W42ST Daily 8/7/2020
I’m at an undisclosed location in the West Village, having drinks with a friend, when I hear what must be the most valuable piece of information of the age. She looks around her to ensure no one can overhear us, before leaning over and whispering.
I listen, agog, to what she has to tell me, then lean back, wide-eyed, incredulous, giddy with disbelief. She then points to a bodega behind us and nods, knowingly.
I waste no time. Before the server has had time to take my order for a second (or was it third?) martini, I grab a handful of dollars and walk purposefully towards the bodega, checking no one is following me.
Once inside, I follow my friend’s careful instructions. Turn left at the door, walk to the end of the aisle, second shelf. What I see takes my breath away. I pay swiftly, using unmarked bills, and walk out of the store, triumphantly brandishing my haul: two giant tubs of Clorox wipes.
At a time when the world is going to hell in a handcart, you need to find joy in the little things. This is mine.
SPONSORED POST
HYHK is seeking an artist to create a large-scale mural on a bridge wall in Midtown as part of our neighborhood beautification initiatives. Though there is no required theme, we ask that the artwork capture the importance of community, shared spaces, diversity, and equality. Learn more here.
NEW YORK STORIES
Summer is traditionally one of the busiest seasons for rentals in New York City, but in the age of coronavirus, soaring unemployment, and working from home forcing many of us to rethink our living circumstances, all bets are off. And, for anyone looking to renegotiate their lease – or sign a new one – the renter has the upper hand for possibly the first time in decades.
These are the pro tips from one renter who cut a great deal in the middle of a two-year lease.
DO THESE THINGS THIS WEEK
TONIGHT
Stream a performance of the X Collective, a community of Irish and international artists, performing their brand of neo-soul pop tonight. Play on here.
Jacklynn Hyde hosts drag bingo at The Happy House tonight. There is a limited number of VIP tickets that enable you to see the performance in person (price includes bingo card and drinks). Or stream it from the comfort of your own living room. Find out more here.
SATURDAY
Storm King Art Center is surely the perfect place to practice social distancing. The 500-acre grounds in the Hudson Valley reopened this month. You must book in advance. Find out more here.
Discussing how we are breaking down the legacy of white supremacy in our schools and making change in education. Join The Mixed Space meet up from 4pm. Sign up here.
The Old Vic’s production of Jekyll & Hyde is available to stream until August 12. The warning reads: “This show contains: strobe lighting, partial nudity, scenes of a sexual nature, sexual violence, physical violence.” An average night in Hell’s Kitchen? Watch it here.
SUNDAY
Proud (Fiertés) tells the story of three generations of men from the same family, starting in 1981, when it was still a crime to be gay. The three-parter filters the shifting politics and attitudes toward gay rights through heartrending personal narratives. It costs $12 to stream, and is available until August 31. Find out more.
MONDAY
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater hosts “Witnessing Whiteness,” a community conversation asking how all of us – BIPOC, White people, queer people, rich people, poor people, human people – can better understand racism. Find out more.
Created by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning lyricist and librettist Mark Campbell presents Songs from the Unmade Bed, a song cycle that “explores the inner musings and romantic life of a gay man living in New York City” that has been reimagined for the era of COVID-19. It includes guest hosts Awkwafina, John Lithgow, Billy Porter, and Keala Settle. Watch it here.
TUESDAY
Fitness in person?! Where do I sign up? There is a free, socially distanced bootcamp in Central Park limited to just 10 people. RSVP and masks are required. Register here.
WEDNESDAY
Gotham Writers begins its free online workshops this week, in which a host, an agent, and a writer discuss the inside scoop on publishing and writing. Find out more.
THURSDAY
The Guggenheim hosts its Summer of Know conversation series, starting with a discussion of healing, justice, and the power of listening, led by the group For Freedoms. Find out more.
Birdland has launched a new series of pay-per-view concerts, filmed especially for the socially distanced era. On Thursday, Broadway leading man Max von Essen performs his favorite numbers from the Great American Songbook. Find out more.
Oprah has called Caste a “must-read for humanity” and it’s her book club choice for August. Author Isabel Wilkerson is in conversation with Anand Giridharadas, about how the unspoken caste system in America shapes our lives. Get tickets here.
