Best of the fests

Thursday 12—Monday 16
5 Dutch Days
Get in touch with New York City’s Dutch roots while giving props to Henry Hudson (this year marks the 400th anniversary of his explorations for the Dutch East India Company) at this fifth annual interborough fete. Flaunt your knowledge of Dutch history over free food—like krokets, fried potato-and-meat rolls—from Danku on Thursday 12 at the Dutch Quiz Quest (11:30am–2pm at ING Direct Café; call 302-888-0560 to R.S.V.P.). On Friday 13, from 6 to 10pm, look at photographs and paintings by ten artists from the Netherlands, including Teun Voeten, at Brooklyn’s Artbreak Gallery, where jazz pianist Heleen Schuttevaer will perform at 7:30pm. Other highlights include an artist-led bookmaking workshop with Studio in a School (Sat 14 at 2pm, $20) and a free beginners’ Dutch class (Mon 16 6–9pm). Various locations; visit fivedutchdaysnyc.org for info.

Wednesday 18—November 22
New York City Horror Film Festival
If you didn’t get your fill of blood and guts on Halloween, here’s a second chance: MooDude Films’ weeklong independent film festival screens 55 horror and sci-fi flicks catering to all levels of squeamishness, including psychothriller Maidenhead (Nov 21 at 4:30pm). “We’re not specifically looking for a guy with a chain saw cutting up teenagers,” says fest director Michael Hein. Or, watch 15 mildly scary shorts at the Wednesday 18 kickoff party (BLVD, 199 Bowery at Spring St; 212-982-7767; 8pm). The big baddies are waiting! Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick St at Laight St (nychorrorfest.com). $10–$15.—Cristina Velocci

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