Friday September 14

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Music: Ben Folds Five
Show time: 6 PM
Venue: Central Park SummerStage
Food: Brother Jimmy’s Bait Shack
Drink: BB&R
Miscellaneous: Dylan’s Candy Bar

Actually a trio, Ben Folds Five was a staple of the 90s led by Ben Folds who most probably know as a judge from that TV show The Sing Off. The band are reuniting and touring and even have a new album coming out early September, The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind. If you’ve got a craving for barbeque, check out Brother Jimmy’s Bait Shack as the ribs, chicken, beef, and pork are all smothered in some amazing BBQ sauce. BB&R, which stands for Blonde, Brunette, and a Redhead is the brainchild of three best friends. What they’ve created is something between a neighborhood bar and a lounge with leather seats in the front and a pool table, photo booth, and video games in the back. Looking more like it came out of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Dylan’s Candy Bar is a colorful place to get lollipops, licorice, and all things sugary. Don’t go crazy or your sweet tooth might melt here!

Friday September 14

Location: Union Square, NYC
Music: The Jesus and Mary Chain
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones

Scottish alt rockers The Jesus and Mary Chain have had a tumultuous career filled with breakups, short sets and violence. But they seem to be back on track with some new members ready to reclaim the stage. If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! The Village Pourhouse looks like a neighborhood bar to watch sports but is actually has three more rooms, where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes and Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.

Saturday September 15

Location: Upper West Side, NYC
Music: Marlena Shaw & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Jazz at Lincoln Center
Food: Symposium
Drink: Broadway Dive
Miscellaneous: Sip

The name Marlena Shaw may not sound familiar, but this jazz singer’s 60s hit “California Soul” and several others has been sampled by many in hip hop. Catch Marlena Shaw & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra when they play Lincoln Center. Low priced anything near Columbia University is getting harder to find, but at : Symposium, you’ll get Greek food that won’t force you to take a mortgage out. The Pastitsio (baked macaroni with ground meat $9.95) is out of this world. Not the kind of dive bar you’re thinking, though Broadway Dive has a single malt scotch and bourbon menu big enough that you won’t even know where you are after a few. A coffee bar that also serves liquor, tapas, and baked goods all in one place? Sip sounds good to me.

Saturday September 15

Location: Union Square, NYC
Event: The Awesome 80s Prom
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Webster Hall
Food: Thai Me Up Sandwich Bar
Drink: McSorley’s Old Ale House
Miscellaneous: Mudd Cafe

Relive the best and worst of coming of age in high school at The Awesome 80s Prom. This interactive show is part musical and full-on party as the audience gets to drink, dance and vote for the Prom King and Queen. For eats, check out Thai Me Up Sandwich Bar, a sandwich shop offering Thai sandwiches with 7 Steamed Fried Vegetables and a choice of chicken, veggie, tofu or beef on a baguette with 3 types of sauces for $7. One of the city’s oldest bars, at McSorley’s Old Ale House you can feel the history when you enter as memorabilia, since its beginnings in 1854, are all over the walls. Aside from it being a frat hangout nowadays, it’s worth the trip. You’ve seen that orange Mudd coffee truck parked on Astor Place and on various other streets, but check out their Mudd Cafe on East 9th for coffee and a healthy, vegan, and vegetarian menu.

Sunday September 16

Ladislav Sutnar. Prototype for Build the Town Building Blocks. 1940–43. Painted wood, large block: 1 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 2 3/4″ (4.4 x 7 x 7 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Ctislav Sutnar and Radoslav Sutnar

Location: Midtown East, NYC
Art: Century of the Child: Growing by Design, 1900–2000
Show time: See website for schedule; Through November 29
Venue: MOMA
Food: Eatery
Drink: Valhalla
Miscellaneous: Central Park

The exhibition Century of the Child: Growing by Design, 1900–2000 surveys 20th century design for children and brings together areas underrepresented in design history and often considered separately, including school architecture, clothing, playgrounds, toys and games, children’s hospitals and safety equipment, nurseries, furniture, and books. 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!