Gabriel Byrne, David Hyde Pierce and more

'JAMES X'

WHAT Gabriel Byrne directs Gerard Mannix Flynn's solo about the abuse of children by the church and state in Ireland. (Byrne and Liam Neeson are co-producers.)

WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 7:30, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Culture Project, 45 Bleecker St.

INFO $40, 866-811-4111, cultureproject.org

'CLOSE UP SPACE'

WHAT David Hyde Pierce and Rosie Perez in Molly Smith Metzler's comedy about book editing.

WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 8, Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Manhattan Theatre Club, 131 W. 55th St.

INFO $80, 212-581-1212, manhattantheatreclub.com

'SHLEMIEL THE FIRST'

WHAT Klezmer musical adaptation of an Isaac Bashevis Singer play about an imaginary village.

WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place.

INFO $75, 866-811-4111, tfna.org

FILM: 'Princess Mononoke'

WHAT This operatic 1997 fantasy-adventure helped introduce American audiences to Japan's Studio Ghibli, which later produced the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away." It's part of a complete, 15-film retrospective on the animation studio that runs through Jan. 12.

WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 5:05, Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 9:35 p.m., IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave.

INFO $9-$13, 212-924-7771, ifccenter.com

-- Rafer guzmán

DANCE: Ballet Hispanico

WHAT The Latin dance company performs a tribute to salsa legend Celia Cruz, also other pieces, with live music by Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

WHEN | WHERE Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St.

INFO $25-$60, 212-531-5305, ticketmaster.com

MUSIC: Swedish House Mafia

WHAT These guys just might "Save the World." The Garden will turn into the biggest club in the world tonight when the Swedish House Mafia and their guests -- A-Trak and Calvin Harris -- take the stage. Get ready to dance!

WHEN | WHERE Friday night at 8, Madison Square Garden

INFO $39.50-$125, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

FOOD: Christmas Julbord

WHAT Skip the eggnog and fruitcake -- Aquavit is serving a traditional Nordic holiday smorgasbord that includes gravlax pork belly, smoked eel Swedish meatballs and a glass of glögg (spiced wine).

WHEN | WHERE Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aquavit, 65 E. 55th St. between Park and Madison avenues.

INFO $65 per person, 212-307-7311, aquavit.org

NIGHTLIFE: Grind

WHAT DJ Seoul and his Direct Drive posse drop some dubstep, house and drum 'n' bass sounds.

WHEN | WHERE Sunday at 9 p.m., Fat Buddha, 212 Ave. A

INFO Free, 212-598-0500, fatbuddhabar.com