For our (unconscionably high) rent money, the best thing about living in NYC is its endless supply of fun, odd, and inspired cultural events — especially during the summer months. But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to even begin. 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, June 24
FILM: The Jackie Chan Experience
Tuesday, June 25
DANCE: Midsummer Night Swing Whether you prefer Vintage Swing, Disco, Calypso, or Golden-Age Jazz, this annual open-air participatory dance festival organized by Lincoln Center no doubt has something to get your groove on. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the just-shy-of-three-week affair in Damrosch Park features a different live act each night with a dance instructor on hand to teach you a few moves. Winton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra kick off this year’s fête playing Big Band Swing Duke Ellington style. Other highlights include Jonathan Toubin’s Soul Clap & Dance Off with Jitterbug specialist Spencer Weisbond, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra dishing out salsa, and the Loser’s Lounge paying homage to Donna Summer and the divas of disco. Season, six-, and four-admission passes are available for those who are raring for some rug cutting. — Mindy Bond
Wednesday, June 26
FOOD/WINE: Lucky Peach: Issue #7 Launch Party Lucky Peach presents their travel issue, which will probably be gobbled up off newsstands pretty quickly. You know what you’re getting from the McSweeney’s foodie mag, but what food magazine would do an issue about going across the globe without talking to Anthony Bourdain? Even though he isn’t on the bill, the guy does live right up the block, so maybe there’s a slight chance he’ll show up to this launch party for the seventh issue of the McSweeney’s food magazine that you can’t live without. — Jason Diamond
Thursday, June 27
PARTY: Vans House Parties 2013 It wasn’t all that long ago that Vans was the new kid in Greenpoint. But two epic party-filled summers later, and it’s hard to imagine what life was like before they moved in. Kicking off their free summer series presented by FYF 2013, the massive skate park-cum-music venue plays host to Polaris Prize-winning hardcore punk band Fucked Up. Still living off the fuel generated by the release of their 2011 “rock opera” David Comes to Life, the Toronto band, fronted by the chatty MuchMusic VJ Damian Abraham, delivers chaos-inducing performances. Also on the bill, melodic hardcore-punk foursome Title Fight, who tour in support of their sophomore LP Floral Green, and Frances Quinlan’s indie-folk rock band Hop Along. We expect free beer to again be part of the party agenda. Be sure to RSVP. — Mindy Bond
Friday, June 28
COMEDY: Del Close Marathon We hope your laugh muscles are fully functional, because this marathon is going to be brutal. Returning for its 15th year, this UCB Theater-produced weekend-long extravaganza celebrates the teachings of Del Close, the late, great Chicago improv kingpin who influenced the likes of Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and John Belushi. Beginning Friday at 4:30pm and running 56 hours straight, over 400 improv shows are performed across seven stages. Comedy troupes from as far as Tokyo are stopping in, as well as performers Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Jason Mantzoukas (The League), John Lutz (30 Rock), Ellie Kemper (The Office), Nick Kroll, and Chris Gethard. Even the UCB founders, Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh, are slated to appear. We plan on rolling in around midnight and staying through dawn. — Mindy Bond
FASHION/STYLE: Grove Alley Nite Market
Saturday, June 29
FESTIVAL: 4Knots Music Festival Returning to the Seaport for a third time, it appears that the Village Voice has successfully dropped anchor with their free, daylong, music-driven Siren Fest replacement, 4Knots. Again boasting two stages, this year’s punk rock-heavy lineup blows last year’s out of the water. Kurt Vile & the Violators, who are touring in support of Wakin On a Pretty Daze, released via Matador in April, headline. Other acts on the bill include The Men, Parquet Courts, Reigning Sound, White Lung, Babies, Marnie Stern, Heliotropes, and Houston rapper Fat Tony. After the sun sets in the Seaport, the party continues in Brooklyn with a sold-out show featuring Lil B. — Mindy Bond
Sunday, June 30
FESTIVAL: NYC Pride March 2013 Commemorating the 44th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, this year’s Pride March boasts the “King of Calypso” Harry Belafonte as Grand Marshal, as well as President/CEO of the Center for Black Equity Earl Fowles, and the courageous Edie Windsor, who awaits the Supreme Court’s verdict in her case against DOMA. The annual event begins on 36th Street and 5th Avenue, with more than 500,000 people making their way down 5th Ave and over to Christopher and Greenwich Streets, where it collides with the Pridefest street fair in the heart of the Village. It’s one big, colorful party. — Leah Taylor