Weekly happenings: June 16 - June 22
Summer Solstice, Pride Pop Ups, and a Mermaid Parade
This week has range. On one end, I’m RSVPing to a gala at the Bowery Hotel and on the other I’m loitering at a stoop sale in Park Slope. Grateful for the extra long days to make it all possible. Summer Solstice should be an official holiday.
Monday June 16
⭐ Art House: Cocktail & Awards Reception
Bailey House x Bowery Hotel | 6-9pm at 335 Bowery, Nolita
Join Bailey House at their annual fundraiser supporting efforts to House NYC. The reception will host a community of New York artists, activists, and luminaries for a cocktail, an auction powered by Artsy, and an awards ceremony honoring leaders in the fight to end AIDS and homelessness in NYC. Tickets are $250 but you can get a pretty big discount if you buy in groups.
Harlem Gospel Choir: Magic of Motown
Blue Note Jazz Festival | 8pm at 235 W 46th St, Hell’s Kitchen
As part of the ongoing Blue Note Jazz Festival, the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir will be performing the music of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and The Supremes. Founded in 1986, the choir presents the finest singers and musicians from Harlem's Black Churches and the New York area. Tickets start at $40.
Tuesday June 17
Butcher Class: Beef Bash
Prospect Butcher Co | 7:30-9:30pm at 113A Nassau Ave, Greenpoint
I’m a frequent shopper at Prospect Butcher Co., not for ingredients to cook with (as my packed schedule of restaurant outings might suggest), but for their incredible roast beef sandwich with horseradish mayo. And when I’m in a particularly fancy mood, I’ll grab a container of their “dog food” for Aloo who absolutely loses his mind over it. I just learned that they host classes out of their Greenpoint location shop. The class will start with a tour of their whole-animal butcher shop, followed by their butchers breaking down a forequarter of beef and teaching you all about it. Tickets are $109 and include beverages, charcuterie, and a coupon for your next visit.
⭐ Nicer Tuesdays
It’s Nice That | 6:30-9pm at 333 W 23rd St, Chelsea
It’s Nice That is a London based organization with a mission to make people feel better about themselves by putting out nice things to the public domain. They are best known for their live event series Nicer Tuesdays that will have a limited summertime run in NYC. The series will include talks about photography, a playful family festival identity and balancing a career in two different creative mediums. You’ll hear from one of New York’s most fun-filled design studios, Little Troop, the art director, designer and now painter, Na Kim, and the illustrator crafting atmospheric scenes, Julian Adon Alexander (aka Snakebone). Tickets are $27.
Screening: Soundtrack to a Coup d’État
Poster House | 6-9pm at 119 W 23rd St, Chelsea
Poster House is hosting a special screening of Soundtrack to a Coup d’État, a powerful documentary by Johan Grimonprez that explores the intersection of jazz, politics, and decolonization, focusing on jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nina Simone in their roles as cultural ambassadors during the 1960s. Tickets are $10 and include small bites and refreshments.
Wednesday June 18
⭐ Paradise Lost Pop Up
The Modern | 5-9pm at 9 W 53rd St, Midtown
As part of The Modern’s 20 year anniversary celebration, they’re having a 1 night only Paradise Lost pop up where you can enjoy limited-edition cocktails from one of North America’s 50 Best Bars list. Known for their tiki-inspired cocktails, Paradise Lost drinks are also often served with theatrical flare like lights, smoke, or fire. RSVP for drinks alone or grab a table to enjoy your cocktail alongside dinner.
Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock
Museum of the City of New York | 6:30pm at 1220 5th Ave, East Harlem
Musician and author Jonathan Gould will discuss his latest book, Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock with editor at Rolling Stone Anthony DeCurtis. The conversation will focus on how four art students revolutionized the sound of modern music. Books will also be available for signing at the event. Tickets are $15.
Pride Dawlcakes
Talea | 7-9pm at 102 Christopher St, West Village
Talea is hosting a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to decorate your very own rainbow themed Dawlcake. You can completely customize your cake with glitter, sprinkles, and any other flair. Tickets are $85 and include all materials, your cake to take home, and 1 drink.
Thursday June 19
Staging of “A Siren’s Prayer”
Seaport Museum | 6:30pm at 12 Fulton St, Seaport
Come aboard the 1885 tall ship Wavertree for a live staging or A Siren’s Prayer, a work-in-progress musical that blends live vocals, instrumentals, and movement. The work follows a trio of sirens who have spent generations luring sailors to their deaths. It is still in development so this is your chance to see the creative process in action. Plus, tickets are free.
Mystery at the Grooms’
Hermès | June 19-29th at Pier 36, Lower East Side
Unsurprisingly, Hermès’ pop up keeps in theme with their equestrian vibe. For 10 days, they are opening the doors to the Grooms’ House, a theatrical set where the Grooms live with their horse companions. As part of this game, you’ll become an ‘Hermès detective’ and search for their mischievous herd of horses that disappeared into the Hermès objects adorning the house. You’ll follow a trail of scattered clues and track them down before your hour slot runs out. It sounds kind of like an escape room? Entry is free, but I recommend reserving your timeslot to avoid a wait.
Juneteenth in the Park
Prospect Park | 6pm at Lena Horne Bandshell, Park Slope
It comes as no surprice that BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, NYC’s longest running free outdoor performing arts festival has programming for Juneteenth. They are hosting their annual celebration with music by Dallas-based Ghost-Note, readings from an anthology that honors the stories and traditions of American history, and a DJ set. RSVP for free.
Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth
Broadway | 11am-12:30pm at Times Square
The only thing that can get me to Times Square aside from a show? 15 shows condensed into 1. This free outdoor concert will feature performers from 15 current shows, all accompanied by live music.
Friday June 20
⭐ Summer Solstice
Brooklyn Botanic | 8:30-10pm at Brooklyn Botanic, Prospect Heights
Take full advantage of the longest day of the year at this sunset concert. There will be multiple performers throughout the evening, all led by guest conductor and pianist Georgia Mills. Tickets are $24.
Making Superfine
Met Museum | 6:30-7:30pm at 1000 5th Ave, Upper East Side
Join Monica L. Miller, co-curator of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, artist Torkwase Dyson, and artist Tanda Francis to learn about the collaborative and creative process of building the exhibition. You’ll hear in detail about how the artistic vision for the exhibition came to life to present Black style over 300 years. RSVP for free.
Saturday June 21
⭐ Stoop Sale
Stoop Sale | 1-6pm at 325 1st St, Park Slope
Some friends of friends who happen to be fashionable South Brooklyn girls are teaming up for a stoop sale this weekend. There will be clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry, and more. All in a variety of sizes. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Immigrant Defense Project. RSVP for free.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Brooklyn Museum | 1-5pm at 200 Eastern Pkwy, Crown Heights
To celebrate Juneteenth, the Brooklyn Museum has an entire afternoon of activities and music honoring self-expression, community, and Black liberation. There will be performers, a poetry open mic, games, scrapbook making, and of course food by some of Brooklyn’s favorite Black-owned restaurants. Entry is free with museum admission.
⭐ Sugarcane Spirits
Apotheke Academy | 2-4pm at 9 Doyers St, Chinatown
As adventurous as I am with food, I tend to stick to what I know when it comes to drinks. If it’s not red wine, I’m usually ordering a dirty gin martini. Apotheke is one of the few cocktail bars that consistently gets me to branch out. I’m extremely particular about my drinks, and theirs manage to impress every time with inventive, unexpected combinations that actually work. I just learned about their Academy, which features interactive, hands-on mixology and cocktail classes. Their mixologists spend the morning rummaging for local produce, herbs, and botanicals from the farmer’s market for each class. This one will focus on experimenting with rum and Cachaca, spirits made from Sugarcane. Throughout the class, you’ll create 4 cocktails with the guidance of a seasoned mixologist. Tickets are $200.
Mermaid Parade
Coney Island | 1pm at 3052 W 21st St, Coney Island
The annual Mermaid Parade has been around to officially kick off summer in NYC since 1983. It’s now the largest art parade in North America, with 3000+ costumed mermaids, floats, marching bands, antique cars, and more. It feels like a huge spectacle that you should see at least once. Pro tip is to watch from the boardwalk to avoid the massive crowd.
Shala Yoga
Fort Greene Park | 11am-12pm at Fort Greene Park
I was wandering Fort Greene park last week and stumbled on this yoga class that I obviously asked about. It’s a weekly free vinyasa style class for all levels. The perfect way to start a summer Saturday. Make sure to bring your own mat.
Sunday June 22
Sunday Salsa
Piel Canela Dance School | 6-9:30pm at Pier I, Upper West Side
The Piel Canela Dance School is hosting free salsa classes on Sundays at Pier I. It’s totally beginner friendly. Even if you’re not up to dance, I’d stop by to watch while enjoying the sunset. It’s a really happy vibe.
⭐ Pride Cookout
Cactus Shop | 3pm-sell out at 231 Kent Ave, Williamsburg
The Cactus Shop is hosting 3 chefs, including the one behind Piscator the grilled branzino pop ups, for a 1 day open fire collaboration celebrating pride. There will be seared scallops, shrimp, braised rib, branzino (of course), and desserts like basic ice cream. This looks very yummy.
My recommendations this 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.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow - Even though it’s essentially a lead-up promo for Season 5, this Broadway show is absolutely worth seeing, especially if you’re a fan of the series. The stage effects are mind-blowing (I’m still trying to figure out how they pulled some of them off), and the atmosphere is so immersive I actually jumped a few times. It’s no surprise the show took home four Tony Awards.
Magic at the Clock Shop - Now I think I’ve actually been to every magic show in NYC. Greg Dubin set up a new, intimate show in the heart of Cobble Hill. Seeing this level of sleight of hand close up never gets old. The show is pretty interactive and there are no bad seats.
Une Femme - I was invited to celebrate the official launch of canned wine company Une Femme’s new blends. I’m usually skeptical of canned wines, but these are actually high quality. Here’s a photo of me holding a can like it’s an ad. I swear it wasn’t posed.
Hamburger America - The launch party was held at Hamburger American which deserves its own shoutout for one of the top smash burgers in NYC.
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Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about
Great week ahead. Cheers 🥂 to longest day of the year ! Summer in nyc has arrived.
i’ve done the Apotheke Academy classes before they’re so good, perfect for a date night