[title]
Fri 8
NYFW with Sam Edelman; 4pm; free
We get it: Fashion Week’s free swag and celebrity-populated after-parties are enough to make the uninvited go nuts. But everyone is welcome to join designer Sam Edelman’s NYFW bash at his Soho Store! Scope out and shop the brand’s new shoes, apparel, lingerie and accessories for fall. You can also nab mini makeovers provided by GlamSquad while sipping craft cocktails. You'll feel good about snagging a pair of Cobra boots while you're there, too, since 10 percent of event sales will benefit Two Ten Footwear Foundation's Hurricane Harvey Diaster Relief Fund.
Isaac Mizrahi: Does This Song Make Me Look Fat? City Winery; 8pm; $35–$75
Fashion designer, Project Runway: All Stars judge and media personality Mizrahi ventures into singing with a collection of standards and pop songs, backed by a jazz band. The ebullient storyteller promises to distribute hand-me-down swag from his party-going career to lucky audience members.
Hater’s Roast: The Shady Tour Beacon Theatre; 8pm; $31
In Latrice Royale's immortal words: "The shade of it all!" Watch Trixie Mattel, Darienne Lake, Thorgy Thor, Phi Phi O'Hara, Latrice Royale, Jinkx Monsoon, Ginger Minj and Kim Chi shred one another to bits at this deliciously savage roast night.
Laura Thomas: Not Alone Reckless Theatre; 8pm; $5
Enter the bizarre world of comedian Laura Thomas at this solo show about intimacy and loneliness, which invokes Patti Smith, dancing and glory holes. You're about to be in love.
Willie Nelson + The Avett Brothers + Sheryl Crow + Margo Price PNC Bank Art Center; 4pm; $22–$116
We'd be hard-pressed to think of a better way to spend a warm September evening than in the company of outlaw-country figurehead and genuine American institution Willie Nelson, who brings his road-sharped crew to New Jersey for a Southern throwdown of epic proportions. Our favorite openers on this mini-fest bill include North Carolina's Avett Brothers, formed around brothers Scott and Seth, who make anthemic, bluegrass-toned roots rock and multi-platinum-selling singer Crow, who summons Southern, ’90s-tinged vibes.
Prom Night Detention: A John Hughes Revamp Parkside Lounge; 8pm; $5
Writers Michael Maiello, Peter Olson, Christina Fitzpatrick and Saara Dutton rewrite and perform the final 5 minutes of four John Hughes movies at this comedy night. Be sure to wear your best duds, as there will be prom photos, and polish up your moves to take home a prize in the Molly Ringwald dance-off.
Sat 9
NYC Labor Day Parade begins at Fifth Ave and 44th St; 10am; free
It should take you about a week to recover from your three-day party weekend, by which time you can actually honor the national holiday at this joyous parade. Whether you’re marching with actors, nurses, engineers and organizers or are just there for support, you’re certain to leave feeling proud of the city. The parade begins at Fifth Avenue and 44th St.
PopUp Dinner on Governors Island; 4pm; $40
Governors Island is getting its very own version of the French-inspired and super-exclusive outdoor dinning event Dîner en Blanc! The gimmick is similar in that guests must don all-white attire, bring their own lavish table decorations as well as food and drink. Tickets ($40)—yes, you still have to pay even though it’s BYO everything—benefit The Friends of Governors Island.
Party Like It’s 1999: Barbie Girls and the ’90s Best Dance Hits Edition The Bell House; 10pm; free
Experience just how fantastic life in plastic can be at this toast to the hyperpositive Eurodance imports of yore, including Aqua, Ace of Base, Vengaboys and Steps, plus stateside stars Madonna, Cher and Cyndi Lauper, courtesy of DJ Steve Reynolds.
Pig Island Ikea Erie Basin Park; 11:30am; $65–$1,000
At this seventh-annual porkfest, more than 20 of Gotham’s top pitmasters will break down and ’cue up whole heritage hogs from Flying Pigs Farm and other small regional pork farms. Feast on all-you-can-stomach offerings like fire-roasted Colorado pueblo peppers by NYC Hot Sauce Co.’s Jon Bratton and Danish pølse slathered in fiery Nordic ketchup, deviled-egg cream and a jalapeño coleslaw by Copenhagen Street Dog.
Octfest Brooklyn Hangar; 1pm; single ticket $60, two tickets $100
Head to the Brooklyn Hangar for a day of live music and tasty brews, hosted by Pitchfork and October. Over 40 breweries will serve up samples of their best craft suds while Guided By Voices, Okkervil River, the Sadies, Charles Bradley, Kilo Kish and the Pains of Being Pure at Heart do their thing on the stage. Come thirsty.
Rupaul’s DragCon Javits Center; 10am; $40, weekend pass $60
Finally. After selling out convention halls in Los Angeles, Mama Ru's juggernaut culture fest hits Javits Center for a full weekend of panels, pageantry and plenty of shade. Meet your favorite queens, buy merch, and watch the ladies go head to head at after-parties all weekend. The stacked lineup is pretty unbeatable, and continues to grow with alumni and celebrity fans from the series' decade-long run, including: Sasha Velour, Shangela, Tammy Brown, Trixie Mattel, Amanda Lepore, Michelle Visage, Detox and the eternal diva herself, Rupaul.
Mid-Autumn Festival and Open House China Institute; 11am; free with R.S.V.P.
Learn about one of China's largest holidays at this all-ages event featuring tastings, arts and crafts, children's film screenings and traditional Chinese games. While you're there, take the opportunity to tour China Institute's current exhibition, Dreams of the Kings: A Jade Suit for Eternity, Treasures of the Han Dynasty from Xuzhou, and find out about upcoming fall classes. The event is free of charge, but advance registration at chinainstitute.org is requested.
The Adult Ice Cream Party Warehouse Studios; 4pm; $45–$55
Top shelf liquor and Van Leeuwen ice cream? To be honest, our stomachs hurt a little already, but we're intrigued. Three mixologists create six ice-cream cocktails at this shindig hosted by Food Moves and Komeeda, which features an open bar, live painting, tasty eats and, of course, free ice cream.
Vice on HBO’s Trans Youth David Rubenstein Atrium (at Lincoln Center); 7:30pm; free
At this screening of Vice’s exploration of families who elect for their children to transition before puberty, correspondent Gianna Toboni speaks with some of the doc series’ subjects.
Vegetarian Vision Penn Plaza Pavilion; 10am; $15–$100
Vegetarians, assemble! This two-day convention is packed with health- and environment-conscious talks and activities designed to educate and inspire. Learn new tricks at cooking demos, attend meditation sessions and yoga classes, pick up sustainable style tips at a fashion show and more. Visit vegetarianvision.org to see the full lineup of events, and get ready to get your wellness on.
Sun 10
The Tammy Faymous Cabaret Sid Gold’s Request Room; 7:30pm; $8, at the door $10 plus two-drink minimum
The fearless Alexander Kacala twirls, strips and sings live in the persona of cabaret libertine Tammy Faymous. Witness the arrival (and possible collapse) of a diva. The charming Henry Koperski provides musical accompaniment. All proceeds benefit Houston's Montrose Center, which provides relief and support for Hurricane Harvey victims.
Wanderlust Prospect Park, Nethermead; 7:30am; free–$55
The peacefully minded yoga festival empire Wanderlust presents its latest offering at Prospect Park. Wanderlust 108 is billed as a "mindful triathlon," which combines a 5K run or walk, a massive 90-minute yoga class and dance party and a guided meditation. There will also be acroyoga, slacklining and hooping for the brave at the Adidas-sponsored event, plus live music, retro yard games and healthy food. Om (nom).
Liz Callaway: The Beat Goes On Feinstein’s/54 Below; 7pm; $40–$85, plus $25 minimum
The sunny Callaway, whose gleaming Broadway belt has brightened such shows as Cats, Baby and Miss Saigon, returns to 54 Below with a collection of songs from the 1960s, including selections from her 2001 album The Beat Goes On.
Norah Jones Le Poisson Rouge; 8pm; $55
The acclaimed vocalist responsible for scores of sweet dreams followed up her 2012 Danger Mouse–produced collection of postmodern intimacies, Little Broken Hearts, with last year’s elegant Day Breaks. Hear the earthy jazz chanteuse wrap her velvety twang around new songs and a few from her sophisticated five-album back catalog.