TLD 23 ✨ Psychiatric Stroll 🧠 Cupid’s Undie Run 🏃 Bombolone Bliss 🍩
Hey friends,
In the spirit of finding the magic in the city, I’m on a mission to find the magic in the everyday! So, I’m testing a new intro where I share three things from the past month that sparked joy.
✨ First up: I witnessed Joey Fatone (of NSYNC fame!) belt out "It's Gonna Be Me" on stage at the Broadway production of & Juliet—a true childhood dream unlocked. You can watch Joey and the cast perform it on GMA here, but honestly, there’s nothing like experiencing it live.
🐱 Next: I discovered that you can hang out with all the cats at Best Friends Animal Society whenever you want. Yes, you can adopt them too, but for those of us who aren’t quite ready for the responsibility, it’s the ultimate dose of kitty therapy. I’ve been averaging one visit a week…
🥙 And finally: I had the Sephardi Wrap from Edith’s Sandwich Counter in the West Village. Crispy and flaky Malwach wrap stuffed with chicken sausage, cheesy scrambled eggs, pickled fresno peppers, herbs, and harissa mayo… No notes.
How about you? What lit you up this month? Drop a comment below or reply to this email.
Okay, onto the events—perhaps one will make your list of magical moments for next time?!
💖 Swipes Right: The Second City New York’s Incomplete Guide to Dating
February 6-8 | 64 N 9th Street | $20+
“Spend the night with The Second City! This brand-new show (consensually) roasts everything that turns us on – and off – about love, dating, and relationships. From meet-cutes and awkward one-night stands to getting ghosted like you’re Patrick Swayze making pottery, The Second City Swipes Right is your ultimate comedy date night. So, whether you’re locked in, single af, or in a “situationship,” laugh your way through the chaos with an electric cast serving The Second City’s world-famous brand of sketch, music, and improv comedy. It’s giving hilarity, it’s giving relatable, it’s giving… a night you don’t want to miss.”
🤯 The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
February 8 | Caveat | $35
“Are you a sucker for a good Wikipedia spiral? Do you love crushing the competition at trivia night? Are you determined to be the most interesting person at every party you go to? Then you're going to love The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week. On the hit Popular Science podcast The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week, hosts gather to share the strangest, silliest, most fascinating stories they can find from science, history, technology, medicine and more. From the history of doctor-prescribed cannibalism, to tales of the world's most devastating butter-fueled fires, to the bizarre legacy of competitive guppy swallowing, this show has it all. Accidental death rays? Yes. Scientific scam artists? Obviously. Bugs with pee-related superpowers? All day long.”
🍷 In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience
February 8 and 9 | Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam St.) | $40
“Australian comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh will be joined by a wine expert as they guide you through five wines and at least five jokes. Everyone from savvy sauvignon swiggers to clueless chardonnay chuggers will find something to make their glass half full, as all the wine industry’s most hard-hitting questions are answered: How far should I extend my pinky when sipping? What the f%*k is a tannin? And who’s parked in the loading zone out front, you’re about to be towed? Your ticket includes five wine tastings.”
February 8 | Lower East Side | $45
“A colorful crew of nearly naked New Yorkers will run a mile on the Lower East Side this February – not just to be silly but also to help those with what's currently an incurable condition. The annual tradition, started nationally in 2010 and locally in 2012, is called Cupid’s Undie Run. It raises funds to research neurofibromatosis, a group of genetic conditions that cause the widespread development of tumors, as well as awareness about the disorders. So why run in one’s undies? For many with neurofibromatosis, their tumors, as well as the scars from their removal, or other effects of the disorder cannot be hidden. And so the idea is that for a day, no one hides their bodies. This year’s New York run will start and end at The DL nightclub at 95 Delancey St. on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.”
February 8 | Essex Market (88 Essex St.) | $10
“The beloved Bombolone Festival will once again take over the city. Hosted by Unregular Bakery alongside Underground Donut Tour, the extravaganza will take place on February 8, 2025 at Essex Market between 10am and 4pm. Attendees will, of course, indulge in tons of bomboloni but they will also get to experience live competitions among professionals delivering their very own versions of the pastry.”
🧠 The Psychiatric History of New York Walking Tour
February 8, 15, 22 | Carl Schurz Park (Starting Point) | $39
“Join us for a fascinating journey through the psychiatric history of New York City. Explore the hidden stories behind famous landmarks and learn about the city's mental health institutions, treatments, and breakthroughs. Led by knowledgeable guides, this walking tour is a unique way to uncover the lesser-known side of the Big Apple. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience!”
🤖 Build Your Own IoT Love Messengers
February 9 | NYC Resistor (87 Third Ave.) | $20
“In this Valentine's Day-special class, participants will build their very own pair of Love Messengers: a perfect gift for friends, partners and loved ones 💞. Love Messengers are two IoT devices that are connected to each other via a real-time database. When one Love Messenger is pressed, the other will light up, no matter how far apart they are. The class will provide all materials, and playfully introduce Internet of Things technology, basic coding (C++), electronics, and fabrication techniques. At the end of the class, everyone gets to take their love messengers home as a gift for a loved one.”
February 10 and 11 | Madison Square Garden (4 Penn Plaza) | $63+
“The Westminster Dog Show its making its grand return, bringing back the classic group judging phase of the event and the best in show ceremony. The show involves seven group competitions across several categories including obedience, agility, dock diving and more.”
🍪 Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating with GIRL GANG
TALEA Williamsburg (87 Richardson St.) | $60
“Join GIRL GANG and Cakes by Lexi for a sugar-filled creative night at our Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating workshop. Whether you're celebrating love, being single or just love cookies, this workshop is the perfect way to add a little extra fun to your Valentine's Day festivities. Get ready to decorate some playful and cheeky cookies with guidance from Alexis Ong. From heart shapes to flirty messages, you'll get to try your hand at piping, frosting and other cookie decorating techniques. Enjoy a drink and snack at Talea while you have a fun filled crafty evening. Couples, singles, friends are all welcome!”
🍽️ The Seasonal Depression Soirée ft. Curry in a Hurry
February 15 | Gowanus | $84
“(trumpets!!!) On Saturday, February 15th, pretty please emerge from your cave to spend an evening with stay for supper & curry in a hurry for the THIRD ANNUAL Seasonal Depression Soirée. What’s the plan? ~enjoy some welcome bites of latke chaat ~learn how to make pickled veggies (& take some home!!) ~enjoy a jewish-indian style collaborative menu of cozy comfort dishes by chef lottie gurvis & chefs (& twins!) Arnav & Sanat Malhotra of curry in a hurry ~fill in some cheeky mad libs ~remember there are reasons to be alive… Dress code: your comfiest cozies, dress to de-stress.”
🤦♂️ Harnessing Failure
February 21 | Gerald D. Fischbach Auditorium (160 5th Avenue.) | Free
“Getting things wrong is a key component of life. It's no different in math and science. Failure can lead to incredible breakthroughs, whether a powerful life lesson or a new way of looking at our universe. With decades of experience as an astrophysicist and now serving as president of the Simons Foundation, David Spergel has spent much of his career navigating the complexities of scientific discovery, where failures can be just as essential as discoveries. In his recent book, “Productive Failure: Unlocking Deeper Learning Through the Science of Failing,” Manu Kapur asks readers to reconsider their experience with failing. He challenges them to instead approach failure not as a setback but as an integral part of the learning process and a crucial catalyst for growth. Join us for a conversation between Spergel and Kapur as they dissect how we navigate failure on a personal and societal basis and how we can better prepare people for the inevitability of failure — and perhaps even find joy in it.”
🧑🎨 Porcelain Planter Workshop
February 22 | Wilcoxson Brooklyn Ceramics (69A West St.) | $95
“Includes: Clay, tools, aprons, glaze, and firing. The workshop is 3 hours and is a beginner level class with no previous experience required. It is a hand building course using slabs of porcelain to build functional objects. In the workshop, we will apply colored clay "slips" to the surface of the clay and create decorative patterns in blue, black, and pink. Workshop participants will make at least 2 planters that will be finished with glaze. The planter can be picked up 2 weeks after the workshop.”
February 24 | Rodney’s (1118 1st Ave.) | $18
“The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is… ARMOR: Prepare a five-minute story about protective layers. Helmets or shields, thick skin or a shatterproof ego. The battle-ready blazer, the deep breath and bright smile before dinner with your mother, the comeback to that awkward question. Regale us with tales of wards, big and small…and fighting your way past a hard shell to get to the soft spot in the middle.”
📚 Book Talk: I’m Not Your Muse
February 25 | Rizzoli (1133 Broadway) | Free
“An illuminating exploration of 31 incredible women—across art, architecture, dance, literature, and more—whose culture-defining contributions have, until now, been overshadowed by their role as “muses” to history’s better-known men. Author Lori Zimmer and illustrator Maria Krasinski in conversation, followed by a signing.”
💨 The Life We Breathe: Carl Zimmer in Conversation with Jad Abumrad
February 25 | 92Y (1395 Lexington Ave) | $30+
“Join award-winning science journalist Carl Zimmer in conversation with Radiolab creator Jad Abumrad for an eye-opening exploration into the invisible world we inhale. Drawing from his revelatory new book, Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe, Zimmer delves into the aerobiome — the mysterious ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and organisms that permeate the air and influence everything from our health to global weather. Zimmer illuminates the remarkable history of airborne discoveries, from Charles Darwin’s high-flying microbes to modern aerobiology's cutting-edge research. Discover how the Covid pandemic reshaped our understanding of airborne pathogens and what steps we can take to protect ourselves against future threats.”
February 25 | City Winery (25 11th Ave.) | $30+
“City Winery New York presents Magic in a Bottle, a night of magic, comedy, and wine. Close-up magic will take place at your table prior to showtime so make sure you get there early!”
March 1 | Farm.One (625 Bergen St) | Free
“The second annual winter fungi festival. We will be covering mushroom art, psychedelics, mushroom growing, food, mycology & functional fungi.”
🎤 Love Isn’t Blind: A Comedy/Dating Show Where the Men Can’t Speak
March 14 | Littlefield (635 Sackett St.) | $30
“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. Audience members wear wristbands according to their relationship status, and a wingcouple (who wear actual wings) helps those of you who are too shy to make a move.”
Who’s down?!
xx Anna