This and That: Things To Do in NYC (April 2024)
Spring is here, and NYC is again bustling with activity. Looking for fun events in the city? 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 April 2024.
2024 New York International Auto Show
2025 Ford Mustang GTD at the New York International Auto Show. Image: Byron Hurd/Autoblog
What Is It: The New York International Auto Show is a premier automotive exhibition showcasing the latest advancements in the industry. Held annually, it features world-renowned car manufacturers unveiling cutting-edge vehicles, concept cars, and emerging automotive technologies. The event attracts enthusiasts, industry professionals, and media from around the globe.
Contest winner Brittley at The New York International Auto Show with her 2024 Mustang, customized by Sydney Sweeney. Image: Ford.
Why Go: The show offers a firsthand experience of the automotive industry's innovation and excitement. From unveiling the latest models to showcasing groundbreaking technologies, the New York International Auto Show provides a unique opportunity to explore the future of transportation, connect with industry leaders, and immerse yourself in the world of automobiles. Visitors can experience the EV test track, try out outdoor climbing experiences at Camp Jeep, encounter a Ford Mustang completely customized by actor and car enthusiast Sydney Sweeney, and even see the global debut of the Genesis Neolun Concept.
What’s Involved: Over a million square feet of exhibition space with over 700 vehicles to discover. Over 100 attendee side events.
Now through Sunday, April 7th, 2024. Open daily from 10:00am-10:00pm with early access for Early Access ticket holders. Taking place at The Javits Center. Information and tickets here.
Free Event: HUGFest
The Canvas 3.0 located at the Oculus at World Trade Center. Image: The Canvas.
What Is It: For the first time ever, HUG, one of the most inclusive destinations for artists and art lovers is presenting HUGFest, an all-day event celebrating arts of all types from a global community of artists, Coming together at The Canvas 3.0, a physical hub for digital art and a haven for explorative conversations, the event is a genre-bending adventure in art and creativity
Why Go: Both The Canvas 3.0 and HUG are truly pushing the boundaries of creativity and redefining the art world landscape. This highly-interactive festival invites attendees to encounter art installations, witness new work by Rob Anderson, enjoy live screen printing, explore works from Sumi Yuri Studio, Foodmasku, Mumbot, and more. Refreshments and snacks are available to keep you fueled through the day.
What’s Involved: Art and design showcases, live art production, tarot readings by Mystic Monday, bracelet making with Madison Horne, and an art marketplace with original works for purchase.
Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 3:00pm-8:00pm at The Canvas 3.0, in the Oculus at World Trade Center. Information and FREE tickets here.
Young Concert Artists 63rd Annual Gala
Young Concert Artists 62nd Annual Gala. Image: Instagram/YCA.
What Is It: Renowned for the concert portion of the evening, The Young Concert Artists Gala is a prestigious and enlightening annual event celebrates emerging talents in classical music and dance, benefiting this important organization’s ongoing work. Now in its 63rd year, the gala will honor choreographer and dancer Damian Woetzel who is now the President of The Juilliard School. For more than 60 years, YCA has invested in extraordinary young musicians, providing them with the support, clarity, and confidence to tell their stories, as well as with the tools, opportunities, and infrastructure to take their careers to the highest level.
Why Go: The highlight of the gala is the concert, which will feature performances by Jeremy Denk (piano), Zlatomir Fung (cello), Anne Akiko Meyers (violin), Lil Buck (dancer/choreographer), Chaeyoung Park (piano), Anthony Trionfo (flute), Albert Cano Smit (piano), Ying Li (piano), Ziggy & Miles (guitar duo), Bella Hristova (violin), Oliver Neubauer (violin), Toby Appel (viola), and Julia Bruskin (cello). The program includes works by Rachmaninoff, Piazzola, Schumann, Bach, Fauré, and Gnattali.
What’s Involved: Cocktails, concert, live auction, and dinner. Black tie optional.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 6:00pm onward at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Information here.
New York International Antiquarian Book Fair
63rd New York International Antiquarian Book Fair. Image: Tamino Autographs.
What Is It: The premier event showcasing rare books, manuscripts, maps, and other bibliophilic treasures, The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is held annually, attracting collectors, dealers, and bibliophiles from around the world to browse the world-class and highly-vetted collection of items.
Why Go: The world of rare books is a remarkably dynamic one and the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair serves as an ideal look into the market, whether you’re a veteran or just dipping a toe. The event offers a unique opportunity to explore centuries of literary history and acquire unique artifacts from over 200 renowned dealers and exhibitors.
What’s Involved: Opportunity to explore a vast trove of items from rare books, maps, illustrations, historical documents, and rare prints. Refreshments available.
From Thursday, April 4, 2024 until Sunday, April 7, 2024, open daily at Park Avenue Armory. Information and tickets here.
Premiere of Delirantes at New York City Fringe Festival
What Is It: Translating to delusional or delirious, Delirantes is a dark comedy exploring the challenging and remarkably universal experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Situated in New York City, this Spanish language stage performance explores the human scenarios that played out as life was paused and a stay-at-home order was enforced. A couple suddenly finds themselves confined in their home with no other option than to face the cruel reality of their long unhappy marriage. Literally trapped by the situation, they find themselves constantly immersed in a never ending discussion that only confirms their deepening delirious state.
Why Go: As part of the influential New York City Fringe Festival, Delirantes serves as writer and actor Daniel Diaza’s directorial debut, supporting director Monica Piñeros, adapting a script by the avant-garde theater legend Eugène Ionesco. The global nature of COVID-19 is only now being explored through the lens of theater and performance, making this a pioneering endeavor. FRIGID New York is an independent, non-profit theater company operating UNDER St Marks Theater, an off-off-Broadway venue in the East Village. New York City Fringe is the flagship festival of the organization, with 100% of box office proceeds going directly to the artists whose work is being presented.
What’s Involved: A stage performance with a runtime of 50 minutes. Spanish with English subtitles.
Performances of Delirantes:
Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 at 6:00pm
Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 9:20pm
Sunday, April 14th, 2024 at 7:00pm
Saturday, April 20th, 2024 at 8:10pm
All performances at the The Wild Project. Information and tickets here.
40th Annual International Center of Photography Infinity Awards
Alexandra Bell, Antwaun Sargent, and Isolde Brielmaier attend the 2018 Infinity Awards. Image: Craig Barritt/Getty Images For International Center Of Photography.
What Is It: The International Center of Photography Infinity Awards honor and celebrate major achievements in photography and visual art. This year's highly anticipated event coincides with ICP's 50th Anniversary—a milestone anniversary celebrating a lasting legacy in photographic excellence. The event is ICP's largest fundraiser and benefits its full range of education and exhibition programs. Past attendees include Hailey Baldwin, Hamish Bowles, Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, Carolina Herrera, Karlie Kloss, Leelee Sobieski, and more.
Why Go: A chance to encounter photographers and supporters furthering the medium, this year awards event will celebrate Lifetime Acheivement winner Shirin Neshat, Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism winner Lynsey Addario, Contemporary Photography and New Media winner Wendy Red Star, and Commercial and Editorial Photography award-winner Renell Medrano. Recognizing innovation and philanthropy, the evening will pay tribute to those shaping its future while recognizing key supporters such as Caryl S. Englander, who will receive the Trustee’s Award.
What’s Involved: Cocktails, dinner, awards presentation, and an auction.
Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 from 6:00pm until 10:00pm at the Tisch Skylights at The Shed, Hudson Yards. Information and tickets here.
Jordan Brand Classic at Barclays Center
Jordan Brand Classic at Barclays Center. Image: Jordan Brand Classic.
What is it: Now in its 12th year, the 2024 Jordan Brand Classic is the premier showcase event for the nation’s top high school boys and girls basketball players. The event is a celebration of basketball culture and the next generation that will shape the future of the game. Basketball fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere as these young stars compete in the “Mecca of Basketball,” New York City.
Why go: The Jordan Brand Classic is symbolically returning home to Brooklyn, New York where basketball legend Michael Jordan was born. Attendees will witness the next generation of world-class talent take to the court in a nationally-televised game on ESPN2 live at Barclays Center. The talent is impressive: Jordan Brand Classic alumni and Jordan Brand ambassadors include as Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and recently-signed Blake Griffin.
What’s involved: Basketball games with top high school talent from around the country.
Sunday, April 21st, 2024 from 4:00PM at Barclays Center. Information and tickets here.
Other Things Around the World
Around the world, regionally: April Fool’s Day or All Fool’s Day is Monday, April 1st, 2024. Learn about the holiday here. United States: The Dallas Art Fair takes place from Thursday, April 4th through Sunday, April 7, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. Italy: Milan’s legendary Salone del Mobile will take place from Tuesday, April 16, 2024 until Sunday, April 21, 2024 with Design Week side events around the city. Also in Italy, D.A.T.E. Sneakers flagship store will open on Friday, April 5, 2024 in Rome.
