Highlights this weekend include Bruce David Klein’s chronicle of Liza Minnelli, a Lunar New Year festival at The Met and Aloe Blacc previewing new music at The Blue Note.
Plus, check out Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher in “Left on Tenth” during Broadway Week.
Film
“Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story”
IFC Center — 323 Sixth Ave., Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
Opens Fri. Jan. 24. Various times.
One of the greatest living entertainers is finally getting her due with the big screen, theatrical release of Bruce David Klein’s chronicle of Liza Minnelli.
The film, which received high marks at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, covers many of the ups and downs in the life of the brassy singer, dancer and actress who came into her own after the tragic passing of her mother, Judy Garland.
The “Cabaret” star, who has her own warts-and-all autobiography in the works, approved the empowering project and even gave the filmmaker access to 25 hours of unseen behind-the-scenes footage of her European tour in the 1970s. The documentary contains a trove of archival material, and present-day interviews with Minnelli, her sister Lorna Luft and longtime friends including Michael Feinstein, Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen and Joel Grey. There’s even an impromptu piano performance, which adds a nice touch.
While the film doesn’t shy away from the failed romances, highly-publicized bouts with substance abuse and other personal tragedies, it shines a bigger light on the people who shaped Minelli creatively: eccentric entertainer Kay Thompson, songwriter Fred Ebb, French singer Charles Aznavour, fashion designer Halston and director/choreographer Bob Fosse.
Klein, who described the Emmy, Tony and Oscar winner as the “Taylor Swift of her era,” will be on hand for a Q&A following the 7 p.m screenings on Friday and Saturday.
Tickets are $19.95, with discounts available.
Art
Lunar New Year Festival
The Metropolitan Museum of Art — 1000 Fifth Ave., Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Sat. Jan. 25. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Although the holiday, which falls on Jan. 29 this year, is often referred to as Chinese New Year, many Asian nations celebrate it as the “Lunar New Year.” And The Met is a good place to celebrate it with its comprehensive collection of Asian art — containing more than 35,000 objects ranging in date from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the 21st century.
This year’s festivities include a lion dance by the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute, Sesame Street Muppeteers exploring traditions of Lunar New Year, the AAPI Jazz Collective led by trombonist Peter Lin performing music from many Asian cultures and expert talks on music and calligraphy from artists and musicians Ariel Loh and Clae Lu.
“This year, we celebrate the Year of the Snake — a year of transformation, wisdom and a little mystery,” The Met’s Heidi Holder tells The News.
Admission is free for kids under 12 and pay-as-you-wish options available.
Theater
“Left on Tenth”
James Earl Jones Theatre — 138 West 48th St., Manhattan (Theater District)
Through Feb. 2. Various times.
There’s still a chance to catch this a poignant dramedy based on true events. And since it’s Broadway Week — where you can buy a ticket and get one free (even with upgrades available) — there is no better time to see best-selling author Delia Ephron‘s first Broadway play.
“Left of Tenth” stars “The Good Wife” star Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher (of “Grace and Frankie”) in the “You’ve Got Mail” scribe’s real life story about finding love late-in-life after a bitter cancer battle.
Five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman directs the 100-minute play, which also stars Peter Francis James and Kate MacCluggage.
Tickets start at $80.02 (all in pricing).
Music
Aloe Blacc
Blue Note Jazz Club — 131 West 3rd St. Manhattan (Greenwich Village)
Through Jan. 26. Various showtimes.
Aloe Blacc‘s three-night engagement at the world’s famous jazz hotspot will feature some of the music he’s best known for like “Wake Me Up,” “I Need A Dollar,” and “The Man” alongside new songs from his forthcoming album, “Stand Together,” due out Feb. 28
His current single, “One Good Thing,” was inspired by a story U2’s Bono shared about Harry Belafonte speaking with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King during the civil rights movement.
“This song is about the power of perspective—seeing the good in others and using that to create meaningful change,” he said.
Tickets start at $45 (plus fees, $20 minimum per person).
Comedy
Live Sketch Comedy
The Second City New York — 64 N. Ninth St., Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
Sat. Jan. 25 and Sun. Jan. 26
In celebration of its first anniversary in Brooklyn, the Chicago comedy institution recently added live sketch comedy to the lineup again.
Starring Ashley Blair, Ben Rameaka, Yazmin Ramos, Drew Reilly, Jordan Savusa and Jacklyn Uweh, the mainstage revue (which officially launches in February) will rely heavily on fan feedback and audience engagement like its predecessor “Ruthless Acts of Kindness” did last year.
“This ensemble has been wowing New York audiences for over a year and we’re ecstatic to get them back on stage in this new production,” managing director Kevin Condardo said.
Tickets start at $19.59.
Family
“Celebrating 75 Years of Skating in Central Park”
Wollman Rink — 830 5th Ave., Manhattan (Central Park)
Sat. Jan 25. 12 noon.
One of the city’s most breathtaking attractions is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and kicking off a year-long celebration with an ice skating party with rollback pricing on admission, a photographic journey through Wollman Rink history, and nostalgic treats in a retro-inspired candy bar.
Competitive members of The Skating Club of New York and Ice Theatre of New York will perform a special routine for the entire family to enjoy at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Tickets start at $10, free for the first 75 attendees at the door.
Free
“Wikipedia Day”
Brooklyn Public Library — 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn (Prospect Heights)
Sat. Jan 25. 12 p.m.
The annual celebration commemorating the 2001 launch of the free online encyclopedia will take place in Brooklyn this year at the Central Library.
Interactive activities include training sessions, presentations and the kickoff to Wikimedia NYC‘s 400 neighborhoods and 400 New Yorkers campaign (where the public can nominate individuals and neighborhoods to have a detailed Wikipedia page.)
The site’s executive editor Pacita Rudder describes the event as “a day where people from across New York and beyond can connect with hundreds of people who love Wikipedia as much as we do.”
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.
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