Michaela Kilgallen

Find your most capable looking outfit because the Clueless Brunch Day Party is like, totally, back for its second annual '90s-themed bash. So, here’s the deets: Grab your homies and head to 5th & MAD, the bi-level bar and gastro pub. The positively bangin’ brunch party is all going down on July 13 between 1 and 5pm. Here, sip on Clueless-approved brunch food and cocktails like “The Luke Perry” and “Dionne” as you watch the cult classic film and play themed games (hopefully no driver's test lessons). But, like, don’t freak: the Midtown venue promises to dish out more than just 2 bowls of Special K, 3 pieces of turkey bacon, a handful of popcorn, 5 peanut butter M&M’s and like 3 pieces of licorice (all the things Cher's said to have eaten that day in the movie). FYI, you won’t want to roll up looking like a full-on Monet. Channel your inner Cher and flaunt that white collarless shirt from Fred Segal or Alaïa mini because the chicest outfit scores a bottle of bubbly. While it might not say R.S.V.P on the Statue of Liberty–as Cher so eloquently put it–you will need to R.S.V.P to this sweet event. Tickets are $30 and include an entree and one glass of Prosecco. The first Clueless Brunch Day Party at 5th & MAD last year sold out so nab your tickets here. 5th & MAD is located at 7 E 36th St, New York, NY 10016.

It’s officially summer in New York, and we all know what that means—unbearable humidity! Thankfully, the city’s 53 free outdoor swimming pools are open now until September 8, giving us all a surefire way to beat the heat. All the pools are open daily from 11am until 7pm, with a one-hour cleaning break from 3 to 4pm. Pro tip: Check out the 11 newly-renovated Cool Pools locations across all 5 boroughs for poolside games and activities, wall art, lounge chairs, cabanas and greenery.  Can’t swim? Don’t let that stop you. Sign up for free programs like Learn to Swim, Adaptive Aquatics, Adult Water Exercise, Lap Swim, Senior Splash, Senior Water Aerobics and Youth Swim Team. Some locations offer Olympic-sized pools, diving pools, intermediate pools, wading pools and mini pools. Thirty-eight also include a wheelchair accessible ramp or lift. We can’t forget the importance of sun safety this summer so take advantage of free sunscreen at all locations.  The city asks that you leave the food, electronics, valuables, glass bottles and newspapers at home. Just remember to bring a swimsuit and lock to store your stuff while you cool off.  Check here for the full list of locations.

Grab your Eggos–Hawkins, Indiana is taking over Coney Island next weekend.  In honor of Stranger Things Season 3, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will be transformed into the show’s 1985 sci-fi inspired universe from July 5 to 7. Explore the Upside Down from 11am until 6pm, while enjoying treats from Hawkins’ own Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop and riding Deno’s iconic Wonder Wheel, bumper cars and Tilt-A-Whirl. The entire park will be “Stranger-fied” with themed surprises and quintessential elements from the Netflix series, including the Hawkins Fourth of July Spectacular Fireworks Show at 9:30pm on July 5. Stranger Things is also making its way to the Santa Monica Pier in California this weekend with another Hawkins-themed takeover, complete with ‘80s cover bands, the Hawkins’ High School cheerleading squad, food eating competitions, magicians and the Hawkins Bike Shop. Season 3 of the show debuts July 4 on Netflix with Eleven and her demogorgon-fighting friends attempting to live normal teen lives while casually fighting the supernatural. Costumes aren’t required at the Coney Island takeover—or even suggested—but we wouldn’t be mad if we saw a bunch of blonde-wigged, converse-clad Elevens running around the park.

If the Seaport District wasn't already on your list of summer destinations, the waterfront neighborhood just got a glow up thanks to a free light-up immersive art exhibit. The installation, titled The Nautilus, consists of nearly 100 interactive poles that react to touch or sound with a vivid audio and light display. Gone are the days of signs reading, “Please do not touch the art.” You’re not only allowed to touch this exhibit, you’re encouraged. The system works like a giant space-age musical instrument, using sensors and smart technology to respond to each visitor’s unique touch. Grasp one pole, and you’ll hear a single-note melody with accompanying visual display. But touch multiple poles to layer tones from an 8-note scale, orchestrating a symphony of futuristic lights and sounds. The constellation-shaped sensory experience, created by NYC design studio SOFTLab, is a partnership between Lincoln and Atlantic Re:think. Set on Pier 17, the Nautilus isn’t just for those of us in Manhattan. You’ll even be able to catch the animated light display across the East River from the Brooklyn waterfront. Make sure the see the installation before September 10, when The Nautilus moves to its permanent home at the Lincoln headquarters in Detroit.

Three words: Giant. Ball. Pit. That's right. Ball Pit Party aka "Festival of Balls" is bringing a pool of up to 1,000,000 glow-in-the-dark plastic balls to East Williamsburg. Go balls to the wall while sipping cocktails and dancing to a live DJ as LED lights flash in sync to the music. It’s basically Chuck E. Cheese, only better because now you can be tipsy while swimming through a ball pit and not just stuffed with crappy pizza. Past events by the party promoters have taken place on a yacht, featured $1,000 hidden in the pit and offered bottomless champagne brunch. So they're definitely going for more of a maximalist aesthetic. In addition to New York, the Australian-born party is expanding to Denver, Los Angeles and Canada this September. The company behind the event, Viral Ventures Global, is also behind the Lego-themed pop-up bar landing in NYC in July. Party-goers can dive into the sea of plastic balls as many times are their young hearts desire during a 2-hour time slot. Tickets are $15–$40, and organizers say they will sell out. Tickets are now available for the events running from September 11–15. Exactly when and where will this epic party go down? We don’t know yet, but check back for more details if you want to feel like a true baller!

There are some things you just don’t mess with, and New Yorkers who enjoy an occasional summer-y Italian beverage is definitely one of them. After last week's attack piece in The New York Times, “The Aperol Spritz is not a good drink," supporters of the cult cocktail are retaliating with a Rally for Aperol on May 17. (Some highlights:  "If your finished drink tastes like a children’s vitamin, it’s wrong…" and "...something that drinks like a Capri Sun after soccer practice on a hot day. Not in a good way.” Yikes!) Aperol advocates will unite at The Springs in Greenpoint from 4pm until 2am to show support for the drink by, well, drinking it. Grab Aperol Spritzes and Aperol Spritz Slushies for $10, but prove your allegiance to the spritz by wearing orange and you’ll only pay $8. The first 50 guests “to clap-back at The New York Times' shade” by ordering a drink will also receive free branded Aperol sunglasses. The Aperol Spritz has taken New York by storm over the last few years. A miniature mobile bar roamed the streets of the city last year, and Time Out New York even named it the official drink of the summer in 2017, dethroning the equally controversial Frosé. Spritz lover or not, the event sounds like a good opportunity to kick off the summer one week early.

If anyone reading this has a rooftop with a view of the East River in either the Dumbo, Battery Park or Brooklyn Heights area, let’s be friends. After a brief departure, the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show is back at the Brooklyn Bridge this year. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to 4th of July in NYC The event’s 2019 return will mark the biggest ever, with three times more pyrotechnics across the entire bridge and four barges along Pier 17 in the Seaport District. The 43rd annual tradition is the largest show in the country and features musical guests, who will be announced in June. Blake Shelton, Jennifer Lopez, American Authors, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban and Charlie Puth have all graced past Independence Day stages in recent years.  There will be more than a dozen designated areas to watch the 25-minute long spectacle. The show starts of 9:20pm on Thursday, July 4, but you might need to camp out all day to get a prime viewing spot. Macy’s estimates that millions of people will come out to watch tens of thousands of fireworks and pyrotechnic displays fill the sky. And if sweaty crowds aren’t your thing, the entire night will be broadcast on NBC. Stay tuned for more news from us, including prime places to watch! 

Looks like it’s peace out for Woodstock 50. Yesterday, the festival’s primary investor Denstu announced that it will abandon the project. “...But despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees,” the statement read. “As a result and after careful consideration, Dentsu Aegis Network’s Amplifi Live, a partner of Woodstock 50, has decided to cancel the festival. As difficult as it is, we believe this is the most prudent decision for all parties involved.” Admittedly, that doesn't sound promising, but the festival might still have a pulse. “Although our financial partner is withdrawing, we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners,” Woodstock 50 co-founder Michael Lang said in a statement. “The bottom line is, there is going to be a Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival, as there must be, and it’s going to be a blast.” Tickets were set to go on sale this past Earth Day on April 22, but the sale was postponed and a new date has yet to be announced. The lineup for the 3-day celebration was planned to include Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, The Killers, The Lumineers, Chance the Rapper, Imagine Dragons, Halsey, Dead & Company, John Fogerty and Santana. Luckily, Woodstock 50 isn’t the only opportunity to party like it’s 1969. Bethel W

As much as we all love our daily commutes, what if your MetroCard could get you to Hawaii and not just Union Square? That’s right! One subway rider (and a friend) could soon be on a warm beach and sipping tropical cocktails from hallowed pieces of fruit. Starting today, eight MTA stations will be stocked with a total of 250,000 Hawaii-branded MetroCards. Enter the code on the back of the card before April 30, and you (plus the aforementioned friend) will be entered to win a round trip flight to the island of your choice, a seven-day hotel stay, rental car and $1,500 gift card. If you can picture yourself chilling in a hammock surrounded by white sand and palm trees, make sure to grab a limited-edition MetroCard at the following subway stations: 72nd and Amsterdam 86th and Lexington 59th and Columbus 23rd and 8th 14th St. Union Square Broadway Lafayette Fulton Street Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr The winning New Yorker will be drawn on May 8, but if that isn’t you, Hawaii Tourism will still be running contests every month through October, including a collaboration with Governors Ball next month, Barry’s Bootcamp in June and Best Made in July. Good luck!

Dust off your tie dye shirt and bust out your fringe vest: The Woodstock 50th anniversary lineup is here. The initial list of artists includes Woodstock newcomers Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus, The Killers, The Lumineers, Chance the Rapper, The Black Keys, Imagine Dragons and Halsey. It also boasts throwback performances from 1969 acts like Dead & Company, John Fogerty, Santana, John Sebastian, Country Joe McDonald and Canned Heat. The three-day celebration of peace, love and music is set for August 16-18 in Watkins Glen, New York. Tickets aren’t available yet, but we'll keep you updated as we find out more. Check out the full lineup below.  August 16 The Killers, Miley Cyrus, Santana, The Lumineers, The Raconteurs, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, John Fogerty, Run the Jewels, The Head and the Heart, Maggie Rogers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Bishop Briggs, Anderson East, Akon, Princess Nokia, John Sebastian, Melanie, Grandson, Fever 333, Dorothy, Flora Cash, Larkin Poe, Brian Cadd and Ninet Tayeb. August 17 Dead & Company, Chance the Rapper, The Black Keys, Sturgill Simpson, Greta Van Fleet, Portugal. The Man, Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, David Crosby and Friends, Dawes, Margo Price, Nahko and Medicine for the People, India.Arie, Jade Bird, Country Joe McDonald, Rival Sons, Emily King, Soccer Mommy, Sir, Taylor Bennett, Amy Helm, Courtney Hadwin, Pearl, John-Robert and IAMDDB, August 18 Jay

In 2017, New York collectively mourned the temporary loss of the iconic East Village music venue Webster Hall. Luckily, the first artist set to grace the newly renovated stage when it reopens later this month does not disappoint. It’s NYC's very own Jay-Z. The grammy award-winning, native New Yorker will perform a set entitled “B-Sides 2” on April 26. Jay’s special performance will feature deep cuts and, if we’re lucky, maybe even some unreleased tracks. “B-Sides 2” is—you guessed it—a sequel to his 2015 "Tidal X: Jaÿ-Z B-Sides" performance at Terminal 5, where he brought on stage special guests including Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, Jay Electronica and Jeezy. Webster Hall shuttered its doors in August 2017 to undergo renovations after being acquired by entertainment conglomerate AEG. Since announcing the spring reopening this January, the venue’s calendar has been stacked with artists like MGMT, Empire of the Sun, Patti Smith, Sharon Van Etton, FKJ, Built to Spill, Big Thief and an all-day, 3-set pizza and bagel album release party with Vampire Weekend. Tickets for “B-Sides 2” go on sale this Friday, April 19 at 11am. Amex presale starts April 18 at 10am. If you can’t score tickets (or can’t afford to shell out $250 - $399), there’s also a chance to see JAY-Z perform at Woodstock 50 this summer.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that New York’s newest, shiniest neighborhood opened earlier this month: Hudson Yards. Now you have a chance to make your own personal mark on the gleaming fresh nabe by naming its crown jewel. Thomas Heatherwick's 60-ton, $150 million honeycomb-esque installation is currently going by the name “Vessel,” but, apparently, that's just a temporary moniker. Related-Oxford, the group behind the massive real estate venture, now says they're open to suggestions for a more permanent name. Jeez, do we have to do everything around here? The Vessel opened to the public on March 15 and—in classic NYC fashion—has already drawn comparisons to a giant shawarma, a trash can and a roach. However, one assumes "Roach Motel" probably won't nab you first prize in this competition. Might want to aim for something a bit more aspirational. Feel like a trip to the landmark in person might help get your creative juices flowing? If you want to scale the 154-flight structure, you’ll need to reserve a spot. Fortunately, tickets are free to soak up the Vessel’s views of the Hudson River and surrounding utopia—some of which is still under construction—which includes a one-million-square-foot mall, new restaurants, five-acre park, observation deck and multidisciplinary arts center. So what do you think future generations should call the Vessel? The metallic pine comb? Sleeping transformer? An extremely faulty vase? Submit your ideas here. And let's be real, N