THEATER: According to industry rag Variety, playwright Kristine Thatcher “has been deservedly attracting international attention. [Her] latest, Among Friends, is a whimsical and provocative deconstruction of hetero male bonding." The story goes like this: “Three old friends gather as often as possible to play poker. Matt is a struggling Sears appliance salesman; Will, a public school teacher; and Dan, a real-estate developer and award-winning humanitarian. But when Will discovers the lionized Dan cheating at cards, he decides to explore exactly how deeply the rot goes.” - John Del Signore

Friday // 8pm // Harry Warren Theatre [2445-47 Bath Avenue, Brooklyn] // Tickets cost $20

MUSIC: If you missed out on tickets for Patti Smith's three night run at Bowery (starting tonight) - there could still be some music in your plans for the weekend. Tonight The Mugs and Beat Radio are at Union Hall.

Listen: Treetops.mp3 - Beat Radio

Like it? The band has their entire debut LP for free on their website! Go get it.

8pm // Union Hall [Union @ 5th, Park Slope] // $7

FILM: MonkeyTown is showing A LOT of Robert Altman films starting at 6pm tonight, and ending at 6pm tomorrow night. It's their 24 Hour Robert Altman tribute. Snack foods will be served from Midnight to 7am. Brunch will be served beginning at 7am til 5pm. Bring a pillow, or speed or something.

Friday and Saturday // 6pm to 6pm // MonkeyTown [58 N 3rd St, Williamsburg] // $5

THEATER: The 29th season of the Big Apple Circus features a talented international cast and is “guaranteed to delight one and all! Watch as a wondrous Amusement Resort by the Sea materializes before your very eyes right under the Big Top! Jugglers, acrobats, equestrians, aerialists, horses, dogs, jesters and Grandma the Clown will sweep your family into a bygone world." Big Apple Circus boasts of their humane treatment of animals; PETA took them to task in 1999 (scroll down) for using captured wild elephants. In response to pressure from several animal rights groups, Big Apple Circus has since stopped using elephants. - John Del Signore

Saturday // 12:30pm & 4:30pm // Lincoln Center [Damrosch Park, Broadway & West 63rd St] // Ticket prices vary

And of course, Sunday is New Years Eve - check out our guide to the night, right here.