Critical 5 things to do in NYC: sneak peeks, October 19-21
This weekend, check out shows and screenings galore, get in the fall spirit with fall spirits, and meet the minds that keep this city humming.
CMJ Music Marathon goes out with a bang this weekend. Besides being one of the best showcases for new music—and even new cross-genres like acid rap -- the annual music industry’s dream fest hosts panels on everything from what our culture’s media consumption means to the impact and influence of college radio, alongside many music-related movie screenings such as Friday’s documentary about Charles Bradley, Soul of America. That being said, the music blowout itself remains astronomical, with bands like The Intelligence, Ava Luna, Ghostface Killah, Sea Wolf, Free Energy, Xray Eyeballs, and Theophilus London all making appearances within a 48-hour span, plus the usual DJ sets. Don’t forget to stop by Union Square Ballroom Saturday for the closing night eardrum-busting revelry. Check out our CMJ cheat sheet here.
NYC Food Film Festival, Oct 17-21
Although some screenings are now sold out, the 6th Annual NYC Food Film Festival still has an array of events available for the film buff-meets-foodie in all of us. Stop by the Food Porn* Party and Awards Ceremony hosted by NBC’s Cat Greenleaf of Talk Stoop on Saturday for food burlesque and screenings of films like Food Porn and How to Make Vietnamese Coffee paired with Seattle’s Hand-Forged Top Pot Doughnuts and Brooklyn Star Pig Tails. On Sunday catch the closing night deal of all-you-can-eat- Bulls Bay oyster roast plus lowcountry side dishes prepared by Charleston’s Hominy Grill Chef Robert Stehling paired with southern comfort cuisine-themed films. The beauty of being able to eat the food you see onscreen will not be lost on you.
Cider Week, NYC & Hudson Valley, Oct 12-21
With over 120 participating local bars, restaurants, and outdoor markets, the second annual Cider Week has its share of fall-inspired and cider-induced festivities from classes and tastings to three-course dinners. On Friday head to Astoria for a free hard cider tasting hosted by the Union Square Greenmarket fave, Eve’s Cidery—and, while in the neighborhood, drop by the Queens Kickshaw for a total tap takeover including more Eve’s Cidery, plus other local stars. Round out the weekend with all-day tasting sessions featuring regional and international ciders plus artisanal apple spirits on Saturday, followed by a cider-pairing and –selling event at New Amsterdam Market on Sunday. If you love what you taste at the market’s cider bar, you can always bring it home by the bottle or case, or just head across the street to Pasanella & Sons for free samples and a meet n’ greet with tastemakers like Barnum Hill and Foggy Ridge.
Forum Film Festival, Oct 19-25
Hosted by the Forum on Law, Culture, & Society, the annual Forum Film Festival provides a very unique and field-specific event for all those fluent or simply interested in legal-ese. Featuring a mix of blockbusters, classics, documentaries, and indie movies, the Festival uses film to look at the legal system and all the drama and moral dilemmas it can dredge up, and even overcome. Following each free screening is a discussion with writers and intellectuals who have a particular connection both to the film and the legal profession — this year, Paul Giamatti, Elie Wiesel, John Turturro, and Dick Cavett will host the talks.
In the theme of Open House New York, which grants public access to otherwise off-limits venues, WalkaboutNYC offers a peek into 25 of New York’s creative and digital agencies. This year, companies such as Open Plans, whose interactive bike-sharing map wowed the DOT, letterpress-printers Swayspace, and brand-stormers Bureau Blank, will open their doors to visits and Q&As. Drink booze, get swag bags, eat some food, enjoy a rooftop or two, and meet the folks behind the ideas. Kickoff with a lunch/panel discussion in SoHo at noon, and make your way around the city’s best creative think tanks until doors close at 6pm.
