This and That: Things To Do in NYC (December 2023)
In the city that never sleeps, the people have to be doing something! Between Christmas and New Years, there’s plenty of opportunity to get out for a good cause or a good time. Here are a few events worth your time in December 2023.
This and That: Things To Do in NYC (December 2023)
Soho Grand Hotel’s Annual Black and White Masquerade Ball. Photo: Soho Grand Hotel
Design Auction and Viewing at Phillips
The Phillips building, an annex of 432 Park Avenue. Image: Brett Beyer
What Is It: Phillips, among the oldest auction houses, will present its influential and breathtaking Design auction once again this December, featuring a wide range of enchanting and rare works by history’s most important decorative artists and designers. 94 carefully-selected pieces will be available for bidding.
Why Go: While the auction itself is an exciting scene, the viewing hours the precede it present a rare opportunity to encounter many of the works on a very intimate basis, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to encounter groundbreaking pieces up close. Among the lots in the auction? A rare pair of Jean Dunand monumental vases, a critically appealing Vladimir Kagan sofa, and an exquisite Marcel Coard table lamp, sourced from the Marcelle and Paul Cocteau residence in France. Consider it your own private museum for a day.
What’s Involved: Viewing and auction.
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 2:00PM at Phillips. Information here.
We Are All Human Annual Gala
Guests attend a past We Are All Human gala. Image: Yvonne Tnt for BFA.
What is it: The annual benefit for the influential We Are All Human organization to celebrate Hispanic contributions in the United States. The organization is committed to turning the general perception of Latinos from invisible to visible, from negative to positive, and from takers to makers. The evening is dedicated to mobilizing support for the Hispanic community and celebrating the incredible contributions the Hispanic community has made during the most challenging times of our lives.
Why go: It’s an opportunity to elevate the key role Hispanics play in society, highlight champions uplifting the community, celebrate the amazing Hispanic contributions, and mobilize support to eliminate the barriers Hispanics face. Founded in 2018, We Are All Human is a public charity dedicated to advancing Equity, Diversity & Inclusion with a unique focus on the progress of Hispanic people in the United States. The organization advocates for universal respect and empowerment, focusing on our shared humanity to foster a more equitable and inclusive world.
What’s involved: Cocktails, dinner, and a musical performance.
Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 7:00PM at Gotham Hall. Information and tickets here.
Pina Bausch at Park Avenue Armory
A moment from Pina Bausch’s Rite of Spring. Image: Maarten Vanden Abeele
What Is It: Faithful to Stravinsky’s visceral score, Rite of Spring, Bausch’s monumental choreography is given a thrilling new life by a specially assembled company of 36 dancers from 14 African countries. Dancing on a peat-covered stage, they clash and engage in a wild and poetic struggle of life, ritual, and sacrifice that pays tribute to her unparalleled genius. Credited with establishing Bausch’s iconic approach, this pioneering work has gone on to become one of the 20th century’s most significant and important bodies of dance theater.
Why Go: It is a special opportunity to witness Bausch’s legendary Rite of Spring. But additionally you’ll be among the first to encounter common ground[s], a new work created, performed, and inspired by the lives of two remarkable choreographers, professors, and grandmothers: Germaine Acogny (considered “the mother of contemporary African dance”), and Malou Airaudo, who performed leading roles in many of Bausch’s early works as a member of Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. The performance is supported as part of the Dance Reflections initiative by Van Cleef & Arpels.
What’s Involved: A performance of 1 hour and 35 minutes with one intermission.
Until Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7PM at Park Avenue Armory. Information and tickets here.
Dewar’s Double Double Food Pairing Menu
Gabriel Kreuther at work. Image: Dewar’s
What is it: Legendary Scotch whisky maker Dewar’s has collaborated with two award-winning chefs to create a custom menu to be served in two New York City restaurants through the end of the year. Curated by French culinary icon Gabriel Kreuther and Charlie Mitchell, the first African American to be awarded a Michelin star in NYC, the menus pair these talented chef’s creations with a selection of Dewar’s new Double Double series of whiskies. This exclusive pairing menu is a unique way to celebrate the holidays with friends and family.
Why go: The Dewar's Double Double series, traditionally enjoyed on its own, has been thoughtfully infused into cocktails crafted by the chefs to elevate the dining experience at two Michelin-starred restaurants, Gabriel Kreuther or Clover Hill. Some highlighted pairings include Hokkaido uni bibimbap with Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old Mizunara Oak Cask, black perigord truffle infused with Dewar’s Double Double 27 Year Old Washed Pearled Barley, Japanese A5 Wagyu steak and blue lobster paired with Dewar’s Double Double 32 Year Old Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish, and chestnut crème "Tobacco Chantilly" red currant sorbet paired with the rare and limited-edition Dewar’s Double Double 37 Year Old.
What’s involved: Dinner accompanied by paired or infused whiskies.
Through, December 31st, 2023 at Gabriel Kreuther or Clover Hill. Reservations recommended.
Soho Grand Hotel’s Annual Black and White Masquerade Ball
A past celebration at the Soho Grand Hotel. Image: Soho Grand Hotel
What is it: Entering its 14th edition, Soho Grand’s Annual Black & White Masquerade Ball is an ode to Truman Capote’s infamous Grand Masked Ball, hosted in New York 1966. The soiree was thrown in honor of Kay Graham. The original party was a true bash of centurion quality— anyone who was anyone was there, attended by ingenious creatives of the art, design, music and fashion worlds. Rules remain enforced: Attire is black tie, decorative masks are mandatory and dancing is obligatory.
Why go: While tourists expect everyone and they moms to be in Times Square, locals don’t even consider it. In a city where New Year’s Eve parties are on every corner and in every building, Soho Grand’s ball is recognized as one of the most eclectic parties to this day, with a strict dress code, free-flowing champagne, a premium bar. This party is ideal for those who wish to ring in the new year with a sense of taste and closed-door elegance.
What’s involved: An evening of disco with DJ Reach and Jenny Albright. Attendees enjoy complimentary champagne, a premium bar, hors d’oeuvres and table-side bottle service. The evening is capped with a midnight toast to a new year.
Sunday, December 31st, 2023 at 9:00PM at Soho Grand Hotel. Information and tickets here.
wINTERverse at INTER_
A participant at INTER_. Image: Rossilynne Skena Culgan for Time Out
What Is It: Offering a beguiling curation of immersive art, light, and sound installations, INTER_ has become renowned for its multi-sensory experiences. Created by a team of technologists, artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers, a special limited edition winter exhibition will be on view from now until January 16th, 2024, offering an enhanced experience great for families, a date, or a personal moment of self-discovery. Attendees can wander through two floors of exhibition space, with a wide variety of interactive and reactive moments.
Why Go: Opportunities to transcend reality are few and far between so you’ve got to take it when you can. Along with its legendary multi-sensory experiences enhanced for the season, wINTERverse infuses a helping of holiday spirit with enchanting photo ops, a DIY beaded snowflake experience, and more.
What’s Involved: Two floors of immersive art installations along with additional interactive opportunities.
Until Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at INTER_. Information and tickets here.
Balloon Museum’s Let’s Fly Exhibition
A scene at the Balloon Museum. Image: Dr. Gracelyn Santos
What Is It: As seen on Netflix’s hit TV show Emily in Paris, Balloon Museum’s exhibition brings eighteen different international artists and media studios together to display a range of installations, art works, and experiences. Rich in whimsy, each concept explores to the importance of modern art and serve as an opportunity to examine the creative nature of inflatables. A one-of-a-kind installation on the piers of New York City, Let’s Fly is Balloon Museum’s first exhibition in the United States since originating in Rome, Italy.
Why Go: You’re encouraged to interact with the art at this museum, touching and feeling the various pieces exhibited. Set in and outside of the 80,000-square-foot space, the experience includes encounters with Camila Falsini’s igloo-like sculptures, Hyperstudio’s astounding ball pit, Michael Shaw’s Lava Lamp, a labyrinth by Cyril Lancelin and more.
What’s Involved: An exhibItion. At least 90 minutes to explore all 18 individual balloon installations.
Until January 14th, 2024 at Pier 36 at The Seaport. Information and tickets here.
Other Things Around the World
United States: Untitled Art Fair, Art Basel and Scope Art Fairs take place in and around Miami, Florida from Friday, December 8 through Sunday, December 10, 2023. MoMA’s Annual Film Benefit will not take place due to the recently resolved strikes. United Kingdom: The 2023 edition of the CDN People Awards will celebrate the people behind automotive design and take place in London on December 7, 2023. Global: Pantone will announce 2024 color of the year on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Rockstar Games will reveal the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 on Tuesday, December 5th, 2023. United Arab Emirates: The 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) takes place from now until December 12, 2023. Fiji: The 8th edition of Your Paradise, an immersive music and wellness experience takes place from December 10 through December 16, 2023 in the Mamanuca Islands.
