WEEKEND EDITION -- MARCH 23-25

The city's overflowing with art and some Dutch guy just entered the fold. Brooklyn's having an all out food fair. There's a comedy show in Chelsea this weekend that will crack you up. When was the last time you sat down for dinner with some young up-and-coming artists? There's this singer we think you'll love. And Modest Mouse is on the move. Never a dull moment. Gotta love this city.

=ANY TIME=
ART: VAN GOGH @ THE NEUE GALLERIE (5th Ave. @ 86th St.)
Site + Map
Our Take: This small museum focusing on Austrian & German art has consistently put together some of the best exhibits of the last couple years. This Van Gogh show, focusing on his influence on Austrian & German Expressionism, is looking to be a standout. And the Van Gogh star power might just be enough to convince skeptical friends to try out an afternoon of art.

Our Plan: The Neue makes a perfect day trip because it's relatively small and because it's the home of the fantastic Cafe Sabarsky. Grab some brunch at the cafe and then spend an hour or two with Van Gogh for a perfect afternoon in the city. Click here to see our original post about Cafe Sabarsky.

Details: Van Gogh and Expressionism opened March 22. Museum open Sun, Mon & Thurs 11-6pm; Fri & Sat 11-9pm. Closed Tues & Wed.

FOOD & BOOZE: BROOKLYN RESTAURANT WEEK
Official Site
Our Take: Everybody knows Brooklyn's food scene just keeps changing for the better. From Williamsburg to Park Slope, some of NYCs best restaurant spots are over on the other side of the East River. If you've been thinking about heading over there, this is the week to do it. You can't go wrong with three course prix fixe menus at over 100 restaurants for only $21.12.

Details: Restaurant week runs until March 30. Three course meals are $21.12 at participating restaurants. Most restaurants offer the discount at lunch and dinner. Some only at lunch. Click here for the full list of participating restaurants.

=FRIDAY=
COMEDY: DEATH BY ROO ROO: YOUR FUCKED UP FAMILY @ Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (26th St. b/w 8th & 9th Aves.)
Site + Map
Our Take: Hey, we can relate. If family dysfunction can't make you laugh, what will? In this weekly show, the famous improv group asks the audience to throw out family dysfunctions and then uses them to crack you up. Our comedy friends tell us this show should be top notch. Perfect for a post-dinner destination.

Details: Show starts @ 11pm. Tickets $8. Strongly recommended that you call ahead to make a reservation. 212-366-9176.

=SATURDAY=
ART & FOOD: SLIDELUCK POTSHOW IX @ SANDBOX STUDIO (Hudson St. @ Broome St., 11th Floor)
Event Site + Venue Site + Map
Our Take: This non-profit event brings together artists of all sorts for an evening of food, booze, music and art. After the food is gone and wine bottles have been emptied, the lights are dimmed and a slideshow of the participants' art is shown.

Don't Forget: This is a potluck, so if you go, you gotta bring food & booze. If you don't, it's not much of a party.

Details: Dinner @ 7pm; Slideshow @ 9pm. Studio is on the 11th floor. Bring food & booze.

=SUNDAY=
MUSIC: Christina Courtin @ The Living Room (Ludlow b/w Stanton & Rivington)
Band Site + Venue Site + Myspace + Review + Map
Our Take: We told you about her back in January and the show was impressive. Check her out this Sunday.

Repeat: At only $10, this is the best live music deal of the week. Ms. Courtin has something truly special. If we had to place it in a broad category, her voice would generally fall into a realm occupied by Bjork, Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor. She has a sort of radiant, playful quality that will draw you in. The venue is an intimate lower east side spot that sports a full bar with a couch. Start the night out here and you're smack in the middle of the LES scene when it's over. So grab after show drinks pretty much anywhere. Show @10pm. Drinks til 4am.

=PLAN AHEAD=
MUSIC: MODEST MOUSE @ UNION PALACE THEATER (Broadway @ 175th St.)
-- SHOWS ARE APRIL 29 & 30 --
TICKETS ON SALE SATURDAY @ NOON!
Site + MySpace + Reviews + Map
Our Take: We loved Good News for People who Love Bad News. New album out this week. Maybe it doesn't top the last one, but we'll let them float on the fumes of Good News for a while.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS!