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- A storytelling sermon, audience participation and the Eucharist: All on Christmas Eve, at Trinity Wall Street.
TRINITY WALL STREET’S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE FOR CHILDREN
On Sat., Dec. 24 (at 4pm), Trinity Wall Street’s annual Christmas Eve Service for Children, Youth and Families features a sermon presented in a storytelling format. Children are “highly encouraged to participate,” and the Eucharist is celebrated. The Trinity Youth Chorus performs. At Trinity Church (Broadway at Wall St.). For info, call 212-602-0800 or visit trinitywallstreet.org.
THE MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE: “I LIFT MY LAMP”
On December 25, “I Lift My Lamp: A Statue-esque Hanukkah” pays homage to poet Emma Lazarus and the Lady of the Harbor, by featuring Statue of Liberty-inspired crafts and films (all activities are free with Museum admission). At 11am, a young Russian immigrant mouse gets separated from his family while arriving in America, in the 1986 animated film “An American Tail.” Lady Liberty also makes cameos in Hitchcock’s 1942 fugitive tale “Saboteur” (at 1pm) and in 1985’s “Ghostbusters II” (at 3pm). Tours of the exhibit “Emma Lazarus: Poet of Exiles” will be given throughout the day.
At the Museum of Jewish Heritage — A Living Memorial to the Holocaust (Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place). For info, call 646-437-4202 or visit mjhnyc.org. Follow the museum, on Facebook, and at twitter@MJHnews.
WINTER HOLIDAYS AT 92YTRIBECA
Take a fresh, hot latke (the incredibly delicious potato pancake that’s a happy Hanukkah staple). Then top it off with sour cream or applesauce. Then eat, regroup, repeat. The only thing that could possibly make the experienced better is…beer. 92YTribeca’s 4th annual “Beer + Latkes Hanukkah Celebration!” brings these two heavenly tastes together under one very happy roof. Brooklyn Brewery’s beer expert Dan Moss will present delicious beer pairings to compliment 92YTribeca head chef Russell Moss’s innovative and daring latke creations. Need three more reasons to go? How about candle lighting, dreidel spinning and a rousing game of Hanukkah trivia? Bonus Feature: If these spirited festivities aren’t enough to quell your holiday angst, Rabbi-in-Residence Dan Ain will be on call to field your “December dilemma” questions (preferably before you’ve had that second drink). Thurs., Dec. 22, at 7pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 at the door.
Lonely Christians, moody atheists and bored Jews: three groups who really need to get out of the house on Christmas. Fortunately, NYC has a wealth of movie theaters and Chinese restaurants to help make the season bright. But why schlep all over town when you can have your meal and your movie in the same place? “Chinese and a Movie” delivers two action-packed Spielberg classics (“Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Jurassic Park”) and an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet (with booze available at the bar!). Sun., Dec. 25. Doors open at 2pm. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. “Raiders” screens at 2:30pm; “Park,” at 4:30pm. The buffet spread begins at 2pm and ends when it’s all gone.
These events take place at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson St.). Call 212-601-1000 or visit 92YTribeca.org. For Facebook: facebook.com/92YTribeca.
HANUKKAH CONCERT: THE MACAROONS
Indie music fans, unite! The Macaroons — a spinoff band from acclaimed rockers The LeeVees — are brining their equally acclaimed songs to The Jewish Museum for three shows in one day. Many of the tunes will be from their 2010 debut album (“Let’s Go Coconuts”). The band’s guitar-based sound references everything from the Kinks to Queen to the Shins.
On Sun., Dec. 25, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. At The Jewish Museum (1109 Fifth Ave., at 92nd St.). For tickets ($20; $15 for children). For info, call 212-423-3337 or visit thejewishmuseum.org.
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You supply the vocal chords and the holiday spirit. The Washington Square Association will supply the songbooks. That, plus the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and a very tall Christmas tree, is all you’ll need to have a merry time singing holiday songs. The tree is lit from 4pm-1am, daily. The caroling festivities happen on Sat., Dec. 24, at 5pm — at the Washington Square Park Arch (located at the foot of Fifth Ave., one block south of Eighth St.). For info, call 212-252-3621 or visit washingtonsquarenyc.org.
A SWINGING BIRDLAND CHRISTMAS
Like a modern day Ed Sullivan — but with charisma and vocal talent — our favorite cabaret impresario Jim Caruso holds court every Monday night at Birdland, as he gleefully emcees “Cast Party.” The long-running cabaret-themed open mic features newcomers, Broadway babies and living legends. Throughout, smooth crooner Caruso and the unreasonably talented pianist Billy Stritch keep things moving with an easy, breezy brew of satire and sincerity.
That chemistry bodes very well for “A Swinging Birdland Christmas.” Return with Caruso and Stritch to those thrilling days of yesteryear — when seasonal specials from showbiz veterans lit up the small screen. Along for the sleigh ride is the equally compelling Klea Blackhurst (whose comedic chops can be consumed by watching her on the IFC channel’s “The Onion News Network”). The amiable trio will perform swinging arrangements of “Christmas Waltz,” Kay Thompson’s “Holiday Season,” “Sleigh Ride,” “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” and other favorites. Bonus track: Stritch, on piano, is joined by the other members of The Birdland Jazz Quartet (John Hart on guitar, Paul Gil on bass, Carmen Intorre on drums).
Through Sun., Dec. 25. All shows at 6pm (except Dec. 25, at 7pm & 10pm). At Birdland (315 W. 44 St.). For tickets ($30 cover, $10 food/drink minimum), call 212-581-3080 or visit birdlandjazz.com. Also visit jim-caruso.com, billystritch.com and kleablackhurst.com.
CZECHOSLOVAK-AMERICAN MARIONETTE THEATRE: “A CHRISTMAS CAROL, OY! HANUKKAH, MERRY KWANZAA (HAPPY RAMADAN)”
Just when you thought there wasn’t one more possible permutation of “A Christmas Carol,” along comes the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa (Happy Ramadan).” This adaptation of the holiday mainstay (which at this point in the season has overstayed its welcome) deserves serious consideration thanks to the sheer amount of non-Dickens names dropped in its long but promising title. Adapted, directed and performed by Vit Horejs, it features over 30 puppets. Along the way, the familiar tale injected with a blend of English, Jewish, African, American and Czech winter rituals, customs and holiday songs in Czech, English, Hebrew and Swahili (performed by an acapella choir).
Dec. 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, at 7pm; Dec. 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and Jan. 1, at 4 pm. At Clockworks Puppet Theatre (196 Columbia St., btw. Sackett & DeGraw; Brooklyn; F or G Trains to Carroll St. Station). For tickets ($20; $12 for kids), call 212-868-4444 or visit smarttix.com. Also visit czechmarionettes.org.
