The 'Low Down: 7/20 - 8/2 ✨
What makes a neighborhood start to feel like home?
Hey friends,
Big news: I moved to Brooklyn! I promise this won’t suddenly become a BK-only newsletter, though. I’ll still be hunting down events across the boroughs, and this edition even includes a good reason to take the Staten Island Ferry…
I celebrated my birthday this past weekend at Sea Witch, which I highly recommend for its strong drinks, but also for the backyard koi pond and resident family of turtles.
As for the next two weeks, there’s a Nom Wah brewery takeover, cartooning with a New Yorker artist, a documentary about Flaco the owl in Central Park, and spa night with sunset DJ sets.
🥟 Greenpoint Summer Guest Series: Nom Wah
Monday, July 20 | Threes Brewing Greenpoint
The rest of the collabs: Veselka on August 3, Chiba Bakery on August 10, Shifka on August 17, and Peter Luger Steakhouse on August 24.
“Threes Brewing's Greenpoint outpost is launching a Summer Guest Series that will temporarily turn the brewery into a rotating lineup of some of New York City's most beloved restaurants and bars. Every Monday evening through August, a different hospitality heavyweight will take over the space, bringing its own menu, music, decor and staff for a one-night-only residency.”
🎸 River & Blues Concert Series
Thursday, July 23 | Wagner Park | Free
“The River & Blues Concert Series is a celebrated NYC summer tradition featuring Global and American folk, roots and blues music for over 25 years! Picturesque Wagner Park is the perfect summer show venue with breathtaking views of Hudson River sunsets, picnic-friendly fairgrounds and refreshing waterfront breezes. Allen Stone is a soul/R&B luminary known for electrifying performances and rich, expressive vocals. His genre-defying sound pairs infectious rhythms with emotional depth, establishing himself as a standout voice in modern soul music.”
✏️ Cartooning 101 with New Yorker Cartoonist Emily Flake
Thursday, July 23 | 190 Bowery | Free
“After Hours at 190 Bowery is our summer event series bringing together people, brands, and ideas worth showing up for. Join New Yorker cartoonist Emily Flake for a deep dive into the subtle wizardry of gag cartooning. Emily will walk through technique while helping you craft smart, sharp visual jokes. No artistic skills required. Admission includes one complimentary drink and light snacks.”
🎷 Jazz in July Concert Series
Thursday, July 23 | Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Free
“Jazz in July returns to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, turning Thursday evenings into one of the city's most idyllic outdoor concerts. Held from 6pm to 8pm, the series pairs live jazz performances with activities, artist talks and tours, making it easy to spend an entire afternoon wandering among the blooms before settling onto the lawn.”
👵 Dinner at Nonnas of the World
Friday, July 24 to Friday, July 31 | 27 Hyatt Street, Staten Island | $87
“At this tiny restaurant, the chefs are grandmothers from around the world, each sharing the dishes and recipes of her home country. During this edition’s window, featured cooks include nonnas from Georgia, Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. The prepaid reservation includes a three-course meal—making this a very good excuse to hop on the ferry and turn dinner into a mini getaway.”
🎥 Rooftop Cinema Club: La La Land
Friday, July 24 | 60 West 37th Street, 3rd Floor | $25+
“Rooftop Cinema Club takes movie-going to a whole new level—literally. This rooftop film series at a midtown skyscraper offers stunning views and an impressive lineup of films. In addition to the movie magic, the venue also offers movie snacks, a full bar and cute photo opps.”
🎛️ MoMA PS1 Warm Up: Opening Night
Friday, July 24 | MoMA PS1, Long Island City | $25+
“MoMA PS1’s beloved outdoor music series returns for its 28th season, bringing emerging and experimental artists from around the world to the museum’s courtyard. It’s part concert, part dance party and one of the city’s most reliably cool summer gatherings.”
🖥️ URL IRL: Internet Shorts 2026
Friday, July 24 | Industry City | $22
“Rooftop Films presents a collection of strange, funny and unsettling short films about life online—from digital identity and artificial intimacy to invisible labor and our search for meaning in an algorithm-driven world. The screening takes place outdoors in one of Industry City’s courtyards.”
🎶 Sync & Sequence
Saturday, July 25 | Brooklyn Brewery (79 N 11th St) | Free
“Join us for an open electronic music jam session where producers, instrumentalists, beat makers, and sound explorers come together to make music in real time through deep listening and spontaneous collaboration. Bring your synths, laptops, or instruments with the proper cables to plug in and sync up for an immersive session built on experimentation, connection, and collective groove.”
🌅 QC Spa: Sunset Sessions
Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 | QC Spa (Governors Island) | $140+
These Sunset Sessions will be every Fri and Sat night until September 8!
“QC Spa New York is launching Sunset Sessions. The first of an ongoing DJ series, Sunset Sessions will bring a relaxed beach vibe to the spa. DJ Elektra will be playing sets at the spa's outdoor garden, making it easy to enjoy the music among the blooming florals or while soaking in one of the property's infinity pools. Leaning into its Amalfi Coast origins, guests can also take a complimentary scented paper fan, handcrafted and shipped from Italy, as a keepsake.”
🛍️ Bushwick Maker’s Market (Part 7)
Saturday, July 25 | 114 Forrest St | Free
“Browse locally made goods from our community of artists and makers - jewelry, art, prints, “crochet/knit, baked treats, tarot readings, tooth gems, collages, and more. Everything is handmade and a portion of the proceeds go to a mutual aid fund in Lebanon. Find a unique gift, sip something refreshing, and enjoy the easygoing energy of summer with our creative community.”
😂 Comedy UO: Jake Cohen & Friends
Monday, July 27 | Brooklyn Warehouse (251 Montrose Avenue) | $70
“Come join us as we partner with Jake Cohen to bring you some of our favorite comics and serve some delicious light bites! Tickets include light bites, desserts and free drinks.”
💃 BAAND Together Dance Festival
Tuesday, July 28 to Saturday, August 1 | Lincoln Center (20 Lincoln Center Plaza) | Choose-what-you-pay
“Five of New York’s most celebrated dance companies—Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Hispánico, Dance Theatre of Harlem and New York City Ballet—share one stage for a rotating program of ballet and contemporary dance.”
🦉 Wild Inside: The Story of Flaco the Owl
Wednesday, July 29 | Central Park’s Great Hill | Free with RSVP
“Rooftop Films hosts the world premiere of a documentary about Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped the Central Park Zoo and became an unlikely New York celebrity. Appropriately, the film will screen outdoors in the park where he captured the city’s attention.”
🪩 Uptown Bounce: House x Disco
Thursday, July 30 | Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Ave) | Free
“DJ Stormin Norman transforms the museum into a dance floor with glittering disco classics, soulful house and anthems inspired by New York nightlife. Guests can also explore the exhibitions after hours while enjoying summer cocktails and food from Archer & Goat.”
💘 Love Isn’t Blind : A Comedy/Dating Show Where the Men Can’t Speak
Friday, July 31 | Littlefield (635 Sackett St) | $35
“Tired of swiping? In this dating experiment, men compete on stage for one lucky bachelorette, with the little caveat that the men can’t speak. Through a series of games – which includes calling the boys’ moms and unlocking their phones – we narrow it down to two men. Finally, we hear their voices, and the lucky winning man is sent with our bachelorette to the bar for an immediate date.”
🍌 Radiolab: Fruit Fantasia
Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2 | Little Island (Pier 55 at Hudson River Park) | Free
“Radiolab presents a juicy live-radio romp uncovering the surprising histories, mysteries and science behind our favorite fruits. The hourlong outdoor show pairs storytelling with live music—and an appropriately themed frozen-banana pop-up nearby.”
🏃 The 2026 BKLYN MILE Presented by HOKA
Sunday, August 2 | Marsha P. Johnson State Park | $59
“Participants in Brooklyn’s iconic road mile run along Kent Avenue through the heart of Williamsburg. The course is fun, fast and exhilarating. Personal bests abound for experienced runners, and a unique opportunity for beginners and/or back-of-the-packers to experience a unique trip along Williamsburg’s main artery.”
🔮 Tarot! Renaissance Symbols, Modern Visions Exhibit
Now through October 4 | The Morgan Library (225 Madison Ave) | $28
Long before tarot was associated with fortune-telling, the cards were created as an elaborate game for the courts of Renaissance Italy. This exhibition traces their evolution from beautifully illustrated fifteenth-century decks to an enduring source of inspiration for modern artists, filmmakers and mystics.
Who’s down?!
xx Anna