NEW YORK CITY — Sure, it’s a supposedly joyous time of year, but after all the social events, shopping and end-of-the-year work deadlines, many of us may have lost touch with our sense of humor. Luckily, there’s a significant number of comedy events happening this week that will get you through the holiday stress and family togetherness, which, after all, are one and the same for most people.
Monday, Dec. 23
Kick off the week with some nerd humor, served up at Littlefield in Gowanus. Regular host Wyatt Cenac, who was a correspondent and writer on “The Daily Show” and former writer on “King of the Hill,” will introduce local and international comedians.
If introspection is more your speed, head to the Bowery Poetry Club, where political performance series Submerge celebrates artists of color, LGBT artists and those otherwise marginalized for their politics or beliefs.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
Some city gourmands will be looking forward to the Italian-American tradition of the “Feast of the Seven Fishes,” which takes place on Christmas Eve every year. A number of restaurants are offering package deals for this multi-course meal, which commonly features fried smelts and baccala (trust us, it's delicious). Check out EaterNY’s list of the best places to hit up for this event.
While those who celebrate Christmas are off to their far-flung relatives’ homes or are settling in for their local celebrations, the rest of New York can bask in the temporary peace and quiet and get in a few chuckles along the way. Gotham Comedy Club will do a 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. performance of “A Very Jewish Christmas,” in which Jon Fisch will host fellow comedians Barry Weintraub and Rachel Feinstein.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Frustrated that so many businesses and institutions are closed today? Good news: Jewish cultural organizations like The Jewish Museum on the Upper West Side, The Museum at Eldridge Street on the Lower East Side and the Jewish Children’s Museum in Crown Heights will all be open to the public. The Jewish Museum will feature two performances (11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.) from the family-friendly pop-rock band The Macaroons. The Museum at Eldridge Street will be offering synagogue tours all day long in addition to a family concert at 1 p.m. by Clarinetist Greg Wall and his band, Klezmerfest.
For something Christmas-y, go with Jules Bistro in the East Village, which will offer a three-course prix fixe meal for $45, served to the strains of live jazz.
Le Poisson Rouge will host a Bollywood Disco dance night at 10 p.m., featuring grooves spun by DJ Rekha, otherwise known as “The Ambassador of Bhangra.”
Thursday, Dec. 26
All the sweet sincerity of the holiday season will have plenty of us ready for some strong sarcasm. Enter Sandra Bernhard, local snarkster and LGBT activist who returns to Joe’s Pub for a series of stand-up shows from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31.
While so many musicians are home for the holidays, longtime folk-pop artist Dar Williams (a native of Mt. Kisco in Westchester County) will be working overtime — she’s playing at the Bell House this night and you can be sure that she’ll be singing one of her most well-known songs, “The Christians and The Pagans.”
Friday, Dec. 27
The history of psych-punk video-art band Psychic TV extends back to 1981 with founding member and counter-cultural icon Genesis P-Orridge (who was also the subject of the 2011 documentary “The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye”). P-Orridge will be performing with the band at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar in Greenpoint tonight.
Saturday, Dec. 28
Those who didn’t get enough cheer out of the Santacon beer crawl a couple weeks ago may want to sign up for the holiday-themed scavenger hunt organized by Pogo Events. For $20, meet at Libation on the Lower East Side to get instructions for the three-hour adventure that involves mental and physical challenges all around the city.
It’s not too late to find someone to make out with on New Year’s Eve. Take a stab at finding a date by attending the Singles Game event at Union Hall. Head to the Park Slope bar at 7 p.m. and for a $15 ticket, get paired up with a random teammate/potential love interest to compete as a team in board games and trivia. You get a new partner for each of the three rounds, so there’s plenty of opportunity to find a match.
Sunday, Dec. 29
The Asssscat 3000 is the Upright Citizens’ Brigade long-form improv performance, which is often host to megawatt comedy stars and cast members from “Saturday Night Live” who will drop by for the occasional bit. The 7:30 p.m. show costs just $10 and the 9:30 p.m. show is free — guests just have to pick up the tickets at 8:15 that night.
