cultural fests / street fairs / food events / markets / shopping events:
► thru october: torch + crown beer garden returns to union square pavilion for the season. >>
► sat: 24th annual free comic book day at participating local comic shops. >>
► sat 10am-5pm (severe weather date 5/4): old stone house artisans bazaar: washington park (park slope). >>
► sat 11am-6pm: black zine fair: powerhouse arts (gowanus), free admission. >>
► sat 12pm until ?: 1,000 free smash burger giveaway at smashy’s new 42 union square east location. >>
► sat 12-5pm: woofstock: badass animal rescue spring fest block party: president street between 3rd ave and nevins (gowanus). free admission. >>
► sat 3-7pm (rain date sun): brooklyn film camera yard sale: 855 grand st (east williamsburg). >>
► sat 4pm-midnight (saturdays thru 8/16, + 9/13-10/25): queens night market: new york hall of science at flushing meadows corona park. $5-8 admission for 5/3 sneak preview, free admission starting 5/10. >>
► sat + sun (12-6pm): kawaii holiday market: ideal glass studios (greenwich village). free admission. >>
► sun 10am-5pm: 5 borough bazaar at grand bazaar nyc: indoors and outdoors at 100 w 77th st at columbus ave (uws). >>
► sun 12-6pm: 4th annual gjergj kastrioti skenderbeu fair: corner of crescent ave + arthur ave (bronx). >>
film fests / series:
► fri thru sun: 25th annual coney island film festival: coney island usa, $10+. >>
► fri thru sun: annual margaret mead film festival: the american museum of natural history (uws), $12-20 general, $10-15 students/seniors. >>
► thru mon: 15th annual lower east side film festival: village east cinema and dctv’s firehouse cinema, $18+ (save 50% with promo code ‘essex50’). >>
► thru 5/26: guided by animals at metrograph (les): the black stallion, my neighbor totoro, au hasard balthazar, and more. $17. >>
► thru 5/26: scenes from the ‘end of history’ at metrograph (les): three colors: white, bamboozled, werckmeister harmonies, and more. $17. >>
► thru 5/26: the time that remains at metrograph (les): cléo from 5 to 7, my life without me, cries and whispers, magnolia, and more. $17. >>
star wars day events:
► fri thru sun: drunken shakespearean star wars performances: star wars: ‘a hope renew’d, ‘the empire doth protest,’ and the prequels: a comedy of errors: the rat (dumbo), $12-15. >>
► sun 12-6pm: xanadu afterglow: may the fourth be on wheels all-ages skate party: xanadu roller arts (bushwick), $20.60 + $7 skate rental (or byo). >>
► sun 6pm: may the fourth cantina party sponsored by andor season 2: spin new york (times square), free with rsvp before 8:30pm ($10 after). >>
► sun 9pm: jizz! at the cantina disco drag show: club cumming (east village), $15. >>
sponsored
The 2025 World Voices Festival is back in NYC next week, April 30th to May 3rd. This is not your English professor’s literary festival!
We will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the World Voices Festival with 100+ writers from 35 countries, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jennifer Egan, M. Gessen, Ali Hazelwood, Dinaw Mengestu, Guadalupe Nettel, Lynn Nottage, Gary Shteyngart, and many more.
You won’t want to miss timely sessions including a film screening and discussion about writing in exile, writing about the end of democracy, writing as resistance, or writing about dystopian futures. Also on the schedule is a comedy show (after all comedians are writers, too!), sessions about poetry, romance writers, women in literature, the state of censorship in American theater, and a whole lot more.
Also, don’t miss the full lineup of free events open to all, including the Indie Lit Fair, the ArtLords Public Art Mural, or the House of SpeakEasy Bookmobile as well as book readings and panel discussions. Join us to bask among the celebration of free expression and literature while we still can!
Tickets are going fast, so make sure to reserve your seats to see your favorite authors! While many events are free, the skint subscribers can take advantage of a special discount on all World Voices Festival paid events.
Use promo code SKINTWVF25 for 50% off all tickets!
Get tickets today at https://worldvoices.pen.org/
friday
thru 5/11: get a head start on next week’s upcoming art fairs with the annual clio art fair in chelsea (5/1-11; $35 5/1 + 5/8, free admission 5/2-4 + 5/9-11) and salon zürcher in greenwich village (5/5-11; free admission).
thru sun: jane’s walk nyc: the municipal art society presents 200+ in-person, virtual, and on-demand walks across the five boroughs. inspired by urbanist, author, and activist jane jacobs, new yorkers from all walks of life–from trained tour leaders to students to passionate community members–share the places and stories that make their neighborhoods unique, explore the hidden aspects of the city, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbors. free. >>
thru sun: 15th annual westfest dance festival: the west fest dance festival presents work by 24 artists in two unique programs at westbeth artist housing (west village): the top floor, featuring performances from 16 choreographers in the martha graham studio theater (thurs-sun, $20+); and all over westbeth, a site-specific journey of eight new works through westbeth’s corridors, stairwells, and community spaces (sat + sun, free admission). >>
sponsored: fri + sat (7:30pm): enjoy 40% off to jazz at lincoln center for christian mcbride: bass legend christian mcbride takes the stage with two powerhouse ensembles, delivering a night of swing, soul, and serious groove. don’t miss this rare chance to catch two powerhouse bands in one unforgettable night of jazz! get 40% off tickets with code ‘mcb40’ >>
fri (various times): free outdoor movie (weather permitting):
wicked at hunter’s point south park (lic) >>
elemental at st. catherine’s park (lenox hill) >>
fri 10am-9pm (monthly): first friday at poster house: enjoy free admission, extended hours, and special programming at poster house’s first friday. today’s programming, in collaboration with welcome to chinatown, includes a screening of turning red (2022), papercut and gyotaku fish print workshops, a lion dance, a night market, and more. note: some activities require separate, paid tickets to participate. poster house (flatiron). >>
fri 6pm: new york hysterical: stand up comedy at the new york historical: comedian, tour guide, and nyc history nerd tom delgado hosts an early-bird hour of comedy with a gotham spin at the new york historical (uws). tonight’s lineup includes anthony devito (colbert), gina brillon (seth meyers), and charles mcbee (comedy central). free with museum admission (pay-as-you-wish hours tonight are 5-8pm). >>
fri 6:15-8pm: live from nypl friday happy hour: all the (book) lovers in the night: join fellow word nerds for an evening of drinks, mingling, bookish activities, and more at the new york public library’s historic stephen a. schwartzman building (midtown). free admission (registration for the event is full, but there may be a limited number of standby tickets available if space permits). >>
fri 6:30pm (monthly): lower east stories: p+t knitwear bookstore + café (les) presents a storytelling salon where each month brings a fresh theme and fresh tales. tonight’s theme: ‘flower and flour.’ hosted by matt storrs. $10 admission ($5 of the ticket price can be applied towards any item in the bookstore or café). >>
fri 7pm (monthly): immigrant jam comedy: german-born, nyc-raised comedian and actor lucie pohl (overwatch) celebrates all things cross-cultural, international, and delightfully different at the immigrant jam stand-up show, featuring immigrant and first generation comedians. tonight’s lineup reps colombia, denmark, greece, puerto rico, and turkey with gus constantellis, misha han, alex kim, lissa leni, and cansu. a portion of the proceeds will go to new women new yorkers. caveat (les), $18.76 with promo code ‘jamily’ (reg. $24-25). >>
fri 7:30pm (monthly): transplants comedy show: funny folks from all over tell jokes and stories about where they came from and how they got here at the transplants comedy show. featuring standup by sam evans, steven rogers, christiana jackson, molly kornfeld, and lindsay lucido. hosted by leland long. q.e.d. (astoria), $15. >>
fri 8pm: in dreams – a drag tribute to david lynch: miss malice and mettie present a drag tribute to the vision of david lynch, with performances by k.james, linda felcher, maxx love, maxxx pleasure, sweaty eddie, veronica viper, xana whoria, zenobia, and more. c’mon everybody (bed-stuy), $20.60. >>
fri 8:30pm: bitches brew comedy show: this women-produced and-hosted comedy show conjures up big laughs in the back room of halyards (gowanus). tonight’s performers include mike lebovitz (hbo), rachel mccartney (gsn), nataly aukar (netflix), james mwaura (siriusxm), hozho harris (fx) and ryan donahue (don’t tell comedy). free admission (a tip jar will be passed around at the end of the show). >>
saturday
sat thru 6/28 (tues-sat 12-6pm): ‘carnival’ exhibition by joe coleman: jeffrey deitch gallery (soho) presents ‘carnival,’ an exhibition curated by artist joe coleman that brings together works inspired by themes of spectacle, rebellion, and free expression created by contemporary and sideshow artists including derrick adams, bambi the mermaid, guillermo del toro, danny cortes, chris ‘daze’ ellis, kaws, narcissister, weegee, jo weldon, and many more. opening reception with performances 5/3 6-8pm. free admission. >>
sat + sun 12-7pm (+ 5/10-11): tarot parade puppetry and costume workshops: leading up to the tarot parade arcana crawl, a tarot themed parade along and in the waterways of long island city on may 17, heather rose piper and sally twin are holding a series of workshops at lic-a art space where you can learn to build your very own enormous puppet and costume for the procession. the workshops are free, and snacks and materials will be provided. >>
sat + sun (sat 10am-1:30pm, sun 11am-2:30pm): free bike helmets: the department of transportation continues its bike helmet distribution program this weekend, offering free, personally-fitted helmets at the cathedral of st. john the divine in morningside heights (sat) and kelly park playground in homecrest (sun) while supplies last. can’t make it? more dates and locations should be announced periodically through summer. >>
sat (various times): 151st kentucky derby watch parties with no cover charge:
► alewife brewing (sunnyside) >>
► boris + horton (east village): ‘kendoggy derby pawty’ >>
► maison premiere (williamsburg) >>
► parklife (gowanus) >>
► pete’s candy store (williamsburg) >>
► tin building by jean-georges (seaport) >>
sat (various times): 14th annual riverkeeper sweep: pitch in to pick up trash, uproot invasive plants, and log plastic waste during this annual day of eco-minded service for the hudson river shoreline. various locations throughout nyc and the hudson valley. >>
sat 8:30am: 27th annual blessing of the bikes: start your biking season on a spirited note at the 27th annual blessing of the bicycles, held inside the cathedral of st. john the divine (morningside heights). cyclists, skaters, scooter riders, and users of all things self-propelled are invited—regardless of faith—to this inclusive ceremony. held each year on the day before the td five boro bike tour, the brief event includes a moment of silence to remember riders lost in the past year and a celebratory chorus of bike bells. free (donations accepted). >>
sat 11am-5:50pm: jane’s carousel day: brooklyn bridge park’s iconic jane’s carousel hosts its annual family-friendly event, offering free rides and face painting all day. >>
sat 1:30pm: pigeon portraits + prose: chelsea beck and ryan mandelbaum celebrate the release of thier new book, wild nyc, a guide to the unexpected nature found in and around nyc, with an irreverent nature writing and illustration workshop devoted to new york’s least-loved wildlife. beck things kick things off with a light intro to wildlife drawing session, followed by a nature writing session led by mandelbaum. no experience necessary (it’s actually kind of discouraged). discounted copies of the book will be available for purchase. caveat (les), $13.61 with promo code ‘skint’ (reg. $18.76-20). >>
sat 3pm: matt koff: reasonable hour: catch some laughs before sundown as matt koff (the daily show, 2023 new york comedy fest’s funniest standup) brings an hour of stand-up to young ethel’s (south slope). featuring guest sets by rob cantrell, brittany carney, and joyelle johnson. free admission. >>
sat 7pm (monthly): tom d’s big new york show: comedian and licensed nyc tour guide tom delgado puts on a variety show about new york where he teaches you about the city, does comedy, gives away prizes, and interviews an influential new yorker. tonight: andy haynes (conan), jordan carlos (comedy central), and suzanne cope (nyu professor and author of women of war). save $5 with promo code ‘tomdnyc’ >>
sat 7:30pm: free outdoor movie (weather permitting): shrek at andrew haswell green park (ues) >>
sat 7:30pm (monthly): feel the news with marcela onyango: during her monthly variety comedy show, ‘radical lefty’ and comedian marcela onyango tells you whether you should be mad, glad, or sad about the latest news. tonight’s guests include aarushi agni, michelle cohn, mahdiy drummond, sammy anzer, suni reyes, and glo butler. friends and lovers (crown heights), $10 (every month’s show raises funds for direct action projects like mutual aid for people seeking asylum). >>
sat 9pm (monthly): the fantasy tavern: heroes + villains edition: partake in potion-packed revelry at the fantasy tavern, an interactive show and party featuring a cast of colorful characters performing drinking songs celebrating all things nerd culture. costumes and nerdy t-shirts encouraged. caveat (les), $21 with promo code ‘skint’ (reg. $35). >>
sat 8pm-midnight: eat the patriarchy community party: bechdel project, a nonprofit feminist arts incubator, hosts an immersive fundraiser filled with dancing, performances, tarot readings, and participatory activist actions. bechdel project hq (greenpoint), sliding scale admission (starting at $20) includes themed finger foods, cocktails, and mocktails. >>
sat 10:30pm: shamilton: the improvised hip-hop musical: musical improv ensemble baby wants candy creates a hip-hop improvised musical based on a historical figure of the audience’s choosing—from genghis khan to mr. rogers to kim kardashian. ucb (east village), $15 adv, $20 day-of. >>
sunday
sun (first wave starts at 7:30am, last wave starts at 10:30am): 47th five boro bike tour: the annual five boro bike tour brings more than 30,000 cyclists of all skill levels through 40 miles of manhattan, the bronx, queens, brooklyn, and staten island today. be aware of road closures.
sun 2pm: the broadway bach ensemble: spring concert: the broadway bach ensemble, a community orchestra that presents free concerts of music from the 16th to the 21st centuries each year, continues its 40th season with an afternoon program featuring works by bach, beethoven, and emmy lindström at the broadway presbyterian church (morningside heights). >>
sun 2:30pm: big night with campbell scott: as part of the ‘ingredients of life: nonnas and other appetizing tales at the paris’ and ‘filmmaker magazine presents’ series, the paris theater (midtown) hosts a 35mm screening of campbell scott’s big night (1996), starring ian holm, isabella rossellini, minnie driver, stanley tucci, and tony shaloub, followed by a q+a with scott in-person. $17 general, $15 seniors / students / people with disabilities / military / first responders. >>
sun 3pm: 4th annual tribeca dog show: pups of all ages and sizes compete for trophies, prizes, and neighborhood glory at tribeca’s bogardus plaza. proceeds support the community-run public space. $15 for pups to compete, free for peeps to peep. >>
sun 3pm: greenwich village orchestra: ‘exuberance’ concert: the 70-person community orchestra continues its 2024-25 season with a concert program featuring bartok’s romanian folk dances, haydn’s cello concerto no. 1, ouzounian’s imagined anatolian dance, and beethoven’s symphony no. 7 at the high school of fashion industries (chelsea). $15 general, $10 seniors/students with promo code ‘theskint’ (reg. $30 general, $20 seniors/students). >>
sun 6pm: boba gays: asian comedy show: comedians alex kim and kenny park yi bring their all-asian, all-queer comedy variety show to littlefield (gowanus), featuring guests charlene kaye (tiger daughter) and brittany carney (hbo). $12 with promo code ‘gay’ (reg. $18.67). >>
sun 7-10pm: the people’s ball: style is a revolution: priced out of the met gala? glam up and walk the runway at at the people’s ball, brooklyn public library’s annual celebration of fashion, personal style and inclusivity. this year’s guests of honor are academy award-winning designers ruth e. carter (black panther) and paul tazewell (wicked). pose on the plaza at 6:30pm, doors at 7pm. free admission. >>
monday
mon thru september (except holidays and holiday weekends): waterfront workouts at brooklyn bridge park: brooklyn bridge park’s season of free outdoor workout classes with a view returns: zumba (mondays), sunset yoga (tuesdays), amp’d bootcamp (wednesdays), pilates (sundays), and more. all ages and abilities welcome. free (registration opens at the beginning of each month for that month’s classes). >>
mon thru 5/19: in scena! italian theater festival: nyc-based kairos italy theater along with italy-based kit italia and casa italiana zerilli-marimò at nyu present the 12th season of the in scena! italian theater festival. taking place in all five boroughs, all shows will be performed in italian with english subtitles. free admission. >>
mon 4pm, 7pm (monthly): angelika classics screening series: village east by angelika’s newest series celebrates iconic films. next up: ethan and blake edwards’ breakfast at tiffany’s (1961), starring audrey hepburn, george peppard, and patricia neal. $19. >>
mon 6-9pm: sva mfa fine arts spring 2025 open studios: senior students will open their studios for public viewing, along with other exhibition spaces throughout the fine arts building. sva (flatiron), free admission. >>
mon 7pm: lili taylor + ada calhoun: turning to birds: award-winning actor and national audubon society board member lili taylor discusses her new book, turning to birds, at the rare book room at strand bookstore (union square). author ada calhoun (crush: a novel, st. marks is dead) joins. $10 admission, $30 ticket option includes a copy of the book. >>
mon 7pm (monthly): biology on tap: medical may: bio and beer blend at the biology on tap speaker series, featuring talks, trivia, and prizes for participants. pete’s candy store (williamsburg), free admission ($5 suggested donation). >>
mon 7pm (monthly): living radio: contemporary radio drama, with a revisionist twist: living radio stages live performances of new radio plays inspired by the news, with results ranging from wacky to reflective. under st. marks (greenwich village), sliding scale admission. >>
mon 7:30pm (monthly): miss manhattan non-fiction reading series: an evening with the queer love project: elyssa goodman and r.c. gstaad iii’s monthly showcase for nonfiction writers joins forces with nonfiction literary magazine the queer love project for an evening of readings by jerry portwood (rolling stone), michael narkunski (narratively), amelia possanza (lesbian love story), lester fabian brathwaite (the new yorker), asya graf (open secrets), and aidan wharton (fire island). niagara bar (east village), free admission. >>
sponsored: mon 7:30pm: mark benjamin and kim dinaro: tiny pianist: join mark benjamin and kim dinaro behind the grand piano at sid gold’s request room (chelsea) for a night of musical comedy, musical improv, and standup. stick around for piano karaoke with mark after the show! $10 admission plus one-item minimum. >>
mon 8:30pm (monthly): no monopoly allowed: game night: an eviction-free board game night with one hard-and-fast rule: absolutely no monopoly. gather your pals (or make new ones), bring your favorite games (or borrow from the stash), and enjoy an evening free from landlords and bankruptcies. bonus: free drink giveaways for those who renounce monopoly paraphernalia. hosted by darby and micah. pinebox rockshop (bushwick), free admission. >>
ongoing
our roundup of 50+ ongoing events and attractions: rooftop cinema club, summer on the hudson, the met fifth ave’s new roof garden commission, brooklyn cyclones baseball season, bargemusic, and more. >>
stay safe and healthy
– the skint
