For our (unconscionably high) rent money, the best thing about living in NYC is its endless supply of fun, odd, and inspired cultural events. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to even begin planning your week. To help you make sense of it all, Flavorpill Deputy Editor Mindy Bond shares the very best of what’s on offer this week. It’s just a taste of what you can find on the new Flavorpill, so if you like what you see, be sure to sign up.
Monday, May 13
FESTIVAL: Big Sur Brooklyn Bridge Even though they can’t transport the redwood trees from their California home in Big Sur, the people behind the Henry Miller Memorial Library can still bring the amazing events they hold there over to Miller’s hometown of Brooklyn. From May 12-19, the library will display a collection of rare and early-edition works by Miller, some of his manuscripts, artwork, and so much more at City Reliquary, creating a Miller pop-up museum right down the block from where he grew up in Williamsburg. There will be plenty of other events, including the Upright Citizens Brigade’s “Tropic of Laughter,” a night of short film with the Brooklyn Short Film Festival, and a concert featuring Philip Glass and Van Dyke Parks, making this week of celebration something you can’t miss. — Jason Diamond
Tuesday, May 14
FOOD/WINE: Finger on the Pulse presents BBQ Blowout The grills are getting fired and the decks are getting dusted in preparation for the return of Finger on the Pulse’s ever popular summertime series pairing expertly prepared BBQ with DJ sets. The first men to step into the pit are Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster Garrett Oliver and chef Andrew Gerson, whose menu for this evening includes lamb skewers, couscous, and braised red cabbage with apples. Across the yard, Turing Machine can be found dropping funky hits to dine by. The modest $10 price tag covers a plate of food and a complimentary glass of Brooklyn Brewery’s Summer Ale. — Mindy Bond
Wednesday, May 15
MUSIC: Noisey Presents The Rap Party with Problem x IamSu! — Million Dollar Afro Tour Noisey’s monthly rap-inspired rager returns with its finely curated mix of artists and killer party environment. Tonight’s edition features the New York coming out party for 23-year old San Francisco superstar IamSu!. He’s joined by his Million Dollar Afro mixtape mate, the German-born, Compton-raised Problem aka Jason Martin. The all-ages affair is shaping up to be so good, it should be criminal. — Mindy Bond
Thursday, May 16
PARTY: Characterized powered by Cut & Paste
Friday, May 17
FESTIVAL: Great GoogaMooga (Click thorough to win tickets to the fest!) After what some might describe as bumpy launch in 2012 (personally, the long lines didn’t deter us from having a blast), the Great GoogaMooga returns to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park for another go. An amusement park of food, drink, and music from the producers of Bonnaroo, this year’s event ups its ante to three days and includes a paid-ticket kickoff concert on Friday night featuring The Flaming Lips, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and British glam metal band Darkness. The format for Saturday and Sunday are similar to last year: the festivities, which consist of 85 restaurants, 75 brews, 100 wines, and 20 live performances spit over two stages, are free, but tickets are required and food is pay-as-you-go with some modifications being implemented to help speed up the lines. Basically, if your idea of a perfect afternoon entails snacking on a BBQ bacon sandwich from the Meat Hook while drinking a Sixpoint and watching Father John Misty, then this event is up you alley. Also taking to the stage are Matt & Kim, De La Soul, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Jovanotti, and Sharon Van Etten. Other event hoo-haws this year include pop-ups that take reservations and Café GoogaMooga, a place for scintillating conversations organized with the help of WORD and Housing Works Bookstore Café. For those interested all the juicy details or information about the VIP experience, hit up the event’s website. — Mindy Bond
FILM: An Evening with Fab 5 Freddy
Saturday, May 18
CONFERENCE: The Seed 2013 Veganism is demystified at this two-day event brimming with cooking demonstrations, films, and presentations by prominent vegan advocates such as John Joseph of the Cro-Mags/ Meat is for Pussies and plant-based athlete Brendan Brazier. While you’re trying to figure out if this lifestyle is right for you, snack on plant-based food products or browse the wares of earth-friendly vendors. For a full rundown of activities check the Seed’s website. — Mindy Bond
Sunday, May 19
MUSIC: JEFF The Brotherhood We excited to see our favorite Nashville fraternity, JEFF the Brotherhood, stopping through to play a pair of shows at the cozy Mercury Lounge. JEFF hit the big leagues last year with the release of the Dan Auerbach-produced Hypnotic Nights on Warner Bros. Previously, the dynamic duo had been churning out slivers of rock gold via their own label, Infinity Cat, which is also home to bands Heavy Cream, Diarrhea Planet, and Natural Child. If you’re up for some face melting, don’t miss this duo. The punk-fueled Brooklyn band Hunters open. — Mindy Bond
Ongoing