For our (unconscionably high) rent money, the best thing about living in NYC is its endless supply of fun, odd, and inspired cultural events — especially during the summer months. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to even begin. To help you make sense of it all, we’re sharing the very best of what’s on offer this week. It’s just a taste of what you can find on the new Flavorpill, so if you like what you see, be sure to sign up.
Monday, August 19
FILM: HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial HBO closes out its outdoor screening series in Bryant Park with the much-beloved 1982 classic that has everyone rooting for the alien. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, and Dee Wallace, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is the story of a boy who tries to help an extraterrestrial return to his home planet. When you’re packing a blanket, you may want to throw in some tissues; we predict there won’t be a dry eye in the park for this one. — Mindy Bond
COMEDY: Brooklyn Comedy Festival The butt of many a joke, Brooklyn proves this week that if there’s one thing it has a handle on, it’s comedy. Founded by Ashleigh Walker, Julian Kiani, and Chris Nester, this first-ever six-day comedic convention brings funny folks (and free booze!) to various spots on Brooklyn’s Northside. Opening with Kyle Ayers and Will Winner’s Game Night, other Brooklyn Comedy Festival highlights include a Brooklyn edition of Comedy at the Grocery with Chris Gethard and Dan St. Germain, T.G.I Freidman hosted by John “Rejection Show” Friedman, and a closing night Barn Burner featuring Murderfist and the Cowmen. This may call for some tent city action in McCarren Park. — Mindy Bond
Tuesday, August 20
MUSIC: Julianna Barwick For her follow-up to The Magic Place, otherworldly chanteuse Julianna Barwick stepped outside her solitary comfort zone and headed to Iceland at the request of Sigur Rós collaborator (and Jonsi beau) Alex Somers. The product of their partnership, Nepenthe, is a beautiful and evocative album with a theme of hope and coping through difficult times. Tonight, the Southern-raised Brooklynite celebrates her Dead Oceans release at a venue fitting her ethereal soundscapes, the Judson Memorial Church. — Mindy Bond
FILM: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas We love us some free outdoor screenings, especially when they involve Burt Reynolds, a brothel and a Dolly Parton tribute band. Organized by Nitehawk, tonight’s event lands The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the newly seeded Havemeyer Park. The story of a madam who finds her business under attack by a TV evangelist, the 1982 musical-comedy stars Dolly Parton as Miss Mona and Burt Reynolds as the local sheriff. Preceding the film, Doll Parts, who summon a mean Parton, belt out the large-breasted diva’s hits. It’s the first of three outdoor screening fêtes Nitehawk has planned and promises to be a rousing night of sexy good fun.
Wednesday, August 21
FESTIVAL: Son of Summer Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Seemingly lost in space for the last 17 years, Film Forum’s once-annual summer staple feting science fiction, fantasy, and horror has returned. Running four weeks and featuring 64 films spanning seven decades, Son of Summer Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror scares up seminal works from the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, David Cronenberg, Roman Polanski, Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch and more. Filled with highlights, of particular note is the back-to-back airing of Don Siegel’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Philip Kaufman’s 1978 update starring Donald Sutherland and Brooke Adams. The series concludes after Labor Day with John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. Certain evenings feature two films for one admission; check the Film Forum’s website for more details. — Mindy Bond
Thursday, August 22
CITY GEM: Drinks to Die For The best way to legally get drunk with Leonard Bernstein, Charlie Ebbets, Boss Tweed, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Drinks to Die For finds the Brooklyn Historical Society’s beer garden moving once a month to beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery. It’s free to get in, and five bucks gets you drinks provided by Brooklyn Brewery. We just want to remind you to make sure you’re out before they close the gates at eight. We hear the after-party is downright spooky. — Jason Diamond
Friday, August 23
PARTY: Grove Alley Game Nite For those who like to play, we suggest heading to downtown Brooklyn tonight, where a gritty, recently rediscovered alley is being transformed into an outdoor arcade. Organized by the folks at The Gowanus Nite Market in conjunction with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Grove Alley Game Nite serves up bocce ball, cornhole, and vintage video games projected on the alley walls. A live DJ is supplying an appropriate inner-city soundtrack, and food and beer are available for purchase. New York City streets can be pretty rough; proper shoes are recommended. — Mindy Bond
Saturday, August 24
FESTIVAL: Afropunk Fest 2013 (Click through to RSVP) How do we love Afropunk Festival? Let us count the ways: Questlove. Chuck D. Jean Grae. Big Freedia. Saul Williams. Rye Rye. Mykki Blanco. Danny Brown. K-OS. Theophilus London. LE1F… We’re gonna run out of fingers and toes here, guys. But seriously, this is consistently our favorite fest in Brooklyn, and they’re back bringing the heat this August 24 and 25, with the return of their skate park, more than 26 NYC food trucks, the SpinThrift Market, and a custom bike show. Get thee to Commodore Barry Park! — Leah Taylor
BOOKS: A Game of Words: You Spell Or You Die
Sunday, August 25
FOOD/WINE: Brewers Guild Block Party Now, here’s a block party that we’re excited to tap. Produced by the NYC Brewers Guild, this beer-drenched soiree brings together over 25 craft breweries for your sampling pleasure. Heartland, Allagash, City Island, and Wandering Star are just some of the invited guests, along with GuS Grown Up Soda and Kelvin Natural Slush Co., who have a refreshing alcohol-tinged slush to pour. Also in the hopper is nail art from Nails & Ales and a dj set from Brooklyn band Small Black. Proceeds from this sudsy fete go towards the next edition of NYC Beer Week, which barrels in February 2014. — Mindy Bond