Weekly happenings: June 23 - June 29
Sidewalk permits should be easier to keep
I can’t remember the last time I had a weeknight with no plans. Not because I’m so in demand, but because New York in June demands things of you. I love it, I hate it, and I’m doing it again tonight.
One of my favorite things about this time of year (besides my increasingly deranged/aspirational calendar) is how the city physically reshapes itself for the season. Tables spill out onto sidewalks, streets shut down for pop-ups, block parties, or kids selling wildly expensive lukewarm lemonade. Open Streets make summer in the city. After seeing some of my favorite spots miss out on permits this year (RIP Gold Star sidewalk seating), I’m even more grateful for the local businesses that do make it happen.
I spent most of Saturday posted up on Vanderbilt, sipping spicy margs in plastic cups and running into every single person I know in the neighborhood. Truly everyone, from former coworkers to my yoga instructor to my super. I never really understood when people said they’d found pockets of NYC that felt like a small town, but this weekend, I finally got it.
Here’s what’s worth showing up for this week. Hint: there are closed streets involved.
Monday June 23
⭐ Vale Cinema Series
William Vale | 7-10pm at 111 N 12th St, Williamsburg
The William Value is returning with their season of screenings featuring cult classics on their rooftop. They go on Mondays throughout the summer, but tonight they have a special Pride Month screening of The Birdcage. They’ll have themed cocktails and snacks too. Doors open at 7pm and the film begins at 8pm. Tickets are $23.
Illustrator Tea
The Carlyle | 2-5pm at 35 E 76th St, Upper East Side
Every Monday, the Carlyle is inviting in a featured illustrator for their Illustrator Tea. While enjoying afternoon tea, the illustrator will capture moments in real time through bespoke live sketches that are yours to take home. Reservations are $135 a person.
⭐ MFK Mondays
Freemans | 5-10pm at Freeman Alley, Nolita
Freemans is NYC’s coziest restaurant. I usually gravitate here in the winter to warm up and indulge in comfort foods but their new Monday summer event has my interest piqued. Every restaurant is trying to disguise a pretty regular menu as an event worth coming out to on a weekday. This one actually is. Welcome to Marry, Fuck, Kill A Cocktail where you will taste 3 different martinis and only pay for the one you choose to marry. Each mini martini will also be paired with Island Creek oysters, Gorfal olives, and shio kombu. The event is one night only for now, but I hope they make it a series. Recommend reserving on Resy to guarantee a spot.
Tuesday June 24
Scientific Controversies: Listening to Whales
Pioneer Works | 8pm at 159 Pioneer St, Red Hook
In this evening of whalesong and codas, Pioneer Works will explore the scientific, philosophical, and technical challenges of communicating with cataceans and consider what whale language might reveal about intelligence, consciousness, and social bonds among other animals. This work has implications for ocean conservation and species protection work. In addition to the talk, you’ll view an immersive dome installation showcasing deep-sea research and there will be a DJ bringing the grooves and oceanic soundscapes. RSVP for free. Being high first isn’t required, but feels encouraged.
Screening: Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight
Museum of the Moving Image | 6:30pm at 36-01 35th Ave, Queens
This debut film is an adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s memoir about growing up in Zimbabwe during the race and class conflicts during the war for independence that erupted in 1980. It tells the story through the viewpoint of its 8 year old protagonist and balances the reality of the adult world. The screening will be followed by a conversation with director Embeth Davidtz. RSVP for free.
Wednesday June 25
After Hours Cookbook Club
Big Night | 6-8pm at 154 Franklin St, Greenpoint
Your favorite hosting store, Big Night, is presenting a new event series After Hours Cookbook Club in their backyard in Greenpoint. For their first book, they’re hosting author Woldy Reyes and toasting to his first book In the Kusina which celebrates his Filipino heritage. Tickets are $35 and include a signed copy of the book as well as food and drinks.
⭐ Paint Party
Susan Alexandra x Superbloom | 6-8pm at 33 Orchard St, Lower East Side
Painting experts from Superbloom are in town for one week only, and they’re popping by Susan Alexandra for a paint party. You’re invited to decorate your own “mini bloom box” to keep trinkets, jewelry, or anything else. You’ll be guided through all the steps to create your keepsake. Tickets are $98 and include all materials as well as light food and drinks.
MoMA Pride Celebration
MoMA | 6:30-10pm at 11 W 53rd St, Midtown
MoMA is celebrating queer perspectives and art made by LGBTQ+ artists with a full evening of programming. There will be pop up gallery talks, DJ sets, performances with New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, portrait art-making, and much more. You can also enjoy drinks from their pop up bar. Entry is free with museum admission, but recommend getting there early so they don’t hit capacity.
Thursday June 26
Aesop Queer Library
Aesop | June 26-29th at 610 5th Ave, Midtown
In partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union, Aesop is presenting the 5th edition of their Queer Library, where they remove all products from their store and fill shelves with queer stories to amplify voices. The Library has already distributed over 100,000 books to readers around the world, and this year they are partnering with Penguin Random House to present works that showcase the power of language as both a shelter and a declaration of defiance.
Big Vegan BBQ
Public Records | 6:30-10:30pm at 233 Butler St, Gowanus
Public Records is hosting a 4 hour outdoor feast in collaboration with chefs Russel Markus from Essential Herbs and Ananda Fichter Murphy from the Public Records kitchen. The meal will lean into Mediterranean flavors and use fresh produce from the farmers market. Tickets are $36. This will also obviously be a party.
Harawi Run AMOC* Festival
Lincoln Center | 7:30pm at 1941 Broadway, Lincoln Square
I recently stumbled across
’s newsletter which, you guessed it, rounds up and reviews top classical music concerts in NYC. I found this show from one of his latest posts, which I highly recommend following directly if you’re interested in more classical music events. As part of the Run AMOC* Festival at Summer for the City, this is the New York premiere of Harawi an hour-long song cycle for voice and piano in new physical and dramatic dimensions. Grammy winning soprano Julia Bullock will be joined by pianist Conor Hanick with choreography by Bobbi Jene Smith. Tickets are choose what you pay.Friday June 27
Short Films for Short Nights
The Met | Friday-Sunday at 1000 5th Ave, Upper East Side
For 3 days, you can experience modern cinema through a series of film screenings accompanied by live music. Over the series, they will feature dozens of experimental short films made between 1895 and 1972 that collectively explore the gothic imagination. Register for free for one day or for all 3.
⭐ Assyrtiko Wine Class
Nerina | 5:30pm at 35 Commercial St, Greenpoint
If you can’t be in Greece this summer, this is the next best thing. Nerina (which by the way has the best greek food outside of Queens) is inviting you to discover Santorini’s wines with their first-ever wine class held by their beverage director Dimitrios. You’ll try 3 different wines: a classic stainless steel, an oak-aged version, and a natural style. They will be paired with assorted greek cheeses, dolmades, and olives.
Flats: Opening Reception
Essex Flowers | 6-8pm at 19 Monroe St, Manhattan
Since 2010, Anne Marie and Julia Rooney have used the U.S. Postal Service as a medium and site for collaboration, production, and distribution of visual and text-based work. This is their 2nd two-person show of collaborative work that features mail art and video installations. They’re having a public opening reception at Essex Flowers and then the exhibit will be on view through the summer.
Saturday June 28
⭐ The Campus: Opening Reception
The Campus Upstate | 11am-5pm at 341 NY-217, Hudson
Ok so this technically isn’t in New York City, but it is adjacent and it could be your final nudge to take that weekend upstate trip. The Campus is a newish collective art space that was conceived by 6 New York galleries. They’re presenting their second annual exhibition and hosting an opening this weekend. The exhibition stretches over 35 rooms and the surrounding grounds of the former Ockawamick School in Claverack, NY, newly revived as a dynamic venue for contemporary art. Thirty solo and duo full-room installations anchor the show alongside focused group presentations of painting, photography and ceramics.
The Craft & History of Incense
MAUM | 1-2:30pm at 18 Fulton St, Manhattan
Acclaimed incense maker and artist Hyungi, whose expertise has been recognized by The New York Times and Architectural Digest, will lead a hands on incense workshop. You’ll learn about its deep-rooted significance in rituals and medicine, how to craft your own natural incense stocks and cons, and then take home your handcrafted incense in a crafted pine wood box. Tickets are $100.
Summer Fitness: Boxing
Domino Park | 10-11am at Domino Park, Williamsburg
Every Saturday morning this summer, the Flex Field in Domino Park is turning into a free outdoor fitness studio. On Saturday, they’re partnering with OutBox Gym for an all-levels boxing class. I’ve always wanted to try a boxing class but have been too intimidated in the past. This feels like a good entry point. No RSVP required.
Sunday June 29
June Goods Market
Studio 45 | 12-4pm at 213 Troutman St, Bushwick
Community space Studio 45 is having a pop up 1 day market. There will be all sorts of vendors selling things from pasties to ceramics to trinkets and more. There will also be free drinks and goodies. No RSVP required.
Summer Thunder Concert Series
Union Pool | 2pm at 484 Union Ave, Williamsburg
Union Pool hosts an annual concert series, Summer Thunder. They are free, outdoor Sunday shoes. with up and coming artists. The season kicks off this week and is headlined by indie songwriter Frankie Cosmos with an opening set from Juan Wauters. Checkout their full schedule. All shows are first come, first served.
NYC Pride March
NYC Pride | 11am starting at 26th St & 5th Ave, Flatiron
The NYC Pride March is among the largest demonstrations in the world. This year’s theme is Rise Up: Pride in Protest which honors the legacy of the first Pride March in 1970.
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.
Up Thai - We ordered Up Thai for a game night at a friend's place, and it instantly became one of my favorite Thai spots which is saying a lot since I’m rarely impressed by takeout. The crispy duck stole the show.
Ishi - Omakase-only spot served in a spa-like environment. They offer a table omakase but I’d highly recommend the chefs counter version which will run you just $20 more and be a much more interactive experience. At 18 courses and $125, you definitely get your moneys worth. They start you off with miso black cod before getting into the sushi and I’m still thinking about it.
The Modern - Union Square Hospitality Group invited me to try their 1 night only Paradise Lost pop up at the bar area of the 2 Michelin Star Danny Meyer restaurant, The Modern. While the pop up is over, the bites I enjoyed are worth the trip on their own. Plus, they have a few more pop ups scheduled to close out their 20 year anniversary celebration. Don’t forget to visit the MoMA while you’re there.
Tera Mera - A new Indian snack bar in Cobble Hill with a garden out back. Part cafe part restaurant, this spot is perfect to post up at for an afternoon sipping on Chai, snacking on classic snacks like pani puri and catching up with friends. I walked in out of curiosity and ended up staying for 4 hours. They’re also laptop friendly which helps.
Woods Grove - Cute gift shop with a great selection of unique finds at reasonable prices. I'm newly obsessed with giving people the perfect silly card that fits them and their accompanying gift just right, so I especially loved their extensive card section.
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Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about