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!
This week, I had a day that began with spilling a large homemade matcha latte over the entirety of my desk, phone and printer (yes, I did save the phone and printer because I am well-practiced at tech triage) and ended with me forgetting my keys — with a garden variety of chaotic mishaps in between.
While I bravely survived this marathon of extremely minor inconveniences, it got me thinking about how we as New Yorkers have learned to keep our heads on a swivel — adjusting to a new plan is the essence of living here. Whether it’s sprinting to five different subway stations to find a train that works before your important meeting or accidentally bar-hopping with friends because it takes 10 tries to find a place with space, when faced with a need to pivot, we are at the ready. In some ways, I think it’s given us all a well-honed sense of spontaneity… Sold out concert? There’s a free movie screening down the block. Walking home from work and spot a pop-up exhibit? Why not stop in? When plans change on a dime, we often stumble upon an even better option.
Here’s to a weekend of planned and unplanned fun!
❓Quick question
When your plans fall through, where do you know you can go to have a good time???
🧗 climb indoor mountains
I am intensely afraid of heights, but there was a time in my now far-gone youth that I found myself at rock climbing camp. And while it’s a miracle I didn’t fall off the mountain due to my sweaty palms, I admit that there is something really thrilling about the making it to the top of the climb (even if you want to close your eyes). For those braver than me, head over to the NYC Climbing Collective Meetup at Central Rock Gym this Monday where NYC3 — dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion in the climbing world — welcomes new and experienced climbers for a free session in exchange for donations for the Hell’s Kitchen Free Store, Hell’s Kitchen Community Cupboard and The Gear Fund Collective.
🎭 i think they’re playing my song
Having missed the boat on seeing Pulitzer Prize finalist Will Arbery’s smash hits Heroes of the Fourth Turning and Plano, I was determined to catch the acclaimed writer’s newest world premiere, Corsicana — closing this weekend at Playwrights Horizons. A stirring, alternatively dreamlike and viscerally realistic meditation on grief, memory, artistic expression and the delicate forging and maintaining of relationships, it’s well worth checking out before the end of the run.
🎶 an evening that’s anything but triste, louca ou má
In another excellent Summerstage lineup, Brazilian and Portuguese artists Ney Matogrosso, Francisco El Hombre, Fado Bicha, and Surma play an evening of theatrical 70s rock-n-roll, pachanga folk; feminist, antiracist fado and ethereal DJ sets in Central Park this Sunday!
🎨 diy
If you were inspired by Chris Shanck’s found object exhibition Off-World at the Museum of Arts and Design, don’t miss the chance to make your very own masterpiece this Saturday at their Sculpting with Coils workshop, inspired by Shanck’s work! You’ll be taught by MAD studio artists Heechan Kim and Luam Melake as you create your own sculpted piece out of reclaimed materials such as phone cords, plastic straps and ribbons.
🎶 you may be right, i may be crazy
I promise I’m only going to do this once…but those who know me, know what follows here. Dad Rock legend Billy Joel is back at Madison Square Garden next Wednesday and if you, like me, wrote an entire play inspired by Scenes From an Italian Restaurant (lol, weird it didn’t do as well as Movin’ Out) then you too should head on down to MSG for an evening of Billy jokes, jams and screaming the lyrics to We Didn’t Start the Fire (maybe it’s time for some new verses???).
🎭 play on!!
If you’re looking for a truly perfect New York City evening, look no further than the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s top-notch, Afrofuturist Twelfth Night now playing at Marcus Garvey Park featuring a briskly-paced, joyfully frenetic cast bringing a pulsating high-tech energy to the Shakespearean classic, including electrifying dance sequences and remixed (sometimes playfully autotuned!!) fun!
🎤 to be seen on tv
Want to get an exclusive preview of Peacock’s newest comedy special? Head to a free live taping of stand-up comic and Daily Show writing alum Jena Friedman’s show Ladykiller this Friday at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. “As the US slips into fascism, Jena celebrates free speech while she still has it” say the liner notes, and if that’s not uncomfortably and hilariously relevant to the moment then I don’t know what is!!
🎭 no more yielding but a dream
Planning your weekend but already booked a trip upstate? Good news! A mere few hours from the Big Apple (less time than it takes to get from the Bronx to Staten Island IMO lol), Catskill Mountain Shakespeare presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream opening this weekend at the appropriately dreamy Emerson Resort & Spa near Esopus Creek. We recommend a pre-show meal at the venerable Phoenicia Diner before you settle in to see what those crazy kids Hermia, Helena, Demetrius and Lysander are up to!
🍿 suddenly screening
Do you feel like Little Shop of Horrors is having a renaissance these days?! Perhaps it’s because we live in such surreal dystopian times that the idea of a human-eating plant that could take us all is, frankly, no longer out of the realm of possibility. Anyway!! If you can’t get enough of Skid Row, head to Van Cortlandt Park tonight for a free screening of the classic musical that includes Steve Martin setting the bar for anyone playing dentist Orin Scrivello.
🎶 truckin’
If you’re looking for part-nostalgic concert, part-extended jam session, part-immersive, people-watching experience, follow the Dead Heads to Citi Field for Dead and Company’s summer show this Friday. And yes that friendly man in a tie-dye T-shirt belting out One More Saturday Night is my husband!
👯♀️ earth, wind and fire island
For those who have already planned their weekend getaway to the Pines or Cherry Grove, head over to the return of the Fire Island Dance Festival this weekend for a spectacular lineup of performances benefiting Dancers Responding to AIDS from the Verdon Fosse Legacy, Hell’s Kitchen’s own Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Buglisi Dance Theatre and many more! Bonus — the entire event is hosted by American Ballet Theatre principal dancer James Whiteside!
🍸 analog city
Manifesting a mid-century modern vibe, the Museum of the City of New York hosts a Moonlight and Movies martini happy hour and screening of the Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy rom-com, Desk Set — which, featuring a plot about an all-female computer research team and IT shenanigans, is both retro and oddly future-forward.
🎤 taylor garron’s anxiety emporium and thirst trap depot
I stumbled on this comedy show title and couldn’t look away. Who could ask for anything more?! Head to Union Hall this Friday for a lineup of performers who are, according to the event log line, “either mentally ill or incredibly hot: frequently both!” Again, they’ve already got me loling!!
🔥 Hot tip
A well-researched friend tipped me off (hi Kari!!) that there is a really nice day spa on Governors Island!! Let’s try it and soak in a pool overlooking the Manhattan skyline!!
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
Two households, both alike in dignity…if you want to check out the second-oldest rivalry in the books, the Yankees play the Red Sox this weekend (Go Sox 😉)
There’s a Bastille Day party happening in Brooklyn on Friday (btw, Bastille Day is today!)
Remember when I said I’d be tired of sweating? I am!! Bring on the fall clothes!! There’s a Theory and Helmut Lang Sample Sale next week!!
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)