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Mon 4
Labor Day Extravaganza House of Yes; 2pm; free before 4pm, then $10
Make the most of your day off at this 12-hour dance fest with a high-glitz red, white and blue dress code. If all that patriotic garb gets you yearning for some classic American BBQ grub, fret not—there will be grilling, including veggie options, and ample booze.
Dirty Dancing + Watermelon Margarita Videology Bar & Cinema; 4pm, 6pm, 9pm; $22
Relive one of the greatest summer love stories of all time at this delightful screening event for “dance people.” Sing along to “Hungry Eyes,” let Patrick Swayze teach you how to dance (and how to love), and live your best Catskills fantasy with a delicious margarita in hand. Don’t try to do a lift with a stranger from the bar till after the movie.
West Indian Day Parade at various locations; 11am; free
Celebrate Brooklyn’s West Indian/Caribbean diaspora and its carnival tradition at this annual fest. Expect a boisterous J’Ouvert pre-party to kick things off, then a massive march featuring vibrant steel-pan and calypso bands, and larger-than-life colorful costumes, along with food vendors shelling out authentic island fare like jerk, roti and doubles.
Tue 5
Zoe Quinn: Crash Override Strand Book Store; 7pm; free with book purchase or $15 gift card
The video-game designer and Gamergate survivor shares her harrowing journey and talks about her support network for victims of online harassment.
Ug! Comedy Show! The Mockingbird; 8:30pm; free, one-drink minimum
Todd Montesi and Richard James host stand-ups on Tuesday nights at the Mockingbird. Show up for big laughs and sweet food and drink deals, like $2 tacos and Tecates and $5 margaritas.
Roy Haynes Blue Note; 8pm, 10:30pm; at tables $45, at the bar $30
When this drum legend says that he's played with "everybody," it's not just a figure of speech: The virtuoso's former employers include Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong, to name only a few. Haynes remains a galvanizing bandleader and garrulous crowd-pleaser, not to mention one of the hardest-swinging percussionists ever to pick up sticks.
Wed 6
Squats for Sea Lions and Planks for Penguins inside the Central Park Zoo Central Park Zoo; 6pm; $25
Expend some energy to conserve wildlife at this all-ages class put on by IronStrength for a Cause. The event kicks off with a bootcamp session and concludes with a 30 minutes of yoga around the sea lion tank. All proceeds go to the care of the animals living in the Wildlife Conservation Society's five zoological parks: the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and the New York Aquarium. Show up at 6pm to explore the tropics exhibit after hours, before getting your sweat on at 6:30pm.
Yum’s the Word Le Poisson Rouge; 8pm; $15–$20
This ongoing storytelling series, produced and hosted by Robin Gelfenbien, is also a party: audience members are invited to feast on her multiple homemade ice-cream cakes. This edition celebrates the event's six-year anniversary with tales from Adam Wade, JiJi Lee, Sandi Marx and Mark Pagán.
Drunk Education Presents: Roasts of “Great” Literary Men Housing Works Bookstore Café; 7pm; free
The reports of their distinction are greatly exaggerated. Drunk Educators Cady Drell, Caroline Framke, Elon Green and Estelle Tang question the status quo by breaking down the stature of literature’s “great men.” This edition deals with the distinction, or lack thereof, of Philip Roth, Ted Hughes, Rod Dreher and A Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin.
BINGO Fabulous House of Yes; 7pm; free
Madame Vivien V and DJ Matty Glitterati host this monthly bingo soiree featuring drag shows, prizes and plenty of House of Yes' patented wacky, sexy antics. The theme for this edition is "Back to School;" attendees are encouraged to dress as the high school archetype of their choice (think geek, jock, stoner and so on). After the bingo is done, stick around for the afterparty. It'll be just like a school dance, but without chaperones and unmoored teen angst.
Movies Under the Stars: Star Wars Episode VII—The Force Awakens Inwood Hill Park; 7:30pm; free
No Jedi mind tricks are necessary to get into this outdoor screening of 2015’s much-rejoiced Star Wars installment. Fans will revel in the triumphant return of Chewbacca, Han Solo, Leia Organa and C-3PO, as well as in the arrival of millennial badasses Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren.
Vanessa Grigoriadis: Blurred Lines Strand Book Store; 6:30pm; free with book purchase or $15 Strand Gift Card
The Vanity Fair editor speaks about her in-depth investigation into hookup culture, sexual assault and consent on college campuses.
Drunk Science presents: Hormones Littlefield; 8pm; $5–$8
Join your hosts Joanna Rothkopf (Jezebel staff writer), Shannon Odell (neuroscience Ph.D. student) and Jordan Mendoza (premed, once upon a time), along with Alise Morales, Rachel Wenitsky and Catherine Cohen, as they knock back a few cocktails and attempt to explain hormones to an actual hormone researcher, the neuroscientist Sarah Mennenga.
Betty Who Brooklyn Steel; 8pm; $25, at the door $30
The Australian-American pop darling gives Brooklyn fans a live dose of life-affirming boppers like "You're in Love" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" at Brooklyn Steel. Rock crew Geographer opens.
Thu 7
Dankquet at various locations; 8pm; $150
NSFW, the sex-positive millennial social network, throws this feast of cannabis foods, featuring six dizzyingly delicious courses from Michelin star-rated chef Joshua van den Berg of Suzume. Indulge in country pheasant made with CBD-infused schmaltz, pecan pie with CBD-infused Maker's Mark ice cream, and many more buzz-inducing delights. Look out for drinks from Soto Sake, live music and a totally game crowd. Pace yourself: you’re going to want to savor this trip.
Dirty Thursday: Spice Up Your Life House of Yes; 10pm; free
Swing it, shake it, move it, make it to this celebration of the girl groups that defined ’90s pop.
NPR’s What’s Good with Stretch & Bobbito The Bell House; 8pm; $30
Legendary hip-hop radio hosts Stretch and Bobbito join forces once again in their new show on NPR, which finds the duo interviewing influential musicians, artists, actors, activists and comedians. Catch a live taping at the Bell House with guests Eric Haze and Rosie Perez.
Bryant Park Yoga Bryant Park; 6pm; free
Why not add a little outdoor om to your workday? Local yoga instructors curated by Yoga Journal lead this series of open-air public classes, with mats available for use for the first 1,200 participants. Show up early to grab a good spot so you can find your balance in tree pose on some real greenery.
Movies Under the Stars: The Unsinkable Molly Brown De Witt Clinton Park; 7:30pm; free
Catch a free outdoor showing of the classic 1964 musical starring Debbie Reynolds and based on the life of socialite and philanthropist Margaret Brown. Space is first-come, first-served, so show up a half hour early to guarantee yourself a spot. Bringing a blanket is wise, as chairs are limited (bringing beverages in glass bottles is not, as those are not permitted).
No Such Thing as Love Q.E.D.; 7:30pm; $5
Lovelorn New Yorkers Claire Burns and Jessie Jolles welcome comedian buddies to share tales of romance, heartbreak and weird sex at this hilarious and hopefully love-affirming show. For this installment, Jolles has a blind first date, Burns chats with ex Justin Perez and more. Single guys, it's your lucky night: you get in free of charge.
For the best events to do every day, check in with Time Out.