Date Night #59: The Best Things to do This Week

This is a week full of performances! From poetry to storytelling, from cook books to dinosaurs, there are so many things to look at and listen to. Get out there and enjoy the spring weather!

Fri 15: Bronx Stories: Bronx Women

The Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM, Free (donations welcome)
The Bronx Museum, dedicated to the art of New Yorkers of Latin, Asian & African-American descent, is a pretty great place. This Friday, listen to performers showcase their storytelling, stories and music inspired by the works in the museum itself. There’s an open mic at the end, so feel free to join with your own reflections!

Sat 16: IRTE’s “Dig”

Producer’s Club, 358 W 44th St, 8:00 PM, $12
IRTE, short for the Improvisational Repertory Theatre Ensemble, seeks to combine the fun, open-ended spirit of improv with the costumed world of theater with its props and narrative drive. In this show, IRTE’s cast seeks to send up “B- movies” like The Mummy and The Lost World. Join for an old-timey adventure, made brand new every night.

Sat 16: Spring it on! Vegan Shop-Up

Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan St, Brooklyn, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Whatever you want to spend
Vegan food! Even non-vegans like me (see: chicken and waffles, above) can enjoy vegan food, for the fact that it often uses the finest organic ingredients and usually involves thoughtful, creative food design, simply because there isn’t the simple answer of “put some meat in it!” Check out vegan samosas, waffle bowls, and non-edible products like lip care and handbags!

Sun 17: Benie Sanders at Prospect Park

Prospect Park, 12:00 PM, Free, Don’t bring your large bags!
OMG Bernie’s in town! Everyone’s favorite everything will speak before the masses, and you can be there. It’s wise to RSVP, because once the thing fills up you’ll be regulated to the outskirts, just wishing you could see everyone’s favorite wise old uncle talk about breaking down the big banks and funding Planned Parenthood.

Sun 17: Silvia Federici’s Cloture Workshop and Potluck

The Base, 1302 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, 12:00 PM, Free
Silvia Federici, author, Hofstra professor and activist, will be discussing her work this Saturday, as part of a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Anarchist Bookfair. Join a potluck of “food-justice” cooking and engage in the conversation!

Tues 19: Between the Lines: Melba Wilson

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Free
For about two years, I only traveled into Harlem for one reason: Melba’s chicken and waffles. If those waffles don’t get your motor revin’, you’re no friend of mine. Golden brown, with a toasty biscuit… oh my stars and garters, but do I love it! This eventually took an Arts and Jazz tour, but I still feel the siren call to those delectable recipes developed by the famous Melba Wilson, who will be discussing her book and signing copies this Tuesday! I strongly advise a hearty dinner beforehand lest ye eat the book pages.

Tues 19: Aperture/Parsons Artist Talk: Dru Donovan

Aperture Foundation, 4th Floor, 547 W 27th St, 7:00 PM, $5
Photographer Dru Donovan comes to Aperture Foundation to discuss the photography in her book, Lifting Water. She works with a variety of camera formats to present an image of tender, caring humanity, as explored through the lens of care-giving and loss.

Wed 20: Check out the Titanosaurus at the Natural History Museum

American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West & 79th St, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Suggested donation $22
The mighty Titanosaurus, a dinosaur so new it doesn’t have a proper name yet! I went to see this exhibit recently, for FREE with my shiny new NYC ID. It’s truly spectacular: larger than you can really imagine, larger than an animal should be. It’s accompanied by a video narrated by the the unnecessarily brilliant Maryl Streep and plenty of informative information.