Mark Peikert

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But what if you haven't planned, and you urgently need to see a show tomorrow or even tonight? Don't panic: There are plenty of options for last-minute tickets, especially if you’re willing to put in some legwork. It partly depends on what you're willing to pay and how much risk you're willing to take—and, of course, on plain old luck. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide to buying last-minute Broadway tickets. The day before the show: Enter the digital lottery Many Broadway shows—including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown—conduct digital lotteries for cheap tickets on the day before each performance. In most cases, you enter the lottery online, then wait until later the same day to find out by email if you've won; if you do, you'll need to reply to the ticket offer within an hour or you'll lose your chance. A few shows, such as Wicked, do their drawings on the morning of the show itself; others have drawings once a week, notably the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child $40 ticket lottery and the $10 Hamilton lottery, both of which happen on Fridays and cover the week ahead. For a full list of shows that offer lotteries, consult Broadway on a Budget or Playbill's Broadway and Off Broadway listings. The morning of the s

The Sierra Club has organized this inaugural Earth Day concert, dubbed Sierra Sessions. Hosted by KCRW DJ Novena Carmel, the night will feature performances by eco-conscious songwriters and storytellers, including Hurray for the Riff Raff, Irene Diaz, Dr. Lyla June, Rising Appalachia, Rozzi and more. Each artist will perform a few songs in the intimacy of Village Studios and share reflections on nature and life on Earth. If you can’t make it in person, the concert will be streamed on YouTube on Earth Day, when the various chapters of the Sierra Club will also host watch parties. If you can make it to the show, stick around afterward for an after-party.

Erstwhile podcast host and comic about town Marc Maron has been branching out into live music lately. He’ll bring both the laughs and the melodies with his Marc Maron Band for one night only this April 13 at Lodge Room. Joining him on the bill will be special guest comedians Blair Socci and Lara Beitz. 

Whether you’re excited about or terrified by artificial intelligence, it seems to be here to stay. Creatives can learn how to work with AI at RenderCon—which offers a deep dive into the future of media, art and technology as it relates to AI. Hosted by the Render Network, the conference hosts artists—including L.A.-based Refik Anadol, the mind behind soon-to-open Dataland—developers and industry leaders for two days of talks, panels and hands-on workshops focused on real-world AI production workflows. Expect practical insights, demos of cutting-edge new tools and networking opportunities.

Timed to the United States’ 250th anniversary, the American Folk Art Museum's Folk Nation: Crafting Patriotism in the United States exhibition explores how vernacular art has shaped national identity. Using the museum’s collection, the show delves into the meanings of “folk,” “nation” and “patriotism” at the 2 Lincoln Square gallery. It offers a thought-provoking look at who is represented in American stories and how those stories change. The show runs April 10–September 13, then reopens October 8 and runs through February 28, 2027.

Step into the atmospheric Crypt of the Cathedral at St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave.) for Music in the Crypt, a hauntingly intimate concert from Grammy-winning Experiential Orchestra led by James Blachly. The program, shaped by the space’s resonant acoustics, features works by Franz Schreker, Caroline Shaw and Beethoven. Performances are scheduled for 7:30pm on April 10, and at 5pm and 7:30pm on April 11.

A Current Affair returns to Brooklyn with 70 premier vintage retailers on April 11 and April 12, offering thrifters access to some of the best deals around, not to mention rare and collectible designer vintage. Come out to the Industry City location in Brooklyn at 51 34th St. on Saturday and Sunday, and browse clothes, bags, accessories, jewelry and more. General admission is $21.88, but early-bird and weekend passes are also available at higher price points.

Celebrate sustainability in action at the Earth Day 2026 Festival, a free gathering from noon to 6pm in Union Square. Expect a full afternoon of climate-focused, family-friendly programming, including interactive workshops, live performances, "climate art" and activities. Dozens of environmental nonprofits and green businesses will be on hand, alongside sustainable food vendors, to make it easy (and fun) to learn how to live a little greener. 

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of MoMA PS1 with a free Block Party on Saturday, April 18. Running from 10am until 6pm at the Queens location, the event will feature artists, musicians and local companies coming together to party across the plaza, courtyard, and galleries in honor of five decades of modern art. The event is free, but "A Mural Workshop with Lady Pink" and "Red Canary Song Presents Fly in Power" require additional RSVPs.

The inaugural Downtown NYC JazzFest brings five nights of live music to Lower Manhattan from April 22–26, taking over The Django, Roxy Bar and Club Room at Soho Grand. Expect a mix of rising talent and marquee acts, including Shayna Steele, Mark G. Meadows and Brian Newman, all celebrating downtown’s long-standing jazz legacy, where tradition meets experimentation in some of the city’s most atmospheric spaces. Tickets vary in price based on venue, from free Saturday and Sunday afternoon sets at Roxy Bar to $40 performances at The Django.

Experience art and music at Voices of Memory, an intimate evening at the Tenri Cultural Institute on April 25. At 7:30pm, the program begins with a gallery viewing of paintings by Lizi Budagashvili, followed by a live performance from musicians Sendi Vartanovi, Taisiya Losmakova and Aleksandr Bolotin performing Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Debussy and more. The evening ends with more time to linger amidst the art. Seating is limited to 70 guests, so reserve tickets in advance.

Discover new global perspectives at the inaugural CONDUCTOR Art Fair of the Global Majority, a boutique event spotlighting artists and galleries from historically underrepresented regions. Running April 30 to May 3 at Brooklyn's Powerhouse Arts (322 3rd Ave.), the fair brings together work from across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and Indigenous nations. Curated by Adriana Farietta in collaboration with Powerhouse Arts, expect a showcase that challenges traditional art market narratives while celebrating the richness and diversity of global contemporary art. 

It would be nearly impossible (or at the very least, incredibly time-consuming) to visit all of the restaurants in the Lower East Side. Luckily, Taste of the Lower East Side brings all of our favorites together in one place, and they are doing it all for charity. On Wednesday, April 29, dozens of the neighborhood's best restaurants, bars and small businesses are coming together to serve the best food and drinks in town. Pile up a plate with bites and drinks from Beauty & Essex, Freemans, Mia's Cocina and more. It is all going down at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 West 18th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues). Tickets range from $300 for general admission and up, with proceeds going to  Grand St. Settlement.

Coachella is back, back again for its second weekend, April 17 to 19, when the iconic music festival will once again offer ticket holders an unforgettable lineup of performers. Among them is a full-on pop comeback moment that has taken the internet by storm: Justin Bieber once again headlines Coachella on Saturday, April 18 (he previously headlined April 11). Will he bust out his laptop and log in to YouTube again? Will there be surprise guests? Here’s everything you need to know before he takes the stage. What day is Justin Bieber performing at Coachella? Bieber headlines the Coachella Stage on Saturday, April 18. What time is Justin Bieber performing at Coachella? The April 18 performance is scheduled to start at 11:25pm, following sets by artists including the Strokes and Addison Rae earlier in the evening. Like most Coachella headliners, expect the set to end well past midnight; Bieber’s April 11 headlining set ran 90 minutes. If you want a decent spot, plan to camp out during the preceding acts, because this will be one of the weekend’s most crowded sets—especially after last week. How many times has Justin Bieber headlined Coachella? This is Bieber’s first time headlining Coachella. Not only that, but this is something of a live performance comeback after several turbulent years, including health issues that forced him to cancel a 2022 tour. He only recently returned to the stage with a Grammy Award performance and a small warm-up show in Los Angeles, making this his fi

Just in time for Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pied-a-terre tax, a one-night-only concert of Rent is headed to Broadway, according to a report from BroadwayWorld.  The outlet reports that the 30th anniversary concert of Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning (and paradigm-shifting) musical will take place at a Broadway theater yet to be announced, with original music director Tim Weil returning to the keys alongside the full original Rent band. First opening on Broadway in 1996 at the Nederlander Theatre, Rent went on to become a cultural phenomenon, becoming one of just a handful of musicals to win both the Pulitzer and the Tony Award for Best Musical. The show—which launched the careers of Taye Diggs, Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp and others—ended up running for 12 years. The rock musical follows a group of artists and friends navigating love, loss and community in New York City’s East Village during the height of the AIDS crisis. Its score, packed with now-classic songs like “Seasons of Love” and “La Vie Bohème,” helped redefine what Broadway could sound and feel like, especially for younger audiences. While casting and exact dates for the concert have not yet been revealed, the involvement of the original band signals a dedication to the OG production that bodes well, echoing past milestone celebrations like a 2006 one-night reunion of the original Broadway cast.  This summer will also see the musical return to New York stages in a more traditional manner, when EPIC Players premi

Sometimes, you need to relax even while relaxing. That's why a spa-centered vacation can be just the ticket. And a new study is pointing us towards the most gorgeous spas in the world—including Chena Hot Springs in the United States. RECOMMENDED: One of Canada’s least-visited national parks might be its most beautiful According to research from SpaSeekers, images of 50 globally renowned spas were analyzed to see which settings grabbed viewers’ attention the fastest and held it the longest. The resulting ranking blends science with serious travel envy, spotlighting destinations where the scenery is just as rejuvenating as the treatments. Topping the list is The Lost Spring in New Zealand, which scored an impressive 96 out of 100. The spa’s lush tropical setting, treetop treatment rooms and 16,000-year-old geothermal pools helped it stand out as the most beautiful in the world. It’s the kind of place where you’re just as likely to be mesmerized by the surroundings as you are relaxed by the soak. The U.S. only scored one entry, but it's a doozy. Ranked No. 4, Alaska's Chena Hot Springs not only offers the chance to unwind beneath the Northern Lights but also includes views of snow-capped mountains and a naturally heated outdoor pool. Natural hot springs come up a lot in terms of what ranked, with Australia’s Peninsula Hot Springs taking second place. Meanwhile, Europe's top entry, Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda in Italy, puts visitors on Lake Garda in a five-star resort with i

A cult-favorite serving of New York-style Chinese dining is headed to Miami Beach. Hospitality veterans and NYC natives Marc Rose and Med Abrous—the duo behind L.A.-based hospitality group Call Mom—are bringing Genghis Cohen to Sunset Harbour, marking the 42-year-old institution’s first expansion outside of Los Angeles. RECOMMENDED: Casa Tua Cucina is opening a second location in Wynwood this week Set to open in late 2026, just in time for Chinese food on Christmas, Genghis Cohen Miami Beach will take over the former Sardinia space at 1801 Purdy Avenue. The new outpost promises to channel everything that’s made the original a legend: New York-style Chinese comfort food, a buzzy retro vibe and just enough kitsch to keep things fun. For those not in the know, Genghis Cohen has long been a late-night staple in L.A., beloved for its mash-up of classic Chinese-American dishes and downtown New York sensibility. That same spirit will anchor the Miami Beach location, with a menu featuring the restaurant’s greatest hits (oversized egg rolls, queen chicken, crab rangoon) alongside a cocktail program led by its signature "foo foo" drinks. Photograph: Lucky Tennyson Design-wise, expect a faithful homage rather than a carbon copy. The Miami iteration will recreate the original’s signature red booths and throwback ‘80s energy, reimagined for Sunset Harbour’s polished, pedestrian-friendly setting. But it will also lean into its new environment as well, with a menu that will likely evolve

If you’ve ever caught the Chicago skyline glowing over Lake Michigan or watched the river shimmer at dusk, this probably won’t come as a surprise: the city has officially been named one of the most beautiful in the world after dark. A new 2026 study from Travelbag ranked the world’s prettiest cities at night, placing Chicago at number eight alongside heavy hitters like Tokyo, New York City and Singapore. It’s a strong showing that cements the Windy City’s reputation as one of the most visually striking spots in the world, particularly after the sun sets. RECOMMENDED: The 17 most stunning views of the Chicago skyline The ranking looked at a mix of factors, including Instagram hashtag volume, light pollution levels and the number of skyscrapers over 150 meters tall, all metrics that help define just how dazzling a city appears at night.  Chicago’s placement makes perfect sense when you consider its after-hours appeal. With 137 skyscrapers towering above the streets and a nightlife scene that keeps neighborhoods buzzing well into the early hours, the city delivers serious visual drama. The combination of historic architecture, sleek modern high-rises and that unbeatable waterfront creates a skyline that feels tailor-made for golden hour—and even better once the evening slips into full-on neon. And unlike some cities where the magic is confined to a single vantage point, Chicago’s nighttime beauty is remarkably accessible. You can enjoy it from the Chicago Riverwalk, from the LH

A new report from WalletHub is shaking up assumptions about the best airlines to book in 2026—and the biggest surprise is who landed at the top. According to the study, budget carrier and frequent punchline Spirit Airlines ranks as the best airline overall in the U.S., beating out legacy giants thanks to its strong performance across affordability, reliability and safety metrics. That may come as a surprise but, in 2026, reliability may just be the biggest flex an airline can pull. RECOMMENDED: Check out Delta's newest on-board suites—they're as luxe as it gets WalletHub analyzed the nine largest U.S. airlines plus two regional carriers using a wide range of data points, including delays, cancellations, baggage handling, comfort and cost relative to services. The takeaway? Cheap doesn’t necessarily mean worse. At least not anymore. Rounding out the top five are Southwest, Skywest, Alaska and Hawaiin airlines, while United and Envoy landed in the bottom two. But the rankings are only part of the picture; WalletHub also broke down winners by metrics, with Spirit taking the top prize for affordability and reliability. JetBlue, Hawaiian, American and Southwest were named the most comfortable. Frontier scored the highest marks for safety. For the animal lovers out there, SkyWest and Envoy both earned the distinction as the best option for pet owners As more and more airlines announce business class perks, the report proves that nothing beats reliability and affordability. Especial

Flying just got a serious upgrade. If you're sitting up front, that is. Delta Air Lines has unveiled its next-generation Delta One suites, a major overhaul of its premium cabin experience that signals just how far airlines are leaning into luxury travel right now. The new design will debut on the carrier’s upcoming Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in early 2027, before expanding across more of its long-haul fleet. RECOMMENDED: It’s official: These are the world’s best airlines in 2026 Photograph: Courtesy of Delta   Dubbed “The Suite Spot,” the redesign is the airline’s first major update to its top-tier business class in nearly a decade, prioritizing privacy, comfort and tech. (You know, all the things most airlines gave upon.) The new suites will feature sliding doors, longer lie-flat beds and upgraded materials designed to feel more like a boutique hotel room than an airplane seat. Photograph: Courtesy Delta Each seat will also come with a 24-inch seatback screen, complete with high-definition displays, Bluetooth connectivity and multiple charging options. And even those outside of business class will get a treat, with aircraft-wide bigger screens, memory foam cushioning and modern design overhaul. Photograph: Courtesy Delta Additionally, Delta is also introducing a self-serve snack station for Delta One passengers, meaning that you can nosh without having to summon a flight attendant from their gossip session in the galley. Photograph: Courtesy Delta The upgrades won’t b

Not only is there life at Mars, but it's about to get a whole new identity. At least for a month, that is. Café Mars, one of Brooklyn’s most inventive restaurants, is about to get a full-blown identity swap when it transforms into an Italian izakaya starting May 6. For it, the space will reimagine its menu, décor and overall vibe around Itameshi cuisine, which blends Japanese ingredients and techniques with Italian cooking. RECOMMENDED: The 22 best Italian restaurants in NYC If that sounds niche, well, yeah, it is, but the whole thing is also having a moment. And Café Mars, which has built a reputation as “an unusual Italian restaurant” in Gowanus, is going all in with neon katakana signage, chopstick holders designed for rigatoni and even a Suntory “Divine Foam” draft system behind the bar. Photograph: Courtesy of Cafe Mars The concept builds on the restaurant’s popular “Global Italian” series from 2025, when the team hosted one-off collaborations spotlighting how Italian cuisine has evolved across regions from New Orleans to Argentina. But one of the standout installments was its Japan-focused weekend with chef James Mark, which helped spark the idea for a deeper dive. The upcoming Itameshi menu will boast playful, boundary-pushing dishes like fluke cured in parmesan and white miso, a “pepperonigiri” (yep, pepperoni sushi), giardiniera-spiked potato salad with Slice Spice Pringles and pan-fried tortellini-gyoza finished with bergamot ponzu. It’s the kind of mashup that lo

For a playwright who's been dead for a few hundred years, Molière is sure having a moment. Hot on the heels of dueling Off Broadway productions of Tartuffe, beloved annual Brooklyn tradition Molière in the Park has announced its 2026 season of performances, workshops and outdoor productions, all completely free. The ambitious slate reaffirms the company’s mission to make classical theater accessible to everyone, regardless of background or income. RECOMMENDED: One of the world’s best food festivals returns to NYC this weekend The season kicks off on May 14 at BRIC with A Very Modern Classical Evening, a double-bill that pairs contemporary and classical voices. The program includes staged readings of The Regulars, a new verse tragedy by playwright Le’Asha Julius, alongside Molière’s satirical one-act comedy The Ludicrous Ladies, starring Michael Emerson and Lakisha May. The performance continues MIP’s practice of placing classic texts in conversation with modern storytelling. “At Molière in the Park, our goal is always to connect the plays we offer with the lives and stories of the communities we serve,” founding executive director Lucie Tiberghien said in a statement. “This season reflects our commitment to artistic rigor, community building and public access—from intimate readings to large-scale performances in the park.” On June 19, the company presents a developmental workshop presentation of Don Juan, translated by Stephen Wadsworth, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The

Miami’s nightlife is getting a little more magical this spring thanks to a new monthly series featuring sleight of hand, mind-reading and plenty of audience participation. "Magic Night Miami," a recurring live show launching on April 23, is bringing an immersive, cabaret-style magic experience to the Sandrell Rivers Theater. Running monthly through October, the event blends close-up illusions, mentalism and stage performance into a night out that's designed to feel more like a party than a traditional show. There's nothing in Miami quite like it. RECOMMENDED: A new members-driven social club is now open in Coral Gables, and it's got great jazz to boot The performances kick off at 7:30pm with the Magic Lab, an informal pre-show where performers dazzle audience members tableside, before the experience shifts into a curated mainstage performance at 8pm, featuring a rotating mystery lineup of nationally recognized magicians and specialty acts. The series is co-founded by mentalist Alan Chamo and magician Yarden Shalev, who wanted to bring somertime to Miami's entertainment scene that has long been missing: a consistent home for live magic that feels modern, interactive and distinctly local.  “We wanted to create a night that feels different from anything else in the city—something social, surprising, and interactive, where the audience is part of what’s happening,” said Chamo in a statement. "Magic Night Miami" is co-presented by Fantasy Theatre Factory, the long-running nonprof

The best coffee city in America right now is not New York, Los Angeles or even Chicago. No, according to Food & Wine’s 2026 Global Tastemakers Awards, that honor goes to Austin, Texas, a somewhat surprising pick that beat out the country’s biggest (and more famously caffeinated) cities. RECOMMENDED: The 16 very best coffee shops in NYC The annual rankings, compiled from more than 400 chefs, baristas, travel experts and food writers, spotlight cities where coffee culture goes beyond a simple morning ritual and becomes something closer to a lifestyle. And by that metric, Austin is thriving. The Texas capital earned the top spot thanks to its “diverse, vibrant coffee community,” where independent roasters, creative café concepts and globally influenced menus all play a role. Combine that with Austin's reputation as the live music capital of the world (which translates to coffee and a show), and you have a winning formula for coffee shop culture. That blend of creativity and community is what pushed Austin ahead of more established coffee hubs. While cities like New York and Los Angeles can boast about sheer volume and variety, Austin’s scene feels more tightly knit and, like a lot of the city, a little weirder than others That’s not to say the usual suspects didn’t show up. New York ranked No. 2 for its global range of beans and brewing styles, while, at No. 3, Los Angeles continues to impress with its ever-evolving café and pop-up culture. No. 4 ranked Chicago earned recognitio

Attention recovering overachievers, bookworms and nostalgists: Something good is coming. For those of us who still yearn for a personal pan pizza upon finishing a book or remember the glory days of the Scholastic Book Fair (is that what the Walls Fargo wagon was like during pioneer times?), Bucket Listers has got you. This summer, the organization will roll out the Boozy Book Fair, an adults-only pop-up headed to Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. RECOMMENDED: These are the world’s most photogenic bookshops, according to Instagram The Boozy Book Fair takes a core childhood memory and reimagines it as a 21+ experience, complete with cocktails, cheeky games and plenty of browsing. The setup leans hard into retro school-day aesthetics—including scantrons!—along with a mix of cult favorites, banned titles and offbeat finds, plus analog extras like bookmarks, gifts and throwback trinkets. But this isn’t just about shopping. The event is designed as a full-on social experience, layering in interactive activities like drunk spelling bees, “Read the Wine Print” book clubs and lecture-style events. Elsewhere, you’ll find oversized, Lisa Frank–inspired photo backdrops, life-sized I-Spy installations, stereogram walls and even interactive cup-stacking stations. There’s also a built-in book swap component, where guests can exchange a previously owned book for a mystery-wrapped title to take home. Each ticket includes a welcome drink and a small merch credit, encouraging attendees to lean i