25 outstanding things to do in NYC this week

October 12

Columbus Day Parade Fifth Ave from 44th to 72nd St; 11:30pm; free
The Italian-American community will be coming out in spades to celebrate their heritage, culture and food, at this enormous march down Fifth Avenue. If Comic Con was too visually saturating for you, the three-color palette of red, white and green on display at this annual celebration may be more your speed.

Ask Me Another The Bell House, Brooklyn; 7pm; $20, at the door $25
Impress your parents and head to the live taping of this NPR show, hosted by the witty Ophira Eisenberg. This week, she welcomes B-movie badass Bruce Campbell and Xena herself, Lucy Lawless, in anticipation of their upcoming Starz megaseries Ash vs. Evil Dead.

Oh My Science! Videology, Brooklyn; 7pm; free
UCB comic Dan Silver educates you on animal biology, complex ecosystems and his answers to the meaning of life at this bizarre instructional comedy show. He’ll do whatever it takes to get a laugh or a tear out of you, including showing videos of puppies.  

Misty Copeland and Nelson George: A Ballerina’s Tale Screening and Conversation 92^nd Street Y; 7:30pm; $40
See an advance screening of the documentary A Ballerina’s Tale, which centers on Misty Copeland’s groundbreaking ascent to become the first African-American woman named principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre. She speaks with documentary director Nelson George about the challenges and triumphs she has faced.

Side Ponytail Over the Eight, Brooklyn; 8pm; free
Charming comedian Carolyn Busa laments her impending 30th birthday with the help of fellow comics Mike Lebovitz, Emily Winter and more. Help her say goodbye to her twenties at this night of delightful witty comedy.

October 13

The New York Cabaret Convention The Town Hall; 6pm; $27–$102
The four-day Cabaret blowout begins with this opening gala, where you can catch performances from nearly a dozen stellar entertainers, including Christine Andreas, George Ball, Frans Bloem and Vivian Reed.

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Barclays Center, Brooklyn; 8pm; $45–$119
Wipe your tears on the sleeves of your all-green outfit at this mesmerizing symphony showcase of Koji Kondo’s beloved Zelda score. Whether you’re fondly looking back on your days of playing Zelda in your parents’ den, or getting amped for the upcoming Netflix series, you’re sure to be moved by the majesty of this orchestral performance.

BeerProv Littlefield, Brooklyn; 8pm; $10
You better hope that the BeerProv team can hold its alcohol, as members take protracted sips of beer between every round of improv. Watch the show devolve into lubricated hysterics as only the most wasted performer is left standing to drink from the BeerProv Mug of Champions.

Panda Bear Bowery Ballroom; October 13–15, 9pm; $30
The Animal Collective founder and indie-pop mainstay sets up shop for a stellar three days of moody electronic bliss as he performs songs from his latest album Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper. 

October 14

Secret Guests TBA Brooklyn; 6pm–4am; free
Why bother with work on Thursday and Friday when you can get delirious until 4am on a Wednesday night? The perky members of band/party collective Secret Guests will show you a rad time with dance sets from Myroslaw Bytz, Dahlia, Ele Mondiale and Shy Eyez.

Pastrami On Rye: An Overstuffed History of the Jewish Deli Mid-Manhattan Library; 6:30pm; free
Find out how the Jewish Deli has served as a cultural hub for immigrant communities in New York, a cultural symbol of the city and more at this fascinating lecture by writer and historian Ted Merwin.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Museum of Morbid Anatomy, Brooklyn; 8pm; $12
With Halloween coming up, take this chance to dive into pitch-black macabre goodness with this 1920 surreal horror classic. Local Musician M.V. Carbon will live-score the silent movie with cello and electro sounds, and the Museum will project the film on 16mm, making this a truly unique viewing experience.

Salty Brine: Givin’ Up Your Heart The Red Room; 8pm; $15 plus two-drink minimum
The camp Cabaret master sold out shows with his interpretative performances of songs from Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual. Now, he puts his might into the sweeping, dramatic hits from Adele’s 21. Prepare for some high diva drama. 

I’m New Here. Can You Show Me Around? Union Hall, Brooklyn; 8pm; $12
Writer Jon Ronson just got to New York, and he’s going to need some help figuring out how to make sense of the constant rush of human misery and psychosis that greets all recent arrivals. Irish comic Maeve Higgins gives him the basics at this hilariously twisted show for new and jaded New Yorkers.

Eliot Glazer’s Haunting Renditions Live The Bell House, Brooklyn; 8:30pm; $10, at the door $12
Riding high on Broad City appearances, the soft-spoken performer returns to his comedy show, where he takes inane pop hits like “California Gurls” and “Anaconda” and spins them into dramatic, operatic ballads. 

BK Horror Club: It Follows Throne Watches, Brooklyn; 9pm; $10
Take a seat in the comfy couches of the tastefully decorated Throne Watches Showroom and watch last year’s frightening STDs-come-alive thriller It Follows over popcorn and beers. There’s no classier way to play catch-up on contemporary horror. 

October 15 

“Misfits” Soho Contemporary Art; 10am; free
Be the first to see Russ Simmons's gauche new exhibition, which includes Technicolor prints of Batman and Superman kissing, Wonder Woman as a Playboy pinup and other tongue-in-cheek iconographic mash-ups. 

SketchFest NYC Peoples Improv Theatre; 6pm–12:30am; $5–$10/show, festival pass $60
The PIT has lined up a seemingly endless slate of sketch comedy crews from around the world to provide fresh sets nearly every half hour past midnight. Check out the first night of this four-day comedy blowout to see some of the nation’s rising comedy stars.  

Shabbat Dinner: A Jewish Comedy Variety Show Q.E.D., Astoria; 7:30pm; $5
Tovah Silbermann and Eitan Levine welcome fellow comedians Josh Gondelman, Mara Wilson, Aaron Glaser and Brooke Arnold to join them for a night of spirited comedy around the dinner table, with enough anxiety, guilt and hilarious antics for everyone. 

Tammy Faye Starlite: Cabaret Marianne Pangea; 7:30pm; $20
Melancholic Cabaret powerhouse Tammy Faye Starlite has a way with imitating, interpreting and elevating the works of tragic chanteuses. After conquering Nico, she covers Marianne Faithfull in this dark and witty show. We’re just curious when she’ll take on Lana Del Rey. 

Donna Karan in Conversation with Trudie Styler 92^nd Street Y; 7:30pm; $30–$68
Fashion maven and philanthropist Donna Karan speaks about design innovation, feminism and controversy as she launches her memoir, My Journey.

Mary Lynn Rajskub Carolines on Broadway; 7:30pm; $38–$109 plus two-drink minimum
The Mr. Show and 24 star brings the kooky charisma she exuded on Arrested Development and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to this night of raunchy comedic storytelling.

Film Concerts Live! presents Back to the Future Radio City Music Hall; 8pm; $48.88–$118.88
Relive 1985 (and, technically, 1955) at this 30^th anniversary celebration of the time-travel classic. Watch the McFlys find their…densities while the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra resurrects Alan Silvestri’s epic action score live.  

Ginger Snaps Videology, Brooklyn; 9:30pm; $7
Rapture in slow-motion high school hallway montages, grisly puberty metaphors and deliciously dark werewolf violence in this 2000 camp horror essential. Videology and the MUFF society will stack the bar up with lupine-themed prizes and even a werewolf photo booth, so new and old fans of Brigitte and Ginger will have a reason to leave the basement for a night out.