“Andy Borowitz Presents the Funniest American Writers”
92nd Street Y; 10/19 at 8 p.m.; 1395 Lexington Ave., nr. 92nd St.; 212-415-5500
Alec Baldwin, Calvin Trillin, and others join the humorist to mark the release of The 50 Funniest American Writers, a collection of American humor from such wits as David Sedaris, Garrison Keillor, and Bernie Mac.
Catch 22 50th Anniversary
Symphony Space ;10/19 at 7:30 p.m.; 2537 Broadway, at 95th St.; 212-864-5400
Readings and discussions of the classic black comedy from author Joseph Heller’s friends and colleagues, including Christopher Buckley, Robert Gottlieb and Mike Nichols, with the conversation moderated by Lesley Stahl. An excerpt will performed by Scott Shepherd.
“Men Undressed”
Word; 10/19 at 7 p.m.; 126 Franklin St., at Milton St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn; 718-383-0096
While we sort of wish there were actual dudes taking their clothes off, this event has brought us something just as good: an examination of their minds. Erotic writer Rachel Kramer Bussel (also of our Sex Diaries fame) leads a panel of female contributors to the anthology Men Undressed as they discuss writing the male sexual experience.
Colson Whitehead
McNally Jackson; 10/20 at 7 p.m.; 52 Prince St., nr. Mulberry St., 212-274-1160
The Sag Harbor and John Henry Days author reads from his new novel, Zone One.
Tenement Talks: Brooke Hauser
Shop at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum; 10/20 at 6:30 p.m.; 108 Orchard St., nr. Delancey St. 212-431-0233
Author Brooke Hauser will read from her book, The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens, which chronicles a year in the life of a group of charismatic immigrant students.
The Moth StorySLAM: Caught on Camera
Housing Works Bookstore Café; 10/20 at 7 p.m.; 126 Crosby St., nr. Houston St., 212-334-3324
With such a scandalous theme (or maybe that’s just the way we think) there’s no telling what will come out of the storytelling competition where everyone is welcome to participate and possibly reveal a little too much about themselves.
Simon Reynolds on Retromania
Goethe-Institut Wyoming Building; 10/26 at 7 p.m.; 5 East 3rd St., at Bowery; 212-439-8700
London-born critic Simon Reynolds reads from his new book Retromania: Pop Culture’s Addiction to Its Own Past, a look back at a pop culture that has, for years now, done nothing but look back. Part of the Unsound Lounge series.