Weekly happenings: April 28 - May 4
5 Boro Bike Tour, party around a piano, and see the Monkey King around Chinatown
I kicked off my 30th birthday about a month early this weekend, celebrating in the private basement at Le Dive one of my all-time favorite spots. I wore a mini dress and celebrated with friends until the place opened to the public and the younger crowd rolled in, making me feel way too old for Dimes Square. Or maybe I was just too tired. Either way, I was in bed by midnight.
Looking back on my 20s, so many core memories come to mind, most of them rooted in NYC. Five apartments in eight years (seriously, I need to stop moving), a dog, a fiancé, and a lot of new friendships later, it feels like everything has changed except my love for this city. Each chapter here has been so different, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Monday April 28
⭐ The Four Seasons: Advance Screening + Q&A
92NY | 7:30pm at 1395 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
Netflix’s new comedy The Four Seasons follows six old friends who head out for a relaxing weekend away together and who are upended by the news that one couple is splitting up. 92NY is hosting a special advance screening of the first two episodes followed by a discussion about the film from stars and the team behind the film including Tina Fey, Will Forte, Erika Henningsen, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield. Tickets start at $40.
Salsa Daddy Cookbook Launch
Panzón | 6:30pm at 23 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn
Chef Rick Martinez is inviting you to celebrate the launch of his new cookbook Salsa Daddy. The night will start with a welcome cocktail, followed by a salsa-centric menu crafted by chef Rick himself. Tickets are $44 without the book or $74 for the book and a bottle of Panzón house mezcalito to take home.
Tuesday April 29
Meet the Winemaker
Leitao | 8-11pm at 547 Hudson St, Manhattan
Leaned about this event over a delicious meal at Leitao last week. They host intimate dinners in their cellar space and are hosting one of Portugal’s renowned winemakers for a tasting menu and wine pairing. The dinner will be a 4 course prix fixe and you’ll get a chance to chat with winemakers Luis Lourenço (of Quinta dos Roques) throughout. Tickets are $180 including tax and tip.
An Art of Ecology and Connection
MoMA | 6:30pm at 11 W 53rd St, Manhattan
In conjunction with the exhibition Otobong Nkanga: Cadence, join the artist and Michelle Kuo, MoMA’s chief curator at large and publisher, for an expansive conversation on shared histories, ecologies, and collective acts of labor. Register for free to attend.
Through the Light of Hope: Exploring the Healing Power of Photography
International Center of Photography x Harlowe | 5:25-7pm at 84 Ludlow St, Manhattan
This is actually a full day symposium that explores the impact of photography on healing trauma, but featuring one of the afternoon events for most of us who can’t make 10am on a Tuesday work. In this session, you’ll create deeply personal images lit by Harlowe’s innovative lighting solutions. I don’t exactly know what that means, but you can RSVP for free to find out.
Wednesday April 30
⭐ Party Around a Piano
Experimental Cocktail Club | 5-11pm at 6 W 24th St, Manhattan
Last summer in Madrid I was told about an iconic bar Toni 2 Piano where guests gather around a piano to belt out songs and dance. It was probably the best night of my year. I just learned about this similar concept in NYC and need to check it out. For the next 4 Wednesdays, Experimental Cocktail Club invites you to a collaborative cabaret evening. You don’t have to sing, but you are welcome to and there will be live music around a piano all night long. RSVP for free.
Chef Benefit Dinner
Briscola Trattoria | 7:15pm at 798A Franklin Ave, Brooklyn
For one night only at Briscola, Chef Silvia Barban and friends will prepare a five-course dinner inspired by their childhoods, their connection to Italy, and their admiration for Jacques Pépin and his mentorship. You’ll get Italian bubbles on arrival, a 5-course menu with wine pairings, and stories from your host throughout the evening. Tickets are $120. All proceed will go to the Jacques Pépin Foundation, which support free culinary and life skills training through community based organizations.
Thursday May 1
⭐ Asian American Women in Food
Museum of Food and Drink | 6-9pm at 55 Water St, Brooklyn
At this panel conversation, chef and writer Caroline Chloe sits down with five food media figures in the editorial and media landscape to discuss their work experiences and the best ways to help audiences stay informed about diverse food cultures. Tickets are $25 and include access to the exhibition Flavor: The World to Your Brain.
⭐ Opening Reception: The Monkey King in Chinatown
Pearl River Mart | 6-8pm at 456 Broadway, Manhattan
If you’re planning a Thursday gallery crawl, add Pearl River Mart to your list. This exhibition features the work of 8 renowned AAPI comic book and graphic novel artists whose works reimagine the Monkey King as everything from a punk rocker to a dancing king to a ferocious b-baller. He is depicted in iconic Chinatown spots like Columbus Park with its Chinese chess enthusiasts, the Canal Street subway station (complete with pizza rat), a lively dim sum eatery, and the Transfiguration Church and beloved Hop Kee restaurant. This feels very New York. RSVP for free.
Friday May 2
Self-Defense + Sips
Camp Social x Hampton Water | 9-11pm at 137 Grand St, Manhattan
For any girlie who has ever felt unsafe walking the streets of NYC, this is for you. Camp Social is teaming up with StandStrong's self-defense experts to teach you how to own the sidewalk and any situation that comes your way. After the class there will be drinks and mingling. Tickets are $65, wear your workout clothes.
Goodfellas: Screening + Q&A
Paris Theatre | 7pm at 4 W 58th St, Manhattan
Paris Theatre is screening Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese’s mob masterpiece, and following it up with a Q&A with actress Lorraine Bracco who plays Karen Hill. The conversation will be moderated by film critic & historian Carrie Rickey. Tickets are $17 and there’s only a handful left so I’d move fast.
Margaret Mead Film Festival
Museum of Natural History | Friday-Sunday at 200 Central Park W, Manhattan
This 3 day celebration presents storytelling and documentary films from diverse voices. It seeks to connect cultures and communities globally. You can opt for full weekend passes for $75 or go to individual screenings and programs for $12 each. Checkout the full schedule of events.
Saturday May 3
Pigeon Portraits & Prose
Caveat | 1:30-3pm at 21 A Clinton St, Manhattan
This event gets an A for uniqueness - a writing and illustration workshop devoted to New York’s least-loved wildlife: Pigeons. You’ll begin with an introduction to wildlife illustration followed by a drawing session and the opportunity to have your work critiqued. Then, there will be a nature writing workshop where you’ll be able to craft and read your prose to the group. It sounds kind of intimidating but beginners and doodles are highly encouraged. Tickets are $19.
Tell All Dance Party
Club Cumming x Don’t Ask | 10pm-late
What could be more perfect for a Saturday night than a free dance party at the iconic Club Cumming? Don’t Ask music will be on deck all night playing pop, disco, and house. No RSVP required.
Kendoggy Derby Party
Boris & Horton | 3-6pm at 195 Avenue A, Manhattan
Boris & Horton, NYC’s first dog-friendly cafe, is having a special kind of Derby party. You can bring in your pup in their derby best for watercolor portraits by Ana Rodriguez while enjoying mint julep mocktails and mint iced coffees. Dog hats highly encouraged. No RSVP required.
Sunday May 4
⭐ The Jews: 5000 Years and Counting
Center for Jewish History | 3pm at 15 W 16th St, Manhattan
Join author Rob Kutner and moderator Dan Friedman, former executive editor of the Forward, for a talk on Rob’s new book, The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting. The book covers every major moment in Jewish history from the literal “Beginning” to Tuesday’s rerun of Seinfeld. It also includes never-before-seen documents from those who lived through Jewish history. Tickets are pay what you wish. The book will also be available for sale and signing from 2-5pm.
Yoga & Oyster Social
On Air x Market Price | 1-4pm at 60 Meserole Ave, Brooklyn
Join On Air Yoga for a 75 minute all-levels vinyasa class followed by oysters, light bites, and drinks by Market Price. On Air is a digital-first community excited to host an in-person event to grow their community. Tickets are $55 and include all equipment, snacks, and drinks.
⭐ Five Boro Bike Tour
Bike NYC | Starts throughout the morning at various entrances
Bike NYC is an organization focused on increasing ridership and encouraging healthy lifestyles. They are back with their annual Five Boro Bike Tour, where you can join 30,000+ cyclists to bike across all the boros. Registration is $168, part of which is a charitable donation to Bike NY to help fund their free bike education programs. I still don’t know how to ride a bike but if I did this would be a fun new way to experience the city.
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.
Death Becomes Her - It’s not one of those shows that I’m leaving thinking my life is changed but it was light, funny, and seeing Michelle Williams was fun. If you don’t use TodayTix yet, you can get $10 off with code ALEXAWEISER10. This isn’t an affiliate or anything, just trying to save my theatre loving friends some $$.
Canuck - The most energetic bar to watch NHL playoffs at by far.
Nin Hao - Dim Sum brunch here was delicious. They also had an extensive and unique NA section. Tried a strawberry lemon kombucha and immediately ordered a case from Hong Kong.
Cosme - Not my first time at Cosme, but was with a bigger group and got to try everything. I still think it’s overpriced, but I’d come back for the duck carnitas for a special occasion.
Leitao - You must try this steak sandwich. Staff at this place were also the friendliest I’ve encountered in a while.
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Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about
Happy early birthday 🥳
Who knew there was a food and drink museum ! Very interesting, as usual.