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.
NB. My blogging platform WordPress has made changes in how it functions that are mostly unintelligible. Did WordPress ever hear:”If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I will only be able to publish in a limited fashion until I can figure things out (hopefully.)
The MoMA and Film at Lincoln Center’s showcase for emerging filmmakers returns with both virtual and in-person screenings. By Bilge Ebiri
Faya Dayi Jessica Beshir’s mesmerizing doc takes an impressionistic look at Ethiopia’s culture of khat — a plant that’s harvested, sold, and chewed for its euphoric effects.
Luzzu A Maltese fisherman struggling to make ends meet turns to the black market in Alex Camilleri’s moving social-realist drama, which used nonprofessional actors for a sense of authenticity.
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair A teenager steps into an online role-playing horror game that promises dangerous physical and spiritual transformation in Jane Schoenbrun’s trippy, experimental feature.
El Planeta A young woman and her mother (played by director Amalia Ulman and her real-life mom), who live beyond their means in post-financial-crisis Spain, go through a variety of surreal scenarios in this very strange but genuinely charming comedy.
newdirectors.org, April 28 to May 8
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Indiewire.com
“All Light Everywhere” (dir. Theo Anthony)
“Apples” (dir. Christos Nikou)
“Dark Red Forest” (dir. Jin Huaqing)
“El Planeta” (dir. Amalia Ulman)
“Faya Dayi” (dir. Jessica Beshir)
“Luzzu” (dir. Alex Camilleri)
“Rock Bottom Riser” (dir. Fern Silva)
“Short Vacation” (dirs. Kwon Min-pyo & Seo Han-sol)
“We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” (dir. Jane Schoenbrun)
NB. My blogging platform WordPress has made changes in how it operates that are unintelligible. Did WordPress ever hear:”If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I must suspend publication until I can figure things out (hopefully.)
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.
We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.
“Our essential list of museums in NYC includes exhibitions at the Whitney, the American Museum of Natural History and more
March 2021: With the status of the city’s main cultural institutions constantly changing, including the best museums in NYC, we’ll be updating this feature monthly to give you the most up-to-date info we can on what’s open for in person viewing, what cool and interesting things can be viewed online and what you absolutely can’t miss right now at each institution. This month, new highlights include an exhibition of the works of David Hockney at the Morgan Library, a collection of fascinating, recent photography at the International Center of Photography Museum and a look back at Bob Hope and WWII at the New-York Historical Society.
New York City’s cultural amenities are many, but none quite match the number, scale and variety of its museums. There is literally an institution for every interest, whether it’s in art, history, science or quirkier subjects.”
“No barriers. No texts. No heavy gold fabric. At the museum’s two-year sublet of the Breuer building on Madison Avenue, it’s just you and the masters.”
“It’s time to lace up your skates—the best ice skating rinks in NYC are waiting for you. As one of the most beloved cities to spend the holidays in, NYC has plenty of indoor and outdoor rinks where you can glide and practice your toe jumps. To help narrow down your options, we’ve ranked the top places to go, from the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center or lower-key rinks at NYC parks like Central Park. You can even make a full-day out of it when you shop at one of the city’s best holiday markets, followed by sipping hot chocolate and skating on The Rink at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. If you’d rather stay warm while on the ice, there are many all-weather indoor rinks, including spots that offer roller skating.”
“At the best bakeries in NYC you’ll find world-class patisseries, pie shops, bread makers and tiered cake spots
In times like these, we all need comfort food more than ever. If you’re looking to indulge in some cookies or cakes try some delicious bites from some of the best bakeries in NYC. In addition to to-go offerings, most are also now offering same-day delivery and pick-up packages for those that want the sweet treats sent straight to the couch.
Sugar fiends never had it so good—with so many pedigreed dough-punchers setting up shop in our fair city,New Yorkers don’t only have access to the best bakeries NYC has to offer, but they have access to some of the best bakeries in the world. Whether you’re looking for French bakery spots or all-American donut shops, the best pies for the holidays or one of the city’s best chocolate chip cookies, check out every best bakery NYC sweets lovers should know about. “
Now is the time for pure, unalloyed comfort food, however you define it, which happens to be the theme of our roundup of the best things we ate this year.”
“When thinking of chess, what normally comes to mind is a pair of players dressed in khakis, glasses, and sweater vests. But if you’ve recently seen Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, chess might seem a lot more . . . glamorous? Almost to the point where you may have wanted to dig out your old chess board from the attic (good luck buying a set — thanks to the show, they’re sold out nearly everywhere). Based off of Walter Tevis’ novel of the same name, The Queens Gambit takes place during the sixties and follows chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she strives to become the world’s greatest chess player.”
From Julie Mehretu at the Whitney to Alteronce Gumby in Queens and Manhattan
Plus, Destiny Belgrave at Deanna Evans Projects and more.
“Each week, we search for the most exciting and thought-provoking shows, screenings, and events. In light of the global health crisis, we are currently highlighting events and digitally, as well as in-person exhibitions open in the New York area.“
“New works by the choreographers Kyle Abraham and Justin Peck will be filmed at the David H. Koch Theater for the coming digital season.”
“New York City Ballet’s dancers will return to the David H. Koch Theater before audiences do. The company’s coming digital season, set to begin on Feb. 22, will include performances, rehearsals and conversations filmed at the Lincoln Center theater, including new ballets by the choreographers Kyle Abraham and Justin Peck.”
“From lush forest to metropolis, the evolution of Lower Manhattan.”
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here February 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info (well, maybe. it depends).
“Much of the best streaming theater, dance and music of the lockdown period remains viewable anytime.”
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here March 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Stay distanced for a bit longer – Mask up, stay smart and stay safe
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.
We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.
Today it’s 14 Classic NYCity Films (plus a bunch more personal faves).
If you want to get in the mood for your visit to NYCity, then make yourself some popcorn and pick up a copy of one of these great films at your local Netflix. (and if you have seen any of these before, remember Director Robert Altman’s advice: “It’s better to see a great movie again than an average one the first time. Because even though the movie hasn’t changed, you have. And you’ll see something new..”)
The Naked City (1948)
On the Waterfront (1954)
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Sweet Smell Of Success(1957) — “I love this dirty town!”, says Burt Lancaster — and so do we, in one of his signature films — a sour, caustic tale about a twisted gossip columnist, partly modeled on the legendary Walter Winchell. Lancaster is superb, and guess what, so is Tony Curtis.
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West Side Story (1961)
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Midnight Cowboy(1969) — Two drifters meet in a mutual attempt to survive in, then escape from, Manhattan’s grimy underbelly. Hoffman is incredible as Ratso. The kind they don’t make anymore, this “Cowboy” still packs a hefty wallop.
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The French Connection(1971) — Maybe the best cop movie ever, portraying one of the city’s bigger drug busts back in the day. Gene Hackman won as Oscar and became a bankable star with this movie — and it’s easy to see why.
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The Godfather (1972)
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Mean Streets (1973) — Scorsese’s breakthrough about a conflicted small-time crook and his wacko, self-destructive cousin in Little Italy. Rich in emotion, immediacy, and atmosphere, this film set the pungent, propulsive Scorsese style we’d see again in movies like 1990′s Goodfellas.
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The Godfather, Part 2 (1974) — Coppola managed to improve on a masterpiece with this one, which paints on a broader canvas and offers even richer period flavor. And for the price of Brando, we get a young Robert De Niro, who’s equally brilliant.
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Annie Hall (1977) — Inveterate New Yorker Woody Allen’s best film ever, with some hilariously dead-on insights about the bi-coastal dilemma: New York vs. Los Angeles. I’m with Woody: give me Gotham every time. This turned Diane Keaton into a star, and it’s still her signature role.
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Manhattan (1979)
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Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
Three Woody Allen films in a row may seem a bit much, but for me Woody is the quintessential NYCity film auteur. Heck, I could have added “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986), “Crimes and Misdemeanors” (1989), and “Bullets Over Broadway” (1994).
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Moonstruck(1987) — This love letter to Brooklyn is full of charm and humanity, though some disagree… worth the price of admission for Vincent Gardenia and Olympia Dukakis alone. And look for an unusual early turn from Nic Cage as a mooning, eccentric baker.
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A Bronx Tale (1993)
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Half of this list is from the wonderful film critic John Farr. The other half (films without the write up’s) are my additional personal faves.
Heck, there are just too many great NYCity movies. Need to make room for these classics:
1910s – Regeneration (1915, Raoul Walsh)
1920s – The Crowd (1928, Dir. King Vidor); Speedy (1928, Ted Wilde)
1930s – Dead End (1937, Dir. William Wyler); King Kong (1933, Merian C. Cooper)
1940s – On The Town (1949, Gene Kelly,)
1950s – Shadows (1959, John Cassavetes); On The Bowery (!956, Lionel Rogosin); Little Fugitive (1953, Ray Ashley,..); Marty (1955, Paddy Chayefsky); Pickup on South Street (1953, Samuel Fuller )
1960s – The Apartment (1960, Dir. Billy Wilder); The Cool World (1964, Shirley Clarke); Rosemary’s Baby (1968, Roman Polansky); Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, Blake Edwards); Midnight Cowboy (1969, John Schlesinger)
1970s – a Golden Decade for NYCity Films
Hester Street (1975 Dir. Joan Silver); Mean Streets (1973, Martin Scorsese); Klute (1971, Alan J. Pakula); Superfly (1972, Gordon Parks); Serpico (1973, Sidney Lumet); The Taking of Pelham1-2-3 (!974, Joseph Sargent); Dog Day Afternoon (1975, Sidney Lumet); Taxi Driver (1976, Martin Scorsese) (great movie but NYCity at its worst); Saturday Night Fever (1977, John Badham); The Warriors (1979, Walter Hill); All That Jazz (1979, Bob Fosse); Shaft (1971, Gordon Parks); Three Days of the Condor (1975, Sydney Pollack); An Unmarried Woman (1978, Paul Mazursky);
1980s—Do The Right Thing (1989, Dir. Spike Lee); Raging Bull (1980, Martin Scorsese); Once Upon a Time in America (1984, Sergio Leone); The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984, Stuart Rosenberg); When Harry Met Sally (1989, Rob Reiner); Ghostbusters (1984, Ivan Reitman); Wall Street (1987, Oliver Stone); Working Girl (1988, Mike Nichols)
1990s – Goodfellas (1990, Martin Scorsese); Metropolitan (1990, Whit Stillman); Kids (1995, Larry Clark); Men in Black (1997, Barry Sonnenfeld); Donnie Brasco (1991, Mike Newell,); He Got Game (1998, Spike Lee)
2000s – Man on Wire (2008, James Marsh); 25th Hour (2002, Spike Lee); Rent (2005, Chris Columbus); The Devil Wears Prada (2006, David Frankel); We Own the Night (2007, James Gray); Gangs of New York (2002, Martin Scorsese)
2010s – Black Swan (2010, Darren Aronofsky); Margaret (2011, Kenneth Lonergan); Spider-Man into the Spider Verse (2018, Bob Persichetti); Inside Llewyn Davis (2013, Ethan/Joel Cohen); Birdman (2014, Alejandro González Iñárritu); Wolf of Wall Street (2013, Martin Scorsese); (Brooklyn (2015, John Crowley); Frances Ha (2012, Noah Baumbach); Good Time (2017, Safdie brothers); Motherless Brooklyn (2019, Ed Norton)
Want to know what some other folks thought were NYCity’s best movies:
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week or even today, there are tons of fun options (so long as you can social distance and wear a mask). Make a beeline to the immersive Friends Experience, tune into City Winery’s Downtown Seder, attend Unleashed LGBTQ and see the city’s newest art exhibits. For more ideas, scroll down to see this week’s best things to do in NYC.”
a. Spotlight on Orchids at NYBG Things to do New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Until Apr 4 2021
The New York Botanical Garden is forgoing its Orchid Show this year but is doing a limited Spotlight on Orchids across select galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, including intimate displays of orchids in brilliant white and striking colors set against the foliage of aroids, ferns, and bromeliads—planted as they might be found in nature and blending gracefully with their surroundings, NYBG says. You’ll get to discover unusual orchids and artful floral creations by Botanical Garden horticulturists that combine expressive orchids with rocks, tree trunks, vines, and other found materials.
NYBG’s Orchid Show will return in 2022. Until then, you can purchase a Garden Pass + Conservatory ticket, which includes access to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and outdoor gardens and collections.
b. The immersive Friends experience News City Life
Oh. my. God. The Friends Experience that took NYC by storm in 2019 is back! You know, the one with all the iconic props and recreated scenes from Friends? It opened on March 17 with a whopping 18 rooms, including the orange couch in front of the fountain, Monica’s kitchen, the hilarious ‘Pivot!’ scene, and the Las Vegas wedding chapel where Ross & Rachel tied the knot. There is even an actual functioning Central Perk that serves coffee, pastries, and desserts, which will be open to the public daily starting at 7am so you can bring your friends and relive your favorite Central Perk scenes. New props and costumes have been added this time around, including Chandler’s bunny suit and Rachel’s famous cow jacket, as well as Monica and Rachel’s living room and Ugly Naked Guy.
c. “Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment” Art The Rubin Museum of Art, Chelsea Until Jan 2 2022
The Rubin Museum of Art’s newest exhibit invites you to unplug and free your mind through Tibetan Buddhist art, including 35 traditional objects, including 14 from the Rubin Museum’s collection, with two contemporary works by Nepal-born, Tibetan American artist Tsherin Sherpa. “Awaken” features works from the 7th and 21st centuries including stone, wood, and metal sculptures, traditional Tibetan hanging scroll paintings, illuminated manuscript pages and vibrant contemporary pieces. Through these, the exhibition introduces the central teachings of Tibetan Buddhism as visitors “progress through 10 milestones on the journey from the chaos of ordinary life to the awakened states of awareness.”
d. City Winery’s Downtown Seder Things to do Online, Mar 25 2021
City Winery is celebrating Passover with its annual Downtown Seder on March 25. Its livestream will feature blessings from four mayoral candidates including Andrew Yang, Scott Stringer, Ray McGuire, and Kathryn Garcia; comedic performances by Lewis Black, Judy Gold, and Mark Normand; musical performances by David Broza, Idan Raichel, Marc Cohn, Perry Farrell, Max Weinberg, and Speech of Arrested Development; greetings from Dr. Ruth, Al Franken and much more. It’ll be free to watch via Mandolin with RSVP at citywinery.com
e. Coney Island History Show & Tell Things to do Online, Mar 25 2021-Apr 8 2021
If you have ephemera or artifacts related to Coney Island or are interested in seeing some, this interactive event by the Coney Island History Project will scratch your itch for history. This will be a biweekly online event hosted by Tricia Vita and Neter Antoine. Tricia has a certificate in reminiscence and life story work and records oral histories for the Coney Island History Project. Neter is a visual artist who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation at CUNY’s Lehman College. After registering for the event, you can sign up to “show and tell” your story by emailing events@coneyislandhistory.org. Listeners will have an opportunity to ask questions via chat. Advance registration is required and registration for each event is limited to
f. Battery Dance Festival + Dance Online, Mar 25 2021
This online performance series by the Battery Dance Festival, New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival, is partnering with the Canadian Consulate of New York for an hour of performances celebrating Canadian Voices in Dance on Thursday on YouTube.com. The virtual performances will be available to watch for 30 days after the premiere, expiring April 24, 2021. Registration is free and open to the public.
g. The massive statue of RBG News Art
A massive bronze statue of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was unveiled last week at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn. Full disclosure: the sculpture was created by artists Gillie and Marc before the Justice’s passing. She actually gave her consent prior to production. The artists’ project seeks to collectively increase the city’s representation of women in public sculpture from 3% to 10%. The tribute to Ginsburg specifically seeks to honor her role in the struggle for gender equality and human rights.
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day. We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.
The new temporary space offers a completely different experience.
“The Frick Collection is starting a new chapter after 85 gorgeous years at its 1 East 70th Street mansion.
Starting March 15, The Frick Madison will be open at 945 Madison Avenue—the former home of the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Met Breuer—while Henry Clay Frick’s mansion undergoes a massive renovation. This new stint will last two years, and while the Brutalist building by Marcel Breuer is a huge departure from the Gilded Age mansion, the space is offering a much different and rare look at the collection, according to museum officials.”
“As the only site dedicated to the intellectual life of NYC, Thought Gallery provides a unique resource for getting a handle on brainy New York. We take a curated approach, with a calendar that’s tight and timely, and articles that bring the city’s great programming and institutions to life.”
The American Museum of Natural History just announced that The Allison and Roberto Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals will finally be reopening on February 17, 2021. The hall has been part of the museum since the ’70s, and closed in 2017 to be redesigned as one of the New York icon’s 150th anniversary projects. It was originally supposed to open this fall, but because of the pandemic, it got moved to winter of 2021.”
“Live performances will start to return to New York soon, in very limited ways. Governor Cuomo announced today that starting on April 2, live-performance venues will be able to reopen at 33 percent capacity, with limits of up to 100 people indoors or 200 people outdoors, according to the New York Times. That would go up to 150 people indoors or 500 outdoors if the venues can test all attendees for COVID. This news comes after Cuomo announced that New York City movie theaters will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity starting on March 5.” (vulture.com)
Artwork from the iconic post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh will come to life in a 360-degree digital spectacle that’ll illuminate and transform the physical space into a fully immersive Van Gogh exhibit. You’ll see Van Gogh’s work take over the walls and encompass your surroundings through the lenses of several dozen projectors, hyper-realistic VR headsets, or a mix of both.”
“Goya, Caravaggio, Rubens, Velázquez and more are in skylit splendor in the European galleries. And the museum is acknowledging the shaping force on art of colonialism, slavery, the disenfranchisement of women.”
The Met continues to share a different lineup of complete operas from its archives every week
“The Metropolitan Opera has closed its doors though at least September 2021, but the great New York opera house continues to lift the spirits of opera lovers around the world with free nightly streams of complete productions from its archives. Most of the offerings were originally recorded with multiple cameras in high definition to be shown in movie theaters as part of the company’s popular Live in HD series.
Each opera goes live on the Met’s website at 7:30pm EST (12:30am GMT) and remains there until 6:30pm EST the next evening. The operas can also be viewed with the Met Opera on Demand app on various devices.”
“From ancient Greece to steamy Seville to a ghoulish ship on the high seas, this week of free Nightly Opera Streams draws from the annals of myth and legend. Explore the articles and resources below to expand your knowledge and enhance your experience as you enjoy the screenings.”
“On January 1, the gigantic new Moynihan Train Hall officially opened to the public.
Governor Cuomo announced the grand opening earlier in the week, and New Yorkers have been making their way to see the stunning completed $1.6 billion project ever since.
The brand new train hall is 255,000 square feet, in the former over-100-year-old James A. Farley Building, once the main United States Postal Service building. The new hall has been named after U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and will increase Penn Station’s current concourse by a whopping 50 percent. There is also a newly completed East End Gateway at 33rd St. and 7th Ave. that opened on New Year’s Eve.”
“Welcome to Year in Eater 2020, Eater’s annual ritual of eulogizing the past 12 months. In 2020’s final days, Eater NY will be posting questions about New York City’s restaurant scene in the past year, with answers from food writers, photographers, chefs, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, and even a few local legislators who helped to support the industry through this enormously difficult year. Now, we ask: What are your headline predictions for 2021?”
There will be 40 tickets available for the mornings of March 27, April 3 and April 10, which means that a small number of people will be allowed up there at that time, so you won’t have to crane your neck to see the skyline.”
“Our critic chats about the beloved stretch from the music hall to Lincoln Center around Central Park with the architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.”
“Our critic chats with the architect David Adjaye about Hotel Theresa, Marcus Garvey Park, the home of Langston Hughes, the Y.M.C.A. and other landmarks.”
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.
We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.
Today it’s NYC Weekend Corona Culture (Sun). NEW STUFF!
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.
“As we mark the one-year anniversary this week of NYC officially going into lockdown, the city has come a long way since last March. However, the continued rise in anti-Asian violence and racism both within the city and across the country only shows that there’s still work to be done—and it’s important that we support our fellow AAPI New Yorkers during this especially difficult time.
This weekend, as you spend time with your family and loved ones, we also ask that you check in on your AAPI friends, neighbors, and local small businesses. Because as New Yorkers, taking care of each other is what we do. And whether it’s through showing kindness or wearing a mask and social distancing responsibly, we’ll only get through it together.”
Weekend-long Financial District In Mandarin, “chi” can translate to eat and “nah” to where. At Chinah, a brand-new, homestyle Chinese spot, their hope is that you’ll want to eat everything from there. The takeout and delivery concept originated in Jersey City and this downtown location is their first Manhattan outpost. The menu centers around a bowl concept: favorites include a hot and sour Szechuan shredded pork, served with seasonal greens, smashed cucumber salad, and forbidden black rice; and the Signature, made with honey-soy glazed, thick-cut pork belly, greens, and white rice. Cost: Bowls from $11
Weekend-long Chinatown Even months before NYC’s first official COVID-19 case and lockdown last March, Chinatown in downtown Manhattan saw a drastic decrease in business and foot traffic due to anti-Asian sentiment and xenophobia. Since then, residents, non-profit organizations, and advocates like Chinese-American cookbook author and culinary historian, Grace Young, have been fighting to regain a semblance of vitality for the neighborhood, and its eateries and small businesses are in need of our continued support. This weekend, help save the historic neighborhood by paying it a visit and give a listen to our recent Thrillist Explorers Podcast episode to learn more on how to do your part. Cost: Varies
Weekend-long Flushing A mashup of a croissant with anything is pretty damn tasty, but have you ever had a croffle? It’s —you probably guessed—a croissant that’s been smashed into a waffle maker. But at Croffle House in Flushing, they don’t stop there: you can top your croffle with everything from mangoes and whipped cream to the more savory combo of red bean and butter. And, if you’re still hungry, grab a chewy mochi doughnut on your way out: they’ve got flavors from lemon to Oreo. Cost: Croffles from $3.25
Weekend-long Lower East Side New Yorkers love to argue about the size of burger patties: do you prefer them so big that you can barely take a bite? Or griddled thin and crispy? If you’re in the latter camp, pencil in a meal this weekend at Smashed, a new burger spot that’s slinging skinny patties loaded with flavor. While you can’t go wrong with the Classic (American cheese, onions, pickles, special sauce), we also recommend bringing your appetite and grabbing the messy-but-worth-it chilli cheeseburger. And good news, vegans: they’ve even got an Impossible smashed patty. Cost: Burgers from $8
Weekend-long Union Square Passover may not start until next week, but luckily, Breads Bakery is getting in the holiday spirit early. All sorts of flourless goodies are available at the shop, including coconut macaroons, cheesecake, and chocolate brownie cake. You can even pick up some savory dishes that are a far cry from regular Seder fare: think a sunchoke and gruyere matzah brei. Cost: Cookie sets from $11
Weekend-long Crown Heights We love celebrating new businesses opening during a pandemic, and this is one we’ve waited a long time for. FIASCO is a wine shop from famed bartender Ivy Mix and wine industry vets Conor McKee and Piper Kristensen that originally signed its lease in February of ‘20 (hence the name). As to be expected from the shop’s pedigree, this is far from a typical store: the trio is not only sourcing many rare bottles, but placing an emphasis on wines from women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ makers. Even better, they’re planning on hiring as many people from the neighborhood as possible, so local oenophiles: polish those resumes. Cost: Prices vary
Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21 Virtual This weekend, The Apollo is mounting their fifth annual WOW (Women of the World) Festival, a two-day digital celebration of conversations, workshops, and performances from women and girls around the globe. The theme this year is Black Women Transcending and will feature everything from learning how to wear headwraps to cooking Ghanaian food to live concerts from singers like Adeline. Don’t miss the closing night program of short films by women in sci-fi, fantasy, and folklore. Cost: $20 for the full festival pass
Weekend-long Astoria If your at-home efforts to become a tie-dyeing master didn’t work out so well, SavageHall Thrift’s pop-up at Fern Botanica is here for you. Check out their Spring ’21 collection in person for this weekend only: it’s a mix of carefully edited vintage finds, plus their hand-dyed, upcycled streetwear. And, since everything is one-of-a-kind, you can be assured that absolutely no one else will be rocking it. Cost: Prices vary
Weekend-long Tribeca Grab and go has certainly never been as popular as right now, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for sad little salads or dried-out chicken breasts. Instead, treat yourself to dinner from twiggy to go, a new spot from chef Mitchel London who was Mayor Ed Koch’s chef at Gracie Mansion back in the day. Twiggy will be selling everything from Indonesian noodles with chicken and shrimp to roasted tomato and gruyere tarts, with all the food being prepped in-house daily. And London is famous for his sweets, so don’t skimp on confections like the chocolate devil dog cake or the classic apple pie. Cost: Entrees from $15
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“In like a lion and out like a lamb, the month of March begins with loads of new public art on display and some closing out before months end. There are installations to interact with, bring kids to, marvel over after dark, or make a pit stop at on your way out of town. Here are the new public art installations to see this month in New York City!” (untappedcities.com)
Dumplings, tacos, ramen—the best Chinatown restaurants in New York City serve all that and much more
“February 2021: Now more than ever, it’s essential to support the best Chinatown restaurants in NYC, which have faced a unique set of challenges over the last year. Still, the neighborhood has risen to the occasion in brilliant and creative ways. From the illuminated lanterns now strung across Mott Street to creative outdoor dining set-ups, if you haven’t been to Chinatown lately, it’s worth taking some time to explore its many treasures—including its absolutely fantastic restaurants. These are our favorites that are currently open.
New York’s best Chinatown restaurants are more than dim sum and Peking duck—although, the downtown neighborhood is rife with fantastic options for both. No, the food possibilities expand well beyond some of the city’s best Chinese restaurants to include creative Mexican restaurants and Cali-coolcafes. Whether you’re looking for traditional soup dumplings or French-Malaysian fare, these Chinatown restaurants have something for you.” (TONY)
WFUV-FM 90.7 is my fave local radio station. Noncommercial, member-supported with a format of adult album alternative music, WFUV is doing it’s best to keep us connected to our music with a comprehensive, updated list of live music online.
“Need an excuse to leave your house (and perhaps even put on an #OOTD-worthy outfit) this week? The city’s got you covered. Grab your mask and get your phone camera ready for the most recent batch of art installations, exhibitions, and Instagrammable eateries just waiting for a place on your feed. Trust, your followers will thank you.”
“Forget limp lettuce—these resolution-friendly menus at healthy restaurants cut the calories but keep the yum
We get it: Keeping New Year’s resolutions can be tough. Hell, choosing so-called healthy plates over decadent dishes and snackable cheap eats is downright torture. But this year, we found the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants, health-conscious coffee shops and dinettes, and takeout and delivery favorites to keep your goals on track. So ditch the kale salad and chow down on better-for-you brunch or border-crossing bites instead.”
“An interactive digital art exhibition that has taken the world by storm will open in New York City this summer. Immersive Van Goghexplores the post-Impressionist works of Vincent Van Gogh through massive, moving projections. Created by film producer Massimiliano Siccardi and producer Corey Ross, and with mood-setting music by composer Luca Longobardi, the experience will open at a yet-to-be-announced location in the city on June 10.”
“Check out our suggestions for the best art exhibitions you don’t want to miss, including recently opened shows and more
With New York’s art scene being so prominent yet ever-changing, you’ll want to be sure to catch significant exhibitions. Time Out New York rounds up the best art shows and exhibits in NYC, from offerings at the best photography and art galleries in NYC to shows at renowned institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim.”
“For some visitors, the stop was merely intended to gaze at the enormous hall complete with an enormous skylight roof and Art Deco clock. Many were spotted craning their necks to take in the open skylight, pivoting their hips taking scenic, panoramic photos. Others searched for fresco portraits created by Kehinde Wiley, which are prominently displayed at the 33rd Street entrance, or the spacious and modern Amtrak lounge on the upper floor.”
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
“Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend. Check out the Spotlight on Orchids show at New York Botanical Garden, see a trippy new show at ARTECHOUSE or hop on a light-up installation at Domino Park. ” (TONY)
Here are just a few events happening this weekend for you to consider:
m. “So Ready for Laughter: Bob Hope and World War II” Museums New-York Historical Society | Manhattan, NY, Upper West Side Until Sep 5 2021
The New-York Historical Society has a new exhibit that coincides with the 80th anniversary of the United Service Organizations (USO) that shows off artifacts (a World War II-era aircraft fragment, mess kit, and other relics engraved to Hope), films, and rare photographs to illustrate how Bob Hope helped lift spirits with his USO and radio shows during a dark time in American history.
There’s also a companion exhibition, “The Gift of Laughter,” that delves into Hope’s varied career after World War II as a USO entertainer, television star, and Academy Award host demonstrating the many hats worn by comedians. His legacy will be brought to life with many items, including costumes from the Emmy Award-winning series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as objects related to other comedians—real and imagined—influenced by Hope.
n. 30 Years of House Party
The Apollo is celebrating 30 Years of House Party in a virtual evening featuring performances, conversations and highlights from the musical and comedy cult classics House Party (1990) and House Party 2 (1991) on Saturday, February 27 at 7pm. R&B/hip-hop group Full Force, Lisa Lisa, and DJ Wiz will perform and some of the film’s key players including Kid ‘N Play, A.J. Johnson; Darryl “Chill” Mitchell; writer and director Reginald Hudlin; producer Warrington Hudlin, and other special guests will make appearances and have a conversation about the films. This ultimate 90s throwback is a celebration of a pivotal moment in Black cinema and hip-hop history, the Apollo says. Tickets for the event are $15.
o. “Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America” News Art
This new exhibition that has taken over almost the entirety of the New Museum and is set to stay put until June 6, explores the history of racist violence all throughout the United States. Back in 2018, curator Okwui Enwezor began working on the project, hoping to mount it by last year’s Presidential election. Unfortunately, the curator’s passing in 2019 and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic forced a shift in plans that delayed the show’s opening to last week. In total, the work of 37 Black artists currently fills the museum’s lobby, its three main viewing floors, the building’s exterior and the South Gallery found in the building next door. Expect to browse through the amazing works of artists the likes of Kara Walker, who is the brain behind an entire wall filled with sketches and drawings; LaToya Ruby Frazier, who contributes over a dozen photographs from her “The Notion of Family” series; and Jean-Michael Basquiat, whose “Procession” can be glanced at as soon as the elevator doors open on the third floor. The show is a powerful one, with images ranging in style, theme and scope, but one that is necessary to delve into today more than ever. Given COVID-19-related guidelines, visitors have to purchase timed tickets ahead of their trip.
p. “KAWS: WHAT PARTY” Museums Brooklyn Museum | Brooklyn, NY, Prospect Park Until Sep 5 2021
Brooklyn Museum’s biggest exhibit this spring is opening on Friday. You may have seen KAWS’ giant cartoon-y characters with X’s for eyes around the city, but this is the first time Brooklyn-based artist (Brian Donnelly) has had a major New York survey of his work, which includes rarely seen graffiti drawings, paintings, smaller collectibles, furniture, and his popular “Companion” figures.
q. Seven-foot-tall portraits of RBG, Kobe and Frida News Art
Now through the end of March, New Yorkers can get their art fix at Chelsea Market, where a new exhibit honors some of “the most pivotal individuals in our nation’s history and pop culture.” The works are on display throughout the market’s main concourse and, best part of all, the exhibition is completely free to all visitors. Brooklyn artist Voodo’ Fe has curated the show, which includes “his very familiar and notable pop culture character renditions, all brought to life through the various textures of mixed media that he employs to tell his story.” In an effort to celebrate both Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the artist presents mixed media renditions of the likes of the late Kobe Bryant, the Notorious B.I.G. and Frida Kahlo. Specifically, expect to stumble on a Harriet Tubman piece mostly made of bottle caps and paint, alongside a pretty giant painting of the one-and-only late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Speaking of size: most of the pieces stand 7 feet tall, so you really can’t miss them upon entering the market.
“From Golden Diner’s honey butter pancakes to Parlay’s chicken curry, here are the restaurant orders that were kept in regular rotation all year long.”
“Interesting. Unusual. Uniquely NYC. Highlights of this week’s top events include Yun-Fei Ji’s The Village and its Ghosts, Ailey All Access Spring 2021, KAWS: WHAT PARTY 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.’
In this new digital-exclusive series, we take a closer look at Yun-Fei Ji’s epic scroll “The Village and its Ghosts.” The 57-foot-long scroll tells the story of a fictional village that at first glance appears to be a picturesque mountain refuge, like those that populate classical Chinese landscape paintings. Upon deeper examination, a more nuanced and contemporary reality is revealed. As we move through the unfolding narrative of the scroll, we encounter a community experiencing monumental …
While abstraction in the United States can undeniably trace its legacy to the impact of European Modernism, it is also a product of a distinctly American ethos and environment. Drawing inspiration from metropolises like New York City to the vast landscapes of the Southwest, abstraction in the United States is a unique response to both rapid industrial growth and immense natural beauty. In their works, Beatrice Mandelman and Jeffrey Wasserman preserve the influence of artists …
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will continue to inspire audiences virtually with a spring series of free programs through “Ailey All Access” from March 17 – June 24. Using dance as a vehicle for joy and hope during a time of unprecedented challenges and separation, the presentations will advance the Ailey organization’s online initiatives that have inspired and enlightened over 12 million people in 121 countries over the past year, including a December holiday season featuring several dance …
The exhibition chronicles KAWS’s twenty-five-year practice, featuring graffiti drawings, paintings, smaller collectibles, furniture, recent augmented reality projects, and sculptures, including a new major commission for Rockefeller Center. The Brooklyn Museum is the first New York institution to present a sweeping survey of KAWS’s career, from his roots as a graffiti artist to a dominating force in the contemporary art world, tracing common themes in the Brooklyn-based artist’s practice. Renowned for his paintings and sculptures of …
Awol Erizku’s distinctive visual language emerges from thoughtful, contemplative underpinnings into layered, colorful, and striking photographs. Erizku (b. 1988, Gondar, Ethiopia) has created a new body of 13 photographs for 350 JCDecaux bus shelters across New York City’s five boroughs and throughout Chicago. “New Visions for Iris” marks Public Art Fund’s first simultaneous presentation in two cities and first ever in Chicago. Growing up in the Bronx and influenced by its diverse milieu, Erizku’s approach to …
The Rubin Museum of Art invites visitors to unplug and discover the possibility to free their minds with “Awaken: A Tibetan Buddhist Journey Toward Enlightenment,” opening March 12. Organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, this traveling exhibition guides visitors on a journey toward enlightenment, showcasing the power of Tibetan Buddhist art to focus and refine awareness, and highlighting the inextricable relationship between artistic endeavor and spiritual practice in Tibetan Buddhism. The exhibition has been re-imagined …
Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce MTC’s next round of virtual theater offerings which will celebrate old and new work alike. While physical stages remain dark across America, Manhattan Theatre Club invites audiences to gather virtually as a community and find connection, inspiration, and entertainment through a series of virtual theatrical experiences from the comfort of their homes. Up-to-date information about all “MTC Virtual Stage” initiatives can always be found at http://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/virtual. Additional dates and artists …
The New Museum presents “Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America,” an exhibition originally conceived by Okwui Enwezor (1963-2019) for the New Museum, and presented with curatorial support from advisors Naomi Beckwith, Massimiliano Gioni, Glenn Ligon, and Mark Nash. “Grief and Grievance” is an intergenerational exhibition, bringing together thirty-seven artists working in a variety of mediums who have addressed the concept of mourning, commemoration, and loss as a direct response to the national emergency …
92Y is pleased to announce a formidable lineup for its winter/spring season of streaming concerts, February 1 – May 26. From Ax to Vieaux, this season’s performers embody the excellence in performance and presentation that audiences have come to expect from 92Y’s online recitals. All thirteen programs are world premiere webcasts; eight will stream live in real time from 92Y’s Kaufmann Concert Hall, with the other five newly recorded. All concerts take place at 7:30 pm Eastern …
Poster House’s second mini-exhibition focuses on the contribution made by Vera List to the creation of a poster program advertising the new Lincoln Center complex in 1962. Inspired by artist-designed posters she had seen in Paris, she earmarked $200,000 as seed money for what would become the List Art Poster Program (later known as the Vera List Art Project), featuring some of the most notable names in contemporary art, from Andy Warhol to Roy Lichtenstein, Ben Shahn to Robert Indiana. Each poster advertises a new building …
The first museum exhibition dedicated to David Hammons’s pivotal early works on paper, “David Hammons: Body Prints, 1968–1979” brings together the monoprints and collages in which the artist used the body as both a drawing tool and printing plate to explore performative, unconventional forms of image making. The exhibition features a significant number of Hammons’s large-scale body prints, including “Pray for America” (1974), as well as two sculptural objects, “Black Boy’s Window” (1968) and “The …
The International Center of Photography (ICP) proudly announces its winter/spring 2021 exhibition: “But Still, It Turns: Recent Photography from the World,” guest curated by photographer Paul Graham. The exhibition—on view February 4 through May 9, 2021—comes on the heels of ICP’s reopening of its galleries on October 1 following a six-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and arrives just as ICP celebrates its first anniversary at its new home on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In “But …
Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) announces the Digital Spring 2021 season of free online presentations, featuring premieres of new works commissioned by BAC. Through the BAC Artist Commissions initiative, which was established September 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, BAC has continued supporting the development of new work by providing resources for artists to realize their creative visions specifically for online presentation. The resulting projects from seven mostly New York-based artists innovating in dance, music, and multimedia will be released …
This exhibition is a study of how magazines have both driven and reflected the American experience. Unlike regional newspapers, that report local current events, or non-fiction books, which focus on major historical moments and personalities, national magazines have the unique ability to connect trans-local communities of like-minded individuals. In the colonial era, magazines were the harbingers of American thought and identity; the first successful magazine from the 18th century proudly proclaimed itself as “The American …
South Street Seaport Museum’s monthly sea-music event, “Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music,” continues virtually on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 2pm ET. From our living rooms and kitchens join a round-robin of shared songs featuring members of The New York Packet and friends. Listen in, lead a song, and belt out the choruses for your neighbors to hear on the first Sunday of every month. The event is FREE. Sign up here to receive the …
“No barriers. No texts. No heavy gold fabric. At the museum’s two-year sublet of the Breuer building on Madison Avenue, it’s just you and the masters.”
Lace up your skates and head to our favorite spots for the best indoor and outdoor ice-skating NYC has to offer
“It’s time to lace up your skates—the best ice skating rinks in NYC are waiting for you. As one of the most beloved cities to spend the holidays in, NYC has plenty of indoor and outdoor rinks where you can glide and practice your toe jumps. To help narrow down your options, we’ve ranked the top places to go, from the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center or lower-key rinks at NYC parks like Central Park. You can even make a full-day out of it when you shop at one of the city’s best holiday markets, followed by sipping hot chocolate and skating on The Rink at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. If you’d rather stay warm while on the ice, there are many all-weather indoor rinks, including spots that offer roller skating.” (TONY)
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.
We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.
Today it’s Top NYC Weekend Corona Culture (Sat). NEW STUFF!
“David Goldblatt’s photographs of apartheid-era South Africa; Ebecho Muslimova’s voracious alter-ego drawings; and John Feodorov’s paintings on his dual heritage.”
The best Italian restaurants in NYC span red-sauce joints to fine dining favorites
“Fun fact: New York City has the highest population of Italian-Americans in the United States, so it shouldn’t shock anyone that the city’s best Italian restaurants are among the best in the city. Whether you’re craving world-class New York pizza, want to take a pasta-loving date to one of the city’s most romantic restaurants or are looking for a modern upgrade to a Little Italy mainstay, these are the best Italian restaurants NYC has to offer.”
“Even though there’s a laundry list of classic doughnut shops in NYC, a bunch of new bakeries, dessert shops, and takeout spots have started serving some top-notch fried dough recently. So if you want to try the kind of baked good that’ll inspire several hours of poetry-writing dedicated to glazed pastries, you’ve come to the right place. Use this guide to find all the best new doughnuts in NYC.”
“In 1956, when this kosher Jewish delicatessen first opened on Queens Boulevard, it was called Pastrami King, and for nearly 40 years the place fed the courthouse crowd out there in Kew Gardens. In 1998, facing a steep decline in business, the King decamped to the Upper East Side, and, in honor the new owners’ family matriarch, was renamed Pastrami Queen.
Now Pastrami Queen has crossed the park, opening their second location on West 72nd Street in the space that Fine and Schapiro held since 1927, before that venerable institution closed for good when the pandemic hit in March.”
It’s time to (finally) say goodbye to 2020, and HELLO to 2021.
Though of a course a new year won’t fix everything, it definitely feels like the right time to have a fresh start.
One thing that gets us super excited is making a list of all the activities we want to take part in the new year — and luckily, we’re in the best place to do that: NYC! We also asked our Instagram followers what was on their 2021 bucket lists, and got even more ideas from that.
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram and YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day.
We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.
“Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend. Check out the Spotlight on Orchids show at New York Botanical Garden, see a trippy new show at ARTECHOUSE or hop on a light-up installation at Domino Park.”
Here are just a few:
g. Meet New York Aquarium’s adorable new harbor seal pup News City Life
The New York Aquarium has a furry new resident who’s gotten a fresh lease on life here in NYC. Sidney, a female harbor seal pup who was rescued as a newborn near Abalone Point in Laguna Beach, California, arrived at the aquarium in November and has been living her best life at the zoo’s Sea Cliffs exhibit. Sidney was only hours old (and likely born prematurely) when she was discovered alone on a rocky beach in February 2020. When she arrived here in November, aquarium staffers worked closely with her every day to help acclimate her to the new digs and smoothly transition into the harbor seals colony there. Meet her at the aquarium this weekend!
h. Meno’s rainbow crepe cake News Eating
If you’ve always wondered what it would feel like to eat a cloud, you’re in luck: Thompson Street tea store Meno is now selling six varieties of crepe cake that are just as light, fluffy and, well, delicious as we’d imagine clouds would taste like. The offered flavors look and taste wonderful. Tea lovers will delight in the matcha crepe cake, for example, while adventurous folks might opt for the purple yam version of the treat. The most classic variety on sale is the rainbow crepe cake, but we must say that the strawberry, Oreo and rose versions also strike our fancy. The dessert isn’t the splashy store’s only claim to fame. Patrons head to the destination, which opened in the middle of the pandemic back in August, for fermented dark tea and coffee/juice concoctions that are worthy of a taste testing. You might want to try the Twilight (lemon, coffee) or the PPAP (pineapple, coffee).
i. A trippy new show at ARTECHOUSE News Art
“Geometric Properties: An Immersive Audio-Visual Journey Through Fractal Dimensions,” is the first solo exhibition of Dutch artist Julius Horsthuis’ work to come to NYC. Previously, his work has been featured in Manchester by the Sea and through collaborations with musical artists like ODESZA, Meshuggah and Birds of Paradise. He uses fractals to create alternate science fiction-like realities using visual art and motion graphics, and they are a real trip, to say the least. The digital art destination on Manhattan’s west side (it’s literally located in Chelsea Market’s former boiler room) is opening the new show on March 1, and it will be on view through September 6. If you want to stop by and check out the endless geometric iterations and fractional dimensions for yourself—you frickin’ fractal freak you—tickets cost $24 for adults and $17 for children. (Pro tip: New York and New Jersey residents receive a $5 discount on tickets on weekdays.)
j. Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Live Sing-Along Music Online, Until Apr 4 2021
If you want to get in on the trend (And why not? It may be a while until your next adventure on the high seas) the South Street Museum has made it easy for you with a monthly sea-music event called “Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music.” The event is the original NYC shanty singalong, and it features members of The New York Packet singing songs round-robin from living rooms, kitchens and other spaces across the city.
Each online singalong also includes a virtual trip to the South Street Seaport Museum where you can check out links from the song selections to items in the museum’s collection. Best of all, since you can do it from the comfort of your couch, you don’t even need to find your land legs! The next one is on Sunday!
k. “Goya’s Graphic Imagination” Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park Until May 2 2021
A new exhibition at The Met Museum explores how renowned Spanish artist Francisco Goya used prints and drawings to respond to the turbulent social and political changes occurring in the world around him through more than 100 works across three galleries. The work spans six decades and shows the turmoil of the Enlightenment, the Inquisition, and Spain’s years of constitutional government. You’ll see Goya’s early etchings, print series such as the Caprichos and The Disasters of War to his late lithographs, The Bulls of Bordeaux, and include albums of drawings that reveal the artist’s nightmares, dreams, and visions.
l. Spotlight on Orchids at NYBG Things to do New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx Until Apr 4 2021
The New York Botanical Garden is forgoing its Orchid Show this year but is doing a limited Spotlight on Orchids across select galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, including intimate displays of orchids in brilliant white and striking colors set against the foliage of aroids, ferns, and bromeliads—planted as they might be found in nature and blending gracefully with their surroundings, NYBG says. You’ll get to discover unusual orchids and artful floral creations by Botanical Garden horticulturists that combine expressive orchids with rocks, tree trunks, vines, and other found materials.
NYBG’s Orchid Show will return in 2022. Until then, you can purchase a Garden Pass + Conservatory ticket, which includes access to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and outdoor gardens and collections.
“We’ve been waiting for this: City Winery just announced the return of live entertainment at its new flagship location at Pier 57 in Hudson River Park by releasing its spring lineup. Needless to say, it is looking great.
The nightly concerts kick off in April and will be limited to 100 people each given COVID-19-related guidelines (that would be 25% of normal capacity). Of course, expect socially distanced table seatings and a brand-spanking new air filtration system.”
Plus, restaurants and bars ramp up hiring efforts — and more intel
NYC restaurants will be allowed to operate indoor dining at 50 percent capacity starting today, following four weeks of operating at 35 percent capacity. It’s the lightest capacity restriction that NYC restaurants have operated under since the city first shut down dining rooms in March 2020. The rest of New York state restaurants can go to 75 percent capacity starting today, while Connecticut is lifting all capacity restrictions.
The rise to 50 percent capacity, which many NYC restaurants had been advocating for, was announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last Friday. While Mayor Bill de Blasio has not said he disagrees with the decision — as he has with the upcoming return to indoor fitness classes — he said in press conferences earlier this week that he will publicly voice concerns if data indicates that there is an uptick in COVID-19 spread following the relaxed restrictions.”
“Searching for listings and reviews for the best New York museum exhibitions and shows? We have you covered.
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.”
“Eat for $10 or less at the best restaurants with cheap eats in NYC
UPDATE, October 29 2020: Dining out in New York City has never been so different than this year and it’s not only because restaurants had to shut down their dining rooms for more than six months. The current crisis has put a renewed focus on more affordable food options, whether you’re scarfing down tacos from a food truck or ordering dumplings from a mom-and-pop business in Chinatown. At Time Out New York, we’ve done the homework for you in discovering dishes, old and new, that are all $10 or under.
The hefty prices at many New York restaurants can at times make the dining scene feel like it’s only for the elite. But some of the best restaurants in NYC still serve affordable bites for $10 or less. Dining on a budget in New York doesn’t have to feel like a constraint with our picks for jerk chicken, Sicilian-style pizza, creative veggie burgers, underground buffets, Cuban bakeries and more.”
“New York City is on the cutting edge of all things culinary, so it’s no surprise that plant-based eateries have been a fixture in the city for decades. In fact, restaurants like Candle Cafe, Dojo, Angelica Kitchen (RIP) and many more transformed meatless diets into a lifestyle to aspire to as early as the 1970s. While vegetarian and vegan eateries have continued to proliferate since then, one exciting newish trend is the introduction of plant-based options within the fast-casual space (e.g., Taim, by CHLOE, et al.) offering affordable and quickly prepared items that make it that much easier for New Yorkers to go meat-free.”
“Businesses across all five boroughs are working toward a common goal: to welcome back guests, employees and the community at large while ensuring everyone’s health and safety. Use this hub as a starting point for what’s open right now or opening soon, and make sure to follow up directly with any venue to confirm hours and protocols before you visit.”
The Met continues to share a different lineup of complete operas from its archives every week
“The Metropolitan Opera has closed its doors though at least September 2021, but the great New York opera house continues to lift the spirits of opera lovers around the world with free nightly streams of complete productions from its archives. Most of the offerings were originally recorded with multiple cameras in high definition to be shown in movie theaters as part of the company’s popular Live in HD series.
Each opera goes live on the Met’s website at 7:30pm EST (12:30am GMT) and remains there until 6:30pm EST the next evening. The operas can also be viewed with the Met Opera on Demand app on various devices.”
The results are in! We asked viewers worldwide to help curate the next week of Nightly Opera Streams, and now we’re presenting your top selections—counting down to the No. 1 choice, the 2020 Live in HD transmission of Handel’s Agrippina. Explore the articles and resources below to expand your knowledge and enhance your experience as you enjoy the screenings
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info.
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-19 has required some changes. First of all, some very important information:
“There are multiple websites, disappearing slots and even attempts to game the system. Here’s our guide to what you have to do to get a dose in your arm.”
For March we are going to try a different format – “Top 10 Corona Culture” – updated info and video especially suited to these difficult times OR NYC related visual info (Instagram/YouTube) OR all the NYC news you need to start your day. We hope you will come back often to see what’s cooking here.
We hope you enjoy this change of pace, then please return here April 1, and every day for our daily, hot off the presses event guide with “Only the Best” NYCity event info. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Now, how about some more useful NYC info:
“Looking for the best things to do in NYC this weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend. Catch a drive-in movie at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, check out the Spotlight on Orchids show at New York Botanical Garden, see a trippy new show at ARTECHOUSE or hop on a light-up installation at Domino Park. Whatever you do, don’t forget a mask and to socially distance.”
a. That Night at Gatsby’s Theater Online, Mar 19 2021-Mar 27 2021
Become a part of “The Great Gatsby” in a live performance by Seize the Show, where the audience has a say in how the story goes. “Flirt with Tom and Daisy Buchanan, gossip with George and Myrtle Wilson, raise a glass with Jordan Baker and seek out the mysterious Gatsby himself. But be careful – each interaction you have will change the course of the evening, as everyone has secrets to hide, and before the night is over, divine decadence will turn into high-stakes drama.” Live actors interact with the audience, who help choose the outcome through voting for choices, solving puzzles and winning mini-games via Gamiotics technology. No two parties go the same way, so prepare for an unforgettable night. It’s theater meets gameplay.
b. Annual Making Brooklyn Bloom Things to do Classes and workshops Online, Mar 20 2021-Mar 21 2021
Connect with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for two days of workshops focused on sustainable and mindful city gardening. This celebration of nature offers workshops and talks that will highlight the meaning, healing, and connection that plants provide us. Including, “Power to Heal: Gardens and Gardeners in the Era of Covid and Climate Change” with Karen Washington; “She Hid Seeds in Her Hair: The Power of Ancestral African Foods” with Christopher Bolden-Newsome; “Plant Journeys through the African Diaspora” with Kimberly Curtis; and “Seed Starting: Preserving Our Cultures” with Owen Taylor.
c. Syd Can Cook: Anniversary Show
This live cooking/panel show with Sydnee Washington features a bunch of special guests and comedians who’ll shoot the shit and make you laugh while Sydnee cooks up several entrées up at once. Sydnee’s best friend, comedian Marie Faustin, will fill in as Sydnee’s sous-chef this week to serve up the entire Syd Can Cook experience. Visiting comedians will be: Rachel Sennott, Laci Mosely, Dulce Sloan, Dee Nasty, Devon Walker, Naomi McPherson and Delina Medhin. The show will be live on Streamyard on Saturday, March 20th at 7PM. Tickets are $5.
d. “Silent Trailers” a movie-themed game show
Pete Holmes (HBO’s Crashing), Michael Ian Black (The State, Stella), and more will appear as panelists of this popular movie-themed game show on Saturday, March 20 at 8pm. Keith Malley will be pit against Holmes and Black, who will attempt to decipher his co-host Chemda’s descriptions of movie trailers, but Chemda has no celebrity knowledge and Keith has seen every movie ever made. Previous contestants on the show have included comedians Andy Kindler, Aparna Nancherla, Dan Soder, Christian Finnegan, and Kevin Allison. Tickets are on sale now for $10 or you can get 50% off by entering “SILENTHALF” at checkout.
e. The immersive Friends Experience News City Life
Oh. my. God. The Friends Experience that took NYC by storm in 2019 is coming back! You know, the one with all the iconic props and recreated scenes from Friends? It opens on March 17 with a whopping 18 rooms, including the orange couch in front of the fountain, Monica’s kitchen, the hilarious ‘Pivot!’ scene, and the Las Vegas wedding chapel where Ross & Rachel tied the knot. There will even be an actual functioning Central Perk that serves coffee, pastries, and desserts, which will be open to the public daily starting at 7am so you can bring your friends and relive your favorite Central Perk scenes. New props and costumes have been added this time around, including Chandler’s bunny suit and Rachel’s famous cow jacket, as well as Monica and Rachel’s living room and Ugly Naked Guy. And for those concerned about health and safety at this time, the experience boasts that it is “Monica clean.” That means limited capacity, temperature checks, masks requirements, regular cleaning and sterilization across the building and hand sanitizing stations. Megafans will be able to purchase Friends-themed masks, clothing, totes, and other trinkets at the store. The whole experience will take up two floors in the Flatiron District at 130 East 23rd Street.
f. “Reflect” at Domino Park News Art
Created by new media artist Jen Lewin, the interactive piece is called Reflect. Taking its cues from patterns found in nature, the work takes the form of three concentric rings each consisting of interactive platforms that respond to visitor’s steps. (AKA The light changes when you walk on it!) The constantly changing work spans 2,400-square-feet across the Brooklyn waterfront, providing a technicolor, waterfront light show. Domino Park is the first spot in the US to host the piece which was created as part of the larger, 15,000-square-foot work Cosmos. During the day, the sculpture mirrors the sky and surrounding environment and at night it lights up in the brightly colored dots you can check out in the video above. (It kind of looks like you’re inside a video game.) The colorful new artwork allows people to interact with the sculpture while also maintaining a safe social distance of six feet. It’s free and open to the public every day from 8am until 10pm.
