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!
One might think that as someone who writes about things to do for a living, the task of hosting guests in the city would be a snap. But instead of jumping into action with a curated itinerary of under-the-radar speakeasies and off-the-beaten path boutiques dashed in with an of-the-moment gallery exhibit, the sheer volume of choices often leaves me spinning with little more than the certainty that we should “go check out the park if it’s nice” (florals? for spring? groundbreaking).
In the same way that I’ll never see all of the prestige TV that exists in our lifetime, I have to make peace with the fact that I can never quite cover all of the fun and funky things to try in this fair city — and after all, they are constantly in flux. But I take heart that even if I outline the barest of plans, this place will no doubt offer up a few spontaneous treats — live music on the sidewalk, a previously undiscovered indie bookstore, a hidden backyard bar or food festival — to make it seem like I (New York) had a few tricks up my sleeve all along.
Get out there and show ’em the town!!
…when you can only think as far ahead as Monday!
🎭 paging spiderman
A Y2K farce exploring the “full-throttle explosion of our para-social relationships and the obsessions that detonate them,” I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire follows the exploits of a lonely eighth grader who plans to kidnap her very famous celebrity crush. Personally, Lance Bass was more my type 😅. The show plays The Cell Theatre now through July 29.
🍦 we all scream
Hosted by the Museum of Ice Cream, you can enjoy free scoops from Friendly’s (I can’t believe Friendly’s is still in business! Huzzah!!) at the National Ice Cream Day Party at Hudson Yards July 15-16. You can also jump in the signature ice cream sprinkle pool, which could be fun and frankly can’t be any grodier than those ball pits we used to jump in at 1990s McDonald’s.
🖼️ toy story
Toys: Embracing Play, a new exhibit at the Fountain House Gallery opening tonight showcases toy-like pieces that “encourage you to find the child within yourself; a spot that is safe and secure and that prompts you to visualize fantasy, creativity and growth.”
🎶 all that you change, changes you
Adapted from her sci-fi Afrofuturist novel into a groundbreaking new opera by Toshi Reagon & Bernice Johnson Reagon, Octavia E Butler’s Parable of the Sower plays Lincoln Center July 13-15. Tickets are pay-what-you-can!
🇫🇷 vive le 14 juillet!
While it’s not technically on Bastille Day, The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)’s Bastille Day Block Party held on July 16 seems like the most legit celebration around town, and will feature performances from Broadway’s Moulin Rouge, rosé & bubbly tastings, film screenings and a wide variety of French food and artisan vendors. Celebrating on the 14th? HK favorite Marseille will have a special Bastille Day menu, live music, games, and a Pernod Ricard giveaway and Chez Josephine will have several Bastille-themed specials!
🎨 because most (!) children aren’t interested in the New Yorker tote
It is never too early, in my opinion, to become thoroughly enmeshed in New York’s Tote Culture. Take the kids to the Museum of the City of New York July 15 for the Design Your Own NYC Tote Bag workshop. Registration is free with museum admission and includes all materials for kids five-12 to make their own custom tote until they are able to choose a Zabar’s bag of their own.
🎭 twelfth night cinematic universe
I LOVED Classical Theatre of Harlem’s Afrofuturist Twelfth Night last year, and my continuity-loving heart is delighted to see that a new, original spin-off called Malvolio (also starring Allen Gilmore who played Malvolio last year!) is playing now through July 29.
🐦 the birds!!!
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with birds who aren’t pigeons?! Head over to Budgie Landing, open now at the Bronx Zoo where you can feed and interact with dozens of colorful chirpers in the zoo’s new immersive exhibit. My guess is that it will be slightly less harrowing than the time my mother and I discovered a bird hiding amongst my childhood stuffed animals.
…what’s happening before and just after I hit your inbox next!
♻️ clean up cocktail
Help beautify Hell’s Kitchen and socialize with your neighbors at the Litter Legion’s Summer Happy Hour Clean Up July 19, where you’ll tackle trash before grabbing a drink at one of the area’s nearby bars!
🎞️ let’s do the time warp
Has the incessant humidity left you yearning for fall?? Pretend it’s Halloween and make a stop at The Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast at Our Wicked Lady’s rooftop July 17, where actors will mime along to the cult film and audience interaction is a veritable requirement!!
🎞️ wino(na) forever
Who said Gen X is forgotten??? Revisit a film full of your fave 90s movie stars exploring the ennui of their 20s at a screening of the Ben Stiller-directed Reality Bites at Bryant Park July 19.
🦀 be crabby
My go-to NYC summer rec for seaside vacation vibes Brooklyn Crab is hosting their First Annual Brooklyn Crab Boil July 23. $125 gets you a two-hour Southern-style crab boil seafood feast and unlimited margaritas, beer and seltzers. Come hungry!!!
🎶 jazzed about nelson
Enjoy a free concert featuring South African vocalist Naledi Masilo in honor of Nelson Mandela’s Birthday Celebration at Jazz in Times Square July 20!
…for when you need to secure those hot tickets before they sell out!!!
🎭 dun-dun
Celebrating the “choppy waters behind Hollywood’s first blockbuster,” the semi-fictionalized story of filming JAWS, The Shark is Broken begins previews July 25 and stars Broadway vets Alex Brightman and Colin Donnell as Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider and West End vet Ian Shaw as his father Robert Shaw. The 90-minute comedy promises “short tempers, short circuits” and from the looks of the many people who lined up to get preview tickets, they’re going to need a bigger boat.
🎶 light on
Attention, Zillennials! Your indie pop queen Maggie Rogers plays Forest Hills July 27, featuring a special guest from the band Soccer Mommy (incredible name, btw).
🔥 Hot tip
When I think about Insomnia Cookies, I think about the many (many) late nights in college where we would order freshly baked cookies rather than, you know, make them ourselves like adults. Anyway, since I’ve spent a decent amount on orders of one single cookie over the years, I’m happy to know that they are hosting a National Ice Cream Day Giveaway July 14-16 and will include a free scoop of ice cream with your order of cookies. Time for a nostalgia trip!!!
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
There’s a Grease sing-along at the Midtown Rooftop Cinema Club July 16
There’s a second-line jazz processional at Lincoln Center July 14
You can adopt a pet outside the Museum of Arts and Design July 15
Upstate? Grab a ticket to Catskill Mountain Shakespeare’s As You Like It now through July 30
There are still tickets available to Pete Holmes’ 10pm show at City Winery July 14
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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