Noteworthy events this week include the talented Jackie Hoffman delivering her trademark humor at Joe’s Pub, the soulful Renée Neufville, formerly of Zhané, performing at the Apollo, and the closing performances of “Bat Boy: The Musical.”
Among the free attractions are a striking Labubu sculpture crafted entirely from cans and a day-long musical homage to Stevie Wonder.
Comedy
“A Miserable Evening with Jackie Hoffman”
Joe’s Pub — 425 Lafayette St., Manhattan (East Village)
Thursday, November 6, and Friday, November 7, 9:30 p.m.
Renowned for her comedic flair, Jackie Hoffman returns to Joe’s Pub to launch a series of performances throughout November.
“The show features the words ‘miserable’ and my name in the title, which might seem redundant,” she shared with The Daily News. “It’s a hilarious, typically sharp take on life, but this time it’s edgier because I’m older, angrier, and finding things increasingly hopeless.”
The Queens native, who has starred in the Broadway musicals “Hairspray” and “On the Town” and the films “Birdman” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” added that her sardonic wit is not all doom and gloom. “We end with a note of hope, but in the most bizarre, offensive, shocking kind of way. It’ll be a really fun night.”
Hoffman, who turns 65 later this month, has a long history with Joe’s Pub dating back decades ago.
“I first started doing shows there when I was in ‘Hairspray,’ which is 23 years ago, and then in 2010 during ‘The Addams Family,’ I did a show which celebrated my 50th birthday,” she said, describing it as “the bellwether” and the measurement of her “decay.”
“It’s kind of like a mini one-woman musical, but full of anger and comedy and despair,” the Emmy Award-nominated “Feud” scene-stealer said.
Tickets are $42, plus food & drink minimum.
Music
Renée Neufville
Apollo Music Café —253 West 125th St., Manhattan (Harlem)
Sat. Nov. 8, 10 p.m.
Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Renée Neufville is bringing her “Groove Thang” back to the Apollo this weekend with a late night set.
The Brooklyn-reared Jamaica native was at the forefront of the neo-soul movement of the early 1990s as a part of the R&B duo Zhané, with classic hits such as “Hey Mr. DJ,” “Groove Thang,” and “It’s A Party!” On her own, she’s performed with Roy Hargrove‘s RH Factor and Maceo Parker and released a string of solo songs including “Watching Me” and “Something to Believe (For Roy).”
Neufville told The Daily News she will “definitely be bringing a little old and new” to the stage on Saturday night.
“I will be singing the hits, I’ll be singing some of the album cuts from the first two albums that were recorded with Motown, and I will also be covering the RH Factor singles,” she said, adding that “all of the music will be centered around the times that we’re living in today. My intention for this show is to create another core memory for people to hold on to once the upcoming months become darker, figuratively and literally.”
Tickets are $30, plus food & drink minimum
Theater
“Bat Boy: The Musical”
New York City Center —130 West 56th St., Manhattan (Midtown)
Through Nov. 9. Various showtimes.
Comic fans know all about “Batman” and “Batgirl,” but Weekly World News readers are more versed in the exploits of Bat Boy, a creature who became newspaper tabloid fodder in the early 1990s.
The wacky story of the half-human half-bat teenager spawned a Broadway-bound musical in 2001 that has been revived by director Alex Timbers and stars Taylor Trensch in the title role. The cast also features Kerry Butler, Christopher Sieber, Tom McGowan, Marissa Rosen, Rema Webb and Tony winners Marissa Jaret Winokur and Alex Newell.
“..Even though ‘Bat Boy’ was a not super well known title and a little bit sort of different, more alternative, than what we do, I thought Alex could really deliver something pretty spectacular, and maybe that would be worth taking it on,” newly appointed City Center artistic director and VP Jenny Gersten explained at a recent talkback about the gala presentation of “Bat Boy: The Musical.”
Tickets start at $45.
Circus
Big Apple Circus
Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center — 155 West 62nd St., Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Through Jan. 4, Various showtimes.
The New York City staple returns with an all-new production featuring soaring acrobats, jaw-dropping stunts, comedic mischief and some four-legged friends under the Big Top.
This year’s lineup includes Italy’s gravity defying Nicolodi Brothers, the Bingo Troupe from Ukraine, the Bone Breakers from Africa, the Flying Maluendas from Chile, the Kung Fu Boys and Johnny Rico.
Tickets start at $26.21.
Art
“High Wire: Calder’s Circus at 100”
The Whitney Museum of American Art—99 Gansevoort St., Manhattan (Meatpacking District)
Fri. Nov. 7, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The centennial tribute to one of The Whitney’s most beloved works is among the many activities visitors can partake in during this week’s “Free Fridays” programming.
It’s the first major presentation of Alexander Calder‘s transformation of found materials such as wire, cork, wood and fabric into an innovative piece during the 1920s he called “Cirque Calder.” Now known as “Calder’s Circus,” the exhibit has more than 100 miniature carnival-styled figurines that the American sculptor once animated in live, two-hour spectacles for friends in Paris.
Curated by Jennie Goldstein and Roxanne Smith, the exhibition — on view until March 2026 — also features sketches, abstractions, and rarely film footage of the artist performing the piece in his studio.
Free.
Free
“Wall to Wall Stevie Wonder”
Symphony Space—2537 Broadway, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Sat. Nov. 8, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Cultural event curator Monique Martin is at it again with the production of a daylong tribute to Stevie Wonder at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater.
The celebration of the musical genius’ legacy includes artists performing live and reimagining Wonder’s wide-ranging songbook through soul, R&B, hip-hop, world music, gospel, and jazz to dance and original poetry.
“Stevie Wonder’s music is timely as well as timeless,” Martin — who previously produced “Wall to Wall Prince” and “Wall to Wall Women of Soul” music marathons — said. “He has always spoken about peace and unity and bringing the world together through music, joy, and love. I can’t think of an artist whose songs and message more perfectly meet the moment.”
Free.
Free
“33rd Annual Canstruction New York Exhibition”
Brookfield Place — 230 Vesey St., Manhattan (Tribeca)
Through Nov. 10. Various times.
The Labubu phenomenon has come to the art world in a public exhibition made of thousands of unopened cans of sardines, tuna, beans and other pantry staples that have been turned into larger-than-life sculptures.
Blending artistry, architecture and charity with 23 colossal creations made entirely of canned food, the Instagrammable event will ultimately deliver City Harvest’s single biggest canned food donation of the year after it wraps.
Free.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the full listing details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
