Friday July 2

Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Bands: Marissa Nadler + HUMANWINE + Martin Bisi Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Union Pool
Food: Bonita
Drink: Savalas
Miscellaneous: Fabiane’s Café & Pastry Shop

Siren voiced Marissa Nadler makes dream-folk that is both captivating and beautiful. Check out last year’s album Little Hells. Also performing are HUMANWINE who make folky yet haunting songs and legendary producer and musician Martin Bisi who will be joined by Brian Viglione of The Dresden Dolls on drums. If you’re in the zone for Mexican, Bonita is a great place. Serving the standard fare, try the mouth-watering chicken burrito and Mexican corn on the cob, wrapped in cheese with a hint of spice for that extra kick. If you’re looking to dance afterwards, Savalas has both great DJs and drink specials on top of delivering on the fun factor. Fabiane’s Café & Pastry Shop is a great little cafe in the heart of Williamsburg that’s great for not too late night people watching. Try one of their fantastic desserts or sip coffee and stare at the passing hipsters.

Friday July 2

Location: Union Square, NYC
Band: Glass Candy Get Tickets Here
Show time: 10 PM
Venue: Highline Ballroom
Food: Chat N’ Chew
Drink: Beauty Bar
Miscellaneous: Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man

Incredible electronic duo Glass Candy make downtempo and infectious tracks with singer Ida No’s voice leading each song into nirvana. Joining them are DJ Mike Simonetti , Xeno & Oaklander. A good drink spot that will be just as interesting is Beauty Bar. This former beauty parlor is one of the most happening bars in the city. Where else can you get a manicure with your drink (seriously, drink/manicure specials on weekends $10). Chat N’ Chew is a down-home comfort food spot with plenty of faves like meatloaf, Mexican, and milkshakes. If you’d prefer to just escape the cold, head over to Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man and cool off with a variety of hot and cold chocolate drinks that will blow your mind.

Saturday July 3

Location: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Art: Andy Warhol: The Last Decade
Show time: See website for schedule; Through Sept 12
Venue: Brooklyn Museum
Food: Tom’s Restaurant
Drink: Soda Bar
Miscellaneous: Old Brooklyn Parlor

In the exhibition Andy Warhol: The Last Decade, Brooklyn Museum shows the later works of one of America’s favorite pop culture artists. It’s the place where Susanne Vega wrote “Tom’s Restaurant,” but Tom’s Restaurant is just as famous for its food. With a near insane breakfast menu, expect items like pancakes with apples and pecans to be brought to you by the sweetest waitresses in Brooklyn. Soda Bar is a great place for drinks. The alcohol is cheap, there’s surprisingly excellent food, and there’s even another room where DJs spin. If it’s too much, you can hang outside in the backyard patio under the stars. The Old Brooklyn Parlor specializes in old school drinks like the Brooklyn Egg Cream and the Lime Cherry Rickey, making it an excellent anchor to this neighborhood.

Saturday July 3

Location: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Band: Living Days
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Coco66
Food: Wasabi
Drink: Bar Matchless
Miscellaneous: Christina’s

Blending 80s electro beats with rock, Living Days remind me of A-Ha and The Cure rolled up nicely. Joining them are Limbs and Neighbors. There’s a lot of restaurants popping up in Greenpoint nowadays. The Japanese restaurant Wasabi has been there before many of them and serves up some of the best sushi in that hood. A good local bar, Bar Matchless is that low-key place where you can chill, get a drink and not have to scream at the top of your lungs to make conversation. Though many of the Polish residents and several key restaurants have gone and moved to Ridgewood, Queens, one Polish mainstay of Greenpoint ain’t going anywhere and for good reason as Christina’s was and still is the best Polish restaurant in Greenpoint. Try the pierogi’s which will run you around $6.50 with most menu items under $10.

Sunday July 4

Location: East Village, NYC
Theater: Thank You For Being A Friend: The Musical
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Kraine Theater
Food: Supper
Drink: 2A
Miscellaneous: Whole Foods on Bowery

When gay pop star Lance Bass moves next to Miami’s favorite retirees, Dorothea, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia, all hell breaks loose as well as plenty of hilarity, wise cracks and tons of Broadway tunes in this unauthorized parody of The Golden Girls musical in drag. Those looking for good and inexpensive Italian food should most definitely check out Supper. Do yourself a favor and try the “Priest Stranglers” pasta with Marinara and soft Ricotta di Pecora cheese. A good nearby bar is 2A. With two floors of windows, it’s great for watching the remaining hipsters who can still afford to live in the city pass by. If all your dinner/drink plans fail and you need an all-in-one, the Whole Foods on Bowery (at Houston Street) is your upscale go-to-grocery store for dinner and snacks.