Friday August 27
Location: Chelsea, NYC
Art: Female Bodybuilders
Show time: Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM to 5 PM; Through August 27
Venue: Hasted Hunt Kraeutler
Food: Pop Burger
Drink: Gaslight Lounge
Miscellaneous: Amy’s Bread
In the photography exhibition Female Bodybuilders, German photographer Martin Schoeller presents his subjects on larger than life prints with a deadpan approach. Burger joint in the front, upscale lounge in the back, the menu at Pop Burger includes basics like 2 pop burgers for $5 for a quick fix or if your lounging, the likes of tuna tartar with soy truffle jus ($15). The Gaslight Lounge, a great hotspot bar in the meatpacking district, is dark and cozy while affordable for the area. If you don’t know Amy’s Bread, when you order a sandwich at a café or restaurant in the city, ask where they got the bread. There’s a good chance it’s from Amy’s because she’s one of the best bread makers in the city.
Friday August 27
Location: East Village, NYC
Art: Brion Gysin: Dream Machine
Show time: See website for schedule
Venue: New Museum
Food: Minca
Drink: Common Ground
Miscellaneous: Beard Papa Sweets Cafe
The exhibition Brion Gysin: Dream Machine is the first US retrospective of the work of the painter, performer, poet, and writer Brion Gysin. If you’ve never been to Minca for dinner, go right now! This small noodle bar makes some amazing ramen noodles from scratch. Try the Minca Ramen, a mild broth with pork, chicken & dried seafood ($8.50). One of the newer bars in the East Village, Common Ground has a dark wood interior, a relaxed atmosphere, and excellent cocktails like the Blueberry Pie. If you like pastries filled with cream, check out Beard Papa Sweets Café. They offer cream fillings like earl grey, green tea, coffee, and the standard vanilla, chocolate, strawberry among others.
Saturday August 28
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Theater: Trust
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Second Stage Theatre
Food: Eatery
Drink: Valhalla
Miscellaneous: Central Park
A new play written by Paul Weitz, who was the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of the film About a Boy and director of the film American Pie, brings us Trust, which is a dark comedy about Harry (played by Zach Braff) who is rich and married and looses faith in both, going on a search for something that’s real. Nearby and delicious, Eatery offers a new American menu that’s asian influenced. Try the Red Curry Chicken Breast over roti pancake, with baby carrots and red curry coconut sauce ($16.95). Valhalla’s minimalist space is chill, letting the 24 brands of beer from all over the world on tap be the main attraction at this bar. While its warm out, waste a little time walking through Central Park, relax, and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. Just watch your step. The working horses tend to leave surprises behind them!
Saturday August 28
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Theater: Abraham Lincoln’s Big, Gay Dance Party Get Tickets Here
Show time: 2 & 8 PM; Through September
Venue: The Acorn Theatre
Food: Yoshinoya Beef Bowl
Drink: Rudy’s Bar and Grill
Miscellaneous: Peking Duck House
In Abraham Lincoln’s Big, Gay Dance Party, a fourth-grade Christmas pageant in Abraham Lincoln’s rural Illinois hometown sets off a firestorm of controversy when it calls into question Abraham Lincoln’s sexuality. Making fast food healthy, Yoshinoya serves bowls of rice, vegetables, and your choice of beef, teriyaki chicken, veggie, or a combo of meats. Super cheap, it’s a favorite spot of mine in midtown. A great dive, Rudy’s Bar and Grill serves up cheap beer by the pint or by the pitcher, and as for the grilling, that includes free hot dogs and popcorn! Though slightly on the expensive side, if you’re in the mood for duck and are a couple or in a group of four or more, Peking Duck House makes some of the best duck you will ever likely have.
Sunday August 29
Location: Knitting Factory, Brooklyn
Bands: Bunnybrains
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Knitting factory
Food: Fette Sau
Drink: Spuyten Duyvil
Accessory: Union Pool
With experimental tendencies, Bunnybrains take found sounds and blends them with lo-fi rock to make some unique music. See them live as they’re just as insane as they sound. If you’re feeling German BBQ, you can head over to Fette Sau (fat pig in German), where the owners of nearby bar Spuyten Duyvil have opened up this meat only restaurant serving up some of the best pork and beef in NYC. For drinks, Spuyten Duyvil is a beer lovers dream, with a selection from all over the world, friendly and knowledgeable bartenders and a neighborhood feel, it’s no wonder this place has been so successful. If you’re still ready for more, you must hit Union Pool, where there’s always a band playing, great DJs, and plenty of action.
