Things to do in New York this Friday
It’s time to punch out, wind down and start your weekend off right with the best things to do in New York this Friday
Don’t blow your weekend by spending Friday night on the couch—there are too many incredible things to do in New York this Friday. Whether you want to rage at one of the best parties in NYC or if you’re interested in checking out free comedy shows, you have unlimited options. That’s why we decided to make the planning process easier for you by selecting the very best events that are guaranteed to show you a good time. Forget road trips, the best way to spend your Friday night is right here in NYC.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do in NYC this weekend
Featured things to do this Friday
The Roller Wave: Roller Disco
The ever-popular roller-disco party returns for another night of freewheeling fun at House of Yes. Show up in your flyest cape, hit the floor and show off those slick skate moves. Or, if you're like us, just try not to go ass over tea kettle in front of a cutie. If you don't have your own wheels, show up early; rental skates are first-come, first-served.
Nath Ann Carrera: The Early Southern Gothicism of Dolly Parton
The lean, pretty, gender-defiant Nath Ann Carrera performs a collection of early story songs by Dolly Parton, many of them surprisingly dark.
American Football
Since ‘90s mid-western emo is experiencing somewhat of a modern revival, it's only fitting that legend Mike Kinsella (of Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc and Owen fame) would reconvene his short-lived but genre-defining project American Football. The band's new album—the second self-titled followup to its beloved, classic self-titled debut—features the likes of Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Rachel Goswell (Slowdive) accompanying its wistful explorations of middle-aged ennui. Now faced with the responsibilites of work and family two decades later, the band strays farther from its original mythology (based in college music scenes, fiery teenage romances and heartbreak) in search of new, maturer ground.
Nancy And Beth (Featuring Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt)
Sitcom royal Mullally (Will & Grace) joins forces and blends voices with young actor-singer Hunt in the guise of a bespectacled folk duo called Nancy And Beth. Their debut Carlyle set will include selections from their self-titled debut album, which includes songs by Lou Rawls, Leiber and Stoller, Rufus Wainwright and Wynona Carr.
John Lloyd Young: Jukebox Hero
The Tony-winning star of Jersey Boys, both the Broadway musical and the Clint Eastwood film, brings his musical highs and puppyish eyes back to Feinstein's/54 Below in a set of hit tunes from the '50s, '60s and '70s—including, surely, at least one by the Four Seasons.
Joey Arias
A demigod of the demimonde, Arias has entertained and scandalized the club world for decades with his fetish-drag getups, extravagant charisma, filthy patter and Billie Holiday stylings. In his latest Joe's set, he looks back on his storied career, backed by a five-piece band.
The Butterfly Conservatory
There are more than 18,000 known species of butterflies and five families. Meet gems from three of those families, including Pieridae (white and sulphur), Papilionidae (black and yellow swallowtails) and Nymphalidae (psychedelic-colored longwings) as they fly around in a vivarium compound.
World Science Festival
Nerds, rejoice! The World Science Festival is back with another round of debates, films, workshops, interactive installations and discussions featuring leaders in astronomy, neuroscience, robotics and more. Get a new perspective on the intelligence of other animals, learn about the promising effects of psychedelics, stargaze with professional telescopes in Brooklyn Bridge Park and top it all off with a free street fair in Washington Square Park.
"Masters of the Fantastic"
The Society of Illustrators celebrates the original artwork that of our most celebrated fictional worlds. Trip out as you look back on book covers, movie posters, fable illustrations, and concept designs that have expanded the possibilities of fantasy and sci-fi storytelling.
"Leonard Cohen: A Crack In Everything"
The late poet turned singer-songwriter’s legend lives on in this tribute, which makes its way to the States from Cohen’s homeland of Canada. In it, a dozen artists have been commissioned to create new works that interpret the lyricist’s themes. Spread over two floors, the exhibit, which was green-lighted by Cohen before his death, will also feature original drawings by the man himself, as well as a multimedia area where you can listen to Cohen covers by the likes of the National, Feist, Moby and Sufjan Stevens.
Popular things to do this Friday
Avenue Q
After many years, the sassy and clever puppet musical doesn’t show its age. Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx’s deft Sesame Street–esque novelty tunes about porn and racism still earn their laughs. Avenue Q remains a sly and winning piece of metamusical tomfoolery. Running time: 2hrs 15mins. One intermission.
The Roller Wave: Roller Disco
The ever-popular roller-disco party returns for another night of freewheeling fun at House of Yes. Show up in your flyest cape, hit the floor and show off those slick skate moves. Or, if you're like us, just try not to go ass over tea kettle in front of a cutie. If you don't have your own wheels, show up early; rental skates are first-come, first-served.
IDACOnyc: Italian Dance Connection
The Italian Dance Connection gives New York the boot in a three-day festival that comprises 16 live dance works (including 10 premieres) and a dozen films. The offerings are divided into four distinct programs.
Nath Ann Carrera: The Early Southern Gothicism of Dolly Parton
The lean, pretty, gender-defiant Nath Ann Carrera performs a collection of early story songs by Dolly Parton, many of them surprisingly dark.
American Football
Since ‘90s mid-western emo is experiencing somewhat of a modern revival, it's only fitting that legend Mike Kinsella (of Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc and Owen fame) would reconvene his short-lived but genre-defining project American Football. The band's new album—the second self-titled followup to its beloved, classic self-titled debut—features the likes of Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Rachel Goswell (Slowdive) accompanying its wistful explorations of middle-aged ennui. Now faced with the responsibilites of work and family two decades later, the band strays farther from its original mythology (based in college music scenes, fiery teenage romances and heartbreak) in search of new, maturer ground.
La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival 2019
La MaMa's annual festival runs riot with dance. Witness Relocation's Surveys the Prairie of Your Room (May 18, 19), created and performed by Dan Safer and Ae Andreas, features music by Heather Christian and text by Kate Scelsa. Other participating artists include Italy's Gruppo Nanou (Apr 26–28), Colleen Thomas (May 3–5), Mia Habin (May 3–5), Yin Mei Dance (May 9, 10), Hari Krishnan/inDance (May 11, 12), Bobbi Jene Smith (May 16–19), Jesca Prudencio (May 23, 34) and Sin Cha Hong (May 25, 26).
John Lloyd Young: Jukebox Hero
The Tony-winning star of Jersey Boys, both the Broadway musical and the Clint Eastwood film, brings his musical highs and puppyish eyes back to Feinstein's/54 Below in a set of hit tunes from the '50s, '60s and '70s—including, surely, at least one by the Four Seasons.
Parsons Dance
David Parsons and his company return to the Joyce with a mixed bill that features three pieces by Parsons—Round My World, Nascimento and company favorite Caught—as well as the late Paul Taylor's Runes (1975) and the New York premiere of Trey McIntyre's Eight Women, set to music by Aretha Franklin. (At matinee performances, Parsons's Hand Dance replaces the Taylor piece.)
Nancy And Beth (Featuring Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt)
Sitcom royal Mullally (Will & Grace) joins forces and blends voices with young actor-singer Hunt in the guise of a bespectacled folk duo called Nancy And Beth. Their debut Carlyle set will include selections from their self-titled debut album, which includes songs by Lou Rawls, Leiber and Stoller, Rufus Wainwright and Wynona Carr.
Joey Arias
A demigod of the demimonde, Arias has entertained and scandalized the club world for decades with his fetish-drag getups, extravagant charisma, filthy patter and Billie Holiday stylings. In his latest Joe's set, he looks back on his storied career, backed by a five-piece band.
Free things to do this Friday
Hamlet: Princess of Denmark
The Drilling Company begins its sixth season at Bryant Park with a gender-shifted accoount of Shakespeare's wordy tragedy, where a ghost and a prince meet and everyone ends in mincemeat. Karla Hendrick directs a cast led by Jane Bradley as the mopey Dane.
Top Gun on the Intrepid
Before America was great again and Tom Cruise was super weird, there was this gem of pop Americana featuring hot pilots high-fiving on the beach (we're sure that some other stuff happens too). And now you can watch it from the flight deck of an actual aircraft carrier? GTFO! Get there early (the flight deck opens at 5pm) to stake out a good viewing spot.
Side Ponytail
This free weekly getdown from Carolyn Busa, Julia Shiplett, Ben Wasserman and Emily Winter is a reliable night for solid laughs and surprise stars in Crown Heights.
Randall's Island Outdoor Movie Nights
Randall's Island Park returns with its annual free film series, presenting family friendly hits against a stunning city backdrop. On this year's schedule: Incredibles 2 (May 24), Mary Poppins Returns (June 8), Black Panther (June 15), Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse (July 14), Tangled (July 28), Crazy Rich Asians (Aug 11), Ralph Breaks the Internet (Aug 18) and Creed II (Sep 8). Show up early for free games and crafts—and to grab some free popcorn while it lasts.
Antigone in Ferguson
Theater review by Helen Shaw [Note: The following is a review of the production of Antigone in Ferguson at Harlem Stage in 2018. The production returns for an encore run at Brooklyn's St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church May 8–July 13, 2019. The rotating cast is scheduled to include Amy Ryan, Chris Noth, Paul Giamatti, Jumaane Williams, Kathryn Erbe, Obi Abili, Linda Powell, Josh Hamilton and David Strathairn.] Antigone in Ferguson's title is little misleading. In its first section, Bryan Doerries’s Theater of War production is not actually far different from Sophocles’ original tragedy. Its story of Thebes, torn apart by the conflicting claims of authority and conscience, still has all its ancient Greek trappings, and any association you make with certain events near St. Louis is, it seems, up to you. Doerries has given the cast—a rotating rep of fine film, theater and television actors (such as Frankie Faison, Tate Donovan, Samira Wiley and Paul Giamatti)—a trim hour-long version, and they perform it sitting at music stands, reading from scripts. Behind them a tip-top band and a choir full of gospel powerhouses sings Phil Woodmore’s wonderful settings of Sophocles’ famous choruses. No one tells us that the dead boy Polyneices could also be called Michael Brown; no one hints that Antigone—his sister, who buries his body in defiance of her uncle King Creon—could be a Black Lives Matters protestor. How, you wonder, did they get that title? RECOMMENDED: Antigone in Ferguson
Much Ado About Nothing
Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun) directs an African-American cast in Shakespeare in the Park's first 2019 offering: a modern-dress account of the Bard's tart-tongued rom-com about two too-witty longtime enemies whose friends plot to get them together. Grantham Coleman and Danielle Brooks portray the squabbling main couple; Chuck Cooper is the elder statesman, Hubert Point-Du Jour is the villain and Lateefah Holder is the hopelessly moronic constable. See our complete guide to Shakespeare in the Park tickets for details.
Shakespeare in the Park
New York’s coveted (and free-of-charge) outdoor theater returns for the warm-weather season. This year, Tony Award winner Kenny Leon directs a modernized version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, a comedic tale about romantic retribution and miscommunication (y’know, themes not unfamiliar to our dating-app culture). Tickets are distributed each performance day at noon at the Delacorte Theater, but the line for tickets is always bananas. Our advice? Get there by no later than 10am. RECOMMENDED: How to get free Shakespeare in the Park tickets
Movies to see this Friday
Avengers: Endgame
Marvel's big finish earns its heaviness—it may even wreck you
Under the Silver Lake
David Robert Mitchell's inspired neo-noir joins the ranks of filmdom's lovably loopy L.A. stories
Hail Satan?
The documentary is possessed not by evil but by a clear eye, a cool head and a sense of humor
High Life
Robert Pattinson deepens his post-Twilight career in an arrestingly strange sci-fi film
Shazam!
Boldly—even proudly?—silly, a superhero movie weaponizes its own boyishness
Gloria Bell
Julianne Moore delivers a signature performance as a rumpled romantic survivor
Dogman
Italy's Matteo Garrone crafts an intimate parable of a downtrodden dog groomer
Apollo 11
A definitive documentary about the historic 1969 moon shot is the right stuff
Climax
Gaspar Noé embarks on another boundary-pushing head trip—you’ll want to join him
Fighting with My Family
Florence Pugh brings her indie attitude to a lovable wrestling comedy of heart and sweat.
Concerts to see this Friday
Nath Ann Carrera: The Early Southern Gothicism of Dolly Parton
The lean, pretty, gender-defiant Nath Ann Carrera performs a collection of early story songs by Dolly Parton, many of them surprisingly dark.
American Football
Since ‘90s mid-western emo is experiencing somewhat of a modern revival, it's only fitting that legend Mike Kinsella (of Cap'n Jazz, Joan of Arc and Owen fame) would reconvene his short-lived but genre-defining project American Football. The band's new album—the second self-titled followup to its beloved, classic self-titled debut—features the likes of Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Rachel Goswell (Slowdive) accompanying its wistful explorations of middle-aged ennui. Now faced with the responsibilites of work and family two decades later, the band strays farther from its original mythology (based in college music scenes, fiery teenage romances and heartbreak) in search of new, maturer ground.
John Lloyd Young: Jukebox Hero
The Tony-winning star of Jersey Boys, both the Broadway musical and the Clint Eastwood film, brings his musical highs and puppyish eyes back to Feinstein's/54 Below in a set of hit tunes from the '50s, '60s and '70s—including, surely, at least one by the Four Seasons.
Nancy And Beth (Featuring Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt)
Sitcom royal Mullally (Will & Grace) joins forces and blends voices with young actor-singer Hunt in the guise of a bespectacled folk duo called Nancy And Beth. Their debut Carlyle set will include selections from their self-titled debut album, which includes songs by Lou Rawls, Leiber and Stoller, Rufus Wainwright and Wynona Carr.
Joey Arias
A demigod of the demimonde, Arias has entertained and scandalized the club world for decades with his fetish-drag getups, extravagant charisma, filthy patter and Billie Holiday stylings. In his latest Joe's set, he looks back on his storied career, backed by a five-piece band.