Can you tell the Head Tomato had a great time at our event at Nordstrom’s Shoe Bar this week? Valerie Smaldone says Harry’s Last Stand at City Center, directed by a female, Karen Carpenter, and starring the wonderful Len Cariou, is a beautiful play. And guest what? We’re giving away tickets. If you’re heading out to the Holiday Markets, we have a great find at the Columbus Circle. Holiday fun abounds in Brooklyn at the Latke Festival and the craft fair. Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall have wonderful holiday music shows. Speaking of music, we’re now taking audition applications for our 2020 Tomatoes Got Talent.

Our “Shoe Bar” event at Nordstrom’s was just one of the many fun insider things we’ve done this year. Join the club.

Designer Fashion at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Let’s face it. A lot of the holiday markets have the same things, and many of them are not local products. So we were blown away to discover this booth at Columbus Circle’s Market. The beautiful clothes are curated by Cecilia Kwong and they’re all by young designers from FIT and Parson’s among others. And the best part? She donates a portion of sales to animal shelter groups. Get there before the holidays are over.

Dec. 16. The Latke Festival

One of New York City’s most unique and delicious holiday tasting events, the Latke Festival is a charity event organized by Great Performances that celebrates the best and most creative potato pancakes in our city. For its fourth year in a row, the 11th Annual Latke Festival will be held at the stunning Brooklyn Museum and is already on track to be our biggest celebration of latkes yet. Get the details.

Dec. 21 – 22. Renegade Craft Fair

This is a great place for last minute holiday shopping.  It’s a cozy winter marketplace in the heart of Greenpoint at Brooklyn Expo Center. Sip on a warm seasonal cocktail as you shop from 230+ Makers and Designers, groove to holiday DJ sets, snack on local eats, and enjoy interactive features. Get the details.

Big Band Holidays at Lincoln Center

Get in the holiday jazz spirit with Wynton Marsalis playing swinging and soulful renditions of your favorite holiday music, plus a vocalist. Get the details.

Performances of Handel’s Messiah

There many performances of this masterpiece, but here are two. The Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra will perform Handel’s Messiah with four soloists in Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. And the New York Philharmonic will perform Handel’s Messiah  at Lincoln Center.