(Dixon Place, 161 A Chrystie, (Between Rivington & Delancey), New York, NY 10002) (7:30pm/ 9:00pm) The Secret Death of Puppets... is three playlets about forbidden knowledge and the nature of our uncanny relationship with the inanimate. It is also a tribute to the work of Victoria Nelson and her book,The Secret Life of Puppets. How can something die that was never alive in the first place? ($15/$18 @ door) (212 228-0705) [email protected] Event Website

(City Center Main Stage, 131 West 55th St, New York, NY 10019) (Various) A celebration of Duke Ellington's years at the famed Harlem nightclub in the 1920s and '30s, when the joint was jumping with revues featuring big band swing and blues, dancers, singers, comedians and novelty acts. With Ellington's music as the centerpiece, this production re-imagines one of the composer's Cotton Club floor shows right here on the City Center stage. ($25+) Event Website

(Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th St, New York, NY 10001) (10am - 5pm) Over 200 individually decorated official breed booths that allowed dog and cat lovers to interact with dogs, cats, puppies and kittens and learn about their history and unique attributes directly from the experts; 100 vendor booths offered every imaginable product for pets and their owners. ($15) Event Website

(Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th St, New York, NY 10001) (See website for details) An art show has emerged that embraces contemporary art and fine craft under one roof. The Contemporary Art Fair NYC provides a major showing to independent painters, photographers, sculptors or other artists doing non-functional work. The counterpart show, The American Craft Show NYC, features the work of fine artisans working with glass, ceramic, wood, and other materials. ($16) Event Website

(Theater 80 St. Marks, 80 St. Marks, between 1st and 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003) (See website for details) More than just a festival, ALL FOR ONE will not only include award winning SOLO writers and performers, but also a full schedule of master classes, workshops and panels to enhance the practice and appreciation of the solo form. ($18) Event Website

(West Chelsea Arts Building, 526 West 26th St. (10th & 11th Ave.), New York, NY 10001) (1pm - 3pm) Visit 7 exhibits of cutting-edge painting, sculpture, electronic media & photography, by gay & lesbian artists and others of interest to a queer sensibility, led by a former gay studies professor and art critic for the New York Blade. While you’re there, socialize with arts-oriented gay men & lesbians! ($20) (212-946-1548) [email protected] Event Website

(John Jay College Theater, 899 10th Ave., New York, NY 10036) (8pm) Dark Sisters follows one woman's dangerous attempt to escape her life as a member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.The narrative draws inspiration from the flurry of media attention surrounding the two most famous raids on FLDS compounds. ($30+) Event Website

(Pier 94, 711 12th Ave, New York, NY 10019) (10am 6pm) Internationally known and a staple for New Yorkers, Celebrities, major designers and decorators from all over the country attend it in droves, and shoppers come from around the world to discover future trends! If you can't find what you're looking for at this show...it doesn't exist. ($15) Event Website

(Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th St, New York, NY 10001) (Fr 2pm; Sa & Su 10am) Dual shows combine paintings, drawings, sculpture, and photography with objects that often begin life as craft, or sometimes basic eating and living utensils, such as pottery, tableware, furniture as well as jewelry and fashion. ($16) Event Website

(Meadowlands Expo Center, 355 Plaza Dr, Secaucus, NJ 07094) (Fr 4pm; Sa & Su 10am) Something for every animal lover…pet enthusiasts, and the general public. The show will offer many educational and entertaining performances, special attractions, hands-on-petting opportunities, pet adoptions, and outstanding holiday shopping for pet lovers and their pets. ($12) Event Website

(Leslie/Lohman Gallery, 26 Wooster St, New York, NY 10013) (1pm - 6pm) Opening Celebration: Nov 18; 6-9PM. Known as "Family photographer of America's sexual underground", Charles Gatewood began meticulously capturing the evolution of modern fetish culture in the mid 1960''s and has amassed an archive of artistic and historic significance. Please join the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art and The Kymara Gallery for a photographic journey through the deep sexual underground as seen through the lens of the iconic photographer and anthropologist, featuring rare unseen vintage prints. SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY ALEXCALIBUR; MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND BOOK SIGNING (FREE) (207-286-7399) [email protected] Event Website

(Chelsea Studios, 151 West 26th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10011) (7pn - 8pm) A 3 week class available in either pre-intermediate or intermediate two step. UCWDC competitive dancer Solomon Singer is the teacher for this series. ($60) [email protected] Event Website

(Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215) (7pm - 11pm) During the holidays, many people suffering from depression feel more isolated and alone. Black gay men suffering from depression are more than likely hardest affected, as they experience ostracism, marginalization, and alienation from their families. This event brings those feeling isolated together for a feeling of community and raises funds to complete the documentary "You Are Not Alone", in which Black gay men speak out about their struggle and suffering in silence with depression, as a way of encouraging others feeling as they did, they they are not alone. ($45/guest; $80/cpl) [email protected] Event Website

(City Center Main Stage, 131 West 55th St, New York, NY 10019) (See website for details) A celebration of Duke Ellington's years at the famed Harlem nightclub in the 1920s and '30s, when the joint was jumping with revues featuring big band swing and blues, dancers, singers, comedians and novelty acts. With Ellington's music as the centerpiece, this production re-imagines one of the composer's Cotton Club floor shows right here on the City Center stage. ($25+) Event Website

(Altman Building, 135 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011) (11am - 7pm) Shop 150 brands benefiting 1 great cause at charitable prices. All funds raised will go towards Housing Works’ fight to end homelessness and AIDS. This year’s proceeds will benefit Housing Works’ HIV prevention and integrated health care services for women and families. Event Website

(The Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont Avenue, (between 120th and 122nd streets), New York, NY 10034) (We–Fr @ 8pm & Sa 2pm & 8pm) Cloud Nine is a gender-bending, cross-dressing and farcical exploration of the struggle for a sexual and political identity. The play takes the audience on a journey from Victorian-era British colonies in Africa to 1970s London, providing insight into how the legacy of the past informs our understanding of the present moment. ($15/ $5 Senior) [email protected] Event Website

(LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th St, New York, NY 10011) (8pm) DJs will bring the bears out of their caves with their mixing magic and get the bears to shake out their fur in the Mustache Ballroom. Be warned…fur ahead! Enjoy the fur attack. Go-go bears, cheap beer, bear art, and warm, warm fur...and over 800 furry friends. So leave the caves and shake it out! Let the fur fly! ($10) Event Website

(Cousins Paintball, Depart from Times Square 42nd St btwn 7th & 8th avenues, New York, NY 10036) (11am - pm) Paint with all the colors of fall by splattering opponents in a paintball adventure! After 3 hours of taking no prisoners, set aside rivalries and make new friends over a drink (or a few) at a bar in NYC to wrap up the day. ($69 w/transportation - $45 without) (6463892618) [email protected] Event Website

(MIX Factory, 45 Bleecker Street @ Lafayette, New York, NY 10012) (See website for details) In addition to our vanguard screenings, unique interactive installations, and infamous parties, MIX NYC also provides year-round community screenings, a summer media workshop for queer youth, film preservation projects, and the groundbreaking ACT UP Oral History Project.documenting how collective action transformed AIDS activism, queer identity, and health care policy in America. ($12 - $20) Event Website

(Rubin Museum of Art, 150 West 17th St, New York, NY 10012) (3pm - 5pm) Join Professor Ruth Vanita, author of Queering India: Same-Sex Love and Eroticism in India, openly gay Indian-American comedian Vidur Kapur, and filmmaker Ishita Srivastava, director of Desigirls!, for a discussion of gender, sexuality, national identity and their intersections. All of this year's presentations will focus on the Indian community, as the Rubin Museum premieres the first of three exhibitions on Modernist Indian art in November (Modernist Art from India: The Body Unbound). ($12) Event Website

(New York Botanical Garden, 200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458) This cherished tradition delights people of all ages. Marvel at the charming model trains and New York City landmark replicas, stroll the spectacular grounds, decorate (and eat!) gingersnaps, break for lunch and hot chocolate, and shop for everyone on your list. ($20) Event Website