So, friends, weâve had a few days of warmer weather lately. And we certainly donât wanna jinx things, but itâs possible that the worst of winter is over. And whether it ends up snowing, raining, or shining, thereâs no reason not to say farewell to February by enjoying some of the coolest activities NYC has to offer.
Learn about spacetime or Kombucha, drink up some homebrew or during Glitter, catch enlightening films at BAAD or the Museum of The Moving Image, or even find out how to get more Instagram followers at Talk Holeâs Unfluencerâs summit!
Get going, guys!
Friday, February 23rd
1. New York City Electroacoustic Improvisation Summit (186 Jay Street, 7 pm)
Your laptop may be your lifeline, but did you ever expect to see it on a list of musical instruments?
Itâs part of the set list of groundbreaking bands Oracle and Cast Down Tither at this unique concert that showcases âmusic by artists focused on the integration of music improvisation and real-time interactive computer systems.â
Youâll also get to enjoy tunes coming from a transducer-activated cello and a feedback system for broken audio equipment. Some really cool stuff.
Finally hear from the artists afterward at a panel discussion moderated by Adam Wilson! A second concert is also taking place Saturday if youâre in the mood for more after the first.
2. How Space Warps Time (150 W 17th St, 7 pm)
Do you have an intense interest in the interplanetary?
If youâre at all curious about time and space, then youâve gotta make some in your schedule for NASA commander Tony Antonelli and behavioral researcher Gal Zaubermanâs conversation about how time can pass differently once we get away from our little old earth, and how that time difference might affect our psychology and decision making.
Hey, you better be prepared in case we all have to escape to Mars someday, amirite?
3. W.E.B. Du Bois Night (1368 Fulton Street, 7:30 pm)
As you might have heard, February is Black History Month.
So what better way to kick off itâ last weekend then to celebrate the life of one of the most famous African American authors, thinkers, and activists in the American canon?
At Brooklynâs Restoration Plaza, you can honor his memory with a âfun-filled night of great jazz, funk and soul, passionate spoken-word and visual art and dancingâ featuring poet Quincy Troupe, The Ronnie Burrage Ensemble, other special guests, and a Soultrain Line.
Tickets also benefit the World Rhythm Academy's educational programs, so you can do good and feel good!
Saturday, Febraury 24th
4. Drag Bingo At The Cat Cafe (46 Hester St, 7 pm)
If the chance to hang out with some cute kitties wasnât exciting enough, why not add in a good old-fashioned game of bingo and some hilarious drag queen hosts?
All this can be yours at Manhattanâs Meow Parlour if you buy a ticket to join Goldie Lox & Ona Louise for a 2 hour night of fun featuring âsnacks, games, prizes, and of course, catsâ!
5. Blunderland Variety Show: New York (2 Wyckoff Avenue, 7 pm doors 8 pm show)
In a rut? No problem!
Audience inspiration is exactly the goal of this upcoming âdelectable evening of variety with all the whimsical, surreal, and psychedelic you can handleâ.
The traveling extravaganza brought to us by Eric Schmalenberger and âdrawing from the finest burlesque, circus, cabaret, and queer scenesâ is on its way in to Brooklynâs famous House of Yes for one night only, so donât let it pass you by!
6. Screenings At The BAAD (2474 Westchester Avenue, 7 pm and 9 pm)
Who would have thought that the best way to have an awesome Saturday night might be to have a BAAD Saturday night?
The acronym stands for the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, and this evening will be the last of their annual GET TOUGH! GET BAAD series, which features âfilms and events celebrating queer power, diversity, defiance, strength and visibility."
On view will be new gay-themed films The Perfect Idea, Signature Move, and Body Electric. Check out the trailers and RSVP here!
7. Midnights: Glitter Drinking Game (308 Bedford Ave, 11:59 pm)
Weâre guessing youâre not Cinderella, so why be home by midnight this Saturday when you could be enjoying âunderrated Mariah Carey disco pop tunesâ instead?
Head to Brooklyn staple Videology for a screening of this âlove story set against the backdrop of the New York club sceneâ and some $5 beer + shot combos available during the film to help make things even more fun.
Sunday, February 25th
8. Lunar New Year Parade (Chinatown, 1 pm)
Thereâs no reason to fret if you missed out on last weekendâs lunar new year celebrations.
You've still got time to ring in the year of the dog with an awe-striking array of floats thanks to this free parade from Better Chinatown USA.
Itâll be headed down Mott & Canal streets to Chatham Square to East Broadway towards the Manhattan Bridge, and finishing up on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets towards Grand Street next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
Weâd suggest heading down early if you want to find a good spot to watch all the action!
9. Kombucha 101 (936 Madison St, 4 pm)
Are you a big Kombucha fan? Ever wished you could try your hand at brewing the stuff yourself?
The Earth Arts Initiative is here to make things easier for you by providing everything you need to become your very own source of the fermented, effervescent beverage.
Just grab a ticket, and you can learn âwhat a SCOBY isâ as well as âhow to feed itâ, and âeach participant will leave with their own brew to nurture at homeâ!
10. TALK HOLE presents: Annual New Unfluencers Summit (22-25 Jackson Avenue, 2 pm)
It looks as if the upcoming edition of Moma PS1âs acclaimed VW Sunday Sessions program may be their best one yet!
Comedy duo Talk Hole (Steven Phillips-Horst and Eric Schwartau) are taking charge to host âthe worldâs first global summit on influencer cultureâ which will utilize âperformances, panel discussions, museum-wide engagements, and small bitesâ to let attendees in on their answer to âthe crucial question, âwhy donât they follow me?ââ
We certainly can't wait to find out!
11. Of the Deep: Films by the Department of Tropical Research (36-01 35 Ave, 2 pm)
This special screening of exclusive footage captured by star-studded research crew âDepartment of Tropical Researchâ during their 1930s record-setting deep dives will be âintroduced by Jon Dohlin, Vice President and Director of the New York Aquarium
It will be presented with live musical accompaniment by High Waterâ and followed by âa discussion about marine ecology and underwater filmmaking with conservation biologist and whale researcher Howard Rosenbaum and Fabien Cousteau, grandson of pioneer Jacques Cousteau."
A ticket also includes museum admission, so leave some time for a look around before or after!
12. NYC Beer Week First Annual Homebrew Competition (82 Prospect St, 3 pm)
What better way to end the weekend than with a bunch of home-brewed beer?
Kick off NYCâs âbeer weekâ and attend shiny new brewpub Randolph Beerâs search for the best of the best in Dumbo this Sunday.
Judging begins at 3 pm with the announcement of winners at 7, and all interested parties are free to join the participantsâ bottle share during the deliberation for a $10 donation. Sounds like a tasty way to drink your fill!
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]