The Bucket List • October 2017 • NYC Edition

Alex Aronson

Autumn is in full swing in New York City and October is filled with must-do events. Guns N’ Roses, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Lana Del Rey, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill all hit the stage, while Springsteen starts his run on Broadway. With Halloween around the corner it’s time to get into the spooky spirit. Get ‘kidnapped’ by This is Real’s All New Horror Experience, catch an all-night horror movie marathon at Nitehawk cinema or dance the night away at the McKitterick Hotel’s three-night Masquerade Ball. Before you check on the creatures lurking under your bed, make sure to check out our full guide to navigating Halloween in NYC. If you are looking to fill your appetite, look no further than the NYC Wine & Food Festival or the New York Wine Experience. Whatever you’re looking for, The Bucket List has you covered.

Projects 107: Lone Wolf Recital Corps at MOMA | Through Oct. 9
Now is your last chance to catch the performance collective at the MOMA. The project, founded in 1986 by artist and musician Terry Adkins, consists of a revolving cast of various creators. In addition to a showcase of Adkins sculptures and projects, Project 107 features a series of performances and creations from an intergenerational group of artists including, Sanford Biggers, Juini Booth, Marshall Sealy, Dread Scott, and many others.

Psycho Clan Presents This is Real: An All New Horror Experience | Through Oct. 31
Imagine waking up in an abandoned warehouse, kidnapped, not knowing where you are or who took you there. Well, now you don’t have to imagine this horrifying scene any longer. You can live it. “This is Real” is not your average haunted house attraction. It’s an immersive and authentic experience that will leave even the most adrenaline fueling junkies cowering in fear. Only genuine fear seekers need apply. Tickets are selling out fast.

New York Film Festival | Sept. 28 – Oct. 15
On the heels of the award season slate, the NYFF offers the hottest independent films hitting the market. Special screenings include “The Florida Project,” “Last Flag Flying,” “Wonderstruck” and much more. The event also includes panels and conversations with your favorite filmmakers, including a conversation with actress Kate Winslet.

Ed Sheeran at Barclays Center | Oct. 1
James Blunt joins Grammy Award-winning performer, Ed Sheeran, on his Divide tour. Sheeran’s third studio album produced hits including, “Shape of You” and “Castle on The Hill.” The chart-topping artist also recently made an appearance on the HBO hit, “Game of Thrones.”

Katy Perry at Madison Square Garden, Prudential Center and Barclays Center | Oct. 2 + 6 + 8 + 11
The Grammy Award winner takes her Witness world tour to New York for a number of stops. The “Swish Swish” singer hits the stage at Madison Square Garden (Oct. 2 + Oct. 6), the Prudential Center (Oct. 8), and the Barclays Center (Oct. 11).

La Boheme at Metropolitan Opera | Oct. 2 – March 10
The classic 120-year-old story begins on Christmas Eve in 1830’s Paris. Composed by Giacomo Puccini, Angel Blue, Anita Hartig, and Sonya Yoncheva fill out the main role of the fragile Mimi, while Dmytro Popov, Russell Thomas, and Michael Fabiano alternate as the poet Rodolfo. The complex opera consists of four intriguing acts.

Springsteen on Broadway at Walter Kerr Theatre | Oct. 3 – Feb. 3
Experience the legendary singer like you never have before. For the first time in over 40 years, the 23-time Grammy Award Winning singer will perform in his most intimate setting. The Walter Kerr Theatre is one of Broadway’s smallest venues. The show is simply Springsteen, a guitar, and a piano… just as it should be.

Bruno Mars at Barclays Center | Oct. 4 + NYCB Live (Long Island) | Oct. 5
In support of his third record smashing studio album, 24K Magic, Mars’ world tour of the same name makes a stop in Brooklyn. Featuring special guest, Jorja Smith, the album features an eclectic mix of old-school ‘80s hip-hop infused with a touch of modern pop.

New York Comic Con at Javits Center | Oct. 5 – Oct. 8
Geeks unite! The pinnacle annual East Coast celebration of all things nerdy is finally here. The event includes panels, meet and greets, screenings, and an impressive showroom featuring hundreds of exclusive vendors and creators. Come dressed up in your best cosplay and get ready to experience the fandom.

The Magician at NoMad Hotel | Oct. 5 – Dec. 22
Experience magic and mystery for an alluring night at the NoMad Hotel. World famous magician Dan White, who has appeared on countless television programs, helms the show. Be sure to grab your tickets to this spellbinding event as they are selling out fast.

Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World at Guggenheim | Oct. 6 – Jan. 7
Explore contemporary art to emerge from various Chinese artists over the past three decades. Arguably the most transformative period of modern Chinese art in recent world history has occurred from 1989 to present. The exhibit will feature works from over 70 artists.

Future of Storytelling Festival at Snug Harbor | Oct. 6 – Oct. 8
With the vastly changing media landscape, advances in technology have shifted the way in which stories are shared and presented. The festival features over 100 exhibits that explore the newest in cutting-edge and interactive storytelling devices. Get lost in virtual reality and test out the latest and greatest products coming from some of the largest movers and shakers.  

The New Yorker Festival | Oct. 6 – Oct. 8
Enjoy conversations, performances, book signings, meet and greets, and more throughout the three-day event. Highlights include Blood Orange talks with Hua Hsu live solo performance at the Gramercy Theatre (Oct. 7) and Riz Ahmed Talks with Alexis Okeowo at the Gramercy Theatre (Oct. 6).

Elsie Fest at SummerStage at Central Park | Oct. 8
This one-of-a-kind musical festival features stars and songs from of your favorite stage and screen performers. Sip on some wine as you enjoy a lineup of artists, including Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”), Lea Michel (“Glee,” “Scream Queens”), Todrick Hall (“Kinky Boots”), Darren Criss (“Rocky Horror Picture Show”), and more.

Game of Thrones The Rock Musical at Jerry Orbach Theater | Oct. 10 – Oct. 29
Don’t worry – winter is coming. Well, not quite. But at least you can tide over your “Game of Thrones” appetite with this fun and exciting unauthorized stage parody. The show began on the West Coast but has migrated to Manhattan for a fresh run. The show is seemingly political with The Hollywood Reporter noting, “You can look forward to a Dothraki love song, a full body tap-dancing direwolf, and more than one reference to a certain politician.”

Guns N’ Roses at Madison Square Garden and Prudential Center | Oct 11+12 & Oct. 15+16
The iconic and influential band take their Not in This Lifetime Tour to the Big Apple for a few different performances. You can catch the rockers at Madison Square Garden (Oct. 11, Oct. 15, Oct. 16) or the Prudential Center (Oct. 12). Rock on.

Art in Odd Places | Oct. 12 – Oct. 15
If you are looking for a different kind of art show, unlike anything you would catch at the MOMA, Met, or Guggenheim, look no further than the streets of NYC to view interesting and unexpected art pieces. The bizarre street art performances features work from dozens of artists and lines 14th street.

New York City Wine and Food Festival | Oct. 12 – Oct. 15
If the Food Network presents a food festival, you know it will be a must-eat event for all food enthusiasts. The three-day festival includes a wide variety of grand tastings, cooking demonstrations, celebrity chef panels, walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, parties, and so much more.

Turandot at Metropolitan Opera | Oct. 12 – April 5
Giacomo Puccini’s grand exploration and spectacle of legendary China features three-acts of immersive music. Oksana Dyka and Martina Serafin star in the role of the ice princess who must have her heart thawed out before she dies. As the helm of this journey is a heroic unknown prince played by Aleksandrs Antonenko.

New York Coffee Festival at Metropolitan Pavilion | Oct. 13 – Oct. 15
There is no time quite like coffee time. Get a caffeine fix as New York’s largest celebration of the brown bean. Dozens of coffee masters will be in attendance along with vendors, great food, musical performances, and charity organizations.  

New Worlds: Bill Murray, Jan Vogler & Friends at Stern Auditorium | Oct. 16
The iconic world-class comedian, who starred in the hits such as, “Ghostbusters,” “Zombieland,” “Groundhog Day,” and many more makes a rare appearance with German cellist Jan Vogler. For one night only, the duo team up to present an evening of music and literature.  

White Light Festival at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts | Oct. 18 – Nov 15
The annual festival returns to celebrate and explore the power of art as it relates to faith. The festival includes internationally acclaimed choirs performing all 150 psalms in “The Psalms Experience,” a Persian love story, “Layla and Majnun,” a new show from visionary Jordi Savall, “The Routes of Slavery,” and much more.

The Champagne Ball at GoldBar | Oct. 19
Enjoy a night of elegance at World Masquerades’ 10th annual Champagne Ball. You won’t want to miss the notable anniversary celebration, which includes music, dancing, cocktails, and special prizes. Come dressed in your sharpest masquerade attire.

Wine Spectator’s New York Wine Experience at Marriott Marquis | Oct. 19 – Oct. 21
Quench your thirst with a week of delectable wine tastings, seminars, and wine-pairing lunches. The opening two-nights of the event gathers over 250 wines from the world’s best wine-growing regions in the country. The top mixture will be awarded a Critics’ Choice Award.

29th Annual New York LGBT Film Festival | Oct. 19 – Oct. 24
The 29th annual New York LGBT Film Festival presented by HBO in association with OutFest brings the best of LGBT filmmaking to the city. The films are either created by LGBT creators, or feature stories centered on the complexities and profiles of LGBT life. Screenings are paired with various Q+A panels.

Lana Del Rey at Terminal 5 | Oct. 23 + Oct. 24
Fresh off the sparks of the artist’s “Lust for Life” album which dropped in the midst of the summer heat, Del Rey makes a special two-night performance at Terminal 5. The show will be one of her last major stops before she starts her newly announced LA to the Moon tour in 2018.

Ricky Gervais at The Theater at Madison Square Garden | Oct. 25
In his first tour in over seven years, “Humanity” is Ricky Gervais’ grand return to the stage. The worldwide tour stops at the Garden for the first time since the opening of the summer in a single-night event. The funny-man is best known for his iconic BBC show, “The Office.”

New York City Horror Film Festival at Cinepolis Chelsea | Oct. 26 – Oct. 29
What better way to ring in the Halloween weekend than to screen some of the latest screams to hit the big screen? The festival lineup includes the premiere of Lou Simon’s “3,” as well as “Close Calls,” “The Night Watchmen,” “Our Evil,” “Diane,” “Ruin Me,” and more. The event concludes with an awards ceremony celebrating the weekends top honors.

Night of 1,000 Jack O’Lanterns at Governors Island | Oct. 26 – Oct. 29
Returning for the sixth year in a row is one of the most unique Halloween events around. Gaze over 1,000 hand-carved illuminated jack o’lanterns creatively arranged along a scenic walking path set to a musical score destined to get you into the fall spirit. If you are down for a bit of a drive, you can venture out to the Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island to see over 5,000 carved jack o’lanterns. Now that’s a lot of pumpkin seeds.

The Exterminating Angel at Metropolitan Opera | Oct. 26 – Nov. 21
Thomas Ades presents the American premiere of “The Exterminating Angel,” inspired by Luis Bunuel’s film of the same name. The intriguing premise revolves around guests at a surreal dinner party of which they cannot leave. The New York Times hailed the show as “inventive and audacious.”

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill at Barclays Center | Oct. 27
The husband and wife country duo bring their Soul2Soul 2017 tour to Brooklyn for one-night only. If you are in the New York area this might be your only chance to catch the tour for quite sometime. This landmark tour is the first time in over ten years that the country couple has played together.

Inferno: A Halloween Masquerade at McKitterick Hotel | Oct. 27 + Oct. 28 + Oct. 31
Inspired by the mysterious world of the legendary hotel, the McKitterick Masquerade is the hotel’s evocative dance party. Each night involves a unique and exclusive nightlife experience, inviting guests to explore the many rooms of the historic hotel. What happens at the Mckitterick will certainly stay there.

Tefaf New York Fall Fair at Park Avenue Armory | Oct. 28 – Nov. 1
Widely regarded as the world’s leading fair for art pieces and antiques, Tefaf returns to NYC for a third year in a row. The international art show allows art collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to browse across the works form over 275 of the world’s top galleries.