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!
There’s nothing worse than a self-indulgent milestone birthday essay — and I should know, because I’ve written my fair share of them L O L. So I’ll spare you!!!
But as I prepare to turn 35, I couldn’t help but wonder I’ve been thinking a lot about the ways that living in New York lets you live more than a few lives. Whether it’s turning a corner to be confronted with the memory of the person you used to be, or seamlessly hopping between personalities as easily as you do city blocks — playing a harried assistant talking on two phones in Flatiron one day, an erudite book release party goer in SoHo the next day and a late night club-kid in Bushwick the day after that — being here lets all of us try out an infinite number of selves (and if you don’t believe me, ask Anna Delvey haha jkjk).
Here’s to whoever you were, are, and will be in New York — a city full of works in progress.
(p.s., this week’s newsletter is full of events for the next two weeks as I’m OOO for a few! Will be back for the Oct 20 edition!!)
❓Quick Question
Speaking of birthdays, where do you plan an NYC birthday party that’s aCTuALlY cHiLL
🍿 all work and no play makes sarah a dull girl
As a fellow procrastinating writer, I often wonder what would happen if I too ventured to the Overlook Hotel to try and crank out my unfinished novel… jk jk but The Shining is showing at the Rooftop Cinema Club this Saturday October 8. Herrrrrre’s Johnny!
🍜 pasta party
We recently had the pleasure of touring the very cool Prime Produce co-op (featuring the delicious food of Café 424), who are hosting a Neighborhood Noodle Night Sunday October 16 for an evening of DIY noodle-making, documentary presentations, interactive art and poetry exhibits.
🍔 top chefs
Still hungry? Head over to Pier 76 and 86 October 13-16 for the New York City Wine and Food Festival, a multi-day showcase for fan-favorite chefs and exciting culinary newcomers from around the world. So whether you’re looking for the perfect burger, margarita or merlot — tastings, workshops and walk-through booths abound on the West Side!
🎭 la divina solo
A part of the United Solo Theatre Festival, Shelley Cooper takes on La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas at Theatre Row this Saturday October 8, exploring the life of the complex, tormented and legendary artist and featuring musical selections O Mio Babbino Caro, Habanera, and Vissi d’arte. And while you’re there, be sure to catch the entire festival for one-performer stories regaling everything from how a 21 year old American college dropout became director of the Belfast Circus in Northern Ireland to someone who babysat Jesus.
🛍 second verse, same as the first
Hurricane season’s leftover wet weather may have pushed last week’s W44th Street Better Block Association’s Annual Garage Sale to this Saturday, but you can still browse goodies from dozens of vendors from 9am to 5pm on W44th Street between 9th and 10th Avenue — including HK favorite Domus who will be selling donated items to raise money for Nova Hope for Haiti!!
🎭 for all womankind
My new favorite early-aughts-Sunday-night-appointment-TV substitute is For All Mankind, which reimagines the US space program in an alternate timeline where the former Soviet Union reached the moon first. One of the best parts of the revisionist history plot is a world where women made it to space much, much sooner than 1983. Over at the Intrepid, check out performances of Betty Skelton: For All Womankind October 8 through November 19, celebrating the life of the first female to go through astronaut training.
🧸 big piano party
Go with me here — every time I pass a “Zoltar” machine (RIP Gem Spa Zoltar) I can’t help but think of the Tom Hanks classic Big, and therefore the legendary FAO Schwarz scene. Celebrate 160 Years of Toys at the iconic store (relocated to Rockefeller Center) this Saturday October 8, featuring Broadway and American Ballet Theatre performances, arts and crafts, ear piercing, a Van Leeuwen Ice Cream truck and an Oscar Meyer Weinermobile!
🎭dream reality
Looking for a local night out? Stroll over to W42nd Street to see award-winning cabaret artist and classically trained soprano Shana Farr debut her new autobiographical show, Dream Reality this Friday October 7 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre!
🍴 there is such a thing as a free lunch
Join the crew at OneCo Hell’s Kitchen and make new friends for a free community lunch Saturday October 15, provided by Hummus Kitchen!
🩰 the turning pointe
For my frugal bunheads — NYCB II brings new works from acclaimed choreographer Justin Peck and the Balanchine classic Symphony in C to Lincoln Center this Saturday October 8. Ticket prices start at $38!!!
🎶 15 miles to the
I once took an improv class where we had to imitate Fred Schneider of the B-52’s, and while I won’t punish you with my suspect impression, you can catch the real B52’s at their Farewell Tour, stopping at the Beacon Theatre Friday October 14 and try your own Fred Schneider during Rock Lobster!
🍿 a ferry you can’t refuse
While I’m pretty certain a 23 and Me test would reveal that I have exactly zero percent Italian heritage, I love The Godfather anyway. Hop the ferry to the historic St George Theatre for a 50th anniversary screening of the Francis Ford Coppola classic this Sunday October 9 (there’s even a VIP pre-show panel with Godfather actor Gianni Russo). The screening is at 5pm, leaving plenty of time to hit up a Staten Island red sauce joint for Sunday gravy…
🛍 oh my god i love your skirt where did you get it
We all know that the sustainable fashionistas among us are expert thrifters, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. Luckily, the Manhattan Vintage Show, running October 14 and 15 in Chelsea, has the largest collection of unique duds from the past century, expertly curated for an easy, environmentally-friendly and fun wardrobe refresh!
🎭 new york, new work
A stirring tale of “survival, love, and the unending pursuit of joy in the worst circumstances,” Ry Armstrong’s World War II memory play Neglect premieres at the New York Theater Festival October 11!
🎭 i would not be thy executioner
I’m probably biased because Phebe’s Act 3, Scene 5 monologue is one of the only Shakespearean speeches I still have committed to memory 🥴, but As You Like It is a breezy, brisk comedy that’s always worth seeing — this time at Frog and Peach Theatre Company’s production running now through October 23!
☕️ coffee in a cardboard cup
Designed for both the coffee-curious and caffeine aficionados, the New York Coffee Festival is a multi-day celebration of all things java, running this weekend October 7-9 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea and featuring everything from latte art showcases to new brews, live music and caffeinated cocktails!
🔥Hot tip
It should come as no surprise that my favorite activity in high school was to set up a 4-8 hour show tune playlist and invite my friends over for a dance/singalong (that is, when we weren’t watching ourselves triumph in high school productions of The Crucible just like the SNL skit). Welllllllllll it looks like you can recreate the experience at the Defying Gravity Dance Party playing the Bowery Ballroom this Friday October 7, where DJs will spin hours of non-stop Broadway hits. I saw a video preview where everyone was recreating the jump rope choreography from Legally Blonde’s Whipped Into Shape. Who says you can never go back to before (I’m sorry, I had to, don’t hate me!!)?
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
New York Comic Con returns to Javits this weekend October 6-9!
Chris Rock plays Radio City tonight
Broadway’s Next Hit Musical returns to 54 Below October 14
Museum of the City of New York screens the Cher classic Moonstruck tonight
There are free outdoor movies at Hudson Yards this month!
The New Yorker Festival is this weekend, October 7-9!
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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