“Mad Men” burlesque, last night to dance at the history museum, a fiddle-off and more can’t miss events in NYC this weekend.
‘Where the Mad Men Lie’ Loosen your tie and pick up a tumbler – it’s happy hour at Sterling Cooper, where Don Draper is mourning the loss of his best client, Sailor Jerry Rum. That sends the ad man looking for comfort in the arms of fallen women, or so goes the story when Hotsy Totsy Burlesque takes on “Mad Men.” Cherry Pitz and Joe the Shark host the event, sponsored by – you guessed it – Sailor Jerry, which is giving away branded swag (a PR move Don Draper would approve of). Come early if you want to snag a seat. Human Rights Watch Film Festival The words “Human Rights Watch Film Festival” might not get the pulse racing, but the documentaries in this annual series tend to be about form as much as content. “The Look of Silence” is another inventive, blood-curdling look at the Indonesian genocide from “The Act of Killing”’s Joshua Oppenheimer, while “(T)ERROR” gets in close on the unhappy life of a man who sold out fellow Muslims during the War on Terror. Every film exists to start necessary conversations, few as electric as the ones that will follow “Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,” whose parade of rare archival footage will lead to a discussion with a handful of former members. Madewell Sessions: Lucius As part of Madewell’s new partnership with Spotify, musicians will be holding special concerts at select Madewell locations. On Thursday, it’s Lucius at Madewell Fifth Avenue; arrive early for your chance to get in for free. While only about 25 lucky fans will get through the door, others in line will receive a “surprise” from Madewell. Tacos and drinks will also be served during the performance. Dar Williams You’re never going to catch Dar Williams on a main stage; the folk singer is fond of more intimate settings. She’s performing three shows, starting tonight, along with special guests Jim Lauderdale, Lucy Wainwright Roche and Jill Sobule. Williams’ current tour promotes her new album “Emerald,” which was released in May. CKTV Karaoke and Release Party Book release parties can be stuffy affairs; all the free prosecco in the world can’t save most authors from themselves. But one way to stand out is to add a late-night karaoke party. Ben Rayner’s “Organized By Title,” debuting Friday night, takes advantage of the dual gift shop/performance space: The book launch runs 8-10 p.m. followed by an immersive, multimedia karaoke affair until 2 a.m. One Step Beyond: Soulection The eighth season of parties at the natural history museum is ending, and Friday is your last chance to dance under the stars, planets, comets and more in the Rose Center for Earth and Space. Performers for Soulection: The Sound of Tomorrow include Joe Kay, Andre Power and The Whooligan. There’s also a special space show in the Hayden Big Bang Theater. Guests must be at least 21, as there will be a beer and wine cash bar. Jazz Age Lawn Party It’s the 10th anniversary of the 1920s costumed picnic and dance party. The first of two Prohibition-era-inspired weekends kicks off on Saturday at Governors Island, featuring two dance floors, themed cocktails from St-Germain and music from Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra, among others. Tickets are getting scarce, but there’s another weekend of fizzy drinks and flapper fun on Aug. 15-16. Williamsburg Walks: Sweet Chicks For one weekend each year, Bedford Avenue (from Metropolitan Avenue to North 12th Street) is closed to cars for Williamsburg Walks – an event focused on keeping the neighborhood in touch with its public spaces. This weekend, Sweet Chicks participates in Williamsburg Walks with $25 all-you-can-eat barbecue (including two whole spit-roasted pigs) and two free beers (with additional drafts at $5 each). There will also be a free pop-up concert with House of Pain’s Everlast. ‘The Art of Taxidermy’ Every field has its rock stars, and in taxidermy that’s Allis Markham, a winner at the 2015 World Taxidermy Championships. This weekend, she’s talking taxidermy technique and showing off some of her posthumous prettification portfolio at ACME Studios in Williamsburg. There will also be a two-day class on immortalizing birds. Beer and wine will be on sale, because goodness knows it helps to be buzzed when you’re talking about stuffing dead buzzards. Chelsea Music Festival: The Fiddle Off The Chelsea Music Festival has something for every kind of music lover – and that’s exactly why you’re going to be able to see some fierce fiddling this weekend. Appropriately, the Fiddle Off takes place close to witching hour, though the stakes are not souls but national pride for Hungary and Finland. For guests, there’s an open bar while the musicians play both folk and contemporary tunes. The show wraps up with Finnish Tango from the ensemble Aventi!
June 11, 8 p.m.
The Slipper Room,167 Orchard St.
$10
June 11-21
Various locations
June 11, 8 p.m.
Madewell, 115 Fifth Ave.
Free
Through Saturday, 8 p.m.
City Winery,155 Varrick St.
$30-$42
June 12, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Gift Shop at Red Bull Studios,220 W. 18th St.
Free with RSVP
June 12, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
American Museum of Natural History,Central Park West at 79th Street
21+, $25 advance, $30 door
June 13-14
Governors Island
$35-$95
June 13-14, 1-9:30 p.m.
Sweet Chicks,164 Bedford Ave.
$25
June 13, 7-9 p.m.
ACME Studio,63 N. Third St., Brooklyn
$25
June 13, 10 p.m.
Canoe Studios,601 W. 26th St. Floor 14
$20-$30
10 things to do this weekend in NYC, June 11-14
