WEDNESDAY 12/24 WEDNESDAY 12/24 Around Town Big Apple ...
Around Town
Big Apple Circus: Carnivale Big Top meets Cirque du Soleil in this multi-cultural, multi-dimensional, world-class performance feat. masquerade balls, puppets, confetti & floats; Damrosch Park Bandshell, W. 62nd St. (betw. B'way & Amsterdam Ave.), 212-875-5108; 6:30, $18-$72 [repeats Thurs. at 6:30, Sat. & Sun. at 12:30 & 4:30, Tues. at 2, through 1/11].
Christmas Eve Celebration Spend five hours at church, recounting the birth of baby Jesus w/Christmas carols, lessons & readings, to make up for a year of questionable morals; Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr. (betw. 120th & 122nd Sts.), 212-870-6722; 4, free.
Christmas Eve Carols Celebrate in traditional holiday style w/the Washington Square Asso., singing carols & making merry at the arch; Washington Square, 6th Ave. (betw. 8th & 14th Sts.), 212-252-3621; 5, free.
Free Piano Lesson Steinway Hall, Frank & Camille's Keyboard Center & the National Piano Foundation offer free piano lessons to novices; Frank & Camille's Keyboard Center, 29 W. 57th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), res. req. 212-832-8289; call for times, free [through 12/31].
Gingerbread Adventures The Everett Children's Adventure Garden invites you to lead your overstimulated children on a jaunt through a fantasy gingerbread house, where they'll learn all about the sweet from the ground up; New York Botanical Garden, 200th St. (Southern Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8700, www.nybg.org; 10-7, $13, $11 st./s.c., $5 child. 12 & under [repeats daily, through 1/11].
Holiday Wreath Exhibit Get inspired by artists wreaths made of mussels, paper cranes, construction material & other non-traditional stuff; the Arsenal Gallery, Central Park, 64th St. (5th Ave.), 212-360-8163; 9-5, free [repeats Thurs., Fri., Mon. & Tues., through 12/31].
Santa Claus Is Coming to...Song Get that requisite on-the-lap shot you can put in a snowman frame & torture them w/when they bring a boyfriend home from college; Song in the City, 98 Prince St. (betw. Mercer & Greene Sts.), 646-613-0203; call for times.
Spin Like a Dreidel The Neshima Carlback Band heats up the party room, while big kids 20 & over look cool on the ice?skate rental & $5 food voucher incl.; Chelsea Piers Sky Rink, Pier 61, 23rd St. (12th Ave.), 212-580-2391; 9-1, $20.
Film/Video
Featuring...Prokofiev & His Contemporaries Celebrate the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, Russia's founding w/Russian film screenings. Today, Romeo and Juliet, the Russian one fool, (Leo Arnstam, 1954)?preceded by a short; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0618; 2:30, free.
"Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" Series screens the best from the man in black in four programs. Today, see selections from his variety series, The Johnny Cash Show (1969-1971), feat. guests incl. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell & June Carter Cash; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 2, $10, $8 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs. at 2 & 6, Fri.-Sun. at 2].
Volcanoes of the Deep Sea Ed Harris narrates director Stephen Low's IMAX doc., exploring erupting hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean & the animals that manage to survive 12,000-feet down; LeFrak Theater, American Museum of Natural History, 77th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-769-5200; 10:30, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30, $19, $14 st./s.c., $11 child. [repeats Thurs.-Tues., through 7/1].
Readings
Eak's Big Holiday Poetry Sideshow "Mexican bands and Eak on a bed of nails w/a beautiful woman standing on it while he reads a poem" plus "sideshow performers" & open mic; Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (betw. Bleecker & Houston Sts.), 212-614-0505; 7:30, $10.
Sunny Leigh's Opera Night Soprano Sunny sings arias accompanied by Sheldon Forrest on piano; Buona Sera, 94 University Pl. (12th St.), 212-627-9200; call for time & price.
Workshops
Vinyasa Yoga Stretch out after work w/instructor Lynn; Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-352-9910; 7:45, $10.
THURSDAY 12/25
Around Town
Bernie's Walking Tours pres. "Ladies Mile" or "Retail Palaces of a Bygone Era" in Christmas tour of the gorgeous Flatiron district; meet at Southwest corner, 6th Ave. (W. 18th St.), 718-655-18883; 2.
Christmas Dinner Senator Charles Schumer invites disadvantaged & homeless families to 14th-annual full sit-down dinner, served by volunteers & feat. live music, festive spirits & distribution of clothing, toys & food; YWCA of Brooklyn, 30 3rd Ave. (Atlantic Ave.), Bklyn, 718-875-1190, volunteer info 212-238-9345; 11-5, free.
Christmas Day Sing The Zamir Chorale & conducter Mathew Lazar invite would-be singers to join them for an afternoon of Jewish music?non-singerss welcome too; JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (76th St.), 646-505-5708; 1-2:30, $15, $5 listeners.
Hannukah Winter Spectacular Family event feat. music, artist talks, hands-on workshops, gallery tours & group menorah lighting; Yeshiva University Museum, the Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St. (5th Ave.), 212-294-8330; 11-5, $12.
Klez for Kids! Spend the day dancing & snacking, while Greg Wall & Klezmerfest play festive tunes in the historic synagogue; Eldridge Street Project, 12 Eldridge St. (betw. Canal & Division Sts.), 212-219-0888; 12:30 & 2, $12, $8 st./s.c., $6 child. 12 & under.
What I Like About Jew "It is an old Jewish tradition dating back to the ancient Israelites to go out for Chinese on Christmas, see Woody Allen movies, and listen to Klezmer music..." or there's always family-friendly alternative, dance, film & music "schmooze" show, "Oy Fest 2003!" w/Hanukah candle lighting (3:30 p.m.) & $30 mischpacha (family) discount; Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. B'way & Church St.), 212-219-3006; 12, $12, $5 child.
Wrap it Up Kids design wrapping paper, then wrap gifts for needy children at afternoon activity group; Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture, 515 W. 20th St. #4E (10th Ave.), 212-924-4500; 11-3, $5.
Film/Video
Chinese & A Movie When in the Upper West Side...embrace the Jewish Christmas tradition that is Chinese food & Woody Allen flicks?all you can eat served throughout Love and Death (2:30 p.m.), Annie Hall (4:30) & Sleeper (6:30); Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; $30, $40 day pass.
FRIDAY 12/26
Around Town
Doves of Peace Month Prospect Park Alliance invites you to learn more about our feathered friends, the doves?yes, pigeons too?w/arts & crafts activities, exhibits & panels. Also, birdwatching on Saturday (12 p.m.) & children's winter mural activities Sunday (1-3); Prospect Park Audubon Center, Park Dr. (Ocean Ave.), Bklyn, 718-287-3400; 12-4, free [repeats Sat. & Sun.].
Winter Sale Save big?20-50%-off?on artsy kitsch at the celebrated design store & cross the names of those hard-to-shop-for folks, off your Christmas list. If you can't trek downtown, visit the 44 W. 53rd Street location, that's also boasting a sale; MOMA Design Store, 81 Spring St. (Crosby St.), 646-613-1367; 11-8, free [repeats Sat., Mon. & Tues. 11-8, Sun. 10-7, through 1/19].
Film/Video
Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times Smoking crack in white & black?new 35mm restoration; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; 1:20, 3:20, 5:20, 7:20 & 9:20, $10 [repeats Sat.-Tues.].
Cultoons: Oddball Cartoons Rare toons from obscure studios & maverick independents?"These are some of the most bizarre cartoons ever made! Not for the faint hearted!"; Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St. (Ave. A), 212-254-3300; 10, $9.
Edward Scissorhands That movie w/Anthony Michael Hall?people seem to like it; Landmark Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-330-8182; 12 a.m., $10 [repeats Sat.].
Groundhog Day The 1993 Bill Murray hit as a means to lure all the city's Andie MacDowell fans to one place for systematic destruction; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900; 4:30, $6.
"Not of This Earth: Sci-Fi Unbound" Lincoln Center's sci-fi fest screens Escape from New York (1 & 5, repeats Sat. at 3:10, Sun. at 1), A Boy and His Dog (3 & 7, repeats Sat. at 9:30, Sun. at 5) & The Year of the Sex Olympics (9, repeats Sat. at 1 & 7:15)?visit www.filmlinc.com for info; Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-721-6500; $10 per film, $7 st., $6 s.c. [through 1/12].
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Don't let the catchy songs hide the fact that all the other reindeer were assholes?but in the end...sticks & stones, sticks & stones; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 12:30 p.m., free w/adm.
Workshops
Cloud Formations How do clouds make those cool shapes? Make your very own cloud collage & learn the science of clouds; New York Hall of Science, 47-01 Flushing Meadows , Corona Park, 718-699-0005, www.nyscience.org; 1& 3:30, $3 [repeats Sat.-Tues.].
Mastering the Perfect Cheesecake Learn how to make this luscious dessert, once & for all?mmmm, cheescake; Institute of Culinary Education, 50 W. 23rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-847-0770, www.iceculinary.com; 10, $85.
SATURDAY 12/27
Around Town
Flowers, Birds & Treetops Introduce little ones to landscape art, through dancing, reading & drawing activities, incl. making flowers, trees & birds using natural materials, during interactive tour; Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. (75th St.), res. req. 212-570-7745; 11-2, $8 per family.
Kwanzaa Celebration Celebrate the seven principles of the annual festival w/African dance, spoken word, drumming, jazz & fashion?also, children's Kwanzaa hour (2 p.m.); American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5100; 12-6, free w/adm.
Naked at the Met Scavanger Hunt Watson Adventures gives you an excuse to seek out nudity?and a bounty you'll find?on this not quite X-rated scavenger hunt through the museum; Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave. (82nd St.), 212-535-7710; 5:30-8, $30.
The New York National Boat Show Explore more than 1,000 luxury & sporting boats?plus, enjoy safety & ladies seminars, boating & fishing exhibits, a touch tank & a warm 26,000-gallon pool, where you can try scuba diving; Jacob Javits Convention Center, 11th Ave. (38th St.), 212-984-7000, www.nyboatshow.com; 10-8, $15, $6 child. 6-12 [repeats Sun. 11-6, Mon. & Tues. 12-8, through 1/1].
Film/Video
The Apartment Newly restored 35mm-print screening of Billy Wilder's beloved 1960 satire of sexual mores & office politics, starring Jack Lemon & Shirley Maclaine; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; 2, 4:30, 7 & 9:30, $10 [repeats Sun.-Tues.].
Educational, Industrial & Sponsored Cartoons "Capitalism at its finest feat. schoolroom & industrial propaganda realized through the medium of animation"?sadly no Disney Afternoon inclusions; Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St. (Ave. A), 212-254-3300; 10, $9.
Judy Garland Retrospective The little girl w/the big voice returns in Meet Me in St. Louis (2 p.m.) & For Me and My Gal (4, repeats Sun. at 2)?plus, Sunday, see The Clock (4:30); American Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Ave. (36 St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; free w/adm.
A Muppet Family Christmas Because watching felt characters drop in on Fozie's mom for the holidays is better than staying home & watching your mom get felt by characters who drop in?tomorrow, see A Charlie Brown Christmas; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 12:30 p.m., free w/adm.
"Not of This Earth: Sci-Fi Unbound" Lincoln Center's sci-fi fest continues w/Demon Seed; Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-721-6500, info www.filmlinc.com; 5:15, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c. [repeats Sun. at 3, Mon. at 4:30, Tues. at 1, through 1/12].
Workshops
Beginning Dumbek Rami Elaaser teaches the "basic sounds of dumbek & some traditional middle eastern rhythms"; Tribal Soundz, 340 E. 6th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-673-5992; 12, $15.
SUNDAY 12/28
Around Town
Champagne Sunday Brunch Screw coffee! Moët & Chandon offers unlimited champagne w/fancy three-course meals, so that you can end the weekend just as drunk as you started it; Regent Wall Street Hotel, 55 Wall St. (betw. William & Hanover Sts.), 212-845-8600; 12-3, $39 [through 1/18].
The Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour Munch on everything from "plaintains & pickles" to "dim sum & mozzarella" in Chinatown, the Lower East Side & Little Italy; Big Onion Walking Tours, meet at S.E. corner Essex St. (Delancey St.); 1, $16, $14 st./s.c.
Surveillance Camera Walking Tour Work off holiday calories while watching those who are watching you on the Harlem leg of this tour; meet at S.E. corner 125th St. (Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Blvd.), 212-561-0106; 2, free.
Film/Video
Nowhere in Africa The Oscar winner feat. a family leaving Nazi Germany for Kenya; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900; 6, $6.
MONDAY 12/29
Film/Video
"Not of This Earth: Sci-Fi Unbound" Lincoln Center's sci-fi fest screens Brian De Palma's 1978 conspiracy thriller, The Fury?visit www.filmlinc.com for more info; Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-721-6500; 2, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c. [repeats Tues. at 3 & 7:10, through 1/12].
Unforgiven What happens when cowboys grow old instead of getting blown away? They wake up bored one morning, decide to wipe out a town & win a "Best Picture" Oscar?starring Clint, Gene & Morgan; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900; 1 p.m., $6.
Lectures
A Celebration of Hanukkah Cantor Joseph Malovany speaks w/Rabbi William Berkowitz about "cantorial, Hasidic & Jewish folksongs"; Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St. (5th Ave.), res. req. 917-606-8200; 8.
TUESDAY 12/30
Around Town
Immigrant New York Tour Multi-ethnic tour through the Jewish East Side, Chinatown & Little Italy feat. stops at the African Burial Ground, Mulberry Bend & other historic sites; Big Onion Walking Tours, meet at S.E. corner B'way (Chambers St.), 212-439-1090, www.bigonion.com; 1, $12, $10 st./s.c.
Tuesday Night Trivia Be proud that you're a geek?you could help your team win $10-$25 bar tabs by answering some pretty wacky & obscure questions; Baggot Inn, 82 W. 3rd St. (betw. Sullivan & Thompson Sts.), 212-477-0622; 7:30, 2 drink min.
Workshops
Healing Sounds Master gong therapist Don Conreaux rejunvenates you w/"massage of sound waves"?or incurs flashbacks of the variety show; DOROT Headquarters, 171 W. 85th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-769-2850, www.dorotusa.org; 1:15, $5 sugg. don.
Learn to Weave Children learn the wonders of the craft & even create their own ancient necklaces!; Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture, 515 W. 20th St. #4E (10th Ave.), 212-924-4500; www.jcllcm.com; 2, $5.
Poetry Writing Learn basic techniques & skills to help you on your way; Jefferson Market Library, 425 6th Ave. (10th St.), 212-866-2086; 4:30.