This is the one weekend it’s probably more exciting to be in Chicago than in New York, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put your best celebratory foot forward! 


barackFriday, Saturday, and Sunday



Chocolate Show

 10am–9pm, Saturday 10am–8pm, Sunday 10am–7pm

Pier 94 12th Ave & 55th St

The show offers demos from celebrity chocolate chefs, chocolate art, and chocolate pedicures.  It’s the perfect indulgence for such a happy occasion (or the perfect comfort food if you were rooting for the other guy).

Price: $28.00

Friday and Saturday



Found Footage Festival

Friday 8pm & 10pm and Saturday 8pm & 10pm, 92Y Tribeca 200 Hudson St (212.601.1000)

Come see the most bizarre film clips filched from basements and Salvation Army dumpsters.  Stand-up and other forms of hilarious commentary will transition between films.

Price: $12

Friday

Manhattan Monologue Slam

Friday 7:30pm, Zipper Theater 336 W 37th St (212.563.0480)

It’s a theatrical showdown!  Winners receive free career consultation from NYCasting.com and cash prizes.  Bring your favorite three-minute monologue, because the second half is open to audience members!

Price: $15, $10 with RSVP

Saturday

Deconstructing Conan: A Panel Discussion

3pm, Paley Center 25 W 52nd St (212.621.6800)

Ever wonder what it’s like to work for Conan O’Brien?  Or to be a television comedy writer for anyone, for that matter?  Check out this event, his writers will be telling all!

Price: $30

Passport to the Arts

11am-8pm, various Chelsea locations

It’s a New Yorker-sponsored self-guided tour through 28 Chelsea galleries.  There’s a cocktail reception and silent auction afterwards.  All proceeds benefit Friends of the High Line.

Price: $45

Wordless Music: Bang on a Can All-stars with Terry Riley

Saturday 8pm, Le Poisson Rouge 158 Bleecker St (212.505.3474)

It’s progressive music that leaves no medium for music-making unexplored.  They’re renowned (or, as renowned as prog-rockers get) for the accessibility of their music—dip your toe in the raging river of experimental sound.

Price: $20

 

Sunday

The Brooklyn Kitchen presents the Ramen-Off

7pm, Union Pool 484 Union Ave (718.609.0484)

It’s the kind of competition we college students were made to excel at.  In light of the fluctuating economy, the Brooklyn Kitchen celebrates their second anniversary by sponsoring a ramen cook-off.  Feel free to enter; all rules are on the website.  Stop by and taste for free.

Price: Free!

Neil Gaiman: Sandman 20th-Anniversary Celebration

Sunday 7:30pm, 92nd St Y 1395 Lexington Ave (212.415.5500)

If you’re into comic books, you know who this guy is.  Don’t miss this chance to hear what he has to say!

Price: $27

BETA Spaces

Sunday 11am-7pm, various locations in Bushwick

Hundreds of fresh new artists display their work in Bushwick residents’ living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.  Of course the permanent street art will always be there, not to mention other displays set up along the sidewalk.

Price: Free!