May 2013 events calendar for New York City

More than 30,000 bikers will be able to enjoy a scenic 42-mile, traffic-free spin through the five boroughs during this mass ride. Advance registration is required. Ride begins at Battery Park.

This L.A.-based comedy show is a big, boisterous spoof of old-time radio shows. The campy tales of hobos, robots and celebrities past (e.g., Amelia Earhart) feature soundtracks, sound effects and big-name performers hamming it up in the best sort of way. Tonight brings regular player Paul F. Tompkins, along with Paget Brewster, John Hodgman, Marc Evan Jackson and James Urbaniak.

Celebrate the diversity of the city in the best way possible—with your taste buds. Now in its 11th year, this festival that began as a handful of restaurants in a JFK terminal has made its home in Citi Field’s Caesars Club, a sprawling convention hall with views of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. Fifty food vendors from the borough will be on hand, from Redwood Deli and Ottomanelli & Sons to Mama’s and Bourbon Street Café (let’s hope they bring the outstanding gumbo they’ve served every other year). Sip on Turkish coffee from the Turkish Cultural Center and wine from Long Island’s Borghese Winery—all included in your admission price. Plus, we have it on good authority that Mr. Met himself will be present. Visit queensny.org/queenstaste for more informaiton.

For serious connoisseurs, this annual festival is an opportunity to pay homage to Manhattan’s preeminent cocktail culture—and revel in five days of merry, mixology-fueled debauchery. The close to a hundred events range from scholarly lectures and conferences to parties and bar crawls that don’t lend themselves to retention of information. The crown jewel of the fest is the opening-night gala, held at the grand New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Though details for the ball are still under lock and key, in 2012 it featured mountains of oysters, ’20s-style burlesque dancers and more than 30,000 hand-stirred cocktails. Tickets sold out in just a few hours last year; be at the ready when they go on sale March 15 at noon. Visit manhattancocktailclassic.com for more information.

The cool-kid food-and-music extravaganza is back in Brooklyn for its second year, kicking off with a Friday night concert, headlined by NYC alt-rockers Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Flaming Lips, and a marathon lineup of grub from a whopping 85 joints.

Slated to debut Memorial Day weekend, this new boardwalk destination aims to complement Coney Island’s kitschy, throwback vibe while offering modern touches. Most of the rides and attractions were selected with high action and a low carbon footprint in mind; look for a wind tunnel designed to simulate skydiving, a zip line spanning the length of a city block, rock-climbing walls and hot-air-balloon rides. The now-defunct Mega Whirl, a ride that was destroyed by Sandy, will find new life as a tropical-themed bar. And if you’re not in the mood for a hot dog (especially post–wind tunnel), the park plans to offer a variety of international, health-conscious fare. facebook.com/bigmarksactionpark. Mon–Thu 10am–11pm; Fri, Sat 10am–midnight; Sun 10am–11pm. $5–$25/ride.

The syndicated sex columnist brings his hilarious, often heartfelt observations to the New York Public Library’s Celeste Bartos Forum for a sure-to-be-lively chat. The engagement marks the release of his new book, American Savage: Insights, Slights, and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love, and Politics, in which the It Gets Better campaign cofounder sounds off on gun control, gay marriage, health care and other hot topics.

Never worry about cycle theft again with this new bike-share program perfect for making quick trips. Sometime in May, 6,000 seriously uncool-looking two-wheelers will appear at 330 stations along a corridor that runs downtown from 60th Street, across the East River and infto central Brooklyn. A pass affords you unlimited 30–45 minute trips—but beware, staying out longer incurs a penalty ($2.50–$12). To see how the ride handles, take a trial run with a gratis day pass, given out after free Street Skills classes at Bicycle Habitat in Soho or Red Lantern Bicycles in Fort Greene (locations, dates and times vary; visit bikenewyork.org for details; registration required). citibikenyc.com. Passes: day $9.95, week $25, annual $95.