Fall Arts Preview: THE TOP 5

From long-awaited musicals and movies to obscure inside looks at the city's arts scene.

Here are the best ways to get cultural this season.

ART

By Olia Golovkina

With its foliage slowly turning New York City into a color-studded canvas of reds, oranges, and yellows, fall is the most appropriate time to wander the halls of a gallery or discuss composition at an outdoor fair. Take yourself beyond the literal in the coming months with diverse events that transport to a different emotional landscape.

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
September 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13
Various locations east of Washington Square Park, NYC
wsoae.org

In spring 1931, Jackson Pollock took some paintings down to the street from his Greenwich Village studio—also his home—in a desperate attempt to cover his rent. Before long, Village artist Willem De Kooning stood next to him and their venture captured local attention. Today the Outdoor Art Exhibit is a fall and spring event where artists both regional and foreign line the streets around Washington Square with fine art, photography, crafts, and sculpture. The drive to celebrate (and sell) art, however, has remained.

Affordable Art Fair
September 10-13
Metropolitan Pavilion, NYC
affordableartfair.com/newyork

For those looking to expand their collection, the Affordable Art Fair is a must-see. Original paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs by more than 1,000 artists constitute the artwork presented at this biannual event, all priced at $100-$10,000. You'll even find recommendations on how to buy and value those rare pieces, not to mention on-site framing and delivery services.

Art in Odd Places
October 9 – 12, 2015
Various locations along 14^th Street, NYC
free.artinoddplaces.org

Art in Odd Places (AiOP) is taking over 14^th Street from Avenue C to the Hudson River in an effort to showcase "artworks in all disciplines outside the confines of traditional public space regulations." AiOP believes that New York City is still a place for artists, and it encourages dwellers to rethink common environments by attending any of the 62 interactive projects presented along the 14^th Street boundary between "uptown" and "downtown."

Village Halloween Costume Ball
October 31
Theater for the New City, NYC
theaterforthenewcity.net/halloween

Theater, cabaret, burlesque performers, jugglers, stilt dancers, fire eaters, jazz bands, artists, and poets will ring in Halloween on October 31^st inside TNC's four theater spaces, its lobby, and the block of East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues. Come dressed in your best spooky design, then descend into the ultimate concentration of creativity, entertainment, and dining inside eerie hallways decorated by the most talented scenarists and sculptors.

The Salon: Art + Design Fine Art Show
November 12 – 16
Park Avenue Armory, NYC
thesalonny.com

The Salon opens all 55,000 square feet of Wade Thompson Drill Hall to 54 galleries from around the world on November 12^th. You'll find the finest in historical, modern, and contemporary art and design—everything from 18^th century furnishings to the work of today's hottest designers. Take a designer tour for the highlights, then enjoy a complimentary glass of wine in the Collectors' Lounge.

FILM

By Olia Golovkina

As the temperatures drop and days shorten, a night at the cinema may be just the right way to get carried into fictional brightness. This year's big-screen lineup includes everything from laugh-out-loud comedies to stirring dramas and suspenseful thrillers, but make sure to grab a ticket for these five titles. Or, turn a rainy weekend into a cozy day in by warming up some apple cider and stretching out on the sofa.

The Walk (Robert Zemeckis)

Based on real events, this film chronicles French high-wire artist Philippe Petit's ambitious passage between the towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. Release date: September 30. Early screening on September 25 at the New York Film Festival.

Suffragette (Sarah Gavron)

Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, and Helena Bonham round out the all-star cast of this inspiring account of the battle for women's rights in late 19^th century Great Britain. Release date: October 23.

Spectre (Sam Mendes)

Skyfall's director continues the Bond series with a new challenge for Agent 007 (Daniel Craig), who must uncover the meaning of "SPECTRE" before time runs out. Release date: November 6.

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (Francis Lawrence)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) leads the revolution against President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and the Capitol in this culmination to the Hunger Games trilogy based on the books of Suzanne Collins. Release date: November 21.

Sisters (Jason Moore)

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler team up in comedy once more as sisters part(y)ing with their family home by planning the ultimate house party. SNL's Maya Rudolph and Trainwreck's John Cena join in the mayhem. Release date: December 18.

MUSIC

By David Sobel

This fall, New York City's live music venues and recital halls will feature some of the finest performers in the world. From jazz to classical, pop to rock, here are some of the season's best concerts.

Josh Groban

September 29, 30

Beacon Theatre, NYC

beacontheatre.com

Josh Groban's inimitable talent will be backed by a full orchestra at the iconic Beacon Theatre, bringing out the absolute best in this pop-operatic tenor. Full of new material, opera favorites, and Broadway classics, this outing promises not to disappoint.

Steely Dan                                                                                                                           
October 6,7,9,10,13,14,16,17
Beacon Theatre, NYC
beacontheatre.com

You haven't really heard Steely Dan until you've seen them live. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker always hire virtuosic back-up players and singers to perform funky arrangements that outdo their recordings. Unlike today's pop stars, they also favor saxophones and horns. Lots of them.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Plays Monk

October 23 and 24

The Town Hall, NYC

jazz.org/events 

Prodigies are everywhere. Too often their technical mastery supersedes creativity. 11-year-old jazz pianist Joey Alexander is a fully formed improviser whose inventiveness has awed seasoned critics and jazz virtuosos alike. For two nights he'll play the music of Thelonious Monk with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Andrea Bocelli

December 9

Madison Square Garden, NYC

thegarden.com/calendar

One of the world's most successful classical crossover and multi-instrumentalist performers, Andrea Botticelli's fans come from high places to heap acclaim on this operatic powerhouse. Elizabeth Taylor said of Bocelli: "My mind, my soul were transported by his beauty, his voice, his inner being," proving that his angelic voice can touch and inspire anyone who hears it.

Billy Joel

September 26, October 21, November 19, December 17

Madison Square Garden, NYC

billyjoel.com/tour/all

Billy Joel hasn't composed new material in thirty years, but his Madison Square Garden concerts are a must-see; he continues to sell out the Garden every month, and promises to continue to do so indefinitely. His band of stellar musicians stretches out his classic tunes, jamming as if they were written yesterday.

THEATER

By David Sobel

Rap-singing founding fathers, horror fiction, major movie stars, and some stellar writing—a diverse array of talent and source material fuels theater's most eclectic fall season in decades, and promises something for every theater lover.

Hamilton

Ongoing

Richard Rodgers Theater, NYC

Written by: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda's bio-musical based on the life and death of Alexander Hamilton has already made history as a musical theater game-changer, and has attracted the attention and accolades of movie stars and presidents—past and present. Its recent move from The Public Theater to Broadway is as inspiring as its hip-hop driven soundtrack; if you see one show this season, make it Hamilton.

Fool for Love

Previews begin September 15; Opens October 8

Samuel J. Friedman Theater, NYC

Written by: Sam Shepard

Sam Shepard is one of our greatest playwrights. Nina Arianda and Sam Rockwell, its stars, are master thespians. Together, it's what theater dreams are made of. Do not miss this.

Misery

October 22, 2015 – February 14, 2016

Broadhurst Theater, NYC

Written by: William Goldman, adapted from Stephen King's novel

It's easy to forget that Bruce Willis was an up-and-coming stage actor who studied with Stella Adler before he was a megastar. He returns to his theater roots this fall, in William Goldman's adaption of Stephen King's classic about one writer and a very, very disturbed fan.

On Your Feet

Previews begin October 5, 2015; Opens November 5

Marquis Theater, NYC

Written by: Alexander Dinelaris

Gloria and Emilio Estefan are singer-songwriters who changed the record business and stayed married. Two good reasons to catch their bio-musical. A third reason: Its familiar, catchy tunes are backed by a multiple award winning creative team.

China Doll

Previews begin October 21, 2015; Opens November 19, 2015

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, NYC

Written by: David Mamet

David Mamet's admiration for Glenn Beck is rather strange, but the man can write. Besides, no-one yells like Al Pacino, and his long-awaited return to Broadway already has a lot of people selling their firstborn for a seat at this limited-run production.

TELEVISION

By Harry Liddle

The transition to fall can be overwhelming: Kids go back to school, the beach reluctantly gives way to routine, the pace of life quickens. You may find yourself flipping through channels, but, here too, getting lost in the myriad channels, along with new and returning shows. Luckily, we've made it just a little bit easier by picking out this season's must-sees.

Angel From Hell (CBS)

Jane Lynch (Glee) stars in this single-camera comedy as Amy, an unpredictable and sometimes-crazy guardian angel to Allison (Maggie Lawson), a straight-laced dermatologist in need of a new friend and some guidance. Premieres November 5.

Limitless (CBS)

This television adaptation of the 2011 film follows Brian Sinclair (Jake McDorman) who, after gaining access to the mysterious mind-enhancement drug NZT, is hired by the FBI to help solve crimes. Bradley Cooper will make an appearance as Eddie Morra. Premieres September 22.

Wrecked (TBS)

Described as Lost meets It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, this single-camera comedy from writers Justin and Jordan Shipley and producer Jesse Hara follows an extremely diverse group of plane-crash survivors who must adjust to life on a remote island. The absence of things like social media and Wi-Fi make for an interesting change in social dynamics. Zach Cregger and Ginger Gonzaga play the leads. Premiere date TBA.

Fear The Walking Dead (AMC)

Based on the legendary Walking Dead, this companion series is set in L.A. when the zombie outbreak begins and during the time Rick Grimes was in a coma. Expect a big change from the original though; this drama focuses on a family and the problems it faces in the midst of a world in crisis. Premiered August 23.

Ray Donovan (Showtime)

Returning in the fall for its third season, Ray Donovan not only broke Showtime records for most-viewed premiere, but earned two Golden Globe nominations and numerous other awards in its two-year lifetime. Not surprisingly, it has gone on to produce quite a large, and loyal, fan base. Liev Schreiber stars as Ray, a professional "fixer" for the rich and famous in L.A., but not without a hectic past following him from his hometown of Boston. Jon Voight and Paula Malcomson also star. If you missed the July premier, be sure to catch it on Showtime on Demand. Premiere date of Season 4 TBA.

LITERATURE

By Claire Gilbertsen

After spending the summer indulging in beach reads, the fall is the perfect time to curl up on the couch and sink your teeth into some new literature. The only good thing about the days getting shorter is more time at night to read. Here's a look at the top five fiction titles to keep an eye out for this fall.

The Japanese Lover

By Isabele Allende (Simon & Schuster)

Well known author Isabele Allende's latest novel is a love story that spans continents, cultures, and decades. A brilliant and beautiful telling of characters, families, and the resilience of the heart.

Avenue of Mysteries

By John Irving (Simon & Schuster)

Set in the Philippines and Mexico, this is the gripping story of a young boy and his mind reading sister, told by one of the greatest writers of our time.

What's Never Said

By Susan Shapiro (Heliotrope)

This juicy novel tells the story of a now grown woman who finds the professor she had an affair with in college years earlier. When they finally see each other after nearly thirty years have passed and the interaction is not like anything she expected, it causes her to question everything she thought she knew. Live vicariously through this racy story of a dark and tangled sexual history.

Two Years Eight Months and Twenty Eight Nights

By Salman Rushdie (Random House)

A captivating futuristic epic tale that takes place after a storm has hit New York City, and residents find themselves capable of strange feats and unusual abilities. A delightful journey of the imagination, beautifully told.

The Story of the Lost Child: Neapolitan Novels, Book Four

By Elena Ferrante and Ann Goldstein (Europa Editions)

This is the fourth (and, unfortunately, final) book of the series. If you haven't heard of Ferrante's most recent series, go back and start with the first one, My Brilliant Friend. The series is a powerful story of friendship set in the 1950s outside of Naples, Italy, as told over four installments written by the great Italian fiction writer Elena Ferrante.