Today’s “FAB 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, DEC. 20, 2014.
“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to. We make it as easy as 1-2-3.”

‘Pipes of Christmas’ — SpecialEvent/ Holiday Music

75 Years on the Yellow Brick Road:
Things You Likely Never Knew About The Wizard of Oz
– SmartStuff/ Lecture

Prohibition Saturdays – Jazz

Big Apple Circus – Circus

‘Holiday Light: Joyous Music for Chanukah and Christmas’
– SpecialEvent/ Holiday Music

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-Dec.”, and “Top10 Free” in the header above.
♦  For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above.

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‘Pipes of Christmas’
“This holiday music event, presented by the Clan Currie Society, features readings from the Celtic literature of Scotland, Ireland and Wales; the singer Gillebride MacMillan; the fiddler Paul Woodiel; and the uilleann piper and flutist Christopher Layer.” (NYT)
Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 921 Madison Ave, at 73rd St.
212-868-4444 / pipesofchristmas.com
2pm and 7pm / $60

75 Years on the Yellow Brick Road:
Things You Likely Never Knew About The Wizard of Oz
You might be aware that the film classic The Wizard of Oz is 75 years old this August. But do you know why Dorothy wears the iconic Ruby Slippers instead of the silver pair L. Frank Baum gave her in the book? Or that F. Scott Fitzgerald wanted to write the screenplay as a vehicle for the Marx Brothers? Michael Patrick Hearn, the leading authority on The Wizard of Oz, explores these and other little-known facts about the creation of the most beloved Hollywood movie ever made.
New York Public Library, Fifth Ave. at 42nd St.
2PM / FREE, No tickets necessary.

Prohibition Saturdays (formerly the empire salon)
“moves its monthly vintage jazz party to the gansevoort park rooftop for an evening of live music by jason prover + the sneak thievery orchestra, burlesque by legs malone, and sexy trivia. free charleston dance lesson at 6:45pm.” (the skint)
Gansevoort Park Hotel, 420 Park Ave South (btw 28/29 St.)
5-10pm / no minimum, free admission.

Big Apple Circus (through Jan 11)
“This nonprofit organization might take its name from the biggest metropolis in the country, but its tented spectacles always have an intimate feel, because none of the seats are more than fifty feet from the ring. In the midst of its thirty-seventh season, the troupe is presenting “Metamorphosis,” a show that focusses on the theme of transformation and features aerialists, contortionists, animals, and, of course, clowns.” (NewYorker)
Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center, 62nd St. btw Amsterdam/Columbus Aves.
bigapplecircus.org

‘Holiday Light: Joyous Music for Chanukah and Christmas’
“This performance, featuring the Western Wind, will offer international and traditional pieces from the Middle Ages to the present. The performance includes soloists and instrumentalists.” (NYT)
Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street, at Grove St., West Village
212-873-2848 / westernwind.org
8PM / $25 to $250; $20 for students and 65+.

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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity (pop. 8.4 million) had 54 million visitors last year and quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
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Holiday markets in NYC

New York has a wealth of holiday markets and craft fairs that you can browse if the big department stores with their holiday windows aren’t your bag.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Not only is there free ice-skating on Bryant Park’s 17,000-square-foot outdoor rink, but also 127 holiday shops, including 27 new kiosks and 26 eateries. New offerings such as eco-friendly clothing and accessories from Angelrox ($10–$250) and organic hair- and skin-care products from Surya Brasil (starting at $15) are up for grabs. And after you shop and skate, warm up at spacious rinkside restaurant Celsius. FYI: The vendors are only there until Jan 4, but If you want to practice your lutzes and axels with ample spinning room, try visiting during off-peak hours (open through March 1). FYI: On Tuesday, Dec 2, come for the tree, but stay for the grand lighting ceremony at 6pm, including performances on and off the ice.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park Sixth Ave, between 40th and 42nd Sts
Until Sun Jan 4

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
This annual holiday bazaar, run by the people behind the Union Square market, features handmade items from local artisans and snacks from vendors such as Mrs. Dorsey’s Kitchen and Sigmund Pretzel Shop. Look for the market concierge to help you navigate your way through the approximately 100 booths.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market Central Park South, at Central Park West
Mon Dec 1 – Wed Dec 24

Grand Central Holiday Fair
This fair’s six-week run features 76 microboutiques plus 22 new artists and businesses boasting everything from contemporary jewelry and art objects to African crafts and Christmas ornaments. And since it’s situated inside the terminal itself, you won’t have to worry about shivering while you’re browsing the goods. Highlights include Jacques Torres Chocolates ($6-$100), man candles ($30) from The Lode Man Shop and handcrafted knit and crocheted outerwear from Spratters & Jayne ($60-$325).
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair 89 E 42nd St, at Park Ave
Until Wed Dec 24

Union Square Holiday Market
If there’s one alfresco shopping event worth braving the cold for, it’s this one. This European-style winter market boasts more than 150 local and national vendors hawking an impressive selection of handcrafted gifts, ranging from jewelry and accessories to leather goods and artwork. Check out the brew-your-own beer kits from the Brooklyn Brew Shop ($40); handmade, monogrammed stuffed animals from Hazel Village ($39); and wooden puzzles and board games from Kubiya Games ($38). And with food vendors like Momofuku Milk Bar, Bar Suzette, Wafels & Dinges and No Chewing Allowed!, you could easily spend a whole day here.
Union Square Holiday Market 14th St to 17th St, between Broadway and Park Ave South
Until Wed Dec 24

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Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market
Brooklyn purveyors set up shop across the river at Artists & Fleas’ seasonal pop-up bazaar, situated inside Chelsea Market. Expect to find trendy and noncommercial holiday-themed gifts vetted by husband-and-wife team Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer, who ensure that every item is locally made and well crafted. Among the 30-plus vendors are bag designer Pamela Barsky, vinyl slinger Eat Records and vintage seller Brooklyn Bleu. Enter the building at the corner of Tenth Avenue and 15th Street.
Artists & Fleas – Chelsea Market 75 Ninth Ave, between 15th and 16th Sts,
Sat Nov 1 – Wed Dec 24

Creeds Collective Holiday Pop-up
This pop-up’s two-month run allows you to grab splurgeworthy presents from up-and-coming fashion, beauty and wellness brands for everyone on your list—or hell, let’s be honest, yourself. Our favorites include Angela & Roi handbags ($340), Dharma eyewear ($99), Coye Nokes shoes ($350) and more. And 10 percent of proceeds from every purchase goes toward Global Citizen’s (globalcitizen.org) fight against extreme poverty. The pop-up also offers complimentary mini spa treatments from natural hair- and skin-care brand THANN, a nail-art bar by Primp & Polish and a #hashtag photo booth, to reward yourself for getting through your shopping list.
Creeds Collective Holiday Pop-Up 54 Crosby St , between Broome and Spring Sts
Until Sun Dec 28

Hester Holiday Market at One Penn Plaza
The Hester Holiday Market at One Penn Plaza brings Hester Street Fair’s favorite gift and food vendors to 34th Street just in time for the holidays! This outdoor market will be a destination for one-of-a-kind shopping with curated and handmade gifts that you won’t find in any stores. Plus an incredible roster of artisanal food vendors will be fueling the holiday cheer. The holiday market will also celebrate the festivities with caroling, classes and much more! (www.hesterstreetfair.com)

This bazaar usually stays indoors for the winter, but this year, you’ll find vintage wares, crafts and other gifts at its new outdoor location. This one-of-a-kind shopping destination features curated and handmade gifts you won’t find in any store as well. Plus, there will be a full roster of artisinal food vendors to fuel the holiday cheer.
One Penn Plaza Eighth Ave, between 33rd and 34th Sts,
Mon Dec 1 – Sun Dec 21

Jingle holiday pop-up
Accessories designer Jill Schwartz curated this 6,000-square-foot shop inside Chelsea Market, featuring local and international goods perfect for gift-giving. Inside, you’ll find stylish wares by Izola and vibrant living sculptures (starting at $60) from Twig Terrariums. Plus, this pop-up has enough holiday spirit to cheer up even scroogiest New Yorker.
Chelsea Market 75 Ninth Ave, at 16th St
Tue Dec 16 – Mon Dec 29

The Soho Holiday Collective
This holiday pop-up is all about one-of-a-kind fashions from emerging designers. It’s a hands-on affair, where you can actually meet and be styled by the designers themselves. Find luxury apparel, jewelry and gift items from Jes Wade, KES, Lulu Estate Jewelry and more. After you visit with the designers, be sure to check out the pop-up’s garage style gallery, which features an array of framed pop culture photography by Rock Paper Photo and Capital Art. We imagine the classic photos of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor will go fast.
Soho Holiday Collective Pop-up 150 Wooster St , between W Broadway and Greene St,
Until Wed Dec 24

Elsewhere, but worth a detour:

Artists & Fleas Williamsburg Holiday Market
Founders Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer will again curate a special holiday-themed version of their weekend market, now featuring more than100 vendors inside their Williamsburg space, which expanded to the warehouse next door. Boasting sellers, artists, makers and collectors, enjoy free gift-wrapping stations, tasty treats and Christmas carolers to get you all warm and fuzzy. If off-the-wall gifts are your thing, you might want to snatch up Kt Ferris Creations’ trendy evil-eye necklaces ($28–$150), Curated Basics’ black stainless steel cuffs for guys ($40), festive knit Twinko onesies for pets or Marley & Alfie horseshoe dream catchers ($99) for your ecentric friends and family members.
Artists & Fleas 70 North 7th St, between Kent and Wythe Aves
Until Sun Dec 28

Astoria Market Holiday Markets
On three Sundays before Christmas (Nov 16; Dec 24, 21), Queens’ classic Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden transforms into an NYC-centric artisan market chock-full of handmade and vintage merchandise. Standout vendors include handmade ceramics from Mayware and delicious gluten-free baked goods from WHOS bakery. Eggnog, hot cider and roasted chestnuts are available for the peckish, too.
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden 29-19 24th Ave, between 29th and 31st Sts, 
Sun Nov 16 – Sun Dec 21

LIC Flea & Food Holiday Market
For eight weekends before Christmas, more than 55 vendors set up shop in a warehouse space adjacent to LIC Flea & Food’s outdoor lot at this gift-geared seasonal spin-off. It’s one of the biggest indoor markets in New York, so this holiday bazaar is a can’t-miss. Featuring more than 55 vendors, the holiday offerings include everything from fashion to arts and crafts and of course, antiques. Plus, there’s plenty of food carts to fuel your search for the perfect holiday gifts. Other bonuses include live music from the Dandy Wellington band and, of course, the chance to take a photo with the big man in the red suit—Santa is here every weekend until December 21.
LIC Flea 5-25 46th Ave , between Vernon Blvd and 5th St.
Until Sun Dec 21

This comprehensive listing and much more useful holiday info, including a holiday gift guide, can be found at TONY magazine’s Christmas in NewYork Guide.

For a virtual tour of  holiday department store windows, try the slideshows at the NYT and Refinery 29.