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!
Last weekend I decided to go out on a limb and try out that NYFW event downtown. Even though I recommended people try it in this very newsletter, I’ll admit I was kind of nervous to go. I consider myself somewhat fashion-forward (save for 2000-2018 OK!!!!!) but I’m neither young enough nor financially solvent enough to really actually stay on top of today’s micro-trends. After a few “oh god what are we wearing” texts with one of my best friends, I put on a default all-black outfit and trotted downtown to SoHo. While it is somewhat humbling to stand amongst industry people who are giving you incredible outfit artistry, it was still really fun! And free-99, baby!!! And yes, there were at least three other girls there with my exact outfit on.
Anyway, let’s all put on a safe outfit and go out on a limb!!! Carpe diem bbs!!!
❓Quick Question
What is a New York event you were nervous to attend but turned out just fine???
🖼 wondrous willa
Celebrate the life and work of a pioneering, prolific theatrical designer at The Wondrous Willa Kim: Costume Design for Actors and Dancers, opening Thursday February 23 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The exhibit features designs and costumes from Kim’s long career crafting clothes for the Broadway productions of The Red Eye of Love, and Goodtime Charley, Song & Dance, Dancin’, Tommy Tune Tonite!, dance companies Ballet Hispánico and American Ballet Theatre, opera performances, figure skaters, and even salad-themed dresses for a Super Bowl commercial!
🎶 light opera
Head over to visit our friends at Prime Produce on Friday February 24 to experience an immersive, multi-sensory experience at Duende: A Live Opera produced by singer Carla Canales and lighting designer Carlos Johns-Davila, based on Canales’ album of the same name.
👟 run it
Want to run, mingle with fun showbiz people and raise money for a good cause? Sign up for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Spring Fling 5/10K happening on Governors Island March 25, and then enjoy a fun mix and mingle post-race party at Mark Fisher Fitness Tuesday February 28 right here in Hell’s Kitchen!
🎭 upstate ennui
OK y’all, I will fully admit that I didn’t entirely pay attention to the ads for The Seagull/Woodstock, NY because I thought it was actually taking place in Woodstock, NY. But it is not! It’s playing now through March 26 at the Signature Theatre and I should take a closer read! It stars Parker Posey and an all-star cast! It’s an adaptation of my fave Chekhov play! It doesn’t even require a car trip upstate! See you there!!
🎶 let’s debrief
How did your Valentine’s Day go? Are you excitedly sending ring pics to your friends? Are you hate-sending screenshots of your ex’s goopy new relationship posts to the group chat? Process it all at the Valentine’s Day Debrief, “Love it or List It!” cabaret hosted by the hilarious and talented Christopher Metzeger-Timson Sunday February 19 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.
🚶🏼♀️ a president’s day shopping alternative
Staying in town? Take a free walking tour around NoMad this Sunday February 19 and learn about the area’s many connections to our nation’s Presidents. No RSVP required!
🩰 aurora wake up
As is already well-documented, I am a better actor than I am a ballerina. But once upon a time I did learn some of the “Jewel” variations from Sleeping Beauty — and years later, was told by my ballet director that they wanted me to come back and play Maleficent. LOL!! Sleeping Beauty (not starring me) plays New York City Ballet now through Sunday February 26.
🪴 green thumbs stand up(town!)
Need a little guidance in your urban farmer journey?? Already thinking about spring?? Register now for the free, six month Growing Uptown program running April through September from the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum. In addition to receiving a “grow kit” to cultivate food in your own apartment, you can join one of their many in-person workshops on transplanting seedlings, composting, canning, fermentation and more!
🍿 new works at nitehawk
Featuring everyone from Academy Award-winning filmmakers to emerging students, head over to the Nitehawk Shorts Festival March 3 through 5, where you can watch new indie shorts and attend panel sessions with creators at the two Brooklyn locations. Awaiting a closer option? There’s a new dine-in movie theater coming to W57th Street where Landmark once stood!
🎭 30/90
Maybe it was the height of the pandemic, maybe it was the many musical theater cameos, maybe it was a mid-thirties artistic and existential crisis, maybe it was that I grew up listening to Rent, but I basically wept through the entirety of the Tick, Tick…Boom! film adaptation in 2021. Now, you too have a chance to feel all the feelings and enjoy the late, great Jonathan Larson’s score Thursday February 23 through Sunday February 26 at Forager Theatre Company’s production of Tick, Tick…Boom!.
🍿 afrikan poetry theatre
Celebrating the work of local Black directors, writers, and producers, the Afrikan Poetry Theatre presents a two-day film festival Friday February 25 and Saturday February 26 at the Museum of the Moving Image, with short film screenings, panel discussions and a feature presentation!
🎤 a better history lesson
Need a distraction from the continued white-washing and censorship of our nation’s history books???? Head to the Bell House for Drunk Black History on Thursday February 23, where Comedians Brandon Collins and Gordon Baker-Bone host a live show “where prominent Black historical figures will finally get their due through drunken anecdotes!”
🎭 cross hook
“In a DIY self-defense class, college students learn to use their bodies as weapons. They learn to fend off attackers. They learn ‘not to be a victim.’ Self-defense becomes a channel for their rage, anxiety, confusion, trauma and desire—lots of desire.” From the log line alone, there is A LOT to be processed at the premiere of Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself which begins performances Wednesday February 22 at New York Theatre Workshop and is directed by the Tony Award-winning Rachel Chavkin.
🎭 reimagining odysseus
Blending classic Greek mythology and African-American history where “Odysseus is lost again, but this time in Harlem”, playwright Marcus Gardley and a top-notch cast (including D Woods, one of my favorite performers from the Broadway revival of for colored girls…!!!) bring Black Odyssey to Classic Stage Company from Sunday February 26.
🌷 florals? for spring?
If you’re itching for later sunsets and Central Park blooms, head uptown to the New York Botanical Garden’s 20th annual Orchid Show, which this year is curated and designed by artist Lily Kwong and runs from Saturday February 18 through April 23. Keep an eye out for select evening dates where those over 21 can enjoy cocktails, music and food among the flowers!
🔥 Hot tip
It’s a truth universally well known that our rental apartment ovens just aren’t hot enough to make a perfect pizza. Go to Pizza School NYC instead for a hands-on pie-making workshop and savor the flavor of your newfound skills!!
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
We tried pickleball at Life Time Sky, and if you’re a member (or join!) you can too starting February 20!
Eryc Taylor Dance‘s Factory|Refractory returns to SLATE Nightclub Sunday February 26
There’s a jewelry and jazz party at the Museum of Arts and Design tonight!
It’s going to be pretty warm this weekend, so hurry over to the Governors Island Sculpture Festival Sunday February 18
And stop by the Manhattan West skating rink before it gets too warm!!
John Cameron Mitchell, aka Hedwig, plays Joe’s Pub Sunday February 19
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
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