This is what’s driving us bonkers in NYC right now and making us (almost) want to move
We live in a walk-and-talk kind of town—I get it. When I’m on my morning commute or running between meetings, you can bet your ass I’m using that precious time to “catch up on calls,” which is code for “calling my mother.” However, I see more and more people roaming the streets while FaceTiming. This behavior is unacceptable.
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Listen, I can understand that the occasional tourist would want to share their trip to the Best City on Earth through the lens of their iPhone for someone back home. But this is not what’s happening here. These distracted lollygaggers are always discussing some meaningless nonsense (personally, my conversations are witty, informative and brief) with some groggy pal in a disheveled bed right here in the tristate area.
While I get the allure of a face-to-face convo, these FaceTimers are pinballing into pedestrians and completely ignoring the flow of traffic. Must I get bumped around so that you can whisper sweet nothings to your boyfriend in Yonkers?
Let’s bring back the days when New Yorkers just obnoxiously shouted into their phones with a robust disregard for others. At least then they would see where they were going.
Oktoberfestivities have kicked off at bars and beer halls all across New York City. Grab your beer stein, rev up your appetite and head on over to one of the many celebrations that are already underway.
Find your weekday, weekend or even weeklong plans on our list of the best Oktoberfest events happening this year.
This year more than ever, New York’s climate conversation is gonna get very loud. Climate Week NYC returns September 20 through 27 with more than 1,000 events across the city and over 100,000 expected attendees. Organized by Climate Group alongside the United Nations General Assembly, the week brings together global leaders, business executives, policymakers, activists and communities to talk about the climate crisis and, ideally, plan to do something about it.
Textiles are a lot more than couture or the fabric you're sitting on right now—assuming you're on the couch. Untethered Works, a new exhibit at the Textile Art Gallery (529 W 20th St, 6th Fl.), brings together contemporary artists exploring what happens when fiber escapes its traditional boundaries. Artists Peggy Black, Julia Graziano and Sarah Pavlik showcase works that push fabric, thread and other materials into sculptural, tactile and often unexpectedly expressive territory. Forget what you think you know about embroidery—these artists treat textiles as a serious medium for abstraction and experimentation.
There are also two special events on September 10 in celebration of New York Textile Month XI: a talk with the artists midday, and the opening reception in the early evening. All events are free, just register online.
Sometimes karaoke just doesn't cut it. For those who want the joy and release that singing provides, but maybe need to feel a little more confident doing it, there's The Sing Easy. An 80-minute guided group voice session led by NYC voice educator and artist Jess McAvoy, the evening uses breathwork, vocal play and easy-to-learn original songs to help participants explore their voices. No singing experience or music reading abilities required—just show up and make a joyful noise. Sessions take place at Sprout Society (26 Scott Ave.) in Brooklyn and on 150 West 28th Street, suite 303, in Manhattan through December.
Every Saturday at Xanadu, combine two of the best (and most fun) things to come out of the '70s: disco and roller skating. Starting at noon, the Bushwick roller rink becomes your daytime playground for a glittery afternoon of skating, disco and general good times on wheels. The all-ages skate sesh runs until 6pm, with a soundtrack of disco, house and pop keeping the rink moving. Bring your own skates or rent a pair on-site to boogie down on Xanadu’s 7,000-square-foot maple floor. Olivia Newton-John not included.
Trying to make it a group hang? If you've got seven or more people tagging along, you can reserve a booth.
Opened July 14 and on view through December 27, "Unbound" is a new, free exhibition by Brooklyn artist and acclaimed children's book author Christopher Myers that transforms the library into a vibrant celebration of storytelling. Spanning the Central Library's façade, Grand Lobby, Youth Wing and second-floor balcony, the installation features towering 40-foot tapestries alongside luminous stained-glass sculptures inspired by Myers' forthcoming picture book, Night Ride, due out this September.
Rather than saints or biblical scenes, Myers’ stained-glass work consists of jewel-toned panels depicting kids on bicycles racing through New York City after dark, capturing the excitement of a summer evening ride. The exhibition, however, goes deeper than the beautiful artwork; it's also a timely meditation on the freedom to read.
Before the sun starts to set at 4pm and we all plunge into seasonal woes, take advantage of every hot summer night by heading to Sunset Beats at Ink 48 Hotel's Hudson VU Rooftop Lounge (653 11th Ave.). The party runs on Saturdays and will be happening well into September this year. Dinner and drinks kick off at 6pm as the resident DJ gradually turns the tempo up while the sun goes down. It’s a low-key way to start the night—or a perfectly acceptable way to spend a Saturday not on your couch. Come for the sunset, stay for the music and let the city provide the scenery while the DJ handles the soundtrack.
Five years after being charged with ‘saving cinema’ with Tenet, Christopher Nolan is back to take the strain again—this time with his most epic undertaking yet. Homer’s great homecoming tale remains a foundational text for big-screen storytelling and Nolan’s boundless ambition will celebrate it in IMAX-enhanced style. Matt Damon plays wandering hero Odysseus, with Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal joining Nolan’s pantheon of gods and humans.
In cinemas Jul 17
Taking a little of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, a sprinkle of Mike Nichols, a toke or two of stoner comedy silliness and a big huff of post-Woody Allen urbanite repression, Olivia Wilde’s latest slots into a rich lineage of hilariously awkward sex comedies. With a stellar cast – Wilde, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, Penélope Cruz – finding alchemy in their contrasting styles, it’s daringly close to the bone and frequently fall-off-your-chair funny.
New York’s favorite summer tradition is turning 40 and, apparently, it is celebrating by booking absolutely everyone.
City Parks Foundation has officially unveiled the 2026 lineup for Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage and this year’s season is shaping up to be one of the festival’s biggest and best yet. More than 60 free and ticketed shows will land in parks throughout the five boroughs with a lineup that swings wildly (and beautifully) between jazz legends, indie-rock darlings, hip-hop icons, global stars and a few niche downtown bookings.
The season kicked off June 10 in Central Park with a free opening-night performance from Grammy-winning vocalist Ledisi, alongside Spilata and DJ Kultured Child as part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival partnership.
Then, Laurie Anderson brought her new "Republic of Love" tour to Central Park with Sexmob on June 26, Mavis Staples returned for a gospel-soaked July performance and Spoon took over Rumsey Playfield on July 8 with Ratboys and Bodega. Elsewhere, De La Soul and Pete Rock are heading to Queens, Shaggy is bringing the “It Wasn’t Me” energy to Central Park, and Angélique Kidjo returns in August with music from her forthcoming album Hope!!.
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