8-10 january 2016

things i plan to do this weekend… that will make me feel blindly optimistic about my new year’s resolutions.

no matter what you’ve resolved to accomplish this year, choose your own adventure below and feel damn good about doing it.

my resolution is…to learn new recipes.

Couples Dinner Class, Brooklyn Kitchen, Williamsbug

you know what they say- the couple that cooks together, eats together. learn something new in the process and lick each others’ fingers while you do it. or whatever it is that you couples are doing to keep things exciting. $200 for two, but trust me- you won’t regret it. let’s get cookin’.

Free Nacho Fridays, The Diamond, Greenpoint.

or for the cheaper and equally collaborative food experience, head to free nacho first fridays at the diamond, sponsored by el jefe’s nachoria! 730-11pm, 4 varieties every friday- which means that’s just enough hands to eat all of them at once with your significant other. or, yourself at super-human speed. 43 franklin st, 730-11pm.

LOST #brooklyn warehouse party, secret location- but let’s be honest, it’s in bushwick.

WELL, i have just the thing. how about a 12-hour party that leaves absolutely everything up to the imagination until you commit to the $15 ticket, and even then, all you’ll get is a location? i’m in- the novelty of this only increases the less information you receive and the more cryptic the graphic and less convenient the hours. you agree?? ah, i knew you would! $15 on resident advisor, $25 at the door- see you there suckers.

Quentin Tarantino Brunch Series, Nitehawk Cinemas, Williamsburg.

welcome to nitehawk’s january brunch series, this month featuring all tarantino films. pulp fiction starts at 11am so get there early, in your jammies or your party clothes from the night before. and relive the night you had or didn’t have with john + uma.

nitehawk cinema, 136 metropolitan ave.

The Rise and Fall of Vertical Travel, long island city

get some inspiration here from our good friends at atlas obscura, the leader of all things weird and discoverable in the world, they bring an exhibit on vertical travel appropriately to the US’s only elevator museum- right here in LIC. $18 will get you in to see what’s up… and then down. 1-2.30 pm

 43-39 21st Street, Suite 206

even if it’s cold, do yourself a favor and traverse the great bridge of pulaski to get there- the view is unmatched.

Free Salsa Lessons, Dance Fever Studios, two locations!

take a break from your weekly youtube salsa dance lessons (i’m not the only one who does that, right?) and head to dance fever studios for this free salsa event! get your hands on a stranger that doesn’t start with swiping right. lesson starts at 8pm, come single or with a buddy, plus your dancing shoes. Dance Fever studios, 159 20th Street.

let’s boogie.

Stephane Wrembel at Bistro Fada, Williamsburg.

you know what i love about new york? if you’re reading this, you could probably think of a few things- but, i love that you can see a grammy-nominated artist for free nearly any night of the week. this week’s selection- Stephane Wrembel, the frenchman and spanish-guitar aficionado and woody allen muse who wrote the original scores for vicky christina barcelona and midnight in paris- and will absolutely charm you with his haunting sound, poignant stories, and damn impressive bandmates. 530 driggs ave, 9pm, free.

The Bunker’s 13th Anniversary Party, Good Room, Greenpoint.

burn the midnight oil at GOOD ROOM- my favorite fucking place to do bad things. 98 meserole ave, 10-5am, $15. get this shit started.

get rid of all those unwanted christmas gifts and leftover fruit cakes at the stop n swap in bay ridge- 11-2pm.

we’ve all had those moments where we’re not sure if the person walking behind us is following us, if that scratching on the fire escape is actually one long single fingernail connected to a long bony monster, or if that tinder date is about to say one thing too far and needs to be (physically) put in his place. free women’s self defense class- 4-7pm. no excuses.

tribute to lou reed, you need this- so go. get next week started off on the right foot. manhattan inn, 632 manhattan ave- $12- With Invisible Familiars / Cassandra Jenkins & Sam Owens- RSVP

 

Frank Stella Exhibit, the New Whitney Museum, Chelsea.

what is it about conceptual art that inevitably leaves you feeling inspired? frank stella’s poignant, disciplined paintings force the viewer to recognize the process of creating art, from inspiration to completion. and just might leave you with a warm little glimmer of inspiration in spite of this polar vortex we’re dealing with. http://whitney.org/Exhibitions/FrankStella on view until feb 7th at the new whitney, occupying it’s largest floor.

Dance Party at the Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side.

maybe it’s my affinity for From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, but nothing is better than an after-hours museum party in a space dome. nothing. get your ass there. and if you get to that point in the night where you swear the t-rex is moving, just take a deep breath and go with it. 9pm, 5 W 81st St.

where to eat this weekend– the Naked Dog, Greenpoint.

i can’t say enough about this place- fantastic cocktails, diverse wine list, homemade pasta, fresh fish, sides good enough to stand alone. unpretentious atmosphere and service that leaves little room to complain. GO. 47 java st.

…to be efficient and mischevious in equal parts. to be cleaner, to feel dirtier. to behold my inner child and my inner closet alcoholic at the same time. this is the answer to all of those things.

where to drink this weekend– Greenpoint’s Laundromat Pinball Speakeasy?

i don’t think i need to say anything else, other than bring quarters. lots of them. the door at the back of the sunshine laundromat, 860 manhattan ave. anyfuckingtime.