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!
This is it, people. We’ve got 31 days to go before 2023!! And while I still think it’s too early to start getting into a robust discussion on New Year’s resolutions, I do think there is something to be said for resolving to let this last, sometimes chaotic month of the year be one where you take advantage of the overwhelming merriment New York has to offer. If I can sneak in one little complaint (just one, Mom!!), however, it’s that the city seems to pack in so much of its fun and festive events (even the ones not related to any holiday!!) before January — as if it acknowledges that come the first of the year it’s time to soberly lock ourselves inside for hibernation. Can’t we space out some of the seasonal pop-ups so that we have the will to live through February??? But I digress. To quote my favorite phrase, that’s tomorrow’s problem.
This month, we party!!
❓Quick Question
If you could host your holiday party at one bar or restaurant, which one would it be and why?
🎭 secret st nick
If overly saccharine holiday content is not your thing (I’m sorry, but The Christmas Shoes song is a bridge too far), why not spend an evening on the edgier side of the North Pole at Santa’s Secret speakeasy at Hudson Yards Thursday to Sunday evenings through December 31. Enjoy an immersive evening of burlesque, live music, sushi and cocktails and larger-than-life holiday characters like the live gingerbread girls, ice queens and rugged lumberjacks 👀.
🛍 not-so-secret st nick
If you’re trying to keep things a bit more family-friendly, just around the corner from Santa’s Secret is the Holiday Market at Bella Abzug Park showcasing local makers and small business owners this Saturday December 3 and Sunday December 4. Saturday’s festivities include a meet and greet with Santa, free hot chocolate and the annual tree lighting!
🎭 molière for everyone
An inclusive, neurodiverse-friendly theater company, the EPIC Players 1920s-themed Tartuffe opens tonight through December 11 at ART Theaters and includes abundant ADA seating, assisted listening devices, noise canceling headphones, sensory guides and selected performances in ASL!
🎨 claytime
Make your own holiday gift or just enjoy the zen of crafting at the Museum of Art and Design’s Studio Sunday Clay Pendants workshop December 4. Join MAD Artist Fellow Lipika Bhargava in an all-ages class making unique, wearable clay pendant art!
🎨 mr mind control
Contemporary artist Thierry Guetta, also known Mr Brainwash, rose to fame after being featured prominently in street artist Banksy’s documentary Exit through the Gift Shop. His pop-art-graffiti style so resembles that of Banksy, there are even rumors that Guetta’s work might be an elaborate hoax from Banksy himself. Decide for yourself at his current exhibition at Carlton Fine Arts now through December 16.
🎶 they’re on the edge of glory
Listen, everyone knows the origin story of Stefani Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga. Her talent woefully unappreciated by my very own alma mater ☠️, she dropped out of acting school to become the unquestionable millennial queen of pop. Who better to honor her legacy than fellow theater kids at Studio 54 Sings Lady Gaga this Monday December 5?? Every song will have a complete character backstory, babes!!!!
🎭 too close for comfort
Every time anyone disparagingly remarks that Bad Things Only Happen In Red States, I think of historical instances like the time there was a NAZI SUMMER CAMP ON LONG ISLAND🚫. Learn more about the disturbing story through the gripping new play Camp Siegfried, showing now at Second Stage through December 4.
🪄 they’re not tricks, they’re illusions
Join a moody, magical dinner At the Illusionist’s Table next Sunday December 11 and December 18 at the glamorous, noir-themed McKittrick Hotel. World-renowned illusionist Scott Silven presides over the festivities, which include “fine dining, whisky-tasting, and storytelling interwoven with mind-bending illusion and mystical mentalism.”
🎶 mozart’s musical fairy tale
Check out a lush new production of the classic, family-friendly The Magic Flute directed by Julie Taymor at the Metropolitan Opera December 16. Tickets start at $32.50, which frankly, is a steal in this economy!
🎭 you don’t even have to take the ferry
A comedic homage to the “forgotten borough”, Staten Island! The Musical explores the day-to-day and dreams of Richmond County’s many characters this weekend December 1-4.
👩🍳 easy bake oven
Head over to Essex Market next Sunday December 11 for a gingerbread house workshop from the shopping center’s Gingerbread Lane creator Jon Lovitch. And remember, gratuitous frosting fixes all architectural errors.
❄️ winter wonderland
If you want to go walking in a winter wonderland without schlepping it too far, take the ferry to the Governors Island Winter Village now open for the season with lawn games, ice skating, seasonal food and beverage food trucks and evening fire pits Thursday to Sunday.
🛍 mercado navideño
Shop for unique artisan gifts and support the talents of recently arrived asylum seekers at the Migrant Holiday Market pop-up December 3 and 4 at Word Up Community Bookshop’s own acclaimed pop-up, Recirculation Books. All proceeds will go directly to migrant makers!
🚂 mini MTA
I’ll be completely honest. Before going to the Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden, now showing through January 16, I thought it would be kind of stodgy and boring. But I’m a clown and it’s actually really freaking cool!!! In addition to strolling through tiny reproductions of some of New York’s most famous landmarks, sip on the NYBG’s underrated and tasty hot chocolate!
👯♀️ tell the driver that you’re going to a double dutch affair
Check out some of the most impressive athletes around at the Double Dutch Holiday Classic at the Apollo Sunday December 4 where the best of the best compete with a level of nearly unmatched nimble skill!
🍸 you know you have one
I’m going on the record that SantaCon is obnoxious. But some themed bar crawls are ok!! As long as you’re not a dick, and tip your bartenders generously!! Put on your finest knit and join the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl this Saturday December 3!
🎶 she’s going to create a christmas that’s so swingin’…
TV, film and Broadway mainstay Jane Lynch & The Office’s iconic Kate Flannery put on a fun and funky Swingin’ Little Christmas at Joe’s Pub this Saturday December 3. If I was a betting woman I’d wager that some random famous people will show up!
🎭 now you know
This is honestly quite a rude entry, because we ALL KNOW THAT the buzzy, likely Broadway-bound Merrily We Roll Along at New York Theater Workshop starring Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez and Harry Potter is extremely sold out — but I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend you wait by the box office for errant cancellations. Or you can be like me and almost accidentally purchase a $2,500 benefit ticket lololololol sigh.
🎶 honoring world aids day
Head downtown to the West Village for the World AIDS Day Memorial performance and vigil tonight, where Tapestry Choir will present Morten Lauridsen’s moving 1997 work, Lux Aeterna before the community marches.
🔥 Hot tip
‘Tis the season for holiday cocktails, y’all! We had the pleasure of stopping by the brand-new Sleigh Bar on 9th Avenue for a preview of their first-ever themed pop-up! Mix and mingle under the merry mistletoe and if you’re feeling feisty, try the 12 Shots of Christmas!
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
The beautiful Origami Holiday Tree is up now at American Museum of Natural History
The next Central Rock Gym Ladies Climb Night is December 5
Phish is coming December 28-31 to Madison Square Garden
Ingrid Michaelson is playing Carnegie Hall December 16
There’s a Holiday Makers Market at Essex Market Saturday December 3
My perennial favorite, the Grand Holiday Bazaar is here every Sunday through December 19
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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