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 week, I had the good fortune of being invited to this year’s New Dramatists Spring Luncheon honoring the legendary playwright Suzan-Lori Parks — and like the professional showbiz person I am, I managed to lock eyes with a wild number of celebrities before panicking, averting my gaze and running away. Victoria Clark, I should have said “I love your performance in Kimberly Akimbo” I’m so sorry ILU!!!!!!!!!
But in all seriousness, it was pretty damn swell to sit among some of the most inspiring artists on the planet (never thought I’d be in the same room as Tony Kushner?????) and hear SLP tell us that “any award is a directive to spread kindness and compassion throughout the universe” before rocking some licks on the electric guitar. What can’t she do?!!!
Spread kindness and compassion throughout the universe — and don’t forget to tell the celebrities you encounter that you love them this weekend.
…when you can only think as far ahead as Monday!
🎭 you wanna live fancy
The only thing you need to know about Once Upon a One More Time, the new fairytale-meets-Britney-Spears-jukebox musical now playing on Broadway is that Cinderella’s evil stepmother (played to droll perfection by Broadway vet Jennifer Simard) and stepsisters make her do chores to the tune of “(You Better) Work Bitch”. LOL!!!!! Now THAT is pure camp!!!!!!!!!!
🏳️🌈 pride starts now!
Take the whole family uptown for Voguing and DJ-ed dance parties, rainbow flag crafting, performances from Broadway Cares and Tonewall which are all happening at Pride Weekend at the Bronx Zoo June 3 and 4!
🎭 new work alert!!
Brand-new NYC-based theater company Emergent Works presents the world premiere of Billy the Bomber June 2 through June 4 at the Producers’ Club, where “Fantasy, longing, ambition and love, not to mention shake and bake meth, all collide in a messy rental house in small-town Oklahoma when three people plus one fantasy championship wrestler — all vulnerable, all trapped in different ways — go after their own versions of the American dream.”
🖼️ don’t stop me now
Did you know that you can go see the late, great Freddie Mercury’s early drafts of Bohemian Rhapsody (the original title was Mongolian Rhapsody???) as well as costumes and other personal effects from the Queen singer at a New York Sotheby’s auction now through June 8? Looks like you just gotta get out. just gotta get right out of your house and go!
👯 jazz hands
Just paid rent but still want to dance?? There is a free Broadway jazz class open to all levels of experience taught by Judine Somerville of Ailey Extension this Friday June 2 in Times Square!
🖼️ gogh there
Featuring super hits like The Starry Night, Van Gogh’s Cypresses showing now through August 27 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art explores the artist’s “fascination with the region’s distinctive flamelike evergreens as they successively sparked, fueled, and stoked his imagination over the course of two years in the South of France.”
🚣♂️ row your boat
Free kayaking through the Manhattan Community Boathouse is back at Pier 96 in Hudson River Park starting Saturday June 3. Operating hours are 1pm to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 5:30-7:30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Sign up in advance through their website or just walk up during operating hours!
🎶 picnic blanket included
One of the best summer series in town has returned! The Bryant Park Picnic performances series — which runs now through September 14 with a wide-variety of cultural programming and free seating to enjoy — kicks off with a presentation of New York City opera’s La Bohème June 1 and a concert from the Steven Oquendo Latin Jazz Orchestra June 2.
🎶 more al fresco music
Just up the way, Central Park’s Summerstage has also launched its annual season of free and paid concerts in the Rumsey Playfield. This weekend begins with two paid concerts, Hippo Campus with Gus Dapperton on June 3 and Indigo Girls / Larkin Poe June 4!
🖼️ a century of pizza rat
Have you also made living here your whole personality? Finish reading EB White’s Here is New York and step it over to a visual representation of the Big Apple over the last century at This is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture showing now through July at the Museum of the City of New York. Bonus points if you wear your finest Zizimorcore.
🎶 let’s brood
Miss going to Lilith Fair? Take in a concert from indie queen Natalie Merchant at Alice Tully Hall June 2, as the singer-songwriter returns to touring after harrowing vocal issues.
🎶 get back on that ferry babes
For free performances and a little adventure, try the Red Hook Fest June 2 and 3 with presentations from Les Ballet Afrik, Jive Poetic, Los Salseros Ardientes, and Raphael Xavier along with arts and crafts, games, and BBQ!
🎶 fling to the west side
The Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance presents its 3rd annual Spring Fling Arts and Music Festival at Bella Abzug Park June 3 where you can shop dozens of NYC-based makers, enjoy performances from a soon-to-be-announced lineup of musicians and participate in an e-waste recycling event on Saturday from 2-6pm!
🎶 fighting songs
It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with theatrical grudges (Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool, anyone?), so I was very intrigued to see the listing for 54 Below’s The Vendetta: A Tony Awards Battle June 4, where artists will perform songs from award winners and snubbed shows of years past for you to decide who should have taken the trophy!
…what’s happening before and just after I hit your inbox next!
👯 riverdance
Sunset sautés abound as the Hudson River Dance Festival has returned to Pier 63 June 8 and 9 with performances from tapper Ayodele Casel, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, beatbox and hip hop company The Missing Element and contemporary Paul Taylor Dance Company.
🎬 nostalgia on the screen
Midtown Rooftop Cinema keeps playing the hits — the movie responsible for many of us thinking we could work in the fashion magazine industry 🥴,13 Going on 30, plays June 7 and the movie that had me thinking I was Christine Baranski 😅, The Birdcage, plays June 8.
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🏳️🌈 all fangs
Celebrate PRIDE month at the FANG pop-up at the W New York Times Square Thursday June 8, where you can enjoy a set from DJ Luis Fernando and explore the collection from the gender-expansive fashion line “that aims to redefine the relationship between fashion and gender, and explores the dichotomy between femininity and masculinity.”
…for when you need to secure those hot tickets before they sell out!!!
🎭 punk out
Based on the film of the same name, new musical Good Vibrations premiering June 14 at the Irish Arts Center explores 1970s Belfast where one determined record shop owner finds himself determined to create community amid the chaos.
🎤 making the cut
While my perennial favorite, Tim Gunn, will not be there (though I saw him on the 1 train once, looking incredible), you can catch some of Bravo’s Project Runway All-Stars: Christian Siriano, Brandon Maxwell, and Elaine Welteroth in Conversation at the 92nd Street Y June 14.
🎬 belmont avenue is back
Save a trip to Arthur Avenue (though I’d argue it’s always worth it) and check out the Bronx Tale 30th Anniversary Reunion at the Beacon Theater June 17 featuring conversations with director and star Robert De Niro, producer Jane Rosenthal as well as writer and co-stars Chazz Palminteri and Lillo Brancato!
🔥 Hot tip
Yes, yes, there are abundant Broadway bootlegs out there (for legal purposes, I have NEVER watched one lolol) but there are also the real deal versions in the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at the New York Library for Performing Arts. The extensive collection of footage preserving some of the art form’s most iconic performances celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special exhibit now through June 24.
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
There’s a GANNI sample sale now through June 4
This week’s Grand Bazaar theme is NYC Home Decor and Accessories
Washington Heights bar and restaurant The Uptown Garrison is donating proceeds of cocktails and coffee to Broadway Cares all month long in honor of PRIDE
Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturday event is PRIDE-themed
This Friday is another one of Uniqlo NYC Nights at the MoMa!
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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