Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
So many great things to see and do, places to eat and drink in NYC.
How to find them? Here are 9 more of my fave NYC suggestions:
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
(5/15-5/21) Looking for what to do in NYC this week and weekend? The city continues to bounce back, with many venues dropping their mask and vaccine requirements. Expect a revitalized city this week and this weekend, with new restaurants, festivals, pop ups, and all kind of other things to do in NYC this week.”
Here are a few of my faves:
DANCE PARADE & FESTIVAL
Photographer: Peter Cai. Group: Xdance from Hartford, CT, registered to dance in 2022.
More than 10,000 dancers, DJs, and musicians come together for the 16th Annual Dance Parade & Festival. The world’s largest display of cultural diversity—more than 100 styles of dance are represented—takes place on Saturday, May 21st. The afternoon includes a dance procession, grandstand performances at Fourth Avenue and 8th Street, and a Dancefest with aerial performances and free lessons in Tompkins Square Park”
PIZZA SPECIALS
Photo courtesy Fornino.
Brooklyn pizza fave Fornino has a great special in synch with National Pizza Party Day, which falls on Friday. At all Fornino locations, Greenpoint (849 Manhattan Ave.), Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6, and DUMBO at Time Out Market New York (55 Water St., beginning at 7pm nightly) find chef and owner Michael Ayoub’s delicious wood-fired Margherita pizza at a special price. It’s just $7 through Friday, May 20th
In Manhattan, Zazzy’s Pizza is also offering an ongoing cheese or pepperoni slice and a beer combo for $5 at their West Village, Lower East Side, and Upper East Side locations (it’s $7 for the combo if you want a vegan slice). Just mention you want the Instagram special and mangia!
National Pizza Party Day will be celebrated in a big way at Ainslie in Williamsburg (76 Ainslie St.) and Carroll Place in Greenwich Village (157 Bleecker St). Both hotspots will serve up complimentary (yes, complimentary!) wood-fired pizzas at the bar, in a wide array of varieties ranging from Margherita to boscaiola topped with pancetta, mushrooms, and truffle oil. From Friday, May 20th until the end of June enjoy delicious ‘za on the house from Monday-Friday at Ainslie and Tuesday-Friday at Carroll Place. The offer is good 5-6pm and again for the late night folks at 11:30pm-12:30am.
NEW IMMERSIVE ART
Head to the historic boiler room of Chelsea Market to experience the immersive art space ARTECHOUSE. You’ve never seen art like this before, as room-sized digital projections merge with sound design to create a cinematic experience. Open now is Life of a Neuron, which draws on decades of neuroscience research to create a cellular-level journey through the human brain. Come explore the intersections of art and science and discover new layers of a universal human experience—the story of ourselves. The main installation is joined by additional immersive artworks. You can also grab a drink at the newly opened XR Bar.
For all the rest of these great NYC events check out City Guide’s List HERE.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
Lunar and Bonnie’s collaboration, both participants in Sunset Celebration at Chelsea Market. | Photo courtesy of Lunar
After a long work week, we’re all deserving of a slice from one of NYC’s 30 best pizza joints. Also on tap for this weekend? A real, live breakfast club; the city’s biggest singalong; and a new immersive show that puts you inside the human brain. In addition, to help continue advocating for bodily autonomy and safer abortion access, join this Saturday’s march towards the effort led by Bans Off NYC and Planned Parenthood.
Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 Times Square While we’re not quite in the second coming of The Roaring ‘20s just yet, there are plenty of local speakeasies to check out—and this weekend, swing by a new one near Times Square at the nightlife venue Paradise Club. At the swanky boite inside The Times Square EDITION, guests will be treated to singers crooning the classics like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, while sipping on equally classic cocktails. This weekend, catch Dez Duron (The Voice), and keep an eye on the calendar for upcoming performers. Cost: Tickets from $59
Weekend-long Lower East Side Like many restaurants, Saigon Social has struggled to stay afloat during COVID. And while a recent New York Times article brought many new customers through the doors these last few months, a fire ripped through the restaurant this Monday, forcing it to close temporarily while assessing the damage. Considering this is one of the best new Vietnamese spots in the city (chef Helen Nguyen is a vet of places like DANIEL), we think donating to their GoFundMe is essential. Cost: Give what you can to the fundraiser
Weekend-long St. George For a brief time, Staten Island was the only borough without a professional sports team. But happily, that changed a few weeks ago, when the Staten Island FerryHawks baseball team started their inaugural season. So, if you’ve ever wanted baseball fan super-status, here it is: you can become a diehard supporter during their very first month. There are games every night this weekend, but we recommend starting with Friday night since they’re giving away free t-shirts. Cost: Tickets from $14
Saturday, May 14 Chelsea Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a brain cell? Find out in Artechouse’s latest immersive show, which opens this Saturday. Life of a Neuron uses years of research on brain science to create an exhibit that leads viewers through the birth, life, and death of a neuron, as well as installations that explore vision, addiction, and stress from the perspective of a cell. Make sure to try one of the XR cocktails while you’re there: they’ve been crafted to trigger areas of the brain like spatial memory and neuroplasticity. Cost: Tickets from $25
Weekend-long Flatiron Fotografiska has made a name for itself with its provocative, compelling, and beautiful photography shows. But its latest survey, Black Venus, may be one of the most important shows the museum has mounted thus far. Featuring 17 artists, including heavy hitters like Carrie Mae Weems, Kara Walker, and Deana Lawson, the show tracks the evolving image of Black women in culture—from colonial caricatures to contemporary, celebratory images of womanhood. Cost: Tickets from $13
Saturday, May 14, 2:30 pm Lincoln Center Whether you moved to NYC for your chance to make it on The Great White Way or you’re just a really good singer in the shower, join other professional and not-quite professional singers at Lincoln Center this Saturday for a chance to take part in a giant chorus. Sing New York will feature both a performance from The Young People’s Chorus of New York City, as well as one of the city’s largest singalongs. If you want to prep beforehand, song choices will include “This Little Light of Mine,” “Your Song,” and “Love Train.” Cost: Free
Saturday, May 14 Chelsea This Saturday, help amplify the voices of AAPI artists, chefs, and small business owners by checking out Chelsea Market, Pearl River Mart, and Lunar Hard Seltzer’s Sunset Celebration. The evening event will feature food from buzzy spots like Bonnie’s, Win Son, and Kitsby, along with Soft Solidarity, an art exhibition made in collaboration with the Asian American Arts Alliance. Pearl River Mart itself will also be open for any retail therapy needs. Cost: $40 per person
Sunday, May 15, 11 am Williamsburg The only thing better than The Breakfast Club? An actual breakfast club. This Sunday, head to Bolero for District One’s Asian Breakfast Club, where you can chow down on congee or a Vietnamese egg sandwich while learning about and tasting Asian-owned brands like non-alcoholic wine label Studio Null, oatmeal from Yishi Foods, and Vietnamese coffee roaster Nam Coffee. Each ticket also includes your choice of a Bloody Mary made with Sông Cái Distillery gin or a Vietnamese egg coffee (do take advantage of the optional shot of whiskey). Cost: $30 per person
Sunday, May 15, 5 pm Fort Greene Since most of us don’t have our own grill, let alone our own backyard, take advantage of Colonia Verde’s gorgeous outdoor space this Sunday, where guest chef Carolina Santos-Neves (of American Bar) will be firing up dishes like oysters, ribs, and tostadas. There will also be wine flowing courtesy of Ariana Rolich and Veronica Stoler of Campió Collective and mezcal selections poured by David Dong from PM Spirits. Cost: Tickets from $70
Thrillist, a site with tons of food, drink, travel & entertainment info, introduces folks to the coolest things to do in NYC (and other places when you are traveling). I like to check them out regularly. You should, too.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“With summer just around the corner, it’s time to take advantage of the cooler days before the city turns into a massive oven. There’s so much to look forward to in May, from “cinco de Mayo” to exciting new exhibitions and of course, all the city’s gorgeous spring blooms.
That said, we’ve put together a giant list below of all the must-do activities happening this month in the city. Get to it!”
If you’d like to hear beautiful melodies surrounded by the flickering glow of candlelight in a stunning NYC church, this one at St Ann & the Holy Trinity Church from Bach to the Beatles or this one at the Church of the Heavenly Rest that’s a tribute to Coldplay will surely impress.
If you’d rather listen to more modern jazz, try this Amy Winehouse tribute at the Williamsburg Hotel
Travel to a galaxy far, far away at NYC’s out-of-this-world Star Wars fan exhibit. See more than 600 official items from the Star Wars Universe that have been collected and displayed by the franchise’s biggest fans. Stand next to replicas of your favorite characters and see iconic movie recreations. Get your tickets here.
Appreciate the best in art around NYC
Courtesy of Ivane Katamashvili
One of NYC’s best assets is its accessibility to beautiful art. Everywhere you look there’s new installations popping up and incredible museums to visit. Here are some you should check out this May:
Hear a nostalgic reenactment of all your favorite Queen hits like We Will Rock You, Another One Bites The Dust, and Bohemian Rhapsodyat this unforgettable concert coming to NYC. Broadway stars will take to the stage alongside a giant 15-piece orchestra for a night that will have you rockin’ out. Get your tickets here.
For all the rest of these 60 very fine NYC events, go to SecretNYC’s list HERE.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Interesting. Unusual. Uniquely NYC. Highlights of this week’s top events include “New York Art Week,” “The Vicksburg Project,” “Woody Guthrie: People Are the Song” and more.
Get the NYC-ARTS Top Five in your inbox every Friday and follow @NYC_ARTS on Instagram or @NYCARTS on Twitter to stay abreast of events as they happen.”
Parthenia, New York’s premiere viol consort, will present “A Reliquary for William Blake,” a concert on Friday, May 6 @ 7:30 PM at The Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street in Manhattan and online. The program, the third of Parthenia’s 2021-22 NYC Concert Series, will also be webcast. Performers will be Parthenia Viol Consort with Cody Bowers, countertenor. They will perform contemporary composer Will Ayton’s A Reliquary for William Blake for viols and voice, based …
The New York art community is pleased to present New York Art Week, an inaugural city-wide initiative taking place from May 5th-12th, 2022. Founded by over twenty leading organizations, museums, and auction houses, New York Art Week will highlight an unprecedented offering of global art market events and institutional exhibitions taking place in New York City. “New York Art Week is a wonderful opportunity to build community and the spirit of collaboration and partnership across the …
Zorn’s writing for strings has yielded some of the most powerful and virtuosic string music around—and Roulette is proud to present an exciting program of three world premieres written for and performed by select members of Zorn’s inner circle. “Sigil Magick,” subtitled “A Curious and Detailed Exposition of Sigils, Signs, and Hieroglyphs Peculiar to the Occult Orders, Hermetic Brotherhoods, and Dark Mystery Schools of the Late Middle Ages” is a tour de force concerto for cello and string …
The author of more than three thousand folk songs, Woody Guthrie (1912–1967) is one of the most influential songwriters and recording artists in American history. He is an icon of the Depression era and wrote the world’s most famous protest song, “This Land Is Your Land.” But he was not only a songwriter, and his subject matter extended well beyond labor politics. The full corpus of his creativity—including lyrics, poetry, artwork, and largely unpublished prose …
Mabou Mines presents preview performances of “The Vicksburg Project,” May 11 – 15, May 18 – 22, May 25 – 29, 2022 (at Mabou Mines, 150 1st Avenue, Second Floor, New York), in anticipation of its premiere at Harlem Stage in 2023. Produced by Mabou Mines and piece by piece productions, Vicksburg is conceived by composer Eve Beglarian, created in collaboration with Mabou Mines co-artistic directors Karen Kandel and Mallory Catlett, and described by the three visionary artists behind the work as an “exploded song cycle.” Through deeply researched and …
Don’t waste your time—head to NYC’s best museum exhibits now!
“New York City has tons of things going for it, from incredible buildings to breathtaking parks. But surely, the top of the list includes NYC’s vast array of museums, covering every field of culture and knowledge: There are quirky museums and interactive museums, free museums and world-beating art institutions like the Metropolitan Museum. Between them, they offer so many exhibitions, of every variety and taste, that it’s hard to keep track of them. But if you’ve starting to suffer a sudden attack of FOMA, fear not! We’ve got you covered with our select list of the best museum exhibitions in NYC.”
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Now that spring is in full swing there’s certainly no shortage of outstanding NYC events in May 2022. We encourage you to find things to do outside and take in all the greenery by visiting some of the best NYC parks while the flowers are blooming. As for the month’s major holidays, don’t miss out on all the awesome things to do for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. There are also incredible spring festivals showcasing some of the best art and music.”
The New York Indian Film Festival, North America’s oldest and most prestigious festival that celebrates alternative, independent cinema from the global Indian community, is back with 60 screenings (18 feature narratives, six documentaries and 36 short films). This year, there will be a collection of shorts exploring LGBTQ stories set in India with Dal Bhat, Keep Punching, Kiss, Man & Wife, My Mother’s Girlfriend, Pariah and The Way We Are. There will also be special children’s films screenings, Boomba Ride (Assamese) and Gandhi & Co. (Gujarati). Films can be rented via on-demand streaming offered from May 7-14. The awards night will be an in-person event along with the closing night film screening of the documentary, The Beatles and India at the Village East starting at 4:30pm.
The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD)’s “Flower Craft” will showcase works of six botanical artists who have been inspired by nature’s “ephemerality and its inimitable palettes” and have interpreted nature in a sculptural form. Each week a new botanical artist will be featured in the Flower Craft gallery as will a curated selection of vessels made in a range of mediums. The exhibition also coincides with MAD’s first-ever “bee residency,” two newly installed beehives on the Museum roof. The hives are now homes for “Queen Aileen,” named for the founder of MAD, Aileen Osborn Webb, and “Queen Toshiko Takaezu,” named for the famed female ceramic artist and dedicated supporter of MAD. Additionally, MAD will be holding flower craft studio classes with artists through May and June and the Museum’s free art-making and discussion workshop will take place on select Thursdays from 4–6 pm in the Flower Craft gallery. A Flower Power Pass may be purchased online and will offer discounted admission to the Museum for $45 (a $108 value) during the run of the exhibition for visitors to experience Flower Craft in its entirety. The Store at MAD will offer fresh bouquets by celebrated New York City florists Anthony Brownie, Kat Flower, Petal, and Julia Testa, as well as floral inspired, handmade products from a global roster of artists.
This massive festival with more than 30 events throughout Greenwich Village, brings together an all-star lineup of writers representing numerous countries to contemplate change, international politics and the value of free speech. Highlights this year include Ukrainian writer and PEN Ukraine President Andrey Kurkov, who will deliver the keynote Arthur Miller Lecture; an opening night event featuring 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah; pairings of acclaimed authors such as Sheila Heti & Jenny Egan, and David Grossman & Dara Horn in conversation; an evening of forbidden books, and discussions of, and debates about, climate change, indigenous reckoning and reconciliation, migration, and feminism/women’s rights. For a list of events, visit pen.org/festival.
For all the rest of these 38 great NYC May events go to Time Out NY’s list HERE.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The quality and quantity of free events, free things to do that take place in New York City every day of the year is truly amazing. So don’t miss the opportunities that only New York provides: stop wondering what to do; start taking advantage of free things to do, free events to go to in NYC today!”
Join Club Free Time – I did, and it’s one of the best things I ever did. Here is a sample of FREE events this week. Get more information by going to the Club Free Time website.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“We’ve got your weekend plans ready! Whether you’re looking to wander through a rainbow of tulips or feast on NYC’s best burgers, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our top 10 plans we know you’ll enjoy this weekend:”
Holy Burger is part of the NYC Foodie Guide, including some of the best burgers in NYC.
Burger lovers listen up—and yes, we’re talking to vegetarians too! We’ve launched a brand new series that will highlight NYC’s best bites and we’re starting with burgers. Take advantage of unbeatable deals from April 30 to May 9 across tons of NYC burger joints, including Bastard Burgers, Holy Cow, Beatnic, Tallgrass, and David’s Brisket House to name a few. From vegan Impossible patties to juicy double brisket burgers, the options are endless. Get your tickets now!
NYC’s favorite glamping experience is back for its fifth year! Collective Retreats will officially open for booking this Sunday, May 1st. Enjoy luxurious amenities like live music nights, tarot readings, crafting, morning yoga, bike rentals, and more when you book a stay. See what accommodation suits you here.
Spend the weekend strolling through one of NYC’s fruitful farmer’s markets and stock up on all the produce you need! Whether you’re planning to cook a meal for your special someone or finally going to test that one recipe you’ve been thinking about, you’re sure to find some of the best ingredients in every borough with NYC’s expansive list of farmer’s markets. Find one near you here.
For all the rest of these great NYC events this weekend go HERE.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
(4/25-5/1) “Looking for what to do in NYC this week and weekend? The city continues to bounce back, with many venues dropping their mask and vaccine requirements. Expect a revitalized city this week and this weekend, with new restaurants, festivals, pop ups, and all kind of other things to do in NYC this week.”
ROLLER RINK
Rendering: ImageFiction for Flipper’s and Tishman Speyer.
From ice to wheels: Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace is offering roller skating at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. It’s the first time warm weather skating has been here since 1940. A legendary ‘70s-‘80s rink run by Ian “Flipper” Ross in West Hollywood has been revived in Midtown Manhattan by his daughter Liberty Ross. The new rink is joined by a major area renovation, with tables, chairs, and green spaces now available in the plaza. Grab-and-go options include JJ Johnson’s Fieldtrip and David Chang’s Fuku. (If you’re out JFK way, the TWA Hotel’s Roll-A-Rama at the Runway Rink is open for the season as well.)
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: KING PLEASURE
Photo by Lee Jaffe.
Everyone’s favorite Brooklyn artist gets a major exhibition, led by his family and launched in Chelsea. Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasurefeatures a priceless collection of over 200 never before and rarely seen paintings, drawings, ephemera, and artifacts. The show is sourced from the Basquiat family collection and also features recreations of his NYC artist studio on Great Jones St. and the Michael Todd VIP Room of NYC’s Palladium nightclub, where Basquiat created two paintings.
CURTAIN’S UP AT ELLEN’S STARDUST DINER
The show goes on at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Food, drink, and live performances from the famous singing waitstaff have returned. The 1950s-themed restaurant has been around since 1987 and brings back its retro vibes (founder Ellen Hart Sturm is a native New Yorker who was crowned Miss Subways in 1959.) Catch intimate performances by staff on their way to joining a long line of Broadway actors who have made Ellen’s their launching pad. If you’re looking for a great souvenir of an NYC trip, check out The Stardust Shop, with merch like mugs, hats, and the t-shirt above.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner is also turning sweets into action. The popular Times Square spot is now offering a Ukraine-themed milkshake to customers. The effort is to raise money and awareness for the Ukrainian children who are suffering as the Russian invasion intensifies. The issue has touched the iconic eatery personally. Iuliia, a Starduster, is Ukrainian, with many of her family members still living there. More information on the shake of the month is here.
AN UPTOWN HAPPY HOUR
Presenting a fresh alternative to the mundane, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar is an intimate, full-service restaurant on the Upper West Side. Sugar Bar was established in 1996 by the late Nickolas Ashford, one half of the songwriting and performing sensation Ashford & Simpson. Co-owned with Ashford’s wife Valerie Simpson, the Sugar Bar offers an elegant ambiance inside a historic brownstone. Happy Hour specials are available Tuesday through Saturday 3 to 7pm at the bar, with a menu that includes $5-$7 specials on beer, wine, and cocktails. There are also deals on chicken wings, sliders, nachos, quesadillas, and fries.
To celebrate its 15th anniversary season, Drom is introducing a weekly residency from Grammy-nominated Cuban bandleader Pedrito Martinez. Martinez will bring his signature, high-energy Afro-Cuban sound every Thursday. For his weekly residency Pedrito will perform alongside Sebastian Natal on bass and vocals, Issac Delgado Jr on keyboard and vocals, Jose “Xito” Lovell on trombone and vocals and Manuel Marquez on percussion and vocals. He’ll be teaming up with Carlitos Padron & Rumberos Del Callejon on April 28th.
JoAnna Ross and Dan Goodman, photo by Paul Park.
Drom is also your local choice for comedy and pole dancing. Schtick A Pole In It has for the past 9 years been NYC’s best (and only) comedy and pole dancing show. Comics tell jokes and pole dancers pole dance. Laugh lines alternate with death-defying tricks. If you don’t see shows like this, why are you even paying NYC rents? The show has just expanded to four dates a month as part of an open-ended run. Tickets and more information are here.
ACTIVATIONS AT THE HUGH
Dramatic new Midtown East food hall The Hugh is filling out its schedule with more than just great food. There’s free live music in the days ahead.
For all the rest of CityGuide’s Best Things to Do in NYC go HERE.
“The sun will come out—eventually! Our guide to spring in NYC has flower shows, outdoor fests and cultural musts.
Spring in New York is full of excitement. When the sun comes out, the flowers start blooming and the weather warms up, New Yorkers can shed their winter blues and head out to NYC parks, NYC street fairs and food festivals in NYC.”
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NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 