PRESSED FOR TIME
Looking to find someone to settle down with for winter? This is the week for you. Between the free vodka, the spicy food, a play about matchmakers, the sexiest asses in New York City and the most beautiful voice in recent memory, theres nothing about this week that doesnt make us want to well, if not fall in love than at least go out a few times, make some mistakes and then avoid you at a party.
Classics Party Presents A Celebration of Aquemini Sept. 30, No Malice Palace, 197 E. 3rd St. (betw. Aves. A & B); 8-11, Free with RSVP to classicsparty@gmail.com. Outkasts Aquemini album will be honored in the first event from Classics Party, a series that celebrates classic albums through different live formats. DJ Ayres will be spinning a set featuring all the songs from Aquemini, as well as artists who influenced or were influenced by the seminal 90s album. Complimentary vodka drinks and PBR abound for the first hour of the event. Bottom Line: Loving an album without making the band reunite to perform it at inflated ticket prices? Sign us up. Chili Pepper Fiesta Oct. 2, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave. (at Crown St.), 718-623- 7200; noon to 6, $15. Come celebrate your other favorite plant by sampling some of its many varieties to a live soundtrack from a few of the regions where people cook it best. The Chili Pepper Fiesta features chef demos, fittingly fire-themed circus acts and chocolateitself often reason enough to show up for anything. Bottom Line: Clear your calendar and prepare to clear your sinuses. Matchmaker, Matchmaker: Im Willing to Settle Oct. 2 & 3, Nov. 1, The Duplex, 61 Christopher St. (at 7th Ave.), 212-255-5438; 4:30, $10. Nikki MacCallum whines, sings, struts and boasts about her Internet dating escapades in this musical guide to online romance. Songs by Elmer Bernstein, Carolyn Leigh, Trisha Yearwood, Ann Hampton Callaway, Amanda McBroom and Stephen Sondheim are sure to delve into humors darkest places. Bottom Line: Belting about a passion for Boston Market might not make this show right for Broadway, but it sounds about right for us.
Sharon Van Etten Oct. 8, The Rock Shop, 249 4th Ave. (at President St.), Brooklyn, 718-230-5740; 8, $12. Weve had Sharon Van Ettens Because I Was In Love in heavy rotation since it was released last year, and tonight the singer is playing a show to celebrate the release of her also-incredible sophomore album, Epic. Bottom Line: Epic is going to be exactly what winter 2010 sounds like, so get on board now.
The Music of Fela Kuti Oct. 4, Brooklyn Bridge Parks Pier 1, enter park at Old Fulton St. & Furman St., Brooklyn; 6:30, Free. This Monday evening concert in Brooklyn Bridge Park, presented by St Anns Warehouse, is devoted to the songs of musician and main Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti, as performed by Fela! star Sahr Ngaujah and the band from the Broadway show. Songs for the concert were picked from Kutis expansive catalog with the help of Fela!s singers and musicians. Bottom Line: Get the experience of seeing Fela! without leaving Brooklyn or buying tickets.