Art
Guy Ben-Ner’s Untitled
The Israeli artist’s Performa 09 film features him talking to himself on the phone as he travels between Berlin and Tel Aviv.
Books
Bomb magazine launch party
Fiction writer Christopher Sorrentino reads his story “Ventriloquy,” which subtly enters the mind of a bitter novelist.
Music
Bushwick Book Club: On the Origin of Species
In this edition, singer-songwriters take Sir Charles Darwin as their muse.
Although this country doesn’t recognize “Red Nose Day” (Comic Relief’s annual fund-raising event in the U.K., immortalized by David Brent in The Office), there are still plenty of opportunities to have a laugh for a good cause. Tonight at Highline Ballroom, Jonathan Ames (creator of HBO’s Bored to Death) hosts a benefit for 826NYC (8pm, $20), a nonprofit that helps students with their creative writing and teachers in inspiring their charges to write. The strong lineup of funnymen includes John Oliver (that British bloke on The Daily Show), Eugene Mirman (the landlord on Flight of the Conchords) and Ted Alexandro (Comedy Central Presents). So get out there and laugh—the future of faux-news programs and stand-up-based sitcoms may depend on it.
Click through for another last-minute plan:
Books
Wallace Shawn
The playwright, actor and former L Word cast member reads from his personal and politically astute essays about 9/11, New York society parties, sex and patriotism.
Comedy
Punch Up Your Life
Pete Holmes and Jessi Klein bring jokes, silliness, overly intimate personal stories and top comedians to this weekly free show.
Music
Bushwick Book Club: Short Stories
Songwriters are asked to read a work of literature and then pen a few original songs about the tome.
Bushwick Book Club (Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson)
Music
Bushwick Book Club
Musicians like Corn Mo, Susan Hwang, Emilyn Brodsky and Joe Crow Ryan perform original songs about the Bible.
The meaning of life
Socrates Café
Professional philosopher Christopher Phillips hosts a discussion about philosophy in laymen’s terms
Books
The Shrinks Are Away
With most psychotherapists away, author of Speed Shrinking Sue Shapiro hosts a reading to soothe psyches, joined by top-notch humorist Ian Frazier.
Option one: Head to Goodbye Blue Monday for the Bushwick Book Club’s free monthly series devoted to music inspired by literature. Beginning at 8pm, listen to interpretations of Miranda July’s latest short-story collection, No One Belongs Here More Than You. As always, the event will showcase local songwriters. Performing tonight: Franz Nicolay, Corn Mo, Emilyn Brodsky, Susan Hwang, Brook Pridemore, Dan Costello, Liv Carrow, Dibson Hoffweiler, Laura Brenneman, Joe Crow Ryan, and Rachel Devlin. Refreshments inspired by the book will also be served, including Dreaming-of-Prince-William cake and Dark Shape Punch—we’re guessing that they taste primarily like quirk with just a dash or two of twee.
Click through for another last-minute plan.
Lloyd Suh's American Hwangap
Theater
American Hwangap
A Korean-American family tries to reconcile past and present in Lloyd Suh’s new drama.
Music
Bushwick Book Club
Local artists like Franz Nicolay, Susan Hwang, the Warbles and Justin Remer perform original songs inspired by Watchmen.
Eat Out
Belmont “Steaks” Power Lunch and Handicapping Seminar
You may wonder whether you can afford $60 for a three-course prix fixe and a steak of your choice, but with a panel of horse-racing experts predicting the likely Belmont winner, can you afford not to?
Lectures
Adult Education: Urban Travel
The “useless” education series returns with tips to make traveling around New York easier, or at least more enjoyable.
Readings
Joseph O’Neill
The author reads from Netherland, his novel about immigrant communities in post-9/11 New York.
Own This City Life in New York
The Feed Eating and drinking
The Volume Music news of note
Upstaged The world of theater
