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)
Celebrate culture and heritage with others during the 13th annual Japan Day, located in Central Park and easily accessible via the 69th Street and 5th Avenue entrance. Scheduled events include a 4 mile run organized by NYRR, dance performances, musical performances, origami and assorted food vendor tents at Central Park Bandshell.
May 16th
The Edgar Allan Poe Festival ( 81 Christopher St, Manhattan @ 7:30 PM)
The talented group of performers known as the Radiotheatre is using their skills to bring fans the 4th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Festival, hosted at the St. John’s Sanctuary in the heart of the historic Greenwich Village. After the last 3 events sold out almost immediately, the Radiotheatre advises those interested in performances of Poe’s work, original orchestral scores and Fx effects purchase their tickets as soon as possible.
Harlem International Film Festival ( Assorted Venues @ Assorted Times)
The Harlem International Film Festival is screening 75 features. The assortment of presentations range from short films and documentaries to youth projects and animated works. There are inclusions from different creators from over 25 countries. As well as films, there is also a panel segment and award distribution.
May 17th
The Whiskey X ( 2nd St, Brooklyn @ 6 PM)
Music, whiskey and bites! Visitors of The Whiskey X experience will have access to over 60 different whiskeys for tasting. Live music will accompany guests for the night thanks to performances from St. Paul and The Broken Bones, setting the mood with their Alabama sourced soul sound. Duggal Greenhouse will also host food truck vendors and restaurant menu items for sale.
May 18th
Spring Play: NYC Game Expo ( 11 Time Square @ 12 PM)
Thanks to Microsoft’s sponsorship, the Spring Play: NYC Game Expo is totally free to excited gamers in the city. The video game expo will feature playable demos of games from 100 new developers, giving visitors a chance to test drive the features. The Microsoft office in Times Square will also be supplying registered visitors with pizza.
May 21st
Dine Around Town (28 Liberty Plaza, Manhattan @ 11 AM)
This festival, located in lower Manhattan is bringing leading foodies and chefs together for the sake of cuisine! Since 1995, the Dine Around Town festival has united the best items from dozens of local restaurants for easy and satisfying bites from barbeque to bakery goods to authentic Mexican. It is also a Zero Waste event.
May 22nd
Fleet Week (W 46th Street & 12th Avenue, Manhattan @ 10 AM)
In honor of the service men and women, celebrate Fleet Week at the Intrepid Museum. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will be hosting live performances, interactive displays, and special events through to the 27th. Hear panels from former crew members and enjoy the science demos! All activities on the pier will be free.
May 23rd
CAULIPOWER House (257 Bleecker Street, Manhattan @ 12 PM)
To celebrate the popularity and healthy benefits of the new craze that is cauliflower pizza, the West Village pop-up Caulipower will be serving free pizza! They promise free slices of cheesy, crispy, gluten-free pizza, currently ranked as the #8 best selling slice in America.
May 25th
Coney Island Scavenger Hunt ( 1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn @ 1 PM)
Crack the codes and win the hunt! The Coney Island Scavenger hunt boasts that it's designed is half obstacle course as well as part hunt. Team up with other mystery junkies and use clues to navigate your way around the iconic boardwalk. To win, it’ll take wit as well as physical and mental endurance.
May 26th
Escher - The Exhibition & Experience (34 34th Street, Brooklyn @ 10 AM)
Almost 200 pieces of work from illusion creator and paradoxical illustrator, M.C Escher. The exhibit will display his work as well as hands on displays, filled with optical illusion and perplexing imagery. The mathematically-inspired creations, favored by art junkies and science fans alike, will be on display in New York’s Industry City after a successful run in Europe.
May 27th
Punk History Dive Bar Tour (Multiple locations revealed upon purchase @ 5 PM)
Get away from the loud bustling bars in New York City for a night, thanks to the instruction of guide Jessie Rifkin. The professional guide and bar goer will be using the night to share his love for whiskey and some lowkey places in the city that are less traveled with raving service. The dive bars are full of culture and history, especially the punk-rock scene which you’ll learn more about while sipping.
May 29th
Free Dance Party Series (40th Street and 5th Avenue, Manhattan @ 6 PM)
Talia Castro-Pozo’s Dance Party series is inviting individuals to connect, celebrate and learn through dance. The outdoor experience in Bryant Park features live music and professional dance instruction in the styles of cumbia, contra, salsa and more. Grab a dance with an old friend or visit solo and make a new one while the music melts all your tension away!
May 30th
Make Pizza & Drink Wine (77 Fulton Street, Manhattan @ 7 PM)
The innovative and interactive pizza making experience is returning, with another event from Hungry Pop that is sure to sell out soon! Make Pizza & Drink Wine at Keste’s Fulton location is offering an opportunity for pizza lovers to learn how to make their own pizza pie from expert Roberto Caporuscio himself. The night will also include glasses of house wines both red and white and appetizers like burrata. Yes, you get to eat your pizza creation in the end!
May 31st
Fresh Lobster & Seafood Cruise
North River Lobster Company is excited to celebrate summer with its fresh seafood and lobster! Glide down the scenic waters while enjoying the perfection of a crisp glass of rose or ice cold beers. Take in the sunset after chowing down on lobster rolls and the raw seafood bar. The ticket which gives you access to all three levels of the vessel also includes access to the rooftop promising great views of Midtown Manhattan.