(Photo: Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954). The Codomas (Les Codomas), 1943. Maquette for plate XI from the illustrated book Jazz (1947). Gouache on paper, cut and pasted, mounted on canvas. 17 1/8 x 26 3/8” (43.5 x 67.1 cm). Musée national d’art moderne/Centre de création industrielle, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris. Dation, 1985. © 2014 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York)

1. Check out a festival! There are quite a few to choose from, including the CBGB Music and Film Festival, with a free show by Devo and Jane's Addiction on Sunday in Times Square; the New Yorker Festival; and the Escape Music Festival, featuring Moby and Girl Talk on picturesque Governors Island.

2. There's also New York Comic Con, with talks from our very own Jada Yuan (who speaks with Jack Antonoff of Bleachers) and a Vulture panel on the future of female fandom.

3. How about some art? The overwhelming Matisse exhibit is now open at MoMA. And while you are there you can also check out the Robert Gober retrospective everyone's raving about.

4. Or find your Art in Odd Places, an annual event that runs through October 12 along 14th Street. This year's theme—encompassing 62 projects, including an Edward Snowden statue—is "free."

5. On Saturday Tim and Eric get weird in Times Square, with Dr. Steve Brule.

6. While not too far away at Hammerstein Ballroom you'll find Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes spewing opinions in the show Fat Man on Manhattan. Catchy title!

7. Open Houses New York, happening this weekend, is an architecture nerd's fantasy ...

8. While political junkies will enjoy the comedic play Tail! Spin!, starring Rachel Dratch, at the Lynn Redgrave Theater. Happy weekend!