From zombies to yogis and from guitar orchestras to boom-box symphonies, the East Village has plenty to keep you (and the kids) in good cheer this holiday season. We’ll add more events as we hear about them – feel free to tip us off.
Courtesy of Merchants House MuseumSATURDAY, DEC. 17
“Tinsel Tunes by the Tinseltones”
Enjoy a century-worth of Christmas classics from the 1840s to the 1950s performed by members of the Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society. 7:30 p.m. Merchant’s House Museum, 29 East Fourth Street near Bowery, 212-777-1089, http://merchantshouse.org/calendar; $30.
“Christmas in NickyLand 2011”
Nicky Pariso will host a weekend of performances at one of the neighborhood’s only holiday cabarets. Special performances by Poor Baby Bree, David Cale, Ellen Fisher, Jon Kinzel & Vicky Shick, John Heginbotham, and many more. Saturday, 10 p.m.; Sunday, 5:30 p.m. The Club at La MaMa, 74A East Fourth Street between Bowery and Second Avenue, Second Floor, http://lamama.org/the-club/christmas-in-nickyland-2011/; $15.
“KIDS! Holiday Foods from Around the World”
Children ages 2-14 can learn the stories of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa through food at this event at Whole Foods. Young chefs will learn how to make popular dishes like potato latkes, chocolate eggnog floats, and African coconut cake. 12 p.m., different age groups start at different times. Whole Foods Market, 95 East Houston Street at Bowery, http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=224428; $30.
Aleba Gartner Unsilent Night“Unsilent Night”
The month of December would not be complete without the outdoor recital of Phil Kline’s composition that involves multiple boom boxes (and this year, iPhones!) blasting different lines of music to form a symphony on the street. 7 p.m. at the arch in Washington Square Park, http://www.unsilentnight.com/schedule.html; free.
“D.B.A.’s 7th Annual Handmade Gifts & Craft Holiday Fair”
While drinking at D.B.A., browse an array of blown glass, ceramics, knitted clothing, and even handmade soap made by local artisans. The event goes from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will occur Sunday as well. D.B.A.; 41 First Avenue. 212-714-8175.
SUNDAY, DEC. 18
“StorahSteps Presents: Judah the Maccabee’s Menorah, For Kids!”
The 14th Street Y’s “Storahtelling” early child program will host a 60-minute program about the meaning of Chanukah and the menorah through song, dance, and puppets. 11 a.m., The 14th Street Y, 334 East 14th Street between First and Second Avenues, http://14streety.interticket.com/info.php?event=187; $5 or $20 for families of 6.
“Drop Dead Gorgeous Zombie Beauty Pageant: Holiday Edition”
For the fifth year, the Beauty Bar will host a holiday zombie fest. Ladies are invited to get creative in the female-only beauty pageant. Judges will award prizes to the sexiest, scariest, and most original Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or “XXXmas” zombies. 9 p.m., NYC Beauty Bar, 231 East 14th St between Second and Third Avenues. To enter, email Michael Stewart at Michael@thebeautybar.com; free (must be over 21 to enter).
“Kaleidescope Holiday Sale”
An assortment of local vendors will be selling a wide variety of clothing and accessories at the Bowery Hotel — a good way to avoid the holiday blitz at Union Square. 11 a.m., The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery at East Fourth Street, 212-505-9100.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21
“Winter Solstice”
Kids are invited to celebrate the longest night of the year with live music and dancing around a fire at the Children’s Magical Garden in the Lower East Side. 3 p.m., The Children’s Magical Garden at Norfolk and Stanton Streets, for information contact Kate Temple-West, director; katetemplewest@gmail.com .
“ShirLaLa Chanukah Concert”
Singer Shira Kline presents a colorful retelling of the story of Chanukah. Children will dance and act out a human dreidel in a spinning contest. 6 p.m. The 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street between First and Second Avenues, 212-780-0800, http://www.14streety.org/index.php?src=events&srctype=detail&category=Parenting&refno=355; $30 per family.
“Tilted Axes: Make Music Winter, Holiday Parade”
Rock and roll through the East Village with music producer and composer Patrick Grant and a dozen guitarists for the first annual march. The public is invited to join in on the fun with light hand percussion instruments. 6:30 p.m., the parade starts at Rivington Guitars on 73 East Fourth Street between Bowery and Second Avenue, http://makemusicny.org/parades/tilted-axes-music-for-mobile-electric-guitars/.
THURSDAY, DEC. 22
“Festival of Light: Matisyahu with Cris Cab”
The (recently reformed) Jewish recording artist Matisayahu is set to perform live with guitarist and singer Cris Cab. 6 p.m. Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues, 212-353-1600, http://event.websterhall.com/; $35.
FRIDAY, DEC. 23
“A Very Yoga Christmas”
Horse Trade Theater is ending the year with a bang. Joe Yoga is back for a fourth year in row with his all-night Christmas bash featuring live music from bands like Coach and The Odortones, free cupcakes, double-blind Secret Santa, gift swaps, and a Steely Dan Dance Party. 8 p.m., Under St Marks, 94 St. Marks Place between First Avenue & Avenue A, http://horsetrade.info/; $5 donations.
ONGOING
“Sunshine at Midnight”
(December 9-December 26)
Sunshine Cinema revisits modern Christmas classics like “Home Alone” and “Elf” with Sunshine at Midnight. 12 a.m. 143 East Houston Street between Forsyth and Eldridge Streets; 212-830-8182, http://www.landmarktheatres.com/Market/NewYork/NewYork_Frameset.htm; $13.
“The Ghostlights: Holiday Stucco”
(Thursday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 17)
Watch one-act holiday plays written and performed by members of The Public Theater’s Emerging Writers Group. 8 p.m., The Kraine Theater, 85 East Fourth Street
between Second Avenue and the Bowery, http://horsetrade.info/; $18.
“Everett Bradley’s Holidelic: Holiday Freaks”
(Friday, Dec.16-Monday, Dec. 19)
Jam to your favorite holiday tunes remixed by Everett Bradley and his band of holiday freaks. Diversity is the theme of this performance that is open to all. Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street between East Fourth Street and Astor Place, 212-539-8778; http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,40/id,4874; $25.
