Arts and Leisure Weekend Presale On Now

Arts and Leisure Weekend

Tickets for the 2011 NYTimes Arts and Leisure Weekend are on sale now. Some of the highlights of this year’s A&L weekend include talks with Rufus Wainwright, Steve Buscemi, Terrence Winter, Billie Joe Armstrong and Lang Lang. View the full 2011 schedule after the jump.

2011 New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011
Kevin Spacey (6 – 7:15 PM)
The two-time Academy Award-winning actor-director-producer is currently starring as disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff in “Casino Jack” as well as serving as creative director of the Old Vic theater in London.

Katie Couric (8 – 9:15 PM)
Five years ago, the anchor and managing editor of the “CBS Evening News,” made history by becoming the first female solo anchor of a weekday network evening news broadcast. Interviewed by Gail Collins.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2011
Sir Tim Rice and Friends (6 – 7:15 PM)
The Oscar- and Tony-winning lyricist and Broadway performers celebrate the musical theater scores of Disney, including love songs and other favorites from shows past, present and future. (Suggested ages 10 and up.)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 2011
Annie Proulx (Noon – 1:15 PM)
The author of “The Shipping News,” “Close Range” and “Brokeback Mountain” is the winner of both a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award. Her latest book is “Bird Cloud,” a memoir.

Julie Taymor (2 – 3:15 PM)
The award-winning, visionary director of film, opera and theater has two major works now on screen and stage: her film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and her new Broadway musical, “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”

Ina Garten (6 – 7:15 PM)
Host of the Food Network’s “Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics,” food entrepreneur, cookbook author and magazine columnist, she has been a forerunner in the food world for more than 30 years. Interviewed by Alex Witchel.

Rufus & Martha Wainwright: A Conversation With Music (8 – 9:15 PM)
The brother and sister singers-songwriters-musicians talk about their music and lives and perform together on our stage.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9, 2011
Will Shortz (10 – 11:15 AM)
The New York Times crossword editor, best-selling author and the subject of the documentary “Wordplay” brings the puzzles center stage.

Paul Taylor (Noon – 1:15 PM)
Few artists of our time have had the profound impact on their art form that the choreographer has had on dance over six decades.

Lang Lang (2 – 3:15 PM)
The 28-year-old superstar classical pianist has played to sold-out audiences throughout the world, including the New York Philharmonic on New Year’s Eve 2010.

Boardwalk Empire: Creator and Cast Members (4 – 5:15 PM)
Terence Winter, the co-creator of the new HBO series and Emmy Award-winning writer of “The Sopranos,” joins “Boardwalk Empire” cast members Steve Buscemi and Paz de la Huerta. Interviewed by Charles McGrath.

James Levine (6 – 7:15 PM)
Celebrating 40 years of conducting the Met in 2011, he has developed the opera to an unparalleled level of achievement. Interviewed by Daniel Wakin.

Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer: A Conversation With Music (8 – 9:15 PM
The vocalist/guitarist of Green Day and the director who co-wrote the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “American Idiot” with him are joined by the show’s Tony Award-winning star, singer-songwriter John Gallagher Jr. Interviewed by Patrick Healy.