EVENTS WEDNESDAY 1/1 Around Town Grand Central Holiday ...
Around Town
Grand Central Holiday Train Show Explore a detailed miniature world feat. underground & elevated subways of yesteryear & today, an upstate suburban commuter village, bridges, hills & Greg Ruth's festive mural; Transit Museum Gallery, Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. (Park Ave.), 212-878-0106; 8-8, free [repeats Thurs.-Fri., Mon. & Tues. 8-8, Sat. & Sun. 10-6, through 1/11].
New York National Boat Show Tour over 1000 boats roomier than your apartment & more valuable than a college education & check out fun stuff incl. Ladies' Day, feat. lectures on boating (1/3); Twiggy the waterskiing squirrel; Backyard Bass Casting & face painting; plus preview Kawasaki's newest Jet Skis; Jacob Javits Convention Center, 11th Ave. (betw. 34th & 39th Sts.), www.discoverboating.com/newyork; $12, $5 child., free child. 5 & under [repeats Thurs. & Fri. 12-8, Sat. 10-8, Sun. 11-6].
Norma Kamali Vintage Sale feat. clothing & accessories from sample lines incl. swimwear, evening gowns & sportswear?plus a century's worth of items from Kamali's private collection, all under $100; Norma Kamali, 11 W. 56th St., 3rd fl. (betw. 5th & 6th Sts.), 212-957-9797; 10-6, free [repeats Thurs-Sat., Mon. & Tues., through 1/18].
Family
Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre pres. A Christmas Carol, Oy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa, Happy Ramadan?oh, man, this is really gonna cheese off those political correctness types!; Jan Hus Playhouse, 351 E. 74th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-206-1515; 3 & 5, $9-$14 [repeats Fri. & Sun. at 7, Sat. at 5 & 7].
The Polar Express Experience Take an imaginary journey into the fantastic world of Chris van Allsburg's novel, complete w/antique locomotive & discover the true spirit of the holiday season; Bronx Zoo, 185th St. (Southern Blvd.), 718-367-1010; 5-9, $10, $7 s.c., $6 child [repeats nightly Thurs.-Mon.].
Prospect Park's Kate Wollman Rink has reopened for months of outdoor skating, glide over well-maintained & freshly polished ice?fun for the whole family!; Prospect Park, Ocean Ave. entrance, 718-287-6431 for rink hours & other info; $4, $2 s.c./child.
Readings
The Alternative New Year's Day Spoken Word/Performance One-hundred fifty performers plus open mic; Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. Church St. & B'way), 212-219-3055; 12-9, one can of food for City Harvest.
Poetry Project's 29th-Annual New Year's Day Marathon Reading Over 100 performers incl. Patti Smith, Richard Hell, John Cale, Edwin Torres, Jim Carroll, Maggie Estep, Lenny Kaye, Tuli Kupferberg &?uh?about 92 more. Especially if you're fresh off the boat, this is a "New York experience" worth having; the Poetry Project, St. Mark's Church, 131 E. 10th St. (2nd Ave.), 212-674-0910; 2 p.m. till after midnight, $20.
THURSDAY 1/2
Family
The Butterfly Conservatory Tropical Butterflies alive in the winter?a great way to forget the gloomy winter blues; American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 212-769-5200; call for hours, $17, $12.50 st., $10 child.
Great Small Works Sixth International Toy Theatre Festival feat. puppet, theater & miniature performances of Three Books in the Garden, Brian Selznik's The Dinosaur of Waterhouse Hawkins, Historic Reenactment of World War III & The Loyal 47; Here, 145 6th Ave. (Spring St.), 212-647-0202; 8, $18, $10 child. [repeats Fri. & Sat.]
Movies for Kids series continues w/Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, directed by Tim Burton, following the gray-suited children's hero on a cross-country search for his stolen red bike; Walter Reade Theater, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-875-5600; 1, $5 [repeats Fri. at 1, Sat. at 11 & 1].
New Shanghai Circus The acclaimed 20-member troupe defies gravity & executes breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability. Exotic scenery & distinctive music help celebrate 2000 years of Chinese circus tradition; New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St. (B'way), 212-239-6200; 7, $10-$30 [repeats Fri. at 7, Sat. at 2 & 7, Sun. at 12 & 5, through 1/12.].
Scratched Crayon Art Get the kids out of your hair by ferrying them to the Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace (Snug Harbor Rd.), 718-273-2060; 1:30, free.
Film/Video
The Apartment Restored version of Billy Wilder's tryst comedy, ends its run today at Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30, call for prices.
Sinatra Amidst the Pyramids Debut screening of Sept. 27, 1979 benefit concert held in Egypt, performed outside among the Sphinx & pyramids, incl. songs "My Way" & "New York, New York"; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6800; 6, $10, $8 st./s.c., $5 child. under 13 [repeats Fri.-Sun. & Tues., through 2/2].
Readings
Austin's Susan Somers-Willett takes her chances in the big city and hosts an open mic; Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (Bleecker St.), 212-614-0505; 7:30, $5.
Workshops
Free Basic Judaism Class "Learn what you should have in Hebrew school"; West Side Jewish Center, 347 W. 34th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Sts.), 212-502-5291; 6:30, call for price.
Fusion Cooking at Home Sabrina Jordon helps you incorporate Asian flavors & ingredients into everyday meals; Institute of Culinary Education, 50 W. 23rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-847-0700; 6-11, $95.
FRIDAY 1/3
Around Town
The White Walls Benefit See "an eclectic, quirky collection" of works from Ridge Street Artists incl. Amy Shapiro, Vernita N'Cognita, Jennifer Brown, Stuart Nicholson, Nancy Kolbert, Peter Barnett & Charles Foster Hall, while you fill someone's stomach?also, don't stand out, attire is casual white; Jadite Gallery, 662 10th Ave. (betw. 46th & 47th Sts.), 718-768-9417; 6-8, one can or package of non-perishable food.
Family
Kidz Cook Teach the wee ones to prepare food incl. Fruit Leather?we don't want to know what it is!; Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace (Snug Harbor Rd.), 718-273-2060; 2, 3, 3:45, free.
The Little Moon Theater Original musical based on book by Irene Haas, about a troupe of child actors who travel from town to town granting wishes through their performances; TADA! Youth Theater, 15 W. 28th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-252-1619; call for times, $15, $7 child. [through 1/20].
Film/Video
Ikiru New print of Akira Kurosawa's tale of a bureaucrat who is diagnosed with cancer (1952)?w/English subtitles; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; 1, 3:50, 6:50, 9:25, call for prices [through 1/9].
Readings
Pink Cornelia Reading Series (formerly the "Pink Pony West") pres. Erik Richmond; Cornelia St. Cafe, 29 Cornelia St. (6th Ave.), 212-989-9319; 6, $6.
SATURDAY 1/4
Around Town
"From Scratch" Artists & musicians incl. Nautical Almanac, Diagram A, Iron Lap, LoVid & Cory Arcangel pres. messy & unpredictable electronically based music, video & installations created from handmade "machines"?plus snacks provided by Big Mama Food Shop; Gale-Martin Fine Art, 134 10th Ave. (betw. 18th & 19th Sts.), dorkbot.org/fromscratch; 6, free.
Family
Beauty and the Beast Musical composed by Mark McGee & Brenda Bell presented by Literally Alive for children ages 3-10?hands-on interactive creative workshop held prior to each show; YWCA, Hitchcock-Rockefeller Aud., 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-866-5170; 1, $15 show, $5 workshop [repeats Sun.].
"Camels & Kings: Celebrating the Epiphany" The whole family can explore the story of the three wise men's journey & then make sparkling crowns & gifts; Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Amsterdam Ave. (112th St.), 212-932-7347; 10, $5.
"Family Matinee Series" continues w/Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre performances of "Following the Subtle Current Upstream," "Vespers" & "Revelations"; City Center, 131 W. 55th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-582-3350; call for times & prices.
"HolidayFest" Festive celebration feat. jugglers, stilt-walkers, balloon meister, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus?plus performances by the Bronx All American (Sat. at 11 & 12:30) & Brooklyn Tech (Sun. at 1 & 2:45) choirs; American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 212-769-5200; call for hours, $17 adults, $12.50 st., $10 child. [repeats Sun.]
The Nastiest Drink in the World Vital Theatre Company pres. Mark Lowenstern's folk tale that follows King Fredipus & the silly unopposed laws of his kingdom; 432 W. 42nd St., 3rd fl. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-592-4508; 1, $14 [repeats Sun. at 1 & 3, through 2/23].
Sky Rink Though the weather outside is frightful, the temperatures are just perfect at the indoor skating rink in Chelsea Piers; 23rd St. (West End Ave.), 212-336-6100; call for hours, $18.25, $14.75 child.
Film/Video
"All That Jazz: The Films of Bob Fosse" Two-day celebration of filmmaker, choreographer & director, feat. Sweet Charity starring Shirley MacLaine (1:30 p.m.), 1972 film version of Cabaret w/Liza Minelli (4) & Lenny starring Dustin Hoffman (6); American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; $8.50 [continues 1/5].
"Chabrol/Huppert" Film critic Elliott Stein introduces series highlighting works by director Claude Chabrol & actress Isabelle Huppert, incl. today's La Cérémonie, tale of relationship between two woman centered around secrets & lies?in French w/English subtitles; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-735-9717; 4:30, $7 [repeats Sun.].
Lectures
"Martha Graham: Steps of a Giant" Series pres. former Graham dancers Miriam Cole, Mary Hinkson, Linda Hodes & Yuriko discussing ensemble works, myths & legends w/moderators Ellen Graff & Marnie Wood; New York Public Library, Bruno Walter Auditorium, 111 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 64th & 65th Sts.), 212-642-0142; 2:30, free.
Readings
Caribbean Author Series w/Antonio Benitez-Rojo (The Repeating Island: The Caribbean & the Postmodern Perspective) at Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza (Flatbush Ave.), 718-399-7668 or 718-230-1001; 2, free.
SUNDAY 1/5
Around Town
"Dandies, Dudes & Shady Ladies" Travel back to the wild past of Soho & the Bowery (long before the recent mall culture gentrification) & learn juicy tidbits about saloon culture, Bowery boys & fast women that made these neighborhoods legendary; meet at Astor Place subway kiosk, 8th St. (Lafayette St.), 212-969-8262; 2, $10.
Family Disco Dance We are family!? Let mom & dad show you how to do the Locomotion, the bump & the hustle?plus snacks for wee ones & full bar for the elders; Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-586-7425; 5, $12.
"Kindermack-Pascack Nyack Attack" Say that five times fast or just join the Fast and Fabulous lesbian & gay cycling club on 60-mile trek through the back roads of western Bergen County?helmets are required & wet weather cancels a trip; meet at Central Park Boathouse, Central Park, 72nd St. (5th Ave.), 212-567-7160; 9 a.m., free.
Family
Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture Children 6-12 explore this Chelsea museum's exhibits: "From Tent to Temple" & "From Home to Home," then create & design photo albums & use archaeological clues to create an ancient Near East figure?no strollers admitted; 515 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-924-4500; 2-5, $5.
Film/Video
"All That Jazz: The Films of Bob Fosse" Second day honoring filmmaker screens All That Jazz (2 p.m.), Fosse's last film, Star 80, which chronicles death of Playboy centerfold Dorothy Stratten (4:30) & Lenny starring Dustin Hoffman (6:30); American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; $8.50.
Lectures
JASA Fall Lecture Series cont. w/"Don Dellair in Show Biz: The First 50 Years" feat. songs & stories from this jack-of-all-trades entertainer; Martin Luther King, Jr., High School, 65th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-273-5304; 1-2, $3.
Readings
ABC No Rio continues their "Unorganicized Reading Series" today, advertising "no time limit, no list, no features & no b.s."; ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington St. (betw. Suffolk & Clinton Sts.), 212-254-3697; 3, $2 contrib.
MONDAY 1/6
Family
Do Witter Grab a seat & listen to Witter's classical guitar riffs at Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0618; 2:30, free.
Film/Video
God Is Great, I'm Not Audrey Tautou (Amelie) stars in romantic French comedy; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 9, $9 [repeats Tues. at 7:30 & 9:30].
"Mondo Mondays" First movie version of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, feat. performances by Fredric March & Mildred Dunnock; Den of Cin, Two Boots, 44 Ave. A (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-254-0800; 8, $5.
Yanki No! Retro 16 mm series screens doc. examining anti-American disposition in Cuba & Latin America; Barbes, 376 9th St. (6th Ave.), Park Slope, 718-965-9177; 9, free.
Lectures
"Exploration Lecture Series" begins w/"Canopy: The True Story Behind Pharmaceutical Companies and the Rainforest." Author Michael Fancello discusses the research he did for his book Canopy & the problem of deforestation in Central America & the Mediterranean; the Explorers Club, 46 E. 70th St. (betw. Park & Madison Aves.), www.explorers.org; 7, $12, $5 st.
"Seeing the Big Picture: Ibn 'Arabi on Realization & Eschatology" Professor & chair of Islamic Thought, James Winston Morris, uses selections from 'Arabi's Meccan Revelations to discuss the Koran's predictions about the end of the world; Sufi Books, 227 W. B'way (betw. Franklin & White Sts.), 212-334-5212; 7, $7.
"Want Fries With That?" Art historian Arlene Raven pres. slides & discusses artist Judy Chicago's new exhibition The Dinner Party, now up at the Brooklyn Museum?proper attire required; the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park S. (20th St.), 212-475-3424; 8, free.
Readings
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York What is it about Fergie, the woman once cast as Queen Boudica for a British film? Come find out when she signs What I Know Now at Midtown Barnes & Noble, 600 5th Ave. (48th St.), 212-765-0592; 1, free.
N. Scott Momaday & Simon Oritz Authors of House Made of Dawn, The Gourd Dancer, The Ancient Child & Going for the Rain, Woven Stone, Good Journey (respectively) read at 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 8:15, $16.
"Saturn Series" David Mark Speer plus open mic hosted by William Duke & Sue Polo; 213 2nd Ave. (13th St.), Bill@poetrycentral.com; 7:30, $3, 1 drink min.
TUESDAY 1/7
Around Town
American Diabetes Association pres. ABC sports anchor Scott Clark hosting the Celebrity Sports & Entertainment Auction feat. cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & prizes incl. vacations, Super Bowl & theater tickets, sports memorabilia & golf getaways, honoring Bobby Valentine, winner of the 2002 Branch Rickey award; Park Avenue Country Club, 381 Park Ave. S. (27th St.), www.diabetes.org 6-9, $100.
Pure Country NYC Weekly country stomp & music night w/DJ Alan Kohn; line dance lessons courtesy of Rona Kaye at Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-247-7518; 6:30, $13.
Tuesday Night Trivia It's probably not as much fun as Family Feud, but prizes do incl. $10-$25 bar tabs; Baggot Inn, 82 W. 3rd St. (betw. Thompson & Sullivan Sts.), 212-477-0622; 7:30, free.
Lectures
"The Metropolitan Opera Lecture Series" Sarah Billinghurst talks w/soprano Karita Mattila, conductor Vladimir Jurowski & director Olivier Tambosi about the Met's new production of Jenufa; Kaplan Penthouse, Rose Bldg., 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, 10th fl., B'way (65th St.), 212-769-7028; 6:15, $17, $15 adv.
"New Tips on Re-Launching Your Job Search" WorkCoach president & author of Winning at Work, Mel Sandler shares his experiences as career consultant & job trainer to help you find work; St. Jean Baptiste Church, Community Center, E. 76th St. (betw. 3rd & Lexington Aves.), 212-949-9300; 6-8:30, $10 sug. don.
Readings
George Foreman, Former Heavyweight Champion of the World What is it about Georgie, the man once?oh, never mind; Midtown Barnes & Noble, 600 5th Ave. (48th St.), 212-765-0592; 1, free.
Miracle at St. Anna From Amazon.com: "James McBride, author of the bestselling memoir The Color of Water, tells a war story that, like all great tales of conflict, connects the enormous tragedy of war with the intimate stories of individual soldiers"; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.
Jonathan Santlofer reads from The Death Artist at Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (Bleecker St.), 212-614-0505; 8.