Fall Preview 2006

Labor Day is a bittersweet time for most Americans, particularly for schoolchildren and New Yorkers. Well, it’s just plain bitter if you’re headed back to class. For the rest of us locals, the emotions are mixed. Sadly, this week signals the end of the only period of the year when the city’s competitive buzz softens to a murmur, and people are free to duck out a bit early on Friday without worrying that ambitious interns will usurp their desks. The sweet part is that it’s not a zillion degrees out anymore—and as the thermometer falls, the quality of entertainment rises. One of the Upper West Side’s favorite sons, Sean Lennon, is back with a long-awaited second album. New Metropolitan Opera director Peter Gelb is splashing some color on the company’s black-tie conservatism. Considering the state of the Middle East (and of airport security), it’s appropriate that we’ll get to choose from a rostrumful of politically charged plays. Even if you weren’t interested in Twyla Tharp’s Billy Joel spectacle, you’ll be intrigued by what she’s done with the Bob Dylan songbook. More talented pastry chefs are opening their own savory restaurants, while Brit chef extraordinaire Gordon Ramsay is headed for midtown. And even though our cover star, Sandra Oh, is keeping people in stitches on Grey’s Anatomy, we know that in her ideal world, she’d be acting on a Big Apple stage, as she did this past summer. We can hardly blame her for wanting to be here.—Soren Larson

Art

The Bronx Museum unveils its new addition—and goes nuts for Brazil! Plus A nude-on-nude smackdown, Brice Marden and more! GO!

Books

Karen Russell is younger than you are, and writes about feral women. Plus Brooklyn authors to Manhattan scribes: It’s on! GO!

Comedy

Did you hear the one about Comix? It’s opening this month and it’s big! (How big is it? Click here, duh.) GO!

Dance

Feisty Twyla Tharp puts the moves on Bob Dylan. Plus Sarah Michelson is going to the Dogs. GO!

Film

Forest Whitaker dials down the cuddly. Plus Carmen Maura, retrospectives, themes for your consideration and more! GO!

Museums and events

The Museum of the City of New York explores black style. Plus Gold! GO!

Music

Why can’t Ludacris laugh? Plus Mastodon, Sean Lennon and more! GO!

Classical

Peter Gelb brings the Met to the people. Plus McCartney and Sting let the dogs out and more! GO!

Television

Sandra Oh makes her own cheese toast, doesn’t do her own surgery. Plus NYC-based shows and a quick refresher on last season’s cliff-hangers GO!

Theater

Grey Gardens and Spring Awakening head to Broadway—should you follow them? Plus Jenn Colella, Mac Wellman, political shows, a quiz and more! GO!

Restaurants

NYC goes sweet on pastry chefs. Plus Bad boy Gordon Ramsay is scared of the city, bless him. GO!

Shopping

John Varvatos puts the boot in at Converse. GO!

Wellness

Hello, Dalai! (Lama, that is). His holiness gets in on the motivational-speaking wave. GO!