Highlights this weekend include Pulitzer winning playwright Katori Hall‘s latest work, four world premiere dances at Juilliard and Carnegie Hall’s roof-raising annual “Night of Inspiration.”
Plus, Santa Claus is hosting a lunch on a yacht, and a popular legal cannabis dispensary is giving out free hot chocolate.
Theater
“The Blood Quilt”
Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater — 150 West 65 St., Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Through Dec. 29. Various times.
After blazing a new path with the buzzworthy TV series “P-Valley,” Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall returns to her theatrical roots with this evocative and emotional play about four sisters gathering at their childhood island home off the coast of Georgia for their annual family tradition.
But this year’s reunion is markedly different in the aftermath of their mother’s death. And amid the mounting pressure of upholding their family legacy, secrets, lies and hard truths are exposed.
Obie Award winner Lileana Blain-Cruz directs this masterpiece production that leaves audiences members aghast at the closing of the first act. And Crystal Dickinson, Adrienne C. Moore (of “Orange is the New Black” fame), “This Is Us” star Susan Kelechi Watson, Mirirai and Lauren E. Banks deliver unforgettable performances. Each character brings an unabashed depiction of the Black female experience of today. Catch it while you can.
Tickets start at $38.50.
Dance
New Dances: Edition 2024
Peter Jay Sharp Theater —155 West 65th St., Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Through Dec. 15. Various times.
The centerpiece of Juilliard Dance season kicked off this week with four world premieres by emerging creative voices in dance and featuring music composed or adapted by living composers.
Choreographers Pam Tanowitz, Houston Thomas, Jenn Freeman and Yue Yin have crafted works that the prestigious school’s Dance Division dean Alicia Graf Mack describes as “the beauty of collaboration and creativity in motion.” Mack is an expert in that skillset, too, as the recently announced artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Thomas’ “Supernova,” blending classical and contemporary dance and music styles, is among this year’s highlights. Also noteworthy is autistic choreographer Jenn Freeman’s emotionally charged “Falling and Waking Forever,” which drew inspiration from the “Unforgettable Sunrise” symphony created by Jacob Rock, a 20-year-old nonverbal autistic composer.
Tickets start at $40.
Music
“A Night of Inspiration”
Carnegie Hall — 57th St. and 7th Ave., Manhattan (Midtown)
Sat. Dec. 14 at 8 p.m.
Some of the best voices in gospel, R&B, hip hop and classical music will take center stage of the storied venue for the annual event — produced by Ray & Vivian Chew — that has become a beloved holiday season tradition since 2010.
Grammy Award winners Pastor Shirley Caesar, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Erica Campbell and Regina Belle, will join Olen Cesari, Dave Hollister, Rahsaan Patterson and rap pioneer Doug E. Fresh for a jam-packed line-up of roof-raising performances accompanied by a 64-piece orchestra and 150-voice choir.
Ray Chew, the musical mastermind behind “Dancing with the Stars,” “Showtime at the Apollo” and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will conduct the concert, which aims to unite people from all walks of life for a night of uplifting and inspiring music.
Tickets start at $54.
Art
“Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special”
ARTECHOUSE — 439 West 15th St., Manhattan (Chelsea)
Through Jan. 5. Various times.
The innovative, tech-savvy art space is getting into the holiday spirit with its newest immersive experience, described as an ASMR-inspired retreat merging holiday nostalgia with stunning digital art. There’s also an additional exhibit room filled with interactive digital screens, including one with a bowl of popcorn kernels and another with a fidget spinner-like array of gifts.
The festive fun is replete with curated holiday cocktails at the XR Bar serving up caramel-swirled spiced rum and warm apple cider, and a cotton candy-topped blend of champagne and sparkling apple cider.
Tickets start at $23.85 with various discounts available.
Family
New York Signature Lunch Cruise with Santa
Chelsea Piers — 62 Chelsea Piers, Manhattan (Chelsea)
Sat. Dec. 14. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Before Santa Claus gets in his sleigh and really starts making the rounds, the entire family can come out and enjoy a lunch with him aboard a yacht riding on the Hudson and East rivers.
City Cruises decked the halls (and passageways) with twinkling lights, snow-covered trees and other uniquely-decorated seasonal fare for its two-hour trek offering stunning views of New York City landmarks along the skyline, onboard entertainment and buffet lunch with all the trimmings.
Tickets start at $77.
Film
“Sabbath Queen”
IFC Center — 323 Avenue of the Americas, Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
Various times.
Acclaimed filmmaker Sandi Dubowski will hold court following the 4 p.m. Saturday screening of his latest feature documentary — which took over two decades to bring to the screen.
The winner of three awards at the 25th Annual Woodstock Film Festival last month, “Sabbath Queen” chronicles the story of Amichai Lau-Lavie, a gay young man who took on the drag persona of the widow of six Hasidic rabbis (all from the same extended family) named Rebbetzin Hadassah Gross after arriving in New York City in the late 1990s.
The subject of his own documentary, 2001’s “Trembling Before G-d” – about gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews – the Israeli-born social activist, storyteller, and writer eventually embraced a myriad of creative and spiritual endeavors with his mantra that “artists are the new rabbis.” He then studied the Conservative tradition of Judaism to become a rabbi himself, who is the biological father of three and the head of the Lab/Shul community.
Tickets are $19.95, with discounts available.
Free
“Hot Chocolate with Edie Parker”
The Travel Agency — 587 5th Ave. Manhattan (Midtown)
Sat. Dec. 14. 3 p.m – 7 p.m.
The flagship location of a luxury cannabis dispensary chain is bringing on holiday cheer with a pop-up series offering warm warm vibes, great drinks and gifts.
The Travel Agency, which considers itself a purpose-driven company committed to contributing to a successful legal market in New York, has teamed up with Edie Parker — the women-owned and operated lifestyle & accessories brand offering handbags, smoking accessories and home decor.
Free.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
