THU.DEC.18
Classical Christmas
The Eos Orchestra with conductor Jonathan Sheffer revisit Heinrich Schutz’ early Baroque masterpiece, “The Birth of Jesus Christ,” with a modern adaptation. The Christmas celebration will feature chorus and soloists, marimbas and strings, performed in English. Soloists include Peter Kazaras and Ann Christy and Collegiate Chorale Singers. A musical talk will precede the show at 7 p.m. Performance begins at 8 p.m. at The Concert Hall at the Ethical Culture Society, 2 W. 64th St. and Central Park West. $55 for orchestra seats and $45 for mezzanine. 212 691 6415.
AIDS in Latino Community
LLEGÓ, the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization, was born out of the HIV/AIDS crisis. This month, in six cities, LLEGÓ premieres “Nuestras Historias, Nuestras Voces,” a video in which community leaders of various ages and from throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico talk about their experience battling the disease in their city or town, their fight against bigotry, and the changing dynamics of HIV/AIDS in Latino communities. 6 p.m. at the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, 119 W. 24th St., Room 705. Free. 212 3671005
Gay Cabaret
Singer and songwriter, Michael Conley, host of NYC’s wildly popular Gay & Lesbian Comedy Fest, makes his solo debut in “Hello, Boys!” a completely original musical revue featuring 16 new songs written by Michael Conley and Matthew Loren Cohen. 8:30 p.m. (also Dec. 19 at 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.) at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St. $10 + 2 drink minimum. 212 757 0788.
FRI.DEC.19
A Very Wookie Christmas
Everything you’ve heard about this unbelievably awful TV special is true. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Bea Arthur, Art Carney, Melba Moore join Chebacca’s entire family for the heart-warming “Star Wars Christmas Special.” George Lucas is so embarrassed by this 1978 holiday special that it only aired once. Catch a glimpse at 11 p.m. (doors open at 10 p.m.) at 1984 – a gay ‘80s dance party at Pyramid, located at 101 Ave. $8 for 21 with ID only.
Hooked on Comedy
“Addicted… A Comedy of Substance” is comedian Mark Lundholm’s one-man performance, directed by Bob Balaban. It is an autobiographical account of childhood, adolescence, addiction, fatherhood, homelessness, rehab and a successful stand-up career. In short… all the good things in life. Wed. – Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Zipper Theatre, 336 W. 37th St. $40, call 212 239 6200 or visit www.telecharge.com for tickets. Visit www.marklundholm.com for more information.
Latino Rockers
de SoL, the Asbury Park, NJ-based infectious, danceable and oh-so-Latino rock-pop band recently touted as “the next big thing,” is on a year-end mid-Atlantic blitz in anticipation of its Curb Records/Warner Brothers debut release. Doing a New Year’s run as the opening act for the Legendary Wailers in the midst of touring as a headliner in its own right, de SoL plans to rock tonight at Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery (at Spring St.) at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7.
SAT.DEC.20
Glitz and Glamour of Bollywood
Bollywood is known for its extravagant films and beautiful stars. “Devdas” is the latest remake of the 1917 Chattopadhye novel by the same name about doomed lovers. It is a contender for the most expensive Indian movie ever made and it is certainly one of the biggest and most sensational. Starring two of the most beautiful Bollywood stars, Aishwarya Rai and Shah Rukh Khan. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave. in Brooklyn. $10, visit www.bam.org for more information.
A Celebration of Culture
Come and celebrate Kwanzaa and the traditional spirit of African communalism at the Museum for African Art with Sekou Molefi Baako. Learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa and how to celebrate them in your community. 1:30 p.m. at the Museum for African Art located at 36-01 43rd Ave. at 36th St. in Long Island City, Queens. Call 718 784 7700 ext. 117 for more information.
Judy G’s Holiday Hits
Sometimes we all need a little push to get us in the holiday spirit. If only we could hear Judy Garland sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” we’d be ready to shop, bake and decorate. If you are one of those, then check out Tommy Femia as Judy Garland in “Judy for the Holidays” with music director, David Maiocco. Tommy will sing all Judy’s favorite holiday hits live at 11 p.m. at Don’t Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St. $15 plus 2-drink minimum. Call 212 757 0788 for more information.
Musica Latina
Jose Rosario and Yvonne Vasquez will host a Salsa dance party. DJs will spin hot Latino music for you to dance to salsas, meringues, rumbas, cha-chas and bachatas. There will be a special salsa performance at 10 p.m. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the 92nd St. Y located at 1395 Lexington Ave. $15, call 212 415 5500 for more information or visit www.92Y.org.
SUN.DEC.21
Christmas Chorus
The Youth Pride Chorus, a program of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and the LGBT Community Center join special guests Uptown Express, Mystery Date, the Ambassador Chorus and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus for “Shining Season: A Holiday Concert.” 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Center, 208 W. 13th St. $10 for students, $20 for general admission or $75 for Chorus Supporter. Visit www.gaycenter.org/events/youthpride for information.
Sunday Dance Matinee
Enjoy all new work by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The world pemiere, “Footprint,” by choreographer Jennifer Muller and with original score by Lawrence Nachsin, is a high-energy piece about life’s choices. “Rainbow Round My Shoulder,” choreographed by Donald McKayle and with music arranged by Robert de Cormier and Milton Okun, was first performed in 1974. This new production about life on the chain gang will also be performed. 3 p.m. at City Center, located on W. 55th St. between 6th and 7th Aves. For ticket prices and addition shows for the entire season visit www.alvinailey.org.
Holiday Tree-dition
Due to rain, the tree lighting has been rescheduled. The Tompkins Square Park Neighborhood Coalition and The East Village Parks Conservancy will light up a thriving evergreen that was donated to the park in 1992 in celebration of the neighborhood and in remembrance of neighbors lost to AIDS. Michael Lydon leads a trio of musicians and carolers from Theatre for the New City singing songs of the season in Victorian costumes provided by the New York Shakespeare Festival. Veselka Restaurant provides refreshments for all. 4 to 5 p.m. at Tompkins Square Park near the southeast corner of the central lawn. Contributions to Tompkins Square Park Neighborhood Coalition are welcome: PO Box 955, New York, NY 10113-0955.
Holiday Fruit Cake
“The Kiki and Herb Christmas Show,” starring Justin Bond (Kiki) and Kenny Mellman (Herb), features classic Christmas carols and rock-n-roll favorites by the hilarious and good-looking duo. Kiki is a brash, boozy singer with a searing wit and Herb is a shy and stalwart accompanist, who pounds the keys with passion and vengeance. Doors open at 8 p.m. at the Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. at Bowery. $20 Tickets are available at www.ticketweb.com.
MON.DEC.22
U.S. Television Premiere
“Frescoes,” a documentary by Alexander Gutman premieres tonight on the Sundance Channel. This film paints a portrait of life in the Armenian town of Giumri following a deadly earthquake and Armenian independence in 1988. The movie centers around the lives of Armenians who center their life around the cemetery, focusing on the humor and resilience that keeps the village going. 9 p.m. on the Sundance Channel.
Chanukah Celebreation
Celebrate the season and the Festival of Lights with music, dancing, prizes and holiday treats. Spin the dreidel with friends from Gay and Lesbian Yeshiva Day School Alumni (GLYDSA), Orthodykes, JQYouth and JCC in Manhattan for the annual GLBT Jewish Community Chanukah party at the Center, 208 W. 13 St from 7:30-10 p.m. $10 Rsvp to glydsa@hotmail.com for a free raffle ticket. Call 212-780-4656 or visit www.glydsa.com for information.
TUE.DEC.23
Christmas in the Pen
The Felonious Monk and his Jailhouse Friends star in a “A Christmas Prison Pagent.” This is a fundraising event for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. 9 p.m. at Hannah’s Cocktail Lounge, 923 8th Ave. between 54th and 55th Sts. Call 212 666 1212 for more information.
THU.DEC.25
Celebrate Someone Else’s Christmas
Charles Phoenix has been collecting vintage amateur family slides for 10 years and now has more than 350,000 images. In his show, “God Bless Americana: The Retro Holiday Slide Show” you can see how people decorated, dressed up, dined and drank their way through the holiday season from the 40s to the 70s. Check out everything from Disneyland Santa to a toilet paper Christmas tree. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Pyramid Club Theater, located at 101 Ave. A (between 6th and 7th Sts.) $17 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 212 505 1700 or visit www.SpinCycleNYC.com for reservations.
Family Event
Yoga for kids, dreidel relay races, latke flipping, juggling, holiday snacks, arts and crafts and live Chanukah music by Award-winning singer and song-writer Brian Muni and percussionist Haruka Fujii. Songs will include Chanukah tunes, children’s classics and Brian’s own music. This musical jam session is for all ages. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sol Goldman 14th Street Y, located at 344 E. 14th St. between 1st and 2nd Aves. $5 Call 212-780-0800 ext. 227 for more information.
SAT.DEC.27
Kwanzaa Celebration
Come to the community’s 16th Annual Kwanzaa celebration. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) is the principle of the day. The day long celebration of spirit, life and love include an African market, a cultural program and the Karumu (Communal Feast). Featuring Imani Henry, Illumination Choir, Bernadette McGowen, Nikki Powerhouse, Rajdulari, Eman Rimawi and more. 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Center, 208 W. 13th St. $8 suggested donation. Call 212.741.9110, ext. 18 for more information.
