July 20, 2010 05:30PM EDT

Price of a Movie: 7.20.10

The best thing about seeing a flick in summer? That icy-sweet AC. So this week, Price of a Movie gives you some cool indoor options, like live music at the Whitney Museum, sake tasting in the West Village, and more. All for the price of a movie or less...

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Global Sustainability: Central America to Maine

You recycle, bicycle and bring your own bags to the Greenmarket, but maybe you're ready to take the whole eco thing a step further. The Green Living Project's global expedition team should give you some good ideas. A multi-media presentation details the group's sustainability efforts across Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, from marine conservation to renewable energy projects to sustainable forestry. But this is no dry PBS lecture: adventure eco-lodges and "voluntourism" projects are highlighted, too.

If that's not enough to inspire you to book a trip to Central America, maybe the complimentary beer, food, live music and door prizes will. Plus, the first 50 attendees get free gear and everyone gets 20 percent off store merchandise.

Where: Eastern Mountain Sports SoHo, 530 Broadway, Manhattan
When: Thursday, July 22, 6 PM to 9 PM (films begin at 7:15 PM)
Price: Free!



Whitney Live!

Who knew the best place to rock out this summer would be at a museum? All summer long, the lower level of the Whitney is transformed into an LES nightclub, with live punk, indie and experimental music. Headlining this week is Bear Hands, who've opened for Vampire Weekend and MGMT; they're joined by the lo-fi pop stylings of Darlings. Plus, the museum is open until 9 PM on Fridays, so check out the work of artist/composer Christian Marclay or the haunting paintings of Charles Burchfield before the show.

Where: The Whitney Museum of American Art,  945 Madison Avenue, Manhattan
When: Friday, July 23, 7 PM
Price: Free! (Fridays are pay as you wish from 6 PM to 9 PM)



Drink with New York’s Top Literary Editors and Writers

A modern-day version of the Algonquin Round Table—complete with New York writers, editors, and of course, plenty of hooch—this event is sponsored by the online news publication The Faster Times. The pub-like confines of The Libertine Library serve as the ideal setting for hobnobbing with literati, including Marco Roth (editor of the cultural journal n+1), Lorin Stein (editor of The Paris Review), and Christian Lorentzen (senior editor at the New York Observer).

Where: The Libertine Library, 15 Gold Street, Manhattan
When: Saturday, July 24, 8 PM
Price: $20, or free if you join The Faster Times for $12



Jennifer Coolidge at Comix

OK, OK, so it's a bit more than the price of a movie (unless you're talking one in IMAX 3D), but how could you miss seeing Stifler's mom in person? Coolidge—who's portrayed a series of lovable kooks in Christopher Guest's films as well as Elle Woods' ditzy manicurist—will take the stage for two nights of stand-up comedy. Hopefully her routine includes "bend and snap."

Where: Comix, 353 West 14th Street  
When: Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, 8 PM
Price: $25, plus a two-drink minimum



Early Evening Sake Tastings

Wine and beer flights are so last year... now it's all about sampling sake. A good spot for dabbling in this rice-based brew? EN Japanese Brasserie, where you can throw back three sakes for less than an Andrew Jackson. Choose from six premium brands like Tateyama (from Toyama), a rather rare sake, and, from Yamagata, a Ginjo sake called Jokigen, which translates to “good mood” (which no doubt you'll be in after three glasses). All flights are served with housemade yasai vegetable chips. Plus, the restaurant is just steps from the Film Forum.

Where: EN Japanese Brasserie, 435 Hudson Street, Manhattan
When: Every night until 7:30 PM
Price: $18 for three sake samples

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