Good afternoon, this is W42ST Lifestyle Editor Sarah Beling with “Make Way For The Weekend” — your curated guide to the best of New York events in one convenient newsletter!
Perhaps for obvious reasons, it seems like the right time to talk about what makes New York New York — the people.
While we have a reputation for walking, talking and sometimes, existing a bit too much in the neurotic-aggressive fast lane, New Yorkers still fall squarely into the category of “Acts Mean, Is Nice” (see below and thank you to Twitter for the creation of this map).
We may present a gruff, “I’m walkin’ here!” exterior, and though we’ll glare at you if you hold the door open on the subway (there are enough delays ok!!!!), I’ve never seen a group of people move more quickly to help someone up after they’ve fallen (sometimes that person is me! Icy sidewalks + heels = a lesson I’ve yet to learn) or join in a communal sing-along (it was the karaoke-banned Don’t Stop Believin’).
The people of this city are loud, opinionated, judgmental, ambitious, generous, fun-loving and charismatic — and again, as long as you don’t hold the subway door open, surprisingly willing to form instant camaraderie with strangers.
This city has been through it — but through it all, New Yorkers have, and will keep making this place what it is. It’s a helluva town ❤️.
❓Quick Question
What is the best interaction you’ve ever had with a New Yorker?
And speaking of the best parts of New York, remember to vote and nominate your favorite places in the W42ST Best of Awards 2022 — sponsored by Wells Fargo and supported by Intrepid Museum and the Durst Organization. Vote here…
🎭 the song that goes like this
Whose Line Is It Anyway? meets the Tony Awards at Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, playing this Friday at 54 Below. I got a chance to check out a performance earlier this summer that managed to thread an FLDS-style cult storyline with Oklahoma!-style showtunes. Who could ask for anything more!!
🖼 color and light
Tired of your wall art from Bed, Bath and Beyond circa 2005? Ditch that generic cityscape print and head to Chelsea for the Clio Art Fair this weekend, where you can look for a unique, wall-worthy painting and support local independent artists!
🎭 here’s hoping for a “rural juror” shoutout
Jane Krakowski’s glamorous comedienne persona seems plucked from another era of showbiz entirely – see her discuss her decades-long Broadway and TV career at Seth Rudetsky’s Broadway playing The Town Hall next Monday with live performances of some of her greatest hits!
🎧 do you hear what i hear
We got the chance to catch up with the folks at The Parsnip Ship and Playwrights Horizons, who, in partnership with Business Lunch Productions, have teamed up to create a free audio theater season called The Detour Series running now through September 25. Stop by Playwrights with a phone and headphones and scan the QR code to begin your walkable theatrical experience through Hell’s Kitchen.
🎭 new work alert
Exploring the complications of marriage and family amid a son’s illness, Grant MacDermott’s Jasper premieres at Signature Theater this weekend. A Eugene O’Neill Theatre Conference Semi-Finalist, MacDermott’s work is one to watch!
🎶it’s gonna be may
Grab your butterfly clips and Adidas shell toe sneakers — the early-aughts are back, baby!! Whether you remember the boy-band craze of the early millennium (I loved Lance Bass, do you think he’s available? 😂) or consider them oldies, why not wax nostalgic at the Boy Band Project, playing this Sunday at Chelsea Table and Stage in a winking tribute to those heavily-hair-gelled heartthrobs of yore.
🎭 summer reading
Who among us hasn’t gotten so into a book that we felt like we could be part of it? Shoutout to eight-year-old Sarah who tried being Harriet the Spy for a while, until she realized that there wasn’t much to spy on in suburban Massachusetts lol. World-premiere musical Between the Lines, based on the book by acclaimed author Jodi Picoult and her daughter Samantha van Leer explores what happens when a high school outcast’s literary fantasy world comes to life and is playing through this Sunday at Second Stage.
🎶 moondance
Cited by artists across decades as a musical influence, singer-songwriter Van Morrison plays Forest Hills this Saturday (with special guest Tom Jones!), guaranteeing at least one spirited rendition of Brown Eyed Girl during the evening.
🕺 where did our love go
Rather than follow, say, Catholicism, my parents raised me on New Wave. Thanks Mom and Dad!!! Visit the temple of Fine Young Cannibals and Talking Heads at the 80s Dance Party at The Bell House this Saturday, where, inspired by Soft Cell’s cover of Tainted Love, DJs will spin the best of the decadent decade across post-punk, rockabilly, hip-hop and of course, New Wave.
🎶 here i come
A celebration of life, food, music and culture in the Black community, Afropunk Festival 2022 returns to Brooklyn this weekend featuring an enviable lineup of artists like The Roots, Burna Boy, Isaiah Rashad, Lucky Daye, Freddie Gibbs, Earl Sweatshirt, Tierra Whack, Adekunle Gold, SPINALL, Mick Jenkins, Fana Hues, BbyMutha, Bartees Strange and many more!!
🍿 stand clear of the closing doors
Squeak out the last blast of outdoor free film season at Movie Under the Stars: Under the Subway Video Art Night at St Nicholas Park this Saturday and featuring an evening of digital art shorts curated by Antonio Ortuño.
🎶 who’s your daddy rabbit
Chic speakeasy Daddy Rabbit hosts acclaimed vocalist Emily Braden, pianist and band leader Misha Piatiogrsky, Bulgarian bassist Peter Slavov, Russian drummer Samvel Sarkisyan and trumpeter Tatum Greenblatt who team up for an evening of jazz this Friday. Guests are instructed to “come dressed to kill”, so outfit yourselves accordingly!!!
🔥 Hot tip
Now’s the perfect time to take advantage of all the shows you didn’t see over the summer (omg I STILL haven’t seen Into the Woods, I think they’ve had about three full casts come through by now) and hit up 2-For-1 Broadway Week from now through September 25. Featuring both long-running hits and new productions, you can snag a ticket to almost any of the current shows playing on the Main Stem (except for Funny Girl, which is sold out 👀…drama sells tickets, y’all.)
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
The Pillow Queens are playing the Irish Art Center next week
There’s a French wine and cheese pairing class at Murray’s this Saturday
My main man Billy Joel is back at the Garden this Friday
There’s a fundraiser ride for The Trevor Project at the West Village Soul Cycle this Saturday!
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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