Events in NYC- Free Events in NYC - Week of December 17-19 2010

Christmas is but a week away, so this weekend is sure to be beyond-the-beyond busy. There's an Alexander Wang sample sale (gaaaah!), our very own Fashion BFFs event with H&M, and a holiday market that is sure to satiate even James Beard. Whether you need to stock on last minute gifts, get a serious dose of culture (now, now, it's not all about prezzies!), or want to tuck into a meal with J.C. himself in honor of his impending birthday, we've got the list of the top 8 must hit events this weekend…and we've checked it twice!

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Say Cheese—Round up your family and head up to 23rd Street to make some seriously awkward, Christmas card magic at Old Navy's Awkward Holiday Photo Mobile event. Gap's lil' sister has teamed up with Mike Bender and Doug Chernack from AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com (a site that has made us cry with laughter on numerous occasions) to help you make virtual cringe-inducing cards. Stop by and get your photo taken, and then upload to Twitter or Facebook for an instant reaction. Old Navy discounts will also be doled out, making this an event that is sure to put smiles on every member of your family's face. And don't worry—if you are having trouble getting your weird on, experts will be on hand to instruct people on tried and true awkward poses like the "totem pole," the "banana boat," and the "bobsled."
Old Navy's Awkward Holiday Photo Event, Saturday, December 18th 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, December 19th 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Old Navy's Awkward Holiday Photo Mobile Pop-Up, at 23rd Street and Broadway.

Christmas Sweaters—Love a good Christmas sweater? Us too! Now try your hand at designing a truly heinous creation that's all your own. Crunch Gyms throughout the city are running a new campaign called "Be A Holiday Sweater" that is sure to get you in the Christmas mood. First, check out their fun microsite that allows you to create your own fugly sweater. You can then send it to your friends, along with a 2-week guest pass to Crunch gyms—the perfect gift for those trying to get a jump on their New Year's resolutions. Second, Crunch is holding a sweater drive in partnership with the Salvation Army (a.k.a. hardcore thrifters' paradise and where some truly unique Christmas sweaters can always be found). Bring in a piece of clothing to donate at any Crunch location and receive 30% off one Crunch retail item. In our experience, there is nothing like a new piece of work-out gear to inspire exercising!
Be A Holiday Sweater Event, Ongoing through the end of December.
Crunch, 404 Lafayette Street (between East 4th Street and Astor Place); 212-614-0120.

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Line Up—Seen Man On A Wire? We were blown away by the documentary of Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist who walked between the Twin Towers. On the reals, his art is something that is hard to look away from, even if it's nail-biting. Tonight, in celebration of their new gallery space, Clic Gallery is showing Line Up: With amazing images by photog Victoria Dearing of Petit at work, and beautifully intricate pencil drawings by Petit himself, this is a can't-miss exhibit.
Line Up Exhibition, Thursday, December 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Clic Gallery, 255 Centre Street (at Broome Street); 212-966-2766.

One Night Only—Internationally acclaimed political theater troupe, The Citizens Band, return to NYC for one night only this Saturday, with a performance of their ninth original show, "The Past is a Foreign Country," at the Highline Ballroom. The show promotes the new Blue Key campaign, which tackles the topic of refugees and displaced people. With plenty of songs, music, dance, and gorgeous aerial ballet, it's an experience that's sure to knock your socks off, while giving you a bit of a reality check—in a fun way!
The Citizens Band Show, Saturday, December 18, at 8 p.m., (doors open at 6 p.m.); Tickets: $35
The Citizens Band at the Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street (between 9th and 10th avenues); 212-414-5994.

Big Social—It's funny how Christmas can really take all the fun out of shopping. Lucky for us, the folks from the Hester Street Fair are putting on their Big Social Holiday Market this weekend, which is sure to turn shopping haters into happy campers. With an anti-mall aesthetic and attitude, snack on fried chicken biscuit sandwiches from Pies and Thighs, lobster rolls from Luke's Lobster, and a whole host of baked goods from macaroons to cupcakes to hot chocolate (they've even got kimchee pot pies and vegan pâté for those lookin' to get adventurous), while you check out everything from arty cufflinks to terrariums to hand crafted perfumes. Discounts, gifts, raffles, and live music (as well as a special weekend Holiday cocktail bar) makes this more like the chillest holiday party we're dying to go to rather than your typical mother's market.
Big Social Holiday Market, Friday, December 17, to Thursday, December 23, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; (Open until midnight on Friday, December 17)
Big Social Holiday Market at the Open House Gallery, 201 Mulberry Street (between Kenmare and Spring streets); no phone.

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Wang It—Get ready to stand in line, ladies. It's time for another Alexander Wang sample sale. The sale that produced a bevy of brilliant street style photos and smiles on many-a-fashionista's face is back again to spread some serious holiday cheer. Shop pre-fall and fall '10 items, from apparel to handbags to shoes, all up to 80% off. Grab your coffee, pull together a look that screams Wasson (or stick some toothpaste in your hair à la Wang spring '11), and head to SoHo. We know, it feels like Christmas has come a week early.
Alexander Wang Sample Sale, Thursday, December 16, through Saturday, December 18, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Alexander Wang Sample Sale, 93 Mercer Street (between Spring and Broome streets); no phone.

Holiday Bonding—Come party with us and celebrate your fashion BFFs at our H&M holiday party tonight! The entire store is 25% off for one-night-only, and our editors have gone through the goods and picked out the best of the best for you to give to your bestie this holiday season. And or course, we've even brought in two of our favorite fashion pals—who also happen to be sisters—jewelry designer extraordinaires Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato. The girls behind the Lizzie Fortunato jewelry line will be on hand to personalize a new signature friendship charm bracelet for you right there on the spot when you spend $75. But wait, there's more: We've even got complimentary, eco-friendly wrapping paper and ornamentation to make sure your gifts look as good on the outside as they are on the inside. You've got no excuse not to cross off your entire Christmas list in one fell swoop.
Refinery29 and H&M's BFF Holiday Party, Tonight, Thursday, December 16, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; to attend, please RSVP to rsvp@refinery29.com.
H&M SoHo, 558 Broadway (at Prince Street); 212-965-8975.

The Last Supper—Want to get away sans body scanners? Head to the Park Avenue Armory and step into Peter Greenway's "Leonardo's Last Supper: A Vision", a full-scale replica of the dome of Refectory of Santa Maria Delle Grazia, the home of the Leonardo's original "Last Supper." Have a holy experience as you step up to the glowing dinner table, which seems so real you'll think you are breaking bread with Jesus Christ himself (right before we celebrate his birthday!). Really, you'll feel like you've gone to Milan and back in about 45 minutes, which is pretty sweet in our books.
Peter Greenway's "Leonardo's Last Supper: A Vision", Open now through Thursday, January 6; Purchase timed tickets, $12-$15, here.
The Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue (between East 66th and East 67th streets); 212-616-3930.

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