‘Tis the season to light the Menorah as Jews all over the world celebrate the first night of Hanukkah tonight. Around town, there are several Menorah lighting ceremonies in the city’s parks and Hanukkah parties afterwards. For the Christmas crowd, expect a crowded shopping day. If you want to take a break from the Hanukkah and Christmas craziness, how about some ice skating? There are several rinks around town…Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink, Lasker Rink, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers and a brand new skating rink in Battery Park City. If you prefer to watch your ice skating, the Ice Theater of New York is performing its Holiday Show this weekend. Take a look.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 11
First Night of Hanukkah
5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
The Stuyvesant Square Community Alliance presents two menorah lighting celebrations with TORAHnyc and the East End Temple. Celebrate the holiday at 5:30 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. with music, refreshments, and more! Stuyvesant Square is located on the west side of Stuyvesant Square Park (16th Street and 2nd Avenue).
Lighting of the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah
Everything is bigger in New York City. The Rockefeller Center tree has nothing on the world’s largest Hanukkah menorah. This 32-foot-tall, two-ton candelabra is lit by a cherry picker. The nightly lighting ceremonies will be accompanied by folk dancing and sufganiyot (holiday jelly doughnuts). Grand Lighting Ceremony is Friday, December 11, 2009 at about 4PM. The celebration continues at the same time each night of Hanukkah. At the Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan, Fifth Avenue at 59th Street.
Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad and Hanukkah After Party
45 Bleecker; 45 Bleecker Street New York, NY 10012; (212) 260-8250
“Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad” features a stellar line up of comedians, musicians, spoken word artists and burlesque performers who have been featured on Comedy Central, HBO and MTV. This show has been wowing sold-out crowds in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Madison, Detroit, Montreal, Burlington, Provincetown, the Berkshires, the Hamptons and of course the Catskills.
“Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad” is a night of comedy, music and burlesque, told by the gals who learned to smoke at Hebrew School, got drunk at their Bat-Mitzvahs and would rather have more schtuppa than the chupah. These badass chosen chicks boldly dare to deconstruct years of tradition, expectations and guilt in a fast-paced vaudeville extravaganza, complete with kick lines, punch lines and a rendition of “L’chaim” with a fist in the mouth. This isn’t your mama’s “Fiddler“. For tickets and information visit www.nicejewishgirlsgonebad.com. Shows are at 8pm and 10:30 on Friday and Saturday. Hanukkah after party tonight.
Battery Park City on Ice
235 Murray Street; Located at North End Avenue between Murray and Warren
The city’s newest, albeit temporary, ice rink has just opened. Be one of the first to skate on this brand new rink in Battery Park City. Extended holiday hours are from 10am to 10pm. In addition to public skating, there are skating lessons and hockey lessons. Visit www.batteryparkcityice.com for more information.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12
New York Road Runners: Holiday 5K; 9:00 a.m.
’Tis the season to be running! Crank up your holiday cheer with this festive family affair in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. It’s our present to you—happy holidays! For more information about registration and directions to Prospect Park visit www.NYRR.org or call 212-860-4455.
Ice Theater of New York Holiday Show at the Rink at Riverbank State Park
4pm. Free Admission. Riverbank State Park at 145th Street and Riverside.
Ice Theatre of New York is an extraordinary organization, which has changed the face of figure skating, by integrating the sensibilities of the contemporary dance, music and art worlds into performance skating. Founded in 1984 by Moira North, Ice Theatre of New York is the nation’s first not-for-profit ice dancing ensemble to be awarded grants as a dance company by the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Vartan Gregorian, the President of The Carnegie Corporation of New York, says “institutions like [Ice Theatre] are responsible for giving New York City the unparalleled artistic and cultural spirit that has made it the envy of the world.”
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13
New York Road Runners: Pete McArdle Cross Country Classic Marathon; 11:30 a.m.
The 49th annual Pete McArdle Cross Country Classic 15K offers a chance to test your endurance on Van Cortlandt Park’s famed running trails. Dart up cinder hills, cruise along grassy flats, and hear the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet as you tear up more than nine miles of rugged terrain. For more information about registration and directions to Van Cortlandt Park visit www.NYRR.org or call 212-860-4455.
Celebrate Hanukkah with the Macaroons at City Winery
11am; 155 Varick Street
What’s inside a mezuzah? What should you do if you drop your matzoh ball on the ground? Who’s the man we love to boo? These are burning questions for Jewish kids, and the Macaroons are more than happy to provide the musical answers on their delicious debut album, Let’s Go Coconuts.
A spin-off of the critically acclaimed, much beloved LeeVees, the Macaroons bring the catchy pop-rock with tunes like “Rock & Roll Yarmulke” and “Flying on Matzoh Brei,” super-fun music for the young ones that parents will love too. The Macaroons love big harmonies, irresistible melodies and a guitar-based sound that recalls everything from the Kinks to Queen to the Shins. Adults $10, kids $5. Visit www.citywinery.com for more information.
The Royal Family
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre; 261 West 47th Street New York, NY CLOSES TODAY!
It’s half past one in the fabulously cluttered Cavendish duplex in the East Fifties, and anyone who’s anyone is still asleep. So begins THE ROYAL FAMILY, the classic comedy of theatrical manners, written by two of the theatre’s greatest writers, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. This devilishly funny play follows the famous family of stage stars as they go about the drama of the day.
A loose spoof on the real-life Barrymore family, the Cavendish clan is a chaotic crew of divas, egocentrics and hangers-on who wax endlessly on the joys and responsibilities of the “theat-uh.” Pratfalls, swordfights and hammy drawing-room speeches—The Royal Family has everything a madcap theatrical farce needs. Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt) directs the fantastic cast, featuring Tony winner John Glover, Tony winner and Oscar nominee Rosemary Harris, Tony nominee Jan Maxwell and Tony nominee Reg Rogers.
Explore Leonardo da Vinci’s 500-year-old inventions from his actual notebooks as they are brought to life in this world premiere exhibit. Discover how his visions for an airplane, automobile and bridge would have worked – long before they became the modern world’s reality. Plus, uncover the translations and hidden meanings behind the mastermind’s paintings, sketches and notebooks through innovative digital technology.
Slash: Paper Under the Knife
The House of the Spirits (La casa de los espíritus), by Caridad Svich and based on the novel by Isabel Allende will be performed. This is the story of the Trueba family in an un-named Latin American country. Young Alba’s memories illuminate the stage as she records her family’s history and ultimately finds the strength to recover her own story. Wheelchair Accessible and audio amplification system for the hard of hearing. Call 212-225-9920 or visit www.repertorio.org for more information. Tickets start at $25.
The Triennial is ICP’s signature exhibition: a global survey of the most exciting and challenging new work in photography and video. The only recurring U.S. exhibition specializing in international contemporary photography and video, the Third Triennial will mark the closing cycle of ICP’s 2009 Year of Fashion, a series of projects that critically examine fashion and its relationship to art and other cultural and social phenomena. Through the lens of fashion—in its broadest conception—the Triennial will look at the proliferation of photo- and video-based work exploring the uses of style, image, and personal presentation.
Ensemble ACJW, the performance arm of Carnegie Hall’s The Academy, features the finest post-graduate musicians from leading music schools performing works from David Lang, Francis Poulenc, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Maintaining his allure as a sexy icon through generations of fans, Davy Jones first invaded teen homes as the international idol of mission in the 1960s Emmy Award winning classic THE MONKEES. Davy Jones is till performing and will delight all of his fans with some classic MONKEES hits. Concert begins at 8pm. Doors open at 6pm. Visit 
October 4th is World Animal day and the Feast of St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals.
Celebrate the 25th annual Medieval Festival on October 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Fort Tryon Park. This festival brings to life the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages. Fort Tryon Park is transformed into a medieval market town decorated with bright banners and processional flags. Visitors are entertained by authentic medieval music, dance, magic, and performances. The afternoon is concluded with a thrilling joust between knights on horseback.
Bring the family pet along with you to this celebration at Pier 84. Highlights include fishing, face painting, and a pet parade, with prizes being awarded in such categories as best-dressed pet, best pet trick, most exotic pet, and more. There’s live music and arts and crafts as well!
13th Annual DUMBO Art Under the Bridge Festival
City Winery 155 Varick Street and Vandam Street
One Grape, Six Wines, For the Love of Pinot Noir
In this class, taste a variety of red and white wines to discover the differences among grape varieties, discuss food and wine pairing techniques, how to read wine labels, restaurant wine etiquette, ageability of wines, wine buying and all your wine questions. A great way to spend two hours just before going out to dinner! 
Since the MillionTreesNYC campaign started, over 240,000 trees have been planted throughout the City, more than 30,000 just in street trees. Help us take care of these newly planted trees by coming to a MillionTreesNYC stewardship workshop where Parks’ foresters will discuss subjects such as: What the MillionTreesNYC initiative is, How to identify trees in New York City, The benefits of trees, Tree care, Educational resources. You’ll also receive free tools! To RSVP please contact info@treesny.com.
Shop at Historic Richmond Town in the fall and experience the richness of this year’s extraordinary flea market. Take your time browsing through the park-like grounds in search of that unique attic treasure or special collectible, like no other.
There are still plenty of tickets available for this most prestigious Grand Slam tournament. Go to the following link to buy tickets: 
You will see many surprises on this walk. A hidden bench that tells time, miniature boats powered by the wind, and a magnificent sculpture celebrating fresh water are just some of the sites on this east-to-west walk through the Park. Promenade begins inside the Park at Fifth Avenue and East 72nd Street, in front of the statue of Samuel F. B. Morse. Call 212-772-0210 or visit 
Join Friends of Hudson River Park for this end of summer Hudson River cruise with great views of the Statue of Liberty and the Park. All cruises launch from Hudson River Park’s Pier 40 at West Houston Street in Manhattan. By subway take the number 1 train to the Houston Street stop. Exit and walk west on Houston Street for five blocks and cross over the West Side Highway. Walk to the northern most end of the Pier 40 building and you will see the boat docked on your left hand side.
Governors Island – Take the ferry from the Battery Maritime Building located adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry in lower Manhattan. Direct from Holland, the festival includes concerts, DJ sets, provocative theatre and dazzling visual arts by world-class Dutch performers. Check out the U.S. premiere of Silent Disco – a joyous dance party where all the participants wear headphones. More than 100 artists are expected to perform at the Festival. Visit 
Bowling Green Park, bet. Broadway and Beaver Street
In honor of NY400, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum has loaned Vermeer’s most admired work—The Milkmaid—to the Met. It’s the first time The Milkmaid has been in the U.S since the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Several other paintings by Vermeer and fellow Dutch masters round out the exhibition. 
Thursday, September 10, 2009 through Sunday, September 20, 2009; 
The American Folk Art Museum presents Free Music Fridays
