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Fri 11
It’s Blooming: Floral Pop-Up and Workshops with the Wild Bunch Moxy Times Square; 10am; free with R.S.V.P.
Attend a workshop led by the founder of floral design company The Wild Bunch to learn how to make a botanical masterpiece—or just leave it to the professionals and pick up an already-made arrangement or bouquet from this daylong pop-up shop at Bar Moxy. Reserve a spot in the workshop by emailing RSVP@MoxyTimesSquare.com.
Roy Ayers Output; 6pm; $30
Vibraphonist and R&B pioneer Ayers, one of the most sampled artists of all time, brings classics like “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” and “Searchin” to open the Output roof’s summer season.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in NYC this weekend
Sat 12
The Second Annual Camaraderie Clothing Swap SPACES; 3pm; $18
Inclusive women’s group The Camaraderie NYC is hosting their second clothing swap in collaboration with Bustle and SPACES. The process is simple: Bring any gently-worn clothing and accessories you no longer wear, then go raid the bounty provided by other participants.
New York Taco Takeover Brooklyn Expo Center; 11am; $59–$89
Move over Taco Tuesday; it's Takeover time. Head to the Brooklyn Expo Center for this daylong bonanza, where you can not only house large quantities of the world's greatest hand-held food, but also partake in an unlimited open beer and tequila bar, whack a piñata, bob for churros and more.
LIC Springs! At various locations; noon; free
Spend the afternoon taking in live performances, playing games, sampling local eats from restaurants and participating in art-making workshops and fitness classes at the Long Island City Partnership's annual spring block party. Vernon Boulevard between 50th Ave & 46th Ave.
Holi Hai Festival of Color Governors Island; noon; free–$84
Governors Island hosts the Holi Hai Festival of Color in May. If you’re not familiar, Holi Hai is a party celebrating the coming of spring through live music and dancing, while guests throw rainbow-hued powders all over each other. That’s right: Everyone gets tye-dyed!
Brooklyn Crush Wine & Artisanal Food Festival Industry City; 2pm, 7pm; $54–$120
At this drinking extravaganza, fill up a souvenir wine glass with limitless samples of more than 200 wines from locales both near and far. Your ticket is good for three hours of nonstop sipping set to the sounds of live jazz. To complement the vino, snack on gratis hors d’oeuvres (cheese, crudités) and sample charcuterie, sausages, pâté, desserts and vegan eats from artisanal vendors. Many of the event's wineries and food vendors bring stock to sell, so if you find something you like, grab some to take home.
BUST Craftacular Factory Floor at Industry City; 11am; free-$85
BUST—a kick-ass feminist magazine—returns to Brooklyn with another action-packed indie shopaganza. In addition to stellar shopping vendors and craft cocktails, the event features classes on herbalism, macrame, embroidery, DJing, tarot symbolism and more. You’ll walk out with new skills and awesome items from local vendors (and probably some cool swag, too).
New York Asian Burlesque Extravaganza Highline Ballroom; 7:30pm; $20–$45
Thirsty Girl and Calamity Chang's massive annual showcase of some of the world's most spectacular striptease artists continues in NYC for its sixth year. Join host Midnite Martini, Calamity Chang, Marianne Cheesecake, Silly Thanh, Crocodile Lightning, Coco Ono, Kitana Louise and Viva Lamore for a night of international tassel-twirling extravagance.
Dances of Vice: The Neptune Ball India House Club; 9pm; $49
Dances of Vice invites you to party like Odysseus just got back to Ithaca at this debauched night of nautical revelry. Held just blocks from the former digs of historical NYC pirate Captain William Kidd, this bash features a full food and drink menu and performances from all manner of underwater deities. Serve your best sea witch or Life Aquatic look for this memorable evening under the ocean.
The Art Students League of New York Open House; 11am; $15 adults, $10 children, after party $50
Folks with an appreciation for the arts can spend an afternoon creating their own masterpieces at The Art Student League of New York. People of all ages participate in a series of workshops from psychedelic monoprint-making to still life painting and creative writing, or check out some of the League's works on display while taking a tour of the historic building. Later in the evening, pay $50 to attend a house party that guarantees an open bar, bites and dancing with costumed revelers. Click here for the full schedule.
Sun 13
Japan Day Central Park; starts at 10am; free
Make the most of a sunny afternoon in Central Park at the annual Japan Day, an all-day celebration of Japanese culture that unfolds under trees in full bloom. The party starts with a 5K run at 8am. If that's a little early for you, hit the activity tents and live stage, which get going at 9:30am. Past events have offered Kabuki-style face painting, Japanese taiko drumming, lessons in calligraphy and origami, karate and musical performances and, of course, mouthwatering ramen, okonomiyaki and other traditional Japanese bites. Gotta try ’em all!
Sunday Voguing Tea Dance Museum of Sex; 4pm; $10
It started as a ceremony of expression for queer outsiders in Harlem's ballroom underground, influenced music, fashion and culture for decades and is now part of a Katy Perry song. Worship the dance, the ceremony and the style of Voguing at this epic daytime ball, at which some of the most gagworthy houses in NYC (including House of Ebony, House of Magnifique and House of Lanvin) will pose, spin and show you how it's done.
SOBER Curious Kundalini Disco + Community Dinner Ra Ma Institute; 7pm; $40–$45
If you're off the sauce but still looking to have some fun, this alcohol-free event offers dancing, tasty eats and kundalini yoga session and guided meditation with DJ Amy K. The evening's lineup also includes author Ruby Warrington and filmmaker Alexandra Roxo. The best part? You'll wake up feeling great the next morning.
Mister Sunday Opening Day Nowadays; 3pm; $10–$20
Eclectic DJs Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin kick off the first night of their Mister Sunday Series, serving a joyous mix of house, disco and at their outdoor club Nowadays. Don’t miss a summer edition of this institution, which features food, drinks and plenty of dancing.