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!
Timing really is everything — shortly after I wrote you all a long, passionate missive about how we should all get off of our couches and leave the house, I ended up needing to lock myself inside for a good olde COVID quarantine. Ha!
Anyway, while I have not been and won’t be going anywhere until the coast is fully clear, I’ve already been thinking about some of my regular favorite New York places. Not necessarily the heavy-hitter, significant-moment-in-your-life-places, but the everyday haunts. You know the ones — your go-to bodega 🙏🏻, your favorite coffee shop for killing an hour or two and buying a seasonal pastry, the bookstore that you absolutely cannot leave without a tote bag full of books in tow, the vintage store you regularly stroll into for a Saturday leisurely browsing impractical 80s skirt suits, or the park bench where you call your mother and complain (hi mom/sorry mom/Happy Birthday lol).
Our apartments are most certainly home base, but in a city where your day can take you more than a stone’s throw and subway ride away, there’s something special about the places where you feel at home. See you back out there (eventually)!
❓Quick Question
Special thanks to the brave souls who told me about their wild nights out — and unlike Gossip Girl, those are secrets I’ll never tell… Anyway, where’s the first place you go in New York after you’ve been away?
🚢 virgo’s cruise
The Circle Line gets in formation next Thursday, September 1 with their very own Queen Bey Dance Cruise, where you can learn steps inspired by the iconic pop star from choreographer Byron K Freeman and sip Yoncé-themed cocktails while enjoying sunset on the Hudson in an unofficial tribute “not blessed with Beyoncé’s authorization” 😅 but likely lots of fun. Want a preview? Freeman’s also teaching a Beyoncé-themed dance class at Ripley Grier Studios tonight!).
🍿 i’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe
The last Free Friday Summer Movie Night at the Intrepid Museum is upon us, and this week’s entry is the cult-classic Harrison Ford vehicle Blade Runner, set in the far-future of 2019. Shoulda pushed it one more year for a true dystopia!!
🎶 come fly with me
Enjoy the hazy, lazy last days of summer with Broadway’s tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes at 54 Salutes Sinatra this Saturday, featuring a who’s-who of theatrical stars covering Frank’s best standards and hosted by Scott Siegel of the Town Hall’s Broadway by the Year.
🎭 something wicked this way comes
In the Chain Theater’s world premiere production of macbitches running now through September 10, Shakespearean horror meets the horror of drama school when a freshman gets cast as Lady Macbeth, much to the displeasure of her upper classmates. Fair is foul and foul is fair, girl..
🍿 crystal clear sound
The Met Opera hosts a free festival of HD-quality screenings to close out summer at Lincoln Center — up this weekend are West Side Story (playing Friday and taking place on the exact location where West Side Story took place before being razed to create Lincoln Center 👀😶) and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess on Saturday.
🗑 ice and clean
Join the Hell’s Kitchen Litter Legion in their next summer clean up event this Saturday morning followed by free popsicles!!
📚 a true renaissance man
Head to the Bell House for a celebration of actor, author and Obama staffer Kal Penn’s memoir You Can’t Be Serious this Sunday and hear stories from Penn ranging from “sliding off an oiled-up woman in Van Wilder to his unpromising first date with his fiancé Josh to flying with President Obama in Air Force One.” Versatility!!!
🇯🇵 festival of the rising sun
One of Brooklyn’s hidden gems, Japan Village of Industry City holds its annual summer festival this Saturday — stop by to enjoy traditional folk dance, taiko drum and Samurai action sword shows as well as tasty treats from the market’s vendors.
🎤 your weekly logline appreciation post
Playing at Caveat this Wednesday, “When faced with the prospect of attending a religious middle school, Matt Storrs, a Portly Lutheran Know-It-All, decides to act out for the first time in his life. Clashes with religion, sexuality and retaliatory art n’ crafts quickly ensue. There’s personal revelation, cultural damnation and ultimately a new reformation.” 10/10 no notes!!!
🎶b on bway
Le Poisson Rouge runs the world with Broadway Sings Beyoncé this Saturday, featuring a full orchestra and roster of Broadway stars (TBA!) doing every key change in Love on Top the justice it deserves.
🎾 love, all
I love to dress in tennis-esque athleisure, despite the fact that I duck in a panic at every serve IRL. Luckily I can rock a skort at the US Open (kicking off Monday) and no one will know my uncoordinated secret — and you can too! Also, the Billie Jean King Tennis Center is a fun place to hang out and in my very authoritative sports opinion, catch really incredible athletes at every level of the tournament! Try a weekday match for the best deals!
🔥 Hot tip
It might be a made-up holiday, but why not celebrate National Dog Day??? The Moxie East Village is holding its very own hot dog grill party where they’ll serve up franks and team up with Animal Haven shelter for an adoption event this Friday. Talk about a hot dog happy hour!
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
Duran Duran is playing Madison Square Garden tonight
The Bronx Night Market is back again this Saturday!
Stans, stand up! Harry Styles plays Madison Square Garden tomorrow
Totally tubular Austen adaptation Clueless screens at Green Room tonight!
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)