your ticket gets you a copy of the book and a pint of beer, and you can also sample free beer and chocolate pairings thanks to Raaka Chocolate. Oct. 9, 6-9 p.m., Threes Brewing, 333 Douglass St., Brooklyn, $20, threesbrewing.com
NYC HISTORY
In a timely new exhibit, the Tenement Museum uses true stories from the past to explore present political themes with Under One Roof, which profiles three families of New York immigrants who all once occupied 103 Orchard St. (the museum’s address). Spanning several floors, the immersive exhibit shines a light on the Polish, Puerto Rican and Chinese influences that helped make the Lower East Side the rich cultural community it’s celebrated as today. Opens Oct. 10, Tenement Museum, 103 Orchard St., $25, tenement.org
HOT TICKET
Let’s admit: Adult sleepovers are way more fun than the kid versions ever were. For example, you can sleep beneath a nearly 100-foot-long blue whale after sipping champagne and dancing to the 12th Night Jazz Trio at the adults-only overnight at the American Museum of Natural History. It includes a buffet and activities like a flashlight fossil-finding tour. Cots await when you finally tire out (we’re not, after all, kids anymore). The event does sell out, so buy tickets soon. Oct. 13, 6:30 p.m.-9 a.m., American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., $350, amnh.org
