[title]
FRI 9
Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen Highline Ballroom; 8pm; $20–$45
Eternal rock god Freddie Mercury would have been 70 this month, and to celebrate his glorious legacy and the music of Queen, the four-piece, beglammed Almost Queen Tribute band tears up the Highline Ballroom.
29Rooms “Powered by People” 8 Ingraham Ave; noon; free
No tickets to the NYFW shows? No problem. After hosting an extremely successful interactive funhouse called 29Rooms last year, Refinery29 is throwing another all-inclusive party/exhibition/wonderland to kick off Fashion Week. This year’s concept "Powered by People" allows guests to experience the stylish affair first-hand, while exploring 29 rooms filled with art and immersive installations that push the envelope on global issues such as body positivity, mental health and self-expression. You’re guaranteed to leave feeling inspired.
Saved by the 90s: A Party with the Bayside Tigers Webster Hall; 11pm; $20
Clinton-era nostalgia looks like it's here to stay, and the Saved by the ’90s: A Party with the Bayside Tigers is a great bash to revel in it. Check out the Bayside Tigers—a four-piece cover band that specializes in songs of all genres (well, as long as they're from the ’90s)—as the group makes Webster Hall's dance floor feel like a genuine house party. Dressing up is encouraged: snap bracelets, Converse, big hair and overly baggy JNCO jeans—you name it, somebody will probably be wearing it.
I Feel Love Brooklyn Sanctuary; 9pm; $40, VIP $110
Want to know what NYC nightlife was like in the glorious ’70s? Step into this party-—imagine what Studio 54 and Sleep No More would be like if they had a baby—which catapults you into the decadent days of disco and new wave in a fully transformed Brooklyn warehouse space. To create a fully aural experience worthy of the era, the party on Friday 9 features dance music titan Giorgio Moroder, original Studio 54 DJ Nicky Siano and a host of contemporary dance arbiters including Jackmaster and Kungs. But partygoers beware: Once you step into this immersive adventure, you’re expected to lose control of your inhibitions—and possibly your clothes.
SAT 10
NYC Labor Day Parade 44th St and Fifth Avenue; 10am; free
It should take you about a week to recover from your three-day party weekend, by which time you can actually honor the national holiday at this joyous parade. This year’s theme, “Union Made,” celebrates NYC’s storied history of laborers and workers who have organized and marched to change laws concerning wages, overtime and workdays. Whether you’re marching with actors, nurses, engineers and organizers or are just there for support, you’re certain to leave feeling proud of the city.
Brooklyn Kite Festival Brooklyn Bridge Park; 11am; free
Go fly a kite. No seriously, hang out and catch a riverside breeze at this colorful annual event in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Enthusiasts can bring their own kites, while the rest of us amateurs can buy one there.
Pig Island Ikea Erie Basin Park; 11:30am; $85–$1,000
At this seventh annual porkfest, over 20 of Gotham's top pitmasters will break down and ’cue up whole heritage hogs from Flying Pigs Farm and other small regional pork farms. Feast on all-you-can-stomach porcine offerings like fire-roasted Colorade pueblo peppers by NYC Hot Sauce Co.'s Jon Bratton and Copenhagen Street Dog's Danish pølse slathered in fiery Nordic ketchup, deviled egg cream and a jalapeño coleslaw. To wash it all down, craft beer and cider from Sixpoint Virtue and Cider, wines from Red Hook Winery and a myriad of whiskeys and mescals will be available at their respective pavilions.
90sFest Governors Beach Club; 3pm; $40–$300
This nostaglic fête is hosted by none other than Pauly Shore and boasts a lineup including Sugar Ray, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Sister Hazel, C+C Music Factory and DJ Jazzy Jeff. The fest is billed as a "totally immersive, time-traveling experience," so break out the mood rings, roll up that pant leg and get ready to feel young again (or really, really old).
Tinder Live! with Lane Moore The Bell House; 8pm; $15
Comedian, writer and musician Moore takes the stage to show off her Tinder profile, swipe left, message guys that pique her (and the audience's) interest and even call them live.
Bike the Boros: NYC Century Hudson River Park; 6am; $60–$200
Pack all your summer traveling into one ride with this massive urban cycling event and fundraiser for Transportation Alternatives. You can opt in for three options: the 31-mile Half Metric Century takes you through Prospect Park and Astoria Park; the 62-mile Metric Century rides to Fort Tilden Beach and up to Kissena Park back through Astoria; and the 100-mile Imperial Century rides through Little Neck Bay, Astoria, the Bronx, Harlem and Manhattan. The epic day ends with an endorphin- and beer-fueled after-party at Pier 97.
Bushwig Knockdown Center; 2pm; $35, weekend pass $50
Bow down and worship as the nastiest, boldest and most brilliant drag and queer performers in town gather for this mad, joyous festival in the borough that’s at the vanguard of drag. Step out of the nightclub and into the dirt for two days of outrageous performance art, sweaty dancing and next-level costumes. This year’s lineup includes pioneering queen Lady Bunny, Latrice Royale, Thorgy Thor and Untitled Queen, plus food trucks, vendors and more.
The Lot Radio BBQ The Lot Radio; 4pm; $5, suggested donation
The Lot Radio has been hosting live DJ sets and talk shows from a reclaimed shipping container in Greenpoint since February. The online station—which has gained tremendous support both locally and abroad—now serves top-notch coffee and sandwiches, in addition to organizing charity concerts at the church across the street. This weekend, come celebrate the Lot Radio's accomplishments at its first rain or shine BBQ. There will be a full, affordable bar, tacos and more food by Felipe Mendez (from La Superior and La Cerveceria), and a stacked lineup of the Lot Radio's residents and guests.
Hot to Adopt event 138 Tenth Ave; 1pm; free
Actress and fashion blogger (TomBoyKC.com) Katie Cassidy is hosting a fashion show unlike any runway we’ve seen—okay, it’s actually quite similar to the Algonquin Hotel Cat Fashion Show—but this fierce feline runway is different. Why? Because you can actually adopt adorable kitties afterward! Cassidy hopes to eliminate the “Cay Lady” stigma and show that pet adoption is always in-style, which is why she’ll be hitting the streets to offer pedestrians free rides with adoptable cats in “Hot to Adopt” pedicabs prior to the show. On Saturday, you’re going to be front-row for the Fresh Step Feline Fashion Lounge and Adoption event, offering tons of free kitty entertainment from cat tats, feline-inspired fashion sketches, cat cocktails and munchies. It’s going to bepurrfect.
SUN 11
Wanderlust 108 Prospect Park, Nethermead; 9:30am; Free–$54
The peacefully minded yoga festival empire Wanderlust presents its latest offering at Prospect Park. Wanderlust 108 is billed as a "mindful triathlon," which combines a 5K run or walk (11am), a massive 90-minute yoga class and dance party (12:30pm) and a guided meditation led by Noah Levine (2pm). There will also be acroyoga, slacklining and hooping for the brave at the Adidas-sponsored event, plus live music, retro yard games and healthy food. Om (nom).
Tribute in Light; 7:30pm; free
The beams of blue light arranged in the shape of the Twin Towers are visible for 60 miles on a clear night. For the best views, head to Washington Square and Union Square parks in Manhattan, Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.