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David Goldberg

David Goldberg

David Goldberg is the Associate Things to Do Editor Time Out New York. He works every day to be more like Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns. You can follow him on Twitter at @goldberghawn. 

Articles (130)

The best comedy clubs in NYC

The best comedy clubs in NYC

Some of the best comedians in the world call NYC home, and whether you're seeing them in Manhattan clubs or Bushwick dive bars, you're guaranteed to be blown away by NYC's talent. Here's our rundown of the venues where you can see the best comedy in NYC. A few tips for those new to NYC's comedy scene: Expect to sit close to strangers, often in basement surrounds. Many venues require a two-drink minimum, so check for that when you buy tickets. (Pro-tip: Comedy club cocktails aren't always the most appetizing drinks, so we stick to bottled or canned beverages like beer or White Claw). Overall, remember to have fun and enjoy a good laugh.RECOMMENDED: See all of the best comedy shows in NYC

The best escape rooms in NYC

The best escape rooms in NYC

Attention thrill seekers: You might just find the adrenaline rush you’ve been looking inside one of these escape rooms in NYC. A wide range of scenarios—think bank heist, science experiment gone wrong and ancient Egyptian tomb—offer something for every type of player, whether you’re looking to celebrate Halloween in NYC a little early or couldn’t be more of a scaredy cat. Since most escape rooms are blessedly climate controlled, these games are also an excellent thing to do on a rainy day or a way to cool off when the heat feels unbearable. Take a look at best puzzle games and escape rooms in NYC below and get ready to put your wits to the test. 

The 30 best gay bars in NYC

The 30 best gay bars in NYC

New York has played a major role in LGBTQ+ history and it’s no wonder there are a slew of bars that have been beacons for the community (and prime party spots) for decades. The best queer bars in NYC range from dive bars to dance clubs, with historic spots like the Stonewall Inn anchoring them all. The West Village is a classic destination for queer nightlife, but you’ll find something exciting and welcoming in pretty much any part of the city.You can check out the best drag shows or cabaret performances, but these queer spaces all offer something unique, from cozy vibes and cheap drinks to high-energy dancing and brunch parties - sometimes in the same place on different days! Maybe your interests skew more trendy and urbane, or perhaps you're more of the down-and-dirty hook-up spots, the "what happens on the weekends, stays on the weekends" type — we're not here to judge! There are plenty of LGBTQ+ things to do in New York, but if it’s a bar you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

Sasha Velour talks touring the world as winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race

Sasha Velour talks touring the world as winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race

After ruling over the NYC drag scene as one of most cutting-edge queens, Bushwick native Sasha Velour stepped her gig up to the global stage when she won the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race in June. Since then, she's toured the world, continued to host her spectacular monthly show Nightgowns at National Sawdust, and found new ways to innovate drag shows onstage. We talked with the New Yorker of the year about her spectacular 2017. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to New Yorkers of the Year So, you’re on your way to Australia now? Yeah, I’m in an airport hotel in Indianapolis, ready to hop on the plane in an hour. Has it been like this since you won? Yes [laughs]. It’s definitely become the new normal. How are you handling the new pace? I embrace every moment of rest that I have, and at the same moment it’s so thrilling to get to do this. It’s what I wanted for so long, and there’s a lot of adrenaline that I’m still able to produce, because this life—these chances—are so incredibly exciting. When you were a local queen, you had to put looks together to do weekly numbers in Bushwick dive bars. Now, you perform every night all over the world. What is it like to prepare and conceive of every number on such a big level? Every time that I do a show—and this was true with Nightgowns when I was hosting it just as a local queen—my philosophy is always to give the audience a lot of different flavors of drag. I love that combination of lots of different styles or flavors or emotions, because

17 funny NYC podcasts that'll get you laughing

17 funny NYC podcasts that'll get you laughing

New Yorkers are some of the funniest people on the planet and thankfully some of them have decided to put their comedy on air for the whole world to hear. Sure, unsolved crime shows are intriguing and in-depth news coverage is needed, but sometimes we just need to listen to something funny to lighten the mental load. Some of the funniest up-and-coming New York comedians—including Las Culturistas and Jessica Williams—are throwing down outrageous podcasts covering sex, politics, pop-culture and working in the entertainment industry. And because they're in NYC, you can catch performances of these podcasts at live comedy shows all around town. What are you waiting for? Embrace your new addictions. 

The best things to do in the East Village, NYC

The best things to do in the East Village, NYC

Generations of artists from the bohemians to punk-rockers have come of age thanks to all the kick-ass things to do in the East Village. NYC has no shortage of badass destinations, but this nabe excels with its wide-range of jukebox playing dives with excellent happy hours, killer tattoo shops and vintage clothing stores galore. So, where should you start? We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive rundown of the best things to do in the ’hood right now. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the East Village in NYC

The best new fitness classes in NYC

The best new fitness classes in NYC

It’s easy to get stuck in a fitness rut. If you do work out, you have that one standby class you swear by…and that’s about it. Experts say if you want to get the best results for your bod, it’s a good idea to change up your routine. That’s where these ten new fitness classes come in. And if you’re looking for more ways to get toned, check out our roundups of the best weird NYC fitness classes, top spinning classes and the best gyms and health clubs in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to fitness classes in NYC

New York Comedy Festival 2019: The best shows to see

New York Comedy Festival 2019: The best shows to see

If you ask us, comedy in NYC has never been better. This year's festival may feature the best lineup yet, with acts like Nick Kroll, Trevor Noah, Nicole Byer taking the stage. Before you buy your tickets, check out our rundown of the best acts in town. 

The 21 most fabulous gay pride shirts

The 21 most fabulous gay pride shirts

Serve rainbowtastic realness this summer in gay pride shirts or tanks that make it clear you’ve come to party. Some of the best Pride celebrations in the country will be bigger than ever, so make sure you’re dressed the part—Proud bottom? Super-serious advocate? There’s a shirtmaker thinking of you. Whether you’re planning to go all out for Pride in NYC or looking to make a statement at some of San Francisco’s gay bars, or whether you’re going to the be the Beyoncé of the ball in your smaller town, you’re sure to stand out in these ridiculously fab gay pride shirts and tanks. // var vglnk = { key: 'b1dd7a2b35c8ab61d18b653f5d33bbe2' };    (function(d, t) {     var s = d.createElement(t); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true;     s.src = '//cdn.viglink.com/api/vglnk.js';     var r = d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0]; r.parentNode.insertBefore(s, r);    }(document, 'script')); //

The best Gay Pride events in NYC

The best Gay Pride events in NYC

It's Pride Month, which means LGBTQ revelers from around the globe come together for the NYC’s massive Gay Pride Parade. But if you’re looking for LGBT things to do, the march is just the beginning: we’ve assembled the best parties, protests, fund-raisers and performances that you can’t miss at this summer’s celebration. And did we even mention Pride Island, Pride’s own music festival? Pride is about to get lit. RECOMMENDED: Full coverage of Gay Pride in NYC

SF Pride: Locals on when they first felt accepted in San Francisco

SF Pride: Locals on when they first felt accepted in San Francisco

In anticipation of San Francisco Pride, we sat down for candid chats with a few choice people about the moment they felt embraced for who they are, right here in the Bay Area. (As you can see from the stories below, it’s a beautiful thing.) Looking to get in on the action this June? Check out all the Pride events you need to know about (including, yes, the big Parade), as well as the best gay bars in town to hit up. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to San Francisco Pride

"They were treating us like shit"—an oral history of the Stonewall riots

"They were treating us like shit"—an oral history of the Stonewall riots

Fifty years ago, a handful of New Yorkers changed the world. In the early  hours of June 28, 1969, cops raided the Stonewall Inn in the West Village and roughed up gay patrons, leading to days of protests and lighting a fire that culminated one year later with the very first New York Pride March. “Rebellion could lead to revolution—we really thought like that,” recalls the march’s cofounder, Ellen Broidy. This June, during WorldPride, millions from around the globe will celebrate this essential turning point. This is the story of those brave souls who said enough is enough, a half century back.  The summer of ’69: Before the riotsMark Segal: I’d gotten to New York six weeks before Stonewall. Most nights, I would leave my apartment, go to 11th Street between A and B, and pick up my good friend Doug Carber. We’d hit Greenwich and turn on Christopher Street. Whether it was cold or hot, we’d go into the Stonewall. The reason was pretty simple: If you were on the street, you might be harassed. You might be harassed by police or you might be harassed by people wanting to come down and scream at the faggots. You couldn’t be yourself. You’d try not to show any affection to someone. You couldn’t hold hands, even on Christopher Street. You couldn’t hug somebody. If more than three people congregated, the police would come and break you up because it was illegal for homosexuals to congregate. So, when you entered the Stonewall, you were able to be yourself. You could scream. You could s

Listings and reviews (109)

Mirror Lake Inn

Mirror Lake Inn

Upon driving up to the blissful Mirror Lake Inn, you may forget where you even came from, and elect to live forever in the warm lakeside fantasy of this hotel. The seven-acre, 131-unit property provides un unbeatable seasonable experience of Lake Placid and the Adirondacks: In the winter, you can enjoy skiing, skating and snowshoeing on the lake and at Whiteface Mountain; and summer adventurers can enjoy watersports and hiking. But outdoor activities require you to leave the hotel, which is near impossible: beyond the picturesque suites and cozy communal sitting room with a fireplace and daily afternoon tea, the hotel boasts two massive pools (outdoor and indoor), a gym, spa, sauna and jacuzzi. The Cottage, Taste Bistro and the AAA-four diamond rated the View restaurants feature fresh indulges for all seasons and stunning views of the lake. Trust us: You'll never want to leave.

New Year’s Eve Ride

New Year’s Eve Ride

Sign up for this free night-ride event, which will take you from midtown to to the Lower East Side to ring in the New Year. Bring your bike to the Plaza Hotel (9:30pm), Brooklyn entrance of the Williamsburg Bridge (9:30pm) or Madison Square Park (10pm) for a group ride under the stars before heading to TIME'S UP's Musical After-Party at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space in the legendary C-Squat (155 Avenue C). 

Sojo Spa Club

Sojo Spa Club

O.K., so technically this spot isn't in NYC proper, but to experience the country's largest and most accommodating Korean Spa, it's worth the quick jaunt to Jersey. It's unlikely that you'll even cover the whopping eight floors of treatments that this relaxation arena offers, including nine pools, seven sauna rooms, a restaurant and adjoining hotel. But we dare you to try. Among the highlights at this full-service facility are the spectacular rooftop infinity pool, which offers an untouchable view of the NYC skyline; a volcanic sand treatment using rare lava sand imported from Japan; and a scorching charcoal sauna. In summer months, the outdoor pools easily beat the sardine baths of the city, and the indoor saunas will reinvigorate you no matter how brutal the winter gets. There's really no reason to leave when you're in the K-Spa equivalent of Disneyland.

Tilly's BKLYN

Tilly's BKLYN

Count on a wide variety of wines, cocktails and appetizers at this beloved Bed-Stuy spot. 

Nightmare Machine

Nightmare Machine

This pop-up space hosts the immersive horror experience through Halloween. 

The Rosemont

The Rosemont

Bushwick's thriving queer rennaissance converges at this laid-back spot, at which low-budget drag, dirty dance parties and backyard hang-outs are always going down. Grab a cheap happy hour special and sit back in the couches; you're certain to make new friends. 

Soho Ink

Soho Ink

Let's be real: When shopping for a new tat or piercing, it's usually a toss-up between street-cred and health standards. Do you go with the legit spot that may not have been cleaned since the days of CBGB, or stick with a too-sterile Brooklyn shop that doubles as a Kombucha brewery? Fortunately, a new hub has arrived to give you body work with high standards in an authentic space. Head to this well-appointed shop for all manner of inks and piercings, with resident and guest artists available to talk you through your next transformation. Cleanliness standards abound, and you'll be walked through every single step of care with a patient, super-chill staff. Hang around to shop a well-curated selection of jewelry, t-shirts and more. Whether you're a first-timer or an old fogie, you're certain to be taken care of here. 

3 Dollar Bill

3 Dollar Bill

In recent years, Bushwick has quickly become a queer paradise, with bars like the Rosemont and the Deep End throwing bashes every night, and the Bushwig festival rising in prominence year by year. And with the June 2018 opening of this double-trouble nightlife hub, the neighborhood may be embarking on a new golden age. Enjoy drinks in the lovely Americana bar 3 Dollar Bill, which features shows and events like Sunday BBQ parties; then head to Sutherland, the fabulous warehouse space in the back of the venue, for thumping dance parties every night guided by sound systems inherited from venues like the Roseland Ballroom. Some of the best drag performers and DJs in the city have begun their takeovers of the new spot; get in early and join the community.

Bamford Haybarn Spa

Bamford Haybarn Spa

Tucked away in an otherwise stark neighborhood, this stunning new spa offers an embarrassment of riches to guests of all genders, with customized facials, acupressure, massages and more. Before your treatment, you can enjoy fruit and snacks in a plush waiting room, then speak with your specialist. The signature facial ($235) involves a skincare consultation and facial reflexology that will leave you feeling radiant; and the sugar polish ($175) will leave you feeling smoother than ever. The best treat are the Bamford products on sale, like the irresistible Edition 1 Hand and Body Soap ($45). You're about to become an addict.

GAMBA Forest Gallery

GAMBA Forest Gallery

GAMBA Magazine operates out of this chill Brooklyn space, which doubles as a performance venue and art gallery. 

Guerlain Spa at the Plaza Hotel

Guerlain Spa at the Plaza Hotel

5 out of 5 stars

You'll forget that you're even in Manhattan within moments of entering this peaceful, opulent spa, which moved from the Waldorf Astoria to the Plaza in 2017. With complimentary champagne, walls of flowers and 6,500 feet of silence, the state-of-the art facility will cool down even the most frantic of New Yorkers. The treatments are certainly more souped-up than ever: With an hour-long Black Orchid facial that helps the skin repair its own wrinkles ($260); a comprehensive, two-hour Body Lift massage in the scent of your choice with an included face mask ($480) and many more. Each treatment includes a “Spa Au Revoir” service, which includes your pick of a makeup retouch, garment steaming or shoe shine; and guests have access to the hotel's well-stocked gym. Time seems to stop in this stunning new space; set an alarm or you may conveniently keep forgetting to leave. 

Rebecca's

Rebecca's

This low-key Bushwick spot offers drink specials and themed performance and comedy nights. 

News (483)

Grace Jones is headlining this year’s Pride Island music festival

Grace Jones is headlining this year’s Pride Island music festival

As if World Pride and the Stonewall 50th anniversary weren't enough to make 2019 the biggest pride ever in NYC, we're also getting our own damn music festival. Now in its third year, Pride Island hits Pier 97 for a two-day block of DJs and performers going wild by the water. This year's lineup boasts music, style and gender revolutionary Grace Jones as its Saturday headliner. The lineup for the day also includes Teyana Taylor, whose song "WTP" has become a dance floor staple at pretty much any gay party that matters. They're joined by Brazilian drag pop powerhouse Pabllo Vittar and Afro-Latina singer Amara La Negra.  I saw Jones close out the "gay day" of LoveBox, a music festival in London. She was mesmerizing. I can't specify what songs she sang or what she did per se, but I know it involved tribal masks, drapery and some triumphant stares. If you can see her live, do it.  Sunday's lineup is yet to be announced, but you can count on DJs Johnny Dynell, Abel and Morabito to keep the shows going between sets.  Tickets are selling fast, so hit up the Pride Island site to book your date with Ms. Jones. It may seem like overdrive to add a music festival to your pride plans, but it's actually a nice way to keep the party rolling during the daytime for the jumbo weekend.  RECOMMENDED: Guide to Gay Pride in NYC   Want to win four VIP tickets to the show? Enter Now! 

A free concert series with 3-D projections is coming to Times Square

A free concert series with 3-D projections is coming to Times Square

For three days in February, Times Square is going to be...kind of awesome? From February 19 to 21, Times Square Arts and experimental arts crew Clocktower takes over the AMC 25 theater with Interference AV, a video art and live music festival. And did we mention it's free?  Headlining the multiplex music fest are Jlin (who had one of our favorite albums of 2017) on February 19, Lightning Bolt on February 20 and the Sun Ra Arkestra on February 21. During the performances, specially curated video art will light up the songs with 3-D projections. You can count on several opening acts to be announced, along with details for an accompanying zine fair.  Though the event is free, admission is first-come, first-serve, with RSVP required. Sign up to receive great Time Out deals in your inbox each day.​

NYC will have the coldest New Year’s Eve in 55 years

NYC will have the coldest New Year’s Eve in 55 years

Yesterday, I looked into my bodega's always-empty ice cream shelf, and it was completely full. It was the saddest thing I've ever seen. I'm going to assume that if you're reading this, you probably lost a lot of money this week on "I was supposed to take a bus to Williamsburg but if I don't get a Lyft my toes will snap off" cab rides. My mother called last night and offered to buy me a pair of UGGs. So, yeah: This weather has officially become historic.  Wind chills this morning brought NYC's temperature down to 0 degrees, a general chill that's set to stick around into next week. Predictions estimate a temperature of 11 degrees (along with 10 to 20 mph wind chills) for New Year's Eve on Sunday night, which would be the coldest one on record since 1962, according to AccuWeather.  Considering the fact that NYC Emergency Management has issued an extreme cold weather alert and a code blue for NYC's homeless community, and the fact that prolonged outdoor exposure could lead to hypothermia and frostbite, we'd perhaps suggest that you not join the brave (read: bananas) revelers heading to Times Square for the heavily secured ball drop. The cosmos is finally giving you an excuse to stay indoors and watch She's Gotta Have It. Take it, you fool! Sign up to receive great Time Out deals in your inbox each day.​

Robyn is returning to NYC to perform at Barclays Center this July

Robyn is returning to NYC to perform at Barclays Center this July

One month ago, the Swedish pop legend Robyn turned Madison Square Garden into a queer temple as part of her Honey tour. As Honey was Robyn's first album in nearly a decade, many of us assumed that this would be her last tour for another seven years or so—like a Uranus transit or a new Fiona Apple album. But we were wrong, deliciously wrong. Robyn is returning to the states this summer for the second phase of her Robyn tour, and will be hitting Barclays Center on Friday, July 19. She'll also be hitting Philly, San Francisco, Inglewood and Chicago's Pitchfork Music Festival. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 12 at 10am.  Do whatever it takes to score these; a deluge of fans who couldn't score tickets last time will be back with a vengeance. And those of us who did attend are certainly going to be ready for round two, at least to see her remake Barclays in her own heavenly image. 

Robyn turned Madison Square Garden into a queer temple

Robyn turned Madison Square Garden into a queer temple

View this post on Instagram @robynkonichiwa last night at @thegarden. Find some more photos up now on the blog: bit.ly/2NRDrfl . . . #robyn #robynkonichiwa #robynmsg #madisonsquaregarden #thegarden #msg #theworldsmostfamousarena #honey #interscoperecords #interscope #midtown #newyorkcity #nyc #livemusic #livemusicphotography #concert #concertphotography #musicphotography #gigphotography #weallwantsomeonetoshoutfor A post shared by Will Oliver (@weallwantsomeone) on Mar 9, 2019 at 1:32pm PST On Friday night, the Swedish pop visionary Robyn brought her “Honey” tour to Madison Square Garden. It was her biggest stateside show to date, and for fans who have waited since her 2010 “Body Talk” tour, a long overdue reunion. The show could have gone in any direction: Her 2018 album Honey is far more sparse and experimental than the jumbo-sized pop fantasy Body Talk. Who knew what kind of crowd Madison Square Garden would attract. But screw the cynicism: The show was a miracle, the kind of night that could only happen in New York.  Madison Square Garden was sold out, flushed with queens—hordes of us, coming out of the bathrooms, stunting on the escalators, cruising by the Chicken & Things stand. There were teens, just starting to play with their gender expression, and endless groups of women who had been dancing alone to “Show Me Love” since it came out on cassette.  The night opened with Channel Tres and (frequent Robyn collaborator) Kindness, performing on a sculptural, white, pe

See this year’s Best Picture nominees in the theater before Oscars Sunday

See this year’s Best Picture nominees in the theater before Oscars Sunday

Back during 2018's gilded Moviepass age, when we were all popping champagne and seeing movies for practically nothing, we could slide in and out of Oscars screenings with ease. We could even see the animated shorts without breaking the bank! It was our Prohibition, our Paris, our Tangiers. Now, in our current hellscape of actually having to pay to watch things again, it's not so easy to catch every nominee. Fortunately, Regal is throwing down a pretty fierce Oscars fest, at which you can catch seven of eight of the nominees for $35. The screenings run through Oscars Sunday. Here's the lineup: Black Panther BlacKkKlansmanBohemian RhapsodyThe FavouriteGreen BookA Star Is Born Vice  The only missing nominee is Roma, which is fine, because you can catch it whenever you want on your brother-in-law's Netflix account. (It's fine!) A Star is Born and Black Panther should be seen in theaters, and perhaps it's worth seeing Green Book and Bohemian Rhapsody just to understand why people like me are so pissed off about them.  Participating five-borough theaters include Regal Battery Park, UA Court Street in Brooklyn, and Regal UA Staten Island. You can catch daily screenings through Sunday, October 24. Tickets are available here. And if you need advice on good Oscar watch parties, hit up our Oscars hub. 

There’s a bonkers pop-up skating rink in Long Island City this week

There’s a bonkers pop-up skating rink in Long Island City this week

Immersive pop-up crew the Springboard Collective has assembled its newest play gambit: Rinkworm, a pop-up roller rink at Queens'-based arts space the Flux Factory. Open daily through Sunday, February 17, the free roller-skate get-down features drinks, DJs, live performances, film screenings and even skating karaoke. Rentals are first come, first serve, and the floor of the space is concrete, so bring as much of your own gear as you can.    Here's the schedule: Wednesday's film night includes open skating from 6–9pm and a 7:30pm screening of the bizarre sci-fi skate classic Rollerball.  Thursday's Our Bloody Valentine edition includes candy-coating from 6–11pm, a potluck at 7pm and a 9pm couples' skate.  On Friday, get down to open skating from 6–9pm, followed by a live concert with MOM, Seth Timothy Larson and Abigail Entsminger and Joseph Keckler. At 11pm, join a roller disco featuring DJs Play Play and Sponsored Lynx. Hit up the rink on Saturday for open skating from 2–9pm, followed by a live set by the Benjamin Seretan band. Sunday's finale gives you freedom on the rink with open skating from 2–9pm.   Head to the Flux Factory site to learn more about the pop-up rink.

Roberta’s Pizza is getting a sauna this weekend

Roberta’s Pizza is getting a sauna this weekend

Yesterday, at the 38th Street Crunch, I was sitting in the sauna trying to flirt with an extremely boring web developer (?) from Hell’s Kitchen. I know that saunas are a celebrated socio-sexual nexus in the gay universe, but there are times when I'd rather ditch the company of men and just enjoy the finer things in life: napping, shvitzing and eating. (Of course, Korean spas like Sojo and Spa Castle have full menus, but nobody would accuse the food of being too edible.) Fortunately, Bushwick landmark Roberta's has come to make my dreams come true. Starting Saturday, the beloved pizza spot will host HotBox Mobile Sauna every weekend through April. Between 11am and 3pm, you can duck into the 144 square-foot sauna, soak out the toxins from the evening before and dig into your pizza. Though walk-ins are welcome, we recommend a reservation for the tiny, ten-person sauna.      And it's not just a hot box, either! Roberta's will host a cold shower to help you come down after your shvitz, along with a chill tent that features beer and bites. Not a bad way to spend 90 minutes in Bushwick!  You may know HotBox from their other borough-wide residencies, including a long stop at Nowadays in 2018. I personally love the idea of a sauna in a nightclub. It's all so Berlin and continental!  HotBox will announce more night and weekend hours for its Roberta's residency, so be sure to keep an eye on their social pages. Now go dig your bathing suit out of storage!  

Cher’s iconic looks will be on display at the Met this year

Cher’s iconic looks will be on display at the Met this year

Now that she's nabbed Broadway, Cher is looking uptown for her next takeover.  This spring, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will feature some of the supreme diva's most spectacular outfits—made by Cher's ride-or-die designer, Bob Mackie. It's all part of the Costume Institute's exhibition and gala, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," launching in May.  In an interview with Fashionista, Mackie confirmed that he's lent several of Cher's historic looks to the museum. We're guessing the "serious actress" get-up from the 1986 Academy Awards will make it, along with her beaded nude-illusion Met Gala 1974 lewk.  But it sounds like this is just a blip in a very busy year for Mackie. He also serves as costume designer on Broadway's The Cher Show, which involves a reported 683 costumes, with nearly 3,500 pieces and 6,500,000 feathers.  May the boho-chic era be dead and the reign of beads, feathers and sequins never end. Look out for a sea of tributes to Mackie and Cher at the upcoming Met Gala on Monday, May 6. 

St. Marks Comics is closing after 36 years

St. Marks Comics is closing after 36 years

View this post on Instagram This spot has been a huge part of my life in NYC and l am saddened to hear the news that it is closing at the end of February. This shot is from an event I covered for the now defunct examiner.com during a past comic con #stmarkscomics #stmarksplace #lowereastside #comics #comicbookstore #aliceinwonderland #wonderland #zenescope #zenescopecosplay #zenescopecomics #cosplaygirl #nycphotographer #photojournalism #comicbookcosplay #models #nyclife #downtownnyc A post shared by Linda Covello (@lcovello1) on Jan 30, 2019 at 9:18am PST Among the many dim sum joints, weed paraphernalia emporiums and karaoke dungeons of St. Marks Place, St. Marks Comics was a favorite for tourists and regulars alike. The disheveled store stuck around for 36 years, surviving multiple eras of Manhattan and making it onto a legendary episode of Sex and the City. Yesterday, the store confirmed its closing, set for the end of February.  Shop owner Mitch Cutler posted an update on the store's social media on Tuesday, citing the difficulties of fighting the good fight in Manhattan retail. The closure comes after an incomplete 2017 GoFundMe effort to pay back outstanding debts and fix the place up.   Stepping into St. Marks Comics was like walking through multiple eras of NYC—and comic book—history. While the weekly comics were usually well-updated, other parts of the store felt like they hadn't been updated since Return of the Jedi was in theaters. The staff could be well-ve

You can soon take a Game of Thrones-inspired tour of The Met

You can soon take a Game of Thrones-inspired tour of The Met

Adventure tour group Fable and Lark is turning the Metropolitan Museum's collection into an epic fantasia this spring. Starting March 1, you'll be able to join "Crown and Prophet: An Epic Fantasy Adventure" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which brings you up close to works sharing thematic resonance with Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and other beloved high fantasy sagas.  Through group activities, scavenger hunts and guided tours, you'll discover iconic pieces that inspired some of your favorite series. George R.R. Martin found heavy inspiration for Game of Thrones in the story of the Wars of the Roses, so count on taking in some classic artworks from medieval England. And you'll likely be jumping around the massive museum to hit some of the vast mythological influences from Norse, Germanic, Persian and Greek mythologies that strongly influenced J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.  The (unofficial, unauthorized) tour starts March 1, and runs Tuesdays at 11am and Fridays at 5:45pm. Tickets start at $47.50, and you can learn more about the tour here. 

The Big Apple Circus is throwing a Britney Spears themed-party

The Big Apple Circus is throwing a Britney Spears themed-party

This morning, Britney Spears announced the cancellation of her upcoming Las Vegas residency "Domination," on account of her father's deteriorating health. If you're sad to be missing the diva live, it looks like NYC has the next best thing on January 20.  Big Apple Circus has recruited legendary Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Barry as guest ringleader for its Sunday, January 20 spectacular. You may know Barry as an alumni of RuPaul's Drag Race ("You don't hate me, you just hate my drag!") and as a revered historian on the Stonewall riots. I saw Barry perform in full Britney drag at a gay club in Houston, TX in 2011, and can attest that she knows her way around "Womanizer." Barry will perform bops from Britney's album Circus, which just turned ten years old last month. FYI, Hit Me Baby One More Time hits twenty years old in a week, in case you needed to contemplate the elasticity of time.  After the show, Barry will host a Britney party in the Circus's Mirror Room, with DJ Ty Sunderland overseeing the beats. As ringmaster of the wild Heaven on Earth parties every month, Sunderland is more or less the city's supreme bubblegum bitch pop connoisseur. This party will be dope.  The Big Apple Circus show goes down at 4pm, with a meet-and-greet and afterparty at 6pm. Tickets are $25–$75. The tent is up at Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park through January 27. You can buy tickets here.