Out & About
Friday, January 24
Vijay Iyer Trio/Billy Childs Jazz Chamber Ensemble with Ying Quartet
The Allen Room, 10 Columbus Circle
7 p.m., $55+
These performances mark the second installment in Jazz at Lincoln Center's A Side, B Side Series which spotlights two extraordinary contemporary artists over the course of one weekend. Iyer and Childs, each a virtuoso pianist and composer of originality and broad scope in his own right, present respective conceptions on separate shows
jalc.org; 212-721-6500
Bobby McFerrin: spirityouall
Rose Theater, Broadway and 60th Street
8 p.m., $30
Bobby McFerrin brings it on home, returning to Jazz at Lincoln Center with his spirityouall band. With this project, McFerrin embraces his roots in rock, folk, funk, and bluegrass, reimagining Americana. Featuring beloved traditional songs like "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands," "Every Time I Feel The Spirit," and Bobby's original tunes, he shares his personal search for grace, wisdom, and freedom.
Jalc.com
Saturday, January 25
Second Annual DCHM Family Benefit Event: History Surprises!
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park at 77th Street
11- 2 p.m., $75+
Families will engange in hands-on history activities, performances, and re-enactors as well as delicious treats and family-friendly galleries. All proceeds will help the New York Historical Society with it's programs and exhibitions in teaching children and families America's history.
nyhistory.org/support/events/family-benefit-party
Ratboy Jr.
Thalia Theatre Leonard Nimoy, 2537 Broadway on W 95th Street
11 a.m., $20; $15 kids
A rocking duo consisting of guitarist Timmy, and multi-tasker Matty (who manages to play drums and keyboards at the same time).Together they perform energetic, catchy tunes evoking the spirit of 90s alternative rock. With songs about rocks that slide up hills, guitar playing chickens, and instructions on eating clouds, the music is every bit as quirky, offbeat and fun as the bands name suggests.
Symphonyspace.org
Sunday, January 26
BalaSole Dance Company Winter Concert
Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street
5 p.m., $25/$18
Roberto Villanueva's BalaSole begins the 2014 presentations with an all-new program of works by 10 dancer/choreographers, all chosen by audition: Paulina Bracone, Caroline Brethenoux, Jonathan Breton, Trashina Conner, Marion Helfenstein, Hunter Frederick Houde, Christen Quattlebaum, Tracy Singer, Marina Yuri, and Villanueva. Participants hail from around the U.S., France and Japan.
212-868-4444 or smarttix.com
iLuminate 2014 Edition
New World Stages, 240 West 50th Street
3 p.m., $50+
Follows the fantastical journey of Jacob, a talented young artist who struggles to connect with the real world. He takes comfort in his magical paintbrush, which grants him the power to turn the characters of his imagination into living, breathing creatures. When a jealous townsperson steals the paintbrush and turns his endearing creations into horrifying monsters, Jacob must face this danger without the help of his miraculous instrument. He fights to save his town and friends, even as he knows that the paintbrush which brought him so much joy is now a weapon in the hands of a malevolent villain bent on destruction.
iluminate.com
The Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street btwn 10th and 11th Ave.
7 p.m., $40; $30 Seniors/Students
Back for an extended run at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, this startling dark comedy by young playwright named Eric Dufault is about cockfighting, and it features a rooster marvelously played by Bobby Moreno. But it is also about much more: dominating, winning, dreaming, despairing. The cast is spot on, and the cockfight scene that ends Act I is memorable and a little scary.
866-811-4111; ensemblestudiotheatre.org
Songbook: Broadway's Future
Library of the Performing Arts, 40 Lincoln Center Plaza
6 p.m., Free
A concert of new music by Broadway composers and lyricists, sung by Broadway vocalists, featuring the music of James Olmstead and Omri Schein presented by Arts and Artists at St. Paul and directed by John Znidarsic.
Nypl.org
Tuesday, January 28
FOCUS! 2014: Alfred Schnittke's World
Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 155 W 65th Street
8 p.m., Free
Juilliard musicians perform works by Alfred Schnittke and his circle of composers: Arvo Part, Sofia Gubaidulina, Giya Kancheli, and Valentin Silvestrov. Tuesday's concert features a pre-concert panel discussion beginning at 7 PM with Hans-Ulrich Duffek, Laurel Fay, Vladimir Feltsman, and Eleanor Sutter, moderated by Joel Sachs.
juilliard.edu/focus2014
Wednesday, January 29
Friends of Animals Fundraiser dinner
Cafe Blossom, 466 Columbus Ave. btwn 82nd & 83rd streets
5-10 p.m.
15 percent of proceeds go to Friends of Animals organization.
facebook.com/friendsofanimalsorg
Thursday, January 30
Soaking Wet
West End Theater, 263 West End Avenue, on 86th Street
7/8:30 p.m., $20; $15 artists
Soaking Wet is a series of choreographic evenings curated and produced by David Parker and Jeffrey Kazin, whose company, The Bang Group, has been the first and only resident dance company of the West End Theater since December 2002. Runs to February 2, Thursdays- Saturday, Sundays at 2/4 p.m.
212-337-9565; thebanggroup.com/wet.php
Architects for Animals: Giving Shelter
4 Columbus Circle
6-8 p.m., $25/10
Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals welcomes all New Yorkers to a unique exhibit and cocktail reception that combines the love of architecture with the love of animals. Eight architectural firms will unveil new winter shelters that they created for feral cats.
bit.ly/A4A2014