Weekly happenings: June 30 - July 6
No Hamptons, no problem
Scheduling this letter a few days early as I prep for 10 laptop-free days away. I usually do a quick ticket check Monday mornings to ensure everything is still available. Keeping my fingers crossed that none of these are sold out, but please double check on your own.
On that note, no letter next week. My first week off in a year. I should make myself a vacation policy.
Monday June 30
Gertrude’s 2nd Bday
Gertrude’s | All night at 605 Carlton Ave, Prospect Heights
My favorite neighborhood restaurant turns 2!! Still reeling over the closure of their sister restaurant Gertie earlier this month, but at least we still have Gertrude’s. To celebrate two years, they’re throwing a big bash featuring some of their favorite dishes, magnums of sparkling, and a good ol’ neighborhood hand. Reservations encouraged.
⭐ Pizza 101
Bar Birba | 6:30pm at 340 Franklin St, Bed-Stuy
Known for their wine and pizza, Bar Birba is hosting a pizza 101 class and party. You’ll learn how to make your own pizza while having some snacks and sipping on wine. Tickets are $95 and include the dough making class (+ a ton to take home), as much pizza as you can eat, some aperitivi, and a glass of wine. Additional glasses will also be half off.
Immersive De Niro Experience
Mercer Labs x Tribeca Studios | Through July 6th at 21 Dey St, FiDi
De Niro, New York transforms decades of iconic film into an immersive experience. It is presented in collaboration with Tribeca Studios and Mercer Labs. You’ll be invited to step inside a cinematic dreamscape where different characters and versions of the city will collide. After the film, you can proceed through the rest of the exhibit at the lab. Tickets are $49.
Tuesday July 1
Book Launch & Performance
Yu & Me Books | 7pm location to be announced upon ticket purchase
Benedict Nguyễn is presenting a new dance work, DEFENSE, a duet between herself and dancer/musician Sugar Vendil. After the performance, she’ll be joined by special guests Vendil (composer, choreographer, and pianist), Leah Abrams (writer), Hannah Bae (journalist and illustrator), Jasmine Gibson (cultural worker), and Jeanne Thornton (author) to launch her debut novel Hot Girls with Balls. The book is a satire about two star indoor volleyball players who juggle jealousies in their off-court romance. RSVP for free.
Wine & Oil Experience
Björk Cafe x Somm in the City | 6:30-9pm at 58 Park Ave, Midtown
Last week, I asked my subscriber chat if anyone had heard of Scandinavia House. It was mostly to reassure myself that it's okay not to know everything about NYC culture. Turns out, I’m not alone though. And now we all have a new spot to check out. They have a ton of exhibits and ongoing concerts, but the event I’m most excited about is this wine & oil experience. You’ll get a give course dinner of Nordic cuisine paired with wines and handcrafted olive oils from Spain and Italy. It’s presented in partnership with Somm In The City so you know the wines will be top tier. Tickets are $105.
Wednesday July 2
You’ve Got the Wrong Person
Written in Brooklyn x Farm One | 8-10pm at 625 Bergen St, Prospect Heights
Written in Brooklyn is a live storytelling show where people share personal stories inspired by a simple but loaded idea: You’ve Got the Wrong Person. There are stories of friends becoming enemies, lovers becoming fighters, and cringy situations you’ll think are made up. Tickets are $28.
Tango-Opera
La MaMa x Americas Society | 7pm at 66 E 4th St, East Village
Americas Society and LaMaMa Experimental Theatre Club are collaborating to put on a new tango-infused version of Gluck’s classic opera Orfeo ed Euridice. The show is set in a cabaret in Buenos Aires in the 1930s. Register for free.
⭐ Jungle Cat Comedy
The Underground x Lincoln Center | 8pm at Jaffe Drive, Lincoln Square
The Underground is a a cabaret-inspired performance space tucked away on Jaffe Drive by Lincoln Center. It has a pop up bar and stage for various events and they’re hosting a free show as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City series. The comedy show will be hosted by up-and-coming stand ups Abby Govindan (of New York Comedy Festival) and Mohanad Elshieky (of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Conan). It’s first come, first served so make sure to show up early or register for fast track.
Costumed Sketch Night
Society of Illustrators | 6:30-8:30pm at 128 E 63rd St, Upper East Side
The Society of Illustrators is hosting award-winning author and illustrator Torben Kuhlmann for a guided sketch night to celebrate his latest children’s book Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World. The evening will start with a short demo by Kuhlmann and then you’ll be invited to sketch alongside him. Artists of all levels are welcome, but bring your own materials. Tickets are $20.
Thursday July 3
⭐ Movies on the Lawn
Fort Greene Conservancy | 8:30-10pm at Fort Greene Park
This Thursday kicks off Paramount+ Movie Nights at Fort Greene Park with a screening of Call Me By Your Name. There will be 3 more Thursday screenings over the summer - check out the full schedule. They are completely free. Don’t forget your picnic blanket and snacks.
Jazz in July
Brooklyn Botanic | 7pm at Brooklyn Botanic, Crown Heights
Every Thursday in July, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will celebrate summer with live jazz presented in partnership with local arts organizations. The shows are free with Garden admission. You should also bring your blanket to this.
Friday July 4
Wimbledon Screenings
Ground Pass x McCarren Parkhouse | Starting July 4th at 855 Lorimer St, Williamsburg
Ground Pass is bringing Wimbledon to Brooklyn with live match screenings, classic courtside snacks, and more. Join the community at McCarren Parkhouse to catch all the matches on the big screen. Totally free.
Plus some 4th of July celebrations.
From ticketed parties & fireworks…
Peck Slip Social - front row views of the Macy’s Fireworks on the East River. Plus your $89 ticket includes a hot dog and Miller High Life beer. The entire area will be closed off to people without tickets.
Manhatta - if you’re looking for a sky-high party, this is it. There will be live music, full-court pickleball, lawn games, a huge BBQ with summer favorites, and an open bar. $225 per ticket.
Celestine - Celestine’s waterfront views of the fireworks are hard to beat. $200 tickets get you all inclusive food & drink beginning at 6pm.
…to block parties and cookouts.
Poppys Block Party - Poppy’s will be slinging burgers, dogs, shrimp rolls, watermelon slushies, and more at their afternoon Block Party. Check it out from 12-4pm.
Farm to People Cookout - Farm to People is having a cookout in their shaded back patio. There will be lawn games, music, boozy slushies, and more. RSVPs are free.
Saturday July 5
⭐ Closing Reception & Street Party
Satellite Art Show | 12-7pm at 279 Broome St, Lower East Side
Satellite Art Show hosts short, pop up exhibits around the city. This weekend, they have a show called Happiness Is Illegal which features graffiti writers from NYC and beyond. There’s an opening reception on July 3rd, but July 5th is the final day of the show and they’re having a street party to celebrate. That’s what I’d go to.
Barbieland
House of Yes | 10pm-4am at 2 Wyckoff Ave, Bushwick
House of Yes is throwing a Barbie party, just because. Watch the lines between fantasy and reality disintegrate in this neon dreamscape. Come dressed as your best baby doll, ken, or neon best. Tickets start at $10.
Sunday July 6
Embroidery: Flowers
Brooklyn Brainery | 12-4pm at 190 Underhill Ave, Prospect Heights
Brooklyn Brainery hosts some of the most creative classes out there. In this workshop, you’ll fill in a flower design and use couching to add more color and dimension to your flower. It’s technically meant for people with some light embroidery experience, but they’ll still welcome beginners. Tickets are $60.
Croissant Baking Class
Mille Feuille Bakery | 9am or 12pm at 552 Laguardia Pl, Greenwich Village
Mille Feuille Bakery hosts croissant making classes on weekends at their Greenwich Village location. You’ll be led by a French-born chef who will introduce you to pastry baking and you’ll leave with your own delicious creations. The class is ~2 hours including prep, baking, and theory of pastry. Tickets are $95.
My recommendations this week.
Usually reserved for places or shows I discovered the previous week with coolness being totally proportional to how fun my week was. Given my travel this week, I’m trying something a little different and giving you some sourced recommendations from trusted friends.
Liar Liar - Been a long time since I’ve seen someone this excited about a new spot. "They have such a simple menu which makes it so easy and everything is amazing I have so many good things to say.” Emily recommends the burger, the martini, and the steak frites. Plus they spin records.
Entre Nous - Natural wine bar in Clinton Hill. Sam didn’t elaborate much, but this picture has me sold anyway.
Photo: Entre Nous Loafers Cocktail Bar - What can I say, my friends love Brooklyn. Rajan says this place is always bumping. The decor is eclectic and it’s perfect for both a night out with friends or a romantic date.
WarrenPeace - Threw in a Tribeca one for you all. It’s cute. It’s not too pretentious. Mel says it’s a regular.
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Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about
Need a separate “bring your blanket” newsletter lol.