Weekly happenings: May 27 - June 1
A ceramic tour, toy boat regatta, gangster walking tour, and counterfeit opera
If you stayed in the city for Memorial Day, you got one of my favorite weekends of the year. Outside of Thanksgiving, it's one of the easiest time to snag impossible reservations, plus the extra day to sleep in feels especially needed since I don’t think we’ve had an official one since Presidents’ Day. I’m in a never-ending debate with friends about which is the superior long weekend: Friday off or Monday off. I’m firmly team Monday. I missed the NYC weekend this time. I was back in Montreal visiting family and hosting friends, which was both lovely and slightly chaotic. I also missed sending this letter on Monday morning for the first time since last summer, but I’m still pretty proud of my streak and consistency.
Tuesday May 27
Movie Night
Bibliotheque | 5pm or 7om at 54 Mercer St, Soho
I’ve mentioned them before, but Bibliotheque is basically the perfect business: a combination bookstore, cafe, and wine bar. They host events weekly, and tonight they have a movie night where they will show 2 films that were adapted from books. At 5pm you can screen The Devil Wears Prada followed by a 7pm screening of Hidden Figures. Tickets are $30 and get you 10% off your first drink.
⭐ Picasso: Tête-à-tête
Gagosian | Through July 3rd at 980 Madison Ave, Upper East Side
Not opening today, but a must-see exhibit before it closes in about a month. Gagosian is presenting a show in partnership with Picasso’s daughter, Paloma Picasso. This is a rare opportunity to see 50+ pieces usually not on display, including nearly a dozen works that are being exhibited for the first time. Completely free to attend and stroll through. Suggest going earlier in the week to avoid weekend crowds.
Wednesday May 28
SoHo Farmers Market
Bubble Goods | Wednesday to Sunday 11am-4pm at 131 Greene St, SoHo
Bubble Goods, a fast-growing marketplace for food and bev, is partnering with Shopify for a week-long market where you can sample, shop, and discover products from independent makers. In addition to shopping and sampling products, you’ll be able to meet the brand founders and participate in activities like a cookbook swap, a bag charm bar, a group doc walk, and more. Checkout the full schedule and RSVP for free.
Speaker Series: Wyna Liu
Art of Play | 7:15pm at 69 Atlantic, Brooklyn Heights
What defines play and New York more than the New York Times Games? Wyna Liu writes the daily connections puzzles which, despite often frustrating, have become a part of my daily subway commute routine. Art of Play typically hosts magicians for limited time shows, but they also do speaker series and tonight you can hear directly from sculptor, jewelry designer, and puzzle editor Wyna Liu directly. She’ll discuss her work in puzzles, art, and the intersection between the two. Tickets are $30.
Thursday May 29
⭐ Brooklyn Ceramic Arts Tour
BCAT | Thursday to Sunday at various locations in Brooklyn
For one long weekend a collection of artists, studios, galleries, and businesses will open their doors to the public for a variety of exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, artists talks, and ceramic sales. I’m lucky to have two close friends who picked up ceramics during the pandemic and who exclusively gift me new mugs and bowls. If you are not, I highly recommend trying your morning coffee out of a unique, slightly flawed, hand-crafted mug. It really does somehow taste better and feel warmer. Check out the full list of participating businesses. Home goods store A.Mano is also hosting a kickoff party with refreshments and an exhibition on view. Register for free.
The Counterfeit Opera
Little Island | May 29th-June 15th at Little Island, Pier 55
Little Island has some of the most underrated summer programming that is often free or in this case, under $25. For 2 weeks, they are presenting a new take on the satire The Beggar’s Opera which criticized corruption and picked on politicians for centuries. The Counterfeit Opera is set in 1850s Manhattan and follows grifting gangs and working women who find themselves too poor to win, but too smart to fail. It sounds interesting but the real selling point for me is watching the sun set in the outdoor amphitheater style seating. Tickets start at $10 on TodayTix. Reminder that you can use code ALEXAWEISER10 for a discount if you’re not already on TodayTix.
Friday May 30
Cacao & Watercolor Workshop
The Alchemist’s Kitchen | 7-8:30pm at 117 Crosby St, Soho
The Alchemist’s Kitchen is a plant alchemy CBD shop that hosts community events. At this workshop they’re helping you find artistic connection through cacao. The evening will start with a warm cup of ceremonial cacao, known for its healing energy. You’ll then use watercolor paints and with some gentle guidance and prompts, explore painting as a meditative practice. Tickets are $53.
2025 WSJ Wine Tasting
WSJ Wine x City Winery | 6-9pm at 25 11th Ave, Meatpacking
City Winery is once again hosting the annual WSJ Wine Tasting which is kind of the event of the year for wine fanatics, at least from what I hear. You'll get to sip and sample over 60 wines while chatting with winemakers from Tuscany, Bordeaux, California, and beyond. There will also be light snacks obviously including cheese boards. Tickets are $107 but you do get a pretty hefty discount on purchases is you’re looking to host and impress.
Saturday May 31
Greenpoint Open Studios Tour
Art Hap | Saturday & Sunday at 12-6pm at 276 Greenpoint Ave, Greenpoint
Art Hap is one of the best sources to follow what’s going on in the art world in NYC. While they usually focus on aggregating events that others host, they sometimes partner to throw special events like this one. For one weekend, hundreds of artists and designers based in Greenpoint will open their studios to the public to showcase work in a wide range of mediums like painting, sculpture, film, textiles, and more. Checkout the full list of participating businesses to plan your route.
⭐ Red Hook Regatta
Pioneer Works | 1-5pm at Valentino Pier, Red Hook
Red Hook Regatta is an annual competition where remote-controlled, 3D-printed, and DIY boats take on an obstacle course along the waterfront. It sounds like a science project I had to do in grade 10. Participants of all skill levels receive motor kits to assemble their boats to compete. I suggest going just to take it all in though. Bring a picnic blanket, pick up a lobster roll, and enjoy programming from local businesses. There will also be live music during ‘half-time’. RSVP for free.
Powerhouse Arts Community Day
Powerhouse Arts | 11am-5pm at 322 3rd Ave, Gowanus
This community day is a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the community around Powerhouse Arts. You can explore the full 3 floor building, meet local artists and fabricators, and take part in a variety of hands-on activities. In addition, you can enjoy the annual staff art show and the unveiling of a few new exhibitions. There will also be music and snacks. Check out the full list of exhibitors and RSVP for free.
Sunday June 1
BCAT 2025 Throwdown
BCAT | 5-9pm at 275 Calyer St, Greenpoint
I rarely feature two events from the same festival, but this Brooklyn Ceramic Arts Fair Closing Party felt like as good an exception as any. To wrap the 4-day celebration of the tour, there will be a mug & cup sale fundraiser held at Brooklyn Art Studio, followed by a party with live music, local food, and an open bar with mezcalitas and a vodka tasting. RSVP for free and support your community.
⭐ Cafe Mado Garden Party
Cafe Mado | 6pm at 791 Washington Ave, Prospect Heights
I remember the week this restaurant opened because I immediately fell in love. I still stand by them having the best caesar in the city. Now they’re turning 1 and they are inviting you to celebrate with bites & drinks in their beautiful back garden. Tickets are $80 and include all food & drink at this cocktail-style gathering. There will be stations laid out that you can roam between to grab grilled meats, fish, seasonal vegetables, and more. Cocktails and wine will also be flowing.
Walking Tour: The Jewish Gangsters of Lower Manhattan
Museum at Eldridge St | 1:30-3:30pm at 135 2nd Ave, Lower East Side
On this 2 hour walking tour, you’ll learn about the famous gangsters on the Lower East Side including Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Arnold Rothstein. They were a mix of pickpockets, extortionists, armed robbers, bootleggers, gamblers, and hitmen. You’ll see where they lived, conducted business, organized crime in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tickets are $25.
Sip ‘n Paint: Homeward Bound
Children’s Atlas of Wine | 3-4:30pm at 445 Graham Ave, Williamsburg
In a city with a million different wine tastings and events, Children’s Atlas of Wine actually does something unique. They host events where you will taste wines from a specific region while drawing maps of those regions. It’s totally beginner friendly and will help you understand the climate and characteristic of the region the grapes you’re tasting grew in. This particular tasting is focused on our own backyard, featuring Prohibition grapes of the Catskills, a couple making wine in the back of a coffee roaster, a trip to Canada, and more. Tickets are $60 and include 5 wines, a short wine class, and all materials and paints for you to create a map to bring home with you.
No recommendations this week. I was barely in New York and the little time I had was spent preparing for two weeks away. Lookout for something special and a little spicy to replace the recommendations next week 🌶️. In the meantime, I really want to know what kind of perks you’re most interested in.
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Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about