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!
It’s a visceral sense memory that envelops you upon returning to a New York City block where your life changed. Maybe it’s the scaffolding you stood under when you got the call offering you a job, or the park where you proposed, or the bar that you can never return to, or the dingy Midtown Dunkin’ Donuts where you used to change before auditions. If you’re like me, returning to the scene of the time/crime, albeit occasionally painful, is more often than not a welcome reminder of the adventures you’ve had here and a chance to shake your head wistfully and chuckle at the long strange trip it’s been. But really, don’t go back to that bar. They put a picture of you on the wall.
Why don’t we find some new places to make memories???
❓Quick Question
What is your favorite (non-chain) movie theater in New York? Who has the best cine-snacks that won’t bankrupt me???
🍿 et phone home
Free Fridays and Summer Flight Deck Movies are back at the Intrepid, and this week features none other than the original Stranger Things — ET the Extra-Terrestrial. Grab a picnic blanket, snacks, and some friends and get ready to be swept away by the John Williams theme music this Friday.
🏋️♂️ i like to move it move it
Speaking of the Intrepid, if sitting isn’t your thing, stop by the flight deck Monday night for a free bootcamp workout courtesy of IronStrength on the Intrepid. And if the HIIT-style class, set to live drums from Fogo Azul doesn’t tire you out (please be kind if you see me struggling through a burpee), stay for the second-act 305 Fitness dance cardio class where I’d bet money that they will play Break My Soul. Release the wiggle!!!!
🎭 journey to steve’s past
Maybe you recognize Liz Callaway’s golden-toned voice from (the movie that convinced a generation of elder millennials that the Romanovs were alive 👀) Anastasia. Maybe you spent countless college hours desperately trying to emulate her limitless belt in The Story Goes On until someone knocked on the bathroom door to see if you had vocal damage. Maybe you don’t know Liz Callaway at all — let’s fix that!!! She’s playing a tribute to the work of Stephen Sondheim called To Steve with Love at 54 Below next Tuesday. Who could ask for anything more!!
🏳️🌈 the full monty
Back after several years “twerking from home”, Broadway Bares returns in all of its saucy, stripped glory to the Hammerstein Ballroom this Sunday for two shows only! Celebrating three decades of full-out production numbers with a very, er, low costume budget, the theatrical fundraiser features countless Broadway stars and has raised, to date, over $21 million for HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 support. (Thanks to Jerry Mitchell for this vintage memory of Bares!)
🏳️🌈 before the parade(s) passes by
We’d be remiss not to mention the annual NYC Dyke March convening at Bryant Park this Saturday, followed by the New York PRIDE March convening this Sunday at W25th Street and 5th Avenue and making its way to the Stonewall National Monument and the NYC AIDS Memorial. Be sure to check out the Grandstand featuring marshals Chase Strangio, Dominique Morgan, Schuyler Bailar, Punkie Johnson, and Ts Madison!
🎭 i wish
Did you get tickets to the City Center Encores version of Into the Woods? Me neither!!! Let’s drown our sorrows by checking out the limited run, semi-transfer of the acclaimed production opening this Tuesday on Broadway. I’m sad to miss Heather Headley but no one is alone when Patina Miller is singing to you, IMO. Go to the woods!!
🏳️🌈 for the history buffs
Take a deep dive into the storied history behind New York’s piers as a queer hangout, head to the New York Public Library’s Local History Discussion: Exploring Queer Space from the West Side Piers to Grindr tonight at the New Amsterdam Branch in Tribeca (the discussion will also be available to stream online!).
🎨 in the zone
I had the pleasure of chatting with New York-based artist Gwyneth Leech, who is showing until June 26 her new exhibition presented by Garvey|Simon Projects, Liminal New York at the Foley Gallery on the Lower East Side. Check out her collection dedicated to New York in both its most permanent and ephemeral state — under construction.
🍔 working on my night cheese
Good news, early birds — the Bronx Night Market actually begins at 1pm this Saturday. Featuring over 50 food vendors as well as arts, crafts, and performances in Fordham Plaza, it’s the perfect place to take that group of friends who can never decide where to eat because we all keep repeating “we’re cool with anything”!
🏳️🌈 for the night owls
When one bar closes, another opens — check out the Frisky Wonderful World party at The Meadows this, well, technically Friday at 11:59pm and running straight through ‘til dawn. Caffeinate accordingly, bbs!
⛵️ i’d rather be sailing
Sad that Fleet Week is over?? Take to the water this Saturday at the Rainbows on the Hudson PRIDE event where sailors (yes, you can register your boat if you have one?!) and passengers (you can join an already registered boat) tour the Hudson from the Battery northward. Proceeds go to the Ali Forney Center!
🎶 put your records on
You haven’t lived until you’ve danced around your apartment to Put Your Records On, Corrine Bailey Rae’s early-aughts ode to finding joy. I’m happy to report that her more recent music is just as fun, and she’s playing Webster Hall this Friday!
🎭 with friends like these
You’ve heard the buzz from Twitter and, you know, the Pulitzer Prize committee — now you too can check out the critically-acclaimed Circle Jerk presented by collective Fake Friends (aka Patrick Foley, Michael Breslin, Cat Rodriguez) closing this weekend at the Connelly Theater and online. Part filthy and purposefully offensive Molière play, and part college-musical-theatre-department-party, the razor-sharp satire covers everything from AI to data theft to fake news to identity politics to Milo Yiannopoulos-types to South Pacific — and you have to see it to believe it 😯
👗 vogue
Window shop to your heart’s delight at “DIOR + BALENCIAGA: THE KINGS OF COUTURE AND THEIR LEGACIES” showing now at the FIT Museum. Enjoy a multi-decade retrospective and look towards the enduring legacy of the legendary designers and the fashion houses they spawned.
🔥 Hot tip
A few months ago we had the pleasure of meeting up with the team behind new, highly-Instagrammable eatery Peachy Keen! They’re running a series of PRIDE-themed events like a drag dinner with Jasmine Kennedy from Rupaul’s Drag Race this Saturday and drag brunch with Hanukah Lewinsky on Sunday
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
The Ziwe pop concert at Music Hall of Williamsburg this weekend is sold out 😭 but keep an eye out for cancellations!!
Love a fancy candle and a deal? The Dyptique sample sale runs through Sunday!
Comedians Tessa Skara and Jes Tom are back at the Bell House saluting Corporate Pride this Sunday with guest appearances from Hacks Hannah Einbender and more!
There’s another street fair in Hell’s Kitchen this Saturday on 8th Avenue from W42nd Street to W57th Street
Everything is chaotic — grab some zen with Mindful Fridays at Pier 84 this summer
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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