It's hot, and it's only going to get hotter.
That was one of my lines as The Warden in a stage version of "Holes" in middle school.
Anyway! Here’s what’s Up in New York July 8-14:
STEAL OF THE WEEK
Get a FREE iced Americano from any Matto location from 1-3 pm today. Matto is generally a good deal – especially if you pay and order in their app – so it’s wise to keep an eye on it if there’s a location that’s convenient to you.
TIMELY IDEAS
Ongoing through July 28: THEATER – “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” starring comedian Russell Peters. This is undoubtedly the most accessible Shakespeare, and really a funny play. I’m very curious about this FREE production myself!
Wed., July 10: MOVIES – Watch “The Outsiders” at Pier 1 Picture Show. The theme for this summer’s outdoor movie series is “From Page to Screen,” which is incredibly charming. With “The Outsiders,” you can also add “to Stage,” and I think it would be fun to see the movie for free then spend some $$ on tickets to see the Broadway show.
Thurs., July 11: ART + SOCIAL – Creative Happy Hour with Art Gurl at TALEA. Art materials are free to use! And this brewery might just turn you into a “beer person” if you aren’t one.
Friday, July 12: MUSIC – “Ringdown” – “an electronic cinematic pop duo” (ok, dope) – as part of the Living Music Underground series outside Lincoln Center.
Sat., July 13: POETRY – The 13th Annual NYC Poetry Festival on Governor’s Island. You’ve been wanting to take an island vacay, right? ;)
THIS WEEK’S HOT DATE
I used to think, “If a man ever figures out to just bite the bullet and surprise me with tickets to Phantom of the Opera, I’ll finally know romance.” But Phantom of the Opera is closed now, and I saw it for $50 with a friend, and the most romantic thing I’ve ever experienced was riding on a vespa through Rome at night wearing a red velvet helmet and clinging to a man I’d known for two days.
While I do love Phantom of the Opera for reasons musically theoretic as well as romantically pathetic, the craving I hadn’t named at the time is simply to be seen and known. I have joked that my ideal date is this: we go to Blick, you give me your credit card, and you leave. Give me $100 and say, this money is going to combust if you don’t spend it all on oil pastels. And why not? Sure, I can spend my own $100 on oil pastels and have done just that, but romance is signaling, “I want you to be who you are, and here’s the ticket I bought you to do so.”
This is all to say: some dates are hot no matter who’s on them, and some are so uniquely precious, you couldn’t possibly get them from a newsletter. They wouldn’t translate from person to person, because they’re not for everyone. I don’t believe most people are taking real time to get to know each other anymore, seeking shortcuts to what becomes faux intimacy: What’s your love language? What’s your attachment style? Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?
Before you know it, you’re an idea of a person – a Phantom – going out with a projection of someone else, performing at the edges of a theory of a relationship that never converts to law. And you’ll wonder what happened.
The hottest date there is? To get to know each other over the course of time. To talk. To listen. To see and know them, and love them because of – and in spite of – the parts that mirror the qualities you loathe in yourself, the parts that are sinister, the parts that are devastatingly golden.
When I find that, I’ll let you know.
ONGOING THINGS
Pay-What-You-Wish at the Guggenheim on Mondays at Saturdays
Free Kayaking every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday through the end of the summer.
Wine Wednesdays with The Rooftop Cinema every Wednesday through August 28. Tickets include a glass of wine!
Trivia Mondays at Motel No Tell –Delicious pizza, tropical drinks, and a very cool and fun trivia emcee (starting at 7pm) on Mondays :)
Stargazing – Every Tuesday at The High Line at sunset.
Trivia Tuesdays at The Factory 380 – Come say hello to me, the emcee, and enjoy an incredible happy hour PLUS prizes for the winner.
AMC Tuesdays – On Tuesdays, tickets to any AMC movie are only $7 each, and small combos (popcorn + drink) are only $5.
Free Fridays at the Whitney – Just as it sounds. Pre-reserve a time slot, show up, and enjoy.
Free Friday evenings at The Morgan Library – Live music begins at 5pm! Damn, I love the Morgan. (Reservations are required.)
Figure Drawing Classes at The National Arts Club – Inexpensive and open to the public! Various classes every week M, W, F from 7-9, ranging from $15 to $25.