Holiday Guide 2010, Part One and Cheap and Free Weekend Event Picks, Part One, Dec. 10-12, 2010

Hi all, I've been so busy lately that I'm posting the weekend picks and the holiday guide in parts. The first parts of each listing are here, check back Saturday afternoon for separate weekend picks and more holiday fun!

Friday December 10, 2010
Chow down on $2 black bean tacos from Bouwerie as writers read entries from Gigantic magazine during the NYC of the Indie Lit Roadshow! 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Darling House, 496 Broadway, at Union Ave., 3rd flr., Williamsburg, RSVP to giganticmag@gmail.com. Free except for drinks and tacos!

See America’s favorite actors turned politicians, Jesse “the body” Ventura, and Arnold Schwarzenegger as they battle the extraterrestrial predator in the aptly titled flick, Predator! 8 p.m., 92ndY Tribeca, 200 Hudson St., $10! Buy tkts here: http://www.92y.org/shop/92Tri_event_detail.asp?productid=T-MM5FD09

Pearls on the Ocean Floor, a documentary about female Iranian artists, is making its NYC premiere tonight! After the screening there will be a panel discussion with the filmmakers and some of the artists featured in the film. 7 p.m., RH Gallery, 137 Duane St., free! RSVP to: gallery@rhgallery.com.

Tonight there’s also a party at Brooklyn’s Russian baths (http://www.geminiandscorpio.com), a holiday preview party at the Center for Gift Arts (http://www.centerforbookarts.org), and readings of Chekov’s short stories by celebs (http://www.actorschapel.org).

Saturday December 11, 2010
Get free cupcakes from Crumbs starting 8 a.m. to celebrate their new shop at 97th and Columbus! Then burn off calories today and tomorrow with free (there is a locker charge of $4.50) ice skating at Wollman Rink starting at 10 a.m. (http://www.wollmanskatingrink.com/main_wollman.htm)

Cheap Chick Holiday Guide, Part One

Nov. 26-Dec. 24, 2010, Miracle on 34^th St. Puppet Show at Macy’s! Musical Marionettes tell the famous story. Wonder if they have reindeer puppets? Shows run continuously from 9:30 a.m., Macy’s Herald Square, Express Elevators @ 35th & Broadway, just $5!

Dec. 1-31, 2010, Donate to the New York Cares Coat Drive, and help others keep warm during this chilly winter weather! http://www.newyorkcares.org/volunteer/holiday_volunteering/coat_drive

Dec. 2-Jan.9, 2011, Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what you’ll find at Le Parker Meridien’s annual gingerbread house show (or what little girls are made of…) Either way, gaze upon houses inspired by “Movies Made in New York!” Le Parker Meridien Hotel, 119 W. 56th St., your $1 donations lets you vote for your favorite abode, and goes to City Harvest! http://www.parkermeridien.com/gingerbread.php

Dec. 10, 2010, Xmas Pop Singalong, Harmonize with classic holiday videos like N’Sync’s Home for Christmas, while enjoying treats like milk and cookies! 9 p.m., Legion, 790 Metropolitan Ave @ Humboldt St., free (food extra)!

Dec. 10 and 11, 2010, Share your holiday with the Griswald clan (or be glad they’re not your family) as they celebrate in the classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Midnight Friday and Saturday, Landmark Sunshine, $9.99!

Dec. 11, 2010, Don a red hat, white beard, and suit with your fellow Santaphiles to celebrate SantaCon in NYC. Details yet to be revealed, but check here for info as it becomes available: http://santacon.info/New_York-NY/?p=7

Dec. 12, 2010, Bust out your wallet and get some holiday shopping done at the Bust magazine Holiday Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18^th bet. 5^th and 6^th, $2!

Dec. 17-24, 2010, It’s a Wonderful Life hits the big screen at the IFC just in time for the holidays! Listen closely for bells ringing during the screening of this perennial holiday favorite! Times and price will be listed here when available: http://www.ifccenter.com/films/its-a-wonderful-life/

Now through Dec. 21, 2010, watch out for falling snow and dancing stars at the Shops at the Time Warner Center’s holiday displays! http://www.shopsatcolumbuscircle.com/go/mallEvents.cfm?eventID=2145367826