Weekly happenings: January 13 - January 19
Are we ever going to reproduce tannins?
I’m still in search of a mocktail that actually hits the same way an ice cold dirty Hendrick’s does. That said, I’ve been generally impressed with the creativity, and frankly the punch, behind bar & restaurants’ latest mocktails. At a friend’s birthday this past weekend I was halfway through an elderflower-and-I-don’t-know-what-else drink before realizing it was NA (don’t get me started - I could write a whole letter on how restaurants need to get menu clarity down). Pleasantly surprised by the quality, and against my better judgement, I decided to once again try an NA wine. I was once again disappointed. I can get past the difference in mouthfeel but I’m convinced the lack of tannins is what’s stopping them from being good. Or at least ok. Taking NA reds out of my ordering cycle. At least until one of you gives me a winemaker recommendation that convinces me otherwise.
Monday January 13
For the Love of Drawing
NYC Drawing Room | 6:30-9pm at 247 W 30th St, Manhattan
For the Love of Drawing is a playful, social, and beginner-friendly drawing fundamentals workshop meant for you to embrace multimedia experimentation. You’ll get demos and guidance throughout the session, use of all supplies from Caran d’Ache, and tea & cookies. The event is also focuses on connection - you’ll be seated at a shared table to chat with other participants. Tickets are $89.
ChamberFest
Julliard | Monday-Friday at 7:30pm at 155 W 65th St, Manhattan
Julliar’s Music Division is hosting the 24th annual ChamberFest, where 90 students and their coaches will put on a chamber music festival. ChamberFest offers Juilliard students an opportunity to work on repertoire they feel passionate about learning in a time period with no other school commitments so they can immerse themselves in rehearsal and performance. They will be featuring music by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, along with works by composers whose voices have not had the opportunity to be heard. Tickets are $20.
Tuesday January 14
Mott Ring Society
Boni and Mott x Ringram | 5pm-late at 238 Mott St, Manhattan
Mediterranean restaurant Boni and Mott is partnering up with Ringram, a personalized ring and wedding band maker from Japan, for an evening of food and jewelry making. You’ll get 2 glasses of wine and an appetizer while you work with Ringram to customize your own ring. Tickets are $170 and include the ring, drinks, and snacks.
Book Swap with a Twist
Pages + Pours | 8-10pm at 196 Bergen St, Brooklyn
NBA Auction
Sotheby’s | Opening at 10am
This is the only online event I’ve ever featured but it had to make the cut. Plus, you can go view the lots in person so it counts as an NYC-based event to me. Sotheby’s is bringing NBA fans and collectors an opportunity to own a piece of basketball history. The auction will feature a curated selection of official, game-used player jerseys. Register to bid.
👅 Live Music: Drew Wesely
Bad Therapy Bar | 8pm & 9:30pm at 1008 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn
Bad Therapy Bar was my most pleasant surprise of the weekend. More on that in my recommendations at the bottom of the letter. They’re yet another coffee/ bar crossover, but they’ve done it right. They also have an incredible lineup of live performers, including guitarist Drew Wesely this week. Walk in to hang and grab a drink. You’ll stay longer than you think.
Wednesday January 15
Andy Warhol Studio Session
Banksy Museum | 7-9pm at 277 Canal St, Manhattan
This event will explore Warhol’s indelible impact on Pop Art and his enduring influence on contemporary artists—most notably Banksy. You’ll learn about Banksy’s Kate Moss series, and how it is a clever reinterpretation of Warhol’s celebrated Marilyn Monroe silkscreens. You’ll then create your own artwork using silkscreen techniques, featuring the iconic faces of Marilyn Monroe and Kate Moss, while adding unique colors and a personal touch. Tickets are $68 and include all materials.
👅 Susan Fortgang: The Spaces In Between
Eric Firestone Gallery | 6-8pm at 40 Great Jones St, Manhattan
I’m planning a Wednesday gallery crawl - it’s been a long time since I’ve done one and they’re always such a fun way to catch up with a friend and do something other than dinner. I’ll review my whole loop in next week’s letter, but I wanted to highlight one of the openings I’m most excited about. Eric Firestone Gallery is presenting “Susan Fortgang: The Spaces in Between,” a survey of Fortgang’s career spanning from the mid-1960s through the present. Susan Fortgang (b. New York, NY, 1944) is a painter who has been working in her SoHo loft since the early 1970s and is known for her highly impastoed gridded paintings. No RSVP required.
Book Talk: It Starts With One
P&T Knitwear | 6:30-8pm at 180 Orchard St, Manhattan
P&T Knitwear is welcoming Billboard executive director Jason Lipshutz for a discussion of his newest book, It Starts With One: an extensive look inside the 20+ year career of mega-selling rock band Linkin Park. The book features new interviews, exclusive quotes, and insights from the band’s associates and collaborators — effectively cementing Linkin Park’s long overdue place in music history. Tickets are $7 or you can buy a signed book for free entry.
Beyonce Themed Workshop
Paint The Album | 6:30pm at 4 Saint Marks Pl, Manhattan
Paint The Album is a new cultural org hosting creative nights of music, art, and connection and hosted by NYC-based artist Phoebe Jamieson. They’re having a Beyonce themed workshop where you’ll create your own abstract masterpiece inspired by a Beyonce album. You’ll be guided by rythms and paint in sync with the music. Tickets are $50 and include all art supplies.
Thursday December January 16
⭐ Offbrand x Moonburger Launch Party
Offbrand x Moonburger | 7-10pm at 126 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
Offbrand, an experimental pop up concept, is taking over Moonburger for the weekend and kicking off with a launch party. There will be free hard seltzer and beer as well as an incredible menu including the papito smash burger and adobo fries. There will also be a DJ and dancing. RSVP for free.
Happy Hour Historical Tour
United Palace | 7-8:30pm at 4140 Broadway, Manhattan
Explore the stunning 3,400-seat United Palace Theatre while enjoying a drink. You’ll go through the mezzanine, grand foyer, balcony, and up on stage while learning about the history of Manhattan’s 4th largest theatre and landmarked building from 1930. Tickets are $30 and include a drink.
Blowout Sale
Wyld Blue | Thursday - sell out at 350 Bleecker St, Manhattan
Wyld Blue is a mostly-apparel-and-jewelry store that sells itself as a lifestyle experience. They’re known for neutral tones, deep textures, and housing ridiculously expensive brands. Once in a blue moon they have a blowout sale and trust me, it’s worth it. Specially if you need anything bridal - they have a ton of white, beading, and sparkles.
Friday December January 17
IBStage Stars Galas
IBStage x New York City Center | Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm at 131 W 55th St, Manhattan
IBStage is an organization dedicated to celebrating the art of ballet internationally. It was founded in 2009 in Venice, Italy and has since traveled around Europe and now New York. At the shows, you’ll see 17 world-renowned artists from the American Ballet Theatre, Ballet de Catalunya, Royal Swedish Ballet, and Royal Ballet Theatre to name a few. Tickets start at $55.
⭐ Botanical Mixology
The Alchemist’s Kitchen | 6:30-8pm at 117 Crosby St, Manhattan
In this demonstration, tasting, and Q&A, you’ll learn to formulate botanical elixirs to help relax at home and celebrate special occasions with friends and family, without the need for alcohol. The class was designed in response to the growing interest in the mixology of herbs and mushrooms to craft healthy and delicious mocktails. You’ll learn how to infuse, carbonate, and blend drinks, how to spice them up with essential herbs or fruits and oils, and even how to pair them with food. It will be led by Ezza Valdez, a trained herbalist and mixologist from the Philippines who leads educational programming for The Alchemist's Kitchen. Tickets are $30.
Astoria Cookbook Club
Our House | 7-9pm at 23-71 31st St, Astoria
Arts & event space Our House is encouraging everyone to cook in community. They’re having a cookbook club night where everyone will make and bring a dish to share. The prompt for this edition is to cook (or bake) your favorite recipe from 2024. It can be any recipe, whether from a physical cookbook, a digitally authored recipe, or anything else. You should plan to make enough for 1-2 portions. Tickets are $10 and cover the rental space, drinks, and serving supplies. The menu already looks amazing with beet dip, an autumn kale salad, foccacia, anelli di ricotta, and more.
⭐ Sarah Silverman: Postmortem
Beacon Theatre | Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm at 2124 Broadway, Manhattan
I’ve been lucky enough to see Sarah live 3 times. Once on purpose and twice because she was a surprise guest at Comedy Cellar and Gotham. All 3 were memorable experiences with deep belly laughs. She’s at the Beacon Theatre for 2 nights only. Tickets start at $40.
Saturday December January 18
Giants and Toys
Metrograph | 4pm at 7 Ludlow St, Manhattan
Join writer Jonathan Rosenbaum and filmmaker Michael Almereyda for a a showing and post-screen conversation on Giants & Toys. The film is a glaringly gaudy satire of a ‘50s Japan dominated by a ruthless new corporate culture, capitalist excess, and the figure of the suicidally overworked salaryman. It takes place in the battlefield of business, where three candy manufacturers vie to corner the caramel market through any-means-necessary snares and traps. Tickets are $17.
Tea Social
Lea’s Tea | 4-5:30pm at 499 Quincy St, Brooklyn
Lea’s Tea is a small Brooklyn-based business that was born from communal collaboration. At this mini tea social, you’ll get tea samples as well as the opportunity to mix your own tea blends or to create pillow stuffers. There will also be tea cocktails for sale. RSVP for free.
⭐ Artist Talk: Acky Bright
Japan Society | 4pm at 333 E 47th St, Manhattan
Japan Society is welcoming illustrator, designer, and manga artist Acky Bright in person. Known across Japan and the U.S. for his kawakakkoii (cute and cool) characters and collaborations with music groups YOASOBI, ASTERISM and Perfume and brands including McDonald’s, Hasbro, DC Comics, BMW, Meta and Netflix, he has created a passionate following that crosses between high art and pop art. He now has his first solo exhibition in New York on view. During his talk, Acky will create an original illustration in front of our audience, and afterward he’ll greet audiences and sign copies of his B/W artwork. Tickets are $15.
Sunday December January 19
Wine Class: Castilla y León
Place des Fêtes | 2pm at 212 Greene Ave, Brooklyn
For their next regional wine class, Place des Fêtes is visiting Castilla y León with their sommelier, Kenny Toll. Each of the 5 Spanish wines you taste will be paired with seasonal snacks in their private event space. The class will be interactive and will focus heavily on earthy, linear, age-worthy Garnatxa from high elevations and versatile, aromatic Verdejos with a smattering of sparkling wine made in the region as well. Tickets are $125.
⭐ Cannes Cinema: Dinner & a Movie
Fouquet’s | 6:30pm at 28 Desbrosses St, Manhattan
Brasserie Fouquet’s newly built out an epic and very cozy movie theatre. They very selectively host movie nights where you can enjoy dinner and a movie. They’re showing Golden Globe-Nominated The Challengers tonight. You can opt for the full 3-course prix fixe dinner at $165 a head or just drinks and a light bite at $110 a head. Dinner and drinks starts at 6:30pm followed by an 8pm showing of the movie. Book on Resy.
Flea Market
By The Lot Vintage | 1-6pm at 26 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn
By The Lot Vintage is hosting Ayo Awojinrin and Christine Jengwa for a closet sale. It will be a mix of contemporary, streetwear, and Y2K pieces and there will be drinks provided by Dirty Water Hard Seltzer. If you’re in doubt, just scan their Instagram’s and I think you’ll be convinced to stop by.
Sunday Tea: Sip & Shop
Slow Poems Press | 12-7pm at 191 E 3rd St, Manhattan
Slow Poems Press is hosting an event where you can shop 7+ local vintage vendors while sipping on tea. You’ll even be able to create your own tea blend to take home with herbs like lemon balm, black vanilla, anise, and more to choose from. No RSVP required.
Recs of the week
Places or shows I visited 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.
I spent a lot of time in my neighborhood last week. I promise I’ll venture farther this week.
Mockingbird - A new zero-proof cocktail bar in Park Slope. I went for their soft opening which already had a 1 hour wait for a table. My drink was good, but the space itself could use more ambiance. Also I specifically planned the night around a pregnant friend and there was only one option that was completely 0% ABV.
Sofreh - Not my first time and it won’t be my last. Highlights were the eggplant and whey dip and the pomegranate beef ribeye.
Bar Louise - I’m not the biggest fan of Pasta Louise (food is ok but there are simply too many screaming children) so I naturally held off on visiting their latest venture. I finally made it in to Bar Louise and it was actually really delightful. Definitely felt like more of an adult-centered spot while still fitting the Park Slope family vibe. The wagyu pigs in a blanket were also amazing.
Bad Therapy Bar - Walked in totally by mistake while looking for a coffee and ended up staying for almost an hour listening to live music and grabbing a pastry. I’ll definitely be highlighting some of the events they host in the future.
The Scion Project - Another really good drip coffee.
As always, message me with any events you try out or any recommendations for next week!
Legend for new readers:
👅 = events I’m attending. Come hang out with me!!!
⭐ = events I am only missing because of travel or personal conflicts
everything else = things I am still really excited about