Weekly happenings: May 5 - May 11
Block parties, new night markets, and last minute Mother's Day shopping
This was one of those weeks where I had a particular amount of trouble narrowing events. Even after splitting out the core Art Week highlights into a separate post, the start of Spring brings so much life to NYC. Speaking of life in NYC, I found my first cockroach of the year and it was in my room. I know I said I don’t want to move again - I’ve moved every year for the last 10ish years - but now I might have to.
Monday May 5
Cinco de Mayo Block Party
Stone Street | 12-10pm on Stone St, FiDi
Stone Street, one of our only pedestrian-only cobblestone streets, is having a Cinco de Mayo takeover basically all day long. There will be margaritas, Mariachi bands, tequila tastings, street performers, tacos, and much more. I’m on the hunt for the best esquites in the city and might have to go do a tasting.
Chestnut Storytelling
Pete’s Candy Store | 8pm at 709 Lorimer St, Williamsburg
This is your nudge to take the stage, even if you’ve been too shy to do so in the past. The theme of the night is celebrating life moments. You’ll be prompted to prepare a story to share about a victory you didn’t see coming, a goal you hit, or even a milestone like prom or your 21st birthday. You can also just come and listen if that’s more your thing. RSVP for free.
Sober (Curious) Cinco de Mayo Party
Third Place Bar | 6-10pm at 167 Avenue B, East Village
Third Place Bar is celebrating Mexican friends and culture with a sober party. There will be Mexican produced and Latin owned brands including non-alc tequila by Tomonotomo, infused drinks by Cloudwalker Farm, and NA palomas and mojitos by JAS. There will also be Mexican snacks, music, conversation starter cards, and more. These are truly the best events to show up at alone and leave with friends. RSVP for free.
Tuesday May 6
Gossip Girl Mini Marathon
Rooftop Cinema Club | 7:15pm at 60 W 37th St, Midtown
Rooftop Cinema Club is bringing you a Gossip Girl Mini Marathon, which obviously has to take place uptown. They’ll be screening the final 3 episodes of the series and you can enjoy it while laying out on Adirondack chairs and snacking on popcorn. Tickets start at $19.
⭐ Spring Gala with Sutton Foster
NY Phil | 7pm at 10 Lincoln Center, Upper West Side
Sutton Foster is worth seeing, trust me. The two-time Tony winning actress, singer, and dancer is headlining this year’s celebratory evening and will perform Broadway favorites including selections by Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hammerstein, as Michael Rafter leads the Orchestra in his NY Phil debut. The entire gala dinner is just a little out of budget at $2500, but you can attend for the concert alone with tickets starting at $83.
Michelin Star Collab Dinner
Yingtao x Kochi | 5:30pm or 8:30pm at 805 9th Ave, Hell’s Kitchen
Yingtao and Kochi, two renowned Asian, Michelin-starred restaurants, are teaming up for a two-part collaboration dinner May 6 and June 3. From Yingtao’s 'East-meets-West' approach to Chinese cuisine and Kochi’s elevated Korean fare, the menu celebrates a fusion of culinary philosophies. Highlights of the 10 course May 6th menu include abalone, steamed egg, mandu, and wagyu. Tickets are $185.
Power Hour Recovery Run
Alo Yoga | 5:30-6:30pm at Hudson Yards Public Square, Garment District
Alo is hosting a free outdoor wellness class where you’ll be taken on a casual run that will focus on muscle recovery, reducing soreness, and preventing stiffness. They must be promoting some new products because after the run, they’re promising some exclusive goodies in their store on Level 2 of Hudson Yards.
Wednesday May 7
⭐ Every art fair that matters starts Wednesday or Thursday this week. From Frieze to NADA to The Other Art Fair (code 20CITYHAPPENINGS will get you 20% off), there’s something for even the least snobby New Yorkers. For the full schedule and a breakdown of the vibe for each fair, see my dedicated post from earlier in the week. Fairs are mostly focused in Chelsea but span Uptown and Brooklyn as well.
Art Week in NYC
Next week might be the most overwhelming one on the NYC art calendar or arguably at all. There are over 10 major fairs and a flurry of smaller pop-ups and independent shows taking over the city. Ever since Frieze landed here in 2012, May has become a key moment in the art world, with other fairs strategically timing their openings to ride the wave of collectors, curators, and press already in town. I like to think the spring weather plays a role too - there’s no better time to stroll from gallery to gallery.
⭐ Twenty Years of The Modern
The Modern | 5-9pm at 9 W 53rd St, Midtown
The two-Michelin star restaurant at the MoMA is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has a ton of summer programming lined up beginning with this bar pop up. For one night only, the Bar Room at The Modern will be hosting bartenders from COQODAQ, Simon Kim’s iconic fried chicken restaurant. The series continues with them hosting Paradise Lost on June 18th and Martiny’s on September 10th, but this is the one I’m personally most excited about. RSVP for free.
Dirty & Salty Martini Happy Hour
Philo Studio x Quincy | 6-9pm at 157 Ludlow St, Lower East Side
This party feels like it was made for me. It literally celebrates the Dirty Martini and the best salty snacks to pair with it. Your $40 ticket gets you 2 cocktails, a garnish bar for your salty drinks, savory hors d’oeuvres and snacks, tarot readings, a photo booth, and a goodie bag to take home.
Posters & Cocktails: Atomic Edition
Poster House | 6-8pm at 119 W 23rd St, Chelsea
Poster House Museum is hosting a Posters & Cocktails evening where they’ve invited in artists and bartenders to honor the ongoing exhibition Fallout: Atoms for War & Piece. You’ll sip on 4 custom made cocktails while hearing from exhibit curator Angelina Lippert as she highlights some of the best posters from both General Dynamics and numerous anti-nuclear movements around the world. Tickets are $45 and include all cocktails. There will be a Nuclear Daiquiri, an Atomic Cocktail, an Openheimer Martini, and a Leatherneck Cocktail.
Thursday May 8
Opening Day of Uptown Night Market
Uptown Night Market | 4-10pm at 12th Ave & 132nd St, Harlem
Every Thursday evening starting today, Uptown Night Market will be back in Harlem with 40+ food and drink vendors. They’re hosting an incredibly wide selection of food from Jamaican to Puerto Rican to Brazilian and more. There will also be live music and games for you to enjoy.
⭐ Swamp in the City: Kickoff Party
Swamp in the City | 7-11pm at 290 Conover St, Red Hook
Swamp in the City is a Cajun & Creole music festival that is in its 8th year. Over 4 days, they have 18+ artists performing and they are kicking the weekend off with a party on Thursday. There will be dance lessons, live music, and more. The party is taking place in the Waterfront Museum & Barge in Red Hook and tickets are $50. Check out the full schedule of weekend events.
Friday May 9
⭐ Robin Hood Nights
Robin Hood x Harbor NYC | 9pm-2am at 621 W 46th St, Hell’s Kitchen
Whether you’re looking to do some good for your city or you just want a fun night out, Robin Hood’s annual sprint party is a great way to spend your Friday night. Robin Hood is New York City's largest poverty-fighting organization. They’re throwing a party at Harbor NYC where there will be DJ sets by Cheat Codes and Brittany Sky, an open bar, rooftop views, and a silent auction. Every dollar raised from the event will be invested back in the city’s poverty-fighting programs. I’ve been for the last 5 or so years and it’s always a fun dance-y night. Tickets are $150...which is basically the same thing it costs to see Cheat Codes at Mirage without the open bar.
Urbanspace Market
Bryant Park | 11am-7pm at Bryant Park, Midtown
It’s weekend 4 of the Bryant Park Urbanspace Market and they’re having some special Mother’s Day pop ups. Shop from up to 175 local makers with handmade products that are 100% locally produced.
Night at Noguchi
Noguchi Museum | 6-9pm at 9-01 33rd Rd, Long Island City
Noguchi Night is a one-night only dance and culinary experience with solo performances by the Martha Graham Dance Company. It is in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Isamu Noguchi opening his museum to the public, You’ll get to wander the museum seeing pop up performances throughout and enjoying a selection of dishes and cocktails by chef Kiyo Shinoki from Tonchin. Proceeds go towards supporting the museum foundation. Tickets are $350 and your name will be listed on their website as a supporter.
Independent Art Fair
Independent HQ | Friday- Sunday at 50 Varick St, Chelsea
I skipped highlighting most art fairs because of my dedicated post earlier in the week. I missed Independent though so it’s getting a feature today. This show is devoted entirely to 21st Century art and has a ton of solo debut premieres. If you’re already planning a Chelsea circuit, add this one to your list. Tickets are $45.
Saturday May 10
⭐ Open Stages 2025
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music | 3-6pm at multiple locations, Park Slope
Park Slope is really coming alive this weekend, with 16 stages of free music and events set up throughout the neighborhood in the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music’s 5th annual festival. There will be 30+ live musical acts, dancing in the streets, activities, and more. This sounds like the happiest, most Brooklyn day of all time and I can’t wait to wander up and down 7th avenue. Checkout all the stops.
Mother’s Day Market
FAD Market | Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm at 53-83 Water St, Dumbo
I’ve featured FAD before and I will continue to do so because they always do an incredible job curating designers, makers, and artisans. They’re having a special Mother’s Day edition with 35+ vendors at Dumbo’s Empire Stores. There will be handmade jewelry, apparel, body and skincare, tableware, and more. RSVP for free.
Hotel Boutique Daytime Market
StillShop x Civil Art | 12-5:30pm at 20 W 29th St, Nomad
Kickoff AAPI month by shopping a curated popup of art and lifestyle brands all in support of Civil Art, an organization that amplifies voices and cultural awareness of AAPI through social engagement programs. The brands will blend East Asian design, modern homeware, jewelry, fragrance, pet goods, and more. No RSVP required.
Sunday May 11
⭐ Eat Your Flowers
Smorgasburg | 11am-6pm at Prospect Park, Park Slope
If you forgot to plan something, Smorgasburg is saving the day with a special floral-forward Mother’s Day picnic that you can just show up to. There will be dried bouquets from Stems, floral teas and pastries from Huashi, botanical dyeing workshops, mini portrait sessions, 15-minute massages and more.
Second Sundays
Pioneer Works | 12-6pm at 158 Pioneer St, Red Hook
Second Sundays is a free monthly open house that highlights Pioneer Works programs, artists-in-residence, and the Red Hook community. This edition lines up with Art Week and you’ll be able to see 2 new exhibitions as well as meet their 5 artists-in-residence in their open studios. There will also be activities and talks throughout the day. Checkout the full schedule and RSVP for free.
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.
Bathhouse - I held out on trying Bathhouse a long time, and I unfortunately didn’t hate it. Would I spend $225 for a sauna? Absolutely not. Was it a relaxing way to spend an evening? Yes.
Dudleys - Found my new go-to post-work drinks spot. So rare to find a spot that serves punch bowls anymore too. Loved the Mint To Be option.
Aesop - I’ve aspired for a bathroom filled with Aesop products for many years but just learned that they do an annual Mother’s Day collaboration. This year, they partnered up with Kindred Bakery (more on them below) so that you can snack on some fresh bread while sampling their new products. It’s worth it even if you just want to get your hands washed and pampered.
Kindred Bakery - Not only does Kindred make some of the freshest most unique breads, but they’re also a nonprofit. They’re dedicated to empowering marginalized youth through baking education, skill building, and community. I tried an Ube loaf (didn’t even know that was a thing) and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Clio Art Fair - Decided to break up art week a bit by checking out Clio Art Fair a weekend early. If you’re looking for something bite sized and actually affordable, this is the fair to focus on next weekend. Was also fun to meet so many of the artists in person.
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Legend for new readers
⭐ = events I am particularly excited about
everything else = things I am still really excited about