Gothamist Fall Guide: 20 Things To Do In November - Photo Gallery

<p>Last month, among other things, we learned that <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/10/17/mom_picks_backyard_mushrooms_cooks.php">urban foraging can be dangerous</a> and you probably <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/10/19/video_brooklyn_7-eleven_employees_s.php">shouldn't rob Brooklyn 7-Elevens</a>. We <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/10/22/photos_dogs_and_cats_create_cute_ov.php">met tons of cute and furry animals</a> and cried again when we realized <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/10/08/mythbusters_says_jack_and_rose_coul.php">Jack and Rose could <em>both</em> have survived</a>. Even though we're all still <a href="http://gothamist.com/tags/sandy">reeling from Hurricane Sandy</a>, let's look forward to November for some hot things to do as weather cools down. And if you want to volunteer with the recovery efforts, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/10/30/heres_how_to_volunteer_time_money_t.php">here's how to get involved</a>. </p>

<br/><br/>The long-standing "rivalry" between the FDNY and NYPD will come to blows this month at the 30th annual <strong><a href="http://www.theateratmsg.com/events/2012/november/battle-of-the-badges.html">Battle of the Badges</a></strong> at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Members of both forces compete in head-to-head boxing matches for bragging rights on which uniform is tougher. The event consists of 12 bouts—plus two "special added attractions," one of which is a ladies round— including a rematch between FDNY's Felipe "The Punisher" Irizarry versus NYPD's Tito "Stick Man" Medina. Proceeds from the event benefit Atlas Cops &amp; Kids Boxing Program and the Building Homes for Heroes Organization.<br/><br/><em>Saturday, November 19th, 8 p.m. // <a href="http://www.theateratmsg.com/">Theater at Madison Square Garden</a> // <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D004910082F868B?camefrom=CFC_THEATERATMSG_THEATERATMSG&amp;brand=thetheater">Tickets $30 - $65</a></em>

<br/><br/>Local authors gather to share new works with fellow writers at the <a href="http://wordbrooklyn.com/event/greenpoint-writers-group">Greenpoint Writer's Group</a> and now the public gets a sneak peek at these budding author's work. Word Bookstore and the Greenpoint Writers Group present another incarnation of <strong><a href="http://www.wordbrooklyn.com/event/greenpoint-writers-group-presents-local-organic">Local Organic</a></strong>, where eight authors will read new material they've been working on for the last 12 weeks. Be transported "from early 1900's India to Victorian era Minnesota, from a farmland in atomic Idaho to the fringes, suburbs, and ruins of New York City" by authors Nathaniel Kresen, Christianne Hedtke, Jonathon Herzog and others. If the promise of some seriously good writing isn't enough, the free wine should probably do the trick.<br/><br/><em>Saturday, November 3rd, 6:30 p.m. // <a href="http://www.wordbrooklyn.com/">Word Bookstore</a> // Free.</em>

<br/><br/>The lovely pastoral oasis that is the Queens County Farm Museum hosts <strong><a href="http://www.queensfarm.org/events.html">Wildlife Weekends</a></strong> for two weekends this month. Get a close up look at Birds-of Prey and a variety of frogs and bugs, plus animal shows with the Farm's livestock of Cotswold Sheep, Heritage Pigs, hens, cows and <a href="http://www.queensfarm.org/our-animals.html">other barnyard creatures</a>. Take a hayride around the lovely property then watch the hungry animals during feeding time, where you are invited to feed a goat yourself, should you be so inclined. <br/><br/><em>November 3-4 and 10-11, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. // <a href="http://www.queensfarm.org/hours-directions.html">Queens County Farm Museum</a> // <a href="http://www.queensfarm.org/events.html">$9 per person</a></em>

<br/><br/>Last year's event got canceled so expect this year's <strong><a href="http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/">New York City Marathon</a></strong> to be even more exuberant than usual. Follow the <a href="http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/images/pdf/INGNYCM13_Course_Map_ForWeb.pdf">runner's progress</a> [pdf] as they make their way from Staten Island, all the way through western Brooklyn with a quick jaunt into Queens. Then they're over Roosevelt Island and into Manhattan, where they'll take over 1st Avenue into the Bronx and then back down through Central Park. Cheer on the runners—it means a lot, trust me—at any point along the route, keeping in mind this year's <a href="http://gothamist.com/2013/10/04/nyrr_will_significantly_step_up_sec.php">tight security measures</a>. Finish up your morning of walking at a local bar and buy a deserving marathoner a celebratory beer.<br/><br/><em>Sunday, November 3rd // <a href="http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/images/pdf/INGNYCM13_Course_Map_ForWeb.pdf">All 5 Boroughs</a> [pdf] // Free</em>

<br/><br/>The 86th annual <strong><a href="http://social.macys.com/parade2012_kaws/#/home">Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade</a></strong> marches its way down 6th Avenue again this year. <a href="http://social.macys.com/parade2012_kaws/#/lineup/floats">Colorful floats with Smurfs, ducks, Snoopy and other festive vignettes</a> roll along the avenue while the <a href="http://social.macys.com/parade2012_kaws/#/lineup/balloons">giant balloons</a> (Kermit, Spider-Man and Pikachu, to name a few) soar overhead. As with previous years, marching bands, clowns and musical performances are slated to happen throughout the event. If you can't stand the crowds but want an up-close look at the balloons, head over to the Museum of Natural History Thanksgiving eve to watch the enormous characters fill with air. No word yet on whether <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/10/21/tim_burton_will_have_creepy_balloon.php">Tim Burton's creepy/awesome "B. Boy"</a> will be back for another season.<br/><br/><em>Wednesday, November 21st from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday, November 22nd at 9 a.m. // Float Inflation: Museum of Natural History (79th/Columbus); Parade: Columbus Avenue from 77th Street until Columbus Circle, then 6th Avenue until 34th Street // Free</em>

<br/><br/>If you find yourself finishing the <em>New Yorker</em> fiction every week pining for more, you'll want to join novelist Tom Perrotta as he hosts <strong><a href="http://www.selectedshorts.org/onstage/detail.php?id=7453">a reading for Best American Short Stories 2012</a></strong> on November 7. Perrotta edited the collection, which features stories from Nathan Englander, George Saunders and Mary Gaitskill. Reading at the event, which happens at Symphony Space, will be actors from True Blood and Pariah, performing stories by Steven Millhauser and Roxane Gay. <em>(Aaron Marks)</em><br/><br/>Wednesday, November 7th, 7:30 pm // <a href="http://www.lincolncenter.org/load_screen.asp?screen=visitorinfo_hallinfo_pjs">Peter Jay Sharp Theater</a> // <a href="https://tickets.symphonyspace.org/public/hall.asp?event=7511">Tickets $28</a>

<br/><br/>When <strong>Gary Shteyngart</strong> released his critically-acclaimed Super Sad True Love Story in 2010, we watched Jeffrey Eugenides and James Franco send him up in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfzuOu4UIOU"> hilarious book trailer. </a> On November 20, you can catch fellow authors Kurt Andersen, Jay McInerney, Sloane Crosley and more take potshots at the Russian-born Manhattanite in a <strong>full-fledged roast</strong>. Hosted by singer / author John Wesley Harding, <a href="http://www.bam.org/talks/2012/unbound-gary-shteyngart-roast">the roast is happening at BAM</a> in honor of the 10th anniversary of Shteyngart's debut novel, The Russian Debutante's Handbook. <em>(Aaron Marks)</em><br/><br/><em>Tuesday, November 20th, 7:30 p.m. // <a href="http://www.bam.org/visit">BAM Harvey Theater</a> // <a href="http://commerce.bam.org/tickets/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=6801">Tickets $20</a></em>

<br/><br/>On Wednesday, November 28, join throngs of tourists and large-nordic-tree-enthusiasts for the <strong>lighting of the <a href="http://www.rockefellercenter.com/events/2012/11/28/2012-rockefeller-center-tree-lighting/">80th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree</a></strong> by 30,000 energy-efficient LED lights. If you don't want to hoof it to 30 Rock to kick off Midtown Holiday Madness yourself, NBC will broadcast the event, where Al Roker will hopefully not <a href="http://gawker.com/5936529/what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-al-roker">malfunction.</a> <em>(Aaron Marks)</em><br/><br/><em>Wednesday, November 28th // <a href="http://www.rockefellercenter.com/plan-a-trip/">Rockefeller Center</a> // Free</em>

<br/><br/>From thick stouts to spicy lagers, cold weather brings a bevy of seasonal beers to warm you up when the temperature drops. The <strong><a href="http://nyccraftbeerfest.com/">NYC Craft Beer Festival</a></strong> will give you an opportunity to sample as many as you want at their "Winter Harvest" tasting event this month. Hand Crafted Tasting Co. is bringing together over 75 breweries of all sizes from across the country to showcase around 150 of this season's finest wintery beers. Participants will be given 2 oz. pours of any beer and get to take home a "souvenir glass." <em>(Anne Saunders)</em><br/><br/><em>Saturday, November 10th, 2 sessions on afternoon and evening // <a href="http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/explore-the-park/locations/pier-57">Hudson River Park's Pier 57</a> // <a href="http://nyccraftbeerfest.com/tickets">General Admission tickets $55</a></em>

<br/><br/>If Louis C.K.'s <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/10/23/attention_new_york_louis_ck_tickets.php">weeklong residency</a> struck a nerve in your funny bone, then get ready for the <strong><a href="http://www.nycomedyfestival.com/">New York Comedy Festival</a></strong>, happening November 7th through 11th across the city. Top-tier comedians like Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams and Patton Oswalt will be joined by the likes of Aziz Ansari, Rob Delaney and Kevin Hart. With hundreds of shows from standup to improv, the festival will have something to make everyone chuckle. <em>(Aaron Marks)</em><br/><br/><em>November 7th - 11th // <a href="http://www.nycomedyfestival.com/schedule/">Various Locations</a> // <a href="http://www.nycomedyfestival.com/schedule/">Tickets available here</a></em>

<br/><br/>Chocoholics have one place to be this month and that's at the <a href="http://www.chocolateshow.com/accueil.aspx">New York Chocolate Show</a>, where dozens of award-winning chocolatiers will present their confections in a weekend of pure decadence. The show, now in its 15th year, is touted as the "world's largest chocolate event," with 2,000 square meters (it's put on by a European company) of chocolate to eat. In addition to the exhibitors, visitors can take in demos on topics like chocolate hors d'eouvres, bourbon and chocolate pairings and chocolate breakfast breads and speak with cookbook authors at the mobile Barnes and Noble setup. The <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/11/10/photos_chocolate_fashion_show_2011.php#photo-1">chocolate fashion show</a> features designs made with the sweet stuff, including dresses, accessories and even lingerie! If the thought of chocolate alone didn't get you hyped up, check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6cUQ1fXlS0&amp;feature=plcp">this very intense video</a> of what to expect if you attend. <br/><br/><em>November 9th through 11th // <a href="http://www.metropolitanevents.com/">Metropolitan Pavillion</a> // <a href="http://www.chocolateshow.com/tickets.aspx">Friday and Saturday $35, Sunday $40</a></em>

<br/><br/>The fifth annual <strong><a href="http://bemf.meanredproductions.com/">Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival</a></strong> will bring electronic music acts from around the world to Williamsburg on the weekend of November 9th and 10th. Catching all the beats will run you less than a Skrillex show: Tickets for the fest, which features acts like Gold Panda, Benji B and Nick Hook, will run you $50-65 for both days and get you access to the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn Bown, Public Assembly and more. <em>(Aaron Marks)</em><br/><br/><em>November 9th and 10th // <a href="http://bemf.meanredproductions.com/category/location">Various Brooklyn venues</a> // <a href="http://bemf.meanredproductions.com/category/tickets">Two Day Passes $65, One Day Passes $35</a></em>

<br/><br/><a href="http://www.screwtapeonstage.com/new-york-city">A theatrical adaption of C.S. Lewis' 1942 novel <strong><em>The Screwtape Letters</em></strong></a> is coming back to New York for a <a href="http://www.screwtapeonstage.com/new-york-city">limited run of performances</a> at NYU's Skirball Center. The story focuses on Screwtape, a senior demon in the Satanical hierarchy, who uses his assistant Toadpipe to corrupt a human soul. In this universe, God is the "Enemy," and "Our Father below" depends upon human souls to feed Hell's occupants. They've taken a few liberties with Lewis' work, making Screwtape a psychiatrist and changing the character of Wormwood (Screwtape's nephew) into the demon-beast Toadpipe, but lovers of the book won't be disappointed with this very well-executed production. <br/><br/>November 15th through 18th // <a href="http://nyuskirball.org/">NYU Skirball Center</a> // <a href="http://www.nyuskirball.org/calendar/screwtapeletters">Tier 1-$69, Tier 2-$59, Tier 3-$49</a>

<br/><br/>Thanksgiving and the gluttonous tendencies that come with it usually have a deleterious effects on the waistline, so get a jump start on burning off those thousands of extra calories at the <strong><a href="http://signup.runnyc.com/evententry/3021132">Coney Island Turkey Trot</a></strong>. The 5K out and back course runs along the neighborhood's storied Boardwalk beginning at 11:30 and ends with an after party featuring music, drinks and "6 foot heroes." The first three males and females to cross the finish line get a—wait for it!—free Butterball turkey. <br/><br/><em>Sunday, November 25th, 11:30 a.m. // Coney Island Boardwalk // <a href="http://signup.runnyc.com/evententry/3021132">Registration $32</a></em>

<br/><br/>Comic book fanboys and fangirls shouldn't miss this year's <strong><a href="http://www.comicsandgraphicsfest.com/about/">Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival</a></strong>, the free, day-long celebration of all things illustrated. Almost 100 publishers and artists will be selling their work, including comics, books, zines and other printed material at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, and signings from special guests—including New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, <a href="http://www.comicsandgraphicsfest.com/2012-special-guest/">among others</a>—will be happening throughout the day. Over at the Knitting Factory, attend <a href="http://www.comicsandgraphicsfest.com/2012-programming/">discussions and panels</a> on the "Architecture of Comics" and "Art, Comis, Sexuality and Pornography." In conjunction with the festival, <a href="http://www.comicsandgraphicsfest.com/2012-film-screenings/">film screenings</a>, <a href="http://www.comicsandgraphicsfest.com/2012-gallery-exhibits/">gallery exhibits</a> and <a href="http://www.comicsandgraphicsfest.com/2012-performances-and-readings/">performances and readings</a> will be happening throughout the week of the 5th.<br/><br/><em>Saturday, November 10th, 12-7 p.m. // <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Our+Lady+of+Mt.+Carmel+Church+275+North+8th+Street+Williamsburg,+Brooklyn,+NY&amp;client=safari&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;fb=1&amp;gl=us&amp;hq=Our+Lady+of+Mt.+Carmel+Church&amp;hnear=0x89c2595955d52b1d:0xd3a04bce4a1fd858,275+N+8th+St,+Brooklyn,+NY+11211&amp;cid=0,0,16983447799399255739&amp;t=h&amp;z=16&amp;iwloc=A">Our Lady of Mount Carmel</a> and <a href="http://bk.knittingfactory.com/directions">The Knitting Factory</a> // Free</em>

<br/><br/>It might be a notorious tourist hotspot but that doesn't mean the <strong><a href="http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/newyork.html">Radio City Christmas Spectacular</a></strong> isn't worth a visit from us locals, too. Now in its 85th year, the Spectacular features a nativity scene, a visit from Santa Claus and, of course, performances by everyone's favorite leggy ladies: The Rockettes. The gals high kick their way through multiple scenes, acting as Santa's reindeer, sightseers on an NYC tour bus and the iconic Toy Soldiers who perform a giant trust fall. The best time to see the show is this month before the tree lights up and the area is overrun with gawking Midwesterners. <br/><br/><em>Begins November 9th, through December 30th // <a city="" hall="" href="http://www.radiocity.com/about/directions-and-parking.html" music="" radio=""> // </a><a href="http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/newyork/tickets.html">Tickets $39 - $299</a></em>

<br/><br/>The <strong><a href="http://www.amnh.org/explore/margaret-mead-film-festival/about-us">Margaret Mead Film Festival</a></strong> brings together filmmakers from all over the globe to screen their documentary films at the American Museum of Natural History. Named for cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, the festival screens not only non-fiction feature documentaries but also shorts, indigenous works, hybrid films and other types of media works as examples of contemporary cultural storytelling. This year, <a href="http://www.amnh.org/explore/margaret-mead-film-festival/films-a-z">29 films</a> will be screened by filmmakers from Indonesia, Nicaragua, Pakistan and beyond, with 24 of the filmmakers in attendance for post-screening discussions. Additionally, the Museum will open up its archives to the public to showcase scientific expedition filmmaking. <br/><br/><em>November 29th - December 2nd // American Museum of Natural History // <a href="http://www.amnh.org/explore/margaret-mead-film-festival/tickets">Tickets $12</a></em>

<br/><br/>New York's Public Art Fund is presenting a <strong><a href="http://www.publicartfund.org/view/5391_public_programs/5995_talk_carol_bove">lecture by Carol Bove</a></strong> in their "Between Art and Architecture" series. Bove is a New York based artist whose "sculptural compositions" piece together natural and man-made materials into configurations that match or mirror common interior and industrial spaces and hint at an archaeology of the everyday. In this lecture at the New School, Bove will be discussing her influences and her new works for public spaces. <em>(Anne Saunders)</em><br/><br/><em>November 14, 6:30 p.m. // <a href="http://nyc-arts.org/organizations/21906/New-School-John-Tishman-Auditorium">John Tishman Auditorium</a> // <a href="http://publicartfundtalkscarolbove.eventbrite.com/#">General admission tickets $10, students free</a></em>

<br/><br/>New York City's storied classical music venues are lovely, of course, but listening to concertos and sonatas on a barge under the Brooklyn Bridge sounds like way more fun. Since 1977, <strong><a href="http://www.bargemusic.org/about.html">Bargemusic</a></strong> has been delighting classical music fans with chamber music performed aboard a 100-foot steel barge that dates back to 1899. This month, <a href="http://www.bargemusic.org/calendar.html#nov">the schedule</a> includes Beethoven's Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op 1, No. 1 and Brahms Piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8 as part of the "Masterworks Series" and premieres of several new works from Kate Soper, Reiko Rueting and David Del Tredici, among others. <br/><br/><em>Weekends (excluding November 2nd - 4th) in November; Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m. // <a href="http://www.bargemusic.org/directions.html">Fulton Ferry Landing near Brooklyn Bridge</a> // <a href="http://www.bargemusic.org/reservations.html">Tickets $35, cash/check at the door; email reserve@bargemusic.org to make a reservation</a></em>

<br/><br/>The charming <strong><a href="http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2012/holiday-train-show/index.php">Holiday Train Show</a></strong> is back at the New York Botanical Garden this year. Replicas of New York landmarks—including Yankee Stadium, Grand Central and the Brooklyn Bridge—are lovingly constructed out of plant parts like bark and leaves, creating a mini-NYC for model trains to zip through. At the opening day ceremony on November 17th, listen to poetry readings, sing-along to carols with the Westchester Chordsmen and see the lighting of the conifer display.<br/><br/><em>Opens Saturday, November 17th, 3 - 5:15; Weekends: 10 a.m.–7 p.m, Weekdays: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. through January 13th // <a href="http://secure4.gatewayticketing.com/NYBG/shop/viewitems.aspx?merchant=PUBlic&amp;categorygroupexternalid=PUBcg&amp;categoryexternalid=HTS">Adults $20, $25 peak</a></em>