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!
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Venn Diagram of Very New York events: a Yankees-Red Sox game (go Sox lol), the Brooklyn PRIDE parade (in-person!) and the Tony Awards (from my couch hahahahahha). And while I only saw people peeing in the stairwells of one event (hint, it was neither Brooklyn PRIDE nor the Tonys), all three events were full of joyful, passionate New Yorkers who make this city the wonderful place it is. Except for the guys who were peeing in the stairwell — there are like 500 bathrooms at Yankee Stadium, y’all. Anyway, cue the intro to “New York, New York!”
…when you can only think as far ahead as Monday!
🎭 days of cancellation lines
Adam Guettel’s newest musical based on the 1962 film of the same name — the Atlantic Theater Company’s Days of Wine and Roses — is already getting major buzz. Maybe it’s the Off-Broadway company’s recent Kimberly Akimbo transfer and Tony Award victory, maybe it’s the starry headlining cast of Kelli O’Hara and Brian D’Arcy James, but the show, playing now through July 16 is nearly completely sold out. There is, however, a daily cancellation list available — and though I did not make it off the list (yet!), I did see Tina Fey walk into the theater the other day lol. I have faith you’ll fare better!
🎭 all in the family
Let’s be clear: Leopoldstadt is a devastating show. Tom Stoppard’s Tony Award winner for Best Play, detailing the lives of one Jewish Austrian family from 1899 to 1955, is unsurprisingly a hard watch. That said, it’s brilliant, and playing now through July 2. Go for Brandon Uranowitz’s performance alone!
🎶 ground control to major tom
Get out your Space Oddity-worthy outfits and head to the David Bowie World Fan Convention at the Hard Rock Hotel June 16-17 — featuring guest speakers and meet-and-greets with some of the late rock legend’s collaborators. The whole weekend will be moderated by Bowie biographer Nicholas Pegg with trivia and a BowieBall tribute concert!
SPONSORED POST
Join the Intrepid Museum for a conversation on the contributions and experiences of LGBTQ service members and military children! Tickets and more info here…
🏳️🌈 pre-pride weekend!
While the official Manhattan PRIDE weekend isn’t until next week, there are still plenty of pre-PRIDE events to warm up for the upcoming marathon of festivities — a few here for your perusal: Check out a curated series of movies encompassing the spectrum of the queer experience from author and critic Kyle Turner at Queer Cinema, Top to Bottom now through July 1 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. In Hell’s Kitchen, you can peruse works by LGBTQIA+ artists at BAN THIS! Queer Erotic Art Fair at Boxers Hell’s Kitchen this Saturday June 17, in a “kinky celebration of queer activism in the name of self-expression.” Down the way, there’s a festival of plays by queer artists playing at Pride Fest at the Tank June 16-25. And faithful Readers, stand up!! In time for PRIDE, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers host the definitive Las Culturistas Culture Awards June 17 at Lincoln Center.
🟥 ⬛ 🟩 pre-juneteenth weekend!
Though Juneteenth isn’t officially until Monday, most of the city’s commemorative events are happening over the weekend, including: The 14th Annual New York Juneteenth Festival, a three-day extravaganza themed “Kaleidoscope of Black Culture” featuring concerts, dance performances, local food vendors and all-ages activities which runs June 16-18 in Linden and Prospect Park, Brooklyn!
Pay homage to some of the city’s most notable residents and abolitionists at the Juneteenth Trolley Tour at Green-Wood Cemetery June 17, where you can learn more about Black pioneers of the 19th and 20th century in a historian-led tour. I have some friends that tried the trolley tour and said it’s a must-go! In Central Park, stop by the Juneteenth Seneca Village June 17 for contemplative reflection and live music, educational art-making in tribute to the residents of Seneca Village and self-care workshops with local yoga and movement studios. Sample traditional African American cuisine and celebrate Black culinary pioneers at the Juneteenth Food Festival June 17-18 at the Weeksville Heritage Center, where you can try food from 29 local vendors and shop Black-owned small businesses. And in Times Square, Broadway celebrates Juneteenth June 18 with performances honoring Black theater artists from Main Stem stars!
…what’s happening before and just after I hit your inbox next!
🟥 ⬛ 🟩 honoring hip hop’s legacy
See legendary hip hop artist and New Yorker Grandmaster Flash among other notable musicians at Park Jams: a Juneteenth Celebration of Hip Hop June 19 in Central Park!
🟥 ⬛ 🟩 hello brooklyn
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music hosts a Juneteenth concert celebrating the achievements of Black women June 19 in Brower Park, Crown Heights!
🎬 you’re gonna love it
When the movie version of Dreamgirls came out, my theater kid friends and I clapped and cheered at the screen, despite the fact that Jennifer Hudson couldn’t hear us. Join me in cheering June 19 at the screening of the classic movie musical at Bryant Park!
🥪 sweet and savory solstice
After you’ve zen-out at Times Square’s solstice yoga classes, refuel at the Summer Solstice Food Festival June 21 on Sixth Ave, where you can sample a wide variety of local treats!
⚾ ballgame for a cause
Even a die-hard Yankee hater like me supports when the Bronx Bombers do something good — and on June 20-24 the New York Yankees and MS Society host a series fundraiser games to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society <3
…for when you need to secure those hot tickets before they sell out!!!
🎬 burn book
Is Mean Girls now considered a period piece??? I should have asked Tina Fey when I saw her lol. The seminal high school classic plays June 26 at Bryant Park where you can marvel at the smartphone-free efficiency of three-way calling as a manipulation tactic.
🎤 true love swipes right
As someone who may or may not have found my spouse on a dating app, I’m interested in heading to The 92nd Street Y on June 28 for their talk on MAX docuseries Swiping America June 28 moderated by none other than Samantha Jones Kim Cattrall! Ok, maybe my motivation is two-fold…
🎶 gray’s musicality
Having seen Amber Gray in Hadestown and Natasha, Pierre…I can confidently say she’s one of Broadway’s most transfixing performers with incredible storytelling skills and a uniquely captivating voice. Check out her solo show, Amber Gray: Gray Matter at 54 Below June 28-July 1.
🔥 Hot tip
Don’t call us indoor cats!! Become an urban explorer at Adventures NYC in Central Park June 17 where you can zip line, rock climb, paddleboard, and try archery before going home to order Seamless and be an indoor cat.
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
The Tribeca Film Festival is still running now through June 18
There’s a Theory sample sale opening June 20
The New York Philharmonic Plays Prospect Park June 16
Showgirls is playing the Midtown Rooftop Cinema June 22
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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