The 'Low Down 32 ✨
Heated Rivalry Look-Alikes, Rasputin Rituals, Boopable Snoots
Hey friends,
January and February bring a mix of fancy, offbeat, and surprisingly wholesome plans. One week you’re browsing antiques at the Armory, the next you’re diving into experimental theatre across the city. Between dumpling workshops, clay club, a one-day choir, and a Rasputin-inspired immersive sauna ritual, the weeks ahead are proof that winter can still be fun if you let it 😉
🏺 The Winter Show
Now through February 1 | Park Avenue Armory (643 Park Avenue) | $48
“The Winter Show is America’s leading art, antiques, and design fair, held annually at the Park Avenue Armory and showcases works spanning 5,000 years. Over 70 internationally renowned dealers present fine and decorative arts, from paintings and furniture to jewelry and contemporary ceramics.”
🏒 Heated Rivalry Look Alike Contest
January 25 | Washington Square Park
“In a time when online dating prospects seem more dismal than ever, we have been forced to take extreme measures. We will be hosting yet ANOTHER look-alike competition to find the best nyc local knockoff Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov to give the girls, the gays, and theys something to yearn for in 2026. We see no better place to kickoff this year’s look alike contest season—and pay homage to inarguably the best hockey player power couple of all time—than the birthplace of the tradition itself…our very own Washington Square Park. So prep those accents and get ready to pucker up…and please congregate around the fountain no later than 2 pm. Thank you, and long live Hollanov 🇨🇦🇷🇺🫡”
🎭 Under the Radar Festival
Now through January 25 | Venues across the city
“Under the Radar isn’t a festival you casually wander into. With 31 shows spread across 24 venues in four boroughs, the 2026 edition is a cultural sprawl that can feel both thrilling and mildly panic-inducing, depending on how much planning you do before opening night. Under the Radar once again brings together experimental theater, performance art and genre-defying work from New York and around the world. Some shows are polished premieres, while others are labeled “Under Construction,” meaning you’re seeing works in progress. The point here isn’t perfection, meaning if you leave a show slightly confused but oddly energized, you’ve probably picked well.”
🇷🇺 Rasputin’s Cult Circle: A Night of Magic & Ritual
January 26 | Othership Williamsburg (25 Kent Ave)
“Step into sauna heat and story as Rasputin returns in an immersive experience where theatre meets the nervous system, brought to life by Artemis Is Burning. Set in 1916 Imperial Russia and unfolding inside Othership’s steam-filled sanctuary, you’ll move through heat and cold immersion, following characters from palace elites to mystics and revolutionaries. Part performance, part ritual, this is a state-shifting journey of devotion, influence, and surrender, where you’re invited not just to watch, but to feel and experience.”
♫ “Man I Need” - Olivia Dean | One-Day Choir
January 28 | 100 Sutton St | $15+
“No auditions. No judgment. No need for perfection. Just the joy of singing in harmony with a room full of beautiful humans. WHAT IS A ONE-DAY CHOIR? Gaia Music Collective’s One-Day Choir series is an opportunity to sing in a choir for one day only. A celebration of song and the connective power of singing in harmony. An opportunity to build community, make some new friends, and raise our powerfully diverse voices as one. No auditions. No commitment. No judgment or need for perfection. Just the joy of creating something bigger than ourselves with a room full of beautiful humans! For each choir, we pick a piece of music to rehearse and sing our hearts out to.”
🧘 Overcoming Overwhelm – Techniques for Dealing with Work Stress
January 29 | New York Insight (115 West 29th Street) | $30+
“In our always-on, 24/7 workplaces, nearly 50% of US employees say they experience “a lot of stress” during the workday, according to Gallup. Stress is tightly linked with disengagement, burnout, physical pain and declining well-being. Many employees report that job-related stress is negatively affecting their lives and relationships outside of work, pushing them to consider quitting. Without tools to cope, these issues can leave us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, isolated and disconnected—from both ourselves and others. This workshop will be highly experiential with reflection practices and small group discussions. Together, we will be learning on-the-spot interventions to reduce stress, including: Breathwork practices, Somatic strategies, Resilience techniques, Some of the most effective, evidence-based ways to reduce stress combine changes in your body, mind, behavior, and environment. In this workshop, you will learn actionable practices you can implement immediately for regulating the body, calming the nervous system, changing thoughts and behaviors, cultivating supportive connections and strengthening your environment.”
😂 About Last Night: Dating Disaster Stories! (NYC)
January 29 | Littlefield (635 Sackett Street) | $25
“Great dates get a text back, but bad dates? Those are worth sharing! That’s why we’re bringing SF’s favorite storytelling show About Last Night, back to NYC! Join us for an evening filled to the brim with laughter and sex positivity, as a handful of very brave NYC locals climb onto our infamous stage to share true tales of their most hilariously terrible dating and hookup stories.”
✋ Clay Club: Curio Dishes + Wish Boxes
January 29 | 20 Grand Ave | $65
“If you’re sick!! of staring at a screen and looking to get your hands messy, introducing a practice of play + tactile making into your life— clay club is made<3 for <3 u<3
This month, you’ll have the chance to sculpt a precious, one of a kind trinket dish or wish box from premium air dry clay before adorning it with trinkets, beads, mosaic pieces and other curated treasures.
Perfect for beginners or clay fiends alike, we’ll get you acclimated to the material and tools, and provide you with an inspo + ideation session to get your creativity whirring. We’ll then bump the tunes and let you sculpt your hearts out amongst new friends. It will be a perfect, tactile evening.
All materials + a bevvie included, feel free to bring your own treasures, charms or trinkets to incorporate”
🛍️ Manhattan Vintage
January 30 - February 1 | Metropolitan Pavilion | $22
“NYC’s largest and most iconic vintage event. 100+ dealers spanning all eras, price points, and perspectives. A New York Institution. What’s it all about? Manhattan Vintage is New York’s largest and most iconic vintage experience. Gothamist calls it “the Beyoncé concert of the retro clothing world.” From unexpected finds to unforgettable connections, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll kick yourself if you miss. Is it for me? Manhattan Vintage is for everyone, from the vintage-curious to seasoned collectors, stylists, celebs, and trendsetters. All ages, backgrounds, vibes welcome.”
🥟 Dumpling Workshop
January 31 and February 7 | Nin Hao (609 Dean St) | $10+
“Our popular dumpling workshop is back, and it’s officially becoming a weekly Saturday Dim Sum ritual. Every Saturday from 1:00–3:30 PM, starting this Saturday. It’s a perfect activity for friends and families. Kids under 8 join for free and can either take their dumplings home, or enjoy them here after steaming their creations. How to join: $15 for walk-ins to join the dumpling workshop only. $10 for diners to join the workshop as a sweet treat after your dim sum meal. Come fold, steam, and spend your Saturday with us.”
🎨 Learn to Watercolor (Valentine’s Edition)
February 1 | The Collaboratory (21-07 41st Ave) | $45
“Join artist Lara-Georgine and learn more about the world of watercolor in this Valentine-themed workshop. In just 2 hours, you’ll learn playful watercolor techniques and create 3 whimsical, modern greeting cards to give to the people you love (or keep for yourself—we don’t judge!). Never touched a paintbrush? Perfect. Experienced artist? Love that too! This class is all about experimentation, creativity, and having fun with good people. You’ll take home: 3 finished watercolor valentines (plus envelopes) + A full set of watercolors and a brush to continue creating at home”
♀️ Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee in Conversation with Amy Richards: Rise, Girl, Rise
February 2 | 92Y (1395 Lexington Avenue) | $35
“Trailblazing feminist organizer Gloria Steinem and Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee join us for a conversation shaped by decades of activism, friendship, and moral clarity. Their new picture book, Rise, Girl, Rise, is written for young readers – but its ideas are expansive and deeply considered. Told through their parallel life stories, it follows two girls growing up in very different parts of the world, each learning what inequality looks like, and what it takes to challenge it. What emerges is not a manifesto, but a lived understanding of feminism as something learned through example, sustained through relationships, and strengthened by collective action. This evening is designed for adults: parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone thinking seriously about how values are shaped and passed on. Steinem and Gbowee reflect on how movements are built, and how lessons are translated for the next generation.”
🎭 Uptown Showdown: 1920s vs. 2020s
February 5 | Symphony Space (2537 Broadway) | $18
“Flappers or influencers? Jazz clubs or TikTok trends?? Step into a century-spanning showdown as our comedians compare the glitz, chaos, and culture of the 1920s and the 2020s? Whether you’re into speakeasies or smart homes, this time-traveling showdown is the bee’s knees! The popular comedy debate series invites two teams of funny folks from the worlds of stand-up and late-night television to tackle topics of great importance to pop culture, such as which pet is superior—cats or dogs—and is it better to be comfortable or fashionable? The verbal sparring and all-around absurdity only stop when the audience decides the winner.”
🐶 AKC Meet the Breeds
February 7-8 | Javits Center (429 11th Ave) | $35
“From Affenpinschers to Yorkshire Terriers and everything in between! AKC Meet the Breeds, the nation’s largest educational dog extravaganza, gives dog lovers a unique opportunity to meet, play with, and learn about hundreds of dogs!”
💔 Mortified: Doomed Love
February 11 | Littlefield (635 Sackett Street) | $15
“Mortified is a comic excavation of teen angst artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, stories and more) as shared by their original authors before total strangers. Witness adults sharing their most embarrassing childhood artifacts (journals, letters, poems, lyrics, plays, home movies, art) with others, in order to reveal stories about their lives. Hear grown men and women confront their past with tales of their first kiss, first puff, worst prom, fights with mom, life at bible camp, worst hand job, best mall job, and reasons they deserved to marry Jon Bon Jovi. Hailed a “cultural phenomenon” by Newsweek and celebrated by This American Life, The Today Show, The Onion AV Club, Entertainment Weekly and beyond, Mortified celebrates the strange and extraordinary things we created as kids.”
🤼♂️ Sumo + Sushi
February 13-15 | Duggal Greenhouse (63 Flushing Ave) | $92
“Sumo + Sushi is the ultimate “edu-tainment” experience. You don’t have to fly to Japan to experience the excitement and fun of this 1,500 year old sport! Learn about the history, rules, and culture of Sumo followed by over 12 live exhibition matches and a Q+A with the wrestlers.”
🎤 Ask A Fuckboy
February 14 | The Bell House (149 7th St) | $30+
“Ask a Fuckboy is a new comedy show in NYC bringing the irreverence of Call Her Daddy w/ the storytelling of your favorite guilty pleasure subreddit. Female comics present perplexing stories w/ men they've dated & a panel of "fuckboys" (male comedians) weighs in.”
🥃 Pour & Restore Workshop
February 15 | Shiny Sparkle Labs (185 Van Dyke St) | $115
Use code NY26 for 26% off all single-day classes
“Turn empty wine bottles into stunning homewares! In this four-hour class, you’ll cut, polish, and transform discarded bottles into a pitcher and four cups—choosing the height and color of each. Wrap up with a winery tour and tasting flight at Red Hook Winery in the last hour, and leave with glassware you made yourself.”
🀄 Mahjong Beginner Lesson & Dim Sum
February 19 | Leland Eating and Drinking House (755 Dean St) | $50
“Join us for an afternoon of mahjong and dim sum. Mahjong Master Lenny An will teach guests how to play the game while they enjoy dim sum. This ticket includes the mahjong lesson and dim sum—for example, a menu of sesame pancakes, baked pork bun, and a cup of chicken jook porridge. Guests can add menu items from our Vinyl Hour lunch menu and pay separately. Beverages are not included and are charged per consumption.”
🗄️ Exclusive Look Inside the House of Collection: NYC’s Cabinet of Curiosities
February 22 | House of Collection | $40
“Over the past 30 years, one Brooklyn resident has quietly compiled a collection of thousands of artifacts in her industrial loft left by friends, and invited guests, alike — from the antique to the bizarre, each with their own unique story to tell. Now, for the first time ever, the apartment owner is ready to open her doors and show off her cabinet of curiosity to curious New Yorkers looking to peek inside one of NYC's most interesting spaces.”
🤫 Dirty Books
Now through February 28 | Bated Breath Theater (39 W. 14th St.) | $69
“Dirty Books is an immersive experience that plunges audiences into the scandalous and surprisingly cerebral world of the 1960s soft-core adult publishing industry. Based on the true stories of erotic fiction writers of the era, Dirty Books reveals the ingenuity and resilience of artists who thrived in the shadows of America’s anti-obscenity laws. Inside a world of secret bookstores, banned novels, and underground desire, the audience collaborates with the company to compose an erotic story.”
🚗 Bumper Cars on Ice
Now through February 28 | Bryant Park
“ Bumper Cars on Ice Return to Bryant Park! Get ready for the coolest ride of the season — bumper cars on real ice in the heart of NYC!”
Who’s down?!
xx
Anna