This and That: Things To Do in NYC in May 2024 (Plus: Free Events!)
From dinners and parties (hi, Met Gala!) to art fairs and more, May is certainly the start of the social season in NYC. There’s plenty of opportunity to get out for a good cause or a good time. Here are a few events in NYC worth your time in May 2024.
Frieze New York
The Shed New York. Image: Brett Beyer.
What Is It: Now in its 12th edition, Frieze New York is arguably the anchoring element of New York City’s spring art season. With a significant local presence, it has become a hub for high-value art transactions and an opportunity for art enthusiasts to discover diverse and cutting-edge works in a vibrant atmosphere. Frieze stages a selection of shows around the world, including— among others— London, Los Angeles, and Seoul editions.
Why Go: Tightly curated, Frieze New York presents a quality showing that is rare in art fairs, which can often feel endless and exhausting. A highlight of the fair is the Focus Section, which will feature 11 young galleries each showing solo presentations by emerging or under-appreciated artists. The section will feature four new participants this year, including Central Galeria, Kapp Kapp, Madragoa and Patron. Further, Ruinart will be serving serving its signature Blanc de Blanc and Ruinart Rosé in its top-floor space while showcasing works by Andrea Bowers, a participant in Ruinart’s annual Carte Blanche artist residency program for 2024.
What’s Involved: Art and design showcases from 68 exhibitors with a focus on New York-based galleries.
From Wednesday, May 1, 2024 until Sunday, May 5th, 2024, open daily at The Shed. Information and tickets here.
Gotham Burger Social Club x benny blanco Event
Image: Gotham Burger Social Club.
What Is It: Celebrate National Burger Month with music superstar benny blanco as he teams up with Gotham Burger Social Club to debut the "latka burger" at a special one-day event at Gotham Burger Social Club’s Lowest East Side location. In addition to sampling the burger, the first 100 guests will meet Benny and receive a signed copy of his all-new cookbook, Open Wide (now available for pre-order). Blanco’s cookbook promises to teach you everything you need to know about cooking, enjoying life, and “throwing the greatest dinner party of all time.”
Why Go: First, the burger itself. Gotham Burger Social Club took the city by storm with its Oklahoma-style burgers, spawning imitators and setting a new standard for a great burger. The “latke burger”, one-of-a-kind creation by Benny for Gotham Burger Social Club, advances on the formula, taking a decadent smashed patty and topping it with a special ‘please marry me Martha Stewart’ latka of Benny’s creation along with spicy mustard, caramelized onions, and melted muenster cheese. Then there is benny himself, a big personality and a skill producer and musician, having worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and more.
What’s Involved: A limited-edition burger. The first 100 guests will enjoy a meet-and-greet with musician benny blanco and receive a signed copy of his new cookbook, Open Wide.
Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 from 1pm onward at Gotham Burger Social Club’s Lower East Side location. Follow Gotham Burger Social Club on Instagram.
The Fulton’s Derby Day Party at The Seaport
The Fulton. Image: Mike Szpot on behalf of the Seaport.
What Is It: No need to gas up the G5 and hoof it to Teterboro only to spend two minutes in Louisville. Instead, celebrate the legendary Kentucky Derby right in the city at Jean-George’s The Fulton, situated on New York City’s Seaport waterfront. The sleek and soaring restaurant is closing its doors for a very private viewing event with limited seatings available for the evening. It will also serve as the venue for the first annual Kentucky Derby hat contest.
Why Go: This is a rare opportunity to join fellow horse-racing enthusiasts in the city while bonding over fine bourbon and dining. Should you feel lucky, handicap your races in comfort with stunning views over the East River and its bridges and a crystal-clear view of the races which will be streaming all evening. Complete with live music, seafood towers, huge floral photo ops, and some of the best mint juleps in town, an equestrian escape awaits.
What’s Involved: Music, cocktails, a coursed dinner, Basil Hayden Bourbon tastings and a Kentucky Derby hat contest.
Saturday, May 4th, 2024 from 5:30pm onward at The Fulton by Jean-Georges. Information and reservations here.
free event
Looking for something a little more casual but just as exciting? The Maker’s Mark Viewing Party, also taking place at The Seaport, might be more your speed. Enjoy Maker’s Mark samplings with screens to catch all the racing action in this comfortable outdoor space. Stylish Derby props will be on hand for your photos, along with specialty Julep Cocktails and oyster appetizers for sale. A hat contest will be on so make sure to dress to impress.
Saturday, May 4th, 2024 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at the Outdoor Bar at Tin Building by Jean-Georges, 96 South St, New York, NY. Information and RSVP here.
68th Viennese Opera Ball
A recent Viennese Opera Ball in New York City. Image: Stefan Joham.
What Is It: A grand gala event celebrating Austrian culture and tradition, the Viennese Opera Ball serves as one of the final bastions of the historical high traditions of New York City and remains the oldest and most prestigious opera ball outside of Vienna. Remaining as a signature event in the debutante calendar, attendees enjoy a night of classical music, dance performances, and gourmet cuisine, all in the spirit of Vienna's famed opera scene. The event’s proceeds will benefit Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with support from Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, an organization founded by event co-chair Denise Rich and works to encourage the development of more effective therapies for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and related cancers.
Why Go: Going deep into the night, the “Viennese” is a marathon event with countless performances, two meals, a formal procession for peerage, and music by The Viennese Opera Ball Orchestra. The evening culminates in the midnight quadrille, special dance that dates back centuries. Co-chaired by the inimitable Jean Shafiroff, the veteran supporter of the organization is known to create an atmosphere of approachability and easy formality at the events she chairs. With a strong appreciation for tradition, this event is strictly white tie— the most formal dress in the Western world.
What’s Involved: A night inspired by Verdi’s Aida, the night includes cocktails, opening performances, seated dinner, midnight quadrille dance, followed by a buffet and dancing until late.
Dress Code: Long gowns and white tie.
Friday, May 10, 2024 from 8:00pm-2:00am at The Plaza Hotel. Information and tickets here.
TEFAF New York
The Park Avenue Armory. Image: Mark Niedermann/Architectural Digest.
What Is It: With a prestigious reputation, TEFAF, or the European Fine Art Foundation fair, is a renowned art fair showcasing exceptional art and antiques from antiquity to contemporary times. Attracting leading galleries worldwide while enforcing a famously aggressive vetting process, the show consistently offers a diverse range of high-quality pieces. Now in its 10th year, TEFAF’s New York edition provides collectors and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to explore and acquire exceptional artworks in a sumptuous and museum-like atmosphere.
Why Go: Beyond the magnificent people watching, the curation is consistently graceful and engaging. During the run of show, there is an exceptional lineup of scheduled programming, including a panel discussing The Next Generation of Connoisseurs: Creating New Legacies for Collections, which will engage a cross-section of industry insiders including Andrew Russel of Artnet News Pro and Ebony Haynes of David Zwirner and 52 Walker. The Frick Looking Forward: Tracing the Evolution of the Museum will bring Apollo Magazine editor Ed Behrens in conversation with Director of The Frick Collection Ian Wardropper and together they’ll explore Wardropper’s tenure at The Frick and what awaits visitors when The Frick returns to its Fifth Avenue home later this year.
What’s Involved: Opportunity to explore a vast trove of museum-quality artwork plus topical programming. Refreshments and small snacks available.
From Friday, May 10, 2024 until Tuesday, May 14, 2024, open daily at Park Avenue Armory. Information and tickets here.
The World Around Summit 2024
Image: The World Around.
What Is It: The World Around’s flagship annual summit is a convening of global architecture’s “now, near, and next.” Curated by Beatrice Galilee, The World Around’s Executive Director, this extended program will present a year of architecture and design in a day, introducing the best in contemporary buildings and exploring cutting-edge and inspiring new projects and initiatives in landscape, technology, and design through the lens of social and ecological justice. The World Around Summit 2024 is co-presented by The World Around and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, with support from the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain.
Why Go: Situated in the inspiring context of the Guggenheim Museum (which remains a provocative piece of architecture in its own right), The World Around Summit allows attendees to survey the state of architecture with some of the most influential personalities in the industry, feature the likes of Germane Barnes (founder of Studio Barnes and known for his work focusing on the intersection of architecture and identity), Jing Liu and Florian Idenburg of the Brooklyn-based architecture firm SO–IL, and Nguyễn Hà of ARB Architects Vietnam, and more. The World Around Summit also engages users of architecture such as professional skateboarder and member of the USA Olympic Team Alexis Sablone as well as observers and thinkers such as Sandra Jackson-Dumont of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and Emanuele Coccia, a philosopher and writer who explores the philosophical aspects of architecture and design. Altogether, this event will offer a well-rounded and thought-provoking examination over the course of a day.
What’s Involved: Talks, interactive presentations, and networking among the leaders of contemporary design, philosophically and materially.
Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 1:00pm until 6:00pm at The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Information and tickets here.
On Stage at the Met Honoring Barbara Tober
A recent On Stage at the Met dinner. Image: The Metropolitan Opera.
What is it: As the other Met, the Metropolitan Opera is hosting its own gala to honor Barbara Tober. The gala will recognize her steadfast and ardent support of the company, and for her towering achievements as a philanthropist and patron of the arts with an intimate and unique evening program. The Met Opera enjoys a devoted and enthusiastic following (who happen to know how to party). General manager Peter Gelb and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin will be hosting the evening.
Why go: It is an opportunity to experience one of the most legendary stages in a completely new way, where you’ll dine, dance, and celebrate upon the magnificent stage of the Metropolitan opera house. It’s also a chance to bond with fellow opera-lovers and the friends of Barbara Tober, the former editor of Brides Magazine from 1996 until 1995, the chairman emerita of the Museum of Art and Design, and long-time Met supporter. If you go, be sure to cast your eyes upward in the lobby to see the celestially-inspired chandeliers, named in honor of Barbara’s late husband, Donald.
What’s involved: Cocktails, dinner, dancing, and performances by Met artists.
Dress Code: Black tie.
Monday, May 20th, 2024 from 6:00pm onward at the Metropolitan Opera House. To purchase tickets, please complete this form and email it to specialevents@metopera.org or mail it to: Special Events, The Metropolitan Opera, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023.
Harlem School of the Arts 60th Anniversary Gala
Harlem School of the Arts President James C. Horton and host Tamron Hall at the 2023 Harlem School of the Arts Gala. Image: Harlem School of the Arts.
What is it: Featuring a Bridgerton-themed dinner theater experience and honoring luminaries like Nicole A. Avant and Al Roker, and hosted by Black Thought and Questlove, The Harlem School of the Arts' 60th Anniversary Spring Gala is celebrating artistic excellence and community impact and promises a night of entertainment, recognition, and support for young artists. Founded in 1964 by Dorothy Maynor, HSA provides quality arts education and training in various disciplines, including music, dance, theater, and visual arts, to children and adults from diverse backgrounds.
Why go: Celebrate with the people who are directly changing lives with arts programming in Harlem. With a guest list consisting of art enthusiasts, philanthropists, community leaders, celebrities and those interested in honoring cultural heritage and advancing arts education, the gala is a joyful opportunity to network and learn, while also witnessing the talents of the alumni and current students at the Harlem School of the Arts. Past attendees include Lupita Lupita Nyong'o, Phylicia Rashad, the country’s youngest Grammy winner Russell Walter III, Tamron Hall, Claire Danes, and many more.
What’s involved: Cocktails, dinner, and performances.
Dress Code: “Bridgerton”.
Monday, May 20th, 2024 from 6:00pm onward at The Ziegfeld Ballroom. Information and tickets here.
Other Things Around the World
United States: With 800 exhibitors and 200 engagements, Automate will hosts the largest robotics and automation event in North America from May 6th through May 9th, 2024 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. United States: The F1 Miami Grand Prix will take place from May 3rd through May 6th in Miami, Florida. United States: Esther Ruiz will debut new work, including the first freestanding sculpture in her Beacon series as part of a solo show. The show will run from May 8th until September 2nd, 2024 at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Saudi Arabia: One World International School Riyadh will host the return of its family-friendly “Music, Art, and Dance” event, oriented toward families of children in kindergarten through grade two, taking place Saturday, May 18th, 2024 from 10:00am until 2:00pm. The Netherlands: Nawafiz, an Arab music festival, will take place in Utrecht at TivoliVredenburg on Friday, May 24th, 2024, from 6:00pm until late. The festival will feature food and snacks from Zina Kitchen along with music by Marwan Moussa, El Sawareekh, Shkoon, and more. Information here. Hong Kong: Phillips’ 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale will take place on May 31st, 2024. Art-world insiders will be watching closely as Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 1982 Native Carrying Some Guns, Bibles, Amorites on Safari is up for sale.
