FRIDAY 20

Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston

Halston 101 East 63rd St Mix by Paisley Dalton

An engrossing look at the rise and fall of America’s first celebrity designer, Halston—the man who was synonymous with fashion inthe 1970s and became the emperor of Studio 54 and New York nightlife. Interviews with friends and witnesses (including Liza Minnelli, Diane von Furstenberg, André Leon Talley, Anjelica Huston, Bob Colacello and Billy Joel, among others) round out thisglittering evocation of the man who defined a glamorous and garish era. Directed by Whitney Sudler-Smith

IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave at 3rd St, NYC, 212-924-7771, times vary, $8-$13

Mr. Lower East Side Pageant

It’s that time of year again – The time when snowflakes fall gently onto the crumbling sidewalks and dudes who haven’t seen the inside of a gym in over a decade suddenly want to look buff for the laydees…That’s right, it’s time for the annual Mr. Lower East Side Pageant whereupon the women and gay men of the Lower East Side choose one lucky man to rule the area south of Houston and east of Bowery.

 The 13th annual Pageant will prove to be an extra-glamorous extravaganza, similar to the Ms. Universe Pageant, if all the contestants were hairy and liked Budweiser.

To compete in this cutthroat pageant, contestants need not live on the Lower East Side. (Because honestly, who can afford it anymore?) They simply must possess qualities, which would make them the proper representative of this neighborhood. (What those qualities are, I am not quite sure of…) They also must prepare for the following competitions:  A one minute talent competition, a swimsuit competition, evening wear and Q&A. Contestants must show up at 9:30 to sign up!

Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery bet Bleecker and East Houston Sts, NYC, 212-614-0505, 10pm, $7