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5 Fun Ways To Kickstart February In NYC This Week

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This week's best NYC events include a fem-centric film festival, whole hogs and the fearsome work of John Carpenter. Click through for details, and check out <a href="http://gothamist.com/2015/01/30/nyc_february_events.php">our Guide to February</a> for the big picture.

(Getty)

If you thought the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098904/">show about nothing</a> was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0264235/?ref_=nv_sr_1">pretty, pretty good</a>, then saunter over to the <a href="http://www.fishinthedark.com/">Cort Theatre for previews of Larry David's Fish in the Dark</a>, the always-reluctant comedy writer/actor's first Broadway foray. Directed by Tony winner Anna D. Shapiro, the play promises airtight one-liners reminiscent of Seinfeld's greatest moments and tells a story of death in the kindest light possible. David (of course) stars in the production's lead role of Norman Drexel, and <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/2015/01/larry-david-fish-in-the-dark">told Vanity Fair</a> that, for once, he's not playing a Larry David stand-in. Maybe it's more of a George Costanza-type? (Scott Heins) Previews begin Monday, February 2nd, 8 p.m. // <a href="http://www.shubert.nyc/theatres/cort">Cort Theatre</a>, 138 West 48th Street, Manhattan // <a href="https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Fish-in-the-Dark/Overview?AID=BWY001053400&cm_mmc=Fish-in-the-Dark-_-Affiliate-_-web-_-BWY001053400&cm_mmca1=show_site&cm_mmca2=ACRTFD&cm_mmca3=140902">Tickets $49-275</a> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9WyhuV3MkRE" width="640"></iframe>

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Say what you will about Ice Cube's performance in Ghosts of Mars, few directors can lay claim to such a wily and widely-beloved oeuvre as John Carpenter. The sci-fi and horror legend has produced some of the most memorable and strange films of the past 40 years, constantly raising the bar on just how gory, dystopian, frightening, and original movies can be. To commemorate his best work, <a href="http://www.bam.org/film/2015/john-carpenter-master-of-fear?gclid=COLZy72PvMMCFe_m7Aodq30AfQ">BAM is presenting a massive John Carpenter retrospective</a> this month, showing 18 films born of his gruesome genius. Obvious favorites like The Thing, Halloween, They Lived, and Escape From New York are on the schedule, but cult classics like Prince of Darkness and Dark Star are also on the (very dark) bill. Carpenter himself will visit BAM for an extended conversation on the retrospective's first night, and a different film will be shown nightly for the following two weeks. The entire thing also is set to coincide with the release of Carpenter's first solo LP, <a href="http://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/collections/frontpage/products/sbr123-john-carpenter-lost-themes">Lost Themes</a>. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDKdHuyQpHY">Better stock up on your bubblegum</a>. (Scott Heins) Thursday, February 5th through Sunday, February 22nd, times vary // BAM, 30 Lafayette Avenue, // <a href="http://www.bam.org/film/2015/john-carpenter-master-of-fear">Tickets $14</a> (films), <a href="http://commerce.bam.org/tickets/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=10059">$25-50</a> (talk)

Gothamist

If you crave a greater understanding of chops and roasts, <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/978831">Fliesher's Meats is leading Pig to Pork: Butchery 101</a> at their intimidating-sounding "Whole Animal Breaking Facility" in Red Hook. The event isn't cheap, but then again <a href="http://gothamist.com/2013/12/04/humans_eating_more_meat.php">cheap meat is ruining this planet,</a> bite by bite, and Fliesher's entire mission is to bring delicious and responsibly-sourced steak, pork, and poultry to carnivorous New Yorkers. Attendees will be schooled by their master butchers in the edible anatomy of pigs before getting the chance to not just chop and carve but actually skin and de-bone one themselves. Fliesher's will lead a conversation on how to make meat eating sustainable and locally-sourced, and Red Hook neighbors Sixpoint brewery and Stumptown coffee will be on hand to serve up refreshments. (Scott Heins) Saturday, February 7th, 12 p.m. // <a href="http://www.fleishers.com/">Fliesher's Pasture-Raised</a> Meats, Pier 41, 175 Van Dyke Street, Brooklyn // <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/978831"></a><a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/978831">Tickets $200</a>

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The four-day, fem-centric <a href="http://athenafilmfestival.com/">Athena Film Festival</a> begins this Thursday at Barnard College's Diana Center. A series of events with a focus on female-produced films, the festival will screen critically-acclaimed features like Obvious Child and Dear White People, host panels on everything from production master classes to "Reimagining Gender Diversity," and even a ceremony honoring Jodie Foster's career achievements. Thursday, February 5th through Sunday, February 8th, <a href="http://athenafilmfestival.com/film_year/2015/">times vary</a> // <a href="http://barnard.edu/headlines/diana-center">The Diana Center</a>, Barnard College, 3009 Broadway, Manhattan // <a href="http://www.amnh.org/calendar/romance-under-the-stars"></a><a href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/34553/pk/86125/prm/AAPSTU">All-Access Pass $80,</a> <a href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/34553/pk/86125/prm/AAPSTU">Student Pass $25</a>, <a href="https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/store/34553/pk/86124/prm/AFFBAP">Barnard Alumnae Pass $20</a>

photo via Athena Film Festival

Wednesday's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/828511337205643/?fref=ts">Vessel and Container show</a> at The Wick is going to be a hot one. The third installment in the expertly-curated Tinnitus Music Series will see the excellent pairing of Vessel's strangely sensual, industrial-tinged work with the raw power-techno of Rhode Island's Container. This is a hypnotic humpday special perfectly suited for a dark, dingy warehouse. Wednesday, February 4th, 8 p.m. // <a href="http://www.thewicknyc.com/">The Wick</a>, 260 Meserole Street, Brooklyn // <a href="http://www.thewicknyc.com/event/763771-vessel-container-brooklyn/">Tickets $15</a>

photo via The Wick