Weekly happenings: May 12 - May 18
A voguing ball, kite festival, party dinner, and vintage shop day
I spent the weekend playing tour guide with my partner’s family in town. I think I walked more in two days than I usually do in a week. On the bright side, it’s probably good prep for the half marathon I somehow got talked into signing up for. I guess that’s just what you do when you turn 30. Anyway, here’s what’s happening this week.
Monday May 12
⭐ Atlantic Avenue Art Walk
Atlantic Ave | Through May 18th on Atlantic Ave, Boerum Hill
This is a free self-guided art tour where you can take yourself down a 1.5 mile stretch and enjoy feature artwork from 150 emerging and established Brooklyn artists. There are over 60 participating businesses, making this a true community event. If the stretch of home goods stores and galleries wasn’t already a destination for you, maybe now it will be. Checkout the full map. There are also a handful of live events you can time your visit with.
Book Talk: Warhol’s Muses
Rizzoli Bookstore | 6-8pm at 1133 Broadway, Nomad
New York Times bestselling author Laurence Leamer is joining Rizzoli Bookstore to celebrate his new account of Warhol, including his superstars and his ruthless Factory fame machine. He will host a conversation and Q&A followed by a book signing. RSVP for free.
Spring Pop Up
Themis Z x Pierre Hotel | 11am-8pm at 2 E 61st St, Midtown East
Themis Z is a Greek luxury lifestyle brand with apparel and home goods. They don’t have an NYC location, but they’re doing a Spring/Summer pop up at The Pierre Hotel to show off their new collection. They have the best resort wear I’ve seen in a minute.
Tuesday May 13
Party-Style Dinners
Niche Niche x Heroes | 6-10pm at 357 W Broadway, Soho
If you haven’t heard of Niche Niche, they threw lively and sometimes rowdy dinner parties almost every night. They temporarily closed down but are now back with a limited time series of Tuesday night dinner parties at Heroes. They’ll be partnering with new chefs each Tuesday to serve up a family style dinner with flowing wine and cocktails. Tickets are $90. See the full May schedule to pick the right Tuesday for you.
Japanese Wine Tasting
D-I Wine x Astor Wine & Spirits x Wildair | 5-11pm at Various Locations, Manhattan
Japanese winemakers Ryuta Takahashi (founder of Domaine Tetta) and Hiroyuki Arai and Head Winemaker Toyoichiro Shibata (of Coco Farm & Winery) will be in NYC for a series of tastings and bar takeovers. I’m highlighting a few events happening today, but head over to diwine to see the full lineup of events they’re hosting throughout the week. From 5-8pm, there will be free Japanese wine tastings over at Astor Wine & Spirits and from 8-11pm restaurant Wildair will be highlighting these Japanese wines by the glass & bottle.
Wednesday May 14
Gluten Free Wine Wednesday
NYC But Gluten Free x No Wine Left Behind x NYC Treats | 7pm at 5 E 82nd St, Upper East Side
Join this fun collab for a night of wine, charcuterie, dinner by Casa 13urger, and treats by gluten-free bakery Sixteen Mill. There will be goodie bags to take home with treats from gluten free brands and other surprises. It also all takes place in an art gallery which makes it all the more fun. Tickets are $90.
Spaceships and Friends
McNally Jackson | 6:30pm at 4 Fulson St, Seaport
Throughout May and June, bookstore McNally Jackson is hosting a festival called Preservation of Record, that brings together 40 thinkers over 18 events. For this talk, you’ll hear from Lincoln Michel, the author of Metallic Realms along with several other authors discussing science fiction as a genre. Tickets are $5. If this one’s not your jam, checkout the full schedule of talks and events.
Salsa Social
Mi Salsa Dura Baile | 6-9pm at Washington Sq Park
Every Wednesday this summer, Mi Salsa Dura Baile is hosting a free salsa social for all skill levels. The first 30 minutes will be a beginner level class, followed by open dancing the rest of the evening with expert instructors.
Film: In The Mood For Love
Rooftop Films | 8:30pm at Fort Greene Park
I truly cannot keep up with all of the rooftop/outdoor film clubs in NYC throughout the summers. There is yet another one, this time in Fort Greene and actually free. They’re featuring In the Mood for Love, a film from 2000 based in Hong Kong. The story follows two neighbors who at first have just formal encounters until a discovery about their spouses. RSVP for free.
Thursday May 15
⭐ Opening Party
NYCxDesign | 6-9pm at 300 Kent Ave, Williamsburg
The NYCxDesign Festival is an annual week-long event that celebrates and highlights hundreds of exhibits, tradeshows, talks, and tours drawing design enthusiasts from around the world. I’ll highlight a few of their events throughout the week, including this opening night party at The Refinery at Domino. You’ll get one of the best views of Manhattan and enjoy bites and cocktails by Pinch Food Design while mingling with other design enthusiasts and viewing some pieces made specifically for the opening. Tickets are $160 - try to use a learning budget equivalent to expense this through work if you can.
Haitian Flag Day Selebrasyon
Haiti Cultural Exchange | 5-9pm at Prospect Park Boathouse
The Haiti Cultural Exchange supports Haitian arts & culture in NYC and has done so for over 15 years. One of their biggest events of the year is their Flag Day Selebrasyon. In partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance, they will feature live music by Haitian band Tabou Combo, dance performances, artisanal vendors and more. The bites look particularly yummy. Attendance is free, no RSVP required.
Friday May 16
⭐ Royal Bloom Vogue Ball
Museum of the City of New York | 6-11pm at 1220 5th Ave, Upper East Side
‘Voguing’ is a type of improvisational dance originating from the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene. The Museum of the City of New York sees it not only as a type of dance, but a form of self-expression, empowerment, and resistance. “Born in the Ballroom scene of Harlem, its influence has spread globally and is an iconic part of both ballroom and mainstream pop culture.” At this ball, you’ll see fierce competition, with each walk showcasing artistic mastery, fun fashion, and creativity. Dressing in a bold, fierce, and floral look is highly encouraged. Tickets are $30.
Whitten Talks
MoMA | 6:30-8pm at 11 W 53rd St, Midtown
In this talk, artists Glenn Ligon and Amanda Williams and scholar Joseph M. Pierce will discuss the importance of color in Jack Whitten’s work. The event is part of the Artists on Artists series that the MoMA is featuring for the Jack Whitten exhibition. Register for free.
Saturday May 17
⭐ KAAC Artist Meet & Greet
Golden HOF | 1-3pm at 16 W 48th St, Midtown East
One of my favorite new restaurants of 2025, Golden HOF, is welcoming friends from the Korean American Artist Collective for an artist meet & greet. I didn’t realize this before, but the restaurant is decorated with pieces from artists in the collective. You’ll get to chat with the artists while admiring the pieces. Tickets are $35 and include 2 hours of passed hors d'oeuvres and 1 drink. Additional cocktails can be purchases a la carte.
Family Style Food Fest
Family Style | 1-9pm at Industry City, Sunset Park
Family Style Food Fest brings people together through the love of food. They’re known for mixing food and fashion, connecting brands and restaurants to create limited merch. The line up includes restaurants like L’Industrie, Katz’s Deli, Fish Cheeks, Bonnie’s, Scarr’s Pizza, among others. They will be coupled with exclusive drops form brands like Awake NY, Verdy, Kids of Immigrants, Billionaire Boys Club, VandythePink, and many more. Tickets start at $30.
Vintage Store Day
Unearth Vintage | 1-5pm at 159 Smith St, Cobble Hill
I already told you there is a day for everything. This is one I can actually get behind. May 17th is the first ever Vintage Store Day, and over 500 vintage shops across the country are participating. Unearth Vintage is one of my favorites in the city with a huge range of price points and styles. They’re celebrating the occasion with a fresh drop of curated era-themed racks from the 1940’s-Y2K. There will be complimentary drinks & treats for you to enjoy while you shop too.
Kite Festival
Brooklyn Bridge Park | 11am-3pm at 334 Furman St, Brooklyn Heights
Apparently flying a kite in New York is illegal? Anyway, for one day only you can do so without a fine at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s annual Kite Festival. You can bring your own kite, purchase one, or even make one on site with help from experts. There will also be hands-on crafts, lawn games, live music, and snacks.
The BBB Block Party
Beyond the Black Box | 1-7pm at 106 Calyer St, Greenpoint
Beyond the Black Box is an arts & culture org dedicated to celebrating the Black Dance Community. Block Parties are a quintessential part of NYC life, and they’re throwing a huge one with a ton of activities. There will be a cookout, free dance classes from 1-4pm, special performances from 5:30-6:30pm, DJs, Black Art vendors, and much more. RSVP for free.
⭐ Four Tet & Friends
Under the K Bridge Park | 4pm at The Arm at Van Dam St, Greenpoint
My newsletter is not usually the place to find live shows, but I can’t pass this one up. One of my favorite artists, Four Tet, is performing at one of my favorite venues. Plus, it’s a daytime thing. All my favorite things combined for a perfect Saturday afternoon. Tickets are $140.
Sunday May 18
⭐ Here Forever
Send Chinatown Love | 12-6pm at 197 E Broadway, Chinatown
Send Chinatown Love is a community organization that was born during Covid to help small businesses in need. They are winding down operations this month, just as they celebrate 5 years, as they found they were most effective in a time of need. As their final event, they are throwing a benefit festival and makers market honoring their merchants. In addition to the market, there will be live performances, poetry readings, small bites and drinks from Chinatown restaurants, merch, flash tattoos, and more. Tickets are $13 and all proceeds go towards the local merchants.
Montreal Specials
M. Wells | 12-5pm at 573 Johnson Ave, Bushwick
Being from Montreal, I have to feature this event honoring the city’s finest fare. M. Wells is a Québécois restaurant - the only one in the city from what I can tell. They’re having a 1 day celebration for you to sample Montreal style burgers, poutines, and drinks like the Maple Rye Sour. Tickets are $45 and include all the goods.
Recs of the 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.
Pastrami Underground - I have a hot take that despite the millions of Jewish delis, NYC pastrami is usually just average. Maybe it’s because I grew up in Montreal where Smoked Meat is basically a religion. I stopped by Smorgasburg in Prospect Heights yesterday (it was less cool than I remembered) and grabbed a sandwich because my slight hangover was making me crave something greasy. It was the best pastrami sandwich I’ve had in NYC. Peppery slices that were the exact right amount of fatty. Try it out.
Hudson VU Rooftop - I was invited to preview the opening of this new rooftop lounge and restaurant last week. The selling point is definitely the view - pretty unbeatable around sunset - but the food is also worth stopping by for. I especially loved the corn ribs. If you need an event space for any reason, would definitely consider them too.
Cloves - I’m still trekking to Nomad for Indian food. This was worth it, though. Please give me Brooklyn recommendations.
Trapizzino - Once again found myself with a Lower East Side happy hour. Posted up here a few hours before to finish up work. They get the perfect amount of sun on their corner tables around 4pm and have yummy NA spritz’ that made sending my last few emails of the day almost fun.
R&D Garden - How did I not know about their garden? Now I can enjoy my kale salad sandwich in the sun. There’s no wifi but if you’re ok with a hotspot, the tables are super conducive to work from too.
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Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about