Good afternoon, this is W42ST Lifestyle Editor Sarah Beling with “Make Way For The Weekend” ā your curated guide to the best of New York events in one convenient newsletter!
Weāve officially reached the point of summer where cooking in our New York apartments feels oppressive. In addition to surviving on lunches consisting of Ritz crackers and a quickly dwindling Asiago cheese spread, Iāve taken on an almost fanatic seasonal devotion to hitting up the cityās sandwich shops ā preferably ones where the menu is handwritten on a white board and at least one entree is named after somebody. Judging from this New York Times piece, Iām not alone in searching for the perfect combination. My recent pick is Giacomo Fine Foods, nestled on a quiet section of W72nd Street and offering a prosciutto mozzarella sandwich best enjoyed on those benches near the subway stop (if you can find some shade!). Happy no-cook July!!
…when you can only think as far ahead as Monday!
ā“ļø u belong with (nyc ferry)
Though the Department of Sanitationās press releases will always have my heart, as city agencies go, the NYC Ferryās social media is genuinely excellent. Following on their fun, friendly vibe, the ferry crew is hosting a Taylor Swift Enchanted Sunset Ride July 7 where they will play āSpeak Now (Taylorās Version)ā in its entirety and give out limited edition Taylor Swift x NYC Ferry collab merch that says stuff like āIn My Ferry Era at the Momentā on the East River Cruise. Give their marketing team a raise lol.Ā
š g.o.a.t park event
Um can you believe that Riverside Park hosts an annual GOATHAM Festival (this yearās takes place July 7) where they celebrate the green spaceās poison-ivy chewing mascots?! Incredible. Join āesteemed guests of honorā Cowgirl, Chico, Charlie, and Mallomar at a āribbon chewingā ceremony for the parkās brand-new Compost Compound at 95th Street, as well as vendor booths, live music, photo opportunities, all-ages arts and crafts, educational activities and goat-themed merchandise. New Yorkās merch game is strong this week!!!!!
š¶ spin the vinyl
Dance it out to the greatest hits of the 60s/70s/80s/90s (Iām so tempted to say āand todayā) at the latest installation of Vinyl Nights at Bella Abzug Park July 6 (tonight) for a āa vibrant, joyful, inclusive dance party & a celebration of ‘Everything New York’ with Operator Emz, DJ Misbehaviour, DJ Woof, MoneyMike & Friends.”
š° goinā to the chapel
Forget Vegas elopements ā you can get married or renew your vows at a gigantic group nuptial celebration this weekend (though they mention that it’s not legally binding hahaha) . If you choose to take the plunge at The Wedding at Lincoln Center July 8 the ceremony includes an entrance soundtracked by the Jina Brass band, special performances by Met Opera soprano Latonia Moore, a duet with New York City Ballet’s Sara Mearns and Robbie Fairchild choreographed by Josh Bergasse as well as a string quartet of current students and alumni from The Juilliard School and more. Bonus: your reception dance party is hosted by DJ Lady Bunny!Ā It beats planning a wedding!!! Do it!!! What could go wrong!!!!Ā
š„ not just 2D food
Enjoy anime-inspired foods and merchandise from PokƩmon, Yugioh, Dragonball, Naruto and more at the Anime Food Festival at Industry City July 8, which will also feature a celebration of the Tanabata Japanese Traditional Summer Festival with a sake tasting and live drum performances!
šÆ shuffle ball change baby
One of my darkest theatrical secrets is that despite having headlined at least one professional production of White Christmas, I simply cannot tap. My apologies to every casting director I ever tried to fake out (If youāre reading this, Bernie Telsey ā I am still available for hire LOL). Go watch people who know what theyāre doing at the showcases of the NYC Tap Festival now through July 8. Theyāre also holding classes that I should probably attend.
š¶ rock the boat
Turn up the Hall and Oates!!! I will proudly declare Yacht Rock Radio as one of my favorite SiriusXM Channels ā and clearly Iām not alone!!!! The station hosts a Yacht Rock Revue: Reverse Sunset July 7 at Pier 17 āwhere weāll turn up the night and turn back the clock to the glorious decadence of the late ā70s and early ā80s.ā Sold!!!
š¼ļø what a wonderful world
Head to Queens to visit the gorgeous new Louis Armstrong Center open its doors at the Louis Armstrong Museum today, where you can check out Here To Stay, a new exhibit covering Armstrongās āfive-decade career as an innovative musician, rigorous archivist, consummate collaborator and community builder.ā
šļø home goodsĀ
Ever stare longingly at the outside of ABC Carpet or Restoration Hardware??? Decorate with champagne taste on aā¦rosĆ© budget lol at 260 Sample Saleās Multibrand Homeware Event now through July 9 where you can pick up Diptyque candles and plenty of bragging rights.
…what’s happening before and just after I hit your inbox next!
š¶ nothing but respect for my president
As leading Broadway baritones go, Norm Lewis is essentially in a class of his own!!! See the Phantom, Les Mis, Porgy and Bess and Sweeney Todd sing a wide range of theatrical hits, jazz, blues and American songbook standards in An Evening with Norm Lewis July 11 at the 92nd Street Y.
š¤ the story goes on
My mom recently sent me this Moth story that absolutely wrecked me and though I was initially like DAMMIT MOM THIS WAS TOO MUCH FOR A RANDOM WEEKDAY MORNING, it reminded me of how great The Moth Story Slam is. Check out the next one July 10 at The Bell House!
šļø on holiday
Craving a little dolce vita ambiance? Enjoy a tale of romance and potentially questionable journalistic ethics at a screening of Roman Holiday at Bryant Park July 10!
šÆ ātil you donāt stop
Stop over at the Manhattan West plaza to see the free performance series Gather Round: Celebrating Street Dance and 50 Years of Hip Hop playing weekly this month ā next up on July 12 is a performance from freestyle group LayeRhythm.
…for when you need to secure those hot tickets before they sell out!!!
š starting here starting now
My hot take is that sometimes conventions prey upon your fandom and deliver a like one, sad step and repeat photo op for approximately one trillion dollars. BroadwayCon, coming to New YorkĀ July 21-23 is not one of those conventions!!! The three-day event is overflowing with real, live theater professionals, exclusive performances and industry workshops where you can embrace the fan within and get your damn moneyās worth!!!
š¤ clue IRL
I am deeply intrigued by the logline for comedian Jo Firestoneās Okay, Who Did It? playing July 28 at Union Hall. āSomeone’s murdered someone and we’re all gonna find out who. Together.ā Is it a giant game of Mafia? A true-crime satirical send-up? Both??? Letās find out!Ā
š„ Hot tipĀ
Dying for a vacation but donāt have the time to head out of town?? Thereās a new Beach Club at the Coda Hotel in Williamsburg that looks vaguely like the Soho House Pool where Samantha Jones once committed identity fraud to gain entry. Yes, itās $95 for a day pass, but thatās cheaper than airfare!! Another great budget-friendly option is to try one of the NYC Parks Departmentās free, renovated Cool Pools. Swim on!!
ā ļø Omg I forgot to tell you
Second Sundays are back at Pioneer Works in Red Hook July 7
Free Fridays are back at MoMa July 7
There are free Broadway in Bryant Park shows every Thursday this month!
Thereās a free Works and Process show featuring Courtney Washington and the Masterz at Work Dance Family next Thursday July 13
The Grand Bazaarās Staycation Market featuring local vendors is July 9
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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