Hanukkah events in New York City
Do yourself a mitzvah and celebrate the eight craziest nights of the year.
The Eight Nights of Hanukkah with Yo La Tengo
Maxwell’s, 1039 Washington St at 11th St, Hoboken, NJ (201-653-1703, maxwellsnj.com). Daily through Wed 8; sold out.
What it is: It’s worth shelling out a little extra gelt for tickets (hello Craigslist!) to this holiday extravaganza, which returns to teeny Hoboken club Maxwell’s after a year off. Each show will include a set from the band, along with a performance from (to-be-determined) music and comedy acts. You’ll almost certainly be able to brag about seeing a cool surprise guest—past shows featured cameos from John Hodgman, David Byrne and late Big Star singer Alex Chilton.
Go if: You wore out your vinyl copy of I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One—twice.
Sephardic Music Festival
Location, time and price vary; visit sephardicmusicfestival.com for details. Daily through Wed 8.
What it is: Forget your notions of “traditional” Jewish music; this annual fest, created by the folks at indie label Shemspeed, highlights eclectic tunes by more than a dozen artists from across the globe. You’ll hear a mishmash of genres throughout the week, from jam band Soulfarm to hip-hopper Diwon (who founded Shemspeed). Plus, events will feature holiday-themed surprises, such as servings of sufganiyot (traditional deep-fried jelly doughnuts) for audience members, or the occasional menorah lighting.
Go if: You’re sick of people thinking Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” is the only holiday ditty that’s not by a klezmer band.
Young Friends of the Museum Hanukkah Party
Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 36 Battery Pl at 1st Pl (646-437-4200, mjhnyc.org). Thu 2 at 8pm; $65–$200.
What it is: This fifth annual gala is hosted by the Young Friends of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, an organization for young professionals who promote Holocaust education with special events and fund-raisers. While away the evening with 500 of your soon-to-be closest friends, complete with a full dinner buffet, open bar, DJ and—this year—a raffle table where you can take home big-ticket items such as airline vouchers, theater tickets, autographed memorabilia and high-end handbags.
Go if: You spend equal amounts of time volunteering and getting silly at your neighborhood bar.
Menorah Horah
Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-414-5994, highlineballroom.com). Sat 4 at 8pm; $15–$25.
What it is: For the past three years, the Schlep Sisters (burly-Q stars Minnie Tonka and Darlinda Just Darlinda) have retold the story of Hanukkah—not typically a sexy tale—through the magic of burlesque dancing, with a little help from friends like Lady Rizo and Jonny Porkpie. But the Sisters won’t divulge too much about turning a religious story into a titillating one: “We can’t give everything away, burlesque is all about the tease!”
Go if: You fell asleep in Hebrew school and need a Hanukkah refresher.
Latkes and Vodkas with Gary Shteyngart
The JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th St (646-505-4444, jccmanhattan.org). Tue 7 at 7:30pm; $10–$15.
What it is: Foodies, lit-nerds and vodka enthusiasts converge at this reading featuring acclaimed author Shteyngart, who will share holiday-themed selections from his latest novel, Super Sad True Love Story. Nosh on gourmet latkes (including sweet potato, broccoli and spinach varieties) as you sip a thimble of Zyr Vodka and contemplate Shteyngart’s dystopian vision of the future.
Go if: You snagged the first issue of Russian mag Snob when it hit newsstands.
Latke Festival 2010
City Winery, 155 Varick St between Spring and Vandam Sts (212-608-0555, citywinery.com). Sun 5 4–7pm; $32.50.
What it is: Enter into a potato-fueled food coma after feasting on the savory delights at this culinary competition. Local chefs will offer interpretations of the starchy holiday staple, like a Cuban-inspired pancake with a spicy jalapeño kick. In the end, the audience decides who takes home the crown of Latke Champion.
Go if: You devote shelf space to both The 2nd Avenue Deli Cookbook and the massive Momofuku tome.
Major League Dreidel
Knitting Factory, 361 Metropolitan Ave at Havemeyer St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (majorleaguedreidel.com). Dec 9 at 7:30pm; $10–$15.
What it is: Now in its fourth year, Major League Dreidel’s tourney pits expert spinners against one another, with the goal of crowning the best dreidel player in NYC. (Competitors face off using the Spinagogue, a board game that functions as the official MLD “stadium.”). Get in a festive mood with plenty of He’brew beer (one of the event’s sponsors) and a performance from metal rockers Gods of Fire, whose Hanukkah-themed repertoire includes tunes like “Spin One for the Blood of Our Elders.”
Go if: You want to relive your childhood memories of kicking your cousin’s tochis at the dreidel game.
Don’t miss these ginormous menorah lightings:
• The World’s Largest Menorah: Fifth Ave at 59th St. Thu 2–Wed 8; daily 5:30pm. Free.
• Menorah Lighting at Grand Army Plaza: Flatbush Ave at Prospect Park West, Park Slope, Brooklyn (chabadparkslope.com). Thu 2, Sun 5–Wed 8 at 6pm; Fri 3, Sat 4 at 7pm. Free.
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