Ok, we’re here. The official, actual, calendar end of summer. While climate change will likely keep us sweating on and off for at least the next month, there are signs that we are entering the Age of Autumn. Moody rainy mornings. A crisp sunset breeze. Pumpkin Spice Lattes (shockingly, I am not a PSL gal… but as a Basic who sometimes sports LL Bean boots, I have no place throwing stones, ya know?).
As we ease into 2022’s season finale (better than 2021/2020?? Still awaiting some slightly less dramatic plot lines????), why not lean into the “new school year” vibe, and check out the city’s many new works, season openers and cultural festivals? And be sure to pack layers. There is a season turn, turn, turn…
❓Quick Question
Do you have a favorite New York fall tradition?
🎶 make my wish come true
It may not be Christmastime yet, but you can still see the one and only Mariah Carey lip sync live in Central Park at this Saturday’s Global Citizen Festival on the Great Lawn. Hosted by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, in addition to Ms. Carey, Metallica, Rosalia, Mickey Guyton, Charlie Puth, Måneskin and the Jonas Brothers are also performing at the activism-focused festival (free ticket entries have run out but seats are available for purchase)!
🎭 the toxic avenger
Inspired by 1950s era sci-fi and monster movies and a 2014 poisonous algae crisis, queer environmental horror-comedy Bloom Bloom Pow runs Off-Broadway through October 2 at ART/New York THEATERS. We hear there’s madness, mayhem and an actor who plays a dead horse. I’m intrigued!!!
🎶 i chime in
I remember my very embarrassing teenage years where I pretty much only listened to show tunes and 1970s-era Dad Rock with the occasional early aughts pop mixed in (who am I kidding? That’s still my main mix…). But one day, I tagged along to a Panic! At the Disco concert with a cool friend who was always on the cutting edge of music (unsurprisingly, this friend became a record executive) and was totally blown away by the power of lead singer Brendon Urie’s voice — frankly, he belts with the best of ‘em! Anyway, check out Panic! At the Disco at Madison Square Garden this Friday.
🌺 make our garden grow
A hidden gem of green space in the middle of Midtown, the verdant Clinton Community Garden is hosting a volunteer day this Sunday to keep things blooming. RSVP to apadian@gmail.com or just stop by between 9am and 1pm to W48th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue!
🎭 sticking the landing
Over at The Tank, theater artist and veteran gymnastics coach Soomi Kim presents Body Through Which The Dream Flows, tackling the complicated legacy of women’s gymnastics in the #metoo era. It runs through October 16 and features a movement created by an ensemble of youth competitive gymnasts!
🎸seize the night
Logline appreciation alert!!! “When a global pandemic hit, film/Broadway actor Jeremy Jordan found himself with some time on his hands. He and a few of his super talented friends got together and casually decided to make themselves into rock stars.” Go see everyone’s favorite former Newsie and his rock band Age of Madness at Sony Hall this Sunday where the band promises “things may get loud.” We think the rabble-rousing Jack Kelly would be proud.
👯♀️we’re falling for it
Already well-known for their extremely popular Encores! series, City Center is an underrated place to see headlining dance talent performing new works for what is often less than the price of a ticket to NYCB or ABT. Head to the Fall for Dance Festival running through October 2 to check out acts like the New York debut of Kyiv City Ballet, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the live premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Two of Us, set to Joni Mitchell classics and featuring Sara Mearns and Robbie Fairchild.
🎶 wait for her
Quarterly reminder that I’m not a reviewer (I would rather swim in the East River than tell people that my subjective opinion is definitive) but I truly do think that Eva Noblezada has a once-in-a-generation star quality that you simply shouldn’t miss. The Hadestown and Miss Saigon Star plays an intimate show at Green Room 42 this Sunday which promises fun, laughs and tequila shots. She’s a gem!!
🎶 it’s like i’m losing my mind
If you’ve been following Make Way For The Weekend for a while, you know about my 80s New Wave obsession. So it should come as no surprise that I’m recommending you attend New Order and The Pet Shop Boys at Barclays this Friday. And if you can’t make it, please enjoy this definitive cover of Stephen Sondheim’s Losing My Mind by the Pet Shop Boys and Liza Minnelli. Cue the synths!!!!!
🥙 market basket
If you didn’t already have reason to love the Queens Night Market, the delicious food and artisan gift festival returning to Flushing Corona Park this Saturday plans to donate a portion of its proceeds to urgent hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
🎤 i don’t think there will be ads for betterhelp
For those who also religiously check the r/podsnark subreddit and form parasocial relationships with podcast hosts (yes yes I know Ira Glass isn’t actually my friend more topics for therapy blah blah blah), head to a night of “jokes, controversial takes, and good conversation” at We Weren’t Taught This playing Union Hall this Sunday with podcasters Elna Baker (This American Life) and Hamza Syed (The Trojan Horse Affair) and featuring special guests like Janeane Garofalo (!!).
🍿 caan caan
A celebration of the cinematic legacy of Bronx-born, Sunnyside-raised movie star James Caan, the Caan Film Festival runs now through October 15 at the Museum of the Moving Image. “We’re going to the mattresses!”
🔥 hot tip
We had the pleasure of getting to chat with Singaporean culinary superstar KF Seetoh to talk all things street food, his friendship with Anthony Bourdain and of course, the incredible stories behind his new Midtown market, Urban Hawker. The food is fabulous and the stories are even better. Run, don’t walk, and make sure to say hi to Seetoh if you see him!!
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
Sister Act is showing at the Green Room 42 rooftop this Sunday
Ariana and the Rose is back playing a stripped-down piano set from her album at Club Cumming this Friday
There’s a celebration of the music of Philip Glass in the West Village this Friday
Casablanca is showing at the Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown this Saturday
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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