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September 11
The Society Boutique Fall Opening Sale The Society Boutique; Sept 11–13 at 10:30am; free
Fighting cancer, saving the planet and scoring a new wardrobe—all at once? It's as easy as heading to this UES secondhand shop's sale, where you can score classy new (to you) duds like pearl necklaces, Manolo Blahnik heels and Tory Birch skirts. And all the proceeds from this weekend's sale go to the MSK Cancer Center.
Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn Expo Center, Brooklyn; Sept 11–13 at 11am; free
There are few better ways to while away a few weekend hours than perusing this collection of handmade products, with everything from toys to jewelry to clothing to pet wares on sale. Plus, there's food from delicious local eateries like Jessy's Pastries and Curry Station, a free photo booth and, in case all that shopping wears you down, Cafe Grumpy coffee.
Feast of San Gennaro Little Italy; Sept 11–13 at 11:30am; free
Yeah, Little Italy's become a tourist trap, but admit it—you love it when they close down Mulberry Street for this annual party. There's live music, cannoli-eating competitions and every kind of greasy and/or fried food imaginable (Italian or otherwise). Plus, it's a good opportunity to buy some cheesy "I♥NY" T-shirts to give your relatives in Minnesota for Christmas.
Refinery 29's 29Rooms, 29Rooms, Brooklyn; Sept 11, 12 at noon; free
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Refinery29 is opening up a giant interactive fun house in Greenpoint. It's a rolling warehouse party with 29 rooms of envelope-pushing fashion and fun, with an Old Navy DIY denim-distressing workshop, a "cabinet of curiosities" sponsored by Fossil and a bounce house in the shape of a handbag. Plus, Lyft is offering discounted rides to the party—just use the code "REFINERY29."
Ginger Minj: Crossdresser for Christ Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe; 7pm; $22 plus $20 minimum
If Bushwig (see below) is a little much for you, but you still need your dose of drag, check out this RuPaul's Drag Race runner-up's show. Ginger comes to NYC from Orlando for an evening of song and comedy that's sure to shock the religious—and amuse her target audience.
Linda Lavin: Starting Over Feinstein's/54 Below; Sept 11–12 at 7pm; $50–$95 plus $25 minimum
You (or your parents) may know her as the star of the long-running sitcom Alice, but Linda Lavin has been performing on the Great White Way since the 1960s—and she's bringing her experience (and her pipes) to this underground cabaret for an evening of jazz standards, Broadway favorites and, well, any other types of songs she wants to sing.
Drawing Sound, Part II: String Noise Drawing Center; 7:30pm; $10
This Soho institution exists to celebrate the power of drawing, but for its current season, it's branching out and exploring the ways drawing and music collide with the "Drawing Sound" series. Friday's opening night show includes performances by cocurator Conrad Harris and epic sound engineer Ben Manley. Online tickets are sold out, but there'll be some at the door.
Resonant Bodies closing night: Jeffrey Gavett, Kate Soper, Rachel Calloway Roulette, Brooklyn; 7:30pm; $20
The final night of the Resonant Bodies Festival brings three stunningly talented vocal performers to the stage. This celebration of vocal performance encourages singers to create and perform their own 45-minute set, giving the vocalists a chance to let loose without restrictions on style, format or song choice.
Louise Lecavalier: So Blue New York Live Arts; Sept 11, 12 at 7:30pm; $15–$35
This Canadian dancer-choreographer, who was the star of acclaimed dance group La La La Human Steps, moves with such electricity, you'll never believe that she's 56 years old—or that this is her first full-length creation.
koosil-ja: I am capitalism The Kitchen; Sept 11, 12 at 8pm; $15
Take a walk on the avant-garde side of the dance world and check out this experimental choreographer as she looks into the ways the psyche and systems of capitalism are embedded within her—then tries to exorcise those forces through movement, sound and video (with the help of A/V artist Geoff Masters).
The Orb Bowery Ballroom; 9pm; $22, at the door $25
The veteran British electronica group—consisting, Nine Inch Nails–style, of permanent member Alex Paterson and his assorted collaborators—continues to redefine electronic dance music, just as they have since they helped create EDM's "ambient" sound back in the '90s.
Thee Oh Sees The Warsaw, Brooklyn; 9pm; $20
It's your final chance to catch these garage rockers here for a while, as they tour the world following the spring debut of their latest album, Mutilator Defeated At Last. The hardworking band has been cranking out albums at a manic pace for years, so even if you've seen them recently, they probably have some new music for you.
Bushwig Various locations; Sept 11–13 at various times; weekend pass $40
Eat, drink and be Mary at the third installment of this annual festival of outer-borough gender bending, where a seemingly endless parade of drag performers strut their stuff to live music. There will be after-parties.
September 12
Labor Day Parade Fifth Ave from 44th to 67th Sts; 10am; free
Yeah, the three-day weekend's in the rearview and the white pants are back in the closet, but your Labor Day's not complete until you take a minute to actually celebrate organized labor. So pop on over to midtown and raise your voice in solidarity with the New York City Central Labor Council, which is organizing the march. Consider it an excuse to have a second Labor Day weekend.
Pig Island Ikea Eric Basin Park, Brooklyn; 11:30am; $85
Yeah, it ain't cheap, but consider that the cost of entry nets you all-you-can-eat access to 30 barbecued pigs from 25 different BBQ-slingers, like Matt Fisher of Fletcher's Brooklyn Barbecue and Tyson Ho of Arrogant Swine. If that's not enough, there's also all-you-can drink craft beer and whiskey from the likes of Sixpoint Brewery and Van Brunt Stillhouse. Sounds more like a bargain by the minute, right?
Vendy Awards, Governors Island; 12:30pm; $100–$145
Brace yourself for what Mario Batali calls "The Oscars of street food." At this event, 25 street food vendors compete in categories like Rookie of the Year, Best Dessert and the People's Choice; your ticket lets you try each and every one of 'em (assuming you have the stomach capacity), and then you vote for your favorites. There's also all-you-can drink beer from Brooklyn Brewery, wine from Santa Cristina, live music—and the usual amazing views of Manhattan.
Kaviar Roof Club: Terrence Parker + Beto Cravioto + Higgins Output, Brooklyn; 3pm; $20, free before 4pm with R.S.V.P.
The weather'll be turning cool soon, so get in your rooftop EDM fix while you can. Fresh in from Detroit, Terrence Parker takes over Output's rooftop for an afternoon behind the tables, spinning house jams with his trademark panache (and his trademark phone-handset headphones).
NYFW Style Bar Gansevoort Hotel; 3pm, $10, at the door $20
Score makeup touch-ups, hairstyling tips and a chance to chit-chat with other style-conscious New Yorkers at this fashion fest, opening at the Gansevoort's American bistro, the Chester. Sponsored by SoleScription and Studio 15, the party offers half-priced drink specials, a DJ and a chance to catch a sneak peek at some of Studio 15's spring collection.
Death Cab for Cutie + Explosions In The Sky Madison Square Garden; 8pm, $39.50–$49.50
Relive the musical majesty of the mid-aughts and check out the sweet, earnest rockers (minus cofounder Chris Walla, but still going strong) when they play the world's most famous arena in support of their eighth LP, Kintsugi. Opening act Explosions In The Sky warms up the crowd with their post-rock instrumental jams.
The Gipsy Kings Beacon Theatre; 8pm; $77.50–$127.50
Remember that super-catchy Spanish cover of "Hotel California" that got stuck in your head for days the last time you watched The Big Lebowski? That was these guys. There's a decent chance they'll play it at the Beacon—but even if they don't, the Gipsy Kings are always known to put on one hell of a show.
Party Like It's 1999: The X-Files of September Edition The Bell House, Brooklyn; 10pm; free
The X-Files first hit the airwaves 22 years ago this week, so the Bell House is dedicating this installment of their '90s-themed dance party series to Agents Mulder and Scully, as well as all their little green friends. Bonus: Dress like Dana or Fox, and DJ Steve will hook you up with a super-secret prize.
September 13
Wanderlust 108 Brooklyn 2015 Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn; 9:30am; free–$55
Give your mind and body a nice respite with this "mindful triathlon," which combines a 5K run, outdoor yoga and guided meditation in the bucolic landscape of Prospect Park. Unlike most triathlons, this one isn't about beating everyone else—it's about finding peace and making new friends. (As well as hula hooping and trying tasty local cuisine while listening to live music.)
TASTE Williamsburg Greenpoint East River Park, Brooklyn; 1pm; $35–$85
Put your taste buds to work for the greater good at this annual North Brooklyn party down by the water that brings together some of the best foods from Greenpoint and Billyburg in order to raise money for the Northside Town Hall Community and Cultural Center. The basic ticket gets you four edibles and two drinks—but with 49 vendors to choose from, you may want to pay the extra bucks for one of the more permissive passes.
Sea Tea Pier 40; 6pm; $35, at the door $30
Grab your boo-bear and head down to the river for the final 2015 installment of this gay party cruise. The last voyage features DJ Robbie Leslie on the turntables, an included buffet dinner, a top-shelf cash bar and the main attraction: incredible views of the NYC skyline by night.
Moon Duo + Soldier of Fortune + The Loom Mercury Lounge; 9:30pm; $16
Swing on down to the LES to check out some of the hottest up-and-comers in music today. Some little newspaper called The New York Times (seriously, who are they?) called Brooklyn indie rockers the Loom "the next big thing," while Moon Duo's neopsych-meets–West Coast punk sounds are sure to expand your musical horizons.