Weekly happenings: July 14 - July 20
Vegetables & focaccia make a balanced summer meal
Every summer dinner lately (or honestly, most of the year), I find myself pretending to be healthy by ordering five plates of vegetables that usually end up coming swimming in olive oil and/or buried under focaccia. But that’s a sweet spot I like. The dinners, and really nights, that start with good and clear intentions and end in a completely different way. For the summer at least, focaccia & veggies should be considered a balanced meal. If you agree, there’s plenty of fun options for you this week.
Monday July 14
Film Screening: Doña Bárbara
MoMA | 7pm at 11 W 53rd St, Midtown
The MoMA film series often give me an excuse to visit which then turns into a lovely evening perusing the latest collections and often ending with a drink at The Modern. Tonight they’re showing Doña Bárbara, which is a film directed by Fernando de Fuentes as an adaptation of Venezuelan author Rómulo Gallegos’ novel. In the film, María Félix plays a landowner whose sexual victimization during adolescence creates a deep hostility toward men, and leads her to pursue entirely self-sufficient control over her ranch and the surrounding area. Tickets are $14.
Knights Bridge Wine Dinner
Jack & Charlie’s 118 | All night at 118 Greenwich Ave, West Village
Jack & Charlie’s is hosting Knight’s Bridge Winery all the way from Sonoma for a one night special wine pairing menu. You’ll have two options available: a prix-fixe $150 five course dinner & pairing, or ordering from their regular menu alongside the pairing. Tickets on Resy.
Tuesday July 15
⭐ Jazz & Highball Party
Midnight Blue | 8pm-midnight at 109 E 19th St, Gramercy
Cocktail bar and jazz club Midnight Blue is turning 1 and inviting you to celebrate. Tickets are walk in only and will be $60 for all-inclusive food (think Japanese bar snacks), drink, and music with a live band.
Book Talk: If You Love It, Let It Kill You
Books Are Magic | 7-8pm at 122 Montague St, Brooklyn Heights
Author Hannah Pittard will be diving into conversation on her new book If You Love It, Let It Kill You, with Karah Preiss hosting. The novel tells the story of literally every woman’s worst-case scenario: she discovers she’s the unintentional and unflattering star of her ex’s novel. The news unsurprisingly sends her into a midlife crisis which becomes the focus of the novel. Tickets are $11.
⭐ Leland Goes Vegan-ish
Leland | All night at 755 Dean St, Prospect Heights
Leland is one of my favorite neighborhood spots. I end up there about once a month, which is a lot for someone always trying to try new things. Every time, I tell myself I’m going to branch out and order something healthy and balanced… and every time, I walk away full of only vegetables and way too much focaccia. This week, they’re leaning into the veggie love on purpose. To celebrate the summer bounty, Leland is hosting a one-night-only “vegan-ish” dinner: a five-course, seasonal menu that can be made vegan or vegetarian. Think peak produce, done right. Tickets are $85.
Wednesday July 16
⭐ Art Talk: Paul Anthony Smith
Public Art Fund x Jack Shainman Gallery | 6:30-7:30pm at 46 Lafayette St, Tribeca
Artist Paul Anthony Smith will be in conversation with Public Art Fund Assistant Curator Jenée Daria Strand to discuss Melodies from a running spring, the artist’s first public art exhibition, on view across 300 JCDecaux bus shelters in New York, Chicago, and Boston. The exhibition presents nine new grayscale photographic portraits that subvert mainstream representations of Jamaica and the Caribbean diaspora. Smith will reflect on the connections between the photography and his ceramic practice and the tension between visibility and erasure in public scale. The talk is being held at Jack Shainman Gallery and will be followed by a reception. Register for free, first-come, first served.
Illiberal America: A History
New York Historical x Bryant Park | 7-8pm at Bryant Park Reading Room, Midtown
Bryant Park is hosting a series of lectures and conversations with historians, authors, and thinkers in their outdoor reading room. In partnership with New York Historical, this week they are having Steven Hahn, professor of history at NYU and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. He will talk through how the history of illiberalism is a history of the forces that have shaped and continue to shape the nation. RSVP for free to join the discussion.
Thursday July 17
⭐ Bimbo Bingo with Lala Wiggy
Accidental Bar | 7pm at 98 Avenue C, East Village
Accidental Bar is no doubt one of the best lowkey places to grab a drink in the city. It’s cool, laidback, and has a really fun sake menu. Plus, I’ve weirdly had a few of my most iconic celebrity sightings here. They’re hosting a bingo night where Queen of Sing LaLa Wiggy will serenade you after lovingly berating you as you compete for Sake & Swag. RSVP for free for the 3 rounds of bingo. There is a 2 drink minimum and $5 charge at the door.
Rib Fest
Dickson’s Farmstand Meats | 7pm at 75 9th Ave, Chelsea
I have to compliment my earlier Leland vegan feature with the exact opposite: an unlimited rib-fest. Dickson’s Farmstand Meats is serving up a 7 course all you can eat rib feast out of their Chelsea Market restaurant. In addition to ribs, there will be six seasonal beers from Wild East’s lineup as well as sides and dessert. This is a fork free event, but plenty of wet naps will be available. Tickets are $80 and include all food & drink.
Punk vs. Psychedelic Posters: A Battle Royale
Poster House | 6-7pm at 119 W 23rd St, Flatiron
To honor their ongoing exhibition Copy/Paste/Print/Repeat: Mike King & the Art of the Gig Poster, Poster House is hosting gig poster maestro and noted punk enthusiast Mike King as he faces psychedelic poster superfan and scholar Ted Bahr in a battle of wits, nerve, and design ferocity over their individual passion for their favorite poster styles. The live battle is sold out, but you can still go enjoy the exhibit and watch a livestream of the show. RSVP for free.
Friday July 18
Pop Up Party: Art Gurl’s Third Birthday
Art Gurl x McCarren Parkhouse | 6-8pm at McCarren Parkhouse, Williamsburg
Art Gurl encourages everyone to make art. Even if it’s bad art. To fuel your creativity, they host workshops, prompts, and meditations that you can join IRL or online. They’re celebrating their third birthday with a bash and you’re invited. There will be art making, aura readings, journaling stations, cute new merch, snacks, gift bags, a raffle, and more. Tickets are $5.
Shoegaze Literary Issue Launch
Shoegaze x TJ Byrnes | 7pm at 77 Fulton St, FiDi
Shoegaze Literary is a capsule project that publishes poetry and fiction. The magazine aims to support and uplift emerging writers by curating a space for dreamy, distorted alternate realities. They’re gathering together to celebrate the launch of their inaugural issue: Lost in Translation. RSVP for free to hear readings from some of the contributors. You can also check out the full issue online.
Saturday July 19
⭐ Concerts in the Park
Show Brain | 3-7pm at Maria Hernandez Park, Bushwick
Show Brain is a non profit community organization that puts on free concerts throughout parks in NYC. They have a mix of local and big acts. This week they are popping up at Maria Hernandez Park for a free show featuring 5 different groups. Go to dance and hang. No RSVP required.
Daiya Baywatch Patrol
Daiya | Saturday & Sunday 2-5pm at various park locations
Daiya makes dairy-free cheesy foods so that those who are misfortunate enough to be lactose free don’t have to miss out. To promote their brand, throughout the weekend they will have ‘lifeguards’ popping up across NYC parks including McCarren, Prospect, and Fort Greene to ensure no one forgets the (dairy-free) cheese. They’ll be patrolling the parks giving out samples and coupons for free Daiya slices. If you’re lounging out this weekend, keep a lookout for these free snacks.
Meet the Artists: Crossing Paths
Usagi | 3-5pm at 163 Plymouth St, Dumbo
Art gallery Usagi is presenting a two-part group exhibition Crossing Paths, that explores themes of cultural fusion, personal milestones, and the journey of artistic growth. The exhibition features a range of media including painting, photography, drawing, and sculpture. I love that Usagi also always tries to help viewers find connection with the art. For this exhibit they’re having a ‘meet the artists’ session where you can chat with 9 of the participating artists to learn about their work. No RSVP required.
Sunday July 20
Annual Crab Boil
Brooklyn Crab | 1-4pm at 24 Reed St, Red Hook
Brooklyn Crab aka the best summer hang spot, is having their annual crab boil. It will consist of a 3-hour open bar and 2.5 hour feast of unlimited snow crab, dungeness crab, shrimp, crawfish, mussels, potatoes, corn, and more. There will obviously be games of cornhole and mini golf you can jump to between bites too. Tickets are $169.
Dragon Fest: Panda Day
Japan Fes | 10am-6pm on 7th Ave between 56th and 57th, Columbus Circle
If you haven’t heard of Japan Fes or at least been disrupted by one of its major street closures over the last few years, you’re either not getting out enough or blissfully ignorant. Walking through it can be an overwhelming maze, but the food is worth it if you actually go intentionally. They are doing a special panda-themed day where food from all participating businesses will be panda-themed. It’s totally free and open to attend. Go hungry.
Bonsai Making
Bonsai Bar x Gun Hill Brewing | 1pm at 52 35th St, Industry City
At this beginner Bonsai workshop, you’ll literally be making tiny trees. Bonsai Bar hosts pop up workshops around the city where they bring the art of bonsai out of hedged gardens and to you. You’ll learn the fundamental techniques behind the art of bonsai and then pot, prune, and design your own tree to take home. Tickets are $85.
⭐ Vintage Beaded Jewelry Making
RecCreate Collective | 11am-1pm at 20 Grand Ave, Williamsburg
If you’ve been looking for a cool, gen-z looking beaded necklace but haven’t found the right one yet, you’re in luck. At this event you’ll be crafting your own necklace with a huge curation of vintage beads. The workshop will start out with an inspo session and a hardware demo before leaving you to select and bead your own piece. All materials and sips during the day are included. Tickets are $55.
Recommendations return next week…
The past few weeks, everyone in my life decided to plan their ‘Very Important Event’ at the exact same time. Back to regularly scheduled programming (and personal NYC discoveries) next week.
If you you’re hosting an event you think is a good fit for City Happenings or if you want to sponsor the newsletter, submit requests here.
Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about
What a great week. Bonsai making, rib fest , jazz and highball ….so many choices.