New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

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A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events this Weekend: Nov. 16 to Nov. 18

How to experience arts if you’re pinching pennies.
The+poster+for+Tisch+Festival+of+the+Voices.+%28Courtesy+of+NYU+Tisch+Institute+of+Performing+Arts%29
The poster for Tisch Festival of the Voices. (Courtesy of NYU Tisch Institute of Performing Arts)

In the aftermath of the end of daylight saving time, we all need a little pick-me-up to get ourselves through 4:30 p.m. sunsets and rapidly dropping temperatures. To help tide you over until Thanksgiving break, here are some fun (and cheap!) arts events going on in the city this weekend.

Portals Photo Experience — Nov. 15-18 (Free)

Whether you’re an expert photographer or still learning what all the buttons do, an interactive photography pop-up in Soho could be the perfect addition to your weekend. Wrapping up the 11-day run, PORTALS Photo Experience by Canon is open this Thursday and Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m. —A.Z.

Keith Gessen talks “A Terrible Country” at Columbia University — Nov. 16 (Free)

The acclaimed Russian-American writer — and brother of The New Yorker’s Masha Gessen — sits down to talk about his new novel, at Columbia at 1p.m. Out in July, the book is set in Moscow in the early days of the global financial crisis, and follows a former expat who returns home to Russia from New York. —A.C.

Slothrust and Mannequin Pussy, at Music Hall of Williamsburg — Nov. 16 (18+, $18 in advance, $20 day of show)

Slothrust have a dense, undeniably indie sound, while their supporting act Mannequin Pussy play fuzzier tracks glossed over with punk vocals. This Friday night, both groups will be playing at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Doors are at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9 p.m. —A.Z.

2018 Dance Film Festival, at Triskelion Arts — Nov. 16-17 ($18 in advance, $22 at the door)

This Friday and Saturday evening, the fourth annual Dance Film Festival will be held at Triskelion Arts’ Muriel Schulman Theater in Brooklyn. Programs will run at 7:30 and 9 p.m. both nights and will feature national and international films celebrating the art of dance on camera.  —A.Z.

Tisch Festival of Voices — Nov. 15-20 ($14, $7 for students)

Highlighting a range of different voices and experiences, the Tisch Festival of Voices will feature plays and readings that bring different points of view to the forefront. Shows will be held throughout the weekend at the Tisch Drama Stage, hosted at the Abe Burrows Theatre on Broadway. —A.Z.

Encyclopedia Commedia, at Caveat — Nov. 17 (21+, $10 in advance, $12 at the door)

Join host Brad Einstein, with guests including Jo Firestone (The Tonight Show), Lucas O’Neil (Comedy Central) and Megan Henricks and Steven Jackson (Love and Radio), as they attempt to explain all the knowledge in the world, improvised encyclopedia entry by improvised encyclopedia entry. Volume VI of the monthly comedy show runs this Saturday from 9 to 11 p.m., covering entries from “Et” to “Fu.”—A.C.

Dance Heginbotham/Amy Trompetter: Fantasque, at Skirball — Nov. 17-18 ($15 with an NYU ID)

This strange, whimsical performance is a unique melding of dance and puppetry. A New York City premiere, the family-friendly show runs Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., with a chance for kids to get an up-close look at the puppets after the matinee shows. —A.C.

Email Ali Zimmerman at [email protected] and Alex Cullina at [email protected].

About the Contributors
Ali Zimmerman, Deputy Arts Editor
Ali Zimmerman is the Deputy Arts Editor for Washington Square News and a sophomore in Liberal Studies. She is from New Jersey but swears it’s not as bad as you think. In her free time she enjoys watching cartoons and making obscure “Portlanida” references, and she can probably be found people watching and pretending to do homework in her latest favorite park. Ali loves listening to music and talking about music, and will happily fangirl over Lorde with you at any time.
Alex Cullina, Theatre & Books Editor
Alex Cullina is the Theatre & Books Editor for WSN. A native Clevelander, he is a junior studying English and History in CAS. Growing up in Ohio before coming to New York, he's very defensive of the Midwest, despite its many (many) flaws. Beside keeping up with the best in new film and TV, you can often find him curled up with a good book or the latest issue of The New Yorker.
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