o it's December: it's cold. You're dreading seeing your family, or you can barely stand the days that lie between you and your mother. You're shopped out, or you're broke. Everyone has holiday parties to go to, except you. So what to do in big old New York City, with something going on every night, with so many choices? Let martiniboys.com help you out; we've searched high and low come up with the best stuff to keep you busy this holiday season.


Wale @ The Highline Ballroom, Dec 9
Wale's upcoming major-label debut has already generated a lot of buzz, as it's rumoured that it includes cuts produced by Mark Ronson (brother of Charlotte and Samantha), Kanye West (king of quoteable quotes), Just Blaze, and Justice. This night he'll be backed by a live band. With Ronson, Colin Munroe, Kid Cudi, Che Grand, and Nick Catchdubs.




Lightning At Our Feet @ BAM, Dec 9 – Dec 13
Part of BAM's 2008 Next Wave festival, this new song cycle by composer Michael Gordon and Ridge Theatre explores the "landscape of the interior" created by poet Emily Dickinson. Incorporating voice, amplified strings, piano, electronics, percussion, and the poems themselves, four women - Jennifer Charles, Leah Coloff, Courtney Orlando, and Bora Yoon – perform songs about immortality and love against video projections by Bill Morrison and Laurie Olinder.




SantaCon @ TBD, Dec 13
You never know when you'll run into hundreds of Santas. Or where; SantaCon keeps locations under wraps until the last minute. Last year I bumped into a few hundred Santas on the 6 train. There were traditional Santas in full beard and fat suit, slutty Santas in short skirts, pants-less Santas, Santas wearing mardigras beads, Santas that looks more like elves than Santas, and a dreidle. Keep a sharp eye out for these guys, and try to join 'em; they throw the best part of the holiday season on the streets of the city.




Neil Young @ MSG, Dec. 15 – Dec. 16
Canada's troubadour hero, poli-folk provocateur, and sideburn king, Neil Young is a force to be reckoned with. It's Neil Young. So go. That's all there is to it. What else are you gonna do? Shop?




Wine 101 @ NYC Wine Class, Dec. 19
What are we to do during these hard economic times but blow our (tiny) Christmas bonuses on alcohol? At least maybe you'll learn something if you try out this class. Discussions include regions of the world, how grapes grow, and how wine is made. Also, you get to try at least 12 wines, and eat a lot of cheese (to soak up all that wine.) Probably the best gift you can get your best friend / best office mate. Then steal a couple of bottles, head out to Madison Square Park, and get sloshed.