MAGIC
Now that’s dinner and a show: three courses, a cocktail and a performance at one of the city’s hottest venues for under $200, if you can believe your eyes. You might be questioning that by the end of the night after you’ve been At the Illusionist’s Table. Opening this week, the newest show at the McKittrick Hotel (home to Sleep No More) brings together fine dining at the Heath and feats of illusion, mentalism and storytelling (so, yes: magic) by the mysterious Scott Silven. Through Jan. 14, McKittrick Hotel, 542 W. 27th St., $145-$175, mckittrickhotel.com
THEATER
Make fun of politics with witty, musical satire? Don’t mind if we do! Each year, MasterVoices puts together a one-night-only concert with high-profile stars, and this year’s happens to be “Of Thee I Sing!” — a Gershwin musical about the flawed electoral process — just five days before NYC elects its mayor. It was also the first musical to win a Pulitzer. The cast includes Bryce Pinkham (“Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”) and Denee Benton (“Great Comet”); it’s hosted by CBS’s Mo Rocca. Nov. 2, 7 p.m., Carnegie Hall, 57th St. at Seventh Ave., $20-$155, carnegiehall.org
FUN
With the eclectic event now celebrating its 25th year, you can expect Canstruction New York to have its unique brand of can architecture down to, well, an art. This year, 27 teams will gather at Brookfield Place in the Financial District to create competing constructs entirely out of donated cans (about 64,000 pounds, to be exact). After a winner is chosen for each of the nine possible categories, and the exhibit comes down, City Harvest donates the food to over 20,000 families. Nov. 2-15, 230 Vesey St., Free, canstruction.org
CIRCUS
For its 40th anniversary season, the Big Apple Circus returns to NYC after a daring high-wire act where it nearly said goodbye forever but ultimately landed new ownership — good news for many families who have made it part of their holiday tradition. In addition to the ringmaster, clowns, acrobats, goofy dogs and other jokesters and daredevils you’d expect, this year introduces Circus of the Senses: performances catering to those with autism or other sensory challenges. Nov. 2-Jan. 7, Big Apple Circus Tent at Damrosch Park, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, $37.50-$129, bigapplecircus.com
ARTS
The One Where They Viciously (But Lyrically) Lampoon Your Favorite ‘90s Sitcom. Yes, the parody bandwagon has finally come for “Friends.” You can see Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Joey, Chandler and Ross go about their typical day at Central Perk. Get ready to go from “I’ll Be There For You” to “WE WERE ON A BREAK!” while reliving the sitcom’s best moments (often in song). Nov. 2-Dec. 31, St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., $39.50-$99.50, friendsmusicalparody.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
#ShootForGreatness Ultimate Photo Park
These days, we’re all walking around with pretty high-tech phone cameras that make us feel like pro photographers (especially when you start adding filters), but Canon is out to prove how much of a difference the real thing can make with the #ShootForGreatness Ultimate Photo Park. It’s free to play around in artist-curated environments to get the perfect Instagram-worthy shots, especially when staged and taken by actual pros on the new Canon EOS Rebel T7i. Nov. 2-3, 82 Gansevoort St., Free, canon.splashthat.com
DISASTER RELIEF
A Charitable Night for Our Brothers & Sisters in Puerto Rico
There’s a lot of heavy stuff going on in the world, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out what you can do. Here’s one answer: a night of Latin cuisine, cocktails, raffles, a silent auction and live music where you can enjoy yourself while supporting our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico who are still displaced, hungry and in need of help after an intense hurricane season. All proceeds go to NeueHouse and Tainas Unidas, which are assembling food aid packages for families on the island. Nov. 3, 5:30-8 p.m., NeueHouse Madison Square, 110 E. 25th St., $45-$80, tainasunidas.org
ARTS
Theater of War: Free Veterans Day Productions
For Veterans Day, Theater of War is presenting a series of free performances to help enlighten those who have never faced combat about the trials (physical and psychological) faced by the men and women who serve. It starts with dramatic readings of Sophocles’ Ajax and Philoctetes at the Queens Public Library this Sunday and continues at the 9/11 Memorial Museum and David Rubenstein Atrium (Nov. 8 & 9). Readings are followed by moderated talks. Nov. 4, 2-4 p.m., Queens Borough Public Library, Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Queens, Free, theaterofwar.nyc
WINTER
One of the city’s newer ice skating rinks returns this week (weather permitting), and you can be among the first to get in some actual skating without bumping elbows if you go before the buzz gets out. The Rink at Brookfield Place offers 90-minute sessions at $15, plus $5 to rent skates, as well as classes and hockey lessons. Its official opening event is Dec. 3 with a live show and the chance to skate with names you might’ve seen at the last winter Olympics. Nov. 4-March 2018, 230 Vesey St., brookfieldplaceny.com
