NYC Bulgarian Film Festival

Bulgaria is not a part of Europe we pay a lot of attention to (mercifully they are not directly in the crosshairs with the current European debt crisis), but many films have won good reviews at festivals around the world. The New York version of the Sofia Independent Film Festival (also called The Bulgarian Film Festival over here) showcases 10 of the best films to come out of this small country in the past 2 years - veterans of Toronto and Cannes as well as smaller festivals.

When: February 21-25, 2012
Where: Tribeca Cinemas (Varick and Laight Streets)
Website: http://soindependentfilmfest.com/ny-2012/index.php

Tour De France Stinky Cheese Festival

Tour de France NYC Restaurant Group has created its Stinky Cheese Festival 2012. Special menus feature cheese at all its French cuisine restaurants throughout Manhattan. Check the website for festival menus at each restaurant.

When: February 10-17, 2012
Where: Restaurants Around New York
Website: http://www.tourdefrancenyc.com/

BAM Kids Film Festival

6 charming feature films are showcased in the 14th annual BAM Kids Film Festival. For the more fidgety, 6 shorts programs are also available, based on whimsical themes such as Who Knew?  and Let's Play! to the self-explanatory Animation Nations.  Free kid-friendly musical performances at BAMCafe help kill the time between screenings. Take your little one to some quality cinema and get them started early. Some or all showings  may sell out before the showing dates, so buy sooner rather than later if this is how you're planning to amuse the family.

When: February 4-5, 2012
Where:  BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Ave in Brooklyn)
Website: http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=3935

Happening now! Kids Food Festival

Focused on turning kids into discerning foodies (and learning to eat healthy), the pavillions at CitiPond, fresh off the Christmas shopping season, are now host to the Kids Food Festival. Admission to much of the festival is free, with tickets required for food pavilion and performance pavilion. If the James Beard Foundation is involved (and it is), it's probably worth it.

When: January 21-22, 2012 10AM-6PM
Where: CitiPond (Bryant Park - 42nd between 5th and 6th aves)
Website: http://www.kidsfoodfestival.com

Motorcycle Show is Back

Yes, the motorized shows are back!  Starting with the Motorcycle Show, get a glimpse of the latest and greatest in 2-wheeled motorized conveyances.

When: January 20-22
Where: Javits Center (11th Ave & 33rd Street)
Website: http://www.motorcycleshows.com

Restaurant "Week" Starts Tomorrow!

The annual struggle to bring in the crowds after the gorgy (yes, that's a word) of the holiday season brings us the blessing of Restaurant "Week). This year, Restaurant "Week" is nearly 3 weeks long, and you can get some delicious food at some hard-to-afford establishments for $35.00 (prix fixe, but that's ok, right?)


When: January 16-February 10, 2012
Where: Fancy Restaurants all over New York
Website: http://www.nycgo.com

2012 Brooklyn Israel Film Festival

This year's Brooklyn Israel Film Festival - hosted by Kane Street Synagogue in Carroll Gardens - features 3 Israeli films.  The first is The Debt, which I saw a month ago. It was very good.  The other two - Restoration and Dolphin Boy - received high marks at the 2011 Jerusalem Film Festival.

Tribeca Film Festival has had some other Israeli films that were fantastic over the past few years. The one I think of first is A Matter of Size, a lovely story about some overweight guys who find their niche in Sumo.  Netflix it. It's adorable.

When: January 26-29, 2012
Where: Kane Street Synagogue 236 Kane Street Brooklyn, New York 11231
Website: www.kanestreet.org/IFF