Photo Credit: MoMa.org
Succulent roasted turkeys, buttery pumpkin pies and Rockwell family portraits may be how most people aim to experience Thanksgiving, but when visiting the Big Apple this weekend, there are some travelers who crave something a little more… alternative.
Quit tradition cold turkey. Ditch the Donald Duck balloons at the annual Macy Thanksgiving Day’s parade for these five outrageous and totally unconventional New York City activities.
1) Far from the mainstream lights of Broadway, experience your very own strobe-light induced seizure at Fuerza Bruta. From the creators of the smash hit De La Guarda, comes Fuerza Bruta, a theatrical extravaganza of sound, light and waterworks. This wordless show has the audience standing for 65 minutes, moving around the space, as fit performance artists writhe and run to techno music and pulsating lights. With strong imagery that blends aerial with aquatic, nature’s earthly elements with dance party, it’s Cirque du Soleil on speed. Tickets are typically $75 but, if you’re willing to line up, $25 rush tickets go on sale two hours before the performance. http://www.fuerzabrutanyc.com/
Photo Credit: MoMa.org
2) Celebrate the King of the Unconventional. Filmmaker Tim Burton shows off his life’s work at the Moma in an ongoing retrospective exhibit which debuts on November 22. Famous for Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd movies, Burton displays his humorously creepy pieces across a variety mediums, including drawings, paintings, puppets, costumes, cartoons and live action animation. Take advantage of Moma’s free admission, Friday evenings from 4:00–8:00 p.m
3) Opera meets hip hop at “Akim Funk Buddha Hip Hop Holiday II” an up-and coming group performing free at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) on Friday Nov. 27th. The look is unique, involving dancers dressed up in period costumes, popping and locking to the beat of world music. Should be a fun show and a cool venue for future NYC visits! http://www.bam.org/
4) Celebrate this national holiday at the Team America: World Police Sing & Swear Along. Created by South Park funny men Matt Stone and Trey Parker, Team America is a comedic film featuring an all-puppet cast, satirical songs and silly pop culture references. Sing and curse along to such classics as “America, F**k Yeah” and “I’m so Ronery,” a ballad sung by the Avenue Q equivalent of Kim Jon Il. Public profanities and Pilsner? Can’t get any better than that. The event is part of a regular “sing along series.” For more details visit www.92y.org
5) Flee the Black Friday crowds and head down to Brooklyn’s very own “Artists and Fleas,” a market of independent vendors selling jewelry, vintage clothing, books and progressive fashions. This year round market, open Saturdays and Sundays 12-8pm in a large warehouse in Williamsburg, showcases the DIY work of artists and designers. Cool hunters, prepare for retail bliss. For directions or information on how to be a vendor, visit www.artistsandfleas.com
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
