This and That: Things To Do in NYC (March 2024)
Looking for fun events in New York City in March 2024? From International Women’s Day to the opening of the Whitney Biennial, there’s plenty of opportunity to get out for a good cause or a good time.
2024 State of the Union
Joe Biden at the 2023 State of the Union. Image: AP Photo.
What Is It: The State of the Union address is an annual speech given by the President of the United States to Congress. It assesses the nation's current condition, outlines legislative priorities, and often serves as a platform for the president's agenda, addressing domestic and foreign policy issues. In the election year, it will serve as an important opportunity for President Biden to make a case for re-election.
Why Go: Get a firsthand glimpse into the nation's political landscape in this symbolic and historic evening. The State of the Union provides insight into the president's priorities, key policy initiatives, and the state of affairs domestically and internationally. Additionally, it offers an opportunity to witness the workings of the government and engage in civic discourse. It also has a very long opening ovation that can last twenty minutes. All that, of course depends on if you can get a ticket. Congresspeople are each allotted a single guest ticket, and the First Lady has space in her private box for about twenty guests.
All that, of course, depends on if you can get a ticket. Congresspeople are each allotted a single guest ticket, and the First Lady has space in her private box for about twenty guests.
What’s Involved: Networking and a speech by the President of the United States.
Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 9pm at the House of Representatives chamber of the United States Capitol. In-person attendance must be arranged with Representative staff or at the request of the First Lady of the United States. Information and livestream here.
Whitney Biennial 2024: Even Better Than the Real Thing
Still from Clarissa Tossin’s Mojo’q che b’ixan ri ixkanulab’ / Antes de que los Volcanes Canten / Before the Volcanoes Sing, 2022, color digital video, sound. Image: courtesy of the artist and EMPAC / Rensselaer.
What Is It: One of the most pivotal art events on the bi-annual calendar, The Whitney Museum of American Art Biennial has showcases diverse works by emerging and established American artists since 1932. The Biennial has been a platform for innovation, dialogue, and cultural reflection for over a generation, serving as a touchpoint and check on the state of culture. The 2024 Whitney Biennial, Even Better Than the Real Thing, is organized by Chrissie Iles, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz, Curators and Meg Onli, Curator at Large, with Min Sun Jeon and Beatriz Cifuentes.
The Whitney Museum of American Art Biennial was an Annual until the 1973 edition, when it transitioned to a format of being staged every two years.
Why Go: Often driving the leading conversations and trends in art, the Biennial serves as an opportunity to encounter talented artists early in their careers or reconsider the legacies of matured talents. Notable artists have debuted at the Whitney Biennial over the years, include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, Jenny Holzer, and Kehinde Wiley. This year’s Biennial includes artists such as Lada Suomenrinne, Ser Serpas, Sarah Hennies, and more.
What’s Involved: Observation and interaction with the works of seventy-one visionary artists and collectives.
From Thursday, March 14th until Sunday, August 11th, 2024. Open daily at The Whitney Museum of American Art. Information and tickets here.
Fashion Icons: Todd Snyder in Conversation with Fern Mallis
Todd Snyder and Fern Mallis. Image: The 92nd Street Y.
What Is It: Fern Mallis (creator of NYFW) will be in conversation with designer Todd Snyder, one of America’s leading menswear designers. As Mallis stated, “This is absolutely Todd Snyder’s moment. He’s been a dominant force in the men’s fashion business for many years and the time has come to spotlight him as the menswear fashion icon that he is.” Guy Trebay, Men’s Fashion Critic for the New York Times, referred to Snyder as “…the righteous inheritor of Ralph Lauren’s mantle.”
Why Go: Simply stated, Todd Snyder is on a roll and Fern Mallis’ ability to talk through business and creativity is a gift. Further, as part of Fern Mallis’ Fashion Icon series, you’ll be witnessing something new: “I haven’t interviewed many menswear designers for the series. I look forward to an exceptional conversation." Get insight into Snyder’s creative process, his experience as a designer, and his trajectory as a growing designer, now maintaining his own brand and working as Creative Director of Woolrich’s Black Label.
What’s Involved: A conversation between two fashion industry titans as part of the Recanati-Kaplan Talks series.
Tuesday, March 19th from 7:30pm. Attend the conversation at the Kaufmann Concert Hall located on the 92nd Street Y campus, or watch online via livestream. Ticket proceeds support the mission of The 92nd Street Y. Tickets and information here.
NCAA March Madness at Barclays Center
Barclays Center. Image: Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports.
What Is It: The Atlantic 10 Conference is hosting the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn. Barclay Center is hosting six games over two days and three sessions. March Madness features 68 college teams competing in a single-elimination format to determine the national champion.
Why Go: A staple of low-stakes office gambling the country over, March Madness has a contagious nature to it, where tournament bracket construction having been elevated to a science. But attending the tournament in-person brings an entirely new level of excitement with wild match-ups, upsets, and intense competition. Witness raw talent at play and, if you’re cheering for the winning team, enjoy being part of basketball history.
What’s Involved: Basketball games in an exciting setting.
Friday, March 22nd and Sunday, March 24th, 2024 at Barclays Center, various game times. Information and tickets here.
Jewelers of America 2024 GEM Awards
Designer Marla Aaron and journalist Tanya Dukes are among the 2024 GEM Award nominees. Image: National Jeweler.
What Is It: The GEM Awards, hosted by Jewelers of America (JA), is an annual event honoring excellence in the jewelry industry. It recognizes outstanding achievements in categories such as Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Excellence though an awards ceremony taking place at the soaring jewelbox Cipriani . Winners are celebrated for their contributions to advancing the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches. This year’s nominees include Marla Aaron, Tanya Dukes, Alexis Wolfe, Irene Neuwirth and others. Susan M. Jacques, President and CEO of GIA, will be the recipient of the GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Jewelry Style Award will go to actress and singer Cynthia Erivo.
Why Go: Cipriani 42nd Street will transform into a towering jewel box for the evening to host the preeminent accolades gala for the fine jewelry and watch industry. With an impressive sponsor list including CHANEL Fine Jewelry, De Beers, and Tiffany & Co., The GEM Awards is a chance to encounter and celebrate with the who’s-who of the jewelry industry.
What’s Involved: Cocktails followed by dinner and an awards ceremony.
Friday, March 8th, 2024 from 7pm until late at Cipriani 42nd Street. This is a ticketed event. Information and waitlist here.
Larger than Life: Women of Central Park Tours
Women's Rights Pioneers Monument (2020) by Meredith Bergmann. Image: Central Park Conservancy.
What Is It: Celebrate Women's History Month with a mobility-friendly tour of Central Park though a limited tour series: Larger than Life: Women of Central Park. Uncover the hidden stories of influential women who shaped the park’s development, from a Black model who served as a muse for artists during the Gilded Age to the sculptor who made her big artistic break as a young mother and created an oversize statue of a Latin American hero.
Why Go: A legendary park known the world over, there are generations of knowledge and history lurking in every corner of Central Park. The Women of Central Park tour is an opportunity to explore and consider the beloved park with a new perspective, seeing firsthand how women have impacted Central Park.
What’s Involved: A tour around Central Park, about 90 minutes in duration and 1.1 miles in distance.
The accessible tour will take place on three separate dates:
Friday, March 8th, 2024 at 11:00am.
Sunday, March 10th, 2024 at 11:00am.
Saturday, March 23rd, 2024 at 2:00pm.
All tours begin at the West 59th Street Kiosk. Information and tickets here.
Illinoise at Park Avenue Armory
Illinoise. Image: Courtesy Matthew Murphy / llinoise.
What Is It: The collaboration between choreographer Justin Peck and musician Sufjan Stevens, Illinoise brings to life Stevens' acclaimed 2005 album Illinois in a dynamic music-theater production. Featuring impressionistic choreography, live music, and storytelling, the show explores themes of self-discovery and the American heartland through lush orchestrations and eclectic musical influences. The Tony Award-winner embraces Stevens’ album in an ecstatic pageant of storytelling with a full-heart and honest spirit with three vocalists and an 11-piece band perform the music with a cast of 16 dancers including Gaby Diaz, Robbie Fairchild, Ben Cook, Ahmad Simmons and Ricky Ubeda.
Why Go: Already extended for additional performances, Illinoise is ideal for pining Millennials who worship Sufjan Stevens, but also for art lovers who can appreciate sophisticated references and moving dance interpretations. Critical reception has been favorable, with The New York Times stating “Peck can do anything he wants with choreography: a virtuoso of the form.”
What’s Involved: A performance is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes without an intermission.
Now until Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 with the following showtimes:
Monday through Thursday at 7:30pm.
Friday at 8:00pm.
Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm.
Information and tickets here.
Other Things Around the World
United States: Nic Roldan will host his sixth annual Sunset Polo White Party at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida on Friday March 22nd, 2024. The Netherlands: Fine arts fair TEFAF Maastricht will take place from Saturday, March 9th until March 14th, 2024. Saudi Arabia: The Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah. The Philippines: Janet Jackson will bring her Together Again tour to Manilla’s Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday, March 13th, 2024 at 8pm.
