New York navel gazing isn’t always bad, and sometimes it’s necessary. When the city is this gray, when a cockroach chooses your new (gorgeous!) carpet to die on (at least she had good taste), when you wonder why do I live here and work so hard, it’s mandatory to your survival to shove some New York magic into your eyes and ears.
Luckily, this week is serving it up. Some selections:
Book events celebrate the downtown arts scene of the 1970’s and 80’s: Rammellzee: Racing for Thunder at Deitch and New York After Dark at Rizzoli and — both on Wednesday.
It’s the last week to see You Are Here, an immersive film experience with clips from movies in and about New York from the past 100 years, at the Museum of the City of New York.
The inaugural edition of The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition kicks off the Brooklyn Museum’s 200th anniversary, celebrating 200 Brooklyn artists. Opens Saturday.
The Rubin Museum closes on Sunday—see it one last time on 17th Street.
Before we get into this week’s best happenings:
🎟️ HOT TICKET TIP 🎟️
Who could resist the charms of Anton Chekhov or Andrew Scott, or Andrew Scott doing Anton Chekhov? Scott brings his London hit, Vanya, to the Lucille Lortel in March (the same visionary theater that launched Oh, Mary!). Get tickets here.
🆓 = costs $0, 🎨 = art, 🎼 = music, 🎬 = film, 📚= books, 🌳 = nature, 🎭 = performance, 🧠 = extra smart people, 🍸 = drinks available, 🦩 = party/friendly vibe
🔑 Click the venue link under each listing for full event details.
Monday, September 30
Field Operations Outdoor Architecture: From the High Line and Beyond at the National Arts Club
Tonight features “Lisa Switkin, partner at Field Operations, the landscape architects who designed the High Line, as she explores outdoor architecture, environmental adaptation, and urban revitalization post-Covid.” It bears repeating for the millionth time: the National Arts Club is one of the loveliest buildings in New York; you’ll love the space and the crowd, and talks like this are a great way to experience it all for free.
The National Arts Club, Gramercy Park
Mon 7:30 -8:30p 🆓
Tuesday, October 1
Hauser & Wirth presents a night of greats celebrating the new book, Glenn Ligon: Distinguishing Piss From Rain; Writings and Interviews
The great artist Glenn Ligon is joined by writer Dr. Kellie Jones, artist Julie Mehretu and performer Helga Davis to talk about the new publication, Glenn Ligon: Distinguishing Piss From Rain; Writings and Interviews at Cooper Union. Casually! On a regular old Tuesday! We love this city.
The Great Hall at Cooper Union, East Village
Tues from 7-8:30p 🆓 (with RSVP) 🧠 🎨 📚
Leigh Lucas and Mike Lala read poetry at Unnameable Books
Friend of the List Leigh Lucas penned one of our favorite poetry books of the year so far: Landsickness, “a lyric essay about young love and loss and the aftermath of a former lover’s suicide.” Luckily for us, Leigh is in town from San Francisco to read poetry with her friend, Mike Lala, at Unnameable Books. We’ll be here, obviously—come say hi.
Unnameable Books, Prospect Heights
Tues from 7-9p 🆓 📚
Quiet Reading at Liz’s Book Bar
Tonight, Carroll Gardens’ lovely Liz’s Book Bar, a bookstore and wine bar, hosts a night for socially exhausted book people who want to go out without putting in much effort.
Liz’s Book Bar, Carroll Gardens
Tues at 7p 🆓 📚 🍸
Wednesday, October 2
Dustin Pittman on New York After Dark at Rizzoli
Jay McInerney once told us, “everyone always thinks they got to New York ten years too late.” In our case, it’s more like 30. Which is why we’re so glad the New York After Dark press tour continues. Dustin Pittman captured the legendary world of New York’s after-hours nightlife in the '70s and '80s, from Warhol’s Factory to the burgeoning punk scene at CBGBs and the Mudd Club to the VIP room at Studio 54 to the women’s liberation movement of the 70’s and beyond.
Tonight, Pittman talks about his work with the creators of his newly published monograph from Rizzoli: New York After Dark (with a very “I wanna be your dog” Iggy Pop on the cover).
Rizzoli Bookstore, Nomad
Wed from 6-8p 🆓 📚
Rammellzee: Racing for Thunder book launch at Deitch
Another great figure of 1970’s and 80’s New York: Rammellzee, an enigmatic downtown art force who we got to know at a 2018 retrospective at Red Bull Arts (RIP) of the same name: Racing for Thunder. Now in book form here, a host of interesting people will be in conversation on the life and work of this legendary character while celebrating the new book. Copies of the book and limited-edition merch will be available, and some Rammellzee artwork will be on display in the gallery.
Deitch Gallery, Soho
Wed at 6p 🆓 📚
Thursday, October 3
Blackbird Spyplane launches their new gorpy shoes with a party at Colbo
Bay Area spiritual leaders Blackbird Spyplane launch their new shoe collab with Obōz (the “Purple Earth” Swagtooths) with friends at Colbo tonight. There will be shoes, friends, wine, and tunes.
Colbo, Lower East Side
Thurs from 6-9p 🆓 🍷🦩🎼
Vinyl Nights on The High Line
Featuring “Operator Emz, the founder of the legendary all 45s night, Mobile Mondays!, and DJ Misbehaviour,” there will be vinyl spinning on the High Line tonight. We’re always trying to find ways for you to hang outdoors in the evenings before it gets too cold, so you’re welcome.
The High Line btwn 15th and 16th Streets, Chelsea
Thurs from 6-9p 🆓 🎼
A lecture on “Non-Movements” at Giorno Poetry Systems
Writer Asef Bayat gives a lecture entitled “Non-Movements: From Quiet Encroachment to Political Upheaval” in conversation with artist Niloufar Emamifar at one of our top three favorite cultural institutions on earth: Giorno Poetry Systems.
Giorno Poetry Systems, Bowery
6:30p doors, 7p lecture begins 🆓(with RSVP to info@giornopoetrysystems.org) 🧠
Friday, October 4
How To Build A Fire: James Baldwin 2-Day Convening at the Schomburg Center
Two days of programming features scholars, poets, writers, activists, and more. From the organizers:
As we celebrate the centennial birth of James “Jimmy” Baldwin, our Great Bard of Harlem, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is excited to host a two-day convening…in collaboration with the Institute for Research in African American Studies and Department of African and African Diaspora Studies, Columbia University.
We gather not only in response to a world in turmoil (again), but also to invite and engage conversations about being ourselves, doing our work, and lighting our own fires this time/in our own time. Rather than building and burnishing an unusable icon, How To Build A Fire lovingly and critically reflects on the blackprints James Baldwin wrote for his time, toward building and making our own interventions in the present.
If you can’t join, may we suggest you grab a copy of Hilton Als’ wonderful God Made My Face: A Collective Portrait of James Baldwin to engage with Baldwin on your own time.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem
Fri and Sat from 10a-7p 🆓 🧠 📚 🎼
The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition opens at the Brooklyn Museum
From the Brooklyn Museum: “Prepare to be dazzled by the inaugural edition of The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition, illuminating the unparalleled breadth of talent in our borough. Uniting more than 200 artists, this major group show highlights the remarkable creativity and diversity of Brooklyn’s populace. The exhibition kicks off our 200th anniversary celebration and carries on the Brooklyn Museum’s tradition of amplifying voices from every corner of our community.”
The Brooklyn Museum, Crown Heights
Fri from 11a-6p 🎨. Runs through Jan 26, 2025.
Adam Dalva and Brandon Taylor on Knausgaard’s latest at McNally Jackson
The Third Realm is the new novel from My Struggle (Vol. 1-6) writer, Karl Ove Knausgaard. Just when we thought we were over this Norwegian brood boy, he’s back with a slick new haircut and a bonkers story about a strange celestial happening, a fan’s obsession with the lead singer of a metal band, a psychotic artist, and really what more could you want?
Great writer Brandon Taylor talks about the book with his best friend Adam Dalva at McNally Jackson tonight. Stick around for an after party in the downstairs bar; you’ll probably need a drink.
McNally Jackson, Seaport
Fri at 6:30p 📚 🍸 with afterparty in the downstairs bar
Saturday, October 5
Last day to see You Are Here: An Immersive Film Experience featuring films based in New York
This is like Los Angeles Plays Itself but for New York: “YOU ARE HERE draws on this rich archive of movies set in New York, combining thousands of cinematic moments across 16 screens” from the past 100 years of filmmaking in New York.
The Museum of the City of New York, East Harlem
Sat from 10a-6p 🎬
Joan Snyder and other artists talk at The Campus
Presented with the Brooklyn Rail, BR’s co-founder and artistic director Phong H. Bui moderates an open conversation with great artists including Joan Snyder (Joan Snyder!!!! One of the world’s most genius painters!!! Are you still thinking about her show at Canada Gallery earlier this year?), Ricci Albenda, Robert Bordo, Francesca DiMattio, Eugene Macki, Virginia Overton, and Cheyney Thompson alongside curators Timo Kappeller and Jesse Willenbring at the Campus.
Reminder: the Campus is the new collaborative institution opened in an old school by the galleries Bortolami, James Cohan, kaufmann repetto, Anton Kern, Andrew Kreps, and kurimanzutto.
Adorably, the talk will be followed by kite flying and refreshments.
The Campus, Hudson New York
Sat from 2:30-4:30p 🆓 🎨 🧠
Other Saturday events, briefly noted:
Day 1 of Rough Trade’s Garage Sale at 219 Eagle Street (Greenpoint), 11a-6p 🎼 (also Sunday from 11a-4p)
World Poetry Books—Feminist Surrealists: a conversation between translators Kathleen Heil and C. Francis Fisher, moderated by Mark Polizzotti at 192 Books (Chelsea), 4-5p 🆓 📚 🧠
In Response to Leon Golub. Et In Arcadia Ego at Hauser & Wirth 22nd St (Chelsea), 4:30-5:30p 🆓 🎨
Artist talk with Matthew Barney and Diamond Stingily for the ongoing series of events staged within Carrie Mae Weems: The Shape of Things at Gladstone Gallery (Chelsea), 6:30p 🆓 🎨 🧠
Sunday, October 6
The Rubin Museum closes its doors today
The Rubin “is transitioning into a global museum model with the goal of bringing greater awareness and understanding of Himalayan art to more people around the world. As part of our evolution, we will close the physical galleries on 17th Street on October 6 and sell the building.”
It’s never been easy to run a museum, but it feels more turbulent now than ever—most of the major art institutions (the MoMA, Frick, Morgan, Guggenheim, etc etc have all or are all changing leadership right now.) So we’re curious how this change lands, and wish the Rubin all the best. We’ll miss that building.
The Rubin Museum, Chelsea
Sun from 11a-5p 🎨
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THAT’S ALL, FOLKS
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