CULTURAL
Russian Banya Fest If anyone knows how to cope with the cold, it’s Russians. Learn how to conquer your winter blues at the Obscura Society’s Banya Fest — a day of swimming, steaming, wining and dining like they do in the old country. Bring a bathing suit and prepare to eat traditional Russian fare and sip vodka while learning about bathhouse culture and dancing to the Soviet pop of the ‘60s by Svetlana and the Eastern Blokhedz. COMEDY
‘Thank God for Jokes’ Mike Birbiglia taught us how to deal with the anxiety of shifting life out of neutral with “Sleepwalk with Me” back in 2008. Known for making light of his own life, the comedian changes tactics to ask how far a joke can go in the modern world with his one-man show “Thank God for Jokes.” THEATER
‘Hold On: The Musical’ What does the mom of a gay son do when he comes out? Beth Crawford decided to make him the star of a novel about a gay singer-songwriter striving for love and acceptance along with fame, which has become a musical with songs by the actual rock band Triumph! The one-night-only show at “Broadway’s supper club” (so there’s a $25 food/drink minimum, too) will feature performances by the stars of NYC’s theater scene, including Jennifer DiNoia (“Wicked”), Kacie Sheik (“Hair”) and Mike Schwitter (“Pippin.”) —Eva Kis GAMING
Nintendo NY opening Nintendo World closed a month ago for major renovations and will reopen as Nintendo NY on Friday at noon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but the festivities go on all weekend, including a meet-and-greet with the voice of Mario, Charles Martinet, giveaways, character appearances, exclusive merchandise and the chance to play upcoming games before they’re releases — perhaps on the new 15-foot gaming screen? ARTS
‘A Year in the Life of a Puddle’ It’s said that art happens in unexpected places. There’s no better example than “A Year in the Life of a Puddle,” which grew out of Laura Belsey trying to avoid a puddle that never dried up by her Greenwich Village apartment. She began photographing the nuisance in order to file a complaint with the city — but became mesmerized by how the puddle captured city life. FASHION
Kimono on the Runway On the heels of the latest looks at Fashion Week, explore a timeless statement piece from Japan. “Kimono on the Runway: Traditional Elegance in High Fashion” brings a kimono showcase and reception (if you’ve got a kimono, here’s your chance to show it off), and a talk between Monika Bincsik of MoMA’s Asian Art Department and Kouichi Fujii, president of 100-year-old kimono textile factory Fujii Shibori. Tickets are sold out, but there’s a waitlist that will open an hour before the event. DRINKS
Eat, Drink & Bloody Mary Contest Gather for a fifth edition of challenging your notions about what a proper Bloody Mary should be. Over a dozen bartenders will submit their take on the drink just in time for brunch on Saturday (with bites supplied by host L’Apicio). Both attendees and judges will have their say in declaring the winners. MUSIC
Midtown Men Good news, Queens. You don’t need to travel out to Times Square and shell out massive bucks for a ticket to see Broadway’s “Jersey Boys.” Four former stars from the musical are heading out to the Kupferberg Center for the Arts on Sunday to perform not only Four Seasons hits, but also ‘60s classics from the Beatles, the Rascals, and Motown. Billed as the Midtown Men, these stage stars have performed live over a thousand times together — as their electric chemistry will attest. THEATER
Broadway Unlocked Theater breaks the physical boundaries between New York City and the rest of the world by taking over YouTube for a night of singing, performances and concerts by the actors and behind-the-scenes staff of Broadway. This year stars Kyle Dean Massey of “Nashville” along with artists like Ali Stroker (“Glee”), Lilla Crawford (“Into the Woods”) and “Smash” songwriter Drew Gasparini. If you can’t make it to the performance, you can tune in as YouTube livestreams the event and donate through IndieGoGo. All proceeds from this charity concert will benefit the Crime Victims Treatment Center. DANCE PARTY
Lunch Break Morning raves sound like fun, but mornings have this terrible habit of happening early. So Marquee is bringing back its lunchtime dance parties beginning this month. Lunch Break is an hour of midday grooving with beats by Questlove, and depending on what kind of a day you’re having both Perrier and Deep Eddy Vodka drinks will be served. And because you’ll probably have to show something for having skipped work for an hour, partiers will receive a bagged lunch on the way out. DRINKS
Whiskey Live New York Refine your dark liquor palate by sampling over 300 scotches, bourbons and whiskies from around the world. In addition to the tastings, you can join a master class or advanced course in areas like casking and malts (if you just want to learn, tickets to classes are available for $20 each). Admission includes a full dinner buffet and live music.
Feb. 18, 8-11 p.m.
Sadoony Spa, 1158 McDonald Ave., Brooklyn
$75
Through March 13
Lynn Redgrave Theater, 45 Bleecker St.
$56.50-$91
Feb. 19, 9:30 p.m.
54 Below, 254 W. 54th St.
$30-$70 tickets
Feb. 19-21
Nintendo NY, 10 Rockefeller Plaza
Free
Through Feb. 28
Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker St.
Free with admission
Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St.
$13
Feb. 20, noon-3 p.m.
L’Apicio, 13 E. First St.
$50-$75
Feb. 21, 3 p.m.
Kupferberg Center for the Arts, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Queens
$35-$59
Feb. 22, 7 p.m.
WNYC’s The Greene Space, 44 Charlton St.
$100-$225
Feb. 23, 1-2 p.m.
Marquee, 289 10th Ave.
Free with RSVP
Feb. 24, 6-10 p.m.
Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, 20th Street & Hudson River Park
$143-$193
Bloody Mary contest, Mike Birbiglia returns and more things to do in NYC
Joan Marcus
