The Holiday Train Show rides out, get some adult sex ed, celebrate the legacy of MLK and more things to do in NYC this weekend.
Pop culture at the end of the world
If the phrase “immersive queer nightclub musical” doesn’t get you tingling, we can’t help you. But if you like that, The Neon Coven’s Oscar at the Crown is a new production starring Oscar Wilde and The Real Housewives trapped inside a secret bunker in the fascist future. It’s about them, but also about you and nightlife, so expect to dance. Weekends Jan. 18-Feb. 2, 3 Dollar Bill, 260 Meserole St., Brooklyn., $25, theneoncoven.com
The personal life of Andy Warhol
We know Andy Warhol’s work, but it’s time to get to know the man behind the lens. Captured: Andy Warhol in Rare Photographs collects a series of black-and-white photos by fine art photographer Robert Levin reveal an intimate and highly personal glimpse into two days in the life of Warhol in 1981. Through Jan. 31, Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-5 p.m., The Elizabeth Collective, 10 W. 56th St., free, theelizabeth.nyc
The last days of Rock
School of Rock is ending its Broadway run and hitting the touring circuit. This weekend is your final chance to see the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical starring some of the hardest-working kids in show business. Through Jan. 20, Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway, telecharge.com
Beyond Black Panther
With Black Panther becoming the highest-grossing comic book film of all time, it’s clear the world wants to see new faces behind the masks of their favorite heroes. Meet the writers, illustrators and publishers who have been bringing diversity to the comics scene at this weekend’s Black Comic Book Festival. Back for a seventh year, the free two-day event will have panels, a marketplace, tons of cosplay and more nerdy fun. Jan. 18-19, Schomburg Center, 515 Malcolm X Blvd., Harlem, free, eventbrite.com
Step back in time
For well over half a century, the Winter Antiques Show has been bringing together some of the world’s best vintage pieces from ancient times to modern classics. Special this year is an exhibit on historical objects from Nantucket, including the 1820 shipwreck of the Essex said to have inspired Moby Dick. Even if you’re not there to buy, browsing is like going to an eclectic museum, and proceeds benefit the East Side House Settlement. Jan. 18-27, hours vary, Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave., $25, thewintershow.org
Things to Do in NYC: Last chance for the Holiday Train Show
Christmas never really ends in our hearts, but the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Holiday Train Show winds down this coming Monday. See the new Lower Manhattan landmarks including One World Trade and the Staten Island Ferry among 175 buildings, stations and more all made of bark, leaves and other natural materials. Through Jan. 21, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, $30 adults, $18 kids, nybg.org
Good times the Balkan way
Who doesn’t love some brassy, foot-tapping Balkan music — especially live, thundering through a giant hall with beer on tap? The Zlatne Uste Golden Festival brings two days of rousing dance music from over 60 artists to Grand Prospect Hall. Stay fueled with authentic regional cuisine and browse the Balkan Market upstairs, where they sell music, art, jewelry, textiles and more. Jan. 18-20, Grand Prospect Hall, 263 Prospect Ave., Brooklyn, $30-$45, zlatneuste.yapsody.com
Keep fighting for equality
Women are having their voices heard now more than ever, but there’s still plenty to do. Whether you’re fighting for justice at work, the doctor’s office or the courts, support the cause of equality at the third annual Women’s March, setting out from 75th Street and Central Park West heading downtown to 43rd Street and Sixth Avenue. Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., womensmarchalliance.org
The Sex Ed you didn’t have
Dani Faith Leonard wants to plug the holes of your education when it comes to sexual health and history. January’s edition of Adult Sex Ed focuses on purity, from current Purity Balls to the anti-masturbation tours of the 19th century, told through personal stories by special guests, scripted sketches and lots of hilarious real talk. Jan. 19, 9 p.m., Caveat, 21A Clinton St., $15 advance, $20 the door, must be 21+, caveat.nyc
Howl at the moon
A lunar eclipse will reveal a rare “super blood wolf moon” over North America — the cool name is thanks to Native American tradition plus some astronomy jargon. Hide your werewolves, but the rest of you should come out for the only total eclipse of the moon over North America until 2021. Jan. 20, 9:36 p.m.-12:44 a.m.
The living legacy of Martin Luther King
This Monday commemorates civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. who fought first of all for equality, but also so much more. At the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s 33rd annual tribute, civic leaders and performers come together for the city’s largest creative gathering on MLK Day “to keep King’s message alive.” Jan. 21, doors at 8 a.m., 30 Lafayette Ave., free, bam.org
Keep those resolutions
Get back on track for a better 2019 at the FutureMakers series at Listen Bar. After popping up in Williamsburg late last year, the non-alcoholic cocktail pop-up is back on Mondays in January at VON Bar, serving mocktails by the likes of Jack McGarry of The Dead Rabbit with real talk from entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and others hustling to forge their own future. Jan. 21 & 28, 7-11 p.m., 3 Bleecker St., listen.bar
Party for reproductive rights
Head to National Sawdust this Monday for the Planned Parenthood of New York City benefit concert Phenomenal Women. The “powerful and celebratory evening” features performances by Banda Magda, Bria Skonberg and r.O.T.i. Jan. 21, doors at 6:30 p.m., 80 N. Sixth St., Brooklyn, pay what you will, nationalsawdust.org
Thing to Do in NYC: Ongoing
Three weeks to work on your NYC bucket list
The city’s tourism agency NYC&Company decided to combine its three slow season promotions into three weeks of crazy savings. Winter Outing is your chance at 2-for-1 tickets to essential New York attractions like going to the top of the Empire State Building or seeing a Broadway show, plus prix-fixe menus at hundreds of restaurants. Reservations now open, Winter Outing goes from Jan. 21-Feb. 10, nycgo.com
See where movies are headed
Be the first to know about the filmmakers to watch at the Museum of Moving Image’s annual survey of the best alternative cinema from around the world. Full-festival passes are just $45 to see over a dozen narrative works, features and shorts from China, Israel, Pakistan and Taiwan, just to name a few, plus live performances and artist talks. Jan. 11-21, 36-01 35th Ave., Queens, $15-$45, movingimage.us
Play an interactive magic show
David Kwong builds crossword puzzles for the New York Times by day, but by night he’s actually better known as a magician, who has consulted on projects from Now You See Me and NBC’s Blindspot. Now he’s appearing as The Enigmatist at the High Line Hotel, inside a mysterious room called the Riverbank Estate for a night of illusions, cracking riddles and solving puzzles. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 4-26, 180 10th Ave., $85, enigmatistshow.com
Jewish life on screen
The New York Jewish Film Festival dedicates two weeks showcasing Jewish history, culture and spirit through movies curated by The Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center, through a mix of documentary, narrative and short works from both new and established filmmakers. In addition to screenings, the fest features talkbacks with directors, critics, professors and more. Through Jan. 22, Walter Reade Theater, 165 W. 65th St., free-$25, filmlinc.org
Brunch with the ultimate boy band
Back by popular demand, The Boy Band Project is bringing its booty-shaking brunch spectacular to The Green Room 42, pop-and-locking to all your favorite songs from the ‘90s and beyond, from Boyz II Men to *NSYNC to One Direction, played by the stars of Broadway shows including Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Rock of Ages and more. Jan. 27, 2 p.m., 570 Tenth Ave., fourth floor inside YOTEL, $22.50-$52.50, ovationtix.com
Last Chance: Harry Potter at the New-York Historical Society
J.K. Rowling didn’t invent everything in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Many of the potion ingredients, customs and even people who appear in her books existed in the real world. Tour this fascinating exhibit of Muggle relics and see the magic all around us at the New York Historical Society’s History of Magic exhibit. Through Jan. 27, 170 Central Park W., $21 adults, $6 kids ages 5-13; nyhistory.org
Things to Do in NYC: The Big Apple Circus swings again
New look, new acts, new food — everything is new at the Big Apple Circus, which is under new management for its 41st season. A major makeover aimed to attract millennials has brought a glamorous spiegeltent to the grounds, serving cocktails by Pamela Wiznitzer and pre-show entertainment, while the ring now has some world-famous acts like Desire of Flight in addition to longtime favorites. It’s worth a trip even if you’ve been before. Through Jan. 27, Damrosch Park, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, $29-$80, bigapplecircus.com
Hang like Spider-Man
The new movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is all about the many different people who have donned the spidey suit to save their cities, and you can be one of them at Sony Square NYC. The interactive exhibit includes an immersive haptic installation that lets you feel movements happening in a clip from the movie — plus the chance to crawl up a building a la Spidey and tons more Insta-made photo ops. Through Jan. 27, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 25 Madison Ave., sony.com/square-nyc.html
Celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday
Did you know Mickey got his big break in New York? After getting his start at the Broadway Theatre in 1928, Walt Disney’s most famous creation is back, this time in the Meatpacking District. The pop-up gallery — what else? — is called Mickey: The True Original and reveals relics from the Disney Vault among original artworks by modern artists both internationally known and local stars. Plenty of Insta-worthy moments, an ice cream booth by Ample Hills and other surprises await. Through Feb. 10, Tues-Sun from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 60 10th Ave., $38, showclix.com
Get colorful
One of our favorite Instagram pop-ups of the year, Color Factory, just extended its SoHo run through Feb. 28. If you’ve got visitors in town, it’s a great bonding experience instead of just taking photos of each other. And who doesn’t love a ball pit? 251 Spring St., $38, colorfactory.co
Beyond the Campbell’s Soup cans
Who is Andy Warhol? The Whitney Museum goes on a vast journey to find out in its major winter exhibit Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again, opening Nov. 12. The show peels back his carefully crafted persona, the show looks at how Warhol changed the role of artists in society, including new materials discovered after his death in 1987. Nov. 12-March 31, 99 Gansevoort St., included with admission: $25 adults, free for kids 18 and under; whitney.org
The sexy side of punk rock
Punk culture protested pretty much everything about what it saw as the mass-produced, repressed lives we were leading, often by using sexuality to transgress and defy expectations. New York’s lusty playground the Museum of Sex just opened a new exhibit Punk Lust: Raw Provocation 1971-1985, an immersive gallery with over 300 artifacts spanning various archives and private collections. Though their clothing and songs, punks helped women shed the societal expectations they had been held to and picked up where glam rock left off to allow men to explore a more fluid side of their sexuality. Through Nov. 30, 2019, 233 Fifth Ave., $19.50, museumofsex.com
