Now that the NY Primary political circus is behind us, it's time to reward ourselves for doing our civic duty with a few drinks, some live music, and wickedly spicy hot sauce. Here's what's happening around town this week.
Art of the Real has returned to Lincoln Center and is in the middle of its third annual run. This nonfiction film festival aims to showcase outstanding new documentary films from a diverse range of subjects and countries. Curators have sought out documentary films that don't quite fit the traditional documentary mode, and so you'll need to prepare yourself for incredibly beautiful cinematography along with some strange, avant-garde methods.
Throughout the month of April, you can catch a retrospective of film giant Bruce Baillie, the New York premieres of several new films, and a great many other works by filmmakers "reenvisioning the relationship between cinema and reality." Some of the filmmakers will be appearing in person with their work, and right off the bat the can't-miss film appears to be Dead Slow Ahead, a quiet but shattering look into the life of Filipino crew members working aboard a cargo ship with no clear course. (Kellylouise Delaney)
Festival runs April 8-21st; Showtimes vary // Film Society of Lincoln Center, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan // Tickets here
Every week The Delancey lets a troupe of the best reggae, dancehall, and rock steady DJs in the world take over two different stages, and with the weather turning from good to gorgeous, now is the perfect time to stay out late and get on down. Reggae DJs Federation Sound and Deadly Dragon will be lording over the club, playing almost entirely vinyl, much of it sourced from record shops tucked along the backstreets of Kingston. Brush up on your "Wah gwan" and get ready to sweat.
Thursday, April 21st, 10 p.m. until late // The Delancey, 168 Delancey Street, Manhattan // Free
Friday tickets are still prime for the taking at this year's Bacon and Beer Classic will return to Citi Field this weekend and offer you the perfect excuse to indulge in two of life's great pleasures. Craft drinks from over thirty breweries will keep you buzzed throughout the day, and bacon-themed plates from just as many restaurants will give you the fuel you need to go the distance during this fest that will take almost the entire ballpark and be filled with plenty of attractions, including a formally-judged contest to declare the best ale and pork strips in all the land. The Mets' future is still murky at best, but you can nail a delicious double play with this one.
Friday, April 22nd, 8-11 p.m. // Citi Field, 123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Queens // Tickets $69-139
Can you list your top five Soundgarden songs? Do you still rock the coffee-stained flannel shirt you thrifted during that one trip to Seattle back in '95? Do you have strong opinions about Montage of Heck? Well then get out all your Gen-X angst during the Secret Formula's 90's Alternative Sing-Along. Part theme party, part group karaoke, the night will remind you of all the great '90s songs you almost forgot you always loved, and is the perfect way to unwind at the end of the week. In this media-saturated 21st Century charade that we call life, what you really need is a pair of Doc Martens and some distorted guitar. Don't delay, this one will sell out soon!
Friday, April 22nd, 9:30 p.m. // Union Hall, 702 Union Street, Brooklyn // Tickets $10
If you believe in dousing most every meal with hot sauce prior to consumption, we suggest you cop a ticket to NYC's 4th Annual Hot Sauce Expo immediately. This two-day event features a slew of spicy eating competitions, cocktail mixing contests, and prestigious hot sauce award ceremonies, and are three ticket levels ranging in perks from admission to open bar and VIP access to hot n saucy deals.
Among those mouth-watering events on the agenda for this year are a guacamole eating contest, a chicken wing eating competition, and a Grimaldi's pizza eating contest. Craft beer will be a-flowing, and faces of those who've consumed too much hot sauce will be a-glowing. Seize this opportunity to network with fellow lovers of all things spicy. (Kellylouise Delaney)
Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24, 10-6 p.m. // Brooklyn EXPO Center, 79 Franklin Street, Brooklyn // Tickets $10-100
