Lifestyle

Hot picks: Hot tunes and freezing-cold water

Polar energy

“I always tell newcomers, you’re welcome to scream,” says Dennis Thomas, president of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, “and wear something on your feet — old sneakers or surf boots — a little insulation goes a long way.” These tips, of course, are for how to make it through a swim in the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which you can join in (or just watch) during the club’s annual New Year’s Day Swim, which raises funds for charity.

Thomas, when not submerging himself in freezing cold water, works at a tech company. He describes discovering the chilly club 30 years ago, when “hanging around Coney Island on a very cold, dreary day, I saw these old guys on the boardwalk in bathing suits, running into the water!” And if those guys could handle it, why not you? Wednesday at 1 p.m. The Boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island; $20 suggested donation. — Charlie Heller

Early girls

Lilyan Tashman and Kay Francis in “Girls About Town.”

One of the raciest films to come out of Hollywood before censors cracked down, George Cukor’s “Girls About Town’’ (1931) stars Kay Francis and Lilyan Tashman as comely Manhattan gold-diggers who hire out their services to a wealthy businessman from Michigan (Eugene Pallette) and his young assistant (Joel McCrea). Tashman sets out to fleece Pallette, but Francis falls for McCrea in this very funny and stylish comedy written by playwright Zoe Akins. It’s being shown New Year’s Day at 1 p.m. at the Walter Reade Theater, West 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. Info — Lou Lumenick

Gogol BordelloJames Marcus Haney

Ukraine guy

“One night of Gogol Bordello is never enough,” singer Eugene Hutz says. That’s why they’ve booked themselves for two nights at Terminal 5 this week, and chances are these nights will be completely different. The gypsy-punk collective has long been feted for the white-knuckle thrills of their live shows and, after nearly 15 years, there’s no sign of that fading. “We write our set lists five minutes before we go onstage to make sure we connect with the moment,” he says.

These shows will be packed with New Year’s revelers, but Hutz is also expecting an added energy due to the social unrest in his native Ukraine. “There is a big Ukrainian population around New York, and right now there’s a huge rise of consciousness. I think it’s going to make these shows even more triumphant.” Monday and Tuesday, 7 p.m., 610 W. 56th St.; 212-582-6600. Tickets start at $35. — Hardeep Phull

Run into 2014

Costumed runners ready for last year’s raceEd Haas

Want to avoid a hangover on New Year’s Day? Instead of boozing it up the night before, go for a brisk 4-mile run in Central Park. You won’t be alone, as thousands are expected to participate in the annual New York Road Runners Midnight Run kicking off at the start of 2014.

“It’s a celebratory event, more of a show than just a run,” says NYRR’s Peter Ciaccia. Sponsored by Emerald Nuts, it begins with dancing at 10 p.m., followed by a costume contest with prizes going to the “nuttiest” attire. Past costumes have included a Statue of Liberty and a caterpillar. “The person wearing that one didn’t win the race,” laughs Ciaccia. Runners will be treated to sparkling cider (“non-alcoholic, obviously”) at the 2-mile mark and snacks at the finish line. The accompanying fireworks display is the only one in Manhattan. Race start and finish is mid-park on the 72nd Street transverse. Info — Frank Scheck

Could be verse

St. Mark’s ChurchJonathan Baskin

Why not start 2014 by nurturing your creative side while nursing your hangover? The Poetry Project’s 40th Annual New Year’s Day Marathon Reading will feature appearances by Patti Smith, Philip Glass, Justin Vivian Bond, Steve Earle and many others in its 11-hour running time, including some notable newcomers.

“We have JD Samson from Le Tigre,” says director Stacy Szymaszek. “She’s never performed here before. That’s exciting.”

The benefit, which funds many of the organization’s events throughout the year, has featured many downtown art luminaries over the past four decades. One of the most unusual cameos, Szymaszek says, was when “[filmmaker] Jonas Mekas showed up one year with Allen Ginsberg’s beard hair in a box.” Can this year’s marathon live up to that weirdness? Show up at 2 p.m. and see. General admission is $20 (attendees can come and go throughout); event runs until 1 a.m. Located at St. Mark’s Church, 131 E. 10th St. Info and tickets — Sara Stewart