Festivals and Festivals and Festivals

Beginning this weekend, NYC embraces its artsy self with festivals devoted to music, dance, and books.

First up, the Brooklyn Book Festival where you can go ogle famous authors, get acquainted with small presses, quote Proust, and pretend that you've already finished Jonathan Franzen's latest novel (but if you have, can I borrow?). I've been to the BBF before. It's fun and apparently it's gotten bigger in the past five years. Hello Salman Rushdie! (Sept. 10 to 12. at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, B-town, NYC)
PS. this morning I read and an interview with this BBF author who said Manhattan is the new Brooklyn. Huh? Someone please explain this to me.


Bryant Park Fall Festival (Sept. 13 to 20) When Fashion Week's Tents left for Lincoln Center they had to do something with Bryant Park. Find eight jazz, funk, opera and classical music, ballet and modern dance performances during the week that the likes of models, celebs, and designers once tread. 6 to 7:30 p.m. FREE (except for the whiskey hot chocolate you might need during the chilly evenings.)

NY City Center's Fall for Dance Festival (Sept. 28 to Oct. 9 tickets go on sale Sept. 12 at 11 a.m.) Tickets are a stunningly reasonable $10. And sure, it would be wonderful to partake in this international celebration of dance by renowned dance companies and choreographers. But you can also do it FREE. And though you might have to see the dancers via screen--a DJ, bar, and pretty damn artsy cool people will be your recompense. Read more about the Festival Lounge.

NY City Center: West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th avenues). All performances are at 8 p.m., except for the Sunday, October 3 performance, which is a 3 p.m. matinee.