Weekly happenings: April 14 - April 20

The Frick reopens, Mexican bingo night, and White Lotus lives on

Apr 14, 2025

Letter is late today, but worth the wait. I took myself on a self-guided Cherry Blossom Park Slope tour yesterday when I was supposed to be drafting this. They only last about 5 minutes, so I didn’t really have a choice. If you’re less set on seeing them against brownstones, just take a walk from Grand Army towards Long Meadow for the best (free) park viewing. Or, go to Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see the Cherry Esplanade. I have my engagement photo shoot there next weekend and can’t decide if it’s too cringy cheesy and I should move it to a coffee shop or something. Opinions welcome.

Monday April 14

⭐ Embellish an iPhone Case
Haricot Vert | 6:30pm at 119 N 1st St, Brooklyn

Upcycling meets design in this iPhone decorating workshop. You’ll get to use a curated selection of vintage beads, trinkets, charms, and found objects to craft your own unique piece. The class includes an iPhone case of your choosing as well as all materials and tools and hand on guidance to bring your vision to life. Tickets are $58.

Comedy Movie Night
Bibliotheque | 5-9pm at 54 Mercer St, Manhattan

Bookstore, cafe, and wine bar Bibliotheque hosts a series of monthly movie nights. Today, their theme is comedy. They will be showing White Chicks at 5pm and Zoolander at 7pm. Tickets to a screening are $30 and get you a discount on your first drink.

Tuesday April 15

Floral Design
Recess Grove | 7-8:30pm at 327 Grand St, Brooklyn

In this workshop you’ll be guided by experienced floral designer Ivan Gilkes to create your own bouquet. You’ll learn about color theory, flower care, and composition and go home with a hand-tied bouquet ready to display or gift. Tickets are $79 and include all flowers, tools, and wrapping materials.

Adventures in the Louvre Dinner
Maison Barnes | 6:30-10pm at 100 E 63rd St, Manhattan

Former New York Times Paris Bureau Chief and bestselling author Elaine Sciolino, was invited as a special guest to Maison Barnes for a French Art De Vivre celebration in their penthouse. Through vivid storytelling and a coloful visual presentation, Sciolino will take you through the Louvre’s front gates and behind the scenes to reveal the secrets of this grand monument of Paris. As you hear about the art, you’ll enjoy a 4-course dinner with a wine pairing. Tickets are $485 (what did you expect?) and include a signed copy of Adventures in the Louvre.

Wednesday April 16

⭐ Prints and Multiples: Live Auction
Christie’s | 10am & 2pm at 20 Rockerfeller Plaza, Manhattan

One of the art world’s best kept secrets is that live auctions are totally open to the public (and usually pretty empty). Christie’s is presenting the Prints and Multiples live auction, showcasing a wide selection of works from the 19th century to the present. There will be iconic modern prints by Picasso, Miró, Matisse, and more. I have a day job, otherwise I’d be there.

⭐ Lotería Night
Huset NYC | 7pm at 25 Cooper Sq, Manhattan

Mexico City’s beloved Huset restaurant is touching down for a limited-time NYC pop-up at The Standard, East Village. Chef Maycoll Calderon will be firing up dishes with a rustic Mexican flair, rotating daily with fresh finds from the Union Square Greenmarket. They’re having a Lotería Night, where in addition to your dinner you can drop in for 4 rounds of Mexican bingo and the chance to take home many prizes. RSVP for free.

Thursday April 17

⭐ Frick Collection Reopens
Frick Collection | 1 East 70th St, Manhattan

Ok this is not a specific event, but is 100% worth highlighting. After 5 years and a $220M renovation, the Frick is finally reopening. It is by far one of the most beautiful art spaces in NYC and I’m so excited to see what they’ve done with it.

Gemini Behavior
Ars Nova | 7pm at 511 W 54th St, Manhattan

Ars Nova curated artist Janelle McDermoth, celebrated by The New Yorker as “a total star, with endless charisma and a magnificent voice”, to present an evening of comedic storytelling and original music. This unapologetic astrology girlie and certified Gemini tries to figure out just WTF is going on in this show. Tickets are name your price starting at $15.

Fourtwenty Cookie Decorating
Cakes by Lexi | 7-9pm at 18 Fulton St, Manhattan

Celebrate the start of sprint with a ~special~ kind of flower to celebrate our favorite gardening holiday. In this workshop, you’ll decorate four vanilla sugar cookies and get two gummies from Reform Botanicals. I feel like I need to specify this is a 21+ event. Tickets are $65.

Sip into the White Lotus
White Lotus | 6:30pm-late at Various Manhattan Bars

White Lotus season 3 may have come to an end, but you can stay in the spirit with this 1 day pop up at 3 Manhattan bars: Dante, Buddakan, and Peachy’s. If you pop by any of these spots, you’ll get free White Lotus Vespers and White Lotus Punch.

Study of Piles
The 8th Floor | 6-8pm at 17 W 17th St, Manhattan

The 8th Floor is an independent exhibition and event space that promotes cultural initiatives. They’re hosting Kevin Quiles Bonilla who will present a new iteration of his lecture-performance Study of Piles, using the concept of the pile as a catalyst to explore various moments, places, and people, specifically imagery from Puerto Rico’s political history. No RSVP required.

Friday April 18

Paquito D’Rivera: Celebrating 70+ Years in Music
Jazz at Lincoln Center | 7:30-9:30pm at 10 Columbus Circle, Manhattan

Jazz Master and composer Paquito D’Rivera brings to life the eclectic fusion of his extensive travels in this show. He will have several special guests and perform a ton of his original orchestrations. Tickets start at $77.

New York Auto Show
Auto Show | April 18 - April 27th at 429 11th Ave, Manhattan

The New York International Auto Show will showcase an incredible collection of cutting-edge design and innovation over more than 2 floors of displays. I don’t really know why anyone in NYC cares about cars, but if you do this is for you. I guess the vintage/classic ones do feel fun to see.

Saturday April 19

Earth Day
Governors Island | 10am-3pm on Governors Island

Governors Island is celebrating Earth Day a bit early this year with a full day of programming. There will be climate tech demonstrations, walking tours, guided buird tours, a pop up nature exhibit and more. Checkout the full schedule of events. All free to attend, no RSVP required.

Wheels NYC
Brooklyn Navy Yard | 12-6pm at 141 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn

This is a twist on a typical car show with classic cars, a vintage market, music, cocktails, snacks, and more. There will be over 100 cars on display and while I can’t personally vouch, one of my readers who recommended it guaranteed lots of hot guys.

Known to Few
Shopify | Saturday & Sunday at 131 Greene St, Manhattan

This curated closet sale pop up will be a mix of designer and non-designer pieces from many of NYC’s best-dressed creators. Aside from shopping new finds, there will be PR drops, samples, a mending shop, and a clothing drive where you can drop off gently used or new items. RSVP for free.

⭐ Spring Market
Dear Friend Books | 12-5pm at 343A Tompkins Ave, Brooklyn

Celebrate the arrival of spring at this local artist and small business market. Hosted by Dear Friend Books, there will be seedlings & fresh flowers, vintage clothing, ceramics, art, prints, and more.

Italian Orange Wine
Orange Glou | 6pm or 7pm at 264 Broome St, Manhattan

Your favorite orange wine shop, Orange Glou, is hosting a wine event with Italian producers Podere Pradarolo from Emilia Romagna. You’ll taste 10+ wines and pair them with traditional foods from the region. If it’s nice out, it will take place in the backyard. Tickets are $35 and $10 can be applied to any purchase you make in the bottle shop.

Sunday April 20

Madeline Tea Party
Bemelmans Bar | 10am at 35 E 76th St, Manhattan

Bemelmans is hosting a Madeline-inspired tea party with murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the classic Madeline children’s books. There will be a musical narration by Tina DeVaron and curated custom sweet treats. This is probably meant for kids but I’m nostalgic and excited about it. Tickets are $150.

Easter Parade
Easter Parade | 10am-4pm on 5th Ave from 49th to 57th, Manhattan

The only parade I think is actually worth facing the crowd for is the annual Easter Bonnet Parade. People go all out showing off their very best bonnets and the fashion is just so fun to take in. If you go, make sure to where your most ridiculously lavishly decorated hat.

If you want to avoid the crowd but still celebrate, these spots are doing themed Easter brunches that look particularly good

Recs of the week

Places or shows I discovered over the last week. These are personal recommendations. If I had a cool week, they’ll be cool. If I didn’t, they won’t.

Kind of a low key weekend with Passover festivities and family in town. I did make it to a few neighborhood spots though.

Morgans BBQ - Pro tip to ask for the brisket nachos. They took them off the menu but are still available and so worth it.
Union Street Pizza - Just really good pizza and calzones for pick up.
Under the K Bridge - I guess I’m just really out of my rave girl era because this spot has been around for a minute. For those who don’t know, there are literally concerts Kosciuszko Bridge. It’s a pretty epic venue. Looking forward to seeing Four Tet there in May.
Masalawala & Sons - Not the best Indian ever, but good enough for me to stop complaining about no good Indian food in Brooklyn. This will be a new ordering in staple for me. I am going on a Curry Hill tour next week though so I’ll report back on the actual top tier spots after that.

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