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Mon 8
Phobia Relief Day George Billis Gallery; 10am; $15–$45
If you’ve ever felt anxious or have phobic tendencies, Phobia Relief Day in NYC is designed for people who suffer from fears and are seeking relief. At this one-day event at the George Billis Gallery in Chelsea, speaker and phobia relief expert and bestselling author Kalliope Barlis will advise those looking for ways to help loved ones cope with various phobias as well as teach phobia relief skills. Help is just a click away.
Broadway Sings Lady Gaga Highline Ballroom; 8pm; $30–$65
More than a dozen Broadway vocalists do their Pyscho and Vertigo shtick to new arangements of Gaga classics, backed by piano man Joshua Stephen Kartes and a 14-piece jazz orchestra. Singers include Nick Adams, Lilli Cooper, Matt DeAngelis, Claybourne Elder, Nathan Lee Graham, Eric Michael Krop, Liz Larsen, Corey Mach, Lesli Margherita, Jeremy Pope, A.J. Shively, Shayna Steele and more.
HUMP! Film Festival Cinema Village; 7pm; $25
Dan Savage’s artist-driven indie-porn fest hits NYC with a new batch of wild, five-minute-or-less picks made by filmmakers with no porn experience. Films like “It's Fucking Complicated” and “I'm Not Poly But My Boyfriends Are” push you outside of your comfort zone, but it’s worth it: Featured films embrace free gender expression and a diversity of body types, races and sexual orientations. Prepare for a full-service film experience.
Tue 9
The Pen Parentis Literary Salon Andaz Wall Street; 7pm; free
Literary nonprofit Pen Parentis, which provides space where writers can create after they’ve started a family, hosts this live reading event featuring four celebrated local authors. Enjoy complimentary wine and network with other book fiends while New York writers Alice Kaltman, Kristopher Jansma, John Freeman Gill and Stewart Lewis read from and sign their books, discuss their creative processes and mingle with fans.
Famous Friends Rochelle’s; 8pm; free
Rochelle’s brings the party (and the laughs) every Monday night with free stand-up comedy from a rotating list of comedians, plus all-night happy-hour deals, including $5 beer-and-shot combos.
90s Forever Spark Pretty Pop-up Shop; noon; free to attend
Online vintage marketplace Spark Pretty sets up shop with an East Village pop-up filled with finds from the decade that brought you both grunge and TRL. The MTV Beach House–themed space will skew toward the first half of the nineties (think: Kelly Bundy dresses and Budweiser-branded gear) with its stock of summer-ready looks and kitschy accessories and toys starting at just $12. Spark Pretty 90s Forever Pop-Up, 333 E 9th St.
Wed 10
The Whisky Extravaganza The Prince George Ballroom; 5:45pm; $150
You better pace yourself at this festival for lovers of scotch, single malts and all things whiskey. You'll be given a tasting glass and the chance to try over 101 varieties of the scorching drink. Be sure to try the pairing vittles to give you stamina for the night.
Tequila, Tacos & Trivia Salvation Taco; 6:30pm; $250
FreeFrom, the new non-profit dedicated to providing economic justice for survivors of domestic violence, hosts this fundraiser, featuring delicious tacos from Salvation, endless tequila, a silent auction and more. VIP guests can opt in for the $375 ticket, which includes a pre-tequila tasting with hor d’oeuvres.
Father John Misty Kings Theatre; 7pm; $45
The crackling aura surrounding Father John Misty extends beyond his past life as a Fleet Foxes member to the music he’s now releasing as a solo artist. His 2012 Sub Pop debut, Fear Fun, featured soaring, soulful folk-rock lysergically spiked with energy and intelligence, and this year's, Pure Comedy, was an arch, sometimes brutal look at modern love that should provide plenty of fodder for Misty’s scenery-chewing live show.
Fuerzafest Julia de Burgos Performance & Arts Center; 10am; free–$20
Now in its second year, this festival of LGBT Latinx culture in NYC takes over the heart of El Barrio neighborhood for ten days of films, theatrical performances, art and community building to foster unity nearly one year after Pulse Nightclub massacre. Head to the Breaking Down Walls panel, which features Proyecto Somos Orlando director Ricardo Negrón; check out films like Strike a Pose, which chronicles the adventures of seven dances on Madonna's infamous Truth or Dare tour; and don't miss two-header theatrical productions like Máscaras Afueras and Seis.
Salty Brine: Welcome to the Jungle Pangea; 7:30pm; $20
The outré actor-writer continues his terrific Spectacular Living Record Collection Cabaret series, in which he weaves classic pop albums into funny, perceptive tapestries of queer storytelling. This edition somehow mashes Harry Nillson's Nilsson Schmilsson with Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.
We Are Thomasse Peoples Improv Theatre; 9pm; $7
We Are Thomasse, the British-American duo that's been compared to both Monty Python and Key & Peele, serves up sharp wit and lightning-quick sketch comedy—over two dozen sketches in 45 minutes!—at its cheeky show.
Thu 11
Summer Kickoff Yacht Party Hornblower Cruises at Pier 40; 6:30pm; $39–$49
Summer is coming a little early to New York City Harbor this year as Time Out New York teams up with Hornblower Cruises & Events to throw an epic celebration on the Hudson! Wear your flippy-floppies and get psyched for this three-hour party cruise, which includes an open bar (drink up!), delicious hors d’oeuvres and killer local DJs playing across the yacht’s four floors. Let's not forget about the stunning views of the New York skyline—oh, and did we mention three hours of unlimited booze?
Dirty Thursday: ’90s Night House of Yes; 10pm; free
Travel back in time, get into the groove, and lose your voice belting out legendary jams like Salt-n-Pepa's "None of Your Business" at this outrageous Bushwick dance party. Wear neon-splattered denims, oversized flanels or patent leather bodysuits to win free drinks and eternal dance-floor glory (or, if you win over the bartenders, that tends to work, too). Spandex is sweat-proof, right?
Party for the Park Prospect Park Carousel; 8pm; $125–$150, VIP $500
Head to the Prospect Park Boathouse to celebrate the 150th anniversary of one of the city's finest parks. Get down on the dancefloor to DJ sets; treat yourself to bites from Ample Hills, Du Jour Bakery, Brooklyn Kolache, Four & Twenty Blackbirds and more; bid at a silent auction; and indulge in cocktails and beer from Brooklyn Brewery. VIP guests can enjoy a pre-party and lounge with film screenings from Nitehawk Cinema and specialty drinks and bites from some of the borough's best vendors. Cheers!
First Time Out: A Variety Show Le Poisson Rouge; 7:30pm; $8, at the door $12
Ready to take your stand-up routine from the bathroom mirror to the stage? You'll be hard pressed to find a more supportive environment than this recurring variety show where comedians, musicians, dancers, storytellers, jugglers and more get on stage for the very first time. Apply to perform at fto.show, or just come to applaud promising creatives and wish them many happy returns.
Boogie Nights at Sushi Roxx; 6:15pm; various prices
Fancy dinner and a show? This midtown spot provides both while serving tasty plates of sushi and other decadent bites in a vibrant and upbeat atmosphere. Watch in amazement as the restaurant’s performers knock your socks off with their expert dance moves and impressive pipes. Throwback lovers should definitely reserve a table on Thursday evening during the spot’s Boogie Nights promotion—the entertainers sport flared pants and disco garb while crooning the words to your favorite soulful and groovy tunes by Earth Wind and Fire, The Weather Girls and more. Trust us, your rump will be shaking in your seat.
RED: An Immersive Xperience; 5pm; from $65 to $99
Ever wonder what it would be like to survive the apocalypse? A pressure-packed survival situation where decisions can mean life or death? Well, now’s your chance during a 10-week production launch of RED: An Immersive Xperience, a psychological thriller produced by a US Army Special Operations Veteran and a PhD mental health expert, that delivers a real-life, immersive scenario complete with real actors and special effects. Head to Long Island City and brings friends for an intense live action experience. Just see for yourself: RED: An Immersive Xperience.
Happy Karaoke Fun Time: An Improvised Musical! Under St. Marks; 10:30pm; $18
Philip Markle invites improvisers from UCB, the PIT and beyond to create a one-act musical based on audience suggestions and with the help of a karaoke machine. Witness your favorite songs as they are mangled into insane on-the-spot remixes at this bananas show.