The cherry blossoms have bloomed and spring is in the air. It's finally May! Get out and enjoy the city, you can no longer blame the weather. From Artfairs to punk bar crawls we've got you covered.
May 1st
Superfine! Art Fair Champagne Inaugural (107 Grand St, Manhattan @ 7 PM )
The new art fair is in town, promising to tear down stereotypical notions that art is for the snobby and filthy rich and they are popping bubbly to welcome it to New York City. 400 lucky guests can stop by to celebrate with performance art and early viewings. Superfine! art fair seeks to make purchasing and viewing art for sale a welcoming and simple process for newcomers or veteran art collectors alike. View innovative pieces in galleries from contemporary artists at the front lines of today’s emerging art world and listen in on panels centered on creativity and identity. To purchase tickets or more information of the duration the fair will run and opening hours, visit their website.
17th Downtown Urban Arts Festival ( 195 East 3rd St, Manhattan @ Assorted Times)
The DUAF is hosting the 17th annual arts festival, a 5 week multidisciplinary showcase featuring poetry, theatre, music and film presentations. The DUAF’s theatre portion will make showings of original and meaningful performances available all month long. Some plays will include, “Flinted,” about Michigan’s water crisis and “Tehran,” a play about a detained elder in a Tehran airport undergoing an interrogation. Tickets are priced at $20 and showtimes vary.
May 2nd
TechDay New York (655 W 34th St, Manhattan @ 9 AM)
Let’s get high tech! In a very amazing opportunity, registered attendees will get a chance to visit TechDay for free, hosted at the Javits Center, Hall 1B in New York. The enormous fair will feature approximately 400 exhibitions and start ups. The event is perfect for press, investors, corporations, users and talent just getting started or brands who are already pulling in big clientele. Visitors can expect to get a seat to informative panels from industry leaders, founders and key figures, view live demos, network and explore exhibitions.
May 3rd
Frieze New York Art Fair 20 Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan @ 12 PM)
Frieze New York is bringing the art of 1,000 of today’s leading artists together for viewing on Randall’s Island this May. For visitors interested in the world of art and creativity, there will also be schedules panels and live performances. There will be a special inclusion called Dialogos, celebrating art from the Latin and LatinX creators of the art world like Martha Chilindron, Ana Medieta, Chemi Rosado-Seijo and Ken Gonzales-Day.
May 4th
Asian Burlesque Extravaganza (158 Bleecker Street, Manhattan @ 7 PM)
In the 7th annual celebration of motion, body and Asian burlesque, Calamity Chang and Thirsty Girl are presenting the Asian Burlesque Extravaganza at Le Poisson Rouge. The showcase with have the classic perks of burlesque like personality, dance numbers, bedazzled costume, sex appeal, and cabaret charm. Tickets are starting at $17 and are on sale now.
May 5th
Spherus Cirque (153-49 Reeves Ave, Queens @ 2 PM)
Magic? Acrobats? Performance art? The Spherus Cirque performance doesn’t include just one of these, but all 3. KCA and Arts on Stage NY are presenting a pre-show live fiesta including traditional Mexican music before their new groundbreaking acrobatic show from Greg Kennedy. Greg Kennedy, formerly a professional in the Cirque Du Soleil will be entertaining the audience with his signature juggling act alongside a comedy routine and other performers.
May 8th
PEN World Voice Festival ( Assorted Venues @ Assorted Times)
In over 60 venues across the 5 boroughs, the PEN World Voices Festival is returning for it’s 16th year. The literary festival attracts the best known writers from around the globe and is responsible for showcasing over 1,500 writers from 118 different countries during it’s weeklong duration. The readings and discussions presented maintain a humanitarian focus while simultaneously utilizing linguistics as a craft.
May 9th
Fuerzafest ( 1680 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan @ 1 PM)
The Hispanic Federation is presenting the Latinx and LGTBQ Arts Festival called Fuerzafest, honoring the legendary House of Extravaganza. The “Honor the Past Defend the Future” exhibit highlighting figures of resistance, change and inclusion, will be followed with a free film screening of Stonewall With A T. The opening reception will be closed by a Q & A with director Samy Nemir and special guests.
May 11th
Pop Up Vintage (268 36th St, Brooklyn @ 10 AM)
Come shop some unique threads at Vintage Marketplace in Brooklyn for their Current Affair Vintage Pop Up shop. The vendors lined up will have goodies that range from clothing and jewelry to accessories, all from over 70 premier retailers. Tickets range from $15 at the door to early bird tickets priced at $35. This event is perfect for the lone fashionista or group of creative designer pals.
May 12th
Japan Day In Central Park (Terrace Drive Near W 72nd Street, New York @ 9:30 AM)