Hey ya’ll! We hope everybody had a great Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, and/or Valentine’s Day!
But either way we’re here to help you power through that midwinter slump and have yourself the weekend of your wildest dreams.
Whether you want to keep it artsy at the Whitney or touring the LES’s best galleries, get your party on at the Bubble T’s lunar new year celebration or drag brunch, or explore your cinematic side with The Black Panther or Romy and Michele’s High School reunion, there’s no shortage of fun out there just ready and waiting to be had.
Friday, February 16th
1. Black Panther Red Carpet Movie Premier in Harlem (2309 Frederick Douglas Boulevard, 6 pm-9 pm)
Everybody’s already talking about The Black Panther, one of the first superhero movies to feature a predominantly black cast.
So what better place to catch the premiere than at the AMC Magic Johnson, the only minority-owned major theatre in NYC? To add to the celebration and immersion, they’re suggesting that viewers come wearing African Diaspora or Black Panther cosplay attire, and the resulting awesome looks will then be featured in an online book.
They’re also throwing not one but two after-parties, one right after the film and one the following day.
2. Pay What You Wish Fridays At The Whitney (99 Gansevoort St, 7-9:30)
Have you already hit up the Met and the Guggenheim and been wanting to take your museum-going to the next level—and are you ready to do it without spending a dime?
Then it might be time for you to explore the Whitney Museum, the “the preeminent institution devoted to the art of the United States”, on a Pay-What-You-Wish Friday!
Just a few of their current exhibitions include Laura Owens’ On Partial View, Toyin Ojih Odutola’s To Wander Determined, and An Incomplete History of Protest. Check out the full list here!
3. MOFAD @ Night: Chinese New Year Celebration (62 Bayard Street, 6-8 pm)
If your 2018 hasn’t been quite on point so far, celebrating the Chinese New Year is your chance at a second new beginning.
Tickets include 2 drinks from Brooklyn Brewery and tastes of some epically delicious traditional Chinese New Year’s dishes from all different parts of China.
Try traditional faves like lo hei, “a New Year salad tossed high for prosperity”, dumplings, a “symbolic dish that represents togetherness”, a ritual sweet rice wine soup, and a ton more!
4. Bubble_T presents Lunar New Year (1186 Broadway, 10 pm-4 am)
Here’s another chance to celebrate the Chinese New Year—this time with some help from New York’s premier roving dance party, Bubble T!
This “Asian/Pacific/Queer collective” is taking over at hip Brooklyn bar Secret Project Robot, and bringing in hosts direct from LA Kibum Kim and Siduations, sick beats from DJs including Bichon and Skype Williams, and performances from Nightspace and Sina.
Free before 11:30, and only $5 after!
Saturday, February 17th
5. Free Community Boot Camp Williamsburg (415 Wythe Ave, 1 pm)
Now that spring is looming, you might be thinking about the best way to get a head start on that summer bod.
And thanks to Williamsburg’s Crossfit Outbreak, you can do get your butt in gear on every Saturday before July 28th with a free boot camp class.
It’s open to absolutely everyone, regardless of current fitness level, so don’t be afraid if you’re not in tip-top shape. Bring water and wear your workout gear best!
6. Lower East Side Gallery Tour (195 Chrystie St, 1 pm or 3:45 pm)
Always wanted to explore the NYC art world but never quite knew where to start? Why not enter the scene with help from Rafael Risemberg, PHD holder in arts education and former art critic for the New York Blade?
This month’s all-new 7-stop tour will feature “ a young artist’s startling surreal paintings of his hard-scrabble working-class neighborhood, “an 18-screen video installation of a performance art piece that was 2 years in the making”, and “an Asian artist’s ravishing cut-paper sculptures that cascade floor to ceiling”.
Maybe you’ll get inspired yourself!
7. 3LAU (610 West 56th Street, 8 pm doors, 9 pm show)
DJ and EDM producer Justin David Blau, better known by his stage name “3LAU”, will be taking Manhattan’s Terminal 5 by storm this Saturday night!
Also featured will be DJs “SNBRN” and “Throttle”. Check out some of his tunes beforehand here!
8. Midnights: Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (308 Bedford Ave, 11:59 pm)
There’s no reason to be bored when Brooklyn’s Videology Bar & Cinema is around.
This critically acclaimed 1997 buddy comedy directed by David Mirkin stars Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow as the titular pair, who try to impress old friends at their high school reunion by “creating a lie that spins out of control”.
And no worries if the movie brings up your own high school sorrows–a 5$ beer and shot combo available during the film will help you forget and enjoy.
Sunday, February 18th
9. Film And Discussion: Rikers; An American Jail (2 W 64th St, 4:30 pm)
Our country’s current justice system is, quite frankly, a mess.
Learn more about the problem by joining the Ethical NYC Ethical Action Committee for a free screening of a riveting new documentary from Bill Moyers that tells the story of those Americans who have endured “the cruel arc of the Rikers experience”.
The film will be followed by a discussion to help you process what you’ve seen and take some meaningful next steps toward change.
10. John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous (1260 6th Ave, 6 pm)
What better way to finish off your Sunday than with some great laughs? You’ll be in for some of the best if you catch acclaimed comedian and former SNL writer John Mulaney strutting his stuff at Radio City Music Hall.
If you want to get an advance taste of what you’ll be in for, his comedy specials “New In Town” and “The Comeback Kid” can currently be found streaming on Netflix!
11. Unleash Your Sass at Drag Brunch (431 W 16th Street, 11:30 or 2:30)
It is known; New Yorkers love their drag queens, and they sure do love their boozy brunches.
So why not get the best of both worlds this Sunday at the Highline Ballroom? This “world-famous” drag brunch will feature “wild performances by NYC's top female impersonators and special guests from the hit television series RuPaul's Drag Race."
For only a $30 ticket, you can enjoy a two hour well drink and cocktail open bar along with one brunch item as well as some truly unforgettable performances. No downsides here, just fierceness and fabulousness for the ages!
12. Snow Tubing and Brewery Tour (85 Delancey St, 2:15-9:15 pm)
If you feel like getting away from the city grime and enjoying the best winter has to offer, you might be interested in this journey to Mountain Creek for a totally tubular time.
A 99$ ticket includes round-trip transportation on a luxury coach bus, and after you’ve enjoyed all the downhill chill you can handle, you’ll get a chance to warm up with help from a hearty dinner served at a nearby brewery before the trek home.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]